31/10 An e-mail from Canada:
Doug, VE5UF, writes...
"... Just a quick note about last evening's bizarre Au/F2(?) linkage that allowed some QSOs from far inland NA to your part of Oz. I first heard VK4CV but by the time I got the amp warmed up, he was gone. In retrospect, it might have been VK4CP. A few minutes later, VK4CP came up out of the noise and was good copy. We exchanged reports in a couple of tries on 50.110 after which I moved to 50.105 for a few CQs. VK4BKM answered me but I lost him in the deluge of Auroral QRM from VE7s calling CQDX. BKM faded quickly and I don't think we actually completed the QSO.
There was much subsequent chit chat on the Magic Band page about beam headings. For the record, I found VK sigs to peak at 335-340 degrees which is well North of the direct heading to VK which is about 260 degrees for me. A heading of 335-340 from
here points directly into the north western auroral zone, more or less directly at Alaska.
Anyway, those were the first VK sigs here since 1992 and I hope to hear many more as we get into November and early December. I'll be around every weekend but during the week, I have difficulty getting home from the office in time to catch the South Pacific openings which commonly peak at 2330-2359Z - 5:30-6:00PM local time. Here's hoping...
Doug VE5UF in DO61ov 13,000 km from QG62".
31/10 Another VK DXCC:
The VK Country Count has been blown out of the water recently. A yet-to-be-named VK4 has hit #116. Full details released once he actually receives his DXCC, which should be very soon. Well done O.M !
31/10 DX Operations:
K5K is now history. With afternoon & evening TEP look towards Bhutan for A52JA. Active until November 3.
30/10 Canada worked in Brisbane:
Stations heard Sunday afternoon -
29/10 01:42z VE4VHF/B RST 549
29/10 02:11z W7JF RST 539
29/10 02:20z VE5UF RST 519
29/10 02:34z VE7SL RST 419
Two ways completed by VK4KK, VK4CP & VK4BKM.
Amazing to hear AU from the north pole this far south. TEP extension into North Pacific made path possible. JA's made contacts impossible!!!! (VK4JSR)
30/10 Stations Worked up North:
Saturday October 28, VK4FNQ worked/heard the following;
0624 50.110 SV1DH HRD 559
0646 50.0836 UT5G BCN 419
0646 50.110 YO4BZC HRD 53
0738 50.03985 SV1SIX BCN 529
0738 50.110 TA1AZ HRD 41
0758 50.110 SV1DH HRD 51
1017 50.125 A52JA HRD 53
1020 50.110 SV1DH HRD 54
1131 50.110 VR2XMT HRD 59
1131 50.130 BG7OH HRD 41
1321 50.135 VR2XVD HRD 52
1404 50.110 JN3NFQ HRD 41
1430 50.130 JA2BZY HRD 52
1446 50.110 T88TU HRD 569
Worked 14 EU stations between 0604 to 0730 and 6 EU stations between 0943 to 1008 worked (VK4FNQ)
28/10 Solar Update:
Average solar flux for the past week was exactly the same as the previous week. It was 160.9 for the past week, and 160.2 for the week previous. Average sunspot numbers dropped about ten points.
Solar flux is rising, and is expected to peak on November 2 around 190. But the main interest among many radio amateurs is the forecast for this weekend, when the CQ Worldwide DX Phone Contest commences. Unfortunately, on October 25 a full halo coronal mass ejection was detected blasting away from the sun, and effects may be felt this weekend. The predicted planetary A index for Friday through Monday is 10, 15, 15 and 12. This does not signal terrible conditions, but the outlook for Saturday and Sunday is for unsettled to active geomagnetic conditions.
Solar flux for the same four days is predicted at 175, 175, 180 and 180. After the November 2 peak in activity, solar flux is expected to bottom out around 155 on November 6 or 7.
Sunspot numbers for October 19 through 25 were 128, 144, 166, 117, 143, 99 and 112 with a mean of 129.9. 10.7 cm flux was 157.8, 160.7, 158, 160.2, 166.5, 159.2 and 164, with a mean of 160.9, and estimated planetary A indices were 9, 4, 4, 13, 15, 11 and 8 with a mean of 9.1.
28/10 Grenada, J3:
Chip, W1AIM, will be QRV from Carriacou (part of Grenada) from November 10 - 22. He will have 100W & 3el yagi. "This is also a vacation, so I will be off diving reefs and sampling the local rum now and then, but will be on six as much as possible. Listening/calling on .110 and .125 and will QSY up whenever the band opens. The beam will stay with J37LD who is six capable, but not terribly active. Call will be J3/W1AIM. Lets hope the propagation gods cooperate on this trip. See you all in the pile-ups...Chip W1AIM"
Chip W1AIM <w1aim@sover.net>
28/10 Wanted:
Hi: I'm looking for Kenwood TS600 schematic diagram. Does somebody have one that can be scanned and e-mailed to me?
Thanks in advance. 73 Marcus, PY2PLL(Base) / PY3CRX (Mobile) py2pll@py.qsl.br
28/10 Stations Worked up North:
Friday October 27, 0629 to 1004, VK4FNQ worked 50 stations around EU with 4 G stations around 0940z.
26/10 Ukraine beacon heard in VK4.
UU5SIX Beacon on 50.080 was heard here from 0630 - 0730 UTC 25/10/00 up to S5. Wally, VK4DO, QG49
26/10 More EU reports from up North:
Ron, VK4BRG writes...
Well, finally had a reasonable 6m opening to Europe last evening Sept 25.
0640 YO4BCZ 4-2 KN45
0703 UT5JCW 5-2 KN64
0732 YO4FRJ/P 4-2
0736 UT4IO 5-5 to 5-9 KN88
0807 OH5CW 5-2
0809 OH7KM 4-2
0853 YL3GJ 5-7 KO26
Quite a long opening, and difficult operating conditions!! Wally, VK4DO, had a similar opening over a similar time period. Ron, VK4BRG
26/10 VK4FNQ Log Extract for Wednesday October 25:
0618 UT5JCW KN64SN
0626 YO7CKQ KN14OA
0630 YO4BZC KN45AK
0636 YO7LXU KN14VH
0643 YO4FRJ KN34AW
0654 YO9IE KN34
0656 YO4RFV KN45AK
0706 DL6NCI JO50VI
0708 DF7NM JO50WC
0711 LZ1JH KN22
0717 IW0GPN JN62
0732 UT2IO KN88XA
0736 LZ5UV KN12PR
0754 I4LCK JN54
0807 SP1FPG JO73GN
0808 OH2BC KP20
0809 I7RIZ JN71YJ
0810 YO9PC JN71
0812 YU7FU KN04
0815 DJ4TC JO63
0822 K5K AJ86 (This QSO was made on a 6 element yagi at 12 meters. The signal was not workable on the 9 element at 19 meters.)
0848 UX0FF KN45KJ
0900 OH7PI KP32
0906 F5LRL JN26
0909 OK2VMD JN89
0911 JI1OOB -
0914 F1PUX JN16
0924 OZ5IQ -
24/10 Web Site Changes:
Pictures added to the IC-756 modifications page
24/10 Have an IC-736 For Sale? Help get C21 Resident back on air:
Wanted: Icom IC-736 HF/50MHz transceiver in excellent condition (no junk thanks) to be taken to Nauru in December for Dumas C21DD who wishes to return to the air after some years absence. Genuine enquires only to Jack D. Haden c21jh@usa.net.
23/10 Austral Islands, FO0:
Janusz, SP9FIH & Rafai, SQ9LR are QRV on Tubuai Island in the Austral Island group as FO0WEG (IOTA OC-152) from now - November 4. Activity will be on 80-6M. They will be active on using two 100w transceivers and vertical + 3 element tribander + 5 element on 6M. Their minimum plan is 20000 QSOs. A longer operation or an operation on another country is possible if they receive additional donations. For donations and QSLs, send to SP9FIH: Box 480, 44-100 Gliwice,
Poland. (OPDX #482)
23/10 Kingman Reef works W6:
The Kingman Reef DXpedition using the special call of K5K was working into CA this morning.
22/10 Cocos Keeling Island, VK9C:
Don and Wally have arrived and are QRV. 9M6BAA was the first station worked quickly followed by a massive JA pile up. Good luck guys! Grid Locator is NH87. QSL to VK6HK or VK6KZ.
22/10 Kingman Reef has landed:
ON THE AIR AS OF 03:30 UTC 22 OCTOBER. Visit: http://www.qsl.net/krpdxg/
22/10 Toowoomba TV in EU:
Very encouraging, perhaps EU for us in the next few days??? Spots from the OH DX Summit...
PA0HIP 50000.0 VK4 TV 46.171.5 S9++++ Loudest eve0858 22 Oct
PA4PA 50000.0 VKTV 46171.8 s2-3 > JO22 0845 22 Oct
G4CBW 50000.0 VIDEO 46171.6 coming up vk? 0716 22 Oct
OZ1CDE-@ 50000.0 VK/TV 46.1718 in & out in JO65 0712 22 Oct
22/10 Vanuatu, YJ:
Spoke to Wayne, YJ8WR/p, today on 6M and he said he will be leaving Vanuatu very soon to move to New Zealand, to live. Stuart, YJ8UU, is a resident located at Port Villa. He has just re-newed his work contract and will be there for another three years.
21/10 Nauru, C21:
Jack VK2GJH will be back on Nauru Sunday December 10 - Friday December 22 as C21JH (RI-39). IC-736 100 watts to a five element at 45 feet. Overall preference will be given to 50MHz with HF activity conducted when 50MHz is dead. Air Nauru has confirmed the flights, all I need is the money to pay for them! QSLing will be via VK2GJH direct only." (VK2GJH)
21/10 Kingman Reef 2000 Update:
From: Nob Ichino vr6jj@gld.mmtr.or.jp
Sent: Friday, October 20, 2000 9:49 PM JST
The Machias reached Palmyra early today local time. They stopped to pick up Mike, KH6ND, and some equipment that was left from visits by various team members earlier this year. While there they also had time for some limited operating before leaving at 03:00 UTC for the last leg to Kingman.
They will arrive there during the night and will be ready to make landing at first light of day. Expect them to be QRV sometime tomorrow afternoon their time. All stations will be fully assembled before hitting the air.
This also means that the one man KH6ND/KH5 Palmyra dxpedition has come to a close. Mike had the following 6M totals in the past few months: CW=613 QSOs PHONE=22 QSOs
21/10 Solar Update:
The rise in solar flux for that was predicted this week in last week's Propagation Forecast Bulletin ARLP041 did not happen. Last week's bulletin stated that by October 18 and 19 we should see a short term peak in solar flux around 220. Instead, solar flux rose slightly over the weekend, then dropped below 160, and on October 18 and 19 it was 151.1 and 157.8. These short range predictions are based upon the previous solar rotation, plus what sunspot regions can be seen rotating toward the center of the solar disk, as well as a bet placed upon whether the activity in each region is increasing or decreasing.
The current outlook is for a slowly and modestly rising solar flux, with the values for Friday through Monday at 160, 160, 165 and 170. The latest best guess is for solar flux to peak for the short term at only 190 on October 29 and 30, then decline to 145 around November 5.
Geomagnetic conditions are expected to remain fairly stable on Friday and Saturday, but planetary A index my rise to 20 and 25 on
Sunday and Monday. Geomagnetic indices are expected to calm down after that, but become unsettled to active around October 30 through November 1.
Sunspot numbers for October 12 through 18 were 187, 167, 157, 99, 109, 130 and 128 with a mean of 139.6. 10.7 cm flux was 162.7, 168.1, 163.3, 161.1, 160.9, 154.1 and 151.1, with a mean of 160.2, and estimated planetary A indices were 8, 27, 42, 8, 8, 9 and 8 with a mean of 15.7. (K7VVV)
20/10 Web Site Changes:
QSL card added to the QSL Collection. A card from Rick, P29KFS, was received in the mail today :)
20/10 Marquesas, FO0:
Toshi/JA1ELY and Mako/JA1OEM have landed at Nuku Hiva Island, Marquesas. Toshi showed up on 14.160MHz at 08:30 UTC. They have 40m/20m vertical antennas up and will put rest of antennas soon (all HF bands)
They will climb up local mountain to assure good take off angle daily for 6m DXers till they leave. They have a Yaesu FT-655 (100 watts) and 6 ele Yagi. It will take 2 hours or so to reach there by 4WD car and they leave for there after their breakfast and stay during day time. I heard the way is very bumpy, probably some of us will throw up our stomach on the way.
They will run a breakable beacon on 50.100 as FO0ELY. Bear to mind that they always QSX 50.140MHz and UP, they do NOT listen on their QRG.
Their depature is at 14:00 on Oct 23 (LT). de Nob/JF2MBF jf2mbf@50mhz.com
19/10 VK6HK Log Extracts:
A good day in Perth yesterday, Wednesday 18th - Band was open earlier than 0400Z but I was out with the XYL...
0407Z KH7L
0500 - 0615 JA's
0626 HL1LTC
0648 7M4BEP/5 (Alarming alternative JA prefix...)
0724 BY9AA
0745 HL5XF (Hrd)
0748 DS2DKW (Hrd) (Another alternative for Korea...)
0832 4W6UN/B (Hrd)
0647 9V1UV
0943 YB0AN (Hrd)
1052 EY8CQ
1153 9M6BAA
1219 VR2XMT
1224 9M6BAA (Now 9+10)
18/10 VK4 TV heard in EU tonight:
Toowoomba TV station DDQ-0 (apart of the Nine-affiliated WIN network) was heard in Poland and France tonight, albeit weakly, as these spots off the OH DX Summit reveal;
F5JKK 50000.0 VK/TV out now 0934 18 Oct
SP6GWB 50000.0 VK/TV 46172 hrd S1 in JO80 0916 18 Oct
F5JKK 50000.0 VKVIDEO weak 46170 0854 18 Oct
18/10 OZ Looking for VK:
Kim, OZ5IQ writes...
"It would nice to know, what freq. you espicially are watching during the afternoons in VK?? Some of us is calling CQ at 50.110 outside EU with antennas pointing east. Looking forward to hear you !! 9el at 65f and a 1KW. VY 73" de OZ5IQ, Kim oz5iq@teliamail.dk
We're listening on 110, Kim !
18/10 9M6BAA Station details:
G4MJS, operating from Eastern Malaysia, is very well equipped with the following station;
ICOM IC756PRO, Henry 2006A linear, M-squared 6M7JHV at 65 ft (hopefully a pair of JHVs in a few days' time)
Check out the 9M6BAA website: http://www.9m6baa.com/
18/10 Vanuatu, YJ0DX results:
"While in Vanuatu on holiday last week I managed to sneak in 248 QSO's on 6M. Worked 10 countries in total, with the highest % being to JA. 166 SSB QSO's and 82 CW.
The most amazing contact was with XT20W which came in the middle of an opening into the USA on the long path. This is the same path as my contact last year with Mali, TZ, from the same QTH. I suspect this is a regular path at this time of the year and cycle.
My station in Vanuatu comprised an IC746 and a 3 element delta loop. Also played around on lower bands with 800 odd QSO's from 160 to 10. QSL's are now available with SASE or greenstamps via VK4JSR." Alan, VK4BKM
18/10 TV DX News from South Africa:
"I have always wondered why, during the advanced stages of a TEP opening, carriers appear to jump several Hz in frequency, or else new carriers suddenly appear adjacent to a previously recorded one. 
The screen capture shows a frequency-domain scan using an audio spectrum analyser with a bandwidth of 3 kHz at around 1900z (9.00pm local time) on 6 October 2000 on 48.248.000 MHz, to which the audio frequencies displayed must be added to obtain the carrier frequencies (an adjustment of 2 Hz must be deducted due to RX offset on my receiver). The "add 48249000" is an error on the illustration, it should read "48248000". A "peak hold" function was employed to capture the data, so what is seen is the accumulated output of several seconds of display.
Band conditions featured a F2 opening to Europe which faded and was then replaced by normal TEP. The TEP path then shortened to thousands of km and featured, in this illustration, reception from the middle east on 48250003, Madrid Spain on 48250108, Homs Syria 48250172, and Equatorial Guinea on 48250372 Hz.
Note the "double pulses" associated with each carrier. The reception from Madrid Spain features a pronounced double arrival with the two carriers separated by about 18 Hz. Homs had a separation of about 11 Hz, etc. The clean carriers on the high frequency side indicate the fundamental propogation mode, while the somewhat messy carriers on the low frequency side (with plenty of spread) indicate a less optimum propagation mode with a loss in signal level of around 15 dB.
What is fascinating is the frequency translation; since this is a frequency domain display using a sampling rate of 8000 Hz and a FFT of 32k, time-of-arrival of the carriers is not an issue (I think). This means that some form of atmospheric doppler associated with the TEP propogation has shifted the carrier frequencies a few Hz. I interpret the results depicted to mean, at that time, the enhanced mode resulted from a TEP reflective zone moving towards my location, while the diffused zone, lower in frequency, resulted from the TEP reflective layer moving away from my location. Note that BOTH carrier frequencies have shifted from the frequency initially recorded at the start of the TEP opening that night. All of the carriers recorded here display the same effect to some extent. The other "carriers" visible are 50 Hz modulation products which are typically 25-30 dB down on a properly set up TV transmitter, but in the case of the Equatorial Guinea Tx the 50 Hz sidebands are only 8 dB down, accounting for the very raw sounding carrier audio, which makes this Tx an easy ID by simply listening to it (I reckon the tube is being severely overdriven and will not last long).
Subsequently, having twigged what is happening on this TEP mode, I have observed the same thing on many evenings.
This leads to a caveat when accurately measuring TV carriers: be aware of what is happening. I have noticed the same effect when measuring TV carriers on late afternoon F2 mode propagation with the onset of TEP mode, but the effect is very much less pronounced, typically limited to about 1-1.5 Hz at 48 MHz. Note that this discussion is concerned with "phase 2" TEP, the fluttery type, normal TEP does not show pronounced frequency shifting.
For DX enthusiasts using "waterfall" displays such a Digipan, the phase 2 TEP effect shows up as a poorly defined carrier, with the AFC in Digipan tending to "lock" onto the right-hand-side of the carrier. Inspection of the illustration will immediately reveal why! The software AFC in Digipan by the way, is first class...
Data was captured using a soundcard, a Rx in USB mode and suitable software, frequencies are comparewd off-air to references and are within about 1 Hz in the illustration after deducting the 2 Hz correction. If anyone has software to display the .WAV file in the frequency domain, ask me for a copy of it, the file is 880 k in size, but when zipped does not compress much. Good DX to all" Ian ZS6BTE (Screen shot and text courtesy of ZS6TBE)
18/10 FNQ Log Extract:
Summary of stations worked by VK4FNQ for Tuesday 17 October;
0226 S21YJ NL53CV
0248 WA7BJU CN85
0252 WB6UYG SSB
0305 WB6UYG CW
0311 N6XQ
0314 K6ATX
1354 S21YJ
1405 9M6CT
3 way QSO between S21YJ 9M6CT and I.
18/10 Web Site Changes:
QSL card added to the QSL Collection. A card from Arliss,W7XU, from South Dakota was received in the mail today :)
18/10 Kingman Reef/Palmyra Update:.
"The team has arrived safely on Christmas Island and is awaiting the arrival of the Machias, which is behind schedule. The KRPDXG team was hoping that it would arrive today. Meanwhile, the team received the license T32R and will be handing out QSOs for T32 until the ship arrives. Look for them on 40/20/15 meter. When they leave Christmas Island they will head to Palmyra to pick up Mike, KH6ND, before heading to Kingman Reef. Their estimated activity is expect around the 20th of October."
17/10 Kingman Reef 2000 Update:
The team has safely arrived on Christmas Island and awaiting the Machias. All is well and they are looking forward to the next leg. It is estimated they will depart tomorrow to Palmyra to pick up Mike, KH6ND. Then it is the last 25 miles or so to Kingman for setup. Estimated QRV is still around the 20th of October.
17/10 Warning - PC Virus
The rather nasty W95.MTX virus is being circulated in the ham community at the moment. Two local Brisbane stations have been infected with it recently. Be wary of any incoming e-mail with nothing in the subject, nothing in the body of the e-mail and with an attachment such as;
I_wanna_see_you.txt.pif
Matrix_screen_saver.scr
Love_letter_for_you.txt.pif
New_playboy_screen_saver.scr
Bill_gates_piece.jpg.pif
Tiazinha.jpg.pif
Feiticeira_nua.jpg.pif
Geocities_free_sites.txt.pif
New_napster_site.txt.pif
Metallica_song.mp3.pif
Anti_cih.exe
Internet_security_forum.doc.pif
Alanis_screen_saver.scr
Reader_digest_letter.txt.pif
Win_$100_now.doc.pif
Is_linux_good_enough!.txt.pif
Qi_test.exe
Avp_updates.exe
Seicho_no_ie.exe
You_are_fat!.txt.pif
Free_xxx_sites.txt.pif
I_am_sorry.doc.pif
Me_nude.avi.pif
Sorry_about_yesterday.doc.pif
Protect_your_credit.html.pif
Jimi_hendrix.mp3.pif
Hanson.scr
F___ing_with_dogs.scr
Matrix_2_is_out.scr
Zipped_files.exe
Blink_182.mp3.pif
For those files with .pif extensions, the .pif extension might not be visible in your mail program.
Delete the e-mail straight away!
16/10 Western Malaysia, 9M6:
A reminder that Peter, G4MJS, will be QRV as 9M6BAA on 6M and all HF bands from October 17 - 31. QSL via G4SHF.
16/10 Jamacia, 6Y:
Ron, 4S7RO, will be active on the air signing 4S7RO/6Y5. He has moved to Kingston, Jamaica, and expects to be here for the next two years. Meanwhile, Ron is not yet fully set up from 6Y5-land due to various shortcomings and inadequate equipment. However, he is working on it and hopefully will be back on the air very soon. He states that the local 6Y5 ham community has been VERY hospitable and generous. Ron plans to be active mainly on 20 meters CW/SSB (due to space restrictions). Unlike 4S7, Ron will sadly be unable to get on 160/80 meters. However, he may also try 6M and hopes to be able to work into the US! (extract from OPDX#481)
16/10 Open to EU last night:
Serge, UT5JCW, writes...
"Hi all. Today here was very strong F2 opening. I worked from portable QTH about 1200m heights on the sea level. Propagation is opened in 04:05 UTC and lasted before 09:00 UTC. I had QSO with : VK4 - 6, VK8 - 2, BV2DP , 4S7YSG , ZS6 - 2 stn. Stations passed much aloud on 59 on S - a metre. Good beginning F2 season." Serge Zhovtobrukh serge@Stel.Sebastopol.ua
16/10 Open to EU last night:
Summary of stations worked by VK4FNQ from 0622z to 0953z;
UR x 1, US x 1, UU x1, I x 5, LZ x 2, YO x 2, SP x 17, OE x 2, S5 x 2, 9A x 5, OM x 4, RK x 1, OK x 1, YT x 1, F x 2 & CT x 1
16/10 Marquesas Island, FO0:
Toshi, JA1ELY and Mako, JA1OEM will be QRV from Nuku Hiva Island (OC-027) October 18 - 23. The two will operate as FO0ELY and FO0TOH. They will operate on all bands 160-6M SSB/CW/RTTY. Because of heavy pileups for the KH5K DXpedition, they will use lower frequencies like: 14010/14145 etc... 160M 1832.5, 6M 50100, RTTY 14077 21077. QSL via their homecall. (OPDX#481)
16/10 Marquesas Island, FO0:
"The 59(9) DX Report" reports that Phillippe, FO3BM, will be active from Nuku Hiva for at least a week between October 25-29th as FO0SIX, 6M only. He is planning activity for the Australs in March 2001. (extract from OPDX#481)
15/10 News from Barbados, 8P:
Tony 8P9HW writes...
"Yes I am QRV on six with 100w to an HB9CV at 30'. I have been active since last December. Interesting you should mention March/April, as on 7th April 2000 I had an opening to VK4. Worked VK4's: ABW, BLK, FNQ, JH, BRG, AJS, NW, WTN and SX. So hope to work you on the next one. Will be in Barbados further three years. 73 de Tony" 8P9HW
15/10 Malay TV:
Malaysian E2 television was received in Brisbane last night between 1300-1530. Along with two other Thai E2 offsets the Malay signal on 48.239.583 +/- is listed as 100kw in Genting Sempah. Strong R1/C1 offsets were received before the Malay/Thai signals appeared and these peaked further around to the West than the usual collection of Chinese transmitters we often hear.
15/10 El Salvador, YS:
Andy, YS1AG writes...
"Hi Adam, thanks for the mail, just got an e-mail from Rick P29KFS someone told him about my report, we will be trying the forthcoming days albeit those hours are very very unholy for him, for it seems the openings are happening between 1330 and 1630 UTC, yesterday through the same kind of opening, long path, over Africa, I worked 20 Okinawa stations, at the peak signals were s9+. Last cycle I worked several VK, the band is wide open in your direction nearing the spring equinox, I recall during the Holy Week, which here is a holiday and everyone takes to the beaches for two or three days, (same happens in most of the Latin American Countries) I took the rig and antenna to see what happened, and lo! Aussies and more Ausssies with booming signals. I am sure next year (March-April-May) we shall have even ragchewing quality qsos in the whimsical band." YS1AG
14/10 Solar Update:
Solar flux and sunspot numbers were down again this week. Average sunspot numbers were down by more than 66 points, and average solar flux by almost 43 when compared to the previous week.
Last week's bulletin pointed out that the average daily solar flux values for the past three calendar quarters were all about the same--around 182 (180.5 for the first quarter, 182.9 for the second quarter, and 181.9 for the quarter year just completed). The average daily flux for September was 182.1, right at this same value. The past week's average solar flux was 152.6, well below this average.
We are surely at the peak of this solar cycle. Since there is so much daily variation in solar indices, we won't know until much later when the peak actually occurred. This year's values, although higher than last year's, look flat when examining the first nine months of this year.
Solar watchers and HF radio aficionados wonder if during the final quarter the sun will give us some more activity, yielding a later peak. Since the average radio amateur does not actually see many solar cycles during a lifetime, this is a subject of keen interest.
We may wish for more sunspots, but along with more activity comes more solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which increase polar absorption of radio signals. These events are often interesting to aurora watchers and VHF enthusiasts, but can be a problem for HF communications. October 5 was a day of big geomagnetic disturbance, when the planetary A index reached 96, and there was a sustained period when the K index was seven, indicating a severe geomagnetic storm. The high-latitude indices were worse, with Alaska's college A index at 105 and K index as high as eight.
Geomagnetic indices were very quiet from October 6-9. In fact, on October 8 Alaska's college A and K indices were zero for the entire day, which is highly unusual. Solar flux reached a recent short term minimum of 139.6 on October 10.
As this bulletin is written, activity is again increasing. Planetary A index is expected to rise to 35 on Friday, October 13, then hit 15 the next day and 12 for Sunday and Monday. Solar flux values for the same four days are predicted to be 170, 180, 195 and 205. The current rise in geomagnetic activity is due to a full halo coronal mass ejection at the end of the UTC day on October 9. This resulted in an interplanetary shock wave that hit Earth's magnetosphere at 2330 UTC on October 12.
Solar flux is expected to peak at 220 around October 18 and 19, and not dip below 200 until October 28. The next short term solar flux minimum is expected around November 5-7. Average solar flux predicted for the next 45 days is 191, which is a bit higher than the average for the first three quarters of this year. Of course, this could be an artifact of the period we are looking at, which includes two upcoming peaks based on the 27.5 day solar rotation.
Sunspot numbers for October 5 through 11 were 145, 127, 94, 128, 106, 95 and 131, with a mean of 118. The 10.7-cm flux was 173.8, 158.1, 155.6, 148.9, 140.8, 139.6 and 151.4, with a mean of 152.6. The estimated planetary A indices were 96, 6, 7, 5, 5, 12 and 14 with a mean of 20.7. (K7VVV)
14/10 Cocos-Keeling Island, VK9C:
Don, VK6HK writes...
"A reminder... As advised some time ago, the 50 MHz based operation from Cocos-Keeling Islands is scheduled to take place from Saturday October 21 - Saturday November 4. Wal VK6KZ and Don VK6HK will operate as VK9CZ and VK9CK
respectively. 50 MHz will be the main interest with 28885 KHz available for liaison. General HF operation will be available, (50 MHz conditions permitting). Favoured frequencies will nominally be 28485, 21285 and 14185 KHz. Other HF bands may be tried if time and antennas are available. We hope to work you all from Cocos... 73" Don VK6HK/VK9CK
14/10 St Helena Island, ZD7:
From this OH DX Summit spot it's nice to see ZD7MY is active;
EA8EE 50110.0 ZD7MY ii74 557 il28 2303 13 Oct
Look for this 2130-2300 long path ~28°. It aint that far away from ZD8, which was worked in Brisbane & Sarina on Tuesday.
14/10 Antartica, KC4:
"Hello Magic Banders! This is to inform you that Bert, WA1O, will be heading down to Antarctica on November 1 (I think for 2 months), and he just purchased an IC706 so he could be QRV on 6m with, h 100w ;-) He will be "roving" around through squares in fields RB,CB, DB and CA. He is a very experienced HF CW DXer, so will be operational on both USB and CW. Please pass along the news to other active 6m stations. Bert probably will not have Internet access while he is in the field, so will have to rely on "spots" posted by other stations hearing him.
In order to keep the size of this email down, I put his route map up on my web page: http://missoula.bigsky.net/cri/w7gj/TraverseMAP.jpg
He does not yet have an antenna procured, but has been thinking about various designs. The antenna has to be portable, compact, and easy to setup and take down. One idea he had is shown here: http://missoula.bigsky.net/cri/w7gj/6m_vert.jpg
Bert would appreciate hearing from any antenna gurus with ideas about what type of antenna to take. Please email comments directly to him at his email address (I am sending him a cc of this email so you can see his address until he leaves). If you have any suggestions regarding possible times of band openings from those fields, I am sure he would appreciate hearing from you in that regard also. Thanks for the bandwidth.
We are very lucky to have a "rover" in Antarctica during the peak of the sunspot cycle - now hopefully we will have some propagation from there to the rest of the
world ;-) GL and DX! 73" Lance Collister, W7GJ (ex: WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8)
14/10 VK4FNQ log extracts:
13/10/00 0624 50.080 UN5SIX BCN 579
13/10/00 0630 5B4FL 559
13/10/00 0634 5B4FL 53
14/10 Djibouti, J2:
Patrick F5THR is in Djibouti until May 2002 as J28EX. QRV 14, 21, 28 right now, and 6M in a few days. QSL via FB1BON, Patrice Brechet, Po Box 281, 85305 Challans Cedex. (Georges, F8OP)
14/10 Chad, TT:
Christian FH/TU5AX is now in Chad. His QTH is Moundou, in the Southern part of Chad, near the Central Africa and Cameroon border. He will be there until February 2002. He will be QRV soon on 6M with 400 watts and a 2 elements HB9CV. The callsign is: TT8DX. QSL via F5OGL. (Georges, F8OP)
13/10 Tunisia, TS7N:
TS7N in JM54NQ (Island of Kerkennah) will be QRV on 6M from November 15 - 25. The DXpedition will run one station exclusive on 6M. We will use 500 Watts output in 2 times 4 element yagis. For details (frequency, mode, etc) see our website: TS7N Walter Ludwig DL6SAQ. E-mail: dl6saq@yahoo.de
13/10 Asia:
Mid afternoon today and the R1/C1 video was super strong creating lots of strong in-band crud. JAs, & HL heard/worked. Three Thai E2 offsets were also up to S7.
13/10 Eritrea, E30:
Chris, DL5NAM, and Dieter, DF4RD, will be QRV October 17 - November 1. Callsigns are still unknown and will be issued after their arrival in Asmara. Activity will be on 160 - 6M on SSB, CW, RTTY and PSK31, including participation in the CQWW DX SSB Contest. QSL via home callsigns.
13/10 Europe:
Only the boys in Far North Queensland scored Europe last night:( The rest of us have to wait! Are we running one week behind last cycle?
John, VK4FNQ worked from 0728z to 0815z: 5 x 9A, 1 x S5, 3 x YU, 1 x YT
12/10 Will tonight be the night?
Eleven years ago today - 12/OCT/89 - VK4's were working G, GJ, & PA. Will history repeat?
12/10 W.A.Z.:
Paul Blumhart K5RT, the WAZ Manager, advises that a 6M W.A.Z. is in the pipeline for approval. Likely entry level is 25, with endorsements in steps of five. Expect rules to be published in March CQ. Chris R. Burger ZS6EZ crb@nanoteq.com
12/10 News from Equatorial Guinea, 3C5I:
"Hi Adam!! It's good to be back on 6m!! Re the beacon, the frequency is a loose one, but generally I sit it on .0960 on the cw position on my 680S. I ran the beacon overnight last night and it is running now, also LP to VK4 which happens to be the same bearing as the US (300-310) I just wonder what skew path I should be predicting between us -- maybe via ZD8?? (as it seems both of us can hear that region?)
I have the TV freq in my memory but cannot really check it during transmission times for the local TV here on 48.2504. Can you listen out for this also - I'm usually about 2 S points down from its level.
You have the phone number correct - this is the number in our house here. Feel free to give it to any VK that you feel is genuine about hearing me. Thanks - cheers" Alan
11/10 Vanuatu:
A reminder that Alan, VK4BKM, and Graeme, VK4FI, are active now, until October 15, as YJ0DX.
11/10 Equatorial Guinea:
"3C5I: I'm back on 6m after 4 weeks away! It's good to be back and active again, and will start looking for Nth Americans 1500Z, then long path VKs 2200Z or so... Thanks for the great BBQ Jimmy W6JKV, and a great pleasure to meet all the 6m fanatics there!!....Cheers," 3C5I alan_isaachsen@email.mobil.com
10/10 Long Path into Brisbane:
Johnny, ZD8KW, was worked in Brisbane via L.P. this morning at 8:03am local (22:03Z 9/10/00). 5x1 only only heard from 22:01 until 22:10. PY5CC reported hearing fragments of what he believed was a VK. If there was a scatter path extending from the ZD8 area across to South America then it disappeared along with ZD8KW! Peter, we'll be listening for you again in the morning.
10/10 Other activity:
V73AT was worked 559/579 at 22:21 this morning whilst still beaming L.P. towards ZD8. Peter, VK4APG reported that except for JA it was rather quiet during the day.
9/10 C21 trip a goer!
Jack Haden VK2GJH has advised that the projected 50MHz operation from Nauru as C21JH (RI-39) for December 2000 will go ahead. Actual departure date from Sydney (hopefully mid December hasn't been confirmed as yet due to the fact that the Air Nauru schedule changes during November. The proposed side-trip to Tarawa as T30JH has not be decided upon as yet. (VK2GJH)
9/10 9M Stations on 6M:
Tex, 9M2TO, reports that this season 9M2 6M stations (9M2NK, 9M2KE, 9M2KT, 9M2TO, 9M2XA and 9M2/JI1ETU) are looking for EUs, NAs and SAs on 6 meters. They know that they have a "SHORT-PASS- OPENINGS-EUs" at 0700z (+/-) in November, but they do not know the other passes for the areas. Please watch for the 9M2TO/B beacon on 50.005 MHz running 24 hours and inform them. The 9M2 station check the DX-SUMMIT cluster for QSNs. You can also send E-mail to Tex at: izumo@pc.jaring.my
9/10 KH0 stations active:
Two different dogpiles were heard last night. JAs working KH0M and KH0/JA3AQM
9/10 Long Path:
Hawaii scored some long path last night working into Spain and Italy. JA, JR6 and VR2s worked J28NH as well.
9/10 KH5/KH5K, Palmyra & Kingman Reef Update:
By the time you read this, the KRPDXG team should be on their way to Palmyra. The Hawaii operators KH7U, NH6UY, WB4JTT and KH6ND, along with Captain Bill Austin and his crew on the motor schooner Machias, should have departed from Christmas Island this past weekend to pick up Mike, KH6ND, from Palmyra to head to Kingman Reef.
Activity is to begin on October 18. Suggested frequencies are:
CW - 1826.5, 3503, 7003, 10103, 14023, 18073, 21023, 24893, 28023, 50105
SSB - 1826.5, 3795, 7065, 14195, 18145, 21295, 24945, 28465, 50105
RTTY - 7043, 14083, 28083 kHz
Other suggested frequencies: U.S. General operators are to look on 20 meters SSB on 14245 kHz and on 40 meters CW on 7023 kHz. JA stations are
to look for them on an alternate 160 meters frequency on 1824 kHz. Look on 6M for a breakable beacon (TX 50105/RX 50115) and also listen
to 28885 kHz.
7/10 Long Path from JA to Italy/Malta/Greece/Spain:
JM1SZY/JR6 ZP5PT 50.110 0109 001007 SSB QSO RS 55 also many PY's
CT1DYX CQ JA 50.110 0057 001007 SSB HRD 220 IN51 LISTEN FOR JA
JR3HED EH7KW 50.150 0030 001007 CW QSO 165 fb sigs
JN3ONX EH7KW 50.150 0027 001007 CW QSO 150 1st EA.
JM1KNQ/JR6 IT9RZR 50.120 0002 001007 CW QSO also SSB
JF6VRT 9H1BT 50.105 2335 001006 CW HRD 150
JA1BK I0JX 50.100 2302 001006 CW QSO
JA7WSZ 9H1BT 50.105 2231 001006 CW HRD 140 LP CQ
JA7WSZ SV1DH 50.109 2223 001006 CW QSO 140 419 TO 519
7/10 Far North QLD report:
Extract of last nights loggings from John, VK4FNQ;
1050 JA2IGY, V73SIX, JA6YBR, JA1ZYK, JE7YNQ, JR0YEE, KH6HME, BV2DP HRD, JG1ZGW
1219 50.110 VR2XMT HRD 55
1250 50.135 VR2YYW HRD 53, JG1ZGW BCN
1309 50.130 BG7OH HRD 53
7/10 The Vatican, HV0A:
Tomorrow (7th OCTOBER) beginning from 0730z will be activate the station from The Vatican HV0A. Special attention will have turned to possible contacts with Non European stations. After the activity I put (if necessary) the list of qso's in sixitalia web pages.... www.sixitalia.org Sergio, ik0fta
7/10 Sri Lanka works VK:
4S7EA worked VK8MS in PH57kn on 6/10 at 0829z. This may be a first time to VK8. (VK8MS )
7/10 Solar Update:
Average solar flux and sunspot numbers were off for the week, while geomagnetic indices were up - the result of coronal mass ejections and the subsequent solar wind. Average sunspot numbers were off by nearly 43 points, and solar flux was down
nearly 28 points.
A series of coronal mass ejections kept things lively. The planetary A index reached 45 Saturday and Wednesday. This is an indication of a geomagnetic storm. Until daybreak on Thursday, October 5, auroral lights were spotted as far south as latitude 43º. This was probably the result of a solar coronal mass ejection on October 2. The NASA ACE spacecraft recorded an interplanetary shock wave at 0240 UTC on October 5.
Effects are expected to fade over the next few days, with the planetary A index predicted for Friday through Wednesday at 35, 15,
10, 10, 12 and 12. Solar flux is expected to reach a minimum during this period with a 10.7-cm flux value at 150. Predicted flux values for Friday through Wednesday are 170, 160, 150, 150, 150 and 160. Solar flux is expected to rise above 200 again after October 16, and peak around 215 from October 18-22.
September 30 marked the end of the third calendar quarter of 2000, so it's time to review quarterly averages of solar flux values.
The average daily solar flux for July 1 through September 30 was 181.9, one point lower than the earlier quarter, 182.9. The first
quarter of this year had an average daily solar flux value of 180.5. This seems to indicate a fairly flat average solar flux value for this year, which was predicted to be the peak year for this solar cycle. These values are higher than the solar flux levels for 1999.
Average solar flux for September was 182.1, which is an improvement over August, which was 163.1. Average monthly solar flux values since the beginning of this year were 159, 174.1, 208.2, 184.2, 184.5, 179.8, 200.5, 163.1, and 182.1.
Readers who use Scott Craig's Solar Data Plotting Utility noticed that it would not suck up data from last week's W1AW propagation bulletin, ARLP039. This is because of wording in the bulletin that confused the automatic data gathering feature in the software. Scott is writing a revision to the code so that it will not have that problem in the future, if ever that particular sequence of words that caused the problem is used again. Of course you can manually edit the data file to update the solar flux and sunspot numbers. You can also check the Web for an update. Look for something beyond the current version, which is 3.08w.
G3LDI wrote to inquire about a source for solar flux, A index and K index data over the past year. To get this data, go to the Space Environment Center's FTP server, then click on the Indices, Events and Region Data line, then click on Solar, Particle and Geomag Indices beginning Jan 1994.
Sunspot numbers for September 28 through October 4 were 211, 164, 155, 157, 190, 196 and 216, with a mean of 184.1. The 10.7-cm flux was 202.3, 192, 193.6, 201.6, 202.6, 192 and 184.1, with a mean of 195.5. The estimated planetary A indices were 12, 7, 45, 13, 11, 37 and 45 with a mean of 24.3. (K7VVV)
6/10 8 Maldives, 8Q7:
Pierre, HB9QQ, will be QRV from the Maldives October 17 - November 1 as 8Q7QQ. He will be using an IC-746 and a 5-element wide spaced yagi. He was rather strong tonight on 885 in a QSO with VK4JSR.
4/10 T30JH QSL Report:
Jack VK2GJH reports "Some 70 items of QSL mail were actioned on Tuesday 3rd October, some 35 percent of these were for six meter contacts. The standard of QSLing so far has been exceptional with 100% of requests both in the log and including SAE and return postage. Let's hope the trend continues...73" de Jack.
4/10 DDQ-0 Toowoomba copied in Spain:
EA7JX 50000.0 VKVIDEO 46171.8 QG53 weak 0704 03 Oct
4/10 ZD8 No Show:
It was eleven years ago yesterday morning when ZD8VHF/b and ZD8MB were heard/worked in this region at 21:54 and 21:52 respectively.
4/10 9M6 reminder:
"I'll be QRV as 9M6BAA (OJ85CH) from October 17 - 31, maybe a few days longer. Will announce beacon and QSX frequencies in a few days. Looks like the propagation is getting itself in shape ready for my trip...QSL will be via G4SHF as usual. 73, hope to work you from 9M6." Peter G4MJS g4mjs@blacksheep.org
3/10 Cambodia XU7BC:
Is currently active until October 5. The TEP openings might bag this one.
3/10 Listen to those Italian QSOs:
Here the Real Audio files of the VK4s being worked in Italy on Sunday! vk4abw.ra vk4ape.ra vk4fnq.ra as supplied by Sergio IK0FTA
3/10 Jamaica, 6Y/W3CMP:
Chris, W3CMP, will be QRV from Jamaica during November 13 - 21. He'll be taking an IC 706 and maybe an FT-847 (if I can find one) as well as and 6M antennas. Call has been applied for. More info as things unfold. (W3CMP)
2/10 Guam Island, KH2:
A group from the Nagoya area will be QRV from Guam November 10 - 15. They will have two IC-736, IC-706, FT-100 and a 500W Linear Amplifier for 160 - 10 meters, SSB/CW/RTTY. 6m - 5 element Yagi @ 25m. The operators will be active as: KH2F (QSL via JA2TBS), KR6CZ/KH2 (via JA2VFW), AB8EW/KH2 (via JH2SON), K1HP/KH2 (via JE2EHP), KH2/JH2ABL (via JH2ABL), KH2/JH2KDP (via JH2KDP), KH2/JJ2MST (via JJ2MST), KH2/JL2WNA (via JL2WNA) and KH2/JQ2PTN (via JQ2PTN). If you have any questions or requests, contact Masao, JA2TBS/KH2F via E-mail at: ja2tbs@jarl.com (OPDX)
2/10 Mariana Islands, KH0:
Look for operators JQ1UKK, JF2SKV, JG3VEI and JH5OXF to be active in the CQWW CW Contest as NH0S in a Multi/Single/High Power Category effort. Outside the contest, between November 23 - 27, they will be operating on all bands 160-6 meters SSB/FM/CW/RTTY/PSK31 with a FL7000 and HL1KGX amplifier. Operators (with callsign/QSL info) are: KH2F (QSL via JF2SKV), NH0V (via JG3VEI), KH0/KD6CJF (via JH5OXF) and KH0/JQ1UKK (via JQ1UKK). QSL NH0S via JF2SKV to JARL bureau or direct to: Hisashi Matsushita, 14-1 Ugasemae Iwakura, Toyota, 444-2225 JAPAN Any questions can be direct to Hisashi, JF2SKV, via E-mail: 8877@hm.aitai.ne.jp (OPDX)
2/10 Mariana Islands, KH0:
Hide, JF1VXB, will be QRV from Saipan Island October 5 - 10 as KH0M. Activity will be on 80-6 meters SSB/CW/RTTY/PSK31 with a KW amp. He hopes to participate in the Oceania DX Conetst. QSL to homecall via JARL bureau or direct to CBA: Hidenobu Nakamura: 23-139 Chojabara, Kasuya, 811-2311 JAPAN (OPDX)
2/10 EU & AS Countries worked by VK4FNQ QG39ex:
Worked from 0700z to 0835z on 1/10/00 include;
1 EY, 1 YT, 1 IS, 1 UT, 2 YO, 3 YU, 4 SV, 17 I ps No sign of that in S.E. Qld!
2/10 Agalea, 3B6RF update:
"We have to postpone. Our landing permit for Agalega was cancelled, due to unexpected elections in Mauritius which took place middle of September. Officials of the new Mauritius Government have asked us to postpone the expedition for 2 to 3 weeks. This for security reasons. This creates severe difficulties to us as there are only two regular ships per year heading to 3B6" from Hans-Peter HB9BXE, Leader 3B6 Dxpedition
2/10 Kingman Reef Update, KH5K:
The latest press release by the Kingman Reef/Palmyra DX Group and Garry Shapiro, NI6T, states preparations continue at an accelerating pace for the Kingman Reef DXpedition in mid-October. Some equipment has arrived in Honolulu with antennas, amplifiers and cables on their way. The motor schooner Machias is being prepared for the journey. Site planning is almost complete. Financial support is coming in from foundations, clubs and individuals (more is still needed). Contributions should be sent to Tom Harrell, N4XP, 2011 New High Shoals Rd., Watkinsville, GA 30677. For more updates, check out the Web site at: http://www.qsl.net/krpdxg Frequencies used by KH5K: CW: 50102 (TX) 50107-50120 (RX) SSB: 50145 (TX) 50150-50170 (RX) (OPDX)
1/10 Kingman Reef, KH5K:
The Kingman Reef /Palmyra DX Group will be QRV approximately October 19 - 30. Thanks to donations from UKSMG, we will have significant coverage on six meters. We will be running a 24/7 breakable beacon on six meters on 50.105 (QSX 50.115 and 28.885). Station will consist of 375 watts and multiple antennas (omni when in beacon mode and M2 6M5X otherwise). Station will be manned around the clock. Good luck and let us hope that the propagation gods smile upon us all. Ned Stearns, AA7A estearns1@home.com
1/10 Far Nth QLD works EU:
VK4 opening right now with S9+, first time heard, but only two stations available VK4FNQ and VK4ABW... who wanted the Italian wall-to-wall?? .... Steve I0WTD I0WTD@libero.it Sunday, October 01, 2000 at 08:37:21 (GMT/BST)
Postings from the OH DX Summit;
IK8DYD 50087.0 VK4RTL/B 53 0852 01 Oct
IK8DYD 50110.0 VK4JH also on ssb long path 0845 01 Oct
SV1DH 50110.0 VK4ABW cq ssb since 0727z 0827 01 Oct
IK8DYD 50109.0 VK4JH 0823 01 Oct
IK8DYD 50115.0 VK4ABW 57 0822 01 Oct
IT9IPQ 50110.0 VK4APH 55 in jm78 0823 01 Oct
IW0GPN 50120.0 VK4FNQ 53 hrd 0829 01 Oct
IK8DYD 50110.0 VK4CXQ 599 in jn71ea 0820 01 Oct
S59A 50100.0 VK4 try .100! 110 2much EU QRM! 0815 01 Oct
I0KNQ 50114.0 VK4ABW whaaaaaooooooooo s9 0811 01 Oct
1/10 Need Nauru, C21?
I am starting to look at dates in December for the C21JH (RI-39) 50MHz operation, however, I would like to receive some feedback from Oceania amateurs if there is a 'real' need for C21 on six?? As 10 to 14 days is quite an amount of time to spend on Nauru just for amateur radio and expensive at that. I may consider cutting the operation back or combining it with another T30JH operation. Comments would be appreciated, especially from the JA's who will have the most regular and best path to C21 on 50MHz. Need C21???? Then by all means let me know, no feedback will mean nobody wants it and I can spend my December holidays in VK. 73 de Jack. VK2GJH vk2gjh@usa.net
1/10 Midway Island, NB6A/KH4:
"I had contact with 2170 stations 80m-6m during the Midway Atoll DX Pedition on the 21th 0801Z until 24th 0403Z.. I was running a 6m beacon 21th 2300Z until 24th 0100Z. Antenna was a 5 el Yagi up 25 m. TRX was my IC-706 100W. Following stations were worked on 50.115 MHz: 22th. 0854Z - 0922Z VK4BLK, VK4ZJR, VK4ZNQ. 23th 0830Z - 0958Z V73AT, VK4BLK, VK4TL, T30JH, V73JK, VK4CXQ, P29KFS. I heard A35AN on 50.110MHz SSB on the 23rd 0920Z- when he contacted many JAs." 73 Tack NB6A/KH4 also JE1RXJ. e-mail: je1rxj@jarl.com