Guinness World Records Ltd has recognized the high-speed telegraphy achievement of Andrei Bindasov, EU7KI. "On 6 May 2003 Andrei Bindasov (Belarus) transmitted 216 marks of mixed text per minute during the 5th International Amateur Radio Union World Championship in High Speed Telegraphy in Belarus," the Guinness database listing states.

(ARRL News Service)

Historic Marconi Collection on the Move  (Dec. 12 2004)

The Marconi Corporation plc and The University of Oxford announced on 6 December that the historic Marconi Collection is to be transferred to The Bodleian Library and The Museum of the History of Science, both part of the University of Oxford. Marconi has agreed to gift the Collection to the University, where it will have a safe and secure future, preserving the integrity of this unique collection.

The Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society made use of some of the items from the Collection when it ran special event station GB2MT in 2001 to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of spanning the Atlantic by radio. Many contacts were made using original Morse keys dating from the late 1890s and early 1900s. 

(RSGB)

RSGB Engages PR Professional in the Fight Against PLT (Dec. 12 2004)

The RSGB is to employ the services of a professional PR agent to address the potential threat posed by the easing of standards to facilitate PLT. The main thrust of the initiative is strategic and advisory, and should also be seen as a learning experience for the Society. The PR agent is a leading practitioner experienced in the field of corporate communications for technical organisations. The brief for the Consultant is to advise the Board on a PR strategy that will highlight the importance of protecting the HF bands and present the wider case for preserving the HF spectrum from interference.

Whilst the RSGB is primarily a volunteer organisation, the judgement of the Board is that this is one of those situations where professional advice is essential.

(RSGB)

DRM RELAYS ITS CONCERNS ABOUT THE HAZARDS OF PLC INTERFERENCE
(Reprinted from the November 2004 DRM Newsletter)
 

The DRM consortium issued the following statement about the hazards of Power Line Communications (PLC) interference, in September:  “Among DRM’s members are well-known commercial, public, international, national and local broadcasters.

The DRM consortium also includes leading network operators, broadcast electronics manufacturers and high-tech research institutions. DRM also includes among its members international NGOs that provide essential emergency services. 

DRM’s members, and the listening audiences they serve, depend on the integrity and security of the worldwide radio spectrum below 30 MHz – now and in the future. 

With a collective wish to provide enhanced media services to future generations, DRM’s members joined forces to create a new, digital radio system (also called DRM). DRM’s development was supported by the European Commission, with funding provided within the Radiate, QOSAM and DIAM projects. 

DRM is the world’s only, non-proprietary, universally standardized, digital radio system for short-wave, medium-wave/AM and long-wave. It provides clear, FM-like audio quality and excellent reception, free from static, fading and interference. An open standard, DRM has received the endorsement of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the International Electrotechnical Committee (IEC). More than 60 leading broadcasters have already started DRM transmissions alongside their existing, analogue radio broadcasts. 
 

There is, however, an electrical radiation hazard that threatens today’s analogue radio services, as well as radio’s bright digital future. DRM’s members are deeply concerned about interference to the radio spectrum caused by harmful emissions from Power Line Communications (PLC), a controversial new method of delivering Internet service to, and distributing data services within, households using AC power lines. PLC emissions levels are currently under consideration by governmental bodies in several countries. 

Over the past 2 years, DRM’s members have measured the effect of PLC emissions on analogue and digital broadcasts in both laboratory and field tests. The test results, which have been reported to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), show that PLC radiation obliterates radio broadcasts.

If PLC emissions are too high, existing analogue and digital radio broadcasts are in many cases suddenly wiped out, meaning that listeners hear either electrical interference, or nothing at all, instead of the radio programming they have tuned into. 

DRM’s members believe that further, independent testing of PLC emissions’ effect on radio broadcasts will reveal pertinent information for manufacturers and consumers alike. DRM’s members are concerned that consumers may be unaware of the hazards of PLC interference to the radio broadcasts they rely on today, as well as future broadcasts.

DRM’s members strongly urge those governmental bodies that are exploring PLC implementation to safeguard the broadcasting bands from PLC emissions’ interference. In order to preserve the stability of the worldwide radio spectrum now and into the future, it is vital that governmental officials and regulatory bodies take appropriate protective measures today.”

(RAC News Service)

Australian Broadband over Power Lines trials (Dec.12 2004)

1. The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) represents the interests of licensed radio amateurs in Australia. 2. The WIA is aware that Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) has been trialled recently in Australia, and that an ongoing trial was demonstrated by Country Energy on 18 November 2004 in Queanbeyan, NSW.

4. Further, the observations of interference from the Queanbeyan trial that have been published by two radio users indicate that the emissions are much higher than the background noise levels that would be expected in those precincts. Indeed on the amateur bands observed, the interference was stronger than the strongest signals usually received from amateur stations on those band, substantially disrupting radiocommunications on those bands in and adjacent to the trial precincts.

5. Whilst the WIA understands the need to obtain real life measurements of the radiation of BPL systems and assessment of impact on external systems, the WIA is concerned that the nature and duration of such trials suggests that they may be performed principally for investigation into the internal performance of BPL systems, aware of the risk to radiocommunications, and regardless of the consequences to radiocommunications users.

6. The WIA asks the ACA as spectrum manager to: make quality measurements of the field strength of radiation and 
background noise levels in and near the Queanbeyan trial BPL area; publish (publicly) the results of its measurements;
assess the risk to radiocommunications users, and to terminate the trial or impose such conditions as necessary to mitigate any risk of substantial interference with radiocommunications; or substantial disruption or disturbance of radiocommunications as a result of operation of the BPL system; and develop a policy for such trials where they be controlled by an experimental licence with appropriate conditions, and to disclose publicly the grant of such licences, location and other conditions.

7. The WIA believes that there is a need for the ACA to consult with all radiocommunications users on the impact of deployment of BPL technologies and to determine appropriate standards that adequately protect the important social and economic values of radiocommunications services in Australia.

8. The WIA, as always, welcomes the opportunity to work with the ACA in a positive and cooperative manner to achieve quality outcomes.

Yours sincerely
Michael J. Owen
President
The Wireless Institute of Australia

South Africa...Pretoria Radio Amateur rewarded for assisting the blind 

Nico du Toit, ZR6AFJ, was awarded the Amateur Radio Community Service Award for the development of a device that turns antenna measurements into audible speech.

He identified the need for such a device to enable visually impaired radio amateurs to enjoy their activity to the full, including experimentation and optimising of antenna performance.  The audio adapted standing wave ratio measurement bridge is an essential device to ensure optimum signal transfer from the transmitter to the antenna.  In this way a visually handicapped person does not only prevent damage to the transmitter, but also prevents the transmissions from causing harmful interference to other users of the spectrum.

The South African Amateur Radio Development Trust introduced the new award to encourage meaningful community service, which could include a project like Nico delivered, or communication support at a sporting event or disaster communication.  The award will be bestowed annually.

(SARL)

South Africa....Radio Amateur of the Year Awards announced
 

Two Radio Amateurs were recognised for their contribution to the Amateur Radio Service (Ham Radio) at a presentation held in Johannesburg on 8 December.  The annual event which is sponsored by Siemens is hosted by the South African Amateur Radio Development Trust. The senior award was presented to Andrew Roos, ZS1AN, from Cape Town for his work on digital High Frequency (HF) radio.

Earlier this year he demonstrated how voice could be digitised and transmitted on a narrow band HF channel, typical less than 3 kHz.

Speech is converted into compressed digital data by a voice codec (voice encoder/decoder).  The compressed digital signal is converted to an audio signal by a modem.  The audio output modulates the single side band signal of a conventional transmitter.  On the receive side the process is reversed and the audio is recovered.

Digital voice for HF has some distinct advantages over ordinary analogue voice.  It is capable of very high SNR (50 dB) over channels with only fair SNR (20 dB).  Speech bandwidth can exceed transmitted bandwidth and error correction reduces the impact of static, multi-path and fading.

Andrew said that there are some disadvantages, which he believes will be overcome.  He said that it is necessary to reintroduce some noise at the receive end to make the audio sound more natural.  He also believes that more advanced codecs will come onto the market as commercial use of digital voice increases.

The award recognises the contribution Andrew is making to the promotion of research and development in Amateur Radio giving true meaning to the ITU definition: "Amateur Radio is a service for the purpose of self training and technical investigation."

The Young Radio Amateur of the Year Award was presented to a 15-year-old learner from Westville in KwaZulu-Natal, Edrich de Lange, ZR5TUX.

Edrich obtained his amateur radio license earlier this year and has shown a particular interest in the technology side of Amateur Radio.  At the award presentation he said: "I once read that you know you are a ham if you've grabbed a soldering iron the wrong way, well I've done that... a few times.  My favourite thing about radios is the electronics.  It is always fun to see what happens when one does something new or just the excitement of seeing your own creation do something, or just see it work."

Edrich said that amateur radio has changed his life.  Before he became involved in radio he wanted to become either a chef or a computer engineer.  "Now I've got my mind set on becoming an electronics engineer.  It has made me appreciate electronic apparatus even more than I did before."

Rolf Spaeth of Siemens presented the awards.  In congratulating the two recipients he said that every year he is amazed at the technology radio amateurs get involved in.  He said that it is in particular gratifying to see the involvement of young people which augers well for the future of the communications and electronics industry.  He said that Siemens will continue the sponsorship of the awards as the company believes in encouraging innovation and development of technology in amateur radio.  Siemens is a sponsor member of the South African Radio League.

SARLNEWS wishes to make use of this opportunity to thank the recipients of the three awards for that what each of you contributed, and will continue to contribute, to the development of the radioo communication technique and the furthering of amateur radio.  We are sure that you out and out deserved the awards.  Thanks also to all the other entrants, your work is also appreciated.

(SARL)

Belgium...QRP Power Tests Announced  Dec. 26th 2004  Jan. 16th  2005
 

Sunday November 21st, , December 26th and January 16th are the dates announced of the second Belgian U-B-A 'Candlelight Tests."  In these tests, several stations transmit simultaneously on 80, 40 or 30 meters running micro power levels ranging from 100 milliwatts down to 5 milliwatts.  The challenge for participating amateurs is to copy the code words embedded in the transmitted messages.

(GB2RS)

This weekend is the ARRL 10-Meter Contest. Conditions aren't great at this point in the solar cycle, but this can be a fun single-band operating activity. Unfortunately, we may see a recurrence of some unsettled to active geomagnetic conditions from the last solar rotation. Predicted planetary A index for December 10-13 is 8, 20, 30 and 12, so that suggests some rough conditions on Sunday. The predicted solar flux for those same days is 85-90, with the values rising gradually and peaking around 105 from December 22-25.

We received mail concerning K5SWW's 10-meter observation of Scandinavian CW signals mentioned in last week's update. 

Joe Clayton, W2REH, writes: 

"This 'Scandinavian Express' opening is not unusual at all. There were signals here in South Jersey around 2100 Z from SM, OH etc on 10 and 15. Some were a little raspy, suggesting a bit of aurora, I guess. This is a regular opening that we tend to look for in the contests in the afternoon, particularly if someone needs a northern multiplier like JW, or is short a Scandinavian mult on 10 or 15". 

Bill Hohnstein, K0HA, of Seward, Nebraska, has been looking at this propagation for the past couple of months by listening for beacons from Scandinavian countries. He copied the OH5RAC beacon on 28.231 MHz at 1957 UTC on November 28. He received an e-mail from beacon operator OH6IY, reporting that Bill's was the first reception report from outside Europe. The beacon operates at 4.5 W using a modified British paging transmitter hooked through 30 meters of RG-213 to a dipole on a water tower. OH5IY says the radiation toward the US is very low, due to the dipole's orientation and its low height off the tank roof. 

OH5IY writes: 

"The propagation is 'post-Auroral.' The Au ended here some hours ago, and I am surprised to note the sigs get to USA. The antenna is a dipole with ends pointing to AZ 300 degrees, so there are several minima to the East Coast, but the skewed Au paths have allowed the propagation from the northern lobe to you". 

K0HA thinks the propagation from his end may be a first hop via F2, with a trans-equatorial-like spread F-hop after that. Check out his impressive antenna farm by looking him up on the QRZ.com Web site. 

John Laney, K4BAI, has noticed the same loud Scandinavian signals on both 10 and 15 meters, often after openings to the rest of Europe have been closed for a couple of hours. He thinks this is more often observed during major DX contests, because more Scandinavian stations may be on during those times. 

Chip Margelli, K7JA, writes: 

"That's the usual afternoon OH/SM/LA/UA1Z opening that is more commonly observed on 21 MHz. Sometimes it does extend up to 28 MHz, and indeed the Scandinavian side is always in darkness". 

Joe Schroeder, W9JUV, says he observed the same propagation, but on both days of the CQ World Wide when he was running QRP. When European signals started to fade, he worked OH, SM and UA1 stations. 

W3DF, W9DY, and N5AW also sent in similar remarks about the late 10 meter propagation to Scandinavia. 

Ken Brown, N4SO, reminds us that there is a log of current or recent WWV solar flux and mid-latitude K and A index data on the DX Central Web site. 

For more information concerning propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. 

Sunspot numbers for December 2 through 8 were 62, 58, 43, 46, 47, 26 and 40, with a mean of 46. The 10.7 cm flux was 105.6, 100.8, 97.4, 95.9, 93.2, 89.7 and 96.5, with a mean of 97. Estimated planetary A indices were 4, 3, 1, 8, 19, 15 and 10, with a mean of 8.6. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 4, 1, 0, 7, 11, 9 and 9, with a mean of 5.9. 

Amateur solar observer Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington, provides this weekly report on solar conditions and propagation. This report also is available via W1AW every Frida,y and an abbreviated version also appears in The ARRL Letter. Readers may contact the author via e-mail. 

(ARRL News Service)

Dec. 12  2004  Solar and propagation report, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS,and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

Solar flare activity has been low or very low, with only a handful of C-class flares.  The solar flux declined from 97 on the 4th to 85 on the 10th. The average of 90 was 12 points down on the previous week.  The 90-day average dropped three points to 105.  X-ray flux levels were down too, averaging A8.2.  This was as expected.  However, not everything happened in line with expectations.  Last weekend was forecast to be stormy.  A coronal mass ejection duly reached us on the 5th and a major raged ensued outside the Earth's magnetic field.   However, because the inter-planetary magnetic field remained strongly positive, reaching 36 nano-Teslas, the coupling required to trigger a geomagnetic storm could not take place. The Ap index for the 5th was a tranquil 8.  The rest of the week was mainly unsettled-to-active.  Solar wind speeds, which were down to 288km/sec on the 5th, then varied between 322 and 553km/sec.  Particle densities were mostly low or very low, apart from the 5th, when they reached 30 per cubic centimetre. 

While all the HF bands were open every day, 24 and 28MHz were marginal for most of the week.  Even here, though, there were openings to VK on several days, while the VU4NRO expedition was workable on several afternoons on 14 and 21MHz.  However, the chief propagation interest of the week was the excellent tropospheric openings at VHF and UHF, associated with a stable high-pressure area, and lasting several days.

During the coming week the quiet side of the Sun is expected to be looking our way. Solar flare activity will again be low or very low.  The solar flux has probably just about bottomed out for the time being and should be back into the 90s in the course of the next few days.  A coronal mass ejection associated with a flare on the 8th, may bring isolated stormy periods during the current weekend and unsettled-to-active levels on the 13th. However, last weekend's experience was a reminder that geomagnetic storms depend on a favourable - that is, positive - orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field.  And that is something that cannot be readily predicted. The rest of the week promises to be quiet-to-unsettled. MUFs at equal latitudes will be around 25MHz in the south and 22MHz in the north. Darkness hour lows remain around 7MHz.  Paths to eastern North America should have a maximum usable frequency of about 24MHz.  The optimum working frequency, where there should be a 90 per cent chance of a contact, will be in the region of 19MHz.  The best times will be between 1200 and 1600UTC. 

Finally, a reminder that a major meteor shower, the Geminids, is due to peak on the 13th. And that's all for now from the propagation team. 

(G3USF)

‘Ralphie’ and ‘Sparkie’, a pair of amateur radio satellites from the University of New Mexico, are scheduled to be launched at 1931UTC on 10 December. They will be launched as part of the Boeing Delta 4 Heavy Lift Launch demonstration for the US Air Force from Cape Canaveral.

(RSGB)

Ham designed RadioTelescope mapping known Universe

A massive radio telescope designed by a ham radio operator is now mapping the known galaxy.  This, with word that Puerto Rico's Arecibo Observatory has undertaken the daunting task. 

It was the late Sam Harris, W1FZJ, who engineered the Arecibo radio-telescope.  The same Sam Harris who also is credited with making the first ever E-M-E contact. 

According to astronomer Dan Werthimer, a $1 million upgrade to the scope was completed a few weeks ago and 12 scientists have no  begun using it to map the night sky for future generations.  The Arecibo team expects to find thousands of new pulsars, supernovas, black holes and planets during the process.  The mapping could be completed in a few months if the observatory devoted all of its telescope hours to the project

The observatory and its gargantuan 1000 foot wide dish were built under W1FZJ's guidance in 1963 by the Department of Defense.  It is now run by Cornell University under grants from the National Foundation of Science. 

(Science OnLine, ARNewsline(tm))

NASA asks ISS crew to trim calories (Dec 10, 2004)

NASA reportedly has asked the International Space Station crew of Commander Leroy Chiao, KE5BRW, and Salizhan Sharipov to push themselves away from the galley table a bit sooner than they have been. According to the Associated Press, NASA managers want the crew members to cut 300 calories from their typical daily 3000 calorie intake to keep food supplies aboard the spacecraft from running dangerously low before a Russian Progress supply rocket arrives Christmas Day. Now nearly 60 days into their six-month mission, the crew completed audits of onboard food and computer hardware and food last week as mission managers were finalizing the manifest for the cargo craft. NASA managers were said to be surprised to learn that the crew already was digging into its food reserves. They worried that if anything were to go awry with the Progress spacecraft ferrying food, fuel, clothing and other supplies to the station, the crew could be forced to abandon ship--an unprecedented move, but one for which NASA and Russian Space Agency officials are said to be preparing, just in case. NASA said the early-December audit confirmed sufficient food remains for the crew until arrival of the next supply craft. "However," the space agency added December 3, "managers have adjusted the amount of food carried on the Progress to ensure onboard stores are fully replenished." Three laptop computers also will be headed to the ISS to return the station's computer network to full functionality. One computer failed last week. Russian Progress rockets have been the sole resupply vehicles for the ISS since NASA grounded its shuttle fleet following the February 1, 2003, Columbia tragedy. 

(ARRL News Service)

DXTuners News  (Dec. 10 2004)

The BIG news this season at DXTuners is our Live Transceiver in southern Sweden. Kelly has set up a live ham rig with transmitting and receiving capability. Use of this site will be for licensed ham or amateur radio operators only. The rig is an Icom-718 transceiver, using 80/40/20/15/10 meter loop antenna, putting out 100 watts. Lots more info on the Live Transceiver is at our webpage: Our link is as usual http://www.dxtuners.com

Now for other radio site news:

Broome:  An EWE super antenna, pointing due east to Oceania and South America (long-path to Africa) will be installed here very soon. This will be temporarily hooked up to the current Icom PCR-1000 along with the discone. Later Kai plans to bring another rig online for a new Broome super DX site. Broome is very near Indonesia, and a favorite already with many of our members.

Hungary: New Radio site. The receiver used is the Icom PCR-1000, with an x-dipole for an antenna. And, as a bonus, the site-op plans to set up an additional site soon, Hungary FM DX. 

North Devon: This FM DX site will soon be using a Triax 8-element pointed at Ireland. The Icom R-10 and an FM-dipole antenna are currently in use. We are told that when skip is good sometimes you can hear Spain from here.

New Orleans: Site-op here is working on a rotator project for a Super FM site. Southern Louisiana is a hot-spot for long-distance tropo FM skip.

Chicago 2: A new PCR-1000 is going to be launched on another location in Wheaton Illinois. More info on this upcoming node later.

Pennsylvania: Another new planned site is central Pennsylvania, USA with Icom 718 or TenTec RX-320.

East Taunton, Massachusetts (MA): Planned new rig TS-570D. We have not yet developed the driver for this rig yet, but will be in the near future.

Kennett, Missouri: Planned PCR-1000.

DX Beacon/LW- Sweden- This is a test project, and preliminary tests on the new antenna are very encouraging.The NDB Beacon DX-Tuner is now up and operational with an Inverted L + 10:1 balun. DXTuners would appreciate input on this project, including antennas. Please keep in mind that not only can you listen to far-away beacons here, you can also listen to longwave commercial broadcasts. The low stream audio feature is for the DSP filter, very helpful with the beacons, and the medium stream audio works best for longwave broadcasts 153-279 KHz. 

Demo HF Professional- This receiver site is now using the Icom R-75 with DSP unit connected to a 20 meter quad. This site is a favorite with ham ops. 

North Europe VHF- This site was formerly Oresund. One reason this one is in the "special" category is the discone antenna is very high, 20 meters. The antenna reaches far on any band, but especially on HF, FM, TV audio etc. 

London West- Radio here now features a slow stream audio which will be helpful to those members with slower connections. 

We also have possible upcoming receivers in Hong Kong, Las Vegas, Denmark, as well as the Hungary FM Supersite and New Orleans FM supersite.

Kathmandu - This is a very remote site, and the 2 site-ops are working to resolve some technical issues. They ask for our patience while they work to get things fixed. 

On a serious note, we would like to ask all of our fine members to please ask before tuning the radios, and use the chat box. Please respect other listeners. 

DXTuners has a worldwide network of close to 60 radio locations, and with only 2 sites offline at time of writing, reliability of radio sites is very good. Our site-ops are upgrading all the time. And now DXTuners has a live ham transceiver. It is fun to imagine what 2005 has in store for our DXTuner listeners. 

DXTuners would like to wish all of our members a joyful holiday season.

Have fun and stay tuned.

Brad Wall / Editor
DXTuners Support Team 
http://www.dxtuners.com

Ham Radio Inventor has his eye on watching local TV from anywhere

A 57-year-old New York inventor, entrepreneur and amateur radio operator who has spent a considerable amount of time living and working in Moscow has found a way to satisfy his desire to tune in local television programming.  This, as long as he can access a broadband Internet connection. 

Ken Schaffer, N2KS, calls his new invention "TV2Me" and says that it is the wave of the future.  So far, N2KS has put his PC-based system into the hands of a only few dozen others willing to pay several thousand dollars.  But Schaffer hopes to make it available to everyone by getting the price down to less than $1,000 within a year. (CGC, The New York Times)

(Thanks to ARNewsLine)

For the aim of popularizing of the contest and the radio-amateur campaign,    SKY Contest Club every year dedicates plaque GREAT HAM to the radio amateurs/ clubs which during the current year have generally contributed to the popularization of the contest and ham radio. 

Suggestions for potential winners announce clubs or radio amateur organizations worldwide. In suggestion for potential winner there should be mentioned the biography of the candidate, his scores and activities for which the candidate considers that  the candidate has deserved the plaque GREAT HAM, the photo of the candidate, his stations and etc. 

The number of the winners of the medallion is limited on 2-3 annually. On the occasion of deciding about the winners the following parameters will be taken into the consideration: 

1) Achievements during the contests
2) Candidate’s contribution to the popularization of contests and the hobby of the radio amateurism. 

The list of the candidates for plaque GREAT HAM will be published on the page of SKY Contest Club. Receiving period for the nominations is from 01. January – 01. February every year, for the previous year. List of winners will be published till the end of February ,and medallions will be handed in on some radioamateurism gathering ili posted. 

The same candidate can be nominated more times, without restrictions.

Registrations send by mail to the secretary of SKY Contest Cluba, Dragan  Acimovic, YZ1EW ( YZ5W ) acim@psc.ac.yu
 

(SKY Contest Club Founder, Ranko Boca  - YT6A)

OK DX RTTY Contest--sponsored by the Czech Radio Club, 0000Z-2400Z Dec 18. Categories: SOAB (LP, HP >100W), SOSB, MOAB, SWL. Frequencies: 80-10 meters according to IARU band plan. Exchange: RST and CQ Zone. QSO points: 80 and 40--3 pts on same continent, 6 pts different cont, 20-10--1 pt same cont, 2 pts different cont. Score: QSO points × DXCC entities + OK stations (multipliers counted once per band). For information: www.crk.cz/ENG/DXCONTE.HTM. Logs due Jan 15 to okrtty@crk.cz or Czech Radio Club, OK DX RTTY Contest, PO Box 69, 113 27 Praha 1, Czech Republic. 

Stew Perry Top Band Distance Challenge--CW, sponsored by the Boring Amateur Radio Club, 1500Z Dec 18-1500Z Dec 19. Categories: SO and MS. Operate 14 hours max. Exchange: grid square only. QSO points: 1 pt + 1 pt for every 500 km distance calculated between grid centers (see Web page for calculation information), QSOs with QRP stations that submit a log count double QSO points. Score: QSO points × Power mult (<5 W ×4, 5-100 W ×2, >100 W ×1). For more information: http://jzap.com/k7rat/stew.rules.txt. Logs due Jan 31 (Cabrillo format only) to tbdc@contesting.com or Boring Amateur Radio Club, 15125 SE Bartell Rd, Boring, OR 97009. 

PSK31 Death Match--PSK31 and PSK63, sponsored by the Michigan DX Association, 0000Z Dec 18-2400Z Dec 19. Frequencies: 80-6 meters, PSK31 and PSK63 count as separate "bands". Categories: SO, Class 1 (<100 W), Class 2 (<25 W), Class 3 (<10 W). Exchange: Name + S/P/C. QSO points: 20 meters-- 1 pt/QSO, 6 meters--3 pts/QSO, other bands--2 pts/QSO. Bonus points: W8DXI 500 pts (once) and 100 pts for uploading logs to LoTW within 30 days of contest. Score: QSO points × total S/P/C + bonus points. For more information: www.mdxa1.org/deathmatch.html. Logs due 30 days after the contest to k8khz@yahoo.com or Brian R. Pawloski, W8BRI, PO Box 140012, Grand Rapids, MI 49514-0012. 

Russian 160-Meter Contest--CW/SSB--sponsored by Radio Magazine, from 0000Z-0200Z Dec 18. Categories: SO, MO, SO and MO 18 years and younger, Mixed Mode only. Exchange: RST, serial number, and square ID (see www.radio.ru/cq/contest/rule/map-2.gif for a map showing the squares) QSO points: own square--1 pt, adjacent sq--2 pts, 1 additional pt each additional square distant. Score: total QSO points. For more information: www.radio.ru/cq/contest/rule (Cyrillic only). Logs to contest@radio.ru, or Radio Magazine, Seliverstov per. 10, Moscow 107045, Russia. 

Croatian CW Contest--sponsored by Hrvatski Radioameterski Savez (HRS), from 1400Z Dec 18-1400Z Dec 19. Frequencies: 160-10 meters. Categories: SOAB (HP >100 W, LP, QRP <5 W), SOSB (HP, LP), MO, SWL. Exchange: RST + serial number. QSO points: 9A stations--10 pts on 160-40, 6 pts 20-10; different cont--6 pts 160-40, 3 pts 20-10; own cont and country--2 pts 160-40, 1 pt 20-10. Score: QSO points × WAE countries on all bands. For more information:www.qsl.net/ctc/. Logs due 30 days after the contest to zmaticic@inet.hr or Hrvatski Radioameterski Savez (HRS), Croatian CW Contest, PO Box 149, 10003 Zagreb, Croatia. 

The Battle of The Bulge   Dec. 16th - 20th  2004

The Anaheim California Police Amateur Radio Club will sponsor special event station K6B.  This, to commemorate the 
6oth anniversary of the famed Battle of the Bulge that took place during World War 2.  Operation will be on 40 through 15 meters from December 16th through the 20th. 

For more information please e-mail:km6hb@arrl.net. 

(Worldradio)

The Maritime Radio Historical Society is pleased to announce that K6KPH will once again be on the air on New Year's Eve as a participant in Straight Key Night 2005.

KPH will also be on the air with transmissions from dusk to dawn (Pacific time) on MF.  We hope this overnight transmission will give listeners the best chance to hear the MF signal.  We are particularly interested in reception reports of the MF transmissions.  Details about the K6KPH and KPH operations appear below.

Straight Key Night (SKN) is an annual event sponsored by the ARRL each New Year's Eve.  The objective of SKN is relaxed CW exchanges between participating stations using only straight keys - no bugs or electronic keys allowed.  Some of the best CW operators in the game are traditionally heard on SKN.

SKN 2005 begins at 1600 PST December 31 and runs for 24 hours through 1600 PST January 1 (0000 --2400 GMT January 1, 2005). 

For full SKN information, please see the ARRL Web site at: www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2005/skn.html

K6KPH details:

Time - K6KPH will begin operation at 1600 PST/0000 GMT.  We expect to operate for about six hours, or until 2200 PST/0600 GMT. 

Frequencies -  K6KPH will be on 3545kc, 7050kc, 14050kc and 21050kc if the band is open.  There is a slight possibility that a transmitter will be activated on 18097.5kc.  Operators will advise if that frequency is being monitored.

Operators - Multiple operators will be on duty at the operating positions, some of whom are likely to be ex-KPH ops.

Equipment - As always, K6KPH will be using only the original KPH transmitters, receivers and antennas.  No amateur equipment is used at the station.

The transmitters for 3.5Mc, 7Mc and 14Mc will be 1950s vintage RCA sets.  The transmitters for 21Mc, and 18Mc, if activated, will be a Henry commercial sets. 

Antennas - Transmitting antennas will be double extended Zepps for 3.5Mc and 7Mc and H over 2s for 14Mc, 18Mc and 21Mc.  Power will be 1.5kW on all frequencies.

KPH Details:

Times - In addition to the amateur operation, KPH will be on the air with continuous transmissions on MF beginning at 1700 PST/0100 GMT. 

Frequencies - Announcements will be made on 500kc.  Press, weather, and other information will be sent on 426kc.  500kc will be monitored for calls from ships at sea.  The silent period on 500kc will of course be observed.

Equipment - The transmitter will be a Henry commercial set.  Power will be about 5kW.

Antenna - The MF transmitting antenna will be a Marconi T. 

Signal Reports & QSLs -  Signal reports and QSLs may be sent to:
Ms. Denice Stoops
P.O. Box 381
Bolinas CA 94924-0381
USA

More Information - For more information about KPH/K6KPH and the Maritime Radio Historical Society, including photos of the transmitters and the operating positions, please see: http://www.radiomarine.org

(RD, Chief Operator MRHS)

Nazareth-Bethlehem, PA: Christmas ARC and Delaware-Lehigh ARC, WX3MAS. 1400Z Dec 11-0200Z Dec 13. Annual Christmas greetings from the twin Christmas Cities. 28.465 21.365 14.265 7.270 3.970. Certificate. CCARC/DLARC, WX3MAS, Greystone Building, Gracedale Complex, RR 8, Nazareth, PA 18064. www.dlarc.org. 

Delmar, NY: Marconi Net, W2M. 0200Z-0400Z Dec 13. Commemorating the first anniversary of the Marconi Net. 3.872. Certificate. Fred Thumhart, Jr, 5 Old Oxe Rd, Delmar, NY 12054. 

Santa Ana, CA: Anaheim Police Radio Club, K6B. 0000Z Dec 16-2359Z Dec 30. 60th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge WW2. 21.350 18.150 14.250 7.250. QSL. Mark McMullin, KM6HB, PO Box 27271, Santa Ana, CA 92799. km6hb@arrl.net. 

Belen (Bethlehem), NM: Valencia County Amateur Radio Association, KC5OUR. 1400Z Dec 18-2359Z Dec 26. Celebrating the Christmas season from Bethlehem, New Mexico. 28.272 21.272 14.272 7.272. QSL. VCARA, PO Box 268, Peralta, NM 87042. 

Lake Charles, LA: , N1CC. 0000Z Dec 24-2359Z Dec 25. Christmas Carol. 28.475 21.375 14.275 7.245. QSL. Via http://qrz.com listing or http://users.aol.com/N1CC. 

Masada, Israel: 4X0MS. 1000Z Dec 24-1000Z Dec 26. Masada DXpedition, from Masada castle, over looking the Dead Sea (Holyland award program square is L22BS). CW and SSB 80-10 m. QSL. via Shalom Barak-Bacalu, 4Z4BS, PO Box 43101, Tel Aviv 61430, Israel. www.bibleplaces.com/masada.htm.

Atkinson, NH: Atkinson Amateur Radio Club, K1D. 0501Z Dec 26-0500Z Jan 10. Celebrating Kid's Day and Amateur Radio Awareness. 28.370 21.370 14.270 7.230. QSL. Peter Schipelliti, 7 Dearborn Ridge Rd, Atkinson, NH 03811. 

Various, England: Royal Signals Amateur Radio Society, GB6BOB. 0001Z Dec 27-2359Z Jan 23. Commemorating the Battle of the Bulge. 21.070 21.056 14.070 14.056. Certificate. Mike Humphrey, GØSWY/KF4OFR, 4 Bluebell Rd, Bassett, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 3LQ, England. www.qrz.com. 

New Castle, IN: Ashland Amateur Radio Technical Society, W9W. 0000Z Dec 30-2400Z Jan 2. New Years. 21.375 14.325 7.235 3.860. QSL. W9W c/o James Smith, 726 N Main St, New Castle, IN 47362. http://kaarts.org/special.htm. 

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by the OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST.  Thanks to all.

KUWAIT, 9K.  Faisal, 9K2ID has been QRV on 15 meters around 1130 to 1230z.  QSL direct.

MALAWI, 7Q.  Les, 7Q7LA has been QRV on 40 meters CW around 0300z. QSL direct via G0IAS.

PHILIPPINES, DU.  Klaus, DL5ZAH is QRV as 4F7RWW from Zweit, IOTA OC-129, for the next two weeks.  QSL via operator's instructions.

CANARY ISLANDS, EA8.  Members of the Canary Islands DX Society plan to be QRV as EF8TDX from Tufia Rock, IOTA AF-004, on 15 meters only from December 11 and 12.

MARQUESAS ISLANDS, FO.  Michel, F6COW, Dominique, F6EPY and Radi, F6GNZ will be QRV as FO/homecalls/M from Hiva Hoa, IOTA OC-027, from December 11 to 23.  Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters, including the newer bands, using mostly CW and SSB, but with some RTTY, SSTV and PSK31 as well.  QSL to home calls.

JERSEY, GJ.  Mat, F5SHQ will be QRV as MJ0ASP in the ARRL 10 Meter contest.  QSL to home call.

HUNGARY, HA.  Tibor, HG4I is QRV as HG05HNY until January 31, 2005 in celebration of the New Year.  Activity is on all HF bands, including the newer bands, using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK.  He will also try to be active in as many HF contests as possible.  QSL direct.

ANTARCTICA.  Mario, I0QHM and operator Danilo are active as I0QHM/KC4 from the Mario Zucchelli Station.  Their activity is limited to about 30 minutes a day from 1820 to 1900z.  QSL via operators' instructions.

JAPAN, JA.  JL2LRO/6 and JK2HVD/6 plan to be QRV from Miyako Island, IOTA AS-079, Okinawa Prefecture from December 11 to 13.  QSL direct to home calls.

US VIRGIN ISLANDS, KP2.  John, KL7JR is QRV as KP2/KL7JR until the end of April 2005.  Activity is on 80 to 10 meters, including 17 and 12 meters.  QSL to home call.

NETHERLAND ANTILLES, PJ2.  Fred, WW4LL and John, K4BAI are QRV as PJ4/homecalls until December 15 from Bonaire, IOTA SA-006.  They will participate in the ARRL 10 Meter contest as PJ4Z.  QSL all calls via K4BAI.

EAST KIRIBATI, T32.  Alan, K6SRZ is QRV as T32CK from Christmas Island, IOTA OC-024, until December 13.  Doug, N6TQS is also QRV as T32QS.  Activity is on 80 to 10 meters.  QSL to home calls.

SOMALIA, T5.  Joe, VA6JWT is QRV as 6O0JT from Galkayo.  QSL via operator's instructions.

MALI, TZ.  Mac, TZ6JA has been QRV on 80 meters around 0400z and then 40 meters around 0600 to 0700z.  QSL via JA3EMU.

ANTARCTICA.  Finn, VK4LL is QRV as VK0DX from the ANARE Davis Base Station.  He has been active mainly on 20 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via operator's instructions.

AFGHANISTAN, YA.  Rene, DL2JRM is QRV as YA7X until January 5, 2005. Activity is on all HF bands using CW and SSB.  QSL via DL1JJI.

NEW ZEALAND, ZL.  Serge, RA3XR is QRV as ZL/RA3XR until December 26. He is active on all HF bands using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK.  QSL to home call.

PARAGUAY, ZP.  Tomas, ZP5AZL will be QRV as ZP0R in the ARRL 10 Meter contest as a Single-Op entry.  QSL via W3HNK.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The ARRL 10-Meter Contest, 28 MHz SWL Contest, Great Colorado Snowshoe CW Run, North American Meteor Scatter Contest and the CIS DX CW Contest are all scheduled for this
weekend.  Please see December QST, page 85, and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details.

(ARRL)

14/12/2004:  OC-137  VK2IAY/4  N. STRADBROKE ISLAND -
After his 3D2FI activities from Fiji (OC-016, OC-156 and OC-121) Steve, G0UIH, will operate as VK2IAY/4 from North Stradbroke Island (OC-137) December 14-17th. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

18/12/2004:  SPA-037  ED1PFA  FARO DE CABO DE PENAS -
Members of the Union de Radioaficionados de Gijon (EA1URG) will be active from the Faro de Cabo de Penas Lighthouse (ARLHS SPA-037) on December 18-19th. The callsign will be ED1PFA. The operation will be under the authority of the "Autoridad Portuaria de Gijon". This is one of the most emblematic lighthouses in Spain, situated on the Cape of Penas, Asturias. Today it serves as a differential GPS navigation service station. They plan to show up on HF, VHF and UHF on all modes. Also, there will be PSK31 and RTTY. QSL via EA1URG; by the bureau is OK. More info will soon be available on their Web page at: http://www.ure.es/ea1urg/ . [Tnx OPDX]

18/12/2004:  NA-102  TO7DSR  LA DESIRADE ISLAND -
The A.C.R.A Guadeloupe ARC will be active December 18th from the lighthouse (WLH FG-004, ARLHS GUA-005) on La Desirade Island (NA-102, DIFO FG-004). Requested call is TO7DSR. QSL via operator's instructions. [Tnx 425DXN]

21/12/2004:  AF-003  ZD8ZA  ASCENSION ISLAND -
Martin, G3ZAY, will be visiting Ascension Island (AF-003) and St. Helena (AF-022) over the Christmas period. He will be on Ascension Island (requested call ZD8ZA) December 21-22nd and again January 3-7th. Martin will be on St. Helena Island between December 24th and January 1st as ZD7ZA. The activity from Ascension Island will also count for the Ascension Island lighthouse (WLOTA LH-0299). QSL via home call. [Tnx 425DXN]
 

73 and Good Hunting!
Dave Raycroft - VA3RJ

Home of ICPO: www.qsl.net/va3rj
Mirror: http://webhome.idirect.com/~va3rj
Join ICPO e-Group:  www.qsl.net/va3rj/icpo.html
E-mail: va3rj@rac.ca
________

Note: A complete list of  Prefixes assigned by International Telecommunications Union can be found on the Trans Provincial Website: www.tpn7055.ca/callsign.html

Salvation Army immediately on scene after fire breaks out in Lasalle Bank Building in Chicago Loop

The Salvation Army was immediately on the scene after a fire broke out on the 29th floor of the LaSalle Bank high-rise building located in the Chicago Loop yesterday evening. No fatalities were reported but 34 people, including 22 firefighters, were hospitalized as a result of the fire which took firefighters nearly six hours to get under control.

Two Salvation Army canteens and a pastoral care team were on-site shortly after the blaze broke out and remained well into Tuesday morning. Salvation Army emergency disaster services (EDS) personnel were immediately asked to help setup and assist with hydration and rehab in the primary triage center in the building’s lobby. An additional EDS team was asked to assist in the triage center on the 26th floor of the building. Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Cortez Trotter personally thanked The Salvation Army for their efforts to assist fire survivors, their families and the emergency responders.

“The EDS teams did an exemplary job. We helped hundreds of firefighters and fire survivors last night,” said Major Pat McPherson, emergency disaster services director for The Salvation Army in the greater Chicago area.

Salvation Army officers (pastors), volunteers, staff, EDS personnel and people from The Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Center, Adult Rehabilitation Center and College for Officer Training (seminary) all took part in this tremendous effort.

(Dave Raycroft, VA3RJ)

FCC requires BPL trial to work with ham radio club  (Dec. 10 2004)

The FCC has required Electric Broadband LLC (EB), which is running a BPL field trial in Cottonwood, Arizona, to maintain contact with a local Amateur Radio club. The Commission granted EB a Part 5 Experimental license WD2XMB for the company's BPL pilot on November 19, although the ARRL earlier this year asked the Commission to withdraw its authorization for the operation. Verde Valley Amateur Radio Association (VVARA) BPL Committee Chair Robert Shipton, K8EQC, believes it might be the first time the FCC has ever imposed such a requirement.

"Our BPL committee in Cottonwood was surprised to see this stipulation," Shipton told ARRL. "Time will tell if it really
matters or not."

Under a "Special Conditions" section in the WD2XMB experimental license, the FCC stipulated that the licensee "must establish and maintain a liaison relationship with the Verde Valley Amateur Radio Association." The Commission also required EB to respond to interference complaints "in a timely manner." System operators indicated earlier this fall that they would notch amateur frequencies, including 60 meters. Interference is still being experienced in the 60 meter band, VVARA says.

Shipton said Mountain Telecommunications Inc, which handles system operations, has worked with the VVARA and "expressed sincerity" in resolving interference to any amateur frequencies affected by their equipment. "Although progress with notching has been made, the representative samples in a trial that is statistically too small in geographical area will not demonstrate any significant results," Shipton said. "Our club questions whether a buildout that involves many more HF segments would be able to avoid the use of amateur spectrum."

EB and utility APS have been operating the BPL experiment at two Yavapai County, Arizona, sites since June, and the first amateur interference complaint was filed that same month.

In support of VVARA's effort, the ARRL has twice asked the FCC to shut down the Cottonwood BPL field trial for interfering with Amateur Radio communication. League personnel conducting testing of the Cottonwood system this past summer found "extremely high" levels of radiated RF energy on amateur HF bands at the time.

The FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology, which handles grants applications for STAs and Part 5 Experimental licenses, has yet to respond to the League's assertions and requests regarding operation of the Cottonwood BPL field trial.

(ARRL Bulletin)

President Bush orders agencies to define spectrum use  (Dec. 10 2004)

Turning to regulatory issues, word that President Bush has issued a memorandum directing executive departments and agencies to better manage their current and future radio spectrum use.  The memo says that under the existing framework, the federal government generally reviews every change in spectrum us.  It says that this process is often slow and inflexible, and can discourage the introduction of new technologies.  It also stated that the current legal and policy spectrum has not kept pace with the dramatic changes in technology and spectrum use.

While the memo sets deadlines for agencies to submit their requirements and planned uses for electromagnetic spectrum it must be noted that it was the very scenario that prompted the President to establish the Spectrum Policy Initiative in 2003.  At the same time me also directed the Commerce Secretary to make recommendations on ways to improve spectrum management.  The Commerce Department then established a Federal Government Spectrum Task Force and held a series of public meetings seeking input to improve policies affecting spectrum use. 

Badri Younes, director of Defense Spectrum Management applauded the president's memo.  He is quoted as saying that spectrum is a national asset and a resource that's critical to the Department of Defense operations.  As such It needs to be protected and we need to ensure that this national asset remains viable.  This, as we rely more and more on it to enable our war-fighters to do their missions,

What affect this memo and its political fallout might have on Amateur Radio is unknown, but traditionally the military has favored having ham radio as a spectrum sharing partner.  This is because they know that they can count on ham radio for full support in just about any situation.

More on this is on-line at http://www.gcn.com/vol1_no1/daily-updates/28018-1.html  (CGC, other published reports)

(Thanks to ARNewsLine)

New Military Radio System....Trouble for Garage Door Openers

The CGC Communicator reports on a new military radio system thats causing garage door openers to malfunction.  The system is being installed at at least 100 military bases around the nation.  It just happens to operate in the 390 MHz band, where spectrum is shared with millions of garage door openers. 

The garage door openers are secondary users with the military having primary status.  Pentagon sources say the system's adverse effects will primarily be confined to garage doors located within 10 miles of a base, although in some cases interference have already been noticed much further away.

Government and industry officials differ on how widespread the eventual negative effect will be on consumers.  The government predicts it will be limited but the garage door opener industry says it will be worse but wants more information on it from the military.  One group estimates that at least 50 million garage door openers in the United States use the same frequency as the new military radios. (CGC)

(Thanks to ARNewsLine)

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