SARL NEWS SUNDAY 13 JANUARY 2008
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
We regret to announce the passing away of OM Nick Moon, G0EOV, ex ZS6BBY in England on Monday morning, 7th of January at the age of 55. Nick was a Muscular Dystrophy sufferer. We extend our deepest and sincere condolences to his Parents, who lovingly cared for him right to the end, the Moon Family in general, and his many friends.
(PAUSE)
In the news today:
BLOEMFONTEIN BEACON BACK ON THE AIR
3Y0E CONTINUES TO EXCITE DXERS WORLD WIDE
SHOULD THE PRESIDENT’S NET AND INTECNET BE ON A SUNDAY?
SARL AWARDS
You are listening to ZS6SRL. Stay tuned for more detail on these and other important and interesting news items.
BLOEMFONTEIN BEACON BACK ON THE AIR
The Bloemfontein Beacon, ZS4BFN, is back on the air. Listen for it and the other beacons currently operating on 7 023 kHz. Three of the beacons are transmitting a special message. Decode one or all three messages and you could win one of three DX handbooks. If you decode all three you will automatically enter the competition for a 2007 ARRL Handbook.
The competition ends soon. Visit www.sarl.org.za click on services and select beacon project for full details of the competition. Send your entries to bcn@sarl.org.za.
3Y0E CONTINUES TO EXCITE DXERS WORLD WIDE
Petrus, ZS6GCM, continues to excite DXers worldwide with his operation of 3Y0E. The 3Y0E.com website have received over 16 000 visitors with 50 000 page views since December 19.
Petrus has been making remarkable progress with a great number of lucky hams in his logbook and he is getting better at working pileups and numbers day by day.
Following a great number of e-mails, and a lot of hard work from the support team behind 3Y0E, reality hit the team in the face! All the equipment that Petrus is currently using, is sponsored equipment and it will need to be returned on his return. What will happen on his next research trip to an extreme and rare place in the world? A donation fund has been set up, where, upon his return, he can be equipped with a proper radio kit with better antennas, radio and an amplifier for his next trip which is just around the corner!
If you would like to make a donation please visit the website at www.3y0e.com and follow the easy steps.
SHOULD THE PRESIDENT’S NET AND INTECNET BE ON A SUNDAY?
The question has been asked whether Sundays are the best days to run the once a month President’s Net and Intecnet. Should the one follow the other or should they be on separate days? Would a Wednesday or Thursday evening be a better day of the week?
The team putting it on the air every month would welcome input from listeners. Please drop a line to armi@sarl.org.za and tell us whether we should keep it on Sundays or whether another day in the week would be more suitable?
The next President’s Net and Intecnet will be on Sunday 27 January 2008.
SARL AWARDS
Tjerk, ZS6P, the SARL Awards Manager reminds members and clubs to submit nominations to Council for the SARL awards which will be awarded during the 2008 AGM of the SARL which will be held in April in Bloemfontein.
Tjerk is sure that there is a member or more in your club who deserves of the SARL awards which are:
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.
CONTESTS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES
30 METRE DIGITAL ACTIVITY
Members are reminded of the 30 Metre Digital Activity taking place over the weekend of 19 and 20 January 2008. More information can be found at www.30meterdigital.org.
THE PEARS NATIONAL VHF/UHF CONTEST
The PEARS National VHF/UHF contest will take place over the weekend of 25 to 27 January 2008, and is open to all licensed amateurs in the RSA and the neighbouring states. The aim of a VHF or UHF contest is to make long distance contacts, establish new records, encourage the improvement of equipment and have fun. The new format has been streamlined and outdated rules eliminated to make it more exciting for contestants and stimulate activity. This is a 44 hour dual contest for digital and analogue modes and covers the 50, 70, 144, 432 and 1 296 MHz bands. Amateurs are requested to participate in both the modes if possible. There is a choice of four categories: base station, field station, club station and limited category.
PEARS is making a special request to club stations to participate in their category and keep the bands active. Contest rules will be posted on the SARL website and on the PEARS website, http://www.zs2pe.co.za. See you there and good luck with the contest.
2008 SARL HF FIELD DAY
The first leg of the 2008 SARL HF Field Day is scheduled for the weekend of 9 and 10 February 2008.
PROPAGATION CONDITIONS
Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP, reports that the expected solar activity will be very low. The geomagnetic field is expected to be quiet in general except on 13 till 18 January when unsettled to active levels are expected. The expected Effective Sun Spot number for the coming week will be less than 5.
DX conditions will generally be good on the North-East and the North-West paths and poor in the general Northerly directions. 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 12:00 CAT. There may be short, weak 20 m openings to Australia from 06:00. From 18:00 there may be short, weak 20 m openings towards Europe. From 18:00 there may be 15 and 80 m openings towards the USA.
10 MHz is looking very promising after dark for the upcoming PSK-31 activity weekend.
Locally conditions on 40 m is going to be good during the day. 30 m may perform well over the longer distances. 80 m is the frequency of choice in the evenings, thunderstorms and static permitting!
Remember that this is only a prediction and that HF always has the capability to surprise you. Who knows, maybe the new year is going to provide bags full of contacts for you, but you will never know unless you switch your rig on, listen and also call CQ.
Please visit www.spaceweather.co.za for further information.
DIARY OF EVENTS
13 January – Hunting Lions on the Air competition;
19 and 20 January – 30 Metre digital weekend event;
21 January SARL-HMO competition closes;
25 to 27 January – PEARS National VHF/UHF Contest;
26 January BACAR meeting at NARC ay 11:00;
27 January – President’s Net and Intechnet;
9 and 10 February – SARL HF Field Day;
16 February – Closing date for nominations for SARL awards.
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.
Thank you for listening. 73.
/EX
