Scavenger Hunt to Help Radio Operators Prepare For Terror Drill (Mar.20 2005) Amateur radio operators took part in a scavenger hunt last weekend, seeking information rather than hub caps or cowboy hats, in an exercise designed to get them acquainted with Southeastern Connecticut before a major emergency drill next month. Wayne Gronlund of ARES, who is coordinating the event, said he is trying to put together at least 50 amateur radio enthusiasts for TOPFF, a weeklong exercise that will include simulated terrorist attacks on ports in New London, New Jersey, Canada and the United Kingdom. Using a scavenger hunt as a mechanism, the hams were send around New London County to find key areas where they might end up providing support or places they might have to stay away from because something is happening there, also to get them familiar with the area. 20 to 25 teams of two or three people were shuttled around the region in a car equipped with VHF-FM radio looking for 12 sites based on photographic clues and maps that they were issued. Just another fun Ham Radio weekend? NO! TOPOFF, which stands for Top Officials, will take place April 4-10, involve up to 10,000 people and cost an estimated $16 million!! (published news reports/packet radio bulletin) (WIANews)
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.
(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
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)
Mar. 18 2005 Tad Cook K7RA Solar Update
Sunlight is more evenly distributed across the northern and southern hemispheres, and it should be completely equal this Sunday, March 20, at 1233 UTC. That is the moment of the vernal equinox--the first day of spring for the Northern Hemisphere--and the autumnal equinox--the first day of fall--for the Southern Hemisphere. Sean Fleming, K8KHZ, shared some observations about this sunspot cycle, suggesting that the solar flux won’t be going any lower. Actually we are probably a couple of years away from the bottom. The latest Space Environment Center (SEC) prediction for smoothed 10.7 cm radio flux shows a value of 70 around September 2006 through April 2007. In the same March 9, 2005, prediction, SEC shows the smoothed sunspot cycle minimum in the December 2006-January 2007 time frame. Visit the latest Preliminary Report and Forecast on the SEC Web site to take a look: http://www.sec.noaa.gov/weekly/pdf/prf1541.pdf This same chart predicts a smoothed sunspot number of 22 for April 2005, but it doesn’t show the cycle rising from the bottom to a smoothed number of 21 until December 2007. This must mean that after declining to minimum, the solar cycle is not expected to return to its current level until early 2008. Remarks in a recent bulletin about the biggest sunspot cycle of all--Cycle 19 in the late 1950s--drew many e-mail message with the same sentiments from hams who were brand new to Amateur Radio back then and on either 6 or 10 meters. “I thought it was always going to be like this!” was typical. The outlook for the very near term is for sunspots and solar flux to decline very gradually from current values until March 26-29, then rise back to current activity around April 6-11. Geomagnetic conditions should be slightly unsettled for March 18-19, but otherwise quiet after that. Jon Jones, N0JK, reports a major trans-equatorial (TE) opening March 9-10 from the US to South America on 6 meters. He writes: “Here in Kansas had ZP6CW in for almost 2 hours (0030-0230 UTC). I worked Doug, ZP6CW for a new one! Doug reported over 50 USA QSOs on 6 Meters and was spotted from W1, W3, W4, W5 to W7(Arizona, Utah), W8, W9 and W0. CE (XQ3SIX), CX, LU and PY also worked many in the states. 6M Es single and double hop Es for over 12 hours. An amazing opening, both for the long duration Es in March and the TEP links to South America this far along in Cycle 23's decline”.Marvin Bloomquist, N5AW, shared similar comments concerning the same 6 meter opening. In addition to ZP6CW (Paraguay), he noted XQ3SIX (Talagante, Chile) working many US stations, as far north as W9 and west to W6 and W7. With quiet geomagnetic conditions at mid-latitudes, there were still periods when geomagnetic activity was strong in the Arctic. The College K index reading from Fairbanks, Alaska, reached 6 on March 14 and again on March 17. Awesome aurora photos are on the Science@NASA Web site's March 2005 Aurora Gallery: http://spaceweather.com/aurora/gallery_01mar05.htm For more information concerning radio propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in the "Solar Update," visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page: http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html Sunspot numbers for March 10 through 16 were 70, 59, 67, 77, 49, 58 and 45 with, a mean of 60.7. The 10.7 cm flux was 101.6, 104.9, 110.1, 113.8, 111.5, 108.2 and 104.6, with a mean of 107.8. Estimated planetary A indices were 13, 6, 4, 6, 21, 4 and 6, with a mean of 8.6. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 10, 3, 2, 4, 12, 3 and 4, with a mean of 5.4. (ARRL News Service)
Europe Mar. 19 2005 Solar and propagation
report,
Solar report and forecast from Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF. Flare activity has again been low or very low, with only occasional smallish C-class flares. As expected, the solar flux increased from 110 on the 12th to 114 on the 14th and then turned down again, reaching 96 on the 18th and averaging 107 - thirteen points up on the previous week. The 90-day average is unchanged at 97. After a quiet weekend, geomagnetic activity increased on the 14th. Under the influence of a coronal stream the Ap index reached 21. It then returned to mainly quieter-to-unsettled levels until the 19th, when it was briefly more active. Improving on the previous week's average of A8.0, the X-ray flux averaged B1.6 with little daily variation. Solar wind speeds were average or below, with a high point of 464km/sec and a low of 328km/sec. Particle densities were in single figures. For much of the week low geomagnetic activity enabled propagation on the HF bands to reach or exceed predicted levels, though the week ended on a more subdued note. There were strong openings up to 28MHz on most days and all continents were workable on the bands below that. As was to be expected around the spring equinox, paths to southern Africa and South America held up well. VHF aurora occurred briefly, weakly and only at high latitudes. However, there was some encouragement for 50MHz enthusiasts, who have had a thin time lately. There was a report of the ZS6DN beacon being heard in the UK, apparently with the assistance of a brief early sporadic-E opening. It will of course be some weeks before we can expect sporadic-E as a frequent occurrence at VHF. Finally the forecast. During the coming week the quieter side of the sun will be facing us. Flare activity will continue to be mainly low or very low. The solar flux will continue to drift downwards, probably ending the week in the 80s. The geomagnetic field will be quiet or quiet-to-unsettled for most of the week but, towards the Easter weekend, we may see an increase due to a small recurring coronal hole. MUFs at equal latitudes should be about 22MHz for the south and 19MHz for the north. Darkness hour lows should remain around 8MHz. Paths to India will have a maximum usable frequency of about 26MHz. The optimum working frequency, with a 90 per cent success rate, will be in the region of 19MHz. The best time will be between 0900 and 1400UTC. In more general terms, with the spring equinox now behind us and the days lengthening, the HF bands are gradually opening earlier and staying open longer. Indeed, some of the best openings may increasingly be found during the evenings - or before work, for early risers. (G3USF)
Students' Space Questions via Ham Radio Show Strong Science Slant (Mar 15, 2005)
Full Story: www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/03/15/3/?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)
ARRL offering Free Basic Electronics Presentation (Mar. 20 2005) The ARRL Education and Technology Program is offering schools and clubs a CD-ROM presentation on basic electronics. The instructional presentation is available free of charge upon request. "The Basic Electronics Course is intended for teachers and instructors who want a ready resource they can adapt to their instruction of electronics fundamentals," says ARRL Education and Technology Coordinator Mark Spencer, WA8SME. "The materials include a PowerPoint presentation and instructor's script." Spencer says the course is designed around affordable components, a prototyping board and a volt-ohmmeter (VOM). For more information or to request a copy of the presentation, contact Mark Spencer, WA8SME, mspencer@arrl.org; 860-594-0396. (WIANews)
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
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)
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. 17 2005 ARRL DX News This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by NC1L, OH4MDY, QRZ DX, the OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST. Thanks to all. MALDIVES, 8Q. Igor, UA9CDC, Oleg, UA9CDV, Vadim, UA9CLB, Nick, UN4L and Willy, UN9LW are QRV as 8Q7DV until March 29. Activity is on 160 to 10 meters using CW, SSB, PSK and possibly RTTY. They will participate in the Russian DX contest and the upcoming CQ WPX contest. QSL via operators' instructions. MALTA, 9H.
Andrea, IK1PMR and YL Claudia, K2LEO are QRV as 9H3MR and 9H3LEO, respectively,
from Gozo Island, IOTA EU-023, until March 31. Activity is on 80
to 10 meters using all modes. 9H3MR is active mainly on CW and 9H3LEO
mainly on RTTY. They will also participate in the BARTG RTTY contest
and the upcoming CQ WPX
CHILE, CE. Marco, CE6TBN/7 will be QRV from Ascension Island, IOTA SA-043, from March 19 and 20. Activity will be on 40, 20 and 15 meters using SSB and some CW. QSL direct. ANGOLA, D2. Janne, D2DX has been QRV on 20 meters between 1930 and 2030z. QSL direct via operator's instructions. TAJIKISTAN, EY. Operators Arkady, UA4CC, Vladislav, UA4LU and Sergej, RX3APM plan to be QRV as EY0R in the Russian DX contest. Before the contest, they are active as EY8/homecalls. Activity is on 160 to 10 meters, including the newer bands, using CW and SSB. QSL contest call via UA4CC and all others to home calls. KERGUELEN ISLANDS, FT5X. The Micro-Lite team may be QRV beginning late on March 19. Their callsign will be announced at the start of the operation. SVALBARD, JW. Andy, UA3AB is QRV as JW/UA3AB until March 21. This includes an entry in the Russian DX contest. Activity is on all bands using CW and SSB. He may also try some RTTY. Outside the contest, he will concentrate his activity on the newer bands. QSL to home call. GREENLAND, OX. Look for OH4JGE and OH4HJI to be QRV as homecalls/OX from March 23 to 30. OH4MDY will be QRV as OX3RZ. They will be active on 80 to 10 meters, including 30 and 12 meters, using mostly CW with some SSB. QSL via operators' instructions. FRANZ JOSEF LAND, R1FJ. Alex, R1FJL has been QRV on 20 meters CW around 1230z. QSL via operator's instructions. CHAD, TT. Michael, PA5M and Pierre, HB9AMO are QRV as TT8M and TT8AMO, respectively, from N'Djamena for approximately two months while on work assignment. They are active on 160 to 6 meters during their evening hours and spare time. QSL both calls via PA7FM. MARSHALL ISLANDS, V7. A group of Japanese amateurs are QRV as V73JY, V73KJ, V73HE and V73OP from Majuro Atoll, IOTA OC-029, until March 28. Activity is on 160 to 10 meters, including the newer bands, using CW and SSB. QSL via operators' instructions. INDONESIA, YB. Sanyi, HA7VK and Gyuszi, HA2VR will be QRV as YB0/homecalls from Jakarta from March 23 to April 5. This is a casual operation. QSL YB0/HA7VK via HA0HW and YB0/HA2VR to home call. ALBANIA, ZA. Florian, ZA5G has been QRV on 17 meters using SSB from around 1630 to 1930z. QSL direct. OPERATIONS APPROVED FOR DXCC. The following operations are approved for DXCC credit: Iraq, YI9KT, from May 7, 2004 to February 8, 2005; Iraq, YI9GT, from May 7, 2004 to February 8, 2005; Afghanistan, T6KBLRM, current operation; Bhutan, A52CDX, from October 24, 2004 to November 12, 2004; Chad, TT8M, current operation effective March 14, 2005; Somalia, 6O0CW, from February 3 through 17, 2005. THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO. The 10-10 International Mobile Contest, BARTG HF RTTY Contest, Russian DX Contest, CLARA and Family HF Contest, Virginia QSO Party, UBA Spring 6-Meter Contest and the 9KCC 15-Meter Contest are all scheduled for this weekend. Please see March QST, page 92 and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details. (ARRL)
Mar. 19-29 2005 I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O. 19/03/2005: AS-023
JA1AMP/6 AMAMI O-SHIMA ISLAND -
19/03/2005: SA-043
CE6TBN/7 ASCENSION ISLAND -
19/03/2005: SØ9A WESTERN
SAHARA -
19/03/2005: NA-128
VE2/VE3EXY/P ISLAND OF ORLEANS -
20/03/2005: DCI-TO103
IZ1DXS/1 CINZANO TORINESE CASTLE -
20/03/2005: NA-108
J6/WB5ZAM ST. LUCIA -
20/03/2005: AS-023
JA1AMP/6 YORON ISLAND -
21/03/2005: ZB2/GM4FDM,
ZB2/PA3EWP GIBRALTAR -
23/03/2005: NA-101
J75RZ DOMINICA -
23/03/2005: NA-018
OX/H.C.'s GREENLAND -
24/03/2005: NA-056
CO3VK/4 LA JUVENTUD -
24/03/2005: DAØGLH/P, DL2VFR/P
GERMAN LIGHTHOUSES -
24/03/2005: NA-005
H.C.'s/VP9 BERMUDA -
24/03/2005: EU-114
MU5RIC/P, MU2Z ISLE OF GUERNSEY -
24/03/2005: EU-060
SV8 SKYROS ISLAND -
24/03/2005: OC-217
YE3K KANGEAN ISLANDS -
25/03/2005: NA-102
FG/F5NHJ/P GUADELOUPE ISLAND -
25/03/2005: OC-019
K1HP/KH6 ISLAND OF OAHU -
26/03/2005: EU-005
MMØLEO PORTPATRICK, SCOTLAND -
26/03/2005: EU-015
SV9FBM CRETE -
27/03/2005: EU-171
OZ/DJ4MG, OZ/DL1TM VENDSYSSEL-THY -
29/03/2005: NA-224
XF2ZEX SACRIFICIOS ISLAND -
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
ARRL seeks information on 60-meter experiences (Mar 17, 2005) The ARRL is gathering information regarding Amateur Radio operating experience on the 60-meter band authorized in 2003. The League specifically is looking for responses to these questions: 1) Did you have any problem getting your transmitter/transceiver properly set up on one or more of the 60-meter center-frequency channels--5332, 5348, 5368, 5373 and 5405 kHz? 2) How much or how often have you used these frequencies? 3) What type of traffic have you transmitted? In particular, have you handled any emergency traffic? 4) Have you found 60 meters to be better than 80 or 40 meters for certain times or distances? 5) Have you encountered any interference to or from government stations that are assigned these channels on a primary basis? If so, how was it resolved? Respondents are invited to share additional information that might help the ARRL to assess operation on 60 meters to date as well as its use in the future. Please reply by Monday, March 29, to ARRL Chief Technology Officer, Paul Rinaldo, W4RI w4ri@arrl.org. (ARRL News Service)
Washington ham nominated to National Inventors Hall of Fame (Mar 20, 2005) Congratulations to ARRL member Don Bateman, KK7UT, of Bellevue, Washington, who will be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in May. A Honeywell engineer, Bateman invented the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) in the 1970s and the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) in the 1990s. He is one of 13 nominees this year. The EGPWS is now required in all US turbine aircraft with at least six passenger seats. Other countries have implemented similar requirements. As a result of EGPWS, aircraft accident rates have declined dramatically. Should a pilot of an under-control aircraft unknowingly fly into terrain--called a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT), something that usually happens as a result of poor visibility--a computerized voice in the cockpit repeats the warning, "Terrain ahead. Pull up! Terrain ahead. Pull up!" For the last several years, the annual CFIT rate in the US has been nearly zero. One of Bateman's most recent aircraft safety innovations comprises a real-time map display to make pilots aware of surrounding terrain when visibility is bad. The National Inventors Hall of Fame honors "men and women responsible for the great technological advances that make human, social and economic progress possible." Bateman's name will be among 221 inventors, including the inventor of the microphone, the inventor of the calculator and the inventor of the steam engine.--Ben Schupack, NW7DX (ARRL News Service)
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