Ham Radio regulatory changes reported overseas (May 9 2005) Sweden's telecommunication regulatory agency PTS has taken steps to deregulate Amateur Radio and essentially no longer requires a government license. Effective last fall, the PTS turned over Amateur Radio operator "certification" to the Society of Swedish Radio Amateurs (SSA), that country's IARU member-society. Under the new regulatory regime, the SSA administers testing and issues operator certificates and call signs, which have SA prefixes and three-letter suffixes. There's no longer a Morse code requirement for HF access. The PTS still handles relevant international agreements, such as band allocations, in conjunction with the ITU. Sweden no longer dictates mode-specific subbands within amateur bands, but band plans are in place. Kenya's telecommunications regulator, the CCK, recently issued a new schedule of Amateur Radio frequencies, modes and power limits. Ted Alleyne, 5Z4NU, of the Amateur Radio Society of Kenya reports that radio amateurs there now may use 30 meters (10.100 to 10.150 MHz) and 160 meters (1.810 to 1.850 MHz). The National Telecommunications Commission of Thailand has granted permission through 2005 for all Thai radio amateurs to use 80 and 160 meters during contest periods. HS- and E2- stations may use 1.800-1.825 MHz and 3.500-3.540 MHz, CW or SSB, during contest weekends. Starting May 1 in the Czech Republic, new regulations provide access to 7.100 to 7.200 MHz for Amateur Radio on a secondary basis. Power output is limitted to 250 W PEP. The Czech Republic also has begun issuing Novice class licenses with OK9-prefix call signs and three-letter suffixes. Operation is permitted on 160, 80, 15 and 10 meters on HF, and up to 2 meters on VHF, at a maximum power output of 10 W. The Malta Communication Authority has automatically extended HF privileges to "codeless" Class B licensees. Licensees in Malta still must pass a Morse code examination to operate CW on the HF bands, however.--The Daily DX; RSGB; SM0JHF; ARSK; OK1MP/Czech Radio Club; MCA (ARRL News Service)
UK proposes Radar in exlusive Ham Radio Band (May 14 2005) The latest Ofcom consultation is on Ofcom's proposal to exempt the use of automotive short-range radar equipment at 24GHz from Wireless Telegraphy licensing. A summary of the proposal and the full document in PDF format can be found on Ofcom's website at www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/24ghz The proposal would mean that short-range radar would operate in the Primary Amateur and Amateur Satellite Services' band at 24.0-24.05GHz as an interim measure, prior to its long-term allocation at 79GHz. The remainder of the Amateur 24GHz band, at 24.05 to 24.25GHz, is already allocated only on a Secondary basis. (Jeramy Boot, G4NJH) (ARNewsLine)
May 13 2005 Tad Cook K7RA Solar Update
Also on May 11 the daily sunspot number was 117, the highest value observed since November 4, 2004, although Valentine's Day, February 14, was almost as high at 115. On Mother's Day, Sunday, May 8, a big blast of solar wind sparked a geomagnetic storm, and the planetary A index went all the way to 64, Alaska's College A index went to 80, and the mid-latitude A index was 38. This provoked some nice aurora displays over the weekend. Then sunspot 758 began to expand rapidly, and the sunspot count for Monday through Wednesday, May 9-11 was 106, 106 and 117. At 1040z on May 11 a coronal mass ejection emerged from sunspot 758. There is a good chance of aurora for Friday, May 13 as a result. The predicted planetary A index for Friday through Monday, May 13-16 is 25, 10, 15 and 10. Predicted solar flux for those days is 120, 115, 110 and 105. So the sunspot count has been relatively high, and during days when the A index is low, such as 10 or below, propagation should be good. If you listen to WWV at 18 minutes after the hour (or call the recording at 303-497-3235) and hear that the K index is lower than 3, that is also a very good sign for HF propagation. If you would like to comment or have a tip, email the author at, k7ra@arrl.net. For more information concerning radio propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the ARRL Technical Information Service propagation page at, http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html. An archive of past bulletins is found at, http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/prop/. Sunspot numbers for May 5 through 11 were 50, 66, 55, 79, 106, 106 and 117 with a mean of 82.7. 10.7 cm flux was 109.1, 110.4, 99.9, 101.3, 110, 119.2 and 125.3, with a mean of 110.7. Estimated planetary A indices were 6, 4, 10, 64, 11, 10 and 11 with a mean of 16.6. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 3, 3, 10, 38, 10, 6 and 7, with a mean of 11. (ARRL News Service)
Europe May 14 2005 Solar and propagation report,
Flare activity increased during the past week, with 45 C-class flares and 8 M-class flares, including a major M8 proton flare on the 13th. The solar flux took an unexpected turn upwards. Starting the week at 110 it reached 126 on the 13th, averaging 114. That was four points up on the previous week. The 90-day average remains 93. The average x-ray flux was slightly higher at B3.3. As forecast, last weekend brought a rise in geomagnetic activity. A complicated disturbance arrived late on the 7th. The ensuing storm peaked around mid-day on the 8th, when the Ap index touched the severe storm level of 132. The final figure for the day was 64 units. By the 9th the index was down into low double figures but it went up again to 27 on the 13th. Solar wind speeds went from 330km/sec to 880km/sec on the 8th and remained slightly above average. Particle densities were up to 35 per cubic centimetre on the 7th, but have mostly been in low single figures.. That geomagnetic storm on the 8th severely hit HF propagation. It recovered midweek but was again degraded on the 13th. Widespread aurora was reported from mid-day on the 8th, extending over the entire UK on both 50 and 144MHz. Due to the complicated nature of the storm this was a fluctuating event. However, 144MHz contacts were reported with Hungary and Ukraine and a few stations were able to make contacts on 432MHz. On 28MHz Auroral-E extended over much of central and northern Europe. This coming week flare activity will mostly be low but there is a fair possibility of M-class flares. As this report was being prepared it seemed highly likely that a coronal mass ejection from the major flare on the 13th would impact Earth early on the 15th, joining with coronal hole effects. Accordingly there is a high probability of geomagnetic disturbance, though its severity will depend on the strength and direction of the interplanetary magnetic field at the time. The storm may well continue into the 16th, with active periods also possible on the 17th. Quieter conditions should then return. Expect degraded HF propagation. There is a high probability of VHF aurora on the 15th. On the quieter days MUFs at equal latitudes should reach 20MHz in the south and 17MHz in the north. Darkness hour lows will remain around 10MHz. Paths to South Africa should have a maximum usable frequency - giving a fifty per cent chance of success - around 25MHz. The optimum working frequency, at which there should be a 90 per cent chance of success, should be about 20MHz. The best time will be between 0900 and 1700UTC. Now we're in the second half of May, look for sporadic-E to increase at 28 and 50MHz any day. Report prepared by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.
NASA announces new window for Shuttle return to flight (May 6 2005) Two hams instead of three will have to man the International Space Station a bit longer. This, as NASA announces a new launch window for the return of Space Shuttles to flight of July 13th to the 31st. The new dates gives the agency time to do additional work to ensure a safe return to flight for the space ship s crew. Managers had earlier identified the need to do more work to validate engineering analyses of potential debris hazards and to make some additional modifications to the external fuel tank. (NASA)
AMSAT-UK Colloquium set for late July (May 4 2005) The AMSAT-UK Colloquium for 2005 will take place Friday through Sunday, July 29-31, at the University of Surrey, Guildford, UK This year's event marks the 20th colloquium. Attendees do not have to be AMSAT members. AMSAT-UK invites presentations about space-related Amateur Radio activities and papers for the conference Proceedings. Final presentation documents must be submitted by mid-June. Send papers for presentation at the conference and/or for inclusion in the Proceedings to Jim Heck, G3WGM , or via surface mail c/o AMSAT-UK, Badgers, Letton Close, Blandford, Dorset DT11 7SS, UK. AMSAT-UK also invites anyone to submit program topic requests to G3WGM. The colloquium will include sessions specifically for amateur satellite beginners. Registration details and more information are on the AMSAT- UK Colloquium Web pages. Immediately following the AMSAT-UK Colloquium, the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) International Team will meet Monday and Tuesday, August 1-2. Although primarily for ARISS delegates, the meeting is open for anyone to attend as an observer and offers an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the ARISS program. (ARRL News Service)
AO-51 to be configured in Mode V/S for Field Day (May 2 2005) For Field Day 2005, the AMSAT "Echo" (AO-51) satellite will be configured as an FM repeater in Mode V/S. The uplink will be 145.920 MHz with the 67 Hz tone enabled. The downlink will be 2401.200 MHz. To give users the opportunity to test their Field Day stations, AO-51 will be configured in Mode V/S during two periods leading up to Field Day. From May 19 until May 24 the satellite will be in Mode V/S in support of satellite demonstrations at Dayton Hamvention. From June 18 until June 26 (ie, the weekend and entire week before Field Day) AO-51 also will be in Mode V/S. These operating sessions will give Field Day participants an opportunity to check out their Field Day satellite stations ahead of time. The AO-51 team says working the Mode S downlink on AO-51 does not require expensive equipment nor even a satellite dish. Some operators have successfully copied the AO-51 S band downlink with minimal antennas, such as patch antennas, dipoles with corner reflectors or a simple 3.5-turn helix. If your downconverter's IF is on VHF (which most are), a handheld transceiver or mobile FM rig will work fine as a downlink receiver. The uplink antenna can be any good omnidirectional mobile system. If you have not worked the S band downlink on AO-51 previously, a few passes monitoring the downlink and practicing Doppler correction will be very helpful. The Doppler shift on an AO-51 pass is approximately ±50 kHz. There's more information available on setting up to use Echo on Field Day on the Web site of AMSAT Vice President for Operations Mike Kingery, KE4AZN. (ARRL News Service)
The Dayton Amateur Radio Association proudly presents The 2005 Dayton Hamvention Celebrating our 54th show, May 20,21, & 22, 2005, Dayton Hamvention® is the world's largest amateur radio gathering and trade show. You are invited to attend:
Live from Dayton, Ohio Hamvention 2005
This will be our 3rd year to broadcast live our drive to hamvention (550 miles) and then the 3 days outside in the fleamarket. This year we have a new addition. We have the helmet cam which will let people around the world get a view of all the things we look at as we walk around. The streaming cam page also has its own chat room and hams from around the world watched, chatted, and enjoyed it the past 2 years. There are no pop-ups or advertisements. Just something we like to do each year and have fun. It lets hams take part in ham radio if they are too far away to travel or health does not permit it. Streaming Webcast Schedule We will be broadcasting from the beginning until the end of the show each day Friday May 20th through Sunday May 22th from our outside fleamarket spaces 3350-3351. Please come by and say hello and wave to your loved ones back home. NEW THIS YEAR !! Watch for the "Helmet Cam". You will be able to see what we see as we walk around in the fleamarket. Also watch for us as we convoy from Memphis, Tn to Dayton, Oh. on WEDNESDAY May 18th and set up our fleamarket space on Thursday May 19th.. This is a 550 mile drive and will take us about 10 hours. We will depart Memphis about 8:00 am CST and arrive Dayton about 7:00 pm EST. This will be our third year to broadcast the drive live. Chat with us on the chat screen as we drive. Hams from around the world followed our trip and chatted with us last year. Watch us and try to guess where we are. After hamvention, we will be broadcasting our drive back home. Watch for us Sunday May 22th from about 1:00 pm until about 9:00pm CST. This is the largest collection of Hamvention pictures on the world wide web. Dayton Hamvention Thanks, Tom WA5KUB
Enigma Decryption Software Available on Internet (May 14 2005)
Morse Code Still Beats Short Message Service (May 14 2005)
Mr Hill, whose messages were transcribed by another telegraph veteran, Jack Gibson, 82, then repeated the feat against three other children with cell phones. Want to brush up your CW? This site claims to be able to teach you in just a minute!: www.learnmorsecode.com (W1A News)
ARRL Field Day 2005 publicity information available (Apr 1, 2005) Field Day 2005 is the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, June 25-26. Per rule 7.3.2, 100 bonus points are available to FD stations in all classes for bona fide efforts to obtain publicity for your Field Day operation from local media. ARRL Field Day 2005 publicity information now available for public information officers and clubs includes sample news releases and information on publicizing your participation in Field Day 2005. The page also includes publicity information for "National Take your HT Radio to Work Day" June 21, when hams are encouraged to clip their handheld transceivers on their belts or place them on their desks to raise awareness and prompt inquiries about Amateur Radio from co-workers. Amateur Radio Week 2005 is June 19-26 (ARRL News Service)
Armed Forces Amateur/Military Crossband Communications Test--the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard are cosponsoring the annual military/Amateur Radio communications tests in celebration of the 55th Anniversary of Armed Forces Day (AFD). The test is conducted one week earlier than Armed Forces Day (May 21) to avoid conflicting with the Dayton Hamvention. For complete information, including call signs and frequency lists: www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/af-day/AF-Day-2005-SKED.pdf. Mid-Atlantic QSO Party--SSB/FM/CW- Sponsored by the Independent Mid-Atlantic QSO Party Committee from 1600Z May 14-0400Z May 15 and 1100Z-2400Z May 15. Mid-Atlantic states include DE, MD-DC, NJ, NY, PA, VA and WV. 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, Rover, 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 30 days after the contest to maqp_logs@yahoo.com or Mid-Atlantic QSO Party, Attn: Walter O'Brien, W2WJO, PO Box 4922, Clinton, NJ 08809. Alessandro Volta RTTY DX Contest--sponsored by COMO and ARI from 1200Z May 14-1200Z May 15. 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 Jul 31 to log@contestvolta.it 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 14-0300Z May 15 (see www.etdxa.org/vhf.htm). EU EME Contest--any mode--sponsored by DUBUS and REF, 0000Z May 14-2400Z May 15. Frequencies: 144 MHz, 2.3, 3.4 GHz (see Apr QST, page 100). Portuguese Navy Day--CW/SSB/PSK31--sponsored by the Portuguese Navy Radio Amateurs from 0800Z May 14-2300Z May 15 (CW/SSB) and 1300Z May 21-1300Z May 22 (PSK31). 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. Logs due May 31 to nura@netcabo.pt or Núcleo de Radioamadores da Armada, PO Box 226-E. C. Alfeite, 2811-501 Almada, Portugal. 40th Annual Baltic Contest--CW/SSB-- sponsored by the Lithuanian Radio Sports Federation from 2100Z May 21-0200Z May 22. 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 Jul 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 21-1800Z May 22 (SSB is Jun 25-26). 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 Jun 22 (SSB by Jul 25) 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 21-2400Z May 22. 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 points, 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 Jun 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. CQ WW WPX Contest--CW--sponsored by CQ Magazine from 0000Z May 28-2400Z May 29 (see Mar QST, page 92, or www.cqwpx.com). QRP ARCI Hootowl Sprint--CW--sponsored by the QRP ARC International from 2000-2400 local May 29. For rules, see Dec 2004 QST, page 85, or www.qrparci.org/contest.htm. MI QRP Memorial Day CW Sprint--sponsored by the MI QRP Club from 2300Z May 29-0300Z May 30 (see Jan QST, page 102, or www.qsl.net/miqrpclub). (ARRL News Service)
Southampton, Hampshire, England: Royal Signals ARS, GB6VIE. 0700Z May 8-2359Z Jul 5. 60th anniversary of victory in Europe. 21.056 14.070 14.056 7.027. Certificate. Mike Humphrey, G0SWY, 4 Bluebell Rd, Bassett, Southampton, England SO16 3LQ. www.rsars.org.uk. Please include $2 US for postage. Anaheim, CA: Anaheim Police Amateur Radio Club, W6APD. 0000Z May 14-2400Z May 22. National Police Week, honoring police and sheriffs. 28.450 21.350 18.150 14.250. QSL. Mark McMullin KM6HB, PO Box 27271, Santa Ana, CA 92799. www.qsl.net/w6apd. Mt St Helens/Chehalis, WA: Chehalis Valley Amateur Radio Society, W7A. 1700Z-2400Z May 18. 25th anniversary of the eruption of Mt St Helens. 28.360 21.360 14.260 7.260. QSL. Steve Pack,WB7VAS, 136 Newaukum Village Dr, Chehalis, WA 98532. www.cvars.org. Schenectady, NY: Schenectady Amateur Radio Association, K2AE. 0500Z May 18-0500Z May 23. 75th anniversary of the founding of SARA. 21.325 14.250 7.250 3.870. QSL. SARA, PO Box 207, Alplaus, NY 12008-0207. www.k2ae.org. Hallam, NE: Lincoln Amateur Radio Club, W0H. 1800Z May 20-0000Z May 23. 1 year anniversary of the May 22, 2004, Hallam Tornado. 14.250 14.050 7.250 7.050. QSL. Greg Brown, 10800 W Mill Rd, Malcomb, NE 68402. www.larc.unl.edu/. Minnesota City, MN: Winona Amateur Radio Club, W0NE. 1600Z-2200Z May 21. Annual Minnesota City Days, Minnesota City, MN. SSB and CW, General portions 10 15 20 40 80 m. QSL. W0NE, PO Box 1264, Winona, MN 55987. Waterville, ME: Waterville Area Wireless Association, W1W. 1500Z-2000Z May 21. Two Cent Bridge, Waterville to Winslow, ME--only toll footbridge. 14.260 14.290 21.260 21.290. QSL. Waterville Area Wireless Association, c/o Ron Manson, 5 Matheson Ave, Winslow, ME 04901. www.qsl.net/wa1wa. Battleship Cove, Fall River, MA: Radio Operators for Missing Children/ USS Massachusetts, KB1HGK/N1EPL. 2300Z May 21-1000Z May 22. 5th Special Event for Missing Children. 14.275 7.100. Certificate. Sheree Greenwood, K1SQ, PO Box 649, Warren, MA 01083. www.lyceumpress.com/ham_radio.htm. Bailey, CO: Park County Radio Club, AB0PC. 1500Z May 22-0300Z May 23. 10th anniversary, founding of club serving Park County, CO. 28.410 21.375 14.280 7.230 3.940. Certificate and QSL. PCRC, PO Box 16, Bailey, CO 80421. www.ab0pc.org/ses.htm. 1500Z May 27-0300Z May 29, Indianapolis, IN. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Amateur Radio Club, W9IMS. Indianapolis 500. 14.240 21.340 7.240 3.840. QSL. Indianapolis Motor Speedway ARC, PO Box 18495, Indianapolis, IN 46218. www.w9ims.com. Fort Wayne, IN: Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day, KC9HAJ. 1800Z-2300Z May 28. Thanks to military members and veterans. 14.280 14.071 7.240 7.210 PSK31 APRS HF Echolink. Certificate. Emery McClendon, KB9IBW, 6116 Graymoor Ln, Fort Wayne, IN 46835. www.freewebs.com/kb9ibw. 1200Z-2100Z May 28, Chestertown, MD. Kent Amateur Radio Society, K3ARS. Chestertown Tea Party. 28.340 21.340 14.240 7.240. Certificate. Kent Amateur Radio Society, K3ARS, Box 921, Chestertown, MD 21620. www.k3ars.org. Springfield, MO: Erik Weaver, K0S. 1600Z May 28-0000Z May 31. Kurt N. Sterba Strange Antenna Challenge. 14.200. Certificate. Erik Weaver, N0EW/K0S, 4857 E Farm Road 136, Springfield, MO 65809. www.n0ew.org. May 28-May 31, 1300Z-0100Z, Albion, IN. 21 Repeater Group, W9N. Chain-O-Lakes State Park Watch Fire Military Memorial. 21.250 14.250 7.250 3.985. QSL. 21 Repeater Group, 618 Circle Dr, Albion, IN 46701. Baton Rouge, LA: USS Kidd ARC/Baton Rouge ARC, W5KID. 1400Z-2230Z May 30. Memorial Day. General class bands, 14.250 to 14.320; CW QRP subbands 28.060 21.060 14.060 10.106 7.040. QSL. W5KID, c/o USS Kidd Museum, 305 S River Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. www.lsu.edu/brarc/USS_Kidd.htm. Belleville, MI: Yankee Air Force/Museum, W8YAF. 1200Z-2000Z May 30. Observing Memorial Day at the Yankee Air Museum at Willow Run Airport. 7.270. QSL. Frank A. Nagy, N8BIB, 24315 Waltz Rd, New Boston, MI 48164-9167. Nutley, NJ: Robert D. Grant United Labor Amateur Radio Association, N2UL. 0400Z-2300Z May 30. CQ Memorial Day. 28.420 14.260 7.260 449.975. Certificate. RDGULARA, c/o WA2VJA, 112 Prospect St, Nutley, NJ 07110-0716. Wheaton, IL: DuPage Amateur Radio Club, W9DUP. 1600Z-2300Z May 21. Commemorating Armed Forces Day. 28.400 14.290 7.250 145.25/144.65. Certificate. Robert B. Beatty, WB9HNS, DuPage ARC, PO Box 71, Clarendon Hills, IL 60514. www.w9dup.org. Horsham, PA: Warminster Amateur Radio Club, K3DN. 1300Z May 28-2000Z May 29. Willow Grove Air Show/Sounds of Freedom. 21.380 18.150 14.265 7.275. Certificate. Steve Larson, 354 Glennbrook Way, Chalfont, PA 18914. Vincennes, IN: Old Post Amateur Radio Society, W9R. 1400Z May 28-2000Z May 29. 29th Annual Spirit of Vincennes Rendevous. 7.270 7.255 7.240 7.220. Certificate. OPARS, PO Box 834, Vincennes, IN 47591. (ARRL)
2-metre Moonbounce Activity from the South Cook Islands (May 5-30 2005) News for VHF ‘Moonbounce’ enthusiasts. Between May 5 and 30th, Bob, ZL1RS, will be active as ZK1EME from Rarotonga in the South Cook Islands on 2-metre moonbounce. There may also be some 6m EME activity. He will be operating from a location on the lagoon edge at the northern side of the island in locator BG08ct, so he says to expect some good ground gain on both moonrise and moonset during northerly declinations. His operation will be mostly on JT65b. Bob notes that the window to Europe is very limited, so he will be asking North American stations to stand by until moonset in Europe. Regular updates and information will be on Moon-Net during May. (RSGB2)
Rockall Over the World (Jun. 14-21 2005) A new website has been set up by the radio amateurs who plan to put Rockall, the final never-activated IOTA island group in Europe, on the air next month. There is a link from the RSGB’s site at www.rsgb.org It is planned that MS0IRC/P will be on the air from Rockall between about 14 and 21 June, weather permitting, operated by David Wood, MM0ALM, and James Cameron, MM0CWJ. (RSGB2)
CQ announces annual "DX Marathon" (Apr 21, 2005) CQ magazine has announced the revival of its long-dormant CQ DX Marathon, which last ran in 1948. The new CQ DX Marathon will essentially be a year-long DX contest, with stations competing to contact as many different countries ("entities") and CQ Zones of the World as possible over a full-year period, then starting again at zero at the beginning of the next year. The new CQ DX Marathon is aimed at reinvigorating DXing. CQ outlined the program April 16 at the International DX Convention in Visalia, California. CQ Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU, credits Bob Locher, W9KNI, with providing the inspiration to revive the activity, and Locher was on hand for the official announcement. "Many active DXers have noticed a drop-off in general DXing activity outside of contests and DXpeditions," Locher said. "I suggested that CQ start up an event that would promote activity all year long, would minimize geographic advantages and provide for simple scoring. It turns out that the CQ DX Marathon, which evolved after 1948 into the CQ World Wide DX Contest, was already based on the same concepts." Scoring will consist of the total number of DXCC entities and CQ zones contacted over the course of a year. There will be no multipliers, and each country/entity and zone counts only once. In the case of a tie, the station whose last qualifying contact came earliest in the year will be the winner. Complete details and rules for the new CQ DX Marathon will be on the CQ Web site and in the May issue of CQ magazine. The first running of the event will be in 2006. (ARRL News Service)
May 12 2005 ARRL DX News This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by DF5AU, G8BCG, QRZ DX, the OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST. Thanks to all. RODRIGUES ISLAND, 3B9. Robert, 3B9FR has been QRV on 20 meters using RTTY around 1600z. QSL direct. UNITED NATIONS HQ, 4U_UN. Mustapha, DL1BDF, Karl, DL1BAH, Manfred, DK1BT and Stefan, DG2BDB are QRV as 4U1UN until May 15, station availability permitting. QSL this operation via HB9BOU. MALAWI, 7Q. Bill, KC4D will be QRV as 7Q7WW and expects to be here for about four weeks beginning May 13. Activity will be in his spare time and on 80 and 40 meters, and possibly 160 meters. QSL to home call. CANARY ISLANDS, EA8. Juan, EA8CAC will be QRV as EA8CAC/p from May 17 to 23 from several different lighthouses on El Hierro Island, IOTA AF-004. Activity will be on 80 to 10 meters using SSB and possibly CW. QSL via bureau. REUNION ISLAND, FR. FR1HZ has been QRV using RTTY on 20 meters around 1530z. Meanwhile, FR5AB has also been active using PSK on 15 meters around 1000z. QSL via operators' instructions. JERSEY, GJ. Peter, G8BCG is QRV as GJ8BCG/p until May 19. Activity will be on 6 meters using SSB, WSJT, Es and EME. QSL to home call. GUERNSEY, GU. Look for Johannes, DF5AU to be QRV as MU/DF5AU from May 14 to 15. Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters, using CW and SSB. QSL to home call. SAUDI ARABIA, HZ. Sulaiman, 7Z1SJ has been QRV on 20 meters around 2200 to 2330z. QSL via EA7FTR. JAPAN, JA. Special event station 8N5SAIT is QRV until July 31 during the Shikoku Information Telecommunication Month. QSL via bureau. MARIANA ISLANDS, KH0. Kazu, JA1RJU plans to be QRV as KH0/KH2K from Saipan from May 14 to 18. Activity will be on 6 meters EME using JT65A. QSL to home call. NORWAY, LA. A number of Norwegian operators will be QRV as LA9M/p from Sandoy Island, IOTA EU-056, from May 13 to 16. Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters using CW, SSB and the digital modes. QSL via LA9M. DENMARK, OZ. A group of German Scouts will be active as OZ1RDP from May 13 to 16 from a camp site in Kongsmark on Roemoe Island, IOTA EU-125. Activity will be on 80 to 2 meters, using CW and SSB. QSL via DL9BCP. PAPUA NEW GUINEA, P2. Vern, P29VR has been QRV on 15 meters around 1100z. QSL via W7LFA. GREECE, SV. Hellmuth, DF7XE is QRV as SV8/DF7XE/p from Thassos, IOTA EU-174, until May 24. QSL to home call. Meanwhile, Ermanno, IK2WZD is QRV as SV0XAN/5 from Lipsi Island, IOTA EU-001, until October. Activity is on all bands and modes. QSL to home call. AUSTRALIA, VK. To mark the 140th birthday of the International Telecommunications Union, a group of 16 operators will be QRV as AX3ITU on May 17. Activity will be on 80, 40, 30, 20 and 2 meters as well as the active amateur satellites, using CW, SSB, PSK31. QSL via VK3WI. CAMBODIA, XU. Jaak, ES1FB will be QRV as XU7ACE starting around May 14 for 10 days. QSL to home call. LATVIA, YL. Stations YL740C, YL740M and YL740T are QRV until June 28 to celebrate the 740th anniversary of the city of Jelgava. QSL via operators' instructions. THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO. The Armed
Forces Amateur/Military Crossband Communications Test, CQ-M International
DX Contest, Portuguese Navy Day Contest, Alessandro Volta World Wide RTTY
Contest, Mid-Atlantic QSO Party, FISTS Spring Sprint, EU EME Contest and
the 50 MHz Spring Sprint will certainly keep contesters busy
(ARRL)
May 14-29 2005 I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O. 14/05/2005: EU-016 9AØCI LASTOVO ISLAND -
14/05/2005: EU-016 HBØ/H.C.'s LIECHTENSTEIN -
14/05/2005: EU-114 MU/DF5AU ISLE OF GUERNSEY -
15/05/2005: AF-011 TO4Gx & TO4Gxx GLORIOSO
ISLAND -
16/05/2005: EU-048 F5JNE/P BELLE ILE EN MER -
16/05/2005: RDA:RO-14 UE6LLL DONETSK CITY -
20/05/2005: AS-105 H.C.'s/P & D9ØHE/2 KUKHWA
ISLAND -
21/05/2005: EU-070 TMØL LEVANT ISLAND -
22/05/2005: EU-014 TK/H.C.'s CORSICA -
23/05/2005: OC-049/064 A35 TONGA -
24/05/2005: NA-062 NK4AA KEY WEST -
25/05/2005: RDA:RO-60 UE6LLL TARASOVSKY AREA -
26/05/2005: NA-080 GM7CXM/C6A GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND
-
27/05/2005: AF-004 EF8CID CANARY ISLANDS -
28/05/2005: EU-055 EA8AH CANARY ISLANDS -
28/05/2005: AS-017 JR2RKK/6 IZENA ISLAND -
28/05/2005: EU-055 LA/DL2VFR HELLESOY ISLAND -
29/05/2005: TI/EA9CP COSTA RICA -
73 and Good Hunting!
Home of ICPO:
www.qsl.net/va3rj
Note: A complete list of Prefixes assigned by International Telecommunications Union can be found on the Trans Provincial Website: www.tpn7055.ca/callsign.html
Array of "ARRL Stage" Presentations Among ARRL EXPO 2005 Highlights
(May 13, 2005)
ARRL EXPO 2005 will be in the Ballarena Exhibit Hall in the Hara Arena complex near Dayton, Ohio. Counting down the days, ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, says ARRL EXPO 2005 and the other National Convention activities will make this year's Hamvention--dubbed Amateur Radio's "Greatest Show on Earth''--the best ever. Full Story: www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/05/13/2/?nc=1 (ARRL News Service)
Kentucky emergency communicators receive donation (May 14 2005) The Kentucky District 7 Amateur Radio Emergency Team (KD7ARET) has received a $5000 donation from the John E. and Betty J. Meyer Family Foundation. The funds will support the group's efforts to provide emergency communication to served agencies during emergencies and disasters. KD7ARET most typically supports police and fire departments, the National Weather Service and emergency management offices. In addition, some of the money will be go into a fund to purchase a mobile communication van with Amateur Radio capabilities that could serve to back up local police and fire departments. KD7ARET boasts more than 100 Amateur Radio volunteers from the nine-county area comprising District 7 in Northern Kentucky. ARRL Kentucky Section Manager John Meyers, NB4K, says the team plans to participate in ARRL Field Day, June 25-26, at Mills Road Park in Independence, Kentucky. In the past year KD7ARET has bought reflective vests for its members as well as radios, antennas and coax for the Owen County Emergency Operations Center. "We are in the process of buying radios, antennas and coax for the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky Regional Communication bus, the Campbell County Emergency Operations Center and the District Office of Emergency Management in Walton, Kentucky, as well as additional handheld radios and extra battery packs for emergency coordinators," he adds. Since KD7ARET's incorporation in January 2004, the group has donated $10,000 in cash and more than $2000 worth of equipment to enhance local emergency communication capabilities. (ARRL News Service)
Gerritsen Bond Set at $250,000 in Radio Jamming Case (May 6 2005) Now off the air and in federal custody, reputed Los Angeles-area repeater jammer and former Amateur Radio licensee Jack Gerritsen will have to put up $250,000 in cash or property to gain his release while awaiting further court action. Acting on a criminal complaint, FBI special agents, accompanied by personnel from the FCC Los Angeles Field Office, arrested the 68-year-old Gerritsen without incident early May 5 at his home in Bell, California. Federal agents also seized Gerritsen's radio equipment. Full Story: www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/05/06/100/?nc=1 (ARRL News Service)
Armed Forces Day On-Air Event (May 14-15 2005) The 2005 Armed Forces Day military/amateur crossband communications test will take place May 14-15. The US Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard are co-sponsoring the annual event in celebration of the 55th anniversary of Armed Forces Day, which is Saturday, May 21. The Armed Forces Day radio event is scheduled a week earlier to avoid conflicts with Dayton Hamvention, May 20-22. The annual Armed Forces Day on-the-air celebration features the traditional military-to-amateur crossband communications SSB voice test and the Secretary of Defense message-receiving test. QSL cards will be provided to those making contact with the military stations. Special commemorative certificates will be awarded to anyone who receives and copies the digital Armed Forces Day message from the Secretary of Defense. Full details, including stations and frequencies, are on the ARRL Web
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