SARL NEWS – SUNDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2009

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 every Sunday at 08:15 CAT in Afrikaans and at 08:30 CAT in English. To listen to a webstream, 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 subscribe to receive future bulletins by e-mail.

Your news reader this morning is (name), (call sign), 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

It is with deep regret that we must announce that the keys of three radio amateurs have become silent.

Colin Baker, ZS5ED, passed away at the age of 91 years. Colin was a real gentleman amateur, both on and off the air. He was a member of the Durban Amateur Radio Club for over 50 years. Our sincerest condolences to his wife Ursula, daughter Elizabeth and son John, family and friends.

Ron Marlow, ZS1RON, became a silent key on Saturday 7 February 2009. He was a member of the False Bay Radio, Electronics & Computer Club until two years ago, when he became seriously ill. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing away of Dieter Schliemann, KX4Y. Dieter was instrumental in leading and supporting many key activities in AMSAT and on the ARISS programme. During the many years that he was on contract in South Africa, he played a leading role at the Johannesburg Branch and supported many of the club's Duff Road activities. He fought a tough battle against cancer and just when it was thought that he had won the battle, he was diagnosed with leukaemia – two weeks ago. Our sincere condolences to his wife, Tina, and friends.

(PAUSE)

In the news today:

IARU MEMBER SOCIETIES RATIFY NEW LEADERS

MEMBER SOCIETIES VOTE FOR A NEW PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT

AMATEURS ASSIST IN EMERGENCY COMMUNISATION IN AUSTRALIA’S RAMPANT BUSH FIRES

BUMPER INTECNET NEXT WEEKEND

2009 RSGB COMMONWEALTH CONTEST

You are listening to ZS6SRL. Stay tuned for more detail on these, and other important and interesting news items.

IARU MEMBER SOCIETIES RATIFY NEW OFFICERS AND ADMIT NEW MEMBERS

On 10 February, the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) secretary, David Sumner, K1ZZ, counted the ballots submitted by the IARU Member Societies.

Proposals submitted to the Member Societies in September 2008 included the election of a new IARU President and Vice President, as well as the admission of two new Amateur Radio societies to the IARU. According to Sumner, 73 Member Societies cast their votes on the proposals. 57 affirmative votes are required for a proposal to pass.

Proposal No. 241 concerned the ratification of the nomination of Timothy S. Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA, to serve as President of the IARU for a 5-year term starting on 9 May 2009 – Ellam was affirmed as elected, with 72 votes in favour, and one abstention.

Proposal Nr. 242 was about the ratification of the nomination of Ole Garpestad, LA2RR, to serve as Vice President of the IARU for a 5-year term commencing on 9 May 2009. Garpestad was avowed elected, receiving 73 votes.

Proposal Nr. 243 regarding the admission of the Emirates’ Amateur Radio Society (EARS) as an IARU Member-society, received 72 votes in favour and one abstention.

Proposal Nr. 244 for the admission of the Kazakhstan’ Federation of
Radio Sport and Amateur Radio (KFRR) was accepted with 73 votes in favour.

With the addition of the Emirates’ Amateur Radio Society and the Kazakhstan Federation of Radio Sports and Amateur Radio, there are now 162 IARU Member-Societies.

MEMBER SOCIETIES CAST THEIR VOTES FOR THE IARU PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT

Timothy S. Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA, was elected by member societies to serve as President of the IARU for a 5-year term starting on 9 May 2009.

Upon his election Tim said: "I look forward to working with all three Regions and the Member-societies during my term in office. We will undoubtedly face many issues in the run-up to the 2011 World Radio Communication Conference, but I look forward to working as a team to meet the challenges ahead. I would like to thank Larry Price, W4RA, for his sterling work with IARU during his term as President. The IARU is in a very strong position today as a result of Larry's leadership. His support and friendship to me has also been very helpful in fulfilling my former duties as Vice President".

Professionally, Ellam is a Barrister and Solicitor with the law firm McCarthy Tetrault LLP. He is a partner in the firm's Calgary, Alberta, and London offices. His extensive legal experience includes intellectual property and corporate litigation, arbitration involving communication, technology and energy matters, as well as utility regulations.

"Congratulations to Ole Garpestad for his election as Vice President," Ellam said. "I am very pleased to have Ole as part of the team and know he will do an excellent job in his new position”. In 1999, Garpestad was elected to the IARU Region 1 Executive Committee, and was elected Chairman in 2002. He has represented Region 1 on the IARU's Administrative Council since 2001 and has also attended IARU conferences in Regions 2 and 3. He has participated in CEPT preparations for WRC-03 and WRC-07, attending both conferences as the Norwegian delegate representing Amateur Radio interests.

Garpestad is a telecoms and radio engineer working with development, system design and program management of tactical communications systems for Thales Norway AS (formerly Alcatel). He holds an MSc in electronic engineering and radio technology from the Technical University of Norway in Trondheim.

To read more about the appointments and other IARU news visit www.sarl.org.za.

AMATEUR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION HELPS IN AUSTRALIAN BUSH FIRES

The Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network in Victoria, Australia, has been providing communications links in a number of areas affected by the horrendous bush fires.

Operators have been escorted by police and the County Fire Authorities through hazardous areas to their postings. Roads continue to remain closed and fires are still blazing. On some occasions, the Fire Authority has had to retract those engaged in essential work because an area has simply become too hazardous. At least two amateur voice repeaters have been under threat by fires, but replacement equipment and installers are on standby if needed. An Emergency Network portable repeater is also operational in the field.

BUMPER INTECNET NEXT WEEKEND

The next Intecnet for 2009 will be on next Sunday 22 March starting at 19:30. It will be a bumper programme with several speakers discussing aspects of SumbandilaSat, the second South African Satellite due for launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Russia on 25 March 2009.

Andrew Roos and Hannes Coetzee will talk about their involvement in designing the amateur radio payload, and Dr Gert-Jan van Rooyen of the Stellenbosch University will discuss the software-defined transponder and hardware that will facilitate the operation of the parrot repeater, transponder and the beacon system. Details will be discussed about the operation of the satellite and what equipment will be required. There will be time for Q&A and – to end off the programme – a brief discussion on a follow-up satellite project. SA AMSAT is looking for your input.

Clubs wishing to link their local repeater should send an e-mail request to armi@sarl.org.za by not later than Tuesday. Please supply the telephone number and details of the repeater coverage.

TINUS LANGE TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Today, Sunday 15 February, is the closing date for entries for the Tinus Lange Technical Excellence awards.

CONTEST NEWS

2009 RSGB COMMONWEALTH CONTEST

Andrew, ZS6AA, is in search of for CW operators who would like to represent ‘Team Africa’ in the 2009 RSGB Commonwealth Contest. The contest takes place over 24 hours from noon on Saturday 14 March until noon on 15 March. Teams consists of ten members operating from their home or club stations. The individual scores are added to get the team total. If you would like to represent ‘Team Africa’ in this prestigious CW contest, please contact Andrew, ZS6AA, by e-mail to andrew.roos@mweb.co.za or by telephone on 082 577 4980.

The SARL Hamnet 40 metre Simulated Emergency Contest will be on Sunday 1 March 2009 from 14:00 to 16:00 CAT. This SSB Contest is open to all Radio Amateurs in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Mozambique, Lesotho, Marion Island and South Africa's base on Antarctica. Only contacts with these areas will count. There is an Excel spreadsheet available to assist you in the scoring. Visit the HF Happenings page on www.sarl.org.za.

The first leg of the SARL VHF/UHF Contest will be on the weekend of 21 and 22 March 2009. New rules have been formulated for the contest – thanks to Johan, ZS6JPN, Martin, ZS6ZY, and Richard, ZS6UK.

The rules for both these contests can be found in the 2009 SARL Contest Manual at www.sarl.org.za. Please make sure your copy is version 03/ Feb 09.

CLUB NEWS

The Kempton Park Amateur Radio Society will present the RAE Class B course, commencing on 21 March 2009 – for the RAE in May. Starting on 28 February, the Society will present an electronic construction course to improve the students’ electronic abilities with project building. Please visit the club's website at www.karts.zar.cc for contact information.

The next Pretoria Amateur Radio Club Mega Flea Market will be held on 7 March 2009, starting at 08:00. The venue is the Pretoria Motor Club on the corner of Keuning and Fred Davey streets in Silverton, next to the Pioneer Museum. To book a table or to get more information, please contact Almero, ZS6LDP, on his home number 012 567 3722 or on his cell 082 908 3359.

The AGM of the Overberg Amateur Radio Club was held at Hermanus on 7 February. The meeting was well attended and a new committee was chosen:
Chairman and editor: Andre Meintjes, ZS1AZ;
Vice Chairman: Sam MaCleary, ZS1OR;
Secretary: Lindsey Magnus, ZS1LGM;
Treasurer: Rian van Niekerk, ZR1RVN.

Thanks to the outgoing committee for their work over the past year.

PROPAGATION REPORT

Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP, reports that the expected solar activity will be very low. The geomagnetic field is expected to be mostly at quiet levels. The expected Effective Sun Spot number for the coming week will be less than 5.

15 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. Contacts with New Zealand will be challenging. 20 m contacts may be possible with Australia at 08:00. Contacts with Peru are highly unlikely. Brazil may be worked on 15 and 20 m from 14:00 and 19:00 respectively. At 16:00 there may be short, weak 15 m openings followed by weak, short 20 m openings towards Europe. Contacts with the USA East Coast are possible on 15 m from 18:00 followed by 20 m openings from 22:00. 10 MHz is looking promising in the late afternoon and after dark for the CW and digital enthusiasts.

Local conditions are going to be good on 40 m during the daytime. 80 m may perform well during the early mornings and late afternoons over the shorter distances, e.g. between ZS5 and ZS6. 30 m may perform well during the middle of the day between ZS6 and ZS1. Even 20 m may perform well over the longer distances before morning teatime. 80 m is the frequency of choice in the evenings. With summer here the thunderstorms and static discharges may be a challenging.

Remember that this is only a prediction and that HF has the ability to pleasantly 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 February – closing date for the Tinus Lange award entries;
21 February – PIC course in Durban and HAMNET Gauteng South meeting;
1 March – Hamnet 40 metre Contest;
7 March – PARC Mega Flea market;
14 and 15 March – RSGB Commonwealth Contest;
21 March – BACAR launch;
21 and 22 March – SARL VHF/UHF Contest, and
24 - 26 April – SARL National Convention, Cape Town.

SARL News invites clubs and individuals to submit news items of interest to radio amateurs and shortwave listeners. Submit news items – 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 17 860 kHz. There is also a podcast by ZS6RO which can be listened to. For the webstream 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.

You have listened to a bulletin of the South African Radio League, compiled by Dennis, ZS4BS, and edited by Jannie, ZR6PHD.

Thank you for listening, 73.