May 7 2004   IARU presents Amateur Radio Administration Course in Iran

In response to an invitation from the administration of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Fred Johnson, ZL2AMJ, representing International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 3, and Daniel Lamoureux, VE2KA, representing the IARU International Secretariat, visited Iran to present a three-day Amateur Radio Administration Course April 26-28.

Since the early 1980s this course has been conducted by IARU in various forms all over the world, including at ARRL Headquarters and in response to invitations from administrations to train regulators and prospective regulators in the administering of the Amateur and Amateur Satellite services. Related objectives include managing disaster relief communications and organizing an Amateur Radio society.

The course in Tehran was arranged by the Directorate General of Telecommunications. Presentations included PowerPoint displays prepared by the IARU. Each of the 16 participants received printed copies of the displays and many other documents, plus two CD-ROMs containing information about Amateur Radio. The two IARU visitors spoke with many radio amateurs in Tehran, some of whom attended the course.

The course participants visited EP3PTT, a station established on the Ministry's premises in Tehran. The equipment in this station was received by Iran from the IARU Region 3 Stars*** program. It may be operated by licensed Iranian operators by arrangement. There have been Amateur Radio societies in Iran in the past, but there has not been an IARU member-society.

An Amateur Radio club--a social meeting group--now meets in Tehran. Johnson and Lamoreaux described the course as a memorable experience and said they'd been very warmly received. Contact between IARU and the amateurs and the administration of Iran will continue, and further Amateur Radio information is to be provided.

(IARU)

========

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)

==========

May 29 2004  Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day

Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day will be held world-wide on Saturday, May 29th from approximately 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central U-S time.  According to Emery McClendon, KB9IBW, this will be a day-long operation to talk to troops, and associated groups around the globe in appreciation of their service and personal sacrifice.

The main operating location will be from Johnny Appleseed Park and Wizards Memorial Stadium in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, using Emery's KB9IBW call sign.  That station will be on from about 4 p.m. Central Daylight Time through the end of the Wizards game.

Planners say that they know of at least 25 military bases and club stations that will be operating the event.  This includes stations in Iraq, Kuwait, and bases around the globe.  More information on this event visit:  www.fortwayneradioclub.org

(KB9IBW)

==========

May 7 2004  New Radio Rules in Kenya

Visiting hams now have a way to get on the air from Kenya.  Ted Alleyne, 5Z4NU, the Chairman and Secretary of the Amateur Radio Society of Kenya says that that the Communications Commission of Kenya announced on April a new and more relaxed policy towards amateur radio licensing.

Until now it was "practically impossible" for most visitors to obtain an amateur radio license in Kenya.  The previous stumbling blocks for reciprocal agreements, Security and Police vetting, have been dropped entirely.  However, applicants' countries must have diplomatic relations with Kenya and 5Z4NU says that the ARSK will be happy to supply the new license application forms.

(GB2RS)

==========

May 7 2004   XL To UA On 137 KHZ

Hams in New Zealand and Asiatic Russia have claimed a new world low- frequency distance record.  ZM2E at Quartz Hill near Wellington and UA0LE near Vladivostok say that they completed a two-way contact the  night of the 20th of March on 137.70kHz. The path length is estimated to be 10,311 kilometers or 6392 miles.

(Q-News, GB2RS)

May 7 2004  QRP-Canada web site moved and improved

After several years of operation on donated space on the RAC server, the QRP-Canada web site has moved. At the same time, Jim Theissen VA3KV has taken over from Ken VE3PU as webmaster, freeing up more of Ken's time to work on IARU matters. The following was contained in a message from Bruce Rattray VE5QRP, on the QRP-Can reflector.

"It's with extreme pleasure that I announce that the NEW QRP-CANADA Web site is on line and 'open for business'!!...Jim, VA3KV, our new webmaster has done an exemplary job of creating the new look and making lots of information available...go to www.qrp-canada.com and have a look at the web site of "The small list with the big heart.".

(Thanks to Bruce Rattray VE5QRP, and QRP-Canada)

(RAC News Service)

========

May 2 2004  RAC volunteers deal with temporary server problems

The failure of a fan in the RAC server sometime last week was followed by overheating and  failure of the main hard drive, taking the RAC web site off the air for a while last weekend. Volunteers Manfred Kahle VA3MWK and Rene Kahle VA3XK quickly donated replacement hardware and installed it, getting the web site up and running again in record time.

For the moment, the storage capacity is lower than what was previously available, so that there may be a delay in posting large files, such as the latest list of accredited examiners.

RAC owes a large debt of gratitude to the Kahle family who have continuously donated support for the RAC web site since it was first set up in 1996.

(VE3PU)

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

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 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

=======

May 30 2004   Hamfest du Québec 2004, 22ième édition

Sponsored by:  Club radio amateur Sorel-Tracy Inc
Location:  Au Curling Aurèle Racine et au Centre culturel de Sorel-Tracy, Place du Centre Civique, sortie 181 autoroute 30
Opens:  Vendeurs 06.30hres Visiteurs 09.00hres
Cost:  Entrée $5.00 tables $15.00 intérieur $7.00 extérieur
Talkin:  VE2RBS 145.370- tone 103.5
Notes:  Démonstration APRS, Forces Armées Canadiennes, Expositions de radios anciens
Full Details: www.ve2cbs.qc.ca

=======

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 2 2004  Information on the Goring Repeater

Firstly I am Jon VA3RQ (formerly known as VE3XCN). I, along with Jim VE3WA, and Rick VE3RNK, am one of the people that set up the MBR repeater in Goring.

Originally the repeater was located in Carlisle on 147.105 MHz and the call was VE3WIK. 5 Years prior to this,  it was located in Hamilton on the Escarpment on 147.105. The original call was VE3MBR for "Mountain Brow Repeater". Now the machine has the old call sign again for "Mighty Bruce Repeater" and seems to live up to it! Hi HI!

When the site in Goring became available we moved the machine up there. This was done for several reasons:

1)  We wanted to see what the coverage of the site was like in Goring.

2) We had an on going cochannel problem with a repeater in the US so we moved everything to Goring some 80 miles north of Carlisle. We also had and interference problem on 147.105 at Carlisle so we couldn't use the receive pre amp. This kinda made the repeater deaf as far as repeater coverage goes. At the time the 147.105 machine was not not used very much.

3) Jim indicated that there was a real lack of coverage up north so we wanted to set this one up to provide this service.

4) There was a local frequency in the Hamilton area that was not in use for some 5 years. This channel has hardly any repeaters listed as cochannel. So we took over the frequency of 146.715 (-) with a tone of 131.8 Hz. to replace the 147.105 machine that WAS in Carlisle. We had this repeater on the air at Carilsle a week after we moved the
147.105 to Goring.

It seem to be a good fit to relocate 105  to Goring and switch to 146.715 at Carlisle. Now the 105 machine has great coverage and gets used all the time and now. We also have great coverage on 6.715 in Carlisle. We can now use the receive pre amp and it works great! We have fantastic coverage between the two machines. Now we intend to link the two repeaters to extend coverage between the north and south. So that's the Story about the 105 mach

We are happy to have the machine used and it seems that it has been well received. Feel free to use it for ARES and Canwarn. Its there to be used! have fun.

We will be listening in on the net tonight via Bob's RWZ Echo link on 105 and Al's AXF link to WIK in Carlisle.

73's and Cheers!
Jon VA3RQ

=======

May 8 2004  The ARES Ontario Section Leadership Team,

Had the opportunity to mark the 2004 Emergency Preparedness Week with a visit and meeting at the EMO Provincial Operations Centre.

Maureen Griffiths - Assistant Chief, Response and Recovery; and Tom Kontra - Operations Supervisor; acted as hosts for the afternoon event.  Members of their staff attended portions of the meeting as appropriate to their specific functions.

During the afternoon items of interest included relationship building, ARES structure, roles and capabilities, Digital communications, ARES Operations, Community Liaison and Training issues.  A draft Memorandum of Understanding was presented to the ARES team from the EMO for review and input over the next few months.  The meeting was concluded with an EMO presentation, a tour of the Operations Centre and the ARES Communications room.

The ARES team is grateful for the cordial reception and opportunity afforded to them and to ARES Ontario by the Emergency Management Operations.

73
Michael Moreau
VA3LKI / VE3LKI
Ontario Section Assistant Manager
ve3lki@look.ca / ve3lki@rac.ca
www.qsl.net/ve3lki/aresdec.html
Packet BBS - VE3FJB.#CON.ON.CAN.NOAM

=======

May 30  2004   Amherstburg Hamfest

Sponsored by:  The Amherstburg Radio Club
Location: Amherstburg Recreation & Cultural Center corner of Victoria & Richmond St. next to Amherstburg Arena
Opens: Vendors 7:30 am, Public 9 am to 1:30 pm
Admission:  Free, Tables $5.00
Talkin:  VE3EXT 145.290 (-) & 146520 simplex
More info:  Carey Collard at 519-736-7694  or VE3CFQ  va3trl@rac.ca

======

Jun. 5-6 2004  Amherstburg Radio Club Special Event Station

The Amherstburg Radio Club will be on the air 1600z Jun 5 -2359 Jun 6 , from Windsor Ontario commemorating CKLW radio station on the air since 1932. Frequencies 28.460  14.260  7.160   Certificate.

Terry Greenwood  VE3TMG
2210 Janette Ave. Windsor, ON. N8X 1Z8
 

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

May 7  , 2004 Tad Cook K7RA Solar Update

Thanks to Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA for writing last week's propagation forecast bulletin.

Your regular author was without power or other overhead utilities from Tuesday through Saturday after a localized squall in the city took down a large tree. This yanked out the electrical service mast, and all that plus the breaker panel had to be upgraded. Urban camping for several days made us really appreciate cheap, plentiful electric power.

Carl mentioned last week that the solar cycle continues to decline. Average daily sunspot and solar flux further dropped from last week to this week, with average daily sunspot numbers down by nearly 5 points. Average sunspot numbers for the past two weeks were 52.7 and 48.1. Compare this with the last week in April and first week in May in 2003, when average daily sunspot numbers were 185.1 and 146. However, three years from now the cycle should begin to turn up again. Of course, at that time (Spring 2007), sunspot counts at the bottom of the cycle will be much lower than now.

For the short term we can expect quiet geomagnetic conditions, good for HF propagation. Daily solar flux values are expected to stay below 100 until around May 18. Geomagnetic conditions should stay quiet until May 20. Currently there are two small sunspots facing earth, and helioseismic holography reveals no substantial sunspots on the sun's far side.

Quiet conditions seem favorable for this weekend's CQ-M International DX Contest, although scant sunspots will likely make 20 meters the best overall band for worldwide DX, with less long distance propagation on 15 meters.

For more information concerning propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the ARRL Technical Information Service propagation page at: www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html

If you use Scott Craig's Solar Data Plotting Utility, you'll need to edit this bulletin into two versions for automatic insertion of data. Just make one version with last week's numbers, and the other file with this week's, so you don't confuse the software.

Sunspot numbers for April 22 through 28 were 90, 63, 64, 45, 47, 28 and 32 with a mean of 52.7. 10.7 cm flux was 117.1, 115.3, 111.6, 107.1, 99.6, 95.1 and 89.5, with a mean of 105. Estimated planetary A indices were 4, 20, 11, 12, 7, 5 and 8, with a mean of 9.6. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 5, 34, 17, 17, 5, 2 and 7, with a mean of 12.4.

Sunspot numbers for April 29 through May 5 were 25, 46, 65, 41, 50, 63 and 47 with a mean of 48.1. 10.7 cm flux was 88.5, 89.4, 94.2, 97.5, 91.3, 87.4 and 88.5, with a mean of 91. Estimated planetary A indices were 4, 12, 13, 6, 7, 10 and 13, with a mean of 9.3. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 3, 9, 8, 4, 6, 6 and 12, with a mean of 6.9.

(W1AW)

Europe

May  9  2004  The GB2RS Propagation Update

Flare activity has varied between low and very low, with only a handful of the smaller C-class flares. The solar flux crept up from 89 to 98 but receded again to 85 by the 7th, averaging 89. That compares with 97 the previous week. The 90-day average was one point down at 106. Such figures are depressing enough but there is of course worse to come. By the time we reach solar minimum in a couple of years the flux will frequently be down around 70 or the upper 60s. The X-ray flux was B2.4 on the 2nd. It recovered to A6 on the 4th and then retreated to A6.1 on the 7th. The geomagnetic field was for the most part rather quieter than expected, with the Ap index in single figures on several days. However, it was more active on the 7th, when it reached 17 units, continuing unsettled into to the 8th. Solar wind speeds declined from 744km/sec on the 1st to 314km/sec on the 2nd, increasing again to 564km/sec on the 7th.

Rather flat summer conditions are now increasingly evident on the HF bands, although there were surprise moments, such as a morning opening to Western Australia on 28MHz. Sporadic-E, though still occasional, was more evident, with a particularly good opening to southern Europe and Poland on the 6th. There have so far been no reports of 144MHz openings from the UK.

Finally, the forecast. Flare activity should continue at low levels, with only C-class flares taking place - though we cannot completely exclude the possibility of an occasional larger M-class flare. The solar flux should recover slightly, possibly reaching 100 by next weekend. The geomagnetic field should be mainly 'quiet' or 'slightly unsettled', though it may be rather more unsettled on the 10th, under the influence of a high-speed coronal stream. Just as there is a solar cycle of roughly 11 years, there is a geomagnetic cycle of similar length. This typically peaks 2 to 3 years after sunspot maximum. There are signs that we have now passed that peak, which appears to have occurred in August 2003. The monthly smoothed average reached 22.4 Ap units. However, although lower levels of geomagnetic activity are likely to be the norm over the next few years, major storms may still occur even then. So mid-latitude VHF auroras will still happen from time to time.

MUFs at equal latitudes during the coming week will be around 23MHz in the south and 20MHz in the north. Darkness hour lows should be about 12MHz. Sporadic-E propagation cannot be specifically predicted but openings should become stronger and more frequent.

Your reporters were as usual Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

May 7 2004  Scientist to be next Space Tourist

The next space tourist plans to spend his time on-orbit studying environmental issues. Gregory Olsen, the founder of Sensors Unlimited Inc. in Princeton, New Jersey says that he plans to bring along infrared sensors, which detect varying levels of heat, to analyze pollution in the Earth's atmosphere and the health of agricultural systems on the ground.

Olsen told a recent news conference that he hopes to inspire young people with his mission, and wants to arrange a video teleconference with Trenton High School in New Jersey and a school at the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana.

The 58-year-old Olsen has hired Space Adventures to get him to the I-S-S.  This is the same company that brokered the first space tourist trip of millionaire Dennis Tito's flight aboard a Russian spacecraft in 2001.  Olson's eight-day voyage to Earth orbit is currently scheduled for April of 2005. As with all past space station visitors, Olson is expected to be trained in Amateur Radio and operation of the ham gear aboard the I-S-S as well.

(Published reports)

=========

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

=======

May 2 2004  Grey County ARES Net Update

The Grey County ARES net was held, for the first time, on our new repeater, VE3MBR, in Goring (147.105 [+] PL 131.8). The results were better than we expected. Normally we have a core group of amateurs who check into the net each week, consisting of our county EC, three AEC's, our Official Bulletin Station and our NTS representative. Tonight we had a total of eleven checkins, including one from Wasaga Beach, with two pieces of traffic no less, along with several checkins from the Hamilton area. We wish to extend our sincere appreciation to the group of dedicated hams who firstly, provided us with the machine and secondly, got the Echolink up and running virtually flawlessly. One small problem cropped up, resulting in cycling of the repeater, but that will be rectified in short order. Next week the net will be on our regular repeater, VA3CAX (145.290 [-] PL 156.7).

In addition, the regular monthly meeting of the Grey County ARES group will be held on Thursday, May 13th, 2004, in the Grey Gables Retirement Home in Markdale. One of the topics sure to be discussed will be the possibility of operating our weekly net on a "rotating repeater" basis, now that we have 3 repeaters available to us. The third machine is VA3ROG (145.370 [-] PL 156.7 optional).

Lastly, a little tidbit of information out of the Collingwood area. Larry, VE3SPQ, checked into the net this evening, and reported that the CERTS (Collingwood Elective Radio Teaching School) group in Collingwood has a new repeater up and in the testing stages. This machine is being tested on 145.250 but will be moved to its permanent home on 145.390 when all the bugs are ironed out. When more information is available, I will forward same to you.

Glenn Killam,
VE3GNA - OBS

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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

=========

May 7 2004  Near Vertical Incidence Skywave Antenna's for ARES HF Operations

I'm an amateur radio operator who is very active in public service communications, including Navy MARS, SHARES, Skywarn, RACES, etc. Our primary interest isn't DX when it comes to high frequency communication but rather providing reliable coverage over an area of  400-600 miles. Many such amateurs use "NVIS" or Near Vertical Incidence Skywave"
antennas for these operations. The antennas favor high angle radiation, as opposed to low angle. They virtually eliminate the "skip zone" and provide very reliable communication over short distances.

They are also very quiet antennas. After erecting an 80 meter dipole at about twelve feet in height for MARS work, I've started trying it on AM too.

The antenna has so far produced some very interesting listening. Comparing it to active whips, my "flattop vertical" and two "BOG's"  find reception on the antenna to be very different. Often another station will be louder on a regional or GY frequency.

Using it to phase against the other low angle antennas has also produced interesting results. In some cases, it will completely null a pest such as WSM 650 in Nashville -- which has resisted virtually all attempts to do so.

For those interested, there are some good web sites, and at least one book on the subject, which I purchased recently...it's called "Near Vertical Incident Skywave" by Ed Farmer.

I'm very interested in hearing of others who have tried similar antennas on MW.

www.qsl.net/k5eph/nvis.htm
www.tactical-link.com/nvis_discussion_page.htm

(Les Rayburn, N1LF, Birmingham AL, NRC-AM via DXLD)

=========

May 7 2004  Legalizing Amber Alerts on the Ham Bands

Hams worried that they might get into trouble if they relay lost child or AMBER alerts on the air may soon have regulatory relief.  This as wording in an omnibus 71-page, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on a variety of ham radio issues issued in mid-April tackles the problem had on.

One of the proposals in the April 15th NPRM proposes to - and we quote:  "clarify that amateur stations may at all times and on all channels make transmissions which may be instrumental in saving human life and property."  In other words, if enacted as proposed, retransmitting AMBER Alerts and just about any other type of live saving communications would become legal under Federal law. The proposal is part of FCC WT Docket 04-140.  The  Comment deadline is June 15th.

(CQ)

May 7 2004  Propagation Studies Website Updated

Volker Grassmann, DF5AI, says over the VHF Reflector that he recently updated his  "Amateur Radio Propagation Studies" web site.  Features now include a countdown for the 2004 sporadic E season, a discussion of thunderstorm effects on the ionosphere, notes on the people behind VHF dxing and much, much more.  The page can be found at  www.df5ai.net

(VHF Reflector)

======

May 7 2004  Spam Lowering Legit E-Mail

A recent survey finds that Americans are e-mailing less and trusting e-mail less because of the growing flood of junk messages. According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project, 29% of e-mail users have reduced their overall use of the medium while 63% of e-mail users say they are less trusting of e-mail overall because of spam. That's up from 52 percent in June of 2002.

(Technology OnLine)

========

May 8 2004   A New England Attic QRP Experience

I planned to travel with my family to the United States to spend the Christmas holidays with my sister, who lives in Arlington, Massachusetts. Having two young and very energetic kids to take care of, I long ago buried the idea of taking any kind of ham radio on our family trips.

To make things worse, flying with a suitcase full of cables, radio, microphone, power supply, tuner and antennas does not look to be the brightest idea you can have to speed up your boarding procedures these days. Still, I had to carry my laptop computer for business reasons. And while packing the PC, I suddenly realized I didn't really need much more than a PC to set up a fully functional Amateur Radio station.

PSK31 to the Rescue

A couple years ago I built a Small Wonder Labs PSK31 QRP transceiver kit, the PSK-20. This is a simple, lightweight PSK31-only radio specifically designed to work on 20 meters, connected to a computer running any sort of panoramic PSK31 software. It doesn't even have an internal speaker. With less than 2W output it can also run on inexpensive 1.5V AA alkaline batteries.

Shortly after building the PSK-20, it happened that I also purchased another more powerful and general-purpose QRP rig, the Yaesu FT-817, and the PSK-20 was relegated to little or no use in a corner of my shack.

But now it was time to take the PSK-20 back out into the light.

After all, the PSK-20 is nimble compared to the PC, more or less the same weight as the PC's power supply, and I only needed a serial cable, two audio cables, and a plastic battery holder so I could power the "station" using 10 AA batteries. A piece of wire cut as a dipole for 20 meters would be just fine for low power operations in one band only.

This configuration being quite a departure from the typical luggage of any serious Amateur Radio operator traveling to any remote DXpedition, I was quite sure nobody would charge me for extra weight--about one pound overall.

CEPT--That's the Ticket!

CEPT is the acronym of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations. In 1999 the US signed a multilateral reciprocal agreement with CEPT, allowing foreign amateurs from CEPT member countries to operate temporarily in the US without any paperwork [and vice versa.--Ed.]. With this agreement, I didn't need to do anything special to take my radio to New England, except carry my Italian-issued IK2TYL license, a copy of the ARRL FCC Rule Book and my impressive station. The Rule Book has all the details about reciprocal operating; this is a must for all amateurs, and in particular for foreign amateurs visiting the US.

Zero Impact Installation

It was Christmas, after all, and I did not want to dismantle the tree, or alter the internal or external appearance of the house during the holidays. I decided to scrap the idea of hanging the dipole outside with the feed line running through the living room window to the radio and PC on the dining table and opted for a less intrusive setting.

I installed the dipole indoors, in the attic. Luckily, the house is slightly more than 40 feet across, just right for a full size half-wave dipole on 20 meters.

While connecting the radio to the computer, I started realizing that this installation was going to be a long way from a regular setup where you have a nice multi-band transceiver, maybe a linear amplifier, and a decent antenna. Still, I quickly ran across the street to buy my impressive power source: two packs of AA alkaline batteries.

W1/IK2TYL Operation Begins

At this point, the best I was expecting was to hear one or two stations, nothing more than that. One watt into an attic dipole doesn't appear to be the best recipe for successful operations. But turning on the radio at about 3 PM December 22, I was quite surprised at what I saw on the screen.

It was like being at home with the big rig and antenna 60 feet above the ground. Several stations coming in very clear, with solid copy. Not only American stations, either. I could also print one CU3 station from Azores calling CQ. The worst that could happen returning the call would have been wasting my precious alkaline power source, so I clicked the call button on my PSK31 program.

To my amazement the CU3 station returned my call. I was hooked right then and there--2300 miles from Arlington to Azores, running on 10 alkaline batteries into an indoor dipole. Maybe I was just dreaming as a side effect of the jet lag! That same day I worked several other American stations in the 1000-mile range and a CO2 station from Cuba, 1500 miles away.

Aftermath

Working only about one hour a day, I enjoyed all 10 days of my stay with similar results. Most of the contacts were with US stations about 1000 miles away. My low power did not allow contacts on ground wave propagation, and, of course, it was difficult to survive the path loss of more than one hop from the ionosphere. But I nicely worked a couple of LU stations in Argentina--that's some 5000 miles from Boston--all on alkaline batteries. I was also impressed to work, although with some difficulties, Ed, AI6O, in San Diego. While closer than Argentina, the path coast to coast is all over land and this is not easy considering my operating conditions.

As the radio's audio out goes straight into the PC audio input, and there is no speaker in the PSK-20, I experienced 10 days of 100% silent operation, a nice experience unto itself.

Operating Hints

When operating with low power and less-than-optimal antennas, as in my situation, you have to adopt operating practices that can enhance your chances for success. The following worked well for me:

Concentrate your operating activity when propagation is more favorable. If you're not familiar with the conditions at the place where you are operating, spend some extra time listening so you can better define your strategy.

Don't work when there is too much competition, as on the weekends. After all, power is mostly needed to fight other competing hams. If there are no competitors, you don't need much power.

Don't call CQ. It's better to answer stations you feel you can work, so the batteries will last longer.

When answering CQ calls, explicitly state you are QRP, as many stations will be very kind to go through the extra effort needed to copy you if they know you are QRP.

Keep your operating schedule short and effective, to preserve batteries as well as your family life, especially during the Christmas holidays, when we all have to be good.

Acknowledgments

All my fun would have not have been possible without the kindness and true ham spirit of all the stations I worked. They all did their best to copy my signals, while there were certainly much easier stations to work. As my Morse skills faded many years ago because of lack of practice, PSK31 is the only popular digital mode that allows me to do so much with minimal equipment, more or less like CW would. For this reason I owe a lot to Peter Martinez, G3PLX, the creator of PSK31, as well as all the amateurs who developed both the hardware and software that made this beautiful experience possible.

Ulderico Arcidiaco, IK2TYL, has been licensed since 1989. He received an electrical engineering degree from Padova University in Italy, and then started working on large computer system architectures, design and management. Arcidiaco is also a glider pilot and private pilot with multiengine, instrument ratings. He lives in Basiglio, Milan, and he can be reached via e-mail at ulderico.arcidiaco@netsoftware.it.

Ulderico Arcidiaco, IK2TYL

(ARRL)

Contest News

North American Spring Meteor Scatter Rally-sponsored by the WSJT Group from 0000Z May 1 and ends 0000Z May 10 during the annual Eta Aquarids meteor shower. Please note that the annual Eta Aquarids is a morning shower, the radiant being in a good position from about 0500 to 1200 local time. For more information: www.qsl.net/wa5ufh/Rally/NAHSMS.htm

Mid-Atlantic QSO Party--SSB/FM/CW--sponsored by the Independent Mid-Atlantic QSO Party Committee from 1600Z May 8-2400Z May 9. Mid-Atlantic states include Delaware, Maryland-DC, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Frequencies: 160-10 meters 50 kHz from bottom of band segment for operating mode, 50, 144, 222, and 432 MHz. Categories: SO (LP and QRP (<5 W), MS/Club, Mobile, all classes except QRP max 200 W output. Exchange: serial number and QTH (Mid-Atl stations send 3-letter county and 2-letter state, US/VE send state or province, DX sends "DX"). QSO points: Phone--1 pt, CW--2 pts, Mobile--3 pts. Score: QSO points × Mid-Atl counties (Mid-Atl stations count S/P + 1 DX), all multipliers counted only once. For more information:www.qsl.net/maqso  Logs due June 10 to maqplogs@yahoo.com or Mid-Atlantic QSO Party, Attn: Chuck Reville, K3FT, 6400 Baltimore National Pike 131, Baltimore, MD 21228.

Nevada QSO Party--CW/SSB/RTTY--sponsored by the Area 51 Contest Club from 0000Z May 8-0600Z May 9. Frequencies: 160-6 meters, CW 15 kHz and SSB 25 kHz above General class band edge. Categories: SO (QRP <5 W, LP, HP >100 W), MS, MM, and County DXpedition (all LP, HP), Rover. Exchange: RST and S/P/C or Nevada county. QSO points: SSB--1 pt, CW/RTTY--2 pts. Score is QSO points × Nevada counties or S/P/C counted only once. Logs due June 15 to nk7c@cox.net or Pat Hess, NK7C, 759 Fairway Dr, Boulder City, NV 89005.
For more info visit: http://members.cox.net/nvqso2004

Oregon QSO Party--CW/SSB--sponsored by the Central Oregon DX Club from 1400Z May 8-0200Z May 9. Frequencies (MHz): 80-10 meters, CW--40 kHz above band edge, SSB--3.850, 7.250, 14.250, 21.350 and 28.450, no repeater QSOs. Exchange: RS(T) and OR county or SPC. QSO points: SSB--1 pt, CW--2 pts. Score: QSO points × OR counties (OR stations add S/P/C) counted once on each mode. One extra multiplier for every 8 QSOs with the same county. 100 bonus points for working K7O. For more information: www.codxc.com  Logs due June 10 to k4xu@arrl.net or to Oregon QSO Party, c/o CODXC, 61255 Ferguson Rd, Bend, OR 97702.

FISTS Spring Sprint--CW--sponsored by the FISTS International CW Club from 1700Z-2100Z May 8 (see Feb QST, p 103, or www.fists.org/sprints.html

Alessandro Volta RTTY DX Contest-- sponsored by COMO and ARI from 1200Z May 8-1200Z May 9. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOAB, SOSB, MS, SWL. Exchange: RST, serial number, CQ Zone. QSO points: see table on Web site. Score: QSO points × DXCC entities + W/VK/VE/JA/ZL call areas × total QSOs. For more information: www.contestvolta.com  Logs due July 31 to log@contestvolta.com or to Francesco Di Michele, I2DMI, PO Box 55, I-22063 Cantu, Italy.

50 MHz Spring Sprint, sponsored by the Eastern Tennessee DX Association from 2300Z May 8-0300Z May 9. For more information visit:  http://www.etdxa.org/vhf.htm

Portuguese Navy Day--CW/SSB/PSK31--sponsored by the Portuguese Navy Radio Amateurs from 0800Z May 8-2300Z May 9. Frequencies: 80-10 meters according to the IARU band plan. Exchange: RS(T) and serial number. QSO points: see Web site for table. Score: QSO points × multipliers. For more information: www.qsl.net/cq5mgp/regulamentos_ing.html Logs due May 24 to Comissao Cultural da Marinha-Concurso Radio 2004, Attn: CT4DZ, Praça do Imperio, 1400-206 Lisbon, Portugal.

Newcomers Run--CW--sponsored by the QRP ARC International from 1800-2000Z May 15. Exchange: "New" if a newcomer and "Elmer" for holders of certificates from previous QRP ARCI contests. For more information: http://2hams.net/ARCI/index.htm

Baltic Contest--CW/SSB--sponsored by the Lithuanian Radio Sports Federation from 2100Z May 15-0200Z May 16. Frequencies (MHz): CW 3.510-3.600, SSB 3.600-3.650 and 3.700-3.750. Categories: SO-CW/SSB/Mixed, MS, SWL. Exchange: RS(T) and serial number. QSO points: Baltic (YL/ES/LY) stations count EU--1 pt and non-EU--2 pts, EU stations count Baltic--10 pts, non-Baltic--1 pt; non-EU stations count Baltic--20 pts, non-Baltic--1 pt. Score: total QSO points. For more information: www.lrsf.lt/bcontest  Logs due July 1 to lrsf@lrsf.lt or PO Box 210, LT-3000 Kaunas, Lithuania.

His Majesty King of Spain Contest--CW--sponsored by the Union de Radioaficionados Españoles (URE) from 1800Z May 15-1800Z May 16 (SSB is June 26-27). Frequencies: 160- 10 meters using IARU Region 1 band plan. Categories: SOAB, SOSB, and MS. Exchange: RST and serial number or EA province. QSO points: 1 pt/QSO. Score: QSO points × EA provinces counted once per band. For more information, send e-mail to ure@ure.es. Logs due June 25 (SSB by July 30) to concursoshf@ure.es or URE HF Contests, PO Box 220, 28080 Madrid, Spain.

US Counties QSO Party--SSB--sponsored by The Mobile Amateur Radio Awards Club from 0000Z May 15-2400Z May 16. Frequencies (MHz): 3.880, 7.240, 14.275, 21.340, 28.340. Work fixed stations once/band and mobiles once for each county and band. Categories: Mobile, Fixed. Exchange: RST and county or S/P/C. County line QSOs count as one QSO but separate multipliers. QSO points: US fixed stations-- 1 point, US mobile--15 pts, all others--5 pts, one station must be in a US county. Score is QSO points × US counties (counted only once). Mobiles sum score from each state. For more information: www.stpaulisland.net/countycontest.html  Logs due June 18 to (US logs) wv2b@juno.com or Duane Traver, WV2B, 99 Oregon Hill Rd, Lisle, NY 13797-1002, non-US logs to snichols@mvosprey.com or Scott Nichols, VE1OP, 387 Rudderham Rd, Point Edward, NS B2A 4V6, Canada.

(ARRL)

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

=========

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.

Springfield, OH: Westcott Wireless Preservation Association, W8AGA. 1700Z May 13-2200Z May 16. Frank Lloyd Wright's Westcott House Special Tour. 14.280 14.050 7.280 7.120. QSL. Matt Cline, KB8WFH, 825 S Tecumseh Rd, Springfield, OH 45506. www.westcotthouse.org/w8aga

New Braunfels, TX: Highland Lakes Amateur Radio Club, W5A. 1400-2100Z May 14-1400-2100Z May 15. Experimental Aircraft Association SW Regional Fly-In. 21.360 14.260 7.260. QSL. c/o M. Warner, PO Box 784, Burnet, TX 78611. www.hlarc.org

Hartford, IL: Lewis and Clark Radio Club, K9L. 1400-2200Z daily May 14, 15 and 16. Bicentennial of Lewis & Clark departure from Camp DuBois, IL. 28.360 21.360 14.260 7.260. Certificate. LCRC, PO Box 553, Godfrey, IL 62035. www.k9ham.net/k9l.htm

Altus, OK: Altus Area Amateur Radio Association, AJ5Q. 1600Z-2200Z May 15. 30th Anniversary of AAARA/ARRL Affillated Club. 21.360 14.260 7.260 3.960. QSL. AAARA, PO Box 8863, Altus, OK 73522-8863.

Clackamas, OR: North West Military Radio Enthusiasts, KD7VPH. 1600Z-2300Z May 15. Operating with vintage military gear for Armed Forces Day. 14.088 10.137 7.296 7.087. QSL. NWMRE, PO Box 334, Corvallis, OR 97330-0334. www.exchangenet.net/nwmre

Karnes County, TX: Radio Operators of South Texas, W5ROS. 0001Z-2359Z May 15. 150th birthday of Karnes County, TX. 24.960 21.360 14.260 7.260. QSL. Andy Meyer, KD5TNI, PO Box 175, Hobson, TX 78117. www.thecountywide.com

Washington, DC: FBI Amateur Radio Association, K3FBI. 1200Z-2200Z May 15. 23rd Annual National Peace Officers Memorial Day. 21.280 14.280 7.280. Certificate. Jay Chamberlain, AE4MK, 27 Fox Run Ln, Fredericksburg, VA 22405. No SASE required.

Waterville, ME: Waterville Area Wireless Association, WA1WA. 1400Z-2100Z May 15. Boy Scouts Spring Camporee. 28.350 21.300 14.265 7.250. QSL. Waterville Area Wireless Association, R4 Box 8043 Matheson Ave, Winslow, ME 04901.

Wheaton, IL: DuPage Amateur Radio Club, W9DUP. 1600Z-2300Z May 15. Armed Forces Day. 145.25/144.65 28.400 14.290 7.250. Certificate. Robert B. Beatty, WB9HNS, DuPage ARC, PO Box 71, Clarendon Hills, IL 60514.

Lebanon, OR: Santiam Amateur Radio Club, W7Z. 1500Z May 15-0100Z May 16. Grand reopening of Lebanon, OR, Railroad Depot. 28.400 21.330 14.255 7.230. QSL. SARC c/o Wm Barfknecht, 521 Williams St, Lebanon, OR 97355.

May 6  2004   ARLD018 DX News

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by SV2AEL, the OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST.  Thanks to all.

MAURITIUS, 3B8.  Walter, DL3LBP is QRV as 3B8/DL3LBP until May 21 from Flic en Flac.  Activity is on 40 to 10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY.  QSL to home call.

FIJI, 3D2.  Joe, 3D2NN, has been QRV on 30 meters around 0830z.  QSL via AA4NN.

NIGER, 5U.  Bruce, 5U7B has been QRV using RTTY on 20 meters around 2140 to 2320z.  QSL via I2YSB.

PAKISTAN, AP.  Ijaz, AP2IA can often be found on 17 meters using CW around 1300z.  QSL direct.

KYRGYZSTAN, EX.  Sergey, EX8MLE can often be found on 20 meters using CW around 0100z.  QSL via IK2QPR.

FRANCE, F.  Leon, ON4ZD will be QRV as F/ON4ZD/p from Fort Boyard Island, IOTA EU-032, from May 10 to 15.  QSL to home call.

NEW CALEDONIA, FK.  Masayoshi, JF1UIO is QRV as FK/JF1UIO from Lifou Island, IOTA OC-033, until May 7.  Activity is on 40 to 10 meters using CW and SSB.  QSL direct to home call.

JERSEY, GJ.  Johannes, DF5AU will be QRV as GJ3DVC from May 8 and 9. Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters using CW and SSB.  This includes an entry in the CQ-M contest.  QSL direct via GJ3DVC.

DOMINICA, J7.  J79WG has been QRV on either 20 or 15 meters using RTTY around 1100 and 1900z.  QSL via DL2AWG.

GUANTANAMO BAY, KG4.  Jorge, KG4PC has been QRV on 30 meters around 0100 to 0200z.  QSL via N0VPC.

FAROE ISLANDS, OY.  Kevin, ON5DRE and Erwin, ON4QJ are QRV as OY9OY until May 13.  Activity is on 160 to 2 meters, including the newer bands, with an emphasis on 80, 40, 17 and 2 meters.  QSL via ON5UR.

NETHERLANDS, PA.  Members of club station VERON are QRV as PI75AA until May 16 to celebrate their 75th year of activity on the air. QSL via operators' instructions.

POLAND, SP.  Special event station HF3UE is active until May 16 on 80 to 2 meters using all modes to celebrate the accession of Poland to the European Union.  QSL via SP3RNZ.

GREECE, SV.  In celebration of the 2004 Olympic Games, Greek amateur radio operators will be operating as SX9A, SX8A, SX7A, SX6A, SX5A, SX4A, SX3A, SX2A and SX1A from the nine Greek regions until August 12.  Each station will be active one at a time, starting with SX9A, for 10 days.  QSL all calls via the bureau.

PALAU, T8.  T88KJ has been QRV on 80 meters just before 1200z and again later after 1900z.  QSL via JA1KJW.

UKRAINE, UR.  Special station EO59QWW is QRV until May 9 to celebrate the 59th anniversary of the end of World War II.  QSL via UY5ZZ.  Meanwhile, EO59G is also QRV until May 9 as well.  QSL via UR5GAR.

CAMBODIA, XU.  Jaak, ES1FB and Oleg, ES1RA will be QRV as XU7ACE and XU7ARA, respectively, from May 7 to 19.  QSL to home calls.  They also plan to make a two-day side trip to Koh Pos, IOTA AS-133, and be QRV as XU7ACV.  QSL via ES1FB.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The Nevada and Oregon QSO Parties, The First Global Six Meter Marathon, Alessandro Volta RTTY DX Contest, CQ-M International DX Contest, Portuguese Navy Day, Mid-Atlantic QSO Party, FISTS Spring Sprint, Internet CW Sprint Contest and 50 MHz Spring Sprint are all scheduled for this weekend.  Please see May QST, page 99 and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details.

(W1AW)

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

May 8 2004  425 DX News

CT3 === Antonio/CT1EPV, Luis/CT1AGF, Hermann/CT3FN (HB9CRV), Jose/CT3MD, Toni/HB9EBV and maybe Juergen/DJ2VO will be active as CT9P from the lighthouse (LH 0830, FMA01) on Ilheu de Cima (AF-014) on 16-19 July. They will operate on 10-40 metres CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31 with two stations. QSL to Kim Larson via N3SL. [TNX CT1END]

CT3 === Luis/CT1AGF, Antonio/CT1EPV, Luis/CT3EE, Hermann/CT3FN (HB9CRV), Jose/CT3MD, Juergen/DJ2VO, Derek/G3KHZ, Toni/HB9EBV and Rejean/VA2AM will participate in the IOTA Contest (24-25 July) as CT9X from Porto Santo (AF-014). QSL to Kim Larson via N3SL. [TNX CT1END]

DL === Only one out of the five announced operations from German islands [425DXN 677] will take place actually. Look for Norby, DL/LX9EG/p to operate from Neuwerk Island (EU-127) and lighthouse on 20-23 May. Norby says there will be an emphasis on working stations from outside Europe; during local night hours operations will be on CW only.

EA6 === Peter, DL8YR will be active on all bands CW, SSB and maybe RTTY as EA6/DL8YR/p from Mallorca, Balearic Islands (EU-004) on 12-26 May. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX DL8YR]

EA8 === Look for Steve, EA8/G0SGB/p to be active from various lighthouses on Lanzarote Island (DIE S-007), Canary Islands (AF-004) starting on 10 May for two weeks. QSL via home call. [TNX VA3RJ]

ER === Special event station ER9V will be active until 9 May from Moldova to celebrate the 59th anniversary of the end of World War II. Look also for ER0ITU to be aired on 13-17 May to celebrate the World Telecommunications Day. QSLs via ER1DA, direct (Valery Metaxa, P.O. Box 3000, Chisinau, MD 2071, Moldova) or through the bureau. [TNX ER1DA]

F === Special event station TM8MAI will be active on 8-9 May (from the Maginot Line) and again on the 16th (from Mai Lorrain d'Ugny) to celebrate the end of Wordl War II. QSL via F6KWP. [TNX La Gazette du DX]

F === Leon, ON4ZD will be active as F/ON4ZD/p from Fort Boyard (EU-032, DIFM AT-026) from around 10 UTC on 14 May to around 13 UTC on the 15th. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX ON4ZD]

F === Francois, F5JNE will be active on 20 and 40 metres SSB as F5JNE/p from Belle Ile en Mer (EU-048, DIFM AT-015) on 15-25 May. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX VA3RJ]

F === The South Flanders DX Activity Group will operate as F/ON6JUN/P (http://www.qsl.net/on6jun) on 4-7 June to commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day. QSL via ON5SD. [TNX ON4LBV]

F === Bordeaux DX Group members F2VX, F5OZF, F5RXL, F5SSG, F6EXV and F8BBL will operate (on 40-10 metres CW and SSB) as TM7BDX from the lighthouse (WLH 271) on Cordouan Island (EU-159) for about 8 hours on 12 June. QSL via F8BBL, bureau or direct. [TNX F8BBL]

G === A group of CVRS (Cray Valley Radio Society, www.cvrs.org) members (namely G0VJG, M3CVN, G4BUO, G0FDZ, 2E0ATY and G7GLW) will operate on all bands SSB and CW as either G3RCV/p or homecalls/p from St Mary's, Isles of Scilly (EU-011) on 21-25 July, including an entry in the IOTA Contest as M8C. QSL via G4DFI, bureau or direct. [TNX G0VJG]

GM === Look for Jeff, G3LWM to operate as GM0PNS from Pabay (EU-008) on 9-14 May. He will be QRV mainly on 20 and 40 metres during his limited spare time. [TNX GM3VLB]

GM === Andre, GM3VLB and Alex, GM0DHZ will operate from three islands in Inner Hebrides (EU-008) as follows: 17-19 May from Coll, 19-21 May from Tiree, 21-23 May from Gunna, 23-24 May agains from Tiree. Full details on the islands and the Scottish Islands Award (SCOTIA) programme are available at:  www.gm3vlb.com QSL via home calls. [TNX GM3VLB]

HI === Dave, G4WFQ will be active (on 80-10 metres CW, with some RTTY and SSB) as G4WFQ/HI9 from the Dominican Republic (NA-096) on 12-24 June. QSL via G3SWH. [TNX G4WFQ]

HK === Pablo, HK8RQS has been active as HK8RQS/p from Morro Island (SA-081), length of stay unknown. QSL via EA5KB.

I === Special event station IR7MD will be activated by ARI Bari on 30 May to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of Guglielmo Marconi's first contact between Bari (Italy) and Bar (Montenegro). A QSL-certificate will be issued upon request (details at http://utenti.lycos.it/aribari). [TNX IK7XNF]

I === ARI Versilia will activate special event station II5MD on 11-13 June for the "Meucci Day", celebrating telephone pioneer Antonio Meucci. [TNX IK5ZPZ]

JA === Aru/JA0KNM, Jun/JJ1EQW and Kai/JE3NJZ will be active as homecall/JR6 from Yonaguni (AS-024, the westernmost Japanese island) on 4-7 June. They plan to operate on 40-2 metres CW, SSB, AM (6m), and RTTY. QSL via home calls, direct or bureau. [TNX JE3NJZ]

JW === Look for JW5LJA (LA5LJA) and JW7FJA (LA7FJA) to be active from Spitsbergen (EU-026) from 28 May to 1 June. During the CQ WPX CW Contest they will sign JW3R. QSL via LA5LJA, LA7FJA and LA3R respectively, bureau or direct (see www.qrz.com). [TNX LA7FJA]

KH2 === Haru, JA1XGI will be active (on 40, 30, 20, 15 and 10 metres, also on digital modes) as W8XGI/KH2 from Guam (OC-026) on 27-31 May. QSL via home call. [TNX JA1XGI]

LA & SM === Rosel, DL3KWR and Hardy, DL3KWF will operate mostly CW on all bands as SJ9WL and LG5LG from the Morokulien station on the border between Sweden and Norway from 24 May to 2 June, CQ WPX CW Contest included. QSL for both calls via SM5DJZ. [TNX DL3KWF]

LU === Alberto/LU1DZ, Hector/LU6UO and Fernando/LW2DX will operate mostly CW as homecall/Q from Fortin El Patria, in the San Luis Province of Argentina, on 20-24 May. The operation is sponsored by the Grupo Argentino de CW (GACW). QSL LU1DZ/Q via EA3RE, others via home calls. [TNX LW2DX]

LY === Vilmantas, LY3BY reports that the following special event stations will be active in May to celebrate the accession of Lithuania to the European Union:
         LY2004E  QSL via  LY3BY  (direct or bureau)
         LY2004U  QSL via  LY1FW  (direct or bureau)
         LY2004R  QSL via  LY2ZZ  (direct or bureau)
         LY2004O  QSL via  LY2UF  (direct or bureau)
         LY2004P  QSL via  LY1XA  (direct or bureau)
         LY2004A  QSL via  LY1CM  (direct or bureau)

OE === Special event station OE80XRW will be activated on all bands and modes from 1 June to 31 December to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the broadcasting service from Austria, started by RAVAG on 25 October 1924. The web page for the operation is at:  www.qsl.at/oe80/ [TNX OE1WHC]

OJ0 === SM5AJV, SM0GNS, SM5HJZ and SM0HPL will participate in the CQ WW WPX CW Contest (29-30 May) as OJ0SM (Multi-Single) from Market Reef (EU-053). QSL via SM5HJZ. [TNX NG3K]

OX === Amateur radio stations from Greenland can use the the special prefix OX25 followed by their own suffix from 1 to 30 June to celebrate the 25th anniversary of home rule/goverment in Greenland. [TNX OZ8ABE]

OZ === DF2EA, DH8BQA, DL1EJA, DL2BZE, DL3BQA and DL5YYM will operate as OZ0MS from Bornholm Island (EU-030) on 10-22 June. They will be active on 10-80 metres CW and SSB, as well as on VHF (6/2m) and UHF/SHF (70/23cm). The group will also operate as OZ/homecall from a few lighthouses on the island. All QSLs via DH8BQA. The web page for the operation is at:  www.necg.de/bornholm [TNX DH8BQA]

PY === Special event station ZW1I will be active until 31 May to celebrate the 437th anniversary of the town of Itaborai. QSL via PY1AMF, bureau or direct. [TNX PY1NEZ]

SM === Martin, SM0DTK will operate as SM0DTK/1 from Gotland Island (EU-020) on 14-23 May. Skeds are accepted at sm0dtk@passagen.se [TNX SM0DTK]

SV === Nine multi-operator special event stations - namely SX9A, SX8A, SX7A, SX6A, SX5A, SX4A, SX3A, SX2A and SX1A - will be activated from Greece from 6 May to 13 August for the "2004 Olympic Games Countdown On The Air" programme, sponsored by the Northern Greece Contest Team. All of the QSOs will be confirmed automatically through the bureau. The full Countdown calendar and other information can be found at:  www.qsl.net/sv2ngct/sx.htm [TNX SV2AEL]

SV === Tomi/HA4DX, Laci/HA0HW and Geza/HA4XG have been issued the following calls to be used during a number of operations from Greece:
         J45DX, J45HW and J45XG (Dodecanese),
         J47DX, J47HW and J47XG (Thraki),
         J49DX, J49HW and J49XG (Crete),
         J48DX, J48HW and J48XG (other islands).
Their first activities will take place from Thassos (EU-174) on 21-27 May and from Thraki on 28-31 May, CQ WPX CW Contest included. They plan to have three stations and to operate on all bands CW and SSB, with some RTTY and PSK31. QSL via home calls, bureau or direct. [TNX HA0HW]

SV === Greek amateur radio operators can use special prefixes SX2004 or SY2004 from 1 June to 15 November to celebrate the Olympic Games that will take place in Athens (www.athens2004.com). Foreign amateur radio operators visiting Greece from 1 August to 15 November are allowed to use special prefix J42004. Operators from Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Switzerland, USA or CEPT countries need not to submit any papers for a licence. Others must submit an application to the Greek Ministry  of Telecommunications. [TNX SV2AEL]

UR === Special calls EO59JS, EO59JM and EO59G will be aired from Ukraine until 9 May to celebrate the 59th anniversary of the end of World War II. QSL EO59JS direct to KD5RBU (e-mail requests for bureau cards are welcome at uu9cw@mail.ru); QSL EO59JM via K2PF; QSL EO59G via UR5GAR, direct or bureau (e-mail requests for bureau cards are welcome at ur3gm@tlc.kherson.ua). [TNX UT5JDS, K2PF and UR3GM]

UR === Special call EO60FO will be aired from the Odessa region of Ukraine from 8 May to 27 August to celebrate the end of Wordl War II. QSL via bureau. [TNX UT5RP]

V6 === Sho, JA7HMZ will be active (on 40-10 metres CW and SSB) as V63DX from Pohnpei (OC-010), Micronesia on 24-27 May. QSL via home call. [TNX NG3K]

VE === Look for Christian, KH6/F5IDM to be active on 15 and 20 metres as VE7/F5IDM from Quadra Island (NA-091, CIsA BC-006) and Cape Mudge Lighthouse (ARLHS CAN-100) on 11-12 May. QSL via KH6/F5IDM (see www.qrz.com). [TNX VA3RJ]

Good to Know

DXCC NEWS === DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L reports the following operations have been approved for DXCC credit:
9Q0AR     1 January - 31 March 2004   Democratic Republic of Congo
9Q1KS     1 January - 31 March 2004   Democratic Republic of Congo
9U5M       4 Feb. - 17 March 2004       Burundi
HH2SJR         from 1 Jan. 1998             Haiti
TT8XZ             4-19 Dec. 2003            Chad
XF4IH             3-20 Mar. 2004            Revillagigedo
YI/N3YPI     from 22 Aug. 2003           Iraq
YI/AB8DY      from 2 July 2003            Iraq

EURA === The "European Union Regions Award", sponsored by ARI Busto Arsizio and available to either licensed amateurs and SWLs, has been updated with 48 new regions resulting from the accession of 10 new countries to the European Union. The EURA software is downloadable at:  www.ik6cac.com   information on the Award is available at:  www.aribusto.it or from the Award Manager (Pier Luigi Anzini, IK2UVR: e-mail ik2uvr@malpensa.it).

EUROPEAN CASTLES DAY === The third edition of the European Castles Day will take place on 16 May between 6 and 16 UTC. Several stations are expected to operate from fortresses and castles in France, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Portugal. Information about castles awards programmes can be found on Jean-Pierre's (F6FNA) web site at: http://perso.club-internet.fr/f6fna [TNX F6FNA]

NEWS FROM ALBANIA === Many noticed ZA/OH2BH and ZA/OH2PM signals bouncing in from Albania last week (four pictures can be found at:  www.n4gn.com/za). Indeed, some 6000 QSOs were made - not only to please the Deserving but also to remind us about our shared responsibility to help those in need. This time, five stations were fully equipped: ZA1BH, ZA1BS, ZA1DC, ZA1DJ and ZA1S. These callsigns were launched into the battle and these fine people made their first radio contact to the world. Radio equipment was donated by W3UR, K9MM, G3TXF, EA2NO and OH2PM, but many more recently licensed ZA hams are still in need of any gear to bring more ZA signals to the bands and make the Albanians welcome to this great passion of ours. You are welcome to join this undertaking by making your old gear active from Albania. Your contacts are K7JA <c.margelli@vxstdusa.com>, N7NG <n7ng@arrl.org> and K9LA <k9la@arrl.net>. Or just meet personally ZA1B, OH2BH, OH2PM, G3LQP and the above U.S persons in Dayton to present your desire for support. [TNX N4GN]

QSL MANAGER OFFERED === Petr, OK1DOT (the current QSL manager for Bob, 9V1GO) is willing to offer his services to a station in need. Please contact Petr at petr.gustab@seznam.cz; his web page is at:  www.qrz.com/ok1dot [TNX OK1DOT]

QSL JA6GXK/6 === Masa, JA6GXK/6 went QRT from Danjo Island (AS-056) on 30 January 2002 and logs will be closed in March 2005. Those who still need a QSL card should send their request as soon as possible (see www.qrz.com for the address). [TNX JI6KVR]

QSL T33CF === Claudia, K2LEO  initially joined the T33C team as an accompanying YL, then she obtained her T33CF callsign and, once on Banaba, she was invited to operate SSB for a few hours (on different dates) to satisfy the many requests for a YL operator QSO. Claudia holds a US General class license, but this was her very first pile-up experience (assisted by IK1PMR) and, to the best of the team's knowledge, hers was the first YL operation from Banaba. Claudia also operated as 3D2CF from Fiji. QSL via IK1PMR. Further information and pictures are available at:  www.ik1pmr.com/k2leo [TNX IK1PMR]

QSL V31RG === Robin/K4VU and Lori/K0LAA have returned stateside after getting married and making 4300 QSOs (mostly with Europe and Japan) as V31RG. QSL to K4VU. Cards are expected to go out in mid-May.

QSL VIA IK1PMR === Andrea, IK1PMR (one of the T33C team members) was active as 3D2MR from Fiji (before and after T33C), focusing on Europe with a low power CW setup, and as T30MR from Western Kiribati (before T33C). On 16 April he also operated CW briefly from Banaba with his personal callsign (T33MR). QSL 3D2MR, T30MR and T33MR via IK1PMR; logs and pictures are available at:  www.ik1pmr.com/ [TNX IK1PMR]

VIDEO === A 38-minute documentary film "Kilimanjaro. The first height" on the Russian Robinson Club's mountain DXpedition in December 2003 [425DXN 656] is now available (VHS or DVD). For further information please contact UA9OBA (nsi@lvs.ru).

WWYC === The "World Wide Young Contesters" will hold an open meeting in Croatia on 21-25 July. Details can be found at www.wwyc.net/meeting2004 [TNX LA6FJA]

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

May 7-14 2004   I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O.

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]

08/05/2004:  A team organized by BX2AE, BV2OO and BV2QB will be on Dong Yin Island (BO0D) which near by Matsu Island belongs to AS-113. Activity will be from May 8th to May 14th and they will use the call BO0D. QSL via the BV bureau. [Tnx F5NQL]

08/05/2004:  Look for Michel, F5OA/p to be QRV May 7th from the Ile of Cativet (DIFI 27059R, not IOTA) and the mill of Cativet (DMF 27014, for the French Mills Award). Activity will be on 40 meters starting about 09:15 UTC. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx F5OA]

08/05/2004:  Francois, F5JNE and Gerard, F6ICG will be QRV May 8th, starting around 06:30 UTC, as F5JNE/p from the Bouchet Castle (DFCF 89259, Canton of Vermenton DDCF 8934, Zip Code: 89460, Department: Yonne (89), Province of Burgundy). Activity will be on 40 meter CW and SSB. QSL via F5JNE, direct or bureau. SWL cards welcome as well. [Tnx F5NQL]

08/05/2004:  Johannes, DF5AU, will be QRV the weekend of May 8th and 9th from Jersey Island (EU-013) with the callsign GJ3DVC. Activity will be on 160-10 meters (no WARC) on CW/SSB. He will also be active in the CQ-MIR-DX-Contest. QSL via the bureau or direct to GJ3DVC. If worked as MJ/DF5AU, the QSL route is via his home callsign (bureau or direct). [Tnx OPDX]

08/05/2004:  Fredy (DE0MST) and his lighthouse-team DF9MV (Sven), DJ1MHS (Markus), DL5MFL (Mathias), DL9CHR (Chris), 9A2WJ (Daki), 9A2V (Vlado), 9A3KB (Boro), 9A5JR/p (aka OE3REB, Ron) and 9A6AA (Emir) plan to activate Plocica Island (IOTA EU-016, IOCA CI-089) and Lighthouse (WLA LH-0097, CLHA CLH-103, ARLHS CRO-013, WW Loc. JN83ja) bsetween May 8th and 15th, 2004. The will use 9A/homecall and homecall/p. They may also use 9A0CI during the operation. Emir, 9A6AA/p will also activate (for one day) Otok Scedro (IOTA EU-016, WLA WLH-1056, WW Loc:JN83ic). QSL via the individuals home call, direct or bureau. QSL 9A0CI via DE0MST (QRZ.com). [Tnx DE0MST]

08/05/2004:  Look for K6AA/p to be aired from Santa Catalina Island (IOTA NA-066, USI CA-016S, Los Angeles County) from 03:00 UTC on 8 May until 13:00 UTC on the 10th. Eight operators with three stations will be active on 80 through 10 meters, mostly SSB with some CW and digital modes. QSL via K6AA's address given at QRZ.com . [Tnx 425DXN]

09/05/2004:  Jim, K5JIM and Martha Buffington will be in the Outer Banks of North Carolina May 8th to 10th, checking with the hotel, restaurants, National Park Service et al to make sure everything is in readiness for the convention. While there, they will activate Bodie Island Lighthouse (ARLHS reference USA-067) at 14:30 UTC, Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station at 16:00 UTC and Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (ARLHS USA-119) at 18:00 UTC, on Sunday May 9th. These are the new dates for the trip they announced earlier. It was postponed because of Jim's candidacy in a local election. QSL via home call, SASE please. [Tnx K2JXW]

10/05/2004:  Look for Steve, EA8/G0SGB/p, to be QRV starting May 10th for two weeks from various lighthouses on Lanzarote Island, Canary Islands (IOTA EU-004, DIE S-007 for the Spanish Islands Award). No particular lighthouse was mentioned, but Steve did say he will activate anything he can find. Activity will be on all bands as conditions permit. QSL via home call (QRZ.com). [Tnx G0SGB]

10/05/2004:  Leon, ON4ZD will be active from the Fort Boyard Island (IOTA EU-032, DIFM AT-026) using the call F/ON4ZD/p. The activity will begin May 10th around 10:00 UTC and end on May 15th, around 13:00 UTC. Other references are French Department: Charente Maritime (17), Province of Poitou-Charentes. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx F5NQL]

11/05/2004:  Look for Christian, KH6/F5IDM (ARLHS member #186) to be QRV May 11th and 12th as VE7/F5IDM from Quadra Island (IOTA NA-091, CIsA BC-006) and Cape Mudge Lighthouse (ARLHS reference CAN-100). Activity will be on or around the usual IOTA and ARLHS frequencies on 20 and 15 meters. QSL via KH6/F5IDM (QRZ.com). [Tnx KH6/F5IDM]

12/05/2004:  Gerard, ON4AXU (ex-C21XU, T30XU, 3D2XU, ZK1AXU (North/South), 5W0GD and A35XU) has reported that his plans for 2004 are to go to FO, FO/A and FO/M between May 13th and June 13th. His plans/schedules are as follows:
   May 15-16th        - Tahiti (OC-046) FO/ON4AXU
   May 17-23rd       - Tubuai (Austral) (OC-152) FO/ON4AXU/A
   May 26-27th        - Papeete-Moorea (OC-046) FO/ON4AXU
   May 28-29th        - Huahine (OC-067) FO/ON4AXU
   May 30-31st        - Raiatea (OC-067)-Papeete FO/ON4AXU
   June 3-13th          - Hiva Oa (OC-027) FO/ON4AXU/M
   June 14-15th       - Tahiti (OC-046) FO/ON4AXU
QSL via Gerard Dijkers, Hobossstraat 28, B-3900 Overpelt, Belgium, Europe. [Tnx OPDX]

14/05/2004:  Look for TA1ED/0 and TA3FB/0 to be QRV May 14th to 16th from Karaada (AS-098). Activity will be on 80 through 10 meter SSB. QSL via home calls, direct or bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

LOOKING AHEAD

15/05/2004:  Doug, VE3CWO and Ron, VE3CGR plan to be QRV May 15th as VE3CGR/3 from Georgina Island (CIsA reference ON-024, for the Canadian Islands Award). If the weather is not appropriate on May 15th, or if they have so much fun they want another day of it, they may possibly return there again on May 16th. Activity will be on 80, 40 and 20 meter SSB, but will also operate CW from time to time. Look for them around 3.766, 7.066 and 14.146 for SSB. QSL via home call, direct or bureau.
[Tnx VE3TPZ]

16/05/2004:  For the European Castle Day (May 16th) Jean Michel F5PRR/p will activate Fort Est (DFCF regerence 83063). Activity will be on all bands, but will favor 15 and 20 meters during the day. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx F5PRR]

12/06/2004:  A group of operators from the Bordeaux Dx Group (F2VX, F5OZF, F5RXL, F5SSG, F6EXV and F8BBL) will be QRV June 12th from the Ile de Cordouan (IOTA EU-159, DIFM AT-032) and Cordouan lighthouse (WLA LH-0271, ARLHS FRA-007). Activity will be on 40 through 10 meter CW and SSB, between 09:00 and 17:00 UTC. QSL via F8BBL, direct or bureau. [Tnx F8BBL]

28/08/2004:  The Roanoke Valley Amateur Radio Club W4CA will activate Christmas Tree Island (USI VA-New), located on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia. Activity will be on 80, 40 and 20 meters, starting 11:00 UTC August 28th and ending 23:00 UTC August 29th. Look for the Station on or about 14.270, 7.270 and 3.860 MHz. QSL via CBA for a nice color QSL card

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

May 7 2004  ARRL League Staff Aids Iraqi Schoolchildren

Fourteen large boxes filled with school supplies, books and toys are on their way to needy schoolchildren in Northern Iraq, thanks to the generous spirit of ARRL Headquarters staff members.

Packages of pencils, paper, pens, crayons and other school supplies were shipped out of the ARRL Warehouse, paid for with a private anonymous donation. ARRL Sales and Marketing Manager Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, spearheaded the Headquarters effort. His nephew, 2nd Lt Niles Motschenbacher, is serving with a US Army unit near the city of Mosul.

Niles Motschenbacher's Stryker battalion group works with local officials to stabilize area services, Dennis Motschenbacher said. "The battalion has been tasked with working with local groups such as fire departments, schools and hospitals. One of Niles' jobs is regularly touring the schools," he said. "He said he was shocked the first time he went into a school building and found 100 kids in a single room, sitting on the floor and sharing a few pencils."

Niles has a background of working with school kids. His mother is an elementary school teacher in Alaska and both Niles and his sister Anna would regularly stop in to their mother's classroom after their own junior high or high school classes were over. Niles wrote to Anna and asked if she could put the word out to their family to gather up a few school supplies and send them to him in Iraq.

"When I got Anna's note, I thought of the people here at ARRL Headquarters and how generous they are. I put up a few flyers on bulletin boards and set up a donation box in the employee lunchroom. I was stunned to see all of the things that came in. And people were not looking for recognition--they just anonymously dropped things in at the beginning of the day, much of it new materials. It's all very moving to see the response."

Picking up the theme, ARRL Administrative Assistant to the CEO Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ, donated a small mountain of toys to the shipment. "It's important for children to have time for other things beside school books," she said. "Toys let kids be kids, no matter where they are in the world."

(ARRL News Service)

=======

May 5 2004  W6RO Celebrates 25 Years of Operation from the Queen Mary

W6RO, the Amateur Radio station in the Wireless Room of the Queen Mary, recently celebrated 25 years of continuous operation. Permanently berthed at the Port of Long Beach, "The Queen" is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Southern California. During its 25 years of operation, W6RO has presented a positive image of Amateur Radio to more than four million visitors.

W6RO is the club call sign of the Associated Radio Amateurs of Long Beach, an ARRL Special Service Club. At the center of operations is Nate Brightman, K6OSC. He has spearheaded Amateur Radio aboard the Queen Mary, recruited hundreds of operators, garnered equipment donations from leading manufacturers, and maintained excellent relations with "The Queen's" management.

At a 25th anniversary celebration held April 29 in the Queen's salon, ARRL Southwestern Division Director Art Goddard, W6XD, presented a Special Service Award to Brightman, who accepted it on behalf of all W6RO radio operators.

"What does it take to sustain a major volunteer operation over a quarter century?" Goddard asked in his remarks. "Vision, persuasion, promotion, persistence and enthusiasm. And a leader like Nate Brightman, K6OSC. The results? A deep sense of personal satisfaction and the presentation of Amateur Radio to more than four million visitors."

Nearly 100 amateurs volunteer at least four hours a month to operate W6RO from 9 AM until 5 PM daily. W6RO also is a regular stop on the Queen Mary self-guided tour, and licensed visitors may log in and get on the air. Thanks to K6OSC, the Amateur Radio Today video runs continuously for all the ship's visitors. The former passenger liner now is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Since the Queen Mary is nearly impervious to earthquakes, W6RO is equipped with an emergency generator to keep the station on the air during emergencies.

There's more information on the Associated Radio Amateurs of Long Beach W6RO on the Queen Mary Web site: www.mpicomputers.com/ham/queen

(ARRL News Service)

=======

May 7 2004  Minor FCC amateur rule changes effective June 1

The FCC says minor amendments to various Amateur Radio rules become effective June 1. The regulatory changes, which the FCC made on its own motion rather than in reaction to any petitions, appeared May 5 in the Federal Register.

"This document makes minor amendments to various rule sections to clarify or eliminate duplicative language or conform them with other rule sections," the FCC said.

Among other changes, the most significant involved revising the wording of Section 97.307(d), which defines spurious emissions. The updated language imposes a slightly higher standard on newer transmitters or amplifiers of any power level. Starting June 1, the rule will provide that:

   * the mean power of any spurious emission from HF transmitters or external RF power amplifiers installed after January 1, 2003, must be at least 43 dB below the mean power of the fundamental emission.

   * the mean power of any spurious emission from HF transmitters or external RF power amplifiers installed on or before January 1, 2003, must not exceed 50 mW and must be at least 40 dB below the mean power of the fundamental emission. If the mean power output of such as transmitter is less than 5 W, the attenuation must be at least 30 dB.

Still exempt from the provisions of Section 97.307(d) are transmitters built before April 15, 1977, or those first marketed
before January 1, 1978.

The FCC also has redefined what constitutes an Amateur Radio operator to reflect the advent of the Universal Licensing System (ULS) electronic licensee database. Under the revised Section 97.3(a)(1) an amateur operator is "a person named in an amateur operator/primary license station grant on the ULS consolidated licensee database to be the control operator of an amateur station." The current rule defines an amateur operator as "a person holding a written authorization to be the control operator of an amateur station."

Anther change eliminates Technician or Technician with Element 1 credit licensees from the classes of operators permitted to prepare Element 1 (5 WPM Morse) and Element 2 (Technician written) examinations.

The Commission ordered the rule changes within the context of a larger, wide-ranging Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) in WT Docket 04-140. That NPRM addresses several Amateur Radio-related petitions and proposes revisions to operating privileges. The FCC continues to seek comments on these proposals. Comments are due by Tuesday, June 15, and reply comments by Wednesday, June 30. Among other changes, the FCC has recommended adopting the ARRL's "Novice
refarming" plan.

(ARL ARLB015 Bulletin)

=======

May 7 2004  FCC forms Wireless Broadband Access Task Force, seeks public comment

Even as the FCC pursues its broadband over power line (BPL) agenda, it's continuing to explore wireless broadband access. FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell on May 5 announced the formation of a Wireless Broadband Access Task Force, which has released a public notice seeking comment on issues related to the FCC's wireless broadband policies. Powell says the task force's mission is to identify potential changes in wireless broadband policies that will further facilitate the deployment of wireless broadband services. "We are strongly committed to facilitating broadband investment and deployment, particularly through technological choices," Powell said. "This Commission has put a high priority on making sure Americans have access to broadband services through multiple facilities-based platforms. I believe that we can do even more." The FCC says the new task force "will reach out to all relevant stakeholders and develop recommendations that will further the deployment of wireless Internet service providers (WISPs)." Powell says the "overarching goal" of this newest initiative is to examine what the Commission can do to extend broadband services to underserved areas and to increase competition in areas already having broadband access. Tapped as task force co-directors were Lauren M. Van Wazer, special counsel and associate chief, Office of Engineering and Technology, and John Branscome, a legal advisor in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. There's more information on the FCC's Wireless Broadband Access Task Force Web site: www.fcc.gov/wbatf

(ARRL News Service)

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