Two more European countries have gained access to the 7100 to 7200 kHz segment of the 40-metre band.

San Marino, T7, has authorised amateur radio operation in the 7100 - 7200 kHz 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 - 7200 kHz 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.

(Jeramy Boot, G4NJH)

===========

Mar. 28 2004  South African League Responds to PLC Trial

This week the SARL has voiced its concern about the introduction of Power Line Communications in the programme Technologic which aired on the DSTV Business Channel 55, Summit TV.  The programme was broadcast on Monday and repeated on Wednesday and Friday evening.

SARL President, Graham Harlett was interviewed at the National Amateur Radio Centre and said that the SARL is opposed to Power Line Communication because of its inherent interference to High Frequency Radio communication. The interference is not limited only to frequencies used by Radio Amateurs but also the military, Civil Emergency Agencies and broadcasting stations.

"Extensive tests carried out in Europe, the USA and Japan has clearly shown this.  A transmission line that carries power at 50 Hertz will become like an antenna at higher frequencies and render the high frequency spectrum unusable."

"This works both ways: the Utility delivering broadband access to the home via power lines will cause major interference to radio amateurs, while radio amateurs in close proximity to users of PLC are likely to cause interference to them because of the antenna effect of power lines.  We see this as a potential conflict situation," Graham said.

He said that the SARL believes that the current trials being carried out in the Tshwane Metro should be transparent.  It should involve all parties ultimately affected by PLC, those that will benefit as well as those that we may suffer as a result.

Both Grintek, the company pioneering PLC in South Africa and the Tshwane Metro acknowledged in the programme that further tests are required and that the interference potential is of concern to them.  Grintek believes that newer generation equipment will go a long way to address this concern.

Wojtek Skowronski of ICASA said that there is much work to be done before this technology opportunity can be translated into a business opportunity.  Legislation would also have to changed.

(SARL)

RAC Bulletin 04-06E - New managers for two RAC contests

RAC is pleased to announce the appointment of Sam Ferris VE5SF, Bart Ritchie VE5CPU and Bruce Rattray VE5RC/VE5QRP as managers for both the Canada Winter and Canada Day contests.  This appointment starts with the 2003 Winter Contest, the adjudication for which is presently underway.

RAC would also like to take this opportunity to thank the retiring managers, David Shipman (VE7CFD) and the Moncton Seniors ARC for their work over the past several years. Thanks a lot!

===========

Mar. 25 2004   Almonte Students Contacting Antarctic Scientists By Amateur Radio

WHAT

The grades 4 to 7 students in the Shortwave Listening and Amateur Radio Club, at R. Tait McKenzie Public School in Almonte, Ontario, will be speaking next week at school by amateur radio with scientists at the U.S. Palmer research station in Antarctica.

WHEN

The Shortwave Listening and Amateur Radio Club meets each week after school as a Tuesday group and a separate Thursday group in room 22 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.  The amateur radio contacts next week with the U.S. Palmer research station in Antarctica are scheduled to start at 3:40 p.m. EST, 2040 UTC, on both Tuesday, March 30, 2004, and Thursday, April 1, 2004.  The local time at Palmer station will be 4:40 p.m.

WHERE

Our amateur radio contact with the U.S. Palmer research station in Antarctica will take place in Mr. Carleton's classroom, room 22, at R. Tait McKenzie Public School, 175 Paterson Street, Almonte, Ontario.  Almonte is a small town, population 4400, on the Mississippi River in eastern Ontario, about 55 km west of Ottawa.  Our school is located right beside the Almonte water tower.

HOW

Grade 5/6 classroom teacher Neil Carleton (radio amateur VE3NCE) and the student Club members will be using the classroom UHF amateur radio station to send an FM signal from the indoor classroom antenna to the amateur radio repeater of the Almonte Radio Repeater League (ARRL), located on the Carleton Place water tower.  The ARRL repeater is also an internet node (2280) for the Internet Radio Linking Project (IRLP), a unique Canadian invention.  The local amateur radio transmission from room 22 will be changed at the ARRL node to an internet signal, directed through the internet to the IRLP node (8838) at the U.S. Palmer research station in Antarctica, then changed to a local amateur radio signal.

The aim of the Internet Radio Linking Project (IRLP) is to provide a simple and easy system to link radio systems together using the internet as the communications backbone.  The software and hardware requirements are minimal, and the cost to set up a node is low. This brings the opportunity for smaller more remote locations, or small clubs and schools, to experience national linking without the large capital cost of a satellite node or leased line.

The IRLP uses Voice-Over-IP (VoIP) custom software and hardware to link local VHF and UHF amateur radio stations to the world.  The IRLP operates a network of dedicated servers and nodes offering very stable worldwide voice communications, between hundreds of towns and cities, with the full dynamic range of telephone quality audio.

For information about the Almonte Radio Repeater League, please go to: www.igs.net/~va3aar.

For further details about the Internet Radio Linking Project, please go to: www.irlp.net.

SCHOOL

R. Tait McKenzie Public School is a participating school in the newly created Youth Education Program (YEP) of Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC). The purpose of the national YEP is to encourage the use of amateur radio at school.  The school is actively supported by enthusiastic amateur radio volunteers of the Almonte Radio Repeater League.

For information about the RAC Youth Education Program, please go to: www.rac.ca and click on 'Youth Ed Prog'.

R. Tait McKenzie Public School was the second school in Canada to have students speak by amateur radio with an astronaut on the International Space Station (ISS).  At 5:46 a.m. on November 23, 2001, students from kindergarten to grade 8 had their questions answered directly from space by the Commander of the ISS as the crew passed high overhead in orbit.

To hear a digital audio recording of our school's amateur radio contact with the ISS, please go to the web site of the Almonte Radio Repeater League, at: www.igs.net/~va3aar/na1ss.mp3.

To read the transcript of our school's amateur radio contact with the ISS, and the student essays about their experience, please go the KidSpace web site of the Canadian Space Agency, at: www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/youth_educators/kidspace/creations/text/iss.asp.

CLUB

For information about the Shortwave Listening and Amateur Radio Club, and radio projects in room 22 at R. Tait McKenzie Public School, please go to the RAC web site at www.rac.ca.  Click on 'Youth Ed Prog', then 'Project Schools', then 'R. Tait McKenzie Public School'.

PALMER

The U.S. Palmer research station in Antarctica is located approximately 900 miles south of Punta Arenas, Chile.  It is located on the Antarctic Peninsula.  The station is the smallest of the 3 year-round United States Antarctic stations.  It houses a maximum of 44 people, and during the winter the staff will drop to 16.

The Palmer amateur radio station and IRLP node (8838), KC4AAC, operates on 146.520 Mhz on low power of 4 watts.  It is located at latitude 64.775 south, longitude 64.051111 west.

For information and photos of Palmer station, please go to Jeff Kietzmann's web site at www.bedouinboundaries.com.  On the right side bar, click on 'Jeff's Journal', then the 'Palmer Station 2003' photo.  At the new photo, click on any part of the picture and start your tour of the station from there.  Jeff will be our amateur radio contact at Palmer station next week.

CONTACTS

R. Tait McKenzie Public School
Neil Carleton - VE3NCE
Supervising Teacher, Shortwave Listening and Amateur Radio Club
Almonte, Ontario
613-256-8248
613-256-4791 fax
carletonn@ucdsb.on.ca

Almonte Radio Repeater League
Bob Clermont - VE3AKV
Vice President
Carleton Place, Ontario
613-253-2184
ve3akv@rac.ca

Radio Amateurs of Canada Youth Education Program
Bj Madsen - VE5FX,
Chairman
Tisdale, Saskatchewan
306-873-4346
306-873-4364 fax
ve5fx@rac.ca

U.S. Palmer Antarctic Research Station
Jeff Kietzmann - KD7OXT
Antarctica
Jeff.Kietzmann@usap.gov

(Neil Carleton)

===========

Mar. 21 2004  Introducing The Canadian Guide Dog School Award

This year 2004 is the 10th anniversary of CGD Amateur Radio Association and the 20th anniversary of The Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind.

An award is offered to all Amateur Radio Operators who take part in the award 2004, starting 2004 April 01, ending 2005 March 31.  The rules are very simple and most Amateurs should complete it a very short time.

This award is open to all Amateur Radio Operators worldwide and it’s aim is to work Visually Impaired Amateur Radio Operators for points, using any band or mode.

Full Details: www.hfradio.net/cgd

===========

Special Feature Antenna Article "The Gain Game"

Gerry King VE3GK has penned an excellent article on antenna's called "The Gain Game" . This very in-depth article would be difficult to publish in this bulletin because of its size and many diagrams and pictures. Antennas and radios in this article were designed and home constructed. The Gain Game article that can be found on Gerry Kings site: www.ve3gk.com/stacked.htm

While your visiting Gerry's site have a look at his 2.5 ton and 1.5 ton telescoping rotating freestanding tilt over skyneedle towers: www.ve3gk.com

Atlantic Maritime Section
 
 

April 17 2004   Montreal Amateur Radio Club Spring Fleamarket/Hamfest

Sponsored by: The Montreal Amateur Radio Club Inc.
Location: Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 212  7771 Bouvier (corner of Shevchenko) STM bus 109 stops at the door.
Opening: Vendors 0730 AM, Public 0830 AM to Noon
Cost: Admission $4.00, Tables $8.00 Two for $15.00
Talkin:  VE2RED 147.270 (+)
Notes: Amateur Radio Exams to be held 0900 AM - noon.
For more info:  www.marc.qc.ca/fest/fest.html
 

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.

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

April 19 2004  Guelph Amateur Radio Club Meeting

GARC - the Guelph Amateur Radio Club - meets on the third monday of each month in the VIP Room at Zehrs, located at Imperial and Paisley in Guelph. Meeting starts at 7.30 pm and all are welcome to attend. The next meeting will be on April 19 (Monday).

Mike Peleschak VE3OGE
Secretary, GARC

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

April 10 2004  IARC 9th Annual Flea Market

Sponsored by:  The Iroquois Amateur Radio Club
Location: Iroquois Civic Centre
Opening: Vendors 0800, Public 0900 to 1200
Cost:  Admission free, Tables $10
Talkin: VE3IRO 145.290 (-)
For more info: web.ripnet.com/~ve3ugw

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

April 17 2004  Whitby ARC 2nd Annual Hamfest

Sponsored by: The Whitby Amateur Radio Club Whitby Ontario
Location: Jubilee Pavillion, 55 Lake View Park, Oshawa, Simcoe Street south of Hwy 401 on the shores of Lake Ontario. Exit off Hwy 401, Exit #417 Eastbound, Exit  418 Westbound.
Opening: Vendors 7AM. Public 9AM to 1PM.
Cost:  Admission $5. Tables 8' $ 10.00 Tailgaters $ 5.00 + $5.00 Admission
Talkin: VE3WOM 147.150 +
Notes:   New this year the Lunch counter will be serving full breakfasts, along with hot dogs , hamburgers etc.
For more info: http://w.a.r.c.tripod.com

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

July 22-25 2004   Central States VHF Conference

The Ontario VHF Association will be hosting the Central States VHF Conference this year on July 22-25 at the Delta Meadowvale Resort ( 401 & Mississagua Rd. ) and have a planned visit for those arriving on the Thursday, July 22

I know that not everyone will be interested in the conference itself but I can ask Peter, VE3AX if we could be part of the visiting group to the museum. The conference itself is a huge undertaking by this group and I thought a little support from some of the locals might be appreciated. I plan on taking in some of the activities during that weekend since there are speakers from across Canada and the US. ( These guy's are some of the brightest minds in the game )

Some topics are...Broadband over powerlines ( a topic we should all be interested in ), moonbounce, getting started in VHF/UHF, antenna heights for 6 meter Spradic E, and contesting techniques. A hospitality suite will be open on Friday night from 7 PM to midnight and I'm sure Peter will have videos etc. of the visit to the Algonquin radio site for their Moonbounce adventures.

(Paul, VE3EU)

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

Mar. 23 2004 Herbert Walsh VE3BRK   Silent Key

WALSH, Herbert Retired Manager of James Richardson and Sons Ltd Amateur Radio Operator VE3BRK Peacefully at the Kingston General Hospital on Tuesday, March 23, 2004, in his 95th year. Bert, beloved husband of 67 years to Jennie Walsh (nee Bird). Loving father of Herbert John and his wife Bonnie and Ronald Edward and his wife Dawn. Proud grandfather of Bert (Denise), Michael and Jennifer. Bert is predeceased by his sisters Jane and Edith. He will be sadly missed by his niece Doreen Main and his nephew Ted Storey (Amey). A special thank you to the staff of the Kingston General Hospital for their care and support. Resting at the James Reid Funeral Home, Cataraqui Chapel (Counter Street at Highway 2). Funeral Service in the Chapel on Thursday, March 25, 2004 at 9:30 a.m. Family and friends will be received one hour prior to the service. Interment Cataraqui Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Kingston Humane Society in lieu of flowers. James Reid Cata raqui Chapel 150 years of Family Tradition info@jamesreidfuneralhome.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. 26, 2004  K7RA Solar Update

Solar flux and sunspot numbers rose this week, and geomagnetic K and A indices were down. This is a perfect combination for the first days of spring. HF operators always love to see the K index lower than 3 and the A index below 10. There is nothing magic about those numbers, but lower numbers are better, and those are below the values (about K=3 and A=15) that we think of for unsettled conditions.

For quiet conditions, it's hard to beat this last Wednesday, March 24, when the mid-latitude K index was 0 for most of the reporting periods. With sunspot numbers rising amid quiet geomagnetic conditions, the springtime propagation over the past week has been fantastic.

Average daily sunspot numbers rose nearly 27 points to 92.7 this week (compared to last). The average daily planetary A index dropped nearly 7 points to 8.7. Sunspot numbers and solar flux are rising, and the predicted solar flux for this weekend, March 26-28 is 130, 135 and 130. This may be due to a pair of large sunspots emerging over the sun's northeastern limb.

But early spring is also a time when auroras are more intense, which of course is an indicator of elevated geomagnetic activity. This weekend is the CQ World Wide WPX SSB Contest, and the outlook for the next few days is good, with some active conditions probably returning around March 29-30.

A bulletin received earlier today from the Australian Government IPS Radio and Space Services warns that there may be rising geomagnetic activity this Saturday, March 27 due to solar wind from a coronal hole. One good daily resource for updates on solar wind streams is http://spaceweather.com

Mark Dullea of Peabody, Massachusetts asked for a good source of daily Ap readings (planetary A index). The place to go is the NOAA Space Environment Center at www.sec.noaa.gov/ftpdir/indices/DGD.txt  This is also a good resource for comparing the daily variations in mid-latitude, high-latitude and planetary geomagnetic indices mentioned in the first paragraph.

Tony Salvate, N1TKS of Greenwich, Connecticut wrote for any thoughts regarding a friend who is going fishing about 150 miles south of the Arctic Circle in Northwest Canada this summer. He will be packing HF gear along with a solar panel and batteries, and Tony wonders about propagation to the Northeast United States. I noted that being so far north, propagation will be strongly affected by geomagnetic conditions, so hope for a K index lower than 3.

I also suggested calculating some paths with W6ELprop, the free propagation prediction program from www.qsl.net/w6elprop  I ran some projections for the end of June from Rae Lakes, Northwest Territories (which is roughly the area Tony described) to Tony's location and found some good possibilities for 40, 30 and 20 meters.

Users of Scott Craig's Solar Data Plotting Utility may or may not have noticed a leap year error a few weeks ago. If you look at the data file, February 29 is not there. Open the graph.dat file with a text editor such as Windows Notepad, and insert 81 for sunspot number and 110.0 for solar flux for the 29th.

If you haven't used Scott's program, you can download it from the WA4TTK web site at www.craigcentral.com/sol.asp This program automatically sucks up the data from the end of each of these bulletins and displays it in a nice graph running from January 1, 1989.

For more information concerning propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the Propagation page on the ARRL Web site at  www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html

Sunspot numbers for March 18 through 24 were 107, 89, 82, 65, 87, 110 and 109 with a mean of 92.7. 10.7 cm flux was 115.4, 112.2, 113.6, 111.2, 116.4, 118.3 and 119.7, with a mean of 115.3. Estimated planetary A indices were 10, 6, 9, 13, 11, 8 and 4, with a mean of 8.7.

(W1AW)

Europe

Mar. 28 2004  The GB2RS Propagation Update

Solar activity has mostly been very low to low but increased to moderate with M-class flares on the 22nd and 23rd. Solar flux levels increased from 101 units on the 14th to 124 by the 26th. The average was 119, a rise of 11. The 90 day solar flux average on the 25th was 110 - two units below last week. X-ray flux levels varied little and averaged B2.6 units. The geomagnetic was slightly'active' last weekend but was subsequently 'quiet' or 'unsettled'. The Ap index averaged a modest 8 units. The ACE spacecraft reported solar wind speeds between 311 and 467 kilometres per second. Particle densities remained below 10 particles per cubic centimetre throughout.

Looking ahead, flare activity is expected to be mainly low or very low, though a complex sunspot group that has just appeared on the solar disk has the potential to produce moderate flares. Solar flux levels should remain between 110 and 130. The geomagnetic field will initially be unsettled to active, due to a recurring coronal hole but by midweek quieter levels should prevail. MUFs at equal latitudes should be around 24MHz for the south and 21MHz for the north. Darkness hour lows are expected to be around 10MHz. While reduced geomagnetic activity will help, HF propagation will remain unexciting due to the declining cycle and seasonal factors.However, DX chasers with modest set-ups should have a good chance of working the 3B9C Rodrigues Island expedition, which has now logged well over 50,000 contacts. As promised last week, we have a forecast for 3B9C from the UK for the lower bands. The easier bands to work them will be 10MHz and 7MHz. The best time will be 2000 to 0300 hours UTC, though the path might also open mid-afternoon. 3.5MHz will be slightly more difficult, but with reasonable chances between 2200 and 0200 UTC. Well-equipped stations may hope to find them on 1.8 MHz around the same sort of time. On the higher bands, experience this past week suggests they will be workable on 14MHz around 0630 and from early afternoon to late evening, on 18MHz around 06-0700 and late afternoon, on 21 and 24MHz around breakfast time, early afternoon or early evening. And 28MHz should be possible on the better days from about 0830 to 1400. At least one UK station has contacted them on 29MHz FM. However, although they have worked into southern Europe on 50MHz, as yet we have no reports of UK contacts on that band.

That report was prepared by Neil, G0CAS, and Martin, G3USF.

(RSGB)

Mar. 21 2004  Astronauts working hard to schedule ARISS school contacts

Currently the ARISS operations team has a list of over 60 schools that they hope will be able to have a contact with the space station via amateur radio during 2004.

Current plans call for an average of one scheduled school contact per week.

To provide some insight on how tough it is to schedule contacts, here are some of the constraints the ARISS mentors must work under:

Each Increment is 26 weeks in length.

For the next increment they may not schedule:

1. contacts during the first 4 weeks.
2. contacts during EVA weeks (2 EVAs are scheduled for Increment 9)
3. contacts for at least 2 weeks prior to the Increment change.
4. contacts during meal and exercise periods.
5. contacts during post-sleep and pre sleep (before 0800 UTC and after1930 UTC)

[Thanks to  Charlie, AJ9N and Kenneth, N5VHO via AMSAT News Service]

(RAC News Service)

========

Mar. 26 2004   K6DUE Memorial ARISS Event QSL Card Update

Hams waiting for QSL cards from the K6DUE Memorial operating event,  please listen up.  Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, who is ARISS International Chairman says in order to save postage costs, the process being used for the special event certificates is this.  The various regions such as Europe, Canada, USA, Russia and Japan are collecting the QSLs and generating  compiled lists of names and callsigns.  These lists are then used to print the certificates and return them to the regions for direct distribution.  Bauer asks that everyone be patient, indicating that it will be well worth the wait.

(KA3HDO)

========

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
 

Packet Radio Back With A New Purpose

In an emergency, voice communications is great for short tactical messages, but it becomes painfully slow when moving larger amounts of information such as lists of names or supplies. In the 1980s, Amateurs were rapidly developing and deploying a technology that would be suitable for moving large amounts of text information, they called it Packet Radio. Packet radio is almost dead in normal Amateur use, but it is making its way into emergency communications, driven by two realities which limit
the ability of amateur radio to provide effective communications in an emergency;

1) Limited throughput of voice
2) Limited availability of resources (Amateurs)

The original packet enthusiasts correctly pointed out that packet could move information far more efficiently than voice. However like most amateur technology, it was available for use in an emergency, but there was limited design consideration for emergency communications. While packet radio use declined due to its limited backbone speed and the rise of the internet, setting up a 1200 baud data link from a shelter and sending information as text messages is still impressive, even today.

The Emergency Measures Radio Group is establishing a project to investigate, design and implement a dedicated packet radio network to provide communications between key emergency centres in Ottawa. There will be a set of fixed locations such as the City's Emergency Operations Centre, the Ottawa Red Cross and the EMRG communications centre, plus a set of portable stations that can be set up as shelters or other temporary sites. The emergency packet network will be open to all amateurs when not in use by EMRG, but the design will be driven by the need to establish a dedicated packet network to provide emergency communications in Ottawa.

The number of nodes will be limited, but there will be a gateway connection to allow traffic to or from neighbouring ARES groups in an emergency. Some preliminary investigation and equipment collecting has been done, but there is a need for more equipment and people to make this happen. One node software solution that has promise is called FlexNet. This is a German software solution, which is currently in widespread use in the Eastern US. The one issue is that the Nodes require a true TAPR-2 compatible TNC such as the AEA PK-80, PacComm TNC-200, Tiny-2, Spirit or MFJ 1270 series. If anyone has a TAPR-2 TNC they would like to donate to this project, it would be greatly appreciated. Any TNC, including Kantronics and Timewave, can be deployed at the end user stations.

There will be a planning meeting in early April, so if you want to learn more, provide some feedback or donate some equipment, please watch the EMRG web site (www.emrg.ca), or send an email to Peter Gamble VE3BQP@rac.ca, or phone 523-4572. More information about this project is available on the EMRG web site under the Packet Radio section;
www.emrg.ca/packet.htm

(Emergency Measures Radio Group - Ottawa ARES)

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

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)

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

Apr. 21 2004 Kitchener Waterloo Amateur Radio Club  2004 Canwarn Training

Our annual CANWARN spotter training will be will be held at the University of Waterloo, 7PM in the Engineering Lecture Theatre on Wednesday, April 21st. This is the same location as last year. For 2004, the severe weather program images have been re-worked by Mr. Phil Chadwick, Environment Canada's leading severe weather expert. Usually CANWARN is reserved to ham operators only, but this year Environment Canada officials are asking for anyone who is interested to attend.
If you have a friend who isn't a ham, but they're interested in Summer severe weather, please bring them with you.

Our weather portion speaker will be Rob Kuhn, a severe weather forecaster, teaming with Scott Keddie, VE3IPE, who will address the Net Protocol portion of the program.

If you are interested in becoming a CANWARN spotter, recognizing and reporting summer severe weather events to Net Control, as well as helping your community, please plan to attend.

Thanks goes to Ed Spike VE3TCK for arranging the location at the University of Waterloo (same place as last year) on Wednesday April 21, 7:00pm start time.

Complete detail on the Club Website: www.kwarc.org/canwarn
 

(Ron Gravelle VA3TVS)
CANWARN Manager

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

March 20, 2004   Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network

A few days ago, I received in the mail, the information package I had requested from the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network or SATERN. I had gone to their site out of curiosity more than anything else, and wound up requesting the information packet, with the thoughts of joining the organization. Included in the package is an application form for membership, a brochure on emergency preparedness, and excerpts from several publications including QST regarding the service. There is
also a special edition of The War Cry, the regular publication of the Salvation Army.

If anyone is interested in getting more information on this very worthwhile organization, you can go to www.hfradio.net and follow the link called ARES/NTS news. On the news page are several links to other sites, and about two thirds of the way down the page is SATERN. Click on  this link to access the site.

During a conversation I had with Rod Pears, VA3RP, on Thursday evening after the SGBWS net, I discovered that the Owen Sound Salvation Army chapter had no idea that SATERN even existed. Perhaps our local DEC's and EC's should approach their local Army chapter and let them know of another valuable resource that they can use in time of need.

(Glenn Killam, VE3GNA, RAC OBS)

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

March 21, 2004   ARES inter-group co-operation

In keeping the spirit of inter-group co-operation alive, I would like to propose that we, as amateurs, should make an effort to check into neighbouring groups' local 2 meter nets. I am in a rather unique situation myself, due to location, of being able to check into several of these nets. Besides my own net on Sunday evenings at 8:00 pm on  VA3CAX 145.290 (-), I am also a regular checkin to the South Georgian Bay West Simcoe ARES net on Thursday evenings (7:45 pm), and a semi-regular checkin to the Dufferin County ARES net on Wednesdays (7:30 pm). South Georgian Bay uses a rotating schedule of repeaters with a different controller each week; last week was on VA3ROG Blue Mountain 145.37 (-), next week is on VE3BMR Collingwood 146.790 (-) followed by VE3UGB in Midland 146.910 (-) and then VE3SGB in Penetanguishene 146-760  (-). Occasionally the schedule does change but any changes are posted on the group website at  www.qsl.net/ve3rek/sgbwsares   and are also  mentioned on the weekly net.

The Dufferin County net meets on VE3ZAP (146.685 -), again with a rotating set of controllers. I feel that all amateurs with 2 meter capabilities should make every effort to check into other nets in their areas. It promotes a real sense of co-operation between groups, and you never know when such co-operation may be useful. We did that very thing during the last S.E.T. when yours truly acted as a lliason between the three nets in my area, as well as the HF net.

(Glenn Killam, VE3GNA RAC OBS)

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

April 18, 2004  Multiple Sclerosis Walk

Scarborough ARES group with support from the Scarborough Amateur Radio Club will be assisting with communications for the April 18th MS Walk, Scarborough.  The walk is scheduled to begin at 9:30 AM at Cedarbrea Collegiate Hall.  The walk will then follow the Hart Trail through Thomson Park in Scarborough. Amateur Radio operators from across the Toronto will be supporting the Scarborough group;  and, assist in communications. This year we expect a certain amount of radio traffic via FRS.  Last year the Scarborough group experimented with FRS. Scarborough ARES EC, Bob VE3IEL, thinks that FRS has a lot of potential in working with non ham groups. The local ARES group has been carrying on tests with FRS every Saturday Morning at 10:30 AM on channel 14, using no tones.  More FRS test will be conducted before the April 18th MS Walk.

For more information contact Bob VE3IEL, using e-mail address:  ve3iel@rac.ca

========

Mar. 26 2004  REACT and The Amber Alert Program

Nobody seems to know why hams appear to have no interest in the Amber Alert program, but other civic minded radio services are not standing still.  And the April issue of Popular Communications magazine is highliting REACT as being one of those jumping in to providing communications for these alerts and searches.

The magazines Info Central column highlights the activities of REACT teams across Ontario Canada and the northern United States.  This, as they  responded  to an Amber Alert issued by the Ontario police after Cecelia Zhang was abducted in Toronto.

Ron McCracken who is past President of REACT told Pop Comm that they were given details of the alert and were asked to broadcast it on C-B channel 19 to truckers passing along the highways.  The alert included details of the kidnap vehicle and the victim along with the suspects.

The broadcasts began at about 5:30 in the evening and went on through midnight. McCracken says that CB radio was combined with computers and e-mail to spread the word far and wide in a very short time.  This allowed truck drivers all along the border to keep an eye out for both the little Cecilia and her abductor.

According to McCracken, this was REACT's first response to an Amber Alert and in his estimation it went very well. You can read the full story starting on page 5 of the April issue of Popular Communications magazine.

The Amber Alert was created in 1997 as a tribute to 9-year-old Amber Hagerman.  She was kidnapped and brutally murdered while riding her bicycle in her hometown of Arlington, Texas.

If you want to know more about how you can start an Amber Alert Plan in your area and involve your radio hobby, it can be found by taking your web browser to www.missingkids.com  Then click on the words Amber Plan.

(PopComm, ARNewsline(tm))

===========

Mar. 26 2004  Pennsylvania Hams help Equip Mobile Command Post

Amateur Radio input has helped to ensure complete interoperability for a new mobile command post in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The fully decked-out communications vehicle based in Wilkes-Barre is the result of a federal grant and volunteer assistance from three radio amateurs and several other volunteer radio experts, who got keys to the city in return. Armed with a $300,000 federal grant, Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom McGroarty wanted to put some of the money toward a mobile command post--or MCP--project. He approached Bill Harding, KA3QPQ, of the city's engineering office. Harding, in turn, sought advice and assistance from Rich Arland, K7SZ. Other team members included Greg Berholtz, N3SFO, David Anthony and Leigh Thompson.

"The plan involved purchasing off-the-shelf communications gear and configuring a mothballed GMC Suburban as a mobile communications asset to support interagency interoperability during emergencies," said Arland. Ham radio operators volunteer emergency communication services to 18 communities in Northeastern Pennsylvania, he noted. After a briefing from Harding, the MCP project manager, regarding Amateur Radio Emergency Service/Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (ARES/RACES) operations, Arland said, the mayor wholeheartedly agreed that ham radio definitely should be part of the MCP equation.

"All in all, the van has the capability to communicate on all ham bands from 160 meters through 70 cm on CW, SSB, data and FM," Arland reports. Of course, it also contains a full complement of low and high-band public safety (police, fire and emergency medical services) communications gear. Future plans call for the addition of a high-end GPS unit and a 2-meter transceiver dedicated to APRS. Needless to say, the van literally bristles with antennas--15 in all--most for VHF and UHF, although there's a screwdriver-type antenna for HF.

So far, the MCP has been sent out twice--to support emergency operations following flooding in Wayne County and to assist after a prisoner escaped from a county lockup.

(ARRL Newsletter)

Big Upgrade at QRZ.COM

The servers that provide you the QRZ.com website have been relocated to the company's hosting facility in Phoenix, Arizona. The new location affords QRZ.com with 24 hour a day, 7 days a week backup power and a very fast 10 Megabit connection directly to the Internet backbone.

QRZ.com owner and administrator Fred Lloyd, AA7BQ, gave special thanks to Chris Radicke, N7TWW and Mark Krotz, N7MK, who assisted him in transporting the computers, building the cabinet shelves, pulling cables, and in generally making the transition go as smooth as silk.  Lloyd says that thanks to some great prepatory work QRZ.com was out for no more than 2 hours during the location changeover.

(QRZ.com)

==========

WWW.SCOTHAM.NET

WWW.SCOTHAM.NET is a new Internet portal concerning ham radio in Scotland. The aim of the site is to further the interests of Scottish hams in all aspects of Amateur Radio. The portal also presents an interesting view of life in Scotland as it pertains to ham radio.  www.scotham.net

(MM0DFV)

=========

Mar. 26 2004 USS Hornet ARC Not Disbanded

Contrary to rumors, the Amateur Radio club that supports museum ship U-S-S Hornet has not been disbanded.  This, according to Tom McGlinn, KO6HA who is the trustee for the NB6GC callsign and the new president of the USS Hornet Amateur Radio Club.

Writing on the QRZ.com websire, McGlin says the original story of the club being dissolved is untrue.  He says that the group is still active and aboard the USS Hornet and that all QSL requests will be handled as in the past. Please direct any inquiries concerning the USS Hornet ARC QSL program to ko6ha@earthlink.net

(QRZ.com)

Contest News

8th Annual Ontario QSO Party

Would just like to give a "heads up" to readers of the Canadian Amateur Radio Bulletin that Canada's  third largest amateur radio contest....the 8th Annual Ontario QSO Party, sponsored by the Ontario DX Association takes place on the weekend of April 17-18th this year. The contest starts at 1800 UTC on the Saturday and runs till 1800 UTC on the Sunday.

This is a fun and friendly contest where hams in Ontario get on the air in big numbers!

Ontario stations work everybody and stations outside Ontario work Ontario hams.

We include all of the HF bands (except WARC), both SSB and CW, along with the VHF/UHF bands.

There will again be quite a number of "multi-county" mobile and rover stations operating ...along with all kinds of other stations both "big guns" and little folks!

Complete information is available at http://www.odxa.on.ca/oqphome.html

We also have a Yahoogroup where participants can discuss their contest plans. To get on the list, just send a "blank" e-mail to oqp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or if you have a Yahoo ID just go to  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/oqp

Hope to hear everyone on the air April 17-18th

73
Bob Chandler VE3SRE
Contest Coordinator
Ontario QSO Party
ve3sre@rac.ca

===========

Mar. 26 2004  3905 QSL  Bureau

The Board of Directors of the 3905 Century Club has unanimously approved the establishment of a QSL Bureau and Manager.  This, to support any Handi-Ham members that wish to participate in the club's nets.

Handi-Ham members can use the bureau a number of ways.  This includes the actual completion of cards for the contacts they make on 3905 Century Club nets.

The 3905 Century Club has nets on four bands and all modes including SSB, CW and Digital.  More information, including net schedules can be found at www.3905.com

(Handi-Hams)

Apr. 24 & 25  2004  QCWA Special Event

The Fred Hammond Chapter 73 of  the Quarter Century Wireless Association will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Chapter with a Special Event station on April 24 & 25th, 2004 1300Z to 2100Z each day.

Operation will be from the Hammond Museum of Radio using the call  VE3HC starting on the following frequencies as conditions permit.  3762.5  3890   7244   14262   21365   28325

QSL to
Hammond Museum of Radio VE3BJ
595 Southgate Dr. Guelph, ON
N1G 3W6

For more info visite their website at  www.qcwa.ca  or contact Harold VE3DWH at  ve3dwh@rac.ca

(Harold VE3DWH)

===========

Special Event station VE3BPQ

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Elvis Festival In Collingwood Ontario Canada on Saturday July 24 2004. The Collingwood Elective Radio Teaching School and Collingwood Amateur Radio Club would like you to contact us on: 7.180 and 14.180 or alternate Frequencies of 3.780 and 28.360, between  8am and 6pm local time. Certificates are available by sending your QSL Card and a SASE - Prepaid 9x11 envelope to address below.

VE3BPQ
248 Birch Street
Collingwood Ontario
Canada
L9Y 2V6
Larry, VE3SPQ

===========

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.

Saginaw, MI: Saginaw Valley Amateur Radio Association Inc, K8DAC. 1200Z Apr 1-0200Z Apr 2. Ojibway Island DXpedition. 21.325 14.225 3.530. Certificate. SVARA Ojibway Island DXpedition, PO Box 1785, Saginaw, MI 48605.

Dillon Beach, CA: Friends and Amateur Radio Communications Enthusiasts, KF6NNM. 2342Z Apr 2-0742Z Apr 4. Inaugural Founders non-Field Day & Beach party. 28.450 14.250 7.250. QSL. FARCE non-Field Day, 4225 Galewood Way, Carmichael, CA 95608. www.kf6nnm.org.

Terre Haute, IN: Wabash Valley Amateur Radio Association, Inc, W9U. 0000Z Apr 2-2359Z Apr 11. WVARA 70th year of ARRL affiliation. 28.470 21.370 14.270 7.270. Certificate. WVARA, PO Box 81, Terre Haute, IN 47808-0081. www.w9uuu.org

Tulsa, OK: Tulsa Health Department Amateur Radio Club, K5THD. 0000Z-2400Z Apr 3. Tulsa Health Department/OK-1 DMAT Joint Readiness Exercise. 28.365 21.365 14.265 7.265. Certificate. Tulsa Health Department Amateur Radio Club, Attn: Dave Cox, 5051 S 129th E Ave, Tulsa, OK 74134. www.tulsa-health.org/k5thd

Marion Island

Ludwig Combrinck, ZS6WLC, and Pieter Stronkhorst, ZR6PSR, two staff members of the Hartbeeshoek Radio Astronomy Observatory Space Geodesy Programme, will conduct a scientific expedition to Marion Island (AF-021) during April.  They will depart on 1 April aboard the SA Agulhas and, depending on offloading of equipment and other workload, will start amateur radio operations as ZS8MI on 7 April until around 30 April.  Plans are to operate SSB and 15 wpm CW.  They expect to leave the island on 1 May.  On board the SA Agulhas Ludwig ZS6WLC will sign ZS6WLC/MM.  QSL via ZS6M, Bernardus Roode, P.O. Box 158, Kempton Park 1620.  Further information (including on-line logs and direct QSLing policy) can be found at: www.hartrao.ac.za/geodesy/marionweb/main.html

(SARL)

==========

Rodrigues Island (3B9C) on Satellite

David, G0MRF, the satellite operator for the 3B9C Rodrigues Island DXPedition, will be active from the island on the LEO satellites from 5 April until 12 April, looking for contacts with South African amateurs.

Activity will be centred on FO-29 and AO-7, with FO-29 being the primary satellite.  FO-29 is relatively easy to work, with uplink from 145,9 to 146,0 MHz LSB and downlink 435,800 to 435,900 MHz USB.  There is also a beacon on 435,795MHz.  Operation will be in the middle of the passband.

This is a rare opportunity for South African stations to add a new country via the Low-Orbit satellites!

(SARL)

==========

Rodrigues Island  3B9C DXpedition is Colvin Award Grant Recipient

The Project Star Reach 3B9C DXpedition www.fsdxa.com/3b9c/index.html to Rodrigues Island (AF-017) hit the bands March 20 and by mid-week was already gaining on the 40,000-QSO mark. Scheduled to continue through Tuesday, April 13, the DXpedition is the recipient of an ARRL Colvin Award.

"This financial award has made an invaluable contribution to the expenses incurred in mounting our major DXpedition," 3B9C Publicity Officer Don Field, G3XTT/NK1G, noted this week. Field said the $4000 award would go toward the cost of shipping several tons of gear by container from the UK to Rodrigues Island and back. He said 3B9C team members were "delighted" to get the grant.

The Colvin Award was established in 1994 with the proceeds of a life insurance policy purchased by Lloyd Colvin, W6KG, that named the ARRL as beneficiary. The award is conferred in the form of grants in support of Amateur Radio projects that promote international goodwill in the field of DX. From the 1960s into the early 1990s, Lloyd Colvin and his wife Iris, W6QL, activated more than 100 DXCC entities. Lloyd Colvin died in 1993 and Iris Colvin in 1998.

3B9C has been generating lots of activity on all HF bands as well as on 6 meters. Field said the DXpedition wants to extend its reach beyond the usual DX chasers and is using 3B9C as an opportunity for education and training in HF propagation, antennas and new modes. 3B9C on-line logs www.fsdxa.com/3b9c/online-logs.html are being posted roughly every 24 hours.

The DXpedition is being sponsored by the Five Star DXers Association (FSDXA), with assistance from many others. QSL direct to FSDXA, PO Box 73, Church Stretton, SY6 6WF UK or via the RSGB QSL Bureau. Much more information plus a form to request bureau cards is available on the 3B9C Web page <http://www.fsdxa.com/3b9c/>.--some information via The Daily DX  www.dailydx.com

(ARRL Newsletter)

==========

March 25, 2004  ARLD012 DX news

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

FIJI, 3D2.  Brian, N6IZ will be active as 3D2IZ from Namotu Island, IOTA OC-121, from March 28 to April 3.  His activity is limited, but he may be QRV on 80 to 10 meters, including 30 meters, using CW and SSB.  QSL to home call.

SAMOA, 5W.  Udo, DL9HCU is QRV as 5W1VE and has been active on 20 meters around 0800 to 0900z.  QSL to home call.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, A6.  Gene, N2AA and Dave, K2GM will be QRV as A61AJ during the CQ WPX contest.  Before and after the contest, they will be QRV on all bands, including 160 meters.  North and South American stations QSL via K2UO.  All others QSL via DJ2MX.

CHINA, BY.  Pertti, OH2PM will be QRV as BY1DX during the CQ WPX contest.  He is also active using CW until March 26.  QSL via operator's instructions.

GERMANY, DA.  A number of German operators will be QRV as DA0WPX during the CQ WPX contest.  They plan to be a Multi Op/All Band operation.  QSL via the bureau.

CANARY ISLANDS, EA8.  Pekka, OH1RY and Olli, OH0XX will be QRV as AN8AH and ED8ZS, on 40 meters and 15 meters, respectively, during the CQ WPX contest.  QSL via operators' instructions.

GUADELOUPE, FG.  FG/F6GWV and FG/F6HMQ are QRV until April 2.  They will be active as TO7T during the CQ WPX contest.  QSL contest call via F6HMQ and all others to home calls.

FRENCH GUIANA, FY.  Didier, FY5FY will be QRV in the CQ WPX contest as Single Op/All Band/High Power entry.  He may also be QRV on 160 meters.  QSL direct to home call.

ITALY, I.  IZ1CCE, I1RB, IK1MJG, IK1QLD, IZ1CQY, IK1ZNN, IZ1ESH and others plan to be QRV as II1D in the CQ WPX contest.  Activity will be on 80 to 10 meters.  QSL via IZ1CCE.

JAPAN, JA.  Samy, JR8KJR is QRV as JR8KJR/8 from Rishiri Island, IOTA AS-147, until March 31.  He is active on 80 to 15 meters using SSB.  QSL direct to home call.

LUXEMBOURG, LX.  Philippe, LX2AJ will be QRV as LX7I in the CQ WPX contest as Single Op/Single Band entry.  QSL to home call.

ARUBA, P4.  Andy, AE6Y will be QRV as P40Y until March 30.  This includes an entry in the CQ WPX contest.  QSL to home call.

WESTERN SAHARA, S0.  Karl, DK2WV is QRV as S07V and will be here for about 9 days.  Activity is on all bands using CW, SSB and RTTY. This includes 6 meters.  QSL to home call.

POLAND, SP.  Krzysztol, SP6DVP will be QRV using the special call 3Z6V in the CQ WPX contest.  QSL to home call.

WEST KIRIBATI, T30.  Dave, K3LP will be QRV as T30DC as a Single Op/Low Power entry in the CQ WPX contest.  QSL via K5KV.

TRISTAN DA CUNHA AND GOUGH ISLAND, ZD9.  Andy, ZD9BV has been QRV on 12 meters around 1800z.  QSL direct to home call.

SOUTH COOK ISLANDS, ZK1.  Victor, ZK1CG will participate in the CQ WPX contest as an All Band entry.  QSL direct to home call.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The CQ World Wide WPX SSB Contest, Oklahoma QSO Party, EU EME Contest, Spring Break RTTY Sprint and the UBA 2-Meter Spring Contest will 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

5H === Eric, SM1TDE will operate (mainly CW with some RTTY and SSB) as 5H3/SM1TDE from  Tanzania on  4-18 April.  A side  trip to  Zanzibar (AF-032) might take place during the second week. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX SM1TDE]

9N === 9N7PR is the call issued to Jim, W4PRO for his 10-13 April operation from Nepal  [425DXN 672].  Jim is currently active as A52PRO from Bhutan. QSLs via home call. [TNX The Daily DX]

C6 === Apparently the C6DX operation from the Cay Sal Banks (NA-219), which was expected to start on 25  March, has been cancelled. On 24  March the operators (W8GEX, K8LEE, K9AJ and W9IXX) were still in Bimini and, according to the  information posted on their web site (http://www.wb8xx.com/c6dx2004.htm), it did not "look like they'll attempt the trip south to Cay Sal" because of strong winds and rough seas ("the captain didn't think they'd even be able to land once they got there").

CU === Look for Arlindo, CT1EGW to operate mainly RTTY as CT1EGW/CU2 from Sao Miguel Island (EU-003), Azores on 7-11 April. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX CT1END]

FK === Masayoshi, JF1UIO will operate as FK/JF1UIO from the Loyalty Islands (OC-033) in May. Look for activity 10-40  metres CW and SSB from Ouvea (DIFO FK-018) on 2-4 May  and from Lifou (DIFO FK-012) on  4-7 May. QSl via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX JI6KVR]

GM === Carlos,  EA1CRK  (http://www.qsl.net/ea1crk/escocia/trip.htm) will operate (on 20 and 40 metres "holiday style") as MM/EA1CRK from the islands of Skye (EU-008), Orkney (EU-009) and Shetland (EU-012) on 10-20 July. QSL via home call, bureau or direct. [TNX EA1CRK]

I === Alberto, IT9MRM will be on Favignana (EU-054,  IIA TP-001) from 15 UTC on 31 March to 14 UTC on 1 April and plans to operate (mainly on 20 and 15  metres SSB) as  IF9/IT9MRM from the lighthouse at Punta Sottile (WAIL SI-024, ARLHS ITA-145). QSL via home call, direct or bureau. Logs will be available at http://www.qsl.net/it9mrm/index.html [TNX IT9MRM]

I === Eight ARI  Formia  (ariformia@tiscali.it) members  (IZ0EGC,  IZ0EWG, IZ0FIU, IZ0GZW,  IK0JFS,  IK0NWG,  IW0BTN  and  IW0DTK) plus guest operator Rick, N6CY will be active on several bands and modes as IQ0FM/p from Monte Orlando Lighthouse  (WAIL LA-006, ARLHS  ITA-105) on 3 April. QSL direct to IZ0EGC or to ARI Formia, P.O.Box 33, 04023 Formia - LT, Italy. [TNX IZ0EGC]

JA === Look for Samy, JR8KJR to operate (on 15-80 metres SSB and SSTV) as JR8KJR/8 from Rishiri Island (AS-147,  JIIA AS-147-007) on 26-31 March. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX JI6KVR]

LX === SP5HNK, SP5MBQ,  SP5UAF,  SQ5IRO, SP6T,  SP7NJX  and SP7VC will be active as LX/homecall  from Luxembourg on  1-6 April. They plan to operate on 160-2 metres CW, SSB, RTTY and  possibly also PSK31 and SSTV. QSL via home calls. They will participate in the SP DX Contest as LX5A (QSL via the LX bureau). [TNX SP5UAF]

SP === Special event station HF1EU will be aired from 23 April through 31 May to celebrate the accession of Poland to the European Union. QSL via SP1NQF, direct or bureau. [TNX SP1NQF]

V3 === Alan, WQ5W will operate as V31RR from Placencia, Belize on 22-29 April. He will be active on 160-6 metres CW, SSB, RTTY, PSK and WSJT, with an emphasis on the WARC bands (mostly on CW) and digital modes. Alan will have a dedicated radio listening constantly for openings on 6 metres; meteor scatter via WSJT will also be attempted and schedules can be set up prior to the expedition by e-mailing Alan at v31rr@hotmail.com. QSL via WQ5W (logs will be uploaded to LOTW). Further information and updates can be found at http://www.qsl.net/v31rr [TNX WQ5W]

VK9_lh === Skip, JE2HCJ will operate as VK9LU from Lord Howe (OC-004) from 31 March to 9 April. Look for  activity on 160-6 metres, mainly on CW and the low bands. QSL via home call. [TNX The Daily DX]

T33 === The all-band all-mode T33C DXpedition to Banaba Island is expected to take place between 4 and 16 April. QSL via F5CWU (Flo Moudar, 25 Rue du Castel  Salis, 37100  Tours, France).  The web site for the operation is at http://www.dx-pedition.de/banaba2004

YI === Kaspars, YI9ZF (YL1ZF) will participate in the CQ WPX SSB and DX contests HN0Z (SOAB  lo Power) from  Baghdad, Iraq. QSL route  TBA. [TNX SM1TDE]

ZD8 === Ian, ZD8I (home call G8WVW) will be living on Ascension Island until the end of March 2006 and plans to operate on 80-6 metres SSB. QSL via G4LTI.  Further information at http://www.zd8i.net [TNX OPDX Bulletin]

ZL7 === Franz, ZL2III (DK1II) and Dom, DL5EBE will be active as ZL2III/7 and ZL7/DL5EBE from Chatham Island (OC-038) from 7 April (arrival) until the 14th (departure). They plan to be operate on all bands, mainly CW and SSB with some PSK31  and RTTY. They have also applied for a special call sign, which will be announced after it is granted. QSL via DL5EBE (Dominik Weiel, Johannes-Meyer-Str.13, D-49808  Lingen, Germany). [TNX DL5EBE and ZL2III]

ZS8 === Owing to an unfortunate case of cut and mispaste, the CW operating frequencies for the  7-30 April  ZS8MI activity  from Marion  Island [425DXN 672] were  wrong. The correct QRGs are 3505, 7010,14020, 21025, 28060 kHz for CW, and 3750, 7080, 14195, 21295, 28495 kHz for SSB. Many thanks to Bob, W6KX for detecting the error.

CARIBBEAN TOUR ==== Koh/JA1ADT (JA7KAC),  Taka/JA7AGO and Aki/JA7ZP will attend the Caribbean Hamboree [425DXN 667] that will be held on 9-14 April in Martinique; they will operate as FM/homecall on 80-10 metres all modes. QSL via home calls. Then they will visit Antigua (V2) on 15-20 April, and will operate on all bands and modes (callsigns not known so far, but QSL via homecalls). [TNX JA7KAC]

GOOD TO KNOW  (Edited by  I1JQJ & IK1ADH)

3B9C === Operations from Rodrigues started on seven bands at 20 UTC on 19 March, and 12,000 QSOs were made during the first 24 hours. The DXpedition's website (http://www.fsdxa.com/3b9c/) is being updated daily and includes pictures, on-line logs, daily bulletins, etc. QSL direct to FSDXA, P.O.  Box 73, Church Stretton, SY6  6WF, UK or  through the RSGB  bureau (a for  bureau cards requests can be found on the website).

DXCC NEWS === 5X1X (11 November - 17 december 2003) from Uganda, XU7ACY from Cambodia (February  2004) and  5V7C (5-13  March 2004) from Togo have been approved for DXCC credit.

EU SPRINT CONTESTS === The two Spring events will be held on 20, 40 and  80 metres only from 15.00 UTC until 18.59  UTC on 10 April (Spring SSB, managed by G4BUO) and  17 April (Spring CW, managed  by I2UIY). Full details  (free software included) can be found at http://www.qsl.net/eusprint

GACW DX CONTEST  === This year's event will be held on 17-18 April.  Full rules can be found at http://gacw.no-ip.org [TNX LU6EF]

QSL 9V1GO === Gustab, OK1DOT reports he is the  new QSL manager for  Bob, 9V1GO. Cards can be sent either direct (Petr Gustab, P.O.Box 52, Cesky  Brod, 282 01 Czech Republic) or through the bureau.

QSL VIA  IV3NVN === On  24  March  Simone,  IV3NVN replied to the last outstanding direct cards for J5UCW, J5UDX,  ZY5X and ZW5T (there are still some 50 requests that arrived without return postage). If you do not receive your  card(s), please contact Simone at either iv3nvn@50mhz.com or s.candotto@hamburg.de before sending second requests. [TNX IV3NVN]

QSL VIA PA3GIO === A form for requesting bureau cards is available on the QSL Information page at either http://www.pa3gio.nl/ and http://www.qsl.net/pa3gio/; please visit it also for details about direct QSLling. [TNX PA3GIO]

QUEBEC  QSO  PARTY  === Radio Amateurs du Quebec Inc.,  the provincial organization of amateur radio operators, has announced the creation of the Quebec QSO Party, which is held every summer on the Saturday immediately preceding 24 June. This year's event will take place from 17 UTC on 19 June to 3 UTC on the 20th. Rules and other related information can be found at http://www.raqi.ca/qqp, or from Guy Lamoureux, VE2LGL (directeur.general@raqi.ca) and Luc Dore, VA2KSH  (va2ksh@raqi.ca). [TNX VA2KSH]

SP DX CONTEST === Organized by  the the  Polish Amateur  Radio Union  (PZK, http://www.pzk.org.pl) and the SP DX Club, this year's event will be held (on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10 metres SSB and CW, 12 categories including SWLs) from 15 UTC on 3 April through 15 UTC on the 4th. Full details, new rules included, can be found at http://www.contest.spdxc.org.pl/ [TNX SP5XVY]

YLRC CONTEST === The YLRC (YL Radio  Club) "Elettra Marconi"  International Contest will be held from 13 UTC on 3 April through 13  UTC on the 4th.  For further information please visit http://www.arrl.it/ylrci/index.htm or e-mail Adriana, IK5MEQ (adrianap@tin.it).

SILENT KEYS === We have been informed recently of the passing of Ivo,  9A5I and Luciano, I1NLU (licenced since 1974, he was a co-founder of ARI Rosta and the Turin North Western DX Club). [TNX 9A2WJ and I1HAG]

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

Mar 25 - Apr 1, 2004   I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O.

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]

26/03/2004:  Volker, DL9HO/p, and Wolf, DK1IP/p, will be active from Hallig Groede (N21 for the German Islands Award) from March 26th to April 1st. 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. [Tnx 425DXN]

26/03/2004:  JR8KJR, Samy, will operate as JR8KJR/8 from Rishiri island (AS-147), JIIA AS-147-007 on March 26 and 31. He will be QRV on 80 through 15 meter SSB and SSTV. QSL via home call direct or via the bureau. [Tnx F5NQL]

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:  Look for Francois, F5JNE and Gerard, F6ICG to be QRV March 27th as F5JNE/p from the Castle of Menou (DFCF 58054, Zip code 58054, Department 58 (Nievre), Province of Burgundy). Activity will start at approximately 07:30 UTC on SSB. QSL via F5JNE, direct or bureau. [Tnx F5NQL]

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:  Brian, 3D2IZ, will operate (on 80, 40, 30, 20, 15 and 10 meters SSB and CW) from Namotu Island (OC-121), Fiji, between March 28th and April 6th. QSL via N6IZ (QRZ.com). [Tnx 425DXN]

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]

30/03/2004:  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 March 30th to April 15th. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

31/03/2004:  Look for Alberto, IF9/IT9MRM to be QRV from Favignana Island (IOTA EU-054, IIA TP-001), Punta Sottile lighthouse (WAIL SI-024, ARLHS ITA-145), from 14:00 UTC March 31 to 12:00 UTC April 1, 2004. Activity will be on 20 and 15 meter SSB only. QSL via home call, direct (Alberto Mattei Via E. Millo, 20 Augusta 96011 (SR) Sicily Is. - Italy) or through the bureau. Alberto's web page and logs can be found at: http://www.qsl.net/it9mrm/index.html . [Tnx IT9MRM]

31/03/2004:  Ian, G8WVW, and his family are moving to Ascension Island (AF-003) 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. [Tnx GB2RS]

01/04/2004:  Jun, OE1ZKC/JH4RHF, will be on the air from Mauritius (AF-049) on his way to/back from the 3B9C DXpedition, April 1st to 3rd. His callsign will be decided upon arrival. He will operate from 3B8CF's shack. Jun will probably be on 40 through 10 meter SSB, CW, RTTY and SSTV on request. QSL via OE1ZKC. [Tnx OPDX]

01/04/2004:  A Hungarian DXpedition will be active from Masescha, Liechtenstein (1350m ASL), between April 1st and 8th. Activity is planned for 160 through 10 meters (including the WARC bands), mostly CW with some SSB. Operators HA5AUC (Pista), HA5BWW (Ed), HA5OJ (Pisti) and HA7PC (Karcsi) will sign HB0/homecall/P. QSL via their home callsigns (bureau is OK). ADDED NOTE: Also, look for them on 144 and 432 MHz, with the callsign HB0/HA5KHC/P, on the CW and SSB modes. QSL via HA5KHC, Bureau is OK. [Tnx OPDX]

01/04/2004:  Jean-Marc, F5SGI, will be QRV, hopefully as TM6ILE, from Groix Island (EU-048, DIFM AT-012) between April 11th and 18th. Activity will be on 80 through 10 meter CW only. QSL via home call (but contacts will be confirmed automatically via the bureau). [Tnx 425DXN]

LOOKING AHEAD -

02/05/2004:  Masayoshi, JF1UIO, will be QRV May 2nd to 4th from Ouvea Island (DIFO FK-018), the Loyalty Islands (OC-033), as FK/JF1UIO. Look for him on 40 through 10 meter CW and SSB. QSL via his home call, direct (QRZ.com) or JARL bureau. [Tnx F5NQL]

04/05/2004:  Masayoshi, JF1UIO, will be QRV May 4th to 7th from Lifou Island (DIFO FK-012), the Loyalty Islands (OC-033), as FK/JF1UIO. Look for him on 40 through 10 meter CW and SSB. QSL via his home call, direct (QRZ.com) or JARL bureau. [Tnx F5NQL]

19/06/2004:  Mauro, IW1RHG, reports that he will be QRV June 19th and 20th from inside the Portofino lighthouse (WAIL reference LI-008, ARLHS reference ITA-131, WW Loc. JN44OG) using the special call IR1PL. QSL via IW1RHG, direct or bureau. [Tnx IW1RHG]

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

Mar. 24 2004   FCC invites comments on Amateur Radio restructuring plans

The FCC is seeking comment on three plans, one from the ARRL, that would reshape the Amateur Service licensing structure. Each Petition for Rule Making responds to World Radiocommunication Conference 2003 actions last summer that made changes to Article 25 of the international Radio Regulations. While differing substantially in some other aspects, the three petitions call for modifications at Amateur Radio's entry level and for a three-tiered license system. One petition goes beyond licensing structure to recommend additional changes to amateur testing and HF digital privileges. A fourth petition focuses solely on the Morse requirement. Comments are due by April 24 on all four petitions.

Designated RM-10867, ARRL's petition asks the FCC to create a new entry-level license class--being called ''Novice'' for now. It would offer limited HF CW/data and phone/image privileges on 80, 40, 15 and 10 meters plus certain VHF and UHF privileges. The League plan also would consolidate Technician, Tech Plus (Technician with Element 1 credit) and General licensees into a new General license that no longer would require a Morse examination. Current Technicians automatically would gain General privileges without additional testing. Applicants for Amateur Extra would still have to pass a 5 WPM Morse code examination, but the General and Extra written exams would stay the same.

A news report ''ARRL to Propose New Entry-Level License, Code-Free HF Access,'' www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/01/19/1/, has further details. Frequently asked questions (FAQs) are addressed on the ARRL
Web site, www.arrl.org/news/restructuring2/faq.html.

An ''unincorporated grassroots organization,'' the Radio Amateur Foundation (RAF), has filed a petition designated as RM-10868. Its wide-ranging filing asks the FCC to modify the Technician ticket to allow restricted HF phone, data, image and CW privileges. The group also proposes retaining the 5 WPM Morse requirement for General and Amateur Extra applicants, upgrading Advanced class holders to Extra and all Novices to Technician. The Radio Amateur Foundation said it sees no need to change licensing requirements for General or Amateur Extra applicants.

The RAF also wants to scrap existing Amateur Radio question pools and start over from scratch, keeping the question pools out of the public domain and requiring a 10-day waiting period before retesting. In addition, it would permit only Generals and Amateur Extras or Technicians licensed more than two years to request vanity call signs.

The RAF has further asked the FCC to permit digital experimentation from 29.0 to 29.3 MHz at bandwidths of up to 15 kHz.

In his two-page petition designated RM-10869, Ronald D. Lowrance, K4SX, calls on the FCC to retain the 5 WPM Morse code requirement for General class applicants and to raise the Morse requirement to 13 WPM for Amateur Extra class applicants. He called Morse code ''the most reliable mode of communication'' in an emergency. Lowrance would make no change in Technician licensing requirements.

The National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC) wants the FCC to establish a new entry-level license called the Communicator class. Its petition, designated RM-10870, reiterates its call--first made last fall in RM-10787--to altogether eliminate the Morse code testing requirement.

The NCVEC's petition would upgrade all current Novices to Communicator class. The NCVEC would further upgrade all existing Technician and Tech Plus (Technician with Element 1 credit) licensees to General and all Advanced class licensees to Amateur Extra without further testing. Once the Morse requirement goes away, NCVEC said in its filing, ''there will be no effective difference between the Technician and General class licenses.''

The new Communicator ticket would permit a power limit of 100 W on bands below 24 MHz and 50 W on all frequencies above 24 MHz. Communicator licensees would have to use commercially manufactured equipment (or gear built from a commercial kit). They could operate both voice and digital modes on 80, 40, 15 and 10 meters plus VHF and UHF up to 70 cm. All three license restructuring plans call for changes to the present HF subbands.

Interested parties may view and comment on these petitions via the FCC Electronic Comment Filing System, www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html. When entering the RM number in the ECFS ''Proceeding'' field, RM must be in capital letters and the hyphen must be included.

(ARRL Bulletin ARLB007)

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