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Hurricane Katrina death toll is 1193 (Oct. 4 2005) The door-to-door search for victims of Hurricane Katrina ended in Louisiana with a death toll that stood at 972, substantially less than the 10,000 victims some state officials had feared. Mississippi's death toll remained at 221. A private company hired by the state to remove bodies was on call if any others were found. Authorities said Tuesday the death toll will probably continue to rise, but they felt the final number would be well below the dire projections. Mayor Ray Nagin said soon after Hurricane Katrina struck that the New Orleans alone could have 10,000 dead. (CBC News)
Singapore amateurs get a new allocation. (Oct. 7 2005) The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore has given radio amateurs the go-ahead to uses the 7.1- 7.2MHz band with immediate effect on a secondary use basis. This supplements the existing allocation of 7.0-7.1MHz for radio amateurs in Singapore . (RSGB2)
Important Fall meetings underway at ITU in Geneva (Oct. 2 2005) From September 22nd to 28th a Working Party of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) concerned with Land Mobile and Amateur services held meetings in Geneva Switzerland to discuss, among other things, preparations for the World Radio Conference in 2007 and, in particular, studies related to the 40 metre amateur band and a possible new amateur band at 135 kHz. Larry Price W4RA, President of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), headed a two man delegation to the meetings, accompanied by Ken Pulfer VE3PU. Paul Rinaldo W4RI, represented the ARRL on the US delegation and Jay Oka represented JARL. Ken was also an official member of the Canadian delegation at the meetings. Many other radio amateurs were also present at this and other concurrent meetings at the ITU. Noteworthy was Hans Zimmerman, F5VKP who was representing the IARU at meetings preparing for the World Summit on the Information Society, which will take place soon in Tunisia. The study of the HF bands between 4 and 10 MHz, and a request for up to 800 kHz of new broadcast band spectrum in the range, also looked at the IARU request for a world wide exclusive band between 7.0 and 7.3 MHz. There were a variety of conflicting ideas on how to deal with the requests, including Canadian, Russian and US suggestions for no change to the existing bands, and a European suggestion for a new allocation of 350 kHz to HF broadcasting. After several meetings, including two evening sessions, one of which was on the weekend, a temporary compromise was reached, which retained all the proposals except for the IARU's, which will be carried over to the next round of meetings in March 2006. The Canadian, Russian and US suggestions for no change would ensure that the This round of meetings was the most difficult to date, and they can be expected to continue at an increasing intesity in 2006. The IARU will be there trying to keep putting the amateur case forward, but so far there is little sympathy and understanding from other delegates who have their own problems and priorities. VE3PU stayed on for the final week of September to participate in discussions on BPL and on possible new amateur bands above 250 Ghz, and then will continue to October 15th with Walt Ireland, WB7CSL, to participate in meetings with the HF broadcast community, where the broadcasters will try to strengthen their arguments for more spectrum. (RAC News Service)
Early Access in band segment 7100 - 7200 kHz (Sept. 30 2005) Under Agenda Item 1.23 WRC-03 tried to find a globally harmonised allocation of 300 kHz around 7 MHz for the Amateur Service. The outcome of WRC-03 was that only the segment 7000 - 7200 kHz will be globally harmonized from 2009. Before WRC-03 within CEPT the concept of "Early access" was adopted. The European Common Proposal EUR/13A23 for WRC-03 included a footnote that stated: On condition that harmful interference is not caused to the broadcasting service, administrations may allow stations in the amateur service in Regions 1 and 3, from 1st January 2005 until April 2007, to use frequencies in the band 7100 – 7200 kHz on a secondary basis, using a total radiated power not exceeding 24dBW. What do we see after WRC-03?
What is/was IARU Region 1 doing?
During the months October and November 2004 The recommendation was drafted in close cooperation with IARU Region 1 and was on the agenda for the WGFM meeting held in Utrecht the Netherlands 24-28 January 2005. Because of very strong French opposition the proposal was not adopted and it was agreed that the Netherlands would chair a group which would work by correspondence with all concerned Administrations to try to resolve this issue between now and the next WG FM meeting (23 - 27 May 2005). On 23 February 2005 LA2RR and PB2T discussed the issue with the Dutch, French and Norwegian administrations and the French objection could be taken away. On 25 May 2005 WGFM adopted (for public consultation) a recommendation to allow early access. After public consultation WGFM at its meeting held in Koblenz adopted ECC/REC(05)05 on 28 September 2005. So far following countries allow early access: Austria
(RAC News Service)
Celebrating another Marconi first (Sept.30 2005) Planning is underway to celebrate
the July 1906 first radio transmission from Devonport to Queenscliff in
Victoria Australia by Marconi. The North
The celebration is planned for the
weekend of 6th or 12th of July of 2006. Those involved hope for an actual
re-enactment of the radio transmission
This is seen as an excellent opportunity
to promote Amateur Radio down-under with lots of media coverage.
Further news will be made available as
(WIA)
The ITU has released the 2005 Emergency Telecommunications Handbook (Sept. 26 2005) The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has released the 2005 Emergency Telecommunications Handbook. This Handbook is written to serve as a close companion to those involved in the work of providing as well as using telecommunications for disaster mitigation and relief. While this handbook is meant to be simple, it is comprehensive, compact and contains useful factual information that is concise and organized for easy access especially by practitioners. The amateur service, through the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) is one of the major partners in Disaster Response, Mitigation and Prevention. Information on the manual and the companion Brochure can be found here: www.itu.int/ITU-D/emergencytelecoms/publications.html (RAC News Service)
48th Jamboree on the Air (Oct. 15-16 2005) JOTA is an annual event in which about 500,000 Scouts and Guides all over the world make contact with each other by means of amateur radio. It is a real Jamboree during which Scouting experiences are exchanged and ideas are shared, thus contributing to the world brotherhood of Scouting The JOTA is a world-wide event. Units may operate for 48 hours or any part thereof, from Saturday 00.00 h until Sunday 24.00 h local time. It is for members of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), and also for members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). Additional information is available on the JOTA organizer's web pages.
UK: Icom supports Ham Commemoration of the Battle of Trafalger (Oct. 17-24 2005) Icom is lending its support to a special event celebrating the Bi-Centenary commemoration of the Battle of Trafalgar. This by supplying most of the gear to a special event station which is being run by the Cray Valley Radio Society The station will operate from the
National Maritime Museum at Greenwich in South East London for an
8-day period from October 17th to the 24th. Icom
The battle of Trafalgar fought in 1805 is considered by many as one of the most decisive naval engagements in history, both tactically and strategically. It not only eliminated Napoleon's plans to invade England, but also destroyed French naval power and ensured the dominance of the British navy throughout the world. The Cray Valley Radio Society is no stranger to operating high profile special event stations. The club manned the highly successful Millennium special event station M2000A, making 48,000 QSOs in two months. For more details of the society, please visit www.cvrs.org on the World-Wide-Web. (Icom America) (ARNewsLine)
Oct. 6 2005 Tad Cook K7RA Solar
Update
Over the next year as this cycle 23 bottoms out, we will see long stretches of days--maybe even weeks--with no sunspots at all. This is based on the behavior of past solar cycles. With lower solar activity came very little geomagnetic activity. The numbers reported in last week's bulletin were low, but the weekly average for planetary and mid-latitude A index dropped even lower--by about one point each. If you can check the Daily Geomagnetic Data from the Space Environment Center over the next few weeks before the data disappear, you can see the days with reading after reading of K index equal to zero. With the K index vacillating between zero and one, the result is a daily A index of two or four. If you take the eight K index readings and they average to 2, this gives you an A index for the day of 7. If the average is around 2.333, then the A index is 9. These periods of low geomagnetic activity are great for 160 and 80 meters. Atmospheric noise is also much lower than in summer, and periods of darkness are getting longer. Over the next week expect sunspot activity to remain low, and solar flux should hover around 85. Planetary A index for the next five days, October 6-10 is predicted at 8, 10, 5, 8 and 12. The next period of moderately active geomagnetic conditions is forecast for October 12, based on the last solar rotation. Sgt Korey Chandler, YI9VCQ/KA5VCQ, e-mailed from Iraq about propagation from that part of the world. "I just wanted to comment that I've had very good luck on 12-meter CW for the past week. Conditions have been solid to Germany, Bulgaria, Russia, and Ukraine at around 1000-1500 UTC," he wrote September 30. "10-meters hasn't been as good, but 15 showed several nice openings to Asia and Australia. 40 meters is showing a nice start towards winter conditions, since I'm now working stations with my low dipole." Chandler says he typically starts on whatever band is open and works his way higher, using W6ELprop as a guide. "Of course, I'll throw out a few CQs on each band just to check for surprises," he adds. He says there's very little CW operation out of Iraq, and 30 meters is one of his favorite bands. He also operated digital modes and has logged 11,000 QSOs so far, the vast majority on CW. "Hope to see you on the bands!" Chandler mentioned W6ELprop, which has been listed here many times before. Probably the best way to use it is with the predicted smoothed sunspot number for the month, or you can average the previous several days of sunspot numbers available from the SEC Web site. For more information concerning propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. Sunspot numbers for September 29 through October 5 were 22, 13, 0, 0, 0, 15 and 31, with a mean of 11.6. The 10.7 cm flux was 73.8, 72.2, 72.1, 74.9, 74.3, 82.7, and 81.3, with a mean of 75.9. Estimated planetary A indices were 6, 11, 13, 13, 7, 4 and 4, with a mean of 8.3. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 5, 6, 10, 8, 5, 2 and 2, with a mean of 5.4. (ARRL News Service)
Europe
As expected, solar activity has mostly been very low, with only one, small, C-class flare during the entire week. The sun was spotless on several days. The solar flux drifted from72 on the 30th to 79 on the 7th. The average of 78 units was a unit higher than the previous week. The 90-day average dropped two points to 89. The x-ray flux averaged A6.7, The geomagnetic field was spasmodically active last weekend, when the Ap index reached 18 units. This was followed by several days when the index was in single figures, with a low 4 on the 5th and 6th. However, geomagnetic levels increased on the 8th, under the influence of a high-speed coronal stream. Solar wind speeds reached 550km/sec on the 1st, fell below 300km/sec at times midweek, but increased to 770km/sec on the 8th. Particle densities were mostly in single figures but briefly soared to around 40 per cubic centimetre on the 8th.. Thanks to seasonal factors and low geomagnetic levels HF propagation was reasonably buoyant, with MUFs reaching 27MHz on the 5th. Even 28MHz, which is now inescapably patchy, opened for short periods every day, mainly to the Middle East, Africa and South America. The only reports of VHF aurora, mainly on the 8th, came from high geomagnetic latitudes. There were scarcely any reports of sporadic-E: the season is now well and truly behind us. Looking ahead, during the coming week the more active side of the Sun will be looking our way. However, the giant sunspot that brought such fireworks in September returned as a mere shadow of its former self. Any increase in flare activity will almost certainly be very modest. Solar flux levels may increase marginally from present levels but may be in decline again by next weekend. The high speed coronal stream reported on the 8th may bring an increase in geomagnetic levels, with a possibility of weak northern auroras over the next couple of days. Recurring coronal hole activity may also result in higher geomagnetic levels midweek. MUFs at equal latitudes are expected to be around 23MHz in the south and 20MHz in the north. Darkness hour lows should be about 9MHz. Paths to South America should have a maximum usable frequency, giving a fifty per cent chance of a contact, of about 26MHz. There will be a fair chance of openings on 28MHz. However, the optimum working frequency will be about 20MHz. The best times will be between 1200UTC and 1900UTC. And that's all for this week from the propagation team, Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.
Tears and Fears Among Topics of
ARISS School Group Contact (Oct. 4 2005)
"Well, that may be the most interesting question of the day," Phillips responded. "I think that the tears would just stay right there on your eyes or possibly on the edge of your cheeks. They wouldn't go very far. I think maybe they'd just stay in your eyes until they evaporate." Other students at Tregaron asked Phillips if he had any fears or concerns about living in space. Phillips told the students he didn't spend much time worrying about possible problems. "I make sure I'm prepared, but beyond that, I don't worry," he said. As for being scared, Phillips recounted "a sort of a joke" among the US astronaut corps: "The main thing you're scared of in space is you might do something wrong and look bad, and there's a certain amount of truth to that." Phillips says he worries "a little" that he might make a mistake, but he's not frightened of anything because he has confidence in the ISS, his training and the ISS ground crew In response to a later question asking
if he'd ever had any "embarrassing moments" in space, Phillips said only
when he makes a mistake or loses something. "The work we do is watched
all the time by the folks on the ground," he pointed out.
Another student wanted to know if the spacesuits the crew wears for space walks are comfortable. "Well, not really," Phillips conceded. "The important thing is that they're inflated--they're pressurized inside--so in order to hold that kind of pressure the suits have to be kind of stiff. They also have to be kind of tight." Phillips said the suits are "very functional," but he wouldn't call them comfortable. In all, Phillips answered 18 questions before the ISS went over the horizon and contact with the school was lost. ARISS-Europe's Gaston Bertels, ON4WF, says Phillips nontheless continued on to answer the remaining two questions on the list, and "ground stations further east could hear his answers and his signing off." Upward of 350 students, faculty members and VIPs filled the room at Tregaron, and BBC-TV covered the event. The contact marked the first ARISS school group QSO for a school in Wales. Science teacher Chris Greenfield took the initiative to get his school on the ARISS contact schedule. "This was a fantastic opportunity for pupils to be inspired by the concept of space and added another dimension to science education," he said afterwards. Long called it "the chance of a lifetime" that might sow a seed of interest in science, space and telecommunication as a career path. "You never know, we might have the next Helen Sharman or Michael Foale sitting here right with us," he said. Sharman is the UK's first astronaut. Foale, KB5UAC, is a native of England. He served as the commander of ISS Expedition 8 and did a tour of duty aboard the Russian Mir space station during the 1990s. ARISS is an international educational outreach with US participation by ARRL, AMSAT and NASA (ARRL News Service)
SSETI Express re-scheduled for
launch (Oct. 27 2005)
Radio amateurs will be able watch live images of the launch from a special website set up by the Home Counties Amateur Television Club, which operates the ATV repeater GB3HV. The official SSETI mission website is already up and running. (RSGB2)
South Africa to build its own Satellite (Oct. 8 2005) The Minister of Science and Technology announced on Monday 3 October that several African countries will be working closely together to establish a satellite constellation to create an African Network of low earth orbiting (LEO) satellites. South Africa's first satellite, SUNSAT, which was developed by Stellenbosch University, was successfully launched by the American space agency, NASA, in February 1999. The University will manage the South African small satellite programme on behalf of the Department of Science and Technology. They will be receiving funding for an integrated capacity building training programme in satellite engineering and the development of the South African Small Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellite. Mr Mosibudi Mangena said that substantial progress has been made to plan an African satellite constellation intended to serve the African Continent in critical areas where earth observation can make a difference to the planning, preparedness and responsiveness of African Countries. The LEO satellite and subsequent application of world-class space assets are capable of sustaining South Africa's leadership in space technology in the world. It will also assist Africa in its quest for independent space technology, the minister said. SA AMSAT has been involved in discussions with the Department of Science and Technology to include an amateur payload to serve the needs of Amateurs on the African continent. "Now that the announcement has been made we will intensify our discussions with the various role-players", SA AMSAT President, Hans van de Groenendaal ZS6AKV said. "At this time I call on Radio Amateurs to send in ideas of what payload they believe will serve the African Amateur Radio Community best. Mail your ideas to saamsat@intekom.co.za. (SARL)
Making contact with astronauts (Oct. 2 2005) Students from Tregaron Secondary School in Wales were able to chat with astronauts orbiting the earth last week, thanks to a joint initiative between the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station organisation and NASA. In the first time the initiative has taken place in Wales , the pupils used amateur radio equipment to ask the astronauts questions as they passed by 400km overhead travelling at 26,000km/h. Tregaron Secondary School head of science Chris Greenfield was full of praise for the initiative. He said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for pupils to be inspired by the concept of space and added another dimension to science education.” Howard Long of ARISS added: “This was the chance of a lifetime for the students to speak to the astronauts in their working environment. Perhaps it will sow a seed in their hearts to consider space, science and telecommunications as an exciting career path. You never know, we might have the next Helen Sharman or Michael Foale sitting here right with us”. The Radio Society of Great Britain's GB4FUN communications demonstration vehicle also attended the event, providing a full backup station with generator in case the main equipment failed. (RSGB2)
Food safety guidelines for a safe Thanksgiving dinner (Oct. 4 2005) Health and Wellness Minister Elvy Robichaud reminds New Brunswickers to take a few simple precautions when preparing a Thanksgiving dinner to avoid the hazards of food poisoning this holiday weekend. "As part of the commitment in the Provincial Health Plan, Healthy Futures, to promote healthy and safe environments, I encourage New Brunswickers to be mindful of the importance of keeping food safe for consumption," Robichaud said. "Food poisoning, caused by bacteria or their toxins, can occur when foods like poultry, pork, beef, fish, eggs, milk and other dairy products are handled or prepared improperly." Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Wayne MacDonald explains that food poisoning results in a wide range of health effects. Some may have mild illness while others have symptoms ranging from stomach cramps, to vomiting, fever, and watery or bloody diarrhea. "Salmonella, for example, causes gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestine, and may result in vomiting or diarrhea," MacDonald said. "Poultry, including turkey, which has been improperly handled or prepared, has been identified as a source of contamination including salmonella poisoning." New Brunswickers are encouraged to follow these food-safety guidelines:
Laser inventor Gordon Gould silent key (Sept. 30 2005) The scientist who coined the word
"laser" and won a decades-long struggle to secure patent rights for the
most commonly used type, has died. Gordon
Gould is credited with developing
the gas discharge laser and the optically pumped laser. He began
work on the laser in 1957 based on his graduate
Gould won his first minor patent in 1977, but didn't claim his first significant patent victory until 1987. That's when a federal judge ordered the government to issue a patent to him for the optically pumped laser. This is a device that has varied applications that includes supermarket checkout counters and eye surgery. Over the next 17 years, until the patent expired, Gould earned an estimated $30 million from patent licenses. Ironically, the patent fight played to his advantage. If he had received the patent in 1959 his rights would have expired before the laser became widely used. (Science OnLine) (ARNewsLine)
10-10 Day Sprint--Phone/CW/Digital, 0001Z-2359Z, Oct 10. One QSO per station, regardless of mode. Logs due Oct 25 (see Aug QST, p 85 or www.ten-ten.org). Pennsylvania QSO Party--CW/Phone, sponsored by the Nittany ARC, 1600Z Oct 8-0500Z Oct 9 and 1300Z-2200Z Oct 9. Frequencies (MHz): CW--1.810 and 40 kHz above band edge; Phone--1.850, 3.980, 7.280, 14.280, 21.380, 28.480; Novice/Tech--10 kHz above edge of segment; mobiles 5 kHz below the listed frequencies. Work mobiles and rovers in each county. Categories: SO (HP >150 W, LP, or QRP <5 W), MS, MM, SO or MS Portable, Novice/Tech/TechPlus, Mobile, Rover. Exchange: serial number and ARRL/RAC section (PA stations send PA county). QSO points: CW--2 pts on 160 and 80, 1.5 pts on other bands; Phone--1 pt. Score: QSO points × PA counties (PA stations use PA counties + ARRL/RAC sections + 1 for a DX QSO) × 2 if QRP or × 3 if Novice/Tech. Add 200 points for each QSO with the bonus station (see Web site). PA mobiles and rovers add 500 points for each county with 10 or more QSOs. For more information: www.nittany-arc.net/paqso.html. Logs due Nov 15 to paqsolog@nittany-arc.net (paper summary sheet also required) or PA QSO Party, c/o NARC, PO Box 614, State College, PA 16804-0614. FISTS Fall Sprint--CW, sponsored by FISTS CW Club from 1700Z-2100Z Oct 8. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOAB (QRP <5 W and QRO), Club. Exchange: RST, QTH (S/P/C), Name, FISTS number if member, nonmembers send power output. QSO points: member--5 pts, nonmembers--2 pts. Score: QSO points × S/P/C (count S/P only once, count DXCC each time). For more information: www.fists.org. Logs due 30 days after the contest to w8pig@yahoo.com or Dan Shepherd, N8IE, 1900 Pittsfield St, Kettering, OH 45420. North American RTTY Sprint--sponsored by the National Contest Journal, 0000Z-0400Z Oct 9. Frequencies 80-20 meters. North American stations work everyone; others work NA stations only. Exchange both call signs, serial number, name and S/P/C. The same station can be worked multiple times provided 3 contacts separate the contact in both logs, regardless of band. QSY rule: Stations calling CQ, QRZ, etc, may only work one station in response to that call; they must then move at least 1 kHz before working another station or 5 kHz before soliciting another call. Once you are required to QSY, you may not make a new QSO on the previous frequency until you have made a contact at least 1 or 5 kHz (as required) away. For more information: www.ncjweb.com. Logs due 7 days after the contest via Web form at www.ncjweb.com/sprintlogsubmit.php, rttysprint@ncjweb.com or Douglas McDuff, W4OX, 10380 SW 112th St, Miami, FL 33176. Worked All Germany--CW/SSB, sponsored by The Deutscher Amateur Radio Club, 1500Z Oct 15-1459Z Oct 16. Frequencies: 80-10 meters, work German stations only. Categories: SOAB (HP >100 W , LP, QRP <5 W in Mixed only) CW or Mixed Mode, MS, SWL, packet spotting allowed for all classes. Exchange: RS(T) and serial number or DOK code. QSO points: 3 pts/QSO. Germans count DXCC/WAE countries per band. Score: QSO points × first letters of DOK codes (Germans use DXCC entities or WAE countries) counted once per band and mode. For more information: www.darc.de/referate/dx/fedcg.htm. Logs due Nov 20 to wag@dxhf.darc.de or to WAG Contestmanager, PO Box 12 09 37, D-01010 Dresden, Germany. JARTS WW RTTY Contest, sponsored by the Japanese Amateur Radio Teleprinter Society, 0000Z Oct 15-2400Z Oct 16. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOAB (HP >100 W, LP), MO, SWL. Exchange: RST and age (Multiop sends 99, YL may send 00). QSO points: own continent-- 2 pts, diff cont--3 pts per QSO. Score: QSO points × DXCC entities + JA, W, VE and VK call areas counted once per band. For more information: www.edsoftz.com/JARTS. Logs in Cabrillo format due Nov 30 to www.edsoftz.com/JARTS/2005/log_submit_form.php or jarts2005@edsoftz.com (electronic logs only). Asia-Pacific Sprint--CW, sponsored by the Asia-Pacific Sprint Contest Committee, 0000Z-0200Z Oct 16. Frequencies (MHz): 14.030-14.050 and 21.030-21.050. Categories: SO <150 W only. Work Asia-Pacific stations only. Exchange: RST and serial number. Special QSY rule. Score: QSOs × WPX prefixes counted once only. For more information and AP country list: http://jsfc.org/apsprint. Logs due 7 days after contest to apsprint@jsfc.org (Cabrillo format encouraged; no paper logs accepted). Illinois QSO Party--CW/Phone, sponsored by the Radio Amateur Megacycle Society (RAMS). 1700Z Oct 16-0100Z Oct 17. Frequencies (MHz): 160-2 meters, CW--50 kHz above band edge, Phone--3.890, 7.290, 14.290, 21.390, 28.390; Novice/Tech--30 kHz above edge of segment. Categories: SO, MS, Mobile. Work stations in each county, county line contacts count for 1 QSO from each county. Exchange: RS(T) and S/P/C (IL stations send county). QSO points: Phone--1 pt/QSO, CW--2 pts. Score: QSO points × IL counties (IL stations use states + IL counties + VE provinces + up to 5 DXCC entities). Count additional DX for points, but not multipliers. For more information: http://my.core.com/~jematz/rams.html. Logs due Nov 14 to jfunk@fossnorthamerica.com or to RAMS, c/o John Matz, KB9II, 7079 West Ave, Hanover Park, IL 60133. Bill Windle QSO Party--CW, sponsored by First Class Operator's Club (FOC), from 0000Z-2359Z Oct 15. Frequencies: 160-10 meters, 6 and 2 meters. Call "CQ BW" from 15 to 45 kHz above band edge;open to all hams, not just FOC members. Exchange: RST and name or FOC number, if member. Report total QSOs with FOC members, counted once per band, FOC members report total QSOs and total FOC QSOs. For more information: www.firstclasscw.org.uk. QSO totals due Oct 23 to KZ5D@aol.com. (ARRL News Service)
BCRC 50th anniversary and Jersey
Devil Special Event, Moorestown, NJ.
2nd Annual Grandfather Mountain
Mile High Special Event, Grandfather Mountain, NC
Boy Scouts Fall Camporee, Belleville,
MI.
NNY Hamfest/Convention, Lake
Placid, NY.
BSA Air Camp at Historic WWI WWII
Camp Grant, Rockford, IL.
Anniversary of opening of Cherahala
Skyway, Robbinsville, NC.
Midland Historical Association
Railway southern terminal, Nowhere, KS.
Sterlingfest 2005, Sterling,
VA.
Breast Cancer Awareness, Tampa,
FL.
City of Carencro Centennial Celebration,
Carencro,
LA.
12th Month, Amateur Radio-Technology
Day, N6T, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center
34th Annual Georgia Apple Festival,
Ellijay,
GA
200th anniversary of the Discovery
Corps encampment at Snake and Clearwater Rivers confluence, Lewiston,
ID.
Great Ozark Chili Cook Out, Hillsboro,
MO.
Ohio's S-Bridges, New Concord,
OH.
Dahlonega Gold Rush Days, Dahlonega,
GA
Arrival of Polar Express at Standish
Historical RR Depot, Standish, MI.
(ARRL)
Rare Worked All Britain Square to be Activated (Oct. 10 2005) Kevin Haworth, M0TNX, and Keith Radford, G3SZU, are planning to activate an extremely rare Worked All Britain square – SD35 – near the village of Knott End On Sea in Lancashire on 10 October this year. They believe that this will be only the third time that the square has been activated. The reason the square is so rarely activated is that it lies within Morecambe Bay and is therefore under water for much of the year. Kevin and Keith plan to be active from the square from 1400 to 2100UTC on the 20/40/80/160m bands on both phone and CW. (RSGB2)
425 DX Magazine is now available for free download in .pdf format at www.425dxn.org/monthly (Oct. 7 2005) It includes the weekly bulletins published in september, Qsl Managers, News from the Web, “The Way We Were” (a selection of information dating back to ten years ago), press release from Ward Silver, N0AX about the expedition to Kure Atoll just finished, (K7C) and new informations for the next adventure to Peter I°. Suggestions, advice, articles and photographs are welcome! Closing date for contributions is ten days prior to publication date. Please send your articles and pictures to iz3eba@ari.it Thank you for the attention, de
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).
Oct. 6 2005 ARRL DX News This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by MM0BQI, XQ1IDM, QRZ DX, the OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST. Thanks to all. MAURITIUS, 3B. Operators
JA2AAU, JA2AIC, JA2ATE, JR2FOR and JJ2KTY are QRV as 3B8/home calls until
October 13. They are active from
MADAGASCAR, 5R. Giovanni, I5JWH is QRV as 5R8HH from Nosy Be, IOTA AF-057, until October 19. Activity is on all HF bands using SSB and RTTY. QSL to home call. SINGAPORE, 9V. The Singapore Amateur Radio Transmitting Society has announced that Singapore amateurs have been allocated on a secondary basis access to 7100 to 7200 kHz. This supplements their existing allocation on 7000 to 7100 kHz. BHUTAN, A5. Harvey, A52SY has been active on 20 meters SSB around 1300z. He has also been active on 40 meters CW around 1700 to 1800z. QSL via ON4ON. CHILE, CE. Members of the Atacama Desert DX Group will be QRV as 3G1M from Santa Maria Island, IOTA SA-069, from October 8 to 10. Activity will be on 40 to 10 meters, including the newer bands and 6 meters, using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31. QSL via XQ1IDM. GERMANY, DA. Georg, DK7LX/p is QRV from Foehr Island, IOTA EU-042, until October 12. Activity is on the HF bands using mostly CW. QSL to home call. JERSEY, GJ. Members of the International Police Radio Association Radio Club are QRV as MJ/ON4IPA until October 10. Activity is on 160 to 2 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK. QSL via ON4IPA. SCOTLAND, GM. Jim, MM0BQI will be QRV from the Isle of Skye, IOTA EU-008, off the northwest coast, from October 8 to 15. Activity will be on 80 to 6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via bureau. THAILAND, HS. Members of the RAST radio club are QRV as HS0T until December 31 to commemorate the birth of the son of the Crown Prince and Princess. They have been authorized the use of 160 and 80 meters, as well as the newer bands, in addition to their regular HF bands. QSL via HS6NDK. MARIANA ISLANDS, KH0. Members of the Mitsubishi Electric Tokyo ARC will be QRV as KH0/JM1YGG or KH0/homecalls from October 9 to 12. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB and digital modes. QSL all calls via JM1YGG. ANTARCTICA. Alan, R1ANC has been QRV on 30 meters around 0600z. Meanwhile, Mike, R1ANT has been active on 30 meters as well around the same time. QSL via operators' instructions. SOUTH SHETLANDS. Alex, R1ANF has been active on 17 meters using CW around 2130z. QSL via operator's instructions. WESTERN SAHARA, S0. Mahfoud, S01MZ has been active on 80 meters SSB around 0500z and then on 17 meters SSB between 1230 and 1330z. QSL via EA1BT. CRETE, SV9. Ron, WB2GAI is QRV as SV9/WB2GAI/p until November 10. Activity is on 80 to 10 meters, including 30 and 17 meters, using CW. QSL direct via bureau. SOUTH COOK ISLANDS, ZK1. Ben, SM7EQL, Jan-Olof, SM7ETW and Rikard, SM1CQA are QRV as ZK1EQL, ZK1ETW and ZK1CQA, respectively, from Aitutaki Island, IOTA OC-083, until October 18. Activity is on 80 to 20 meters using CW, SSB and some digital modes. After October 18, they will be QRV from Rarotonga and then Mangaia Island. QSL via operators' instructions. THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO. The 10-10 Day Sprint, YLRL Anniversary CW Party, Makrothen RTTY Contest, Oceania DX CW Contest, EU Autumn CW Sprint, Pennsylvania QSO Party, FISTS Fall Sprint, North American RTTY Sprint, The UBA ON CW Contest and the NAQCC 80/40 Straight Key/Bug Sprint will certainly keep contesters busy this weekend. Please see October QST, page 100, and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details. (ARRL News Service)
Oct. 8-30 2005 I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O. 08/10/2005:
SA-069 3G1M SANTA MARIA ISLAND -
09/10/2005:
AS-117 H.C.'s/4 TOYO ISLAND -
10/10/2005:
AF-027 FH/F6AML MAYOTTE -
12/10/2005:
EU-114 GU, MU ISLAND OF ALDERNEY -
15/10/2005:
ARLHS:SCO-223 GB4SLH SOUTHERNESS LIGHTHOUSE -
15/10/2005:
AS-117 H.C.'s/4 MIYA ISLAND -
15/10/2005:
EU-125 OZ/DL4VM FANOE ISLAND -
16/10/2005:
NA-096 H.C.'s/HI7 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC -
16/10/2005:
OC-001 VK5AUQ & VK5ZMM AUSTRALIA -
18/10/2005:
NA-024 J37LR GRENADA -
19/10/2005:
AS-100 4Z4DX/P AKHZIV ISLAND -
19/10/2005:
EU-062 LA6Q HELLIGVÆR ISLAND -
22/10/2005:
5H2AG TANZANIA -
22/10/2005:
SA-NEW! L95WI ISLA ESCONDIDA -
22/10/2005:
USI:AZ-019 NM5RC/P THE ISLAND -
22/10/2005:
OC-116 P2 D'ENTRECASSTEAUX ISLANDS -
22/10/2005:
SU/F5RMY EGYPT -
22/10/2005:
CIsA:BC-055 VE7SAR/P BARNSTON ISLAND -
22/10/2005:
NA-057 WQ7R/HR9 ROATAN ISLAND -
22/10/2005:
USI:MI-New! WW8W/P MARINA ISLAND -
23/10/2005:
AF-016 FR/F5SGI REUNION ISLAND -
23/10/2005:
OC-002 VK9XG CHRISTMAS ISLAND -
24/10/2005:
OC-049 A35BO TONGA -
25/10/2005:
NA-021 8P9LP & OTHERS BARBADOS -
25/10/2005:
EU-002 OHØZ ALAND ISLAND -
25/10/2005:
OC-002 VK9XD CHRISTMAS ISLAND -
25/10/2005:
NA-022 VP2E ANGUILLA -
26/10/2005:
NA-113 C6APR & C6ARV CROOKED ISLAND -
26/10/2005:
NA-024 J3 GRENADA -
26/10/2005:
NA-024 J3 GRENADA -
26/10/2005:
SA-036 P4ØW ARUBA -
26/10/2005:
EU-021 TF/NØHJZ ICELAND -
26/10/2005:
NA-073 V31 CAYE CAULKER, BELIZE -
26/10/2005:
NA-103 VP2M.. MONTSERRAT -
27/10/2005:
USI:WI-OO1L KB9GPN/P WASHINGTON ISLAND -
27/10/2005:
OC-026 KH2X GUAM -
27/10/2005:
NA-100 V26 ANTIGUA -
27/10/2005:
ZB2/H.C.'s GIBRALTAR -
28/10/2005:
OC-139 VK5AUQ/P KANGAROO ISLAND -
28/10/2005:
NA-058 WF4W/4 JEKYLL ISLAND -
29/10/2005:
AS-004 5B/HA5PP CYPRUS -
29/10/2005:
AS-013 8Q7EA MALDIVES -
29/10/2005:
AS-058 9M2/PF5X LANGKAWI ISLAND -
29/10/2005:
AF-004 EA8/F6GOE TENERIFE -
29/10/2005:
NA-105 FS/KR7X SAINT MARTIN -
29/10/2005:
EU-116 GD6IA ISLE OF MAN -
29/10/2005:
NA-096 HI3TEJ DOMINICAN REPUBLIC -
29/10/2005:
AF-019 IG9R LAMPEDUSA ISLAND -
29/10/2005:
AF-018 IH9GPI PANTELLERIA ISLAND -
29/10/2005:
AF-018 IH9P PANTELLERIA ISLAND -
29/10/2005:
AF-018 ISØ/DL3EW SARDINIA -
29/10/2005:
NA-024 J3A GRENADA -
29/10/2005:
EU-026 JW5E SVALBARD -
29/10/2005:
EU-116 MD4K ISLE OF MAN -
29/10/2005:
EU-026 NP2B USVI -
29/10/2005:
SA-036 P4ØA ARUBA -
29/10/2005:
V31MD BELIZE -
30/10/2005:
AS-133 XU7TAS KOH TAS ISLAND -
73 and Good
Hunting!
Home of
ICPO:
www.qsl.net/va3rj
Note: A complete list of Prefixes assigned by International Telecommunications Union can be found on the Trans Provincial Website: www.tpn7055.ca/callsign.html
ARRL Handbook 80th Anniversary Edition Arrives (Sept. 28 2005) A truck convoy of 18-wheelers rolled up to the ARRL warehouse here September 28, delivering thousands of copies of the newest ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications. The 2006 edition marks the Handbook's 80th anniversary, and the publication's arrival at the ARRL warehouse means copies will be shipping very soon. "Generations of hams, engineers and technicians have relied on the Handbook for thorough coverage of radio and electronics theory, references and practical projects," said ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R. "The book is an unmatched source for receiver, transceiver, power supply, RF amplifier, station accessory and antenna construction projects." ARRL technical editor Dean Straw, N6BV, served as the principal editor for this 83rd edition. Among other recent League titles, Straw also edited the 20th edition of the ARRL Antenna Book. The 2006 Handbook includes a new high-power HF linear amplifier project. Built around the Eimac 3CX1500D7, the design is the brainchild of Jerry Pittenger, K8RA (see October 2005 QST, p 13). To celebrate this special Handbook anniversary, those placing early orders for the 2006 edition will receive a reproduction of the very first edition of The Radio Amateur's Handbook. Published in 1926 and authored by the late ARRL Communications Manager Francis Edward "Ed" Handy, W1BDI, this 224-page volume is a facsimile of Handy's signed, personal copy and even includes some of his handwritten notes. Earlier this year, ARRL obtained a few original copies of the first-edition Handbook from Handy's son, Dick. The reproduction edition is of Ed Handy's desk copy, according to ARRL Archivist Perry Williams, W1UED. While supplies last, the 2006 Handbook offer is available only directly from ARRL and from select ARRL publication dealers. The 2006 Handbook comes with The ARRL Handbook on CD-ROM (version 10.0)--fully searchable with additional software and reference material. Early Handbook orders begin shipping the first week of October. The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications is $54.95 in hardcover, $39.95 in softcover (ARRL News Service)
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