SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO LEAGUE
SARL NEWS SUNDAY 5 AUGUST 2007
You are listening to ZS6SRL the official Radio Station of the South African Radio League, the National Body for Amateur Radio in South Africa, with a news bulletin that is transmitted every Sunday at 08:15 CAT in Afrikaans and at 08:30 CAT in English. To listen to a web stream or Echolink by ZS6FCS visit www.sarl.org.za, click on ARMI and follow the links for details.
This, and previous bulletins, can be downloaded from the www.sarl.org.za. You can also read or download previous bulletins from there and subscribe to receive future bulletins by email.
This transmission is by Hans, ZS6KR, on 145,725 and 7,066 MHz from Pretoria with relays on 3,695, 10,135, and 51,400 MHz as well as 438,825 and 1 297 MHz in the Pretoria area. (Other newsreaders please change to suit).
SILENT KEYS
It is with deep regret that we announce the passing away of Leo Alexander, ZS5WF, last week. Leo was a retired Minister and very active on the Wacral Net. To his family and friends our sincerest sympathies.
The key of Wally Perfect, ZS5WP, became silent on the 28th July.
Our sincerest condolences to his spouse May, other relatives and friends.
(PAUSE)
In the news today:
SARL TO ISSUE RAE CERTIFICATES
SARL WEBSITE CHANGES - CHECK IT OUT
DID YOU LISTEN TO SPUTNIK 1?
You are listening to ZS6SRL. Stay tuned for more detail on these and other important and interesting news items.
SARL TO ISSUE RAE CERTIFICATES
Arrangements for the SARL to issue the RAE certificates have been finalised with ICASA. In future candidates who pass the Class A examination will be issued with an international HAREC certificate. This certificate allows operation in all CEPT countries and several others outside Europe who are complying with the conditions of the HAREC examination.
Students who pass the introductory level examination (Class B examination) will be issued with a RAE certificate. The class B examination is not HAREC compliant and cannot be used for operation in other countries.
Radio Amateurs who in the past received a RAE certificate may apply to the SARL Head Office for a replacement HAREC compliant certificate. Applications must include a certified copy of a current Radio Amateur license and should be faxed to 088 011 675 2793. There is no charge for SARL members. Non SARL members should include payment of an administration fee of R100.
SARL WEBSITE CHANGES - CHECK IT OUT
As announced recently the SARL website will be undergoing some changes and we encourage you to check it out! On the members-only home pages you will find interesting articles that will be updated frequently so visit the members section frequently. Click on "Members Only" on the top right hand of the home page. You will be asked for your callsign and pin (personal identification number). The pin appears on the membership card which was mailed to members who have renewed their 2007/2008 membership.
It is important that the SARL has your correct email address in the data base so that if you make a mistake when entering the pin you will receive an automatic e-mail to remind you what the correct pin number is.
All address and email address changes should be sent to admin@sarl.org.za.
SARL@HOME
The first SARL@HOME activity will take place at the National Amateur Radio Centre on Saturday 15 September at 11:00. It will take the form of a coffee session to talk about what young radio amateurs expect to get from their hobby. The session is aimed at the under 25's and those who are over 25, but still young at heart.
SARL@HOME will be hosted by Rhynhard Louw, ZS6DXB. Participants will also have the opportunity to operate the equipment at the Reno Faber Memorial Amateur Radio Station. There will also be a demonstration of how to use Echolink. To allow for catering, drop a line to youth@sarl.org.za.
SARL ELMER SERVICE
Do you have a question about some technical, regulatory or operating aspect of Amateur Radio; send your question to elmer@sarl.org.za. Andrew Roos ZS6AA, SARL Technology Councillor will find the answer for you.
SARL SENIOR MEMBERSHIP FEES CORRECTION
Unfortunately in the bulletin of 15 July the membership fee for seniors was incorrectly stated as R147 per annum. The correct fee is R184 per annum after the 20% discount on the normal fee of R230. Our apologies if this error has caused any inconvenience or embarresment to any member.
DID YOU LISTEN TO SPUTNIK 1?
If you listened to Sputnik 1 way back in October 1957, we would like to hear your story!
History changed on October 4, 1957, when the Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik I. The world's first artificial satellite was about the size of a basketball, weighed only 183 pounds, and took about 98 minutes to orbit the Earth on its elliptical path. That launch ushered in new political, military, technological, and scientific developments. While the Sputnik launch was a single event, it marked the start of the space age and the U.S.-U.S.S.R space race.
To celebrate spaceweek from 4 - 10 October the SARL, SA AMSAT and the SA Amateur Radio Development Trust are working together in a special programme to promote science and technology. If you heard the Sputnik signals way back in 1957 tell us what impact it had on you. Did it influence your career choice?
Drop us a line at saamsat@intekom.co.za, we would like to call you to do a brief interview for a special programme.
Read the full Sputnik story and hear the telemetry again in the SARL member section of www.sarl.org.za
AUGUST CLASS B RAE
The exam numbers and venue details for the class B exam to be written on the 23rd of August 2007 at 19:00 CAT is now available on the SARL web site. Lecturers and invigilators are requested to download the said information and inform their students accordingly.
RAE COURSE IN THE WESTERN CAPE
Prospective students for the October class A RAE who would like to attend a course in the Western Cape can contact Karel, ZS1KC, at telephone 021 976 5237 or on cell 083 955 7177. It is proposed that the course will commence on 7 August. Classes will be held once a week in the Oakdale Sport Club.
COMPETITION NEWS
This afternoon from 15:00 to 18:30 CAT you can participate in the annual SARL HF Phone contest with activity on certain segments of the 20, 40 and 80 metre bands. The exchange is a RS report and a serial number. The rules are available on the SARL web site at www.sarl.org.za, in the 2007 SARL Contest Manual and HF Happenings 260 and 261.
On Sunday 12 August the first SARL 40 Metre Mobile Contest will be on the air from 15:00 to 17:00 CAT. This is a fun activity to promote contacts between mobile stations and other radio amateurs in Southern African countries. Mobile means the operator must be in a vehicle with a mobile antenna fitted, the vehicle may be stationary. The rules are available in the 2007 Contest Manual.
Tomorrow, Monday 6 August, is the last day for sending log sheets for this competition which took place on Sunday 22 July. Participants can send their log sheets by e-mail to zs1bak@mailbox.co.za. Boland ARC is pleased to announce that the winner of this competition will receive an ARRL Antenna Handbook. This prize has been made available by Kobus Conradie ,ZS1DC.
CLUB NEWS
At the AGM’s of clubs held recently members were elected to their respective management committees for the new terms of duty as follows:
For the Cape Town Amateur Radio Centre:-
Chairman: Dave Reece, ZS1DFR;
Vice Chairman: Shaun Overmeyer, ZS1RA;
Secretary/Treasurer: Peter Henochsberg, ZS1PMH;
Minutes Secretary: Evan Pedlar, ZS1EVP;
Bulletins and Rosters: Tony McEwen, ZS1TM;
Technical advisor: Noel Futter, ZS1FW;
Event Coordinators: Paul Kennedy, ZR1PXK;
James Gardener, ZS1ROY.
For the West Rand Amateur Radio Club:-
Chairman Stuart Baynes ZS6OUN;
Vice Chairman Ron Eva ZS6RON;
Secretary John Brock Newsletter;
Treasurer Craig Woods ZS6CRW;
Member Romeo Nardini ZS6ARQ;
Joop Hesp ZS6C;
Geoff ZS6GRL;
Phillip v Tonder ZS6PVT Repeater;
Willem Weideman ZS6WWJ.
For the Zululand Amateur Radio Club:-
Chairman: John Kramer, ZS5J;
Vice Chairman: Jan Erasmus, ZS5G;
Treasurer: Willie Axford, ZS5WI;
Secretary: Dawn Snyders, ZR5ME;
Members: Jo Snyders, ZR5PO (News Editor);
Andrew Jansen, ZR5MH;
Warren Snyders, ZR5WOZ.
For the Midlands Amateur Radio Club
Bert Cornell, ZS5MQ, Chairman and Clubhouse Manager;
Wessel du Preez, ZS5BLY, Vice-chairman and HHN editor;
Mike Boast, ZS5BGV, Secretary and Treasurer;
Robin Seal, ZS5MRS, PRO and Media Liaison;
Shaun Rudling, ZR5S, VHF/UHF and Digital matters (also our
webmaster);
Mickey Esterhuysen, ZS5QB, Technical Adviser and Net Controller.
Thanks to the retiring committee members and strength to the incoming members for what lies ahead.
WEST RAND FLEA MARKET
The West Rand Amateur Radio Club is holding it’s next flea market on 1 September 2007 at the club house in Ktoton Street, Weltevreden Park, Roodepoort at 12:00.
Everyone is very welcome. For more information contact Stuart at 082 573 3359.
PROPAGATION CONDITIONS
Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP, reports that the expected solar activity will be at very low levels. ,The geomagnetic field is expected to be quiet in general while reaching minor storm levels on 8 August. The expected Effective Sun Spot number for the coming week will be less than 5.
20 m and 40 m will provide best opportunities for DX. There is a possibility of 20 m openings towards India from about 15:00 CAT. Contacts with Australia are going to be very challenging. From 17:00 there may be short 20 m openings towards Europe. For the early birds there is the possibility of short 80 m openings towards the East Coast of the USA at about 04:00. Otherwise contacts to the USA are going to be very challenging.
For the CW and digital enthusiasts it will also be worth monitoring 10 MHz.
Locally 40 m is going to be the band to be on during day time and 80 m after sunset. It is once again time to work towards your 80 m WAZS award in the evenings. Remember that this is only a prediction and that HF always has the capability to surprise you. You will never know what you are missing unless you switch your rig on, listen and also call CQ. Please visit www.spaceweather.co.za for further information.
DIARY OF EVENTS
Today - 5 August - SARL HF Phone Contest;
6 August – Last day for handing in of logsheets for Boland ARC competition;
12 August - SARL 40 Metre Mobile Contest;
18 August - Radio Technology in Action day in Gauteng;
23 August - Class B RAE;
15 September – SARL@HOME
4 – 10 October – Special space programme;
6 October - SA AMSAT Space Conference;
18 October - Class A RAE.
SARL News invites clubs and individuals to submit news stories of interest to radio amateurs and shortwave listeners. Submit news stories if possible in both English and Afrikaans to www.sarl.org.za/newsinbox.asp not later than the Thursday preceding the bulletin date.
The SARL also invites you to listen to the programme Amateur Radio Mirror International, on the air every Sunday morning at 10:00 CAT on 145,750 MHz in the Pretoria area with relays on 7 082, 7 205 and 17 590 kHz. For the web stream and echolink by ZS6FCS visit www.sarl.org.za, click on ARMI and follow the links. A repeat transmission can be heard Mondays at 21:00 CAT on 3 215 kHz. Sentech sponsor the ARMI transmissions on the non-amateur frequencies.
Today's South African Radio League news bulletin was compiled by Gustav,ZS6BWN, and transmitted by (your name and call sign)
Thank you for listening. 73
/EX
