Hams help quake victims (Nov. 4 2005)

GB2RS has received reports of radio amateurs helping in the relief effort following the devastating earthquake that struck the Kashmir region of Pakistan in October. Nasir, AP2NK, president of the Pakistan Amateur Radio Society, said: “It is a terrible situation with destruction over a big area of difficult mountain terrain. Hams and short wave listeners are helping in the distribution of relief items. More teams are moving into different towns so that welfare messages can be exchanged as the available telephone network is overloaded.” 

He also informed RadCom that radio amateurs were working with the official radio network of forest stations to help exchange welfare messages in areas where telephones were not available. 

  Horey Majumdar, VU2HFR, reported that: "There has been some ham disaster communication from Pakistan ” mainly on 7.100MHz. He also said that hams from Turkey had entered Pakistan to assist in relief operations. VU2RBI, meanwhile, said that Pakistani hams had been relaying earthquake-related traffic, but admitted that few amateur radio stations had at that time been established in the hardest-hit areas, some of which are very remote with difficult access. 
The earthquake is estimated to have killed more than 55,000 people, injured another 78,000 and left three million homeless. There are fears that the death toll could rise higher if the homeless are not provided with shelter before the onset of the harsh Pakistani winter. 

(RSGB2)

"Top Band Dragon's Fire" signal blanketing 160 meters in Asia (Nov 1, 2005)
 

The IARU Monitoring System (IARUMS) says radio amateurs in Japan and elsewhere in Asia and Oceania are reporting an unidentified intruder signal on 160 meters. In Japan, the wideband signal, which IARU Region 2 Monitoring System Coordinator Bill Zellers, WA4FKI, has dubbed "Top Band Dragon's Fire," reportedly began transmitting continuously about October 1, blanketing 160 meters rendering it useless for Amateur Radio work. The signal, which has been detected in parts of the US Northwest, was first heard as long ago as December 2004.

Stations in the US Northwest have heard the signal at about 1830 kHz on a north-pointing Beverage. Amateurs in Singapore report that the signal recently shifted from wideband noise to a pulsed signal. Reports also have arrived from New England. Veteran Top Band DXer Tom Rauch, W8JI, in Georgia says he can "just detect a noise floor increase some mornings," but was unable to identify an actual signal. Forward reports to Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG, at ARRL Headquarters. 

(ARRL News Service)

Australia issues first Foundation Licence. (Nov. 4 2005)

 On Friday, October 21 the first Foundation Licence, VK4FRST was issued to Amanda Gray from Brisbane in Queensland. Amanda and 18 other budding radio amateurs attend the first weekend long training course, which was held on the Gold Coast on the weekend of October 15, and 16.

 16 of the people attending the course have achieved the qualification for a Foundation Licence. 

Many clubs have started preparing for their first training courses and indications to date are that we may well have several hundred new Foundation Licences by Christmas.  Two clubs have reported that they have a very large number of applicants ready to roll, Hornsby in the Northern Suburbs of Sydney have 39 and Westlakes in the Western Suburbs of Newcastle have 33.

 News releases providing progress updates with the Foundation Licence will be regularly posted to the WIA website and presented on the WIA weekly National News.

(RAC News Service)

Lions link up with radio hams (Oct. 30 2005)

Lions Clubs International – the world's largest volunteer service organisation – is launching a series of events aimed at building links with amateur radio enthusiasts. One of the initiatives is a special event station to be operated by the Bedworth Lions Club from 1-28 January 2006. The station will operate on 2m FM and 80-10m SSB with the callsign GB4BLC. 

The station will be manned by Bedworth Lions Club member Brian, G8GMU. His QTH will be open to the public for the month of January with the aim of highlighting the work of Lions clubs and demonstrating amateur radio. 

Also in January Lions Clubs International will be running the popular Lions on the Air contest. For more details about both events, visit the Bedworth Lions website or phone Brian on 024 7637 4235. 

There are already strong links between amateur radio and Lions Clubs International. Lions clubs operate several amateur radio stations for humanitarian relief purposes, notably the Lions permanent station - VU2LCI. The organisation's disaster manager Ajoy, VU2JHM, is also an amateur radio enthusiast. 

Like radio amateurs, members of Lions Clubs International also get involved in relief efforts following major disasters. More than 73,000 so-called Lions were involved in the aftermath of the Asian tsunami. 

(RSGB2)

Autumn ITU meetings studying HF allocations completed  (Oct. 22 2005)

From October 5th to 14th delegates from around the world  met in Geneva Switzerland to discuss, among other things, possible expansion of short wave broadcasting bands in the range from 4 to 10 MHz, the potential impact of BPL on shortwave broadcast reception, and the role of broadcasting in disaster warning and relief. 

The study of the HF bands between 4 and 10 MHz, and a broadcast request for up to 800 kHz of new broadcast band spectrum in the range, made considerable progress, although strong disagreement between Europe and  North America still exists. At this stage in the discussions, there have been no proposals for using part of the 40 metre Amateur band to meet the broadcast requirement, and there was also no talk, for the time being, of removing European and Asian Broadcasters from the top 100 kHz of the band. Likewise, there have been no formal discussions of a possible 60 metre amateur band, or any changes to the 30 metre band. 

The deadline for completion of the studies is September 2006, and the results will be assembled into a report for use by delegates at the World Radio Conference in 2007.

During the meetings, delegates also developed a draft recommendation on protecting broadcast receivers from BPL interference. Although it does not directly concern amateur radio, approval of the recommendation would encourage countries to take a more serious look at potential BPL interference to all services in the HF range. 

VE3PU was a member of the Canadian delegation, and represented the IARU in HF broadcast discussions on 4- 10 MHz, BPL and disaster communications. The next series of meetings are scheduled to begin in March 2006.

(RAC News Service)

Australians celebrate 2006 Commonwealth Games (Oct. 21 2005) 

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has given the Wireless Institute of Australia the green light to use the AX prefix to celebrate the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne . 

The AX prefix can now be used by all Australian radio amateurs for the period from 1-31 March 2006

(RSGB2)

Nov. 4 2005 Tad Cook K7RA Solar Update
 

Conditions recovered from zero sunspots, which lasted for five days. Average sunspot numbers rose nearly 10 points to 17.6 this week. Average daily solar flux only rose 1.2 points to 75.4. October just ended, so let's look at monthly averages for sunspot numbers and solar flux to see if the trend is still down.  Last month we looked at quarterly averages, but with monthly averages this time we'll see more volatility.

The average daily sunspot numbers for the months September 2004 through October 2005 were 50, 77.9, 70.5, 34.7, 52, 45.4, 41, 41.5, 65.4, 59.8, 68.7, 65.6, 39.2 and 13.  Average daily solar flux for the same months was 103, 106, 113.7, 95, 102.3, 97.2, 89.9, 85.9, 99.5, 93.7, 96.5, 92.4, 91.9 and 76.6.

You can see that the numbers declined every month for the past four months, especially October, which was like dropping off a cliff.

There has been some geomagnetic disturbance over the past couple of days, but conditions should settle down for the ARRL CW Sweepstakes this weekend.  The predicted planetary A index for Friday through Monday, November 4-7 is 20, 20, 12 and 8.  Sunspot numbers and solar flux should rise slightly, reaching a peak around November 6-8.

If the planetary A index is 20 or higher this weekend it may cause some difficulty reaching those VE8 or KL7 multipliers in Sweepstakes, but don't count on any major flare activity.

If you would like to make a comment or have a tip for our readers, email the author at, k7ra@arrl.net.

For more information concerning radio propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the ARRL Technical Information Service propagation page at, http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html. An archive of past bulletins is found at, http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/prop/.

Sunspot numbers for October 27 through November 2 were 0, 0, 11, 14, 29, 33 and 36 with a mean of 17.6. 10.7 cm flux was 71.6, 73.1, 74.1, 75.6, 77.8, 77.3, and 78, with a mean of 75.4. Estimated planetary A indices were 6, 5, 2, 5, 13, 8 and 6 with a mean of 6.4. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 5, 4, 1, 3, 6, 7 and 5, with a mean of 4.4.

(ARRL News Service)

Europe
Nov. 5 2005  Solar and propagation report,
compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS,and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

It has been another quiet week. There have been no solar flares of any consequence and the solar flux has been almost stationary, with a minimum of 72, a maximum of 78 and an average of 76 - three points up on the previous week.  The X-ray flux showed a little more movement. It began at A Zero and improved to A3.5, averaging A2.9.  For the most part the geomagnetic field was quiet or slightly unsettled though, as forecast, it increased in the second half of the week, with coronal hole activity taking the Ap index to 24 units on the 3rd and 20 on the 4th. Solar wind speeds were initially a bit over 300km/sec but a high speed coronal stream on the 4th brought speeds over 700km/sec. Particle densities were again mostly in single figures, though they briefly reached 17 per cubic centimetre on the 3rd.  The interplanetary magnetic field showed only modest variation, with the exception of the 3rd, when it ranged between plus 14 and minus 10 nanoTeslas during the geomagnetic disturbance.

During that disturbance, VHF aurora was reported from the north of England. Otherwise, it was reported only from high latitudes.  During the event on the 3rd signals on the HF bands for a time took on a rough auroral sound.  The contest weekend produced high levels of activity at  HF and a weak 28MHz opening to North America, but propagation fell rather below expectations. 

Now the week ahead.  There seems little likelihood of substantial flare activity. The solar flux may well increase slightly but is unlikely to rise above the 80s.  The geomagnetic field should be mainly quiet, with the Ap index in single figures for most of the week.  MUFs at equal latitudes should be around 24MHz for the south and 21MHz in the north.  Darkness hour lows are expected to be about 7MHz. All the HF bands are now reflecting the shortening period of daylight in the northern hemisphere, with paths opening later and closing earlier.  By the same token, of course, there should be a gradual improvement on the lower bands.

 Paths to the East Coast of North America should have a maximum usable frequency - equivalent to a fifty per cent chance of success - of around 27MHz. Further weak openings at 28MHz cannot be ruled out. However, the optimum working frequency, where there will a ninety per cent chance of success, will be about 21MHz. While 14MHz may open to the eastern US around 1100UTC, the path will be best between 1200 and 1800UTC.

Ham radio has role in five years of continuous ISS human habitation (Nov 1, 2005)
 

Five years ago this week, the International Space Station Expedition 1 crew of US astronaut and Expedition 1 Commander William ''Shep'' Shepherd, KD5GSL, and Russian cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev, U5MIR, became the first humans to live aboard the ISS. A Russian Soyuz transporter carrying the space pioneers blasted off October 31, 2000, from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and docked with the ISS November 2. At the time, Shepherd was only the second US astronaut to go into space aboard a Russian launch vehicle.

Krikalev went on to serve as commander of the ISS Expedition 11 crew. The initial Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) station gear was already aboard the space station by the time the first crew launched. Later in the month, the Expedition 1 team installed and activated the VHF gear on FM voice and packet under the US call sign NA1SS and the Russian call sign RS0ISS. Each of the 12 crews that have lived on the ISS to conduct assembly and research activities has included at least one US radio amateur. The Expedition 12 crew Commander Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, and Russian cosmonaut Valery Tokarev will remain on the ISS until next April. Over the years, crew members have conducted nearly 200 ARISS school group contacts and numerous casual QSOs. NASA has been marking the fifth anniversary of continuous ISS human occupancy with special activities and has set up a special Web site to mark the anniversary. The largest and most complex spacecraft ever built, the ISS is the result of a 16-nation partnership led by the US. More ISS information and photos are on NASA's Space Station page.

ARISS is an international educational outreach with US participation by ARRL, AMSAT and NASA. 

(ARRL News Service)

SSETI Express finally lifts off  (Nov. 4 2005)

SSETI Express, the first space craft designed and built by European students, including radio amateurs, finally blasted off on 27 October after a string of delayed launches. The European Space Agency-sponsored space craft was launched into space on a Russian Cosmos 3M rocket that took off from Plesetsk in northern Russia . 

Even through SSTETI Express is only 52kg, it has been described as a space craft, rather than a satellite, because it will itself deploy three tiny 1kg pico-satellites for carrying out space experiments. The craft also carries a camera to take images of the Earth and acts as a transponder to relay amateur radio signals. Radio amateur Graham Shirville, G3VZV, who masterminded the telecommunications side of the SSETI Express, said: "The prime purpose of the project is to demonstrate that students, with assistance from an organisation like the European Space Agency, can design and build a satellite well-enough [for flight in space]." 

SSETI Express is the first mission as part of the Student Space Exploration and Technology Initiative (SSETI), a European Space Agency-backed project to develop expertise in space among students. Following on from the SSETI Express, the students plan to construct and launch several micro-satellites and potentially more complex projects such as a moon lander. 

As we went to press, it emerged that SSETI Express was suffering power failure and was at that time inoperable. The SSETI team were working to solve the problem. 

(RSGB2)

Cisci announces Total Interoperability Radio Interconnect (Oct. 28 2005)

Cisco Systems, a company hams know best for its computer system routing products is getting into the business band and emergency communications 
business.  This with the announcement that it has developed a new technology designed to flawlessly interconnect radio and Voice over I P communications networks.

The core of what Cisco has developed is a system that allows users of private mobile radios talk to each other even if they use different radio standards and frequencies.  Called IP-based Interoperability and Collaboration Systems or I-P-I-C-S, it works by carrying all the radio traffic over an I-P network controlled by a single command center.  From there it interconnects all users on an open or selective call basis as dictated by those involved in the conversation. 

Shah Talukder is a Cisco general manager for Safety Systems and Security.  He tells Techworld dot com that the system is not limited to radio to radio 
communications.  He says that it could be adapted for voice-over-IP and could bring radio channels on to laptop computers.  This would mean total 
interoperability interconnecting any voice to any other voice,  whether or not a radio was involved in the circuit or not. 

Talukder says that Cisco developed the system to solve the problems within emergency services.  For example in those instances where the police, ambulance and hospitals are using different frequencies but need to immediately talk to one another. He admitted that there are some security issues owing to the large numbers of people listening to emergency broadcasts through scanners, but says that the security built around IP, notably I-PSec would be enough to make the system robust. 

Talukder adds that IPICS will mean sweeping changes for all of the emergency services.  If adopted by radio amateurs, it could mean an instant interconnect between an emergency site and a ham radio base of operations such as ARRL Headquarters, even if the two are  thousands of miles away. (Techworld)

(ARNewsLine)

New radio software website (Oct. 21 2005)

A new website for downloading software for radio amateurs and other radio users has just gone live at http://radiolinux.co.uk. The site offers mainly Linux programs but there is also some Windows software available. The site's owner intends to expand the range of software available from the site over coming months. 

(RSGB2)

North American Collegiate ARC Championship--CW (Phone, Nov 19-20). This is a competition based on Sweepstakes results between club stations at institutions of higher education beyond the high school level. Clubs enter Sweepstakes in any of the valid entry categories. Separate champions will be determined for CW, Phone and Combined scores. For more information: www.collegiatechampionship.org. 

High Speed Club CW Contest, sponsored by the Radio Telegraphy High Speed Club (HSC) from 0900Z-1100Z and 1500Z-1700Z Nov 6. Frequencies: 80-10 meters, 10-30 kHz above band edge. Categories: SOAB-LP (<150 W), SOAB-QRP (<5 W), SWL. Exchange: RST + HSC member number or "NM". QSO Points: HSC member-- 5 pts, non-member--1 pt. Score: QSO points. For more information: www.dl3bzz.de. Logs due 6 weeks after the contest to hsc-contest@dl3bzz.de or Lutz Schröer, DL3BZZ, HSC Contest-Manager, Am Niederfeld 6, 35066 Frankenberg / Eder, Germany. 

IPA Contest--Phone/CW, sponsored by The International Police Association Radio Club. CW from 0600Z-1000Z and 1400Z-1800Z Nov 5, Phone from 0600Z-1000Z and 1400Z-1800Z Nov 6. Frequencies: 80-10 meters with 15-minute band change rule. Categories: SOAB, MS, MM and SWL. Exchange RST + serial number (IPARC members send IPA + state if US). QSO Points: IPARC members--5 pts, non-member--1 pt. Score: QSO points × DXCC entities + US states counted once per band. Multipliers are only counted for QSOs with IPARC members. For more information: www.ipa-rc.de. Logs due Dec 31 to dl8kcg@darc.de or Uwe Greggersen, DL8KCG, Hurststr 9, D-51645 Gummersbach, Germany. 

Ukrainian DX Contest--CW/SSB/RTTY, sponsored by the Ukrainian Amateur Radio League and the Ukrainian Contest Club from 1200Z Nov 5-1200Z Nov 6. Frequencies: 160-10 meters, with 10-minute band change rule. Categories: SOAB, SOAB-QRP (<5 W), SOAB-RTTY, SOSB, MS, MM, SWL. Exchange: RST + serial number (+ Ukrainian region). QSO Points: same country--1 pt, same continent--2 pts, different cont--3 pts, Ukrainian station--10 pts. Score: QSO points × DXCC entities + WAE countries + Ukrainian regions. For more information: www.ucc.zp.ua. Logs due 30 days after the contest to urdx@ham.kiev.ua or to Ukrainian Contest Club HQ, PO Box 4850, Zaporizhzhe, 69118, Ukraine. 

DARC 10-Meter Digital "Corona"--RTTY/AMTOR/PACTOR/PSK31/Clover, sponsored by Deutscher Amateur Radio Club from 1100Z-1700Z Nov 6. Frequencies (MHz): 28.050-28.150, work stations once per mode. Categories: SO, SWL. Exchange: RST + serial number. QSO Points: 1pt/QSO. Score: QSO points × DXCC entities + WAE countries + JA/VE/W call districts (all counted only once). For more information: www.darc.de/referate/dx/cqdlcont/fgdcc.htm. Logs due 4 weeks after the contest to dl9gs@darc.de or A.Schlendermann DL9GS, Postfach 102201, D-44807 Bochum, Germany. 

Radio Club of America QSO Party, SSB/AM, from 1700Z Nov 5-0500Z Nov 6. See Web site for frequency schedule. Exchange: RST, QTH, name, equipment used. RCA members sign their calls /RCA. For more information: www.radio-club-of-america.org or rlraide@adelphia.net. Logs to mraide@rochester.rr.com or Mike Raide, W2ZE, 21 Canandaigua St, Shortsville, NY 14548. 

Japan International DX Contest--Phone, from 0700Z Nov 12-1300Z Nov 13 (see April QST, p 99, or http://jidx.org/jidxrule-e.html). 

Worked All Europe DX Contest (WAEDC)--RTTY, from 0000Z Nov 12-2359Z Nov 13. Same rules as WAEDC Phone and CW, except everyone works everyone. QTC can only be exchanged between continents (see August QST, p 94, or www.waedc.de). 

OK/OM DX Contest--CW, sponsored by the Czech Radio Club (CRC) from 1200Z Nov 12-1200Z Nov 13. Frequencies: 160-10-meters. Categories: SOAB-HP (>100 W), SOSB-HP, SOAB-LP, SOSB-LP, SOAB-QRP (<5 W), MS, SWL, packet spotting allowed for all categories. Exchange: RST plus serial number or OK/OM district. QSO Points: EU to OK/OM--1 pt, non-EU to OK/OM--3 pts. Score: QSO points × OK/OM districts (OK/OM stations use WPX prefixes) counted once per band. For more information:http://okomdx.radioamater.cz. Logs due Dec 1 to okomdx@crk.cz or OK-OM DX Contest, CRK, PO Box 69, 113 27 Praha 1, Czech Republic. 

CQ WE (Western Electric)--CW/Phone/Digital, from 1900Z Nov 12-0500Z Nov 14. Frequencies: 160-70 cm (no repeater contacts). Categories: SOAB (Bell and non-Bell). Exchange: Call, name, Bell location, Years of Bell service (non-Bell send ZZ and 1). QSO Points: equal to years of service. Score: sum of QSO points × location codes for each mode (locations counted once only). For more information: http://cqwe.cboh.org. Send logs to cyaffey@columbus.rr.com or Carl L. Yaffey, K8NU, 435 Walhalla Rd, Columbus, OH 43202. 

LZ DX Contest--CW/SSB, sponsored by the Bulgarian Federation of Radio Amateurs from 1200Z Nov 19-1200Z Nov 20. Frequencies: 80-10-meters with 10-minute mode change rule. Categories: SOAB (CW, Phone, Mixed), SOAB-QRP Mixed, SOSB-Mixed, MS-Mixed, SWL. Exchange: RST + ITU zone or 2-letter LZ district. QSO Points: same continent--1 pt, different cont--3 pts, LZ station--10 pts. Score: QSO points × ITU zones + LZ districts counted once per band. For more information: www.qsl.net/lz1fw/contest. Logs due 30 days after the contest to lzdxc@yahoo.com or BFRA, PO Box 830, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria. 

RSGB 1.8MHz Contest--CW, from 2100 Nov 19-0100Z Nov 20 (see Feb QST, p 102). For more information: www.rsgbhfcc.org. Logs due 16 days after the contest to 2nd160.logs@rsgbhfcc.org or RSGB--G3UFY, 77 Bensham Manor Rd, Thornton Heath, Surrey CR7 7AF, England. 

CQ World Wide DX Contest--CW, from 0000Z Nov 26 to 2400Z Nov 27 (see Oct QST, p 101 or http://cqww.com).

(ARRL News Service)

Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald Whitefish Point, MI.
Nov 3-Nov 6, 0000Z-2400Z, Whitefish Point, MI. Stu Rockafellow Amateur Radio Society, N8F. Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald. 14.260 21.360 7.260 3.860. Certificate. Richard A. Barker, W8VS, 264 N East St, Brighton, MI 48116. www.qsl.net/w8njh. 

Split Rock Lighthouse   (near Two Harbors), MN. 
Nov 4-Nov 7, 2000Z-0400Z, Split Rock Lighthouse (near Two Harbors), MN. Stillwater Amateur Radio Association, W0JH. 21.360 14.260 7.260 3.860. Certificate. Shel Mann, N0DRX, 1618 W Pine St, Stillwater, MN 55082. www.radioham.org. 

Canadian Liberation March/Canadian Week Knokke-Heist , Belgium
Nov 4-Nov 8, Knokke-Heist , Belgium. UBA Section ONZ, OO4CLM. Canadian Liberation March/Canadian Week. SSB and CW 80 40 20 17 15 10 2 m bands. OO4CLM Special Event, Postbox 1006, B-8300 Konokke-Heist, Belgium. www.on4clm.be. 

Anniversary of RCA Transatlantic Wireless Transmission  Rocky Point, NY.
Nov 5, 1500Z-2000Z, Rocky Point, NY. Radio Central Amateur Radio Club, W2RC. 75th
Anniversary of RCA Transatlantic Wireless Transmission. 14.260 14.050 7.260 7.030. Certificate. Radio Central ARC, PO Box 396, Centereach, NY 11720. www.rcarc.org. 

85th anniversary of pioneer broadcast radio station, KDKA  Moscow, PA.
Nov 5-Nov 6, 1300Z-2300Z, Moscow, PA. Northeast Pennsylvania Special Event Club, KV3T. 85th anniversary of pioneer broadcast radio station, KDKA. 21.240 14.240 14.045 7.240. QSL. David Samsell, W3LOW, 923 Clearview Rd, Moscow, PA 18444. http://kv3t.tripod.com. 

To honor the memory and efforts of military veterans  Arlington Heights, IL
Nov 10-Nov 13, 1500Z-2000Z, Arlington Heights, IL. Armored Force Amateur Radio Net, KA9NLX. To honor the memory and efforts of military veterans. 18.095 14.325 7.283 7.030; conditions permitting 28.640 21.375 7.298. Certificate. John Paskevicz, 1423 North Ridge Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60004. 

CQ Veterans Day Nutley, NJ.
Nov 11, 0400Z-2300Z, Nutley, NJ. Robert D. Grant United Labor Amateur Radio Association, N2UL. CQ Veterans Day. 28.420 14.260 7.260 449.975. Certificate. RDGULARA, c/o WA2VJA, 112 Prospect St, Nutley, NJ 07110-0716. 

Celebrating Veterans Day from Butler VA
Nov 11, 1300Z-1900Z, Butler, PA. Butler County Amateur Radio Association, W3UDX. Celebrating Veterans Day from the Butler VA Hospital grounds. 14.280 7.250. QSL. BCARA, PO Box1787, Butler, PA 16003. http://qsl.net/w3udx. 

Veterans Day from the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans
Nov 11, 1330Z-1930Z, Grand Rapids, MI. Michigan Amateur Radio Alliance, W8USA. Veterans Day from the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. 14.250 14.040 7.250 7.040. QSL. MARA, PO Box 670, Comstock Park, MI 49321-0670. www.w8usa.org. 

Veteran's Day. Baton Rouge, LA.
Nov 11, 1500Z-2330Z, Baton Rouge, LA. USS Kidd ARC/Baton Rouge ARC, W5KID. Veteran's 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. 

Union League of Philadelphia. 
Nov 11-Nov 12, 2200Z-2200Z, Philadelphia, PA. Warminster Amateur Radio Club, K3DN. Union League of Philadelphia. 14.300 7.250 3.800. Certificate. Tony Simek, N3YNH, Warminster Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 113, Warminster, PA 18974. www.k3dn.org. 

Veterans Day. Topeka, KS.
Nov 11-Nov 12, 1400Z-2100Z, Topeka, KS. SCSWARC and KVARC, N0G. Veterans Day. 28.450 21.350 14.250 7.200. Certificate. Steve Hamilton, 2503 SW Carlson Rd, Topeka, KS 66614. 

Coral-Gold II--San Antonio Radio Club's 86th birthday party  San Antonio, TX.
Nov 11-Nov 14, 2300Z-0600Z, San Antonio, TX. San Antonio Radio Club, W5SC. Coral-Gold II--San Antonio Radio Club's 86th birthday party. 21.360 14.260 7.260 3.860. QSL. Steve Cerwin, WA5FRF, 1619 CR 270, Mico, TX 78056. www.w5sc.org. 

60th anniverary of the Rosland ARC Roseland, NJ. 
Nov 12, 1400Z-2200Z, Roseland, NJ. Roseland Amateur Radio Club, K2GQ. 60th anniverary of the Rosland ARC. 146.52 21.345 14.260 7.245. Certificate. Harvey Moskowitz, W2YWC, 7 Burlington Rd, Livingston, NJ 07039. www.qsl.net/k2gq. 

"Return of the Snowbirds" to South Texas
Nov 12, 1400Z-2000Z, South Padre Island, TX. CHARRO Amateur Radio Club, W5CRC. "Return of the Snowbirds" to South Texas. 28.330 14.330 21.330. Certificate. Bob Austin, W5CRC, 107 W Park Dr, Brownsville, TX 78521. www.qsl.net/w5crc. 

75th anniversary of the DVRA West Trenton, NJ
Nov 12-Nov 14, 1700Z-0200Z, West Trenton, NJ. Delaware Valley Radio Association, W2ZQ. 75th anniversary of the DVRA. 14.275 7.275 3.975. QSL. DVRA, PO Box 7024, West Trenton, NJ 08628. www.w2zq.com. 

Anniversary of the Loss of USS Juneau and the 5 Brothers  Waterloo, IA
Nov 13, 1500Z-2200Z, Waterloo, IA. Five Sullivan Brothers Amateur Radio Club, W0FSB. Anniversary of the Loss of USS Juneau and the 5 Brothers. 21.240 14.240 7.240. Certificate. Five Sullivan Brothers ARC, 4015 Independence Ave, Waterloo, IA 50703. 

(ARRL)

EGYPT, SU.  Gab, HA3JB will be QRV again as SU8BHI from July  01 to December 31.  He will be active on all bands using CW, RTTY, SSTV, PSK and some SSB during many of the major upcoming contests.  QSL direct only  via  HA3JB  (Kutasi  Gabor, P.O.  Box  243,  H-8601 Siofok, Hungary).
Logs available at: http://www.qsl.net/ha3jbe-mail:ha3jb@t-email.hu

Nov. 3 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.

TANZANIA, 5H.  Harald, DL7VSN is QRV as 5H1HS from Zanzibar Island, IOTA AF-032, until November 17.  Activity is on 80 to 10 meters, including the newer bands, using CW and SSB.  QSL to home call.

WEST MALAYSIA, 9M2.  Enno is QRV as 9M2/PF5X and has been active on 30 meters around 1500z.  QSL via PA0KHS.

TONGA, A3.  Alex is QRV as A35BO and has been active on 20 meters around 0700z.  QSL via HB9FBO.

TAIWAN, BV.  Jurgen, DJ3KR is QRV as BX3/DJ3KR until November 16. QSL to home call.

PHILIPPINES, DU.  Station DX0TIC is QRV until November 10.  QSL via operator's instructions.

GUADELOUPE, FG.  A group of operators are QRV as TO5S from Les Saintes Island, IOTA NA-114, until November 12.  Activity is on all HF bands, including 6 meters, using CW, SSB and PSK31.  QSL via F1BCS.

MAYOTTE, FH.  Serge, F6AUS will be QRV as TX0P from November 9 to December 7.  This includes an entry in the upcoming CQ WW contest. QSL via operator's instructions.

SAINT MARTIN, FS.  Jean, F5AHO will be QRV as FS/F5AHO from Tintamarre Island, IOTA NA-199, from November 9 to 18.  Activity will be on 20 and 17 meters using SSB.  QSL to home call.

TEMOTU PROVINCE, H40.  Members of the Korean DX Club plan to be QRV as H40HL from Nendo Island, IOTA OC-100, from November 5 to 11. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters, including the newer bands, using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK.  QSL via HL1XP.

THAILAND, HS.  Champ, E21EIC is QRV as E21EIC/8 until November 16. Japan stations QSL via JR5XPG and all others QSL to home call.

MINAMI TORISHIMA, JD1.  Operators JE7IZM/JD1 and JR6TYH/JD1 have been QRV on 40 meters at various times.  QSL to home calls.

JAN MAYEN, JX.  Ole is QRV as JX9NOA for at least a year.  Given his current antenna situation, his activity may be on a few bands using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK.  QSL via operator's instructions.

SUDAN, ST.  Fernando, ST2BF has been QRV using CW from around 2200 to 0000z.  QSL via W3HNK.

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, T9.  Roger, LA4GHA is QRV as T98GHA until the end of November.  QSL direct to home call.

COTE d'IVOIRE, TU.  Gerd, TU5JM has been QRV using RTTY on 20 meters around 0800z and then around 1100 to 1500z.  QSL via bureau.

KALININGRAD, UA2.  Alex, UA2FT has been QRV on 160 meters from around 0030 to 0530z.  QSL to home call.

NAMIBIA, V5.  Jack, V51KC has been QRV using PSK31 on 15 meters around 1930z.  He has also been active on 17 meters using PSK31 around the same time.  QSL direct via IZ8EDJ.

NORFOLK ISLAND, VK9N.  Ron, ZL1TW is QRV as VK9ANA until November 9. His activity is mostly on 40 meters, but he will try 80, 30 and 20
meters as well.  QSL direct to home call.

CHRISTMAS ISLAND, VK9X.  Charlie is QRV as VK9XG and has been active using RTTY on 20 meters starting around 2300z.  QSL via W0YG.

ANTARCTICA.  Bhagwati, VU3BPZ is QRV from the WTO Indian Antarctica Maitri Base and is here until April 2006.  He can usually be found on 20 meters using SSB.  QSL via operator's instructions.

OPERATIONS APPROVED FOR DXCC.  The following operations are approved for DXCC credit:  Somalia, 6O0JT, from September 30, 2004 through April 30, 2005;  Uganda, 5X1W, from August 3, 2005 to August 12, 2005;  Spratly Islands, DX0K, from February 1, 2005 through April 30, 2005.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The ARRL CW Sweepstakes, IPARC CW/SSB Contest, Ukrainian DX Contest, North American Collegiate ARC CW Championship, Radio Club of America QSO Party, High Speed Club CW Contest and the DARC 10-Meter Digital Contest will certainly keep contesters busy this weekend.  Please see November QST, page 103, and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details.

(ARRL News Service)

Nov. 2-25 2005    I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O.

02/11/2005:  G/LD-058  G3CWI/P  ARNSIDE KNOTT -
Look for Richard, G3CWI/p, to be QRV October 2nd from Arnside Knott summit [159m] (SOTA reference G/LD-058), Lake District Region. Activity will be on 7.030 MHz CW, starting around 12:00 UTC. [Tnx SOTA U.K.]

02/11/2005:  NA-114  TO5S  LES SAINTES ISLAND -
Operators Jacques F1BCS, Jean-Marc F1HDI, Gilles F5JBE, Pat F6CMH, Olivier F6EIE, Daniel F6EPD, Connie F6GAL and Yves F6JMV plan to be active as TO5S from Les Saintes Island, Guadaloupe (IOTA NA-114) November 2-12th. Activity will be on HF and 6 meter CW, SSB and PSK-31. QSL via F1BCS. [Tnx rsgbiota.org]

03/11/2005:  AS-008  7L3ATQ/1 & Co.  MIYAKE ISLAND -
7L3ATQ/1 others will be active from Miyake Island (IOTA AS-008, JIIA AS-008-006), JA1 North Izu group, November 3-5th. QSL via home calls, direct or through the JARL bureau. [Tnx JI6KVR]

03/11/2005:  G/SC-011  G3CWI/P  HARDOWN HILL -
Look for Richard, G3CWI/p, to be QRV October 3rd from Hardown Hill [207m] (SOTA reference G/SC-011), South Central Region. Activity will be on 7.030 MHz CW, starting around 15:00 UTC. [Tnx SOTA U.K.]

03/11/2005:  ZS/H.C.'s  SOUTH AFRICA -
Seppo OH1VR and Juhani OH3SR will be active from South Africa as ZS/homecall November 3-8th. Activity will be on all bands, SSB, CW and RTTY. QSL direct only to home calls. [Tnx OH1VR]

04/11/2005:  G/SC-004  G3CWI/P  STAPLE HILL -
Look for Richard, G3CWI/p, to be QRV October 4th from Staple Hill [315m] (SOTA reference G/SC-004), South Central Region. Activity will be on 7.030 MHz CW, starting around 13:30 UTC. [Tnx SOTA U.K.]

04/11/2005:  AS-075  XX9  MACAO -
Misao JJ1DWB and Hide JM1LJS will be active with personal XX9 callsigns (TBA) from Macao (IOTA AS-075) from around 04:00 UTC November 4th until 19:00 UTC November 5th. They are going to use a TS-570SG (100W output) and non radial vertical antenna CHA250Bx by Commet. Although they can QRV on 80 through 6 meters, signals may be not so strong. QSL direct only via home calls (QRZ.com). Further information at http://radio-dream.com/macau/ [Tnx 425 DX News]

07/11/2005:  OC-003  VK9CG  COCOS-KEELING ISLAND -
Charlie, W0YG, will be QRV November 7-21st as VK9CG from Cocos-Keeling Island (IOTA OC-003). Look for Charlie to be mostly on the lower bands, 160 and 80 meters, but he will also do some HF RTTY and CW. All QSLs go to W0YG, please direct only. [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

08/11/2005:  OC-003  VK9CG  COCOS-KEELING -
Charlie, W0YG, will be active as VK9CG from Cocos-Keeling (IOTA OC-003) November 8-21st. Expect activity on all bands and modes. QSL direct only to W0YG (QRZ.com). [Tnx 425 DX News]

09/11/2005:  AS-019  9V/H.C.'s  SINGAPORE -
Seppo OH1VR and Juhani OH3SR will be active from Singapore (IOTA AS-019) operating from the QTH of 9V1PC November 9-10th. Activity will be on all bands, SSB, CW and RTTY. QSL direct only to home calls. [Tnx OH1VR]

09/11/2005:  NA-105  FS/F5AHO  SAINT MARTIN -
Pierre, F5AHO, will be active as FS/F5AHO from Saint Martin (the main island - IOTA NA-105 and DIFO FS-001) between November 9-18th. Activity will be mainly on 20/17 meter SSB. Look for him to be on Tintamarre Island (NA-199 and DIFO FS-002) November 11th and 13th, between 1400-2000z. QSL via F5AHO, direct or by the bureau. [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

09/11/2005:  SA-056  HC4/EA1BT  COJIMIES ISLANDS -
Fernando, EA1BT, will be active as HC4/EA1BT from the Cojimies Islands (IOTA SA-056) November 9-15th. Activity will be on 20, 15 and 10 meters. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx F5NQL]

09/11/2005:  HC4/EA9CP  ECUADOR LIGHTHOUSES -
Toño, EA9CP, will be active as HC4/EA9CP from the Eduador mainland, Esmeraldas Province, November 9-15 activating the following lighthouses: November 9th from the Punta Sua lighthouse (ARLHS ECU-037); November 10th from the Esmeraldas F-3 lighthouse (ARLHS ECU-026); November 11th from the Punta Galera lighthouse (ARLHS ECU-012); November 12th from the Esmeraldas F-2 lighthouse (ARLHS ECU-030); November 13th from the Esmeraldas E-1 lighthouse (ARLHS ECU-028); November 14th from the Cabo San Francisco lighthouse (ARLHS ECU-016); and November 15th from the Esmeraldas F-1 lighthouse (ARLHS ECU-027). Activity from all lighthouses will be on 20, 15 and 10 meters. QSL via EA7FTR, direct or bureau. [Tnx F5NQL]

10/11/2005:  HS0/H.C.'s  THAILAND -
Seppo OH1VR and Juhani OH3SR will be active from Thailand operating from the QTH of HS0AC November 10-13th. Activity will be on all bands, SSB, CW and RTTY. QSL direct only to home calls. [Tnx OH1VR]

11/11/2005:  NA-199  FS/F5AHO  TINTAMARRE ISLAND -
Pierre, F5AHO, will be active as FS/F5AHO from Tintamarre Island (NA-199 and DIFO FS-002) November 11th and 13th, between 1400-2000z. QSL via F5AHO, direct or by the bureau. [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

13/11/2005:  NA-199  FS/F5AHO  TINTAMARRE ISLAND -
Pierre, F5AHO, will be active as FS/F5AHO from Tintamarre Island (NA-199 and DIFO FS-002) November 13th, between 1400-2000z. QSL via F5AHO, direct or by the bureau. [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

13/11/2005:  JA/H.C.'s  JAPAN -
Look for Seppo OH1VR and Juhani OH3SR to be active from Japan November 13-15th as possibly JA/homecall. Activity will be on all bands, SSB, CW and RTTY. QSL direct only to home calls. [Tnx OH1VR]

14/11/2005:  OC-010  V6A  POHNPEI -
Look for Shoji, JA7HMZ, to be active as V6A from Pohnpei (IOTA OC-010), Micronesia, November 14-19th. Activity will be on all bands and modes, with emphasis on 160 meters and RTTY. QSL via JA7AO. [Tnx NG3K]

14/11/2005:  OC-040  ZK2LU  NIUE -
Eugene W2LU and Stephen WA2WVI will be active as ZK2LU. Their tentative dates are November 14-30th. They plan to focus on 160 and 75 meters SSB; check 1850 and 3795 kHz, listening down 5, between 1600-0600 UTC. QSL via operators instructions. [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

15/11/2005:  OC-019  KH6/AE6PP, KH6/OH3SR  HAWAII -
Look for Seppo OH1VR and Juhani OH3SR to be active from Hawaii (IOTA OC-019) as KH6/AE6PP and KH6/OH3SR respectively November 15-19th. Activity will be on all bands, SSB, CW and RTTY. QSL direct only to home calls. [Tnx OH1VR]

17/11/2005:  EU-117  R1MVI  MALYJ VYSOTSKIJ ISLAND -
Reports indicate that Vlad, UA2FF, is currently preparing for his next Malyj Vysotskij Island (IOTA EU-117) DXpedition to take place November 17-28th. This activity will include operations during the Leonids meteor shower and the CQWW DX CW Contest. R1MVI is expected to be looking particularly for North America and Japan on 80 and 160m. This will be a very large operation with about 25 operators including some very well-known Topband operators. They are preparing big vertical TX antennas including Beverages for both short and long paths to North America (and other areas). Because of the rarity of MVI on the low bands and that the MVI team is mainly focusing their operations on the low bands, the NCDXF has approved a 1000 USD contribution for this expedition. [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

17/11/2005:  OC-029  V73JY & V73KJ  MAJURO ISLAND -
Yamato ARC members Sasi JA1KJW (V73KJ) and Shigeo JA1JQY (V73JY) will be active from Majuro Island (IOTA OC-029) Marshall Islands group November 17-18th. Activity will be on 160-10 meter CW and SSB. QSL via home calls, direct or through the bureau. [Tnx JI6KVR]

18/11/2005:  A52CDX  BHUTAN -
After A52FH in 2000 and A52CDX in 2004, the same Clipperton DX Club team (F2VX, F9DK, G0LMX and F5LMJ) will return to Bhutan from November 18 to December 3, 2005. They will be in Ham center Thimphu from November 18th to 29th, and then try to be active from Bunthang and Paro valley. This is not a dx-pedition but a "ham radio project" to promote the growth of amateur radio in Bhutan. To continue their project with the Bhutan Telcom Authority they bring one or two radio equipments that would allow the creation of new radio-clubs in eastern Bhutan. The QSL info will be the same as 2004 operation, via F9DK, bureau is ok. [Tnx F5NQL]

19/11/2005:  AE6PP, W6/OH3SR  SAN FRANCISCO -
Look for Seppo OH1VR and Juhani OH3SR to be active from San Francisco, California as AE6PP and W6/OH3SR respectively November 19-25th. Activity will be on all bands, SSB, CW and RTTY. QSL direct only to home calls. [Tnx OH1VR]

19/11/2005:  OC-086  KH2VL/KHØ  SAIPAN -
Hide, JM1LJS, plans to be QRV as KH2VL/KH0 from Saipan (IOTA OC-086), Northern Mariana Islands November 19-20th. QSL via JM1LJS (QRZ.com). [Tnx JM1LJS]

19/11/2005:  OC-010  V63  POHNPEI ISLAND -
Yamato ARC members Sasi JA1KJW (V63JQ), Hiro V73VE/JF1OCQ (V63VE) and Shigeo JA1JQY (V63JY) will be active from Pohnpei Island (IOTA OC-010) November 19-24th. Look for them on 160-10 meter CW and SSB. QSL V63JQ via JA1KJW; V63JY via JA1JQY; and V63VE via JF1OCQ, direct or bureau. [Tnx JI6KVR]

20/11/2005:  NA-032  FP/H.C.'s  ISLAND OF MIQUELON -
Five operators will be active from St. Pierre and Miquelon (IOTA NA-032, DIFO FP-002) between November 20-30th trying to a run Multi-Multi station for the CQWW DX CW Contest (November 26-27th). Operators will be Stan AC8W, Hank K8DD, Greg K8GL, Ian K8MM and Kurt W8IQ. There will be activity before and after the contest on 160-10 meters and the WARC bands as homecall/p. QSL FP/AC8W, FP/K8DD and FP/K8GL via K8NA. QSL FP/K8MM and FP/W8IQ via home calls. [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

20/11/2005:  OC-009  T88LY & T88YU  PALAU -
Operators Yutaka (JQ2GYU) and Mihoko (JJ2VLY) will be vacationing on the Palau Islands (IOTA OC-009) and will operate T88YU and T88LY from November 20-25th. Activity will be limited to their mornings and evenings. Look for them on 80-6 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via their home callsigns, direct or by the bureau. [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

22/11/2005:  NA-080  C6A/W6SJ & C6AWS  BAHAMAS -
Randy, W6SJ, will once again head to Grand Bahama Island (IOTA NA-080) in November. He expects to be on the air on November 22nd but will leave on November 28th. Activity will include the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 26-27th) as C6AWS and as Single-Op/All-Band/Low-Power entry. Randy informs OPDX that since this is a solo effort again, he may just try 20m in the contest instead of spending hours and hours fooling around with antennas. Outside of the contest, he will try to operate on the WARC bands and will try PSK. He states that hopefully there will be some PSKers who need C6. QSL via W6SJ, direct or by the bureau. [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

22/11/2005:  OC-003  VK9AA  COCOS-KEELING ISLAND -
Look for Bernd, VK2IA, to be QRV starting around November 22nd as VK9AA from Cocos-Keeling Island (IOTA OC-003). He will also participate in the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 26-27th) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry. QSL via DL8YR. [Tnx W0YG]

23/11/2005:  AF-032  5H1CM  ZANZIBAR ISLAND -
Hans, DL7CM, will be on tour again, but this time only as a one-man holiday operation (him and his wife). He will be active November 23rd to December 18th from Zanzibar Island (IOTA AF-032) and will be signing 5H1CM. Activity will be on 160-6 meter CW, SSB and RTTY using an IC706, amplifier, 27 meter sloper and other wire antennas. QSL via DL7CM, direct or bureau. [Tnx F5NQL]

23/11/2005:  NA-096  HI7/DL1JFI  DOMINICAN REPUBLIC -
Frank, DL1JFI, plans to be active from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (IOTA NA-096), as HI7/DL1JFI between November 23rd and December 7th. Look for activity on 80-10 meters, mainly CW, with an ICOM 706 and Windom antenna. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx rsbgiota.org]

23/11/2005:  NA-106  KP2/K3MD  U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS -
John, K3MD, will be active from the U.S. Virgin Islands (IOTA NA-106) as KP2/K3MD during the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 26-27th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL via K3MD. John will be a portable operation from the north shore of St. John's for a few days before the contest using wire a vertical and 500W. Activity will be on 80-10 meters. [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

23/11/2005:  PZ5PA, PZ5WP & PZ5C  SURINAM -
Members of the "Low Land DXpedition Team" will be active from Paramaribo, Surinam, from November 23rd to December 14th (Some days they will be QRT for a trip to the inlands). Operators Ronald PA3EWP and Rob PA2R will have two stations with amplifiers on the air. Activity will be on 160-10 meters on the modes CW, SSB and RTTY. They will also be active in the CQWW CW and ARRL 10 Meter Contests. The callsigns are PZ5WP (Ronald), PZ5PA (Rob) and PZ5C for the two contests. The QSL Manager for all three callsigns will be PA7FM: Dennis Robbemond, Loggerhof 11, 3181 NS Rozenburg, The Netherlands. More details and online logs will become available on the LLDXT Web site in the coming months at: http://www.lldxt.nl [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

23/11/2005:  NA-100  V26K  ANTIGUA -
Bud, AA3B, reports that he will be active from Antigua (IOTA NA-100) as V26K between November 23-28th. Activity will include an entry in the CQ WW CW Contest as a SOABLP category. Outside of the contest, he will be active on CW only. QSL via AA3B. [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

23/11/2005:  NA-104  V47CJ  ISLAND OF ST. KITTS -
Kan, AB2RF (JJ2RCJ), will be active as V47CJ from the island of St. Kitts (IOTA NA-104, Grid Loc. FK87) November 23-24th. He will focus on the low bands (80, 40, 30 meters) using RTTY, PSK and CW. QSL via AB2RF. [Tnx F5NQL]

24/11/2005:  5Z4LS  KENYA -
Nick, G3RWF, has been reissued his old 5Z4 callsign after 35 years and will be active as 5Z4LS from November 24th to December 1st. His activity will include the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 26-27th) as a Single-Op/Low-Power entry. QSL via G3RWF. [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

24/11/2005:  AS-053  HSØT  KO LANTA YAI -
Operators Choon E20HHK, Mann E20NTS, Cy HS0GBI, Winit HS1CKC, Yong HS4BPQ, Son HS6NDK and Pong HS9IFG will be active as HS0T from Ko Lanta Yai Island (IOTA AS-053) and lighthouse (WLOTA 0946) between November 24-28th. Activity will be on 160-10 meter, WARC included, CW, SSB, RTTY, SSTV and PSK31. QSL via HS6NDK (QRZ.com). [Tnx JI6KVR]

24/11/2005:  NA-106  KP2/K3CT & KP2/K3TEJ  USVI -
Operators John (K3TEJ) and John (K3CT) will be active from the U.S. Virgin Islands (IOTA NA-106) as WP2Z during the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 26-27th) as a Multi-2 entry. QSL via KU9C. Activity before and after the contest will be on 160m and the WARC bands by KP2/K3TEJ and KP2/K3CT. QSL to their home calls. [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

25/11/2005:  OC-026  KH2/JA3EGZ & KH2/JA3PPH  GUAM -
Tada JA3PPH and Yoshi JA3EGZ will operate as KH2/JA3PPH and KH2/JA3EGZ from Guam (OC-026) November 25-28th. They plan to operate on 40-15 meter SSB, plus 160m with a 500W amplifier. KH2/JA3EGZ will also participate in the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 26-27th) as as Single Operator All Band entry. QSLs for both via JA3EGZ (Yoshikazu Mega, P.O. Box 6, Himeji, 670-8691 Japan). [Tnx 425 DX News]

25/11/2005:  TZ5A  MALI -
Ned, AA7A, plans to be active on 6 meters from Mali as part of the TZ5A group from November 25-29th. He will us the TZ5A call on 6 meters. QSL via G3SXW, direct or bureau. [Tnx UKSMG]

25/11/2005:  NA-104  V47CJ  ISLAND OF NEVIS -
Kan, AB2RF (JJ2RCJ), will be active as V47CJ from the island of Nevis (IOTA NA-104, Grid Loc. FK87) November 25-26th. He will focus on the low bands (80, 40, 30 meters) using RTTY, PSK and CW. QSL via AB2RF. [Tnx F5NQL]

26/11/2005:  NA-097  6Y5/KH5H  JAMAICA -
Steven KN5H and Art N3DXX will be active as 6Y5/KH5H from Jamaica (IOTA NA-097) in the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 26-27th) as a Multi-2/High-Power entry. QSL via KN5H. [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

26/11/2005:  OC-133  9M6NA  LABUAN ISLAND -
Saty, JE1JKL, will be active as 9M6NA in the 2005 CQWW DX CW Contest (November 26-27th) from Labuan Island (IOTA OC-133) as a Single-Op/Single-Band (20m) entry. QSL via JE1JKL (E-mail request for Bureau cards are welcome via 9m6na@jsfc.org). [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

26/11/2005:  EU-003  CU2A  SAN MIGUEL ISLAND -
Several Contest Club Finland (CCF) members will team up with locals for a serious single-band effort from San Miguel Island (CU2, IOTA EU-003, DIP AZ-002). Adding to Jose, CU2CE on 160M, Martti, OH2BH will be on 80M, Pertti, OH2PM on 40M and Toni, OH2UA on 20M. They will continue readying the site for next month's CQWW CW all-band operation (November 26-27th). [Tnx OH2BH]

26/11/2005:  EU-004  EA6IB  BALEARIC ISLANDS -
Look for EA6IB to be activated by EA6IB and team in the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 26-27th) from the Balearic Islands (IOTA EU-004). They plan to operate as a Multi-2 entry. QSL via EA6IB (QRZ.com). [Tnx NG3K]

26/11/2005:  AF-004  EA8EW  CANARY ISLANDS -
Valery, RD3AF, will be active from the Canary Islands (IOTA AF-004) as EA8EW during the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 26-27th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSLs will be sent automatically via the Bureau. [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

26/11/2005:  NA-105  FS/K7ZUM  ST. MARTIN -
Ken, K7ZUM, will be active as FS/K7ZUM in the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 26-27th) from the Island of French St. Martin (IOTA NA-105, DIFO FS-001) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High Power entry. QSL via home call (QRZ.com). [Tnx NG3K]

26/11/2005:  EU-116  GD6IA  ISLE OF MAN -
Hein, DL2OBF, will be active as GD6IA from the Isle of Man (IOTA EU-116) in the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 26-27th) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry. QSL route: POB 1, Peel, Isle of Man, British Isles. Further information can be found at http://www.gd6ia.com . [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

26/11/2005:  HSØZCW  THAILAND -
Charly, K4VUD, will be active from Thailand as HS0ZCW in the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 26-27th). Activity will be low power, search and pounce only. QSL via K4VUD (QRZ.com). [Tnx NG3K]

26/11/2005:  AF-018  IH9P  PANTELLERIA ISLAND -
IT9BLB and an international team will be active as IH9P from Pantelleria Island (IOTA AF-018, IIA TP-001, MIA MI-124, WAIP TP and ITU Zone 37) during the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 26-27th) as a Multi-???? entry. QSL via KR7X. [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

26/11/2005:  EU-001  J45A  DODECANESE -
Tomas, LY1DF, will be active from the Dodecanese (IOTA EU-001) as J45A during the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 26-27th) as a Single-Op/Single-Band entry. The single band is likely to be 160 or 80 meters. QSL via LY1DF. [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

26/11/2005:  EU-013  MJØASP  ISLE OF JERSEY -
Mathieu, F5SHQ, will be active from the Isle of Jersey (IOTA EU-013) as MJ0ASP during the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 26-27th) as Single-Op/All-Band entry. QSL via F5SHQ. [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

26/11/2005:  SA-036  P4ØA  ARUBA -
John, KK9A, will be active as P40A from Aruba (IOTA SA-036) during the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 26-27th) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry. QSL via WD9DZV. [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

26/11/2005:  NA-145  PJ5NA  ST. EUSTATIUS -
Jim, K1NA, will be active as PJ5NA during the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 26-27th) as Single-Op/All-Band entry from St. Eustatius (IOTA NA-145). QSL via K1NA (100% QSL direct only with SASE), no bureau cards will be answered. [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

26/11/2005:  SU8BHI  EGYPT -
Gabor, HA3JB, will be active from Egypt as SU8BHI during the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 26-27th). Operation class will be determined later. QSL via HA3JB direct only. [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

26/11/2005:  NA-005  VP9I  BERMUDA -
Paul, K1XM, will be active from Bermuda (IOTA NA-005) as VP9I during the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 26-27th) as Single-Op/Low-Power entry. QSL via KQ1F. [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

26/11/2005:  ZL1CT/MM  PACIFIC OCEAN -
Look for Chris, ZL1CT, to be active in the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 26-27th) as ZL1CT/mm (at sea) as a Single-Op entry. QSL via N3SL (QRZ.com). [Tnx NG3K]

28/11/2005:  AS-003  4S7PAG  SRI LANKA -
Joel, 4S7PAG, will be QRV between November 28th and December 16th from Sri Lanka (main island - IOTA AS-003). During his stay, he will take a short trip to Barberyn Island (IOTA AS-171) December 9-11th. QSL via F5PAC, direct (Joel Sutterlin F5PAC, 1 Rue du Rossberg, F-68310 Wittelsheim, France) or through the bureau. [Tnx F5NQL]

28/11/2005:  P4, PJ2 & PJ4  NETHERLAND ANTILLES -
Look for Seppo OH1VR and Juhani OH3SR to be active from Aruba (IOTA SA-036) as P4/OH1VR; from the island of Curacao (IOTA SA-006) as PJ2/OH1VR and PJ2/OH3SR; and from the island of Bonaire (IOTA SA-006) as PJ4/OH1VR and PJ4/OH3SR between November 28 and December 13th. Activity will be on all bands, SSB, CW and RTTY. QSL direct only to home calls. [Tnx OH1VR]

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

Meaningful Entry-Level License Privileges are Top Priority, ARRL Says (Nov. 1 2005)

The ARRL again has urged the FCC to provide meaningful operating privileges to entry-level Amateur Radio licensees, including access to HF, even if it doesn't want to create a new license class. Commenting in response to the FCC's July 9 Notice of Proposed Rule Making and Order (NPRM&O) in WT Docket 05-235, the League also stood by its stance that the Commission retain the 5 WPM Morse code requirement for Amateur Extra applicants, but do away with it for General applicants. 

"Retaining Morse telegraphy as a requirement for only the Amateur Extra class license, in ARRL's view, places Morse telegraphy in a proper, balanced perspective," the League told the Commission October 31, the deadline to comment in the proceeding. Reply comments are due November 14. 

The FCC's NPRM&O proposed eliminating the 5 WPM Morse code requirement for all Amateur Radio license classes but denied requests to create a new entry-level license class with limited HF privileges. The League said the FCC needs to finish the job of license restructuring it began in 1998 by reviewing operating privileges for all classes--especially at the first rung of the licensing ladder. 

"The elimination of Morse telegraphy, absent a more thorough review of operating privileges in the Amateur Service, will not address the ascertained flaws in the only entry-level license class," the ARRL asserted, referring to the Technician license. "That license class is not attracting or keeping newcomers in its present configuration, and it needs fixing right now." 

The ARRL argued that if the FCC will not create a new Novice class license as the League had suggested in its earlier Petition for Rule Making (RM-10867) in the proceeding, it should modify Technician operating privileges instead. The present licensing regime limits Technicians to VHF bands and above, "leaving newcomers to the Amateur Service isolated from their peers holding higher class licenses," the ARRL said. "The Technician class is, for too many, a 'dead end' to what might otherwise be an active, progressive interest in Amateur Radio, technical self-training and incentive-based educational progress in the many facets of the avocation." 

The ARRL reminded the FCC that its restructuring plan enjoyed the support the two Amateur Radio licensees in Congress--Rep Greg Walden, W7EQI (R-OR) and Rep Mike Ross, WD5DVR (D-AR). 

Eliminating the Morse requirement for General class applicants "creates an anomaly with respect to the Technician class license," the ARRL noted. "If the telegraphy requirement for the General class license is eliminated, the distinction between the Technician class licensee and the Technician Plus class licensee will have disappeared completely." Therefore, the League contends, there is a logical basis for affording Technician licensees entry-level HF privileges. 

Those privileges would be very basic under the League's plan, which takes into account the FCC's proposal to adopt the ARRL's so-called "Novice refarming" plan in WT Docket 04-140. The ARRL had earlier proposed the same privileges for a reconstituted Novice license. 

Under the ARRL plan, Technicians would have telegraphy and data privileges on 3.55-3.7 MHz, 7.05-7.125 MHz and 21.05-21.20 MHz at 100 W output and on 28.05-28.3 MHz at 50 W output. The League wants the FCC to provide HF phone and image privileges to Technicians on 3.9-4.0 MHz, 7.2-7.3 MHz and 21.35-21.45 MHz at 100 W output, and on 28.3-28.5 MHz at 50 W. 

The time is right to take a look at the operating privileges of Amateur Radio license classes, the ARRL said in its filing, "because the entry-level license class is demonstrably neither attractive to newcomers nor encouraging in terms of retaining the interest of license holders." 

To back up its assertions, the League pointed to surveys it conducted in 1992 and 2003. Nearly half of the licensees responding in the latter poll indicated that they were not currently active in Amateur Radio--up 30 percent from the earlier survey. "The number of inactive Technician class licensees is 46 percent," the ARRL noted, adding that more than a quarter of Technicians responding in 2003 said they'd never even been on the air. 

The League pointed out that the FCC's proposed across-the-board elimination of the Morse requirement eliminates a simple mechanism for current Technician licensees to obtain HF operating privileges--passing the 5 WPM code exam.

If the FCC does nothing other than eliminate the Morse requirement for the General license, the ARRL commented, it would make no sense to continue to deprive Technician licensees the HF operating privileges that Tech Plus licensees now enjoy. 

"To do otherwise is to draw a distinction that is entirely arbitrary," the League concluded. 

(ARRL News Service)