Finland to Host Global Amateur Radio Emergency Comms Conference  (Jan. 29 2005)

The IARU has announced that the first Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications conference, or ‘GAREC’, will take place in Tampere, Finland, on 13 and 14 June 2005. In recent years, the importance of providing assistance in emergency and disaster situations by the Amateur Radio Service has increased further and it has become a major argument in the defence of the amateur radio bands and the protection of this valuable resource against potential interference by new technologies.

In some countries, the role of the Amateur Service in case of emergencies and disasters is well established and organised. In a large number of countries, however, amateurs can perform this important public service only in an improvised manner if and when a disaster occurs. This seriously affects the efficiency of what amateurs can contribute, and it is therefore essential to review existing mechanisms and to allow all national amateur radio societies to benefit from existing experiences. The purpose of GAREC-2005 is to allow such an exchange. Dr Pekka Tarjanne, the former Secretary-General of the ITU, has kindly accepted the patronage of GAREC-2005.

The organisers and the Finnish amateur radio society SRAL are inviting amateurs from all countries to gather in Finland in June. The conference is open to everyone with an interest in the topic. Details of the agenda will be published as they develop. The organisers are open to suggestions and in particular welcome presentations on the situation and experiences in different countries. For further information please contact the Chairman of the Finnish GAREC-2005 Organising Committee, Seppo Sisatto, OH1VR, Ojakatu 3 A 18, FI-33100 Tampere, Finland; e-mail: seppo.sisatto@uta.fi

(RSGB)

eQSL Awards Programme  (Jan. 29 2005)

Tim Kirby, G4VXE, a member of the eQSL Advisory Board, reports that the eQSL scheme has now been running for over five years. Over 80,000 users from 300 countries have registered. Callsigns from uploaded logs are ‘matched’ and country, State and zone credits are awarded. Users may, if they wish, print out eQSLs either on their own printers or at the eQSL headquarters, although this is not necessary for the eQSL awards programme. The eDX award is available for those who have a minimum of 25 countries confirmed by eQSL, making it very popular with beginners. Over 1500 eDX Awards have been earned so far, with 147 of those being awarded to UK amateurs. For the more experienced DXer, the eDX100 award is available which provides a greater challenge, and only five UK amateurs - G0TSM, G3VAO, G0BLB, G3MPB and G3LHJ - have received this award. The leading UK Foundation licensee is M3RDX, with 84 countries confirmed.

If you haven’t yet registered on eQSL you are invited to visit www.eqsl.cc and join in the fun. You may be surprised at some of the eQSLs waiting for you.

(RSGB)

IARU Region 3 ARDF Championship in September  (Jan. 29 2005)

The Japan Amateur Radio League, is organizing the 6th IARU Region 3 Amateur Radio Direction Finding championships.  The games are slated for September 19th to the 24th at the Gozu Spa, Agano City in Niigata prefecture. The closing date for letters of intent to participate is March 1st.  Full details are available on the JARL website at 
www.jarl.or.jp/2005r3ardf

(GB2RS)

Tampere convention eases International Emergency Telecommunications (Jan. 28 2005)

When an international disaster strikes, humanitarian organizations now will be able to provide telecommunications more quickly and effectively to help victims, thanks to a treaty that became effective January 8. The Tampere Convention on the Provision of Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Relief Operations largely eliminates roadblocks to
moving telecommunications personnel and equipment into and within disaster-stricken areas--such as those affected by the December earthquake and tsunami. Delegates to the Intergovernmental Conference on Emergency Telecommunications (ICET-98) adopted the 17-article treaty in June of 1998 in Tampere, Finland. ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, attended on behalf of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU). ARRL Chief Technology Officer Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, credits Hans Zimmermann, HB9AQS, with being "a prime mover" behind the Tampere Convention.

"The Tampere Convention has broader purposes but is an important building block in IARU's efforts to improve recognition of the Amateur Service in providing emergency communications for disaster relief," Rinaldo says. Zimmermann coordinated work on the Tampere disaster telecommunications treaty while Seppo Sisättö, OH1VR, chaired the convention's organizing committee.

Rinaldo notes too that the IARU led the way for a revision of Article 25 of the international Radio Regulations at World Radiocommunication Conference 2003 (WRC-03) to include an item enabling radio amateurs to handle third-party traffic during emergency and disaster relief situations. While FCC Part 97 has not yet been revised to reflect this change, ARRL understands from FCC staff that if governments of disaster-affected countries do not object to their amateur stations receiving messages from our amateur stations on behalf of third parties, the US has no objection to its amateur stations transmitting international communications in support of disaster relief.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) says that until the Tampere Convention, regulatory barriers often impeded the ability of humanitarian organizations to deploy telecommunications equipment across borders in an emergency, and delays have cost lives.

"With this convention, relief workers can make full use of today's telecommunication tools, which are essential for the coordination of rescue operations," ITU Secretary-General Yoshio Utsumi said in a statement.

The first treaty of its kind, the Tampere Convention calls on signatory countries to facilitate prompt telecommunication aid to mitigate a disaster's impact. It covers both installation and operation of telecommunication services and waives regulatory barriers such as licensing requirements and import restrictions as well as limitations on the movement of humanitarian teams. The pact also grants immunity from arrest and detention to those providing disaster assistance, and exempts them from taxes and duties.

In his role as IARU's new International Coordinator for Emergency Communications, Zimmermann, in concert with IARU regional coordinators, is focusing on assisting IARU member-societies to fulfill "the expectations of the international community, of all those who rely on telecommunications when responding to emergencies, and of those affected by disasters." As a first step in this task, he's facilitating an exchange of information on training and cooperation on all levels.

Addressing that in a broader forum will be the first Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Conference (GAREC-2005). An initiative of the Finnish Amateur Radio Society (SRAL), GAREC 2005 will take place June 13-14 in Tampere, in recognition of the city's "long tradition in emergency telecommunications," Zimmerman says.

Rinaldo also points to ITU Radiocommunication Sector Recommendation M.1042, "Disaster Communications in the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services" as another vehicle to formalize Amateur Radio's role in international emergency and disaster mitigation. It encourages the development of "robust, flexible and independent" Amateur Radio networks that can operate from emergency power and provide communication in natural disasters. The IARU, Rinaldo added, also had leading role in developing the ITU-D Emergency Telecommunications Handbook, recently edited under Zimmermann's leadership.

"Together," Rinaldo observed, "the Tampere Convention, the Handbook, Article 25 and Recommendation M.1042 represent an improved environment in which Amateur Radio operators can conduct international emergency communications."

(ARRL News Service)

Average daily sunspot numbers were down by nearly 17 points over the Thursday through Wednesday reporting week. Over the same days the average daily solar flux also was down by nearly 17 points. The daily geomagnetic indices showed much greater stability, with all of the K and A indices down when compared with the previous seven days.  Look for quiet geomagnetic conditions over the next few days, with the Friday through Sunday, February 4-6, planetary A index around 8, 5 and 5.

The A index is expected to rise again after this weekend probably due to the return of sunspot 720, which caused so much recent activity. It returns into view on its 27.5 day rotation, and the planetary A index prediction for February 7-9 is 15, 25 and 15. 

Sunspot numbers and solar flux should also rise, with solar flux values rising above 100 after February 5, staying relatively high (for this point in the declining sunspot cycle) at 130 or above around February 7 and continuing for about a week. 

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 January 27 through February 2 were 43, 43, 30, 38, 49, 27 and 28, with a mean of 36.9. The 10.7 cm flux was 86.9, 84.9, 86.4, 85.5, 86.2, 83.7 and 81.8, with a mean of 85.1. Estimated planetary A indices were 3, 6, 20, 16, 19, 6 and 8, with a mean of 11.1. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 2, 5, 16, 10, 15, 4 and 7, with a mean of 8.4. 

(ARRL News Service)

Feb. 5 2005  Solar and propagation report, 
compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS,and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

Solar flare activity has been very low, with no substantial flares the though four C-class flares reported on the 4th may have heralded an increase.  The solar flux level scarcely moved, spending the entire week in the 80s and averaging 84. However, the 90-day average dropped 8 points to 100 as high values last November dropped out of the reckoning.  The X-ray flux began the week at A4.4 and finished at B1.3, averaging A6.4 - down from A8.8.  The geomagnetic field was unsettled-to-active last weekend, as a result of coronal hole activity but had fallen to very quiet levels by the 4th, when the Ap index was down to only 3. The average over the week was a modest 11.4.  Solar wind speeds declined from 775km/sec on the 31st to 448km/sec on the 3rd. There was also a decline in particle densities from 20 per cubic centimetres recorded on the 30th.

Quiet geomagnetic conditions meant that HF propagation was at predicted levels or a shade better.  While openings on 24 and 28MHz were erratic and brief, 21 MHz was in reasonably good shape. For example, the 6O0W (Six-Oh-Zero-Whiskey) dxpedition was widely worked around 0900UTC, while Australia, South-East Asia and the Pacific were available around 1230.  14MHz began opening to North America around the same time. This was about as good as could reasonably be expected for early February at this stage of the solar cycle.

For the coming week the outlook is more than usually uncertain.  This is because that very large sunspot group that brought such eventful conditions in mid-January will rotate back into view on the 7th. There have been some indications that while it was on the far side of the Sun it quietened considerably, but essentially we will just have to wait and see.  At all events, there is a strong possibility of an increase in flare activity from the low levels of the past few days. Similarly, the solar flux seems fairly sure to increase, taking us above the 100 mark in a day or so, and maybe as high as the 120s by next weekend.  Geomagnetic activity will also increase to more unsettled levels with occasional active periods over the next couple of days. Thereafter, the picture is less clear because of the uncertainty over the impact of that returning solar region.  MUFs at equal latitudes should be around 23MHz in the south and 20MHz in the north.  Darkness hour lows will remain around 7MHz.  Paths to South Africa should have a maximum usable frequency, giving a fifty per cent chance of success, of about 26MHz. The optimum working frequency will be around 20MHz.  The best times will be between 0800 and 1400UTC.

(G3USF)

New Mexico Youngsters Finally Get Chance to Talk to ISS (Feb 2, 2005)

A dozen pupils who attend Piñon Elementary School in Los Alamos, New Mexico, are all smiles this week after getting the chance to speak via Amateur Radio with International Space Station Commander Leroy Chiao, KE5BRW. The January 27 contact was arranged by the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program. Los Alamos Amateur Radio Club Communications Officer Bill Boedecker, NM5BB, handled Earth station duties for the direct VHF contact with NA1SS. Piñon's application had been in the queue for an ARISS school contact for more than four years.

(ARRL News Service)

ISS, PC-Sat set up for joint packet tests (Feb 2, 2005)

ISS Ham Radio Project Engineer Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO, says the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Kenwood TM700 transceiver has been switched to the PCsat frequency of 145.825 MHz for a few days to conduct some joint packet operational tests. "ISS will have several extended periods when the satellites will be in view of each other," he said, noting one such pass February 2 at about 2206 UTC over North America. "This will be a temporary move to take advantage of PCsat being operational due to full sun and the favorable alignment of orbits between the two spacecraft." Ransom says the challenge for Earth stations is to try to relay a signal through both spacecraft--a double hop. "Trying to do this via two space-based satellites is a bit trickier, since they are only in view of each other for a short time," he said. "The fact that these satellites also have to deal with Doppler relative to each other increases the difficulty." PCsat controller Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, says both spacecraft will operate as conventional APRS digipeaters using the alias of WIDE. "This should double the opportunities for QSOs for the next eight days and also allow some potential double hops," Bruninga said. "Watch packets on pcsat.aprs.org to look for any successful two-hop digipeats." He and Ransom emphasized that Earth stations should only undertake attended operations and not transmit any beacon any more often that once a minute. In addition, stations should avoid jamming the uplink, not conduct any operations after dark and not digipeat via W3ADO-1. "If that call sign appears, it means PCsat has reset, and we only have one orbit to recover or we may lose her." Now three years old, PCsat only recently made a full recovery as it entered full sun during January and Bruninga was able to switch PCsat into low-power mode to help keep the satellite operational. The User Service Agreement spells out PCsat operational guidelines. The ISS should remain on 145.825 MHz until February 10, Ransom said. 

(ARRL News Service)

N0 P-C SAT after dark  (Feb. 4 2005)

Bob Brunuinga,WB4APR, reports that P-C Sat has been working perfectly while in full sun which began on January 24th.  Unfortunately,  the period ends on February 5th when the bird  re-enters eclipses.  And says Brunuinga, it only takes too many packets in a row while P-C Sat is in the dark to cause a momentary battery low voltage reset. 

Why is this worrisome?  If that happens, WB4APR says that if P-C Sat resets the bird may not be recoverable until the next full sun winter period.  In other words, an on-orbit reset failure now would mean that we would not see the bird again until next November.  To avoid this happening, please refrain from using P-C Sat while its in an eclipse.

But there is also some good news regarding P-C Sat and it also involves the I-S-S.  Word that the Kenwood radio on board the International Space Station was changed over to 145.825 MHz shortly after a successful contact over England on February 1st.   This is because P-C Sat and the I-S-S will have several extended periods when the satellites will be in view of each other.  This means that double satellite relay communicastions should be possible. 

But please remember what was said at the top of this story.  No unattended operations are being permitted due to P-C Sat's limited power budget.  The International Space Station radio system should remain on 145.825 MHz until February 10th. 

(AMSAT Remailer)

Administration to phase out Hubble Space Telescope (Feb. 4 2005)

Reports on www.Space.com and in The Washington Post  say that the Bush administration plans to propose cuts in funds to fix the aging Hubble Space Telescope. This, as the head of the telescope project said he hoped Congress would approve money for repairs.

A repair mission has been on hold since the February 1, 2003, disintegration of shuttle Columbia. Debate in the astronautical community has raged over whether to send robots or astronauts to fix the telescope, or whether to fix it at all.

The 14-year-old orbiting observatory has produced path-breaking science and created a popular appetite for its spectacular images of the cosmos.  It is due for a servicing mission to replace its batteries and the gyroscopes that keep it steady, and to upgrade some of its equipment. 

(NASA, Space.com, Sky On-Line, others)

Another Use for the Handy Man's Secret Weapon  (Jan. 29 2005)

Radio Australia's "Rural News" is a feature that runs around 2310 UTC in their "Country Breakfast" program that runs on Fridays..

On January 28th they had a feature about how Ontario farmers are saving their cattle from having frozen ears in -31 C weather by coating them with duct tape - sort of a novel form of an earmuff.

Now here's one use for the "Handy Man's Secret Weapon" to elude Red Green, so far.

(Mark Coady ODXA)

Indian Ocean Quake affects Earths Axis  (Jan. 29 2005)

The deadly Asian earthquake of late December may have permanently accelerated the Earth's rotation, shortening days by a fraction of a second.  Richard Gross, a geophysicist with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, theorizes that a shift of mass toward the Earth's center during the quake caused the planet to spin 3 microseconds faster and to tilt about an inch on its axis.  He says that when one tectonic plate beneath the Indian Ocean was forced below the edge of  another it had the effect of making the Earth more compact and to spin a tiny fraction of a second faster.  Gross also admits that changes predicted by his model probably are too minuscule to be detected by a global positioning satellite network that routinely measures changes in Earth's spin, but said the data may reveal a slight wobble on the planets axis. 

(published news reports)

AOL dropping Usenet Groups (Feb. 4 2005)

America Online will stop providing direct access to the Usenet newsgroups including those enjoyed by thousands of radio amateurs.   According to Technology News the decision by A-O-L's management comes as on-line requests for Newsgroup access has shrunk to fewer than 1,000 users a month. 

An A-O-L spokesperson told the press that dropping Usenet access will permit A-O-L focus more on more popular community features such as message boards, chat rooms and online journals.  Users of America Online will still be able to access Usenet groups from other providers, including Google Inc. which calls them the  Google Groups.

Thousands of Usenet groups exist, covering a wide range of topics.  The most popular for radio amateurs are reported to be rec.radio.amateur.policy and rec.radio.amateur.misc. 

(Published news reports)

Rail Enthusiasts on IRLP (Feb. 4 2005)

Hams interested in trains are invited to join the RailHam Roundtable every Sunday night on IRLP reflector number 9454 at 21:00 Eastern USA Time.  This is not a net, just an informal rag chew between hams  who like trains, whether it's models, prototypes, passenger,  freight, or what have you.  There is no net control so just throw out your callsign and ask who else is listening to get things started.  For more info point your web browser to: http://members.trainorders.com/boteman/railhamnet.html

(ARNewsLine)

Henry Radio out of HF and Tube Powered Amp business  (Feb. 4 2005)

Turning to news from the ham radio business community, word that Henry Radio brand high frequency power amplifiers are being discontinued.  This, according to Dan Magro, W7RF, of Radiodan who says that the high cost of manufacturing space and the ever rising cost of high power parts has lead to the that now is the time to close down that part of the assembly line.

Gone are all Henry brand tube type and all Henry High Frequency  amplifiers.  Henry will continue to manufacture solid state class C  FM VHF and UHF power amplifiers of up to 500 watts.  All warranties will be honored and for now service for all Henry brand high frequency products will continue with what parts are on hand.  (W7RF)

(ARNewsLine)

New Audio (and Now Video) PSAs Available  (Feb. 4 2005)

Following up on the introduction last month of two new audio public service announcements promoting Amateur Radio to the general public, the ARRL is now offering video PSAs. The new videos underscore how, in the wake of recent disasters, ham radio operators once again were able to pass emergency messages when other communications systems failed. 

These "mini-commercials" for ham radio are already being played on dozens of stations across the country, and the numbers keep growing. 

CLICK HERE to see a 30 second mpeg of the video (2,695,958 byte mpg file). 

MPEG files may be good enough for your computer, but the files do not have high enough resolution for broadcast television. To obtain a video in DVD+r format, please write to apitts@arrl.org--include with your name and address, and where you will be placing it. If you know of a TV or cable station that wants one, just let us know. 

Special thanks go to Jerry Martin, KC9BDA, for his efforts in turning the great audio into an impressive video! 

The audio files are available here: 

30 second PSA HAMWORKS30.mp3 (528,300 bytes) 

60 second PSA 60HamRadioWorks0105.mp3 (962,040 bytes) 

To download, right-click once on the selection and choose SAVE TARGET. 

(ARRL News Service)

Some New Wrinkles in 2005 Field Day Rules (Feb. 2 2005)

Those planning to participate in this year's Field Day will need to bone up in advance on a few changes in the rules for the ever-popular operating event. Field Day this year takes place June 25-26. The 2261 Field Day entries for 2004 were the most ever. While similar in format to a contest, Field Day is primarily a means to exercise and demonstrate Amateur Radio's emergency operating capabilities while having fun at the same time. ARRL Contest Branch Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, says that among other things rule changes for 2005 expand eligibility for bonus points. 

"All groups will be eligible for some kind of bonus points," Henderson said. "Make sure you carefully read Field Day Rule 7.3." That rule spells out how to qualify for such bonus points as 100 percent emergency power, media publicity, message handling, making satellite contacts, using an alternative power source and copying the W1AW bulletin, among other things. Many bonus point categories are available to all entry classes. 

Henderson notes that some large clubs often compete among themselves to see who can claim the highest number of transmitters. Under the revised rules, all transmitters must be on the air with an operator to count toward a club's entry class. "You have to actually have individual people and sufficient equipment capable of operating simultaneously," Henderson emphasized, referencing Rule 4. "The key word there is 'simultaneously.'" 

The Field Day exchange consists of the number of transmitters on the air followed by the participation category (A through F). Operators would send "3A," for example, for a club or non-club portable setup with three transmitters on the air at the same time. Rule 4 also specifically prohibits switching and simulcasting devices. 

The 2005 Field Day rules also modify the number of transmitters eligible for bonus points that a group can claim for its operating class. "You can only claim the emergency power bonus points for up to 20 transmitters," Henderson explains. "That's a maximum of 2000 emergency power bonus points." There no limit on the number of transmitters eligible participants may have on the air, however. Field Day rules already generally prohibit the use of more than one transmitter at the same time on a single band-mode. 

In addition, Field Day 2005 will introduce a new "Youth Element" bonus category (Rule 7.3.15). Clubs or groups operating in Class A, C, D, E or F now can claim 20 bonus points--up to a maximum of 100--for each person aged 18 or younger, who completes a valid Field Day contact. Single-operator Class B stations can earn a 20-point bonus if the operator is age 18 or younger. Two-person Class B setups can claim a 20-point bonus for each operator age 18 or younger, for a maximum of 40 points. The maximum number of participants for Class B entries remains at two. 

Another rule change clarifies that Get On The Air (GOTA) stations--instituted a few years ago to encourage new or comparatively inexperienced operators to gain operating practice--use the same exchange as the "parent" station. The maximum transmitter output power for GOTA stations is 150 W, and GOTA stations may only operate on the Field Day HF bands

Free transmitters do not count toward a group's total, and GOTA stations and free VHF stations for Class A entries do not qualify for bonus point credits. 

Henderson encourages Field Day participants to submit their Field Day summaries electronically using the Web applet form. "You may input your summary information at that site for a 50-point bonus," Henderson points out. Last year, approximately half of the Field Day entries arrived at ARRL Headquarters via this route. 

The Maritime Radio Historical Society's K6KPH, comprised of former operators of the KPH commercial shore station, now an historic site, again will augment W1AW Field Day CW and RTTY bulletin transmissions for West Coast participants. K6KPH will use the traditional W1AW frequencies. 

Finally, Henderson urges Field Day participants to share their experiences and photos with others via the Online Soapbox, which has become one of the most popular additions to Field Day. 

The complete 2005 Field Day packet now is available on the ARRL Web site: http://www.arrl.org/contests/forms/05-fd-packet.pdf

(ARRL News Service)

North American Sprint--SSB, sponsored by the National Contest Journal from 0000Z-0400Z, Feb 6. (CW is Feb 13) Frequencies (MHz): 3.850, 7.225, 14.275, work stations once per band. North American stations work everyone, others work NA stations only. Exchange: other station's call, your call, serial number, name, S/P/C. QSY rule: Stations calling CQ, QRZ, etc, may only work one station in response to that call, they must then move at least 1 kHz before working another station or 5 kHz before soliciting another call. Once you are required to QSY, you may not make a new QSO on the previous frequency until you have made a contact at least 1 or 5 kHz (as required) away (see www.contesting.com/articles/198 for beginner's guide). Score: QSOs × S/P/C (count each only once). For more information: www.ncjweb.com. Logs due 7 days after the contest to ssbsprint@ncjweb.com or Jim Stevens, K4MA, 6609 Vardon Ct, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526. 

Spartan Sprint--CW--sponsored by the Adventure Radio Society, 0200Z-0400Z Feb 8 (Monday local time). The contest is held on the first Monday of every month. Frequencies (MHz): 3.560, 7.040, 14.060, 21.060, 28.060. Categories: SOAB. Exchange: RST, S/P/C and power output. For more information: www.arsqrp.com. Logs due following Wednesday afternoon to hjohnc@core.com or via automated scoring system on ARS Web site. 

School Club Roundup--all modes, 1300Z Feb 14-0100Z Feb 19. www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/scr.html

Minnesota QSO Party--CW/Phone--sponsored by the Minnesota Wireless Association, 1400-2359Z Feb 5. Frequencies (MHz): CW-- 1.810, 3.550, 7.050, 14.050, 21.050, 28.050, SSB--1.870, 3.890, 7.230, 14.290, 21.390, 28.420. Categories: QRP, SOLP, SOHP, VHF, MN Mobile/Portable and MN MS. Exchange: Name and MN county or S/P/C. QSO points: SSB--1 pt, CW--2 pts. Score: QSO points × MN counties (87 max, MN stns add States and Provinces), each counted only once. For more information and MN QSO Party software: www.w0aa.org. Logs due Mar 15 to WA0MHJ@arrl.net or MNQP, 4745-170th Ln NE, Ham Lake, MN 55304-5233. 

Northern New York (NNY) QSO Party--all modes, sponsored by the Ogdensburg ARC from 0000Z-2359Z Feb 5. Categories: SOAB only. Frequencies: 80 m-70 cm, CW-- 40 kHz from bottom of the band (20 kHz from Novice band edge), SSB--lower 25 kHz of General allocation, entire Novice 10 meter band, VHF--50.200, 144.200, 146.49. Exchange: RST and NNY county and appointment or S/P/C. Total score: QSOs × NNY counties or S/P/C counted once only. For more information and bonus points: www.oarc.us. Logs due Mar 11 to qso2005@nnyara.org or Roger Ousterhout, KA2JXI, 511 Seymour St, Ogdensburg, NY 13669. 

New Hampshire QSO Party--Phone/CW/Digital, sponsored by the Great Bay Radio Association, from 0000Z Feb 5-2400Z Feb 6, 24 hour time limit except for bonus stations. Categories: SOAB, MO (QRP <5 W, LP, HP >150 W). Frequencies (MHz): CW 1.810, 3.535, 7.035, 14.035, 21.035, 28.035; Phone 1.875, 3.935, 3.950, 7.235, 14.280, 21.380, 28.390, VHF 50.115, 144.205, 29.610, 52.540, 146.55, 223.50, 446.000, 902.100, 1296.100. Exchange: RST and NH county or S/P/C. QSO points: Phone--1 pt, CW/Digital--2 pts. Total score: QSO points × NH counties (NH stations add states and provinces plus 1 DXCC entity). For more information: www.wz1f.net/2005_NH_QSO_Pary_Rules.doc. Logs due Mar 31 to w1wrh@arrl.net or Great Bay Radio Association, 78 Littleworth Rd, Dover, NH 03820. 

Ten-Ten International Winter Phone QSO Party--sponsored by Ten-Ten, International, from 0001Z Feb 5-2359 Feb 6, 10 m only. Exchange: Call sign, name, QTH and 10-10 number (if a member). QSO points: nonmembers--1 pt, members--2 pts. Score: total points. For more information: www.ten-ten.org. Logs due Feb 21 to tentencontest@alltel.net or Steve Rasmussen, N0WY, #68684, 312 N 6th St, Plattsmouth, NE 68048. 

XE International RTTY Contest, sponsored by FMRE, from 1800Z Feb 5 to 1759Z Feb 6. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SO-- 1 Radio, SO--2 Radio. Exchange: RST and serial number or XE state/district. QSO points: own country--2 pts, DX--3 pts, XE stations--4 pts. Score: QSO points × XE states + DXCC entities from each band. For more information: www.fmre.org.mx. Logs due 30 days after the contest to xe1j@ucol.mx or Jose Levy, XE1J, Dirección de Concursos FMRE, Clavel 333, Colima, Col 28030, Mexico. 

Delaware QSO Party--CW/Phone/Digital/RTTY--sponsored by the First State ARC (FSARC) from 1700Z Feb 5 to 0500Z Feb 6 and 1300Z Feb 6 to 0100Z Feb 8. Frequencies (MHz): CW--1.825, 3.550, 7.050, 14.050, 21.050, 28.050, Phone--1.860, 3.960, 7.260, 14.260, 21.360, 28.360, Novice and Technician--25 kHz above the sub-band edge. One class for all entries, no time limit. CW/Digital/RTTY count as separate modes. Exchange: RST and DE county or S/P/C. QSO points: CW/RTTY/digital--2 points, phone--1 pt, work each station once per band and mode (CW/RTTY/digital are separate modes). Score: total of QSO points (no multiplier). For more information: www.fsarc.org. Logs due Mar 10 to QSOparty@fsarc.org or Contest Chairman--FSARC, Inc, PO Box 1050, Newark, DE 19715. 

Vermont QSO Party--CW/Phone/Digital--sponsored by the Central Vermont Amateur Radio Club from 0000Z Feb 5-2400Z Feb 6. Frequencies (MHz): 160-10 meters and VHF/UHF; CW--40 kHz up from band edge (20 kHz Novice/Tech bands), Phone--lowest 25 kHz of the General privileges and entire Novice/Tech 10 meter band, VHF SSB--50.200 and 144.200, FM--146.49 and 146.55. Categories: SOAB, MO, Club and Rover. Exchange: RST and VT county or S/P/C. QSO points: Phone--1 pt, CW or digital--2 pts. Work stations once per mode up, up to 4 QSOs per band. Score: QSO points × VT/NH/ME counties + Vermont club stations + S/P/C (VT only), each counted only once. For more information and list of club stations: Davidca@wpgate1.ahs.state.vt.us. Logs with claimed score calculation due Mar 1 to Ed Hutchinson, N1FMP, Vermont QSO Party Coordinator, Central Vermont Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 74, East Barre, VT 05649. 

YL International QSO Party--CW/SSB--sponsored by YL International SSB System, 1100Z Feb 5-1700Z Feb 6, two 6 hour off times required. Frequencies: 160-10, no US-US contacts on 14.332 MHz except handicapped. Categories: SOAB. Exchange: Call sign, RST, State, County, YLISSB member number. Score: Number of QSOs. For more information:www.qsl.net/yl-issb/. Logs for both modes due Mar 31 to 2hamsrus@comcast.net to N4KNF/N4ZGH, 2160 Ivy St, Port Charlotte, FL 33952. 

QRP ARCI Winter Fireside SSB Sprint, sponsored by the QRP ARCI, 2000Z-2400Z, Feb 6. Frequencies (MHz): 3.865, 7.285, 14.285, 21.385, 28.385. For more information: http://2hams.net/ARCI/index.htm. Logs due 30 days after the contest to wb5khc@2hams.net or Tom Owens, WB5KHC, 1916 Addington St, Irving, TX 75062-3505. (See Dec QST, p 85 for QRP ARCI Sprint rules.) 

FYBO (Freeze Your Butt Off) Winter QRP Field Day--CW-- sponsored by the AZ ScQRPions from 1600Z-2400Z Feb 5. Use QRP calling frequencies on HF bands, work stations once per band. Categories are SO, MS, MM, and Novice/Tech--indicate home or field. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, name, power and temperature in degrees F at operating position. Score: total QSOs × S/P/C (counted only once) × Temperature multiplier ×4 (if field location) ×2 (if alternative power) ×2 (if QRP). Temp mult--65+ ×1, 50-64 ×2, 40-49 ×3, 30-39 ×4, 20-29 ×5, <20 ×6. Add 10,000 points for a QSO with NQ7RP. For more information: www.azqrp.org/azqrp/. Logs due 30 days after the contest to AzScQRPions@covad.net (e-mail only). 

North American Sprint--CW, from 0000Z-0400Z, Feb 13 (see Feb 6). Frequencies (MHz): 3.540, 7.040, 14.040. Logs due 7 days after the contest to cwsprint@ncjweb.com or Boring ARC, 15125 Bartell Rd, Boring, OR 97009. 

Louisiana QSO Party--CW/Phone, sponsored by W5YL, Thibodaux ARC from 1500Z Feb 12-0300Z Feb 13. Frequencies (MHz): CW 1.840, 3.540, 7.040, 14.040, 21.040, 28.040; Phone 1.865, 3.865, 7.265, 14.265, 21.365, 28.465, VHF-50.095, 50.135, 144.050, 144.210. Operating categories. SOAB (Phone, CW, Mixed) and Rover (LA stations only). Exchange: Call, RST, and S/P/C or LA Parish. QSO points: Phone-- 2 pts, CW--4 pts. Total score: QSO points × LA parishes or S/P/C counted once per mode. Rovers add 50 point bonus for each parish activated. Add 100 points for QSO with W5YL. For more information: http://laqso.w5yl.org. Logs due Mar 15 to laqso@W5YL.org or LA QSO Party, 508 Hache St, Houma, LA 70364. 

British Columbia QSO Challenge--CW/SSB/Digital, sponsored by the Delta Amateur Radio Society from 1800 Feb 12-1800 Feb 13. Categories: SOAB, SOSB, M/S, Mobile (SSB, CW, Digital, Mixed and QRP <5 W/LP/HP >100 W) Frequencies (MHz): CW--1.825, 3.525, 7.025, 14.025, 21.025, 28.025, 50.095; SSB--1.850, 3.750, 7.250, 14.250, 21.250, 28.350, 50.130. Exchange: Grid square and BC region or S/P/C. QSO points: SSB--1 pt, CW/Digital--2 pts. Total score: QSO points × BC regions or S/P/C (counted once only). Add 25 points for a QSO with VE7SUN. For more information:www.deltaamateurradio.com. Logs due Mar 13 to ve7ccy@rac.ca or Delta Amateur Radio Society, c/o Tsawwassen Community Police Station, 1108 56th St, Delta, BC V4L 2A3, Canada. 

RSGB 1.8 MHz Contest--CW--sponsored by RSGB, 2100Z Feb 12 to 0100Z Feb 13. Frequencies (MHz): 1.820-1.870. Categories: SO only. Exchange: RST + serial number and UK district. QSO points: 3 pts/QSO + 5 pts for first QSO with a UK district. Score: QSO points. For more information: www.rsgbhfcc.org. Logs due 16 days after the contest to 1st160.logs@rsgbhfcc.org or RSGB-G3UFY, 77 Bensham Manor Rd, Thorton Heath, Surrey, CR7 7AF, England. 

Asia-Pacific Sprint--CW--sponsored by the AP Sprint Contest Committee, 1100Z-1300Z Feb 12. Frequencies: 20 and 40 meters, NA stations work Asia-Pacific countries only. Categories: SO only, 150 W max. Exchange: RST and serial number. Score: total QSOs × WPX prefixes (counted once). For more information: http://jsfc.org/apsprint/aprule.txt. Logs due 7 days after the contest to apsprint@kkn.net (no paper logs). 

FISTS CW Winter Sprint--CW--sponsored by FISTS International CW Club, 1700Z until 2100Z Feb 12. Frequencies: 80-10 meters, work US/VE stations. Categories: SOAB-QRP (<5 W), SOAB-QRO, Club. Exchange: Name, RST, S/P/C, members send FISTS number, nonmembers send power output. QSO points: FISTS members--5 pts, nonmembers--2 pts. Score: QSO points × S/P/C (count each only once). For more information:www.FISTS.org. Logs due 30 days after the contest to W8PIG@yahoo.com or Dan Shepherd, N8IE, 1900 Pittsfield St, Kettering, OH 45420. 

50th Anniversary Dutch PACC Contest-- CW/SSB--sponsored by the Vereniging voor Experimenteel Radio Onderzoek in Nederland (VERON) from 1200Z Feb 12-1200Z Feb 13. Frequencies: 160-10 meters according to IARU band plan, no SSB on 160, work stations only once per band. Categories: SO, SO-QRP, MO, SWL. Exchange: RS(T) + serial number (Dutch stations send province). QSO points: 1 pt/QSO. Score: QSO points × Provinces (counted once per band). For more information: www.dutchpacc.com. Logs due Mar 31 to pa0adt@dutchpacc.com or Ad van Tilborg, PA0ADT, Schepenenveld 141, 7327 DB Apeldoorn, Netherlands. 

OMISS QSO Party--SSB--Sponsored by the Old Man International Sideband Society, 1500Z Feb 12-1500Z Feb 13. Frequencies (MHz): 3.9405, 7.2635, 14.290, 21.360, 28.665. Categories: SO, Mobile. Exchange: RS, S/P/C and OMISS # (DX stations send DX). QSO points: OMISS members--2 pts, non-members--1 pt. Score: QSO points × States + Provinces + 1 DXCC entity, each counted only once. For more information:www.omiss.net. Logs due Mar 15 to k5db@arrl.net or Don Banta, K5DB, 3407 Diana St, Springdale, AR 72764. 

CQ World Wide RTTY WPX Contest, sponsored by CQ Magazine, 0000Z Feb 12 to 2400Z Feb 13. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOLP (<150 W), SOHP, SOSB, MS, MM. SO work 30 hours max. Use of spotting assistance allowed for all categories. Exchange: RST and serial number. QSO points: own country--1 pt, own continent--2 pts, different cont--3 pts, double points on 80 and 40 meters. Score: QSO points × WPX prefixes. For more information: www.cq-amateur-radio.com. Logs due Mar 11 to wpxrtty@kkn.net or CQ Magazine-WPX RTTY Contest, 25 Newbridge Rd, Hicksville, NY 11801. 

Classic Exchange--CW/Phone--from 1300Z Feb 13 to 0700Z Feb 14. Frequencies (MHz): CW--1.810, 3.545, 7.045, 14.045, 21.135, 28.180; AM--1.890, 3.880, 7.290, 14.280, 21.380, 28.320, 29.000; SSB--3.870, 7.280, 14.270, 21.370, 28.490. Exchange: Name, RST, S/P/C, and mfr/model of transmitter and receiver. Work stations again with different radios. Score is determined by the age of your equipment. For complete information: http://qsl.asti.net/CX. Send logs and comments to WQ8U@arrl.net or J. D. "Mac" MacAulay, WQ8U, 6235 Wooden Shoe Ln, Centerville, OH 45459. 

Pacific Grove, CA: Naval Postgraduate School ARC (K6LY), K6P. 0001Z Feb 1-2400Z Feb 7. Point Piños Lighthouse 150th anniversary. 14.270 21.370 28.370 7.270. QSL. G. Costello, WC6DX, PO Box 1332, Monterey, CA 93942. www.k6ly.org. 

Dayton, OH: Dayton Amateur Radio Association, W8BI. 0000Z Feb 1-24000Z Feb 28. Celebrating 75 years as a club. 40 20 15 10 m. QSL. DARA, Lori Perrenboom, K8XTQ, PO Box 44, Dayton, OH 454041. www.ceitron.com/dara/. 

Washington, PA: Washington Amateur Communications, W3C. 1600Z Feb 3-2000Z Feb 6. Washington County Sportsmen's Show. 28.400 21.300 14.250 7.260. QSL. Ed Oelschlager, N3ZNI, 60 Carl Ave B-2, Eighty Four, PA 15330. wacomarc.org. 

Nacogdoches, TX: Nacogdoches Amateur Radio Club, W5NAC. 1300Z Feb 5-0100Z Feb 6. The Space Shuttle Columbia Recovery Special Event. 14.250 14.050 7.250 7.050. QSL. NARC, 167 County Road 2093, Nacogdoches, TX 75965. www.w5nac.com. 

Plymouth, MI: Plymouth Historical Society Amateur Radio Club, KC8SWR. 1400-2000Z daily Feb 12-Feb 13. Lincoln Exhibit celebrating Lincoln's birthday. 28.380 21.380 14.280 7.280; CW PSK 20 40 m. Certificate. Plymouth Historical Museum Amateur Station, 155 South Main St, Plymouth, MI 48170. www.qsl.net/kc8swr. 
 

Rapid City, SD: Dakota Chapter 102, QCWA, W0DAK. 1500Z Feb 12-0300Z Feb 13. Commemorating the 28th anniversary as a QCWA Chapter. 28.450 14.250 7.250 3.889. Certificate. Frank Shaw, NU0F, 118 E Van Buren, Rapid City, SD 57701. 
 

CQ to celebrate 60th anniversary with "CQ Gang" on-air event
 

CQ Amateur Radio magazine invites Amateur Radio operators around the world to join in celebrating its 60th anniversary by taking part in an on-air event during the first 60 days of 2005. CQ's first issue was published in January, 1945.

(ARRL News Service)

DXCC listings now available on the ARRL Web site (Jan 28, 2005)

The ARRL Web site now features up-to-date listings of DXCC awards earned. The new system shows every issued DXCC award known to ARRL's computerized DXCC system, with the exception of individual standings for 5BDXCC. ARRL Membership Services Manager Wayne Mills, N7NG, says the Web site listing is more complete than the DXCC Yearbook ever was, since the printed list did not list inactive band accounts for the previous year. "This lists everything and everybody," Mills emphasized. "The new system makes available a separate listing for each DXCC award type--band or mode." Even more important, Mills notes, is that it essentially renders obsolete the manually generated monthly and yearly reports. "Under the new system, DXCC listings will updated daily," he emphasized. The DXCC standings of all ARRL members will remain in dark type. Call signs of non-members who have not submitted credits for 10 years or more are in grayed-out type. Each listing by band or mode is complete in a separate Adobe PDF file. The largest listing (DXCC Mixed) now runs to more than 50 pages, but the size of the PDF file is only about 150 kbytes because of file compression. Printing format options include US letter-sized or ISO A4 paper. 

(ARRL News Service)

Feb. 3 2005 ARRL  DX News

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by ND5S, the OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST.  Thanks to all.

GHANA, 9G.  9G5OO has been QRV using RTTY on 30 meters around 1930z and then 20 meters around 2030z.  QSL via DL4WK.

SIERRA LEONE, 9L.  Massimo, 9L1MS plans to be QRV, weather-permitting, from the Turtle Islands, IOTA AF-056, on February 5 and 6.  QSL via IZ0EGA.

CHILE, CE.  Look for a number of operators to be QRV as CE8A from Rennell Island, a new IOTA, from February 10 to 15.  Activity will be on 80 to 10 meters using CW and SSB.  QSL via CE6NE.

MAYOTTE, FH.  Maurice is QRV as FH/F6AIG and has been active on 20 meters between 1600 and 1630z.  QSL via F6AIG.

REUNION ISLAND, FR.  Didier is QRV as FR/F5TNI until February 21. He is active using mostly CW with some RTTY and possibly PSK.  QSL to home call.

ECUADOR, HC.  Andy, DH8WR is QRV as DH8WR/HC2 from Guayaquil until March 7.  QSL to home call.

SAUDI ARABIA, HZ.  Thomas, HZ1EX has been QRV on 40 meters around 0300z.  QSL via SM0BYD.

ALAND ISLANDS, OH0.  Look for members of the Kulju DX Club to be QRV as OH0W from Kumlinge from February 9 to 15.  They also plan to be QRV in the upcoming CQ WPX RTTY contest.  QSL via OH3LQK.

NETHERLAND ANTILLES, PJ2.  Rick, NE8Z is QRV as PJ4/NE8Z from Bonaire, IOTA SA-006, from February 4 to 13.  Activity will be on 40 to 6 meters, including the newer bands, using CW and SSB.  QSL to home call.

ST. MAARTEN, PJ7.  Ron, ND5S and Sue, KF5LG will be QRV from Dutch St. Maarten, IOTA NA-105, as PJ7/homecalls from February 6 to 26 while here on vacation.  Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY.  Ron will also be active as PJ7/ND5S in the upcoming CQ RTTY WPX and ARRL DX CW contests.  QSL via operators' instructions.

BANGLADESH, S2.  Dave, EI3IO and Manjurul, S21AM are QRV as S21BI from Kulsum Bag, Charfassion, Char Dakhin Shahbazpur, Bhola Island, IOTA AS-140, until February 7.  QSL via operators' instructions.

BELIZE, V3.  Art, NN7A will be QRV as V31JZ/p from South Water Caye, IOTA NA-180, from February 10 to 14.  Bob, NF7E will be joining Art, and will have his call issued upon arrival.  Activity will be on 40 to 10 meters, and possibly 160 and 80 meters, and the newer bands, using CW and some SSB.  QSL to home calls.

MACQUARIE ISLAND, VK0.  David, VK0MT has been QRV on 20 meters around 1100z and then 17 meters just after 1200z.  QSL via JE1LET.

ZIMBABWE, Z2.  Eric, Z21FO has been QRV on 15 meters using PSK31 from around 1800 to 1900z.  QSL via K3PD.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The Vermont and Minnesota QSO Parties, 10-10 International Winter SSB Contest, YLRL YL-OM CW Contest, AGCW Straight Key Party, FYBO Winter QRP Sprint, Delaware QSO Party,
Mexico RTTY International Contest, North American SSB Sprint and the ARCI Winter Fireside SSB Sprint will certainly keep contesters busy this weekend.  The rescheduled Kid's Day on Satellite AO-51 (Echo) is also set for Saturday, February 5.  Please see February QST, page 102 and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details.

(ARRL)

Bulgarian Antarctic Base "St. Kliment Ohridski  (Feb. 4 2005)

The Bulgarian Antarctic Base "St. Kliment Ohridski" (LZ-02 for Antarctica Award) on Livingston Island, South Shetlands (AN-010) is situated at elevation of 12-15 meter above sea level on the coast of Emona Anchorage, at the foot of Sinemorets Hill. The Base operates during the austral summer, usually from November to March. Following an unsuccessful landing attempt at Cape Vostok on the northwest extremity of Alexander Island, on April 26-29, 1988 two prefabricated huts were assembled on Livingston Island by a four-member Bulgarian party logistically supported by the Soviet Research Ship Mihail Somov. The facilities were later refurbished and inaugurated as a permanent base on December 11, 1993. An expansion programme at St. Kliment Ohridski including the erection of a new multipurpose building was carried out in 1996-98 and subsequently. The first Christian Orthodox chapel in Antarctica, St. Ivan Rilski was built in 2003.

Jordan 'Danny' Yankov, LZ2UU is currently active from "St. Kliment Ohridski Base" (LZ-02) through late February. Danny has served as radio engineer for the past eleven Antarctic seasons, and this year he is also the Base commander. He is operating as LZ0A (QSL via LZ1KDP Radio Club, P.O.Box 812, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria) and VP8/LZ2UU (QSL via LZ2UU Jordan Radkov Yankov, P.O.Box 196, 7200 Razgrad, Bulgaria).

(IZ8CCW Ant Mediterraneo DX Club  #004 www.mdxc.org) 
 

Feb. 5 - 13  2005    I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O.

05/02/2005:  AF-056  9L1MS/P  TURTLE ISLANDS -
Massimo, 9L1MS, reports that, weather permitting, he will operate from the Turtle Islands (AF-056) February 5-6th. QSL via IZ0EGA. [Tnx I1JQJ/KB2TJM]

05/02/2005:  DFCF:76040  F5IRC/P  CASTLE OF GLATIGNY -
Look for Jean, F5IRC/p, to be active February 5th from the Castle of Glatigny (DFCF reference 76-040, Zip Code 76-110), commune Auberville-la-Renault (DDCF reference 76-023). Activity will be on 40 and 20 meters. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx F5PRR]

05/02/2005:  DFCF:45018  F5JNE/P  CASTLE OF BELLECOUR -
On next February 5th, Look for Francois, F5JNE, (and Claude, F5MCC, if he has recover of the flu), to be active February 5th as F5JNE/p from the Castle of Bellecour (DFCF reference 45-018), located in the city of Sainte Genevieve des Bois (Canton 45-08, Zip Code 45-230), Province Centre and Department of the Loiret (45). Activity will be on 40 meter CW and SSB, starting around 07:30 UTC. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. SWL cards welcome as well. [Tnx F5NQL]

05/02/2005:  DFCF:86-010  F8DYD/P  CASTLE CORSEC -
Look for Patrick, F8DYD/p, to be QRV February 5th from the Castle Corsec (DFCF reference 86-010, for the French Castles Award). Activity will be on 40 meter SSB. Other references are Commune of Montamise (86-360), Canton (DDCF 86-37) and Departement of Vienne (DDFM 86). QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx F8DYD]

05/02/2005:  AS-076  JA's/5  IWAGI ISLAND -
Look for JG5GWL/5, JG5HFY/5, JG5XUU/5, JG5KKY/5, JI5CKF/5, JI5DIH/5, JI5LNP/5, JI5JXW/5, JI5JXV/5 and JN3QZN/5, to be QRV February 5-6th from Iwagi Island (IOTA AS-076, JIIA AS-076-New) Ehime Pre. QSL via the operators home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx JI6KVR]

05/02/2005:  OA  PERU -
DL3ALF, DL5YWM, DL1NL and DL2JRM will operate CW and SSB from Lima, Peru February 5-19th. A side trip to an IOTA group (possibily SA-073) is being taken into consideration. [Tnx 425DXN]

06/02/2005:  NA-183  6F1IHF  IXTAPA ISLAND -
Porfirio, XE1HPT (Leader of the DXpedition) and a group of XE ham operators will be operating from Ixtapa Island (IOTA NA-183). They will be on the air with the special callsign 6F1IHF between February 6th and 13th. Activity is planned for all HF bands CW/SSB. QSL via Porfirio Lomeli, P.O. BOX 7177, Morelia, Mich 58262, Mexico. [Tnx OPDX]

06/02/2005:  NA-001  C6AMM, C6AWW  HARBOUR ISLAND -
Bill, K1CN and his wife Laurel, N1EBL will operate again as C6AMM and C6AWW from Harbour Island (NA-001), Bahamas 6-26 February 6-26th. Expect activity on 40-6 meter SSB (CW on request). QSL via K1CN, direct or bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

06/02/2005:  DFCF  F5PRR/P  FRENCH CASTLES -
Jean Michel, F5PRR/p, plans to activate some castles and one mill in Department 55. Activity will be from February 6-12th, between the hours of 10:00 and 13:00 UTC daily. He will also be active during some afternoons on 15 meters for North American stations. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx F5PRR]

06/02/2005:  NA-105  PJ7/KF5LG, PJ7/ND5S  SINT MAARTEN -
Ron PJ7/ND5S and Sue PJ7/KF5LG will again operate from Dutch Sint Maarten (IOTA NA-105) February 6-26th, while on vacation. Ron will be active for both the CQ/RJ RTTY WPX Contest and the ARRL DX CW Contest as PJ7/ND5S. Pericontest activity will be in CW/RTTY/SSB from 160 through 10 meters. Ron states some 20,000 contacts have been made from here in his past operations. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx ND5S]

07/02/2005:  EU-171  OZ7AEI/P  NORDJYLLAND ISLAND -
Jakob, OZ7AEI/p, will be active February 7-11th from Nordjylland Island (IOTA EU-171, DIA NJ-001). He plans to activate the 4 lighthouses of Skagen (ARLHS references: DEN-040, DEN-041, DEN-038 and DEN-039). There is the possibility that he will also activate the lighthouse of Hirthhals (DEN-017) and the lighthouse Rudbjerg Knude (DEN-036). Activity will be on 40 and 20 meters. QSL via home call, direct or through the bureau. [Tnx OZ7AEI]

07/02/2005:  OC-040  ZK2ML  NIUE ISLAND -
Murray, VE7HA, reports that he and his wife Konomi will arrive in Niue early February 7th. The Managing Director of Niue Telecom has informed Murray that his callsign will be ZK2ML. He will receive the licence upon his arrival. Murray adds that since they plan to be in Niue for about 2 months, he hopes to be active to some degree in the ARRL DX CW and SSB Contests, and also CQ WPX SSB Contest. Murray now has WinPSKse installed on his laptop and is working on the physical interface for the rig. So PSK operation is a possibility which he presumes would be appreciated from ZK2. QSL via VE7HA. [Tnx OPDX]

08/02/2005:  VP8BF  ANTARCTIC TOUR -
Antarctic veteran Graham Rumsey, M0GCR (VP8BF from Faraday in the Fifties) reports he will be leaving February 8th on a 20-day trip to the Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetlands, South Orkneys, South Georgia and Falkland Islands. The exact landing spots/bases will be determined by weather and ice conditions, but he may be heard from time to time signing VP8BF. Itinerary should include stops on the islands of Adelaide, Stonington, Horseshoe and Detaille (all count for AN-001), Galindez (AN-006), Goudier and Danco (both count for AN-012), Deception and Aitcho (both count for AN-010). [Tnx 425DXN]

09/02/2005:  AF-008  FT1WK & FT5WJ  POSSESSION ISLAND -
Jean Paul (F5BU) reports that due to damage on the ship Marion Dufresne, the Crozet Archipelago operation unfortunately will be shorter than the expected. Nicolas, F4EGX (as FT1WK) and Jean Paul, F5BU (as FT5WJ) hope to arrive on Possession Island (IOTA AF-008, DIFO FT-009) with a few days of delay and NOT exactly as previously fixed on February, 5 - 2005. Nicolas and Jean Paul will be active, temporarily, with a very small set-up only. The current boat, a fishing boat, can not transport much equipment. Batima's transceiver and 1 KW linear amplifier will arrive on the island around February 20th, with the repaired Marion Dusfresne. Nicolas F4EGX/FT1WK will be active on 6 meters, 2 meters and 70 cm FM (QRP). Jean Paul F5BU (FT5WJ) will be active on HF SSB (possibly around 14.278 MHz). QSL FT1WK via F6APU. QSL FT5WJ via F5BU. [Tnx MDXC HQ]

09/02/2005:  EU-002  OHØW  ALAND ISLANDS -
Look for OH0W to be aired February 9-15th from Kumlinge, Aland Islands (EU-002). The main target will be a Multioperator entry in the CQ WW WPX RTTY Contest (February 12-13th). QSL via bureau to OH3LQK. [Tnx 425DXN]

10/02/2005:  NA-180  V31JZ/P  SOUTH WATER CAYE -
Art, NN7A, will operate as V31JZ/p from South Water Caye, Belize (IOTA NA-180), February 10-14th. This will be a one-person operation with 100 watts, a vertical and wire antennas. Operation will be CW on 40-10 meters including the WARC bands; some 80m and 160m is possible. Some SSB is possible on 20 and 15 meter IOTA frequencies, if conditions are permitting. NA-180 was opened as a new IOTA by Art and Mike Sharp, NG7S / V31RL, in February, 1993. This will be Art's 5th operation from South Water Caye, and his 11th trip to Belize since 1988. QSL via NN7A, by the ARRL W7 Bureau or direct to: Art Phillips, P.O. Box 201, Flagstaff, AZ 86002 USA. No V3 bureau cards. No skeds, please. [Tnx OPDX]

11/02/2005:  SA-NEW  CE8A  RENNEL ISLAND -
An international team, presently consisting of Marco CE6TBN, Mario CE6NE, Zoli HA1AG, Bruce KD6WW and Mike K9AJ, will be active February 11-15th from Rennel Island, Ultima Esperanza Province South group (IOTA SA-NEW!). Activity will be on 80 through 10 meter SSB and CW. The pilots will be Cezar VE3LYC (EU and NA) and Gou JA1QXY (AS and OC). QSL via CE6NE, direct (P.O. Box 866, Temuco, Chile) or through the bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

11/02/2005:  SA-052  OC4P  PACHACAMAC ISLAND -
A group of operators from Peru, Germany and EE.UU will be QRV February 11-13th as OC4P from Pachacamac Island (IOTA SA-052). Activity will be on 80 through 6 meter SSB and CW. The QSL manager for the operation is Gottfried, DL5WM. [Tnx OA4DJW]

12/02/2005:  AF-004  EF8BDX  BURRERO ROCK -
Members of the Canary Islands DX Society will be active from Burrero Rock (IOTA AF-004) as EF8BDX, February 12-13th. Burrero Rock is valid for the Spanish Islands Award (D.I.E) S-349, the D.M.E. 35.011 and the Grid Locator: IL27HV. Activity will be on 15 meters SSB only. The team that is activating AF-004 are licensed EC8 operators. They are restricted to only operate below 21200 kHz, but will also be split sometime TX 21200 and RX 21300 +/- 5 kHz for restricted operators in the IARU Zone 2. QSL Manager is EC8ADU Dunia (more details on QRZ.com). All QSLs will be sent through the URE Bureau after their operation. [Tnx OPDX]

13/02/2005:  OC-088  9M6/PA0RRS/8  SARAWAK -
Rich, PA0RRS, will be QRV February 13-26th as 9M6/PA0RRS/8 from Sarawak (IOTA OC-088), East Malaysia. QSL via home call, direct (Richard Smeets, Schoorveken 100, 5121NM Rijen, The Netherlands) or bureau. [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

ARRL Board outlines ambitious legislative agenda  (Feb.2 2005)

Frigid New England temperatures and a major snowstorm failed to chill enthusiasm as the ARRL Board of Directors met January 21-22 in Windsor, Connecticut, to tackle a lengthy agenda. ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, chaired the gathering. Among the highlights of the session was the Board's unanimous adoption of positions on six initiatives for the 109th Congress. The list included a call for ''consistent application'' of the FCC's limited federal preemption policy--PRB-1--to Amateur Radio antenna systems. The League wants PRB-1 to apply to ''all types of land use regulations,'' public and private. That would include deed covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs).

''The American Radio Relay League seeks congressional instruction to the FCC to extend its limited preemption policy governing residential Amateur Radio antennas, so that private land-use authorities cannot preclude, but must reasonably accommodate, Amateur Radio communications in subdivisions and communities,'' the Board resolved. After the FCC declined to include CCRs under the PRB-1 umbrella, the League since 2002 has initiated bills in Congress to accomplish the same end.

In addition, the Board expressed support for measures to improve federal management of telecommunications, including beefing up the FCC's ability to regulate transmitter, receiver and antenna issues and resolve electromagnetic interference. The Board also wants public service allocations, including Amateur Radio's, exempted from auction or commercial reallocation, and compensatory spectrum whenever the federal government reallocates existing public service spectrum to another service. The resolution reflected the essence of the ''Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 2004,'' HR 713. An identical bill will be introduced into the 109th Congress.

Calling amateur frequencies ''the technological equivalent of a national park,'' the Board further resolved to support measures that ''preserve and protect'' primary Amateur Radio access to existing amateur spectrum ''as a natural resource for the enjoyment of all properly licensed individuals, and protect against interference from unlicensed transmitters such as Part 15 devices'' operating on amateur frequencies.

Finally, the Board expressed support for requiring the FCC to develop effective, mandatory standards for radio frequency
susceptibility of consumer electronic devices. And it expressed general opposition to expansion of current prohibitions against the reception of radio signals beyond those already on the books.

In a related vein, the Board affirmed support for the ARRL Grassroots Legislative Action Plan and called for its immediate
implementation. Hudson Division Director Frank Fallon, N2FF, says the Grassroots Legislative Action Plan will function mainly by direct contacts with lawmakers in their members' home districts and by motivating legislative support through letter writing by members.

Additional details on the January Board meeting are on the ARRL Web site, www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/01/27/1/. The minutes of the Board meeting are on the ARRL Web site, www.arrl.org/announce/board-0501/.

(ARRL News Service)