SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO LEAGUE NEWS SUNDAY 07 June 2015
Good morning and welcome!
You are tuned to the News Bulletin of the South African Radio League, read by . . . . . . . . (name, callsign and QTH)
You can listen to the South African Radio League news broadcast on Sunday mornings at 08:15 SAST in Afrikaans and at 08:30 in English on HF and many VHF and UHF repeaters around our country. Echolink listeners can connect to ZS0JPL for a relay. A podcast is also available from the SARL web site at www.sarl.org.za.
This audio bulletin can be downloaded from the SARL-website You will find this bulletin and previous ones in text format under the news link on the left-hand side of the webpage. While you are there, you can sign up to receive bulletins by e-mail.
We regrettably start this bulletin with news of three silent keys:
*** A message is received from Karel ZS6ALD via Tjerk ZS6P that Dirk ZS6KT went silent key on Tuesday 2 June. He was 94 years old and came on the air in 1938.. Dirk was a manager at the mines in Stilfontein where he went on pension and moved to Bela Bela (Warmbad).
We extend our condolences to his son Dirk and other family and friends
*** It is with sadness that we have to announce that Peter Linington - ZS6RX (ex ZS5RX) became a silent key on 12 April 2014. It only came to our knowledge this week.
Peter will be well remembered for his heroic efforts when Cyclone Demoina isolated the town of Mtubatuba in 1984 from the outside world for 4 and half days. Peter passed messages, information and data from his shack. He requested stock for the baker to provide bread for the town and asked for emergency medical supplies. This was all flown in by helicopter. Peter was later awarded for his efforts.
To his two sons, Bruce (now an aspiring amateur) and Andrew, his adopted daughter Samantha and other family and friends, we pass our belated condolences.
*** It is with sadness that we learn of the passing of Garth Laaks ZS2HB on 21 May. Garth was an active member of the Port Elizabeth Amateur Radio Society. He could send and receive Morse code at around 60wpm. Garth served as the editor for the PEARS newsletter QSX for many years.
Garth leaves behind his wife: Elise, 2 sons: Keith and Gary who are also amateur radio operators and grandchildren the oldest Lyle who is also an amateur radio operator in Durban
Our thoughts are with all the family and friends of the aforementioned silent keys
PAUSE (at least 5 seconds)
IN THE NEWS TODAY:
A PROGRAM FOR NEW AMATEURS
METEOR SCATTER – BY MIKE BOSCH ZS2FM
YOUTH NET ON 40 METERS
EAST RAND CLUB’S WINTER FLEA MARKET
Stay tuned for more on these and other interesting stories.
A PROGRAM TO ASSIST NEW- AND INEXPERIENCED AMATEURS, IS ON IT”S WAY.
Etienne Naude, ZS6EFN, approached the SARL President Fritz Sutherland, ZS6SF, with a proposal of starting a Rookie Radio Amateur Program in South Africa. The SARL President tabled this proposed initiative at the next committee meeting held on 13 May 2015. It was accepted unanimously. The President said that this proposal directly addresses a problem the SARL has had for years, i.e. that the majority of RAE candidates that pass, disappear and only come back to amateur radio years later (or never).
A manifest is currently developed by Etienne for final approval after which the program will be launched. Etienne said that he investigated similar Rookie programs at the ARRL (American Radio Relay League) and RSGB (Radio Society of Great Brittain). He wanted to develop a unique Rookie program on a national and international level that will give new and inexperienced amateurs a platform to ensure a sustainable interest and future engagement.
This Rookie Radio Amateur Program will be managed by Etienne under the auspices of the SARL. Should you be interested to get involved and assist Etienne, you may contact him by email at etienne@afrigrid.com. Your involvement will aid in making this SARL initiative a big success.
Keep an eye on all radio amateur media and other social platforms for news and developments on this program.
EAST RAND CLUB’S WINTER FLEA MARKET
The East Rand Radio Club will hold their Winter flea market on Saturday 27 June 2015 from 12:00 SAST. You are encouraged to bring lots of money for the stuff you may need or for a bargain. Also, bring all your unwanted stuff, which you want to get rid of. There will be someone that needs it. Book a table for R30. Phone Judy on mobile 079 730 2030 or send
e-mail to zs6erb@gmail.com for more info.
For only R30 per raffle ticket, you stand a chance to win a Daiwa CN-801 cross needle SWR/Power meter valued at R2 250 at the October 2015 flea market (thanks to Sam`s Radio Accessories). The tickets will be on sale at this Winter flea market.
Leave the flask with tea and the sarmies at home. There will be Boerewors rolls and cold beverages available. Bring the family and enjoy the day with us.
SA AMSAT SPACE SYMPOSIUM
The next SA AMSAT Space symposium will be held on 20 June 2015 at the Innovation Centre in Pretoria. The following points will be addressed: The University of Technology, Capetown Peninsula build their second CubeSat; methods to increase the power-to-weight-ratio of the cubus satellite; building a ground station, solar sail and the exciting updating of Kletskous
Make a donation to the SA AMSAT KLETSKOUS fund of R100 or more and you can collect a specially designed coffee mug at the conference.
Plan your next trip in amateur radio by satellite and book now. Members of the League or AMSAT may qualify for a discount or a price if they book early. Offer closes on 10 June. More info and the program can be downloaded at www.amsatsa.org.za with "Space”in the subject space, or send an email to saamsat@intekom.co.za The whole package will then be sent to you by email.
SARL LOWERS COST OF COMMERCIAL HAMADS
The SARL has reduced the cost of commercial Hamads to R300.00 for six months and R500.00 for 12 months, payable beforehand. A small add of 50 words can include a link to your email and website. For more info call the office at 011 675 2393 or send an email to admin@sarl.org.za
Swopshop is still available to members for their second hand equipment. No commercial advertisements will be allowed here.
NEXT YOUTH NET TO DISCUSS USING A MOBILE PHONE FOR ECHOLINK
The next SARL Youth Net will be on Sunday 14 June from 17:00 SAST on 7070 kHz SSB SARL Youth coordinator, Koos Fick invites all young radio amateurs to join in. Mobile phones and Echolink will be dicussed. Clubs can invite young people into the club's radio room to experience amateur radio at first hand. You may use the club’s callsign from a club member’s station.
ANOTHER AUSSIE BALLOON CIRCUMNAVIGATES THE EARTH
The party-type foil balloon PS-46 from Melbourne Australia has shown that going around the southern hemisphere is no fluke - although it does need some perseverance.
A very excited but humble Andy Nguyen VK3YT, who launched the balloon carrying an Amateur Radio payload, expressed a big thank you to everyone assisting with its tracking across the continents.
These solar power helium filled balloons use a 25 mW transmitter with WSPR, JT9 and sometimes Olivia signals on the 20 and 30 meter bands.
The PS-46 flight did an s-shape over the Pacific Ocean to South America, traversed the South Atlantic to Namibia, tracked above South Africa, crossed the Indian Ocean to Cape Le Grand near Esperance back to Australia.
RADIO ZS ON THE WEB PAGE
The May/June copy of Radio ZS should now be on the web page of the League. Read about “Arduino, a new breath for Amateur Radio” by Kevin, ZS6KMD; the 50 th anniversary of Sasolburg Radio Club by Riaan ZS4PR; the DIY-manpack with an FT 857 by Mathew M0LMK; Michael 3D2JR and his wife’s sailing trip around the world and the SA Maritime mobile net. Agent Tim also tells us more about Clandestine Radio in the Second World War.
As from July Radio ZS will be issued monthly
METEOR SCATTER – BY MIKE BOSCH ZS2FM
We are now in the Meteor shower season when there are many meteor showers during the month of June. There are two major meteor showers this month, they are: Arietds and the Daytime Zeta Perseids with visual rates of 54 and 20 per hour, respectively. The two major meteor showers will make SSB and FM voice contacts possible, on 50, 70 and 144 MHz over distances up to about 2500 km. The minor meteor showers could provide digital communications on 50, 70 and 144 and 432 MHz via FSK44l. There is a skip distance of around 500 km on 50 MHz but increases on the higher bands.
South African MS Record distances currently stand at:
50 MHz FSK44l 2011 km and SSB 1929 km
70 MHz FSK44l 1527 km and SSB 1183 km
144 MHz FSK441 1975 km and SSB 1524 km.
See the SARL VHF Forum for more details.
OTHER ACTIVITIES ON VHF
** Carl Minne, ZS6CBQ started a net which is active on Saturdays and Sundays from 06:00 to 07:00 SAST on 144,300 MHz SSB. Several stations from Gauteng and others as far as Bloemfontein joined in.
In Cape Town, Mike Kellet, ZS1TAF, recently started a net on Thursday nights from 19:00 SAST on 144,300 MHz SSB and it has been growing ever since.
On Monday nights around 19:00 SAST in the Port Elizabeth area, Al Akers, ZS2U, is active on 70,200 MHz FM with antennas pointing West. Check your VHF equipment and join in.
You are listening to a news bulletin by the South African Radio League
PROPAGATION REPORT
Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP, reports that the expected solar activity will be at low levels. None of the Earth facing sunspots pose a threat for strong solar flares.
If you want to do your own frequency predictions, the expected effective sunspot number for the week will be around 63.
The 20 to 15 m bands will provide lots of DX fun, especially during the late afternoons and in the evenings.
Please visit the website www.spaceweather.sansa.org.za for further information.
DIARY FOR THE COMING WEEKS
14 June – Youth net on 40 meters
17 June – World QRP Day
20 June - SA AMSAT Simposium
21 June – Father’s day
26 tot 28 June – Ham radio in Friedrichshafen
27 June – the East Rand Winter flea market
To end this bulletin, here is a repeat of the main items
Etienne Naude, ZS6EFN, approached the SARL President Fritz Sutherland, ZS6SF, with a proposal of starting a Rookie Radio Amateur Program in South Africa. The SARL President tabled this proposed initiative at the next committee meeting held on 13 May 2015. It was accepted unanimously. The President said that this proposal directly addresses a problem the SARL has had for years. This program will give new and inexperienced amateurs a platform to ensure a sustainable interest and future engagement
AND THAT BRINGS US TO THE END OF THIS NEWS BULLETIN.
If you have any news items of interest to amateur radio, please submit them by following the news-inbox link on the SARL webpage. News items for inclusion in the next bulletin, should reach the newsteam not later than the Thursday preceding the bulletin date.
Join us every Sunday morning at 10:00 SAST for Amateur Radio Today, the weekly amateur magazine program. This program may be heard countrywide on VHF and UHF repeaters, on 7082 kHz lower side-band as well as on 7205 kHz and 17660 kHz AM. A podcast by Dick ZS6RO is also available. There is a replay on Monday nights at 18:30 SAST on 3230 kHz AM. The radio transmissions on the non amateur frequencies, are sponsored by Sentech.
You have listened to a news bulletin of the South African Radio League, compiled by
Flip Britz ZS4GE, edited by Brian UttersonZS6AE and read by . . . . . . . . . . . . . (name, callsign and QTH)
Thank you for listening. Best wishes from me and the entire news team for the week ahead.
/EX
