The monthly newsletter of the Carbon Amateur Radio Club

January 2000

By Larry N3CR

The greatest non-event on record!! But it is always better to be prepared than not. Thanks to those who participated and the 14 check-ins to the net for the Y2K ops. This really turned out well and the club should benefit by it. This was more than a drill and it was treated as such. Ed K3VA was asked at Palmerton Hospital if he would be available for OR duty if they roll someone in !! Go for it Ed ! You are good with tools. Now we know why Bert W3OWP went to the Lehighton Hospital. He says they have the best parties!! Thanks to AJ, Bruce DZN,

and Randy N3OWC for taking time out to help the club. And for all those listening, we were ready to come looking for you.

Fortunately, Internet and phone lines stayed up and PPL didn't offer a flicker. There are problems though. I hear a couple logging programs needed a quick fix and those with Netscape are probably looking for a free upgrade for the secure "CA Certificates" that expired on December 31st. Looks like this Y2K thing was better planned than I thought and is proving to be a big money maker for some people. I hope we can all get in on it!! Just beware, some stores are charging 15 percent restocking fees for all those generators and kerosene heaters you are planning to take back. I am not going to return mine just yet.

There is a lot more winter left and I hope Santa brought you at least one new toy. There is a lot more DX to come and it should be easier. This is becoming a solar cycle no one will remember because so far it has not touched off any exceptional events. The FCC on the other hand has put out a NRPB on Amateur Radio Restructuring of radical change. There will only be three classes of licenses, Technician, General, and Extra with a 5 WPM morse code

requirement. Now is time to get your comments in on this one!!! I can see some real good operators coming

out of this new farm team. Get your personals in order because they will surely be throwing them at you and not just on ten meters!!!! Of course, the ARRL welcomes all the new members of the amateur community. I wonder if they get a free upgrade manual when they sign up? Stayed tuned for this one and attend the next meetings for the latest info. April 15^th is more than just IRS day, it is here comes the invasion day. We thought the CB invasion into amateur radio in 1978 was awful, now good buddy we have to learn a whole new language and a" shack on a belt" could become the new wave of the future with a kilowatt to boot.

73s de Larry N3CR

By Lamar N3AT

Some hams shy away from QRP activity because much of it is in the CW sections of the various bands. QRP and CW go hand in hand. There is either a fear of CW on the part of many, or a reluctance to spend the time and effort to learn it.

QRP'ers in California are doing something about the problem many face when they try to increase the speed at which they send and receive CW. They have formed several "QRQp" nets. Do you know the meaning of all the "Q" signals? This one is likely one that not many hams recognize. QRQ means, "increase speed:". And therefore a QRQp net is one in which the participants begin sending and receiving at a certain level, and gradually increase the speed that is being sent, to challenge the participants. It seems to be working.

If you are serious about learning and/or increasing your CW speed, there is a new ARRL resource that may be of help. Send an e-mail message to "[email protected]" (minus the quotation marks, of course). You will find a lot of help there.

Regular Meeting Minutes

December 16, 1999

By Bob K3PH

Vice-President Glenn O’Donnell, K3PP, called a regular meeting of the Carbon Amateur Radio Club to order at 7:34 p.m. on Thursday, December 16, 1999. Ten people attended.

The minutes were read by Bob, K3PH, and approved by the members in attendance.

Bob, K3PH, gave the treasurer’s report in W3MF’s absence. At the last meeting, we had a balance of $790.53. We received $15 in year 2000 membership fees, leaving a balance of $805.53. The members in attendance approved the Treasurer’s report.

It was reported that we still need a new Wednesday night network control station, as well as a Carbon County Radio Officer and Emergency Coordinator.

Our EMA director, Scott Forster, indicated that he needs 1 or 2 volunteers for his state certification drill on Monday, December 20. In addition, there will be an operation on December 31, requiring 2 volunteer operators at the EOC, plus 3 or 4 additional volunteers for the hospitals and nursing homes. The New Year’s Eve operation will begin about 10:00 p.m. Bert, W3OWP, volunteered to operate from the Lehighton hospital, while Glenn, K3PP, and Ed, K3VA, noted they could be called out if needed. Glenn also indicated he would put an announcement on the club’s e-mail reflector indicating the need for additional volunteers.

Ed, K3VA, asked about emergency ID cards and Scott said that he would get everyone in the club such a card.

Regarding our club receiver project, it was agreed to table the discussion until next month, when Lamar, N3AT, should have additional information.

Bert, W3OWP, suggested that the club newsletter should be mailed to some, instead of bringing copies to the meeting and then mailing to those members who didn’t pick up a copy at the meeting. In the ensuing discussion, it was agreed to temporarily send out the newsletter to all, as the cost would only be about $11. It was also agreed to move the mailing to 2 weeks before the meeting. The membership application for 2000 will specifically ask whether the member wants the newsletter mailed or will pick it up from the Web site.

Goody, K3NG, suggested that we need to better publicize the club, such as on the PaHam reflector, press coverage of club activities, announcements on the 2-meter net, or a "junk" mailing to Carbon County hams. It was unanimously decided to send a W3HA QSL card to all hams in Carbon County in January to acquaint them with the club and invite them to our meetings.

It was noted that the preliminary Pennsylvania QSO Party results were out, showing W3HA as number 2, closely behind K3ANS. Glenn, K3PP, presented a certificate to Bert, W3OWP, commemorating his 10 contacts with W3HA during the contest.

John, K3CT, indicated that our repeater coordinator is looking for donations, and he moved that we send a donation of $10. The motion passed.

Glenn, K3PP, and John, K3CT, then gave very informative demonstrations of logging programs. Glenn demonstrated Log-EQF, a DOS-based program, while John demonstrated DX4Win, a Windows-based program.

The meeting adjourned at 9:41 p.m.

By Larry N3CR

Wouldn't you know that just as the calender changes the numbers go south and the A Index climbs to A25. I think we have been there a few times too many. To start off the new year at solar flux 130 and active conditions things can only get better. The best conditions

should appear around the 17th with the solar flux around 200. Geo storms should return the end of the month

again but should be less severe allowing some DX to push through. The solar flux should drop to 140 by the 28th. Conditions look good for February 9th with a few days of

exceptional quiet conditions and lots of DX before the stormy conditions return.

These things can change quickly with a new area of the sun becoming active. And while HF has been taking a beating, six meters and vhf are showing some teasing efforts to open up from north to south. This will continue thru January as the A Index will have few days below 8 and the K Index will settle at 3 or higher for much of the month. This is a good time to look for Aurora conditions in the Mid and Northern latitudes. January is generally a good month for E's and Aurora E's . There have been some short lived openings recently in the mornings between 9 am and 11:30 am. The one call area has had several openings to England.

The sunspots and solar flux are averaging about 10 points higher on the scale for the month as we still slowly climb the solar cycle due to peak in November. It is believed this will be a short cycle and rapid return to solar flux under 100. When the solar flux is 200 and the sunspots are above 120 , it is time to check the bands and warm up the finals. This is as good as it is about to get. You will need more than coat hangers to work the DX this time around .

Good Hunting and 73s

de Larry N3CR.....

Provided by Bob K3PH

The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster

DX Bulletin No. 442

January 3, 2000

Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW

Provided by BARF-80 BBS Cleveland, Ohio

Online at 440-237-8208 28.8k-1200 Baud 8/N/1

Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, ARRL/QST, AD1C, K1XN & The GoList, KB2NMV, N2JTX, WB2RAJ/WB2YQH & The 59(9) DXReport, W3UR & The Daily DX, K4VUD, K7WX, K8YSE, KE0UI, 9A4DU, CE6TBN, DL3XM, DL5EBE, DL7VRO, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, HK6DOS, HL0C, IK2BHX, JM1LJS, OH2PM, PA5BW, PA5ET, PT2BW, SV8CS, VE6JO and VK9NS for the following DX information.

1A0KM, SOV. MIL. ORDER OF MALTA

"The Daily DX" reports that Francesco, IK0FVC, states that there will probably be no operation from here until the summer.

4U0G, UNITED NATIONS OFFICE IN GENEVA

The station 4U0G has been on the air since just before Christmas 1999. This station is located in the Palais des Nations, the Headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland (UNOG). The callsign 4U0G was issued to mark the emergency preparedness measures set up at Headquarters by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for the Y2K rollover period, and it may become, in the future, the official callsign of the UNOG Amateur Radio Club. The callsign counts as Switzerland for DXCC. Most of the activity over the past week was on 20 meters CW (around 14005 kHz after 1245z). QSL via the bureau only to IK2BHX. For additional information (and for plenty of color ham-related pictures!), visit the Web site: http://ik2bhx.homepage.com

8Q, MALDIVES (Update)

The callsigns are now confirmed and Rob/PA5ET will be signing 8Q7ET and Ronald/PA3EWP will sign 8Q7WP. Their activity will take place January 12-18th from Kuramathi (IOTA AS-013). Please refer to OPDX.441.

9N, NEPAL

Charles, K4VUD, is back in 9N-land after being active in Laos (XW) and plans to be active from 9N1AA's QTH as 9N7UD. He would like to be active on the WARC bands but states that there are only a few takers. Charles states,

"It is just too boring and waste of time to sit on WARCs and work two in an hour... not because of dead bands but because no one is there to work..." He will move to the WARC bands if several USA stations ask him too. Charles

also mentioned this past weekend, beginning January 3rd, he will listen on 10110 kHz at 1300z and 0100z for ten minutes on each hour for three hours.

CE0Z, JUAN FERNANDEZ ISLAND (DXpedition Update)

Marco, CE6TBN, reports their CE0Z DXpedition is set to go January 6-16th. He provides the following suggested modes and bands/frequencies:

Modes: SSB, FM, CW, Packet, RTTY, SSTV, PSK and Satelite

Bands/Freq:

80m - 3795, 3510

40m - 7045, 7015, 7030

20m - 14190, 4.020, 14.105

17m - 18150, 18075, 18055

15m - 21290, 21025, 21085

12m - 24950, 24900, 24920

10m - 28520, 29400, 28025, 28045

6m, 2m and 70 cm

DXCC AWARDS "NEW" FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM

As of January 1, 2000, a few new additions have been added to the ARRL DXCC Awards program. Complete details are available from the 1999 December QST (page 47) or the ARRRL Web page at: http://www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc

1 - The "DXCC 2000 MILLENNIUM AWARD" is available to members and non-members. The DXCC 2000 Millennium Award certificate is awarded for working 100 or more of the entities on the ARRL DXCC List. Contacts may consist of any combination of bands or modes, and all contacts must be made between the period of 0000 UTC 1st January, 2000, and end at 2359 UTC on 31^st December, 2000. The DXCC 2000 Millennium Award is a separate award and does not provide credits for any of the traditional DXCC awards programs. So, no endorsements of any kind are offered and certificates are dated but not numbered. However, the applicant must certify on the original application the authenticity of log extract information for contact with the 100 entities on the DXCC List. No QSL cards are required for this award. The official application must be used to facilitate processing, and the application forms are available at the above Web site for down- loading or send an SASE, or an SASE with 1 IRC for Amateurs outside the US to the following address: DXCC 2000 Millennium Applications, American Radio Relay League, 225 Main Street, Newington CT 06111 USA

2 - The DXCC Challenge is the accumulation of credits for all eligible bands within the DXCC program based upon the current listings only. The standing is calculated annually from the total of the number of eligible current entities on each of the eligible bands and is listed as a number only. The submission deadline is September 30th of each year. For qualification, participants must be the holder of a 5 Band DXCC Award. A plaque is available for 1,500 DXCC Challenge credits, with endorsement plates for increments of 500. (Please refer to the 1999 December QST or the ARRL Web site for more details.)

3 - The new "20 Meter Single-band DXCC Award" is now available for 100 contacts with current entities on the DXCC List and will be credited, beginning with the QSO date (on any mode; mode is not specific) of November 15, 1945. Awards will be dated but not numbered. (Please refer to the 1999 December QST or the ARRL Web site for more details.)

4 - The DeSoto Cup named after Clinton B. DeSoto who wrote the definitive article describing the DXCC program in 1935, will be awarded to the leader of the DXCC Challenge each year. Only one Cup will be awarded per individual during his lifetime.

DXCC ENTITIES SINKING INTO THE OCEAN!!!

The Cable News Network (CNN) reported this past week that Kiribati has doubts about its long-term future. Global warming and rising sea levels are taking their toll on the Pacific island nation. According to some reports, Kiribati (pronounced kir-ee-bass) could be entirely under water by 2025. Portions of Kiribati's islands have already disappeared. For more details on the story, go to the Web Page: http://cnn.com/1999/ASIANOW/australasia/12/29/kiribati.millenium/

FH, MAYOTTE

Christian, 6W1QV (ex-TR8SA), will be active as FH/TU5AX from January 5^th for 5 months. He will take 2 transceivers with him and a R-70000. Christian will be active on 40-6 meters. QSL via F5OGL.

IOTA NEWS

AS-085. The Hanyang University Wave Research Club (HL0C) has postponed their DXpedition to Tokara Archipelago due to various reasons. (Please refer to OPDX.441)

EU-016. Ante/9A4DU, Zof/9A4NC, Maro/9A5ANY, and Nick/9A6DX are planning to be active from islands of Korcula (IOTA EU-016, IOCA CI-041) and Proizd (IOTA EU-016, IOCA CI-093) January 21-23rd. They will be on the air using their own callsign/p (e. 9A6DX/p,9A4nNCp..). Activity will be on all bands (80/40/20/15/10 meters) including 6 meters, mostly on the IOTA frequencies. QSL via their home callsigns or to: Box 300, 20000 Dubrovnik, CROATIA. They also report that more activity is expected in February from the islands of Sipan (IOCA CI-122), Lopud (IOCA CI-057) and Kolocep (IOCA CI-038), all in IOTA EU-016 group.

EU-052. Spiros, SV8CS, informs OPDX that he is active from the western Greece island of Zante every day on 80 meters. He states that he looks for the USA West Coast stations on LP (long path) between 3789 and 3880 kHz at

1700-1800z. He is also active again at 2000-2300z on the same frequencies for the JA and USA East Coast stations. Spiros uses a full size vertical and a 3 element wire beam pointed at 150 degrees to the West Coast LP. Also, he has 5 beverages for reception. Look for him in the CQWW DX Contest in February on 160 meters.

SA-047. PA3DES and another operator are planning activity from Ilha do Mel (PY5). They will be active on all bands SSB, PSK31 and SSTV. Their activity will start at the end of February and last for several weeks. Details about a more accurate starting and ending date and callsigns will follow as soon as they are known.

MORE 2000 SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS

"The 59(9) DXReport" reports that the UK amateurs may sign /2K during January to celebrate the Millennium. This includes all UK calls such as G, GD, GI, GM, GU GW, M, MD, MI, etc.

ATTENTION PREFIX HUNTERS! Look for special event station 9AY2K who will be active now through December 31st for the new year 2000. QSL via 9A1A.

RAC Headquarters announced that the Industry Canada informed Canadian Radio Amateurs that the following National Special Event prefixes are authorized for Y2K. Look for Canadian stations to use these special prefixes until February 16, 2000:

VE1 - CG1 VA1 - CF1 VO1 - CH1 VY0 - CI0

VE2 - CG2 VA2 - CF2 VO2 - CH2 VY1 - CI1

VE3 - CG3 VA3 - CF3 VY2 - CI2

VE4 - CG4 VA4 - CF4

VE5 - CG5 VA5 - CF5

VE6 - CG6 VA6 - CF6

VE7 - CG7 VA7 - CF7

VE8 - CG8 VE9 - CG9

By the time you read this, Ari, PT2BW, will probably be QRT as ZW2OOO. His activity was to end January 3rd. If you were lucky to work him, QSL via either the Bureau or direct to: Ariosto R. de Souza, P.O. Box 03821, 70084-970 Brasilia, DF - BRAZIL.

OPDX INTERNET SUBSCRIBERS

The subscribers will receive a special message as an addition from Monk Apollo SV2ASP/A provided by Dominik, DL5EBE, DX Editor of the "CQ DL Magazine".

QSL INFO AND NEWS

QSL Manager W3EVW reports that he has not heard from or received logs for 9Y4VU in two years. He states that he is no longer the QSL Manager.

Andre, ZS6WPX, reports that several sources are reporting the QSL Manager for 3DA0WPX is ZS5WPX. This is incorrect per Andre. The correct QSL Manager is ZS6WPX.

QSL special event station CS2MIL for celebrating the New Year 2000 via CT1END. Logs will be available On-Line at:

http://www.qsl.net/ct1end

Jean Michel, F6AJA, reports that he has received the cards for FK8VHT/P (Lifou Island) from last October. All direct requests will be on their way soon.

Oscar, HK6DOS, reports that the new QSL Manager for CO8ZZ is now DK1WI: Erhard Hauptmann, Erlenstr. 31, Katzwinkel, 57581, Fed. Rep. of Germany.

Pertti, OH2PM, informs readers "PLEASE" do not send QSLs to Pertti, OH2PM (XX9TR, XX9TRR, OH2PM/BY1QH or BY1DX) to the Beijing, China address. The new address is: Pertti Simovaara, OH2PM, Pohj.pikatie 957, 04940 Levanto, Finland. Direct QSLing of XX9TR and XX9TRR are via N6XJ CBA and BY1DX via OH2BH.

Guenter, DL3XM, reports that he has been receiving QSLs from JA stations for PY0ZFO which he is NOT the QSL Manager. He is, however, the QSL Manager for PY0FZM who was Hardy, DL2HZM, living on Fernando de Noronha but is now deceased as of November 21, 1999. Guenter is also QSL Manager for his 1997 Caribbean Tour: P40XM, VP2EXM, FS/DL8WAA (only 1997), PJ8- and PJ9/DL5LYM.

Jim Smith, VK9NS, reports that QSL cards for VK8ML/CI operation will be available in a few days and he should have the QSL cards in hand. Look for them coming out soon.

QSL Manager, Fritz, DL7VRO, reports that Y2K is a pirate and DK2OC is not the QSL Manager, since he processes all cards for Uli.

QSL Manager, Fritz, DL7VRO, also reports that QSL cards for 3D2AO/R and 3D2IO/R for the latest Rotuma operation will be going out sometime during the beginning of the year.

T88, PALAU (Update)

Hide, JM1LJS, was able to extend his V63LJ Ponape operation until January 4th before he heads to Palau. Remember, he will be in Ponape from January 4-10th, but will only be active for 24 hours as T88LJ. Please refer to OPDX.441.

VK, AUSTRALIA

"The 59(9) DXReport" reports that Josep, EA6ACC will be active from here January 20th through March 15th as VK4FOC. He also expects to be active in other sections of Australia such as VK2, VK3, VK5 and VK8. He will only be sing 100w into a R-7000.

VK0, MACQUARIE ISLANDS (A Millennium surprise!)

Alan, VK0LD, who announced that "VK0LD was going QRT" less than two weeks ago, has announced that he will be active as VK0MM (Macquarie Millennium) over the year 2000. This operation will be the same as VK0LD, activity on all HF bands primarily CW but also SSB. He will concentrate mainly on 20 meters and maybe 15 meters for early part of the year to give a new country to as many as possible. Alan works CW at 30 wpm and states, "It is almost CERTAIN that this will be the LAST VK0/m operation using CW, possibly the LAST VK0/m operation full stop (cannot go into reasons why) so instead of griping & pontificating just work me or get out of the way & let someone else work me !!" FINALLY AND VERY IMPORTANT! Currently, there is no QSL route for VK0LD or VK0MM and no manager for VK0LD or VK0MM. QSLs will be issued upon Alan's return home, around December 2000. A QSL route will be announced at that time. Also, Alan states, ".... QSL mail sent to the QTHR/callbook address will be destroyed unopened and QSL via the Buro will not be accepted." Alan also states from his Web site, "Do not attempt multiple "insurance" QSOs. Duplicate QSOs on the same band/mode will result in ALL QSOs for that station being automatically removed from the log by the logging software." Alan reports that he has already removed several stations from his log for doing this. For updates and schedules for operations, please go to the Web site at: http://www.geocities.com/vk0ld/1.html

VP9, BERMUDA

Bob, KE0UI, will be active from here (IOTA NA-005), January 8-15th as VP9/KE0UI in the rare Hamilton Parish. Activity will be CW and SSB on 80-10 meters. QSL is to the home callsign CBA (preferred) or the stateside Zero Bureau.

XZ, MYANMAR

A press release by Warren, K7WX, was sent out this past weekend and states that the first group of XZ0A operators departs for Myanmar on January 9th. They will reach Thahtay Kyun Island (off the southernmost tip of the Union

of Myanmar, Zone 26, Southeast Asia) by the afternoon of January 12th and hope to be active by the afternoon of the 14th at the latest. They expect to have a total of eight stations running FT-1000MPs and Alpha amplifiers with full size antennas on all bands. Although the majority of contacts will be made on 80 through 10 meters, there will also be dedicated stations, with specialized operators, for Top Band, RTTY and 6-meters. This will be the first ever XZ IOTA, and a brand new prefix. This Dxpedition ill run continuously through February 6, 2000. QSL requests can be made directly, or via the appropriate bureau. Direct QSLs go to: XZ0A QSL Request, c/o Bob Myers, W1XT, 37875 North 10th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85086 USA. Bureau QSL cards should be clearly marked: XZ0A via W1XT. More complete details can be found at the DXpedition web site: http://getnet.com/~k7wx/myanmar.htm

Excerpts and distribution of The OPDX Bulletin are granted as long as KB8NW/OPDX/BARF80 receive credit. To contribute DX info, call BARF-80 BBS online at 440-237-8208 28.8k/14400/9600/2400/1200 and leave a message with the Sysop or send via InterNet Mail to:

[email protected]

- OR -Send a message via packet to KB8NW @ WA8BXN.OH.USA.NA

- OR - Use the VOICE or FAX answering machine at 440-237-8208 which shares the same phone line as BARF-80 BBS using a data/fax/phone switch. To access: 1) Dial Number. 2) Wait for first ring (the second ring should be a false ring from the fax/data switch box) and then dial four quick ones ("1111"). (NOTE: Some FAX machines that send single "BEEPS" every second will not have to do this step.) 3) The phone will pick up and after the "BEEP" leave your voice message or FAX.

** Denotes CARC supported or sponsored events

Bold indicates items of local interest

January 15: MI QRP Club CW Contest, North American QSO Party SSB

January 20: *** CARC Meeting – 19:30 Local – Carbon County EMA Center, Route 93 ***

January 22: ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes

January 28: CQ 160 Meter Contest CW

January 29: Kansas QSO Party

February 5: New Hampshire QSO Party, Vermont QSO Party, 10-10 Winter Contest SSB, YL-OM Contest CW, Delaware QSO Party

February 6: North American Sprint SSB

February 12: YL-OM Contest SSB, North American Sprint CW

February 17: *** CARC Meeting – 19:30 Local – Carbon County EMA Center, Route 93 ***

February 25: CQ 160 Meter Contest SSB

February 26: North Carolina QSO Party

Check here if you would like to be subscribed to the CARC Email Reflector _____

Vice President: Glenn O’Donnell K3PP [email protected]

Secretary: Bob Schreibmaier K3PH

Treasurer: John Schreibmaier W3MF

W3HA Callsign Trustee: Bill Dale WY3K

W3HA Repeater Trustee: John Bednar K3CT

Public Information Officer: Bill Kelley KA3UKL

Skywarn Coordinator: Mike N3XYU

John Bednar K3CT, Bruce Appleton N3RXJ, Bert Rex W3OWP

Editor: Goody K3NG [email protected]

Contesting: Glenn K3PP [email protected]

DX : Bob K3PH

Foxhunting: open

Propagation and Commentary: Larry N3CR [email protected]

QRP: Lamar N3AT [email protected]

Technical: John K3CT

Newsletter Printing, Folding, and Mailing: Bob K3PH

CARC Website: http://www.cpals.com/~elitehom/carc/

Webmaster: Robert KB3BYT [email protected]

Regular Membership is $15.00, Regular with Autopatch is $20.00.