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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)
Some Amateur Radio activity reported in earthquake's aftermath (Oct. 18, 2005) Some Amateur Radio emergency and health-and-welfare communication has been reported in the aftermath of a severe and deadly earthquake that struck the Kashmir region of Pakistan. Parts of India and Afghanistan also were affected. Horey Majumdar, VU2HFR, says he has been in contact with Bharati Prasad, VU2RBI, who informed him that there is no Indian Amateur Radio operation involved in the earthquake response, due to security concerns. "There has been some ham disaster communication from Pakistan, which has borne the major brunt of the quake," Majumdar said. Hams from Turkey reportedly are in Pakistan to assist in relief operations. VU2RBI reported Pakistani hams have been relaying some earthquake-related traffic, but no Amateur Radio stations have been established in the hardest-hit areas, some of which are in very remote areas with difficult access. "Some earthquake traffic has been monitored on 7.100 MHz," Majumdar reports, adding that AP2NK and AP2MIZ are involved in the operations. A Pakistan disaster relief net reportedly has been meeting daily at 1130 UTC on 14.290 MHz. The net control is AP2MIZ, and a clear frequency has been requested. Steve Richards, G4HPE, reports a "tenuous" communication route has been established into the earthquake zone, using EchoLink to to Delhi, then HF to near Pakistan, followed by HF relay links to Turkish and Pakistani relief workers with ham stations. Richards has offered to pass along any health-and-welfare inquiries and will process any responses. The International Committee of the Red Cross has established a link for locating missing persons. (ARRL 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)
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)
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. 21 2005 Tad Cook K7RA Solar
Update
Last week's "Solar Update" discussed the quarterly averages of daily sunspot numbers with respect to trying to determine the bottom of the solar cycle. Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, mentioned that there haven't been any sunspots from a new solar cycle yet (they switch magnetic polarity) and referred to an interesting paper that talks about the bottom of the last cycle. Carl highlighted the paragraph under Solar Activity, in which Karen Harvey talks about the various factors that come into play when trying to determine the minimum between the last and the next sunspot cycle. Not only must the sunspot numbers be low, but for a new cycle to be observed there must be a transition to a majority of new-cycle spots compared to a minority of sunspots from the old cycle. I believe the next Solar Cycle Prediction Panel meeting is in spring 2006, so perhaps we'll know more then. Graham Rogers, VK6RO wrote to say that he thinks of the bottom of the cycle when the solar flux reaches 66. 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 13 through 19 were 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11 and 30, with a mean of 13.7. The 10.7 cm flux was 78, 78.4, 79.6, 79.2, 78.1, 78.3, and 77.9, with a mean of 78.5. Estimated planetary A indices were 4, 2, 2, 8, 13, 5 and 7, with a mean of 5.9. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 2, 1, 2, 5, 7, 5 and 3, with a mean of 3.6. (ARRL News Service)
Europe
The sun had another quiet week. There were no solar flares of any consequence. The solar flux began the week at 80 and ended it at 75. The average was an unchanged 78. The 90-day average was also unchanged at 88. The x-ray flux declined from A3.2 to A0, averaging A2.2, compared with A4.3 the previous week. The geomagnetic field was quiet-to-unsettled, with the Ap index in single figures every day except the 17th, when a coronal stream raised it to 13 units. The average was A5.7. The ACE spacecraft reported solar wind speeds ranging between 278 units on the 15th and 418 on the 18th. Particle densities were around 5 per cubic centimetre, apart from a short blip to 22 per cubic centimetre on the 22nd. . HF propagation was again as good as could reasonably be expected, with MUFs tending to exceed predicted values by around 3MHz. Once again, 28MHz was open every day. The band opened to the south-eastern USA on the 15th and 16th and the VK6RBP beacon was copied in the UK on the morning of the 19th. Incidentally, the Hawaiian beacon, KH6WO, has at last been authorised to transmit on 18 and 24MHz. There are as yet no reports of reception in the UK, but there should be a fair possibility of hearing it, at least on 18MHz, around breakfast time. Now the week ahead. There is every chance that flare activity will again be very low. The solar flux may well decline slightly from present levels. Coronal hole activity may bring a modest increase in geomagnetic activity during the first half of the week, followed by quiet-to-slightly-unsettled levels. MUFs at equal latitudes will probably reach 25MHz in the south on the better days, with 22MHz more likely in the north. Darkness hour lows will remain around 9MHz. Paths to South Africa should have a maximum usable frequency, representing a fifty per cent chance of success, in the region of 27MHz. On the basis of experience the past week ZS should be workable on Ten metres on most days, though openings may be patchy. The optimum working frequency will be 21MHz. The path will be at its best between 0900 and 1600UTC. Conditions should be relatively good for the CQWW ssb contest next weekend. That should provide interesting indicators of the real state of propagation on the contest bands when they are fully occupied and operators are alert for opportunities. And that's all for this week from the propagation team, Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.
ISS Astronaut Gets in the JOTA
Spirit (Oct 21, 2005)
Al Lark, KD4SFF ("scouting for fun") worked NA1SS while waiting for scouts to arrive at his JOTA operation at Paris Mountain State Park in Greenville, South Carolina. McArthur obliged Lark by sending his greetings to all scouts. Full Story: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/10/21/4/?nc=1 (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)
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)
HP recalls Laptop Battery Packs (Oct. 21 2005) If you own a laptop computer manufactured
by Hewlett-Packard, listen up. The company has announced that it is recalling
around 1,350,000 battery
According to news reports, Hewlett-Packard's recall affects HP Pavilion, HP Compaq, Compaq Presario and Compaq Evo laptop computers that use lithium ion re-chargeable battery packs. The recalled batteries carry a barcode label, starting with GC, IA, L0 or L1 and were sold internationally with new laptops delivered between March 2004 and May 2005. The company reportedly is in receipt of 16 reports of batteries overheating, four cases out of which have occurred in United States. H-P has advised consumers to stop using the products, and contact the company for a free replacement. More is on-line at: www.hp.com/support/BatteryReplacement (TechTree, PC World, others) (ARNewsLine)
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)
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 November Sweepstakes--CW, from 2100Z Nov 5-0300Z Nov 7. (Phone from 2100Z Nov 19 to 0300Z Nov 21; see Oct QST, p 105 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. (ARRL News Service)
BCRC 50th anniversary and Jersey
Devil Special Event, Moorestown, NJ.
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.
Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald
Whitefish
Point, MI.
Split Rock Lighthouse
(near Two Harbors), MN.
Canadian Liberation March/Canadian
Week Knokke-Heist , Belgium
Anniversary of RCA Transatlantic
Wireless Transmission Rocky Point, NY.
85th anniversary of pioneer broadcast
radio station, KDKA Moscow, PA.
To honor the memory and efforts
of military veterans Arlington Heights, IL
CQ Veterans Day Nutley, NJ.
Celebrating Veterans Day from
Butler VA
Veterans Day from the Grand Rapids
Home for Veterans
Veteran's Day. Baton Rouge,
LA.
Union League of Philadelphia.
Veterans Day. Topeka, KS.
Coral-Gold II--San Antonio Radio
Club's 86th birthday party San Antonio, TX.
60th anniverary of the Rosland
ARC Roseland, NJ.
"Return of the Snowbirds" to South
Texas
75th anniversary of the DVRA West
Trenton, NJ
Anniversary of the Loss of USS
Juneau and the 5 Brothers Waterloo, IA
(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).
Oct. 20 2005 ARRL DX News This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by Z8EDJ, K2DM, NC2N, QRZ DX, the OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST. Thanks to all. RODRIGUES ISLAND, 3B9. Robert, 3B9FR has been QRV using PSK on 12 meters around 1330 to 1430z. QSL via operator's instructions. AZORES, CU. Seppo, OH1VR and Juhani, OH3SR will be QRV as CU2/homecalls from October 24 to 31. They will be active from eight other countries after this operation. QSL to home calls. FRANCE, F. Special event station TM4ORA is QRV until November 20 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the foundation of the French Blind Ham National Society. Activity is on all H/VHF bands using CW and SSB. QSL via bureau. GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, HC8. Tono, EA9CP will be QRV as HC8/homecall from October 26 to November 7 to activate several lighthouses from Patricio Hill and Puerto Baquerizo on various days. Activity will be on 20, 15 and 10 meters. QSL to home call. ANTARCTICA. Carlo, IK5DHM is QRV as II0AMZS from the Mario Zucchelli Station until the end of February 2006. He may also be active as IK5DHM/ANT. While here, he may try to activate a couple of the remote camps. QSL via I5GWO. DOMINICA, J7. K2DM, K3ZM, AD4J and W4GKA will be QRV as J7DM from October 26 to November 1. This includes an entry in the upcoming CQ WW SSB contest. QSL via K2DM. ARGENTINA, LU. A group of operators are QRV as L95WI from October 22 to 24, from Isla Escondida, which is a new IOTA, in the North of Chubut Province. Activity will be on 80 to 10 meters using CW, SSB and various digital modes. QSL via LU3CT. DENMARK, OZ. Manfred, DL1AWM is QRV as OZ/DL1AWM/p from Fyn Island, IOTA EU-172, until October 29. Activity is on 160 to 10 meters using CW. QSL to home call. EGYPT, SU. Herve, F5RMY will be QRV as SU/F5RMY from October 22 to 29. This includes an entry in the upcoming CQ WW SSB contest. QSL to home call. ST. KITTS AND NEVIS, V4. Andrei, NC2N will be QRV as V44/EW1AR and V44/NC2N from Nevis from October 23 to 31. He will be active using mostly RTTY on all bands. He plans to be active in the upcoming CQ WW SSB contest as V49A. QSL all calls via W3HNK. Meanwhile, Boris, KC2FVN will be QRV as V44/KC2FVN. QSL to home call. MARSHALL ISLANDS, V7. Randy, N5LE is QRV as V73AX from Kwajalein Island, IOTA OC-028, and is here for two years. QSL via operator's instructions. CHRISTMAS ISLANDS, VK9X. Operators W0YG and VK2CZ will be QRV as VK9XG and VK9XD, respectively, from October 24 to November 7. QSL VK9XG direct to home call and VK9XD via VK6NE. ANGUILLA, VP2E. Look for W4WX, N1WON and W9AAZ to be QRV as VP2EWX, VP2ECM and VP2EAZ, respectively, from October 25 to November 1. They will be active on 160 to 6 meters using all modes and plan to be active in the upcoming CQ WW SSB contest as Single Band entries. QSL direct to home calls. CAMBODIA, XU. Four German operators are QRV as XU7AYY, XU7AJS, XU7ALI and XU7AVN until October 28. Activity is on all bands using CW, SSB digital modes. QSL all calls via DH7WW. SOUTH COOK ISLANDS, ZK1. Operators SM7EQL, SM7ETW and SM1CQA will be QRV as ZK1EQL, ZK1ETW and ZK1CQA, respectively, from Mangaia Island, IOTA OC-159, from October 21 to 31. Activity will be on 80 to 20 meters using CW, SSB and some digital modes. QSL via operators' instructions. THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO. The ARRL International EME Contest, The NCCC Thursday CW Sprint, CIS DX Contest, ARCI Fall CW QSO Party, USI W/VE Islands QSO Party and the 50 MHz Fall Sprint are all scheduled for this weekend. Please see October QST, pages 100 and 101, and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details. (ARRL News Service)
Oct. 22- Nov. 15 2005 I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O. 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 -
31/10/2005:
GM/SS-082/100 GM3CWI/P SOTA ACTIVITY -
01/11/2005:
EX/ES1FB & EX/ES1RA KYRGYSTAN -
01/11/2005:
OC-100 H44 & H40 SOLOMON ISLANDS/TEMOTU -
02/11/2005:
G/LD-058 G3CWI/P ARNSIDE KNOTT -
02/11/2005:
NA-114 TO5S LES SAINTES ISLAND -
03/11/2005:
AS-008 7L3ATQ/1 & Co. MIYAKE ISLAND -
03/11/2005:
G/SC-011 G3CWI/P HARDOWN HILL -
03/11/2005:
ZS/H.C.'s SOUTH AFRICA -
04/11/2005:
G/SC-004 G3CWI/P STAPLE HILL -
04/11/2005:
AS-075 XX9 MACAO -
07/11/2005:
OC-003 VK9CG COCOS-KEELING ISLAND -
08/11/2005:
OC-003 VK9CG COCOS-KEELING -
09/11/2005:
AS-019 9V/H.C.'s SINGAPORE -
09/11/2005:
NA-105 FS/F5AHO SAINT MARTIN -
09/11/2005:
SA-056 HC4/EA1BT COJIMIES ISLANDS -
09/11/2005:
HC4/EA9CP ECUADOR LIGHTHOUSES -
10/11/2005:
HS0/H.C.'s THAILAND -
11/11/2005:
NA-199 FS/F5AHO TINTAMARRE ISLAND -
13/11/2005:
NA-199 FS/F5AHO TINTAMARRE ISLAND -
13/11/2005:
JA/H.C.'s JAPAN -
14/11/2005:
OC-010 V6A POHNPEI -
14/11/2005:
OC-040 ZK2LU NIUE -
15/11/2005:
OC-019 KH6/AE6PP, KH6/OH3SR HAWAII -
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
June 2005 ARRL VHF Party results now available to ARRL members (Oct 21, 2005) ARRL members may now access the June 2005 ARRL VHF Party Web report and Scores database on the ARRL Web site (you must log on to the ARRL Web site as a League member to view these pages). 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)
ARRL Partners with The Salvation Army in Holiday Toy Drive (Oct. 19 2005) The ARRL and The Salvation Army (TSA) have partnered up for the 2005 ARRL Holiday Toy Drive. ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, the League's point man behind the effort to brighten the holidays for youngsters displaced or left homeless by the Gulf Coast hurricanes, points out that TSA's distribution network throughout the region remains intact. Additionally, Pitts says, the organization can screen recipients and ensure that the gifts go where they are truly needed the most. "We are asking hams from all over the country to begin gathering new toys and shipping them to Memphis, Tennessee," Pitts said this week. "ARRL Vice Director Henry Leggette, WD4Q, has secured a receiving warehouse and is coordinating ham-elves volunteering there." Toys go to: ARRL Toy Drive/The Salvation Army, 1775 Moriah Woods Blvd--Suite 12, Memphis, TN 38117-7125. There volunteers will sort and stock them. Early in December, the toys will be transported to Salvation Army facilities in hurricane areas that need help the most at that time. "We are making these arrangements to maximize the areas receiving aid, while still maintaining the drive's identity as the Amateur Radio community's response," Pitts said. National Toy Drive Chairperson and award-winning country music artist Patty Loveless, KD4WUJ, has joined with family and friends--including producer Richard Lubash, N1VXW--to make three videos promoting the drive. One is a 30 second public service announcement (PSA) for TV use, while the other two are intended for Web site placement or may even be sent as e-mail attachments, Pitts said. Loveless says caring and helping are a big part of what ham radio is all about. "Those things are the major traits of our tradition," she said, "and we, as Amateur Radio operators and ARRL members, can continue the true spirit of that tradition by supporting this wonderful and much needed effort." The ARRL is asking Amateur Radio operators to put a QSL card into the box with their donated toys. Pitts says many ham radio clubs already are gathering toys for this year's drive. "Please check with your local club and see if they are planning a mass shipment," he suggested. "If not, perhaps you can help organize one for your area." ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, noted that last year, hams from all over the country brought smiles to children during the holidays. "We made a lot of friends, and we did a lot of good," he said. "No one expected that we would need to do it again, but the recent hurricanes' destruction has changed the plans of a lot of people. I hope you will help in this effort to bring a smile to children hurt by these disasters." Unwrapped new toys for boys and girls of ages 1 to 14 should be gathered and shipped to the Memphis facility between now and Thanksgiving for distribution over the holidays. Non-hams are also encouraged to join in this effort to provide for the thousands of children left homeless or displaced due to the Gulf Coast hurricanes. Cash donations from ARRL members also are welcome to help cover such Toy Drive expenses as truck rentals and purchasing toys for special age groups. One particular need is for bicycles. Send donations to: ARRL Toy Drive, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. (ARRL News Service)
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