IARU Region 3 Chairman Peter Naish, VK2BPN, SK  (Jan 11, 2005)

International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 3 Chairman Peter Naish, VK2BPN, of New South Wales, Australia, died January 9 after suffering an apparent heart attack a few days earlier. His family was at his side when he passed away St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney. Naish had been unanimously elected last February in Taiwan to succeed Fred Johnson, ZL2AMJ, as chairman of the IARU Region 3 Board. Naish previously served as federal president of the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) and was WIA's national secretary at the time of his death. IARU President Larry Price, W4RA, expressed condolences to IARU Region 3. 

"In the brief time that he was with the other members of the IARU Administrative Council, he exhibited a remarkable understanding of complex issues and a ready willingness to accept new challenges," Price said in a message to IARU Region 3 Secretary Keigo Komuro, JA1KAB. "He will be sorely missed." 

ARRL CEO and IARU Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ, concurred. "He served both the Wireless Institute of Australia and the International Amateur Radio Union with skill and dedication," Sumner said. "Both his talents and his engaging personality will be sorely missed in both organizations." 

A native of the UK and originally licensed as G3EIX, Naish continued as an active radio amateur after relocating to Australia. Survivors include his wife, Monica. 

A service is scheduled for Friday, January 14, 11 AM, at St Kevin's Catholic Church, 36 Hillview Road, Eastwood. A wake will follow at the Naish home. The WIA says organizations and individuals wishing to send flowers should arrange delivery either to the church before the service or to Monica Naish, 25 Arkena Ave, Epping, NSW, 2121 AUSTRALIA. 

The WIA has invited tributes and thoughts via e-mail. tributes@wia.org.au

(ARRL News Service)

News from the Echolink Tsunami Relief Net indicates that a limited amount of health and welfare traffic is now flowing via amateur routes, although there is still a lack of information from some locations. News of the amateur operation in the Andaman Islands demonstrates the value of amateurs providing emergency communications. Electricity and landlines are yet to be restored in Little Andaman, where there is heavy damage. Amateur radio volunteers have been providing a helping hand to the Andaman and Nicobar administration and assisting governmental and non-governmental agencies by coordinating the rescue and relief operations locally, and passing third-party welfare messages.

From the original small DXpedition team of five Indian amateurs on the Andaman Islands at the time of the earthquake, there are now between 25 and 30 amateurs there.

They have been operating from various parts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, including a relief camp housing 2500 tsunami victims. Amateurs involved on the islands include VU2JOS, VU2LIC and a team of eight volunteers from Gujarat headed by VU2CPV, who is also a police official. Many of the amateurs are using VHF hand portables for local coordination. Whenever they have messages for the mainland, these are relayed through their HF base stations located in different parts of the Andamans, generally on 7095kHz. There is also emergency traffic on 14190 and 21245kHz.

Please keep these - and any other frequencies heard to be carrying emergency or health and welfare traffic - clear. Thanks to RSGB Radio Communications Voluntary Services coordinator Paul Gaskell, G4MWO, for this report, which was compiled with information supplied by VU2MUE and G4HPE.

According to The Daily DX, compiled by Bernie McClenny, W3UR, all Indian amateurs were authorised to operate from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from 29 December in order to "assist the Civil Authorities in handling the messages pertaining to the disaster". Prior to December, there had been a 17-year ban on amateur radio operations from the Andamans and Nicobars.

A detailed report on the involvement of radio amateurs in the tsunami disaster relief operation can be found on the RSGB website at www.rsgb.org

For a more detailed report on the involvement of radio amateurs in the tsunami disaster relief operation please click here.

(RSGB)

British Amateurs Fly to Sri Lanka to Help Relief Operation  (Jan. 14 2005)

Two British radio amateurs were scheduled to fly out to Sri Lanka on 10 January in a bid to help in the aftermath of the tsunami earthquake disaster. Malcolm Harwood, M0XAT, and John Baker, G0MTQ, were flying out from Manchester Airport. Travelling at their own expense, the pair will be carrying amateur radio equipment to assist with the tsunami relief effort in Sri Lanka. They will also be carrying urgently-needed medical supplies.

John and Malcolm will initially be based in Colombo and will be assisting Victor, 4S7VK, the President of the Radio Society of Sri Lanka, and the rest of the RSSL team. "Victor and the crew out there deserve some recognition for the work they are doing. I know that some of the team have been working 24/7", said Malcolm, who has been in constant contact with Victor since the disaster struck. "We will be out there for one week only, but we hope to put that time to good use".

Members of Malcolm's local radio club, the Workington Amateur Radio and IT Club in Cumbria, have supported the effort in a big way. Club members and well-wishers from the Isle of Man and Ireland have donated VHF and HF transceivers and other equipment.

A longer version of this news story can be found on the Southgate Amateur Radio Club’s website. 

(RSGB)

Ham enthusiasts establish Nepal’s presence on the airwaves (Jan. 13 2005)
AARTI BASNYAT

Like all hobbyists, radio amateurs are completely consumed by their pursuit. So much so that their friends and relatives wonder whether they are sane.

They are cooped up in their attics, calling people halfway around the world just so they can log the call and add a notch to their list. They are called ham radio amateurs and use frequencies in the short wave range of the radio spectrum which allows transmissions to bounce off the ionosphere to reach the other side of the planet. 

The history of ham radio in Nepal is long and illustrious, and that is mainly due to the contribution of one man: Fr Marshal Moran the American Jesuit priest who started St Xaviers School in Godavari in 1951. At a time before Internet, before international phone calls, even before teletype, Fr Moran could reach any part of the world at the push of a microphone button.

Ham rules don’t allow operators to use their equipment for commercial purposes but hobbyists have been a big help during times of crisis or momentous events. Fr Moran became the point man for early mountaineering expeditions, including the first ascent of Mt Everest in 1953.

Famous ham operators have included King Hussain of Jordan and King Juan Carlos of Spain. Ham operators in Japan have provided invaluable services during major earthquakes, in New York during 9/11 and during last week’s tsunami hobbyists were the link to the disaster-affected areas at a time when all other communications failed. (See box).

After Fr Moran died in 1992, the torch was passed to a new generation of Nepali ham enthusiasts. Satish Kharel is one of five licensed Nepali Ham radio operators. Kharel is a lawyer but was always interested in electronics and even before he knew about ham radio he was tinkering with his shortwave set trying to tune into distant broadcasts.

Kharel had to sit for an exam held by the Ministry of Communicaitons to get his radio amateur license in 1993 and since then he has been flying the Nepali flag, as it were, on the radio waves. He built his first short wave radio through which he transmitted using Morse code, and it cost him around Rs 800. Today, Kharel has equipment worth approximately Rs 20 lakh though he is unable to install and use them all. 

“Ham radio as a hobby is not very expensive,” explains Kharel, “and you can make it as sophisticated as you want. But the most expensive transceiver doesn’t compare to the pleasure of making your own radio.”

His legal work allows Kharel to use his radio only on weekends and during holidays when he is able to contact a lot of people. During Dasain alone, he logged 7,000 contacts all over the world in 10 days. He says, “You have to be able to devote three to four hours once you get connected. There are so few Nepali users that everyone wants to talk to you.” Kharel has totalled 50,000 radio contacts since 1993.

Kharel’s radio has also been of use to various people needing help during the Kobe and Gujarat earthquakes. His dream is to start a club station where licensed users can come and use the equipment. He feels that people have been unable to use ham radio due to lack of equipment and the fact that the Ministry hasn’t held the license exam since 1998.

"Himalayan hams"

When Rudolf Schwenger started off as a ham hobbyist in Germany, he had always wanted one day to locate a radio transmitter in Nepal. He had visited Kathmandu in the early 1970s and fell in love with the place. 

Together with a fellow ham enthusiast who had an electronic joint venture project in Nepal, he worked towards that goal. When his friend died a few years ago, Schwenger decided to make the dream of making radio contact from Nepal true in his memory. It took a year of planning, and with help from local contacts and Nepali ham operators Schwenger finally set up his mast on top of the tallest building in Patan, the Nepal Bayern plant. 

In one month, Schwenger and an Italian colleague were transmitting and receiving radio communications from all over the world—sometimes logging up to 100 calls per hour. Although the best reception is in 15 mHz, they tried to get a maximum number of calls in lower frequencies like the 1.8 mHz range also. 

“It’s a fascination to talk to people all over the world from Nepal,” says Schwenger, who used to work as an electronic engineer for Siemens. The duo were inundated with calls from fellow hobbyists all over the world from who wanted to get confirmations of their calls to Nepal.

Schwegner is delighted to be in here where he says the people are generous and friendly despite all their problems. “In the west, we have all the comforts of modern living, yet we complain all the time. In Nepal there is lots to complain about but the people are still happy, it’s refreshing,” he says.

Schwenger does have a few complaints, the “noise” from vehicular traffic and unprotected electric implements which makes it difficult to pick up feeble signals from around the world. Also, Nepal has high fees for ham operators, a temporary license that costs only $20 in Singapore is $1,000 here. Still, the three weeks Schwegner spent in Nepal have been well worth the trouble.

“Andamans calling”

Ham radio operator Bharti Prasad has become the focus of communications with the Indian Ocean island after the earthquake and tsunami of 26 December where some 8,000 people were killed. The New-Delhi based housewife is using her radio to coordinate relief and provide information on survivors to relatives around the world. Prasad, 46, arrived in the Andamans on 15 December, little knowing that she would be at the centre of things within 10 days. Prasad has already handled 30,000 inquires. “When the tidal waves struck, we turned the transmitter towards the mainland and since then we have been flooded with messages which we relay on local telephone lines,” says Prasad who goes by the call sign VU2RBI. 

(Nepalnews .com)

175th Anniversary of Independence of Belgium  (Jan. 14 2005)

2005 is the 175th anniversary of the independence of Belgium, and all Belgian amateurs may use the prefix ‘OO’ instead of their usual ‘ON’ for the whole of the year. There is a ‘175 Years Belgium Award’ available for working OO stations during the year. Full details may be obtained from the UBA Awards Manager ON4CAS by e-mail: egbert.hertsen@panorama.be

(RSGB)

Polish Society Celebrates Anniversaries (Jan. 14 2005)

This year is also the 75th anniversary of the Polish national amateur radio society PZK and the 80th anniversary of the IARU. A Polish Jubilee Award is available for working Polish stations, with bonus points for special event prefixes including SP75, SQ75 and HF75. Full details may be obtained from the PZK Award Manager, SP6BOW, whose address can be found at www.qrz.com/sp6bow

(RSGB)

20 Metre band invaded by Pirate Operators in VK Land

A popular international ham band has been invaded by a pack of  unlicensed stations.  This with a report that tht a group of Australian pirate radio operators appear to have set up a voice net on low end of  20 meters.

According to the W-I-A News, the operators all appear to be short haul truck  drivers who are using 14.000 MHz U-S-B as a chat channel.  The stations appear to be located in the coastal coast areas the Australian states of Queensland or northern New South Whales and operate intermittantly throughout the day.

20 meter operators are being asked to monitor 14.000 Mhz.  If you hear the pirates please report any  information that might assist in identifying them to  Wireless Institute of Australia Director Glenn  Dunstan, VK4DU.  You reach him by e-mail to vk4du@hf.ro  (WIA News)

(ARNewsLine)

First ever Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Conference to be held in Finland

The first ever Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communication Conference will be held in Finland on 13 and 14 June 2005.  Branded as Garec-2005, details of the conference were announced by the newly appointed IARU International Co-ordinator for Emergency Communications Hans Zimmermann HB9AQS.

The conference will explore all aspects of amateur radio's role in emergency communication and prepare and adopt a statement to the 2005 World Summit of the Information Society (WSIS).

The event will take place in Tampere, a town with a long tradition in emergency communication and throughout the world through the Tampere Convention, the first international treaty on the provision of telecommunication in support of disas-ter relief.

(SARL)

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

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

(GB2RS)

For the second reporting week for 2005 (January 6-12) both solar flux and sunspot numbers were down, as expressed in the weekly averages of the daily numbers. Average daily sunspot numbers declined over 9 points to 31.6, and average daily solar flux was down over 5 points to 89.9. These are not big point spreads, but at this low level of solar activity there isn't much room for decline. Eventually over the next two years we will see increasing periods of consecutive days with a sunspot count of 0 and solar flux down below 70.

Solar activity has been rising over the past week. Right after this bulletin was put to bed a week ago, the interplanetary magnetic field near earth dropped sharply to the south, which made earth vulnerable to geomagnetic storms. The geomagnetic indices (A and K index) rose sharply from very quiet to very stormy on January 7 and 8. A few days later earth was inside a high-speed solar wind, and conditions were stormy again on January 12. Fast growing sunspot 720
emerged, and this should increase the sunspot number and solar flux over the next few days. See, http://spaceweather.com/images2005/14jan05/midi512_blank.gif for a January 14 view of this fast growing spot.

Solar flux is predicted at 120 for January 14-15, and around 125 for January 16-20. This is a sharp increase over the average daily value of 89.9 for the past week and 95.4 for the previous week. Solar flux values around 120-125 suggest daily sunspot numbers rising toward (but not reaching) 100. Unsettled to active geomagnetic conditions are predicted for January 14, and quiet conditions for the following week.

Last week's Propagation Forecast Bulletin ARLP001 didn't say anything about disturbed conditions on the first days of 2005. There was a powerful solar flare around 40 minutes into the UTC New Year on January 1 (0040z, or 4:40 PM December 31 here on the West Coast). The high latitude and planetary A and K indices rose dramatically over the following two days. This produced disturbed HF conditions. On January 2, the high latitude college A index (in Alaska) rose to 64, and it was 44 and 41 over the next two days. The planetary A index was up to 33 on January 2, indicating a
geomagnetic storm.

If you would like to comment or have a tip, email the author at, k7ra@arrl.net.

For more information concerning propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the ARRL Technical Information Service propagation page at, http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html

Sunspot numbers for January 6 through 12 were 14, 22, 34, 28, 40, 25 and 58 with a mean of 31.6. 10.7 cm flux was 83.2, 83.5, 88.5, 87.5, 90.1, 94.2 and 102.1, with a mean of 89.9. Estimated planetary A indices were 4, 37, 30, 4, 6, 14 and 30 with a mean of 17.9. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 4, 21, 20, 3, 4, 9 and 18, with a mean of 11.3.

(ARRL News Service)

Jan. 15  2005  Solar and propagation report, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS,and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

For most of the past week solar flare activity was low or very low.  However, all that changed on the 14th, when there were no fewer than 27 C-class flares and 4 M-class flares. That was the largest number of C-class flares on a single day during the present solar cycle. Then, at 0043UTC on the 15th, a major X1.2 flare arrived, followed at 0433 by another major flare of M8.4 magnitude and, at 0639, by one of M8.6. These developments were associated with a sunspot that 
has grown exceptionally rapidly over the last few days. The solar flux soared from 84 on the 7th to 130 on the 14th, giving a weekly average of 100. The 90-day average moved up a point to 106. The x-ray flux also increased, from A7 to B7.3, averaging B1. The magnetic field saw considerable variation.  The arrival of a coronal mass ejection on the 7th and 8th increased Ap indices to 37 and 30. The 9th and 10th were quiet, but each day since then has been in some degree disturbed, notably the 12th, with an Ap index of 30.  Solar wind speeds have also been relatively high, increasing from 370km/sec on the 10th to 839km/sec on the 13th, due to a high-speed coronal stream.

The heightened flare activity brought several fadeouts during daylight hours, particularly on the lower bands. Those on the 15th also brought noise bursts.The higher HF bands were all open at times every day but openings were mostly fairly brief and unstable. However, 14, 18 and 21MHz provided reasonably reliable long-distance propagation, though limited daylight in the northern hemisphere continues to restrict their availability.  The geomagnetic activity mentioned earlier led to VHF aurora on 50 and 144MHz on several days but events were mostly short and confined to high latitudes.

Finally, the prospects for the coming week.  And, at the time this report was finalised on Saturday evening, the immediate outlook was unusually uncertain. The major sunspot already referred to has a potential to produce more major flares, up to X-class, during the next few days and low-band fadeouts could well be associated with these if they occur during daylight. Further radio noise bursts are also possible.  It looks as if one or more of Saturday's big flares were associated with earth-directed coronal mass ejections.There is accordingly a strong possibility of increased geomagnetic activity up to major storm level, probably on the 17th, bringing disturbed HF propagation. VHF operators should be alert for possible aurora.  Any additional flares may cause further disturbances later in the week.  The solar flux may increase over the next day or so, but the rise of the last few days is so very closely connected with that large sunspot, once it rotates away levels will head back towards the 100 mark again. At all events, the crucial determinant for propagation in the days ahead 
will be geomagnetic activity.  So the prospects are not particularly promising - unless you enjoy chasing auroral contacts!

Your reporting team, as usual, were Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF. 

(G3USF)

During his International Space Station Expedition 9 duty tour, astronaut Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, became the first ISS crew member to contact all seven of the world's continents via Amateur Radio. Now he has the International Amateur Radio Union's Worked All Continents (WAC) certificate for his wall. Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Ham Radio Technical Coordinator Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO presented the award to Fincke recently at Johnson Space Center.

Operating NA1SS Fincke worked KC4AAC at Antarctica's Palmer Research Station for his last contact--actually a "bonus continent" not required to earn WAC. During that QSO, Fincke and ARRL Life Member Chuck Kimball, N0NHJ, compared and contrasted life in their respective outposts. After returning to Earth in October, Fincke said he's not sure everyone in the NASA community understands and appreciates what Amateur Radio means for the rest of the world. "It promotes the space program very well," he said. "It is in NASA's interest to continue Amateur Radio operations onboard ISS." Fincke said he'd also like to do make the first Amateur Radio contact from the moon. His WAC is not the first such award from a ham station in space. In 1992, shuttle astronauts David Leestma, N5WQC, and Kathryn Sullivan also worked Palmer Station to complete their WAC list.

(ARRL News Service)

ISS Crew Off Diet, Astronaut Tells Japanese Youngsters (Jan. 13 2004)
 

International Space Station Expedition 10 Commander Leroy Chiao, KE5BRW, says he and his crewmate, Flight Engineer Salizhan Sharipov, are off their NASA-imposed diet. Chiao spoke via Amateur Radio January 7 with youngsters at Mori Elementary School in Hyogo, Japan. The contact between 8N3M in Japan and NA1SS aboard the space station was arranged via the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program.

"We received a Progress resupply ship on Christmas day, so now we have plenty of food and water, so we're no longer on our diet," Chiao reported in response to a "bonus" question, "Are you hungry now?" from 8N3M control operator Kazuyoshi "Kaz" Tanaka, JG3QZN. In early December, NASA had asked the Expedition 10 crew to trim 300 calories or so from their typical 3000 calorie daily intake to keep food supplies from running dangerously low before the Russian Progress supply rocket arrived Christmas Day. 

The unmanned spacecraft brought 2.5 tons of food, fuel, clothing, supplies and Christmas gifts to the complex. Chiao and Sharipov are now roughly halfway through their six-month mission. Replying to the "food question" that students typically ask, Chiao said the crew has a varied menu aboard the ISS, including, he noted, "some Japanese curry that I brought with me--curried rice--and also some tofu dishes." 

Chiao fielded a total of 20 questions from the school during the approximately 10-minute direct VHF contact. He told the youngsters that he and Sharipov underwent lengthy and extensive training for their current space mission. 

"In fact, my crewmate and I trained for the better part of three and a half years," Chiao said, "We were studying systems in both Russia and in the United States and we also practiced working in spacesuits and we also had to do physical exercise to stay in good shape." He urged a student who asked about becoming as astronaut to study lots of math and science. 

Chiao noted the crew will undertake a space walk later this month. On the task list is moving some Japanese experiments from one side of the ISS to the other, he said. 

Responding to another question about the convenience of living aboard the ISS, Chiao said the lack of gravity presents a mixed blessing. "Many things are inconvenient about living in space," Chiao said, "because in zero gravity it's very easy to lose things. They just float away." The upside, he noted, is that "floating makes it very easy for you to move around, so some things are convenient also." 

A dozen Mori pupils prepared 19 questions for the contact, and Chiao answered them all, plus the query from Tanaka just as the pass was coming to an end. Looking on were about 100 visitors. The event attracted news media coverage from five newspapers and a local TV cable channel. Founded in 1872, Mori Elementary School is located near the city of Kakogawa and has an enrollment of 363 pupils. 

ARISS is an international educational outreach with US participation by ARRL, AMSAT and NASA.--thanks to Satoshi Yasuda, 7M3TJZ/AD6GZ, who provided information for this story 

(ARRL News Service)

China announces plans for 2nd Manned Spaceflight

We doubt it will carry a ham radio station but China plans to launch its second manned space flight in September of 2005.  This, according to news reports that describe it as a five-day mission with two astronauts aboard.

And China's state radio confirms that Fighter pilot Yang Liwei, who became that nations first man in space  is among a pool of 14 astronauts in training for the new mission, to be called Shenzhou VI.  Liwei made history in October 2003 when he circled the earth 14 times aboard the Chinese built Shenzhou V spacecraft. 

(Space News)

AMSAT announces new "51 on 51 Award" (Jan 7, 2005)
 

AMSAT has announced its new 51 on 51 Award, given to a station making contact with 51 different stations on AMSAT's Echo satellite (AO-51) during 2005. "The award is designed to promote friendship, and encourage contact with handheld and first-time satellite users," says AMSAT Contests and Awards Director Bruce Paige, KK5DO.

Contacts may be in any mode (Voice/Packet/PSK31) and on any band configuration (V/U, V/S, L/S, L/U, H/U). To receive the award, submit log entries electronically or in hard copy form. Entries must indicate date and time (UTC) of the contact, call sign and grid square of the contacted station and mode used. Only QSOs made in 2005 are eligible. The deadline to submit 51 on 51 logs is April 30, 2006. QSL cards are not required. The donation for this award is $5 for AMSAT-NA members and $10 for nonmembers. Since production costs for this award have been underwritten by an anonymous donor to honor Robin Haighton, VE3FRH--who served as AMSAT president during the construction and launch of AO-51--all fee receipts will be applied to the AMSAT Eagle launch fund. 

(ARRL News Service)

National Engineers Week in Febuary (Jan. 14 2005)

National Engineers Week takes place from February 20th to the 26th. The week is dedicated to raising public awareness of engineers' positive contributions to quality of life.  Through National Engineers Week organizers hope to promote recognition among parents, teachers and students of the importance of a technical education.  Also to  motivates young people to pursue engineering careers in order to provide a diverse and vigorous engineering workforce.  To learn more about National Engineers Week take your web browser to www.eweek.org  (Press release)

(ARNewsLine)

3D Flat Screen Display....coming soon 

A three-dimensional flat-screen display could be coming to a computer near you.  That is, if you are willing to pay the price. 

Sharp Systems of America has introduced a new flat-screen computer display that delivers three-D images.   The 15-inch L-C-D display doesn't require the user to put on special glasses.  Instead, a special layer in the display allows users to switch between two-D and three-D modes. This helps create three-D illusions regardless of whether images were created in three-D. 

Analysts say it's the first three-D screen for consumers. Previously, the technology was produced for the medical and scientific industries.  Oh yes, the price. It will go for almost 15-hundred dollars or about a hundred dollars an inch.  (Sharp)

(ARNewsLine)

North American QSO Party--Phone, 1800Z Jan 15--0600Z Jan 16 (see Jan 10-12). Logs due Jan 30 to ssbnaqp@ncjweb.com or Bruce Horn WA7BNM, 4225 Farmdale Ave., Studio City, CA 91604. 

MI QRP Club January CW Sprint--1200Z Jan 15-2400Z Jan 16. Frequencies: 160-6 meters. Categories: SOAB with classes A (<250 mW), B (<1 W), C (<5 W), D (>5 W). Exchange: RST, S/P/C, and MI-QRP number or power output. QSO points: MI-QRP members--5 pts, non-member W/VE--2 pts, DX--4 pts. Score: QSO points × S/P/C counted once per band. If homebrew RX or TX, multiply by 1.25. If both RX and TX are homebrew, multiply by 1.5. For information: www.qsl.net/miqrpclub. Logs to n8cqa@arrl.net or L. T. Switzer, N8CQA, 427 Jeffrey Ave, Royal Oak, MI 48073-2521. 

LZ Open Championship--CW, sponsored by the LZ1KPP Radio Club from 1200Z-2000Z Jan 15. Frequencies: 3.5 and 7 MHz. Categories: MS, SO, and SO-QRP. Exchange: 6 digits, serial number and serial number received in previous QSO, e.g., the first QSO exchange is 001 000. A station can be worked once every 30 minutes. QSO points: same entity--1 pt, different entity--2 pts. Score: total QSO points. For more information: www.qsl.net/lz1fw/lzopen/index.html. Logs due 30 days after the contest to lz1fw@yahoo.com or LZ1KPP--Radioclub, PO Box 830, Sofia 1000, Bulgaria. 

Hunting Lions in the Air--CW/Phone, sponsored by the South African District 410B of the Int'l Association of Lions Clubs from 0000Z Jan 15-2400Z Jan 16. Frequencies: 80-10 meters, work stations once per band regardless of mode. Categories: SOAB, MS. Exchange: RST and serial number, Lion club members also sign /L or Lion and send name, district and club name. The Midrand Lions station ZS6LCM/L will act as the Melvin Jones Memorial club this year. QSO points: non-Lion station--1 pt, with Lions--5 pts, 25 points with ZS6LCM/L. Score: QSO points × number of Lions clubs worked (count only once). For more information: www.sarl.org.za/public/contests/lionita.asp. Logs due Feb 28 to rad.handfield-jones@pixie.co.za or to Lion Rad Handfield-Jones, ZS6RAD, Lions Club of Midrand, PO Box 1548, Halfway House, 1685, South Africa. 

HA DX Contest--CW, sponsored by the Hungarian DX Club from 1200Z Jan 15-1200Z Jan 16. Frequencies: 160-10 meter bands. Categories: SOAB, SOSB, MS, MM and SWL. Exchange: RST and serial number, HA stations send county or HADXC member number. QSO points: Own DXCC entity--1 pt, same continent--1 pt, different cont--3 pts, HA stations--6 pts. Score: QSO points × HA counties and members on each band. For more information: www.mrasz.hu/engver/mraszen.html. Logs due 30 days after the contest to contest@enternet.hu or MTTOSZ, Gyôr Városi Rádióclub, 9200 Gyôr, PO Box 79, Hungary. 

070 PSKFest--sponsored by the Penn/OH DX Society (PODXS) from 0000Z-2400Z Jan 15. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOSB-QRP, SOAB-QRP,-MP (<50 W), -HP. Exchange: RST and S/P/C. QSO points: 1 pt/QSO. Score: QSO points × S/P/C counted only once. For more information: www.podxs.com/html/pskfest.html. Logs due Feb 16 to PSKFest@podxs.com or SPDomingue@aol.com or Steve Dominguez, N6YIH, 11700 Fairlawn Ct, Boise, ID 83709. 

80-Meter Straight Key Sprint--sponsored by the North American QRP Club, from 0130Z - 0330Z Jan. 21 (Thursday evening, Jan 20). Frequencies (MHz): 3.560, 7.110. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, and NAQC member number. QSO Points: member--2 pts, non-member--1 pt. Score: QSO Points x S/P/C (see Web site for multiplier value) x 2 if 100% straight key. For more information: www.arm-tek.net/~yoel/sprint_0105.html. Logs due 27 Jan to yoel@arm-tek.net or Tom Mitchell, KB3LFC, RD6 Box 122A, Kittanning, PA 16201. 

Wall Township, NJ: Ocean Monmouth ARC, N2MO. 1400Z Jan 15-0000Z Jan 16. From the historic Diana Site to commemorate "Project Diana," the first ever successful moon bounce experiment. Gen and Nov/Tech subbands 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 m. QSL. OMARC Inc, PO Box 267, Oakhurst, NJ 07755. www.omarc.org. 

Green Bay, WI: Bay Area Relay League, W4P. 1200Z Jan 21-2400Z Jan 23. Packers Ice Bowl Remembered. 14.260 14.070 7.280. Certificate. George Russell, WN8VIX, 2530 Sun Terr, Green Bay, WI 54311. 

Davidsonville, MD: Anne Arundel Radio Club Jr, K1D. 1400Z Jan 22-0200Z Jan 23. Celebrating 4th anniversary of a club dedicated to kids. 28.335 21.365 14.265 7.237. Certificate. Anne Arundel Radio Club Jr, 7901 Pepperbox Ln, Pasadena, MD 21122-6328. http://ki3ds.org/specialevent.html. 

San Diego, CA: Challenger Middle School ARC, KI6YG. 0000Z-2300Z Jan 28. Challenger Middle School commemorates the 19th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy. 28.475 21.375 14.275. QSL. Frank Forrester, Challenger Middle School, 10810 Parkdale Ave, San Diego, CA 92126. 

Quincy, IL: Western Illinois ARC, K9E. 0000Z Jan 28-2359Z Feb 2. Eagles on the Mississippi at Lock and Dam 21, Quincy, Illinois. 14.250 14.085 14.070 7.250. Certificate. Robert G. Mitchell, 816 Long Dr, Quincy, IL 62305. 

Buckhannon, WV: Barbour County Area Amateur Radio Club, WV8BC. 1300Z-2100Z Jan 29. Klondike Derby with the Allohok Council of Boy Scouts. 7.235 3.865. QSL. Steve Milligan, 11 Park St, Buckhannon, WV 26201. http://wv8bc.tripod.com. 

Punxsutawney, PA: Punxsutawney Area Amateur Radio Club, K3HWJ. 1400Z-2100Z Jan 29. Commemorating Groundhog Day 2005. 14.240 7.240 7.125 146.715. Certificate. Sherman Hollopeter, W3QOS, Box 20, 216 E Main St, Big Run, PA 15715. 

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

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

(ARRL News Service)

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by KZ3AB, PS7AB, the OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST.  Thanks to all.

GHANA, 9G.  Tom, 9G5OO has been QRV using RTTY on 15 meters from around 1030 to 1300z and then again after 1400z.  QSL via DL4WK.

MALTA, 9H.  Chris, G0WKJ is QRV as 9H3CT until February 25.  QSL to home call.

BRAZIL, PY.  Ark, PY2ZX and Luiz, PY2OC will be QRV from Comprida Island, IOTA SA-024, from January 20 to 26.  Activity will be on 6 and 2 meters, and 70 centimeters, using CW, SSB and FM.  The purpose of this trip is to work as many stations as possible using Transequatorial Propagation.  QSL to home calls.

DJIBOUTI, J2.  Yves, F5PRU is QRV as J20FH for the next four months. He is active on 80 to 10 meters using CW and SSB during his spare time.  QSL to home call.

JAPAN, JA.  Toshi, JM1PXG will be QRV as JM1PXG/1 from Hachijo Island and the South Izu Islands, IOTA AS-043, from January 15 to 17.  Activity will be on 80 to 10 meters using CW.  QSL to home call.

SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS.  Jarda, OL0ANT is working at the Czech base ECO Nelson on Nelson Island, IOTA AN-010.  He is active using mostly CW on 40 meters around 0300 to 0700z.  QSL via OK1FOW.

ARUBA, P4.  Roy, W3TEF and Bob, W3BTX are QRV as W3TEF/P4 and P49T, respectively, until January 20.  Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using CW and SSB.  QSL to home calls.

SURINAME, PZ.  Ramon, PZ5RA has been QRV on 160 meters around 0230z. QSL via operator's instructions.

ICELAND, TF.  Thor, TF4M has been QRV on 160 meters between 1000 and 1100z.  Afterwards, he's been active on 80 meters using CW.  QSL via operator's instructions.

GUATEMALA, TG.  Bill, NI4Y/TG and Tricia, AB4XQ/TG will be QRV from Guatemala City from January 18 to 24.  They will use mostly CW near the bottom of the 40, 30, 20 and 17 meter bands.  QSL both calls via NI4Y.

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS, VP5.  Al, KZ3AB will be QRV as VP5/KZ3AB from Providenciales from January 17 to 22.  Activity will be on 20, 15 and 10 meters using SSB.  QSL via WA3EOP.

SOUTH GEORGIA ISLAND, VP8.  Lars, DL9LB expects to be QRV as VP8DIF while working from Husvik, IOTA AN-007, from January 18 to February 18.  Activity will be on the HF bands, excluding the newer bands, near the usual IOTA frequencies.  His operating time is limited due to his work schedule.  QSL via DB3LSP.

INDIA, VU.  Kumar, VU2BGS has been QRV on 160 meters using CW around 0100z.  He has also been active on 80 meters using CW.  QSL via operator's instructions.

VIETNAM, XV.  Masa, JA7GAX plans to be QRV as XV2G from Con Son Island, IOTA AS-130, from January 16 to 23.  He will be active on 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters using CW.  QSL to home call.

ZIMBABWE, Z2.  George, Z24S has been QRV on 80 meters using CW around 0330z.  QSL direct.

SOUTH AFRICA, ZS.  In celebration of its 75 years, The Pretoria Amateur Radio Club is QRV as ZS75PTA until the end of the year.  QSL via bureau.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The North American Phone QSO Party, MI QRP Club January CW Sprint, LZ Open CW Championship, Hunting Lions in the Air, HA DX CW Contest and the 070 PSKFest are all scheduled
for this weekend.  Please see January QST, page 102 and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details.

(ARRL)

Jan. 18 -31  2005    I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O.

18/01/2005:  OC-099  P29ZAD  TABAR ISLAND -
Jerry, P29ZAD, will be active January 18-27th from Tabar (IOTA OC-099). He is on the island for work and will call CQ on 14.260 MHz when he has free time (around 21:00 and 08:00 UTC). QSL direct only to Jerry Walker, PO Box 264, Ukarumpa, EHP 444, Papua New Guinea and include SAE + 2 greenstamps. Look up in QRZ.com for more QSL information. [Tnx P29ZAD]

18/01/2005:  AN-007  VP8DIF  SOUTH GEORGIA -
Lars, DL9LB, will be active January 18th to February 18th as VP8DIF from South Georgia (IOTA AN-007). He will be working from Husvik, mostly SSB (no WARC bands). QSL via DB3LSP (QRZ.com). [Tnx DL9LB]

21/01/2005:  AN-004  3YØX  PETER I ISLAND -
The 3Y0X team members are scheduled to depart Punta Arenas January 14th. The activity from Peter I Island is expected to take place between January 21st and February 4th, depending on weather. Nine stations will be active on the following suggested frequencies: CW: 1822.5, 3523, 7023, 10103, 14023, 18073, 21023, 24893 and 28023 kHz; SSB: 1842.5, 3750, 7073, 14190, 18165, 21295, 24987 and 28475 kHz; Digital: 10148, 14088, 18105, 21100, 24949 and 28092 kHz. These frequencies have been chosen to allow the team to occasionally activate as many as three stations on one band at the same time, in order to take full advantage of openings. There will be four pilot stations, namely Don Greenbaum/N1DG (don@goldtel.net, for North & South America), Klaus Wagner/DL1XX (dl1xx@gmx.net, for Europe, Africa & Middle East), Toshi Kusano/JA1ELY (ja1ely@bb.mbn.or.jp, for the Pacific Rim & Asia), Lee Jennings/ZL2AL (leejen@paradise.net.nz, for Australia & New Zealand). QSL via K4YL (Mike Grose, P.O. Box 183, Flat Rock, NC 28731-0183, USA). For further information on the DXpedition, and how to contribute to its success, please visit www.peterone.com (where on line logs, daily updates and pictures from the team on the island will be available in due course). [Tnx 425DXN]

21/01/2005:  NA-106  KP2/H.C's  ISLAND OF ST. CROIX -
John (G4RCG) and Bruce (KI7VR) will operate as KP2/G4RCG and KP2/KI7VR from St. Croix, Virgin Islands (NA-106) between January 21st and February 6th. John will participate in the CQ 160m CW Contest (January 29-30th) as KP2ZZ. QSL for both calls is via G4OOC, direct or bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

25/01/2005:  HF8IARU  POLAND -
Wojtek, SP8MI, will operate as HF8IARU between January 25th and March 6th to celebrate the 80th anniversary of IARU and the 75th anniversary of PZK, the national IARU Society for Poland. QSL direct to home call (Wojtek Wlodzimierz Gelo, P.O. Box 27, PL 38-700 Ustrzyki Dln., Poland). [Tnx 425DXN]

25/01/2005:  NA-107  TOØO  MARTINIQUE -
Thomas, KC0W, will be active from Martinique (IOTA NA-107, DIFO FM-001) as TO0O from January 27th to February 13th. Look for him to be active in the CQ WW 160m CW Contest (January 29-30th) as a Single-Op/High-Power entry. QSL direct to KC0W (w/SASE or 1 USD). [Tnx OPDX]

26/01/2005:  NA-023  VP2V/W3HQ  VIRGIN GORDA, BVI -
Curt, W3HQ will operate from Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands (NA-023) for the CQ WW 160 Meter CW Contest. Start looking for him on that band from January 26th to February 5th. He will accept skeds (w3hq@arrl.net) up to 22 January. [Tnx 425DXN]

27/01/2005:  OC-060  3D2  ROTUMA -
Charlie, HA8IB and Eli, HA9RE will be active (callsigns TBA) January 27th to February 22nd from Rotuma (OC-060). They plan to operate on 160-10 meter CW, SSB and RTTY with two stations, and to participate in the CQ WW 160 Meter CW and ARRL DX CW contests. [Tnx 425DXN]

29/01/2005:  EU-116  KP2/K8NI  ST. CROIX ,USVI -
Norm, K8NI, will again be active from St. Croix (IOTA NA-106) beginning January 29th for about two weeks. Activity will be on SSB, CW and PSK31 (band operation was not provided). Since this is mainly a vacation operation, look for him during the early mornings and evenings. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx OPDX]

29/01/2005:  EU-116  MD4K  ISLE OF MAN -
Operators David (G3NKC), Martin (G4XUM) and Tim (M0BEW) will be active from the Isle of Man (IOTA EU-116) as MD4K during the CQ WW 160m CW Contest (January 29-30th) as a Multi-Op entry. QSL via G3NKC. [Tnx OPDX]

31/01/2005:  ZK1  NORTH & SOUTH COOK ISLANDS -
Look for ZK1SDE, ZK1SDZ, ZK1WET and ZK1XMY to be active from the Cook Islands as follows: January 31st to February 17th from Aitutaki (OC-083), South Cook Islands; February 17th to 24th ZK1SDE and ZK1SDZ will go on a side trip to Manihiki (OC-014, North Cooks), while ZK1WET and ZK1XMY will remain on Aitutaki; February 25th to March 3rd from Aitutaki Island (OC-083), South Cook Islands. Activity will be on 160 through 10 meters and will concentrate on 17 and 20 meters. The main mode will be SSB, but ZK1WET will operate CW and RTTY (CQWW RTTY WPX Contest included). Do not QSL via the Bureau. QSLing is preferred via M3SDE direct. [Tnx 425DXN]
 

73 and Good Hunting!
Dave Raycroft - VA3RJ

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

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

ARES/RACES Aid in California Flood Response  (Jan. 13 2005)

Flooding and a devastating mudslide in Southern California kept Ventura County ARES/RACES members on the move this week. Among other activities, ARES/RACES has supported communication at shelters housing La Conchita residents displaced by a massive and deadly mudslide January 10 that killed at least 10 people. A town of some 250 inhabitants, La Conchita is approximately 65 miles north of Los Angeles. 

"Several communities were cut off from access to the outside world during the flooding, including the Ojai area and the cities of Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Piru," reports David Gilmore, AA6VH, ARES District Emergency Coordinator and Ventura County RACES Radio Officer. He said five shelters were opened during the course of the flooding, providing refuge to more than 700 evacuees. Gilmore said the hospital in Ojai also experienced flooding, but the community's flood-initiated isolation would have made it extremely difficult to transfer patients to other facilities. 

"An ARES/RACES member stood by at the radio communications room at the hospital during this crisis, while the flooding was dealt with," he said. "Fortunately, the effects of the flooding were able to be contained, and the hospital was able to continue operating." 

In the midst of dealing with the La Conchita mudslide and the subsequent--and now suspended--rescue/recovery effort, Ventura County also faced a forecast of additional heavy rainfall plus a prediction that the Santa Felicia dam at Lake Piru might overflow January 11. 

"The integrity of the dam itself was never in doubt," Gilmore explained. "However the amount of water flowing into the reservoir was of sufficient volume that if an overflow occurred, the community of Piru--located at the very eastern part of Ventura County and below the dam--was expected to experience considerable damage." 

In light of the threat, authorities ordered residents to evacuate to higher ground, and requested Ventura County ARES/RACES to set up radio communications inside the community. Access to Piru was already difficult, Gilmore explained, and once flooding commenced the town was expected to become completely inaccessible. 

"We realized that any personnel who went to Piru could become stranded for several days, along with the Piru residents," he said. Nonetheless, Ventura County ARES/RACES members did not hesitate to volunteer for the assignment. 

"Steve King, KE6WEZ, immediately packed his vehicle with supplies and extra radio equipment, and headed out," Gilmore said. Although his trip was hampered by closed or flood-damaged roadways, the California Highway Patrol immediately let King through. "He drove the perilous journey along Highway 126 to Piru, navigating through flowing water and mudslides that already littered the road," Gilmore said. 

Although two more operators--Dan Halpert, WA6JQB, and Karl Baird, KG6KRN, had also prepared to go, King's vehicle was the last allowed in before nightfall, when the highway became too dangerous to travel. 

Once there King spent a busy--and uncomfortable--night supporting communication for the more than 500 flood refugees, who had little in the way of supplies. King was able to help coordinate the delivery of needed provisions. At one point, he also handled traffic for the emergency evacuation of a Piru resident who required medical treatment. The area lost electrical power around 3 AM, and Gilmore says King was instrumental in locating a small generator and getting it on line as dawn approached. 

Fortunately, the anticipated heavy rain did not materialize, and the release of water over the dam was held back enough to avoid affecting residential housing. Piru residents were allowed to return home the next morning, and King was able to get back home for a well-deserved rest, Gilmore said. 

As the severe weather wound down, so did the Ventura County ARES/RACES activation. Gilmore said the team remains on standby if additional communication problems arise. 

Heavy rainfall in California in recent days has resulted in mudslides that left at least two dozen people dead. California Gov Arnold Schwarzenegger, who toured La Conchita January 12, has declared a state of emergency in Ventura County. The Salvation Army and the American Red Cross are cooperating in meeting the needs of those displaced by the flooding and mudslides. 

(ARRL News Service)

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