Hurricane Wilma relief effort  (Oct. 30 2005)

More than 300 volunteers from the Amateur Radio Emergency Service and the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service helped support communications in Florida in the wake of Hurricane Wilma. Most of the ham radio volunteers assisted with communication at evacuee shelters and emergency operations centres in more than a dozen counties. 

Wilma – once the most intense storm every recorded - has caused widespread property damage and power outages across the Florida peninsula, killing at least six people and leaving some three million homes and businesses without electricity. Earlier, the storm had killed at least 17 people across the Caribbean. 
However, unlike Hurricane Katrina - which caused such widespread devastation in Louisiana earlier in the year - Wilma did not inflict serious damage to communication systems. The telephone and cellular services systems in Florida survived the storm relatively unscathed. The volunteer radio hams however were on hand for when conventional communications failed. 

(RSGB2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

(RSGB2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

(RAC News Service)

Australians celebrate 2006 Commonwealth Games (Oct. 21 2005) 

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

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

(RSGB2)

Oct. 28 2005 Tad Cook K7RA Solar Update
 

No sunspots!  The average daily sunspot number from the previous reporting week to the current dropped six points to 7.7. There were no visible sunspots over the four days October 24-27. Do not expect an improvement for the CQ World Wide DX Contest (Phone) this weekend. Thankfully geomagnetic conditions are stable, and the longer nights as we head toward winter solstice are good for 160, 80 and 60-meter operation.

Solar flux should remain around 70 over the next few days, rising to 80 around November 4. Predicted planetary A index for October 28-31 is 15, 12, 8, and 5. Geophysical Institute Prague predicts unsettled conditions for today, October 28, unsettled to active conditions for Saturday October 29, and unsettled conditions for Sunday October 30. 

The weekend of the CQ World Wide DX Contest (Phone) last year had an average sunspot number of 139. Looking back: In 2003 it was 201.4, in 2002 it was 150.9, in 2001 it was 222.7, in 2000 it was 148.7 and in 1999 it was 160.4. The average of 7.7 for the past week is far below any of these. 

I've received a few reports of VHF openings. Scott Avery, WA6LIE, reported an October 20 6-meter opening from the East Coast to the West Coast around 0100-0300 UTC. It then shifted to single hop north-south between Washington/British Columbia and California. On the same day, Jon Jones, N0JK, reported from Kansas that 6 meters was open from about 2315 to after 0400 UTC. He worked or heard stations or beacons from VE2, VE4, MN, SD, ID, UT, WY and CA. Jon commented that E layer openings are uncommon in October, and these double-hop E layer communications between the two coasts are very rare. At 0122 UTC WA6RPD in CM97 and KB6NAN CM87 worked WZ1V in FN31. 

On October 9 Steve Carpenter, KG4LDD, near Knoxville, Tennessee, was listening to the Gatlinburg 2-meter repeater on 146.85 and heard KB5LTB in West Monroe, Louisiana. They talked, and while the Louisiana station was scratchy, he was also quite readable. On October 17 through the same repeater Steve worked N9VX in Connersville , Indiana, who was full-quieting into the machine. 

For more information concerning propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. An archive of past bulletins is on the ARRL Web site. 

Sunspot numbers for October 20 through 26 were 15, 15, 13, 11, 0, 0 and 0, with a mean of 7.7. The 10.7-cm flux was 76.7, 75.3, 74.7, 74.2, 73.4, 73, and 72, with a mean of 74.2. Estimated planetary A indices were 3, 2, 6, 2, 4, 19 and 8, with a mean of 6.3. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 2, 1, 7, 2, 3, 17 and 8, with a mean of 5.7. 

(ARRL News Service)

Europe
Oct. 30 2005  Solar and propagation report,
compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS,and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

Essentially, the past week gave us more of the same. So there was again no flare activity of any consequence. The solar flux was down a shade, from 75 at the start of the week to 73 on the 28th, averaging 73 - five points less than the previous week. The minimum daily figure we can expect at solar minimum is around 64 or 65.  The 90-day average was down a point at 87.  There were several days when the sun was spotless. The X-ray flux was a minimal A0 [zero] throughout.  The geomagnetic field was for the most part quiet, with the Ap index in single figures - though coronal hole activity brought a more active spell on the 25th, when the index went up to 19. Solar wind speeds reported by the ACE satellite ranged between 302 and 532km/sec. Apart from a few brief blips particle densities were in single figures.

Aided by low geomagnetic activity the radio weather was again as good as could be expected for the season and stage of the cycle. All the HF bands were open for at least short periods every day. There was even a brief 28 MHz opening to the East Coast of the USA on the afternoon of the 26th and a strong opening to Japan on 21MHz on the morning of the 29th.  However, 14MHz remains the most consistent band, producing regular morning openings to the Far East and to the USA during the afternoons and evenings. 50MHz opened for sporadic-E to southern Spain and Morocco on the afternoon of the 23rd. A little VHF auroral propagation was reported in the far North on the 25th.

What are the prospects for the coming week?  Flare activity should remain low or very low.  The solar flux should recover slightly but looks unlikely to go above the low 80s.  Geomagnetic activity will initially be low but will probably increase from midweek because of recurring coronal hole activity.  MUFs at equal latitudes will again be about 25MHz in the south and 22Mhz in the north.  Darkness hour lows will remain around 9MHz.  Paths to Japan should have a maximum usable frequency in the vicinity of 22MHz. The optimum working frequency, at which there should be a ninety per cent chance of success, will be about 17MHz. The path should be best between 1000 and 1300UTC but will open earlier on the better days. 

And that's all for this week from the propagation team, Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF. 

New ISS Commander Delights Japanese Youngsters via Ham Radio (Oct. 27 2005) 
 

Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, the new commander of the International Space Station, delighted youngsters at Tomioka Elementary School in Urayasu City, Japan, October 24 by answering 14 of their questions via ham radio. The direct VHF contact between 8J1UTE at the school and NA1SS in space was arranged via the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program. Answering one interesting question, McArthur told the youngsters that mold, while rare on the ISS, comes in for some scrutiny when it does show up.

"If we do find mold, then we take pictures of it to send to the ground," McArthur said. "We send samples to the ground for analysis, and then we clean it off." He said the crew tries to keep everything extremely clean, wipes surfaces with a disinfectant cloth at least once a week, and is very careful to clean up any moisture that forms on panels or surfaces. 

Responding to a question about the first thing he wants to do when he gets back to Earth next spring, McArthur said he wants to "smell nature." 

"Our atmosphere here is very clean, but it doesn't have the things that smell . . . that you really enjoy, such as trees, flowers, grass and those things," McArthur replied. "And then I'm very excited to see my family again." 

The Tomioka Elementary School QSO was McArthur's first ARISS school group contact of his six-month duty tour, which began early this month. McArthur said he's found it "very, very comfortable" to be weightless aboard the ISS. Once he got used to it, he said it was a "very pleasant place to be." McArthur's also said that he and his crewmate, Russian cosmonaut and flight engineer Valery Tokarev, enjoy looking at Earth from the ISS in their spare time. 

Control operator for the ARISS event was Noriyasu Itho, JE1OWA. "This QSO will be a lasting memory for all of us at Tomioka Elementary School," Itho said before signing off. 

An audience of some 650 parents, faculty members and other visitors was on hand for the contact, along with reporters from two TV stations and 10 news newspapers. Satoshi Yasuda, 7M3TJZ/AD6GZ, served as the mentor for the ARISS contact. He has posted video and audio of the contact on the Web. 

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

(ARRL News Service)

SSETI Express satellite goes silent (Oct 28, 2005)

The Student Space Exploration and Technology Initiative (SSETI) Express satellite, sent into orbit from Russia October 27, has gone silent. "We have not heard anything from Express on UHF since last night when the telemetry seemed to indicate a very negative power budget," Graham Shirville, G3VZV, said on the AMSAT BB as he was departing Russia following the launch. "If it does not recover then it will be a sad end to a wonderful mission." Shirville said ground controllers were going to attempt a blind command of the satellite this weekend in an effort to revive the satellite, which carries an Amateur Radio package and three CubeSat picosatellites. 

The spacecraft had been transmitting AX.25 telemetry at 9k6 bps on 437.250 MHz. Shortly after this week's launch, Shirville had reported the satellite was in nominal mode, producing 9k6 data bursts every 18 seconds. Plans call for the satellite will be turned into a single-channel amateur FM voice Mode U/S transponder after the transmitter serves initial telemetry duty. The AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-NA Web sites have additional information on this European Space Agency-sponsored project, in which SSETI Express was built by a distributed team of university students and radio amateurs throughout Europe. Additional details are on the SSETI Express Web site.

(ARRL News Service)

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

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

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

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

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

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

(ARNewsLine)

New radio software website (Oct. 21 2005)

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

(RSGB2)

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 
packs for certain HP and Compaq brand laptop computers.  This, after receiving reports of overheating and melting.

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)

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)

Halloween in Transylvania County Brevard, NC.
Oct 31, 1600Z-2400Z, Brevard, NC. Transylvania County Amateur Radio Club, K4HXZ. Halloween in Transylvania County. 28.335 21.365 14.295 7.237. Certificate. TCARC, PO Box 665, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768. 

All-Saints Day/Halloween Frankenstein, MO.
Oct 31-Nov 1, 0500Z-0500Z, Frankenstein, MO. Warrensburg Amateur Radio Club, W0O. All-Saints Day/Halloween. 21.378 14.315 7.233 3.943. QSL. Keith Haye, WE0G, 70 NW 601 Rd, Centerview, MO 64019-9228. http://www.waarci.org/. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Veteran's Day. Baton Rouge, LA.
Nov 11, 1500Z-2330Z, Baton Rouge, LA. USS Kidd ARC/Baton Rouge ARC, W5KID. Veteran's Day. General class bands, 14.250 to 14.320; CW QRP subbands 28.060 21.060 14.060 10.106 7.040. QSL. W5KID, c/o USS Kidd Museum, 305 S River Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. www.lsu.edu/brarc/USS_Kidd.htm. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(ARRL)

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

Oct. 27 2005 ARRL  DX News

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by IZ8EDJ, JE8KKX, KA2AEV, ON5UR, SV1IW, QRZ DX, the OPDX Bulletin, The
Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST. Thanks to all.

AZERBAIJAN, 4K.  Members of a Baku radio club will be QRV as 4K7Z in CQ WW SSB contest as a Multi-Op/All-Band/Single-Transmitter entry. QSL via UA3FDX.

CYPRUS, 5B.  Babs, DL7AFS and Lot, DJ7ZG are QRV as 5B/homecalls until November 16.  Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using SSB, RTTY and PSK.  QSL via DL7AFS.  Meanwhile, look for Spyros, 5B4MF to be QRV as H22H as a Single-Op/All-Band entry in the contest.  QSL to home call.

MALDIVES, 8Q.  Look for a group of operators to be QRV as 8Q7C in the CQ WW SSB contest.  QSL via EC1CW.

TONGA, A3.  Alex, HB9FBO is QRV as A35BO until November 18. Activity is on 80 to 10 meters using CW, SSB and PSK31.  QSL via operator's instructions.

CHINA, BY.  Look for B7P to be QRV during the CQ WW SSB contest as a Multi-Two entry.  QSL via BG7KUB.

AZORES, CU.  Eduardo, CU2AF will be QRV as CU2T in the CQ WW SSB contest as a Single-Op/Single-Band entry on 160 meters.  QSL to home call.

CANARY ISLANDS, EA8.  Edu, EC8AUA will be QRV as EA8URL as a Single-Band entry on 15 meters during the CQ WW SSB contest.  QSL via operator's instructions.

THAILAND, HS.  Members of the Siam DX Group are QRV as HS0AR until December 31.  This includes entries in every major contest, including the CQ WW SSB contest as a Multi/2 entry.  QSL via E21YDP.

ITALY, I.  Members of the Strange Radio Team will be QRV as IR8C in the CQ WW SSB contest as a Multi/Single entry.  QSL via IZ8EDJ.

GUAM, KH2.  Members of the Guam contest club will be QRV as AH2R as a Multi-Op/Single-Transmitter entry in the CQ WW SSB contest.  QSL via JH7QXJ.

LITHUANIA, LY.  Look for LY2CY and LY2TA to be QRV as LY7Z during the CQ WW SSB contest as a Multi/2 entry.  QSL via LY2TA.

SLOVAK REPUBLIC, OM.  A group of operators will be QRV as OM7M as a Multi/Single entry in the CQ WW SSB contest.  QSL via OM3PA.

GREECE, SV.  Special event station SX1W is QRV until October 30 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War Two.
Activity is on 80 to 10 meters using CW, SSB and digital modes.  QSL via bureau.

EUROPEAN RUSSIA, UA.  Members of the Michurinsk Contest Groupe will be QRV as UA3R as a Multi-Op/Single-Transmitter entry in the CQ WW SSB contest.  QSL via RN3RQ.

ANTIGUA, V2.  Members of Team Antigua will be QRV as V26B during the CQ WW SSB contest.  Before and after the contest they will be active using their own V26 callsigns.  QSL contest call via KA2AEV and all others via operators' instructions.

BELIZE, V3.  A team of operators will be QRV as V31MD during the CQ WW SSB contest using software-defined radios.  They will use their own V31 calls before and after the contest.  QSL via operators' instructions.

CHAGOS ISLANDS, VQ9.  Several operators will be QRV as VQ9X from Diego Garcia during the CQ WW SSB contest as a Multi/Multi entry. QSL via operators' instructions.

CAMBODIA, XU.  Jacques, ON4AJV and Willem, ON6TZ will be QRV as XU7TAS from Koh Tas, IOTA AS-133, from October 30 to November 10. Activity is on all HF bands using CW and SSB.  QSL via ON4AJV.

INDONESIA, YB.  Gyuszi, HA2VR is QRV as YB0/HA2VR from Jakarta until November 4.  Activity is on the higher bands, including 30 meters. He will also be active in the CQ WW SSB contest.  QSL to home call.

GIBRALTAR, ZB.  United Radio DX Team members ON5UR, ON5MRT and ON6NP are QRV as ZB2/homecalls until November 3.  Activity is on various HF bands using SSB and digital modes.  They will also participate in the CQ WW SSB contest.  QSL to home calls.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The CQ Worldwide DX SSB Contest, eXtreme CW World-Wide Challenge, 10-10 International Fall CW Contest and the 4th Annual FISTS Coast to Coast CW Contest will certainly keep contesters busy this weekend.  Please see October QST, page 101, and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details.

(ARRL News Service)

Oct. 31- Nov. 15 2005    I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O.

31/10/2005:  GM/SS-082/100  GM3CWI/P  SOTA ACTIVITY -
Look for Richard, GM3CWI/p, to be QRV October 31st from Capel Fell summit [678m] (SOTA reference GM/SS-082) starting around 14:00 UTC and from Croft Head summit [637m] (SOTA GM/SS-100) starting around 15:30 UTC both located in the Southern Scotland Region. Activity will be on 7.030 MHz CW. [Tnx SOTA U.K.]

01/11/2005:  EX/ES1FB & EX/ES1RA  KYRGYSTAN -
Operators Jaak ES1FB and Oleg ES1RA will be active from Bishkek and Maili Suu, Kyrgystan, starting November 1st for 2 weeks. They will sign EX/homecall. QSL via their home callsign. Look for EX/ES1FB to be on LoTW. [Tnx OPDX Bulletin]

01/11/2005:  OC-100  H44 & H40  SOLOMON ISLANDS/TEMOTU -
We now have more details on the Korea DX Club (KDXC) DXpedition later this year to the Solomon Islands (H44) and Temotu Province (H40). In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Korea Amateur Radio League (KARL) team members from KDXC will be active from the Solomon Islands (IOTA OC-047) as H44HL and then Nendo Island (IOTA OC-100) as H40HL from November 5-11th. Activity will be on 160 through 6 meters on CW, SSB, RTTY and other digital modes. Team members will include Choi HL5FUA, Kang DS2AGH, Lee DS2BGV, Yoon 6K2AVL, Yoo 6K2DJM and Scott N1PW (ex HL1PW). Equipment will include two IC-775DSP, FT-1000MP, FT-MARK-5, IC-765, and two IC-706. They expect to have 6 amps, which will be powered by multiply generators. QSL via HL1XP, direct or bureau. Further details can be found on their web site at http://kdxc.net/h40hl_2005/index.html . [Tnx OZ6OM]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

73 and Good Hunting!
Dave Raycroft - VA3RJ

Home of ICPO: www.qsl.net/va3rj
Mirror: http://webhome.idirect.com/~va3rj
Join ICPO e-Group:  www.qsl.net/va3rj/icpo.html
E-mail: va3rj@rac.ca
________

Note: A complete list of  Prefixes assigned by International Telecommunications Union can be found on the Trans Provincial Website: www.tpn7055.ca/callsign.html

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)