International

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 22 2004  Z2 QSL Bureau Closed Down

Don, G3BJ, announced the following: "At the Zimbabwe Amateur Radio Society (ZARS) council meeting held on May 3, 2004, ZARS took the decision to close the Zimbabwe QSL Bureau.  This is simply due to the excessive cost of services that are now prevalent in Zimbabwe.

The main cost is for the posting of cards to the various bureaus around the world.  This is coupled with a declining number of members such that reasonable subscriptions can no longer support the costs of running the bureau.  ZARS has recommended to members that QSL Managers be sought if they do not already have a manager.  A number have taken up the suggestion and arrangements have been made.  Member societies should note this information and advise their QSL managers accordingly."

This is indeed a sad occurance in the history of amateur radio in Zimbabwe and we cannot let it pass without recalling some magnificent achievements of and contributions made by Zimbabwean radio amateurs to amateur radio in the past.

The most outstanding that the general amateur radio community may probably remember are the first EME contacts in Africa by Peter Carey, then ZE5JJ and now ZS6JT and residing in Centurion, Gauteng.

Peter was the first to achieve EME in Africa and he did it on 432 MHz with Dr. Allen Katz which resulted in the first WAC in the world on 432 MHz for Dr. Katz.  Later Peter conducted a QSO with Dr. Charles Suckling on 1296 MHz, again another first in Africa.

Another first, and really prior to the EME, in early 1960 a small group of the amateurs started building equipment to receive signals from satellites which resulted in them assisting Dr. James van Allen at the Iowa State University in his attempt to map the Lower Radiation Belt which was later called the Van Allen Belt.  Later in the research they were even authorised by Dr Van Allen to command the satellite used, and that before computers were used for that purpose!!

We honour these radio amateurs for what they achieved.

(RADIO ZS)

May 16 2004 Big changes at the Wireless Institute of Australia

Today, QNEWS carried the following story.

ONE NATION - ONE WIA - ONE HELLUVA GOOD MOVE!
At the Teleconference held this afternoon (16th) to complete the business of the WIA Federal AGM commenced in Brisbane in April it was decided on a vote of 6 For and 1 Against to agree to the Special motion Moved VK1 Seconded VK4 :-
"Resolved to adopt the Constitution tabled at this meeting and initialled by the Chairman for identification and substitution for the Memorandum and Articles of Association."

The vote was as follows,
In Favour: VK1, VK2, VK4, VK5, VK6, VK7.
Against: VK3

(This also brought the adjourned 2004 AGM to a close).
This clears the way to take the necessary legal steps to formally create the new National WIA as soon as possible and the demise of the current Federal system based on State Divisions.
The spirit of the meeting emphasised that previous personal differences over the issues no longer matter and the important step is to bring all amateurs behind the National WIA.
The First Board of the national WIA is to be:

President Micheal Owen VK3KI
Vice President Ernest Hocking VK1LK
Director Glen Dunstan VK4DU
Director Ewen Mcleod VK4ERM
Director Trevor Quick VK5ATQ
Director Phillip Wait VK2DKN
Director Edward Thrift VK2ARA
This in effect means that Divisional structure ceases to exist. You will become members of the national WIA on renewal of your subscription and signing an application form which will be included with your subscription notice.
The Fees will be

Full Member $75.00
Overseas members $85.00
Pensioner/Student $70.00
Member No AR $50.00

As we hear more about the developments QNEWS will keep you informed. Members of the WIAQ should continue to forward renewals as before and appropriate arrangement will be made for membership credits. Intending new members residing in Queensland should contact KEN FULLER in the first instance so he can inform you on the process and applicable fees.
It should be noted that amongst other matters the membership of the National WIA is essentially of individual persons. Clubs and groups can become non subscribing affiliates and participate in the meetings of the WIA but are not members in the sense of having voting rights. An affiliated club or group may describe itself on its letterhead and other material as an Affiliated Club of the Wireless Institute of Australia once that recognition has been given by the National WIA

(Thanks to Alan VK1WX and Ken VK4KF for the above, via QNEWS)

(RAC News Service)

May 21 2004  New BARTG Awards Manager

The British Amateur Radio Teledata Group has a new  Awards Manager.  This, as the group announces that Phil Cooper, GU0SUP, has taken over from Nigel Roberets, G4KZZ, in that post.  Cooper will handle all awards, including the well-known Quarter-Century Award.

For more information e-mail: awards@bartg.demon.co.uk

(RSGB)

May 21 2004  India Free for All

Amateur Radio training classes have just started at the National Institute of Amateur Radio in India and there is a very pleasant twist. According to Administration Manager Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, the course is available free of charge to anyone in that nation who is age 12 or older.

(Q-News)

June 1 2004 Special Prefixes and Award Scheme for the Athens Olympics

Greek radio amateurs can use the special prefixes SX2004 or SY2004 from the 1st of June to the 15th of November to celebrate the Athens Olympic Games [ www.athens2004.com/athens2004 ]. Foreign radio amateurs visiting Greece from the 1st of August to the 15th of September are allowed to use the special prefix J42004. Operators from CEPT countries, including the United Kingdom, do not need to submit any papers for a licence.

The Athens 2004 Olympic Games Awards are available for all radio amateurs and listeners who make the requisite number of QSOs with stations in Greece during the period of the 15th of May until the 30th of September. Special prefixes J4, SX and SY count 10 points each, ‘normal' SV stations count 5 points each and the Radio Amateur Association of Greece's HQ station SZ1SV counts 50 points. A total of 250 points is required for the Bronze Award, 350 for the Silver and 500 points for the Gold Award. The address for applications is RAAG Award Manager, PO Box 3564, 102 10 Athens, Greece.

(RSGB)

National

May 21 2004   RAC meets with CBC on repeaters issue

About mid-May, a RAC delegation including President Lamoureux, VE2KA, Vice-President Regulatory Affairs Dean, VE3IQ and Ontario North Director Leach, VE3XK met with the CBC at the latter's request. The purpose of the meeting was to review the new requirements by CBC to accept Amateur repeaters in their towers.

Those requirements are:

1- To recover income they would receive from commercial equipment if the Amateurs were not present.
2- That the Amateurs provide a liability insurance of $3 million.
3- Full compliance by the Amateurs to the Safety Code 6 requirements.
4- That installations be made by professional riggers.
5- That environmental issues be addressed.
6- That there would be no intermod caused by the Amateur equipment.

To the argument that Amateur individuals or clubs are far from able to afford those requirements, it was answered that the CBC now had to maximize it’s revenue potentials and that no exception was allowed. The fact that Amateurs were providing a valuable public service in case of disaster was answered by saying that the CBC no longer had a mandate to support emergency communications in the country.

The meeting ended without any agreement but the parties agreed to continue talks in the hope of finding a solution to this situation.

(Daniel Lamoureux VE2KA)

(RAC News Service)

May 16 2004  Beware ! Fake "RAC message" virus is back

Please watch for a FAKE e-mail message which make look like the one below. It contains a virus !!
Do not open the attachment !

Dear user of Rac.ca,

Your e-mail account will be disabled because of improper using in next three days, if you are still wishing to use it, please, resign your account information.

Please, read the attach for further details. Attached file protected with the password for security reasons. Password is 62224.
 

(RAC News Service)

Important info for RAC E-Mail Forwarding Service users (callsign@rac.ca) 2004-05-19

Since RAC started offering this service several years ago no attempt has been made to try to determine if any piece of forwarded e-mail was spam.  We felt that spam filtering should be a personal choice and under your own control – either in your own machine, or at your Internet Service Provider, where you could choose the keywords or blocked sources.

 Recently the RAC server has been blacklisted by some ISPs for relaying spam. To prevent ongoing occurrences we regretfully have no choice but to install a spam filter on all e-mail passing through the RAC server. This is the type of filtering used for some time now by Internet Service Providers for filtering all e-mail passing through their servers. What we plan to install does not provide for personal selection of keywords, or the blocking of specific senders. To give you some notice of this, we plan to make the change on June 15, 2004.

 It is unlikely, but possible, that a desired piece of e-mail may be blocked by the filter and would not be forwarded to your real e-mail address. If you do not want to face even that remote possibility, you may wish to discontinue use of the RAC e-mail forwarding service.  Just send an email to rachq@rac.ca  giving the callsign you want removed and the email address it is connected to. For example, if your callsign is VY7AAA and the alias (vy7aaa@rac.ca) is redirected to joe.cool@cool.com, we need to know both pieces of information. If you're a RAC member, please supply your membership number from the label of your latest copy of The Canadian Amateur magazine.

(Thanks to Doug VE3XK, and Ken VE3PU)

Editors Note:  If you decide not to use the @rac.ca re-direct any longer and still wish to receive this bulletin please send your change of e-mail address information to webmaster@hfradio.net

May 17 2004  Canadian QRP'ers visit Dayton

Jim VA3KV, webmaster for the revised QRP-Canada website, tells us that a lot of Canadians attended FDIM Dayton this year. Jim has posted some very good pictures of some of the QRP gang.  Please go to www.qrp-canada.com  and  check out the "pictures" link.

(Thanks to Jim Thiessen VA3KV)

(RAC News Service)

Friendship Games in Russia and ARDF in China

As a promotion of cultural exchange, Victoria's sister cities Khabarovsk and Suzhou have separately extended an invitation to Victoria hams (or any Canadian ham) to attend events this coming summer/fall.

Khabarovsk, in the Russian Far East, will host the 8th Friendship radio games August 14 to 18.  These games include a HF operating contest, Morse sending and receiving, and a 2m direction finding contest.  There will be time to tour sites in Khabarovsk and visit with host amateur stations.

Suzhou, about an hour by train inland from Shanghai in eastern China, will host a Chinese national Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) contest in October 2004--exact date is not yet firm.  There will be an 80meter and 2metre hunt on separate days. Non-Chinese nationals are also invited, and the Suzhou Radio Sports Association have extended a specific invitation to their sister city Victoria hams.

Participants would be responsible for their own travel arrangements, possibly a participation fee of about $150, and incidental purchases, but accommodation, local transportation to events and food would be provided. As organizing these events with international participation takes quite a bit of time, the respective organizing committees in Khabarovsk and Suzhou need advance notice of possible attendance as soon as possible.  A firm commitment would be needed by about June.

The Friendship Amateur Radio Society Canada in Victoria has been the point of contact for these overtures.  If anyone is interested in either of these events, please contact VE7BFK@rac.ca ASAP.

Joe, VE7BFK, RAC ARDF Coordinator

(RAC Bulletin 04-13E)

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 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

New Director for the Quebec Region

On Wednesday, May 5, 2004, the Committee of Tellers met at RAC Headquarters to review the nominations received for the position of Director in the Quebec Region.

The following was the finding of the committee:

Quebec Region: A nomination was received for Mr. Murray Epstein VE2AUU.  The documentation was found to be in order.  As there were no additional nominations, Mr. Epstein was elected by acclamation to the position of Director, Quebec Region, for the balance of the term 2004-2005.

The Committee of Tellers was:
William Rothwell, VE3FGW
George Roach, VE3BNO
Gary Hyatt, VE3MJT
Deborah Norman, VA3RGM (for the Secretary).

(RAC Bulletin 04-11E)

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 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

June 12 2004  Central Ontario Amateur Radio Hamfest

Sponsored by: the Guelph and the Kitchener-Waterloo Amateur Radio Clubs.
Place: Community Centre, Fergus ON.
Admission: $5; Vendors: Inside 8' tables $10, Outside tailgater spaces $5, both plus admission.
Notes: Our 30th year. Free draws for many items, including Grand Prize Gift Certificates.
Information: E-mail: info@hamfest.on.caWebsite:www.hamfest.on.ca

(Mike VE3OGE, CoOrdinator)

May 20 2004  Seeking a ham radio volunteer

I am seeking a ham radio volunteer, near either Toronto or Lindsay-Haliburton (or en route in between) to help me speak with students in Neil Carleton's elementary school classroom in Almonte. I'm writing an article about what he's doing to use ham radio to teach his students, and I want to incorporate the ham radio medium into the article. What better way to do that than to use it to communicate with the students. It won't be a formal interview, but, rather, a conversation which all parties will consent to portions being included in the story, which is for a magazine called Education Today. I am not a ham operator (a mere DXer, sigh) so need to have access to equipment and also, obviously, supervision and assistance.

Here is our plan, and what I need at my end:

We'd do the connnection between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m., immediately after school, sometime in June.

It would be by amateur radio via the Internet Radio Linking Project (IRLP), using a VHF or UHF amateur radio transceivers (even a hand held) to send signals to a local repeater and IRLP node. The transmission would be converted at the node to a digital signal, directed to the local UHF repeater and IRLP node, then changed back to an amateur radio signal.

This combination of old and new technologies allows radio amateurs to talk to each other over great distances by local VHF or UHF amateur radio with the help of the internet. Any help is greatly appreciated ... thanks!!!

Saul Chernos
schernos@sympatico.ca
416-364-0725

May 21 2004    RAC Ontario Section Report

On May 21 2004, the next step in the realignment of ARES districts was finalized:

The new Trent District has been formed. The District includes the counties of Hastings, Prince Edward, Northumberland, Peterborough, and Haliburton and the Township of South Algonqin. This district now has the same boundaries as the EMO sector of the same name. It was created from parts of Eastern Northern and Central Districts. As of May 21, the new DEC for this District is Bill Milligan, VA3WOW.

In addition the New Georgian District consisting of Parry Sound, Muskoka, Simcoe and Algonquin Park has been formed from the parts of the Central and Northern Districts. This district now has the same boundaries as the EMO sector of the same name. Ian Snow, VA3QT formerly the DEC for Central District continues as a DEC, now for the Georgian District.

There are now 4 districts with the same name and boundary as their local EMO sector. These Districts are: Toronto, Scugog, Trent, Georgian.

Paul Davidson VE3UUM
Ontario Section Emergency Coordinator

May 21 2004  RAC ARES Ontario Section Site update

The ARES Ontario Districts maps have been updated to reflect re-algnment in the ARES Ontario districts. These maps are now interactive, by clicking on different areas of the maps detailed information about the district is given, Counties, or Regional Municipalities within the district,  District Emergency Coordinator, Emergency Coordinators and websites of local ARES Groups within the district.

The RAC ARES Ontario Section site can be found at www.aresontario.ca , click on 'Ontario Districts Maps' in the menu on the left side of the screen.

Jim Taylor VA3KU
RAC ARES Ontario Section Site Administrator

Western Provinces

New Interim Director for the Pacific Region

The RAC Board of Directors has approved Ed Fraser, VE7EF, as the Director for the Pacific region until the results of an upcoming election in the next few weeks. Ed is a long time Amateur in the Vancouver area and is very active at the club level as well as in the repeater system and the emergency communications organization. He replaces Dennis Livesey, VE7DK who recently resigned his position.

(RAC Bulletin 04-12E)

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.

• 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

Propagation Report

America's

May 21 2004 Tad Cook K7RA Solar Update

Solar flux values and sunspot numbers were higher over the past week. Average daily sunspot numbers rose nearly 65 points to 113.6 from the week earlier. Average solar flux rose over 18 points. The sunspot number reached a peak of 148 and 147 on Sunday and Monday, May 16-17. This was due to the growth of sunspot 609, which expanded dramatically along with a host of other spots.

A medium sized sunspot group is on the sun's far side, as detected by helioseismic holography. There were some unsettled conditions last Thursday, May 13, but the rest of the week was quiet with low K and A indices.

We are currently within a weak stream of solar wind from a coronal hole, so some resulting geomagnetic activity is possible. The predicted planetary A index for May 21-24 is 15, 15, 12 and 10. Solar flux should stay around 100 over the next week.

We are moving into late spring, with the longest day of the year just one month away. As the days become longer, we'll notice worldwide openings on 15 meters are not as common as they were earlier in spring. Worldwide 40-meter openings will come later in the evening, as the hour of sunset advances.

Users of lower frequencies, which depend on darkness for long distance communication, may notice shorter duration openings through the night because there are less hours of darkness. Seasonal noise levels should begin to rise as well.

Solar numbers aren't holding up too badly, considering where we are in the current cycle. Note that the average sunspot number this week at 113.6 is higher than the same week a year ago, when it was only 83.6. However, two years ago it was 160.3 and a year prior to that it was 122.3. There are still good openings in store for us, but the frequencies used will be lower, and except for some sporadic-E skip, we won't see the exciting 10 meter propagation we did a few years back.

Sunspot numbers for May 13 through 19 were 107, 98, 117, 148, 147, 91 and 87 with a mean of 113.6. 10.7 cm flux was 100.8, 109.6, 115.3, 118.3, 111.1, 107.8 and 108.8, with a mean of 110.2. Estimated planetary A indices were 13, 8, 9, 4, 5, 4 and 6, with a mean of 7. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 17, 4, 7, 4, 3, 4 and 6, with a mean of 6.4.

(W1AW)

May 22 2004  A Perfect Storm of Space Weather,
Last year's solar blasts were by far the most powerful ever recorded!

MONTREAL -- Seven solar blasts that shook Earth's upper atmosphere last year set records for extreme space weather, according to a panel of solar scientists.

The power of the solar storms that erupted in late October and early November surprised scientists. Dubbed ''the Halloween storms,'' the blasts damaged 28 satellites and knocked two out of commission, diverted airplane routes and caused power failures in Sweden, among other problems.

And the effects, measured by NASA's Cassini spacecraft now approaching Saturn, were felt beyond Earth. They burned out the radiation monitor aboard the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft. That monitor had been designed to track how much radiation future explorers would experience on trips to the Red Planet.

''These events broke records,'' says researcher Nat Gopalswamy of NASA's Goddard Spaceflight Center in Greenbelt, Md., who spoke here Tuesday at the combined American and Canadian Geophysical Union meeting.

Earth's magnetic field shielded the planet from the brunt of the storm. Scientists at the meeting agreed that things could have been much worse for satellites and power systems. The space-weather records included:

• The largest solar X-ray flare ever recorded.
• The fastest-moving solar storm. It traveled at nearly 6 million mph.
• The hottest storm. It measured tens of millions of degrees when it hit Earth.

Satellite operators and power companies now closely follow space weather forecasts, says solar physicist Thomas Zurbuchen of the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and were able to shut down vulnerable systems.

The scientists are still trying to unravel exactly how the sun managed to cough up such powerful blasts. ''I've never seen anything like it, anything that enormous,'' Zurbuchen says.

Effects from the storm will be felt at the edge of the solar system in coming months, the scientists predict. NASA's Voyager spacecraft, traveling beyond Pluto's orbit, should feel the effects of the storm's passage within the year.

(c) Copyright 2004 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ###

(By Dan Vergano  USA TODAY  www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20040520/6218013s.htm)
 
 

Space News

May 16 2004  Amateurs address Cornell students on amateur satellites

AMSAT's Mission and Vision statements specifically call for partnership and cooperation with the educational community. In support of that effort Rick Hambly, W2GPS, Board Member and Executive Vice President and Art Feller, W4ART, Treasurer traveled to Cornell University to provide presentations about amateur satellites to the Engineering College.

Art, a retired F.C.C. electrical engineer, presented "Frequency Planning 101". Art outlined how radio use grew from "do anything you want" to the first international technical treaty, through the recent explosion into the very complex radio-dependent world we live in today. It's a story of international cooperation across modern history, illustrating how culture and language affect all aspects of engineering.

Rick, presented "The AMSAT-OSCAR-E (Echo) Satellite Project". Rick gave an end-to-end view of the project, design, construction and launch plans of this leading-edge satellite.

(Thanks to Art, W4ART and Rick, W2GPS via AMSAT NEWS)

(RAC News Service)

May 17 2004   Rocket Carrying Ham Radio Payload Reaches Space!

An amateur rocket carrying a ham radio avionics package reached the edge of space May 17. Launched from Nevada's Black Rock Desert, the 21-foot Civilian Space Xploration Team (CSXT) [ www.civilianspace.com ] GoFast rocket quickly attained the 100 km altitude to make Amateur Radio and amateur rocketry history. Two earlier CSXT attempts to reach space--the last almost two years ago--were unsuccessful. A jubilant Avionics Team Leader Eric Knight, KB1EHE, called the successful launch "a phenomenal experience."

"It just roared off the pad and flew into space," said Knight, who lives in Unionville, Connecticut. "Everything went like clockwork this morning, and it was an awesome experience. We're all kind of on an adrenaline high right now."

The GoFast vehicle--named for one of the project's commercial sponsors--lifted off from the desert floor at approximately 11:20 AM PDT. The CSXT team, plus observers from the Federal Aviation Administration, were up and at the launch site several hours beforehand, however, and Knight said the rocket crew--which includes several radio amateurs--did a "dress rehearsal" prior to the actual countdown and launch.

Knight said several West Coast hams who learned about the rocket launch from ARRL news accounts showed up to assist in locating the vehicle, which was estimated to have returned to Earth some 26 to 30 miles downrange from the launch site. Knight said Monday evening that the rocket had not yet been recovered, but the ham radio telemetry package was continuing to transmit.

"We have a telemetry beacon telling us where it is--that it's alive and waiting to be found," Knight said. The rocket transmitted telemetry on the 33-cm amateur band and color Amateur TV pictures on 2.4 GHz. An HF special event station, K7R (for "rocket") didn't get much airtime, Knight said, "because we've been really focused on the mission."

"Everything came together very well," Knight said. His avionics crew includes eight Amateur Radio licensees, most of whom also were involved in the 2002 launch attempt. Former Hollywood stunt man--Ky Michaelson of Minnesota, directs the 18-person CSXT team.

(ARRL News Service)

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

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 20 2004  Salvation Army Assists Flood-affected Residents in Missouri

Salvation Army emergency disaster services personnel aided Missouri residents and emergency response crews after 10 inches of rain caused Lake Annette, located near Peculiar,  Mo., to overflow its banks leaving the area distressed from flooding.

Salvation Army emergency disaster service vehicles (canteens) provided food, beverages and a respite to emergency response crews who rescued at least 14 people from their flooded homes. Salvation Army caseworkers are assisting more than 27 families affected by the flood through need assessments and providing social service aid.

Major Rick Shirran
Territorial Coordinator for SATERN
Corps Officer
The Salvation Army Hamilton Citadel

May 22 2004   New RF Noise Indentification Website

Canadian radio amateur VE3HLS is busy putting the finishing touches to a new Website called The RF Noise Identification Website.

Its purpose is to help hams and SWLs identify the noises that intrude on shortwave listening. The Web site contains a growing library of recordings in MP3 format that you can download or listen to online. The recordings are of various types of noises from known sources and some that haven't been identified. Also included are small waveform images that provide an additional "fingerprint" for identification.

Ken, VE3HLS, hopes that users will visit the site if they have noise problems and will be able to identify noise that's bothering them by comparing it to the recordings. He would also greatly appreciate contributions in the form of recordings of noises at your location as well. They'll be converted to MP3 format and added to the Web site (with credit to the sender) for all to listen to. WAV or MP3 files, audio cassettes or CDs will be gratefully accepted. See the Web site for additional details.

The RF Noise Identification Website: www.ve3hls.com/noise/rfihome.html

(Source: eHam.net)

May 21 2004  New VHF Propagation Book From CQ

CQ Communications has announced the publication of a new resource book for hams active on VHF and UHF bands.  Its a book for those who want to learn more about long-distance propagation possibilities available to them.

Titled "VHF Propagation - A Practical Guide for Radio Amateurs" the book examine each of the most common long-distance propagation "modes" found on these bands. Topics covered include tropospheric scatter and ducting, Sporadic-E, Aurora, 6-meters and the F-layer, transequatorial and more.  The book then explains how each mode occurs and offer tips on making the most of these band openings.

"VHF Propagation - A Practical Guide for Radio Amateurs" was written by Ken Neubeck, WB2AMU, and Gordon West, WB6NOA.  It  is available from many ham radio dealers or direct from CQ anytime through the CQ online bookstore.  To find it take your web browser to www.cq-amateur-radio.com and then click on "Visit the CQ Store."

(CQ)

June 4-6 2004 Rochester Hamfest in June

The Rochester Hamfest takes place the weekend of June 4th through the 6th at the Monroe County Fairgrounds and is combined with the ARRL Atlantic Division Convention.

Features over 100 inside exhibitors, 1200 flea market spaces and that very much coveted on site free parking. Hotels can be found  in the area for $69 a night or less.

For more information visit: www.rochesterhamfest.org or call the hamfest office at 584-424-7184 during business hours Eastern Daylight Time.

(Rochester Hamfest)

May 21 2004  Beware of Foreign Pet Chips

The United States Humane Society and other animal care organizations are cautioning pet owners that the nation's animal shelters may not have the proper scanning devices to detect and read some foreign manufactured pet identification microchip.

The warning comes as a European company has entered the microchip market and is selling its microchips in approximately 440 veterinary clinics housed in one of the nation's largest pet product retailers. But the company has not yet provided many of the nation's shelters, humane societies and veterinary hospitals with compatible scanners needed to read all the microchips currently in pets.  As a result, the animal protection groups recommend that pet owners thinking about getting their pets micro-chipped contact both the chip manufacturer and their local shelter.  This, to make certain that compatible 125 kHz scanners are present in their community.

(Science OnLine)

Contest News

CQ WW WPX Contest--CW--sponsored by CQ Magazine from 0000Z May 29-2400Z May 30 For More Information: http://home.woh.rr.com/wpx

Great Lakes QSO Party--Phone/CW/RTTY/PSK31--sponsored by the Michigan DX Association from 0000Z May 29--2359 May 30, SO stations work 36 hours max. Frequencies (MHz): 160-2 meters, no repeater or satellite, CW--3.560, 3.720, 7.090, 7.135, 14.075, Phone--3.870, 7.260, 14.270, 21.370, 28.450. Categories: A (>100 W), B (5-100 W), C (<5 W), D (Club and MO), E (CW only), F (Mobile), G (Digital, one of RTTY or PSK31). Great Lakes are MI, IL, IN, WI, MN, OH, PA, NY, VE2, VE3. Exchange: Name, S/P/C, Great Lakes stations also send county. QSO points: Phone--1 pt, CW/Digital--2 pts, QRP or mobile--3 pts. Score: QSO points × Great Lakes counties (counted only once). Bonus points: 500 pts for QSO with W8DXI (once only), mobiles add 100 pts for each county with at least 10 QSOs. For more information: www.mdxa1.org/1aglqp.html  Logs to bripaw@yahoo.com (Cabrillo format) or Brian Pawloski, W8BRI, PO Box 140012, Grand Rapids, MI 49514-0012.

QRP ARCI Hootowl Sprint--CW--sponsored by the QRP ARC International from 2000-2400 local May 30. For rules visit: http://2hams.net/ARCI/index.htm

MI QRP Memorial Day CW Sprint--sponsored by the MI QRP Club from 2300Z May 30- 0300Z May 31 www.qsl.net/miqrpclub

(ARRL)

Special Event Stations

May 21-30 2004 A Wedding Operation

Spanish special event station A00FL will be on the air between the 21st and 30th of May.  This, to celebrate the wedding of Prince Felipe and Doña Letizia Ortiz.  If you work this one, QSL as directed on the air.

(Q-News)

July 10-11 2004 The Morris Canal Special Event

July 10th and 11th are the dates when New Jersey's Nutley Amateur Radio Society activates station W2GLQ. This, for the first ever Historic Morris Canal Special Event. Stations will operate from various locations along the 109 miles route of he canal from 1300 to 2200 U-T-C.  Operations will continue thru 2005.

More information is on the Nutley Amateur Radio Society website at: www.hometown.aol.com/kc2aup

(Press release)

Lancaster, NY: Town of Lancaster Office of Emergency Management, KC2LAS. 0000Z May 22-2000Z May 23. Annual "How Ham Radio Can Save the Day" public demonstration. 21.350 14.250 7.250 3.950. Certificate. Town of Lancaster, Emergency Management Office, 525 Pavement Rd, Lancaster, NY 14086.

Asheville, NC: Western Carolina Amateur Radio Society, W4MOE. 1200Z-2000Z May 28. Thomas Wolfe Memorial Grand Reopening. 28.450 21.300 14.265 145.19. Certificate. Robert Dockery, WD4CNZ, 72 Ormond Ave, Asheville, NC 28806. www.wcars.org

Jefferson City, MO: Great Rivers Council BSA/Cupbord Creek Encampment-Discovery Corps, W0M. 0000-1800Z daily May 28 and 30. Re- enactment of Lewis and Clark Exploration of Louisiana Purchase on the Missouri River. 28.360 14.260 7.260. QSL. Doug Mallory, AB 0OA, 608 Sherwood Rd, Paris, MO 65275. www.bsa-grc.org/cupbord

Chestertown, MD: Kent Amateur Radio Society, K3ARS. 1400Z-2000Z May 29. The 230th Anniversary of the Chestertown Tea Party. 14.240 14.040 7.240 7.040. Certificate. Kent Amateur Radio Society, PO Box 921, Chestertown, MD 21620. www.qsl.net/k3ars

Fort Wayne, IN: Allen County Amateur Radio Technical Society and Fort Wayne Radio Club, KB1IBW. 1500Z-2400Z May 29. Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day. General bands; PSK 31; IRLP nodes 9205 8380; Echolink Nodes 16686 106819. QSL. Emery McClendon, WB1IBW, 6116 Graymoor Ln, Ft Wayne, IN 46835-2313. www.fortwayneradioclub.org

Baton Rouge, LA: USS Kidd ARC/Baton Rouge ARC, W5KID. 1400Z-2200Z May 30. Memorial Day. General class bands, 14.250 to 14.320; CW QRP subbands. QSL. W5KID, c/o USS Kidd Museum, 305 S River Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70802.

Belleville, MI: Yankee Air Force Museum, W8YAF. 1200Z-2000Z May 31. Observing Memorial Day at the Yankee Air Museum at Willow Run Airport. 7.270. Certificate. Frank A. Nagy, N8BIB, 24315 Waltz Rd, New Boston, MI 48164-9167.

Fall River, MA: Radio Operators for Missing Children, KB1HGK. 1300Z-1900Z May 31. From the USS Massachusetts, the 4th annual special event for missing children. 14.250 14.075 7.125 3.700. Certificate. Sheree Greenwood, K1SQ, PO Box 649, Warren, MA 01083. www.lyceumpress.com/ham_radio.htm

Fort Monmouth, NJ: Robert D. Grant United Labor Amateur Radio Association, N2UL. 1200Z-2200Z May 31. Remembering those who made the supreme sacrifice for our freedom. 449.975 28.460 14.260. Certificate. RDGULARA, c/o WA2VJA, 112 Prospect St, Nutley, NJ 07110-0716.

(ARRL News Service)

01/06/2004:  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 425DXN]

Aug. 21-22 2004  International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend 2004

This highly popular annual August event attracts hundreds of amateur radio stations at lighthouses and lightships (369 in 48 countries for the 2003 weekend .)world-wide.  It is organised by Mike, GM4SUC, and Kevin, VK2CE is the web-master.  This year the period of the event is from 0001 UTC on Saturday 21 August until 2359 UTC on Sunday 22 August 2004.

The event is NOT a contest.  It is a special event weekend when amateur radio stations are established at lighthouses or lightships, they do not have to be adjacent to salt water, and each group decides how it will operate the station with regard to modes and bands.  Participants are not committed to being on the air during the entire period - operate as much as you can.  There are no restrictions on aerials or power.  We wish operators to enjoy themselves and have fun while making contact with as many stations as possible whilst giving priority to other lighthouse/lightship stations. Please take some time to work the slow operator, the newly licensed and QRP stations.

As available space in many lighthouses is filled to capacity, participation in this activity does not have to take place inside the tower itself.  Field day type set-up at the light or other buildings next to the light or adjacent field is OK.  Permission MUST be obtained from any interested parties.

The International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend is used to obtain maximum exposure for our hobby. We invite the press and, QTH permitting, also the public and try to underline the parallel between the international aspects in lighthouses, lightships, and amateur radio. As from last year, the World Lighthouse Day is held on the Sunday of the event and lighthouse keepers/managers/caretakers all around the world open their lighthouses to the public. www.lighthouse.fsnet.co.uk/events/intlighthouseday.html

We use the event segment of the 5 Classic bands, consider the following as a range of suggested frequencies.

CW
80m: 3.510 - 3.540 kHz
40m: 7.005 - 7.035 kHz
20m: 14.010 - 14.040 kHz
15m: 21.010 - 21.040 kHz
10m: 28.010 - 28.040 kHz

PHONE
*80m: 3.650 - 3.750 kHz
*40m: 7.040 - 7.100 kHz
20m: 14.150 - 14.290 kHz
15m: 21.150 - 21.250 kHz
10m: 28.300 - 28.400 kHz

* Some of the frequency ranges listed above are NOT legal in the United States of America. As a substitute, USA operators should consider these alternatives.

USA PHONE
80m: 3.950 - 3.990 kHz
40m: 7.250 - 7.290 kHz

However because the ILLW is NOT a contest, you can operate on any authorised QRGs as per your licence, including the WARC bands.  Please be sure to observe band limits for your class of licence and your country.

To assist other stations in the identification of lighthouse/lightship stations, we request that participating stations using CW add LS after their callsign at a lightship and LT at a lighthouse. SSB and other modes should use LIGHT, LGT, LIGHTHOUSE or LIGHTSHIP after their call.  UK stations normally obtain a GB callsign with the letter L in the suffix and USA stations can request a Special Event callsign from the ARRL.

A list of the lighthouses/lightships of the world, currently 10,764 in 209 DXCC countries, plus their Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society (ARLHS) Number can be found at http://arlhs.com/awards/arlhs-numbers.html  The list is constantly being updating and added to as more data become available. You can help: If you see a correction or an addition needs to be made, please send an e-mail with the information to K2JXW@arrl.net

If you decide to join us, please register on-line at  http://illw.net/index.html  with details of your name, callsign to be used, lighthouse/lightship, Country, qsl route etc.  Although registration is not compulsory, doing so enables us to maintain a detailed list of participants at http://illw.net/2004.htm showing QSL address, web site and any special event calls they may be using.   E-mail addresses will be modified with unicode to minimise harvesting by spammers.

So come and join us in the fun of the weekend, already 78 stations have confirmed their participation, establish a station at a lighthouse, lightship or maritime beacon. If you are unable to find a lighthouse/ship you can still join in the fun by contacting the special lighthouse/ship stations. The more the merrier.

73 Mike GM4SUC
gm4suc@compuserve.com
gm4suc@btinternet.com

July 24 2004  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

DX News   (QRV....I am ready)

May 20 2004   ARLD020 DX News

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by F6AJA, HA0HW, UT5RP, QRZ DX, the OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST.  Thanks to all.

ALGERIA, 7X.  Mohamed, 7X4AN has been QRV on 20 meters between 0430 to 0530.  QSL direct.

SINGAPORE, 9V.  Bob, 9V1GO is usually QRV using CW on 160 meters around 2200z.  QSL via OK1DOT.

PAKISTAN, AP.  Ijaz, AP2IA is generally QRV on 17 meters using CW around 1300 to 1400z.  QSL direct.

ANGOLA, D2.  Joao, D2U has been QRV using PSK31 on 20 meters around 2100z.  QSL via EA7JX.

SPAIN, EA.  Special event call AO0FL will be active from May 21 to 30 to celebrate the wedding of Prince Felipe and Dona Letizia Ortiz. QSL via EA4RCU.

CANARY ISLANDS, EA8.  Brian, GM4XQJ is QRV as EA8/GM4XQJ/p from Fuerteventura Island, IOTA AF-004, until May 25.  Activity is on 40 and 20 meters using CW.  QSL to home call.

ESTONIA, ES.  Vello, ES1QD will be QRV as ES0QD during the Baltic Contest.  QSL to home call.

DOMINICA, J7.  Seth, SM0XBI and Leif, SM0FWW are QRV as J79XBI and J79FWW, respectively, until May 28.  Activity is on all bands, using CW and SSB, and possibly RTTY and PSK.  QSL to home calls.

JORDAN, JY.  Miro, JY8MZ has been QRV on 20 meters SSB between 0500 and 1000z.  QSL via S51GL.

MARKET REEF, OJ0.  Seppo, OH1VR will be QRV as OJ0VR from May 24 to 27.  Activity will be on all HF bands, including 6 meters, using CW and SSB.  QSL to home call.

ARUBA, P4.  Tony, N2KI is QRV as P40KI until May 26.  He plans to operate mainly SSB and RTTY on as many bands as possible.  QSL to home call.

GREECE, SV.  Look for HA4DX, HA0HW and HA4XG to be QRV as J48DX, J48HW and J48XG, respectively, from Thassos, IOTA EU-174, from May 21 to 27.  QSL via home calls.

DODECANESE, SV5.  Goran, SM0CMH will be active as SV5/SM8C from Kalymnos, IOTA EU-001, from May 22 to June 5.  He will operate using CW on 80 to 10 meters, and possibly on 160 meters as well.  QSL to home call.

CRETE, SV9.  Ben, OZ5AAH will be QRV as SV9/OZ5IPA from Rethymnon to activate a new country for the police awards program.  QSL to home call.

COTE D'IVOIRE, TU.  Gianni, IN3ASW and Franco, IN3DYG are QRV as TU2WL from Aboisso until June 1.  They are active using SSB and possibly RTTY and PSK31.  QSL via IN3ASW.

UKRAINE, UR.  Special call EO60FO is active until August 27 to celebrate the liberation of Odessa City and the surrounding 26 regions.  Activity is on all bands and modes.  QSL via bureau.

IRAQ, YI.  James, KC4MC is on a 6-month deployment and will be QRV as YI9MC as time permits.  QSL via N2OO.

ROMANIA, YO.  Jean Michel, F6AJA will be QRV as YO/F6AJA during his free time from May 24 to 30 from YO8FZ's QTH in Suceava.  QSL to home call.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The RSGB 80 Meter Club CW Championship, 2 GHz and Up Contest, VK/Trans-Tasman 80 Meter Phone Contest, The EU PSK DX Contest and The Baltic Contest are all scheduled for this
weekend.  Please see May QST, page 99 and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details.

(W1AW)

May 22 2004  425 DX News

9L    The station spotted on 20 metres in the UTC afternoon of 16 May was not the genuine Massimo, 9L1MS, as rough seas  prevented him from reaching Banana  Island (AF-037). Weather permitting, his next attempt will be on 23 May (Sunday), again indicatively between 11 and 17 UTC. [TNX 9L1MS]

CT    Amateur radio operators from Portugal, the Azores and Madeira may use the following special prefixes from 12 June and 4 July during the Football (soccer) European Championships (EURO 2004):
          CT1 = CQ14      CU0 = CU04      CU5 = CU54
          CT2 = CQ24      CU1 = CU14      CU6 = CU64
          CT4 = CQ44      CU2 = CU24      CU7 = CU74
          CT5 = CQ54      CU3 = CU34      CU8 = CU84
          CT3 = CS94      CU4 = CU44      CU9 = CU94
The official REP (Rede dos Emissores Portugueses, www.rep.pt station will be CS2004REP. Information on the EURO 2004 award will be published in the next issue of the 425 DX News Magazine. [TNX CT1END]

F    Members of the Castres DX Gang will be active as homecall/p from Fort Brescou (EU-148) on 27-31  May, including an  entry as TM5B in the CQ WPX CW Contest. QSL via F5XX. [TNX OPDX Bulletin]

FT    French previously VHF-only licensees (those with 1 or 4 in their prefix: F1  &  F4, TK1  &  TK4, etc) have been granted HF bands privileges and are allowed to operate on all modes except A1A,  A2A, F1A and F2A. Do not be surprised if Sebastien, FT1ZL on Amsterdam Island (AF-002) becomes active on 10, 12, 15, 17 and 20 metres SSB in the near future. Suggested frequencies are 28485/28495, 24974/24954, 21271/21191, 18148/18138 and 14274/14195 kHz. Please be patient with  Sebastien, as he has no experience at all of  HF pile-ups. [TNX The Daily DX]

G    The Chippenham & District Amateur Radio Club will be active as GB2LI from Lundy Island (EU-120) on 21-28 September. They plan to operate CW and SBB on all the HF bands, plus possibly 6 and  2 metres as well. QSL via G3YBT. [TNX G3YBT]

I    Alex, IK4ALM and Robby, IK4XCL plan to operate SSB and CW from Isola Canarin (not IOTA, IIA RO-018) on 22 May. [TNX IK4ALM]

I    IT9MRM/n will be active on 25-27 May (from 9 to 17 UTC on 10, 15, 20 and 40 metres  mainly SSB) from the former  Navy station Palombara (IGJ), at the Italian Navy Telecommunication Centre in Augusta. [TNX IT9MRM]

I    Alberto, IT9MRM  plans to operate as IH9/IT9MRM from Pantelleria (AF-018, IIA  TP-001) during his spare time on 8-9  June.  Expect activity on 10 and 15 metres  SSB. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. Logs will be available at www.qsl.net/it9mrm [TNX IT9MRM]

I    Mauro, IW1RHG and several other operators will be active on all bands and modes as IR1PL from Portofino Lighthouse on 18-19  June. Further information will be available at http://home.tele2.it/iw1rhg  [TNX IW1RHG]

IS0    IS0SDX/n and IS0IGV/n will be active on 24-27 May (from 7 to18 UTC on 10, 15, 20 and 40 metres CW) celebrating the 61st anniversary of the Italian Navy Telecommunication Centre in Cagliari. All of the QSOs will be confirmed automatically via bureau. [TNX I1ZB]

JA    Kenji, JA4GXS will operate as JA4GXS/4 from Saba Island (AS-117, JIIA-AS-117-???) on 22 May. Expect activity on or around 7055, 10177, 14260 and 21260 kHz. QSL via home call, direct (Kenji Sasaki, 2-15 Ishikannon-cho,  Yamaguchi  753-0038, Japan) or bureau. [TNX JI6KVR]

OJ0    Look for Seppo, OH1VR to operate on all bands CW and SSB as OJ0VR from Market Reef (EU-053) on 24-27  May. QSL direct to OH1VR  (Seppo Sisatto, Ojakatu 3 A 18, 33100 Tampere, Finland). [TNX NG3K]

OH0    Ari, OH5DX will operate on all bands CW and SSB as OH0Z from the Aland Islands (EU-002)  from 28 May to 4 June, including a single band entry in the CQ WPX CW Contest. QSL via home call. [TNX  The Daily DX]

SV9    Ben, OZ5AAH will be active as SV9/OZ5IPA from Rethymnon, Crete (EU-015) from 26 May to 3 June. QSL direct to home call (Preben Jakobsen, 25 Gjethusparken,  DK-3300 Frederiksvaerk, Denmark).  [TNX OZ5AAH]

VE    Skip, KJ6Y will be active in spare time as VY2/KJ6Y from Prince Edward Island (NA-029) on 24-30 May. QSL via home call. [TNX  The Daily DX]

VE    Mike/AD5A and Michael/AB5EB will operate as homecall/VO2 from Battle Island (NA-044) on 19-21 June. They will have two stations with amplifiers and verticals and will be active on 10-80 metres CW and SSB. QSL via N6AWD. [TNX The Daily DX]

VE    Francois, VA2RC will operate (on 10, 15, 20, 40, 80 metres SSB and RTTY) as VO2/VA2RC from Labrador City (Zone 2) on 31 July (12-6 UTC) and 1 August  (12-4  UTC).  QSL via bureau to VA2RC. Further information at: www.qsl.net/va2rc [TNX VA2RC]

VP5    David, W5AO and Kirk, K4RO will operate on 160-10 metres as VP5/W5AO and VP5/K4RO (QSL via home calls) from  26 May to 1 June. They will participate in the CQ WPX CW Contest as VQ5V (QSL to P.O. Box 88, Morris, OK 74445-0088, USA) in the Multi/Single category. [TNX NG3K]

W    Look for Howie, K1VSJ to be active from Martha's Vineyard (NA-046) from 28 May to 1 June. [TNX The Daily DX]

W    During the last week in May, the entire month of June and the first week in July Tom Pendarvis (W0MTP) and Perry Ballinger (W8AU) will operate as WW2LST/MM and W2T (when in the Boston harbour and in the Washington, DC area) from the USS LST-325 (a landing ship for tanks and troops that participated in the WW2 invasions of Sicily, Salerno and Normandy) while cruising along the Eastern Seaboard from Mobile to Boston and Gloucester, MA and Alexandria, VA. They plan to be QRV daily at 15 UTC on 14310, 17 UTC on 14300,  2 UTC on 7210, 3 UTC on 3910 kHz +/- QRM. QSL  direct to AF2HD  (Bob Wilder, 6032  Idlemoore Court, Theodore, AL 36582-4117, USA). [TNX DL8AAM]

Good to Know

10M CONTEST    The  second  edition of  the  10  Meter  Italian  Contest, sponsored by the Mediterraneo DX Club ( www.mdxc.org ), will be held on 22-23 May. Participation is limited to Italian amateurs only.

CQ HALL OF FAME    The CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame was established in January 2001 to recognize individuals - radio amateurs or not  - who significantly affected the course of Amateur Radio and radio amateurs who, in the course of their professional lives, had a significant impact on their professions or on world affairs.  This year's inductees into the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame are:

Jack Burchfield, K4JU                    Atilano Oms, PY5EG
Ned Carman, W0ZSW (SK)          Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF
John Clarricoats, G6CL (SK)          Miguel Pluvinet Grau, EA3DUJ (SK)
Bob Heil, K9EID                            Ulrich Rohde, KA2WEU/DJ2LR
Tom Kneitel, K2AES                      Jerry Sevick, W2FMI
Hrane Milosevic, YT1AD                Bob Shrader, W6BNB
David Nurse, W8GCD (SK)           Oswald G. "Mike" Villard Jr, W6QYT (SK)
Sister Alverna O'Laughlin, WA0SGJ

The CQ Contest  Hall of Fame  was established  in 1986  to recognize  Amateur Radio operators who have made major contributions to contesting. This  year's inductees into the CQ Contest Hall of Fame are Steve Bolia, N8BJQ and  Robert H. "Trey" Garlough, N5KO/HC8N. There were no nominations this year for the DX Hall of Fame, established in 1967 to recognize major contributions by DXers.

ILLW This year the International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend, organised and co-ordinated by Mike Dalrymple, GM4SUC, will take place from from 00.01 UTC on 21 August until 23.59 UTC on the 22nd. Full information on this popular event can be found at http://illw.net/index.html  If you decide to take part in this year's event, please register on-line at http://illw.net/2004.htm  Announced operations are listed at http://illw.net/2004_list.htm

NOT THE  MANAGER    ON4ADN is no longer the QSL manager for LX/ON6CK, LX/ON6CK/P, ON50KTK,  ON6CK, OQ6CK, OR3R and  OT2R. Cards should be routed through ON6CK (UBA Kortrijk, Rijkswachtsstraat 1, B-8500 Kortrijk,  Belgium). [TNX ON6HH]

QSL MANAGER OFFERED    Alan  Roocroft, VK4AAR  has room for several more stations on his list. Those interested in using his QSL Manager services can contact him at almee2@dodo.com.au (correct e-mail address).

QSL VIA I2YSB    Silvano, I2YSB  (i2ysb@libero.it) reports that all direct requests received so far for ZK3SB and 5W0SB have been processed and  mailed. Both the operations have been approved for DXCC credit.

QSL VIA  W6YOO    Harry, W6YOO is the new QSL  manager for Clark,  N5XX (N5XX/MM, XE/N5XX, FO/N5XX, ZK1XXX, ZK2XX, A35XX and ZL/N5XX). [TNX The Daily DX]

XQ3BRN This is the new call issued to Sergio, IZ6BRN (XQ3/IZ6BRN, aka VU3CUR, AP2WAP and 9N7RN). Soon he will add a 6-element monobander for 10 metres to his current antennas (a 2-element for 12 and 17 metres and a dipole). QSL direct to Sergio Curina,  Juan Bautista Pastene 3101, Vitacura, Santiago, Chile; bureau cards should be sent to IZ6BRN. [TNX XQ3BRN]

May 22-28  2004   I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O.

22/05/2004:  Francois, F5JNE will be QRV May 22nd as F5JNE/p from the Fort Larron (DFCF 56018). Activity will be on 40 meter CW and SSB. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx F5NQL]

22/05/2004:  Look for Jean Michel F5PRR/p and Patrick F5MQW/p to be QRV May 22nd from the Fort de la Bayarde (DFCF 83064). If conditions are good, they will also activate the Fort de la Colle noire (DFCF 83065). QSL via home calls, direct or bureau. [Tnx IK1AWV]

22/05/2004:  Tony (IK8UHA), Tony (IK8VRH) and Ciro (IW8EZU) plan to be QRV May 22nd and 23rd as IR8DX/p from La Nave (IOTA EU-031, IIA NA-035) Activity will be on 40, 20, 17 and 6 meter SSB, CW, RTTY and PSK-31. QSL via IK8VRH. [Tnx 425DXN]

22/05/2004:  Vladimir, RA3GD/p, and RU3GM/p will be QRV May 22nd from the Galichia gora Natural Reserve (RFFA reference RFF-29, RDA LP-13). Activity will be on 20 meters, also 40 meters is possible, between 08:00 and 15:00 UTC. QSL via home calls. [Tnx RU3GN]

22/05/2004:  Goran, SM0CMH willl be QRV May 22nd to June 5th as SV5/SM8C from Kalymnos, Dodecanese (EU-001). He will operate CW on 80 through 10 meters (hopefully also on 160 meters). QSL via SM0CMH, direct or bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

23/05/2004:  Andre, GM3VLB/p and Alex, GM0DHZ/p will be QRV May 23rd and 24th from Tiree Island (SCOTIA DI10, IOSA NH-04), Inner Hebrides (EU-008). QSL via home calls, direct or bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

23/05/2004:  Andrius (LY2TA) and Jurgis (LY2CY) will be on Aruba (SA-036) from May 23rd to 31st and will be active as P40X for the CQ WPX CW Contest (May 29-30th, operation class TBA). QSL via LY2TA CBA. [Tnx OPDX]

24/05/2004:  Seppo, OH1VR will be QRV May 24th to 27th as OJ0VR from Market Reef (EU-053). Activity will be on all HF bands, including 6 meters, using CW and SSB. QSL to home call. [Tnx ARRL DX News]

24/05/2004:  Sho, JA7HMZ, will be QRV May 24th to 27th as V63DX from Pohnpei Island (IOTA OC-010). Activity will be on 40 through 10 meter CW and SSB. QSL via JA7HMZ. [Tnx OPDX]

27/05/2004:  Members of The Castres DX Gang will be active as homecall/p from the Fort Brescou Island (IOTA EU-148, DIFM ME-001, WW Loc. JN13sg), between May 27th and 31st. They also plan to be active in the CW WPX CW contest as TM5B. Outside the contest, look for them all modes on HF and VHF. Other award references for this activity are: WWLighthouses: LH-0500, French Castles: DFCF 34001, Department: Herault (34), Province of Languedoc-Roussillon. QSL to Bernard, F5XX, either direct or via bureau. [Tnx F5NQL]

27/05/2004:  Haru, JA1XGI, will be QRV May 27th to 31st as W8XGI/KH2 from Guam (OC-026). Activity will be on 40, 30, 20, 15 and 10 meters, also on digital modes. QSL via JA1XGI, direct or bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

28/05/2004:  Tomi (HA4DX), Geza (HA4XG) and Laci (HA0HW) will be QRV May 28th to 31st from Thrake Island (EU-174). They will also take part in the CQWW WPX CW Contest (May 29-30th). The call signs will be J47DX, J47XG and J47HW respectively. If the propagation allows, they will use 3 stations with Gps and wire antennas. Their main mode is CW and SSB, but they will also operate RTTY and PSK31 too, on all HF bands. QSL via the operator's home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx OPDX]

28/05/2004:  Look for JW5LJA (LA5LJA) and JW7FJA (LA7FJA) to be QRV May 28th to June 1st from Spitsbergen (EU-026). 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 425DXN]

28/05/2004:  OH0, ALAND ISLANDS. Ari, OH5DX, will be QRV May 28th to June 4th as OH0Z from the Aland Islands (EU-002). Activity will be all bands, CW and SSB with a Single Band entry in the CQ WPX CW Contest. QSL via OH5DX (ex-OH1EH). [Tnx OPDX]

LOOKING AHEAD

30/05/2004:  Kevin MW3AFR/p and Melfyn GW1AKT/p will be QRV May 30th from the Holyhead Breakwater Lighthouse (ARLHS reference WAL-011). QSL via home calls, direct or bureau. [Tnx MW3AFR]

08/06/2004:  Alberto, IT9MRM, will be QRV June 8th and 9th as IH9/IT9MRM from Pantelleria Island (IOTA AF-018, IIA TP-001). Activity will be on 20 and 15 meter SSB. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx IT9MRM]

02/07/2004:  CAVE EXPEDITION PERU 2004 - Look for Bonnie, OA9/KQ6XA, to be QRV July 2nd to August 25th from the Andes mountains in the Amazonas area of Peru. The ham radio operation is in conjunction with an international expedition of cave scientists (speleologists) to survey and map the deepest previously unexplored vertical caves in the southern hemisphere. In addition to the regular HFpack schedule at 16:30 UTC and 2230 UTC on  18157.5 kHz, the expedition will use the following schedule: daily at 00:30 UTC on 18157.5 kHz USB; daily at 00:30 UTC on 18158.2 CW; daily at 01:00 UTC on 7087.5 LSB; daily at 01:00 UTC on 7087.0 kHz CW; QSY frequency for CW will be 18095.0 kHz; 21437.5 kHz USB as needed; 10117.5 kHz CW as needed. The Cave Expedition Peru 2004 will operate on HF using a 20W transmitter and battery power charged by solar. Transmitting time will be somewhat limited. To conserve battery power during cloudy days, OA9/KQ6XA will not call CQ, but instead will just listen for calls on schedule and respond to them directly. Radio operators around the world are invited to QSO with OA9/KQ6XA, please call at the above scheduled times and frequencies on SSB or CW. Listen for response in CW or SSB. QSL via KQ6XA by e-QSL. [Tnx KQ6XA]

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 17 2004  Amateur Radio Enforcement Cases Declining

The number of Amateur Radio enforcement cases has continued to drop since a five-year peak of 350 in 2001. FCC Special Counsel for Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth told the Dayton Hamvention 2004 FCC Forum May 15 that 240 ham radio enforcement cases crossed his desk last year. As his tenure in amateur enforcement enters its sixth year--he's estimating only 175 cases in 2004.

"Two years ago at Dayton, I said that I hoped the day would come soon when enforcement would not be an issue in the Amateur Service," Hollingsworth said. "I don't think we are there yet, and I don't think it is in what we call 'maintenance mode,' but I think we are getting there." Hollingsworth said he considers the enforcement pace "about right" given the number of amateur licensees, but he urged his audience not to become complacent just because there's active FCC enforcement in the Amateur Service. The remaining cases include "some real nasty ones," he said.

"The hard-core cases we are working on--a small percentage--involve the fruitcakes who don't have a clue as to what Amateur Radio is all about, nor do they care," he said. "This core of operators--whose numbers are fortunately minimal, but they still must be dealt with--care about egos: Who was on first, their 'rights' and so forth. But the percentage is very small and is rapidly declining." He also pointed out that the vast majority of amateur enforcement cases involve male licensees. "I'm not being sexist here," he said. "It's just true that women operators seem to never be an enforcement problem."

Hollingsworth said his worry remains inappropriate or illegal on-the-air behavior and the sometimes-negative image it can present to decision makers at a time when broadband over power line (BPL) and other technologies threaten Amateur Radio spectrum. He proposed that amateurs concentrate on improving how they conduct themselves on the air while letting him deal with the remaining bad apples that require his attention.

"No enforcement program in the world can save certain people from themselves or from being an embarrassment to the entire service," he said--reiterating a refrain that's now almost become his mantra. "If anything is the downfall of Amateur Radio, it will probably be the microphone. You have to focus on your image--what you sound like--all the time."

Hollingsworth also told the forum he's convinced that further Amateur Service restructuring is a necessity. "I don't know what the answer is, but it is clear you have to do something," he said, citing the rising average age of amateur licensees--now in the mid-50s. "You have to bring in new blood, and you have to make them fine operators, as are probably 99 percent of you in the audience."

He also suggested that amateurs should be less concerned about any perceived "dumbing down" of the licensing requirements because ham radio will continue to thrive in any event.

"It's not really what you do to get into Amateur Radio that counts," he said. "It's what you do once you get on the air." The FCC can handle the violators, "but the overall image and the future health of Amateur Radio depend upon what you do in the ranks," Hollingsworth said. "Operate as if you were demonstrating Amateur Radio."

(ARRL News Service)

May 19 2004   Eight Section Managers returned to office

In the only contested race in the current ARRL Section Manager election cycle, Oregon Section Manager Randy Stimson, KZ7T, overcame a challenge from Kevin Hunt, WA7VTD, 549 to 461 votes. ARRL Field and Educational Services staffers counted the ballots and verified the results May 18 at League Headquarters. A veteran ARRL Field Organization leader, Stimson previously served as Oregon SM from 1987 until 1998. Last July, he accepted appointment as SM after Oregon Section ARRL members voted to recall then-SM Marshall Johnson, KK7CW.

Seven other sitting ARRL SMs faced no opposition in this election cycle and were declared re-elected. They are Sharon Harlan, N9SH, Illinois; Jim Sellers, K9ZBM, Indiana; Bill Woodhead, N1KAT, Maine; Rudy Hubbard, WA4PUP, Northern Florida; Glenn Thomas, WB6W, Santa Clara Valley; Paul Gayet, AA1SU, Vermont, and Don Michalski, W9IXG, Wisconsin.

New two-year terms of office begin July 1, 2004.

(ARRL Bulletin 17  ARLB017)

May 21 2004  FCC Retains Biological Consultant

Remember all those stories about thousands of migratory birds getting killed by running into radio towers?  Well the FCC has now retained the services of Avatar Environmental Services of West Chester, Pennsylvania as a biological consultant.  This, to assist in fulfilling the FCC's role under the National Environmental Policy Act and other federal environmental statutes.

The CGC Communicator reports that Avatar will give the Commission access to the services of experts with training and experience in evaluating the impact of construction projects on animal and plant species.

According to CGC, Avatar has performed similar services for other agencies. The possible impact of communications towers on migratory birds is one of the immediate pressing issues.

(CGC)

May 21 2004  Ham Honoured for Service in Iraq

The United States Department of Commerce has honored Fredrick Matos, W3ICM, of Annapolis, Maryland.  This by presenting him with its Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Achievement.

The ARRL Letter says that Matos is an employee of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.  He was given the honor for his work to help establish telecommunications in Iraq, where he was deployed for nine months.

While in Iraq, Matos who also holds the Iraqi call YI3DX helped establish a central telecommunications authority along with assigning frequencies to local law enforcement groups.  He was also responsible for issuing YI Amateur Radio licenses to both nationals and visitors.

In presenting the award April 13, Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans welcomed Matos home and thanked him for his role in "expanding freedom around the world."

(ARRL, Daily DX)

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