SARL NEWS SUNDAY 06 APRIL 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 visit www.sarl.org.za, click on ARMI and follow the links for details. PLEASE NOTE! For audio via Echolink, connect to ZS0JPL-R.
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 (name), (callsign), 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 KEYS
We regret to announce that the keys of the following radio amateurs became silent recently:
Jack Koen, ZR1JAC,(ex ZR6JCK) of Knysna, and member of the Garden Route Radio Club, died on Wednesday 9 April at the age of 72 after having suffered a stroke four years ago which left him partly paralysed and unable to speak. To his wife Pam and three sons we extend our deepest sympathies.
G Kleynhans, ZS5GK, from Newcastle and member of Northern Natal Radio Club and father of Gert, ZS5GJK, has become silent key on Thursday the 11th. Our deepest sympathies to his relatives and friends.
(PAUSE)
In today's SARL News:
2008/2009 SARL COUNCILLORS AND PORTFOLIOS
INAUGURAL SPEECH OF NEW PRESIDENT RASSIE ERASMUS, ZS1YT
THE SARL AWARD WINNERS FOR THE PAST YEAR
LAST OPPORTUNITY TO REGISTER FOR THE SA AMSAT SPACE SYMPOSIUM
FIRST ROUND WINNERS OF THE CONSTRUCTION COMPETITION ANNOUNCED
You are listening to ZS6SRL. Stay tuned for more detail on these and other important and interesting news items.
2008/2009 SARL COUNCILLORS AND PORTFOLIOS
Thirteen members were nominated as Councillors of whom Graham Hartlett and Piet Badenhorst withdrew their nominations. The remaining 11 members were thus declared Councillors for 2008/2009.
At the first council meeting following the 2008 AGM portfolios were allocated as follows:
Rassie Erasmus, ZS1YT - President and Treasurer;
Dennis Green, ZS4BS - Vice President and Radio ZS;
Henry Chamberlain, ZS1AAZ – Secretary;
Louw Erasmus, ZS6LME - Legal Advisor and Office Manager;
Hans van den Groenendaal, ZS6AKV – ICASA, Public relations;
Fred Scheepers, ZS1FCS – Education;
Mark Zank, ZS6YES – RAE;
Graham Butler, ZS1GVB – Advertising Manager;
Laurie Devereaux, ZS5DL – Minute Secretary and IARU Monitoring Service;
Malcolm Kriel, ZS4SM – STARS and Youth Development;
Ivan Newman, ZS1ILN – Membership and Website.
Francois Botha, ZS6BUU, was co-opted onto council with the portfolio of Hamnet and QSL Manager
The Appointees are:
George Honiball, ZS6NE – Bulletins;
Tjerk Lammers, ZS6P – Awards;
Richard Seddon, ZS2CLI – Website.
Congratulations to all of you, strength for the work that lies ahead and we trust that all League members will render Council their full support.
INAUGURAL SPEECH OF NEW PRESIDENT RASSIE ERASMUS, ZS1YT
Delivering his inaugural address at the South African Radio League convention in Bloemfontein on Saturday, the newly elected President, Rassie Erasmus, said that Amateur Radio is a foundation for technical knowledge. He said that it is no secret that many professionals in the field of radio, TV, communications and electronics have started their technical education as young radio amateurs and it should still be used as a unique attraction for future young radio amateurs.
For his Presidential year he has chosen three themes that follow from the SARL slogan “Amateur Radio Communication Technology in action”.
The three themes for this year have a common threat – growth
• Growth in application of new technologies, building on the Radio Technology in Action Symposia which the SARL presents annually in the main centres and on the air technical discussions and tuition.
• Growth of the SARL membership to the point where we can say we truly represent the Radio Amateurs of South Africa. Currently the SARL represents the majority of all active radio amateurs but we would like to bring all into our fold including people who show an interest in communication technology and who like to experience the magic of talking to the world.
• Growth of the radio amateur community in South Africa by bringing in more young people but also focusing on the value that amateur radio can bring to our senior citizens as a quality past time.
He said that Amateur Radio has no age or gender restriction, it requires a keen interest in wanting to be involved in technical activity and communication. For many people Amateur Radio has provided a stepping stone into a career in electronics and communication. The technical knowledge acquired during taking a course to prepare for the Radio Amateur Examination, augers well as a foundation for further studies in this field.
He paid tribute to the outgoing President Graham Hartlett, ZS6GJH, for his leadership over the past several years and presented Graham with honorary life membership of the SARL.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM AGM PROCEEDINGS
Yesterday’s AGM of the SARL was probably the shortest ever.
Graham Hartlett, the outgoing President, reported that a sound state of affairs has been achieved during his 5 year term of office.
Membership now stands at over 1 300, the average age of which has dropped by 1 year due to an increase in the number of student members and the introduction of the ZU licence.
A fair amount of money was spent on the RTA presentations, which were of a high standard, but somehow attendances were not as expected.
Radio ZS issues increased from zero to 6 per annum.
The proposed budget was accepted with some discounts on membership fees.
Motions: No.1 was rejected and No.2 was accepted unanimously.
THE SARL AWARD WINNERS FOR THE PAST YEAR
At the dinner last night, the following awards were made:
Honorary Life Membership, the SARL’s highest honour.
Graham Hartlett, ZS6GJH.
Willie Wilson Gold Badge
To amateurs who gave exceptional service to the League.
Peter Hers ZS6PHD;
Colin de Villiers, ZS6COL;
Richard Seddon, ZS2CLI.
Jack Twine Merit Award.
For the recognition of qualities such as unselfishness, clean operating and a genuine interest in Amateur Radio and its affairs to:
Johan de Bruyn, ZS6JHB
Bill Hodges, ZS2AB;
Johan Nel, ZS6JPN;
Richard, Peer ZS6UK;
Paul Ras, ZS6PR.
Icom Excellence Award, the “premier” award of the SARL.
To:
Francois Botha, ZS6BUU.
Radio ZS Shield.
For the best support of Radio ZS during the year to:
Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, for his Ham Pride columns.
JJ Pienaar Trophy.
For the best article published in Radio ZS during the past year to:
Eric Strokenstrom, ZS6BUJ, for his article “Introduction to Software Designed Radio”
SARL HF Contest Awards
The following floating trophies are currently presented annually at the SARL AGM. They are awarded to the various category winners, of the SARL Annual HF Contests.
Silent Keys Memorial Trophy, SSB.
Awarded to the amateur who achieves the highest score during the anual HF Phone Contest.
Jan Botha, ZS4JAN.
Silent Keys Memorial Trophy, CW.
To the amateur who achieves the highest score during the annual HF CW Contest.
Allan Smith, ZS1AAX;
Vidi le Grange, ZS1EL.
Joseph White Trophy.
Awarded to the amateur who achieves the highest score on any one band, during the annual HF Phone Contest.
Andre Botes ZS2ACP.
Fred Mills Trophy.
To the amateur who achieves the highest score during the annual HF Phone/CW Contest and who has never won a SARL HF Contest Trophy before.
P Jendrissek, ZS1JX.
Anon Trophy.
To the amateur who achieves the highest score on any one band, during the annual HF CW Contest.
Allan Smith, ZS1AAX;
Vidi le Grange, ZS1EL;
Jan Botha, ZS4JAN;
Hans Kappetijn, ZS6KR.
HOS Trough.
To the amateur who achieves the highest aggregate score in both annual HF Contests.
Jan Botha, ZS4JAN.
The Club (or Branch) Participation Award.
Awarded to the Club (or Branch) who achieves the highest participation in both annual HF CW and Phone Contests, to:
Bloemfontein Radio Amateur Club, ZS4BFN.
Congratulations to the recipients of these awards, you all deserve it.
LAST OPPORTUNITY TO REGISTER FOR THE SA AMSAT SPACE SYMPOSIUM
The SA AMSAT space symposium will take place in Durban next Saturday. Full details of the programme can be found on www.amsatsa.org.za. For late registration call Laurie Deveraux, ZS5DL ,at 031 709 1598.
The programme features an interesting range of topics including a live link-up with the AMSATNA President Rick Hambly in the USA. He will make a presentation on the incorporation of amateur radio transponders on geo-stationary platforms.
FIRST ROUND WINNERS OF THE CONSTRUCTION COMPETITION ANNOUNCED
The South African Amateur Radio Development Trust has announced the winners of the first round of the 2008 construction competition. Judging the entries the Trust selected 4 projects to go to the second stage which involves the building of a prototype for evaluation and selection of the winner of the Icom D-Star transceiver sponsored by Multisource Telecommunication.
The four finalists in no particular order are:
Christo Pelser, ZS6AQH: An Audio/RF DDS Signal Generator (1 Hz to 30 MHz).
Louis de Bruin, ZS5LP: An electronic hybrid telephone-rig interface.
Mike Brink, ZS6MEG: Digital Test & Measurement Controller.
Wessel du Preez, ZS5BLY: A modular weather station.
The four finalists will receive funding to build a prototype. Congratulations to all four!
CONTEST NEWS
The Autumn QRP Sprint will be run on Sunday 20 April from 14:00 to 16:00 CAT on 40 metres. It is a phone and CW contest. More detail in next Sunday’s bulletin.
PROPAGATION REPORT
Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP, reports that the expected solar activity will be very low. The geomagnetic field is expected to be mostly quiet. The expected Effective Sun Spot number for the coming week will be less than 5.
DX conditions will generally be good to the North and poor in the general North-Westerly directions. 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 14:00 CAT. Conditions to Australia will be very challenging. From 15:00 there may be 10, 15 and 20 m openings towards Europe. Contacts with the USA are going to be very challenging.
10 MHz is looking promising after dark for the CW and digital enthusiasts.
Local conditions are going to be good on 40 m during the day time. 30 m may perform well during the middle of the day 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, 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
15 April - Overberg ARC AGM;
18 April – World Amateur Radio Day;
19 April - SA Amsat 2008 Space Communication, Magalies ARC Fleamarket;
19 April – Closing date for Garth Milne Technical Innovation and Nokia Siemens Network Awards.
20 April - The Autumn QRP Sprint.
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 ZS0JPL-R 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.
George, ZS6NE, compiled today's South African Radio League news bulletin.
Thank you for listening. 73.
/EX
