Another series of important ITU meetings coming up in April and May  (Mar. 13 2005)

Beginning on March 29th, a series of meetings will be taking place in the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) which will move us one step closer to decisions at the World Radio Conference on 2007. 

Since last fall, countries around the world have been doing their homework and are beginning to solidify their positions on items of  importance to amateur radio. 

In Canada, Radio Amateurs of Canada and the IARU have been developing arguments in support of retention of the top of the 40 metre band between 7200 and 7300 kHz, for excluding broadcasters in Europe and Asia from that band, and for securing a world wide allocation for amateur radio from 7000 to 7300 kHz.

In another area, we have been developing studies to support our case for an amateur band at 136 kHz. 

We have also been working to secure the support of other spectrum user's in Canada for our proposals. And finally, Canada has taken proposals to the CITEL meetings of all countries in North, Central and South America to try to develop a united position to take to the conference. Similar actions have been taking place in Europe and in Asia.

So when everyone meets in Geneva in April and May, the studies and recommendations to the conference will be revised and updated, hopefully in our favour.

The IARU will be represented in four different groups. The Broadcast group meets in the last week of March and the first week of April. The Mobile and Amateur group meets in mid April, and the Fixed service group meets towards the end of April. Then, in May, representatives of all three groups will meet for a short meeting in Geneva, to try to agree on an overall approach to the review of 4-10 MHz, hopefully with a place in there somewhere for amateur radio.

We will keep you updated.
Ken Pulfer, VE3PU

(RAC News Service)

World Amateur Radio Day 2005 Award Announced (Apr.18 2005)

World Amateur Radio Day is celebrated by the IARU on 18 April each year. The WARD 2005 Award commemorates World Amateur Radio Day and is issued by MK QTC, the Polish radio amateurs' journal, with the support of PZK, the Polish national amateur radio society. The award is issued to those making at least 10 QSOs on the HF bands, or five QSOs on the VHF bands between 0000 and 2400UTC on 18 April. 

The price of the WARD 2005 Award is $5 or 5 euros. Send a standard application form (log extract), including the list of QSOs, to: MK QTC, The Radio Amateurs' Journal, Suchacz-Zamek, Wielmozy 5b, 82-340 Tolkmicko, Poland on or before 31 May 2005. 

(RSGB)

UK Military and RSGB discuss the Future of 70CM  (Mar. 11 2005)

The first of a series of meetings between the Radio Society of Great Britain and the United Kingdom Ministry of  Defense have taken place.  The purpose is to discuss the future of the 70 centimeter band and access by ham repeaters to it. 

Under U-K telecommunications law Amateur Radio is designated as the primary user the band.  Even so, back in February of 2002 the Ministry of Defense imposed a freeze on licensing of 70 centimeter  Amateur Service relay devices.  This includes unattended packet radio data nodes as well as repeaters.  This meeting was billed as the first move towards 
lifting of the restrictions. 

The Ministry of Defense placed on record that they wish to work with the R-S-G-B as the representatives of the U-K amateur service on a partnership basis, and there was no wish to deprive the amateur radio community of the facilities previously available to them.  For its part, the R-S-G-B is also talking to the Ministry of Defense through Ofcom -- the U-K Office of Communications.  Discussions here center around  interference being experienced on the 2 meter band primarily in Northern  Ireland. These discussions are reported to be ongoing. 

(WIA News)

Norwegian Club Stations Gain Access to 5MHz Frequencies (Mar. 12 2005)

The Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority has granted permission to Norwegian amateur radio club stations to operate on eight 5MHz-band spot frequencies from 1 April 2005 until 31 December 2007. The permitted modes are upper sideband and CW, with a maximum transmitter power of 100 watts. The centre frequencies of the channels are: 5280, 5290, 5332, 5348, 5368, 5373, 5400 and 5405kHz, with the upper sideband ‘dial frequency’ being 1.5kHz lower in each case. The permission has been granted on a non-interference-basis. Thanks to the NRRL HF Traffic Manager, Tom Segalstad, LA4LN, for this news story.

(RSGB)

The sun was quiet this week, but a new chain of sunspots is rotating into a geo-effective position. There were some active days for geomagnetic conditions, most pronounced on March 6-8, and due to a solar wind stream. The average daily planetary A index rose less than 11 points to 20.1, and the average mid latitude A index rose less than 6 points to 12.3. Average daily sunspot numbers were up over 21 points to 36.1, and average daily solar flux rose less than 10 points to 85.9

Enjoy the next few weeks. The period around the equinox, the change from winter to spring is a good time for HF propagation, even with the sunspot count so low.

With a cry of "Say it isn't so!" Vince Varnas, W7FA of Aloha, Oregon sent an article claiming that the next solar cycle, set to begin in a few years, may turn out to have the weakest maximum of any cycle in the past 100 years. He sent the article as an attachment, but I found it online at, http://solar.uleth.ca/news/05Mar2005/index.php. If that link is troublesome, try a cached version at http://tinyurl.com/4j8cw.

Let's hope the next one, Cycle 24, proves this forecasting method wrong. We don't see many solar cycles in our lifetimes, not to mention our time as amateur radio operators. I was lucky to start early at age 12, 40 years ago this month, and am in my 4th solar cycle. I was just young enough to have missed cycle 19, the grandest of them all, which peaked after the middle of the last century in the late 1950s.

Alex Mendelsohn, AI2Q of Kennebunk, Maine sent in a link to an interesting article from the Air Force Research Laboratory magazine about an all-sky imager that detects solar plasma clouds. You can read it at http://www.afrlhorizons.com/Briefs/Dec04/VS0402.html. Even better, check out Alex's own radio room and some very
impressive homebrew projects on his personal web site at http://users.adelphia.net/~alexmm/ai2q.htm.

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.

Sunspot numbers for March 3 through 9 were 24, 13, 22, 22, 43, 52 and 77 with a mean of 36.1. 10.7 cm flux was 77, 78.9, 81.2, 83.6, 87, 93.5 and 99.9, with a mean of 85.9. Estimated planetary A indices were 4, 3, 10, 36, 42, 26 and 20 with a mean of 20.1. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 2, 1, 8, 17, 28, 17 and 13, with a mean of 12.3.

(ARRL News Service)

Mar. 10 2005  Solar and propagation report, 
compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS,and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

Solar report and forecast from Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

Solar flare activity has again been very low, with only occasional C-class flares which had little impact on propagation.  The solar flux rose slowly from 81 on the 5th to 100 on the 9th, averaging 89 - ten points higher than the previous week.  The 90-day average was steady at 97.  The X-ray flux also increased, from A4.7 to B1.6, averaging A7.9.  As expected, geomagnetic activity was well up on recent weeks.  A high-speed coronal stream brought the Ap index from 10 units on the 5th to 36 on the 6th and 52 on the 7th, falling to 20 on the 9th.  Solar wind speeds reported by the ACE space craft went from 352km/sec on the 5th to 817km/sec on the 7th, then declined.  Particle densities were up to 30 per cubic centimetre on the 5th and 6th, but had fallen back below 10 per cubic centimetre by the end of the week..

HF conditions were good on the Saturday of the ARRL contest, providing fresh evidence that the higher bands are at times in better shape than they are often thought to be.  Increased geomagnetic activity on the Sunday brought a decline in conditions.  However, the bands perked up slightly from midweek despite the unsettled state of the ionosphere. At VHF, the disturbed geomagnetic field brought periods when auroral contacts were possible on 50 and 144MHz from the 6th to the 9th.  However, openings were almost entirely confined to high latitudes.

Prospects for the coming week look reasonably encouraging. Flare activity will continue to be low or very low, though there is a small chance of isolated M-class flares.  The solar flux is likely to peak at little more than its present level and will be heading down again by the end of the week.  The geomagnetic field will be mainly quiet-to-unsettled, though recurring coronal hole activity should increase levels from midweek.  MUFs at equal latitudes should reach 23MHz in the south and 20MHz in the north.  Darkness hour lows, creeping upwards for seasonal reasons, will be in the region of 9MHz.  Paths to South America should have a maximum usable frequency, with a fifty per cent chance of success, of about 22MHz. The optimum working frequency with a ninety per cent success rate will be about 17MHz. The best time to work in that direction will be between 1000 and 1500UTC.

And that's all for another week from the propagation team.

(G3USF)

ISS Crew Commander Addresses Litter, Space Station "Tilt" in Ham Contact (Mar 8, 2005)

Littering the galactic highway and a curious International Space Station (ISS) "tilt" phenomenon were among topics ISS Expedition 10 Commander Leroy Chiao, KE5BRW, addressed in a ham radio contact with Bentley School in Oakland, California. The February 28 QSO with NA1SS was arranged by the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program.

Full Story: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/03/08/2/?nc=1
 

(ARRL News Service)

Reminder from AMSAT Concerning 2 Meters (Mar 11, 2005)

Once again satellite operators would like to bring to the attention of the amateur community that operation in the 145.800 to 146.000 MHz range is restricted to satellite operations only. This is because there are several satellites that use this frequency range as their input to the satellite. Output comes in the 70 cm satellite subband. This is called Mode J. Says John Hennessee, N1KB, of the ARRL's Regulatory Information Branch, "The users of this subband usually don't know they are causing interference, because the downlink is in the 435 MHz range." If you happen to monitor local hams having FM simplex QSOs in the 145.800 to 146.00 MHz segment, please ask them to QSY off the satellite subband. FO-29's SSB transponders are rendered useless when these strong FM signals hit the bird. Your help is greatly appreciated.

(Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT)

Echo team establishes AO-51 Operations Group (Mar 10, 2005)

AMSAT-NA has announced that the Echo (AO-51) Command Team has set up an AO-51 Operations Group to help monitor the satellite and develop operational schedules. Members were selected based on their interest and participation in the varied modes available via Echo and on their active membership in an AMSAT organization. Current members are Mike Kingery, KE4AZN; Drew Glassbrenner, KO4MA; Clare Fowler, VE3NPC, and Roy Welch, W0SL. The AO-51 Operations Group invites users' requests or suggestions on the Echo schedule, preferably before the team begins work on the next schedule. The team typically starts setting up the next schedule two weeks before the end of the previous month. Contact the AO-51 Operations Group via e-mail ao51-modes@amsat.org.

(AMSAT News Service) 

40 Watt Cancer Treatment in the 70CM Band  (Mar. 4 2005)

A cancer therapy system that uses high power R-F may be the latest in a  string of devices to share the 70 centimeter band. 

In Melbourne a leading foxhunter Mark Harrison VK3BYY has tracked down a signal that was triggering his club's UHF repeater.  First he hears it strongly on his hand-held while on a tram as it passes a building in Collins Street Melbourne and then enters the premises in search of the signal. 

Mark VK3BYY is warmly welcomed and shown equipment that he identifies as a having folded dipole antenna. It is explained to him that a cancer patient receives an injection of a substance that acts on cancer cells. 

The theory is that the UHF radiation blocks sugars reaching the cells to enable the therapy to be effective. A doctor advises that everything is approved for use, and then adds that the radiation is 40 watts on 433 MHz, seems that frequency is considered the best for radio-wave therapy. 

The Australian Communications Authority was contacted.  It's understood that it was Low Interference Potential Device, LIPD running milliwatts.

Not so, it was pumping out 40 watts and interfering with an amateur repeater more than 20 kms away. 

A solution is being sought, with talk of the device needing a shielded enclosure to prevent it radiating on the 70cm band, that is a primary allocation to Australian Defense and secondary for the Amateur Service. 

(WIA News, Jim Linton, VK3PC)

New TrustedQSL software released for Logbook of the World (Mar 11, 2005)

Version 1.11 of the TrustedQSL software used with ARRL's Logbook of the World system now is available. Windows, Linux and Mac OS X users are encouraged to update their systems. The new version fixes a serious bug that affected Linux and Mac OS X versions of the software. This bug caused users' saved certificate (.P12) files to be corrupted. Linux and Mac OS X users are strongly advised to install the new version of the TrustedQSL software and save all existing certificates into .P12 files. Older .P12 files saved from these systems should be discarded. 

Windows users of the TrustedQSL software should update to the new version, in part because the updated Windows version of the TQSL program now signs log data much faster. Instructions for downloading and installing the software are available on ARRL's LoTW Web page: http://www.arrl.org/lotw/#download
 

RSGB Commonwealth Contest--CW--sponsored by the RSGB from 1000Z Mar 12-1000Z Mar 13. Open to British Commonwealth stations only, work stations once per band outside your own call area. HQ stations may be worked by everyone and count as a separate call area. Frequencies: lower 30 kHz of 80-10 meters. Categories: SO--open (full-time), restricted (12 hrs max), Headquarters--MO and SO, no spotting assistance. Scoring: 5 pts/QSO, first 3 QSOs with a call area count 25 pts. For more information: www.rsgbhfcc.org. Logs due Apr 4 to commonwealth.contest@rsgbhfcc.org or G3UFY, 77 Bensham Manor Rd, Thornton Heath, Surrey CR7 7AF, England. 

Wisconsin QSO Party--Phone/CW-- sponsored by the West Allis RAC from 1800Z Mar 13-0100Z Mar 14. Frequencies (MHz ): CW--3.550, 3.705, 7.050, 14.050, 21.050, 10 meters; Phone--3.890, 7.230, 14.290, 21.350, 28.400; All modes--6/2 meters, UHF. No repeater QSOs. Categories: SO, MS, MM and Mobile. Mobile operators may not operate on county lines. Exchange: S/P/C or WI county. QSO points: Phone--1 pt, CW--2 pts. Score: QSO pts × WI counties (max 72) + S/P/C (WI stations only) ×2 (< 5 W), ×1.5 (<150 W). WI mobiles/portables add 500 bonus points for each county with 12 or more QSOs. For more information: www.warac.org. Logs due Apr 13 to k9kr@arrl.net (in WARAC Cabrillo format--see Web site) or Wisconsin QSO Party, West Allis RAC, PO Box 1072, Milwaukee, WI 53201. 

Oklahoma QSO Party--Phone/CW/Digital--sponsored by the Oklahoma DX Association (OKDXA) from 1400Z-0200Z Mar 12 and 1400Z-2000Z Mar 13. Frequencies (MHz): SSB--3.860, 7.260, 14.260, 21.360, 28.360; CW--3.545, 7.045, 14.045, 21.045, 28.045. Categories: SOHF-HP (>100 W), -LP, -QRP (<5 W), SO-VHF, MS, MM, Rover (OK only). Exchange: signal report and S/P/C or OK county. QSO points: Phone--2 pts, CW/Digital--3 pts. Score: QSO points × OK counties (OK stations + OK counties + S/P/C) counted only once. For more information: www.okdxa.org. Logs due Apr 30 to logs@okdxa.org (ADIF or Cabrillo format preferred) or OKDXA, PO Box 2591, Claremore, OK 74018-2591 (<200 QSOs only). 

North American RTTY Sprint, sponsored by NCJ from 0000Z-0400Z Mar 13. Frequencies 80-20 meters. North American stations work everyone; others work NA stations only. Exchange both call signs, serial number, name and S/P/C. Same station can be worked multiple times provided 3 contacts separate the contact in both logs, regardless of band. 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. For more information: www.ncjweb.com. Logs due 7 days after the contest to rttysprint@ncjweb.com or Douglas McDuff, W4OX, 10380 SW 112th St, Miami, FL 33176. 

AGCW QRP Contest--CW--sponsored by the DL CW Activity Group (DL-AGCW) from 1400Z-2000Z Mar 12. Frequencies: 80-10-meters. Categories: SO-VLP (<1 W), QRP (<5 W), MP (<25 W), QRO. Exchange: RST, serial number, category and AGCW member number. QSO points: QRP-VLP, QRP-QRP, VLP-QRP and VLP-VLP count 3 pts, QSOs with MP and QRO stations --2 pts, QRO-QRO not allowed. Score: QSO points × AGCW members counted once per band. For information-- www.agcw.de. Logs due Mar 31 to qrp-test@agcw.de or Edmund Ramm, DK3UZ, Anderheitsallee 24, Bramfeld, D-22175 Hamburg, Germany. 

Russian DX Contest--CW/SSB--from 1200Z Mar 19-1200Z Mar 20. Frequencies: 160-10 meters. Categories: SOAB -HP, -LP (<100 W), -QRP (<5 W, Mixed only), SOSB, MS(10 minute rule), SWL, SO may enter Mixed Mode, CW or SSB, MO and SWL are Mixed only. Exchange: RS(T) + serial number, RU stations--RS(T) + Oblast designator. QSO points: own entity--2 pts, different entity, same continent--3 pts, diff cont--5 pts, with Russians--10 pts. Score: QSO points × DXCC entity + Oblasts, counted once per band. For more information: www.rdxc.org. Logs due 45 days after the contest to rusdxc@contesting.com or to Russian DX Contest, PO Box 88, 119311 Moscow, Russia. 

Virginia QSO Party--Phone/CW/Digital--sponsored by the Sterling Park ARC from 1800Z Mar 19-0200Z Mar 21. Frequencies (MHz): CW--1.805 and 50 kHz up, Phone--1.845, 3.860, 7.260, 14.270, 21.370, 28.370, Novice/Tech--28.370, VHF/UHF--50.125, 144.200, 146.58, 223.50, 446.00, Digital--normally accepted sub-bands. No repeater or crossmode QSOs. Categories: SO, MS, MM and Mobile. Exchange: serial number and VA county/city or S/P/C. QSO points: Phone-- 1 pt, CW or Digital--2 pts, VA Mobile--3 pts. Score: QSO points × VA city/counties + S/P/C (counted only once). VA mobiles add 100 pts per VA city/county activated. Add 500 pts for QSO with K4NVA. For more information: www.qsl.net/sterling. Logs due Apr 15 to nq4k@arrl.net or Virginia QSO Party, Call Box 599, Sterling, VA 20167. 

10-10 Mobile Contest--any mode--sponsored by 10-10 International, from 0000Z-2359Z Mar 19. Frequencies: 10 meters only. Categories: Fixed, Mobile. Exchange: Call, Name, S/P/C, county (US, Canada and England) and 10-10 membership number, if any. QSO points: 1 pt/QSO. Score: Fixed--QSO points × counties, Mobiles--QSO points counties worked + counties activated. For more information: www.ten-ten.org. Logs due Apr 4 to tentencontest@alltel.net or Steve Rasmussen, NØWY, 312 N 6th St, Plattsmouth, NE 68048. 

CLARA and Family HF Contest--Phone/CW--sponsored by the Canadian Ladies ARA, from 1700Z Mar 19-1700Z Mar 20. Frequencies (MHz): CW--14.033, 21.033, 7.033, 3.688, Phone--28.300, 21.225, 14.120 14.285, 7.033, 7.200, 3.750, 3.900, work CLARA and YL stations once per band/mode. Crossmode contacts count as phone for both stations. Categories: SO only, no time limit. Exchange: RS(T), name, QTH and whether CLARA member, Family member, non-member YL, or OM. QSO points: 5 pts for CLARA members, 2 pts for CLARA family members, 3 pts for non-CLARA YLs, 1 pt for OMs. Multipliers are VE provinces and DXCC entities (only if QSO with YL) counted only once. Score: QSO points × multipliers. For more information:www.qsl.net/clara/contest.html. Logs due Apr 24 to ve7vpe@rac.ca or Paulette Schouten, VE7VPE, c/o VECTOR, 3301 E Pender St, Vancouver, BC V5K 5J3, Canada. 

9KCC Contest--CW/SSB--sponsored by the 9K Contest Club (Kuwait) from 1200Z-1600Z Mar 20. Frequencies: 15 meters only, work stations only once. Categories: SO, SSB or CW for 9K or non-9K. Exchange: RS(T) and serial number. QSO points: 1 pt/QSO. Score: QSO points × DXCC entities + number of different 9K stations. For more information: www.qsl.net/9kcc/9KCCRule.htm. Logs due 30 days after the contest to 9k2rr@9kcc.com or Contest Manager Faisal N. Al-Ajmi (9K2RR), PO Box 1124, Alfarwanya 80000, Kuwait. 

BARTG Spring RTTY Contest--sponsored by the British Amateur Radio Teledata Group from 0200Z Mar 19-0200Z Mar 21. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SO-Expert, SOSB, SOAB (one band change per 5 min), MS, MM and SWL. SO operate 30 hours total with off periods of 3 hours min. Operators with a Top Ten log during the past three years must enter as an Expert. Exchange: three-digit serial number and four-digit time. Multipliers: DXCC entities + W/VE/JA/VK call areas, counted once per band. Score: QSOs × multiplier × continents (count only once). For more information: www.bartg.demon.co.uk. Logs via e-mail only in Cabrillo format due May 1 to ska@bartg.demon.co.uk (with the call and entry class in the subject line and the log included as an attachment). 

Palestine, TX: Palestine/Anderson County Amateur Radio Club, K5PAL. 1600Z-2300Z Mar 26. Palestine Dogwood Trails Festival. 14.260 7.260. Certificate. David Carnathan, N5XPC, 504 Micheaux, Palestine, TX 75801. 

CQ WW WPX Contest--SSB--sponsored by CQ Magazine, from 0000Z Mar 26-2400Z Mar 27 (CW is May 28-29). Frequencies: 160-10 meters. Categories: SOAB, SOSB, SO-Assisted, -HP, LP and -QRP, MS (10 min rule), M2, MM, SO-Rookie, SO-Tribander-and-Single-Wire, SO-Band-Restricted. SO operate 36 hours max with off times at least 60 min. Exchange: RS(T) + serial number. QSO points: different continents--3 pts (14-28 MHz) and 6 pts (1.8-7 MHz), with North America--2 pts (14-28 MHz) and 4 pts (1.8-7 MHz), with own country--1 pt. Score: QSO points × prefixes worked (ie, N8, KA1, HG73, JD1) counted only once. For more information: www.cqwpx.com. Logs due May 1 (CW, July 1) to ssb@cqwpx.com (cw@cqwpx.com). 

Spring QRP Homebrewer Sprint--CW/PSK31--sponsored by New Jersey QRP Club, 0000Z-0400Z Mar 28. Frequencies: QRP CW and PSK31 frequencies on 80-10 meters, CW and PSK31 are considered separate bands. Exchange: RST + S/P/C + Output Power. QSO points: Commercial Equipment--2 pts, Homebrew Xmtr or Rcvr--3 pts, Homebrew Xmtr and Rcvr or Xcvr--4 pts. Kits okay as homebrew. Power Multiplier: 0>250 mW = ×15, 250 mW>1 W = ×10, 1>5 W = ×7, >5 W = ×1. Score: QSO points × S/P/C (counted once per band) × power multiplier. For more information: www.njqrp.org/data/qrphomebrewersprint.html. Logs due 30 days after the contest to n2cq@arrl.net text format) or Ken Newman, N2CQ, 81 Holly Dr, Woodbury, NJ 08096. 

Low Power Spring Sprint--CW--sponsored by the Slovak Amateur Radio Association (SARA) from 1400Z-2000Z Mar 28. Frequencies: 160-10 meters. Categories: A (1 W), C (5 W), Q (25 W), X (50 W), Y (100 W), SOSB, SO-2 or 3 Bands, SOAB. Exchange: RST, grid square and power category (RST-only okay from non-contest stations). QSO points: with own continent--3 pts, diff cont--9 pts, OM station--18 pts. Score: QSO points × grid squares + WPX prefixes (counted once per band). Logs due 30 days after the contest to om3kfv@zoznam.sk or Radioklub OM3KFV, PO Box 3, 038 61 Vrutky, Slovakia. 

(ARRL News Service)

Mena, AR: Boy Scout Troop 850, WB5BSA. 2300Z March 11-1800Z Mar 15. 30+ mile backpack trip for the Backpacking Merit Badge. 14.325. QSL. Larry Holden, W5MPA, 907 W Lakeview Dr, Guthrie, OK 73044. www.geocities.com/bsatroop850/Picturearch.htm. 

Macon, GA: Macon Amateur Radio Club, W4BKM. 1500Z-2200Z Mar 19. 23rd Annual Cherry Blossom Festival. 21.335 14.240 14.055 7.055. Certificate. Macon ARC, PO Box 4862, Macon, GA 31208. www.qsl.net/w4bkm. 

Virginia Beach, VA, and Moss, Norway: Virginia Beach Amateur Radio Club, Inc, and Mossegruppen av NRRL, W4UG and LA5M. 1300Z Mar 19-2200Z Mar 20. 114th anniversary of the Norwegian Lady. US: 14.278 14.040 7.280 7.040 Norway: 28.363 21.192 18.164 18.145 14.278 14.070 (7.121 morning) 7.040. Certificate. US: VBARC, PO Box 62003, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Norway: Haakon Andreassen, LA1YKA, PO Box 88, N-1501, Moss, Norway; include1 IRC and A4 envelope. 

(ARRL)

Anticipated Peter I Island DXpedition postponed until 2006 (Feb. 17, 2005) 

The anticipated Peter I Island (Antarctica) 3Y0X DXpedition has been called off at the eleventh hour. The DXpedition team announced February 17 that its charter vessel, the Cavendish Sea, has been delayed until February 20 instead of the hoped-for February 18. With a projected February 21 departure, the DXpedition ran out of time. "This latest delay, on top of numerous previous delays, simply makes it impossible for us to spend a sufficient amount of time on Peter I to justify the DXpedition this year," said the announcement from Bob Allphin, K4UEE, and Ralph Fedor, K0IR. "So, we have no choice but to postpone the DXpedition until 2006." The DXpedition's first vessel and helicopter backed out at the last minute, forcing the team to quickly regroup with a new vessel and helicopter earlier this week. All 20 3Y0X team members had assembled earlier this month in Ushuaia, Argentina.--The Daily DX 

(ARRL News Service)

Mar. 10 2005 ARRL  DX News

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by EA4BB, ZS6CKB, the OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST.  Thanks to all.

MALTA, 9H.  John, G4IRN is QRV as 9H3RN until March 14.  Activity is on 80 to 10 meters.  QSL to home call.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, 9Q.  Mike, ZR5MGK is QRV as 9Q6MGK until the middle of April 2005.  He is active on 20, 15 and 10 meters, including the newer bands, mostly after 1800z.  QSL to home call.

SCOTLAND, GM.  Four members of the Vital Sparks Group are QRV as MM0VSG/p from Arran Island, IOTA EU-123, until March 13.  QSL direct to GM7WED.

SOUTH KOREA, HL.  Kim, DS4BHW is QRV as DS4BHW/p from Cho Island, IOTA AS-060, until March 31.  He is active on 80 to 6 meters.  QSL via bureau.

ITALY, I.  Members of the Torino Paralympic Radio Sport Team are QRV as II1TPG until March 19 during the Paralympic Winter Games.  QSL via IZ1CCE.
 
MONGOLIA, JT.  Chak, JT1CO is usually QRV using RTTY on 20 meters between 0800 and 0900z.  QSL direct.

AMERICAN SAMOA, KH8.  Paul, F6EXV will be QRV as WH8/F6EXV until March 19 from the QTH of Larry, AH8LG, on Tutuila Island, IOTA OC-045.  QSL to home call.

PERU, OA.  Members of the Radio Club Peruano are QRV as 4T5O in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the RCP. Also, all Peruvian hams have been authorized to use the special prefix OC for 2005.  QSL via bureau.

DENMARK, OZ.  Michael, DK5NA is QRV as OZ/DK5NA from Romo Island, IOTA EU-125, until March 18.  QSL to home call.

POLAND, SP.  Wolf, DL1JGO is QRV as SO1WQ from Wolin Island, IOTA EU-132, until March 20.  He plans to be active from the Swinoujscie Lighthouse, ARLHS POL-015, from March 11 to 13.  QSL to home call.
 
SUDAN, ST.  Fernando, EA4BB is QRV as ST2BF and may be here for at least a year.  Activity for now will be on a few HF bands until his antenna situation improves.  QSL via W3HNK.

GREECE, SV.  Spiros, SV1DPP will be QRV as J41PHG from March 15 to 31 during the 3rd anniversary of the International Pharmacists Ham Group.  QSL to home call.
 
BRUNEI, V8.  Ambran, V85SS is usually QRV on 80 or 40 meters using CW between 1000 to 1730z.  QSL direct.

CANADA, VE.  Nenad, VE3EXY will be QRV as VE2/VE3EXY/p from Orleans Island, IOTA NA-128, from March 12 to 13, and then again from March 19 and 20.  Activity will be on 40, 30 and 20 meters using CW and SSB.  He may also participate in the upcoming BERU and BARTG contests.  QSL to home call.

AUSTRALIA, VK.  Bill, VK4FW will be QRV as VK4FW/p from Little Solitary Island, IOTA OC-194, beginning March 16.  Activity will be on the HF bands using mostly CW.  QSL direct.

SOUTH AFRICA, ZS.  In celebration of the 100 years of Rotary, the Rotary club of Midrand in Johannesburg will be QRV as ZS100RI from March 12 to the end of February 2006.  Activity will be on all HF, VHF and UHF bands using all modes.  QSL via ZS6CKB.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The RSGB Commonwealth CW Contest, AGCW QRP CW Contest, Oklahoma QSO Party, SOC Marathon CW Sprint, North American RTTY Sprint, UBA Spring CW Contest, Nova Scotia ARA Contest and the Wisconsin QSO Party will certainly keep contesters busy this weekend.  Please see March QST, page 92 and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details.

(ARRL)

Mar. 12-29  2005    I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O.

12/03/2005:  DFCF:45020  F5JNE/P  CASTLE OF LA BRULERIE -
If the weather permits Saturday, March 12th, F5JNE will be active as HC/p, with Claude F5MCC, from the Castle of La Brulerie (DFCF reference 45-020, Canton of Chateau Renard DDCF 45-07 and city of Douchy Zip Code 45220, Department Loiret/45). QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx F5NQL]

12/03/2005:  DFCF:32031  F5MSB/P  CASTLE OF ESPAS -
Look for F5MSB/p to be active, weather permitting, March 12th from the Castle of Espas (DFCF reference 32-031). Activity will be on 40 meters. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx F5RRR]

12/03/2005:  EU-031  IC8/H.C.'s  ISLAND OF VIVARA -
Achille IZ8CKS, Salvatore IK8NTN and Andrea IK8GDA will be active March 12-13th as IC8/homecall from the island of Vivara (IOTA EU-031, IIA NA-005). They will operate 40 through 6 meter SSB. QSL via home calls, direct or bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

12/03/2005:  RDA:SR-01  UE4HDA  SAMARA AREA -
Boris, UA4HLX, will be active March 12-13th as UE4HDA from Zheleznodorozhny, Samara Area (RDA reference SR-01 for the Russian Districts Award), Samarskaya oblast (SR). QSL via RW4HB, direct or bureau. [Tnx RDA News]

12/03/2005:  NA-128  VE2/VE3EXY/P  ISLAND OF ORLEANS -
Look for Nenad, VE2/VE3EXY/p, to be active March 12-13th from the Island of Orleans (IOTA NA-128, CISA QC-007, WAZ 05, ITU 09). Activity will be on 40, 20 and 10 meter CW and SSB. Typically 10 or 25 kHz up from the band edge for CW, 14.260 kHz for SSB. Nenad will also participate in the BERU contest. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx VE3EXY]

12/03/2005:  W5NWR/T  JOHNSTON COUNTY, OKLAHOMA -
In conjunction with the KP1-5 Project, W5NWR/T will operate from the Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge located in Johnston County, Oklahoma, March 12-13th. This operation is the first for the W5-National Wildlife Refuge ARC. Others will follow and are intended to raise awareness of the benefits of national wildlife refuges and the KP1-5 Project (www.kp1-5.com). This operation will coincide with the Oklahoma QSO Party. W5NWR/T will not be in the contest but will be glad to provide Johnston County for those who are. QSL via NA5U. [Tnx 425DXN]

12/03/2005:  ZL6  NEW ZEALAND, RSGB COMMONWEALTH CW CONTEST -
Just a short note to confirm there will be three ZL6 Stations operational during the RSGB Commonwealth CW Contest (March 12-13th) namely: ZL6A - N.Z.A.R.T. Headquarters Station - Operators John, ZL1BHQ, Ken, ZL1AIH. This station will issue /HQ after the sent serial number. QSL via ZL2GJ; ZL6FF - FISTS CW Club Downunder N.Z. - Operator Jakey, ZL2JKY/G3JKY - QSL via ZL3CED direct or bureau; and ZL6QH - Quartz Hill Wellington Club - Operator Brian, ZL1AZE - QSL via QRZ.com. Hopefully many VK / ZL FISTS CW Club members (over 125) will show up, so you may end up with the biggest participation by VK / ZL ever. [Tnx ZL2TX]

14/03/2005:  NA-100  V2  ANTIGUA -
Bob W4OWY and Mark W9OP will be active from the island of Antigua (IOTA NA-100) between March 14-20th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters. However, their focus will be on 160-30 meters. QSLs go to their home callsigns. [Tnx OPDX]

14/03/2005:  XV3BV, XV3DYU  HOI AN, VIETNAM -
Operators JA9BV and JA3DYU will be vacationing in Vietnam during middle March. Look for them to be active as XV3BV and XV3DYU from the ancient town of Hoi An, March 14-17th. Activity will be on mostly SSB and CW. Suggested frequencies are: CW - 3515, 7014, 14040, 21040 kHz; SSB - 3540, 7040, 14160, 21160 KHz. QSL via the bureau or direct to their home calls. [Tnx OPDX]

15/03/2005:  AF-048  FT*X  KERGUELEN ISLANDS -
The Microlite Penguins DXpedition Team of VP8GEO (South Georgia) and VP8THU (South Sandwich Islands) fame will activate the Kerguelen Islands (IOTA AF-048, DIFO FT-011). A multinational team of twelve highly experienced operators, consisting of AG9A, GI0NWG, HB9ASZ, M0DXR, N6MZ, N0TT, SP5XVY, VE3EJ, VK6DXI, W3WL, W7EW, and 9V1YC, will operate on the HF bands between March 15 and April 2, 2005. "This DXpedition is funded entirely by the twelve team members and a generous and exclusive grant by the Northern California DX Foundation," said James Brooks, 9V1YC, DXpedition Team Leader. "There are no other club, foundation, individual, manufacturer or QSL sponsors." Additional details will be released in the coming weeks. [Tnx RX9TX]

15/03/2005:  OC-088  V85NL  BRUNEI -
Kanzi-san, JA4ENL, will be QRV March 15-19th as V85NL from Ambran's (V85SS) station on Brunei (IOTA OC-088). Activity will be on 160, 80, 40, 10, 20, 17 and 15 meters, mostly on CW. QSL via home call. [Tnx K1XN & the Golist]

16/03/2005:  OC-194  VK4FW/P  LITTLE SOLITARY ISLAND -
POSTPONED...
Bill, VK4FW, will be active March 16-21st as VK4FW/p from Little Solitary Island (IOTA OC-194). Equipment will be Cushcraft r5 and a full size quarter wave vertical for 40m. Bill will spend a fair amount of time on CW, as usual, to get as many a new one as is possible. Frequency ... about 5 - 7 from the bottom of the bands on CW. QSL direct to his home call (P.O. Box 513, Nambour, 4560, Australia), with either $2usd or irc or $2euro. [Tnx VK4FW]

17/03/2005:  AS-013  8Q7DV  MALDIVES -
UN9LW, UA9CLB, UN4L, UA9CDV and UA9CDC will operate as 8Q7DV from the Maldives (AS-013) between March 17th and 29th, mainly during the Russian DX and CQ WPX SSB contests. QSL via operators instructions. [Tnx 425DXN]

17/03/2005:  EU-023  9H3LEO, 9H3MR  GOZO ISLAND -
Andrea, IK1PMR, and Claudia, K2LEO, will be active March 17-31st as 9H3MR (mainly CW) and 9H3LEO (mainly RTTY) respectively from Xlendi Bay, Gozo Island (EU-023). They plan to operate on 80-10 meter CW (9H3MR) and RTTY (9H3LEO), with 100w, 80/40/30m vertical and wires. QSL both callsigns via IK1PMR. [Tnx 425DXN]

18/03/2005:  OC-026  AL5A/NH2  GUAM -
Kuro-san, JH0MGJ, will be active March 18-20th as AL5A/NH2 from Guam (IOTA OC-026). Activity will be on 40 to 10 meter CW and SSB. Kuro-san reports that he will be listening for weak stations in NA and EU. This operation will also count for Orote Point lighthouse (references: TWLHD KH2-001, ARLHS GUM-001 and WLOTA LH-0064). QSL via JH0MGJ, direct or through the JARL bureau. [Tnx OPDX]

18/03/2005:  AS-020  BW2/JA9BV, BX2/JA3DYU  TAIWAN -
Operators JA9BV and JA3DYU will be vacationing in Taipei, Taiwan (IOTA AS-020), March 18th and will operate as BW2/JA9BV and BX2/JA3DYU until the 23rd. Activity will be on mostly SSB and CW. Suggested frequencies are: CW - 3515, 7014, 14040, 21040 kHz; SSB - 3540, 7040, 14160, 21160 KHz. QSL via the bureau or direct to their home calls. [Tnx OPDX]

18/03/2005:  EU-002  OHØZ  ALAND ISLANDS -
Ari, OH5DX (ex-OH1EH), will be active March 18-20th as OH0Z from the Aland Islands (EU-002). Activity will be CW and SSB on all bands, including an effort in the Russian DX Contest (March 19-20th). QSL via OH5DX. [Tnx OPDX]

18/03/2005:  OC-029  V73  MAJURO ATOLL -
A JA group will be heading to the Pacific islands for their DX-vacation. Activity will be from Majuro Atoll (OC-029) between March 18-28th. Operators mentioned are: Shigeo-san JA1JQY (V73JY), Hisashi-san JA1KJW (V73KJ), Yasumasa-san JA1HEE (V73HE) and JI1FPO (V73OP). The team will do their best to make many QSOs with USA East Coast and EU stations on 160 and 80 meters. Activity will be on CW, SSB and RTTY (if possible), using the following suggested frequencies: CW - 1822, 3507, 7007, 10107, 14007, 18077, 21007, 24897 and 28007 kHz; SSB - 3798, 7080, 14170, 18130, 21270, 24940 and 28470 kHz. QSL via operator's instructions; it may be their home callsign. PLEASE NOTE that this is not a big expedition. All operators will use their own transceivers, and the antennas will be wire based. It was also mentioned that there is a peculiar noise on the island, and operators may have a hard time in the reception of your signals. If so, please be patient during their operation. [Tnx OPDX]

19/03/2005:  AS-023  JA1AMP/6  AMAMI O-SHIMA ISLAND -
Yoshiro-san, JA1AMP will be QRV March 19th as JA1AMP/6 from Amami O-shima Island (IOTA AS-023, JIIA AS-023-001). Activity will be on 80-10m CW, SSB, RTTY, PSK and MFSK. QSL via bureau to JA1AMP, or direct to JL3SIK. [Tnx JL3SIK]

19/03/2005:  SA-043  CE6TBN/7  ASCENSION ISLAND -
Marco, CE6TBN will be active March 19-20th as CE6TBN/7 from Ascension Island (SA-043, DICE ICE-704). He will operate on 40, 20 and 15 meter SSB and CW (QRS). QSL via home call (P.O.Box 1234, Temuco, Chile). [Tnx 425DXN]

19/03/2005:  SØ9A  WESTERN SAHARA -
Toño, EA9CP, and Fernando, EA1BT, will be working on a communications project in Western Sahara (SØ) March 19-26th. They will be active as SØ9A in their spare time. QSL via EA1BT. [Tnx F5NQL]

19/03/2005:  NA-128  VE2/VE3EXY/P  ISLAND OF ORLEANS -
Look for Nenad, VE2/VE3EXY/p, to be active March 19-20th from the Island of Orleans (IOTA NA-128, CISA QC-007, WAZ 05, ITU 09). Activity will be on 40, 20 and 10 meter CW and SSB. Typically 10 or 25 kHz up from the band edge for CW, 14.260 kHz for SSB. Nenad will also participate, partially, in the BARTG Spring RTTY contest. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx VE3EXY]

20/03/2005:  DCI-TO103  IZ1DXS/1  CINZANO TORINESE CASTLE -
George, IZ1DXS/1 (HF) and IW1FGZ (144 MHz) plans to be active from Cinzano Torinese Castle (DCI reference TO-103, for the Italian Castles Award) March 20th, 08:00-16:00 UTC on 7, 14 and 144 MHZ SSB. Cinzano Torinese Castle is located in the Region of Piemonte, Province of Torino (TO). Qsl via home calls direct (qrz.com) or via the bureau. [Tnx IZ1DXS]

20/03/2005:  NA-108  J6/WB5ZAM  ST. LUCIA -
Bill, WB5ZAM, will once again be active from the island of St. Lucia (IOTA NA-108) for 2 weeks. Look for him to sign J6/WB5ZAM from March 20th through April 3rd. Bill states that he is planning to operate on HF, mostly CW around a laid back schedule. QSL via his home callsign. [Tnx OPDX]

20/03/2005:  AS-023  JA1AMP/6  YORON ISLAND -
Yoshiro-san, JA1AMP will be QRV March 20-21st as JA1AMP/6 from Yoron Island (IOTA AS-023, JIIA AS-023-013). Activity will be on 80-10m CW, SSB, RTTY, PSK and MFSK. QSL via bureau to JA1AMP, or direct to JL3SIK. [Tnx JL3SIK]

21/03/2005:  ZB2/GM4FDM, ZB2/PA3EWP  GIBRALTAR -
GM4FDM, Tom, and Ronald PA3EWP will be staying in the Caleta Hotel, Gibraltar from March 21-28. They will operate as ZB2/GM4FDM and ZB2/PA3EWP respectively. Plans are to have antennas for 80-10 meters, and possibly 160 meters. Look for activity on CW, SSB and RTTY. They will be using Elecraft K2s. The two will take part in the CQ WPX SSB Contest. QSLs via home calls. [Tnx PA3EWP]

23/03/2005:  NA-101  J75RZ  DOMINICA -
RZS Amateur Radio Club (W2RZS) members WB2NVR (Bob), WA2VQW (Mike), N2DVQ (Bob) and N2DHH (Adam) will be active March 23-29th on all bands as J75RZ from Dominica (IOTA NA-101). They also plan to be active in the CQ WPX-SSB contest (March 26-27th). QSL via W2RZS, direct (RZS Amateur Radio Club, 37 Saw Mill River Rd, Hawthorne, NY 10532), bureau or LoTW. [Tnx W2RZS]

23/03/2005:  NA-018  OX/H.C.'s  GREENLAND -
OH4JGE, OH4HJI and OH4MDY will be QRV March 23-30th as OX/homecall from Greenland (IOTA NA-018) on 23-30 March. Activity will be mostly CW on (+/-) 3507, 7003, 10104, 14007, 21007, 24897, and 28020 kHz. Retu, OX/OH4MDY will participate in the CQ WPX SSB Contest as a single band entry. QSL via OH4MDY. [Tnx 425DXN]

24/03/2005:  NA-056  CO3VK/4  LA JUVENTUD -
Jose Gamboa, CO3VK (http://www.qsl.net/iz8ebi/co3vkINFO.htm) will be active March 24-28th as CO3VK/4 from La Juventud (NA-056). Jose will be working with the "Charangas de Bejucal" show (http://www.angerona.cult.cu/) team and plans to operate in his spare time on 20 and 40 metres SSB. QSL via IZ8EBI. Jose might be joined by other 2-3 operators, who will be signing homecall/4. [Tnx 425DXN]

24/03/2005:  DAØGLH/P, DL2VFR/P  GERMAN LIGHTHOUSES -
Look for DL2VFR/p and DA0GLH/p to be active March 24-28th (CW QRP) from the following lighthouses: Eckernförde - old beacon (ARLHS FED-074), Eckernförde - old pier (ARLHS FED-075) and Eckernförde - new pier (ARLHS FED-076, GLHA GLH-079). QSL via the bureau. [Tnx DL2VFR]

24/03/2005:  NA-005  H.C.'s/VP9  BERMUDA -
W1HPH, WE1H, KO1H and N1HRA will be active March 24-25th as homecall/VP9 from Bermuda (IOTA NA-005). They will also participate in the CQ WW WPX SSB Contest (March 26-27th) as VP9I. QSL VP9I via N1HRA (for this contest only). QSL others via their home calls. [Tnx 425DXN]

24/03/2005:  EU-114  MU5RIC/P, MU2Z  ISLE OF GUERNSEY -
Rich, M5RIC, will be active from the Isle of Guernsey (IOTA EU-114) as MU5RIC/p March 24-28th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters SSB only and will include a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power T/S entry in the CQ WW WPX SSB Contest (March 26-27th) as MU2Z. QSL both calls via M5RIC. [Tnx OPDX]

24/03/2005:  EU-060  SV8  SKYROS ISLAND -
Look for George SV1QN/8, Fotis SV1AIN/8, Manolis SV1EQU/8, Giannis SV1GYG/8 and Nikos SW1GYN/8 to be QRV from Skyros Island (EU-060) March 24-28th. This activation will also count for the Lithari lighthouse (references: TWLHD SV-055, ARLHS GRE-092 and WLOTA LH-2002). They plan to be active with three stations on 160-10 meter SSB and digital modes; 50.140 MHz SSB and 144.300 MHz SSB will be monitored for possible band openings. [Tnx 425DXN & OPDX]

24/03/2005:  OC-217  YE3K  KANGEAN ISLANDS -
The Kangean Islands (OC-217) were activated for the first and so far only time by YB3SPS/p back in 1996. A new operation is being planned to take place in late March, CQ WW WPX SSB Contest included. Plans are to operate as YE3K (requested call) for 4-5 days with two stations at least; the main mode will be SSB, but some CW, RTTY and PSK activity might take place before and after the contest. Team members include YB3HBK, YB9BU, YC0IEM, YC3BDJ, YC3BX, YC3CC, YC3DE, YC3DIK, YC3IZK, YC3MM, YC9WZJ, YD3OZ and IV3NCC. QSL via IZ8CCW (Antonio Cannataro, P.O.Box 360, 87100 Cosenza - CS, Italy). [Tnx 425DXN]

25/03/2005:  NA-102  FG/F5NHJ/P  GUADELOUPE ISLAND -
Jean-Louis, F5NHJ, reports he will be QRV March 25th to April 2nd as FG/F5NHJ/P from Guadeloupe Island (IOTA NA-102, DIFO FG-001). Activity will be on 40-20 meter CW and SSB. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

25/03/2005:  OC-019  K1HP/KH6  ISLAND OF OAHU -
Yoshi-san, JE2EHP, will be active as K1HP/KH6 from Oahu (IOTA OC-019, USI HI-008S) between March 25-28th. Activity will be on 80-6 meters, CW and SSB. QSL via the bureau to JE2EHP. [Tnx JE2EHP]

26/03/2005:  EU-005  MMØLEO  PORTPATRICK, SCOTLAND -
Leo, W3LEO, will be active during the CQ WPX SSB Contest (26-27 March) as MM0LEO from Portpatrick, Scotland (IOTA EU-005). QSL via W3LEO, direct or bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

26/03/2005:  EU-015  SV9FBM  CRETE -
Stelios, SV9FBM, will be active from Crete (IOTA EU-015, MIA MGC-005) in the upcoming CQ WW WPX SSB Contest (March 26-27th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL via his home callsign. [Tnx OPDX]

27/03/2005:  EU-171  OZ/DJ4MG, OZ/DL1TM  VENDSYSSEL-THY -
Look for OZ/DJ4MG and OZ/DL1TM to be active from Vendsyssel-Thy (EU-171) from March 27th to April 14th. They plan to operate on 160, 80, 40, 20 and 15 meter SSB and on 40/20 meter PSK31. QSL via bureau to home calls. [Tnx 425DXN]

29/03/2005:  NA-224  XF2ZEX  SACRIFICIOS ISLAND -
Enrique XE1IH, Javier XE1KOF, Mucio XE1VC, Juan Jose XE1XNH, Erika XE1XOX, David XE1XTK, Jose Luis XE1YJL, Alfonso XE1ZAO and Javier XE1ZJR will operate all bands and modes as XF2ZEX from Sacrificios Island (NA-224) between March 29th and April 3rd. QSL via operators instructions. [Tnx 425DXN]

73 and Good Hunting!
Dave Raycroft - VA3RJ

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

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

Amateur Radio is "Poster Child" of Homeland Security Grantees Gathering (Mar 11, 2005)

Amateur Radio earned high marks and frequent praise during a gathering of Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) homeland security grant recipients. ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, and Field and Educational Services Manager Rosalie White, K1STO, represented the League at the series of meetings March 2-5 in Washington. ARRL--a special volunteer program--was the recipient of a 2002 CNCS grant to subsidize Amateur Radio emergency communications courses, now available on three levels. The League was among 29 CNCS homeland security grantees attending. 

Full Story: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/03/11/4/?nc=1
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(ARRL News Service)