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Inaugural activation for Italian Red Cross (Oct. 14 2005) The Italian Red Cross is activating its new amateur radio station for the first time on 16 October under the callsign IZ4GQA. Further transmissions will be made on 23 and 30 October. Details of the frequencies, operating modes and schedule of the transmissions can be found on a special website - radio.cribo.it The pioneering new station is the brainchild of the radio communications department of the Italian Red Cross's Emilia Romagna region. The department had been looking for a communication tool that would provide wider coverage than existing radio networks, incur no fees and be capable of working in crisis and emergency situations. An amateur radio station appeared to be the perfect solution. But at the time the Italian Red Cross had never before been authorised to operate such a station. Not to be put off, members of the radio communications department obtained a copy of the official Italian amateur radio regulations and submitted a seven-page application for a licence to the Italian ministry of communications. The application was successful and the Italian Red Cross was given the green light to operate an amateur radio station. An Italian Red Cross spokesman said: “Now we can communicate on all ham bands, being able to connect Red Cross stations not only in our region, not only in Italy , but all over the world.” (RSGB2)
Field Day 2005 results now available to ARRL members (Oct. 14, 2005) ARRL members may now access the ARRL Field Day 2005 Web report and Scores database on the ARRL Web site. The December issue of QST will include a full report on ARRL Field Day 2005. Non-members will be able to download a PDF file detailing the results on or about November 1. For more information, contact ARRL Contest Branch Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND. (ARRL News Service)
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. 14 2005 Tad Cook K7RA Solar
Update
The average daily solar flux for the same period was 134.3, 124.2, 120.8, 137.4, 111.1, 99.5, 111, 104.8, 96.4, 93.1 and 93.6. We could almost convince ourselves that the cycle has already bottomed out if we look at quarterly sunspot numbers this year. Last year's quarterly sunspot numbers dropped steadily from 72.9 at the first quarter of 2004, to 71.3, 69.3 and 61. 2005 began with a big drop, to 46.1 in the first quarter, then rose to 55.7 and 58. Could this cycle really have hit bottom during the first quarter of 2005? The NOAA Space Environment Center Preliminary Report and Forecast for October 4 shows the same smoothed sunspot number history and prediction table on page 10 that it has shown for quite some time now. In this table, the sunspot cycle appears to reach minimum sometime between December 2006 and January 2007. But could it have reached minimum two years earlier? Maybe we should compare the quarterly numbers from the last sunspot cycle bottom, which according to the graph above the page 10 table was in 1996. The quarterly average sunspot numbers from the fourth quarter of 1995 through the third quarter of 1997 were 21.3, 13.1, 13, 12.4, 14.2, 11.3, 25.4 and 37.2. We can see that the previous sunspot minimum was when the quarterly average numbers were between 11 and 13. This included some long periods of no sunspots at all, such as the five weeks in September and October 1996 when every day the sunspot number was zero. The average daily sunspot number from September 1 through October 31 1996 was only 2.6. So far this year, the quarterly averages were between 46 and 58--a rather high bottom if it is one. We should probably just chalk this up to the normal variations throughout the solar cycle, which never looks like a smooth, predictable moving line unless data from many days is averaged. I think we should be very surprised if the fourth quarter of 2005 has an average daily sunspot number above 60. For the upcoming week, solar flux and sunspot values should remain about the same, which is low. Predicted planetary A index for Friday through Monday, October 14-17 is 10, 12, 10 and 5. According to Geophysical Institute Prague, October 18, 19 and 20 should be quiet, October 17 quiet to unsettled, unsettled conditions on October 14 and 16, and unsettled to active conditions this Saturday, October 15. Ever wonder why the planetary geomagnetic numbers are higher than the mid-latitude numbers? It turns out the planetary numbers are all measured at fairly high latitude. Check the latitudes of the observatories that supply the data for the planetary K index (which is used to calculate the daily planetary A index). The average latitude for observatories in the Northern Hemisphere is 55 degrees. For comparison, note that the United States/Canadian border is at 49 degrees from Manitoba to points west, and 55 degrees latitude is where Hudson Bay turns into James Bay at the northern edge of Ontario. Since geomagnetic disturbances are generally higher at high latitudes, no wonder the planetary geomagnetic indices read so high when activity is up. 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 October 6 through October 12 were 28, 31, 24, 16, 11, 25 and 17, with a mean of 21.7. The 10.7 cm flux was 79.5, 78.8, 78.1, 78.9, 79.1, 77.6, and 76.8, with a mean of 78.4. Estimated planetary A indices were 4, 11, 22, 9, 10, 6 and 1 with a mean of 9. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 2, 11, 16, 7, 7, 5 and 1, with a mean of 7. (ARRL News Service)
Europe
Flare activity continued to be low or very low, with only two smallish C- class flares in the course of the past week. The solar flux has been practically static, starting the week at 79 and ending it at 78. The average level, 78, was the same as the previous week. However, the 90-day average dropped a point to 88. The x-ray flux also showed little daily variation. The average was A4.3, compared with A6.7 a week earlier. The geomagnetic field was never more than slightly unsettled and, for most of the week the Ap index was in single figures. Indeed, the Ap index on the 12th fell to the exceptionally low figure of one, and on the 14th it was two. Particle densities were in single figures throughout. Solar wind speeds were mostly between 300 and 400km/sec. Thanks to low geomagnetic activity aiding normal seasonal changes, HF propagation continued to be as good as could reasonably be expected at this stage of the cycle. MUFs exceeded predicted levels by up to three MHz on the better days. 14MHz remained the most consistently reliable band, with openings to Japan in the morning and the West Coast of North America in the evening. However, the propagation on 18, 21 and 24MHz continued to improve, with some good openings to Japan on 21MHz during the morning. 28MHz was again open every day. Now the forecast. With the
quieter side of the Sun rotating into view solar flare activity is expected
to remain low or very low. The solar flux seems likely to vary little
from the levels of recent days.. The geomagnetic field should mostly
be quiet, although a coronal stream could result in modestly increased
levels at times during the present weekend. MUFs at equal latitudes
should be about 24MHz in the south and 21MHz in the north. Darkness hour
lows will be around 8MHz. Paths to the Indian sub-continent should have
a maximum usable frequency, giving a fifty per cent chance of success,
of about 24Mhz. The
And that's all for this week from the propagation team, Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.
Civilian Space Traveler "Phones
Home" via Ham Radio (Oct. 10 2005)
"That depends on how long you're up here," responded Olsen, who has a master's degree in physics and a doctorate in materials science. "Every second you lose about a billionth of a second. That's because we're going 17,500 miles per hour." Eschewing a more technical explanation, Olsen said the difference worked out to "about a microsecond a month." Another student asked Olsen what luxuries he missed most. "It's either good food or a hot shower," he quipped. US Rep Rush Holt (D-NJ), who represents Olsen in Congress and is a personal friend, was at Princeton for the contact. He said afterward that Olsen was fascinated by space and interested in public education and working with students. "I'm sure he will want to talk with you in your science classes about his experiences on Earth and in space," Holt added. "He's an outstanding scientist here on Earth too." Serving as the Earth station for the first of Olsen's school contacts was NN1SS at Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, where Mark Steiner, K3MS, and Dave Taylor, W8AAS, were at the controls. Tony Hutchison, VK5ZAI, was the ground station for next day's contact with Ft Hamilton High School. Olsen told students there that the first two civilian space travelers, Dennis Tito, KG6FZX, and Mark Shuttleworth, got him excited about going into space. "I'm old enough to remember when Sputnik was launched," allowed Olsen, who's 60. "As a youngster, that really got me excited that people could actually go into space." Olsen said his experience aboard the ISS has "more than fulfilled" his expectations. "You can only dream about what it's like to float about for a long time," he said. "When you do it for a sustained period of time, it's really different and exhilarating." While in space, Olsen did some medical experiments for the European Space Agency. He also took swab samples from various parts of the ISS for later biological analysis. "I just love it up here," he said, but added, "I'd hoped to do more science." Olsen was able to answer 16 of the Princeton students' questions, and 11 of those put to him by the Ft Hamilton students. The third scheduled contact with Ridgefield Park High School was less successful than the two previous. Before the questions started, Olsen told the students that he was a 1962 graduate of their school. Early questions centered around Olsen's initial plans to bring the miniature infrared imager his company, Sensors Unlimited Inc, had developed, to observe Earth's atmosphere and agricultural regions. Olsen explained that due to a variety of circumstances, he was unable to take the infrared imager into space, but he explained that the device can be used to sense the amount of water vapor. "If crops are very healthy, they'll have a lot of water and they'll absorb heat--water absorbs heat--so the image will look black on camera," he explained. "If the crops are dry they'll have very little water and would reflect a lot of heat, so it will look white in our image." Among other applications, he said, the device also could be used to determine the amount of water in clouds. The infrared imager served primarily for scientific experimentation. "We don't necessarily have a product coming out of it," he said. "We try to learn about infrared light, you know, what can it reveal?" Experiments on Earth using the device indicated that it could be used to detect the presence of tumors. Earth station control operator Gerald Klatzko, ZS6BTD, lost contact with NA1SS as Olsen was answering the fourth question from a student at Ridgefield Park High. For all three contacts, an MCI-donated teleconference link provided two-way audio for the school from the respective Earth stations. The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program arranged the three school contacts. Local radio amateurs assisted at the participating schools. Will Marchant, KC6ROL, moderated all three ARISS events. Olsen is believed to have paid approximately $20 million for the privilege of staying for a week and a day aboard the ISS. His ISS visit was arranged with the Federal Space Agency of the Russian Federation (FSA) by Space Adventures. Olsen wraps up his brief stay in space today when he returns to Earth with the Expedition 11 crew NASA ISS Science Officer John Phillips, KE5DRY, and Commander Sergei Krikalev. They'll depart the ISS aboard a Soyuz TMA spacecraft, and land in Kazakhstan a few hours later. The ISS Expedition 12 crew of Commander Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, and Flight Engineer Valery Tokarev, formally took over the space station October 8 in a change-of-command ceremony. They'll remain on the orbital outpost until next April. (ARRL News Service)
Expedition 11 crew, civilian space traveler back on Earth (Oct 11, 2005) The Expedition 11 ISS crew of US Astronaut John Phillips, KE5DRY, and crew Commander and Cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev, U5MIR, returned to Earth early today (UTC) after traveling some 75 million miles in Earth orbit during their six months on the International Space Station (ISS). With Phillips and Krikalev for the return flight aboard a Soyuz transporter was US civilian space traveler Greg Olsen, KC2ONX, who spent eight days on the ISS under a commercial agreement with the Russian Federal Space Agency, reportedly paying $20 million for the privilege. The Soyuz carrying Phillips (right in photo), Krikalev and Olsen landed in north-central Kazakhstan at 0109 UTC. Crew members' families will welcome them back today at Star City, Russia, where Phillips and Krikalev will remain for post-flight debriefings before returning to Houston in late October. The Expedition 11 crew went into space April 14 and spent 179 days, 23 minutes in space. During their mission, they welcomed the shuttle Discovery crew on the STS-114 "Return to Flight" mission. During his ISS duty tour, Krikalev racked up more time in space than any human. He is a veteran of six spaceflights, including two aboard the now-defunct Russian Mir space station, and is the only person so far to have served as part of two ISS crews. He was a member of the Expedition 1 crew. His total time in space is now 803 days, 9 hours, 39 minutes. The new station crew of Expedition 12 Commander and NASA Science Officer Bill McArthur. KC5ACR, and Flight Engineer Valery Tokarev will have light duty for the next few days as they rest from a busy handover. They will remain in orbit six months.--NASA (ARRL News Service)
Nasa scales back size if ISS (Oct. 14 2005) NASA is scaling back its plans for adding to the orbiting International Space Station. This as a result of its goal of retiring the space shuttle and sending Americans back to the moon. NASA Assistant Associate Administrator Mark Uhran says that a centrifuge laboratory to study the effects of gravity on animals won't be added. Another laboratory and a compartment that would have held life-support equipment are also at higher risk of being left on the ground as is a Russian component that would have produced power for Russian science facilities. On the plus side, space station labs being built by Europe and Japan are not in jeopardy. Nor are the solar panel arrays that will supply those labs with power. NASA's plan to retire the shuttle by the fall of 2010 doomed the centrifuge lab, because only the shuttle has the size and strength to carry the station's massive pieces into orbit. NASA wants to retire the shuttle to save money to help pay for the plan to send humans to the moon in 2018. As far as we can tell the cutbacks should bot effect the ham radio in space operationd from the I-S-S. (Published news reports) (ARNewsLine)
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)
The Future of the Internet (Oct. 14 2005) According to a survey titled "The Future of the Internet" American's growing dependence on the Internet is making it a flashing electronic target for terrorists. Sixty-six percent of those surveyed predict that there will be at least one devastating attack on the Net's infrastructure or the country's power grid in the next ten years. Those taking part included technology experts, scholars, industry officials, as well as interested members of the public. Some of the experts agreed that as the Net gets more complicated, viruses, worms, and Trojan horses will become more complicated as well. Others argued that, while an attack might be costly, it would probably not create suffering or loss of life. The survey was recently released by the Pew Internet and American Life Project. (Press release) (ARNewsLine)
New Yahoo group for remote operation (Oct. 14 2005) UK radio amateurs interested in remote operation will be pleased to hear that a new yahoo group has been set up on this interesting subject. Dave, G3UEG, decided to form the private group for those with a serious interest in remote operation after receiving a positive response to a presentation he made at the recent HF convention. Dave has written extensively about remote operation in a recent series of articles published in the RSGB's technical journal RadCom . He plans to work with a number of fellow experts to make the yahoo group a mine of useful information and research on remote operation. He says: “As well as the technical issues we will also be trying to promote the inclusion of remote operation into the standard licence.” The remote operation yahoo group is called Remote_AR_UK and the subscribe e-mail address is: Remote_AR_UK-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. (RSGB2)
New Website....Ladies On The Air (Oct. 14 2005) And a new website has been set up for women radio amateurs. Called Ladies On The Air, the site is the brain child of Jackie Bosworth, M3JTO. Bosworth says that Ladies on the
Air, provides female hams with a place to discuss their hobby. It
is open to any woman who is interested in amateur
The full URL is: www.ladiesontheair.proboards37.com. (GB2RS) (ARNewsLine)
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 International EME Contest, 0000Z Oct 22-2400Z Oct 23, 50-1296 MHz (see Aug QST, p 91). USI W/VE Islands QSO Party--CW/Digital/SSB-sponsored by the US Islands Awards Program from 1600Z Oct 22 to 2359Z Oct 23. Frequencies: 160-6 meters. Categories: W/VE-phone, W/VE-CW/Digital, as Non-Island, Island, or Island Rover, plus DX and SWL. Exchange: RS(T), island name and USI or CISA number (S/P/C for non-island stations). Non-island stations work island stations only. Work stations once per island per mode. QSO points: island-- 5 pts, non-island--1 pt. Score: QSO points × states + provinces. For more information: www.eng.mu.edu/usislands/usvetest.html. Logs due Nov 30 to wa4ja@arrl.net or to WA4JA, John Almon, 105 Flintlock Dr, Franklin, TN 37064-2351. QRP ARCI Fall QSO Party--CW, sponsored by QRP ARC International, 1200Z Oct 22-2400Z Oct 23, operate 24 hrs max. Frequencies (MHz): 1.810, 3.560, 3.710, 7.040, 14.060, 21.060, 28.060. Categories: SOAB, SO-High Band (20-6), SO-Low Band (160-40). QSO points: member QSOs--5 pts, non-member on same cont--2 pts, non-members on diff cont--4 pts. Score: QSO points × S/P/C × Power Multiplier (< 55 mW× 20, <250 mW ×15, <1 W ×10, <5 W output ×7, >5 W ×1). For more information: www.qrparci.org. Submit entry form via contest Web site. Logs due Nov 23 to contest@qrparci.org or ARCI Fall QSO Party, c/o Jeff Hetherington, VA3JFF, 139 Elizabeth St W, Welland, ON L3C 4M3, Canada. CQ Worldwide DX Contest--SSB, sponsored by CQ Magazine, 0000Z Oct 29-2400Z Oct 30. (CW is 0000Z Nov 26-2400Z Nov 27). Frequencies: 160-10 meters. Categories: SOAB and SOSB (HP >100 W, LP, QRP <5 W), MS, M2 (new), MM. MS have 10 minute rule. Exchange RS(T) and CQ zone. QSO points: same cont--1 pts (NA stations count 2 pts), diff cont--3 pts. Stations in the same country may be worked for zone credit only. Score: QSO points × CQ Zones + DXCC entities and WAE countries counted once per band. For more information: www.cqww.com. Logs due Dec 1 (Jan 15 for CW) to ssb@cqww.com (CW logs to cw@cqww.com) or to CQ Magazine, 25 Newbridge Rd, Hicksville, NY 11801. 4th Annual Fists Coast to Coast Contest--CW--sponsored by FISTS Northwest Club, K7FFF, 0000Z-2400Z Oct 30. Frequencies: 80-10 m. Categories: SOAB, MS, (QRP/QRO). Exchange: RST, name, state or DX prefix, and FISTS number or power. QSO points and scoring depends on number of times club is worked. For more information:www.tomochka.com/k7fff. No logs required; just send total score and list of clubs contacted to FistsC2C@yahoo.com within 30 days of the contest. 10-10 International CW/Digital Contest, 0001Z Oct 29-2400Z Oct 30. Logs due Nov 15 (see Aug QST, p 85 or www.ten-ten.org). (ARRL News Service)
BCRC 50th anniversary and Jersey
Devil Special Event, Moorestown, NJ.
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.
16th anniversary of the Oct 17,
1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake Los Gatos, CA.
Celebrating the 2005 Blueridge
Folklife Festival Ferrum, VA.
BAARC celebrates 40 years of community
service Brainerd, MN.
17th Annual NASCAR Days Festival
Randleman, NC
Commemorating the Metro DX Club's
25th anniversary Chicago, IL
Hot Pepper Fall Festival
Palestine,
TX.
Commemorating Sycamore Pumpkin
Festival Sycamore, IL.
Annual Beanfest & Outhouse
Races Mountain View, AR
Halloween in Transylvania County
Brevard, NC.
All-Saints Day/Halloween
Frankenstein,
MO.
(ARRL)
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. 13 2005 ARRL DX News This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by LA9VDA, NC1L, QRZ DX, the OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST. Thanks to all. MONACO, 3A. Kaz, SP2FAX and Slavek, SP2JMB will be QRV as 3A/homecalls from October 15 to 18. Activity will be on 80 to 6 meters using CW and SSB. QSL both calls via SP2PI. TANZANIA, 5H. Hans,
DL6JGN and Jan, DJ8NK are QRV from Zanzibar, IOTA AF-032, as 5H1GHW and
5H1JCH, respectively, until October 20.
FRANCE, F. Special event call TM0GPK is QRV until October 23 during the Karting FFSA Grand Prix. Activity is on all HF bands using SSB, with SSTV on 40 and 20 meters. QSL via F4ERQ. Meanwhile, look for special event call TM1NOR to be QRV on October 14 to 16 to celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of Hastings in 1066. QSL via F8LDX. SCOTLAND, GM. John, GM6LYJ and Andy, GM4JR will be QRV as GB4SLH from the Southerness Lighthouse during the weekends in October. QSL via operators' instructions. GUERNSEY, GU. Operators MU3SDE/p, GU5XW/p, MU0JZE/p, GU1OCN/p and 2U1DQZ/p are QRV from Alderney, IOTA EU-114, until October 19. Activity is on all HF bands, including 6 meters. QSL MU3SDE via M3SDE and all others via G5XW. ITALY, I. Look for the first radio station of the Italian Red Cross, IZ4GQA, to be QRV on October 16, 23 and 30. Activity will be on 40 and 20 meters, with an APRS station on 2 meters. QSL via operators' instructions. ITALY, I. Special event stations IO1ALP, IO1BIA, IO1BOB, IO1CRO and IO1CUR are QRV until November 9 as part of the activities associated with the approach march to the XX Olympic Winter Games that will take place in Torino in February 2006. QSL all calls via I1JQJ. SVALBARD, JW. Hugo, LA5YJ is QRV as JW5YJ and has been active on 30 meters around 0015z. QSL to home call. Meanwhile, Vegard, LA9LMA is QRV as JW9LMA and has been active on 20 meters using SSB around 2300 to 0200z. QSL to home call. NORWAY, LA. Look for LA6YEA, LA8AJA and LA9VDA to be QRV as LA6Q from Helligvaer Island, IOTA EU-062, from October 19 to 26. Activity will be on 80 to 17 meters using CW, SSB and some RTTY. QSL via operators' instructions. DENMARK, OZ. Tom, OZ/DL4VM will be QRV from Fano Island, IOTA EU-125, from October 15 to 31. Activity will be on 40, 20 and 15 meters using CW. QSL to home call. NETHERLAND ANTILLES, PJ2. Andy, W9NJY is QRV as PJ4/homecall from Bonaire, IOTA SA-006, until October 19. Activity is on 40 to 10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via WD9DZV. BANGLADESH, S2. Bangladesh Scouts will operate the Jamboree-On-The Air special event station S21SHQ from Shitakundo, Chittagong. They will be active on the usual JOTA frequencies on 40, 20, 17, 15 and 10 meters. The BARL station S21HQ will also be active. QSL S21SHQ via S21D and S21HQ via operators' instructions. DODECANESE, SV5. Al, SV5/DJ5AA and Wolfgang, SV5/DL3DRN can usually be found on 30 to 15 meters between 2200 and 0400z. QSL to home calls. UZBEKISTAN, UJ. Karl, K4YT is QRV as UK4YT from Tashkent until October 27. He is active mostly on the weekends and during his afternoons and evenings. QSL to home call. AUSTRALIA, VK. Dirk, PA9KW will be QRV as VK5AUQ from Kangaroo Island, IOTA OC-139, from October 16 to November 14. He will eventually be joined by Ben, VK5ZMM. QSL direct to PA9KW. GIBRALTAR, ZB. ZB2FK has been QRV on 160 meters around 0100z. QSL direct to home call. THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO. The Jamboree-On-The-Air, NCCC Thursday CW Sprint, YLRL Anniversary SSB Party, JARTS WW RTTY Contest, Microwave Fall Sprint, Worked All Germany Contest, Asia-Pacific Fall CW Sprint, UBA ON 2-meter Contest, RSGB 21/28 MHz CW Contest, the Illinois QSO Party and the Bill Windle CW QSO Party 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. 15-30 2005 I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O. 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
New Hampshire ARES braces for more flooding (Oct 13, 2005) Some two dozen Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) volunteers responded this week in southwestern New Hampshire, where flooding ravaged communities in the vicinity of Alstead and Keene and claimed at least three lives. ARRL New Hampshire Section Emergency Coordinator Dave Colter, WA1ZCN, said ARES volunteers provided communication support for the American Red Cross and the state Bureau of Emergency Management as well as for the City of Keene. "We were able to get communication into places where the state does not have communications and probably still does not have," he said Wednesday evening. Heavy rainfall in the Northeast over the past few days has swollen rivers and streams in several states, and the resulting flooding badly damaged homes and highways, while fallen trees took out electrical power in some places. Predictions of up to six additional inches rain could be "a recipe for a big disaster," Colter said. In anticipation of additional deployment, he said ARES teams were positioning themselves in advance in areas that might become isolated if further flooding occurs. (ARRL News Service)
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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