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IARU Administrative Council Plans for WRC-07 and Beyond (Sept. 23 2005) The Administrative Council of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) held its annual meeting on 17-18 September 2005 in Zurich, Switzerland, following the IARU Region 1 Conference held in Davos. The Council took the following actions: 1. A discussion paper was received from the officers describing the anticipated future environment and a vision of the long-term future role and structure of the IARU. To continue this work, the President announced the appointment of an ad hoc committee chaired by Vice President Ellam and comprised of Secretary Sumner and the presidents/chairmen of the three regional organizations. The committee will work primarily by correspondence including electronic means and is to provide a preliminary report next year. 2. Prompted mainly by concerns about interference from broadband power line communications (PLC/BPL), the International Secretariat, in conjunction with the EMC Adviser, was requested to undertake a study to improve coordination of amateur radio representation on electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) matters at national, regional and global forums, to be completed by the end of 2005. The objective is to put in place such measures as may be agreed by the Council to improve such coordination and maintain a favorable EMC environment for radio services. 3. Continuing the strategic planning initiative begun in 2003, progress on a three-year plan for the development of support for amateur radio frequency allocations was reviewed. The plan includes maintaining and increasing contact with regional telecommunications organizations by the IARU through its regional organizations. 4. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) meetings at which IARU representation will be required for the coming year were identified, and plans for representation were reviewed. The principal focus is on preparations for the 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-07). IARU positions on agenda items for WRC-07 were affirmed. 5. A small working group was established to develop an international emergency communications handbook for radio amateurs based on existing texts. The International Secretariat was requested to produce a brochure on amateur radio response to emergencies. 6. It was agreed to establish a suitable Web site honoring radio amateurs who have died while providing humanitarian service. IARU regional executive committees may propose those to be included in the memorial. 7. The Council heard a report from IARU Region 2 on planned participation on behalf of the IARU in an ITU regional telecommunications exhibition, Telecom Americas 2005, to be held in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, 3-6 October. Region 2 President Rod Stafford, W6ROD, has been invited to participate in a panel discussion on “The Changing Face of Spectrum Management” at the Forum held in conjunction with Telecom Americas 2005. 8. The budget for 2006-2008 was approved as presented by the International Secretariat (ARRL). The budget includes provision for financial contributions from the three regional organizations to defray a portion of the expenses, in accordance with previously adopted policy. 9. Themes were adopted for the next two World Amateur Radio Days, an annual event observed on April 18, the anniversary of the founding of the IARU in 1925. The themes are (2006) “Amateur Radio: A gateway to information and communications technologies (ICT) for today’s youth” and (2007) “Amateur Radio: Allowing youth to connect the world.” 10. The Council thanked Bob Knowles, ZL1BAD, for his more than 20 years of volunteer service as IARU Monitoring System International Coordinator on the occasion of his stepping down from the position that he has occupied since its inception. The International Secretariat (ARRL) was asked to designate an appropriate staff member to fulfill, as a temporary measure, the responsibilities of the position until a qualified volunteer replacement can be found. 11. Reports of the IARU international coordinators and advisers were received. In addition to Mr. Knowles they are International Beacon Project Coordinator Peter Jennings, AB6WM/VE3SUN; Satellite Adviser Hans van de Groenendaal, ZS6AKV; EMC Adviser ChristianVerholt, OZ8CY; and International Coordinator for Emergency Communications Hans Zimmermann, F5VKP/HB9AQS. 12. A working document describing the requirements for radio spectrum allocations to the amateur and amateur-satellite services was reviewed and updated. The next scheduled meeting of the Council will be held in or near Bangalore, India immediately after the IARU Region 3 Conference to be held there in August 2006. Attending the Zurich meeting were IARU President Larry Price, W4RA; Vice President Tim Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA; Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ; regional representatives Ole Garpestad, LA2RR, Don Beattie, G3BJ, Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T, Rod Stafford, W6ROD, Dario Jurado, HP1DJ, Y. S. Park, HL1IFM, Chandru Ramchandra, VU2RCR, and Yoshi Sekido, JJ1OEY; and recording secretary Paul Rinaldo, W4RI. (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.
GB2RS Celebrates 50 Years (Sept. 25 2005) (RSGB2)
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)
Sept. 23 2005 Tad Cook K7RA Solar
Update
Fall has now begun. Despite the low solar activity, conditions are more seasonally favorable for HF propagation. The lower geomagnetic activity is a plus for HF conditions. We received more mail on 80-meter propagation at the bottom of the solar cycle. David Beckwith, W2QM, of Delray Beach, Florida, believes that "seemingly better conditions during the low point of the cycle" may owe more to increased activity on the lower bands because the higher bands are so poor. Good point! David should know. He's been on the air since 1938--even during World War II, when he was an infantry radio operator in Europe. According to his biography, he's worked 380 countries, including all except North Korea on the current DXCC list. Ed Douglass, AA9OZ, mentions John Devoldere's book, ON4UN's Low-Band DXing. "ON4UN's explanation for good propagation on 80 and 160 during sunspot minima is that with less solar UV radiation, there is less density in the D-layer in the earth's atmosphere," he noted. "Furthermore, the formation of the D-layer is slower, particularly during the winter months in either hemisphere. As you know, it is the D-layer that tends to absorb lower HF signals, most notably preventing the propagation of signals during local daylight hours." Douglass says that in addition to our explanation that a less active sun will produce less-intense disturbances in the ionosphere and improved propagation through the auroral zones, east-west path propagation will be better because there will be longer periods when there is no D-layer. He notes that Devoldere's book delves into this topic very thoroughly and is a great asset for those serious about DXing on the lower bands. Douglass also notes that as thunderstorm activity drops in the northern hemisphere with the transition into winter, weaker DX signals once again are audible above the noise. John Shannon, K3WWP, is a 100-percent CW and QRP operator. He writes: "My antenna for 80 and 160 is a random wire in my attic. In the two big 160-meter contests--ARRL and CQ--with my simple setup it was fairly easy for me to work around 250 QSOs during the sunspot minimum back in the 90s." He says that included working West Coast stations. "At sunspot maximum I had to struggle to make 50 or 60 QSOs and usually gave up out of frustration at no one hearing me or having to repeat my info many times over to virtually every station," he goes on to say. "I couldn't work anyone west of the Mississippi River at the maximum." Shannon says that on 80 meters he can usually work Europe near the minimum, but it is rough near a maximum. "So based on personal experience, I would say low band conditions are definitely better at or near a minimum," he concludes. Russell Hunt, WQ3X, reports he's still working DX on 10 meters. On September 15, he says, he worked CN8KD, CT4GO and EA1CBX on 10-meter SSB starting at 2200 UTC, when the local time at the other end of the circuit was 11 PM. "Signals were amazingly strong, but the opening only lasted about a half-hour," he said. "It was incredible! I was able to hear most of the USA stations working the DX also." I ran some path projections using a popular propagation program mentioned in past bulletins, and found that from his location in Pennsylvania to Spain, Morocco and Portugal there is still good likelihood of 10-meter openings ending around the time John made his contacts. Be sure to check out John's Web site devoted to some work he's done refurbishing classic radio gear. Last, we hear from Bill Clark, N0MAM. "I became licensed in 1996 when many experienced hams were complaining about the bands," he writes. "At that time I had the call KB0TNM. I began working 40 meters on the Novice CW band, and many experienced hams complained that it was too noisy a band to work." Clark says he was on every night making domestic contacts, working 30 states that summer and winter--mostly in the East and West. "I worked Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico and many Canadian contacts. It put me well on the way to getting WAS on 40-meter CW. I didn't know what all the complaints about 40 meters being noisy were about until 1998, when the bands came up and all the Latin American AM stations created so much whine that I had to abandon it. It was a lot of fun and good experience for me as a new operator, and I didn't even know that I wasn't supposed to be enjoying myself because the band was 'down.'" For more information concerning propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. Sunspot numbers for September 15 through 21 were 77, 51, 59, 50, 43, 23 and 19, with a mean of 46. The 10.7 cm flux was 119.4, 112, 103.9, 102.2, 91.1, 87.8, and 86, with a mean of 100.3. Estimated planetary A indices were 43, 18, 12, 12, 8, 6 and 5, with a mean of 14.9. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 22, 11, 10, 8, 8, 3 and 3, with a mean of 9.3. (ARRL News Service)
Europe
The large and highly active sunspot that dominated the two previous weeks has now decayed and disappeared round the far side of the Sun - though not before launching a major M9.8 flare on the 17th. By the 22nd, though, there were no flares of any consequence. The solar flux headed steadily downwards, from 112 on the 16th to 84 on the 22nd and averaged 92 - at drop of 23 points. The 90-day average held steady, however, at 93. The X- ray flux also declined from an average of B7 to an average of B1.2. The geomagnetic field was active last week but fell back to quiet levels midweek. However more active periods followed from the 23rd. Solar wind speeds also dropped, from 652 km/sec to 309km/sec on the 22nd. Particle densities stayed in single figures. With falling geomagnetic activity, HF propagation showed a substantial improvement, with even 28MHz opening to the Middle East on several days. That said, the higher bands were in poor shape for much of the time and it was left to 21, 18 and 14Mz to provide the main long-haul openings. These included the C21 expedition on 14MHz for early risers and, after breakfast, on 21MHz, when ZL and VR2 were also workable. KH9 could be worked short-path on 14MHz at 0845, along with VK. The Caribbean and the eastern US could be worked on 14MHz from around noon and until well into the evening. There were no reports of VHF aurora. What of the week ahead? The quieter side of the Sun should be looking our way throughout. Flare activity is expected to be low or very low. The solar flux will decline further, possibly into the 70s. The geomagnetic field is likely to be slightly unsettled through the weekend, increasing somewhat around midweek due to a recurring coronal hole. MUFs at equal latitudes should reach 21MHz in the south and 18MHz in the north. Darkness hour lows will remain around 9MHz. Paths to the East Coast of the US and Canada should have a maximum usable frequency, giving a fifty per cent chance of success, of around 20MHz. The optimum working frequency, where the chances are about nine in ten, should be about 15MHz. Your best hope of contacts is between 1400 and 2000UTC, plus a little earlier and a little later on the better days. (This report prepared by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF)
SuitSat, New ARISS SSTV gear arrives at Space Station (Sept. 24 2005) An unpiloted Russian Progress cargo
ship that docked with the International Space Station (ISS) earlier this
month carried two new Amateur Radio on the
"The successful docking of Progress
to ISS on September 10 culminates the successful design, development, certification
and delivery of these two ARISS Projects," said ARISS International Chair
Frank Bauer, KA3HDO. The ISS Expedition 11 crew of John Phillips, KE5DRY,
and Sergei Krikalev, U5MIR,
The SuitSat Amateur Radio gear and a school artwork project are to be installed inside an outdated Russian Orlan spacesuit. SuitSat then will be deployed from the ISS during a spacewalk. During its limited lifetime, SuitSat will beam down special messages and an SSTV image as it floats in space. SuitSat's radio system will allow hams and students to track the suit and decode special international messages, spacesuit telemetry and a pre-programmed SSTV image through its specially-built digital voice messaging system and Amateur Radio transmitter. SuitSat will have transmit-only capability and will run on the spacesuit's battery power. As part of the SuitSat project, the payload will also include a CD with hundreds of school pictures, artwork, poems, and student signatures. Two identical CDs were flown into space, Bauer said. "One will go in the suit, and the other will be for the crew to review. Using the crew CD, we hope to downlink these images using the SSTV system that will be located inside the Zvezda Service Module once it is operational." The CD contains some 300 items from all over the world. The ARISS-Russia team headed by Sergei
Samburov, RV3DR, first came up with the idea for SuitSat, and the concept
came in for extensive discussion
Due to the challenging development time constraints, the SuitSat design concept matured and evolved quickly in the past 11 months. "In a very short timeframe, the ARISS International Team designed, built and tested a simple, yet fully featured system that we hope will inspire hams and students around the world," Bauer said. The new SSTV system will be installed
inside the Service Module as an integral part of the ARISS ham radio station,
NA1SS/RS0ISS. It will transmit and receive JPEG still images from the ISS.
When fully operational, the SSTV system will be able to send up to 480
images per day from the ISS as well as
"This system will utilize the already
installed Kenwood D-700 radio and the ARISS antennas mounted on the Service
Module," Bauer explained. He said the
"On behalf of the ARISS International team, I want to congratulate the SuitSat hardware development team and the SSTV development team on a job well done," Bauer said. "We look forward to future operation of these systems on ISS, inspiring the next generation of space explorers." ARISS http://www.rac.ca/ariss is an international educational outreach with US participation from ARRL, AMSAT and NASA. (ARRL News Service)
Antenna Designer Gordon Bird, G4ZU...Silent key (Sept. 23 2005) Pioneer antenna Gordon Bird G4ZU,
has passed away. Well recognized for re-shaping the construction
of antennas and their theory of operation Bird
During his career as a chief electronics
engineer and manager he worked for the British Post and Telecommunications,
NATO and the United Kingdom
(ARNewsLine)
Microwave Enthusiast Bill Seabreeze, W3IY, SK (Sept. 23 2005) Well-known VHF-UHF and microwave enthusiast William B. "Bill" Seabreeze, W3IY, of Sterling, Virginia, died September 19 of cancer. He was 54. First licensed in 1965 as WN3EIY, Seabreeze soon gravitated into the realm of VHF and microwave operation, which became his lifelong passion. "Virtually every VHF operator on the East Coast knew Bill as a friend," James Ahlgren, W4RX, said in comments posted to several reflectors. "Throughout his life he Elmered up-and-coming VHF operators. His laboratory was always available to help solve our technical problems and to get our equipment working." Seabreeze was a member of the ARRL and of the Potomac Valley Radio Club, and he regularly participated as a "rover" station in VHF-UHF events. ARRL Contest Branch Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, called Seabreeze "a good sounding board" when ideas crossed his mind or desk. "His wit and wisdom were always good to have when discussing VHF/UHF/SHF issues," Henderson said. "Even during his illness, Bill was committed to helping make the ARRL's VHF/UHF/SHF contest program an asset." Seabreeze contributed contest results for VHF-UHF-microwave events for QST and the ARRL Web site. Professionally, he was vice president for engineering of Microcube Corp in Leesburg, Virginia. Survivors include his wife Kathy and a son and daughter. (ARRL News Service)
ARRL EME Contest, from 0000Z Sep 24-2400Z Sep 25. Frequencies: 2304 MHz and up, 50-1296 MHz, Oct 22-23 and Nov 12-13. (See Aug QST, p 91) CQ Worldwide RTTY DX Contest--sponsored by CQ Magazine from 0000Z Sep 24-2400Z Sep 25. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOAB (LP, HP>150 W), SOSB, Assisted (AB only), MS (LP, HP), M2, MM. Exchange: RST + CQ Zone (W/VE stations also send state/province). QSO points: own country--1 pt, different country, same continent--2 pts, diff cont--3 pts. Score: QSO points × S/P/C (incl WAE countries) + CQ Zones counted once per band. For more information: www.cq-amateur-radio.com. Logs due Oct 29 in Cabrillo format to rtty@cqww.com. Scandinavian Activity Contest--SSB--1200Z Sep 24-1200Z Sep 25 (see Sep 17-18). Texas QSO Party--CW/Phone/Digital--sponsored by Northwest Amateur Radio Society (NARS), 1400Z Sep 24-0200Z Sep 25 and 1400Z-2000Z Sep 25. Frequencies (MHz): CW--40 to 60 kHz above bottom of band, Phone--25 kHz above edge of General segments and 28.300-28.500, VHF--50.2, 144.2. Categories: Fixed Stns--SO-Mixed (HP and QRP <5 W CW, <10 W Phone), SO-CW, MO; Mobile (Texas Only)--SO-Mixed, SO-CW, MO. Exchange: RST + TX County or S/P/C or MM region. QSO points: Phone--2 pts, CW/Digital--3 pts. Score: QSO points × TX counties (TX stations add S/P/C). Multipliers counted only once. Add 500 points for every 5 counties from which a specific TX Mobile is worked. Texas mobiles add 1000 points to final score for every county activated with five or more QSOs. For more information: www.txqp.org. Logs due Oct 31 to k5cx@arrl.net or Texas QSO Party Committee, 16880 E Maglitto Cir, Tomball, TX 77377-8414. Alabama QSO Party--CW/Phone--sponsored by the Central Alabama HF/VHF Contesting Club, 1800Z-2400Z Sep 25. Frequencies: 160 meters-70 cm, SSB, CW, and FM contacts count separately. Categories: SO, MS, Rover, QRP (< 5 W), LP (< 200 W), HP. Exchange: RST and S/P/C. Work Rover stations in each county. QSO points: 1 pt/QSO. Scoring: AL stations--QSOs × states + AL counties + DXCC entities counted once per band. Non-AL stations--QSOs × AL counties counted once per band. Logs due 30 days after the contest. For more information, check the on-line Contest Corral at www.arrl.org/contests/months/sep.html for log submission addresses or contact w4nti@mindspring.com. Classic Exchange--AM/SSB, from 1300Z Sep 25 to 0700Z Sep 26. (CW is Oct 2-3) Frequencies (Mc); AM--1.890 3.880 7.290 14.286 21.420 29.000 50.300 144.300. SSB--1.855, 3.870, 7.280, 14.270, 21.370, 28.390, 50.125, 144.200. Exchange RS, name, QTH, TX, RX, XCVR, AM International number if available. QSO points: 1 pt/QSO. Total Score: QSOs × (number of TX and RX worked + S/P/C counted once per band) × CX multiplier (age of all RX TX and XCVR used for at least 3 QSOs). AMI QSOs count for CX score. For more information: http://qsl.asti.com/CX. Logs to WQ8U@arrl.net or WQ8U, 104 W Queen St , Hillsborough, NC 27278. Tesla Cup--CW/SSB--sponsored by the Tesla Radio Club from 0000Z-2400Z Sep 24 (CW) and 0000Z-2400Z Sep 26 (SSB). Frequencies: 160- 10 meters. Categories: SOAB, SOSB, SO-Assisted, MS, MM, Club/Team, with QRP (<15 W), LO (<150 W), and HP in all categories. Exchange: 4-digit grid square. QSO points: SSB--2 pts, CW--3 pts. Work stations once each 24-hour period. Total Score: QSO points × number of different first three digits of grids (i.e., FN2, CN8) counted once per band. For more information: www.computeradio.us/TeslaCup.htm. Logs due 14 days after the contest to k3bu@aol.com or Tesla Cup, Box 282, Pine Brook, NJ 07058. Fall QRP Homebrewer Sprint--CW/PSK31--sponsored by New Jersey QRP Club, 0000Z-0400Z Sep 26. Frequencies: QRP CW and PSK31 frequencies on 80-10 meters. CW and PSK31 are considered separate bands. Exchange: RST + S/P/C + Output Power. QSO points: Commercial Equipment--2 pts, Homebrew Xmtr or Rcvr-- 3 pts, Homebrew Xmtr and Rcvr or Xcver--4 pts. Kits OK as homebrew. Power Multiplier: 0>250 mW = ×15, 250 mW>1 W = ×10, 1-5 W = ×7, >5 W = ×1. Score: QSO points × S/P/C (counted once per band) × power multiplier. For more information: www.njqrp.org/data/qrphomebrewersprint.html. Logs due 30 days from the contest to n2cq@arrl.net (text format) or Ken Newman, N2CQ, 81 Holly Dr, Woodbury, NJ 08096.
PSK Rumble (The Fall Classic)--sponsored by Troy ARA, 0000Z-2400Z Oct 1. 80-6 meters. Exchange: name and S/P/C. Categories: Normal (>100 W), Great (<20 W), Super (<5 W), Novice, SWL. Score: QSOs × (W/VE/JA/VK call areas + DXCC entities counted once per band). For more information: www.n2ty.org/seasons/tara_rumble_rules.html. Logs due Oct 29 via on-line score submission form at www.n2ty.org/seasons/tara_rumble_score.html. Oceania DX Contest -- supported by the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) and New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART), Phone 0800Z Oct 1-0800Z Oct 2 (CW is 0800Z Oct 8-0800Z Oct 9). Frequencies: 160-10 meters; work VK/ZL/Oceania stations only. Categories: SOAB, SOSB, MS, MM, SWL. Exchange: RS(T) and serial number. QSO points: 160--20 pts, 80--10 pts, 40--5 pts, 20--1 pt, 15--2 pts, 10--3 pts. Score: QSO points × WPX prefixes counted once per band. For more information: www.oceaniadxcontest.com. Logs due Nov 6 in Cabrillo format (required for logs with more than 50 QSOs) to ph@oceaniadxcontest.com (CW to cw@oceaniadxcontest.com) or paper logs (if fewer than 50 QSOs) to Oceania DX Contest, c/o Wellington Amateur Radio Club Inc, PO Box 6464, Wellington 6030, New Zealand. EU Autumn Sprint--SSB, sponsored by the EU Sprint Gang, 1500Z-1859Z Oct 1 (CW is 1500Z-1859Z Oct 8). Frequencies: 80-20 meters, stations outside EU work EU stations only. SOAB category only. Exchange: your call, serial number, name, other station's call. Special QSY rule--see Web site. Score is number of QSOs. For more information:www.eusprint.com. Logs due 15 days after the contest to eusprint@kkn.net or Paolo Cortese, I2UIY, PO Box 14, I-27043 Broni (PV), Italy (CW logs to Karel Karmasin, OK2FD, Gen Svobody 636, CZ-674 01 Trebic, Czech Republic). California QSO Party--CW/SSB, sponsored by the Northern California Contest Club, 1600Z Oct 1-2200Z Oct 2. Frequencies: 160-2 meters. Categories: SOAB (HP >200 W, LP, QRP <5 W), MS, MM, CA County Expedition, Mobile, Club, School. SO work 24 hours only. CW QSOs in CW subbands, except 160. Work CA stations in each county. Stations on a county line count as a single contact for QSO points, but both counties may be claimed as mulitpliers. Exchange: serial number and S/P/C or CA county. QSO points: CW--3 pts, Phone--2 pts. Score: QSO points × CA counties (max 58) or CA stations multiply by states and VE call areas (max 58). For more information: www.cqp.org. Logs due by Nov 1 to cqp@contesting.com or to NCCC, c/o Kevin Rowett, N6RCE, 21906 Monte Ct, Cupertino, CA 95014. RSGB 21/28 MHz Contest--SSB, sponsored by the RSGB, 0700Z-1900Z Oct 2 (CW is 0700Z-1900Z Oct 16). Frequencies: 15 and 10 meters (see Web site for band plan), work UK stations only. Categories: UK and DX SO or MS (Open, Restricted, QRP <10 W) and SWL (Open and Restricted). Exchange: serial number and UK district. QSO points: 3 pts/QSO. Score QSO points × UK districts (UK stations use DXCC entities plus JA, W, VE, VK, ZL and ZS call areas) counted once per band. For more information:www.rsgbhfcc.org. Logs due Nov 17 to 2128ssb.logs@rsgbhfcc.org (2128cw.logs@rsgbhfcc.org for CW logs) or to RSGB--G3UFY, 77 Bensham Manor Rd, Thornton Heath, Surrey CR7 7AF, England. Classic Exchange--CW, from 1300Z Oct 2-0700Z Oct 3. Frequencies (Mc): 1.815, 3.545, 7.045, 14.045, 21.135, 28.050, 50.100, 144.100 (see Sep QST, p 99 or http://qsl.asti.com/CX). YLRL Anniversary Party--CW, sponsored by the YLRL, 1400Z Oct 5-0200Z Oct 7 (phone Oct 14-Oct 16). Frequencies: 160-10 meters. Exchange: serial number, RS(T), and ARRL section/VE province/country. QSO points: US or VE YLs--1 pt, DX YLs--2 pts. Score: QSO points × S/P/C. For more information: www.qsl.net/ylrl/ylcontests.html. Logs due 30 days after the contest to wx4mm@tm-moore.com or to WX4MM, Mary Moore, 1593 Lee Rd 375, Valley, AL 36854. 10-10 Day Sprint--Phone/CW/Digital, 0001Z-2359Z, Oct 10. One QSO per station, regardless of mode. Logs due Oct 25 (see Aug QST, p 85 or www.ten-ten.org). Pennsylvania QSO Party--CW/Phone, sponsored by the Nittany ARC, 1600Z Oct 8-0500Z Oct 9 and 1300Z-2200Z Oct 9. Frequencies (MHz): CW--1.810 and 40 kHz above band edge; Phone--1.850, 3.980, 7.280, 14.280, 21.380, 28.480; Novice/Tech--10 kHz above edge of segment; mobiles 5 kHz below the listed frequencies. Work mobiles and rovers in each county. Categories: SO (HP >150 W, LP, or QRP <5 W), MS, MM, SO or MS Portable, Novice/Tech/TechPlus, Mobile, Rover. Exchange: serial number and ARRL/RAC section (PA stations send PA county). QSO points: CW--2 pts on 160 and 80, 1.5 pts on other bands; Phone--1 pt. Score: QSO points × PA counties (PA stations use PA counties + ARRL/RAC sections + 1 for a DX QSO) × 2 if QRP or × 3 if Novice/Tech. Add 200 points for each QSO with the bonus station (see Web site). PA mobiles and rovers add 500 points for each county with 10 or more QSOs. For more information: www.nittany-arc.net/paqso.html. Logs due Nov 15 to paqsolog@nittany-arc.net (paper summary sheet also required) or PA QSO Party, c/o NARC, PO Box 614, State College, PA 16804-0614. FISTS Fall Sprint--CW, sponsored by FISTS CW Club from 1700Z-2100Z Oct 8. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOAB (QRP <5 W and QRO), Club. Exchange: RST, QTH (S/P/C), Name, FISTS number if member, nonmembers send power output. QSO points: member--5 pts, nonmembers--2 pts. Score: QSO points × S/P/C (count S/P only once, count DXCC each time). For more information: www.fists.org. Logs due 30 days after the contest to w8pig@yahoo.com or Dan Shepherd, N8IE, 1900 Pittsfield St, Kettering, OH 45420. North American RTTY Sprint--sponsored by the National Contest Journal, 0000Z-0400Z Oct 9. Frequencies 80-20 meters. North American stations work everyone; others work NA stations only. Exchange both call signs, serial number, name and S/P/C. The same station can be worked multiple times provided 3 contacts separate the contact in both logs, regardless of band. QSY rule: Stations calling CQ, QRZ, etc, may only work one station in response to that call; they must then move at least 1 kHz before working another station or 5 kHz before soliciting another call. Once you are required to QSY, you may not make a new QSO on the previous frequency until you have made a contact at least 1 or 5 kHz (as required) away. For more information: www.ncjweb.com. Logs due 7 days after the contest via Web form at www.ncjweb.com/sprintlogsubmit.php, rttysprint@ncjweb.com or Douglas McDuff, W4OX, 10380 SW 112th St, Miami, FL 33176. Worked All Germany--CW/SSB, sponsored by The Deutscher Amateur Radio Club, 1500Z Oct 15-1459Z Oct 16. Frequencies: 80-10 meters, work German stations only. Categories: SOAB (HP >100 W , LP, QRP <5 W in Mixed only) CW or Mixed Mode, MS, SWL, packet spotting allowed for all classes. Exchange: RS(T) and serial number or DOK code. QSO points: 3 pts/QSO. Germans count DXCC/WAE countries per band. Score: QSO points × first letters of DOK codes (Germans use DXCC entities or WAE countries) counted once per band and mode. For more information: www.darc.de/referate/dx/fedcg.htm. Logs due Nov 20 to wag@dxhf.darc.de or to WAG Contestmanager, PO Box 12 09 37, D-01010 Dresden, Germany. JARTS WW RTTY Contest, sponsored by the Japanese Amateur Radio Teleprinter Society, 0000Z Oct 15-2400Z Oct 16. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOAB (HP >100 W, LP), MO, SWL. Exchange: RST and age (Multiop sends 99, YL may send 00). QSO points: own continent-- 2 pts, diff cont--3 pts per QSO. Score: QSO points × DXCC entities + JA, W, VE and VK call areas counted once per band. For more information: www.edsoftz.com/JARTS. Logs in Cabrillo format due Nov 30 to www.edsoftz.com/JARTS/2005/log_submit_form.php or jarts2005@edsoftz.com (electronic logs only). Asia-Pacific Sprint--CW, sponsored by the Asia-Pacific Sprint Contest Committee, 0000Z-0200Z Oct 16. Frequencies (MHz): 14.030-14.050 and 21.030-21.050. Categories: SO <150 W only. Work Asia-Pacific stations only. Exchange: RST and serial number. Special QSY rule. Score: QSOs × WPX prefixes counted once only. For more information and AP country list: http://jsfc.org/apsprint. Logs due 7 days after contest to apsprint@jsfc.org (Cabrillo format encouraged; no paper logs accepted). Illinois QSO Party--CW/Phone, sponsored by the Radio Amateur Megacycle Society (RAMS). 1700Z Oct 16-0100Z Oct 17. Frequencies (MHz): 160-2 meters, CW--50 kHz above band edge, Phone--3.890, 7.290, 14.290, 21.390, 28.390; Novice/Tech--30 kHz above edge of segment. Categories: SO, MS, Mobile. Work stations in each county, county line contacts count for 1 QSO from each county. Exchange: RS(T) and S/P/C (IL stations send county). QSO points: Phone--1 pt/QSO, CW--2 pts. Score: QSO points × IL counties (IL stations use states + IL counties + VE provinces + up to 5 DXCC entities). Count additional DX for points, but not multipliers. For more information: http://my.core.com/~jematz/rams.html. Logs due Nov 14 to jfunk@fossnorthamerica.com or to RAMS, c/o John Matz, KB9II, 7079 West Ave, Hanover Park, IL 60133. Bill Windle QSO Party--CW, sponsored by First Class Operator's Club (FOC), from 0000Z-2359Z Oct 15. Frequencies: 160-10 meters, 6 and 2 meters. Call "CQ BW" from 15 to 45 kHz above band edge;open to all hams, not just FOC members. Exchange: RST and name or FOC number, if member. Report total QSOs with FOC members, counted once per band, FOC members report total QSOs and total FOC QSOs. For more information: www.firstclasscw.org.uk. QSO totals due Oct 23 to KZ5D@aol.com. (ARRL News Service)
Halton County Radial Railway Museum
Special Event, Milton, ON.
Berlin Whiskey Rebellion Celebration,
Berlin,
PA.
Discovery of Kensington Runestone
in 1898, Alexandria, MN.
7th Annual Reunion from the Biloxi
Beach Resort, Biloxi, MS.
64th Annual Buckwheat Festival,
Kingwood, WV
150th year of the Georgia State
Fair, Macon, GA.
17th Annual Pumpkinfest and Weight-Off,
Anamosa,
IA.
October Sky Festival--Rocket Boys,
Coalwood,
WV.
USCG Auxiliary 66th Anniversary,
Temecula,
CA.
Annual Oliver Hardy Festival,
Harlem,
GA.
Canadian and United States USCG
Auxilary Anniversary
US Coast Guard Auxiliary 66th
anniversary special event, Pass Christian, MS.
66th anniversary USCG Auxiliary,
Wilmington,
NC.
USCG Aux Event celebrating ISAR
2005 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Ashland, VA.
Commemorating USCG Auxiliary 66th
Anniversary, Coram, NY.
66th Anniversary USCGA, Hyattsville,
MD
66th USCG and 25th Canadian CG
Auxiliary anniversaries, Cincinnati, OH.
66th USCG and 25th Canadian CG
Auxiliary anniversaries, Media, PA.
7th Annual Reunion from the Battleship
Alabama
Paying tribute to early traders
on the Santa Fe Trail, McPherson, KS.
Historical Titan Missile Museum
using site discone antenna, Green Valley, AZ.
US Coast Guard Auxiliary 66th
Anniversary & ISAR 2005, St Thomas, VI.
31st Norman Bird Sanctuary Harvest
Fair--Family Emphasis, Middletown, RI.
200th anniversary of the Discovery
Corps encampment on the Clearwater River, Canoe Camp, ID.
Celebrating the 250th anniversary
of Middletown, PA
Annual Thomas Jefferson Poplar
Forest Home Special Event, Bedford, VA.
Boardman Oktoberfest, Youngstown,
OH.
St George Island, NA-085, Mini
DXpedition, St George Island, FL.
50th anniversary of MSU College
of Commercial Arts & Sciences, East Lansing, MI.
BCRC 50th anniversary and Jersey
Devil Special Event, Moorestown, NJ.
2nd Annual Grandfather Mountain
Mile High Special Event, Grandfather Mountain, NC
Boy Scouts Fall Camporee, Belleville,
MI.
NNY Hamfest/Convention, Lake
Placid, NY.
BSA Air Camp at Historic WWI WWII
Camp Grant, Rockford, IL.
Anniversary of opening of Cherahala
Skyway, Robbinsville, NC.
Midland Historical Association
Railway southern terminal, Nowhere, KS.
Sterlingfest 2005, Sterling,
VA.
Breast Cancer Awareness, Tampa,
FL.
City of Carencro Centennial Celebration,
Carencro,
LA.
12th Month, Amateur Radio-Technology
Day, N6T, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center
34th Annual Georgia Apple Festival,
Ellijay,
GA
200th anniversary of the Discovery
Corps encampment at Snake and Clearwater Rivers confluence, Lewiston,
ID.
Great Ozark Chili Cook Out, Hillsboro,
MO.
Ohio's S-Bridges, New Concord,
OH.
Dahlonega Gold Rush Days, Dahlonega,
GA
Arrival of Polar Express at Standish
Historical RR Depot, Standish, MI.
(ARRL)
Rare Worked All Britain Square to be Activated (Oct. 10 2005) Kevin Haworth, M0TNX, and Keith Radford, G3SZU, are planning to activate an extremely rare Worked All Britain square – SD35 – near the village of Knott End On Sea in Lancashire on 10 October this year. They believe that this will be only the third time that the square has been activated. The reason the square is so rarely activated is that it lies within Morecambe Bay and is therefore under water for much of the year. Kevin and Keith plan to be active from the square from 1400 to 2100UTC on the 20/40/80/160m bands on both phone and CW. (RSGB2)
Isle of Mallorca (Oct. 1-7 2005) Ian GW0VML / GW1MVL shall be active
as EA6/GW0VML/P from Isle of Mallorca between 1st Oct to 7th Oct
2005. All activity will be on 14MHz, from varios lighthouses on the island.
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).
Sept. 22 2005 ARRL DX News This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by DL1FX, QRZ DX, the OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST. Thanks to all. LESOTHO, 7P. Jun, JH4RHF will be QRV as 7P8RH from September 24 to October 2. Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via OE1ZKC. BARBADOS, 8P. Dean, 8P6SH will be QRV as 8P2K during the CQ WW RTTY contest as a Single-Op/All-Band entry. QSL via KU9C. EAST MALAYSIA, 9M6. Steve, G4JVG is QRV from Sabah, IOTA OC-088, as 9M6DXX. QSL to home call. CAPE VERDE, D4. Andrea, IV3SKB will be QRV as D44TD in the CQ WW RTTY contest as a Single-Op/High-Power/Single-Band entry on 20 meters. QSL via operator's instructions. TAJIKISTAN, EY. Nodir, EY8MM will be somewhat active in the CQ WW RTTY contest. QSL via K1BV. ENGLAND, G. GB0SM will be QRV from St. Mary's Island, The Isles of Scilly, IOTA EU-011, from September 24 to October 1. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB and digital modes. QSL via G0PSE. LIECHTENSTEIN, HB0.
Operators DF4OR, DJ5BX, DL1ZBO and DL1FX are QRV as HB0/homecalls until
September 26. Activity is on 80 to 10
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, HC8. Trey is QRV as HC8N and has been active on 20 meters using RTTY in preparation for the CQ WW RTTY contest. QSL via W5UE. THAILAND, HS. Look for operators E21YDP, HS0EHF, E20NMK and E21EIC to be QRV as E21YDP in the CQ WW RTTY contest as a Multi/Two entry. QSL via E21YDP. HAWAII, KH6. Wayne, K9YNF/KH6 will be QRV from Kauai Island, IOTA OC-019, from September 25 to October 1. Activity will be on 20 to 10 meters using SSB. QSL direct to home call. KURE ISLAND, KH7K. A number of operators will be QRV as K7C from Kure Atoll, IOTA OC-020, from September 24 to October 6. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters, including the newer bands, using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via K4TSJ. ALAND ISLANDS, OH0.
Hadi, DJ2PJ will be QRV as OH0JWH from Eckeroe, IOTA EU-002, from September
25 to October 7. Activity will be on
NETHERLANDS, PA. Operators PA3EWP, PA3BWD and PA1AW will be QRV as PI4COM in the CQ WW RTTY contest as a Multi/Two entry. QSL via PA3CAL. NETHERLAND ANTILLES, PJ2. Operators K5ZM, WW4LL and K9MUG will be QRV as PJ2B in the CQ WW RTTY contest. Before and after the contest they will be QRV on 160 to 10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via operators' instructions. SINT MAARTEN, PJ5. Look for PJ7/K7ZUM to be QRV in the CQ WW RTTY contest. QSL to home call. FRANZ JOSEF ISLAND, R1FJ. Alex is QRV as R1FJL and has been active on 20 meters using SSB around 1200 to 1500z. QSL via RK1PWA. SWEDEN, SM. Members of The Amateur Radio Club of the Royal Institute of Technology are QRV as SA50L to celebrate the club's 50th anniversary. The will participate in the SAC SSB contest. QSL via SK0BU. CRETE, SV9. Uli, SV9/DJ9XB will be QRV as J49XB in the CQ WW RTTY contest. Before and after the contest he will be active using RTTY on the newer bands. QSL to home call. EAST KIRIBATI, T32.
Look for IT9YRE, I1SNW and IT9EJW to be QRV as T32Y, T32SNW and T32EJW,
respectively, from the islands of Flint,
CORSICA, TK. Flo, TK/F5CWU is QRV until October 2. QSL to home call. TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS, VP5. Gail, K2RED will be QRV as VP5RED in the CQ WW RTTY contest. There will be some SSB and RTTY activity as VP5/K2RED prior to the contest. QSL to home call. BERMUDA, VP9. Operators K7AR, W7YAQ, K9JY and N7OU will be QRV as VP9/K7AR in the CQ WW RTTY contest. QSL via operators' instructions. THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.
The ARRL EME Contest, The CQ/RJ Worldwide RTTY DX Contest, NAQCC 80/40
Straight Key/Bug CW Sprint, NCCC Thursday CW Sprint, Classic Exchange,
Tesla Cup, Scandinavian Activity SSB Contest, Texas QSO Party, AGCW VHF/UHF
Contest, UBA ON 6-meter Contest, Alabama QSO Party, Fall QRP Homebrewer
Sprint and the 222 MHz Fall Sprint will certainly keep contesters busy
this
(ARRL News Service)
Sept. 23-Oct. 15 2005 I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O. 23/09/2005:
AF-101 SU8GFTN GIFTUN ISLAND -
23/09/2005:
EU-014 TK/F5CWU CORSICA -
24/09/2005:
7P8RH LESOTHO -
24/09/2005:
DFCF:91038 F4DTL/P CASTLE OF TROUSSEAU -
24/09/2005:
EU-011 GBØSM ISLES OF SCILLY -
24/09/2005:
OC-020 K7C KURE ATOLL -
24/09/2005:
NA-005 PJ7/K7ZUM SINT MAARTEN -
24/09/2005:
NA-005 VP9/K7AR BERMUDA -
25/09/2005:
EU-002 OHØP ECKERÖ ISLAND -
25/09/2005:
CIsA:ON-130 VA3SIE/P & VA3QV/P MAPLE ISLAND -
27/09/2005:
AF-016 FR/F6AML REUNION ISLAND -
28/09/2005:
SOTA G3CWI/P SHARP HAW & THORPE FELL TOP -
28/09/2005:
OC-NEW T32 FLINT ISLAND -
30/09/2005:
EU-015 SV9/DK3TNA CRETE -
30/09/2005:
NA-062 W4/DL3OCH KEY WEST -
01/10/2005:
J43XG RIO, GREECE -
02/10/2005:
NA-085 W4I ST. GEORGE ISLAND, FL -
05/10/2005:
EU-013 GJ/OO4IPA ISLE OF JERSEY -
05/10/2005:
AF-035 S79RRC/F FARQUHAR ISLAND -
06/10/2005:
EU-042 DK7LX/P FOEHR ISLAND -
08/10/2005:
SA-069 3G1M SANTA MARIA ISLAND -
09/10/2005:
AS-117 H.C.'s/4 TOYO ISLAND -
10/10/2005:
AF-027 FH/F6AML MAYOTTE -
12/10/2005:
EU-114 GU, MU ISLAND OF ALDERNEY -
15/10/2005:
EU-125 OZ/DL4VM FANOE 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
Amateur Radio Resources at the Ready for Rita (Sept. 23, 2005) As Hurricane Rita (click for latest advisory) continues on course for landfall sometime early Saturday morning along the Gulf Coast between Texas and Louisiana, Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)/Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) and other Amateur Radio groups are at the ready. The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) on 14.325 MHz has announced plans to remain active until 0300 UTC or as long as the 20-meter band is available--whichever comes first. ARRL Headquarters is maintaining regular contact with Section Managers and Section Emergency Coordinators in the Gulf Coast region as they muster their own volunteer resources, some of whom already have been deployed to emergency operating centers and other strategic sites. Full Story: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/09/23/6/?nc=1 (ARRL News Service)
Rita Amateur Operations Continue (Sept. 24, 2005) All amateurs are requested to keep HF emergency net frequencies clear for Hurricane Rita emergency operations, especially: 3.873 MHz (eves)
Amateurs who wish to assist should not travel to the affected area. ARRL HQ has received reports from Section Managers and Section Emergency Coordinators in the area that it is not safe to enter the area independently at this time. Amateurs who wish to assist should register via the Hurricane Rita Disaster Communications Volunteer Registration & Message Traffic Database and await instructions. (ARRL News Service)
Rita hits Gulf Coast (Sept. 24 2005) Hurricane Rita hit the Gulf Coast early Saturday, lashing Texas and Louisiana with driving rain but sparing the flood-prone cities of Houston and Galveston, Texas, a direct hit. "It looks like the Houston and Galveston area has really lucked out," said Max Mayfield, director of the hurricane centre. The storm flooded low-lying regions, knocked power out to more than 2 million people and sparked fires across the region. Rita made landfall at 3:30 a.m. ET as a Category 3 storm on the Texas-Louisiana line, bringing a six-metre storm surge and up to 63.5 centimetres of rain, the National Hurricane Center said. Within four hours it had weakened to a Category 2 storm, as it moved further inland. Since then, the storm has lost its hurricane-force winds and been downgraded to a tropical storm. Asked how Rita compared with the earlier devastating hit of Hurricane Katrina, Mayfield said: "It's not as powerful, not as large and it did not hit as populated an area." Forecasters still expect the storm to produce "torrential" rains in the next couple of days. Some areas could get close to 600 millimetres of rain. Fires in Houston KHOU-TV in Houston reported that there were multiple fires in and around the city. In a hotel in Beaumont, near where Rita struck, windows were blown out and shards of glass and pieces of trees were strewn throughout the flooding lobby, the station reported. Hundreds of residents also reported roofs being ripped off and trees knocked down. Rita's heaviest rains - up to 7.5 to 10 centimetres an hour - fell in Lake Charles, La. The town had 20 centimetres of rain more than two hours before the storm's landfall. Near the coastal town of Cameron, the weather service recorded a wind gust of 180 km/h as the storm's centre approached. Nearly all 70,000 residents evacuated Lake Charles, home to the nation's 12th-largest seaport and refineries run by ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Citgo and Shell. "We see these storms a little differently after Katrina," said city administrator Paul Rainwater. "We all realize that no matter how safe you feel . . . you have to take it seriously, you have to plan." Fires in historic district In Galveston, about 160 kilometres
away from the storm's eye, three buildings caught fire in the historic
Strand district of nightclubs, shops and restaurants.
"It was like a war zone, shooting fire across the street," Fire Chief Michael Varela said Saturday. Shelters full About 3,700 people were housed in
23 packed county shelters in Tyler, about 160 kilometres southeast of Dallas.
Officials said the shelters were full and people arriving Saturday were
being directed elsewhere.
Louisiana evacuates High winds knocked over old live oaks and lashed the low-lying landscape with driving winds in southwestern Louisiana, which was expected to get the brunt of a six-meter storm surge, because it is on the vulnerable east side of Rita. More than 90 per cent of residents in the state's southwestern parishes - about 150,000 people - had evacuated. For those who had not, Gov. Kathleen Blanco urged, "Get to the highest ground or the highest building in your area." (CBC News Service)
Rita floods New Orleans (Sept. 24 2005) The storm surge from Hurricane Rita caused havoc in New Orleans, cascading over the city's patched levees and causing new flooding just days after already-devastated neighbourhoods had been pumped dry. "The first time is bad. After that, you numb up," said Quentrell Jefferson of the Ninth Ward. More flooding possible The lashing rain had stopped by early Saturday, but forecasters cautioned that more could come. Forecasters said the hurricane could bring up to 20 cm of rain, enough to put the patched levees at more risk. An added fear was that another strong storm surge would push water through the levee walls in other places. "It's a combination of wind-driven
water and tides. It's not the sudden storm surge of the hurricane," said
Tim Destri of the U.S. National Weather Service.
The city may have escaped worse damage because it was not in the direct path of Hurricane Rita. Stronger surge than expected Still, the storm surge was both stronger and earlier than expected, apparently coming through waterways southeast of the city, said Col. Richard Wagenaar, the Army Corps of Engineers' district chief in New Orleans. An initial surge of water spilled over a patched levee protecting the impoverished Ninth Ward, flooding the neighbourhood with at least 1.8 metres of water. Leaks beneath another levee flooded homes with at least 15 centimetres of water. In New Orleans, water poured through gaps in the Industrial Canal levee, which engineers had tried to repair after Katrina's floodwaters left 80 per cent of the city under water. The rushing water spilled east into St. Bernard Parish, where ducks swam down Judge Perez Drive. "We believed the 2.4-metre elevation was sufficient" to protect the Ninth Ward, Wagenaar said. Wind-whipped waves pushed water from Lake Pontchartrain over a seawall. Paul Kemp, a storm-surge expert at Louisiana State University, said the water level in Lake Pontchartrain likely will not rise much more, though will remain high enough to pose a continued danger to the "flimsy" repairs. Col. Richard Wagenaar said the problems would set back repairs at least three weeks, but June was still the target for having the levees back to pre-Katrina strength. Storm delays search for dead The additional flooding caused by Hurricane Rita complicated the search for the dead left by Hurricane Katrina. The search-and-recovery effort was called off Friday morning as the storm approached and has yet to resume. "We'd like to start where we left off, but my men don't submerge or go into houses with deep water," said Richard Dier, a FEMA group supervisor who oversees hundreds of people searching for bodies. As of Friday, the death toll from Hurricane Katrina wasa 841 in Louisiana and 1,078 across the Gulf Coast. (CBC News Service)
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