SARL NEWS SUNDAY 28 April 2013
You are listening to ZS6SRL, the official radio station of the South African Radio League, the national body for amateur radio in South Africa. The SARL broadcasts 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 'Amateur Radio Today' and follow the links for details. For audio via Echolink, connect to ZS0JPL-R.
You can download this bulletin and previous ones from www.sarl.org.za and also subscribe there to receive future bulletins by e-mail.
Your newsreader this morning is (name and call sign), on 145,725 from Pretoria, with relays on 7,066 MHz and 3,695 MHz SSB. (Other news readers change to suit).
IN THE NEWS TODAY:
PROJECTS FOR NEXT YEAR ANNOUNCED BY SARL PRESIDENT
AGM DECISIONS
BOOK NOW FOR THE SA AMSAT SPACE SYMPOSIUM
AWARDS PRESENTATION
You are listening to ZS6SRL. Stay tuned for more details on these and other important and interesting items.
PROJECTS FOR NEXT YEAR ANNOUNCED BY SARL PRESIDENT
The SARL President, Rassie Erasmus, ZS1YT, in his address at the annual dinner held last night, focused on the year ahead. He said that with the granting of two pilot licenses for propagation research, radio amateurs can make a valuable contribution on two fronts: to influence the South African delegation to support the World Radio Conference 15 agenda item 1.4 for a permanent secondary allocation on 5 MHz and to show the world that amateur radio is the most exciting of all technical hobbies. He said:”we have for the next 8 months two frequencies on 5 MHz to experiment with. We should grab this opportunity and show the world what we can achieve. What is particularly attractive about this 5 MHz pilot project is that just about everyone can become involved whether it is by just monitoring and reporting on reception of signals from various parts of the country, or becoming actively involved in designing and building antennas or even a small transmitter.”
In preparation for WRC15, the South African Government sets up an industry preparatory group of which the SARL will be part. This group reviews the position South Africa should take on the various agenda items at WRC15. Furthermore this group also interacts with the SADC countries and ultimately with the African Telecommunications Union. Our input can be very valuable in getting support at WRC15.
“We also have acquired a pilot license for 472 MHz ahead of the frequency being made available through publication of the National Table of frequencies later this year. Here there are many challenging opportunities for antenna projects.”
“Coupled with all these activities there is a growing interest in digital communication with many new developments in digital voice, weak signal communications by digital means, specialised software for amateurs radio, and cellphone applications for amateur radio, to mention a few of the interest areas. At our recently held strategy indaba councilors brain stormed various themes for the coming year and decided on “Amateur Radio embraces digital”. This means that during the coming year we will look at what impact the digital world has on amateur radio and how this will attract the younger generation to or hobby. This however will not detract our focus from traditional amateur radio which will always remain our core activity but simply adding a further dimension”.
“I am sure that you will agree with me that the SARL is living up to its slogan “Amateur Radio the greatest of all scientific hobbies”. It is our diversity that makes it the greatest. Don’t stay behind. Come on board and enjoy the SARL journey”.
AGM DECISIONS
The AGM accepted the financial report, approved the budget and agreed on a 7.5% increase in membership fees for the new financial year.
There was a a fair amount of discussion on the motions.
Motion 1 was amended to include that the clubs should have at least 10 SARL Members. The motion as amended as carried.
Motion 2 was carried unanimously.
Motion 3 was carried. In future council will consist of 10 members.
Motion 4 was carried.
As only 13 members were proposed for council, no election was held. The following were declared as councillors for the ensuing year:
Rassie Erasmus, ZS1YT, Geoff Levey, ZS6GRL, Fritz Sutherland ZS6SF, Riaan GreeffZS4PR, Hans van de Groenendaal, ZS6AKV, Laurie Devereux, ZS5DL, Fred Scheepers, ZS1FCS, Frik Wolff, ZS6FZ, Johann Marais, ZS1JM, Gideon Jannasch, ZS44GJA.
After discussion it was decided to keep the SARL badge.
The discussion to move the SARL News transmission to mid-week was discussed with mixed feelings. No change is currently contemplated.
Johann Marais, ZS1JM, updated the meeting on the status of the SARL Antenna Defence initiative. He reported on the progress made. His presentation will be made available on the SARL Web during next week.
ZS6AKV gave an update on the 5 MHz and 472 kHz project, The website giving all the details will be available from 1 May at www.amateurradio.org.za/propresearch.htm or click on the link on www.sarl.org.za.
ANNUAL REPORT NOW ON THE WEB
The annual report featuring some of the many highlights of last year was presented at the AGM yesterday and is now available on the web for downloading from the link on the www.sarl.org.za landing page.
BOOK NOW FOR THE SA AMSAT SPACE SYMPOSIUM
The next important date on the amateur radio calendar is the SA AMSAT Space Symposium to be held at the Innovation Hub in Pretoria on Saturday 18 May. Full details, programme and registration forms are available on www.amsatsa.org.za.
Follow the fascinating story of South Africa’s DynaCube satellite built by engineering interns at Denel Dynamics. See a demonstration of the SA AMSAT CubeSat: ‘KLETSkous’ and learn more how to build a receiver for the CPUT ZACUBE 20 metre beacon. Book this week and benefit from the early bird special fee.
AWARDS PRESENTATION
At the annual award ceremony the following presentations were made:
SARL Honours.
Honorary Life Membershipthe SARL’s highest honour to:
Karl Heinz Canitz, ZS1KC.
Willie Wilson Gold Badge
Awarded by Council to the amateur that gave exceptional and meritorious service to the League.
David Reece, ZS1DFR.
Jack Twine Merit Award.
It recognises qualities such as unselfishness, clean operating and a genuine interest in Amateur Radio and its affairs. This prestigious Award is made by the League's Council to the recipients on recommendation of their fellow amateurs. The recipients are:
Pieter de Jager, ZS1SD
Nasri Gasant, ZS1NAZ
Pierre Holtzhausen, ZS6PJH
Ian Pope, ZS1SX
Johan Sevenster, ZS1A
Alexander Smith, ZS1L
Dirk van der Berg, ZS1VDB
Jan van der Vyver, ZS1VDV
Pierre van Deventer, ZS6A
Paul van Spronsen, ZS1V
Johan van Vuuren, ZS6JVV
Gerhard Coetzee, ZS3TG
Maurice Drinkwater, ZS1ACH
Johan van Aarde, ZS2I.
The President’s Award to:
Graham Griggs, ZS2ABK.
Technical Awards.
Icom Excellence Award, the “premier” award of the SARL to:
Frik Wolff, ZS6FZ.
SARL HF Contest Awards.
Silent Keys Memorial Trophy SSB
For the highest score during the annual HF Phone Contest to:
Hans Kappetijn, ZS6KR.
Silent Keys Memorial Trophy CW
For the highest score during the annual HF CW Contest to:
Roger Jones, ZS6RJ.
Joseph White Trophy.
For the highest score on any one band, during the annual HF Phone Contest to:
Pierre van Deventer, ZS6A.
ZS4BS Digital Trophy.
For the highest score on any one band, during the annual HF Digital Contest to.
Rohan Schreuder, ZS6RJS.
Fred Mills Trophy.
For the highest score during the annual HF Phone/CW Contest and who has never won a SARL HF Contest Trophy before to.
Mitchell Mynhardt, ZS6YH.
Anon Trophy.
For the amateur who achieves the highest score on any one band during the annual HF CW Contest to:
Pierre van Deventer, ZS6A.
HOS Trough (Highest Operating Score)
For the amateur who achieves the highest aggregate score in both annual HF Contests to:
Pierre van Deventer, ZS6A.
The Club Participation Award (Branch Participant Trophy).
For the Club who achieves the highest participation in both annual HF CW and Phone Contests to:
The East Rand Radio Club.
The SARL Digital Trophy.
For the amateur who achieves the highest score during the annual HF Digital Contest to:
Noel Hammond, ZR6DX.
The SARL 80 m Club Contest Trophy.
For the amateur radio club who achieved the highest score in the six SARL 80 m club contests to:
West Rand ARC.
Operating Awards.
Arthur Hemsley 2 metre Trophy.
For the radio amateur’s individual achievements with transmissions in the 2 metre amateur band by 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, to:
Andre van Deventer, ZS2BK.
Barney Joel Trophy.
To any member of the SARL for the best performance during the year whilst working HF mobile, also for performance by an individual in rally or other public event communication, etc. to:
Douw Kruger, ZS1DGK.
Bert Buckley Six metre Trophy.
To any radio amateur for his/her individual achievements with transmissions in the six metre amateur band, it is not for the longest distance worked but for outstanding work or activity on six metres, to:
Allan Saul, ZS1LS.
Radio ZS Two Metre Floating Trophy.
To the amateur who achieved the longest distance on the 2 metre band during the year, to:
Shared by:
Dick Coates, ZS6BUN, and
Nasri Gasant, ZS1NAZ.
Radio ZS Awards.
Gary Immelman RA Heritage Floating Trophy.
For the best article of an historic nature of an event that occurred more than 5 years previously or an interesting personality that has played an important part in the development of Amateur Radio in years gone by, to:
Colin Ewels ex ZS2IL (1952), ZS6AIV (1953/6), ZS5AE (1956/8), ZS7L (1959 - 1964), ZS9H (1965), A2CAH (1966 – 1978) and 7P8BJ (1979 – 1983), for:
“I salute all radio amateurs” in March/April 2012 Radio ZS.
JJ Pienaar Trophy.
Awarded by the Editor of Radio ZS for the best article published in Radio ZS during the past year, to:
Pierre Tromp, ZS1HF/ZS8M, for:
“A Radio Amateur on Marion Island” May/June 2012 Radio ZS.
Radio ZS Shield.
Awarded by the Editor of Radio ZS to a SARL affiliated Club or member who best supported Radio ZS during the year to:
Victor P du Preez, ZS6EA, for his series “Amateur Radio - the most versatile hobby on earth”.
Hamnet Shield.
The Hamnet Shield rewards an individual or group for excellent service in a particular area to the community, the authorities and to Hamnet in particular. Criteria include cooperation with disaster relief organisations and enthusiastic provision of emergency communications. The Shield is awarded by the National Director of Hamnet, normally based on nominations by the provincial directors, to:
Hampie Findt, ZS6HJF.
RAE Awards.
Arland Ussher Gold Pen Award for the highest marks in the two RAE’s, to:
Class A, to: ES van der Berg, ZS6LWK, and
GP Castleman, ZS6GPC.
Class B, to WC Botha. ZU6WC.
CONTEST NEWS
The ZS3 Sprint is a fun activity to promote contacts between radio amateurs in the Northern Cape and radio amateurs in Southern African countries. The Sprint is on the air on Sunday 5 May from 14:00 to 15:00 UTC or 16:00 to 17:00 CAT. It is a phone and CW contest on the 40 metre band. The exchange is RS or RST report and provincial or country abbreviation.
ZS3 stations score 1 point for contacts with stations in ZS3 and 2 points for contacts with stations in other ZS call areas or Southern African countries. All other stations score 2 points for a contact with a station in ZS3 and 1 point with a station in their own or other ZS call areas (excluding ZS3) or Southern African countries. Contacts with the Northern Cape ARC, ZS3NC, Namaqualand Aero Sport Association, ZS3FLY, or the Kalahari Karoo ARC, ZS3ARK, are worth 5 points each. Only one contact per station is allowed.
Log sheets must be submitted by 13 May and sent by email to zs3nc@qsl.net. A certificate will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the competition.
PRETORIA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB ZS6PTA FLEEMARKET
The Pretoria Amateur Radio Club is hosting its winter bootsale on Wednesday 1 Mei 2013 at their usual place in Silverton in Pretoria. The starting time is 08:00. Everyone is welcome. If you need a table or more information please contact Almero ZS6LDP, on 083 938 8955.
PROPAGATION REPORT
Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP, reports that the solar activity is expected to be at moderate levels. Old Sunspot 1 713 rotated back into view off the eastern limb. The returning active region was reassigned number 1 731 and already produced a low level C-Class flare. The rest of the visible sunspots are stable for now.
If you want to do your own frequency predictions, the expected effective sunspot number for the week will be around 67.
All the bands from 20 to 10 m will provide lots of DX fun with 20 m providing the best openings with 15 m not far behind. There will also be a few good 10 m openings on sunlit paths.
Please visit www.spaceweather.co.za for further information.
DIARY OF EVENTS
Today onwards – Book for the SA AMSAT annual space symposium in Pretoria at the Innovation Hub on Saturday 18 May 2012, visit www.amsatsa.org.za.
April 20-May 1 – Commemorative station PB33BQ on the air, see pa7da.jouwweb.nl/pb33q for more information.
1 May – ZS6PTA flea market starting at 08:00.
5 May - ZS3 Sprint 14:00 to 15:00 UTC.
13 May – Log sheets for ZS 3 sprint to be in to zs3nc@qsl.net.
15/16 June – First weekend of International Museums Weekend special event, register your museum station at www.ukradioamateur.co.uk/imw.
22/23 June – Second weekend of International Museums Weekend special event.
SARL News invites clubs and individuals to submit news items of interest to radio amateurs and short-wave 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 Amateur Radio Today every Sunday morning at 10:00 CAT on 145,750 MHz in the Pretoria area, with relays on 7 082, 7 025, and 17 570 kHz. There is also a podcast by ZS6RO. For a web-stream and Echolink by ZS6FCS, visit www.sarl.org.za, click on 'Amateur Radio Today', go down the green column and click on 'LISTEN ON THE WEB'. A repeat transmission can be heard on Mondays at 16:30 UTC on 3 230 kHz. Reception reports, comments and suggestions are invited. Send an email to artoday@sarl.org.za.
Sentech sponsors the transmissions on the non-amateur frequencies.
You have listened to a bulletin of the South African Radio League compiled and edited by George Honiball, ZS6NE.
Thank you for listening, 73.
/EX
