Feb. 20 2004  New rules for Danish Hams

The Danish Information Technology and Telecom Agency has announced new regulations for radio amateurs in Denmark. The main feature of the new regulations 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-meter 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. The new regulations came into effect on the 1st of February.

(GB2RS)

========

Feb. 20 2004 Croatian Hams get new privileges on 40 Meters

Croatia has become the first country in Region 1 to benefit from the expansion of the 40-meter band agreed at the World Radio Conference in Switzerland last summer.  9A prefix amateurs have also been given privileges at 70 and 3400MHz and now no longer have to pass a Morse code test for access to the HF bands.

New amateur radio regulations came into effect in Croatia on the 26th of December but have only recently been announced to the world.  Since that date Croatian amateurs have been permitted to  operate between 7100 and 7200 kilohertz on a Secondary basis, with a maximum power of 1000 watts P-E-P.  This is in addition to the normal Region 1 allocation of 7000 to 7100 kilohertz.

On 4 meters, Croatian amateurs now have 70.000 to 70.450 MHz, with a power limit of 10 watts.  They also gain a new band between 3400 and 3410 MHz, with a maximum permitted power of 150 watts.

And like so many other nations, the Morse code requirement for an H-F band access license has been dropped.  Under the new regulations and there are now only two classes in Croatia.  They are the full license and a beginners' ticket.

(GB2RS)

==========

Feb. 28 2004  5MHz Activity Day in Finland

Marko, OH2LRD, is organising a '5MHz Activity Day' in Finland this Saturday, the 28th of February, beginning at 1330UTC. At present 10 club stations in Finland are licensed for 5MHz operation, although between them they have 17 callsigns with OH2, OH3, OH6 and OI3 prefixes. The club stations will welcome reception reports to help them with their propagation and antenna experiments. A few 5 MHz experimental radio licences have been issued. Licences are issued on a non interface basis. The licence holders are amateur radio club stations. Experimental stations are required to use callsigns equivalent to their amateur radio club callsigns.

Finland licences are issued for frequencies:
centre frequency  carrier frequency
5280 kHz            5278,6 kHz
5290 kHz            5288,6 kHz
5300 kHz            5298,6 kHz
5332 kHz            5330,6 kHz
5348 kHz            5346,6 kHz
5368 kHz            5366,6 kHz
5373 kHz            5371,6 kHz
5400 kHz            5398,6 kHz

(RSGB)

==========

Feb. 20 2004  New Zealand, the long Ham Radio walk

Tony Whitaker, G3RKL, from Sheffield, in the United Kingdom is off to New Zealand for a short walk.  Well not exactly a short walk.  More like 750 miles as Whitaker treks from Invercargill to Blenheim, along State Highway 6 up the West Coast of the South Island.  And he will operate an Amateur Radio station along the way.

Whitaker will be on the air using the special callsign ZL6SHS on H-F, V- H-F and U-H-F while actually walking.  He also plans to use F-M simplex, Echolink and I-R-L-P Internet-linked repeaters in places where they are available. He will use them to keep in touch with his ham radio friends back home in the U-K.

Whitaker's marathon walk starts in Invercargill on the 21st of February. If all goes to plan he is scheduled to arrive in Blenheim on the 8th of  April -- probably a bit tired -- but very satisfied.  This is not Whitaker's fist long ham radio walk.  He has already made seven others including one in Australia.

(ARNewsline)

Society Of Newfoundland Radio Amateurs

The next general meeting of SONRA will be held on Wednesday, Mar 10, 2004 at the Elk's Club on Carpasian Rd.. The meeting will get underway at 7:30 pm. This date is not the regular one as we are taking advantage of a visit by Rick Lindquist N1RL so he can join us.

Feb. 25 2004   Montreal Amateur Radio Club Meeting

This night will be a video night and we will enjoy a fascinating account of a DXpedition to South Georgia and the operation of station VP8GEO. See the challenges of running the station and feel the beautiful yet barren nature of Georgia Island, at one time home to several isolated whaling stations and also visited by Ernest Shackelton. We may also have a mystery video or two as well adding to the allure of the evening. We can look forward to an entertaining and informative evening.

Club meetings are held at the St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish Church which is located at 4455 West Broadway (the corner of West Broadway and Terrebonne) in the N.D.G. District of Montreal. The meetings will be held in the Lounge which is the rearmost door on the south side of the building unless we have reason to hold it in the Parish Hall which is the first door on the South side of the building. An informal fleamarket and ragchew session starts at 19:30 with the formal meeting starting at 20:00. The STM Buses 51, 162 and 105 stop nearby.

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

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

Algoma Seniors Electronic Communicators

This club is comprised of retirees wishing to share their experiences with amateur radio, communication and/or computers. Membership is open to any and all retirees sharing an interest in these areas.  Join us Thursday afternoons from 1pm to 3pm at the Seniors Drop-in Centre 619 Bay St. Sault Ste. Marie.

Club Website: http://members.shaw.ca/VE3SCA

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

RAC Ontario Section News

Feb. 21 2004
Emergency Coordinator Appointment / City of Barrie
Welcome to David Wainwright VE3ILA, to the position of EC for City of Barrie. David comes with the support of his DEC Ian Snow, VA3QT who looks forward to working with David in his up coming term as EC.

District Emergency Coordinator Appointment / Northern Ontario
Welcome to Stiig Larson VE3LBX, to the position of DEC for Northern Ontario. SEC Paul Davidson looks forward to working with Stiig in his upcoming term as DEC.

Paul, extends his thanks to David VE3ILA and Stiig VE3LBX for serving the RAC ARES program and congratulates each for their appointments to RAC ARES.

(Paul VE3UUM SEC)

===========

Grey County ARES

On Sundays at 8pm the Grey County ARES Group conduct a formal traffic net on the Berkeley repeater, VA3CAX 145.290 (-) Mhz that routes traffic through the National Traffic System.  An informal chat follows. This is a "training" net, and we welcome newcomers to traffic handling! The group also conducts monthly meetings on the second Thursday of each month at the Grey Gables Retirement Home in Markdale.

(Glenn, VE3GNA, Net Manager)

===========

Lanark North Leeds ARES

On Wednesdays at 8pm the Lanark/North Leeds ARES Group conduct a net on the Lavant repeater VE3KJG (146.64 MHz.) where they plan events, pass traffic and promote emergency preparedness. It is an open net. The Lanark North Leeds ARES is made up of about 40 hams who live in and around Westport, Perth, Smiths Falls, Carleton Place and Almonte Ontario.

===========

Niagara ARES

A.R.E.S. Niagara conducts a net on its designated repeater, VE3RAF (145.190 MHz 107.2 hz PL tone), each Tuesday evening beginning at 7:00 pm. All registered volunteers are encouraged to check-in and listen to the announcements and other traffic. All amateurs are welcome.

==========

Renfrew County ARES

The Renfew County ARES Group is now carrying the Anderson Power Pole Connectors recommended for inter operability and may be purchase online. You can find their website by doing a Google search for 'Renfrew County ARES'

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

America's

Feb 20, 2004  K7RA Solar Update

Average daily sunspot numbers were down a little this week, as compared to those of a week earlier, as were the daily solar flux numbers. Average daily planetary A index was slightly higher. Geomagnetic indices settled down February 16-19 to yield some nice HF conditions. There weren't many sunspots, so the MUF wasn't as high as it was, say, several years ago, but the quiet conditions are a welcome respite from the stormy geomagnetic conditions of late.

The quiet conditions should continue though this weekend--good news for those participating in the ARRL International DX Contest (CW). Predicted planetary A index for Friday through Monday, February 20-23, is 10, 10, 12 and 12. Solar flux is expected to stay below 100 until around Leap Year Day, February 29.

Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, has an interesting article in the March issue of Worldradio about low-band propagation during the solar minimum. He tested the theory that 160 meters is better during the low part of the solar cycle, and he proposes that what helps the lower frequencies is not really an absence of sunspots, but quieter geomagnetic conditions. Because solar activity is lower during the years around the solar minimum, there is less chance of flares or coronal holes upsetting the geomagnetic field.

A disturbed geomagnetic field can severely affect signals passing through high latitudes. He found that stations situated where they can propagate signals to their destination without passing through the high-latitude auroral zone may have a great advantage during periods of greater solar activity. For instance, K9LA's path to Europe is a polar path, so he is affected by polar absorption when the K index is high.

He compared notes with Tom Rauch, W8JI, in Georgia, whose paths to most major ham populations stays outside the auroral zone. W8JI can work much more 160 meter DX during the cycle peak than K9LA can.

For more information about propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the Propagation page on the ARRL Web site.

Sunspot numbers for February 12 through 18 were 65, 71, 64, 75, 81, 22 and 23, with a mean of 57.3. The 10.7 cm flux was 112.2, 107.8, 103.7, 102.1, 98.7, 101.9 and 97.7, with a mean of 103.4. Estimated planetary A indices were 28, 21, 18, 18, 7, 5 and 8, with a mean of 15.

(W1AW)

Europe

Feb. 22 2004   Propagation Report from Neil Clarke G0CAS

This solar report and propagation forecast, prepared by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

As forecast, solar flare activity was mostly very low last week, with just one C-class flare between the 11th and the 20th. Also as expected the solar flux drifted downwards, from 104 on the 14th to 95 on the 20th, averaging 100 over the week. That was 14 points down on the previous week. The less volatile 90-day average is currently 117, a drop of four points on the week. X-ray flux levels were down too, from B1.3 to A8.3 and averaged A9.5. The better news is that geomagnetic activity was also down from the active levels reported last weekend. On the 20th the Ap index was a mere 4 units, the lowest figure for many months. Solar wind speeds also declined, from 800km/sec on the 15th to a below- average 345km/sec on the 20th.

Although seasonal factors are not currently very helpful, HF band conditions generally improved slightly during the week as last weekend's enhanced geomagnetic activity receded. There was propagation to all continents on 14 and 21MHz on most days, while even 28MHz provided strong signals from South America on several days and more occasional openings to Asia in the morning and the Caribbean and eastern United States in the afternoon. There were only a handful of VHF auroral reports, all from very high latitudes.

As for the week ahead, we can expect to have the quieter side of the sun looking our way. Flare activity is expected to remain low or very low. The solar flux should bottom out around mid-week at somewhere in the 80s and should be back in the 90s by next weekend. The geomagnetic field will be mostly quiet-to- unsettled but there is a possibility that, from the 22nd onwards, a high-speed coronal stream will produce occasional active or even minor storm spells.

MUFs at equal latitudes should reach 30MHz in the south and 27MHz in the north. Darkness hour lows, now edging upwards as daylight extends in the northern hemisphere, will be around 8MHz. Paths to the Indian sub-continent are likely to have a maximum usable frequency - indicating a fifty per cent success rate - of around 27MHz. The optimum working frequency, at which there should be a ninety per cent chance of success, will be about 21MHz. The best time to work that region will be between 0900 and 1300 UTC.

And that's all for now from the propagation team.
 

Feb 19, 2004   AMSAT announces ECHO launch delay

AMSAT-NA President Robin Haighton, VE3FRH, announced in February that due to a delay in the delivery of the primary payload to the launch site in Kazakhstan, the launch of the ECHO satellite will not take place until early summer. "The 'official' launch date is now June 29, 2004," Haighton said. "I assume that this new date is the start of the new launch window, which may last several weeks." A Web site now allows satellite enthusiasts to follow the Echo lab testing and integration process, headed up by Jim White, WD0E, and Mike Kingery, KE4AZN, at SpaceQuest in Fairfax, Virginia. A sculpture of the now-ailing AO-40 satellite sold January 31 in an eBay auction for $1225. The proceeds, less sales fees, will benefit the AMSAT ECHO satellite project.  http://web.infoave.net/~mkmk518/echo.htm

(AMSAT-NA)

========

Feb. 20 2004  Radio Telescopes discover new Galaxy

Using radio telescopes on Earth and another optical scope in space, a team of astrophysicists says it's detected a tiny galaxy that is the farthest known object from Earth. California Institute of Technology astronomer Richard Ellis says the galaxy is roughly 13 billion light-years from Earth.  According to Science On Line, an expert at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Massachusetts says the discovery gives a rare glimpse of the time when the first stars and galaxies began to emerge.

(Science OnLine)

========

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

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

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

Feb. 20 2004   New from Creative Services Software

Creative Services Software has announced that version 3.0 of Pacterm for Windows and P K term for Windows will be released later this year.  Version 3.0 not only includes new sound card modes, but also an integrated logging program to keep track of QSO's, DXCC and even do light contesting. It will also support exporting to ADIF for use with the ARRL Logbook of the World and to other logging programs, provide radio and rotor control, and be able to sync with Packet Clusters that are connected by the Packet window.

More information on Creative Services Software products can be found at:   www.cssincorp.com

(CSS via VHF Reflector)

=========

Satellite Radio Alliance

News release via Canada NewsWire, Standard Radio partners with  CBC/Radio-Canada and SIRIUS to bring satellite radio to Canadians

NEW YORK AND TORONTO, Feb. 10 /CNW/ - Standard Radio Inc. of Canada  today announced that it will join with CBC/Radio-Canada and SIRIUS  Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) in a joint venture to bring satellite radio to Canadians. "As this country's largest privately-owned broadcaster we are excited to be partnering with CBC/Radio-Canada and with SIRIUS," said Gary Slaight, President and CEO, Standard Radio Inc. "Not only will this service expand the choices available to Canadians, it will also create new opportunities for Canadian talent on this new platform."

In December 2003, CBC/Radio-Canada and SIRIUS announced their partnership to bring satellite radio to Canada, and filed an application with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). If licensed by the CRTC, this new Canadian-controlled subscription-based service will be available across the country, from urban centers to the most remote regions of the country.

"Standard Radio has a long and distinguished history, especially in terms of innovative programming and support for Canadian talent, and will be an excellent partner in this exciting venture which will bring a fresh new national service to Canadians," added Robert Rabinovitch, President and CEO, CBC/Radio-Canada. "Through this and other strategic partnerships CBC/Radio-Canada is able to better fulfil its mandate by providing Canadians with even greater access to a wide range of
commercial-free music, information, and entertainment programming, including Canadian content."

"We are thrilled to welcome Standard Radio Inc. to this exciting initiative," said Joseph P. Clayton, President and CEO of SIRIUS. "Working closely with CBC/Radio-Canada, we believe that this combination of broadcasting experience and unique entertainment programming will be a great benefit to Canadians. Plus, our exclusive car manufacturers, DaimlerChrysler, Ford and BMW, sell over half a million vehicles in Canada each year, so this will enhance our reach as well."

(Harry van Vugt, Windsor, Ontario)

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)

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

ARRL International DX Contest, CW, 0000Z Feb 21--2400Z Feb 22 (see Dec QST, p 96).

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: http://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 × S/P/C (count once per band) × names (one name from each letter of the alphabet) + 1000 pts for QSO with W0CQC. For more information: http://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.

REF French Contest--Phone--from 0600Z Feb 28-1800Z Feb 29 (see Jan QST, p 98).

CQ WW 160-meter SSB Contest, 0000Z Feb 28-2400Z Feb 29 (see Jan QST, p 98).

UBA Contest--CW--from 1300Z Feb 28-1300Z Feb 29 (see Jan QST p 98).

North Carolina QSO Party--CW/Phone--sponsored by the Forsyth Amateur Radio Club, 1700Z Feb 29-0300Z Mar 1. Frequencies (MHz): CW--3.540, 3.740, 7.040, 7.140, 14.040, 21.040, 21.140, 28.040, 28.140, Phone--3.860, 7.260, 14.260, 21.360, 28.360 and any VHF/UHF, note no 160 meter QSOs. Categories: SO, Mobile, Club, all stations 100 W max output. Mobiles may be worked again as they change counties. Exchange: RST and NC county, ARRL/RAC section, or DX prefix. QSO Points: phone--2 pts, CW--3 pts, NC mobile--3 pts (either mode). Score: NC stations--QSO points × NC counties + ARRL/RAC sections + 1 DXCC entity, others--QSO points × NC counties (max 100). 50 bonus points for working Cherokee or Dare counties (150 for working both) and 50 points for working W4NC or W4WS (150 points for both). Mobiles add 100 bonus points for each NC county activated. For more information: http://www.w4nc.com/. Logs due April 1 to henry@summitschool.com or NC QSO Party, c/o W2DZO, 934 Franklin St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

Mississippi QSO Party--CW/Phone--sponsored by the Vicksburg Amateur Radio Club, 1500Z Feb 28-0300Z Feb 29. Frequencies (MHz): CW--3.545, 7.045, 14.045, 21.045, 28.045; Phone--3.862, 7.238, 14.275, 21.375, 28.375. Work stations once per mode. Categories: Fixed Station, Mobile. Mobiles may be worked again as they change counties. Exchange: RST and MS county or S/P/C. QSO Points: phone--1 pt, CW--2 pts. Score: QSO points × MS counties or S/P/C.
For more information: w5xx@vicksburg.com. Logs due Apr 27 to Vicksburg ARC, 14 Lake Circle Dr, Vicksburg, MS 39180.

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

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

EURADIO - Twinned Special Event Stations

On the 1st of May 2004, the European Union welcomes ten new states and Ireland will host the Presidency of the EU at that time. As part of the Enlargement celebrations, the Minister for Arts Sport and Tourism,  Mr. John O'Donoghue T.D. has designated ten Irish cities and towns to be twinned with a particular new member state.

A special event station is being planned for each of  those cities and towns. The ten special event stations will be operational ober the weekend of the 1st and 2nd of May.

An awards programme will be promoted among the international amateur radio community with certificates  for stations that establish contact with the special event stations. Enquiries to Sean Donelan, EI4FK.

(Irish Radio Transmitters Society)

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

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. http://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. http://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. 19  2004  ARLD007 DX News

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by K5KG, RW6HS, the OPDX Bulletin, QRZ DX, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST.  Thanks to all.

MALDIVES, 8Q.  Tac is QRV as 8Q7RK and has been active on 30 meters around 1600z.  QSL via JA1BRK. Meanwhile, Giancarlo, I3SGR is QRV as 8Q7SG from Kuredu Island until March 1.  Activity is on 40 to 10 meters using SSB around 1500 to 1700z and then 2030 to 2330z.  QSL to home call.  Also, Pierino, IV3YYK is QRV as 8Q7YY until March 7.
Activity is on all bands using CW and SSB. QSL to home call.

GUYANA, 8R.  Olli, 8R1RPN is usually QRV on 160 meters around 0100 to 0220z.  QSL via OH0XX.

BAHAMAS, C6.  Randy, W6SJ is QRV as C6A/W6SJ using mainly CW until February 21.  He will sign C6AWS during the ARRL DX CW contest.  QSL to home call.

PORTUGAL, CT.  Ulrich, DL3OI, Diemo, DL4LQM, Wolfgang, DL4WG, Ulf, DL5AXX, Thomas, DL5LYM and Frank, DL8WAA will be QRV as CS6V during the ARRL DX CW contest.  QSL via DL5AXX.

CANARY ISLANDS, EA8.  Jim, ON5UM will be QRV as EA8/ON5UM during the ARRL DX CW contest as a Single-Op/All Band/Not Assisted/Low Power entry. Activity is mainly on 40 to 10 meters, and possibly 80 meters. QSL direct to home call.

GUADELOUPE, FG.  Patrick, FG/F6IRF is QRV using CW and RTTY until February 29. This includes being QRV as FG5BG during the ARRL DX CW contest. QSL to home call.

DOMINICA, J7.  George, K5KG, John, K3TEJ and John, W4IX are QRV as J75KG, J79Z and J79JRC, respectively, until February 24.  Activity is on all HF bands using CW and SSB.  They will also concentrate activity on 160 and 80 meters.  In memory of K4OJ, they plan to be active as J7A in the ARRL DX CW contest.  QSL J75KG and J7A via KU9C, J79Z via K3TEJ and J79JRC via W4IX.

MONGOLIA, JT.  JT1FDD will be QRV from February 21 to 29.  This includes an entry in the ARRL DX CW contest. QSL direct via RW6HS.

ARGENTINA, LU.  Javi, LU5FF will be QRV in the ARRL DX CW contest as a Single Op/All Band/Low Power entry.  QSL via EA7JX.

GREENLAND, OX.  Allan, OX3KV is QRV using Special Event callsign OX2KAN until the end of 2004 to celebrate the 175th birthday of the city of Kangaatsiaq.  QSL via bureau.

ST. MAARTEN, PJ5.  Bill, W8EB and Dorothy, W8DVC are QRV as PJ7/W8EB until March 21.  Activity is on 160 to 10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31.  QSL via W8EB.  Meanwhile, Steve, K4EU along with five other contesters will be QRV as FS5UQ during the ARRL DX CW contest. Before and after the contest he may be QRV as either FS/K4EU or
PJ7/K4EU.  QSL to home call.  QSL contest call via operators' instructions.

COSTA RICA, TI.  Ron, WJ7R, Bob, W7YAQ, Al, K7AR, Jim, KI7Y and Will, TI2WGO are QRV as TI5N during the ARRL DX CW contest.  Before and after the contest they are signing TI5/homecalls until February 26.  QSL TI5N via W3HNK and all others via homecalls.

ANTIGUA, V2.  George, K2DM and Peter, K3ZM will be QRV as V26DX in the ARRL DX CW contest as a Multi/Single entry.  QSL via KU9C.

AUSTRALIA, VK.  Pete, K2PS will be QRV as VK2FRC near Sydney during the ARRL DX CW contest.  QSL to home call.

LORD HOWE ISLAND, VK9L.  Babs, DL7AFS and Lot, DJ7ZG are QRV as VK9LB until February 27.  Activity is on 80 to 6 meters using SSB, RTTY and PSK.  QSL via DL7AFS.

TOKELAU ISLANDS, ZK3.  Silvano, I2YSB, Flaviano, I2MOV, Carlo, IK1AOD and Marcello, IK2DIA are QRV as ZK3SB from Nukunonu, IOTA OC-048, until February 25, using CW and SSB with two stations.  QSL via I2YSB.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The ARRL International DX CW Contest, YL International CW QSO Party, CQC Winter QSO Party, YL-OM SSB Contest and the REF French Phone Contest will certainly keep contesters busy this weekend.  Please see February QST, page 104 and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details.

(W1AW)

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

Feb.  21 2004  4 2 5  DX  News

5H === Hans-Peter, HB9BXE will be active as 5H1BP from Zanzibar  (AF-032), Tanzania on 1-6 March. He plans to operate on 10-80 metres CW, SSB and PSK31. QSL via home call. [TNX NG3K]

6Y === Look for WN9O, WO9Z and W9IU to operate as 6Y5/homecall from Jamaica from 28 February to 14 March.  They will participate in the ARRL  DX SSB Contest as 6Y8Z (QSL via W9IU). [TNX The Daily DX]

9K === Special event call 9K43NLD will be aired on  25-29 February from Kuwait to celebrate the National Liberation Day. QSL via 9K2RR. [TNX 9K2HN]

9U === Michael, PA5M has been active as 9U5M since 17 February and will leave Bujumbura, Burundi on 17 March. He operates in his spare time (typically after 16 UTC) on 10-40 metres CW and SSB, with 100 watts into a vertical antenna. Logs will be available at http://www.pa7fm.nl/ as soon as possible.  QSL via PA7FM (Dennis Robbemond, Loggerhof 11,  3181NS Rozenburg,  The Netherlands).  [TNX PA7FM and ON5NT]

C6 === Bill, NE1B (C6AWB) and Tom, C6ANM will be active from the islands of Eleuthera (NA-001) and New Providence  (NA-001) between 24  February and 8 March, CQ WW 160 Meter SSB and ARRL DX SSB Contests  included. On 2-4 March will make a  side trip to the Berry Islands (NA-054). QSLs via WA2IYO. [TNX The Daily DX]

CN === Jim, W7EJ will be in Morocco from 24 February until about the end of March. He plans to be active as CN2R in the CQ 160-Meter SSB  (28-29 February), ARRL DX  SSB (6-7  March) and  CQ WPX  SSB (27-28  March) contests. QSL via home call. [TNX OPDX Bulletin]

DL === Gerhard, DL3NBL reports that his 7-14 March IOTA operation as TA/DL3NBL/P [425DXN 664] will take place  from Ucadalar Island located in the Antalya Province group (AS-115), not from the Ucadalar which is part of AS-099. QSL via home call.

GM === Leo, W3LEO reports he will once again be active as MM0LEO from Portpatrick in southwest Scotland from about 29 February to 3 April. He plans to participate in the ARRL DX SSB and CQ WPX SSB  contests. QSL via W3LEO.

JA  === Takeshi, JI3DST plans to operate as JI3DST/3 from O-Shima (AS-117) from 2 to 7 UTC on 22 February. QSL via bureau. [TNX The Daily DX]

T33 === The all-band all-mode T33C DXpedition to Banaba [425DXN 663] remains on schedule for starting operations on  4 or 5 April and continuing for at least eleven days. The expeditioners extend their thanks to all the sponsors, organizations and individuals who have contributed to the expedition; however, as shipping  costs have been very  high, they still welcome any  and all contributions.  There is still room for another one or two operators to join the team, though  arranging air transport to  Tarawa at this late date may be difficult.  Full details on the operation can be found at http://www.dx-pedition.de/banaba2004/ [TNX K6SRZ, doctore@well.com]

T7 === IV3JVJ, IV3TDM  and IV3OWC will participate in next week's CQ 160-Meter SSB Contest  as a multioperator  entry from T77C. QSL to T77C. [TNX IV3OWC]

TJ === Jack, F6BUM reports he has received permission to go and operate from the uninhabited island of Mondoleh (AF-???), Cameroon. He will be leaving France on 2 April, and plans are to be QRV from that IOTA new one on the 9-11th.  Jack (http://www.f6bum.fr.st) is seeking contributions to help defray the costs of this operation (he will have to get a generator); he is also looking for someone who is willing to lend him an antenna, as his R7 "has got tired".

UA === Alex, RX3AJL plans to visit several  White Sea islands for the Russian Robinson Award  (possibly including  islands qualifying  for the EU-147 and EU-162 IOTA groups as well) between 23 February and 6 March. He expects to be active  as RX3AJL/1 on 20 metres SSB  (QRP). QSL via RX3AJL. [TNX RZ3EM]

V5 === Klaus, DJ4SO will be active again as V51/DJ4SO from Namibia between 25 February  and 15  March. He  plans to  operate on 160-6 metres, mainly CW and RTTY/PSK31 with some SSB. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX The Daily DX]

W === John, WA9HMN will be active (20, 17, 15, 12 and 10 metres SSB) from Estero Island (NA-069) until 23 February. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX OPDX Bulletin]

W === Club call K5MDX  will be aired from two rare counties (George and Greene) during the Mississippi QSO Party (http://www.arrlmiss.org/AFTERA_1/aftera_1.htm), which will be running from 15 UTC on 28 February  through 3 UTC on the 29th.  [TNX N5FG]

ZF === Bob, K3UL will be active as ZF2UL from Grand Cayman (NA-016) from 28 February to 4 March. He plans to operate as time permits on the low bands CW. QSL via home call. [TNX The Daily DX]

ZS === Etienne Swart, ZS6Y reports he will be active with the special call ZS10RSA until mid-May "to celebrate ten years of democracy". QSL via KK3S, direct or bureau.

PACIFIC TOUR === Rolf, DK2ZF will be touring the Pacific between 27 February and 21 April. His trip will start from Fiji and end on Guam, "with four or five islands in between". He plans to operate 95% CW mainly on 40, 30 and 20 metres, plus  80 metres on his sunset/sunrise times. Rolf would like to receive real RST  reports, not the standard 599. QSL direct via home  call. [TNX DK2ZF]

Good to Know:

OPERATORS NEEDED === Charles "Frosty" Frost, K5LBU is putting together a team to operate from Botswana (A2) in July,  IARU contest (10-11 July) included. If interested, please contact Frosty at frosty1@pdq.net [TNX K5LBU]

QSL 4L1GW === Vladimir Radev, LZ1OT is the QSL manager for 4L1GW. Cards have been already printed and requests can be sent either direct or through the bureau. [TNX LZ1OT]

QSL BI3H === Mac, W3HC has finally received the BI3H logs for the year 2000 in order. Those who sent a request had it returned unverified are invited to resubmit. [TNX W3HC]

QSL VIA  IK7JWX === Those  who need a bureau card for ZA0IS (EU-169), ZA0/IK7JWX (EU-169)  or ZA3/IK7JWX  can send  their QSO data to Alfredo at either ik7jwx2003@yahoo.it or ik7jwx@aliceposta.it [TNX IK7JWX]

SFDXA === The newly elected officers of the South Florida DX Association for 2004-05 are Steve/W4DTA (President), Bill/W2CQ (Vice-President), Brian/NY4PD (Secretary), Bruce/W4OV (Treasurer), Ron/W4BP, Don/W3AZD and Norm/W4QN (Directors). [TNX W4DTA]

WARD AWARD === The WARD (World Amateur Radio Day) Award commemorates the World Amateur Radio Day celebrated by IARU on 18 April each year. The award is sponsored by  MK QTC (the  Polish Amateur Radio  Journal) with the Polish Amateur Radio Union's support, and it is issued to licenced amateurs and SWLs for contacts made/heard between 00.00 and 23.59 UTC on 18 April. For further information please e-mail Sylwester Jarkiewicz,  SP2FAP at qtc@post.pl or visit http://qtc.radio.org.pl/ward2004/ [TNX SP2FAP]

+ SILENT KEY + We are sad to report  the passing of Percy Raurich, CE7ZK  (14 February) and Edilberto "Beto"  Rojas, HK3DDD (18  February). [TNX CO2QQ  and The Daily DX]

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

Feb 20 - Mar 08, 2004   I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O.

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]

20/02/2004:  In connection with days of activity of the Union of radio fans of Armed Forces (February 20-23) operation of special servers UE6AWF and UE6AWF/P is planned. Operation UE6AWF/P is planned in field conditions and from Akhtarskiy lighthouse (RLHA RLE-049, ARLHS ERU-010). QSL via operator's instructions. [Tnx RZ6APF]

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 Francois, F5JNE, and Claude, F5MCC, to be QRV February 21st as F5JNE/p from the Ervy le Chatel castle (DFCF reference 10007, DDCF 1009, Zip code 10130). Activity will be on 40 meter SSB, starting around 07:30 UTC. The castle is located in the Province of Champagne-Ardennes, Department 10 (Aube). QSL via bureau preferred, SWL cards are welcome too. [Tnx F5NQL]

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:  Gaetano (I8IHG), Nello (IK8HVJ), Salvatore (IK8NTN), Achille (IZ8CKS), Luigi (IZ8ENR) and Andrea (IK8GDA) will operate (on 80 through 10 meters, plus 6 meter SSB) as IC8/homecall from Vivara Island (IOTA EU-031, IIA NA-005) on February 21st. QSLs via I8IHG, direct or bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

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]

22/02/2004:  Look for Michel, F5PRR/p, to be QRV from a new castle reference in the Le Pouget area (DFCF reference 34021, DDCF 34013, Zip code 34230). Activity will be on 40 meter SSB starting around 06:45 UTC. The castle is located in the Province of Languedoc-Roussillon, Department 34 (Herault). QSL via the REF bureau, SWL cards are welcome too. [Tnx F5NQL]

23/02/2004:  Giancarlo, I3SGR, will operate as 8Q7SG from Kuredu Island (AS-013) between February 23rd and March 1st. Look for him on 40 through 10 meter SSB around 15:00-17:00 UTC and 20:30-23:30 UTC. QSL via home call, direct (Giancarlo Salvadori, P.O. Box 32, 31100 Treviso - TV, Italy) or bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

23/02/2004:  Pierino, IV3YYK, will be active on all bands SSB and CW as 8Q7YY from Kuredu Island (AS-013) between February 23rd and March 7th. QSL via IV3YYK. [Tnx 425DXN]

23/02/2004:  Terry, M0CLH, will be QRV February 23rd to March 1st as EA8/M0CLH/P from Tenerife (AF-004). This holiday-style operation will be QRP with dipoles for 20, 17, 15 and 12 metres. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

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]

01/03/2004:  Tom, W0GLG, will operate as HR3/W0GLG from Cayos Cochinos (NA-160) bsetween March 1st and 6th. 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. QSL via home call. [Tnx 425DXN]

01/03/2004:  Operators JA6PSE and JA6PSI will be active for about one week beginning of March 2004 from Tokara Arc, in the Takara Islands (IOTA AS-049, JIIA-049-012), and Takara Shima Araki Sake lighthouse (WLA LH-0884, ARLHS JAP-618). He will be on 160-10 meters CW and SSB. He might try some RTTY and PSK31. They will use the callsigns JA6PSE (for SSB and RTTY) and JA6PSI (CW only). QSL via home calls. [Tnx OPDX]

01/03/2004:  John, KK9A, will be active from the Iguana Villa, Aruba (SA-036) between March 1st and 30th. His activity will include two contests. Look for John to be active as P40A in the ARRL DX Phone Contest (March 6-7th) as a Single-Op/Single Band (20m) entry. Also, look for him as P40A in the CQ WPX SSB Contest March 27-28th) as a Single-Op/All Band entry. QSL both operations to WD9DZA. [Tnx OPDX]

01/03/2004:  KH6GMP (Gary) and KH6DFW (Tuck) will be active as T32I and T32BI from Eastern Kiribati (OC-024) between March 1st and 8th. During their time there, they will also be active as T32I in the ARRL DX Phone Contest (March 6-7th) as a Multi-Single entry. Activity outside of the contest will be on SSB and as much RTTY as possible during the
precontest time. QSL T32I via direct to KH6GMP (QRZ.com address is OK) and QSL T32BI via direct to KH6DFW (also, QRZ.com address is OK). [Tnx OPDX]

02/03/2004:  CENTRAL AMERICA TOUR - Heikki "Henry" Tamminen, OH3JF, will operate as HR5/OH3JF from Honduras between March 2nd and 10th. He will run 800 watts and will concentrate on 30-160 meters. 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 425DXN]

03/03/2004:  A group of the LARC (Lufthansa Amateur Radio Club) will be in Sri Lanka (AS-003) from March 3rd to 8th. They will be QRV all bands in SSB and CW. If possible, Rudi DK7PE will try some 160m, depending on the antennas possible. Operators will be Frank (DJ3FK), Bernd (DK7TF), Karl (DL4FP) and (Rudi) DK7PE. Rudi reports that the call signs are not known yet, but they should be: DK7PE (4S7PEG), DK7TF (4S7DLG), DL4FP (4S7**G not known) and DJ3FK (4S7**G not known). [Tnx 425DXN / OPDX]

03/03/2004:  Rich, N0HJZ, will be QRV March 3rd to 9th as HR9/N0HJZ from Roatan Island (NA-057), Honduras, including an entry in the ARRL DX SSB Contest. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

03/03/2004:  The FMRE (Federacion Mexicana de Radioexperimentadores) has announced a DXpedition to Socorro Island (NA-030), Revilla Gigedo, to start on March 3rd for two weeks. The operators XE1IH, XE1J, XE1AVM, XE1GRR, XE1KOF, XE1XR, XE1GLL and XE2ML are expected to be active as XF4IH on all bands and modes. QSL via XE1IH (Enrique Garcia, P.O. Box 118-481, Mexico, D.F 07051). [Tnx 425DXN / OPDX]

06/03/2004:  Members of the F6KOP ARS of Provins (near Paris) plan to be active as 5V7C from Lome (Grid Loc. JJ06), Togo, between March 6 and 12, 2004. The crew will consist of Dany, F5CW (one of the last TO4E gang); Franck, F4AJQ; Pascal, F5TVG; Pascal, F5JSD; Romain, F8BUI; and Guenther, F5VHQ/OE5TGL. Activity will be on all bands 160 through 6 meter CW, SSB and digital modes. QSL via F5TVG (Franck Savoldi, P.O. Box 92, F94223 Charenton Cedex France). [Tnx F5NQL]

06/03/2004:  Ian, G3TMA, will be will be QRV as 9M2/G3TMA from Pulau Ketam (AS-074) March 6th to 7th and 13th to 14th. Activity will be mostly on CW. QSL to Ian Buffham, Bekay Court, Lorong Enau, 55000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. [Tnx 425DXN]

06/03/2004:  John, KK9A, will be active from the Iguana Villa, Aruba (SA-036) as P40A in the ARRL DX Phone Contest (March 6-7th) as a Single-Op/Single Band (20m) entry. QSL via WD9DZA. [Tnx OPDX]

06/03/2004:  Operators Martin (NW0L), Tom (AE9B), Geoff (W0CG), Jeff (K8ND) and Jerry (WB9Z) will activate the PJ2T contest station on Curacao during the ARRL DX Phone Contest (March 6-7th) as a Multi/2 entry. QSL via N9AG. [Tnx OPDX]

06/03/2004:  Albert, NH7A, will be active from Martinique (NA-107) as TO5A during the ARRL DX Phone Contest (March 6-7th) as a Single-Op/All Band entry. QSL via F5VHJ. [Tnx OPDX]

06/03/2004:  Operators John (WE3C), Steven (N3FTI) and Robert (KQ3V) will activate, for the first time, the prefix "VQ5" during the ARRL DX Phone Contest (March 6-7th) from the Turks and Caicos Islands. Look for them to be active as VQ5A, a Multi/Multi entry in the contest. QSL via KQ3V. [Tnx OPDX]

07/03/2004:  Gerhard, DL3NBL, will be QRV as TA/DL3NBL/p from Ucadalar Island (AS-099) between March 7th and 14th. He plans to operate on all bands mainly SSB. QSL via home call. [Tnx 425DXN]

08/03/2004:  Jim, G3RTE; Phil, G3SWH and Ray, HS0ZDZ (aka G3NOM), who are all members of FOC and CDXC, in association with Greg, V85GD will be mounting a multi-band, multi-mode DX-pedition to Negara Brunei Darussalam (Brunei) between 8th and 15th March 2004. The main operation will take place from the QTH of Greg, V85GD under the special callsign of V8JIM. A single operator entry will also be made in the RSGB's Commonwealth Contest using the special callsign of V8NOM. Brunei is #82 in the 2003 Most Wanted survey by the 425 DX News. The January 2003 ARRL listing shows Brunei at #129. In addition, Brunei counts as OC-088 for the Islands on the Air (IOTA) award. Activity is planned for all bands from 160 to 10 meters and will include CW, SSB and digital modes. Propagation permitting, they plan to have three stations on the air for as many hours every day as is possible. Their main objective is to work as many European, North American and ROTW stations on as many bands as possible. They have set an expedition target of 12,000 QSOs, with an approximately equal split between CW, SSB and digital modes. The QSL manager for V8JIM will be G3SWH and for V8NOM will be GM4FDM. [Tnx G3SWH]

LOOKING AHEAD -
15/03/2004:  A35DH (QSL via DH3WO) A35DJ (QSL via DJ2HD) and A35DA (QSL via DL5DAN) will be QRV March 15th to 29th from Fafa (OC-049). Activity will be on 80, 40, 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10 meter SSB, PSK31 and RTTY. [Tnx F5NQL]

18/03/2004:  Look for Andy, DL4OK/p, to be QRV March 18th to 25th from Staberhuk Lighthouse (ARLHS reference FED-226) located on Fehmarn Island (IOTA EU-128, DID O-01 for the German Islands Award). Activity will be on 80 through 10 meter CW and SSB. QSL via the DARC bureau to DL4OK. [Tnx DL4OK]

20/03/2004:  Look for Steve, ZB/G0SGB/p, to be QRV March 20th and 21st from the Europa Point Lighthouse (ARLHS GIB-001, WW Loc. IM76hc), Gibraltar. Activity will be on all bands as conditions permit. QSL via home call (QRZ.com). [Tnx G0SGB]

29/03/2004:  Look for ZL/DH3WO, ZL/DL5DAN and ZL/DJ2HD to be QRV March 29th to approximately April 19th from the Northern Island of New Zealand (OC-036). There is the possibility that they will also activate some smaller islands and lighthouses during their stay. QSL via home calls, bureau is ok. [Tnx F5NQL]

23/04/2004:  The team of DL8RL, DL8DZL, DF3UFW and DL2DSL will be QRV April 23rd to 30th from Usedom Island (IOTA EU-129, DID O-13 for the German Islands Award). They also plan to activate Schlossinsel (O-31) and Großer Wotig (O-35), for the German Islands Award. QSL via the DARC bureau is preferred. [Tnx F5NQL]

23/04/2004:  Look for Ric, OX/DL2VFR, and Frank, OX/DL2SWW to be QRV from Maniitsoq Island (NA-220) between April 23rd and May 5th. Activity will be on 160 through 10 meter CW and SSB. Note: Frank, DL2SWW, will be celebrating his 50th birthday during this expedition. QSL via bureau via homecall 100% sure, and if requested, direct (return postage: Europe 1 US-$, outside Europe 2 US-$), no E-QSL. [Tnx DE0MST]

25/04/2004:  Look for DL0IH to be QRV April 25th from Helgoland Duene (IOTA EU-127, DID reference N-15 for the German Islands Award) and lighthouse (ARLHS reference FED-102). Contacts will also be good for the Helgoland Award and the German Nordsea Island Award. QSL via operator's instructions. [Tnx DE0MST]

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. 20 2004   Three long time Awards discontinued

The ARRL Awards Branch has discontinued three longtime awards programs.  Gone are the Rag Chewer's Club, the Old Timer's Club and the Friendship Awards.

According to the ARRL Letter, the society's  Membership Services Manager Wayne Mills, N7NG, says that the number of amateurs applying for awards in general has declined significantly over the years, and interest in these three awards had slowed to a trickle.

Mills says that the awards programs eliminated had outlived their interest level.  He adds that the cessation of the three awards is effective immediately.

(ARRL News Service)

=========

Feb 20, 2004  FCC Chairman Assures Congressman on BPL Studies

FCC Chairman Michael Powell has assured US Representative Greg Walden, WB7OCE, that the FCC will give "thorough consideration" to all Broadband over Power Line (BPL) studies before it takes final action on BPL. Powell responded February 3 to Walden's January 15 letter requesting that the FCC defer any further action in its BPL proceeding until the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) releases the results of its BPL study and the public has had a chance to comment. Walden is a member of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet. The FCC on February 12 took the proceeding to the next level by unanimously approving the issuance of a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) that, among other provisions, would require BPL providers to employ "adaptive interference-mitigation techniques."

Full Story:  www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/02/20/101/?nc=1

(ARRL News Service)

==========

Feb 19, 2004  Eastern VHF/UHF Conference set for April

The 30th annual Eastern VHF/UHF Conference, sponsored by the North East Weak Signal Group, will be held April 16-18 at the Radisson Hotel in Enfield, Connecticut. The conference has been moved from August to April to help alleviate numerous conflicts with other ham radio activities and vacation schedules. Guest speakers, articles for the conference Proceedings, volunteers and prize donations are being solicited. Those registering in advance will receive their banquet dinner compliments of the society in appreciation for their support. Confirmed speakers include ARRL Contest Branch Manger Dan Henderson, N1ND, on the status of ARRL VHF/UHF contesting and awards; Jeff Klein, K1TEO, “16 Years of Contesting From Connecticut;” Gerald Youngblood, AC5OG, “Software Defined Radios SDR-1000 Beta” and Fred Stefanik, N1DPM, “Yagis: Bigger isn’t Always Better.” There will be VUCC, WAS and DXCC card checking (by appointment). More information is on the Eastern VHF/UHF Conference Web page.  www.newsvhf.com/vhfconf.html

(ARRL News Service)

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