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

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

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

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

(RSGB)

eQSL Awards Programme  (Jan. 29 2005)

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

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

(RSGB)

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

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

(GB2RS)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(ARRL News Service)

Solar activity was down this week. Average daily sunspot numbers were off by nearly 36 points to 53.4, and average daily solar flux dropped 31 points to 101.7. Last Friday, January 21, we were hit by a big blast of energy from an X7 class solar flare on the previous day. Just one point below two days earlier, the planetary A index went to 61 and the mid-latitude A index was 30, also one point lower.

We could hope for similar quiet conditions for this weekend's CQ World Wide 160-Meter CW Contest, but the forecast doesn't look that great. The predicted planetary A index for Friday through Monday, January 28-31 is 15, 30, 20 and 20. This isn't due to any flare, but earth is about to move into a solar wind stream, and the most active conditions are expected on Saturday. Conditions should be back to quiet by February 3.

Ken Kopp, KK0HF of Topeka, Kansas sent in a great article that appeared in the Baltimore Sun on recent solar activity. It is full of dramatic descriptions of solar flares, the recent giant sunspot, and the evacuation of astronauts on the International Space Station to the better-shielded Russian Zvezda service module. For a while at least, you may be able to read it (without having to register) by clicking on the following link on, http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/health/bal-hs.solar21jan21,1,7436903,print.story?coll=bal-health-headlines

Also be sure to check out a constantly updated collection of links to press clippings relating to amateur radio on Ken's web site at http://members.cox.net/kk0hf/.

Flares, solar wind and geomagnetic storms aren't bad for all radio propagation. 6-meters often gets interesting during active conditions, and a number of reports arrived this week concerning VHF.

When HF operators thought their radios were dead on January 21, OZ1DJJ in Denmark worked K1TOL on 6-meter CW during Aurora in the Scandinavian Activity Contest. You can hear the QSO at http://www.oz1djj.geronne.dk/6m.htm. Click to the left of the phrase, "I am so lucky!!" Thanks to Arne, SM7AED for passing that along.

Jon Jones, N0JK reported a nice 6-meter opening between Arizona and the Midwest on January 21 beginning at 0015z and lasting nearly four hours. Jon was mobile in Wichita, Kansas and talked to K7TOP on 6-meters. K7NN in Tucson and AC7XP and K7TOP in Phoenix worked stations in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and Tennessee with strong signals.

And finally, ever thought of building your own magnetometer? I've thought for a long time that in addition to noting the College K index, Boulder K index or planetary K index, it would be neat to have one that is strictly local. Where I live in Seattle, I could have a University District K index, although in the city it might be affected by passing trucks. Check a web page devoted to just such an instrument at http://www.da4e.nl/magno.html. You can see current real time results from a homebrew magnetometer in the Netherlands at http://www.da4e.nl/magnetogram.htm.

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 20 through 26 were 61, 69, 60, 40, 42, 56 and 46 with a mean of 53.4. 10.7 cm flux was 122.7, 113.5, 102.2, 95.8, 94.6, 94.1 and 89.3, with a mean of 101.7. Estimated planetary A indices were 12, 61, 28, 17, 6, 4 and 4 with a mean of 18.9. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 10, 30, 23, 12, 5, 2 and 0, with a mean of 11.7.

(ARRL News Service)

Jan. 29 2005  Solar and propagation report, 
compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS,and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

Now the solar report and forecast, prepared by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

In contrast to the previous week, which was particularly eventful, the past week has been quieter in all respects. Looking back to that earlier period for a moment, the sunspot region at the centre of all the activity produced no fewer than 100 C-class, 24 M-class and 5 X-class flares before rotating from view. The largest X-flare brought the strongest high-energy space radiation since 1989 in which protons actually penetrated to ground level in the polar regions. And the coronal mass ejection that reached us on the 21st was so intense that the Earth's magnetic field opposite to the Sun was so compressed that orbiting satellites, including the international space station, were exposed to an extreme bombardment - very unhealthy for microprocessors and humans alike. All in all, we have just had a sharp reminder that major events affecting radio propagation and much else can happen at any stage of the cycle. 

However, apart from a small M-class flare on the 23rd, solar flare activity has been very low this past week.  Solar flux levels declined from 102 to 85, averaging 92 - 40 points down. The 90-day average was stable at 108.  The X-ray flux declined from B3.0 to A4.7, averaging A8.8.  Last weekend the ionospheric storm was still making itself felt and the Ap index was 28 on the 22nd, but since the 24th it has been quiet, with the index in single figures. Solar wind speeds also dropped, from around 1000km/sec last weekend to 343km/sec on the 28th. Particle densities saw a steep decline too.

The quieter geomagnetic field brought a modest revival in HF propagation.  However, seasonal factors and the fall in the solar flux level meant that the higher HF bands remained very marginal and patchy.  There have been no reports of auroral openings since last weekend. 

Finally the forecast.  Flare activity is expected to continue mostly low or very low for the next few days.  However, towards next weekend we should see the return of a more active region of the Sun.  There is a fair possibility of an increase in the number and size of flares.  The solar flux will remain around present levels for the next few days but should then move back towards the 100 mark.  The geomagnetic field will be mainly unsettled with the possibility of active periods for a couple of days due to a high-speed coronal stream. Subsequently quiet-to-unsettled levels should predominate. MUFs at equal latitudes should reach 22MHz in the south and 19MHz in the north. Darkness hour lows will remain around 7MHz.  Paths to India should have a maximum usable frequency - giving a fifty per cent success rate - around 24MHz. The optimum working frequency will be about 18MHz. The path should be best between 0800 and 1300UTC.  And that's all for another week from the propagation team.

(G3USF)

The RS0ISS packet BBS of the Kenwood D-700E transceiver on board the International Space Station has not been operational. According to Ken Ransom, N5VHO, efforts have been made to try and restore this capability but they have been  unsuccessful.  At this point it is unknown if this is a temporary or permanent state.

Ransom also has word on the I-S-S packet digipeater. He says that it is functioning but has continued to exhibit difficulties in relaying data.  The digipeater appears to be listening for long periods of time and then transmitting all of the buffered information at once. This duration of this issue seems to vary depending on your location in relation to the I-S-S. 

(AMSAT-BB)

"Many Millions" of kilometers traveled to date, astronault tells French Pupils  (Jan. 28 2005)

International Space Station Commander Leroy Chiao, KE5BRW, estimated that he and his Expedition 10 crewmate, cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov, have traveled "many millions" of kilometers through space since their mission began last October. The Expedition 10 crew marked its 100th day in space January 21. Chiao made the comment in response to a question put to him January 19 during an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact between NA1SS on the ISS and F6KFA at Robespierre School in Rueil Malmaison, France.

"If you figure we orbit Earth once every one and a half hours, and we're going to be up here six months, you can figure it out. It's going to be many millions," Chiao said, inviting the youngsters to do the math for themselves.

As hard as he worked to become an astronaut and earn a place on an ISS crew--he and Sharipov trained for more than three years for their mission, and Chiao described getting into the astronaut program as "pretty competitive"--Chiao said he had no desire to spend his life off the planet.

"I really love being in space, I love being on space missions, but I miss my family and friends and other things about the earth," Chiao said. "I miss nature and fresh fruits and vegetables, so while I like being in space, I do want to come back to Earth."

While he's in space, however, Chiao said looking at Earth is one of his and Sharipov's favorite pastimes, and he said they can see a lot with the naked eye, including continents and cities. "I'm still looking for the Great Wall [of China]," Chiao said. "I haven't seen it yet."

An audience of more than 300 turned out for the event at the primary school near Paris, more than 200 of them students. The enthusiastic crowd erupted into loud applause as the QSO drew to a close, and cheers broke out after Chiao offered his now-traditional parting comment to "follow your dreams and reach for the stars."

ARISS  http://www.rac.ca/ariss/  is an international educational outreach with US participation by ARRL, AMSAT and NASA.

(ARRL News Service)

The builders of a new NASA supercomputer claim the 10,240 processor machine is the fastest in the world.  Called Project Columbia, the cluster of 20 computers working as one will be used to speed up spacecraft design, environmental prediction and other research. 

Project Columbia was named for the space shuttle that was destroyed in early 2003.  It was built in less than 120 days  researchers at the space agency's Ames Research Center located at Moffett Field in northern California.  (NASA)

(ARNewsLine)

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

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

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

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

(Mark Coady ODXA)

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

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

(published news reports)

CQ WW 160-Meter Contest--CW, sponsored by CQ Magazine from 0000Z Jan 29-2359Z Jan 30 (Phone is Feb 26-27). Exchange: RST and S/P/C. Categories: SO-QRP (<5 W) -LP(<150 W) -HP, MO categories. Enter as MO if packet or spotting nets are used. QSO points: own entity--2 pts, same continent--5 pts, diff cont--10 pts, /MM stations count 5 points, but no multiplier. Score: QSO points × states + VE call areas + DXCC entities (KH6 and KL7 count as DXCC only). For more information:www.cq-amateur-radio.com/index.html. Logs due by Feb 28 to 160cw@kkn.net (Cabrillo format only) or CQ 160 Contest, 25 Newbridge Rd, Hicksville, NY 11801. 

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 ubassb@uba.be (ubacw@uba.be for CW) in ADIF format 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. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. 

Lubbock, TX: Buddy Holly Memorial, W5B. 2200Z Jan 28-0400Z Feb 4. 46th anniversary of the death of Buddy Holly. 28.336 21.360 14.260 7.260. QSL. W5B Buddy Holly QSL, c/o Bryan Edwards, 3801 68th St, Lubbock, TX 79413. www.amcrc.com/w5b. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

(ARRL News Service)

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

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

(ARRL News Service)

Jan.  27 2004  DX News

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by F4CZU, NC1L, VK2BVS, YB0AJR, the OPDX Bulletin, QRZ DX, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST.  Thanks to all.

ROTUMA ISLAND, 3D2.  Eli, HA9RE and Charlie, HA8IB are QRV as 3D2RE/R until February 22.  Activity is on 160 to 10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY.  They plan to participate in the CQ WW 160 Meter CW contest and the upcoming ARRL DX CW Contest.  QSL direct via HA8IB.

GEORGIA, 4L.  Mamuka, 4L2M will be active in both CQ WW 160 contests.  QSL via operator's instructions.

EAST MALAYSIA, 9M6.  Rich, PA0RRS will be QRV as 9M6/PA0RRS from Sabah, Borneo Island, IOTA OC-088, from February 3 to 13.  QSL to home call.

THE GAMBIA, C5.  Alan, G3XAQ and Steve, G4EDG are QRV as C56C until February 10.  Activity is on all HF bands using CW.  QSL via G3SWH.

SPRATLY ISLANDS.  Gil, 4F2KWT will be QRV as DX0K from Kalayaan Island, which is one of the Philippine Spratly Islands.  He will be active for about one month and will eventually be joined by additional operators.  Activity will be on all HF bands, using mostly CW and SSB for now.  Digital activity, including RTTY and SSTV, will soon follow.  They may be active until the end of April. QSL via 4F2KWT.

CAPE VERDE, D4.  Alex, 4L5A will sign D4B during the CQ WW 160 Meter CW contest.  QSL via K1BV.

IRAN, EP.  Hamid, EP4HR is usually QRV on 160 meters most days, then 80 and 40 meters using CW and PSK31, beginning around 0200z.  QSL via operator's instructions.

TAJIKISTAN, EY.  Nodir, EY8MM will be active in the CQ WW 160 Meter CW contest.  QSL direct.

MARTINIQUE, FM.  Thomas, KC0W is QRV as TO0O until February 13. This includes an entry in the CQ WW 160 Meter CW contest as a Single Op/High-Power entry.  QSL to home call.

ISLE OF MAN, GD.  David, G3NKC, Martin, G4XUM and Tim, M0BEW will be QRV as MD4K in the CQ WW 160 Meter CW contest.  QSL via G3NKC.

MARIANA ISLANDS, KH0.  Takashi, JF1MIA and Shun, JH7IMX are QRV from here until January 31.  Takashi will be QRV as KH0A in the CQ WW 160 Meter CW contest and Shun will be QRV as K7WD/KH0 in the UK DX RTTY
Contest.  QSL via home calls.

PALMYRA AND JARVIS ISLAND, KH5.  Bev, AH6NF will be QRV as AH6NF/KH5 from Palmyra Atoll, IOTA OC-085, from February 3 to 18 as time permits.  Activity will be on 40 to 10 meters using SSB and possibly PSK.  QSL to home call.

AUSTRIA, OE.  In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the State Treaty establishing autonomy for the Austrian republic, Austrian amateurs may use the special prefix OE50 until December 31, 2005.

NETHERLANDS, PA.  Bruno, F4CZU and Sylvain, F5TLN will be QRV as PA/homecalls from Duiveland Island, IOTA EU-146, from January 29 and 30.  They may also try to activate Goeree Island.  Activity will be on 40 to 10 meters.  QSL both calls via F5TLN.

SOMALIA, T5.  Six Italian amateurs will be QRV as 6O0G and 6O0CW from Galkayo beginning February 3.  They should be active for 15 days.  Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters, including the newer bands, using CW, SSB and RTTY.  QSL via I2YSB.

CANADA, VE.  Paul, N4PN and Jeff, K1ZM will be QRV as VY2ZM in the CQ WW 160 Meter CW contest from Prince Edward Island.  QSL via operators' instructions.

BERMUDA, VP9.  Jon, N0JK is QRV as VP9/N0JK and will participate in the CQ WW 160 Meter CW contest. Outside the contest, he may be active on 6 meters.  QSL to home call.

AFGHANISTAN, YA.  YA5Y will be QRV in the CQ WW 160 Meter CW contest.  QSL via DL5SE.

INDONESIA, YB.  Stan, YB0AJR will be QRV as YE0X from Jawa Island, IOTA OC-021, during the CQ WW 160 Meter contest.  QSL via bureau.

SOUTH COOK ISLANDS, ZK1.  Look for ZK1WET, ZK1XMY, ZK1SDE and ZK1SDZ to be QRV from January 31 to February 17 from Aitutaki, IOTA OC-083. QSL via operators' instructions.

OPERATION APPROVED FOR DXCC.  The following operation is approved for DXCC credit: Malyj Vysotskij Island, R1MVI, from September 10 to 13, 2004.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The CQ World Wide 160-Meter CW Contest, REF French CW Contest, UBA Contest and the UK DX RTTY Contest 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.

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]

01/02/2005:  USA-634  K6P  POINT PIÑOS LIGHTHOUSE -
The Naval Postgraduate School ARC (K6LY) will activate Point Piños Lighthouse (ARLHS reference USA-634) February 1-7th, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the lighthouse. They will be using the special call K6P. Look for activity on 7.270, 14.270, 21.370 and 28.370 MHz (+/- QRM). QSL direct to G. Costello WC6DX, PO Box 1332, Monterey, CA 93942, U.S.A. [Tnx K6LY]

02/02/2005:  AF-016  FR/F5TNI  REUNION ISLAND -
Didier, F5TNI, plans to be QRV February 2-22nd as FR/F5TNI from Reunion Island (AF-016). Activity will be mainly CW, with some RTTY and PSK. He will also operate as 3B8/F5TNI from Mauritius (AF-049) for one week. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

03/02/2005:  9M6/PA0RRS  EAST MALAYSIA -
Rich, PA0RRS, will be QRV February 3-13th as 9M6/PA0RRS from East Malaysia. QSL via home call, direct (Richard Smeets, Schoorveken 100, 5121NM Rijen, The Netherlands) or bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

04/02/2005:  SA-006  PJ4/NE8Z  BONAIRE -
Dr. Rick, NE8Z, will be active February 4-13th as PJ4/NE8Z from the island of Bonaire (IOTA SA-006). Activity will be mostly CW and SSB on the WARC bands and 6 meters. Rick mentions that he will use a Kenwood TS680s with an Ameritron AL-84 Amp into a Cushcraft R-7 Vertical (40-10m). He will also use a Yaesu FT-857 into a Cushcraft 3 element yagi on 50 mHz. QSL via NE8Z: Dr. Rick Dorsch, P.O. Box 616, Hamburg, MI 48139 USA. [Tnx OPDX]

04/02/2005:  AS-140  S2  BHOLA ISLAND -
Manjurul (S21AM) and Dave (EI3IO) will be QRV February 4-7th from Char Dakhin Shahbazpur (Bhola Island, IOTA AS-140). A special call sign is being sought from the licensing authority. Two 100 watt CW, SSB MF/HF stations will be operational and activity on all bands is planned, subject to antenna availability. A 30m communications tower is on-site and half slopers are being considered for 160 meters and 80/30 meters. QSL via EI3IO direct (Dave Court, 'Connogue', River Lane, Shankill, Co. Dublin, Ireland) or bureau. Logs will be uploaded to LoTW. [Tnx 425DXN]

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

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

Amateur Radio volunteer among train wreck victims (Jan 28, 2005)

Amateur Radio volunteer Scott McKeown, KE6EMI, of Moorpark, California, was among the 11 people who died after two Los Angeles Metrolink commuter trains collided January 26 in Glendale. More than 200 people were injured in the mishap, which occurred after one of the trains derailed after striking a motor vehicle left on the tracks. McKeown, 42, served as Ventura County ARES/RACES Area 8 Moorpark Assistant Emergency Coordinator. He also regularly volunteered to support communications for the Angeles Crest 100-Mile Endurance Run and had assisted during past runnings of the Baker to Vegas Relay Annual Challenge Run. A former City of Glendale employee, McKeown--a married father of two--was acting telecommunications manager for the City of Pasadena. 

(ARRL News Service)

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