EU acts to limit BPL interference (Jan. 21 2005)

Europe enters 2005 with some very positive news indeed that the European Union has amended its 1989 Electromagnetic Compatibility or EMC Directive.

Its new Directive includes protection against electromagnetic disturbance for both radio broadcast reception and the amateur radio service - clearly against the hopes of the  BPL lobby. This is an important first step in the battle against BPL emission pollution in the radio spectrum.

The International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 EUROCOM Working Group, in its efforts, also gained a much broader definition of Electromagnetic Disturbance.

It was a long process for the Working Group that included meeting with and working through Members of the European Parliament to have amendments submitted to the European Parliament Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy.

Arguments put by the Working Group stressed the role of amateur radio including its safety and emergency communications and the human right to have access information including that provided through radio broadcasts.

And of course the inherent protection for radio services from harmful or substantial interference provided by the International Telecommunications Union radio regulations.

The BPL lobby has been trying to have European, and other regulators, let them off the hook in relation to radio frequency interference caused by BPL systems.

Its tactic has been to try and categorise amateur radio and some other radio services as being "less important" and not that worthy of being protected against harmful interference generated by BPL systems.

There is no cause for satisfaction by BPL lobby in the new European EMC Directive that became be European Law on 20 January 2005 binding on the 25 member states of the European Union.

Congratulations to all involved with the IARU Region 1 EUROCOM Working  Group - a job well done.

(Jim Linton VK3PC Amateur Radio Newsline)

Hams & Shortwave saved Tsunamui Victims

Media Network correspondent Victor Goonetilleke, 4-S-7-V-K, believes that uncomplicated shortwave radio saved lives following the recent earthquake and tsunami.  In an e-mail to the Holland based newsletter, 4-S-7-V-K , who is also president of the Radio Society of Sri Lanka, noted that ham radio played an important part immediately after the earthquake and tidal wave and will continue to do so for some time. 

4-S-7-V-K cites one operation in particular.  He says that the Radio Society of Sri Lanka operated a shortwave radio link between Hambantota and the Prime Minister's disaster management office, and government offices in the stricken area.  4-S-7-V-K said that the hams went in because the District Secretary's office only had a satellite phone and 
communications were difficult.  The Hambantota station was operated by 4-S-7-A-K, 4-S-7-D-Z and 4-S-7-K-E.  The ham radio relay system was closed after the police got a communications link up in Hambantota. 

(Media Network)

Tsunami Efforts Continue (Jan. 22 2005)

On Saturday 15 January, Steve Richards, G4HPE, was able to make contact with Victor Goonetillike, 4S7VK, President of the Radio Society of Sri Lanka (RSSL), and Asantha, 4S7AK, via the ‘USA’ Echolink Conference. Victor reported that they have established an Echolink arrangement with a local VHF repeater in Yatiyanthota, in the hills in the centre of the island, using callsign 4S7RS-R on 145.625MHz and were working via this link.

Victor has met up with the UK amateurs Malcolm, M0XAT, and John, G0MTQ, who, as previously reported, had flown out to Sri Lanka with radio equipment and donated medical supplies. They were taken by members of the RSSL to the east coast to distribute medical aid and had returned to Colombo. They were all intending to meet up on Sunday 16 January, together with Adam, KE7BZX, who had travelled out with an Echolink station.

Victor specifically asked for his thanks to be passed on to UK amateurs for the support he has received from them.

He reports that, following further tests via the ‘USA’ Conference, and formal approval, they will offer the services of the working system to the government officials who are with them. 

Members of the Echolink Tsunami Relief Net team were planning to monitor the ‘USA’ Conference for their next appearance, so they can ascertain what help they might be to them. Thanks to G4MWO and G4HPE for this item.

(RSGB)

Tampere Convention Eases International Emergency Telecommunications (Jan 20, 2005)

When an international disaster strikes, humanitarian organizations now will be able to provide telecommunications more quickly and effectively to help victims. The Tampere Convention on the Provision of Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Relief Operations, which became effective January 8, largely eliminates roadblocks to moving telecommunications personnel and equipment into and within disaster-stricken areas--such as those affected by the December earthquake and tsunami.

(ARRL News Service)

This has been a very active week for solar flares and geomagnetic storms. Average daily sunspot number rose over 57 points this week to 89, and average daily solar flux was up nearly 43 points to 132.7, when compared to the previous week. The average daily planetary A index more than doubled, from 17.9 to 36.6. Huge sunspot 720 provided lots of excitement over the past week. Clay Evans from Colorado wrote to say that on January 14 he was driving to work near Boulder, and through the heavily filtered clouds he could see a large dark spot on the sun. This was probably sunspot 720.

Two large flares erupted from this sunspot on Saturday, January 15. Over the next few days the geomagnetic numbers bumped up dramatically, with a planetary A index for January 17-19 of 63, 72 and 62. The high latitude collage A index was 114, 136 and 106 for those same three days.

On Monday, January 17 another big flare blasted in our direction. It peaked around 0950z. As sunspot 720 moves off the center of the visible solar disk, more flares erupted, including a huge X7-class event on Thursday, January 20. The energy could sweep past earth today (January 21). This flare was the largest of the past year and triggered the largest radiation storm in the current 11 year solar cycle.

This radiation storm hasn't yet resulted in a geomagnetic storm here as of the writing of this bulletin on Thursday night. Currently the prediction is for a planetary A index of 25, 20 and 20 for January 21-23, but this could be higher depending on how direct the radiation hits earth. With sunspot 720 moving beyond view, daily solar flux values are expected to dip below 100 around January 23-24.

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 13 through 19 were 77, 65, 100, 99, 107, 109 and 66 with a mean of 89. 10.7 cm flux was 115.6, 129.8, 144.9, 144.5, 137.5, 124.3 and 132.5, with a mean of 132.7. Estimated planetary A indices were 13, 12, 22, 12, 63, 72 and 62 with a mean of 36.6. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 10, 11, 11, 10, 27, 35 and 31, with a mean of 19.3.

(ARRL News Service)

Jan. 22  2005  Solar and propagation report, 
compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS,and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

Solar flare activity has been mostly high or very high, with no fewer than five major X-class flares as well as a sizeable crop of substantial M-class flares. The biggest flare, an X7.1 proton event at 0700UTC on the 20th. This was the third largest of the present cycle and brought the strongest high-energy space radiation since 1989. The flare activity arose from the huge sunspot group reported last week, which also brought the solar flux up to 145 on the 15th and 16th - the highest levels since last August. Levels are now receding, with 114 reported on the 21st. The average for the week was 132.  The 90-day average moved up two points to 108. X-ray flux levels also increased, reaching C1.6 on the 16th and averaging B9.1. However, the flare activity also brought with it a series of coronal mass ejections which led to heightened geomagnetic activity. As expected, the geomagnetic field was rarely less than unsettled, with ionospheric storms on several days, at times reaching severe storm level.. The most disturbed day was the 18th, with an Ap index of 72 units. The average over the week was 43 units. Solar wind speeds were consistently high. They are thought to have exceeded 1000km/sec on the 19th, 20th and 21st - that's more than 3,600,000km/hour.  However, the exact speed could not be verified because instruments on the ACE and SOHO satellites became saturated by the particle bombardment. 

The consequence of all that solar activity was several low-band fadeouts and periods of increased radio noise immediately after the larger flares. Later, HF propagation was severely degraded. MUFs were well below predicted levels for much of the week.  While occasional, brief periods of enhancement brought some relief, frequencies above 21MHz were often unusable. Increased absorption made transpolar paths extremely poor.  Aurora was reported on most days. Visual displays were reported from as far south as Arizona and central England. Radio aurora was particularly extensive at mid-latitudes during the afternoon and evening of the 21st,.

Over the next day or so that huge spot region will rotate out of view. Its ability to affect our radio weather is already diminishing. Solar flare activity is expected to revert to low or very low level.  The solar flux will fall back into the 90s. The geomagnetic field is likely to be somewhat disturbed on the 23rd and 24th due to coronal hole activity, but quieter levels should subsequently prevail. However, it may take the ionosphere a little while to recover from recent disruption.  MUFs at equal latitudes are likely to be around 23MHz. Darkness hour lows should be about 7MHz.  Paths to South America, 
which look to be among the better prospects this week, should have a maximum usable frequency in the region of 26MHz.  The optimum working frequency, at which there should be a 90 per cent chance of success, should be around 18MHz.  The best times will be between 1100 and 1700UTC.

Your reporters were Neil, G0CAS, and Martin, G3USF

(G3USF)

International Space Station Expedition 10 Commander Leroy Chiao, KE5BRW, visited via Amateur Radio January 13 with fourth and fifth graders at John Baldwin Elementary School in Danville, California. That's the same school Chiao attended more than 30 years ago when he was growing up.

"I first really knew I wanted to become an astronaut when I was eight years old attending John Baldwin School there and watching the first Apollo moon landings," he recalled, "and from that point on, I knew that that was what I wanted to do." Of all his space missions, his current tour aboard the ISS has been his "most unforgettable." 

Replying to another question, Chiao allowed for the possibility of life forms other than human elsewhere in the universe. 

"I believe, personally, that there is other life in the universe, and I think that it's just that we haven't found it yet--or they haven't found us," Chiao told the youngsters. "You know, we haven't had any confirmed life on other planets, but some of the results coming back from the Mars probes is showing some promise that there was water, and of course if it looks like there was water on the surface of Mars in the past that opens up the possibility that there may have been life there." 

Chiao also said that he and crewmate Salizhan Sharipov were working on an ultrasound "Telemed" experiment. It's aimed at coming up with a system that would permit physicians on Earth to diagnose health problems space travelers may experience during long-duration space flights, such as those required to journey to Mars and beyond, he explained. 

Handling Earth station duties for the event was ARISS veteran Tony Hutchison, VK5ZAI, in Australia, who contacted NA1SS directly. An MCI-donated teleconference link handled two-way audio between Australia and the school. Audio of the contact also was distributed via EchoLink and IRLP. The QSO with John Baldwin Elementary School marked the 160th ARISS school group contact. Students at Robespierre School in Rueil Malmaison, France, were scheduled to speak with the ISS crew this week. 

Established in 1968, John Baldwin Elementary is part of the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. It serves as the district's magnet site for the Academic Talent Program for fourth and fifth graders. 

ARISS is an educational outreach program with US participation by ARRL, AMSAT and NASA. 

(ARRL News Service)

Echo satellite reopens for normal FM repeater, digital use  (Jan. 19 2005)

The Echo (AO-51) command team says that because no tsunami relief-related emergency message traffic has been seen on the AO-51 Packsat Broadcast Protocol BBS (PBBS), it's configured the satellite to permit normal FM repeater and 9k6 digital operation.

"The plan is to run in this mode until the end of January, unless word is received from the disaster area that a different setup would be useful," said the AO-51 command team's Mike Kingery, KE4AZN. "Anyone who can help contact those in the disaster area and inform them of the satellite resource is encouraged to do so."

Kingery says that if another AO-51 configuration can benefit the disaster relief effort, AMSAT will adjust the satellite's operating mode accordingly.

Because the switch to solely digital store-and-forward operation pre-empted the satellite's use in FM repeater mode for Kid's Day January 2, AMSAT now plans to reschedule its Kid's Day activity on the satellite for an as-yet-unannounced Saturday in February.

The AO-51 FM voice uplink is 145.920 MHz (with 67 Hz CTCSS tone required); downlink is 435.300 MHz. The 9k6 digital PBBS uplink is 145.860 MHz FM; downlink is 435.150 MHz FM.

(ARRL News Service)

Useful life of UO-22 satellite appears over   (Jan. 18 2005)

According to AMSAT-UK, the UO-22 satellite is not in good shape and its useful life may be over. The Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) Ground Station control center has tried several times in recent weeks to reactivate the satellite, AMSAT-UK reports. The satellite did come back to life briefly following one attempt, but other tries have failed completely.

The SSTL ground control station may make further attempts to reactivate UO-22, ''but it seems unlikely that they will be
completely successful.'' The cause of the satellite's failure is not known for certain, but SSTL believes it may be related either to the spacecraft's batteries or to the fact that the satellite is very hot due to orbital precession, which has generally put the spacecraft in full sunlight. The elevated temperature has been causing problems with the receivers as well as with the batteries.

Launched on July 17, 1991, UO-22 has served for many years as the 9600 baud store-and-forward satellite for the Amateur Radio packet radio worldwide SatGate service, which linked packet radio networks in many countries. AMSAT-NA reports UO-22 as ''non-operational.''

For further information on UO-22 contact Jim Heck, G3WGM, via email at, g3wgm@amsat.org.

(ARRL News Service)

Indian Amateur Satellite Launch Postponed  (Jan. 22 2005)

The launch of the Indian amateur radio satellite, VUSAT, has been delayed until April. The satellite will carry a ‘Mode B’ Linear Transponder (435MHz Input and 145.9MHz Output), which will permit dozens of simultaneous SSB and CW QSOs. Further information is on the AMSAT India website: www.amsatindia.org

(RSGB)

Radio Heart Monitor  (Jan. 21 2004)

A device that automatically detects early symptoms of congestive heart failure has been implanted in a patient in the United States for the first time.  The InSync Sentry is built by Medtronic Inc. of Fridley, Minnesota ans is about the size of a cigarette lighter. Congestive heart failure occurs when fluid levels around the heart get too high.  This can interfere with a normal heartbeat and cause arythmia and even death.  InSync Sentry monitors the amount of fluid in the chest.  If there is a buildup, it uses good old radio to transmit to a receiver connected to a computer at a medical facility.  Doctors who can then prescribe medication to reduce the fluid amount.The new device costs about $30,000 and lasts five to seven years.  It should be available for widespread use by February. 

(Technology)

Alpha/Power again in new hands (Jan 21, 2005)

Alpha Radio Products LLC has announced an agreement with CrossLink Inc and Alpha/Power Inc to take over production and support of the Alpha/Power line of linear amplifiers and related products. A January 20 Alpha Radio Products press release says Alpha/Power will return to its roots and dedicate itself solely to providing high-power RF equipment "for the professional and serious amateur markets." CrossLink acquired the linear amplifier manufacturer in late 2000. Alpha Radio cited "declining business prospects for CrossLink" for making the ownership change necessary. Alpha Radio President Molly Hardman, W0MOM, assured all current Alpha amplifiers owners that their warranty and service needs will be met. The company says it will continue to employ "the same excellent technicians and assemblers" and manufacture and service its products in the current Boulder, Colorado, location. Chief Engineer Gordon Hardman, W0RUN, said Alpha Radio will focus on better control, interface and support components for its amplifiers while leaving primary tube-related components "unchanged and true to their heritage." Gordon Hardman was chief technical officer under the CrossLink regime. For more information, visit the Alpha Radio Products Web site or call 303-473-9232. 

(ARRL News Service)

REF French Contest--CW, sponsored by the Reseau des Emetteurs Francais, 0600Z Jan 29-1800Z Jan 30 (Phone is Feb 27-28). Contact French stations including Corsica, Overseas Territories, and EU Council station TP2CE. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOAB, MS and SWL. Exchange: non-French stations send RST and serial number, French send RST and department number or prefix. QSO points: different continent--3 pts, 1 pt otherwise. Score: QSO points × departments and prefixes counted once per band. For more information: www.ref-union.org/concours/. Logs are due Mar 15 (CW) or Apr 15 (SSB) to cdfcw@ref-union.org (SSB-cdfssb@ref-union.org) or Reseau des Emetteurs Francais, REF Contest, BP 7429, 37074 Tours Cedex, France. 

UBA Contest--Phone, sponsored by the Royal Union of Belgian Amateur Radio from 1300Z Jan 29--1300Z Jan 30 (CW is Feb 27-28). Frequencies: 80-10 meters, according to the IARU band plan. Categories: SOAB, SOAB-QRP, SOSB, MS, packet is allowed for all classes. Exchange: RST and serial number, ON stations add their province abbr. QSO points: QSOs with ON stations--10 pts, with other EU--3 pts, outside EU--1 pt. Score: QSO points × ON provinces + ON prefixes + European DXCC entities counted once per band. For more information: www.uba.be. Logs due 30 days after the contest to berger@cyc.ucl.ac.be or Michel Le Bon, ON4GO, UBA HF Contest Manager, Chée de Wavre 1349, B-1160 Bruxelles, Belgium. 

UK DX RTTY Contest--sponsored by the GM Contest Club from 1200Z Jan 29 -1200Z Jan 30. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOAB (HP, LP <100 W), MS. Exchange: RST and serial number, UK stations send UK region code. QSO points: Own DXCC entity--1 pt, same continent--2 pts, different cont--3 pts, UK stations--5 pts. Score: QSO points × UK regions + DXCC entities on each band. For more information:www.ukdx.scotham.net. Logs in Cabrillo format due 30 days after the contest to ukdxc@scotham.net or UK DX RTTY Contest Committee, PO Box 7469, Glasgow, G42 0YD, Scotland, UK. 

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 the OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST.  Thanks to all.

MAURITIUS, 3B8.  Tibi, HA7TM will be QRV as 3B8/HA7TM from January 25 to February 3.  Activity will be on 40 to 10 meters, including the newer bands.  QSL via bureau.

TUNISIA, 3V.  All active hams here are allowed to use the special callsign TS1WHC during the upcoming World Handball Championship being held between January 23 to February 2.  Activity will be on all HF bands, using some CW and SSTV, and SSB.  QSL via bureau.

NIGERIA, 5N.  Paolo is QRV as 5N8NDP and has been active on 80 meters using SSB between 2030 and 2200z.  QSL via IK5JAN.

MAURITANIA, 5T.  Nicolas, 5T5SN has been QRV on 30 meters around 1830z and 160 meters around 0220z.  QSL via IZ1BZV.

GERMANY, DA.  Ric, DL2VFR and Frank, DL2SWW are QRV from Poel Island, IOTA EU-098, until January 23.  This island will be removed from the IOTA List effective February 1.  Since the island is continually merging with the mainland, it no longer meets the 200-meter rule.  Activity is on all HF bands using CW and SSB.  QSL to home call.

FRANCE, F.  Special event stations TM6OLW and TM6OLS will be QRV from January 23 to February 6 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Wittenheim and Sausheim.  QSL TM6OLW via F5TFI and
TM6OLS via F5OCL.

JERSEY, GJ.  Bert, PA3GIO will be QRV as MJ/PA3GIO/p from January 22 to 27.  Activity will be on 80 to 10 meters using SSB.  QSL direct.

JAPAN, JA.  JR2RKK/6 plans to be QRV from the Miyako Islands, IOTA AS-079, in the Okinawa Prefecture from January 26 to 30.  QSL to home call.

US VIRGIN ISLANDS, KP2.  John, G4RCG and Bruce, KI7VR are QRV as KP2/G4RCG and KP2/KI7VR, respectively, from St. Croix, IOTA NA-106, until February 6.  John, G4RCG plans to be an entry in the upcoming
CQ 160-Meter CW contest as KP2ZZ.  QSL both calls via G4OOC.  QSL contest call via operator's instructions.

ARGENTINA, LU.  LU9DA, LU5EW and LU1DWW will be QRV as LU2DT from Punta Mogotes Lighthouse from January 22 to 23.  Activity will be on 20, 15 and 10 meters using SSB.  QSL via operators' instructions.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA, P2.  Jerry, P29ZAD is QRV from Tabar Island, IOTA OC-099, until January 27.  He is active in his spare time near 14260 kHz around 2100 and 0800z.  QSL direct.

SUDAN, ST.  Dane, S57CQ is QRV as ST2T for the next three months. QSL via S57DX.  Meanwhile, Paul, ST2PN is QRV from Khartoum.  He has been active on 20, 17, 15 and 10 meters using SSB and some PSK31. He may also try RTTY soon.  QSL via PA7FM.

WESTERN KIRIBATI, T30.  Udo, DL9HCU is QRV as T30HC using QRP power. He is active on 20 meters CW just after 0600z.  QSL to home call.

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA, V2.  Paolo, IK2QPR is QRV as V25PR.  He has been active on 20 meters using SSB.  QSL to home call.

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS, VP2V.  Curt, W3HQ will be QRV as VP2V/W3HQ, from January 26 to February 5.  This includes an entry in the upcoming CQ 160-Meter CW contest.  He is using CW on 160, 80, 40, 30, 20 and 15 meters, but is concentrating activity on 160 and 80 meters.  QSL direct via VK4AAR.

OPERATION APPROVED FOR DXCC.  The following operation is approved for DXCC credit: Market Reef, OJ0/OH0I, from May 24 to 27, 2004.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes and the BARTG RTTY Sprint are all scheduled for this weekend.  Please see January QST, page 102 and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for
details.

(ARRL)

Jan. 21 -31  2005    I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O.

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

Air Force satellite pioneer William Troetschel, W7LVO, SK (Jan 20, 2005)

William O. "Bill" Troetschel, W7LVO (ex-K6UQH), of Saratoga, California, died January 18. he was 82. An ARRL Life Member, Troetschel was inducted last September into the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame and received the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Award. Troetschel also contributed articles on VHF and UHF topics to QST, a chapter to the ARRL UHF/Microwave Experimenters Manual during the 1960s and 1970s, and more recently, papers to various VHF/UHF conferences. A graduate of the Air Force Institute of Technology, Troetschel was a member of the Air Force satellite team in the 1950s and oversaw the development of communication, command and control, and electronic reconnaissance satellite subsystems. After leaving the Air Force, Troetschel went to work for Lockheed Corporation, focusing on issues involving satellite tracking, communication, and command and control.--some information contributed by Kevin Hague, N5XSA/6 

(ARRL News Service)

ARES supports National Weather Service, Red Cross in flooding's wake.  (Jan. 21 2005)

The same weather system that caused flooding and mudslides in California wreaked havoc elsewhere in the western US the week of January 10. Heavy rainfall in the southeastern Nevada region bordering Utah and Arizona combined with runoff from melting snow, causing rivers and streams to overrun their banks. The resulting flooding damaged or destroyed dozens of homes in the area northeast of Las Vegas. Early on in the emergency, the National Weather Service (NWS) contacted Clark County, Nevada, Emergency Coordinator Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ, to request help from his team.

"They had lost a level detector on the Muddy River near Glendale and asked if someone could get them reports," said Vern Garman, K0EGA, the Clark County ARES Assistant EC for Operations and Training. Starting January 10, radio amateurs from the Logandale/Overton area provided information to the NWS for the next three days.

In addition, Garman reports, the Clark County Office of Emergency Management activated the emergency operations center (EOC) on January 11, and ARES deployed a volunteer to the EOC for about one day. After flooding displaced some area residents, the American Red Cross opened a shelter in Overton, and Logandale/Overton-area ARES volunteers provided communication support. At least five ARES members also aided the Red Cross in preliminary damage assessment activities.

On January 15, the Red Cross requested ARES support in Mesquite, and six amateurs from Las Vegas and one from Overton responded. "This group assisted in setting up the Red Cross communications van and provided communications for outreach teams searching for the people who needed Red Cross assistance," Garman explained. The outreach activity was centered in the northeastern corner of Arizona, near Littlefield and Beaver Dam, he said. A road washout cut off access to Beaver Dam, and some two dozen homes were damaged or destroyed.

Southern Nevada District Emergency Coordinator Glenn Hale, KB7REO, said communications support to the Red Cross consisted of installing an antenna on the mobile communications vehicle and programming the Icom IC-706MKIIG transceiver aboard for area repeaters. Hale noted that the Red Cross emergency response vehicles (ERVs) primarily use the 30-50 MHz Public Safety band to communicate to their command post. Garman said one of the responders, Jack Cook, N8RRL, had Red Cross communication support training and had operated one in Florida after last year's hurricanes.

Two vehicles owned by Red Cross personnel served as secondary ERVs, Hale said, and he and Dan Starr, AA7I, supported that effort in Littlefield by shadowing the group with HF/VHF communication. Most activity was within the Virgin River Gorge, and nearly all communication to the command post was via the Utah Hill 146.820 repeater.

"Bridges to the community were completely washed out making access to the community difficult," Hale reported. "The St George, Utah, American Red Cross kitchen was supplying food to the ERVs. At one location in Beaver Dam, 55 meals were served."

Hale said some homes in the region around Littlefield and just across the border in Mesquite were damaged or destroyed by floodwaters and mud. Conventional telephone and some cellular service in the area was out completely, and the Red Cross used a satellite uplink to communicate with its national headquarters from the communications van.

Garman says the support for the Red Cross wrapped up when the organization completed its outreach program on January 16. In all, more than a dozen ARES volunteers responded to the weather emergency.

(ARRL News Service)

FCC Chairman Michael Powell announces his resignation  (Jan. 21 2005)

FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell announced today that he'll step down, effective "sometime in March." Powell's resignation comes just one day after President George W. Bush's inauguration for a second term in the White House. Nominated by former President Bill Clinton, Powell--whose father is Secretary of State Colin Powell--joined the FCC in 1997. He became its chairman two days after President Bush was sworn in for his first term in 2001. ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, called Powell's performance "a deep disappointment" after some initial optimism. While the League is not unhappy about Powell's departure--especially given his unabashed cheerleading on behalf of the FCC's broadband over power line (BPL) initiative--there's also concern about whom President Bush might call upon to replace him.

"It's no secret that we thought Chairman Powell was going entirely in the wrong direction on BPL and dragging the other commissioners and FCC staff along--willing or not--because he was, after all, the chairman," Sumner said. "A new chairman might be a chance for a fresh start."

Last October when the FCC adopted new Part 15 rules for BPL, Powell called it "a banner day." While conceding that BPL will affect some spectrum users, including "all those wonderful Amateur Radio operators out there," the chairman implied that the FCC must balance the benefits of BPL against the relative value of other licensed services.

Powell listed the Commission's adoption of BPL rules among the "policy highlights" of his tenure. "Broadband to power plugs would lower prices, expand deployment," the chairman's list of accomplishments asserts.

Possibilities to replace Powell include the other Republican members of the five-member FCC--Kathleen Q. Abernathy, a staunch BPL supporter, and Kevin J. Martin. Speculation also has been raised about various candidates outside the commissioners. "We look forward to the opportunity to work with the new chairman, whoever that may be," Sumner said.

Powell, in his announcement, said it was "with a mixture of pride and regret" that he informed the president of his decision to step down.

"Having completed a bold and aggressive agenda, it is time for me to pursue other opportunities and let someone else take the reins of the agency," he said. "During my tenure, we worked to get the law right in order to stimulate innovative technology that puts more power in the hands of the American people, giving them greater choices that enrich their lives."

The chairman said the seeds of the Commission's policies under his leadership "are taking firm root in the marketplace and are starting to blossom." He cited the increased use of cell phones, digital TV and other digital technology "increasingly connected anytime, anywhere by a wide variety of broadband networks."

"Our children will inherit this exciting future," Powell proclaimed, adding that he looks forward to spending some time with his wife and two sons "before taking up my next challenge."

As FCC chairman, Powell also has been in the forefront of enforcing the Commission's rules on indecency, largely through imposing huge fines on violators. He also supported changes in media ownership rules that permitted even greater concentration in the ownership of broadcasting outlets.

Powell's formal resignation announcement followed widespread reports in the media that he would be leaving. Communications Daily said the chairman's last day would be March 10.

(ARRL News Service)

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