Apr. 29 2004   US releases study on possible BPL interference

 The first phase of a long-awaited broadband over power line (BPL) study the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released this week suggests it's possible to accommodate BPL technology while managing the interference risk. Now part of the US Department of Commerce, the NTIA manages spectrum allocated to federal government users and advises the White House on telecommunications issues. In a cover letter to FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell, Acting NTIA Administrator Michael D. Gallagher pledged that the NTIA would "work with the Commission to establish a firm technical foundation for responsible deployment of BPL to protect critical federal communications systems." But, Gallagher said, while BPL systems may present a valuable economic opportunity, "technical rules governing their deployment must address potential harmful interference to critical systems." Released April 27, NTIA Report 04-413 analyzes 10 million BPL system measurements and "provides a roadmap" to deploying BPL systems while managing interference, Gallagher's letter said.
www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/fccfilings/2004/bpl/index.html

(Thanks to the ARRL)

(RAC News Service)

=======

Special Event Stations in Ireland to Welcome New EU Member States

'Euradio' is the European Union Radio Amateur celebration, an event sponsored by the Irish Radio Transmitters Society next weekend, the 1st and 2nd of May, to mark the enlargement of the European Union. Ten additional countries join the EU on the 1st of May. The Irish government, which holds the Presidency of the Union on that date, has nominated 10 Irish cities to be 'twinned' with the new member states. The IRTS will activate 10 special event stations in the twinned cities, each with the EI25 prefix and a suffix representing the new member state. For example, EI25HA will be the station located in the city twinned with Hungary and EI25ES will be in the city twinned with Estonia. In addition, the IRTS HQ station, EI25EU, will be coordinating the event from Dublin.

There will be an award programme and full details can be found on the IRTS 'Euradio' website. http://irts.ie/euradio

(RSGB)

========

Apr. 254 2004  Amateur Radio Appears on Teletext - in Slovenia

In Slovenia, amateur radio has made an appearance on the national television's teletext pages. Thanks to Dan, S50U; Joze, S52JK and the Cerkno Amateur Radio Club, S50E, Slovenian television now features two teletext pages with five sub-pages devoted to amateur radio. These include SK3BG's contest calendar, DX spots and the 425 DX News calendar.

(RSGB)

========

May 17 2004    declared an "Anti-PLC Day of Protest" in Spain

URE,  the National Amateur radio Society in Spain, has announced that due to the current development of the PLC (Power Line Communications) system in Spain, the URE Board of Directors has decided that the World Telecommunication Day 2004 (May 17) will be declared an "Anti-PLC Day of Protest".

The following actions have been taken by URE:

1) To invite amateurs to carry out activities for pointing out that day.

2) To issue special QSL cards to be used by any URE member for confirming QSO made from special or usual stations.

3) To send to the Spanish media some info about harmful effects of the PLC system to the amateur and other services.

(Thanks to Jose Diaz, EA4BPJ General Secretary URE via IARU News)

(RAC News Service)

=======

Apr. 26 2004    IARU attending shortwave broadcast meetings in Geneva

During the last week of April and the first week of May, the ITU Working Party concerned with terrestrial  broadcast services will be meeting in Geneva to discuss amongst other matters, a request for more spectrum for HF broadcasting between 4 and 10 MHz, and the preparation of recommendations to the World Radio Conference in 2007.  Any new spectrum for shortwave broadcasting would have to come at the expense of existing users of that spectrum range.

By far the biggest user of bands between 4 and 10 MHz is the fixed service. The amateur 40 metre band occupies only 5 per cent of the range, and the portion between 7.000 and 7.200 MHz is excluded from the study. Amateurs, of course, would like to see the broadcast service vacate 7.200 to 7.300 world-wide as was proposed to WRC 2003.

If broadcasters make a strong case for taking spectrum from the fixed service, there will, in turn, be increased pressure for the fixed to share with amateurs in the top 100 kHz of our band. The possibility of a new amateur band around 5 MHz seems remote at the present time.  It should be an interesting tug of war...

Dave Sumner K1ZZ will attend the meetings on behalf of the IARU, and Ken Pulfer VE3PU will attend as a Rapporteur from Working Party 8A, which looks after the interests of the amateur and land mobile services. Walt Ireland WB7CSL is expected to attend on behalf of the ARRL.

(RAC News Service)

========

Apr. 26  2004  Indian government approves proposal for promotion of Amateur Radio.

In its April Newsletter the National Institute of Amateur Radio of India (NIAR)  reports that Dr. Shrikant Jichkar, Chairman of NIAR led a team of officers in a meeting with Shri P.K.Garg, Wireless Advisor to Government of India at his chambers on 2003-8-26. At the time, Shri Garg  appreciated the promotional activities and assured all support from WPC.

The NIAR has now launched a major program to setup 10 Amateur Radio centers with full fledged facilities of equipment support by the end of March 2005. It was formally inaugurated at NIAR on the 1st April 2004.

Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Communications. & IT held a follow up meeting with representatives of WPC (DoT) and Ministry of Home Affairs on 2004-3-23 and discussed the NIAR proposal. The proposal has been approved by the Government.

(Thanks to NIAR Ham News)

(RAC News Service)

Apr. 30 2004  Important notice to all accredited examiners

Some time ago, Industry Canada updated the amateur certification question banks, and introduced new examinations based on the revised question banks. During a transition period, accredited examiners were permitted to use the older versions of exams but that transition period has since expired.

RAC has been notified by Industry Canada that all accredited examiners MUST now use the most recent versions of examinations when examining candidates for the Basic and Advanced certificates.

Instructions for accredited examiners can be found in Radio Information Circular RIC-1 on the IC web site, and a copy of the current examination generator software can be downloaded from:

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/insmt-gst.nsf/en/h_sf05378e.html

For further information, examiners can contact the Industry Canada Amateur Radio Service Centre
P.O. Box 9654
Postal Station "T"
Ottawa, ON
K1G 6K9

E-Mail:        Spectrum.amateur@ic.gc.ca
Telephone:     1-888-780-3333 (Toll free)
Fax Number:  1-613-991-5575

(Thanks to Jim Dean, VE3IQ)

(RAC News Service)

========

Apr. 29 2004   RAC President teaches IARU course in IRAN

 In response to an invitation from the administration of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Fred Johnson ZL2AMJ representing the IARU Region 3 and Daniel Lamoureux VE2KA representing the IARU International Secretariat visited Iran to present a three-day Amateur Radio Administration Course, 26 to 28 April 2004. Since the early 1980s this course has been conducted by IARU in various forms in countries all over the world and in response to invitations from administrations to train regulators and prospective regulators in the administering of the amateur service and amateur satellite service. Related objectives include managing disaster relief communications and organising an amateur radio society.

 The course in Tehran was arranged by Mr T. Shafiee and Mr M. Zomorodi of the Directorate General of Telecommunications. An excellent training room was provided with full support facilities including a data projector and access to a photocopier. The course was presented using PowerPoint displays prepared by IARU and each of the 16 participants received printed copies of the displays and many other documents and two CD-ROMs with documentation about amateur radio.

 The two IARU visitors had discussions with many radio amateurs in Tehran, some of whom attended the course. The course participants visited EP3PTT, a station established in the Ministry's office premises in Tehran. The equipment in this station was received by Iran from the IARU Region 3 Stars*** programme. It may be operated by licensed Iranian operators by arrangement.

 There have been amateur radio societies in Iran in earlier years but there has not been an IARU member society.  An amateur radio "club", a social meeting group, presently meets in Tehran.

 The course has been a memorable experience for the two IARU visitors who have been very warmly received. Contact between IARU and the amateurs and the administration of Iran is to continue and further amateur radio information is to be provided.

(RAC News Service)

Atlantic Maritime Section

2004 Callbook Publishing Information

Delivery Date : 15 May 2004 at the Down East Flea Market in Halifax
Price : $12.00 for one , $22.00 for two, $30.00 for three Bulk orders available , price depending on quantity )
Delivery : Pick up at the Flea Market or a mail-out fee for one or two books will be added.

For information on the Down East Flea Market go to: www.halifax-arc.org
Callbook Pre Order Information : Contact Fraser VE1WO ve1wo@rac.ca or via telephone at ( 902 ) 865-4198 to order.

D. Howard Dickson - VE1DHD
11346 Peggys Cove Rd.,
Seabright N.S.
B3Z 3A7
Email: dhdickson@hfx.eastlink.ca
Phone: 902-823-2024

========

May 15 2004 Down East Fleamarket

Sponsored by:  The Halifax and Dartmouth ARC's
Location: Halifax Forum Annex Corner of Windsor and Young Avenue Halifax, Nova Scotia
Vendors 6:00am Opens: 10:00am  Price at the door is $3 per person. This includes all buyers and sellers.
Talkin:VE1PSR on 147.27 Mhz + offset

All ham, electronic and computer enthusiasts looking for good deals on new and used Amateur Radio gear and accessories, as well as general computer, electronics items, crafts and baked goods.

There is a coffee shop on site as well as door prizes, draws, demonstrations and presentations. Pick up your QSL cards as well check in at the RAC, NSARA and other club tables. The Flea Market Committee intends to attract and offer table space for computer equipment and crafts.....if you think it will sell, bring it!

Club Website:  www.halifax-arc.org

=======

 May 29 2004 New Brunswick Spring Hamfest and Fleamarket

Sponsored by:  The Loyalist City Amateur Radio Club  (Saturday, May 29, 2004)
Location: Gondola Point Recreation Center, Quispamsis, NB Take exit 141 off of Highway 1 (about 20 km east of Saint John) for Route 119 North. Go approx. 4.5 km north on #119 to Meenan's Cove Rd., turn left (west)and go 1/2 km to Recreation Center Rd., turn left and go about 1/4 km to the Recreation Center.
Opens: Vendors 8 am, Public 9:30 am to 1 pm
Admission:  $3, Tables $2
Talkin:  VE1EE 147.270 (+)
Notes:  There will be door prizes and a grand prize draw. Amateur licencing examinations including code will be available on site, plus DXCC QSL card checking and a transmitter Fox hunt in the afternoon after the flea market. RAC and commercial vendors will be present.
For more info visit: http://www.qsl.net/ve9lc

May 17 2004   West Island Amateur Radio Club Meeting

Meetings are on the 3rd Monday of each month at 7pm (official start is 7:30). We meet at the Lakeside Heights Baptist Church 275 Braebrook in Pointe-Claire (western end of the Island of Montreal).

The club welcomes all visitors, so if you are going to be in Montreal and have some time, come down and join us.

For more info about this fine club visit: http://shell.pubnix.net/~wiarc

=======

Jun. 19 2004   Special Event Call Signs VA2RAQI and VE2RAQI

Authority has been granted to Radio Amateur du Quebec Inc to use the special event call signs VA2RAQI and VE2RAQI on June 19 for the Quebec QSO Party

(RAC)

May 8 2004  Skywide ARC Annual Spring Hamfest & Fleamarket

Sponsored by: The Skywide Amateur Radio Club (Saturday, May 8, 2004)
Location: The Westway United Church, 8 Templar Drive, Etobicoke
Opens: 9 am till 11.30 am; Vendors 7.30 am
Admission: $5.00; Tables $12.00 (includes one admission)
Talkin: 146.985 MHz or Simplex: 146.520 MHz
Notes:  Door Prises, Special Draws
For more info visit:  www.webhome.idirect.com/~jproc/sarc

========

May 8 2004   20th Annual Smiths Falls Amateur Radio Flea Market

Sponsored by:  The Rideau Lakes Amateur Radio Club inc. (Saturday, May 8, 2004)
Location:  Smiths Falls Youth Arena Corner of Cornelia St. (highway #43) and Elmsley St. Smiths Falls.
Opens:  Vendors 7 am, Public 9 am to noon.
Admission:  $3, Tables $5 in advance, $8 at the door.
Talkin:  VE3RLR 147.210 (+600)
For more info visit: www.falls.igs.net/~rlarc

May 20 - June 22 2004  Special Event Callsign VC6X

Authority has been granted by Industry Canada to Mr. Bill Metcalfe of Beaumont, AB to use the Special Event Callsign VC6X to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Lieutenant Alexander Roberts Dunn (1833-1868) who is the the first to receive the Victoria Cross for his military heroism during the Crimean War of 1854-1856.

(RAC)

==========

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.

• 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

Apr. 30 , 2004 Tad Cook K7RA Solar Update

Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, is filling in this week for Tad Cook, K7RA. Tad had some windstorm damage at his QTH from a fallen tree, and at the time of this writing he is without electricity and phone service.

This report covers the period Friday April 23 through Thursday April 29.

Solar activity was at moderate levels at the beginning of the period, with several M1 and M2 class flares. Solar activity
decreased to low levels in the latter half of the reporting period. Solar activity is forecast to be low for the next several days.

Geophysical activity ranged from quite to active levels during the reporting period due to several isolated active periods occurring at high latitudes. The geomagnetic field is expected to be at an active level on Friday, and return to quiet to unsettled levels on Saturday and Sunday.

The VOACAP and W6ELProp tutorials mentioned in last week's bulletin are intended to be introductory-level discussions of these readily available software packages. Both of the tutorials show how to download the software and set up the options. A sample prediction is run in each, and the outputs are discussed.

For those interested in a more in-depth look at VOACAP, check out "What Is VOACAP Trying to Tell Me?" by N6BV and "VOACAP Quick Guide" by OH6BG - both of these are on the ARRL Technical Information Service propagation page at, www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html

As Cycle 23 continues its descent (the smoothed sunspot number for May is predicted to be around 35 - a far cry from the peak of 121 in April 2000), 10-meter aficionados are becoming more and more dejected. On the other hand, 160-meter aficionados are perking up as solar minimum approaches.

If you're interested in 160-meter propagation and are going to Dayton, check out the Topband Dinner on Friday night (contact
George, W8UVZ, via email at, w8uvz@voyager.net for more information).  Eric, K3NA, will give a program about the 3B9C
160-meter QSOs.

The numbers for this week will be in next week's Propagation Forecast Bulletin.

(W1AW)

Europe

May 2 2004  The GB2RS Propagation Update

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

It has been a fairly quiet week. The only solar flare of any consequence was one of M2/1N magnitude on the 25th. The solar flux slid steadily downwards, from 112 units on the 24th to 89 on the 30th. The weekly average, 97 units, was 15 points below the previous week. However, the 90-day average was unchanged at 107. The X-ray flux took a comparable downward path, from B2.0 to A5.6, averaging A8. The geomagnetic field was slightly active at the beginning of the week but was subsequently quiet, with the Ap index in single figures for several days. However, it was more unsettled on the 30th and the 1st. Solar wind speeds ranged between a low of 370km/sec on the 30th and 615km/sec on the 28th. Particle densities were mostly around or below 10 per cubic centimetre.

Propagation on the main 'workhorse' HF bands remained reasonably good, with 14MHz at times open until midnight and openings on several days to Australia around breakfast time and the far East in the afternoon and early evening. Opportunities on 21MHz were more limited, but the band was open for DX on most days from the morning through to the evening. Sporadic-E was reported on 28MHz on several days and there were several openings on 50MHz, mostly to southern Europe. Not surprisingly, given the low level of geomagnetic activity, no auroral contacts were reported.

During the coming week solar flare activity will mostly remain low or very low, though an occasional moderate flare cannot be ruled out. The solar flux may decline a little more but should be rising again by next weekend. Two high- speed coronal streams are currently heading our way, leading to increased levels of geomagnetic activity over the next few days. However, less unsettled levels should return by the end of the week. MUFs at equal latitudes should be about 24MHz in the south and 21MHz in the north. Darkness hour lows will continue at about their recent level of 11MHz. Paths to South Africa should have a maximum usable frequency, giving a fifty per cent chance of success, of about 28MHz. However, the optimum working frequency, where there should be a ninety per cent success rate, will be in the region of 19Mz. The ZS6DN beacon, heard on most days on 28.200MHz, is a very useful indicator of the state of this path. The best time will be between 1000 and 1800UTC. And a further reminder that, while the best of the sporadic-E season probably lies five or six weeks ahead, there should be more openings at both 28 and 50MHz.

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

Apr. 30 2004   Expedition 8 crew, ESA astronaut, return safely to Earth

After more than six months in space, the International Space Station Expedition 8 crew of Commander Mike Foale, KB5UAC, and Flight Engineer Alexander "Sasha" Kaleri, U8MIR, returned safely to Earth early April 30 (UTC). Accompanying Foale and Kaleri was European Space Agency Astronaut André Kuipers, PI9ISS, of the Netherlands, who spent nine days conducting research aboard the station. He also completed two Amateur Radio on the International Space Station school group contacts. After a flawless descent aboard their Soyuz spacecraft, Foale, Kaleri and Kuipers, seen here during a Soyuz practice run, landed on target in north-central Kazakhstan. "Recovery forces arrived within moments of touchdown," NASA said. Foale and Kaleri spent nearly 195 days in space--making theirs the second longest ISS expedition. They launched on October 18, 2003, on the same Soyuz spacecraft that brought them home. During their six-month duty tour, they conducted scientific experiments and maintenance. In February Foale and Kaleri carried out the first spacewalk ever performed from the complex by a two-person crew. Foale now has accumulated more time in space than any US astronaut. Including this mission, a 1997 tour aboard the Russian Mir space station and four shuttle missions, he has logged nearly 374.5 days in space. Foale, Kaleri and Kuipers will travel to Star City, Russia, where they will remain for mission and medical debriefings. Foale is expected to return to Houston in mid-May. Aboard the ISS, Expedition 9 Commander Gennady Padalka, RN3DT, and NASA ISS Science Officer Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, are starting a six-month mission that will include three spacewalks. The Expedition 9 team is set to return to Earth in October. Padalka and Fincke will have light duty for the next three days as they rest after completing the hectic handover operations between the two crews. More information about the new crew's activities aboard the ISS is available on the NASA Human Spaceflight Web site:  http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station

(ARRL News Service)

========

Apr. 25 2004  Dutch astronaut Andre Kuipers PI9ISS contacts Technical University Eindhoven NL

Sunday morning April 25 2004, the pupils and students, selected for the radio contact with Dutch astronaut Andre Kuipers, gathered in the radio room of the amateur radio club of the Technical University of Eindhoven, the Netherlands. For more details on this and other ARISS amateur radio school contacts, visit: www.rac.ca/ariss

(RAC News Service)

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Apr. 24 2004  IARU Member Societies in Region 2 to monitor interference to the satellite bands

In Region 2 (except in Cuba and Guyana), all VHF/UHF Amateur bands except the 2 and 6 metre bands are shared with other services, so it is necessary to be certain that the "intruder" does not belong to one of the other permitted services before making a complaint to the administration.

Martin H. Potter, VE3OAT, IARU Region 2 Monitoring System Coordinator says:

"I would like to inform you of a small change in the operation of the IARU Region 2 Monitoring System, concerning intrusions in the VHF/UHF Amateur bands and interference to Amateur Satellites.

Historically, the Monitoring System has concentrated on the HF bands, and has ignored the VHF and UHF bands where interference has tended to be local and almost always within national borders. Now, however, when intruders use the same VHF and UHF frequencies already used by Amateur Satellite uplinks, the resulting interference crosses many borders.

Several years ago in cooperation with AMSAT-NA, the Region 2 Monitoring System developed a simple, informal arrangement to deal successfully with a particular instance of this problem. Further, at the 2001 Region 2 conference in Guatemala, a recommendation was passed (Annex C to the Report of Committee "C", TG-P-04), calling attention to the growing problem of intruders in the VHF and UHF bands. Most recently, the IARU Region 1 Monitoring System has undertaken to include VHF/UHF intruder problems in their regular activities.

To respond better to this problem in Region 2, the general procedures of the Monitoring System will be broadened slightly, resulting in three small changes :

1. Member societies in Region 2 are encouraged to include the VHF/UHF bands in their monitoring system activities, especially but not only the Amateur Satellite uplink sub-bands;

2. Societies are encouraged to include reports of intruders in the VHF/UHF bands in their monthly reports to the IARU Region 2 Monitoring System Coordinator; and

3. When monitors or coordinators report intrusions involving satellites, they should also send a copy of their report to the IARU Amateur Satellite Advisor, ZS6AKV.

These changes can be seen in context in the web pages at:

www.storm.ca/~iarumsr2/index.html

www.storm.ca/~iarumsr2/vhfuhf.html

www.storm.ca/~iarumsr2/report.html

(Thanks to Martin H. Potter, VE3OAT IARU Region 2 Monitoring System Coordinator)

(RAC News Service)

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Apr. 25 2004   AMSAT President's Letter

Several important activities have taken place in the last few weeks, which affect the future of the AMSAT organization and where we are going in the future. Firstly, a meeting of the International ARISS committee at the European Space Agency in the Netherlands gave a starting approval for two new projects as follows:

1) Approval of the Russian Shadow project, which is an experiment to determine the effect on RF of a Plasma Propulsion unit i.e. will RF, and hence communications. be interrupted by the plasma field.

2) Fast Scan -TV, (Digital) This would involve one or more color cameras, placed externally at suitable locations on the ISS, Cameras would be capable of pan/tilt and zoom and be capable of amateur control - UK to co-ordinate proposals for this.

These projects can now be developed and presented to the Hardware committee for safety evaluation. While this work is proceeding we are all awaiting for the return of the shuttle to provide additional lifting capability to and from the ISS. The current estimate of availability of the Shuttle is spring 2005.

The AMSAT Strategic Planning committee is working to develop a more effective means of operating the organization, and to provide improved communications between the Board of Directors, the Officers and the Members. A new "Team approach" is being developed which will reduce the day to day activities of the President, that I and my predecessors have done for many years. I believe that this initiative will be a very positive one for AMSAT.

By now four hundred of you will have received a membership survey, we need you to return that survey to us for evaluation. The survey was generously paid for by one of our members, who is anxious that AMSAT should be able to meet the needs of our membership. This survey should define our membership requirements. Names were taken at random and the number of 400 is statistically very accurate to present a good picture of membership needs.

With the publication of our Annual Report we are now in a position to present AMSAT as a charitable organization to selected Foundations based principally on Educational aspects of AMSAT. This may reduce the time involved in fund raising, however it is still important that our membership be involved in providing AMSAT with funding for the Special Amateur Radio aspects of our satellites.

Only a few weeks too Dayton, and of course we will be prominent again in the "Ball Arena" at the usual place. I look forward to seeing you there, and hope that you will participate in the various draws that we have for equipment. All money received will be put toward the ECHO launch fund. You will have the opportunity to re-new your regular membership, make your President's Club donation, and contribute directly to the ECHO Launch Fund.

The fund is still about $40K short of it's goal and we need you to help "Give ECHO a Lift" ECHO launch Pins will be available at the AMSAT booth for anyone donating $20 or more to that cause. The annual Dayton AMSAT Banquet will be held Friday, May 14th at 1800 at the Amber Rose. The cost is $25 for the buffet which includes tax and gratuity. Payment will be made at the door with cash, Visa or MasterCard. To make reservations contact Nancy Makley, kc8gyw@amsat.org. Please list the name and call of each person who will be attending. If you are a current President's Club Gold member and attending the dinner, contact martha@amsat.org

Well enough from me for this month, - see you in Dayton

(Thanks to Robin Haighton VE3FRH President AMSAT-NA)

(RAC News Service)

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Apr. 29 2004   SpaceRef  Introduces  SATURN TODAY

With the NASA Cassini spacecraft carrying the ESA Huygens Probe about to enter orbit around Saturn on July 1 SpaceRef is pleased to announce the launch of a new web site dedicated to Saturn, Saturn Today. To learn more about Saturn and the exciting Cassini-Huygens mission, visit Saturn Today now:    www.saturntoday.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. 25 2004    Dufferin County Area Environment Canada Severe Weather training course report,

The Environment Canada Severe Weather training course was held Sunday 25. April. The course was well attended with 93 participants made up of the general public, emergency responders and amateur radio operators.

The presentation began with the Sounds of Thunder which explained the science of lightning and how one can deduce the stage and type of the thunderstorm by listening to the thunder. Lightning safety also played a big part of this presentation.

The CANWARN presentation was tailored for the Dufferin County area. Several media representatives attended the presentation and I believe that Global covered it on the 6pm news. Cam Wooly of the OPP also attended and discussed the value of OPP officers reporting on weather conditions to central dispatch as is currently being done with London OPP dispatch.

One of the main questions of the audience was how to get notification of severe weather warnings. For those who were not in attendance I have set out some information in this regard.

Find out complete weather details by tuning into Environment Canada's Weather radio, on the VHF-FM radio band on the following frequencies: 162.400, 162.475 or 162.550 MHz.

All you need is a special receiver, available at most electronic and Radio Shack stores. Todays receivers are small and portable and can go with you everywhere. In the event of a severe weather warning, some of them have an alarm which beeps or flashes. Some of these weather radio's do require an outside antenna. Ask the sales people if you can try it out in the shop and have the above frequencies with you and try each one to see which frequency receives the best signal.

If everyone in Canada had a Weather radio receiver, Canada would have the best emergency system in the world.

All walks of life use Weather radio such as motorists, farmers, golfers, snow removal crews, construction foreman and ambulance drivers.

The Dufferin Amateur Radio Emergency Service are also active when it comes to severe weather. When severe weather is occuring in Dufferin County tune your scanner to 146.685 MHz and listen to the storm reports while in progress. When severe weather affects several Counties listen on 442.025 MHz, and listen to reports out of the weather office at Environment Canada.

You can also subscribe to Environment Canada email alerts:  www.weatheroffice.pyr.ec.gc.ca/e-products/

For detailed weather alerts subscribe to http://lists.pairowoodies.com/mailman/listinfo/weatheralerts

When weather is active in and around Dufferin County the weatherbee page will also keep you up-dated: www.weatherbee.on.ca

For real time local weather visit: www.weatherbee.on.ca/p2kdata.htm

Perhaps one of the best way to receive LOCAL severe weather alerts any time day or night is to call INFOTEL at 942-4444 and press 1210 at the prompt. This is a free severe weather service supported and sponsored by Dufferin County. Please feel free to call the county at 519-941-2338 ext. 3 and ask for Schara Schmidt who will take your comments and suggestions. You may also call INFOTEL 519-941-7809 to leave your comments. Forwarded from Michael Moreau, VE3LKI, with portions of the text from Paul Chantree, VE3PWZ

In addition, The regular Sunday night Grey County ARES net will be held this Sunday, May 2, 2004, on the new repeater, VE3MBR (147.105 +) PL 131.8 required. We wish to extend an open invitation to all amateurs who can access this repeater to join us this Sunday at 8:00 pm. We anticipate a good turnout. The net is a formal net, affiliated with the National Traffic System, but we also have an informal chat session after the formalities are dealt with.

(Glenn Killam, VE3GNA, Official Bulletin Station)

=======

Apr. 27 2004   Report on April 18th Scarborough MS-Walk

Twenty-one people from our radio amateur group took part assisting the communications requirements of the MS Society for the Scarborough MS Walk that was held April 18th, through the Heart Trail of Thomson Park in Scarborough. Seven of these Radio Amateurs were members of the CNIB Amateur Radio Program.  These seven amateurs are also I am proud to say members of the Scarborough Amateur Radio Club.  These members are also heard almost daily on the local ARES Nets. Five other radio amateurs who participated are regular members of the Scarborough Amateur Radio Club.

Eight further radio amateurs from the local area pool of ARES were also on board taking on key roles for this event.  Randy Nelson VE3WRN's XYL, Christine, was also out as part of our group. There were two extra radio amateurs that monitored as listeners, who did not as it turned out, have to be called upon;  one was well known ARES Net regular, Wayne VE3IMI. Wayne had informed us on previous ARES Nets that he would be monitoring. Wayne VE3IMI, was also on the local ARES Net during the de briefing held on-air.  I later learned that Jim VA3KU had monitored throughout and therefore was another attentive listener.

For this communications event FRS radios played an important role.  As some older amateur radio equipment became erratic due to rain, our backup communications on FRS equipment filled in and worked well.  FRS radio equipment was also in the hands of some of the MS personnel. Communications to the St. John Ambulance group was done completely with FRS equipment.  These little radios are not just toys as we have discovered through various experiments and regular use.

When I mention the rain, it must be said that nowhere would you find a more dedicated group than these radio amateurs who were often in the rain, or walked with the MS Group completely in the rain through the entire event.  When we saw how the MS Walkers persevered we all felt that we could do no less.  Also I have listened but have not heard any complaints from the operators about the test our radio equipment went through due to the heavy rain;  rather, what I did hear was how some radio amateurs were able to improvise and protect their equipment, or used relay via FRS to carry on.

Here are the radio amateurs and their assignments:

-Steve VE3DUN, net controller, operated the main headquarters station with call sign VE3NCS.
-Joe VE3OV, headquarters liaison, and headquarters equipment trouble shooter.
-Rudy VE3OUA, headquarters assistant and FRS headquarters control.
-Peter VE3FJI, trail blazer at first post on Heart Trail.
-Harold VE3EBK, trail blazer at second post on Heart Trail.
-Gordon VE3GIH, at Bellamy Rd. bridge underpass.
-Stuart VE3SWF, at McCowan Rd. bridge underpass.
-Elizabeth VE3XGM at Lawrence Ave. bridge underpass.
-Robert VA3CSE, at Thomson Park turn around & refreshment area.
-Bill VE3QYR, a Thomson Park crossway path marshal.
-Robert VE3VAJ, a Brimley Rd. crosswalk marshal.
-Bill Jr. VE3WMY,a Brimley West Parkette marshal.
-Earnie VE3EJE, at Birkdale Community Centre, turn around & refreshment area.
-John VE3POJ, mobile trouble shooter and safety vest supplier.
-Randy VE3WRN, end walker and end marker.
-Christine Nelson, as part of our group, assisted as tail end observer/walker.
-Laurie VA3SLA, not only walked as part of our group, but also was a signed up MS Walker.
-Julie VE3QMU, was the weary walker van communications coordinator.
-Bob VE3IEL was on-site coordinator and trail trouble shooter.
-Earle VE3KCO was an assigned home operator and was regularly called by our Net Controller.
-Harvey VE3LLO was an assigned home operator for outside calls and event logger.

Other than the extreme wetness, the communications went well.  The word thanks can hardly express my gratitude to all who took part in making this a successful outing. Jan Ruetz, the MS Walk coordinator, some days following the walk, e-mailed me thanks for our group's participation, i.e.: Thank you for your support and assistance at the Super Cities Walk for MS.  Your volunteers were friendly, helpful and cheerful.which was much needed and appreciated considering the unfortunate rain.

Submitted by Bob Chrysler VE3IEL
President: Scarborough Amateur Radio Club
ARES EC: Scarborough
Toronto ARES Section Coordinator for Scarborough

=======

Apr. 22 2004  Grey County ARES MS Walk Report

Volunteers from the Grey County ARES group were out in the rain on Sunday morning, April 18th, helping with communications during the 2004 Owen Sound Super Cities Walk for Multple Sclerosis.  By our estimates, there were between 180 and 190 walkers.  Organizers indicate that they raised $35,800 with more expected to come in as more pledges are turned in.  The event is the MS Society's biggest fundraiser of the year.

The four ARES operators, Brad VE3RHJ, Glenn VE3GNA, Bob VE3RWZ and Bob VE3LKD, monitored both the 5 km and 10 km portions of the walk, coordinating their activities with the St. John Ambulance volunteers.  Bob VE3RWZ, who was stationed at the Legion, provided net control.  Walkers chose to follow either the 5 km route from the Legion, through Kelso Park to the Library and back to the start, or the 10 km route from the Legion, through Kelso Park, over to Harrison Park and back to the Legion.  There were no emergencies or problems during the walk, and most of the 2m traffic was just keeping track of how many walkers were on which stretch of the walk, and where along the route the St. John Ambulance people could be reached if needed.  We used 146.46 MHz simplex to avoid tying up any repeater.

The rain ended just after the walk began and the weather kept improving all morning.  By the time the last walker completed the course,  the sun was shining brightly.  At the end of the event the MS Society provided a lunch of hotdogs, pizza, fruit and beverages, for the walkers and for those who assisted with the event.  Both the organizers and St. John Ambulance expressed their appreciation and thanks for our help.

2004 is the fourth year that Grey ARES has been assisting with the MS Walk in Owen Sound.

Bob Droine, VE3LKD
Grey County EC

=======

Apr. 25 2004   Prescription for Readiness

One of the thrusts of the Brampton/Caledon ARES group over the years has been to pre-equip as many emergency sites as possible with Amateur Radio stations so that only an operator needs to be supplied for complete functionality. Working with local emergency planners in various agencies, eighteen locations were designated as high probability sites. Most have full stations, including TNC’s for packet operation while others, least likely to be used, simply have antennas erected.

Following a formal proposal to the local hospital system to do the same, Amateur Radio stations were installed in all three facilities of the William Osler Health Centre system. As the facilities are located in three separate municipalities, it required the combined efforts of the EC’s in Brampton, Etobicoke and Georgetown to successfully complete the task. Assistance from the Niagara Region, which already has stations in all their hospitals, proved helpful in planning the project.

Local health officials at the hospitals, impressed with the nature of the project, are assisting in expanding the network to the four other hospitals in Peel Region, involving both the Mississauga and Dufferin ARES groups. This should be completed before year end. A similar project is being looked at for Halton Region hospitals.

Vic Henderson  VE3FOX
ARES DEC
Peel & Halton Regions

=======

Apr. 19 2004  Changes to the ARES Ontario HF Nets,

After numerous comments and e-mails concerning the Sunday evening ARES Ontario HF Net on 3.743Mhz at 9:00pm it has been decided by popular vote to move this net to Wednesday evenings at 8:00pm on 3.743mhz. This decision has been made to accommodate many that are unable to attend the Sunday nets. With summer around the corner many are away on the weekends and miss the ARES HF Nets altogether.

The net will also follow the Ontario Phone Net protocol, in the event that conditions on 80 meters are poor we will use an alternate 40-meter frequency of 7.070mhz to 7.080mhz. We will use the first available spot within this portion of the band. The frequency of 7.150mhz is on the edge of the American band so splatter could be an issue at this time of the evening. In addition, the TPN frequency is in use by a group in Northern Ontario and Manitoba. The Sandbox Net uses 7.063.5mhz so a distance must be maintained from these two nets.

These changes will be implemented as of April 19, 2004 and we will conduct our first Wednesday Net on April 21 2004. For a brief time the Sunday evening Net will continue as usual until the transition is complete, the Sunday afternoon net will be maintained in its normal time slot.

These changes may not suite everyone's needs but the consensus is that most will be able to check in on either Sunday or Wednesday.

Any ARES member willing to act as Net Control for the Wednesday evening net is asked to contact the Net Manager.

Full details about the ARES Ontario HF Nets can be found on the web at www.hfradio.net/ares

Best regards,
Jim Taylor VA3KU
ARES Ontario HF Net Manager
va3ku@look.ca

=======

Haliburton Forest Ultra Marathon Sept. 10 & 11 2004

The Minden club needs help to support the runners in a 100 mile, cross country race.  We start our shift work after the runners have been going for twelve straight hours. We keep track of their locations after sundown, and on to the end of the race at noon the next day.  It's a great opportunity to use your equipment, batteries and skill to assist this group in a forest area that has no cell phone or telephone service.

Further information is posted at: www3.sympatico.ca/ghewit/ve3gih/ultramarathon

To volunteer for this great event, or get answers to specific questions, email Len Foster VE3LGF lfos@sympatico.ca

Gord VE3GIH
District Emergency Coordinator Scugog

=========

Apr. 18 2004  ARRL Ad Hoc Commitee preliminary reports on digital communication for ARES/NTS.

The ARESCOM committee mission is to develop a comprehensive program to enhance the current ARES emergency communications capability to include rapid and accurate handling of long range emergency related message traffic.

Full details can be found at: www.hfradio.net/ares/ARESCO.html

(Paul VE3UUM)

=========

Apr. 18 2004  Winlink 2000 for ARES: Frequently Asked Questions

Why the big push for digital communications, anyway?  Full details at: www.hfradio.net/ares/ARES_FAQ1.html

(Paul VE3UUM)

=========

Apr. 21 2004  Ham radio emergency communications symposium planned in Kansas:

A day-long program on Amateur Radio emergency communications will take place Saturday, July 24, 9 AM, at The Salvation Army, 420 E Santa Fe, Olathe, Kansas (15 miles southwest of Kansas City). The day begins with "New Ham Orientation," sponsored by Johnson County, Kansas, Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). This session will provide an overview of ARES and explain how amateurs can get involved. After lunch--which will be provided--the Kansas Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) will sponsor an ARRL Emergency Communications seminar. Geared to all emergency communications volunteers, this four-hour interactive seminar will cover the latest concepts and improvements in Amateur Radio emergency communications, describe the ARRL on-line emergency communications courses, utilize disaster scenarios for group discussions, and offer a self-preparedness examination. Handouts and prizes will be given. Seats are limited. Those planning to attend should contact Dan Miller, K3UFG; k3ufg@arrl.org 860 594-0340 to register. For additional information contact June Jeffers, KB0WEQ, kssatern@att.net 913-856-8674.

(ARRL News Service)

Apr. 28 2004    Evolution of No-Solder CPO Kit Continues

The original ARRL Education and Technology Program (ETP) No-Solder Code Practice Oscillator project continues to evolve. It's now taken the form of a snazzy kit that's ready for some immediate ham radio gratification.

Full Story:  www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/04/28/101/?nc=1

(ARRL News Service)

Contest News
 
 

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

=========

01/05/2004:  The Scarborough Special Events Group commences its 2004 season of special event stations May 1st and 2nd. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Wave Ruler is the fourth Royal Navy ship to be adopted by the resort of Scarborough and GB4RFA will be active on all HF bands, 2 metres and 70 centimetres. A special souvenir QSL card of the ship will be issued to commemorate the occasion. QSL via the bureau or direct to club call G0OOO. [Tnx RSGB News]

01/05/2004:  Members of Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society will be operating GB4WSF at the annual Wray Scarecrow Festival May 1st and 2nd, between 10am and 4pm both days. Activity will be on 80, 40 and 20 meters. Wray was the first village to hold this type of festival and it is always well attended. [Tnx RSGB News]

01/05/2004:  The Dutch national amateur radio society, VERON, celebrates the 75th anniversary of its headquarters station, PI4AA, with the special callsign PI75AA from May 1st to the 16th. It would appear that all staff and retired staff of PI4AA will use the callsign PI75AA from their own stations during this period. [Tnx RSGB News]

01/06/2004:  GB6DD - The 60th Anniversary of D-Day. The special event station will be active from June 1 until June 28, 2004. For further information contact G4OHX - samg4ohx@btopenworld.com . [Tnx F5NQL]

01/06/2004:  GB60OL - The 60th Anniversary of Operation OVERLORD (D-Day 6th June 1944). Tuesday 1st June 2004 to Monday 7th June 2004 inclusive. The station will operate on various bands SSB and CW at 21 Signal Regiment (AS) Colerne during sociable hours and at the discretion of the O/C Training Wing and his staff. PSE QSL via usual Bureaux (RSGB RSARS RNARS RAFARS). For a DIRECT QSL a stamped, addressed return envelope is essential. All stations worked will be sent a special card though it would be appreciated if we were told at the time of the contact if a card is NOT required. For further information contact GW4XKE - johnny-e@ic24.net . [Tnx F5NQL]

03/06/2004:  GB4OL - The 60th Anniversary of Operation OVERLORD (D-Day 6th June 1944). Thursday 3rd June 2004 to Monday 7th June 2004 inclusive. The Station will also be on air from another location between 1st July 2004 and 28th July 2004. The station will operate on various bands SSB and CW at 21 were told at the time of the contact if a card is NOT required. For further information contact GW4XKE - johnny-e@ic24.net [Tnx F5NQL]

06/06/2004:  GB6OL - The 60th Anniversary of OPERATION OVERLORD the invasion of Fortress Europe. The station will operate on all modes, starting June 6th for 4 weeks. Your QSL card will be required beforehand in order to receive the special QSL from this station. PSE QSL via RSARS QSL BUREAU. For further information contact G0SWY - G0swy@aol.com . [Tnx F5NQL]

21/07/2004:  GB6LOG - The 60th Anniversary of the Liberation of Guam. The station will operate on all modes, starting July 21st for 4 weeks. Your QSL card will be required beforehand in order to receive the special QSL from this station. PSE QSL via RSARS QSL BUREAU. For further information contact G0SWY - G0swy@aol.com . [Tnx F5NQL]

25/08/2004:  GB6LOP - The 60th Anniversary of the Liberation of Paris. The station will operate on all modes, starting August 25th for 4 weeks. Your QSL card will be required beforehand in order to receive the special QSL from this station. PSE QSL via RSARS QSL BUREAU. For further information contact G0SWY - G0swy@aol.com . Additionally a special certificate is available on request if you work any of the 5 stations listed above (GB6DD, GB6OL, GB6LOG, GB6LOP, GB60OL and GB4OL). This has mainly been created at the request of several American radio amateurs, but they are available worldwide. If you would like a certificate then, if in UK send 2 x 2nd class stamps or an A5 stamped S.A.E. with 1 x 2nd class stamp, or £1.00; if outside of the United Kingdom then US$1 or AU$1 or Euro$1 with QSL to G0WY, 4 Bluebell Road, Bassett, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 3LQ (and NOT to the QSL Bureau). If you cannot do any of the above a cheque made payable to RSARS for £1 will suffice. The Certificates are basically akin to this and of course tailored to each of the station callsigns. [Tnx F5NQL]

=========

Conway, AR: Faulkner County Amateur Radio Club, W5AUU. 1800Z-2400Z May 1. Toad Suck Daze Festival. 21.350 14.250. Certificate. W5AUU, PO Box 324, Conway, AR 72032.

Toms River, NJ: Holiday City Amateur Radio Club, W2H. May 1-May 15. Commemorating the crash of the Hindenburg Airship at Lakehurst, NJ. Lower General HF bands, 145.170. QSL. Holiday City Amateur Radio Club W2HC, 9 Tahoe Ct, Toms River, NJ 08757.

Homewood, IL: Tri-Town Radio Amateur Club, W9H. 1600Z-2300Z May 2. Homewood Railroad Heritage Day. 28.340 14.270 14.040 7.270 146.49. Certificate. Gene Backlin, 26811 Greenbriar Dr, Monee, IL 60449.

Franconia, NH: Old Man Radio Club, N1H. 1500Z May 2-0100Z May 3. First anniversary of the collapse of New Hampshire's Old Man of the Mountain rock formation. 14.247 7.247. Certificate. Jim Cluett, W1PID, 1241 New Hampton Rd, Sanbornton, NH 03269  www.qsl.net/oldman

Caldwell, NJ: West Essex Amateur Radio Club, W2EF. 1400Z-1900Z May 8. Operating from President Grover Cleveland's Birthplace. 28.350 21.330 14.250 7.250. Certificate. West Essex ARC, PO Box 54, Essex Fells, NJ 07021. www.wearc.org

Wedowee, AL: Calhoun County Amateur Radio Association, WB4GNA. 1300Z-1800Z May 8. The Lake Wedowee Property Owners Association Kids Fishing Day. 444.750 146.555 14.260. Certificate. Randall Landers, 1316 Meadowood Ln, Oxford, AL 36203.

Fairmont, WV: The Mountaineer Amateur Radio Club, W8SP. 0000Z May 8-2400Z May 9. From the International Mother's Day Shrine in Grafton, WV, commemorating the first official observance of Mother's Day. Bottom portion of General 80 40 20 15 m SSB and CW; Novice 10 m SSB. Certificate and QSL. Charles T. McClain, K8UQY, Rte 4 Box 161, Grafton, WV 26354.

Apr. 29 2004   ARLD017 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.

MALDIVES, 8Q.  Tadao, JA1WPX will be QRV as 8Q7WP from May 4 to 9. He plans to be active on 40 to 10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY.  He may also try some 80 meters and PSK31 as well.  QSL to home call.

EAST MALAYSIA, 9M6.  Maurizio, IZ1CRR and others will be active as 9M8PSB from Pulau Satang Besar Island, IOTA OC-165.  He will also participate in the ARI DX contest as 9M8/IZ1CRR.  QSL both calls via IZ1CRR.

TAIWAN, BV.  Chung, BX4AF has been QRV using RTTY on 20 meters around 1700z.  QSL direct.

CHINA, BY.  A Group of BG4 hams from the Jiangsu DX Club will be QRV as BI4Q from Cheniushan Island, IOTA AS-135, from May 1 to 3.  They will be active on 40 to 10 meters using CW and SSB on the usual IOTA frequencies.  QSL via BG4RQP.

MARQUESAS ISLANDS, FO.  A group of amateurs from Japan are QRV as FO0/JI1JKW and FO0/JI1WTF from Hiva Oa, IOTA OC-027, until May 2. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY.  A 6-meter beacon is set up on 50110 kHz.  QSL to home calls.

SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS.  HF0POL has been QRV on 30 meters around 1900 and 2330z.  QSL via SP2GOW.  Meanwhile, Voytek, SP5QF is active as HF0QF from the Henryk Arctowski Base on King George Island.  He is here until the end of 2004.  QSL via SP7IWA.

SOUTH KOREAN, HL.  Look for DS4NYE and another operator to be active using special call sign D70LW from Soack Island, IOTA AS-060, until May 2.  Activity is on all HF bands and modes.  QSL via operators' instructions.

ITALY, I.  Luigi, IV3KAS will be QRV as II3L as a Single Op entry in the ARI DX contest.  QSL to home call.

GUAM, KH2.  Nao, JK1FNL will be QRV as NA8O/KH2 from May 5 to 9. QSL direct to JK1FNL.

SOUTH ORKNEY ISLANDS.  Dr. Martin, LU5DO is on assignment at the Orcadas Base on Laurie Island.  He will be QRV from club station LU1ZA through March 2005.  QSL via LU4DXU.

BULGARIA, LZ.  Special event station LZ04KM will be active on all bands and modes from May 1 to 31 to celebrate St. Cyril and Methodius' Day.  QSL via LZ1BFR.

SLOVAK REPUBLIC, OM.  Zsolt, HA6PS and Laci, HA6NL are QRV as OM/homecall/p from Ruzsina until May 3.  They will participate in the AGCW QRP contest as OM/HA5RT/p and in the ARI DX contest as OM/HA6PS/p.   QSL to home calls.

GREECE, SV.  Mike, GW3UOF will be QRV as SV8/GW3UOF/p from Kavos, Corfu, IOTA EU-052, from May 3 to 17.  QSL to home call.

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS, VP5.  Conny, DL1DA is QRV as VP5/DL1DA until May 9.  Activity is on 40 to 10 meters using CW and RTTY.  QSL to home call.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The New England QSO Party, The 2 GHz and Up World-Wide Club Contest, European Union 2004 Contest, IPA Contest, MARAC County Hunters CW Contest, 10-10 International Spring CW/Digital Contest, AGCW QRP/QRP Party, Microwave Spring Sprint, Indiana QSO Party and the ARI International DX Contest will certainly keep contesters busy this weekend.  The North American Spring Meteor Scatter Rally runs from May 1 to 10.  Please see May QST, pages 98 and 99 and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details.

(W1AW)

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

May 1 2004  425 DX News

3V === Giovanni, I5JHW reports he will participate in the ARI International DX Contest (1-2 May) as either 3V8BB or TS0BB from Tunisia. QSL  for this operation via I5JHW.

BY === A group of operators from the Jiangsu DX Club will be active as BI4Q from Cheniu Shan Island (AS-135) on  1-3 May. They will operate  SSB and CW on  10-40 metres  with yagis  and power  amplifiers. QSL  via BG4RQP. [TNX BD5RV]

BY === Harry, OH6YF is in Beijing, China and says he will try to be back on the air next week. Last weekend he operated from BY1PK.

CX === The Centro Radioaficionados de Rocha (Uruguay), CX1TA will operate from the lighthouse at Cape Polonio (ARLHS URU-05) from 30 April to 2 May. QSL via CX1TA. [TNX CX2TG]

EI === Daniel, EJ9FHB will be active from Inishtrahull  Island (EU-121) starting on 2 May for one week. [TNX DL8AAM]

FO === Yves, F6CTL will be touring French Polynesia in May and plans to operate (on 10-40  metres with a vertical and long wires) from a number of atolls in three different island groups. [TNX La Gazette du DX]

HL === DS4NYE and others will operate as D70LW from Soak Island (AS-060) from 30 April to 2 May. QSL route TBA. [TNX JI6KVR]

I === IZ8CCW and others will participate in the ARI International DX Contest as IQ8CS. QSL via bureau or direct to IZ8BGY. [TNX IZ8CCW]

JA === Takeshi, JI3DST will operate as JI3DST/6 from Miyako Island (AS-079) [425DXN 677] until around 00 UTC on 9  May. Look for him on 17, 15, 12, 10 and 6 metres SSB,  RTTY and SSTV, plus some CW (on request) and FM on 10, 6 and 2 metres. QSL via home call, preferably through the JARL bureau. [TNX JI3DST]

JA === Look for Taka, JR3TVH/6 and his wife Natsu, JJ3NAW/6 to operate from Miyako Island (AS-079, JIIA-079-005) from around 7 UTC on 29 April to around 00 UTC on 3 May. They plan to be active on 160-6 metres (beacon on 50135 kHz) CW, SSB and digital modes. QSL via home calls, direct or bureau. [TNX JR3TVH]

KH2 === Nao, JK1FNL will be active as NA8O/KH2 from Guam (OC-026) on 5-9 May. QSL via JK1FNL. [TNX JJ1BDX]

OY === Kevin, ON5DRE and Erwin, ON4QJ will be active from the Faroe Islands (EU-018) on 3-13 May. They plan to operate on 160-2 metres, with an emphasis on 80, 40, 17 and 2m. [TNX ON5DRE]

SP === Special event station HF3UE will be active on 80-2 metres all modes on 1-16 May  to celebrate the accession of Poland to the European Union. QSL via  SP3RNZ (Greg  Dobrychlop, P.O.Box  85, 62510  Konin, Poland). [TNX SP3RNZ]

SV === Mike, GW3UOF plans to operate as SV8/GW3UOF from Corfu Island (EU-052) on 3-17 May. [TNX The Daily DX]

SV === SV1JCZ, SV1GE, SV1RP, SV2BFN, SV2DGH, SV2DXA and SV2FWV will operate as SY8DX from Amoliani Island (EU-174) on 19-26 May. QSL via SV2DGH. Further information at http://www.qsl.net/sv2dgh/sy8dx [TNX SV2DGH]

TA === Look for TA1ED/0 and TA3FB/0 to operate from Karaada (AS-098) on 14-16 May. They plan to be active on 10-80 metres SSB. QSL via  home calls, direct or bureau. [TNX TA1ED]

UR === Special call EO59QWW wil be aired on all bands from Ukraie on 5-9 May to celebrate the 59th anniversary  of the end of WWII. QSL via UY5ZZ (Vladimir  F. Latyshenko,  P.O.  Box 4850,  Zaporozhye  69118, Ukraine). [TNX UY5ZZ]

V3 === Beto/CX3AN, Mario/CX4CR and Carlos/LU2NI will be active from Belize on 4-14  May. They  plan to  operate on  160-6  metres SSB, CW and possibly digital modes. An effort will be made to operate from one of the islands in the NA-180 IOTA group. Callsign(s) not announced, but QSL via LU2NI. [TNX LU2NI]

VE === Len, VE9MY and Linda, VE9GLF plan to operate mobile from some of the Quebec CISA islands in the Montreal area for for two weeks starting on 2 May. QSL via home calls.direct or bureau [TNX www.islandchaser.com]

VQ9 === Larry, VQ9LA will leave Diego Garcia (AF-006) in December. He will go on vacation in June-July, but starting in August he will really try and make a lot of contacts on the lower bands for everyone to put VQ9 in their logs". He plans to operate on 30-160 metres CW and SSB.QSL route at www.qrz.com [TNX G4IUF]

W === Look for K6AA/P to be aired from Catalina Island (NA-066) from 3 UTC on 8 May until 13 UTC on the 10th. Eight operators with three stations will be active on 10-80 metres mostly SSB with some CW and digital modes. QSL via K6AA's address given at www.qrz.com [TNX  The Daily DX]

XU === Jaak, ES1FB and Oleg, ES1RA will operate as XU7ACE (QSL via ES1FB) and XU7ARA (QSL via ES1RA) from  Cambodia on 7-19 May. They plan to go on a two-day side trip to Koh Pos (AS-133) and be active as XU7ACV (QSL via ES1FB). [TNX NG3K]

Good to Know

425DXN CLUSTER === The  425 DX News PacketCluster  425ZNW can be reached at http://www.ari-r1.it   (web interface IK1ZNW-6  or IK1ZNW-9) or through telnet://dx.ik1znw.org:8000

EUROPEAN UNION SP AWARD === Sponsored by the Polski Zwiazek Krotkofalowcow (PZK), this award is available to either licenced amateurs and SWLs for confirmed QSOs made on or after 1 January 2004 with stations located in the 25 European Union member states. For further information please contact the Awards Manager PZK, SP6BOW (sp6bow@poczta.onet.pl)

LIGHTHOUSES === Alfredo, IK7JWX provides the list of lighthouses he has operated from so far in 2004 (QSL via home call, direct or bureau):
Day/Month  Call           Lighthouse               WAIL   ARLHS
-----------------------------------------------------------------
3/1      IR7LH/p    Monumento al Marinaio d'Italia PU-008 ITA-107
3/1      IR7LH/p    Brindisi/Casale                PU-015 ITA-069
4/1      IR7LH/p    Punta Torre Canne              PU-009 ITA-150
17/1     IR7LH/p    Capo Santa Maria di Leuca      PU-004 ITA-039
14/2     IR7LH/p    Capo San Vito                  PU-001 ITA-040
14/2     IR7LH/p    Porto Industriale Interno      PU-002 ITA-117
29/2     IR7LH/p    Diga di Forte a Mare           -      ITA-187
20/3     IR7LH/p    Porto Cesareo Rear             -      ITA-238
3/4      IR7LH/p    La Punta Crauli (Otranto)      -      ITA-264
4/4      IR7LH/p    Diga di Cista Morena           -      ITA-188
10/4     IR7LH/p    Molo San Nicola (Otranto)      -      ITA-265
11/4     IQ7AF/p    Punta San Cataldo di Lecce     PU-007 ITA-142
24-25/4  IR7LH/p    Torre San Giovanni (Ugento)    PU-003 ITA-171

QSL 8J1RL === The cards for contacts made with Syowa Station on East Ongul Island (AN-015) between February 2004 and  January 2005 will be forwarded to JARL Bureau in April 2005 after the operators return to Japan. Logs can be found at  http://www.jarl.or.jp/English/4_Library/A-4-7_8j1rl/frame.htm  [TNX 8J1RL]

QSL 9M8PSB === Please note that there is change in the QSL route for the current 9M8PSB operation from Satang Besar (OC-165) [425DXN 676]. The new QSL manager will be IZ1CRR, either direct (Maurizio Bertolino, P.O. Box 2, 12022
Busca - CN, Italy) or through the bureau. [TNX IZ1CRR]

QSL VIA S57DX === Slavko reports that direct requests for YI/S57CQ, YI9T and A52CQ are processed the same day he receives them. At  all events, all  QSOs are being confirmed through the bureau.

QSL VIA  SM1TDE === Cards for 5H3/SM1TDE and HN0Z are being printed and incoming cards will be replied to as soon as possible. QSL requests for YI9ZF are processed the same day Eric receives them.  The first batch of bureau cards were mailed a few days ago. [TNX SM1TDE]

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

May 01 - 07 2004   I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O.

01/05/2004:  Walter, DL3LBP, will be QRV May 1st to 21st as 3B8/DL3LBP from Flic en Flac, Mauritius (IOTA AF-049, Grid Loc. LG89). Look for activity on 40 through 10 meter SSB, CW and RTTY. QSL via homecall. [Tnx 425DXN]

01/05/2004:  A Group of BG4 hams from the Jiangsu DX Club will be QRV as BI4Q from Cheniushan Island, IOTA AS-135, from May 1st to 3rd. They will be active on 40 to 10 meters using CW and SSB on the usual IOTA frequencies. QSL via BG4RQP. [Tnx ARRL DX news]

01/05/2004:  Francois, F5JNE and Maurice, F5IYU will be QRV May 1st as F5JNE/p from the castle of Pancy Courtecon (DFCF 02022, Canton Laon: 0212, Department: Aisne/02, Province: Picardie), near the town of Chamouille. Activity will be on 40 meter CW and SSB, starting around 06:30 UTC. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx F5NQL]

01/05/2004:  Jim, MM0BQI, plans an IOTA expedition to the uninhabited Treshnish Islands off the west coast of Scotland is scheduled for the first week in May, 2004. He will operate as MM0BQI/P from the island of Lunga (IOTA EU-108, IOSA NH17, SCOTIA DI09), the largest in the Treshnish group. Activity will be on all bands 80-6m, SSB, CW, RTTY using IC706g and IC7400 transceivers. Antennas will be Butternut verticals and wire dipoles. QSL via the bureau or direct to Jim Martin, MM0BQI, 3 Lismore Avenue, Edinburgh, EH8 7DW, SCOTLAND. All surplus money from direct QSLs will be donated to the Hebridean Trust, who own and work to preserve the islands and whose permission to land and operate is gratefully acknowledged. [Tnx MM0BQI]

01/05/2004:  Look for Len VE9MY and Linda VE9GLF to be operating /VE2 for the first two weeks of May. They plan to activate some of the islands around Montreal. The islands they are looking at are Ile Sainte Helene / Expo (CIsA QC-011), Ile Notre-Dame (CIsA QC-031), Ile des Soeurs / Nuns island (CIsA QC-023), Ile Charron (CIsA QC-048), Ile Jesus - Laval (CIsA QC-014) and Ile de Montreal (CIsA QC-008). They will operate on the usual IOTA frequency (14260 kHz +/-) and also 40 meters for those too close to work them on 20 meters. QSL via home calls. [Tnx VE3TPZ]

01/05/2004  The Peconic ARC (W2AMC, ARLHS member #333) will activate Cedar Island Lighthouse (ARLHS reference USA-147) as part of Suffolk County Lighthouse Day on Saturday, May 1st. Operations will be from 13:00 to 20:00 UTC on the usual ARLHS frequencies on the 20 and 40 meter bands, plus 6 meters. This activation also counts for IOTA NA-026 and USI NY-003S. Send SASE for QSL certificate to PARC, PO Box 113, Peconic, NY  11958. Information, along with a photo of the lighthouse, can be found at http://www.cr.nps.gov/maritime/light/cedarisl.htm . [Tnx WM2Z]

02/05/2004:  Daniel, EJ9FHB, will be out on Inishtrahull Co. Donegal Lighthouse (ARLHS reference IRE-045) from Sunday May 2nd to 9th. He will be at the lighthouse doing work on the lighthouse. He will be QRV around 19:00 UTC for a hour or two. Keep a listen out for him. He also has a few more trips to other lighthouses to do work on over the summer. [Tnx
EI9HQ]

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]

02/05/2004:  Look for Hiroaki, JK1FNN/6, and his wife Mie, 7L1MKM/6, to be QRV May 2nd to 4th from Ishigaki Island (AS-024). Activity will be on 40 through 10 meter CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via JK1FNN. [Tnx 425DXN]

02/05/2004:  Operators Taka/JO2JDJ and Hide/JM1LJS (JD1BLK) will be active May 2nd to 5th as as homecall/JD1 from Ogasawara (AS-031). Activity will be on 40-10 meters CW/SSB. Their equipment is an IC-756 and FT-100D plus VL-1000 amp. However, their operation is limited to 50 watts by Japan law. Antennas are: 2 element HB9CV (20-10m), 30m dipole and a 40m full size ground plane. QSL via their home callsign (or QSL JD1BLK via JM1LJS). [Tnx OPDX]

02/05/2004:  Bill, WB5ZAM, plans a very low key DXpedition to St. Lucia (NA-108) from May 2nd to 16th. He will use the callsign J69/WB5ZAM. Activity will be mainly VHF/UHF between the islands, with some HF activity from one of the local ham stations. This is a real vacation and operating on the side. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx OPDX]

03/05/2004:  Kevin/ON5DRE and Erwin/ON4QJ are expected to be active from the Faroe Islands (EU-018) between May 3rd and 13th. Callsign will be announced at a later date. Activity will be on 160-2 meters. However, they will be mostly active on 80, 40, 17 and 2 meters. Also, if AO-40 survives and gets fixed by then, they will also be active on it. For 2 meters, they will be active on phone as well as some digital modes to compromise the somewhat low power. [Tnx OPDX]

03/05/2004:  Mike, GW3UOF, will be QRV May 3rd to 17th as SV8/GW3UOF/P from Kavos, Corfu Island (EU-052). Activity will be on CW, SSB and Digimodes. QSL via GW3UOF - address OK at QRZ.com. [Tnx OPDX]

03/05/2004:  Bill, VK4FW/p, plans to be QRV May 3rd to 6th from Cumberland Island (OC-160). QSL via home call (Bill Horner, PO Box 513, Nambour, 4560, Australia), direct with SAE + IRC / GS. [Tnx VK4FW]

04/05/2004:  Tadao, JA1WPX, will be QRV May 4th to 9th as 8Q7WP from the Maldives (AS-013). He plans to operate on 10-40 metres SSB, CW and RTTY (if possible also on 80m and PSK31). QSL via home call, either direct (with 1 new IRC or 2 USD) or through the bureau (provided that he gets them in time, as he says that his last batch of cards will be sent to the JARL outgoing bureau in December 2005). [Tnx 425DXN]

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]

04/05/2004:  Nao, JK1FNL will be QRV May 5th to 9th as NA8O/KH2 from Guam (IOTA OC-026). QSL direct to JK1FNL. [Tnx ARRL DX news]

07/05/2004:  Jaak (ES1FB) and Oleg (ES1RA) will be active from Cambodia as XU7ACE and XU7ARA, respectively, from May 7th to 19th. An IOTA operation is also planned from Koh Pas (AS-133) using the callsign XU7ACV. QSL via their home calls (Bureau is OK). QSL XU7ACV via ES1FB CBA. XU7ACE will also be on the LoTW. [Tnx OPDX]

LOOKING AHEAD

07/05/2004:  Jaak, XU7ACV/ES1FB reports that he will be back in Cambodia once again starting May 7, 2004. If the weather is good, they plan to activate Koh Pos Island (AS-133) for 2 days. They will use the call XU7ACV on the island. The operators will be XU7ACE (ES1FB) and XU7ARA (ES1RA). QSL XU7ACV via ES1FB CBA. [Tnx XU7ACV/ES1FB]

12/09/2004:  Dave, AH6HY, reports that he will be QRV September 23rd to October 2nd as VP5/AH6HY from Salt Cay in the Turks Islands (IOTA NA-003). Activity will be on 40 through 10 meters, SSB only. QSL via home call, direct or via bureau. [Tnx AH6HY]

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

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

THE 2004 SIX METER MARATHON

The Rientola Radio Amateur Club, operators of station OH3AG is inviting hams world wide to participate into the first Global Six Meter  Marathon.  The objective of the contest is to work as many DXCC countries as possible between May 8th at 0000 UTC and August 8th at 2400 UTC, doing so on six meters band. The results of this contest will be published during Tampere Six Meters Forum on August 14th when the Magic Band enthusiasts abroad will meet.

For more information:  www.50mc.tk

(RSGB)

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

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

Apr. 29 2004   NTIA Study Documents Radio Interference from BPL

The first phase of a long-awaited broadband over power line (BPL) study the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released this week suggests it's possible to accommodate BPL technology while managing the interference risk.

Full Story: www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/04/29/1/?nc=1

=========

Apr. 27 2004   ARRL Calls on White House to Withdraw Support for BPL

The ARRL has appealed to President George W. Bush to withdraw his support for broadband over power line (BPL) technology and focus his administration's attention on "more suitable technologies" such as wireless broadband access. The League also has issued a call for members to support Haynie's request.

Full Story:  www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/04/27/1/?nc=1

=========

Apr. 27 2004    Hamvention to combine awards presentation, prize drawings.

Dayton Hamvention 2004 will cap three days of activities Friday through Sunday, May 14-16, with a combined awards presentation and prize drawing Sunday afternoon as Hamvention draws to a close. This is a change from past years, when awards presentations were held in conjunction with a Saturday evening banquet, now discontinued. The 2004 Hamvention awards ceremony/prize drawing activities will take place in the 7000+-seat main arena at the Hara Arena complex Sunday at 1 PM. This year's award winners include ARRL President Emeritus George S. Wilson III, W4OYI, who is the recipient of Hamvention's 2004 Special Achievement Award. Hamvention's awards committee cited Wilson for his decades of service to Amateur Radio through the ARRL, his public service and emergency communications work and his determination to overcome the debilitating effects of a 1995 stroke. Honored with Hamvention 2004’s top award--Amateur of the Year--is Dave Kopacz, KY1V/VP5X. An ARRL member, Kopacz created and funded a program that gives young hams an opportunity each year to win an expenses-paid DXpedition trip. Receiving Hamvention's 2004 Technical Excellence Award is Barry Sanderson, KB9VAK, recognized for developing the RDFT multi-channel, multiphase slow-scan television modulation scheme. Drawings for the winners of remaining unclaimed hourly prizes and the grand prize will follow the awards presentations. Touted as “the world's largest amateur radio gathering and trade show,” the gathering also has returned to its traditional name of “Dayton Hamvention,” the sponsoring Dayton Amateur Radio Association announced this week. The “Dayton” was dropped from the Hamvention name a couple of years ago, although many amateurs long have referred to the event simply as “Dayton.” The 53rd Hamvention takes place at Hara Arena in Trotwood, Ohio, a Dayton suburb. The theme of this year’s show is “The Year of the Contact.” For more information, visit the Hamvention Web site: www.hamvention.org

(ARRL News Service)

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