SARL NEWS SUNDAY 18 NOVEMBER 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.
You can download this and previous bulletins from www.sarl.org.za and you can also subscribe there to receive future bulletins by email.
Your newsreader this morning is Hans, ZS6KR, on 145,725 and 7,066 MHz from Pretoria with relays on 28,325, 14,235, 10,130, 7,066 and 3,695 MHz SSB as well as 51,400, 438,825 and 1 296 MHz FM in the Pretoria area. (Other newsreaders please change to suit).
SILENT KEY
It is with deep regret that the passing of Derrick George Hellyer, ZS6AWU / ZS5EU / ZS1EU, on 22 October 2007 at the age of 86. We extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends.
(PAUSE)
In the news today:
PEARS HF QSO PARTY
INTECNET TO FOCUS ON ARDF
WRC-07 WRAPS UP IN GENEVA
IRAQ BACK ON THE AIR
You are listening to ZS6SRL. Stay tuned for more detail on these and other important and interesting news items.
PEARS HF QSO PARTY
The Port Elizabeth ARS has revised the rules for the annual PEARS HF QSO Party quite drastically following the poor participation during the 2006 event and coming to the conclusion that a 2-day contest is not feasible. The HF QSO Party has now been shortened to a Sunday afternoon event, structured to encourage ZU and ZR operation as well as separate categories and points structures.
The 2007 PEARS HF QSO Party will be run on Sunday 09 December starting at 12:00 UTC and ending at 16:00 UTC. The aim of the QSO Party is for DX operators and South African stations to make as many contacts with other South African stations on HF as possible. It is a phone only contest with activity on 40 and 80 metres.
There are four categories of participation, namely Novice - stations with ZU prefixes; Restricted – stations with ZR prefixes; Unlimited – stations with ZS prefixes and DX – stations outside South Africa. The exchange is call signs, signal report and the operator’s name.
The complete set of rules will be published in the HF Happenings newsletter and will be made available on the SARL web site during the coming week.
INTECNET TO FOCUS ON ARDF
The last Intecnet for 2007 will be held on 25 November 2007 at 20:00 when Reiner Floesser, the IARU ARDF chairman will be the guest speaker. Clubs and individual radio amateurs are encouraged to participate in the discussion as this will be the first main session toward SA's entry in the world competition in 2009.
WRC-07 WRAPS UP IN GENEVA
The final working session of the 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-07) in Geneva drew to a close Thursday afternoon, 15 November. The signing ceremony for the Final Acts took place on Friday. According to International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ, the principal achievements and disappointments, as they relate to the Amateur Services, of the conference are:
Achievements
* Maintenance of all existing amateur allocations, including the 7,200 – 7,300 MHz allocation in ITU Region 2 (the Americas) that had been somewhat at risk in connection with consideration of additional allocations for HF broadcasting.
* A new worldwide secondary allocation at 135,7 – 137,8 kHz with a maximum
radiated power limit of 1 W e.i.r.p.
* Inclusion of an item, "to consider an allocation of about 15 kHz in parts of the band 415 – 526,5 kHz to the Amateur Service on a secondary basis, taking into account the need to protect existing services" on the provisional agenda for WRC-11 (set for 2011).
* Avoidance of future agenda items that pose serious threats to key amateur allocations.
* Some improvement in the so-called "country footnotes" that provide for different allocations by country in all or part of the 1,8, 3,5, 50 and 430 MHz amateur bands.
Disappointments
* No new allocation for the Amateur Service in the vicinity of 5 MHz, and no agenda item to consider such an allocation at a future conference.
* No future agenda item to consider an amateur allocation at 50 MHz in ITU Region 1 (Europe, the former Soviet Union, Mongolia, Africa and parts of the Middle East).
The amateur issues were of course a minor part of the WRC-07 agenda, but the Amateur Service was involved in one of the most contentious agenda items dealing with allocations between 4 and 10 MHz. A series of European Common Proposals had proposed changes to allow for an increase of 350 kHz in HF broadcasting allocations, with a footnote for administrations to allow the Amateur Service to use 5,260 – 5,410 MHz on a secondary basis and with a radiated power limit of 250 W; however, HF broadcasting had no support from the other regional organizations and no compromise acceptable to all parties could be found. Ultimately the European administrations had to accept "no change" for broadcasting, effectively scuttling our chances for a 5 MHz allocation.
The IARU had hoped that if an allocation could not be achieved at WRC-07, an appropriate agenda item could be included for WRC-11. The 2007 conference, however, had little interest in taking up HF issues at the next conference, tentatively set for 2011, having little to show for a great deal of effort expended on HF in preparing for WRC-07. The only HF issues on the provisional WRC-11 agenda have to do with oceanographic radar applications and the implementation of new digital technologies for the maritime mobile service.
IRAQ BACK ON THE AIR NEXT WEEK
Diya Sayah, YI1DZ, President of the Iraqi Amateur Radio Society (IARS), announced on 13 November that effective 20 November, all Amateur Radio activity will be "back to normal" in Iraq. Sayah said, "All Amateur Radio operators in Iraq who carry a valid Iraqi license will be able to use their radios according to regulations of IARU Region 1 and the IARS”.
Amateur Radio activity in Iraq was suspended in March of this year, with the suspension affecting both Iraqi citizens as well as any foreigners - including military personnel and contractors - who have been on the air from Iraq.
CLOSING DATE FOR MOTIONS AND NOMINATIONS
The closing date for motions for the 2008 SARL AGM and nominations for the SARL Council is Friday 30 November 2007. The motions and nominations must be sent to The Secretary, SARL, PO Box 1721, Strubensvallei, 1735 or by e-mail to secretary@sarl.org.za.
SARL AWARDS
Tjerk, ZS6P, the SARL Awards Manager invites members and clubs to submit nominations to Council for the following SARL awards:
Honorary Life Membership - the SARL's highest honour.
Willie Wilson Gold Badge - awarded by Council to the amateur that gave exceptional and meritorious service to the League.
Jack Twine Award - this prestigious Award will be made to Amateurs who, in the opinion of their fellow amateurs and the League's Council, exemplify the qualities desirable in a Radio Amateur.
Arthur Hemsley 2 metre Trophy - this award is made for extraordinary performance on EME or modes such as tropospheric propagation.
Barney Joel Trophy - awarded for the best performance during the year whilst working HF mobile.
Icom Excellence Award – awarded to the amateur who through his/her activity in the Amateur Service has brought international recognition to South Africa.
Joseph White Plaque - awarded for exceptional achievements in the 432 MHz band during the past year.
Bert Buckley Six metre Trophy - awarded for individual achievements with transmissions in the six metre amateur band.
The names of nominees and the award together with a short motivation must be sent to The Secretary, SARL, PO Box 1721, Strubensvallei, 1735 or by e-mail to secretary@sarl.org.za or by fax to 088 011 675 2793 before 16 February 2008.
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 except from 21 until 22 November when the geomagnetic field can reach minor storm levels. The expected Effective Sun Spot number for the coming week will be less than 5.
Fortunately, the DX conditions are still warming up a bit, especially towards India and the USA. 15 m and 20 m will provide best opportunities for DX. There is a possibility of 10, 15 and 20 m openings towards India from about 06:00 CAT. There may be short, weak 20 m openings to Australia at about 06:00. From 16:00, there may be weak 15 and 20 m openings towards Europe. From 20:00, there may be 15, 20 and 80 m openings towards the USA. For the CW and digital enthusiasts, it will also be worth monitoring 10 MHz.
Locally conditions on 40 m are going to be good during the day. 30 m may perform well over the longer distances. It is once again time to work towards your 80 m WAZS award in the evenings, thunderstorms and static permitting!
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 call CQ.
Please visit www.spaceweather.co.za for further information.
DIARY OF EVENTS
17 to 18 November - SARL HF Field day;
24 November – West Rand Flea market;
24 to 25 November - Battle Group South exhibition at Johannesburg War Museum;
25 November - Intecnet about ARDF;
30 November - Closing date for nominations for SARL Councillors and motions for 2008 AGM;
01 December – Centurion ARC Test You Equipment Day.
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 Dennis, ZS4BS, and transmitted by (your name and call sign).
Thank you for listening. 73.
/EX
