International

Feb. 14 2004  New Amateur Radio Regulations Introduced in Denmark

The Danish Information Technology and Telecom Agency has announced new regulations for radio amateurs in Denmark. The main feature of the new regulations, which came into effect on the 1st of February, is the elimination of the Morse code examination for access to the HF bands. Danish radio amateurs are also now allowed to use parts of the 4-metre band without a special permit. These are: 70.0125 to 70.0625, 70.0875 to 70.1125, 70.3125 to 70.3875 and 70.4125 to 70.4875MHz. Beacons are allowed in the 70.0125 to 70.0500MHz portion of the band. Detailed Danish 70MHz band plans can be found on the Internet: http://vhf.edr.dk

(RSGB)

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Feb. 11 2004   Hong Kong dropping Morse requirement

Hong Kong has become the latest country to announce it will drop the requirement that Amateur Radio applicants pass a Morse code examination for access to frequencies below 30 MHz. In conjunction with the announcement, Hong Kong will cancel all existing amateur station license (ASL) classes (and/or authority to operate), replacing them with a new authorization that does not carry a license class. "The existing Intermediate and Restricted class of ASL holders are allowed similar operational privileges as the existing Full class of ASL holders," the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) announced February 11. OFTA also opened the 430 to 440 MHz band for portable and mobile operation and allocated 10.45 to 10.5 GHz to the Amateur Service. OFTA did not specify an implementation date for the changes but indicated they would "come into effect soon."

(ARRL News Service)

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Feb. 11 2004   Ofcom subsumes RA in United Kingdom

Ofcom--the Office of Communications --is the new regulatory agency for Amateur Radio as well as for TV, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services in the United Kingdom. Ofcom, as it's called, has subsumed the responsibilities of the Radiocommunications Authority (RA)--which used to administer the UK's Amateur Service--as well as those of four other regulatory agencies. RSGB reports that Ofcom has released the syllabus for the new Advanced Radio Communications Examination, which replaces the former City and Guilds Radio Amateur Examination. It's available on the Ofcom Web site. Pilot exams based on the new syllabus are scheduled for February, April and June 2004, after which the examination will be available monthly. RSGB says the new Syllabus represents many hours of cooperation by Ofcom and the RA as well as a working group drawn from RSGB's Amateur Radio Development Committee. The working group will continue developing the syllabus based on experience gained through the period of the pilot examinations. In a related development, UK Communications Minister Stephen Timms has announced that the Spectrum Management Advisory Group (SMAG) was been formally dissolved as of December 29, when Ofcom inherited responsibility for regulating the radio spectrum and communications services. Established in 1998 as a non-departmental public body, the SMAG provided independent strategic advice on spectrum management issues to the RA and to the relevant telecommunications minister.

Full Details:  www.ofcom.org.uk

(ARRL News Service)

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Feb. 13 2004  Radio Society of Great Britain forms RCF

The Radio Communications Foundation, or 'RCF', is a new charity set up by the Radio Society of Great Britain.  This, to promote awareness of the importance of radio communications in our everyday life.

Although set up by the RSGB, , the Radio Communications Foundation is completely independent from the Society  and will provide a channel through which funds can be raised for educational projects such as the RSGB's GB4FUN mobile amateur radio demonstration vehicle.  Further details can be found on a new website at www.commsfoundation.org

(GB2RS)

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Feb. 13 2004   Israel University Ham Station closes down

The amateur station at Israel's Ben Gurion University in Beer Sheva has closed down and the equipment has been moved to the Eshel Ha Nassi high school club. This same high school is the home of "Radio Eshel" on 106 MHz FM, one of the few educational network broadcast stations authorized for the training of high-school students in broadcasting.  The Beer Sheva local repeater on 145.300 will have to relocate as the University was also its home.  No explanation was given as to why the university decided to close the station down.

(Hagal International)

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Feb. 12 2004   Finnish Club Stations Gain Access to 5MHz Frequencies

Finnish club stations can now apply for Notices of Variation to allow them to operate on 5MHz. The first contact was made on the 27th of January between OI3W and OI3AY. The following eight frequencies are available for use on upper sideband at up to 50 watts power: 5278.6, 5288.6, 5298.6, 5330.6, 5346.6, 5366.6, 5371.6 and 5398.6kHz.

(RSGB)

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IARU Region II now has an ARDF web site:   www.ardf-r2.org

The purpose of the web site is to serve as the voice of the IARU Region II ARDF Working Group, provide links to official rules and regional results, provide contact information for ARDF groups and individuals throughout Region II, and to help promote the sport of ARDF in Region II.

We plan to maintain the web site in four languages: English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. I would very much like to hear from any native speakers of Spanish, French, or Portuguese would would volunteer to help improve our translations. We aim to make ARDF approachable throughout IARU Region II.

Please send comments to Dale Hunt WB6BYU wb6byu@arrl.net and/or Ken Harker WM5R wm5r@arrl.net

(RAC News Service)

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Feb. 21- 22, 2004   Girl Guides on the Air

Girl Guides on the Air is a special project of CLARA (The Canadian Ladies Amateur Radio Association) as well as for 'hams' who are interested or involved with the Guide and Scout movement. The idea behind it is to show the guides and their leaders the purpose of amateur radio and the usefulness it can play in many countries around the world.

GOTA began in 1985 to celebrate 75 years of Guiding in Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia. GOTA has grown each year with more countries taking part, and most Canadian Call Areas now have an operator sponsoring the GGC suffix e.g. VE4GGC, VE7GGC. There are many Amateur Radio operators, winter camps, clubs, schools, fire halls, Red Cross, churches and Military basis involved with GOTA.

GOTA is held the closest weekend to February 22nd, which is Thinking Day and falls during the week when Girl Guides of Canada celebrates the birthdays of their founders. It is a special thrill for them to communicate with guiding members around the world.

Suggested frequencies for GOTA

• 80 m - 3,733 or 3.93
• 40 m - 7.088 or 7.188
• 20 m - 14.133 or 14.188 or 14.28
• 15 m - 21.98
• 10 m - 28.98
• 2 m is OK to use

Friendship Amateur Radio Society Canada Newsletter

President's Report

By now you are all aware that because of the world wide SARS problem FARS-Khabarovsk has rescheduled  the 2003 Friendship RadioSport Games to 2004. Yevgeny has not yet set an exact date but in all probability it will be in August.

I would like all of you to make a supreme effort to attend next year. In all probability it will be the last time most of us will have the  opportunity to visit Russia and participate in RadioSport Games. In fact, unless we can entice many new, younger people into FARS, it may be the last Games.

Since Canada became involved in 1992 our membership has declined overall, with only two new younger members becoming involved. The situation is almost the same in the USA and there is no indication it is much different
in Russia. Therefore, if we want the movement to continue it is up to us to make it happen.

I would like every FARS member to look within their own circle of friends and see if there is one person that might make a good FARStian and who you think might be able to carry the torch as we pass it down the line. If we
all added one young, fire breathing member, we would double our membership and be a force to reckon with in 2004. Let that be our challange for this summer.

Full Details about ARDF: www.rac.ca/opsinfo/ardf.htm

Perry Creighton - VA7PC
President FARS - Canada

Atlantic Maritime Section

Jan 27 2004  Another 2200 metre Transatlantic QSO

RAC Section manager and Marconi Radio Club member Joe Craig VO1NA, reported another successful transatlantic QSO on 2200 metres with Peter Dodd G3LDO, a pioneer in early 2200 metre experimentation in the UK and transatlantic LF communications. The QSO was conducted on 137.777 and 135.921 kHz using 20 and 30 second dot length Morse code and and specialized software. It is the fifth transatlantic LF QSO to date. The contact started on the 27th of January and lasted about 2 hours.

Although Canadian amateurs are not yet permitted to transmit on 2200 metres without special authorization, Radio Amateurs of Canada were successful in making a world- wide amateur LF allocation an agenda item at the forthcoming World Radio Conference in  2007.

(RAC News Service)

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New Brunswick Spring Hamfest and Fleamarket   (May. 29 2004)

Sponsored by: The Loyalist City Amateur Radio Club
Location: Gondola Point Recreation Center, Quispamsis, NB

Take exit 141 off of Highway 1 (about 20 km east of Saint John) for Route 119 North. Go approx. 4.5 km north on #119 to Meenan's Cove Rd., turn left (west)and go 1/2 km to Recreation Center Rd., turn left and go about 1/4 km to the Recreation Center.

Opening times: Vendors 8 am, Public 9:30 am to 1 pm
Cost: Admission $3, Tables $2
Talkin: VE1EE 147.270 (+)

Notes: There will be door prizes and a grand prize draw. Amateur licencing examinations including code will be available on site, plus DXCC QSL card checking and a transmitter Fox hunt in the afternoon after the flea market. RAC and commercial vendors will be present.

For more info: For more info please check our website www.qsl.net/ve9lc . For table reservations contact Kal White at kalwhite.nbnet.nb.ca or 506-847-3744

Email info: kalwhite@nbnet.nb.ca

It is a great time to visit the Maritimes so perhaps folks from "Upper Canada" might be interested in coming to it !

Ian MacFarquhar VE9IM

West Island Amateur Radio Club  News

Next Meeting Feb. 16 2004. Meetings are on the 3rd Monday of each month at 7pm (official start is 7:30). We meet at the Lakeside Heights Baptist Church , 275 Braebrook in Pointe-Claire (western end of the Island of Montreal).
The club welcomes all visitors, so if you are going to be in Montreal and have some time, come down and join us.

Club Website:  http://shell.pubnix.net/~wiarc

Feb. 7 2004   News from the Ontars

David Cooper (VE3IXI) has agreed to assist in the daily operations of the ONTARS net. Effective Feb. 7 2004 Dave has been appointed Assistant Net Manager. Ontars meets 7am to 6pm daily on 3.755Mhz.

Net Manager Shawn Gartley VE3PSV

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Feb. 28 2004   Burlington Spring Flea Market

Sponsored by: the Burlington Amateur Radio Club

Date:  Saturday, February 28, 2004
Opens: Vendors 7 am Public 9am to 12.00 noon

Location: Royal Canadian Legion-828 Legion Rd,Burlington From Toronto-QEW to Brant St,south on Brant St past Fairview St,right on Grahams Lane, right on Legion Rd From London-403 to QEW Toronto to Brant St,south on Brant St past Fairview St,right on Grahams Lane,right on Legion Rd

Cost: Admission $6.00 Tabales $10.00
Talkin:  VE3RSB 147.210 (+)

For more info check the Club Website: http://www.barc.ca

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Festival City Amateur Radio Club News

Next Radio Club meeting is Thursday February 19th 2004, at 7:30pm at the Canadian Red Cross Society Building, 100 Gordon Street. Stratford ON.  Our meetings are held at the Canadian Red Cross Building which is located behind the Donut Mill Coffee Shop on Ontario Street. Look for the Tower and Antennas on your right if coming in from Kitchener on Highway 7 -8 West OR on your left if coming from Goderich on Highway 8

If you have problems you can also call on our local repeater, VE3RFC 145.150 -600kHz use a 114.8 tone if possible.

Club Website:  www.qsl.net/ve3fcg

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Quinte Amateur Radio Club News

The next QARC Meeting will be on Wednesday February 18, 2004.  at Loyalist College, Pioneer Building Room P2 at 7:30 PM.

Weekly Breakfast: Saturdays 8:00 AM - at the Quinte Restaurant, 135 Cannifton Rd (Northtown Plaza at the corner of Cannifton Road and College St E) in Belleville.

Club Website: www.qarc.on.ca

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Rideau Lakes Amateur Radio Club News

The next meeting of the R.L.A.R.C. will be held on Thursday, the 19th, of February, 2004 at 7:30 PM  at the R.C.A.F.A. Hall Abbott St. Smiths Falls.

The 20th Annual Smiths Falls Fleamarket will be held on Saturday May 8th, 2004.

Club Website: www.falls.igs.net/~rlarc

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RAC Ontario Section News

Feb. 12 2004 News from the Ontario Phone Net (NTS)

The Ontario Phone Net which is on 3.742 every evening at 7pm has 3 new net controllers. Tuesday, Jim VA3KU, Wednesday, Howard VE3TYQ and Saturday, Glenn VE3GNA. Glenn is also the new Ontario Bulletin Station for the OPN.

(Net Manager Jean VA3FW)

Western Provinces

Winnipeg Amateur Radio Club  Meeting

Our meetings consist of a short business portion, a coffee break for socializing, and a presentation normally related to radio.  Every meeting also features a raffle open to all attendees and a door prize for members.

• March 8, 2004: Bruce, VE4KQ, will be giving a presentation on "How To Work DX, 144 Mhz and above"
• April 19, 2004: Our "Home Brew Night"
• May 10, 2004: Ed, VE4YU, will be giving a presentation on "Digital Communication"
• June 14, 2004: TBA

Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month. The meeting will be on the third Monday if the second is a statutory holiday. No meetings are held in July & August  Mettings are held in the theatre or cafateria of  Sturgeon Creek Regional Secondary School  Ness Ave. at Thompson Dr. in Winnipeg 7:30 p.m.

All are welcome!

Club Website:  http://ve4.net/warc
 

Propagation Report    (For the week of Feb.15 2003)

America's

Feb. 13 2004 Propagation Forecast Bulletin 7 from Tad Cook, K7RA

Solar flux and sunspot numbers were up slightly this week, and average planetary A index was down a little. Unfortunately, this isn't likely a trend, at least over the long term.  The NOAA SEC Preliminary Report and Forecast for February 10 at ( http://www.sec.noaa.gov/weekly/pdf/prf1484.pdf ) still shows us a few years past the peak of Cycle 23 and a few years until the bottom. These charts are on pages 13 and 14.  Note the forecast still shows the 10.7 cm solar flux minimum (a measure of energy at 2.8 GHz) predicted for September 2006 through April 2007, and the sunspot number minimum around December 2006 through January 2007.  Note that a year from now we might see half the sunspots we see now, and the next cycle isn't predicted to be back to the February 2005 level until the end of 2007.  These are all guesses based on past cycles, and the numbers are smoothed using a moving average.  We won't know when the cycle minimum occurred until several years after it has passed.

Over the next few days expect solar flux to stay around 110, then gradually decline toward 100, where it should stay until around February 22.  Due to a coronal hole and a solar wind stream, geomagnetic conditions should remain unsettled to active.

Mike Caughran, KL7R asked about lousy 40 and 80 meter conditions in Alaska during periods of high geomagnetic activity.  He has never been active during a complete solar cycle, but recalls years ago as a Novice working 80 meter CW all night long under quiet conditions. (Note that at his QTH in Juneau, tonight will be 15 hours long and around Christmas, it was nearly 18 hours from sunset to sunrise). He thought perhaps by now the sun would have quieted down, and asks when the lower HF frequencies will return to normal.

Normally geomagnetic conditions are quite active after a peak in the sunspot cycle, although this time it seems to be holding up quite long.  It should turn down some time soon, but there is really no way to know exactly when.  Any guesses are based on past solar cycles.  If you look at the link to the NOAA SEC site above, on page 15 you'll see a graph of planetary A index, an average of geomagnetic indices from around the world.  The graph shows the past ten years, and note that at the sunspot cycle peak around 2000 the progression of the planetary A index was just getting ramped up. Studying the graph, we can see that if the previous solar cycle peaked around 1990-1991, the dramatic drop in Ap index must have occurred about 3-4 years later.  Based on that, perhaps we are on the way down already.  Just like with the peak or bottom of the solar cycle, we won't know until it has passed and can study the charts.

By the way, the gentleman who asked the question this week has a nice page at http://www.qsl.net/kl7r that is largely devoted to QRP.  Don't miss KL7R's photo of a QRP transceiver he built inside a Microsoft mouse.

For more information concerning propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the Propagation page on the ARRL Web site at http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html.

Sunspot numbers for February 5 through 11 were 109, 98, 92, 74, 81, 78 and 91 with a mean of 89.  10.7 cm flux was 105.5, 106.7, 111.1, 116.2, 117.8, 116.5 and 114.2, with a mean of 112.6.  Estimated planetary A indices were 14, 21, 11, 8, 8, 9 and 26, with a mean of 13.9.

(W1AW)

Feb. 12 2004    Astronaut Chats with his Son, Texas Youngsters via Ham Radio

Ian Foale, the son of International Space Station Expedition 8 Commander Mike Foale, KB5UAC, was among several other youngsters attending his school who got to ask questions of his dad February 4 via Amateur Radio. The contact with James F. Bay Elementary School in Houston, Texas, was arranged by the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program. The third-grader first lobbed a softball question at his dad--"How far is the space station from Earth in miles and kilometers?"--but followed up with a more challenging query about whether the ISS crew could detect changes in land forms on Earth.

"Yes, we can detect changes," his father responded. "They happen slowly over many months, but we can see the snow building up on mountains, and we can see the glaciers developing in the Patagonia area." The elder Foale also said the crew is able to see erosion of earth and mud down rivers into the sea. What the crew cannot see, Foale said in reply to another question, are the great pyramids or the Great Wall of China. While these should be visible, Foale said, they blend in too much with their surroundings.

Responding to a question about which direction plants grow in zero gravity, the astronaut explained that plants are phototropic. "Plants actually grow in the direction you have light coming from," Foale said. "So if you have lamps on the space station--and we do--the plants will grow towards the light."

Foale conceded that living aboard the ISS with only one crewmate can be a lonely experience for both of them. "My hardest adjustment to life here is being away from lots of nice people," Foale said. "I have one crewmate, Sasha, and we are good friends, but we miss other people."

The youngsters let loose with a hearty round of applause as the approximately 10-minute-long contact ended.

Visiting the school for the event and taking part in pre-contact activities were Foale's wife, Rhonda, and his 12-year-old daughter, Jenna, who attended James Bay Elementary in her younger years. In addition to the radio contact between the Johnson Space Center Amateur Radio Club's W5RRR on Earth and NA1SS in space, Rhonda Foale presented a "video post card" from Mike Foale that offered the elementary schoolers additional insights into daily life aboard the ISS. She also talked and how she and her children stay in touch with the astronaut in space.

Daughter Jenna, meanwhile, told the youngsters about her Aibo robotic dog, for which Foale writes programs while aboard the ISS. Astronauts Scott Kelly and Julie Payette also attended the event and answered questions from the pupils about space travel.  The NA1SS downlink signal was reportedly heard from as far away as Illinois, Ohio and Massachusetts.

Listen to the at: www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/02/12/4/audio.m3u

(ARRL News Service)

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Feb. 11 2004   ARISS-Russia checks out Phase 2 gear:

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) representatives in Russia have completed successful voice tests of the ARISS Phase II gear aboard the ISS. The testing was carried out February 2 between RS0ISS, with Expedition 8 flight engineer Sasha Kaleri, U8MIR, at the controls and R3R at the editorial offices of Radio magazine, with Sergei Samburov, RV3DR, and others at the mike. The Expedition 8 team of Kaleri and crew commander Mike Foale, KB5UAC, recently installed a new Kenwood TM-D700E transceiver in the ISS Service Module--the crew's living quarters. Also participating in the tests were Musa Manarov, U2MIR, and Sergey Krikalev, U5MIR.

Among other things, Kaleri and those on Earth recalled the days of ham radio aboard the Russian Mir space station on which Kaleri was once a crew member. ARISS International Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, says the Phase II gear now is being used as the primary RS0ISS packet system, but ARISS still is using the Phase I equipment for ARISS school group contacts. Before the higher-power TM-D700E is put into routine service for school group contacts, he said, NASA wants to conduct "a fairly substantial engineering test." He said he hopes testing--which would involve both 2 meters and 70 cm--can begin as early as next month. Bauer and other members of the ARISS team met in mid-January at Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland to set up the International Space Station Amateur Radio Club's NN1SS for the engineering passes.--some information from ANS

(ARRL News Service)

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Jan. 29 2004  Update on AO-40 Problems

The AO-40 command team has established a routine of trying to cycle the main battery off (aux. battery on) and then the S2 Tx ON every orbit, using simple machine codes. Following this, the sequence to disconnect all transmitters is sent, to protect them from low voltage. If we have approximately 10 volts on the main buss, then these commands should be making it through, but the S2 transmitter was not designed to run below 20 volts and is not coming on. The battery relay has been tested in the amsat lab, where a duplicate exists, and it will cycle  reliably at 12 volts, but not lower. If we have less than 10 volts, then the commands will not be received because the IHU-1 and/or command receivers are insufficiently powered. Either way, the IHU-1 is not currently running IPS. The machine code commands only function in reset mode. We assume that we currently have less than 12 volts and that either the IHU-1 and relay are not functional (<10 volts) or the relay isn't functional (<12 volts), because cycling the relay should get us out of this situation by disconnecting the main battery.With regard to the stability of the attitude/spin, this will not be a concern for a very long time. We are currently rotating at 3.5 RPM. The spin decay rate is extremely slow. It will take approximately 4 years to drop this to 3.0 RPM. We can magnetorque at speeds as low as 1.5 RPM. The mystery effect will decrease ALON approximately 11.5 degrees/week. It does not affect ALAT, though ALAT will change slightly as the orbit precesses.

MAIN BATTERY NOTES (and conjecture):The main batteries consist of three packs housed in sheet aluminum cases and bolted to the radial braces between panels 1/6, 2/3 and 4/5. The cells within the packs have threaded metal binding posts and the cells are connected by thick metal straps with strain relief "U's" in them. The pack at 2/3 consists of 7 cells and is the negative end of the chain. The pack at 1/6 consists of 6 cells and is in the middle of the chain. The pack at 4/5 consists of 7 cells and is at the positive end of the chain. The main battery pack at 1/6 is the closest battery to the "flaky" heat pipe thermistor, though it is located "below" this heat pipe near the omni end of the spacecraft. Main battery packs 4/5 and 1/6 lost their thermistors during the 400N incident.

Whether this was due to trauma to the battery or damage to the cabling is unknown. If a short to ground occurred in the 1/6 battery pack it would pull the cells on the negative side of the short in this pack to zero, as well as all cells in the 2/3 pack. Depending on the location of the short and the status of the cells in pack 4/5, this could pull the main buss voltage to half normal (14 volts) or even 10 volts or below. <conjecture> A short at this location might have generated enough localized heat (or even some hot metal spatter) to damage the thermistor on the flaky heatpipe or, more likely, its wiring. This is appealing because it would represent a single point failure, rather than a failure cascade. One piece of evidence that doesn't clearly fit with this theory is that the cells in pack 2/3, the one main battery pack that still has a thermistor temperature sensor, do not appear to get warm following the voltage drop. We do not know how much capacity remained in these cells. It is possible they contained relatively little energy.

<conjecture>As several of you indicated, we are in a waiting game for the main battery to develop one "open" cell.

Ground stations capturing telemetry from AO-40 are asked to ZIP the file and send a copy of the dat to the AO-40 archive at: ao40-archive@amsat.org.

For the current transponder-operating schedule visit: www.amsat-dl.org/journal/adlj-p3d.htm

Stacey Mills, W4SM
AMSAT weekly satellite report

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Feb. 14 2004   Echo to be delayed

AMSAT - NA President Robin Haighton VE3FRH, reports that due to a delay in the delivery of the primary payload to the launch site, the  Launch of ECHO has been delayed by some 3 months. The "official" launch date is now June 29 2004.

Robin believes that this new date is the start of the new launch window which may last several weeks. As and when more information becomes available he will keep us informed.

(AMSAT News Service)

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Feb. 14 2004  New Echo web site

A web site has been created which shows the integration and lab testing of the Echo Satellite. It contains images of the modules and on-air recordings of the testing taken in December 2003 at SpaceQuest in Fairfax, VA

The site can be found at: http://web.infoave.net/~mkmk518/echo.htm

The Integration Team expressed their thanks to the following for their support during Integration:

- Great support from the SpaceQuest team.
- Harold Price, NK6K, for his donation of the kernal and file system and his support during this effort.
- Bob Diersing, N5AHD, for his timely work on the boot loader.
- Skip Hansen, WB6YMH, for his efforts on the ground station software.
- The AMSAT project management team for their help and assistance, especially Rick, W2GPS and Dick, W4PUJ.
- David Bern, W2LNX, for his assistance with the ground station hardware.

The webpage author is KE4AZN and maybe contacted at KE4AZN@amsat.org

(RAC News Service)

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Feb. 11 2004  Sculpture auctioned, proceeds to ECHO project:

AMSAT-NA reports that its sculpture of AO-40 sold January 31 in an eBay auction for $1225. The proceeds, less sales fees, will benefit the AMSAT-OSCAR ECHO satellite project. AO ECHO is set to launch March 31. There's more information on the eBay Web site: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3656287556

(AMSAT News Service)

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Note: For information about Amateur Radio on the International Space Station "ARISS" visit the Radio Amateurs of Canada website:  www.rac.ca/ariss

Note: "Hams in Action" is a new area in the bulletin and is in need of articles and stories of events from your local club or ARES Group. Submission to Hams in Action:  Bulletin Editor: va3ku@rac.ca

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Feb. 10 2004  Canadian Red Cross, Ontario Zone:

We will be introducing the first parts of the new DS training program in 2004. Two new courses will be appearing on the horizon in the coming months.

February - March (ish) - Introduction to Disaster Services:  this is a home study course and we encourage everyone to take the course.  It covers the history of the Red Cross Movement, the history of the Canadian Red Cross, the Emergency Management System in Ontario & the Red Cross response structure.  It gives a lot more information that was previously available.  ARES members who might be interested in doing the workbook can contact their local Red Cross office to obtain copies of the materials.  Although the course is a Home-Study program, we are also letting people do it as a group activity.

In April - May (ish) - Disaster Services Level 1: Personal Disaster Assistance Program: this course is a 16-18 hour course given in classroom.  It covers the "how" of the Red Cross business in small-scale response (house fires, small floods, etc...)  It goes through the standards of service delivery, the tools available to do the job & guidelines for assistance.  Among many other topics in between.  The pre-requisite for attending this course is completion of the Introduction to Disaster Services (although for those members who are already CRC trained - the Intro becomes optional).

I hope this gives a little bit of an idea of what is coming.  I would welcome any member of ARES on any of these courses.  I think our new product is "light-years" ahead of what we had before and that all volunteers (current & new) will benefit from it immensely.

Louise Besner

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Feb. 9 2004  From the Toronto ARES Group

Every Monday evening at 8:30pm there is a ARES wide coverage regional net on 6 meter repeater VE3SIX 53.03. This is a excellent oportunity to test out your 6 meter installation. Everyone is invited to participate.

Joe VE3OV DEC

Care and feeding of your Pet Ham

Pet hams are so intelligent they often seem human, but they can be difficult to raise. Only someone with great patience should attempt it. In case you do, here is a guide to the basics.

Living Area -- A pet ham needs a private nest area, an entire room where it will not be disturbed. Your pet ham will spend many happy hours alone there with its treasures. -- boxes, wires, bits of metal, glass, paper, etc. that it will bring home whenever it ventures out. You will want to encourage your pet ham to confine its activity to this room to prevent the entire house from being subjected to noise, clutter and the boring of holes in the walls.

Expenses -- Keeping a pet ham is expensive, but, unlike most common pets, a pet ham can be trained to work outside the home for a few hours each day. It may even bring in enough money to offset its expenses.

Feeding -- A well-behaved pet ham will eat with the family occasionally, but it will feed more comfortable and secure taking its meals in the nest room. You must be sure your pet ham is well supplied with food and drink during the long periods it spends alone in there, even if it does not beg or whine.

Obedience Training -- A pet ham can be trained to perform simple tricks, the easiest and most common being "sit" and "speak" Do not be alarmed if it practices them for hours at a time in the nest room.

Health Problems -- The pet ham typically suffers lower back pain and minor throat irritations from too much sitting and speaking, but health maintenance costs tend to be minimal.

Travel -- Your ham pet will gladly travel with your family by car or even by air, if allowed to bring along certain familiar items from the nest room. Most pet hams enjoy trips to places where they can meet pet hams from other families.

Breeding -- If you plan to breed your pet ham, you should do so as soon as possible after you get it. As a pet ham matures, it becomes increasingly reluctant to engage in activities not associated with its nest room collection ---from the W5WWW Website.

(Joe VE3SCY)

============

Feb. 11 2004   IPHG is two years old:

The International Pharmacists Ham Group (IPHG) marks its second anniversary in March. Founded March 18, 2002, by two pharmacists, Pier Luigi Anzini, IK2UVR, and Andrea Pagliula, IZ7ECB, their aim was to promote radio initiatives, establish friendships among colleagues around the world and to lend a hand when necessary to those needing it. The primary core of about 20 members now has grown to almost 200 pharmacist-hams in more than 40 countries. IPHG members cooperate and exchange information with the Medical Radio Council ( www.smbs.buffalo.edu/med/marco/index2.html ) and have extended assistance via radio to some African missions. The group also has a free-of-cost awards program. Pharmacists interested in learning more are invite to visit the IPHG Web site: www.malpensa.it/iphg

(Bill Baker, N5UMH)

Contest News

Feb. 11 2004   Field Day 2004 packets now available:

Rules and entry packets for the 2004 running of ARRL Field Day now are available on the League's Web site. Field Day is always the fourth full weekend of June--this year June 26-27. The activity begins at 1800 UTC Saturday and ends at 2100 UTC Sunday. There are no rules changes from 2003. Participation in Field Day now is open to all amateurs within IARU Region 2--the Americas. FD stations may contact stations in other regions for point credit, but stations outside Region 2 are not eligible to submit entries:  www.arrl.org/contests/forms

(ARRL News Service)

============

Feb. 13 2004  The Holyland Contest in April

The 2004 Holyland Contest sponsored by the Israel Amateur Radio Club will be held on Saturday April 17th.  This one runs from 00.00 through 23.59 U-T-C.   For complete rules visit:  www.iarc.org

(Hagal International)

============

ARRL International DX Contest, CW, 0000Z Feb 21--2400Z Feb 22. Full details can be found on the ARRL contest page: www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2004/intldx.html

YL International QSO Party--CW--sponsored by YL International SSB System, 0000Z Feb 21-2400Z Feb 22 (SSB is 0000Z Mar 13-2400Z Mar 14), two 6-hr 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.

CQC Winter QSO Party--CW/Phone--sponsored by the Colorado QRP Club, 2200Z Feb 22 to 0359Z Feb 23. Frequencies (MHz): CW--1.825, 3.560, 3.710, 7.040, 7.110, 14.060, 21.060, 21.110, 28.060, 28.110, SSB--1.910, 3.985, 7.285, 14.285, 21.385, 28.385. Categories are SOAB, SOSB, SO-Homebrew. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, name, CQC member number or power output (5W max). QSO Points: CW--CQC member--6 pts, nonmember--4 pts, Phone--members-- 3 pts, nonmembers--2 pts. Score: QSO Points Χ S/P/C (count once per band) Χ names (one name from each letter of the alphabet) + 1000 pts for QSO with W0CQC. For more information: www.cqc.org/contests/winter04.htm. Logs due 30 days after the contest to ki0rb@idcomm.com (ASCII text only) or CQC Contest, PO Box 17174, Golden, CO 80402-6019.

============

CLARA and Family HF Contest March 2004

This year’s HF Contest, sponsored by the Canadian Ladies Amateur Radio Association (CLARA), will be held over the weekend of March 20th and 21st, 2004. Commencing at 1700Z March 20th and continuing until 1700Z March 21st, 2004. The Contest is open to all CLARA members and their families and also to all Amateurs.

These are suggested frequencies only for easier location of contacts: Call “CQ CLARA”.
FREQUENCIES:
• CW 14.033, 21.033, 7.033, 3.688
• Phone 28.300, 21.225, 14.120, 14.285, 7033, 7.200, 3.750, 3.900
Can work stations once per band/mode. Cross-mode contacts count as phone for both stations.

LOGS: Logs must include the date, time (GMT), mode, call sign of contact, contact name, contact QTH (city, town, etc.) and whether the contact is a CLARA member, family member, non-member YL, or OM. Logs are to be received by the Contest Manager no later than April 24th, 2004 and must include call sign, address and claimed score. Because we are in the age of computerization, electronic logs are encouraged. You can also e-mail your logs to me in Plain Text, MS Word or MS Excel
format. For the white cane operators, other arrangements can be made for transmitting your logs. Please contact me, or Helen VA1YL at hfarchibald@ns.sympatico.ca in advance.

SCORING:
• Contact with CLARA member (includes CLARA to CLARA) – 5 points
• Contact with CLARA family member, (OM’s, sons, daughters, in-laws, etc.) – 2 points
• Contact with non CLARA member YL – 3 points
• Contact with OM (includes OM to OM) – 1 point MULTIPLIERS:
• 1 for each Canadian call area (14 possible)
• 1 for each ARRL DX Country contacted if the op was a YL
• No multipliers for DX OM’s
Points claimed – (Contact Points) x Multiplier

PRIZES:
• Mini prize draw from all logs submitted
• Trophy – Highest scoring CLARA member
• Certificate – 2nd highest scoring CLARA member
• Certificate – 3rd highest scoring CLARA member
• Certificate – Highest scoring DX YL
• Certificate – Highest scoring OM

Contest Manager:
Paulette Schouten, VE7VPE
c/o VECTOR, 3301 East Pender Street, Vancouver, B.C. V5K 5J3 Canada
e-mail: ve7vpe@rac.ca

Feb. 11 2004   Croatian club station celebrates 80th anniversary with special event:

Radio Klub Zagreb, 9A1ADE, in Croatia will mark its 80th anniversary from March 1 through the year's end with special event station 9A80Z, which the club says will be on the air daily. Founded 1924, the Amateur Radio club is one of the oldest in Europe. In addition, during the same period all radio amateurs in Zagreb will be permitted to add the number 80 to their call signs. To obtain the commemorative RK Zagreb 80 award, European stations must work five Zagreb stations. All other stations qualify by working three stations, including special event station 9A80Z. All bands and all modes are permitted, excluding the use of terrestrial repeaters. Shortwave listeners also are eligible for the award. Send an application and log to Radio Klub Zagreb, Trg Zrtava fazisma 14, HR-10 000, Zagreb, CROATIA by December 31, 2005.

(ARRL News Service)

============

Orlando, FL: Orlando Amateur Radio Club, K4H. 1700Z Feb 13-1800Z Feb 15. Commemorating 57th Orlando HamCation. 28.400 21.250 14.250. QSL. John Melchiori, K4JBM, 1840 Cleek Ct, Orlando, FL 32835.

Alexandria, VA: Mount Vernon Amateur Radio Club, K4US. 1600Z Feb 14-2100Z Feb 15. Commemorating George Washington's Birthday. 18.080 10.110 14.240 7.240. Certificate. Mount Vernon ARC, PO Box 7234, Alexandria, VA 22307.

Plymouth, MI: Plymouth Historical Museum Radio Station, KC8SWR. 1500Z Feb 14-2100Z Feb 15. Commemorating President Lincoln's Birthday. SSB: 14.270 7.270; 146.490 FM. Certificate. Plymouth Historical Museum, c/o KC8SWR Radio Station, 155 S Main St, Plymouth, MI 48170.

Ft Myers, FL: Ft Myers Amateur Radio Club, Inc, W4LX. 1500Z Feb 16-2100Z Feb 20. The Edison Festival of Light and Thomas Edison's Birthday. 28.430 21.330 14.230 7.230. Certificate and QSL. Ft Myers Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 61183, Ft Myers, FL 33906.

Raleigh, NC: United States Power Squadrons Amateur Radio Net, N9T. 1300Z Feb 20-2200Z Feb 21. Ninetieth Anniversary of the United States Power Squadrons. 28.367 21.367 14.267 7.267. Certificate. Donald Stark, N3HOW, 65 Stark Spur, Eighty Four, PA 15330. www.usps.org/national/Ham.

Marquette, MI: Hiawatha Amateur Radio Association, K8LOD. 2000Z Feb 20-2000Z Feb 22. 15th Annual Running of the UP 200 Sled Dog Championship. 21.355 14.255 7.255 3.900. Certificate. Rich Schwenke, N8GBA, 21 Smith La, Marquette, MI 49855.

Washington, IA: Washington Area ARC, WA0MNA. 1500Z-2100Z Feb 21. Celebrating George Washington's birthday. General portions 10/15/20 m band. QSL. Vance Davisson, WA0MNA, 420 E 2nd St, Box 283, Riverside, IA 52327.

Binghamton, NY: Binghamton University Radio Organization, KC2HNB. 1300Z Feb 21-2100Z Feb 22. Watson School of Engineering 20th Anniversary. 28.450 21.375 14.270 7.225. Certificate. Robert Mess, Watson School Binghamton University, POB 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902.

Baton Rouge, LA: USS Kidd ARC/Baton Rouge ARC, W5KID. 1500Z-2300Z Feb 28. 60th anniversary of the launching of USS Kidd, DD-661. General class bands, 14.250-14.320; CW QRP subbands. QSL. W5KID, c/o USS Kidd Museum, 305 S River Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. www.brarc.org.

Rapid City, SD: QCWA Dakota Chapter 102, W0DAK. 1500Z Feb 28-0300Z Feb 29. Commemorating the Chapter's 27th anniversary, from home station in North Dakota and South Dakota. 28.400 21.350 14.250 7.255. Certificate. Frank Shaw, NU0F/W0DAK, 118 E Van Buren, Rapid City, SD 57701.

Feb. 11 2004  INDEXA appoints vice president:

The International DX Association (INDEXA) announces the appointment of Ron Wright, ZL1AMO, to the position of vice president. He succeeds Bill "Pick" Pickard, WA5PAE, who died last November. Known for his passion for DX and his numerous DXpeditions, Wright has been serving as an INDEXA director and will continue in that post. "The professionalism, creativity, and commitment Ron brings to the job will benefit the future of DX, worldwide," said INDEXA President Judy Roush, AA7UC.

(INDEXA)

============

Feb. 12  2004  ARLD006 DX News

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

KENYA, 5Z.  Sigi, DL7DF will be QRV as 5Z4HW while on vacation here from February 16 to March 1.  He will be active on all HF bands except 160, 30 and 6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, SSTV and PSK31. QSL to home call.

BARBADOS, 8P.  Pete, W0SA is QRV as 8P9NX until March 11.  QSL direct to home call.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, 9Q.  Gus, SM5DIC is QRV as 9Q0AR during his spare time.  QSL direct via SM5BFJ.

OMAN, A4.  Chris, A45XR has been QRV on 160 meters around 1800z and then from 2000 to 2130z.  QSL direct.

GUADELOUPE, FG.  Patrick, F6IRF will be QRV as FG/F6IRF from February 14 to 29.  This is a casual operation.  QSL to home call.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, HI.  Bill, N7OU will be QRV as N7OU/HI9 from February 17 to 26.  Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters using CW. QSL to home call.

ANTARCTICA.  Filippo, IK0AIH, Fabrizio, I0HJC and Michele, IK7JGQ are active as IR0PS/A from the Italian Antarctic station Baia Terra Nova, IOTA AN-016.  They are generally QRV daily on 20 meters around 1700 to 1800 and then from 0730 to 0830z.  QSL via operators' instructions.

ST. LUCIA, J6.  Jack, K9JE and Gary, KI6T are with the J6DX team for the upcoming ARRL DX CW contest.  Before and after the contest, they are QRV as J68AR and J68GS, respectively.  QSL to home calls.

DOMINICA, J7.  Lars, SM0CCM is active as J73CCM using mainly CW on 160 to 6 meters, but also with some RTTY and PSK31.  He is here until March 4.  QSL to home call.

SVALBARD, JW.  Rag, LA5HE is QRV as JW5HE until February 18.  His activity is mainly on the low bands using CW.  QSL to home call.

JORDAN, JY.  George, JY9QJ has been QRV on 160 meters around 0400z. He will also participate in the CQ/RJ RTTY WPX contest.  QSL via DL5MBY.

ARGENTINA, LU.  Look for L20H to be active in the CQ/RJ RTTY contest.  QSL via EA7FTR.

ALAND ISLANDS, OH0.  Raimo, OH3BHL, Perti, OH7WW and Juha, OH9MM will be QRV as OH0I during the CQ/RJ RTTY WPX contest as a Multi/Single entry.  QSL via OH3BHL.

ARUBA, P4.  Paolo, I2UIY and Jacobo, P43P will be QRV as P40G in the CQ/RJ RTTY WPX contest.  QSL via I2EOW.

SWEDEN, SM.  Markus, SM4XIH and Charlie, SM4RGD will be QRV as SJ9WL from Morokulien in the CQ/RJ RTTY WPX contest as a Multi-Op/Single entry.  QSL via SM5DJZ.

GREECE, SV.  Look for SV1CIB, SV3FUO and SV3BSF to be QRV as J43BSF in the CQ/RJ RTTY WPX contest as a Multi/Single High Power entry. QSL via SV1CIB.

GUATEMALA, TG.  Henry, OH3JF will be QRV as TG7/OH3JF from February 18 to 29.  Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters, including the newer bands, using CW and SSB.  QSL to home call.

EUROPEAN RUSSIA, UA.  Look for UE3SFF/4 to be active from the Mordovsky Natural Reserve from February 17 to 22, and possibly from the Smolnyj National Park.  QSL via RU3SD.

FALKLAND ISLANDS, VP8.  Bob, VP8LP has been QRV on 12 meters around 1300 to 1500z and then around 1630 to 2000z.  QSL via operator's instructions.

IRAQ, YI.  George, K7YMA will be QRV as YI9YMA and will soon be active on 40 to 10 meters.  QSL to home call.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The CQ World Wide RTTY WPX Contest, SARL Field Day Contest, Asia-Pacific CW Sprint, YL-OM CW Contest, FISTS Winter Sprint, OMISS QSO Party, RSGB 1.8 MHz CW Contest and the QRP ARCI Winter Fireside SSB Sprint will certainly keep contesters busy this weekend.  Please see February QST, page 103 and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details.

(W1AW)

============

Feb. 14 2004  4 2 5  DX  News

5W === After their operation from Tokelau (see ZK3 below), Silvano/I2YSB, Flaviano/I2MOV, Carlo/IK1AOD and Marcello/IK2DIA will be active on all bands and modes from Samoa (OC-097) from 29 February to 8 March. They will collect their licence upon arrival. QSL direct only to I2YSB. [TNX I2YSB]

6Y === RZS Amateur Radio Club's (W2RZS) members Bob/WB2NVR, Mike/WA2VQW, Adam/N2DHH and Bob/N2DVQ will be operating from Jamaica (NA-097) on 24-30 March, including an entry in the CQ WPX SSB Contest as 6Y2RZ. Before and after the contest they will be active as either W2RZS/6Y5 and/or homecall/6Y5. [TNX K1XN and The Golist]

8Q ===  Two activities from the Maldives (AS-013) are due to start on 23 February. Giancarlo, I3SGR will operate as 8Q7SG from Kuredu Island until 1 March. Look for him on 10-40 metres SSB around 15-17 UTC and 20.30-23.30 UTC. QSL via  home call, direct (Giancarlo Salvadori, P.O. Box 32, 31100 Treviso - TV, Italy) or bureau. Pierino, IV3YYK will be active on all bands SSB and CW as 8Q7YY until 7 March.  QSL via IV3YYK. [TNX I3SGR and IV3OWC]

C6 === Brian/K7RE (C6ALK), Bob/N4BP (C6AKQ) and Kevin/K4PG (C6APG) will be active from Freeport, Grand Bahama (NA-080) on 17-23 February. They will participate in the ARRL DX CW Contest on 160m (C6ALK), 80m (C6AKQ) and 10m (C6APG). QSL direct via home calls, direct or bureau. [TNX OPDX Bulletin]

CX === Rainer, CX8FB reports that the 15-18 February operation from San Gabriel Island (SA-057) [425DXN 666] has been postponed because of "health and tranportation problems".

EA8 === Terry, M0CLH will be active as EA8/M0CLH/P from Tenerife (AF-004) between 23 February and 1 March. This holiday-style operation will be QRP with dipoles for 20, 17, 15 and 12 metres. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX M0CLH]

FM === The Radio club de Martinique organizers this year's Caribbean Hamboree (http://www.caribbeanhamboree.org/), and special event station TO7HAM will be active on all bands and modes on 3-18 April. QSL via FM5AN. [TNX FM5AN]

FO0_cl === The DXpedition to Clipperton Island that was due to start around 8 March [425DXN 665] has been cancelled for the time being because the team has run into a problem with the transportation. Plans are still in place to go to Clipperton as soon as new transportation can be arranged, but this may take a few months. [TNX K4SV]

GU === Rich, M5RIC (http://www.qsl.net/m5ric) will be active as MU5RIC/P from Guernsey (EU-114) on 25-29 March, including an entry in the CQ WPX SSB Contest as MU2Z. QSL via M5RIC. [TNX NG3K]

HI === Bill, N7OU will be active (on 160-10 metres CW only) as HI9/N7OU from the Dominican Republic on 17-26 February, including a SOAB Low Power entry in the ARRL DX CW Contest (21-22 February). QSL via home call. [TNX OPDX Bulletin]

HR === Tom, W0GLG will operate as HR3/W0GLG from Cayos Cochinos (NA-160) on 1-6 March. Look for him around 14260, 21260 and 28460 kHz. Tom will be in Honduras from 13 February, working as a radio operator for the International Health Service of Minnesota. [TNX N4AA and QRZ-DX]

HR === Rich, N0HJZ will be active as HR9/N0HJZ from Roatan Island (NA-057), Honduras on 3-9 March, including an entry in the ARRL DX SSB Contest. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX N0HJZ]

I === ARI Versilia club station IQ5VR will be activated until 29 February for the 131st Carnival of Viareggio. Details on the relevant award are available at http://www.ariversilia.it or from the Award Manager, IK5ZWV (ik5zwv@iol.it). [TNX IK5ZPZ & IK5ZWV]

I === Look for IR7LH (QSL via IK7JWX) and IZ7FMQ/p (QSL via home call) to be active from the lighthouse at Capo San Vito (WAIL PU-001, ARLHS ITA-040) on 14 February. [TNX IK7JWX]

I === Gaetano/I8IHG, Nello/IK8HVJ, Salvatore/IK8NTN, Achille/IZ8CKS, Luigi/IZ8ENR and Andrea/IK8GDA will operate (on 10-80 metres plus 6 metres SSB) as IC8/homecall from Vivara Island (EU-031, IIA NA-005) on 21 February. QSLs via I8IHG, direct or bureau.

J7 === John/K3TEJ, George/K5KG and John/W4IX will operate as J79Z (QSL via K3TEJ), J75KG (QSL via KU9C) and J79JRC (QSL via W4IX) from Dominica (NA-101) on 14-24 February. They will participate in the ARRL DX CW Contest as J7A (Multi-2), QSL via KU9C. [TNX VA3RJ]

JW === Francois, F8DVD will operate on 10-80 metres as JW/F8DVD from Longyearbyen (EU-026), Svalbard on 4-10 April. QSL via home call, direct (Francois Bergez, 6 rue de la Liberte, 71000 Macon, France) or bureau. [TNX F5NOD]

KP2 === Tony, N2TK will be active as N2TK/NP2 (QSL via home call) from St. Croix, Virgin Islands from 25 February to 10 March. He will participate in both the CQ 160-Meter SSB and ARRL DX SSB Contests as WP2Z (QSL KU9C). [TNX K1XN and The Golist]

KP2 === Harry, W6DXO will operate SSB  and PSK as KP2/W6DXO from St. John, Virgin Islands (NA 106) on 14-19 March. Activity will be focused on 17, 12 and 10 metres. QSL via home call. [TNX NG3K]

LU === Look for L20H to participate in this week's CQ WPX RTTY Contest. This will be a new prefix on RTTY. QSL via EA7FTR. [TNX EA7FTR]

LU === Alberto, LU1DZ will be active as LU1DZ/X from Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego (SA-008) on 17-21 February. [TNX LU6EF]

OX === Stellan, SM0LQB will operate (mainly on the higher bands, probably with low power) in his spare time as OX/SM0LQB from Greenland on 18-25 February. QSL via home call. [TNX SM1TDE]

P4 === John, W2GD will be active as P40W from Aruba (SA-036) starting on 18 February. He plans to participate in the ARRL DX CW and CQ 160-Meter SSB contests. Outside the contests there will be some operation on all bands SSB and CW, with an emphasis on 160m at night and 10m during the day. QSL via N2MM. [TNX OPDX and NG3K]

P4 === John, KK9A will be active (on 10-160 metres CW and SSB) as P40A from Aruba on 1-30 March, including entries in the ARRL DX SSB and CQ WPX SSB contests. QSL via WD9DZV. [TNX P40A]

PJ5 === Jim, K1NA will be active as PJ5NA from St. Eustatius (NA-145) for about a month starting around 18 February. He will operate 160-10 metres CW only (ARRL DX CW Contest included), however expect some activity during the ARRL DX Phone Contest. QSL via home call. [TNX OPDX Bulletin]

PY === PP5VB, PY3CQ, PY3NZ, PY3MM and possibly others will be active from Santa Marta Lighthouse (DFB SC-012, ARLHS BRA-187) in the Brazilian State of Santa Catarina until 15 February. [TNX PY3CQ]

T7 === William/N2WB and Bill/W4WX will be in San Marino on 16-22 March. They will guest operate from the T70A club station using the club's call. Look for them on the HF bands on CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL to T70A. [TNX W4WX]

TI === WJ7R, W7YAQ, K7AR, KI7Y and TI2WGO will operate as TI5/homecalls from Costa Rica on 17-26 February. They will participate in the ARRL CW DX Contest as TI5N (QSL via W3HNK), outside the contest they will be active on the WARC bands as well as on RTTY/FSK. [TNX The Daily DX]

UA === Look for UE3SFF/4 to operate from the Natural Reserve of Mordovskij and the National Park of Smolnyj on 17-22 February. QSL via RU3SD, direct or bureau. Information on the Russian Flora-Fauna Award (RFFA), sponsored by the Russian Robinson Club, can be found at http://www.hamradio.ru/rrc/AWARDS/rffa_e.htm [TNX UA3FDX]

V3 === Don/N5DD, Amy/KC5DJI, James/AG5TX and Renee/KD5YCG will operate as V31AD from Placencia, Belize on 13-20 March. Expect activity on SSB, RTTY and PSK, with special attention paid to 12, 17, 80 and 40 metres, and possibly 160 and 6 metres. Further information at http://www.dxpileup.net/ [TNX N5DD]

VP5 === Bud, K4ISV and Donnie, K4CN will be active as VP5/K4ISV and VP5/K4CN from North Caicos (NA-002) from 24 February to 17 March. They will participate in both the CQ 160-Meter SSB and ARRL DX SSB Contests as VP5B. QSLs via N2AU. [TNX OPDX Bulletin]

ZD8 === Jim, N6TJ will be active again as ZD8Z from Ascension Island (AF-003) for ten days starting on 18 February, ARRL CW DX Contest included. QSL via VE3HO. [TNX The Daily DX]

ZF === Bruce, W8HW will be active as ZF2BC from the Cayman Islands (NA-016) on 14-21 February. He plans to operate on 10-80 metres mostly CW and RTTY with some SSB. QSL via home call. [TNX The Daily DX]

ZK3 === Silvano/I2YSB, Flaviano/I2MOV, Carlo/IK1AOD and Marcello/IK2DIA [425DXN 653] expect to be QRV from Nukunonu, Tokelau Islands (OC-048) starting on 14 February until the 25th. They will have two stations (one for CW and the other for SSB); the call issued to the group is ZK3SB. QSL via I2YSB (direct only) or M5AAV (bureau only). Further information and logs at http://www.qsl.net/i2ysb [TNX I2YSB]

CENTRAL AMERICA  TOUR === Heikki "Henry" Tamminen, OH3JF will operate as TG7/OH3JF from Guatemala on 18-29 February and as HR5/OH3JF from Honduras on 2-10 March. He will run 800 watts and will concentrate on 30-160 metres. Suggested frequencies are 1827, 3507, 7007, 10103/10108, 14007, 18077, 21007, 24897 and 28007 kHz for CW; 1840, 3789, 7045, 14195, 18145, 21295, 24945 and 28495 kHz for SSB. QSL via OH3OJ. [TNX OH3OJ]

PACIFIC TRIP === DL1VKE and DF2SS will be active as 5W0SS & 5W0KE from Samoa and as KH8/homecall from American Samoa between 25 March and 10 April. They plan to operate SSB, CW and RTTY on all the HF bands. QSL via DL2MDZ. Logs will be available at http://www.df2ss.wimo.com [TNX DF2SS]

Good to Know:

3D2CC === "I can  safely say my amateur radio days are over", Fred, 3D2CC reports. "For 4 years I pressed for a new  240V AC line but nothing has been done. The power on the island is not adequate to operate the rigs". Fred, IOTA's only representative for OC-121, has taken down all his antennas. Russ Wilson, VE6VK still has QSL cards for him (direct only with 1 USD for North American stations, 2 USD or 1 new IRC for overseas). [TNX VE6VK]

INDEXA === The International DX Association (INDEXA) has announced the appointment of Ron Wright, ZL1AMO, to the position of vice president. Ron succeeds Bill "Pick" Pickard, WA5PAE, who became a Silent Key in late November 2003. [TNX AA7UC]

PIRATE === The station spotted as YC3MM/P on 20 metres on 29 January was not the genuine YC3MM. Adi did not operate portable in January, and his amateur radio licence privileges do not include 20 metres. [TNX YC3MM]

QSL MANAGER  SURVEY === Over 2600 DXers world wide participated in the Golist's survey [425DXN 661] and nominated a total of 98 managers. The Top 5 QSL Managers for the year 2003 are AC7DX, G3SWH, KU9C, N3SL and W3HNK. [TNX K1XN]

QSL G4IUF/HC8 === Mike reports that all direct QSLs received so far for his recent activity from the Galapagos have now been cleared. Requests received between now and his departure for 3B9C will be turned round daily. [TNX G4IUF]

QSL LW7DX === Horacio "Race" Schvarzman, LW7DX reports that LU2DW is not his QSL manager. The correct QSL route can be found at www.qrz.com

QSL VIA US0ZZ === Oleg has started processing direct requests for the June and July 2003 operations from Battery Island (US0ZZ/p, UT4ZG/p, UT5ZA/p, UR5ZGR/p and UR4ZWL/p) and the Kalanchakskiye Islands, EU-179 (US0ZZ/p, UT4ZG/p, UR5ZJL/p, UR5GHK/p, UR6GWJ/p). The rest of the contacts will be confirmed automatically via bureau. [TNX ER5OK]

============

Feb 12-29, 2004   I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O.

12/02/2004:  Rag, LA5HE, will once again be active from Spitsbergen Island (EU-026) as JW5HE between February 12th and 18th. There will be an emphasis on the low bands and CW. QSL via his home callsign. [Tnx OPDX]

13/02/2004:  Look for Glenn, K6NA, to be QRV again as ZD8A from Ascension Island (AF-003) from February 13th to 17th and again from February 28th to March 2nd. He will operate on on all HF bands, mostly CW. QSL via N6CW. [Tnx 425DXN]

13/02/2004:  I2YSB (Silvano) reports that he, I2MOV (Flaviano), IK1AOD (Carlo), and IK2DIA (Marcello) will be active from Tokelau (OC-048) beginning February 13th and ending February 25th. Activity will be on 160 through 6 meter CW, SSB and possibly RTTY. The team is looking for your input on your needs and wants from Tokelau, and a survey is available at their Web site at: http://www.qsl.net/i2ysb/ . QSL Manager for DIRECT cards go via I2YSB. QSL Manager for BUREAU cards go via IK2DIA. [Tnx OPDX]

14/02/2004:  Francois, F5JNE, and Gerard, F6ICG, will be QRV February 14th as F5JNE/p from the Castle Le Boulet (DFCF reference 89255), in Druyes les Besses Fountaines (Zip code 89560). Activity will be on 40 meter SSB, starting around 07:30 UTC. QSL via F5JNE, direct or bureau. SWL cards are welcome. [Tnx F5NQL]

14/02/2004:  Patrick, F6IRF, will operate CW and RTTY as FG/F6IRF from Guadeloupe (IOTA NA-102, DIFO FG-001) between February 14th and 29th. This will be a casual activity with low power and wire antennas. QSL via home call. Patrick will participate in the ARRL DX CW Contest as FG5BG (category to be decided on the spot). [Tnx 425DXN]

14/02/2004:  Look for John K3TEJ, George K5KG and John W4IX to be QRV February 14th to 24th as J79Z (QSL via K3TEJ), J75KG (QSL via KU9C) and J79JRC (QSL via W4IX) from Dominica (NA-101). They will also participate in the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 21-22nd) as J7A (QSL via KU9C) as a Multi-2 entry. [Tnx NG3K]

15/02/2004:  A group of operators from Uruguay will operate 160 through 6 meters from San Gabriel Island (SA-057) February 15th to 18th. The callsign has not been given, but the QSL route will be via EA5KB. [Tnx 425DXN]

15/02/2004:  Andy, AE6Y, will be QRV from Aruba (SA-036) as P40Y between February 15th and 22nd. His activity will include an entry in the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 21-22nd). Activity outside of the contest will be on 160 through 10 meters, including the WARC bands. However, his activity before the contest will be limited because he has a lot of station maintenance to do. QSL via AE6Y. [Tnx OPDX]

15/02/2004:  Bil, W8EB, and his wife Dorothy, W8DVC, will be on the island St. Maarten (NA-105) from February 15th through March 21st. Activity will be on 160 through 10 meter, CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31. Bil's callsign will be PJ7/W8EB. His activity will include a Single-Op/All Band entry in the ARRL DX CW Contest as PJ7/W8EB and a Multi-Op/High Power entry (with K8RLM) in the ARRL DX Phone Contest as PJ7B. QSL both contests via W8EB. His equipment: FT-100D, Averatec Laptop, Ameritron 811H amplifier, WriteLog and DX4WIN software, Cushcraft R-7000 vertical for 10 thru 40, long wire for 80 and 160. [Tnx OPDX]

16/02/2004:  Babs, DL7AFS, and Lot, DJ7ZG, will be active from Lord Howe Island (OC-004), February 16th to 27th. The call sign will be VK9LB. Activity will be on 80-6 meters on SSB, RTTY and PSK. QSL via DL7AFS (direct to: Baerbel Linge, Eichwaldstrasse 86, D-34123 Kassel, Germany) or via the DARC Bureau. [Tnx OPDX]

17/02/2004:  Nakamura, JE1JKL, will be active as 9M6NA in the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 21-22nd) as a Single-Op/Single Band (80m) entry. Activity will be from Labuan Island (OC-133) between February 17th and March 2nd. Outside of the contest, look for him on 160 and 80 meters. QSL via JE1JKL. E-mail requests for Bureau QSLs are OK via: 9m6na@jsfc.org . [Tnx OPDX]

17/02/2004:  Operators Brian (K7RE), Bob (N4BP), Kevin (K4PG) and possibly other stateside hams will be journeying to Freeport in the Bahamas to do about a 6 day operation prior to, and including the ARRL International DX CW Contest in mid-February. They will arrive and be setting up on Tuesday, February 17th, and will probably be on the air that late afternoon up until the contest begins, the weekend of February 21st. Brian, K7RE, will sign C6ALK and plans to operate as much 30 meters CW as possible before the contest. When 30m isn't open, he will be on the highest WARC band that is open and not being used by one of the other 2 stations in their shack. Look for Bob, N4BP, to sign C6AKQ and be active on RTTY on the WARC bands, and the regular bands if he runs out of QSOs on the WARC segments. He will also do some WARC band
CW. Kevin, K4PG, will be signing C6APG and will not be at the site very long, but he should be an easy catch on 10 meters during the contest, possibly he will be doing some CW prior to the contest on the WARC bands. QSL direct or via Bureau to their home callsign, BUT PLEASE PLEASE send an SASE or equivalent. Their home addresses are current on the QRZ.COM Web site, as well as their C6A callsigns. [Tnx OPDX]

17/02/2004:  Randy, W6SJ, will be QRV (primarily on CW with an emphasis on the WARC bands) as C6A/W6SJ from the Bahamas Islands between February 17th and 21st. He will then participate in the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 21-22) as C6AWS (SOAB Low Power). QSL via home call. [Tnx 425DXN]

17/02/2004:  Bill, N7OU, reports that he will be in HI9-land (Dominican Republic, IOTA NA-096) from February 17th to 26th. Bill will be active on 160 through 10 meters before and after the contest, CW only. QSL via N7OU. [Tnx OPDX]

17/02/2004:  Look for UE3SFF/4 to be QRV February 17-22, 2004, from the Mordovsky natural reserve (RFFA reference RFF-060), and whenever possible from the Smolnyj national park (RFF-143). QSL via RU3SD (Vasily Bardin, P.O. Box 1, Ryazan 390000, Russia). [Tnx QRZ.ru]

18/02/2004:  Operators Dave (K3LP, Team Leader), Larry (N7DD), Steve (N3SB), Tyler (K3MM), Jeff (N8II), Clint (W3ARS) and Kam (N3KS) will be QRV from French St. Martin (NA-105) between February 18th and 24th. They will operate from Mort's (W1UQ's) QTH at Paradis Peak (1,400 elevation). Each team member will operate with their own FS/homecall prior to and after the ARRL Contest. During the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 21-22nd), the team will be active as FS5UQ during the contest as a Multi-Multi entry. All QSLs are via www.QRZ.com. [Tnx OPDX]

18/02/2004:  Rick, K6VVA, reports that he will be QRV from the U.S. Virgin Islands (NA-106) as KP2CW in the ARRL CW DX Contest (February 21-22nd) as a Single-Op/All Band/High Power entry. QSL via K6VVA. Rick will be there between February 18th and 24th. His activity outside of the contest will be on Thursday (2/18) and some on Friday (2/19) - All Bands as they are opening, but also doing setup/testing. He will also be active primarily on CW. The NCCC Co-Founder Rick, K6VVA, emerges from DX/Contest Mothballs after 25+ years and hopes to QSO many old friends! [Tnx OPDX]

18/02/2004:  John, W2GD, will be QRV from Aruba (SA-036) as P40W, ARRL DX CW Contest included (SOAB entry) between February 18th and 23rd. Activity will be on all bands SSB and CW, with an emphasis on 160 meters at night, 10 meters during the day. QSL via N2MM. [Tnx OPDX]

19/02/2004:  Dennis, K7BV, will be QRV (with an emphasis on the WARC and 6/2 meter bands) as VP5/K7BV from "The Hamlet" on Providenciales (NA-002) between February 19th and 26th. He expects to participate in the ARRL DX CW Contest using VP5M (approval pending). QSL via KU9C. [Tnx 425DXN]

20/02/2004:  Look for Rich, PA0RRS, to be QRV February 20th to March 2nd from Penang Island (AS-015) as 9M2/PA0RRS. QSL via PA0RRS, direct or bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

21/02/2004:  Olli, EA4BQ/OH0XX, will be QRV in the ARRL International DX CW Contest (Feb 21-22) as 8R1K. Around the contest he will be QRV on CW as 8R1RPN mainly WARC and 80/160M. QSL via Olli Rissanen, Calle Ciguela, 331, 28729 Venturada, Madrid, Spain. [Tnx EA4BQ/OH0XX]

21/02/2004:  Steve, AK0M, reports that he will be operating C6ASB from the Sand Dollar Villa at Treasure Cay, Great Abaco Island, Bahamas, from February 21st to 28th. This is IOTA NA-080 and Grid Square FL16. There will be some casual all-band operation in the ARRL CW DX Contest (February 21-22nd) after arrival on Saturday, but some antenna work will have to be finished first that will add 30m, 40m and 75/80m capability to the rental QTH. Casual operation will continue throughout the week after the contest on 80 through 10 meters, including 12m, 17m and 30m, also 6m if the band opens. Modes are CW (preferred) and SSB, small possibility also of some digital modes. Station will be verticals and FT857 (100W), also FT817 and Buddipole from the beach. His XYL Sandy, KC0RD, may also be on as C6ASC. QSL via AK0M. For those still awaiting cards from the C6ASB operation in July, the cards have been received from the printer and will go out in the next week or two. Logs will also be posted on eQSL.cc and ARRL's LOTW. [Tnx OPDX]

21/02/2004:  Look for Guy, F5MNW, to be active as FM/F5MNW between February 21st and March 6th from Martinique main island (IOTA NA-107, DIFO FM-001). It will be a CW only activity on HF bands. Guy will be QRV at his spare time. QSL direct HC (SAE + 1 IRC or 2US$ - One green stamp is no more sufficient to cover today the postal fees for a card sent to Americas, Asia or Oceania) or via the French REF bureau. [Tnx F5NQL]

21/02/2004:  Craig, AH8DX, will be active from French St. Martin (NA-105) as FS/AH8DX in the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 21-22nd) as a Single-Op/All Band/High Power entry. QSL via AH8DX. [Tnx OPDX]

21/02/2004:  Mathieu (F5SHQ) will be active from the Isle of Jersey (EU-013) as MJ0ASP in the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 21-22nd) as a Single Operator/Single Band (20m) entry. QSL via F5SHQ. [Tnx NG3K]

21/02/2004:  Jim, K1NA, will be QRV from Sint Eustatius (NA-145) as PJ5NA during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 21-22nd) as a Single-Op/All Band entry. QSL via K1NA (QRZ.com). [Tnx OPDX]

24/02/2004:  Look for JA6PSE (Op: JI5USJ, SSB and RTTY) and JA6PSI (Op: JI5RPT, CW only) to be QRV from Takara Island (IOTA AS-049, JIIA AS-049-012) and Takara Shima - Araki Saki Lighthouse (WLA LH-0884, ARLHS JAP-618, WW Loc. PL49od, JCG 46006) between February 24th and March 2nd. Activity will be on 160 through 10 meter CW, SSB and RTTY, running 200 watts. QSL JA6PSE via JI5USJ and JA6PSI via JI5RPT, both either direct or JARL bureau. [Tnx JI6KVR]

24/02/2004:  Operators Elza (K4ISV) and Donnie (K4CN) will be active from North Caicos (NA-002), February 24th through March 17th. They will be active as VP5B in the CQ 160-Meter SSB Contest (February 28-29th) as a Multi/Single entry. They will also be active as VP5B in the ARRL DX Phone Contest (March 6-7th) as a Multi/? entry. Callsigns before and after the contest will be VP5/K4ISV and VP5/K4CN. QSL both contest operations and activity outside of the contests via N2AU. [Tnx OPDX]

25/02/2004:  Tony, N2TK, will be at St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (NA-106) between February 25th and March 10th. He will be active as WP2Z during the CQ WW 160M SSB Contest and the ARRL SSB Contest. QSL via KU9C. Before and after the contests, Tony will be using N2TK/NP2. QSL via N2TK. [Tnx OPDX]

28/02/2004:  6Y, JAMAICA. Kevin, WN9O, reports that WO9Z (Mike), W9IU (Don) and himself will be active as 6Y5/homecall from Jamaica (NA-096) between February 28th and March 14th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters, including the WARC bands. The group will also be active as 6Y8Z during the ARRL SSB Contest. QSL via W9IU (direct). [Tnx OPDX]

28/02/2004:  Look for Glenn, K6NA, to be QRV again as ZD8A from Ascension Island (AF-003) from February 28th to March 2nd. He will operate on on all HF bands, mostly CW. QSL via N6CW. [Tnx 425DXN]

29/02/2004:  Chad, WE9V, will be QRV as 9Y4/WE9V (QSL via home call) from Tobago Island (SA-009) between February 29th and March 10th. Plans are to operate on all HF bands on CW, SSB and RTTY, and to participate in the ARRL DX SSB Contest as 9Y4ZC (SOAB HP). QSL 9Y4ZC (for this operation only) via WE9V. [Tnx 425DXN]

29/02/2004:  Babs, DL7AFS, and Lot, DJ7ZG, will be active from Norfolk Island (OC-005), February 29th through March 13th. The call sign will be VK9NB. Activity will be on 80-6 meters on SSB, RTTY and PSK. QSL via DL7AFS (direct to: Baerbel Linge, Eichwaldstrasse 86, D-34123 Kassel, Germany) or via the DARC Bureau. [Tnx OPDX]

IOTA 2004 LATEST NEWS

Participation in the IOTA 40th Anniversary Programme, IOTA 2004, continues to increase. During March islands in the BV, BY, 9M2, HS, VK6, 9V and 9M6 areas will count for premium points towards your annual total. Some of the more common groups to qualify for premium points in March include:

OC088 9M,V8,YB7 Borneo (Main Island Only)
AS015 9M2 Penang State Group
AS058 9M2 Perlis/Kedah State Group
AS019 9V Singapore Island
OC090 DU1 Calamian Group
AS053 HS Malay Peninsula West Group
OC002 VK9 Christmas Island
OC003 VK9 Cocos (Keeling) Islands
AS006 VR2 Hong Kong Group
OC021 YB0-3 Java (Jawa) Island (Main Island Only)
OC143 YB4-6 Sumatra Island (Main Island Only)
OC075 YB5 Riau Islands
OC022 YB9 Bali Island

Full rules and details of how to apply (including an automated tracking sheet in Excel) can be downloaded from the Chiltern DX Club (CDXC, the UK DX Foundation) Web page at www.cdxc.org.uk (follow the IOTA 2004 links). You are also encouraged to upload your score on a regular basis - this makes for a more interesting programme, when participants can see how others are doing! Thanks to those who have already done so. Of course, you don't have to be a hardened island chaser to participate in IOTA 2004, though you may well become hooked!

Don Field G3XTT
IOTA 2004 Awards Manager
don@g3xtt.com

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

Feb. 12 2004  FCC okays BPL proposal

The FCC has unanimously approved a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) to deploy Broadband over Power Line (BPL). The NPRM is the next step in the BPL proceeding, which began last April with a Notice of Inquiry that attracted more than 5100 comments--many from the amateur community. The FCC did not propose any changes in Part 15 rules governing unlicensed devices, but said it would require BPL providers to apply ''adaptive'' interference mitigation techniques to their systems. An ARRL delegation that included President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, attended the FCC open meeting in Washington, and later expressed disappointment in the FCC action.

''The Commission clearly recognized that the existing Part 15 emission limits are inadequate to stop interference, but it's placing the burden of interference mitigation on the licensed user that's supposed to be protected,'' said ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ.

Sumner said that if the FCC really believed current Part 15 emission limits were sufficient, it would not have had to require that BPL providers institute interference mitigation systems. The FCC has not yet released the actual NPRM, and a presentation by the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) revealed only its broad outlines. Sumner said the League would not take a formal position until it reviews the full NPRM.

Anh Wride of the OET staff spelled out the scope of the NPRM, which only addresses so-called ''access BPL''--the type that would apply radio frequency energy to exterior overhead and underground low and medium-voltage power lines to distribute broadband and Internet service. She said the OET staff believes that interference concerns ''can be adequately addressed.'' Wride said the FCC's BPL NPRM:

* Applies existing Part 15 emission limits for unlicensed carrier-current systems to BPL systems. Part 15 rules now require that BPL systems eliminate any harmful interference that may occur ''and must cease operation if they cannot,'' she noted.

* Requires BPL systems to employ ''adaptive interference-mitigation techniques, including the capabilities to shut down a specific device, to reduce power levels on a dynamic or remote-control basis and to include or exclude specific operating frequencies or bands.''

* Subjects BPL providers to notification requirements that would establish a public database to include such information as the location of BPL devices, modulation type and operating frequencies.

* Proposes guidelines to provide for consistent and repeatable measurement of the RF emissions from BPL and other carrier-current systems.

Mirroring his colleagues' enthusiasm, FCC Chairman Michael Powell called BPL ''tremendously exciting.'' While conceding that BPL has ''a long way to go,'' the chairman said it could be ''the great broadband hope for a good part of rural America.'' Powell also said the FCC's OET has worked very hard to try to ''get their hands around'' the issue of interference and that the FCC would continue its vigilance in that area.

The FCC is expected to issue the complete Notice of Proposed Rule Making within a few days and will invite comments on it sometime after its publication.

Additional information about BPL and Amateur Radio is on the ARRL Web site, www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/plc.

(W1AW Bulletin ARLB005)

==============

Feb. 13 2004   FCC budget for 2005

President Bush has submitted a budget to Congress that proposes fiscal year 2005 that includes a proposed allocation for the Federal Communications Commission of $292,958,000.

According to the agency, the requested funding level will cover mandatory increases for salaries and benefits and inflationary increases for office space rental, supplies, printing, postage and contractual services. The budget proposal also includes funds for maintenance and modernization of technology systems that directly further all aspects of  FCC performance. It also covers information technology equipment to support our multiyear lifecycle management program; replacement monitoring vehicles; technical monitoring and test equipment to ensure the Commission has up-to-date tools to achieve the agency's Spectrum and Homeland Security initiatives; and skills based training for critical FCC program areas.

The complete copy of the Commission's Fiscal Year 2005 budget submission is available for your inspection on the FCC's web site at:  www.fcc.gov

(Published news reports)

==============

Feb. 11 2004   RadioFest 2004 is moving to Monterey:

RadioFest 2004 will be Saturday, February 28, 8 AM until 2 PM, in Monterey, California. Sponsored by the Naval Postgraduate School Amateur Radio Club, the event has evolved into a more casual hamfest with no commercial vendors. RadioFest 2004 will have free Amateur Radio exam sessions, ham equipment swap tables, guest speakers and technical demonstrations. It will be held at the Monterey Moose Family Center, 500 Canyon Del Rey Blvd (Hwy 218), Monterey. Talk-in will be on the K6LY 146.97 repeater (94.8 CTCSS). Swapfest tables are free and available on a first come, first served basis (limit 2) the morning of the event. Doors open for setup only at 6 AM. There's more information on the RadioFest 2004 Web site: www.radiofest.org

(Brian Broggie, W6FVI)

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