SARL NEWS – SUNDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2010
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 web stream, visit www.sarl.org.za, click on 'ARMI' and follow the links. PLEASE NOTE: for audio via Echolink, connect to ZS0JPL-R.
You can download this bulletin and previous ones from www.sarl.org.za and also subscribe to receive future bulletins by e-mail.
Your newsreader this morning is (name), (call sign), on 145,725 and 7,066 MHz from Pretoria, with relays on 7,066 and 3,695 MHz SSB. (Other news readers change as applicable).
In the news today:
SARL TO TABLE DRAFT BAND PLAN
DOES AMATEUR RADIO NEED INNOVATION?
NOMINATIONS FOR AMATEUR AWARDS INVITED
MOBILE TV COMES TO SOUTH AFRICA
You are listening to ZS6SRL. Stay tuned for more details on these and other important and interesting news items.
SARL TO TABLE DRAFT BAND PLAN
Following discussions with ICASA at the quarterly liaison meeting, it was agreed that the SARL would table a band plan at the public hearing. This will overcome a potential problem that, when the old regulations are repealed and before the new regulations are gazetted, there is no agreed band plan until the new band plan is published in the Government Gazette.
The SARL has drafted a band plan in terms of the Table of Frequency Allocations that was gazetted earlier this year. No deviation from this is permissible. For instance, expansion of the 160 m band is a totally different suggestion and would first have to be agreed to by ICASA and then submitted as a change to the Table of Frequency Allocations, which then has to be approved by the Minister of Communication. Once the Table of Frequency Allocation has been changed, can the Amateur Radio Band plan be changed to allow for the expansion.
Increase in output power is another complex issue and may not carry the approval of the broader membership. It is suggested that members who believe that an increase in the output power limit on certain – or all bands – is required, are advised to prepare an item for discussion and a motivation therefore at the SARL’s AGM. Such a document needs a proposer and seconder and should be submitted for inclusion in the AGM agenda before 31 January 2011.
The draft band plan can be downloaded from www.sarl.org.za. Click on ARMI and follow the links. Comments are invited and should be sent to armi@sarl.org.za before midnight today. The final document will be published on the web on Tuesday 30 November and presented to ICASA on 1 December.
DOES AMATEUR RADIO NEED INNOVATION?
Innovation is a much debated topic at both academic and industrial level. The question now arises that, if everyone around us is focusing on innovation, should we as radio amateurs not be doing the same? The question is, "Do we need innovation in Amateur Radio”? Join us on Intechnet on Sunday 5 December at 19:30, when we will debate the question of innovation in amateur radio.
NOMINATIONS FOR AMATEUR AWARDS INVITED
Members and clubs are invited to submit nominations to Council for the following SARL awards.
Honorary Life Membership - the SARL's highest honour.
Willie Wilson Gold Badge
For the amateur that gave exceptional and meritorious service to the League.
Jack Twine Award
To recognize qualities such as unselfishness, clean operating and a genuine interest in Amateur Radio and its affairs. 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
For a Radio Amateur for his/her individual achievements with transmissions in the 2 metre amateur band. This award is made for extraordinary performance on EME or modes such as tropospheric propagation. It is not for the longest distance worked but rather for persistence in achieving something special on 2 metres.
Barney Joel Trophy
For any member of the SARL for the best performance during the year whilst working HF mobile. This award could be made for performance by an individual in rally or other public event communication etc.
Icom Excellence Award
This award is bestowed annually on the amateur who through his/her activity in the Amateur Service has brought international recognition to South Africa by either the achievement of a VHF/UHF long distance record which is internationally recognized by the IARU, or by service to the Republic of South Africa or the SARL in the field of scientific research using the amateur spectrum, or in promoting the amateur service internationally or as Council may determine from time to time.
Joseph White Plaque
For any member of the SARL for exceptional achievements in the 432 MHz band during the past year. This is not awarded for the longest distance worked, but for all round achievements.
Bert Buckley Six metre Trophy
For any radio amateur for his/her individual achievements with transmissions in the six metre amateur band. This award is not for the longest distance worked but for outstanding work or activity on six metres.
Clubs and individuals please submit your nominations as soon as possible to secretary@sarl.org.za.
MOBILE TV COMES TO SOUTH AFRICA
Mobile TV has arrived in South Africa with the launch of a broadcast network by Multichoice covering the main centres of South Africa. The fully digital TV network is aimed at cell phone and notebook users. Several phones on the market are already equipped to receive the new TV service that ultimately will support 15 channels. Currently there are seven channels on DSTV and two on ETV.
The system utilizes several high sites in each area in what is called a single frequency transmission system. Through a complex synchronization system each site complements the others. This means that you may be receiving signals from various sites but, unlike analogue systems, the signals do not interfere with each other but add-up to provide the best possible reception. A dongle called Drifta is available which allows the signal to be received on a notebook or non-mobile TV cell phone, facilitated by the Wi-Fi transmitter built into the dongle.
RADIO ZS ON THE WEB
The September/October edition of Radio ZS is available on the web. Several production delays have been experienced which caused further delays in printing. It should be in the mail soon.
In the edition there is an interesting range of interesting articles, such as: "enkele eksperimente met 'n 741"; creating a QSL card using MS PowerPoint; what does the term "ham spirit" really mean?; a Moxon-Yagi beam antenna for 15 and 20 m; Amateur Radio Satellite to be placed into space, and a universal PC/radio interface for digital operation. Download your copy now. If you are not a member of the SARL yet and would like a trial copy, send an email to armi@sarl.org.za with Radio ZS in the subject line.
The November/December edition will soon be ready for printing with an expected mailing date around mid December.
COMPETITION NEWS
RESULTS OF THE 2ND RaDAR CONTEST
Seventy three call signs were logged during the contest. Band conditions for long distance communication were not good. From logs received to date, most activity took place on 40 m as well as a few LEO FM satellite contacts and one PSK contact on 20 m. All ZS divisions were active. The rain and other circumstances made it difficult to be active for the full six hours. Darkness only set in towards the very end, much unlike the winter contest.
Only six logs were submitted and the results are as follows:
X1: All home stations using normal antennas and mains power:
Theunis, ZS2EC, (QRP) 25 points;
X2: All home stations not relying on their normal antennas or mains power:
No entry;
X3 : Portable operation i.e. away from a normal home station; not relying on mains power. (This includes all mobile stations.):
Christo, ZR6LJK, (QRP) 75 points;
Derek, ZS2J, (QRP) 66 points.
X4: True RaDAR portable operations not relying on existing antennas or mains power:
No entry.
X5: True RaDAR portable operations, as above, and using QRP. Output power limited to 5 watt PEP.
Stephen, ZS6SKY, (QRP) 125 points;
Eddie, ZS6BNE, (QRP) 100 points;
Pierre, ZS6BB, (QRP) 75 points.
Contacts were made using digital modes by Christo, ZR6LJK, and via Satellite by Eddie, ZS6BNE, and Stephen, ZS6SKY, which each scored a bonus 5 points for their first contact.
It appears that many participants enjoy taking part in this dynamic contest, more for the fun of it than for the competitive aspect. The scoring method has been revised for future contests and has been updated in the SARL "Blue book" (the Competition Manual).
PROPAGATION REPORT
Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP, reports that the solar activity is still at low levels. Sunspot 1 127 remains quiet as it transits the northern hemisphere of the sun. A small new sunspot has rotated into view and could be numbered 1 128 soon. The effective sunspot number is expected to be less than 20 for the coming week.
15 m will provide the best opportunities for DX followed by 20 m. Conditions to India will be good from the afternoon till after sunset. During the afternoon conditions will be fair towards Europe on 15 m, later to be followed by fair 20 m openings. Early evening 15 m contacts with the USA are possible. Contacts with Australia are possible at sunset on 20 m. 15 m openings to Brazil and South America are possible during the afternoons. With the good 15 and 20 m openings 17 m will also be full of surprises.
For the CW and digital enthusiasts 30 m may be very rewarding with openings to many parts of the world.
Locally 40 m is the work horse for contacts around the country with 20 and 30 m also being very useful for contacts over the longer distances. 80 m will be best during the early mornings and late afternoons as well as over the shorter distances.
80 m is the frequency of choice during the evenings.
Please visit www.spaceweather.co.za for further information.
DIARY OF EVENTS FOR THE WEEK
Today 28 November – YL net starts at 15:00 CAT on 145,750 MHz in the Pretoria area;
5 December – Intechnet at 19:30 – debate on innovation in amateur radio;
20 January 2011 – Closing date for submission for application for the May 2011 RAE bursaries; visit www.amateurradio.org.za for application forms;
30 January 2011 - Closing date for phase 1 of the construction competition.
SARL News invites clubs and individuals to submit terms 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.
The SARL also invites you to listen to Amateur Radio Mirror International every Sunday morning at 10:00 CAT on 145,750 MHz in the Pretoria area, with relays on 7 082, 7 205 and 17 560 kHz. There is also a podcast by ZS6RO. For a web stream and Echolink by ZS6FCS, visit www.sarl.org.za , click on 'ARMI' and follow the links. A repeat transmission can be heard on Mondays at 22:05 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 Gustav, ZS6BWN, and edited by Jannie, ZR6PHD.
Thank you for listening, 73.
/EX
