New Amateur Licence Structure for Australia coming (July 23 2005) Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) President, VK3KI Michael Owen says: The WIA has been in constant contact with the ACMA (the regulator in VK land) in relation to the introduction of the new Foundation licence and the changed privileges for the existing novices. In order for the new licences to come into effect, it is necessary to amend a number of legislative instruments including the Amateur Licence Conditions Determination and the Qualified Operators Determination. A Determination is subordinate legislation and has the force of law. Amendments to legislation are subject to very strict procedures including the requirement that they must be placed before Parliament and may be disallowed. The amendments are in the process of being drafted by the specialist legislative draftsmen in the Attorney Generals Department. When this process is complete, the amending Determinations will be submitted to the ACMA Board for its formal approval. The Determinations will come into force when registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments. It is only when the Determinations are so amended that the ACMA will be able to issue certificates of proficiency to enable the issue of the new Foundation and other licences. I believe that these processes will result in the first Foundation Certificates of Proficiency being able to be issued in September. Only this week has the WIA received sufficient clarification on some issues from the ACMA to enable the Board to commit to the costs and resource involved in putting into effect the training of candidates for the accredited assessor system we have proposed. We know that the ACMA will issue certificates of proficiency for the new licences on the basis of the submission of evidence of qualification by the WIA, in turn based on certification by WIA Assessors, qualified as described in the document "Assessment of Competency in Amateur Radio, March 2005" which can be found on the WIA website. Fred Swainston on behalf of an RTO will conduct Amateur Radio Competency Assessment training on behalf of the WIA over a full weekend in each of Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide Final dates and the venues for each training course will be announced shortly. We are seeking applications for these training courses from candidates nominated by WIA Affiliated Clubs, with a view to as broad a geographical cover as possible. The number of participants in each course must be limited. Candidates must hold either an Unrestricted, Intermediate or Limited amateur licence, and be a member of the WIA. After successful completion of the ourse the candidates will be qualified to apply for registration as an Approved WIA Assessor, and will then be able to assess candidates for the Foundation, Standard and Advanced amateur licenses. Through various state and regional representatives, the WIA has already started to contact clubs right across the country to finalise these arrangements. If a club is not yet affiliated, we will be able to arrange affiliation very quickly indeed, once we receive the completed application for affiliation. If any Affiliated Club is unable to meet all the costs involved in respect of the attendance of their nominated candidate at the training course, the club should contact the WIA secretary as we have set aside some funds for assisting clubs in such circumstances. It is now up to us, with the help of the clubs and their most qualified candidates to make the vision of a new licence structure, with a Foundation Licence attractive to a new group of amateurs, a reality - a new world of amateur radio in Australia. (RAC News Service)
Europe considers Novice licensing (July 15 2005) A new entry level licence under the Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations or CEPT umbrella has been progressed a little further with release of a proposed syllabus. A number of European countries have been considering the introduction of a Novice licence since Britain introduced its Foundation Licence in 2002, that demonstrated how such an entry point licence can be of benefit to amateur radio. However there are regulatory or legislative difficulties in some countries that prevent their introduction of a Novice licence. The CEPT is now considering at two measures. Firstly, seeking agreement on a Novice licence syllabus that can be used as a template for those countrieswho can, and want to introduce such a licence. And it's also proposing that current Novice licences issued by CEPT and non-CEPT nations, that are deemed equivalent in standard, be recognised for visitor or guest licences by CEPT participating countries. This could enable holders of a Novice licence to take their hobby with them on a holiday by simply using their home callsign slash the country in which they're holidaying and even if that nation doesn't have its own Novice licence. Community consultation on these matters closes in September, but there's no indication of when a decision is likely. (Thanks to Jim Linton VK3PC at WIA News) (RAC News Service)
South Africa-Government Gazette confirms SARL as the National Body (July 16 2005) In Government Gazette of 24 June, which as just been received by the SARL, the Minister of Communication confirms the appointment of the SARL as the national body. The minister states: "I, Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburi, Minister of Communications, in terms of the Chapter 3 clause 3 c of the amended Radio Regulations as gazetted in the Government Gazette no 27 258, published on 4 February 2005 hereby, approve the recognition of the South African Radio League as a national body permitted to issue Harmonised Amateur Radio Certificates certifying that a candidate has advanced knowledge of theoretical and practical aspects of amateur radio." (SARL)
Philippines Hams may loose 70 CM (July 15 2005) Hams in the Philippines are wondering how long it will be before they are ordered off of the 70 centimeter band. This, after that nations National Telecommunications Commission announces the inclusion of all of that band in spectrum it is considering being made available for broadband wireless networks. The regulatory agency made the suggestion in a Memorandum titled "Frequency Band Allocations for Broadband Wireless Access." The surprise was the inclusion of 410 to 495MHz in nine bands. This includes the Amateur and Amateur Satellite spectrum including the internationally agreed to allocations. Jose Mari Gonzalez, DU1JMG, is the Manilla based president of PARA which is the Philippines national Amateur Radio society. He says that PARA opposes both the memorandum and the potential loss of 70 centimeters. He notes that 430 to 440 MHz includes the international amateur satellite band. He says that if and when the Philippines National Telecommunications Council decides to remove 70 centimeter access from ham radio that his organization will file an official complaint to the IARU. This would likely lead to a complaint by the IARU to the International Telecommunications Union that would hopefully warn the NTC not to change the internationally agreed frequency allocations. For its part, the Philippines National Telecommunications Council says it proposes to reallocate spectrum for broadband wireless networks in line with the thrust of the government to promote and facilitate the development of information and communications technology. Right now only about 5% of the population in The Philippines has access to the Internet, much less broadband, and this is partly due to the lack of infrastructure. (WIA. VK3PC) (ARNewsLine)
Morse code is alive and well (July 8 2005) It's just over two years ago the mandatory requirement of Morse code proficiency tests for access to the high frequency amateur bands was removed. That historic decision at the World Radiocommunications Conference 2003 resulted in many countries ending the code requirement. But what, if any, impact has that decision had on the use of Morse code by radio amateurs? There appears to be no sign of a demise of CW interest and operation. Listen to the HF bands and often there more simultaneous CW contacts than there are on phone. Sometimes there's plenty of QSOs on the bottom end of the band and no phone contacts to be heard. DXpeditions and some special event stations demonstrate that those which include CW in their operation have great successes. Contesting is another area of CW strength. Morse code operator clubs are attracting new members. Requests for CW learning materials regularly appear on the ham wanted and for sale sites, along with second hand straight keys and paddles. Manufacturers of paddles seem to be doing very well. New model ham rigs continue to have in-built CW keyers. Samuel Finley Breese Morse would indeed be pleased to hear that the telegraphic code which bears his name, and created a revolution in world communications, is being conserved for the future by radio amateurs. (Thanks to Jim Linton VK3PC and WIA News) (RAC News Service)
July 22 2005 Tad Cook K7RA Solar Update
The fact is that the --1 is just a placeholder for those days when there is no data. I haven't seen this on the table of sunspot numbers before, but we see it every day in the table of geomagnetic indices. The table displays "--1" in places where there's not yet any data. Expect sunspots to return. Remember July 4, when the sunspot count was so high? That same area of the sun will return to view about 28 days later. Look for a gradually rising solar flux and sunspot number peaking around August 1-5. The predicted planetary A index for Friday through Monday, July 22-25, is 15, 10, 5 and 5. For more information concerning radio propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. The ARRL Web site includes an archive of past bulletins. Sunspot numbers for July 14 through 20 were 61, 38, 16, 12, 0, 0 and 0, with a mean of 18.1. The 10.7 cm flux was 89.9, 87.2, 76.3, 74.1, 72, 71.2 and 72.1, with a mean of 77.5. Estimated planetary A indices were 11, 6, 9, 22, 34, 10 and 20, with a mean of 16. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 7, 4, 10, 15, 19, 8 and 14, with a mean of 11. (ARRL News Service)
Europe July 24 2005 Solar and propagation
report,
The sun had a quiet week. It was spotless for five successive days and there were also no significant flares on five successive days The solar flux dipped from 76 on the 16th to 71, then recovered to 74 on the 22nd. The average was 73, down 22 on the previous week. The 90-day average was stable at 97. The x-ray flux declined from B1.0 on the 16th to A1.3 and then back to A1.8 on the 22nd. The average was A3.4, down from B5. However, the geomagnetic field was more active. The index for the 16th was a quiet 9, but on the 17th activity increased as a result of a glancing blow from the coronal mass ejection from the big X1 flare we reported last week. The index rose to 22, followed by 34 on the 18th. The 19th was unsettled with an index of 10 but there were further active periods on the 20th and 21st. The 22nd was again slightly unsettled. Solar wind speeds varied between 350km/sec on the 19th and 674 km/sec on the 21st. The average, 480km/sec was about the same as the previous week. Particle densities briefly reached 29 per cubic centimetre on the 17th but were otherwise fairly low. The increase in geomagnetic activity affected HF propagation for much of the week, with bands above 14MHz closed for long-haul propagation for long periods, though sporadic-E occurred on frequencies up to 28MHz on several days. Openings at 50 and 70MHz were brief and localised. Despite the heightened geomagnetic activity auroral events were also brief and confined to the far north. Now the forecast. In the course of the next few days the active side of the Sun will rotate into view. Indications from the far side of the Sun suggest that solar flare activity will be greater than over the past week, probably reaching moderate level by the end of the week. Solar flux levels seem to have bottomed out for the time being and should be back into the 80s during the next day or so, potentially breaking through the 100 mark by next weekend. Geomagnetic activity should be quiet-to-unsettled for the next day or so but then seems likely to increase due to a small recurring coronal hole midweek. MUFs at equal latitude should be about 19MHz in the south and 16MHz in the north. Darkness hour lows will be about 10MHz. Paths to South Africa should have a maximum usable frequency, giving a 50 per cent chance of success, around 27MHz. The optimum working frequency, where you should be able to make contacts almost every day, will be around 20MHz. This path should be open between 0800 and 1600UTC, with 1300 to 1600 having the highest operating frequencies in that direction. Sporadic-E should occur on some days but openings are likely to be patchy and relatively unstable. And that's all for this week from the propagation team. Best 73s de Neil, G0CAS.
Educators query ISS astronaut via ham radio (July 22, 2005) Some 35 educators attending a NASA Explorer School (NES) program workshop got the chance to speak via ham radio with International Space Station astronaut John Phillips, KE5DRY, on July 20. Acting on very short notice, the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program was able to arrange the contact between NN1SS at Maryland's Goddard Space Flight Center, where the workshop was being held, and NA1SS on the space station. ARISS International Team Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, reports the contact went very well, and the group got in 15 questions asked and answered. "The educators derived a lot of benefit from this activity, which they will bring into the NASA Explorer School program," he said. Because of the group's size, he explained, the Earth station used two locations and two sets of equipment. The contact started and finished at the NN1SS ground station in Goddard's Building 11, where about half of the educators were located. Halfway through the contact, however, with the ISS closer to Goddard, another station a few hundred feet outside Building 11 was put on the air to handle questions from the other half of the group. The second station consisted of a hand-held transceiver and an Arrow antenna to successfully ask six questions. "The two-station event was closely choreographed using 70-cm radios, while the two stations could simultaneously hear the full set of questions being asked and the answers from Astronaut John Phillips," Bauer said. "The educators, several with tears in the eyes, said this was one of the best events they have experienced." He noted that it also took place on the 36th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. Several educators' focused on human physiology issues involved with space travel, while others asked about human exploration of Mars and long-distance space travel. ARISS is an international educational outreach with US participation by ARRL, AMSAT and NASA. (ARRL News Service)
Shuttle Discovery launch at least a week away (Jul 20, 2005) NASA says it's targeting Tuesday, July 26, as the earliest possible date to launch the space shuttle Discovery on the Return to Flight mission (STS-114). US Astronaut Eileen Collins, KD5EDS, is the commander for mission. She leads an international crew of six astronauts that includes five other Amateur Radio licensees. Discovery is set for a 12-day flight to deliver equipment and supplies to the International Space Station, although Amateur Radio operation by the licensed shuttle crew members from the space station's NA1SS is considered doubtful. Onboard Discovery is the PCSat2 Amateur Radio package, which will be installed outside the ISS during a spacewalk. NASA's Mission Management Team this week reviewed efforts by teams of engineers now working their way through a troubleshooting plan to address an anomaly involving a liquid hydrogen low-level fuel sensor. During the launch countdown July 13, the sensor circuit failed a routine check, and the launch was scrubbed. NASA wants to launch Discovery by the end of July; otherwise, the launch will have to be put off until September to ensure a daylight launch. Collins and her six Discovery crew mates will resume quarantine and training later this week.--some information from NASA (ARRL News Service)
Six Radio Amateurs Aboard the
Space Shuttle (July 15 2005)
The shuttle will also be carrying the latest amateur satellite – PCSAT2. [AMSAT-UK] (RSGB2)
SSETI Express Launch Date Announced (Jun. 3 2005) The launch date for SSETI Express and three ‘cubesats’ has now been confirmed as 25 August, with the next day, the 26th, as a back-up. The satellite has now completed all its pre-launch tests and is presently back in the clean room where everything is having a final checkout and where the cubesats are being loaded into their launchers. Current plans show that the satellite will be packed and ready for despatch to the launch site during the last week of June. SSETI Express will automatically downlink general telemetry at 9K6 on 70cm and it will also be possible for amateurs to request specific downloads. It is planned that the 38K4 telemetry transmitter on 2.4GHz will also be available for amateur voice operation as a Mode U/S transponder after initial tests on the satellite have been completed. AMSAT-UK provided the 2.4GHz transmitter for the satellite and a presentation on SSETI Express will be given at the AMSAT-UK Space Colloquium to be held from 29 to 31 July at the University of Surrey in Guildford. All amateurs and SWLs are welcome to attend. (RSGB2)
AMSAT-UK Colloquium set for late July (May 4 2005) The AMSAT-UK Colloquium for 2005 will take place Friday through Sunday, July 29-31, at the University of Surrey, Guildford, UK This year's event marks the 20th colloquium. Attendees do not have to be AMSAT members. AMSAT-UK invites presentations about space-related Amateur Radio activities and papers for the conference Proceedings. Final presentation documents must be submitted by mid-June. Send papers for presentation at the conference and/or for inclusion in the Proceedings to Jim Heck, G3WGM , or via surface mail c/o AMSAT-UK, Badgers, Letton Close, Blandford, Dorset DT11 7SS, UK. AMSAT-UK also invites anyone to submit program topic requests to G3WGM. The colloquium will include sessions specifically for amateur satellite beginners. Registration details and more information are on the AMSAT- UK Colloquium Web pages. Immediately following the AMSAT-UK Colloquium, the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) International Team will meet Monday and Tuesday, August 1-2. Although primarily for ARISS delegates, the meeting is open for anyone to attend as an observer and offers an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the ARISS program. (ARRL News Service)
Mobile Phone Threat to Radio Astronomy (July 22 2005) Plans to lift restrictions on mobile phone use in planes could cause major disruption to radio astronomy, scientists have warned. Two US agencies – the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) – are considering scrapping a ban on using cell phones on planes following pressure from travellers. But astronomers – including representatives from the US’s National Academy of Sciences – are worried that transmissions from mobile phones could drown out radio signals from outer space, jeopardising vital research into the universe. The problem is that cell phones generate radiation not only at their main operating frequency but also at multiples of this frequency. The frequency of one of these harmonics falls into the small band of the electromagnetic spectrum reserved for use by radio astronomers. Because the radio signals detected by radio telescopes are incredibly weak, having travelled many light years across the universe, they could easily be swamped by radio interference from mobile phones. Even a single phone conversation on a plane could disrupt radio telescope observations. According to one astronomer, lifting restrictions on cell phone use in planes would be tantamount to building a 40,000ft high mobile phone tower. (RSGB2)
Ham radio helps rescue hiker (Jul 21, 2005) When hiker Jason Jacks, KG6ZTR, of San Dimas, California, became lost in heavy brush July 19 near Southern California's Mt Baldy, he put out a call on the N6USO Sunset Ridge Repeater seeking help. Ron Stucker, W6RJS, Richard Pauze, KG6VNC, Ken Harris, KG6YTZ, and others radio amateurs collaborated to contact emergency personnel and relay the information from Jacks. A call was made to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, which dispatched its Rescue Air-5 helicopter. Using his hand-held GPS unit, Jacks was able to provide his coordinates to rescue personnel via ham radio. Repeater owner Burton Brink, N6USO--an LA County Deputy Sheriff--heard the traffic and was able to contact Rescue Air-5 via his sheriff's radio. Using information the stranded hiker provided via ham radio, Brink was able to help direct the pilot to Jacks' location. Approximately an hour after the first call for help, Jacks was airlifted from the mountain to safety. "Once again, Amateur Radio has come to the rescue, and this shows how hams work together with emergency personnel to help one another," said Brink. "Amateur Radio at its best!" (ARRL News Service)
Great Lakes Sweepstakes--Phone/CW/Digital, sponsored by the Michigan DX Association, from 0000Z Jul 23-2359Z Jul 24. Frequencies: 80-2 meters, including VHF FM (no repeater or satellite). Categories: SOAB (QRP <5 W, LP, HP >100 W), MO (including lighthouse entries). Exchange--see Web site. QSO points: Phone-- 1 pt, CW & Digital--2 pt. Total Score: QSO points × Great Lakes states (MI, IL, IN, WI, MN, OH, PA, NY, VE3) counted once per band and mode. For complete scoring and bonus point information: http://mdxa1.org/glsweepsrules.html. Logs due Aug 10 to k8khz@yahoo.com or Sean Fleming, K8KHZ, 27120 Barrington St, Madison Heights, MI 48071. Flight of the Bumblebees--CW--sponsored by the Adventure Radio Society, 1700Z-2100Z Jul 31. Bumblebees are low power portable stations that walk, bike or boat to their sites and sign "/BB" after their calls. Frequencies (MHz): 7.040, 14.060, 21.060, 28.060. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, and Bumblebee Number or power (5 W maximum). Score: QSOs × number of different Bumblebees contacted ×3. For more information: www.arsqrp.com/ars/pages/bumblebees/bb_rules.html. Logs due Aug 8 via the ARS Web site. RSGB Islands-On-The-Air Contest--CW/SSB--sponsored by the RSGB from 1200Z Jul 30-1200Z Jul 31. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOAB and SOAB-Assisted (SSB/CW/Mixed, 12 and 24 hour entries, High/Low/QRP Power), MS. All categories Island or World (non-Island). Exchange--RS(T) and serial number, Island stations add IOTA reference number. QSO points: Contacts with own IOTA--3 pts, with other IOTA--15 pts, non-island--3 pts. Score: QSO points × IOTA refs, counted once per band and mode. For more information: www.contesting.co.uk/hfcc/iota.shtml. Logs due Sep 1 to iota.logs@rsgbhfcc.org or RSGB IOTA Contest, PO Box 9, Potters Bar, Herts EN6 3RH, England. (ARRL News Service)
Jul 5-Jul 31, 1300Z-2100Z, Port Colborne, ON, Canada. Niagara Peninsula ARC, VE3WCD. Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival. 28.350 21.250 14.250 7.250. QSL. Doug Frame, VE3JDF, 895 Lakeshore Rd E, Port Colborne, ON, Canada L3K 5V3. www.nparc.on.ca. Jul 10-Jul 21. Israel Amateur Radio Club, 17th Maccabiah Games. Israel Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 17600, Tel-Aviv, 61176 Israel. For complete information go to: www.iarc.org/~4z4tl/Maccabiah17_main.htm. Jul 19-Jul 23, 1200Z-2400Z, Fremont, MI. Newaygo County Emergency Communications Group, W1B. National Baby Food Festival. 14.265 7.264 3.965 146.470. Certificate. Mike Foster, 7937.E 36th St, Newaygo, MI 49337. Jul 21-Jul 22, 2000Z-0200Z, Manchester, MI. Chelsea Amateur Radio Club, W8C. Manchester Chicken Broil - We 8 Chicken! 14.250. Certificate. WD8IEL Chelsea ARC, PO Box 43, Chelsea, MI 48118. kn8a@arrl.net. Jul 21-Jul 24, 1400Z-2100Z, Warren, OH. Warren Amateur Radio Association, W8P. 6th Annual Packard Museum Car Show. 28.450 14.260 7.260 3.860. Certificate. Gail Wells, KC8LRH, 708 Delaware SW, Warren, OH 44485. Jul 23, 1400Z-2000Z, Williamsburg, VA. Williamsburg Area Amateur Radio Club, K4RC. Promote Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown. 21.35 18.15 14.25 7.261. QSL. Larry Wheeler, 163 Lakewood Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23185. Jul 23, 1500Z-2200Z, Saline, MI. ARROW Communications Association, W8PGW. Saline Railroad Depot Museum Open House. 14.260 14.040 7.260 7.040. QSL. ARROW Communications Association Inc, PO Box 1572, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. www.w8pgw.org. Jul 23-Jul 24, 1800Z-2200Z, DeSmet, SD. Huron Amateur Radio Club and Lake Area Radio Klub, W0NOZ. Annual Little House on the Prairie Pageant. 21.365 14.265 7.265. Certificate. HARC, PO Box 205, Huron, SD 57350. www.huronarc.info. Jul 23-Jul 25, 1200Z-0200Z, Springfield, OH. Independent Radio Association, K4H. Birthplace of the 4H Clubs of America. 21.370 14.265 7.235 3.865. QSL. Independent Radio Association, PO Box 523, Springfield, OH 45369. Jul 25-Jul 31, 0000Z-0000Z, Tiffin, OH. Seneca Radio Club, W8ID. Celebrating the 2005 Seneca County Fair in Ohio. 14.275 7.275 3.860. Certificate. Seneca Radio Club—W8ID, c/o Fair Special Event 2005, 126 Hopewell Ave, Tiffin, OH 44883. www.w8id.com/SCF2005. Jul 28-Jul 31, 1400Z-2100Z, Oshkosh, WI. Fox Cities Amateur Radio Club, Inc, W9ZL. EAA AirVenture 2005 Fly-In. 14.270 7.250 146.52 146.76. Certificate. Bernie Hengels, N9YMC, PO Box 5233, Appleton, WI 54912. www.fcarc.us. Jul 30-Jul 31. Douglas, Isle of Man. Scarlett Point Radio Group and Isle of Man Business School, GB5MOB. Isle of Man’s 175th Maritime Anniversary/Mutiny on the Bounty and Peter Heywood. All HF bands CW VHF UHF Echolink. Scarlett Point, 42 Close Rushen, Castletown, Isle of Man. www.scarlettpoint.com. (ARRL)
EGYPT, SU. Gab, HA3JB
will be QRV again as SU8BHI from July 01 to December 31. He
will be active on all bands using CW, RTTY, SSTV, PSK and some SSB during
many of the major upcoming contests. QSL direct only via
HA3JB (Kutasi Gabor, P.O. Box 243, H-8601
Siofok, Hungary).
July 21 2005 ARRL DX News This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by SP5XSD, UA3SGV, VA3YDX, QRZ DX, the OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST. Thanks to all. TUNISIA, 3V. Some members of the Canary Islands DX Society will be QRV as 3V8SM from July 26 to 31 from Djerba Island, IOTA AF-083, from a Scout Radio Club in Houmt Souk City. This includes being active in the upcoming IOTA Contest. Activity will be on HF and the newer bands using SSB, RTTY and PSK31. QSL via EC4DX. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, A6. Alexander is QRV as A6/RV6LNA and has been active on 40 meters CW around 1930z. QSL via UA6MF. MOZAMBIQUE, C9. Look for UT7L club members to be QRV from Maputo from July 23 to 28 as C91UY, C91MC, C91LL, C91UJ, C91UT, C91CW and C91NM. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB and the digital modes. QSL via operators' instructions. AZORES, CU. Joao, CU3AA will be QRV from Sao Miguel Island, IOTA EU-003, from July 26 to 29. He'll be operating from four different lighthouses during his daylight hours. QSL to home call. SABLE ISLAND, CY0. Look for Joe, W8GEX, Wayne, K8LEE and Phil, W9IXX to be QRV as CY0AA from July 27 to August 3. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters, including the newer bands, using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK. They will have a 6-meter beacon on 50107 kHz. QSL via K8LEE. CANARY ISLANDS, EA8. Wojtek, SP5MXZ is QRV as EA8/SP5MXZ from Tenerife, IOTA AF-004, until August 2. Activity is on 20, 17 and 15 meters using CW and SSB. QSL to home call. SCOTLAND, GM. Mark, MM0MMK/p is QRV from Tiree Island, IOTA EU-008, until August 1. Activity is on all HF bands using SSB. QSL to home call. SEYCHELLES, S7. Karl, OE3JAG is QRV as S79JAG from Mahe until August 7. Activity is on 20 to 10 meters, including 17 and 12 meters, using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK during his spare time. QSL to home call. MOUNT ATHOS, SV/A. Monk Apollo, SV2ASP/A has been QRV on 40 meters CW around 0130z. He has also been active on 20 meters CW around 0830 and 1700z. QSL via operator's instructions. TURKEY, TA. Look for Atila, TA1DX to be QRV on July 23 using only RTTY on 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters. QSL to home call. Meanwhile, Berkin, TA3J/4 will also be QRV on this day from Antalya Bababurnu Lighthouse, ARLHS 065. Activity will be on 80 to 10 meters, including 17 and 12 meters, using SSB. QSL direct to home call. CORSICA, TK. Stefano, IK5XCT will be QRV as TK/IK5XCT from July 23 to August 6. QSL to home call. EUROPEAN RUSSIA, UA. Andrei, UA3SGV will be QRV as UA3SGV/1 from the Khibin mountain range. QSL to home call. CANADA, VE. Igor, VA3YDX will be QRV as VB3M/p from July 22 to 24 from a number of Canadian Islands and the lighthouses on them. Activity will be on 80, 40, 20 and 15 meters using SSB. QSL to home call. CAMBODIA, XU. Wim, ON6TZ is QRV as XU7TZG until August 10. Activity is on 20, 17 and 15 meters SSB. QSL via ON4AJV. SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO, YT. In celebration of its 10th anniversary, members of the SKY Contest Club are QRV as YT310SKY, YZ610SKY and 4O310SKY using CW, SSB and RTTY, respectively, until the end of the year. QSL via YT6A. SOUTH COOK ISLANDS, ZK1. Gordon, ZL2ARN will be QRV as ZK1ARN from Aitutaki, IOTA OC-083, from July 27 to August 3. Activity will be on all bands and modes. QSL to home call. THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO. The Great Lakes Sweepstakes, The NCCC Thursday CW Sprint, VK/Trans-Tasman 160-Meter CW Contest and the Six Club Contest are all scheduled for this weekend. Please see July QST, page 104 and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details. (ARRL News Service)
July 22-31 2005 I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O. 22/07/2005: AF-024
S79JAG SEYCHELLES -
22/07/2005: EU-132
SP3BJK/1, SQ3RX/1 WOLIN ISLAND -
22/07/2005: EU-159
TM7CI CORDOUAN ISLAND -
22/07/2005: USI W8DXI
N. & S. MANITOU ISLANDS, MI -
23/07/2005: EU-175
CU4T, CU4/CT3FN GRACIOSA ISLAND -
24/07/2005: OC-067
FOØ/WB2REM VAHINE / BORA BORA -
24/07/2005: EU-165
IK2MKE/IMØ SAN MACARIO ISLAND -
24/07/2005: EU-052
SV8/HA8KW/P ZAKYNTHOS ISLAND -
25/07/2005: EU-042
DC1HPS/P PELLWORM ISLAND -
25/07/2005: EU-128
DH6GD/P FEHMARN ISLAND -
25/07/2005: EU-011
H.C.'s/P & M8C ISLES OF SCILLY -
25/07/2005: EU-015
SV9/S59W CRETE -
26/07/2005: AF-083
3V8SM DJERBA ISLAND -
26/07/2005: EU-014
TK/DK1EAW CORSICA -
27/07/2005: AS-118
9K2F FAYLAKAH ISLAND -
27/07/2005: NA-063
CYØAA SABLE ISLAND, NS -
27/07/2005: EU-149
ES2U RAMMU -
27/07/2005: EU-038
PC6IOTA TEXEL ISLAND -
28/07/2005: NA-113
C6APR, C6ARV CROOKED ISLAND -
28/07/2005: AF-New!
C93DX CHILOANE ISLAND -
28/07/2005: EU-129
DL0KWH/P USEDOM ISLAND -
28/07/2005: EU-130
IV3/DL3OCH GRADO ISLAND -
28/07/2005: EU-088
OZ8MW/P ANHOLT ISLAND -
28/07/2005: NA-014
VC9W WHITEHEAD ISLAND, NB -
28/07/2005: NA-092
W5RTA MUSTANG ISLAND, TX -
29/07/2005: EU-043
7S6TL TISTLARNA -
29/07/2005: AS-081
D7ØYT CH'ANGSON ISLAND -
29/07/2005: EU-105
F/ON5MF/P ILE DE BATZ -
29/07/2005: NA-132
FP/H.C.'s MIQUELON -
29/07/2005: EU-011
M1KTA/P ISLES OF SCILLY -
29/07/2005: EU-123
MM3M ISLE OF ARRAN -
29/07/2005: EU-012
MMØECG SHETLAND MAINLAND -
29/07/2005: EU-010
MMØLSB/P BERBNERAY -
29/07/2005: EU-092
MMØQ TANERA MOR, SUMMER ISLES -
29/07/2005: EU-092
MMØTFU/P ISLE OF ARRAN -
29/07/2005: EU-125
OZ/DFØTX ROMO ISLAND -
29/07/2005: EU-029
OZ/DL2JRM/P LOLLAND ISLAND -
29/07/2005: EU-065
TM4Z ILE OUESSANT -
29/07/2005: EU-074
TMØEME BREHAT ISLAND -
30/07/2005: NA-137
AK1Q LOUDS ISLAND, ME -
30/07/2005: EU-145
CS1GDX CULATRA ISLAND -
30/07/2005: AS-105
DTØHF/2 TAEBU ISLAND -
30/07/2005: EU-071
G6UW/TF HEIMAEY ISLAND -
30/07/2005: EU-116
GB5MOB ISLE OF MAN -
30/07/2005: EU-031
IC8OZM ISLAND OF PROCIDA -
30/07/2005: NA-028
KL7/N7YX ST. PAUL ISLAND -
30/07/2005: EU-029
OZ/DH8SAM FALSTER ISLAND -
30/07/2005: EU-176
SG3ZZR GRIMSKAR ISLAND -
30/07/2005: EU-135
SK2T BREDSKÄR ISLAND -
30/07/2005: EU-037
SMØELV/7 IDÖ ISLAND -
30/07/2005: EU-158
SY8M PROTI ISLAND -
30/07/2005: EU-065
TM4Z ILE D'OUESSANT -
30/07/2005: EU-064
TMØxx NOIRMOUTIER ISLAND -
30/07/2005: NA-081
VE9's/P NS PROVINCE E GROUP -
30/07/2005: EU-074
W4YO HARBOR ISLAND, SC -
31/07/2005: EU-061
LA/DB5YB FLEKKEROY ISLAND -
31/07/2005: NA-077
VE2QRA/P ANTICOSTI ISLAND, QC -
73 and Good
Hunting!
Home of
ICPO:
www.qsl.net/va3rj
Note: A complete list of Prefixes assigned by International Telecommunications Union can be found on the Trans Provincial Website: www.tpn7055.ca/callsign.html
FCC Proposes to Drop Morse Code Requirement for All License Classes (July 20, 2005) The FCC has proposed dropping the 5 WPM Morse code element as a requirement to obtain an Amateur Radio license of any class. The Commission recommended the change to its Part 97 Amateur Service rules in a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) in WT Docket 05-235. Any rule changes proposed in the NPRM would not become final until the FCC gathers additional public comments, formally adopts any changes to its rules and concludes the proceeding by issuing a Report and Order (R&O) spelling out the changes and specifying an effective date. That's not likely to happen for several months. The FCC declined in its NPRM to go forward with any other suggested changes to Amateur Service licensing rules or operating privileges beyond elimination of the Morse requirement. "Based upon the petitions and comments, we propose to amend our amateur service rules to eliminate the requirement that individuals pass a telegraphy examination in order to qualify for any amateur radio operator license," the FCC said in its NPRM, released July 19. This week's NPRM consolidated 18 petitions for rule making from the amateur community--including one from the ARRL--that proposed a wide range of additional changes to the amateur rules. The FCC said the various petitions had attracted 6200 comments from the amateur community, which soon will have the opportunity to comment again--this time on the FCC's proposals in response to those petitions. The Commission said it believes dropping Element 1--the 5 WPM Morse examination--would "encourage individuals who are interested in communications technology, or who are able to contribute to the advancement of the radio art, to become amateur radio operators." The FCC said it also would eliminate a requirement it believes "is now unnecessary and that may discourage" current licensees from advancing their skills, and that it would "promote more efficient use" of current Amateur Radio spectrum. The FCC cited changes in Article 25 of the international Radio Regulations adopted at World Radiocommunication Conference 2003 as the primary reason to go forward with eliminating Morse code as an Amateur Radio licensing requirement in the future. Among other changes, WRC-03 deleted the Morse testing requirement for amateur applicants seeking HF privileges, leaving it up to individual countries to determine whether or not they want to mandate Morse testing. Several countries already have dropped their Morse requirements. ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, said he was not surprised that the FCC proposed altogether scrapping the Morse code requirement. The League and others had called for retaining the 5 WPM requirement only for Amateur Extra class applicants. Sumner expressed dismay, however, that the FCC turned away proposals from the League and other petitioners to create a new entry-level Amateur Radio license class. "We're disappointed that the Commission prefers to deny an opportunity to give Amateur Radio the restructuring it needs for the 21st century," he said. "It appears that the Commission is taking the easy road, but the easy road is seldom the right road." Sumner said ARRL officials and the Board of Directors would closely study the 30-page NPRM and plan to comment further after they've had the opportunity to consider the Commission's stated rationales for its proposals. In 2004, the ARRL filed a Petition for Rule Making asking the FCC to amend Part 97 to complete the Amateur Service restructuring begun in 1999 but "left unfinished." The League called on the FCC to create a new entry-level license, reduce the number of actual license classes to three and drop the Morse code testing requirement for all classes except for Amateur Extra. Among other recommendations, the League asked the FCC to automatically upgrade Technician licensees to General and Advanced licensees to Amateur Extra. In this week's NPRM, the FCC said it was not persuaded such automatic upgrades were in the public interest. The FCC said it did not believe a new entry-level license class was warranted because current Novice and Tech Plus licensees already can easily upgrade to General. "We also note that, if our proposal to eliminate telegraphy testing in the amateur service is adopted," the FCC continued, "a person who is not a licensee will be able to qualify for a General Class operator license by passing two written examinations, and that a person who is a Technician Class licensee will be able to qualify for a General Class operator license by passing one written examination." The FCC said it does not believe either path to be unreasonable. The FCC also said that it's already addressed some of the other issues petitioners raised in its "Phone Band Expansion" (or "Omnibus") NPRM in WT Docket 04-140. In that proceeding, the Commission proposed to go along with the ARRL's Novice refarming proposal aimed at reallocating the current Novice/Tech Plus subbands to provide additional phone spectrum. Under the plan, Novice/Tech Plus licensees would be granted CW privileges in the current General CW subbands. (ARRL News Service)
New ARRL Goes to Washington video available for download (Jul 20, 2005) The ARRL is making available a 10-minute video, The ARRL Goes to Washington, that documents the League's activities on behalf of Amateur Radio on Capitol Hill and at the FCC. Produced by Dave Bell, W6AQ, Alan Kaul, W6RCL, and Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, The ARRL Goes to Washington now is available for downloading from the ARRL Web site. Because it typically occurs behind the scenes, ARRL's advocacy in "official Washington" in support of Amateur Radio receives little fanfare compared to its importance and significance. This video offers an opportunity to call attention to this critical ARRL function in an entertaining and informative way. ARRL members often say that legislative and regulatory advocacy is very important to them. Now clubs, public information officers and others will be able to witness the League's leadership in action in the nation's capital for themselves. Featuring ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, and narrated by former CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD, the presentation's debut at Dayton Hamvention was resoundingly positive. Now you can download this video and save it on your computer or on a CD. It makes a great centerpiece for an Amateur Radio club program or meeting too. This video is not intended, nor available, for telecasting or broadcasting in any manner. It may be shown to groups or at hamfests, forums and clubs. The file is 95 MB, so a high-speed connection is necessary. The video runs 10:42. A higher-resolution DVD will be available in a few weeks. (ARRL News Service)
ARRL Board of Directors in session (Jul 15, 2005) The ARRL Board of Directors is meeting Friday and Saturday, July 15-16, to consider various agenda items. Among them are recommendations that could result in a petition calling on the FCC to regulate the use of amateur spectrum by emission bandwidth rather than by emission mode. The ARRL Executive Committee reached consensus on a set of regulation-by-bandwidth proposals April 9, the League has solicited input from members and modified the proposals in response and the Board now must decide to adopt them, adopt them in modified form, decline to adopt them or postpone the agenda item pending further study. The Board also will hear reports from League officers and committees, and it's expected to name the recipients of various ARRL-sponsored awards, including the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Award, which honors a radio amateur under age 21 who has contributed to Amateur Radio and to the community. ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP (center in photo), is chairing the Board's second meeting of 2005 in Windsor, Connecticut. He's flanked by ARRL First Vice President Joel Harrison, W5ZN (left), and CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ. (ARRL News Service)
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