Mar. 21 2004  Two More European Countries Gain Spectrum at 7MHz

Two more European countries have gained access to the 7100 to 7200kHz segment of the 40-metre band. San Marino, T7, has authorised amateur radio operation in the 7100 - 7200kHz band on a Secondary non-interference basis, with effect from the 25th of February. The Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority has also announced that Norwegian radio amateurs can use frequencies in the segment 7100 - 7200kHz with secondary status starting from the 1st of April. This is in addition to the existing segment 7000 - 7100 kHz where radio amateurs have primary status. The maximum transmitter output power in the 7100 - 7200 segment will be 100 watts in Norway, and the maximum bandwidth 6kHz. Croatia, 9A, was the first European country to expand its 40-metre band in December last year.

(RSGB)

===========

New UK 4 Meter Beacon

With 4 meter operations expanding across Europe, the new GB3WSX West Country Beacon will be of interest to experimenters on that band.  It is sponsored by the United Kingdom based Wessex Repeater Group and operates on 70.007 MHz from Yeovil, Somerset, at grid square locator IO8QW.

The beacon came on the air March 1st.  It identifies in Frequency Modulated M-C-W with its call sign and location.  Although the license allows for 22 d-B-W Effective Radiated Power, GB3WSX is currently operating with only 2.25 watts into a 5-element beam at 90 feet. The antenna is aimed 70 degrees East of North, towards Eastern Europe.  Reception reports go via e-mail to gb3wsx@twxrg.info

(GB2RS)

=========

European Parliament adopts new EMC directive

For some time, amateurs in Europe have been working to ensure that new regulations adopted by the European parliament, will contain wording to protect the interests of the amateur radio community.

Gaston Bertels ON4WF, reports in the March 2004 issue of the IARU Eurocom Newsletter that the European Parliament has adopted a report on the new EMC Directive regarding Electromagnetic Compatibility of Equipment.

Included in the report is the following statement.

"Member States are responsible for ensuring that radio-communications, including radio broadcast reception and the amateur radio service operating in accordance with ITU radio regulations, electrical supply and telecommunications networks, as well as equipment connected thereto, are protected against electromagnetic disturbance".

This simple statement will go a long way towards ensuring that amateurs are protected against interference from things like Broad Band over Powerlines, while also ensuring that consumer equipment is properly shielded and protected from picking up amateur signals.

Gaston says that the next step is to see the text adopted by the European Economic Commission.

(Thanks to Gaston Bertels ON4WF and Eurocom Newsletter)

(RAC News Service)

Canada prepares preliminary views on WRC 07 for Caracas

CITEL, the arm of the Organization of American States which looks after radio communications in our region, meets regularly three or four times a year to plan for World Radio Conferences. RAC representatives do not normally attend CITEL meetings unless they are held in Ottawa.

The Canadian preparations for the next World Radio Conference, currently scheduled for 2007, continue to gather steam, and a set of "preliminary views" will be taken by a small Industry Canada delegation to a CITEL meeting in Caracas Venezuela later this month. The "preliminary views", which are confidential until submitted to the meeting, are the first step in an attempt to coordinate the positions of the countries in North, Central and South America, on each of the agenda items for the conference.

Two of the agenda items are of particular interest to Canadian Radio Amateurs. One proposes a new world wide amateur band at 135 kHz, and the other is the review of the use of the bands between 4 and 10 MHz, excluding 7.0 -7.2 MHz.

In preparing preliminary views, Industry Canada consults with representatives of all interested spectrum users, and develops a Canadian consensus which is then presented at the CITEL meeting.  Other countries will be doing the same. The objective is to develop a common stance for our region which will give us a stronger bargaining position at the WRC.

Even though the WRC is at least 3 years in the future, RAC and the IARU representatives participate fully in the Canadian preparations, and our concerns are being taken into account.

(VE3PU)

(RAC News Service)

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Tim Ellam VE6SH, elected to 5 year term as IARU Vice President

The Secretary of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Dave Sumner K1ZZ, announced today that in voting completed on March 16, IARU's member-societies overwhelmingly ratified the re-election of Larry E. Price, W4RA, as President, and the election of Timothy S. Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA, as Vice President, for five-year terms beginning 9 May 2004.

Radio Amateurs of Canada is one of the 159 member-societies of the IARU.

Larry E. Price, W4RA, has served as President of the IARU since 1999. He holds the degrees Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (electronics major), Master of Business Administration (management major), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.) (finance major). Professionally, he retired as Professor and Department Head, Georgia Southern University, in 1991 and is now Emeritus Professor of Finance and Economics. Mr. Price was IARU Vice President in 1983-1984 and served as Secretary in 1989-1999. He has attended 17 IARU regional conferences, six each in Regions 1 and 2 and five in Region 3, and has represented the IARU at every ITU World Radiocommunication and Telecommunication Development Conference held since 1992 as well as at numerous other ITU meetings. He is a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE). He was first licensed at age 16 in 1951 and held elected offices in the ARRL continuously for more than 25 years, including service as President from 1984 to 1992, until stepping down as ARRL International Affairs Vice President in January 2000, He resides in Statesboro, Georgia.

Tim Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA, is a Barrister and Solicitor with the law firm of McCarthy Tetrault LLP and is a partner in the firm's Calgary, Alberta and London, UK offices. Born in England, Tim emigrated to Canada in 1972 and holds both Canadian and British/EU citizenship. He earned the degrees Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and Economics from the University of Calgary and LLB, Faculty of Law from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, and is a member of the Law Societies of Alberta and England & Wales as well as of the International Bar Association. He has served as an IARU Expert Consultant since 2000, represented the IARU at the 2002 meeting of the ITU Special Committee on Regulatory and Procedural Matters and the 2002 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, and appeared as a speaker and panelist at the ITU Americas Telecom 2000 in Rio de Janeiro and ITU Africa Telecom 2001 in Johannesburg. First licensed in 1977 at the age of 16, he has held executive positions in RAC and one of its predecessor organizations CRRL, starting in 1990.

Retiring IARU Vice President Dr. David A. Wardlaw, VK3ADW, was honored for his accomplishments during his term of office at the closing Plenary of the IARU Region 3 Conference in Taipei on 20 February. Dr. Wardlaw served as a member of the Australian delegation to WRC-2000 and WRC-03, and represented the IARU at preparatory meetings of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity. His participation contributed substantially to the favorable outcome for the amateur services.

(Thanks to the IARU)

(RAC News Service)

============

Plan a trip to Ottawa this autumn!

The QCWA International Convention, open to all Amateur Radio Operators and their friends, takes place on Oct 15-16-17 2004.

Sessions on Noise in Receiving Systems, Software Defined Radios, Top Band Reversible Beverages, EMI, Batteries, Field Day, Mobile Antennas, Digital Modes, Early Radio History and Amateur Satellites will be given during the day.  Friday night will be a Meet & Greet Evening and Saturday begins with a scheduled breakfast while in the evening the Annual QCWA Banquet will be held.  Possibly Astronaut Dr. Robert Thirsk VA3CSA will be the guest speaker.

Travel back in time on Sunday after brunch by taking a trip on a steam engine train.  A short bus ride to the Quebec side of the Ottawa River, then all aboard for 4 ½ hours of entertainment while viewing the colourful countryside along the Gatineau River with a stop in quaint Wakefield.

Further information may be found at www.qcwa.org or by contacting Donald Heaslip ve3njh at rac.ca or phone 613-727-2769.

(RAC News Service)

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RAC appoints new managers for the Canada day and Canada Winter contests

RAC First Vice President, Bob Nash (VE3KZ), tells us that Sam Ferris (VE5SF), Bart Ritchie (VE5CPU) and Bruce Rattray (VE5RC/VE5QRP) have been accepted by the Board of Directors as managers of the RAC Canadian Winter Contest and have volunteered to also serve as managers of the Canada Day Contest in light of the recent resignation of the Moncton Seniors ARC from that position.

More information about the RAC contests can be found at: www.rac.ca/opsinfo/infocont.htm

(RAC News Service)

===========

Good news for VHF enthusiasts, the aurora season is beginning

Northern spring began this year on March 20th at 0649 GMT. That means the aurora season is beginning, too, so watch for auroral propagation. Sporadic-E should start to appear soon too. Geomagnetic storms tend to be most intense in early spring and fall, so the weeks ahead should be good ones for auroral propagation. Already this month faint auroras have appeared as far south in the United States as Minnesota, Wisconsin and Washington. For some good links on auroral propagation, visit:

www.rac.ca/opsinfo/propagation.htm  and scan down to Aurora.

(RAC News Service)

Atlantic Maritime Section

Halifax Amateur Radio Club - Basic Amateur Radio Course Complete

Thursday evening, 18 March,  saw the completion of HARC's Basic Course. Ten Candidates wrote the exam and 9 embryo  amateurs emerged.  One candidate wrote Basic, Advanced and CW  and passed all three! Overall average examination mark was about 83%.  A CW class continues although one member has already successfully sat the test. Advanced amateur seminars have been conducted over the past winter..

Plans are already underway for next winter's courses. Howard Dickson, VE1DHD will be coordinating the Basic Course expected to start in late September. A CW course can be anticipated to start in October and Advanced License seminars will again be made available throughout the winter.  For further information and course registration, contact Howard at
dhdickson@hfx.eastlink.ca

Mar. 27 2004  Hamfest 2004 du Club Radio Amateur Laval Laurentides

Sponsored by VE2CRL
Location: Polyvalente George-Vanier 3995, boul. Lévesque Est, Laval (Qc) Près de l'autoroute 25 ( à l'ouest )
Opening:  Ouvert aux exposants à 7h00 Ouvert au public à 9h00
Cost: Entrée 5 $ Table 10 $
Talkin: Radioguidage sur VE2CRL 147.315 (+)
For more info: www.ve2crl.qc.ca/hamfest.htm

Radio Amateurs of Canada (Ontario South Region) Spring 2004 Newsletter

Oops -Correction Please!

You may recall mention in the Winter Newsletter of Assistant Director Doug Frame’s (VE3JDF) "Small Wonder Labs" PSK31 transceiver kit. It was erroneously reported to be operating on 30 watts and the note should have read 3 watts. As Doug states, "it really works well on 3 watts and of course PSK31 is an excellent mode for QRP.

Ham Chronicles

A new addition to the Regional Director’s website, features Ham Chronicles by Assistant Director Sue Cooke, VE3SUH – www.qsl.net/ve3bdb/director.html Follow the adventures of Sue as she explores the world of amateur radio.

Interest in RAC YEP Continues

With continued interest in the Radio Amateurs of Canada Youth Education Program, radio distributors/manufacturers and the Canadian business community are being canvassed for financial sponsorship.

Ontario South Operates VA3RAC for Canada Day

Assistant Directors in the Ontario South Region will be operating with the VA3RAC call sign during the RAC Canada Day Contest. Watch for further details.

Here we Grow Again!

Several Assistant Directors have been involved in teaching courses for the basic amateur radio licence over the past year. Recent statistics indicate:

Burlington Amateur Radio Club – 54 new hams over the past year;

Orillia Amateur Radio Club – 6 new hams in December 2003;

Bruce Amateur Radio Club – 7 students currently enrolled in a course;

Border City Radio Club (Windsor) – 15 students currently enrolled and have already joined Radio Amateurs of Canada! Special "thanks" to Assistant Director Jerry Beneteau, VE3EXT, for encouraging these students to join our National Organization.

Introduction to Amateur Radio

During January, Assistant Director Mark Richardson VA3OBO, along with recent student graduates Brian VA3BCC, and Norm VE3CZI, ran a 3-week program for two local scout troops involving a demonstration of amateur radio, the role of amateur radio in emergency services and construction of simple code oscillators. Following an introduction to CW, they will earn a badge when they can send their name to the leaders in Morse.

SPARC Gap Club Bulletin

Assistant Director Stan Leschinsky VE3TW, recently submitted an article to the South Pickering Amateur Radio Club bulletin, with instructions on how to access the Radio Amateurs of Canada Ontario Regional Director’s website www.qsl.net/ve3bdb/director.html and also how to subscribe to RAC bulletins. Previous information related to the QSL Bureau as a benefit to belonging to RAC.

A "Techy" at Work and Play

Assistant Director Doug Campbell VA3DC, has put the finishing touches on the Orillia Echolink and proudly reports check-ins from Canada, Europe, Asia, South America, USA and Orillia. The link outputs 146.58 Simplex.

Club Station Licence

Congratulations to Assistant Director Mark Richardson VA3OBO, who obtained his Advanced Qualification in January and took over the Lester B. Pearson High School club station licence, VA3LBP.

ONTARS Net Control

Thanks to the efforts of volunteers like Assistant Director Gord Moogk VE3DBP, the ONTARS net is available from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. daily on 3.755 MHz. If you haven’t already done so, why not tune in and check in to this worthwhile organization?

The Feedline"

The Editor for the Niagara Peninsula Amateur Radio Club continues to welcome monthly Radio Amateurs of Canada news items for publishing in their newsletter. Thanks for your continued support of our national organization.

Callsign Data Base

Although Assistant Director Doug Frame VE3JDF, has been enjoying the winter months as a snow-bird, he has upheld his duties as webmaster of the RAC Callsign Data Base, fielding several requests for assistance from amateurs across the country.

RAC Winter Contest

Most of your RAC Ontario South Assistant Directors were actively participating on the air during the RAC Winter Contest in December. Even AD Doug Frame who was visiting family in Cochrane, Alberta, advised that "it was interesting trying the Winter Contest from another part of the country".

87 Year Old Ham Responds to TCA Article

Assistant Director Sue Cooke VE3SUH, recently received a letter from Herb Kannegiesser VE3RV, an 87 year old Ham living in North Bay who read and enjoyed a recent article in The Canadian Amateur, penned by Sue, entitled So What Prompted You to Become an Amateur Radio Operator?. Herb states, "it is a great idea to stir up more interest amongst hams".

"The Team" Welcomes Spring and You!

On behalf of all of us, working for all of you, please accept our best wishes for a happy spring season. Of course that also means hamfests are in full swing , so come on over to the RAC table and say "hello". Hope to see you there!

Bob, VE3BDB; Sue, VE3SUH; Doug, VA3DC; Mark, VA3OBO;  Jerry, VE3EXT; Doug VE3JDF; Gord, VE3DBP;
Stan, VE3TW.

(Editor: Assistant Director Sue Cooke, VE3SUH)

===============

April 5 2004  Kitchener Waterloo Amateur Radio Club Meeting

The Kitchener Waterloo Amateur Radio Club  KWARC meets on the first monday of each month at the RAF 404 Wing located on Dutton Dr in Waterloo. Meeting starts at 7.30 pm and all are welcome to attend. The next meeting will be on April 5 (Monday).

Please check our web site for map details and presentor topic. www.kwarc.org

Ben Sasiela VE3ST
President KWARC.

=============

Mar. 16 2004 Sarnia White Cane Amateur Radio Club open house review

This year the 'Sarnia White Cane Center' had an 'Open House' and 'Club Dedication' to recognize the founder of the Club, Cliff Seed (VE3CLI) who became a silent key January 20th 2003. Hams from the Sarnia/Lampton County dropped in to say hello & talk to members.

During the Open House we had a discussion on how the CNIB Amateur Radio Assoc. and amateur radio as a whole can benefit blind and visually impaired people. The amateur radio station, VE3SWC at the White Cane Center can be used by anyone holding a valid amateur radio license.

A full report including pictures of the event can be found on the Sarnia Amateur Radio Club website at: www.hfradio.net/swc/event2004.html

(Jerry VA3JET)

============

Mar.22 2004  Scarborough Amateur Radio Club Meeting

This is to remind everyone that there is a regular general meeting of the Scarborough Amateur Radio Club Monday evening, 22nd March 2004.  This meeting will be held at our usual meeting room, the seniors activity room, at the Mid-Scarborough Recreation Centre.  The featured speaker of the evening will be Brian Elston from the TV Ontario New Media Group. Some members may remember his father, C.J. (Jack) Elston VE3SJ, from Bowmanville, quite a well known radio amateur in our area. Brian is the leader of TVO web-casting etc.  The word around TV Ontario is that our internet "transmissions", are as important as our on-air "transmissions."  Brian is just the person to explain, where, how, why, questions about the internet.  If anyone knows where we are going from here, he does.

I would also like to remind our members, and friends, of our up-coming "white sale", March 29th at our club room.  The idea is that the Scarborough Club is providing the place, the occasion, for you to bring out equipment for the purpose of possible sale.  This is not our usual spring auction.  This is something new for us.  The Club is expecting no commission, nor do we accept any responsibility.  All we ask is that any equipment you bring that is not sold, you must take away.  All sold equipment must also be taken away.  On this night a cup shall be left out for coffee donations.  Coffee, etc. shall be on hand.  In the fall we will probably have our traditional auction. We have the room.  We have the tables.  Do you have something that you might like to sell?  Is there something you would be interested in?  I have heard that one former member is bringing out a complete station. Perhaps you too should take a look around.

Do you have an idea for a Monday night.   Well, one idea is to have a computer night on one of our off Monday's.  Also remember this Monday night is likely the last chance you shall get to make a nomination for our club's Amateur of the Year award.  Last year Fred Fox VE3XOF received this honour.  Audrey is planning a special night for Awards & Anniversary.  Due to our normal meeting night following on Easter Monday,  this special night is shifted to 19th April 2004.  I have a great Idea for Monday 5th of April.  You shall just have to wait until I have it all confirmed before I get you all excited.

Club Website:  www.qsl.net/ve3apn/ve3we

(Bob VE3IEL Club President)

Mar. 28 2004  B. C. Amateur Radio Coordination Council

BCARCC Annual General Meeting, March 28, 2004
Location:  North Shore Emergency Management Office 147 E. 14th Street, 2nd Floor. One block east of Lonsdale Avenue in RCMP building. Street parking is limited to 2 hours; use Pay Parking at Safeway lot or Lions Gate Hospital, or in surrounding streets.

Registration:  0915; Meeting 1000 - 1230 PST
Cost:  Yearly dues $15.00 per club delegate; no fee to observers
Talkin:  VE7RNS 147.26 +

Note:  The B.C. Amateur Radio Coordination Council is an association of amateur radio clubs, for the purpose of coordinating fixed-frequency repeaters within B.C., to interface with Industry Canada, and other Coordination Councils, and to publish a master repeater list for the province. All B.C. amateur radio clubs are invited to join the Council. Membership forms and repeater coordination forms can be downloaded from www.bcarcc.org

Full Details: www.bcarcc.org

============

Mar. 28 2004 Langley Amateur Radio Fleamarket

Sponsored by: The Langley Amateur Radio Association.
Location:  Aldergrove Elks Hall 27309 Fraser Hwy. Aldergrove, BC
Cost: Tables $18.00 (includes 1 admission) General Admission $4.00 Sellers 9:00 AM Buyers 10:00 AM to1:00 PM Please Note: 1 helper per table only (Helper pays general admission)
Opening: Vendors 9 am, Public 10 am to 1 pm
Cost: Admission $4, Tables $18
Talkin:  VE7RLY 147.48(+)
Website: www.langleyamateurradio.com

============

Apr. 3 2004  Moose Jaw Amateur Radio Flea Mafket

Sponsored by:  The Moose Jaw Amateur radio club
Location: Church of our lady community hall. 7th Ave SW and Grandview st.  Moose Jaw  SK
Opening: 7:30AM to venders, 8:00am for breakfeast and selling starts at 9:00AM
Cost:  Admission $3, Tables $5
Talkin:  VE5CI reapeter 146.94- once in town 146.52 simp.
Notes:  We are trying to secure dealers again this year as in past years. We will also have at least one table of estate equipment from VE5 RJH rogers estate.
Website: www.geocities.com/ve5ma

============

Winnipeg Amateur Radio Club  Meeting

Our meetings consist of a short business portion, a coffee break for socializing, and a presentation normally related to radio.  Every meeting also features a raffle open to all attendees and a door prize for members.

• April 19, 2004: Our "Home Brew Night"
• May 10, 2004: Ed, VE4YU, will be giving a presentation on "Digital Communication"
• June 14, 2004: TBA

Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month. The meeting will be on the third Monday if the second is a statutory holiday. No meetings are held in July & August  Mettings are held in the theatre or cafateria of  Sturgeon Creek Regional Secondary School  Ness Ave. at Thompson Dr. in Winnipeg 7:30 p.m.

All are welcome!

Club Website:  http://ve4.net/warc

America's

Mar. 19, 2004  K7RA Solar Update

Average daily sunspot numbers rose nearly 13 points last week (March 11-17) to 66.1.  Average daily solar flux rose by a negligible amount from 106.3 to 106.8.  A solar wind stream caused geomagnetic disturbance from the last reporting week into the early part of this week, but conditions quieted.  Mildly unsettled conditions may return over the weekend, with Friday through Monday (March 19-22) planetary A index predicted at 8, 12, 15 and 10.  Solar flux is expected to moderately peak this weekend around 120 on both March 19 and 20, then 115 and 110 on March 21 and 22.

Sunspot 570, mentioned in last week's bulletin, split into two parts this week as it moved toward the sun's western limb.  About now it is disappearing from view.  A holographic image showing the far side of the sun revealed a large sunspot group a few days ago, so perhaps we'll see more activity soon.

Last week's bulletin mentioned polar cap absorption, but it turns out that strictly speaking, this doesn't occur often, only a couple of times a year on average.  Polar cap absorption only applies to the polar cap and is caused by protons from big solar flares.  The phenomenon in Alaska that is most common is called auroral absorption, in and near the auroral oval.

This week Doug Gehring, WA2NPD wrote to ask about a related topic, bad conditions on 80 and 160 meters.  He lives in Southern New Jersey and has been having trouble working DX on the lower frequencies over the past few years.  No doubt, Doug will notice better conditions when there are fewer geomagnetic storms. Geomagnetic activity will be less frequent as the solar cycle declines over the next few years.

The spring equinox begins tonight, around 10:49 PM PST (0649z). Spring conditions are here, a great time for HF DX if the geomagnetic conditions are stable.  Regarding the time of the vernal equinox, an interesting article in National Geographic News (see http://tinyurl.com/38ljr) says that equinoxes migrate through a period that is about six hours later from year to year.  Due to the leap year cycle, (this year was one) the system resets every four years.  However, because the average year is really 365.24219 days long, over time the vernal equinox would slip.  To solve this, Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 instituted the new calendar wherein century years (such as 1800 and 1900) are not a leap year, except in century years divisible by 400, such as 1600 and 2000.  This adjusted the average calendar year from 365.25 days to 365.2425, which is only about 26.8 seconds longer than the real 365.24219 days.  This yields a gain (or error) of only one day over a period of about 3,200 years.

Remember the big solar flare last fall?  It occurred from 1929z and 1950z on November 4, 2003, and was so large it overloaded instruments and was estimated to be an X28.  This was much larger than previous record flares on April 2 2001 and August 16 1989, which were both rated as X20.  Now it appears that last year's flare was more than twice as large as the previous record.  It has now been adjusted upward to X45.  See the BBC report at http://tinyurl.com/22tpk.

Sunspot numbers for March 11 through 17 were 67, 71, 61, 61, 49, 53 and 101 with a mean of 66.1.  10.7 cm flux was 113.2, 107.5, 103.8, 102.5, 101.4, 109.6 and 109.8, with a mean of 106.8.  Estimated planetary A indices were 26, 23, 15, 16, 13, 8 and 6, with a mean of 15.3.

(W1AW)

Mar. 17 2004  ISS Commander Talks via Ham Radio with Scottish School He Once Visited

It might have been St Patrick's Day, but the accents of the youngsters questioning International Space Station Commander Mike Foale, KB5UAC, on March 17 definitely were Scottish. Nonetheless, the "luck of the Irish" was with the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact between the British-born Foale at NA1SS and Nancy Rocheleau, WH6PN, at Sacred Heart Academy in Honolulu. An MCI teleconference provided the two-way audio for pupils at the Sgoil a' Bhac--the School of Back--on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides off Scotland's northwestern coast. Responding to one question, Foale explained that the ISS crew is not truly "weightless" in space.

"What's actually happening is that we're all falling together," Foale explained, pointing out that the space station is continuously falling as it circles Earth. Because the spacecraft is moving rapidly horizontally, it misses Earth because of its curve. "So, we're falling around the earth--all of the things inside the space station are falling," he continued. "We actually think that we're weightless, but, in fact, the weight is still there, and gravity is still working on us."

Apparent weightlessness in space has its pros and cons, Foale told the youngsters in response to another question. "In general, weightlessness causes problems because nothing stays put," Foale said. "You have to always have something sticky to hold things down." But, he went on to say, weightlessness does let the crew store things just about anywhere on the ISS.

Foale said he was able to see some features of northern Scotland--including the Isle of Skye--when the ISS passed over that part of the world. "Yours is pretty easy to pick out too," he added. As he's said during past school group QSOs, one of his favorite leisure-time activities is to look at Earth.

Other planets also were on the minds of the primary and secondary schoolers who attend the School of Back. The astronaut also told the Scottish students that he believes scientists may one day discover that life once existed on Mars. "I would bet that they will one day--maybe in a hundred years--find evidence of fossilized life on Mars," Foale said. He estimated that it would be "maybe 15 years" before humans are able to land on Mars. "Now, think about how old you all you are, and think about whether or not you'd want to take part in a mission to Mars," he added.

Sgoil a' Bhac has an enrollment of 190--the majority at the primary school level. Dating back to 1878, the school is committed to Gaelic language and culture. Foale had visited the school last summer, spending about a half-day with the students.

"It was terrific for the pupils to meet him and to hear firsthand of what it was like to be in space, to be an astronaut," said Head Teacher John Maclean, who also led his students in an uproar of cheering and applause as the 10-minute contact concluded.

Students got to ask 20 questions, although the NA1SS signal faded out before Foale finished answering the last one. Contact moderator Will Marchant, KC6ROL, encouraged Maclean to have his students request NA1SS QSL cards following their contact. The School of Back QSO--the first for a school in Scotland--marked the 130th ARISS school group contact since the arrival of the first ISS crew in late 2000.

Helping out at the school was Carlos Eavis, G0AKI, who manages the Radio Society of Great Britain's GB4FUN radio van. The multiband-equipped mobile station promotes ham radio in the UK. IARU Region 1 Satellite Co-coordinator Graham Shirville, G3VZV, assisted.

(ARRL News Service)

========

AO-40 Rescue Attempts Continue

A rise of a few decibels of noise on the AO-40 2.4-GHz beacon frequency has raised hopes that the ham-sat may still be alive.  According to the ARRL Letter, Colin Hurst, V-K-5-H-I, noticed  noted a noise peak of 4 to 5 dB in the vicinity of the  beacon frequency after he had issued a transmitter reset command sequence to the satellite.

This took place on March 9 th between 0310 and 0320 UTC.  After listening for about 15 seconds, Hurst, who is a member of the AO-40 command team issued a command to shut down the transmitter and the noise disappeared.

As previously reported, AO-40 has been silent since January 27 in the wake of a abrupt voltage drop.  Satellite controllers believe that one or more shorted battery cells are at the cause of the problem.

(ARRL, AMSAT)

========

ARISS Team meeting at the European Space Agency in the Netherlands

From March 25th to 28th, the international delegates and volunteers making up the ARISS team will hold a meeting at the ESA ESTEC laboratories at Noordwijk in the Netherlands.

The ARISS ( Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) team was formed in 1996, and since that time has assembled, and put in place, an amateur radio station which is used by the Space Station astronauts to contact amateurs around the world, and through them, to speak to school children by amateur radio. The team meets regularly by teleconference about once a month, and face-to-face meetings are held once or twice a year.

Canadian ARISS delegates are AMSAT-NA President Robin Haighton VE3FRH, and former RAC Vice President Ken Pulfer VE3PU. Also on the ARISS team but not attending this time, are School Selection Committee member and RAC President Daniel Lamoureux VE2KA, Public Relations Committee member Wayne Harisimovitch VE1WPH, and Mentor Steve McFarlane VE3TBD.

In addition to dealing with routine administrative matters, the team will be updated on efforts to prepare and launch new ARISS equipment, the status of second generation equipment recently sent to the Space Station on Russian Progress supply rockets,  and proposals for new equipment and experiments which may be added in the future.

Watch this space for a meeting report soon

(VE3PU)

(RAC News Service)

========

Mar. 15 2004  Most Distant Object in Solar System Discovered by NASA Researchers

"The Sun appears so small from that distance that you could completely block it out with the head of a pin," said Dr. Mike Brown, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, Calif., associate professor of planetary astronomy and leader of the research team. The object, called "Sedna" for the Inuit goddess of the ocean, is 13 billion kilometers (8 billion miles) away, in the farthest reaches of the solar system.

This is likely the first detection of the long-hypothesized "Oort cloud," a faraway repository of small icy bodies that supplies the comets that streak by Earth. Other notable features of Sedna include its size and reddish color. After Mars, it is the second reddest object in the solar system. It is estimated Sedna is approximately three-fourths the size of Pluto. Sedna is likely the largest object found in the solar system since Pluto was discovered in 1930.

Brown, along with Drs. Chad Trujillo of the Gemini Observatory, Hawaii, and David Rabinowitz of Yale University, New Haven, Conn., found the planet-like object, or planetoid, on Nov. 14, 2003. The researchers used the 48-inch Samuel Oschin Telescope at Caltech's Palomar Observatory near San Diego. Within days, telescopes in Chile, Spain, Arizona and Hawaii observed the object. NASA's new Spitzer Space Telescope also looked for it.

Sedna is extremely far from the Sun, in the coldest know region of our solar system, where temperatures never rise above minus 240 degrees Celsius (minus 400 degrees Fahrenheit). The planetoid is usually even colder, because it approaches the Sun only briefly during its 10,500-year solar orbit. At its most distant, Sedna is 130 billion kilometers (84 billion miles) from the Sun, which is 900 times Earth's solar distance.

Scientists used the fact that even the Spitzer telescope was unable to detect the heat of the extremely distant, cold object to determine it must be less than 1,700 kilometers (about 1,000 miles) in diameter, which is smaller than Pluto. By combining available data, Brown estimated Sedna's size at about halfway between Pluto and Quaoar, the planetoid discovered by the same team in 2002.

The elliptical orbit of Sedna is unlike anything previously seen by astronomers. However, it resembles that of objects predicted to lie in the hypothetical Oort cloud. The cloud is thought to explain the existence of certain comets. It is believed to surround the Sun and extend outward halfway to the star closest to the Sun. But Sedna is 10 times closer than the predicted distance of the Oort cloud. Brown said this "inner Oort cloud" may have been formed by gravity from a rogue star near the Sun in the solar system's early days.

"The star would have been close enough to be brighter than the full moon, and it would have been visible in the daytime sky for 20,000 years," Brown explained. Worse, it would have dislodged comets farther out in the Oort cloud, leading to an intense comet shower that could have wiped out some or all forms of life that existed on Earth at the time.

Rabinowitz said there is indirect evidence that Sedna may have a moon. The researchers hope to check this possibility with NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Trujillo has begun to examine the object's surface with one of the world's largest optical/infrared telescopes, the 8-meter (26-foot) Frederick C. Gillett Gemini Telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. "We still don't understand what is on the surface of this body. It is nothing like what we would have predicted or what we can explain," he said.

Sedna will become closer and brighter over the next 72 years, before it begins its 10,500-year trip to the far reaches of the solar system. "The last time Sedna was this close to the Sun, Earth was just coming out of the last ice age. The next time it comes back, the world might again be a completely different place," Brown said.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif, manages the Spitzer Space Telescope. For more information about the research and images on the Internet, visit  www.spitzer.caltech.edu/Media/releases/ssc2004-05 . For information about NASA on the Internet, visit www.nasa.gov .

(SpaceRef.com)

========

Mar. 18 2004 Recently Discovered Near-Earth Asteroid Makes Record-breaking Approach to Earth

A small near-Earth asteroid (NEA), discovered Monday night by the NASA-funded LINEAR asteroid survey, will make the closest approach to Earth ever recorded. There is no danger of a collision with the Earth during this encounter.

The object, designated 2004 FH, is roughly 30 meters (100 feet) in diameter and will pass just 43,000 km (26,500 miles, or about 3.4 Earth diameters) above the Earth's surface on March 18th at 5:08 PM EST (2:08 PM PST, 22:08 UTC). (Close approach details here).

On average, objects about the size of 2004 FH pass within this distance roughly once every two years, but most of these small objects pass by undetected. This particular close approach is unusual only in the sense that scientists know about it. The fact that an object as small as asteroid 2004 FH has been discovered now is mostly a matter of perseverance by the LINEAR team, who are funded by NASA to search for larger kilometer-sized NEAs, but also routinely detect much smaller objects.

Asteroid 2004 FH's point of closest approach with the Earth will be over the South Atlantic Ocean. Using a good pair of binoculars, the object will be bright enough to be seen during this close approach from areas of Europe, Asia and most of the Southern Hemisphere.

Scientists look forward to the flyby as it will provide them an unprecedented opportunity to study a small NEA asteroid up close.

(SpaceRef.com)

========

Note: For information about Amateur Radio on the International Space Station "ARISS" visit the ARISS English language
web site:  www.rac.ca/ariss

Note: "Hams in Action" is a new area in the bulletin and is in need of articles and stories of events from your local club or ARES Group. Submission to Hams in Action:  Bulletin Editor: va3ku@rac.ca

===============

Apr. 17 2004 Simcoe County Canwarn training. CANWARN 2004

This years CANWARN session in Orillia will take place on Saturday, April 17th at the OPP Headquarters Auditorium, 777 Memorial Ave. in Orillia.
Remember to park in the South parking lot.
The session is scheduled to get underway at 8:00 a.m. and will be over by 12:00 noon.
The price this year is $5.00

Space is limited. If you are planning to attend, please reply via email and I will return confirmation.  Hope to see you there.

Bob Simpson VE3ODR
ve3odr@rac.ca
phone 705 689-6545

(Glenn VE3GNA RAC OBS)

==============

Dufferin County Canwarn Training

April 25th. CANWARN training session at the galaxy Theatre Orangeville. Time to be announced. [tentative 8.30am]  Added attraction, thunder and lightening show by Phil Chadwick. Contact  Paul Chantree, VE3PWZ  519-925-5010

(Glenn VE3GNA RAC OBS)

==============

ARES Ontario HF Nets

Want to find out the latest news with ARES in Ontario, join us on the ARES HF Nets every Sunday. 40 Meter Net 7.150Mhz at 2pm and 80 Meter Net on 3.743Mhz. 9pm. We invite all amateurs to join us, you do not have to be an ARES member to participate. For further details about the nets and a complete list of websites for Ontario ARES Groups visit:  www.hfradio.net/ares

(Jim Taylor VA3KU Net Manager)

==============

Mar. 18 2004   Iowa Ham Club Designated "Point of Light," Gets Paul Harvey On-Air Mention

The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network has designated The Tri-State Amateur Radio Club (TSARC) as the Daily Point of Light for Monday, March 29. An ARRL-affiliated club, TSARC is headquartered in Cresco, Iowa. The Foundation recognized the club for voluntarily providing communication during emergencies and for supporting Red Cross and The Salvation Army relief efforts. President George W. Bush and former President George H. W. Bush, have endorsed the Daily Points of Light Award, and each will send a congratulatory letter to the club.

"Through your service you join the ranks of America's true unsung heroes--volunteers," said Points of Light Foundation President and CEO Bob Goodwin. "The spirit and energy of America's volunteers inspire us all," he said. "Your work is a shining example of this spirit."

TSARC's designation as a Daily Point of Light did not escape the notice of ABC Radio Networks' commentator Paul Harvey, who mentioned it during his noontime broadcast on March 12. Harvey said the nation still relies on Amateur Radio operators to get the message through in an emergency or disaster.

"For all of our sophisticated technology, in any real disaster, our country still relies heavily on its hams--Amateur Radio hobbyists," Harvey said in the approximately one-minute spot. Among citizen volunteers in the US, he concluded, there are "none more unsung and certainly none more unpaid, than the hams--standing by around the clock."

TSARC's Ernie Martin, WA0AUU, said it marked the first Point of Light Award to an Amateur Radio club. TSARC serves as a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) --a Citizen Corps program. A small club with just over a dozen members, TSARC still has managed to equip itself with two mobile emergency communication units and even a couple of parasail units. "The parasail units are used in search-and-rescue work," Martin explains. "We have found they can cover the area 10 times faster than units on the ground."

While the club is in Iowa, its "tri-state" label derives from the fact that it serves parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin as well. The TSARC communications van--which the club resurrected from an aged auto junkyard candidate--contains equipment for both Amateur Radio and public safety frequencies. The unit can even beam a UHF Amateur TV signal from a disaster scene to a remote post--giving incident command personnel a firsthand look at what's happening.

Martin says a lot of hard work and money went into making the 30-year-old van serviceable again. "We handmade new lower quarter panels for the old gal," he said. "We had to put in a whole new floor because you could put your foot through it." The club's "very famous" one-third pound steakburger is the focus of a lot of fundraising activities, he explained.

In 2002, TSARC also was the beneficiary of a $1500 ARRL Foundation grant to assist its emergency communication efforts. The money helped to supplement funds the club had been able to raise on its own toward the approximately $6500 cost of a 16-foot equipment trailer.

The TSARC communications trailer is packed with everything the participating amateurs will need when they get to a disaster site. "We take everything five people will need for five days," he said. "That trailer is full, and we have even more to get in somehow."

The Daily Point of Light Award is given by The Points of Life Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network in partnership with the Knights of Columbus and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), which currently subsidizes ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications course training. The Award honors individuals and organizations "who have made a commitment to connect Americans through service to help meet critical needs in their communities and in the nation."

Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network website:  www.pointsoflight.org

Tri-State Amateur Radio Club website: www.qsl.net/w0cvj

(ARRL News Service)

DF5AI Heads up Aurora Probe

If you have contacted more than stations using Aurora during your ham career, you are invited to take part in a study on Auroral backscatter.  This, by  submitting your QSO data for analysis purposes to Volker Grassmann, DF5AI.

Grassmann is heading up a scientific probe of this communications phenomena.  He says that he is interested in any and all Aurora QSO's hams have managed to make from the same geographical position.

Gassman says that the reason for the study is to compare the geographical distribution of DX stations with the theory of Auroral backscatter.  He says that by analyzing Aurora band openings provides him with a large base of individual observers to provide the needed data.

DF5AI has placed a lot more information on his website.  If this study interests you take your web browser over to www.df5ai.net to view the details.

(DF5AI)

===========

Mar. 15 2004  Sky's the limit for this science lesson

There are balloons and there are tetroons.

Tetroons are balloons shaped like tetrahedrons. That's the geometric term for a three-dimensional shape that has four sides.

"Think of a diamond in the sky," says Robert Rochte.

Rochte, director of technology at the Grosse Pointe Academy, and his eager third-grade students hope to see a tetroon within the next month, depending on the sun and wind conditions, when they launch the fifth in a series of experimental balloons from Grosse Pointe Farms in an effort to learn about weather, navigation and electronics.

They're also having fun.

These tetroon balloons are made of high-density polyethylene, about 30 feet high. Although Rochte and his students use a leaf blower to inflate them, the sun is what causes them to rise, heating the air contained in the envelope.

SD4 -- for Sky Diamond No. 4 -- was launched Feb. 16 around 9:30 a.m. Nearly 11 hours later, it had traveled 563 miles to Peterborough, N.H., where, after a setting sun rapidly cooled the envelope of air inside the balloon, it rapidly descended into the branches of a 40-foot tree in the middle of a forest.

It set a third-place record for flight duration, missing the 15-hour mark set last October in Portugal.

Rochte got into solar-heated balloons through his longtime ham radio hobby. The balloons all carry an Amateur Radio Automatic Reporting System payload that consists of a low-powered handheld radio, a small Global Positioning Satellite tracking device and an antenna that allows Rochte's team to monitor the flight's progress.

Last month's flight was not without some excitement. For the first nine hours, all was well, with a steady modem-like sound being received back at Rochte's house in Warren.

"We watched it climb over Lake St. Clair, into Canada, the northern tip of Lake Erie, on into New York," he recalls. "And then, about 6:15 p.m. as it was about 12 miles up, above the jet stream, we lost contact."

With no signal, there was no way to know where the balloon -- traveling at speeds up to 116 m.p.h. -- would go. And without finding its place of descent, there would likely be no recovery of the radio and GPS gear that Rochte spent about $300 of his own money to buy.

About 2 p.m. that next day, the signals suddenly returned. Rochte showed his students how to read the GPS coordinates. From there, they went to a Web site, www.Findu.com, which monitors GPS signals used on the VHF ham frequencies and superimposes the location on a map.

He then located a ham radio operator in Peterborough who agreed to go out and look for the balloon.

That was last month. Now a new balloon is getting ready to soar: SD5, which was being tested this week inside the fieldhouse at the academy.

"This is a great learning opportunity for the students," said Rochte. "When you learn science and math and physics hands-on at such an early age, it sticks with them and gets them excited about maybe pursuing science as a career."

Or, put another way, launching tetroons after school is sure a lot more engaging than going home to watch reruns of cartoons, as some of the kids used to do.

Onward and upward, Mr. Rochte.

Mike Wendland
(Detroit Free Press)

Contest News

Welcome to the 6 Meter Marathon

Attention 6 meter operators.  The Rientolan Amateur Radio Club which operates station  OH3AG, invites you to participate in the first Global Six Meter  Marathon.  The party starts May 8th, at 0000 UTC  and runs through 2400 UTC on August 8th.  Operation is across the entire six meters band with the simple objective being to work as many DXCC countries as possible.

This 6 meter marathon is open to all amateur radio operators world wide.  The results will be made public during the Tampere Six Meter Forum on August 14th.  You can follow this contest online a www.50mc.tk

(GB2RS)

==========

CQ WW SSB WPX Contest--SSB--sponsored by CQ Magazine, from 0000Z Mar 27- 2400Z Mar 28 (CW is May 29-30). Frequencies: 160-10 meters. Categories: SOAB, SOSB, SO-Assisted, -HP, LP, and -QRP, MS (10 minute rule), 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).

Wellsboro, PA: Nessmuk Amateur Radio Association, W3BGK. 1500Z Mar 24-2100Z Mar 28. 200th anniverary of Tioga County. 14.240 7.240. Certificate. Nessmuk ARA W3BGK, PO Box 101, Wellsboro, PA 16901. For more information contact jantonio@epix.net.

Ebensburg, PA: Conemaugh Valley Amateur Radio Club, W3C. 1300Z Mar 26-0300Z Mar 27. Cambria County Bicentennial. 21.300 14.250 7.230 3.985. QSL. David Knepper, PO Box 34, Sidman, PA 15955. www.cambriacobicentennial.com

Timonium, MD: Baltimore Amateur Radio Club, W3FT. 1300Z Mar 26-2000Z Mar 27. Celebrating the Greater Baltimore Hamboree and Computerfest. 14.265 7.265. Certificate. W3FT C/O GBH&C, PO Box 95, Timonium, MD 21094.

Waco, TX: Lake Whitney Amateur Radio Society, WA5BU. 1600Z-2000Z Mar 27. Activating the Baylor University Ham Club Radio Station. 28.425 21.300 14.250 7.250. QSL. Allen Newton, PO Box 1181, Whitney, TX 76692.

March 18, 2004  ARLD011 DX news

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by DK5DF, G4LTI, NC1L, QRZ DX, the OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST.  Thanks to all.

RODRIGUES ISLAND, 3B9.  Members of the Five Star DX Association are QRV as 3B9C from March 19 to April 12.  Activity will be on all HF bands, including 6 meters and 70 cm, using CW, SSB, RTTY, PSK31/63 and possibly EME on 6 meters and 70 cm.  QSL via operators' instructions.

MAURITANIA, 5T.  Several members of the European Community Amateur Radio Club will be QRV as 5T0EU from March 25 to April 3.  The team will be QRV on 160 to 10 meters and possibly 6 meters, using CW and SSB.  They may try PSK31 as well.  QSL via OR5EU.

GHANA, 9G.  Rob, PA3DEW and Vincent, PA3FQX are QRV as 9G1AA from Dormaa Hospital.  Of late, they have been active on 20 meters around 1700z.  QSL via PA3ERA.

TONGA, A3.  Look for DJ2HD, DL5DAN and DH3WO to be QRV as A35DJ, A35DA and A35DH, respectively, from Fafa Island, IOTA OC-049, until March 29.  Activity is on 80 to 10 meters using SSB, RTTY and PSK31. QSL to home calls.

BHUTAN, A5.  Jim, W4PRO will be QRV as A52PRO from March 23 to April 3.  QSL to home call.

ANTARCTICA.  Paul, UX2HO is QRV as EM1HO from Akademik Vernadsky Station on Galindez Island, IOTA AN-006.  He may be here for one year.  Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using all modes.  QSL via I2PJA.

SCOTLAND, GM.  Jurij, MM0DFV and John, GM0WRR will be QRV as MS0DGR/p from Fidra, Lamb, Craigleith and Bass Rock islands in the IOTA EU-123 group from March 20 to 23.  Activity will be on all HF bands using CW, SSB and digital modes.  QSL direct via MM0DFV.

SAN ANDRES AND PROVIDENCIA, HK0.  Gert, DL7VOG is QRV as HK0GU/1 from March 19 to April 5.  He plans to be active on 160 meters during his second week of operation.  QSL to home call.

HONDURAS, HR.  Henry, HR2H, Gustavo, LU1DY/HR, Cesar, HR2P, Carlos, HR2SB, Antonio, HR2AHC and Manuel, HR5MJC plan to be QRV as HR2RCH/3 from Cayos Cochinos, IOTA NA-160, from March 20 to 22.  Look for activity on 40, 20 and 15 meters using SSB.  They may also operate PSK31, MFSK16 and Hellschreiber on 20 meters.  QSL via HR2AHC.

SARDINIA, IS0.  William, N2WB and Bill, W4WX will be QRV as IS0/homecalls from March 22 to 27.  Activity will be on all HF bands using CW, SSB and RTTY.  QSL IS0/N2WB via N2OO and IS0/W4WX to home call.

JAPAN, JA.  A team of JA operators will be active as JO1ZZZ/3 from Awaji Island, IOTA AS-117, on March 20 and 21.  Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, PSK31 and MFSK16.  QSL via JL3SIK.

ALAND ISLANDS, OH0.  OH2GEK, OH3BHL, OH8GCW and OH9MM will be active as OH0I in the Russian DX Contest as a Multi/Single entry.  QSL via OH3BHL.

GREECE, SV.  Charles, KE2SP is QRV as SV8/KE2SP from Hydra, IOTA EU-075, until June 15.  Activity is on 20 to 10 meters.  QSL to home call.

WEST KIRIBATI, T30.  Rolf, DK2ZF is QRV as T30ZF until March 30. Activity is on 40, 30 and 20 meters using CW.  He may try to operate on 160 and 80 meters as well.  QSL direct to home call.

CAMEROON, TJ.  Roger, G3SXW and Nigel, G3TXF will be QRV as TJ3G from Kribi from March 23 to April 1.  Activity will be on 80 to 10 meters, including the newer bands, using CW.  QSL via G3TXF.

AUSTRALIA, VK.  Members of the VK6 DX Chasers Club will be QRV as VK6EWI from Woody Island, IOTA OC-170, from March 21 to March 27. Activity will be on 40 to 10 meters, including 17 and 12 meters. QSL via VK6NE.

MACAO, XX9.  Look for VR2MY and VR2KW to be QRV as XX9TMY and XX9TVR, respectively, from March 25 to 27.  Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters.  QSL both calls direct via VR2KW.

ASCENSION ISLAND, ZD8.  Ian, G8WVW and family are here for at least two years.  He is QRV as ZD8I and is active on 20 to 6 meters using SSB.  QSL via G4LTI.

The following operations are approved for DXCC credit: YI/NG5L, from April 10, 2003 to June 9, 2003; YI9L (formerly YI/NG5L), from June 10, 2003 to February 27, 2004; YI9LEK, current operation beginning January 25, 2004; and YI/PA5M, current operation beginning August 14, 2003.  Also, 5X1X, from November 11, 2003 to December 17, 2003.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The Russian DX Contest, Virginia QSO Party, Spring QRP Homebrew Sprint, 10-10 Mobile Contest, CLARA and Family HF Contest, BARTG Spring RTTY Contest, SARL VHF/UHF Contest and the AGCW VHF/UHF Contest will certainly keep contesters busy this weekend.  Please see March QST, page 100 and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details.

(W1AW)

============

Mar. 20 2004  425 DX News

Information, reports and suggestions must be sent to: Mauro Pregliasco, I1JQJ: DX information (e-mail i1jqj@425dxn.org - BBS I1JQJ@IK1MJJ.IPIE.ITA.EU) Maurizio Bertolino, IZ1CRR (I1-21171): 425 DX News WWW Pages (e-mail i121171@425dxn.org)
 

3D2 - Brian, 3D2IZ will operate (on 80, 40, 30, 20, 15 and 10 metres SSB and CW) from Namotu Island (OC-121), Fiji from 28 March to 3 April. More information will be published on http://www.brianboschma.com/3d2iz.html [TNX NG3K]

3X  - Sebastien, F8DQZ will operate as 3XDQZ (yes, Three X-Ray Delta Quebec Zulu) from Guinea between 18 April and 2 May. The main objective of his trip is to operate from the Tristao Islands in the unnumbered Guinee-Maritime Province North group (AF-???). QSL via F8DQZ. His web page is at http://f8dqz.chez.tiscali.fr/ [TNX La Gazette du DX]

5T  - At least five members of the European Community ARC will operate as 5T0EU from Mauritania between 25 March and 3 April. Plans are to operate on 10-160 metres SSB and CW, possibly with some activity on 6 metres and PSK31 as well. QSL via OR5EU. [TNX The Daily DX]

8Q  - Pierre, HB9QQ will be active gain as 8Q7QQ from Velighoo, Maldives on 13-27 April. He will operate on 30, 17 and 12 metres using full size loops. QSL via home call. [TNX HB9PL]

9A  - Special event stations 9A80ADE (QSL via 9A3KR), 9A80Z (QSL via 9A3KR) and 9A80ABD (QSL via 9A4A) will be active until 31 December to celebrate the 80th anniversary of radio club "Zagreb". [TNX OPDX Bulletin]

9M2 - Keith, 9M2/GM4YXI [425DXN 670] was active from AS-072 last weekend. He expected to travel to Pulau Perhentian Besar (AS-073) on 18 March and to operate on both the 19th and the 20th. QSL to Kim Larson, 22 N Hidden Acres Dr, Sioux City, IA 51108, USA. [TNX N3SL]

DL  - Volker, DL9HO and Wolf, DK1IP will be active from Hallig Groede (N21 for the German Islands Award) from 26 March to 1 April. They will operate on 10, 15, 20, 40 and 80 metres SSB and will participate in the CQ WPX SSB Contest "with a rare German prefix". QSL via home calls, either direct or through the DARC bureau. Logs will be available at http://www.dl9ho.de [TNX DL9HO]

EA8 - Herbert, DK2BR will be active (on 10-40 metres SSB, possibly with some BPSK) as EA8/DK2BR from El Hierro (DIE S-015), Canary Islands (AF-004) from 30  March to 15 April. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX DK2BR]

FG     - Look for FG/F6GWV and FG/F6HMQ to be active from Guadeloupe from 25 March and 2 April. They will participate in the CQ WPX SSB Contest as TO7T. QSL via F6HMQ. [TNX F6HMQ]

FO0_cl - The DXpedition to Clipperton Island [425DXN 669] has been postponed until 2005. This delay will give the organizers time to gather more operators for the trip. If you would like to join the team going to Clipperton in 2005, please contact Dave, K4SV (K4SV2@Charter.net) for future information. [TNX K4SV]

GJ  - Hans/ON4ASG, Wil/ON4AVA, Dan/ON4ON, Harvey/ON5SY, Dries/ON6CX, Pat/ON7PQ and Jean-Marie/ON7XT will operate as MJ/homecall/p and MJ0DLQ/p from Les Minquiers Islands (EU-099) on 22-25 July. They will participate in the IOTA Contest (24-25 July) as MJ0DLQ/p. Bill, ON9CGB might travel with the team as far as Jersey (EU-013) and operate from there as GJ0MEU/p. All QSLs via ON4ON, direct (Danny Commeyne, Rozenlaan 38, B-8890 Dadizele, Belgium) or through the bureau. The "Minkieboys" web site is at http://users.skynet.be/minkies/ [TNX ON9CGB]

GM  - Jurij/MMODFV and John/GMOWRR plan to operate as MSODGR/p from four EU-123 islands (namely Fidra, Lamb, Craigleith and Bass Rock) on 20-23 March. They will have two transceivers and a number of portable antennas, and will operate on all HF bands CW, SSB and digital modes. QSL via bureau or direct to MMODFV (Jurij Phunkner, P.O. Box 7469, Glasgow, G42 OYD, Scotland, UK). Pictures and information on the activity will be posted on http://www.scotham.net [TNX MM0DFV]

GW  - The Wrexham and District Amateur Radio Society will operate special event station GB2WFS on 27 March, during this year's "Scientriffic" Festival (www.wrexhamsf.com), as part of National Science week. For further information and pictures of the previous two years' events, please visit www.qsl.net/gb2wsf [TNX M1LCR]

HR  - Gerard, F2JD is again active as HR5/F2JD from Honduras until 14 May. He will operate on all bands SSB, CW and RTTY. QSL via F6AJA. Logs will be available at http://LesNouvellesDX.free.fr [TNX F6AJA]

IS0 - After their activity from San Marino [425DXN 667] William/N2WB and Bill/W4WX will operate as IS0/N2WB (QSL via N2OO) and IS0/W4WX (QSL via home call) from Sardinia on 22-27 March. Look for them on the HF bands on CW, SSB and RTTY. [TNX W4WX]

P4  - Andy, AE6Y will be active as P40Y from Aruba on 24-30 March, CQ WPX SSB Contest included. QSL via home call. [TNX AE6Y]

TJ  - Roger, G3SXW and Nigel, G3TXF will be active (on 10-80 metres CW only) as TJ3G from Cameroon between 23 March and 1 April. QSL via G3TXF. [TNX The Daily DX]

TJ  - Jack, F6BUM has been issued the call TJ3MC for his April activity from Cameroon [425DXN 668]. He will be leaving France on 2 April and he plans to operate from Mondoleh Island (AF-???) on the 10th and the 11th, between 7 UTC and 16 UTC only, because he will not be able to stay overnight on the island. In order to maximise the number of IOTA chasers logged he will operate CW the first day and SSB the second day, on the usual IOTA frequencies. [TNX F6BUM]

VK  - VK6EWI is the callsign to be used during the 21-27 March operation from Woody Island (OC-170) [425DXN 670]. Richard, VK6TT has joined the original team of six operators. Look for them on or near the standard IOTA frequencies on 40-10 metres. QSL via VK6NE. [TNX VK6APK]

VP5 - K5CM, N5KW and W5AO will be active as VP5/homecalls from North Caicos (NA-002) from 23 March to 7 April. They will participate in the CQ WPX SSB Contest (27-28 March) as VP51V (yes, VP Five One V) in the Multi-Single category. QSL VP51V to P.O. Box 88, Morris, OK 74445-0088, USA; others direct to home calls. [TNX The Daily DX]

VU  - Basappa/VU2NXM and Arasu/VU2UR plan to operate, possibly with a special call, from Elephanta Island in the unnumbered Maharashtra State group (AS-???) on 25-31 March. They hope to receive the final authorization in the next few days. [TNX VU2UR and VU2NXM]

XX9 - Yul/VR2MY (XX9TMY) and Wong/VR2KW (XX9TVR) will be active (on 160-10 metres, with an emphasis on the low bands) from Macao from 10 UTC on 25 March until 1 UTC on the 27th. QSLs via VR2KW (direct only). [TNX
the Daily DX]

YB  - Adhi, YC3MM will operate (on 15 metres only, mainly SSB) as YC3MM/5 from Batam Island (OC-075) on 20-21  March. QSL via IZ8CCW. [TNX IZ8CCW]

ZS8 - Ludwig Combrinck (ZS6WLC) and Pieter Stronkhorst (ZR6PSR), two staff members of the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory Space Geodesy Programme, will conduct a scientific expedition to from Marion Island (AF-021) in April. They will depart on 1 April and, depending on offloading of equipment and other work load, amateur radio operations as ZS8MI will commence on the 7th until around the 30th. Plans are to operate SSB (3750, 7080, 14195, 21295 and 28495 kHz) and 15 wpm CW (3750, 7080, 14195, 21295 and 28495 kHz). They expect to leave the island on 2 May. QSL via ZS6M (Bernardus Roode, P.O. Box 158, Kempton Park 1620, South Africa). Further information (including on-line logs and direct QSLling policy) can be found at http://www.hartrao.ac.za/geodesy/marionweb/main.html [TNX ZS6WLC]

HIMALAYAN TRIP ---> Jim, W4PRO will be active as A52PRO from Bhutan between 23 March and 3 April, and as 9N7PRO (requested call) from Nepal between 10 and 13 April. He plans to operate mainly CW on all bands from Bhutan and on 10, 15, 20, 40 and 80 metres from Nepal. Updates will be posted on http://www.w4pro.net/ [TNX N8CH and The Daily DX]

Good to Know

5V7C ---> The 5V7C team from Togo went QRT around 13.30 UTC on 13 March, after about 17,500 QSOs. A full report on the expedition will be published at www.5v7c.free.fr in due course. [TNX F5NQL]

9U5M ---> Michael, PA5M went QRT from Burundi on 16 March. Complete logs for 9U5M and YI/PA5M are on line at http://www.pa7fm.nl; QSL via PA7FM (Dennis Robbemond, Loggerhof 11, 3181 NS Rozenburg, The Netherlands). Please note that 1 USD does not cover postage for outside Europe; direct cards without sufficient return postage will be replied to via the bureau. [TNX PA7FM]

BANABA AWARD ---> The Banaba Award is meant to encourage stations worldwide to make as many contacts as possible with the T33C expedition between 4 and 16 April. The Banaba Trophy will be awarded to the station who makes the highest number of band-mode contacts (there are 27 possible band-modes that count toward the Trophy), while certificates of merit will be available for working T33C on 5, 10 or 15 band slots. Please visit http://www.dx-pedition.de/banaba2004/ for full information. [TNX K6SRZ]

DXCC NEWS ---> DXCC Manager Bill Moore NC1L reports that the following operations from Iraq have been approved for DXCC credit: YI/NG5L (10 April - 9 June 2003), YI9L (formerly YI/NG5L, 10 June 2003 - 27 February 2004), YI9LEK (from 25 January 2004), YI/PA5M (from 14 August 2003).

QSL 4U1UN ---> Mohamed, KA2TRD confirms that HB9BOU is the QSL manager for contacts made with 4U1UN on or after 12 March 2004. Cards for past operations should be sent to the www.qrz.com address for 4U1UN.

QSL AY1ZA ---> Henry, LU4DXU reports he is receiving many direct cards for his activity from the South Orkneys without sufficient return postage. Please note that owing to the high postal rates in Argentina, 1 USD does not cover return mail to overseas. [TNX DL5EBE]

QSL HC8L ---> Randy, W5UE is the new QSL manager (direct and bureau) for all past and future HC8L activities. QSL status for this and other stations Randy manages can be found at http://www.datasync.com/~w5ue/qsl-w5ue.html [TNX W5UE]

QSL VIA DL7AFS ---> Please note that the correct address for DL7AFS (QSL route for the recent VK9LB and VK9NB operations) is Baerbel Linge, Eichwaldstrasse 86, D-34123 Kassel, Germany (the address at qrz.com is no longer valid). Cards can be sent either direct or through the DARC bureau; if QSLling direct, do not forget that 1 USD does not cover return postage for outside Europe. [TNX DL2FAG]

THE DAILY DX ---> Congratulations to Bernie McClenny, W3UR who celebrated the seventh anniversary of his "The Daily DX" on 17 March. For further information on this first rate DX bulletin please check out its homepage at http://www.dailydx.com/

+ SILENT KEY + Dragan, Z32XX reports the untimely death of Vane, Z31RC, who passed away on 16 March at 48 years of age. An active DXers and contestman, he was one of the founders of Z30M (Z37M).

============

Mar 18 - 31, 2004   I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O.

18/03/2004:  Look for Andy, DL4OK/p, to be QRV March 18th to 25th from Staberhuk Lighthouse (ARLHS reference FED-226) located on Fehmarn Island (IOTA EU-128, GIA O-01 for the German Islands Award). Activity will be on 80 through 10 meter CW and SSB. QSL via the DARC bureau to DL4OK. [Tnx DL4OK]

19/03/2004:  Look for Steve, EA/G0SGB/p to be QRV March 19th, 22nd and 23rd from various lighthouses in Spain. Activity will be mainly on 14.264 MHz or on other bands around ??.264 MHz (+/-) as conditions permit. QSL via home call (QRZ.com). [Tnx G0SGB]

19/03/2004:  Gerd, DL7VOG, will be QRV as HK0GU from Providencia (NA-049) starting March 19th; he will depart April 5th. During his stay he will be active in the BARTG Spring RTTY Contest and the EA-RTTY Contest. QSL via his home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx OPDX]

20/03/2004:  A multinational team (so far including DL7AKC, EI5DI, G0MRF, G0OPB, G3NUG, G3BJ, G3IZD, G3NHL, G3RAU, G3SED, G3WGV, G3WKL, G3XTT, G4FRE/WW2R, G4JKS, G4KIU, G4TSH, G4VXE, GU4YOX, JA1RJU, JH4RHF, KF7E, M0DXR, M0GMT, N7CQQ, NK7C and W3EF) will operate from Rodrigues Island (AF-017) as 3B9C for over three weeks, including four weekends. The first members of the team will arrive on 15 March, and expect to spend the first two to three days installing antennas and equipment. Expect the team to be QRV by March 20th. Station breakdown will start on 12 April, though operations may continue for a further day or two after that. Activity will encompass SSB, CW, RTTY, PSK31 and, as appropriate, FM. There will also be satellite activity and possible EME. QSL route will be announced shortly.[Tnx 425DXN]

20/03/2004:  Keith, GM4YXI will be active again as 9M2/GM4YXI from Kuala Lumpur, West Malaysia. He plans one or two IOTA trips on March 20-21: target destinations are AS-073, AS-046 and/or AS-097, but it will depend on finding accommodation. QSL via N3SL. [Tnx 425DXN]

20/03/2004:  Francois, F5JNE and Claude F5MCC, will be QRV March 20th as F5JNE/p from the Epineau les Vôves castle (DFCF 89257, Zip code 89400, Dept. 89). Activity will be on 40 meter SSB starting around 07:30 UTC. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx F5NQL]

20/03/2004:  Henry (HR2H), Gustavo (LU1DY/HR), Cesar (HR2P), Carlos (HR2SB), Antonio (HR2AHC) and Manuel (HR5MJC) plan to be QRV as HR2RCH/3 from Cayos Cochinos (NA-160) from 22:00 UTC March 20 to 06:00 UTC March 22, 2004. Activity will be as follows: SSB - 7.055 - 7.098 Mhz, 14.260 Mhz and 21.260 MHz. They may also operate PSK-31, MFSK-16 and Hellschreiber on 20 meters. QSL via HR2AHC (QRZ.com). [Tnx LU1DY]

20/03/2004:  A Japanese team will be QRV from Awaji Island (AS-117) March 20 and 21, 2004, as JO1ZZZ/3. Activity will be on 160 through 6 meter CW, SSB, RTTY, PSK31 and MFSK16. QSL via JL3SIK (QRZ.com). [Tnx JI3DST]

20/03/2004:  The North Berwick Harbour IOTA DX-pedition 2004, MS0DGR/p, IOTA EU-123, will take place from March 20 - 23, 2004. Three operators: Jurij MM0DFV, John GM0WRR and Mike GM-SWL, plan to be on 4 islands (IOTA: EU-123) of the North Berwick Harbour: Fidra Island (IOSA FF-04, SCOTIA CS-04, WAB NT-58, ARLHS SCO-080, WLH LH-0313, Co-ordinates: 56.07N and 02.78W); Lamb Island (IOSA FF-08, WAB NT-58, Co-ordinates: 56.07N and 02.75W); Craigleith Island (IOSA FF-03, SCOTIA CS-03, WAB NT-58, Co-ordinates: 56.07N and 02.71W); and Bass Rock (IOSA FF-02, SCOTIA CS-02, WAB NT-68, ARLHS SCO-018, WLH LH-0764, Co-ordinates: 56.08N and 02.64W). The expedition will use special callsign MS0DGR/p from March 20th till March 23rd, 2004. Administratively the islands are in East Lothian Council Area (CAOSA: EL). Pertinent equipment available to our group is two Icom transceivers IC-706 and IC-735, and a number of portable antennas. Contacts will be carried out on all HF bands, CW, SSB and Digital Modes. It is also planned to take numerous pictures of the islands including their fauna and flora. All the pictures and further information will be presented as an addition to the publications on the Scottish HAM Portal at http://www.scotham.net . QSL cards for contacts with MSODGR/p should be sent via RSGB QSL-Bureau or direct to MMODFV (Jurij Phunkner, P.O. Box 7469, Glasgow, G42 OYD, Scotland, U.K.). [Tnx MM0DFV]

20/03/2004:  Bob, N5ET/p (ARLHS member #898), and Linda KE5TF/p (ARLHS member #992), plan to be QRV from the Tchefuncte River Rear Range lighthouse (ARLHS reference USA-838), just South of Madisonville, Louisiana, weather permitting. On the North shore of Lake Pontchartrain. They will be spending the day, Saturday March 20th, setting up and trying to work the masses. They should be QRV by 10am and will be there until 5 or so. (That's 1600z to 2300z) Look for them around 14.270 or so. QSL via home calls (QRZ.com) with SASE / SAE + postage. [Tnx N5ET]

20/03/2004:  Look for PA3EEQ/p and PA0XAW/p to operate (on 40 and 20 metres SSB and CW) from Den Helder Lighthouse (ARLHS reference NET-005) March 20th. QSL via home calls, direct or bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

20/03/2004:  Operators SV1QN, SV1AIN, SV1GYG, SV1EQU and SW1GYN will be QRV March 20th to 28th as SX8K from Kythira Island (EU-113) and Kapsali Lighthouse (ARLHS GRE-077). QSL via SV1QN (all QSOs will be confirmed automatically via bureau). [Tnx 425DXN]

20/03/2004:  Zig, KM9M, will be QRV March 20th to 28th as V26CW from Antigua (NA-100). QSL via home call. [Tnx 425DXN]

20/03/2004:  Look for Steve, ZB/G0SGB/p, to be QRV March 20th and 21st from the Europa Point Lighthouse (ARLHS reference GIB-001, WW Loc. IM76hc), Gibraltar. He also plans to activate the other 4 lighthouses in Gibraltar during this time period. The other lighthouses are: South Mole, "A" Head (ARLHS reference GIB-002), Detached Mole, "B" Head (ARLHS GIB-003), Detached Mole, "C" Head (ARLHS GIB-004) and North Mole, "D" Head (ARLHS GIB-005). Activity will be on all bands as conditions permit. QSL via home call (QRZ.com). [Tnx G0SGB]

21/03/2004:  Look for Jacky, F5OGC/p, to be QRV March 21st from the castle of Bonnetable (DFCF 72024, Dept. Sarthe/72). QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx F5NQL]

21/03/2004:  The members of the VK6 DX Chasers Club wish to advise that we will be conducting an expedition to Woody Island (OC-170). They will be signing VK6EWI. This will take place from around 06:00 UTC on March 21 to around 16:00 UTC on March 27. This is our second visit to this island which is part of the Recherche Archipelago, located 15 km from the town of Esperance and some 600km South East of Perth. Up to 3 stations will be active on 40 through 10 meters including 12 meters and 17 meters. There may be some 80 meter operation if conditions and static levels permit. Operators will be, VK6NE, VK6NU, VK6APK, VK6YEL, VK6KTN and VK6ZPP. All requests for QSL's are to go to Neil, VK6NE. [Tnx
VK6APK]

22/03/2004:  Look for Steve, EA/G0SGB/p to be QRV March 22nd and 23rd from various lighthouses in Spain. Activity will be mainly on 14.264 MHz or on other bands around ??.264 MHz (+/-) as conditions permit. QSL via home call (QRZ.com). [Tnx G0SGB]

22/03/2004:  Two members of the Florida DXPedition Group, William N2WB and Bill W4WX will be in Sardinia (IOTA EU-024, IIA SD-001) between March 22nd and 27th. They will operate using the calls IS0/N2WB and IS0/W4WX Look for them on the HF bands on CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL IS0/N2WB via N2OO and IS0/W4WX direct or LoTW. [Tnx The Go List]

24/03/2004:  RZS Amateur Radio Club's (W2RZS) members Bob (WB2NVR), Mike (WA2VQW), Adam (N2DHH) and Bob (N2DVQ) will be operating from Jamaica (NA-097) between March 24th and 30th, including an entry in the CQ WPX
SSB Contest as 6Y2RZ. Before and after the contest they will be active as homecall/6Y5. [Tnx 425DXN]

24/03/2004:  Don, K6IPV, will be QRV from Hillview Gardens, in Borneo (OC-088), East Malaysia, where he will operate as 9M6AAC before the CQ WPX SSB Contest and 9M6A during the CQ WPX SSB Contest. Don will arrive at HGARC March 24th and stay on the air until March 30th. QSL via N2OO. [Tnx OPDX]

25/03/2004:  Joe (W8GEX), Wayne (K8LEE), Mike (K9AJ) and Phil (W9IXX) will operate as C6DX from Double Headed Shot Cay (NA-219), Bahamas between March 25th and 29th. They plan to operate on all bands and modes with at least two stations and to be QRV also during the CQ WPX SSB Contest. QSL via K9AJ. This most wanted IOTA group was activated only once back in October 2000 by W5BOS/C6A, whose operation was cut short by bad weather. [Tnx 425DXN]

25/03/2004:  Marc, DL1VKE, and Volkmar, DF2SS, will be active as 5W0SS and 5W0KE from Western Samoa (OC-097) between March 25th and April 10th. They plan to operate SSB, CW and RTTY on all the HF bands. QSL via DL2MDZ. [Tnx 425DXN]

25/03/2004:  Marc, DL1VKE, and Volkmar, DF2SS, will be active as KH8/homecall from American Samoa (OC-045) between March 25th and April 10th. They plan to operate SSB, CW and RTTY on all the HF bands. QSL via DL2MDZ. [Tnx 425DXN]

25/03/2004:  Rich, M5RIC, will be active as MU5RIC/P from Guernsey (EU-114) between March 25th and 29th, including an entry in the CQ WPX SSB Contest as MU2Z. QSL via M5RIC. [Tnx 425DXN]

27/03/2004:  Tatsuhiko, JD1BKQ, will be active as BW3/JD1BKQ from Taiwan (AS-020) in the CQ WPX SSB Contest (March 27-28th) as a Single-Op/Single-Band (20m)/Low-Power entry. QSL via JR3PZW. [Tnx OPDX]

27/03/2004:  Alexander, 4L5A, plans to activate the D4B contest station, Sao Vicente Island (AF-086), again in the following two contests. Look for D4B during the CQ WPX SSB Contest (March 27-28th) as a Single-Op/All Band/High Power entry. Also, look for D4B in the CQ WPX CW Contest (May 29-30th) as Single-Op/All Band/High Power entry. QSL both operations to K1BV. [Tnx OPDX]

27/03/2004:  Jens, DD0VD/p, will be QRV March 27th and 28th from Ruegen Island (IOTA EU-057, GIA O-07). Activity will be mainly on 40 through 10 meter SSB (100 watts, with ground plane antenna), but he will also try 17 and 12 meters. QSL via home call (QRZ.com). [Tnx DD0VD]

27/03/2004:  John, KK9A, will be active from the Iguana Villa, Aruba (SA -036) as P40A in the CQ WPX SSB Contest March 27-28th) as a Single-Op/All Band entry. QSL via WD9DZA. [Tnx OPDX]

27/03/2004:  Martin, W1MD, will be active as PJ2T from Signal Point, Curacao (SA-006), in the CQ WPX SSB Contest (March 27-28th) as a Single-Op/Single-Band entry. QSL PJ2T via N9AG. [Tnx OPDX]

27/03/2004:  Helmut, DF7ZS, reports that he will be operating in the CQ WPX Contest as a Single-Op/All-Band entry (starting March 27th) on SSB from Bonaire as PJ4P. QSL is via his home callsign. [Tnx OPDX]

27/03/2004:  Look for Victor ZK1CG / ZK1USA Rarotonga, South Cooks (OC-013) to be in the WPX SSB contest (March 27-28th) All Bands as ZK1CG for Prefix ZK1 only 2 active operators on ZK1 at the moment Jim ZK1JD. Victor will see if he can get Jim ZK1JD to get on during the contest to help out. Remember Victor's Shack is in his Workshop so he may get called away at times for work during the contest. QSL ZK1CG via: Victor Rivera, Po Box 618, Rarotonga Cook Islands, Via New Zealand. [Tnx ZK1CG]

28/03/2004:  Yuzuru, JR1AGC, will be QRV as KH6/JR1AGC from Kona, Hawaii (OC-019) March 28th through April 1st. Activity will be on 75-6 meters, but he mostly prefers 15 meters SSB (21202/21242 kHz). Antennas mentioned are a 75-30m Long-Wire, 20-10m SIGMA-5 and 6m HB9CV. [Tnx OPDX]

28/03/2004:  Look for LU2XX (Radio Club Rio Grande, http://www.qsl.net/lu2xx/) to be active from Tierra del Fuego (SA-008) from March 28th to April 2nd. QSL via LU8XQB. [Tnx 425DXN]

29/03/2004:  Helmut, DF7ZS, reports that he will stay on Bonaire (SA-006) for one week after the CQ WPX SSB Contest, for some casual (holiday style) operations. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx OPDX]

29/03/2004:  Look for ZL/DH3WO, ZL/DL5DAN and ZL/DJ2HD to be QRV March 29th to approximately April 19th from the Northern Island of New Zealand (OC-036). There is the possibility that they will also activate some smaller islands and lighthouses during their stay. QSL via home calls, bureau is ok. [Tnx F5NQL]

31/03/2004:  Ian, G8WVW, and his family are moving to Ascension Island and will be there until the end of March 2006 at least. He has been allocated the callsign ZD8I (Zulu Delta 8 India) and will be active using SSB on the bands from 20 Mhz to 50 Mhz. An Icom IC-2KL will be arriving on the island in May 2004 together with an Optibeam OB9-5E for HF and a 6-element Tonna for 50 Mhz. The QSL manager is G4LTI. Further information can be found at http://www.zd8i.net . [Tnx GB2RS]

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

National Conference of Volunteer Examination Coordinators  petition

The National Conference of Volunteer Examination Coordinators or N-C-V- E-C is the group that oversees the question pools used in preparing Amateur Radio exams.  While this is the groups primary mission,  on a growing number of occasions it has weighed in on regulatory issues as well.  And as we head toward yet another round of restructuring, it has done so once again.

The N-C-V-E-C petition is somewhat similar to the one filed by the American Radio League.  It requires no required demonstrated Morse code proficiency for any license class and the N-C-V-E-C says that this should include the Extra.  The ARRL view is that Morse at 5 Words Per Minute should be retained for the Extra.

It N-C-V-E-C proposes the same spectrum allocation for the entry level class as the ARRL and both petitions grant more privileges to all classes, here is also where the two depart.  The N-C-V-E-C proposal calls for wider voice subbands and less exclusive CW and digital frequencies.  The petition also places more emphasis on the use of 15 and 10 meters for entry-level voice operation than does the ARRL.

The N-C-V-E-C proposes an additional 50 kHz of 80-meter voice spectrum over the ARRL proposal and 25 kHz more 40 meter voice spectrum for both the General and Extra Class.   At 15 Meters, the General Class would get an additional 75 kHz of voice spectrum over ARRL proposal.  The Extra Class, an additional 50 kHz. The frequency privileges proposed for the new entry level class which the N-C-V-E-C want to call the "Communicator" Class are far greater than those suggested by the ARRL as well.

The N-C-V-E-C envisions that all Novice Class operators would automatically become Communicator Class licensees as of the effective date.   At the same time, Technician and Tech Plus amateurs would be upgraded to the General Class and Advanced Class licensees would become Extra.  The N-C-V-E-C believes that there is no other effective way to redistribute the current Novice and Tech Plus spectrum to the General and Extra Class without this automatic upgrade feature.  This means that some 350,000 Tech and Tech Plus and 85,000 Advanced Class would not be testing for an upgrade to the next class.  This amounts to about 60 percent or all current licensees and those in the two year grace period.

On the other hand, the VECs anticipate a greatly expanded demand for entry-level testing and license preparation material.  Some 40,000 Novices would be automatically upgraded to the new entry level which would not only contain their current frequency bands, but additional High Frequency, VHF and UHF bands as well.

This is perhaps one of the most far reaching restructuring proposals to date.  Its also one that's certain to draw a lot of comments as regulatory changes go forward in what many are already calling the post Morse code days.

(Amateur Radio Newsline)

===========

West Virginia hams surprise governor

It's not often one sees a state governor at a loss for words. Upon learning that the call sign of his late father, Robert Wise Sr, WA8AYP, was going to be used by the ham radio station in the new Kanawha County Metro Emergency Operations Center in Charleston, West Virginia, Gov Bob Wise quietly said, "I don't know quite what to say." In a ceremony, Gov Wise prepared to present a $50,000 check to Kanawha County officials to purchase Amateur Radio gear for the new EOC--set for completion next spring. However, he was interrupted by a voice calling him on the ham radio set up in his office for the event. Control operator Bill Hunter, K8BS, identified the station as WA8AYP. When he handed over the mike, the surprised governor responded, "This is the son of WA8AYP." It was then that Gov Wise learned that the call sign of his father, who died in 1986, had been secured for the ham station at the new EOC. It was an emotional moment. "Thank you very much for remembering Dad," he said. "I can't think of anything that would make him happier." Then he quipped, "Do I get a QSL card for this?" To the governor's surprise, officials then unveiled a specially designed WA8AYP QSL card and passed out copies, later signed by the governor for the eager hams in attendance. Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper, W8CHS, said Amateur Radio operators provide the county with $25,000 to $30,000 a year in free services during disasters. Some of the state funds also will provide ham gear for a new Mobile Command Center. On hand was the West Virginia Legislature's only ham radio operator, Kanawha County Delegate Sharon Spencer, KC8KVF, who also serves as the section's ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator.--

(Thanks to Jim Damron, N8TMW via ARRL)

(RAC News Service)

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