GB2RS Launches News Bulletin on
the MT63 Mode (July 30 2005)
Brief reception reports using MT63 or voice USB may be given after the transmissions. Calls on 5MHz, by those holding the required NoV, should be made using voice USB only on 5,278.5kHz exactly. Calls using Morse code A1A may be tried anywhere between this channel lower edge frequency and 5,279kHz. The channel is known as Foxtrot-Bravo. If the channel is occupied by the primary user, then the transmission will be made on channel Foxtrot-Alpha 5,259kHz instead. This initiative is part of the build-up to the 50th anniversary of GB2RS, which is being celebrated in two month’s time. More details can be obtained from GB2RS news manager Gordon Adams, G3LEQ, on 01565 652 652. (RSGB2)
Amateur Radio in Yemen (July 27 2005) Mr. Abdulgader Ibrahim, Director
General of Frequency Management of the Ministry of Communications has made
a request for as much visual material on Amateur Radio as possible to share
with the Security Section of Yemen Ministry of Interior to provide a presentation
related to Amateur Radio to prove that;
Such material as handbooks, magazines, tapes, CD's, samples of picture QSL cards and posters, new or used to be sent to: Mr. Abdulgader Ibrahim, Director
General of Frequency Management
Mr. Ibrahim also states that there has never been a single Amateur Radio operation from Yemen and would welcome an official inquiry from any Amateur Radio Club/Organization. Only one authorization has ever been given out to a Sultan of Kuwait but the station was never set up. There have been a few other operations but they were unauthorized. A few years ago a crew of Amateur Operators were caught operating from a hotel in Aden without authorization and they were ordered to shut down, they could have just a easily ended up in prison. The Yemen Government does not understand a lot about Amateur Radio but realize the benefit the hobby can provide to the Country. They would like to establish an Amateur Radio Club at the Ministry to teach the locals and allow visitors to operate the station. 73, VB (UA4WHX)
(Thanks to KB8NW/OPDX/BARF80)
IRLP up and running in China (July 30 2005) Michael, W7RAT, who has for some time been trying to get IRLP going in China has now succeeded. The call sign is BY/W7RAT, node 3374. IRLP operators are encourged to call the node up. More informatin will be provided at a later date. Congratulations to Michael for all his efforts in getting IRLP going in China. (SARL)
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)
July 29 2005 Tad Cook K7RA Solar Update
Watch for sunspot and solar flux numbers to rise over the next few days, peaking from August 1-6 as last month's spotted region returns to view. Geomagnetic indices should drop and stay low. Predicted planetary A index for July 29 through August 2 is 15, 12, 10, 5 and 5. Over the long term, the general direction of the cycle is down, although variations such as the increased activity around July 4 are occasionally observed. Looking at a smoothed prediction for sunspot numbers over the next few years at http://www.sec.noaa.gov/weekly/pdf/prf1557.pdf, sunspots should continue to decline overall, and are predicted to rise again to the current level around December 2007. If you would like to comment or have a tip, email the author at, k7ra@arrl.net. For more information concerning radio 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. An archive of past bulletins is found at, http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/prop/. Sunspot numbers for July 21 through 27 were 0, 0, 20, 18, 23, 29 and 19 with a mean of 15.6. 10.7 cm flux was 72.8, 73.6, 80.1, 80.2, 83.9, 86.5 and 90.6, with a mean of 81.1. Estimated planetary A indices were 29, 13, 5, 5, 6, 6 and 17 with a mean of 11.6. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 19, 8, 2, 3, 3, 4 and 15, with a mean of 7.7. (ARRL News Service)
Europe July 30 2005 Solar and propagation
report,
For much of the past week solar activity was very low. The Sun was spotless and there were no flares of any consequence. However, from the 27th flare activity resumed. A major X1.3 flare was reported early on the 30th. The solar flux increased from 80 on the 13th to 104 on the 29th, averaging 89, a gain of sixteen points. The 90-day average shed a point to 96. The x-ray flux also showed an increase, reaching B1.8 on the 29th and averaging A8.1 compared with A3.4 the week before. The geomagnetic field was initially quiet, with the Ap index in single figures for four successive days. The 27th and 28th were more active, with the index reaching 28 on the 28th. Solar wind speeds were initially relatively low, dipping below 300km/sec, but were up to 661km/sec on the 29th. Particle densities reached 27 per cubic centimetre on the 28th but were mostly in single figures. HF propagation was relatively good for the season and the stage of the cycle, with even 28MHz providing patchy openings every day. However, 14MHz remains the most consistent band for DX working. The geomagnetic disturbance on the 28th brought VHF aurora for much of the day but only high latitudes benefited. Now the forecast. The very large sunspot group mentioned last week emerged on the Sun's eastern limb on the 29th. This area produced powerful coronal mass ejections while it was on the far side of the Sun. It seems it will continue doing so now it is facing us. And another large active area is following a day or so behind. So expect a substantial increase in flare activity. Earth-directed coronal mass ejections may well follow, though at the time this report was being prepared this remained uncertain. That would spell increased geomagnetic activity and a consequential degradation of HF propagation. There is a possibility of VHF aurora from midweek. The recent rise in solar flux will continue for a few more days, peaking around 120 to 130 before a fresh downturn begins. On the better days MUFs at equal latitudes will have a maximum usable frequency of about 20MHz in the south and 17MHz in the north. Darkness hour lows will remain in the vicinity of 11MHz. Paths to Japan should have a maximum usable frequency - giving a fifty per cent chance of success - around 18MHz. The optimum working frequency will be about 14MHz. The path should be best between 1000 and 1200UTC. Expect sporadic-E to continue patchily on 28MHz and even 50MHz. Openings at 144MHz are not unknown this late in the season but must be considered a long shot. And that's all for another week from the propagation team.
Educators Query ISS Astronaut Via Ham Radio (July 26, 2005)
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. To accommodate the group's size, the Earth station actually used two locations and two sets of equipment, Bauer explained. "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 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 educators, several with tears in the eyes, said this was one of the best events they have experienced." He noted that the QSO 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. The NN1SS-NA1SS QSO represented a role reversal of sorts. During most ARISS school group contacts, the students--not the teachers--ask the questions. ARISS is an international educational outreach with US participation by ARRL, AMSAT and NASA. (ARRL News Service)
Shuttle Discovery launches successfully
(Jul 26, 2005)
US Astronaut Eileen Collins, KD5EDS, is the commander for mission. The international crew also includes James Kelly, KC5ZSW; Charlie Camarda, KC5ZSY; Wendy Lawrence, KC5KII; Soichi Noguchi, KD5TVP; Andy Thomas, KD5CHF/VK5MIR, and Stephen Robinson. Thomas and Lawrence both did tours of duty aboard the Russian Mir space station and conducted many SAREX (Space Amateur Radio EXperiment) school group contacts. Discovery is undertaking 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 unlikely. PCSat2 will be installed outside the ISS during a spacewalk. Even in the hours before launch, NASA managers and engineers had been weighing the risks involved of launching Discovery in the wake of problems with a fuel-tank sensor that prompted shuttle managers to scrub the first Discovery launch attempt July 13. For the latest information on the Space Shuttle's Return to Flight, visit the NASA Web site. (ARRL News Service)
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)
GREATER BUFFALO
* Huge Flea Market *Club Contests
* Ten Acre Fox Hunt
Main Transit Fireman’s Grounds
Easy Directions to the Convention:
Talk In 147.255 + pl 107.2
The Nano-Transistor (July 30 2005) Canadian engineers have unveiled the creation of the world's smallest transistor in which electricity flows through a sngle molecule. Science Today reports that the device is only visible through a powerful microscope, but experts say it may be the biggest development so far in nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is a science with a gal of reducing computers and other devices to minuscule sizes. (Science Today) (ARNewsline)
Broadband takes to the Sky (July 30 2005) Boeing this week joined the ranks of companies offering planes equipped with Wi-Fi service with the introduction of its new high-speed Internet service, Connexion by Boeing, WIA Director and frequent flier Glen Dunstan VK4DU has more. Wi-Fi service is already available on about 70 aircraft operated by ANA, China Airlines, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, SAS, and Singapore Airlines, though not on domestic U.S. flights. How it works Boeing uses a two-way satellite link to communicate with a network of ground-based stations. The aircraft is fitted with a standard 802.11 wireless router i.e. you must provide your own laptop with a wireless card. Connection costs US$30 on most international routes, US$20 for flights of less than 6 hours, or US$10 for 60 minutes of access, with each minute thereafter costing 25 cents. Maximum throughput to the aircraft is 20 megabits per second, which translates to a passenger average of 150 to 200 kilobits per second about three times the speed of a standard dial up connection. So is this what consumers want? Not everyone is excited about the prospect of aeronautical broadband, though. As one business traveller put it, "If you give me Wi-Fi, I will have to work. The airplane is the last place I can actually read a book during the day without guilt." And if you don't want WiFi and you haven't a good book, pretty soon you may be able to at least phone someone who has! RSGB's Jeremy Boot... 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. (WIA News)
Changes announced for ARRL International EME Competition (Jul 26, 2005) The ARRL Program and Services Committee has approved the addition of a Single Operator Assisted (SOA) category for single-band and multiband ARRL International EME Competition entries. Under SOA, one person performs all operating and logging as well as equipment and antenna adjustment and alignment. The use of spotting assistance or nets (operating arrangements involving other individuals, DX-alerting nets, packet, etc) is permitted. The new category will be in play for the upcoming 2005 contest season, although it was not approved in time to make the contest announcement in August QST. This change means that single-op single-band and multiband EME event participants now may compete as unassisted or assisted. Certificates will be awarded for the new category. The EME competition cover three 48-hour weekend periods (0000 UTC Saturday through 2359 UTC Sunday). Dates and designated bands for 2005 are September 24-25: 2304 MHz and Up, and October 22-23 and November 12-13 50: MHz through 1296 MHz. For more information contact ARRL Contest Branch Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND. (ARRL News Service)
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. North American QSO Party--CW, sponsored by the National Contest Journal, 1800Z Aug 6-0600Z Aug 7 (see Jan QST, p 102 or www.ncjweb.com). Ten-Ten International Summer Phone QSO Party--sponsored by Ten-Ten International, 0001Z Aug 6-2359Z Aug 7, 10 meters only. Exchange: call, name, state and 10-10 number (if available). QSO points: nonmembers--1 pt, members--2 pts. Total score: sum of QSO points. For more information: www.ten-ten.org. Logs due Aug 22 to tentencontest@alltel.net or Steve Rasmussen, NØWY, 312 N 6th St, Plattsmouth, NE 68048-1302. European HF Championship--CW/SSB, sponsored by the Slovenian Contest Club, from 1200Z-2359Z Aug 6. EU to EU contacts only. Frequencies: 160-10 meters. Categories: SOAB only--CW, SSB, and Mixed Modes, HP and LP. Exchange: RS(T) and last 2 digits of first year licensed. Score: QSOs × number of different years received, counted once per band. For more information: http://lea.hamradio.si/~scc/euhfc.html. Logs due Aug 31 to euhfc@hamradio.si (Cabrillo format preferred) or Slovenia Contest Club, Saveljska 50, 1113 Ljubljana, Slovenia. TARA "Grid Dip" Contest--PSK and RTTY, sponsored by Troy ARA from 0000Z-2400Z Aug 6. Frequencies: 80-6 meters, work stations once per band, work Rovers again from new locators. Categories: SOAB only--QRP (<5 W), LP (<20 W or RTTY <100 W), HP (100 W max. or RTTY legal limit) Rover (50 W max or RTTY legal limit) operating from more than one Grid Locator, SWL. Exchange: Name and 4 digit grid locator. QSO points: 1 pt/QSO. Total score: QSO points × grid locators counted once per band. For more information: www.n2ty.org/seasons/tara_grid_rules.html. Scores due Sep 3 via on-line submission form at www.n2ty.org/seasons/tara_grid_score.html. National Lighthouse-Lightship Weekend--all modes, sponsored by the Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society from 0001Z Aug 6-2359Z Aug 7. Frequencies (MHz): CW--1.830, 3.530, 7.030, 14.030, 21.030, 28.030; SSB--1.970, 3.970, 7.270, 14.270, 21.370, 28.370. Exchange: Serial number or ARLHS member or lighthouse number, name and S/P/C. For more information: http://arlhs.com/. Logs due Aug 31 to Dave Ruch, NFØJ, PO Box 20696, Bloomington, MN 55420-0696. Worked All Europe DX Contest--CW, sponsored by the Deutscher ARC from 0000Z Aug 13-2359Z Aug 14, (phone is Sep 10-11; RTTY is Nov 12-13). Frequencies: 80-10 meters according to Region I band plan. Categories: SOHP, SOLP, MS, SWL. Spotting assistance allowed (SO stations not using spotting assistance will be noted). SO operate 36 hrs max, up to three off periods of 1 hour min. Non-EU work EU only except RTTY, where everyone works everyone. Exchange: RS(T) and serial number. Score 1 pt/QSO and 1 pt/QTC. Final score is QSOs + QTCs × weighted multipliers. Multipliers: non-EU use WAE countries, EU use DXCC entities plus call districts in W, VE, VK, ZL, ZS, JA, PY and RA8/9/Ø. (RTTY use WAE inside EU, DXCC outside EU, plus call districts.) Mults on 80 m count ×4, on 40 m ×3, otherwise ×2. A QTC is a report sent from a non-EU station back to an EU station of QSOs that took place earlier in the contest (RTTY QTC may only be exchanged between continents). A QTC contains the time, call sign, and QSO number of the station being reported (eg, 1307/DL1AA/346). A QSO may only be reported once and not back to the originating station. A maximum of 10 QTCs can be sent to a single station. The same station can be worked several times to complete this quota, but only the original QSO has QSO point value. Keep a list of QTCs sent. For example, QTC 3/7 would indicate that this is the third series of QTCs sent, and seven QSOs are reported. For more information: www.waedc.de. Logs due by Sep 15 (CW), Oct 15 (Phone) or Dec 15 (RTTY) to waedc@dxhf.darc.de or to WAEDC Contest Manager, Bernhard Buettner, DL6RAI, Schmidweg 17, 85609 Dornach, Germany. Maryland-DC QSO Party--CW/Phone, sponsored by the Antietam Radio Association, 1600Z Aug 13-0400Z Aug 14 and 1600Z-2359Z Aug 14. Frequencies (MHz): CW--3.643, 7.060, 14.060, 21.060, 28.035, Phone--1.895, 3.920, 7.230, 14.270, 21.370, 28.370, VHF/UHF--50.150, 52.525, 144.15, 146.55, 146.580, 432.15, 446.000. Categories: Club, Mobile, Novice/Tech, QRP and Standard. Work stations once per band/mode, portable/mobiles can be worked again in each county. Exchange: QTH and category. QSO points: Club--10 pts, Mobile--5 pts, QRP or Novice/Tech--4 pts, CW or RTTY or ATV--3 pts, all others--1 pt. Highest single point value applies. Score: QSO points × MD counties + Baltimore City + DC. (MD-DC stations also count SPC) For more information: www.w3cwc.org/rules.html. Logs due Sep 15 to wa3eop@arrl.net (ASCII format) or Antietam Radio Association, PO Box 52, Hagerstown, MD 21741-0052. (ARRL News Service)
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. Aug 4-Aug 6, 2000Z-1800Z, Bolingbrook, IL. Antique Radio Club of Illinois, W9R. 25th Anniversary Radiofest. 14.255 21.355 28.455 146.97. QSL. James Novak, WA9FIH, 2335 South 2nd Ave, North Riverside, IL 60546-1308. www.antique-radios.org. Aug 4-Aug 7, 0000Z-0500Z, Hannibal, MO. Hannibal Amateur Radio Club, K9P. Masters International Shooting Championship 20 th Anniversary. 14.258 7.258. Certificate. Robert G. Mitchell, 816 Long Dr, Quincy, IL 62305. www.ewingmissouri.com/w0kem/. Aug 5-Aug 7, 1500Z-0300Z, Indianapolis, IN. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Amateur Radio Club, W9IMS. Brickyard 400 NASCAR Race. 21.340 14.240 7.240 3.840. QSL. Indianapolis Motor Speedway ARC, PO Box 18495, Indianapolis, IN 46218. www.w9ims.com. Aug 5-Aug 7, 2100Z-0100Z, Alma, MI. Michigan Masonic Radio Club, K8M. Masonic Family and Community Festival. 14.270 7.270 145.580. Certificate. Benjamin Creech, K8LHR, 416 Sunset St, Plymouth, MI 48170. www.gl-mi.org. Aug 5-Aug 8, 1400Z-0400Z, Canton, OH. Canton Amateur Radio Club, W8AL. Annual Pro-Football Hall of Fame Festival. 28.365 21.365 14.265 7.265. Certificate. Donald E. Perry, WQ8J, 968 Culverne Ave NW, Massillon, OH 44647. www.w8al.org. Aug 6-Aug 6, 1200Z-2000Z, Indianapolis, IN. Indianapolis Repeater Association, W9Z. Kids Special Event at Broad Ripple Hamfest. 28.350 21.330 14.280 7.250. Certificate. Steven Wendt, 9559 Neptune Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46229. All operators 18 and under. Aug 6-Aug 6, 1400Z-1900Z, Townshend, VT. West River Radio Club, W1RRC. Grace Cottage Hospital Day. 14.270 7.270. QSL. John Borichevsky, POB 8087, Guilford, VT 05304. www.westriverradio.net. Aug 6-Aug 7, 0001Z-1959Z, Bristol, ME. Lincoln County Amateur Radio Club, K1LX. National Lighthouse-Lightship Weekend from Pemaquid Lighthouse, US#278, ARLS#589. 14.250. Certificate. John Peters, K2LOT, 154 Boothbay Rd, Edgecomb, ME 04566. Aug 6-Aug 7, 0001Z-2359Z, Gulf Coast, TX. Central Texas Contest Group, WA5DTK. Operation from multiple Texas lighthouses--NLLW. 14.270 14.030 21.370 7.030/7.060. QSL. Barry Brewer, 603 Broken Bow Dr, Round Rock, TX 78681. Aug 6-Aug 7, 0001Z-2359Z, Port Hope, MI. Milford Amateur Radio Club, K8S. National Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend from Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse. 28.370 21.370 14.270 7.270. Certificate. Gary I. Sklar, 7296 Green Farm Rd, West Bloomfield, MI 48322. Aug 6-Aug 7, 1200Z-2359Z, St Augustine, FL. St Augustine Amateur Radio Society, N4AUG. LH 758 celebrating NA Lighthouse Activity. 14.270 14.030 7.265 7.030. QSL. SAARS, PO Box 860084, St Augustine, FL 32086. www.saars.net. Aug 6-Aug 7, 1400Z-1600Z, Mathews County, VA. Middle Peninsula Amateur Radio Club, N4P. Commemorating New Point Comfort Lighthouse, USA-543. 21.360 14.260 7.260 3.960. QSL. William Sale, AE4RB, 6543 Belroi Rd, Gloucester, VA 23061. www.arlhs.net. Aug 10-Aug 14, 1300Z-2100Z, Sycamore, IL. Amateur Operators of the NISPC, W9S. Steam Power on the Farm. 28.390 14.290 7.270 3.990. CERTIFICATE. Bob Yurs, W9ICU, 1107 Commercial St, Sycamore, IL 60178. www.w9icu.com. Aug 12-Aug 13, 1400Z-2100Z, Angle Inlet, MN. Northwest Angle Amateur Radio Club, NW0AA. Northern most club in contiguous 48 states. 21.350 14.240 7.200 3.960. QSL. Dan Whipple, 11726 Norway St NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55448. Aug 13, 0001Z-2355Z, Indianapolis, IN. Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra/Kenneth Bandy, W9O. Commemorating 75th anniversary of Indianapolis Orchestra. 14.275 7.260 21.360. QSL. Kenneth Bandy, 1405 S Bridgeport Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46231. http://bandyrecording.com/W9O.htm. Aug 13, 1400Z-2100Z, Rush Springs, OK. W5PAA-FAA Aeronautical Center Amateur Radio Club, W5F. 2005 Rush Springs Watermelon Fest. 10-80 m CW/SSB. QSL. David Begue, K5FOZ, 2155 County Rd 1230, Tuttle, OK 73089-3112. www.W5PAA.org. Aug 13, 1300Z-2200Z, Baltimore, MD. Social Security Employees Amateur Radio Club, W3SSA. Commerating the 70th Anniversary of the Social Security Act. 14.280 7.280. Certificate. Greg Stec, K3ANG, 1624 Pickett Rd, Lutherville, MD 21093. An electronic version of the certificate is available. Aug 13-Aug 14, 1400Z-2200Z, Perry, OH. Lake County Amateur Radio Association, N8BC. Celebrating 27 years of public service in Lake County. 14.270 7.272 147.2100. Certificate. Dennis Brostek, KI8U, 7187 Maple St, Mentor, OH 44060. www.lcara.org. Aug 13-Aug 14, 1400Z-2400Z daily, Window Rock, AZ. Navajo Amateur Radio Club, N7C. Navajo Code Talkers Day. 14.265 7.265. QSL. Herbert Goodluck, PO Box 3611, Window Rock, AZ 86515. Aug 14, 1500Z-1800Z, Pikes Peak, CO. Colorado 14er Event Task Force, Various call signs. Colorado 14er Event--operating from summits of CO mountains. 14.260 147.42 147.45 446.00. QSL. Bob Witte, K0NR, 21060 Capella Dr, Monument, CO 80132. www.14er.org. (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 28 2005 ARRL DX News This week's bulletin was made possible
with information provided by CT1BWW, DL8KAC, EA3EKS, IK7JWX, KB9LIE, the
OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral
from QST. Thanks to
CYPRUS, 5B. Alan, 5B4AHJ will be QRV as P3J using CW and SSB in the IOTA contest. QSL to home call. CROATIA, 9A. Sanyi, HA7JJS, Zsolt, HA6PS and Laci, HA6NL are QRV as 9A/homecalls and 9A6HL, respectively, until August 1 using mainly CW. This includes being active in the IOTA contest from Pasman Island, IOTA EU-170. QSL to home calls. MOROCCO, CN. Look for special call 5D6MC to be active on all bands and modes during the IOTA contest. QSL via EA7FTR. SABLE ISLAND, CY0. Joe, W8GEX, Wayne, K8LEE and Phil, W9IXX are QRV as CY0AA until August 3. Activity is 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. They also plan to be QRV in the IOTA contest. QSL via K8LEE. GERMANY, DA. A multi-op team will be QRV as DL0KWH/p from Peenemuende, Usedom Island, IOTA EU-129, during the IOTA contest. They are here until July 31. QSL via bureau. IRELAND, EI. Dave, EI3IO is QRV as EJ3IO from Inisheer Island, IOTA EU-006, until July 31. This includes an entry in the IOTA contest. Activity is on all HF bands and 6 meters. QSL to home call. ST. PIERRE AND MIQUELON, FP. Paul, K9OT and Peg, KB9LIE will be QRV as FP/homecalls from Miquelon, IOTA NA-032, from July 30 to August 7. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters, plus 30 and 17 meters, using CW and SSB. They plan to be active in the IOTA contest as single operators. QSL to home calls. ENGLAND, G. Stations G0VJG, G0FDZ, G4BUO, G7GLW, 2E0ATY and M3CVN are QRV as homecalls/p, as well as G3RCV/p, from the Isles of Scilly, IOTA EU-011 until July 31. Activity is on all HF bands. QSL to home calls. They will participate in the IOTA contest as M8C. QSL contest call via G4DFI. THAILAND, HS. E20HHK, E21IZC, HS0GBI, HS1CKC and HS6NDK will be QRV as E20HHK/p from Si Chang Island, IOTA AS-107, from July 30 to August 1. This includes an entry in the IOTA contest. QSL via E21EIC. ITALY, I. Look for Alfredo, IK7JWX to be QRV as IR7T/p from Grande Island, IOTA EU-091, during the IOTA contest. QSL to home call. SARDINIA, IS0. Look for a group of operators to be QRV in the IOTA contest as IM0X from Maddalena Island, IOTA EU-041. QSL via IK5EKB. JAPAN, JA. Kenji, JA4GXS will be QRV in the IOTA Contest as JA4GXS/4 from Yashiro Island, Honsyu Coastal Island, Yamaguchi Prefecture, IOTA AS-117. QSL to home call. SVALBARD, JW. Stations EI2GX, EI3HA, EI5IQ, EI6FR, EI7HF and EI7DSB are QRV as JW/homecalls until August 3. They will be active as JW/EI7HF in the IOTA contest. QSL to home calls. QSL contest call via operators' instructions. ARGENTINA, LU. Look for LU/DH4PB/S, LU1DZ/S, LU6UO/S and LW2DX/S to be QRV from La Rioja Island from August 4 to 10. Activity will be on all HF bands using mostly CW with some SSB. QSL via operators' instructions. ALAND ISLANDS, OH0. Juha, OH9MM will be active as OH0Z in the IOTA Contest. QSL via OH5DX. GREENLAND, OX. Hector, EA3EKS will be QRV as OX/EA3EKS from August 2 to 5. Activity will be on all HF bands. QSL direct to home call. FERNANDO DE NORONHA ISLAND, PY0F. Look for Marq, CT1BWW and Juanca, EA2RC to be QRV as PY0F/homecalls from August 1 to 14. QSL via operators' instructions. MALYJ VYSOTSKIJ ISLAND, R1MV. A group of operators from Russia and Finland are QRV as R1MVC and R1MVW until August 1. This includes activity in the IOTA contest. QSL direct to DK4VW. SWEDEN, SM. John, SM7CRW will be QRV as SF50A in the IOTA contest. QSL via W3HNK. EUROPEAN RUSSIA, UA. Look for Wasilij, RU3SD and others to be QRV during August as UE3SFF/6 from the Bogdinsko-Baskunchakskij Natural Reserve. They may also be active from islands in the Caspian Sea. QSL via DL8KAC. INDONESIA, YB. A multi-operator team will participate in the IOTA contest as YE1ZAT from Java, IOTA OC-021. QSL via operators' instructions. THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO. The RSGB Islands-On-The-Air contest and the Flight of the Bumblebees CW contest are scheduled for this weekend. Please see July QST, page 104 and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details. (ARRL News Service)
July 30 - Aug. 15 2005 I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O. 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 -
01/08/2005:
DFCF:53007 F4DBD/P CASTLE OF LASSEY -
01/08/2005:
EU-074 F6HDH/P ILE DE BREHAT -
01/08/2005:
NA-046 K2ARB/1 MARTHA'S VINEYARD -
01/08/2005:
NA-066 N3RW/6, KG6RWI/P SANTA CATALINA ISLAND -
01/08/2005:
EU-010 MMØLSB/P NORTH UIST -
01/08/2005:
SA-003 PYØF/CT1BWW, PYØF/EA2RC -
01/08/2005:
EU-164 TK/IK5PWQ/P SAN CIPRIANO -
01/08/2005:
CAN-067 VE3RGG/P CABOT HEAD LIGHTHOUSE -
02/08/2005:
NA-018 OX/EA3EKS GREENLAND -
03/08/2005:
OC-016 3D2HY FIJI -
03/08/2005:
AS-079 JE1RXJ/6 MIYAKO ISLAND -
03/08/2005:
EU-010 MMØLSB/P GRIMSAY/BALESHARE/BENBECULA -
06/08/2005:
K3L THOMAS POINT SHOAL LIGHTHOUSE -
06/08/2005:
K8S POINT AUX BARQUES LIGHTHOUSE -
06/08/2005:
ARLHS:USA-039 N2OB OLD BARNEY -
06/08/2005:
NA-110 NU4SC SULLIVANS ISLAND -
06/08/2005:
SA-036 P4Ø ARUBA -
06/08/2005:
EU-001 SV5/DK9NCX or J45R RHODES -
06/08/2005:
EU-021 TF/EA3EKS ICELAND -
06/08/2005:
TG4P PACAYA VOLCANO, GUATEMALA -
06/08/2005:
ARLHS:CAN-542 VA3QSL/L QUEENS WHARF LIGHTHOUSE -
07/08/2005:
NA-112 W3HF/4 BOGUE BANKS -
08/08/2005:
OC-046 FO5INL PAPEETE -
08/08/2005:
EU-010 MMØLSB/P SOUTH UIST -
09/08/2005:
EU-065 F6HDH/P & F6HKS/P ILE D'OUESSANT -
09/08/2005:
EU-096 OH1/IZØFKE PARAINEN-PARGAS -
10/08/2005:
AS-NEW! RØK SHALAUROVA ISLAND -
10/08/2005:
EU-001 SV5/HB9IQB RODOS ISLAND -
10/08/2005:
EU-060 SV/IK8VRH KAVALLIANI ISLAND -
12/08/2005:
SA-069 3G1M SANTA MARIA ISLAND -
12/08/2005:
EU-075 J48RH/P SPETSES ISLAND -
12/08/2005:
EU-010 MMØLSB/P ERISKAY -
13/08/2005:
EU-075 SV/IK8VRH DOKOS ISLAND -
13/08/2005:
EU-001 SV5/IV3IPS/P RHODES -
13/08/2005:
TY/F6FVX BENIN -
13/08/2005:
NA-001 W1CGT/C6A SOUTH ANDROS ISLAND -
14/08/2005:
EU-047 9A/IK1ACX PAG ISLAND -
14/08/2005:
EU-045 IBØMDC PONZA ISLAND -
15/08/2005:
EU-170 9A3FO/P BABAC ISLAND -
15/08/2005:
AS-117 JFØBPT/7 O-SHIMA ISLAND -
15/08/2005:
EU-010 MMØLSB/P BARRA / VATERSAY -
15/08/2005:
EU-067 SV/IK7YTT MYKONOS -
15/08/2005:
NA-100 V25LR, V25WX ANTIGUA -
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
Radio Amateurs Among ValuJet Flight 592 Memorial Cleanup Volunteers (Jul 27, 2005) Some two dozen radio amateurs, boy scouts, firefighters, rescue squad members, Florida Power and Light employees, Miccosukee Tribe Police and local residents recently collaborated in doing a good turn for the families of ValuJet Flight 592 victims. The ValuJet DC-9 airliner crashed in Florida's Everglades on May 11, 1996, following an onboard fire, killing 110 passengers and crew members. Unfortunately, vandals recently defaced the ValuJet Flight 592 Memorial, located near the crash site off the Tamiami Trail. Volunteers from area Amateur Radio clubs and Boy Scout troops have been routinely maintaining the site for a few years now, and they were among those who turned out to erase spray-painted graffiti from the defaced stones and give the memorial an overall sprucing up. (ARRL News Service)
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)
|
