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)

There was so much remarkable solar and geomagnetic activity over the last weekend that we put out a special bulletin.  The last bulletin reported a TV DXer in Florida who copied a channel 2 television broadcaster in Iowa. Bill Smith, W0WOI of Jefferson, Iowa wrote to say that the TV DX was probably due to sporadic-E skip. This is propagation through the E layer of the ionosphere (lower than the F layers) that occurs in May, June and early July, and is responsible for a many 6 and 10 meter openings, even when there aren't many sunspots.

Bill said that KGAN "is one of the more frequently reported stations nationwide due to its geographical location and channel 2 frequency, just above 6 meters". By the way, Bill is the former editor of The World Above 50 MHz, the monthly column devoted to VHF in QST. 

Ray Bass, W7YKN in Sparks, Nevada reports that last Friday he was working W7QCY in Portland, Oregon on 40 meters, and around 9:40 AM local time signals started to fade. A few minutes later, the band was completely dead, no doubt due to the effects of the coronal mass ejection. 

Dave Greer, N4KZ in Frankfort, Kentucky wrote that Tuesday, May 17 was a very interesting day for 6 meter fans. He worked stations all over South and Central America as well as the Caribbean (LU, CX, TI, VP5, ZF, HK) from late afternoon into evening. He said there were many strong signals, but for some stations the conditions weren't reciprocal. He heard HK3JRL in Bogotá call CQ repeatedly with no answer to responses. He heard a number of YV and KP4 stations that he could not work. 

Reviewing numbers from the past week, solar flux and sunspot numbers were lower than the week before, and of course the big excitement was May 15 when the planetary A index reached 105. For the next week expect low solar flux and sunspot activity. Sunspot 759, the source of all the excitement, is passing off the solar disk. Geomagnetic conditions should be unsettled for Thursday and Friday, May 19 and 20, but expect quiet conditions after that. Recurring coronal holes could produce active geomagnetic conditions around May 27 or 28. 

For more information concerning radio propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the ARRL Technical Information Service propagation page. An archive of past bulletins is available on the ARRL Web. 

Sunspot numbers for May 12 through 18 were 110, 100, 91, 69, 70, 45 and 46 with a mean of 75.9. 10.7 cm flux was 117.4, 125.9, 99.5, 103, 99.1, 90 and 83.8, with a mean of 102.7. Estimated planetary A indices were 17, 27, 8, 105, 33, 19 and 13 with a mean of 31.7. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 13, 21, 4, 44, 18, 10 and 6, with a mean of 16.6. 

(ARRL News Service)

May 22 2005  Solar and propagation report, 
compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS,and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

Flare activity was initially moderate last week but subsequently subsided to. very low. The solar flux declined from 100 on the 14th to 84 on the 20th, averaging 92 - a drop of 22 points. The less volatile 90-day average fell two point, to 91. X-ray flux levels were also down, averaging B1.0. The big event of the week occurred on the 15th. A fast-moving coronal mass ejection deriving from a major flare two days earlier hit Earth's environment around 0600UTC. A brief but 'exceptionally severe' geomagnetic storm ensued. The Ap index touched its maximum of 400. Although the storm subsided during the day the Ap figure for the 15th was 105. There were further stormy periods on the 16th, followed by unsettled-to-active days and then active-to-storm conditions on the 20th. The 21st was again unsettled.. . On the 15th solar wind speeds shot up from 514km/sec to 971km/sec, but returned to around 450km/sec over subsequent days. Particle densities reached 27 per cubic centimetre during the storm but were in low single figures for the rest of the period. 

The storm was bad news for HF operators and the higher HF bands were in poorish shape for much of the week. However, even 28MHz at times provided openings to the Middle East, Africa and South America, possibly assisted by an underlying increase in sporadic-E. There was more sporadic-E at 28MHz though it remained sparse at 50MHz. A 70MHz opening to Slovenia and Gibraltar was reported on the 19th. The storm on the 15th provided good VHF aurora across the entire UK at 50 and 144MHz. Unfortunately, by the time most European operators were awake, it was over. Subsequent daily auroras were confined to the far north. 

During the coming week flare activity is expected to be low or very low. The solar flux may decline a little more from current levels, possibly dipping into the 70s, but could well be turning upwards again in a few days. Geomagnetic activity will be quiet or unsettled for the next day or so but a recurring coronal hole may bring higher levels later in the week. MUFs at equal latitudes will be little changed at around 20MHz in the south and 17MHz in the north. Darkness hour lows will again be around 10MHz. Paths to the Far East should have a maximum usable frequency - that's a fifty per cent chance of success - of around 18MHz. 21`MHz openings should be possible on the better days. The optimum working frequency will be 14MHz. The path will be best between 1100 and 1400UTC. And, as we near the end of the month, Sporadic-E is likely to be more frequent and more intense than it has been so far this season. 

Report prepared by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

Would your school like to participate in a spacewalk?? Here is an outstanding opportunity!!  (May 19 2005)
 

In the fall of 2005, a novel new amateur satellite will be put in orbit.  A Russian spacesuit containing  amateur radio equipment is expected to be deployed from the International Space Station.  This deployment is expected to occur during a spacewalk currently planned in mid-September.  Once deployed, the spacesuit will orbit the Earth for several weeks until it burns up as it enters the Earth’s atmosphere.

The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) team has received permission to include a special compact disk on-board this spacesuit with school artwork included.  As a result, participating schools will have an opportunity to “fly” their artwork as part of the spacewalk. 

 To participate, schools should develop a 1 page piece of artwork that uniquely represents your school.  This could be an artist’s representation of the school, a list of student names, student signatures, a school science project summary or a school mission patch.  This artwork should be primarily developed by the students.  The goal is for you to use your imagination and engage your students in the development of the artwork. 

 The page, as delivered, should not exceed 8.5x11 inches ( 216x279 mm) so that it can be easily scanned onto the compact disk.  Schools can also take a digital photograph of their art work and send this in.  If you elect to take a digital photograph, we ask that this be in jpg format and not exceed 2 megs in size.  No other formats can be accepted.

Delivery Specifics:

All entries need to be received prior to June 15 2005 to be included on the compact disk.  The disk will be delivered to Russia in late June, flown to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and launched on the 19P Progress vehicle currently planned for August 2005. 

8.5x11 inch page artwork can be mailed to the following address:

School Spacewalkc/o AMSAT 
 850 Sligo Ave.
 Suite 600
 Silver Spring, MD  20910-4703
 USA 

Jpg images, no greater than 2 megs, using the naming format  “schoolname_location.jpg”  can be e-mailed to:  schoolspacewalk@comcast.net

The ARISS team looks forward to your artwork and is pleased to provide this opportunity to school students around the world!!  (Thanks to Daniel Lamoureux VE2KA for the ARISS team) 

(RAC News Service)

Japanese Junior High Students Take "Giant Step" via Ham Radio (May 17, 2005)

A dozen junior high students in Japan used Amateur Radio May 9 to quiz NASA International Space Station Science Officer and US astronaut John Phillips, KE5DRY, about life in space. The contact between NA1SS in space and 8N3H at Hosokawa Junior High School in Ikeda was arranged by the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program. Working in microgravity, the training necessary to become an astronaut and food were the focus of several of the more than 20 questions asked and answered. Phillips told the youngsters that he was surprised at how beautiful the Earth appears from space and that he never tires of watching the planet from the ISS. Responding to another student's question, he nearly waxed poetic in describing Earth's beauty.

Full Story: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/05/17/3/?nc=1

(ARRL News Service)

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)

Hurricane Watch Net, WX4NHC Activate for Early-Season Storm  (May 20, 2005)

The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) on 14.325 MHz and Amateur Radio Station WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center activated May 19 around midday UTC as Tropical Storm Adrian approached the Pacific Coast of Central America. Eventually gaining hurricane strength, the storm raked El Salvador before crossing over the isthmus into the Caribbean. Adrian was the named storm of the 2005 hurricane season, which does not officially begin until June 1. 

"After 15 hours of operation in support of Hurricane Adrian on the Pacific shores of El Salvador, the Hurricane Watch Net secured operations at 0345 UTC," HWN Manager Mike Pilgrim, K5MP, reported May 20. "Many thanks to all of you who helped to route interested parties to our net frequency and otherwise provided your silent support while we performed our duties." 

The HWN and WX4NHC work hand-in-hand to gather and disseminate ground-level observed and/or measured weather data from radio amateurs and weather watchers within a storm's path. The information collected helps National Hurricane Center forecasters to better predict a given storm's behavior. In addition to monitoring the HWN, WX4NHC also keeps an ear on EchoLink and IRLP systems via the WX_TALK Conference Room. 

The storm left two people dead in a mudslide in Guatemala. Flooding and additional mudslides prompted by heavy rains were considered continuing dangers in Adrian's wake. The storm resurrected memories of the devastating Hurricane Mitch, which struck Central and South America several years ago wreaking extensive damage. 

As of 1500 UTC, the National Hurricane Center reported that Adrian, now a tropical depression, was dissipating over Honduras but still producing heavy rains. The storm's center was inland over western Honduras, moving northeasterly at about 17 MPH. Maximum sustained winds remain near 30 MPH with higher gusts. 

"Adrian is expected to produce additional rain accumulations of 4 to 6 inches over Honduras during the next 24 hours," the NHC said, adding that isolated maximum storm totals of 20 inches were possible in mountainous regions 

Adrian made landfall early May 20 in El Salvador where more than 20,000 evacuees reportedly took refuge in emergency shelters. There was some wind damage in the capital city of San Salvador as well as in other localities of the tiny country. The US Department of State issued a warning to travelers in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize and Nicaragua. 

The NHC predicts up to 15 tropical storms this season in the eastern Pacific, with six to eight expected to gain hurricane strength. 

(ARRL News Service)

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: 

• our Forums where you can meet and hear authorities on all facets of amateur radio - Note: All Forums time slots are BOOKED in advance. We still have a few additional space or times available. Plenty of space for guests to attend. Seating is provided on a first come first served basis so plan to arrive early. 

• 500 inside exhibit spaces where the exhibitors are showing their latest equipment and are available to answer questions about their products 

• our HUGE 2500+ space Flea Market area! The largest of its kind! 

For full details visit the Dayton Hamvention website: www.hamvention.org/
 

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)
 

The Scarborough Special Events Group was given special permission by Ofcom to transmit a Morse code message encrypted by a Second World War Enigma machine from its special event station at GCHQ in Scarborough. The message was transmitted from GB2HQ on 7 May. An authentic Enigma simulator program for Windows that can decrypt the Enigma message - once the key is published - can be downloaded from the Internet: www.hut-six.co.uk/SSEG/index.html  (RSGB2)

Morse Code Still Beats Short Message Service  (May 14 2005)
 

It seems that morse code is still faster at sending text messages than using txt speak. Even when the morse code sender is 93 years old and the SMS challengers were teenagers! Fingers tapping out the winning morse code message at a competition arranged by Sydney's PowerHouse Museum was 93-year-old telegraph operator Gordon Hill. He easily defeated his 13-year-old rival who was armed with a mobile phone and a rich vocabulary of text message shorthand.

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) 

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). 

QRP TAC Sprint Contest--CW, SSB & PSK31, sponsored by EPA QRP Club, from 1800-2359Z Jun 4. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: QRP (<5 W), QRPp (<1 W), Tactical (portable with temporary antennas), Homebrew, Classic (pre-1985 radios). Exchange: RST, name and telephone area code (TAC), DX send area code or prefix. PA stations send × after the area code. QSO points: CW--4 pts, SSB--3 pts, PSK31--2 pts. For more information: www.n3epa.org. Logs due Jul 12 to tac@n3epa.org or EPA QRP Club, c/o Ron Polityka, 3050 Elm Rd, Reading, PA 19605-2343. 

World Wide Major Six Club Contest-- CW/SSB, sponsored by the Six Meter World Wide DX Club, from 2300Z Jun 3-0300Z Jun 6. Frequencies: 50 MHz only. Categories: SO only. Exchange: Grid square. QSO points: own country--1 pt, diff country (incl KH6 and KL7)-- 2 pts. Score: QSO points × grid squares (counted only once). For more information: http://6mt.com/contest.htm. Logs due 30 days after the contest to w4wrl@aol.com or to Wayne Lewis Sr, Six Club Contest Director, 3338 S Cashua Dr, Florence, SC 29501-6306. 

IARU Region 1 Field Day--CW, sponsored by IARU Societies, from 1500Z Jun 4-1459Z Jun 5 (SSB--Sep 3-4). Frequencies: 160-10 meters. Categories: SOAB (LP, QRP), MS (HP, LP). Exchange: RST and serial number. QSO points: EU to EU fixed stations--2 pts, non-EU to EU-3 pts, with portable EU stations--4 pts. Score: QSO points × DXCC and WAE entities counted once/band. See IARU Region 1 society Web sites for more information. Send logs to the appropriate national societies (NA hams to RAC or ARRL). 

ANARTS WW RTTY / Digital Contest--sponsored by Australian National Amateur Radio Teleprinter Society (ANARTS), from 0000Z Jun 11-2400Z Jun 12. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SO, MS, and SWL, SO and SWL only operate 30 hours. Exchange RST, CQ zone and Time (UTC). QSO points are determined by an exchange table available from ANARTS. Score is QSO points × DXCC entities + VK, JA, VE and W call districts + continents (counted only once, not incl Antarctica). For more information: www.users.bigpond.com/ctdavies. Logs due Sep 1 to ctdavies@bigpond.net.au or Contest Manager Colin Davies, VK2CTD, PO Box 93, Toongabbie, NSW 2146, Australia. 

Asia-Pacific Sprint--SSB, from 1100Z to 1300Z Jun 11. Frequencies: 20 and 15 meters only (see Feb QST, p 99 or http://jsfc.org/apsprint/aprule.txt). 

ARRL June VHF QSO Party--from 1800Z Jun 11-0300Z Jun 13 (see May QST, p 99. 

EU EME Contest--any mode, sponsored by DUBUS and REF, from 0000Z Jun 11-2400Z Jun 12. Frequencies: 432 MHz, 5.7 GHz (see Apr QST, page 103). 

Portugal Day Contest--SSB, sponsored by Rede dos Emissores Portugueses (REP), from 0000Z-2400Z Jun 12. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOAB only. Exchange: RS + serial number or CT district abbreviation. QSO points: different country--3 pts, CT stations--6 pts. Score: QSO points × CT districts counted once per band. For more information: www.rep.pt/dia_de_portugal.htm. Logs due Sep 1 to REP-Rede dos Emissores Portugueses, Award/Contest Manager, PO Box 2483, 1112 Lisboa Codex, Portugal. 

GACW WWSA CW DX Contest --sponsored by Grupo Argentino de Radiotelegrafia (GACW), from 1500Z Jun 11-1500Z Jun 12. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOAB and SOSB (QRP <5 W, LP, HP >100 W), MS, MM. Exchange: RST and CQ Zone. QSO points: own country--0 pt (mult credit only), different country--1 pts, diff continent--3 pts, non-SA to SA--5 pts. Score is QSO points × zone + countries from DXCC/WAE/GACW lists. For more information:http://gacw.no-ip.org. Logs due Jul 15 to uranito@gacw.no-ip.org or GACW DX Contest, PO Box 9, B1875ZAA Wilde, Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

(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. 

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. 

1800Z Jun 2-1500Z Jun 5, Spruce Knob, WV. Northern Virginia Astronomy Club, K4S. NOVAC--Almost Heaven Star Party. 28.460 21.360 14.260 7.260. QSL. John Singleton, N4AJR, 43207 Ribboncrest Terrace, Ashburn, VA 20147. www.novac.com/AHSP/index.php. 

1700Z-2359Z daily Jun 3-Jun 5, Vancouver, WA. Clark County Amateur Radio Club, W7AIA/75. Commemorating the club's 75th anniversary. 28.450 21.350 14.250 7.260. Certificate. Clark County ARC, PO Box 1424, Vancouver, WA 98685. www.w7aia.org. 

1300Z-2000Z Jun 4, Ashboro, NC. Randolph Amateur Radio Club, NC4ZO. War Bird Air Fair D-Day Commemoration. 28.400 21.320 14.240 7.240. Certificate. Butch Simpson, WS4H, 6747 King Mtn Rd, Asheboro, NC 27205. 

1300Z-2100Z Jun 4, Slippery Rock, PA. K2BSA Amateur Radio Association, K2BSA/3. Order of the Arrow Section NE-4B Conclave at Camp Bucoco. 14.250 7.250. Certificate. Ronald J. Dambaugh, KA3WIK, 221 Country Lane Rd, Prospect, PA 16052. 

1400Z-2000Z Jun 4, Union, IL. Illinois Railway Museum, W9T. Amateur Radio Day at Illinois Railway Museum. 21.350 14.250 7.250 7.050. QSL. Larry Zacharias, 1031 Pershing Dr, Wauconda, IL 60084. 

1400Z-2100Z Jun 4, Badin, NC. Montgomery Amateur Radio Society, NC4MC. Loss of the "Badin Bomber" on June 8, 1944. 28.450 21.350 14.250 7.255. Certificate. Montgomery Amateur Radio Society--NC4MC, c/o Eric Luther, 3224 Panther Mountain Rd, Asheboro, NC 27205. http://members.carolina.net/ki4dh/. 

1400Z-2200Z Jun 4, Tylertown, MS. Southwest Mississippi ARC, KD5QNC. Walthall County Dairy Festival. 14.270 7.270. QSL. KD5QNC, Southwest Mississippi ARC, 1545 Friendship Lane NW, Brookhaven, MS 39601. 

1700Z-2100Z Jun 4, Manchester, VT. Burr and Burton Amateur Radio Club, K1BBS. Celebrating Burr and Burton Academy's 175th anniversary of excellence in education. 14.225 7.225. Certificate. Chris Kochenour, 18 Valley Pass Rd, Manchester Center, VT 05255. 

1800Z-2200Z Jun 4, Olathe, KS. Johnson County ARES, KSØJC. Honoring Marshall and Loretta Ensor code teachers. SSB 14.250; CW 10.115. Certificate and QSL. Dan Reed, 29545 W 152nd Ter, Gardner, KS 66030. www.w9bsp-w9ua.org. 

1400-2000Z daily Jun 4 and Jun 5, Mississauga, ON. Mississauga Amateur Radio Club, VE3MIS. 32 Streetsville Founders Bread & Honey Festival. 21.315 14.240 28.480 7.227. Certificate. MARC, c/o Michael Brickell, VE3TKI, 2801 Bucklepost Cres, Mississauga , ON, Canada L5N 1X6. www.marc.on.ca. 

1400Z Jun 4-2400Z Jun 7, New Orleans, LA. Jefferson Amateur Radio Club, W5D. 61st anniversary of D-Day from the National D-Day Museum. 21.250 14.250 7.250. Certificate. W5GAD, PO Box 73665, Metairie, LA 70033. www.w5gad.org. 

(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)

May 19 2005 ARRL  DX News

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

PAKISTAN, AP.  Ijaz, AP2IA has been QRV using RTTY on 17 meters. Meanwhile, Farrukh, AP2UK has also been active using RTTY on 20 meters after 1500z.  QSL via operators' instructions.

ANDORRA, C3.  Look for special event station C37JPE to be QRV from May 23 to June 5 during the XI Olympic Games.  QSL via bureau.

PORTUGAL, CT.  Special event station CQ1M is QRV until May 22 to commemorate the Grand Prix F1 of Motonautica in Portimao.  Activity is on 40 to 10 meters, including 17 and 12 meters, using SSB.  QSL direct via CT1ITZ.

CANARY ISLANDS, EA8.  Some members of the Radio Club of Las Palmas will be QRV as ED8MPJ from Fuerteventura Island, IOTA AF-004, from May 23 to 29.  QSL via EA8BYG.

FRANCE, F.  Stations F5JOT, F5LGQ, F6AUS and F6CKH are QRV as homecalls/p from Sein Island, IOTA EU-068, until May 22.  Activity is on all HF bands using CW and SSB.  QSL to home calls.

NETHERLANDS, PA.  Special event station PH60L is QRV until June 6 to celebration the 60th year of liberation.  Activity is on all bands and modes.  QSL via operators' instructions.

WESTERN SAHARA, S0.  Mahfoud, S01MZ has been QRV on 15 meters SSB around 1230z and 1700z.  QSL via EA1BT.

CHAD, TT.  Philippe, F4EGS is QRV as TT8PK until July 20.  His operating times are limited because of his work schedule.  Activity is on all bands and modes.  QSL to home call.

CORSICA, TK.  Laci, HA0HW and Tomi, HA4DX will be QRV as TK/homecalls from May 22 to 29.  Activity will be on all HF bands using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31.  They may also try to operate from one of the small coastal islands, IOTAs EU-100, EU-104 or EU-164. QSL to home calls.

UKRAINE, UR.  Special event stations EM50KIEV, EN50KIEV, EN50UN, EM50UKY and EO50UA are QRV until May 23 during the 50th Eurovision Song Contest in Kiev.  QSL via operators' instructions.

BELIZE, V3.  Tom, K4ZGB will be QRV as V31ZR from May 24 to 31. Activity will be on 40 to 10 meters using mostly CW.  QSL to home call.

MYANMAR, XY.  Nick, UT4UT is QRV as XY4U from Thebyu Island, IOTA AS-167, until May 22.  Activity is around the usual IOTA frequencies using primarily CW.  QSL to home call.

OPERATION APPROVED FOR DXCC.  The following operation is approved for DXCC credit: Afghanistan, T68G, Current operation effective April 2005.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The US Counties SSB QSO Party, VK/Trans-Tasman 80-Meter Phone Contest, EU PSK DX Contest, Portuguese Navy Day PSK31 Contest, Manchester Mineira CW Contest, His Majesty King of Spain CW Contest and the 40th Annual Baltic Contest are all scheduled for this weekend.  Please see May QST, page 98 and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details.

(ARRL)

May 22-Jun 14 2005    I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O.

22/05/2005:  EU-014  TK/H.C.'s  CORSICA -
Laci HA0HW and Tomi HA4DX will be active as TK/HA0HW and TK/HA4DX from Corsica (ITOA EU-014, DIFM TK-001, MIA MCO-001) on May 22-29th. They plan to operate on all HF bands on CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31 with two radios, DunaX and home-made verticals, dipoles on 160/80m. If they find time to go out to one of the small coastal islands (EU-100, EU-104 or EU-164) to operate, they will do it. QSLs are "OK" via the HA QSL bureau or direct according to the details on QRZ.com. [Tnx OPDX]

23/05/2005:  OC-049/064  A35  TONGA -
YL operators Elizabeth, VE7YL and Gwen, VK3DYL will operate from Nuku'alofa (IOTA OC-049) and Vava'u (IOTA OC-064) between May 23rd and June 7th. Their callsigns and detailed QSL information will be forthcoming at a later date. [Tnx OPDX]

24/05/2005:  NA-062  NK4AA  KEY WEST -
Dave, N2NL, will be active May 24-31st as NK4AA from Key West (IOTA NA-062, USI FL-040S, Monroe county), Florida. He will also be participating in the CQ WPX CW Contest (May 28-29th). QSL via N2NL (QRZ.com). [Tnx N2NL]

25/05/2005:  RDA:RO-60  UE6LLL  TARASOVSKY AREA -
Special call UE6LLL will be active May 25-31st from the Tarasovsky Area (RDA reference RO-60 for the Russian Districts Award), Rostovskaya oblast (RO). QSL via RK6MP, direct or bureau. [Tnx RDA News]

26/05/2005:  NA-080  GM7CXM/C6A  GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND -
Duncan, EA5ON, will once again be active from Freeport, Grand Bahama Island (IOTA NA-080) as GM7CXM/C6A. His provisional dates are from May 26th to May 30th. As in previous years, this is a business trip, but he hope to be fairly active on 80-10 meters, mostly on SSB but also some digital, and perhaps participating a bit in the CQWW WPX CW Contest. QSL via EA7JX, direct or via the bureau. [Tnx OPDX]

27/05/2005:  AF-004  EF8CID  CANARY ISLANDS -
The Canary Islands DX Society will be active May 27-30th as EF8CID to celebrate the Canary Islands Day. IOTA reference AF-004. Activity will be on 15 meters only. All of the QSOs will be confirmed automatically via bureau. Direct cards via EC8AUA. [Tnx 425DXN]

28/05/2005:  EU-055  EA8AH  CANARY ISLANDS -
Operators YL2KL, YL1ZF, YL2LY and ES1AJ will be active from the Canary Islands (IOTA AF-004) as EA8AH during the CQWW WPX CW Contest (May 28-29th) as a Multi-2 entry. QSL via YL2KL. [Tnx OPDX]

28/05/2005:  AS-017  JR2RKK/6  IZENA ISLAND -
JR2RKK/6 plans to be active May 28-29th from Izena Island (IOTA AS-017, JIIA AS-017-016), Okinawa prefecture. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx JI6KVR]

28/05/2005:  EU-055  LA/DL2VFR  HELLESOY ISLAND -
Look for Ric, DL2VFR, to be QRV May 28th to June 3rd as LA/DL2VFR from Hellesoy Island (IOTA EU-055). Activity will be mainly CW. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx DL2VFR]

29/05/2005:  TI/EA9CP  COSTA RICA -
EA9CP (Toño) will be in San José, Costa Rica, from May 29th to June 5th. Look for him on 20, 15 and 10 meters. His callsign has not yet been confirmed. QSL via EA9CP/1, bureau or direct. [Tnx F5NQL]

30/05/2005:  EU-014  TK/F1PNR  CORSICA -
From May 30th to June 28th, Jean F1PNR will sign TK/F1PNR from South Corsica (EU-014), near L'Île Rousse, grid square JN42. The location is 300 metres asl in front of the sea. Traffic time table: every day from 0430 to 0900 UTC and 1600 to 1700 UTC. Mode SSB. FT857, preamp 20db, 16 elements wide spacing. Window: 10 NE to 275 W. Bands: mainly 2 metres (144.265 MHz). For the first time, Jean will appear on HF too with 100w barefoot into a G5RV antenna. From the 12th to the 25th, Bernard F1YJ, will join Jean and will traffic as second operator either as TK/F1PNR or TK/F1YJ. Please would you note that Jean is not a keen op in pile ups. He doesn't like that at all. For TK/F1PNR or TK/F1YJ, QSL when coming back home, via the French REF-Union bureau or direct. [Tnx F5NQL]

02/06/2005:  EU-108  MMØBQI/P  LUNGA ISLAND -
Jim, MM0BQI, will be QRV June 2-5th as MM0BQI/p from Lunga Island, Treshnish Isles (IOTA EU-108, IOSA NH-17, SCOTIA DI-09). Activity will be on 80 through 10 meters, including the WARC bands, using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via MM0BQI direct (Jim Martin, MM0BQI, 3 Lismore Avenue, Edinburgh, EH8 7DW, SCOTLAND), or bureau. [Tnx IOTW]

02/06/2005:  ZB2/G0KOM  GIBRALTAR -
Adrian, G0KOM, will be operating from Gibraltar as ZB2/G0KOM for the UKSMG 6 meter contest the first weekend of June. He will be QRV hopefully from June 2nd until June 6th. Adrian hopes to travel down to Gibraltar at least a further 2 times over the summer E,s season, although primarily for 6 meters and will have full HF capability and will operate on all bands appart from 160 when he has no 6m conditions. QSL via home call. [Tnx UKSMG]

02/06/2005:  9M8  SARAWAK -
Operators are being sought to join a DXpedition to Jagoi Gunung, a Dayak village in Sarawak (9M8) located at 1,000 metres a.s.l. It is proposed to operate from 3 to 5 June 2005 and Australian and DX operators are being encouraged to join the group. A call sign has been requested (TBA, QSL direct to VK4AAR) and interested parties should contact Sengchai Chan, 9M8SC (chansc44@yahoo.com) for more details. [Tnx 425 DX News]

03/06/2005:  AS-084  H.C.'s/P  CHU'JA ISLAND -
A group of eleven operators (namely HL2EJT/4, HL1OJQ/4, HL1OYF/4, HL1SRJ/4, HL1VAU/4, DS1KOQ/4, DS1NMA/4, DS3MLG/4, DS4NMJ, DS4NYE and the President of the Korea Amateur Radio League, HL2AGG/4) will be active June 3-5th from Chu'ja Island (AS-084). QSL via HL1OYF. [Tnx 425 DX News]

04/06/2005:  DCFP:C-067  CS7MA  CASTLE OF MARVÃO -
Clube Radioamadores do Entroncamento, with special call CS7MA, will be actived June 4th from Castelo de Marvão,(DCFP reference C-067, DMHP reference PG-036 and DMP reference 1210 for the Portuguese Castles Award). QSL via CT1BXE, direct or bureau. Castelo de Marvão is located in the Province of Alto Alentejo. [Tnx CS1CRE]

04/06/2005:  DFCF  F6AEW/P  FRENCH CASTLES -
Claude, F6AEW, will be active the morning of June 4th as F6AEW/p from the Castle of the Court (DFCF reference 53-021) and the Castle of the Field (DFCF 53-022), Departement de la Mayenne (53). Look for him to be on 40 meter SSB. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx F5AJI]

04/06/2005:  EU-056  LA/DL2VFR  OTROY ISLAND -
Look for Ric, DL2VFR, to be QRV June 4-10th as LA/DL2VFR from Otroy Island (IOTA EU-056). Activity will be mainly CW. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx DL2VFR]

07/06/2005:  NA-094  CY9SS  ST. PAUL ISLAND -
The St. Paul Island (IOTA NA-094, CIsA NS-002) CY9SS DXpedition is scheduled to take place between June 7th and July 7th. The list of operators include: Robert VY2RO, Grant W1AIM, Jim VE9WH, William VY2LI, Justin K9MU, Robert VY2SS, Doug VE1PZ, Glenn VE9GJ, Lowell VY2OX, Steve VE2TKH and Dave VA2DV. The team is planning activity for the following: 2m weak signal SSB/CW/WSJT-M/S-EME; 2 HF stations; 6m station on Europe 24/7 and a 6m station NA/SA. The team will be located at the life saving station, Atlantic Cove, St. Paul Island (South). QSL direct to VY2SS (Robby Robertson, RR#3, Oleary, PEI, Canada  C0B 1V0) or e-QSL. The logs will be uploaded to LoTW. [Tnx OPDX]

10/06/2005:  EU-170  9A/I6GFX  CROATIAN ISLANDS -
Gianfranco, I6GFX, and others will be active June 10-13th as 9A/I6GFX from a few Croatian islands in the IOTA EU-170 group. They plan to operate from Ugljan (ACIA CIA-53, IOCA CI-134), Sestrunj (ACIA CIA-41, IOCA CI-104), Rivanj (ACIA CIA-40, IOCA CI-102), Jidula (IOCA CI-273) and Paranak Veli (IOCA CI-386). QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx 425 DX News]

10/06/2005:  EU-145  CS0RCL/P  CULATRA ISLAND -
Mel, EA7AHS, will be active June 10-12th as CS0RCL/p from Ilha da Culatra (IOTA EU-145, DIP AL-001). Look for him on 6m, 2m, 70cm, and 1.2GHz. He will have a beacon on 50123 kHz. QSL via EA7AH (QRZ.com). [Tnx UKSMG]

10/06/2005:  EU-101  OH6M  MOLPE ISLAND -
Look for Juha OH6OS, Pasi OH6UM and Toni OH6TN to be active June 10-12th as OH6M from Molpe Island (IOTA EU-101). Activity will be on 80-10 meter CW and SSB. QSL via the bureau. [Tnx 425 DX News]

11/06/2005:  WAIL:LI-006  IU1PV  PUNTA VAGNO LIGHTHOUSE -
A group of operators from ARI Genova will be active June 11-12th as IU1PV from the lighthouse at Punta Vagno (WAIL LI-006, ARLHS ITA-151). QSL via the bureau. [Tnx 425 DX News]

11/06/2005:  EU-138  SM7/DL8AAV/P  ASPO ISLAND -
Look for Bernd, DL8AAV, to be QRV June 11-24th as SM7/DL8AAV/p from Aspo Island (EU-138). This will be an SSB only operation. QSL via bureau to home call. [Tnx 425 DX News]

12/06/2005:  RDA:YR  RK3UWK/3  RUSSIAN DISTRICTS -
Team RK3UWK will be active June 12th as RK3UWK/3 from Rostov City YR-08, the Bol'shesel'sky Area YR-12 and the Rostovsky Area YR-24, Yaroslavskaya oblast (YR). QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx RDA News]

12/06/2005:  VP5/H.C.'s  TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS -
Operators Bob/K7LAY (father) and Harry/K7LAZ (son) will be on a mini DXpedition/ham vacation to the Turks and Caicos Islands between June 12-24th. Activity will be on all bands 160-10 meters with an emphasis on CW. Callsigns will be VP5/homecall. QSL via their home callsigns. [Tnx OPDX]

13/06/2005:  RDA:IV  RK3UWK/P  RUSSIAN DISTRICTS -
Team RK3UWK will be active June 13th as RK3UWK/p from the Zavolzhsky Area IV-13, the Komsomol'sky Area IV-17 and the Tejkovsky Area IV-26, Ivanovskaya oblast (IV). QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx RDA News]

14/06/2005:  LA5WJA/MM & LA7DFA/MM  NORWAY GRID SQUARES -
In late June (probably June 17-24) LA5WJA/mm and Per LA7DFA/mm will operate 6 meters from a sailboat in grids JP33, JP43, JP54 and JP44. They will even consider JP34 if weather and propagation are good. More info coming on http://www.qsl.net/la7dfa. Would appreciate feedback on what squares are needed by you (la7dfa(at)qsl.net). [Tnx UKSMG]

14/06/2005:  EU-New!  MSØIRC/P  ROCKALL ISLAND -
An expedition will leave the Orkney Islands on June 11th arriving in the area of Rockall Island (IOTA GM EU-New!) around June 14th and remaining there until June 21st. It will include an amateur radio team led by Dave Wood MM0ALM, assisted by well-known and experienced island activator Seamus (Jim) Cameron MM0CWJ from the Hebrides. They will rely on a member of the SAS to get them onto the rock from an inflatable and hope to put up a small tent on a tiny ledge a few meters square. They will use the call MS0IRC/p and operation will be primarily SSB (all bands, as appropriate). QSL via direct to G0HXN. [Tnx GM3VLB]

14/06/2005:  RDA:YR  RK3UWK/3  RUSSIAN DISTRICTS -
Team RK3UWK will be active June 14th RK3UWK/3 from the Jur'ev-polsky Area VL-28, Kol'chugino City VL-08 and the Kol'chuginsky Area VL-20, Vladimirskaya oblast (VL). QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx RDA News]

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

ARRL signing Memorandum of Understanding with Civil Air Patrol (May 19 2005)

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and ARRL will sign a Memorandum of Agreement during Dayton HamventionR, May 20-22, where CAP plans to field a major presence. The agreement will spell out guidelines for CAP--the US Air Force Auxiliary, and ARRL--the national association for Amateur Radio, to better use and integrate their resources during communication exercises and emergencies.

"Civil Air Patrol has one of the largest unified communications networks in the nation," said CAP Lt Col Maurice Thomas, N3ADV. "Federal, state and local agencies call on CAP members every day for communication support in search-and-rescue missions and disaster relief." Thomas says CAP, which has been in existence for more than 60 years, needs "implementers" for its communication technology, and highly skilled ham radio operators are "a natural resource."

Dayton Hamvention will play host to ARRL's 2005 National Convention, featuring ARRL EXPO 2005 in Hara Arena's Ballarena. The League also will maintain a retail booth and relaxation area at its traditional North Hall location.

CAP National Commander Maj Gen Dwight Wheless, will join ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, at Hamvention to sign the formal agreement. The ceremony will take place Friday, May 20, during the "ARRL Goes to Washington for You" forum at 10:15 AM in Room 2 of Hara Arena. Wheless called radio amateurs "highly skilled and knowledgeable about the latest in communications technology."

ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, points out that volunteerism is an Amateur Radio tradition. "We look forward to educating our members about CAP, and CAP members about ARRL," he said. "From Morse code to high-speed digital, a wire up in a tree to satellite communications, hams love to make it happen."

Pitts says the ham radio slogan "When all else fails . . ." is more than mere words. "They know ham radio communication works again and again when other systems fail," he said. "One way or another, hams get the message through."

Radio communication plays a major role in all of CAP's operations too--including homeland security, damage assessment, search and rescue, and disaster relief. It was key in CAP's impact assessment missions during last year's hurricanes in Florida, ice storms in Arkansas and New York, and floods in Missouri.

Pitts notes that during the course of many emergency response situations, Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), and other Amateur Radio emergency groups find themselves working side by side with CAP members.

"This formal agreement between our two organizations will acknowledge that in a disaster, we all work for the common good," he said.

During Hamvention, CAP members hope to educate radio amateurs about the opportunities available to civilian volunteers through Civil Air Patrol. CAP will occupy Booth 154-155 in the Ballarena. CAP's Wisconsin Wing will display its new 35-foot state-of-the-art Mobile Command Center. The unit was custom-built for CAP by Winnebago Corporation thanks to a US Department of Homeland Security grant.

National Headquarters Chief of Communications Malcolm Kyser, KG4G, says CAP maintains a dedicated nationwide HF and VHF network on federal government frequencies. "We operate over 550 VHF repeaters spread across the country as well as HF, tactical VHF/UHF, data and commercial satellite applications," he explains. "The CAP network is a 24/7 emergency services resource, which we rely upon to support an almost unlimited variety of missions."

A nonprofit organization with some 60,000 members, the Civil Air Patrol performs the vast majority of continental US inland search-and-rescue missions under the direction of the US Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. CAP volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and anti-drug trafficking missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. CAP will hold its national conference August 17-20 in St Louis. Visit CAP on the Web: www.cap.gov

(ARRL News Service)

Array of "ARRL Stage" Presentations Among ARRL EXPO 2005 Highlights (May 13, 2005)
 

Rocks, diamonds and the Swiss Army knife are among topics visitors to ARRL EXPO 2005 can learn more about--at least in a manner of speaking. As part of the ARRL 2005 National Convention at Dayton Hamvention Friday through Sunday, May 20-22, an array of speakers will offer bite-sized live presentations on the "ARRL Stage."

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)

ARRL to Sponsor Affinity Credit Card (May 18, 2005)

The League will unveil its new ARRL Visa® Card--an affinity credit card with U.S. Bank--this week at Dayton Hamvention, which is playing host to the ARRL 2005 National Convention. U.S. Bank personnel will be on hand for the launch, Friday, May 20, at the ARRL EXPO 2005 exhibit area with applications for radio amateurs attending the convention who want to be among the first to apply. The no-annual-fee card is available to ARRL members and nonmembers.

Full Story: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/05/18/4/?nc=1

(ARRL News Service)