SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO LEAGUE
SARL NEWS SUNDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 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.
Your news reader this morning is 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 KEY
It is with deep regret that we have to announce the passing of Yvonne Vercueil, ZS6WV, on 1 September. We extend our sincerest condolences to her family and friends.
(PAUSE)
In the news today:
SARL WEBSITE COMPROMISED
EMC WORKGROUP OF STANSA SUBMITTED PLT STANDARD RECOMMENDATION TO ICASA
ICASA HAS GIVEN NOTICE TO MAKE REGULATIONS IN RESPECT OF LICENCE EXEMPTION
DST SPEAKER WILL REVIEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN SPACE ARENA AT SA AMSAT SPACE SYMPOSIUM
WEEKLY NET FROM SCI-BONO SCIENCE DISCOVERY CENTRE
You are listening to ZS6SRL. Stay tuned for more detail on these and other important and interesting news items.
SARL WEBSITE COMPROMISED
During this past week hackers managed to compromise the Forum section of the SARL web site and posted some undesirable content. Swift action was taken to remove the offending postings and as an interim measure the forum update on the home page has been removed. The Forum section was disabled and after some corrective action by the web administrators and the ISP it was returned to service. The forum update on the home page will remain blocked until a full investigation on how hackers managed to compromise the security systems that are in place have been concluded.
EMC WORKGROUP OF STANSA SUBMITTED PLT STANDARD RECOMMENDATION TO ICASA
The workgroup 6 of the STANSA's TC73 and TC80 technical committees have submitted their PLT draft regulations to ICASA for further consideration. There are a number of issues on which the workgroup could not reach census and on which ICASA will have to make a ruling. ICASA will discuss the proposal for an interim standard at the CISPR meeting to be held in Australia later this month. After finalising the interim standard, ICASA will publish the document for public comment before finally turning the draft into a regulation.
The regulations will fall away and be replaced by an international CISPR standard once the world body can agree on such a standard. It has been a long way in coming and current indications are that it could be quite some time away.
Perhaps the most significant inclusion in the document is the complaint procedure. This compels the operator of an interfering system to resolve the interference issue within a reasonable period. Further more there will be a public data base of PLT systems.
The SARL is still pursuing the compulsory inclusion of notching of the HF amateur bands.
ICASA HAS GIVEN NOTICE TO MAKE REGULATIONS IN RESPECT OF LICENCE EXEMPTION
ICASA has given notice of its intention to make regulations in respect of licence exemption for a host of low power devices. Comments on the proposals are invited and must reach the regulatory agency by 2 October.
The SARL is reviewing the extensive list to ensure that no amateur allocations are adversely affected. More details can be found on www.icasa.org.
DST SPEAKER WILL REVIEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN SPACE ARENA AT SA AMSAT SPACE SYMPOSIUM
Dr Valanathan Munsami of the Department of Science and Technology will review developments in the South African Space arena at the SA AMSAT Space Symposium to be held at the NARC on Saturday 6 October. He will focus on the DST's 10 year implementation plans and the drafting of a National Space Science Technology Strategy.
The full programme is available on www.amsatsa.org.za. Registration details are also available on the web site. To take advantage of the early registration opportunities, book as soon as possible. There are differentiated rates for SA AMSAT and SARL members.
WEEKLY NET FROM SCI-BONO SCIENCE DISCOVERY CENTRE
Here is exciting news for all school radio clubs and interested radio amateurs.
A new net, Sci-Net will start operations on the 2nd October from the amateur radio station, with call sign ZS6SCI, which is located in the Sci-Bono Science Discovery Centre, Gauteng. It is aimed to involve school stations from all over South Africa. This initiative is endorsed by the Gauteng Department of Education: Curriculum Devlopment. All radio amateurs are requested to are requested to inform their local school clubs and youth nets of this initiative, and to render assistance where needed. Remember to register your station beforehand with the SARL as an educational station because then the unlicenced youngsters may use your equipment to talk to others, but under your supervision.
Sci-Net will start daily at 11:00 CAT and the following frequencies will be used:
80 m – 3,650 MHz LSB;
40 m – 7,065 MHz LSB;
30 m – 10,130 MHz USB;
20 m – 14,265 MHz USB;
2 m – 145,650 and 145,750 MHz FM — Depending on the availability of the repeaters.
Youths will also be introduced to Amateur Radio at the Sci-Bono Science Discovery Centre Educational Station.
SUBSCRIBE TO HF HAPPPENINGS
(Item compiled from HF Happenings 267)
HF Happenings is published weekly by Dennis, ZS4BS, and it contains HF and contesting news which is a must for DXers and contesters.
At present, the newsletter is mailed to 13 different e-mail groups because the ISP of Dennis only allows 25 e-mail addresses per group.
About two weeks ago, Dennis created a mailing list via GoogleGroups hoping to have it up and running very soon. Negotiations with this group were unsuccessful and Dennis asks that you PLEASE IGNORE the invitation from GoogleGroups to join the HF Happenings mailing list.
Last week Dennis went to YahooGroups and successfully created a mailing list there. PLEASE accept the invitation to join the HF Happenings mailing list from Yahoo. You can also join by using the e-mail address HF_Happenings-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
As soon as the membership of this group is up and running, Dennis will distribute HF Happenings via this mailing list. Dennis is looking forward to having you join the HF Happenings mailing list on YahooGroups!
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, increasing to minor storm levels on 29 and 30 September. The expected Effective Sun Spot number for the coming week will be less than 5. Fortunately with the arrival of summer, DX conditions are also warming up a bit.
15 m and 20 m will provide best opportunities for DX. There is a possibility of 15 and 20 m openings towards India from about 13:00 CAT. There may be 20 m openings to Australia from about 06:00. From 16:00 there may be 15 and 20 m openings towards Europe and 40 m openings from 22:00. 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 conditions on 40 m is going to be good during the day. 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
9 September, this afternoon - The Spring QRP Sprint;
20 September – Closing date for registering for October RAE;
21 to 22 September - The second leg of the SARL VHF/UHF Contest;
29 September – Ladies Only ZU RAE course by Kempton Park RATS;
29 September – Pretoria ARC Flea Market and AGM;
4 - 10 October - Special space programme;
5 October – Take your handheld to work day;
6 October - SA AMSAT Space Conference;
6 October East Rand Flea market and AGM;
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 sponsors the ARMI transmissions on the non-amateur frequencies.
Today's South African Radio League news bulletin was compiled by George, ZS6NE, and transmitted by (your name and call sign).
Thank you for listening. 73.
/EX
