The Illuminator

The monthly newsletter of the Carbon Amateur Radio Club

March 2000

From The President's Desk

By Larry N3CR

 

Greetings one and all, March has arrived and Spring may only be around the corner. That can only mean one thing, the ARRL DX Contest time is hear. The Ascention Island group has landed March 1st and not a moment has been wasted. The qso's are coming in huge numbers and

the operators are giving us all the hours possible to work them. At 2030 z UTC FO0AAA was hear loud and clear on 10m rtty working a mix of Europe and US stations. At 2200z UTC they said they needed a short break and moved a few minutes later to 28.495 mhz working stations

above 28.505mhz. It was unfortunate to have to listen to CO2KK insisting on calling on the Clipperton operating frequency for those who can not work split. After some convincing that they would not listen for him, he spread his RIT to the limit! The Clipperton operation was still on 10m ssb after 9 pm local time working stations although just above the noise at this location. This may be the last time to work this island as landing agreements change. They are running kws with 600 watt backups on all the bands. You will have to watch the dx clusters as they change frequencies. They are really class A1 operators and you have to appreciate their effort. Visit their website for details.

While most of the wintry weather should be behind us, I look forward to some busy meetings ahead. Goody's PSK-31 demonstration will have to be rescheduled and one of great interest. This is the rtty mode to replace the old Baudot method. Although it is a bit slower than the 45 Baud / 60 word per minute rtty of the past, it has an error checking scheme to it and practically picks signals out of the noise. You have to try this to appreciate this mode. More of it is showing up and DX stations have added this to their bag of tricks. Our receiver kit project has gotten off the ground in big style. We have found a new supplier thanks to Lamar N3AT and

also a great discount on the unit as well as future purchase of the matching transmitter. The kit purchase and case is about $27, a lot less than the $40 we expected. The same prices will be charged for the transmitter to all those who buy the receiver. This turns into a very nice savings, thank you Lamar !!

There have been some very nice turnouts for our Wednesday night ARES/RACES net and I would like to see this continue. I would also like to hear some new net control stations and give Sam a break from what has been a weekly duty. The board of directors would gladly answer any questions you may have for being our net control and help you into this new part of ham radio. We have had so few net controls that it would be nice to hear a new voice opening the nets!! This is a good place to share information and perhaps share a new view of weekly

operations.

Mark your calender, April 29th, 2000, the last Saturday in April. This is the annual WalkAmerica Beltzville that the Carbon ARC helps the March of Dimes along their 7.5 mile walk route, roller blade and ride for some!! Carbon ARC provides communications along the route and relays the information to the Carbon Comm Center, area amublances as well as fire police and local police. We are there to assist those having a difficult time completing the route as well as aiding in accidents. Bring your HT or mobile unit and enjoy a morning of some fun operating. The hoagies aren't bad either!! Refreshments are available at the Beltzville Lake Park Pavillion and each check station. The walk begins at 9 am and we should assemble about an hour earlier at the Beltzville Pavillion. This is a fun event everyone can enjoy for an organization that appreciates our efforts. You may even be on local radio and tv. What are you doing this Saturday morning? Break out your club jacket and let's put on a show!!

73s de Larry Lilly N3CR

Propagation

By Larry N3CR

This solar cycle is not down for the count yet, although it does get a little disappointing and takes a lot of patience. The first week of March was picked as being perhaps the best days of the month but it may turn out to be even more. The last couple rises in solar flux barely reached 200 for one day, if that, and sunspots become a poor showing. What has happened is that a series of coronal holes on the sun have reappeared for up to seven monthly cycles and this month the sunspots have followed with some good numbers. Usually, these coronal holes only remain for one or two passes. With the increase in sunspots and few number of active days of geomagnetic activity, the DX bands are really beginning to shine. You hear the big signals and the bands are crowded well into darkness.

An interesting observation by W3ASK George is that as we reach the equinox with equal days of sunlight and darkness, the sun rises in the east and DX peaks in the west. As the sun sets in the west, the DX peaks to the EAST and long path signals provide the best signals yet. In any case, the first few days of March have provided us with at least three days of solar flux over 200 and sunspot numbers over 180 with a ssn of 200 thrown in here and there for extra measure. Hello Australia !!! Those fellas are really picking up signal strength in the early morning. I have been hearing several Japanese stations with 5 x 7 signals and these stations are very workable with 100 watts. Apparently , they are running 100 to 200 watts as well. A surprise on my end was Ascention Island ZD8Z with solid S7 indicated signals and little Qsb. The Pacific is beginning to be heard regularly in this part of the country.

Although the solar flux and sunspot numbers have been down the past two weeks, things have returned in exciting numbers for this solar cycle. March 1st thru the 5th will see solar flux numbers over 200 and sunspot numbers over 180. This welcome activity comes during the regular 27.5 day cycle period. It should be relatively quiet during the March 13 - 23 period with solar flux numbers decreasing to about 130. It should bottom out from March 22 -25th and the next peak should be the first week of April with similar numbers near 200. There will be more activity during April with the next null April 20th. We can expect some geomagnetic activity in April with an increasing amount in May as conditions turn radical again. March should be a good month for DX but you will need to keep the amps warm to get those good stations. Drop off your DX count and DX contest points with Glenn K3PP and we will post them next month.

73s de Larry N3CR

QRP

By Lamar N3AT

 

Good news! The receiver kits have been ordered, and are to be shipped within the next few days. We will have them available at the next club meeting. To make the news even better, those who have ordered and paid for their kits will receive a refund because we have gotten a very good price! The kits will cost $17.97 and the case for them will be $8.97, making the total cost $26.94. We will need to add a little bit more to the price to pay for the shipping. Whatever is not needed for the shipping plus the kit will be refunded.

We have also been offered a special price for the matching transmitter, if anyone is interested. We will have all the details at the March meeting.

A second item of interest this month is the little "SNAP" transmitter kit that is being given to all who register for the Atlanticon Forum. We had an interesting experiment with one of these little gems after the net on Wednesday, Mar. 1. Your QRP reporter built one of these kits, and with the OHR WM 1 measured an output of 12 milliwatts. Power was supplied by a 9 volt battery. The kit uses only one transistor, and is built "ugly style" or "Manhattan style", meaning that little pads of pc board are glued onto a larger pc board that measures only 1 and 1/4 inch by 2 inches. The parts are soldered to these pads to make the circuit.

Following Wednesday night's net, several of our members listened for the signal that was coming from this little transmitter, and it was heard at the QTH of Sam( west of Lehighton), Ted (in Lansford), and Bill (in Weatherly) from my QTH near Kresgeville. My antenna is a Windom.

People who attend Atlanticon are invited to bring these little rigs along to be judged by experts, and prizes will be awarded. I don't expect mine to win any prizes, but it was a thrill to know that the little rascal is getting out.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

A few months ago, a friend of mine expressed interest in getting his ham license and wanted to build his own rig. He'd seen me at work, playing with my newly-built SST40 and our department's oscope, and wanted to know more about it. I explained ham radio in general, QRP & kit-building in particular. The more I told him, the more interested he got and he started working on memorizing the code.

To celebrate his memorization of 26 letters, 10 numbers and various punctuation marks, he decided to go ahead and build his first kit so he could hear CW on the air rather than from a cassette tape. I gave him several web site addresses of kit manufacturers, told him what I knew about them and that my next kit would be a DSW20 and that whatever kit he decides upon, I recommend the 40m band.

Three weeks later, he showed me his completed DSW40 and asked me to put her on the air! He'd never built a kit of any type before, though he is technically inclined, yet he built and tuned up the DSW solo. We took it to my house, attached my 40m inverted V, called CQ and were answered by a QRPer in Maine, who gave us a 579. He was one happy dude and so was I.

Moral of the story:

There ain't one. But those new DSWs have the best "ease-of-assembly:performance" ratio of any other rig I know of. Now, if anyone wants to drive over to my buddie's house in Sparta and distract him with a Budweiser or three, I'll swipe his DSW40 while he ain't looking.

John Harper AA5YX/2

HW-9, OHR-100A/20, NC40A,SST30, SST40, DSW20

Outdoor QRP Page: http://home.att.net/~j..harper

Carbon Amateur Radio Club

Regular Meeting Minutes

February 17, 2000

By Bob K3PH

Secretary, Bob Schreibmaier, K3PH, called a regular meeting of the Carbon Amateur Radio Club to order at 7:42 p.m. on Thursday, February 17, 2000. Eighteen people attended. On his arrival, the meeting chairmanship was turned over to Vice-President, Glenn O’Donnell, K3PP.

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

John, W3MF, gave the treasurer’s report. At the last meeting, we had a balance of $805.53. Disbursements included $38.28 for postage for the newsletter over a period of four months, plus $10 for the repeater coordinator. We received $80 in dues, leaving a balance of $837.25. The members in attendance approved the Treasurer’s report.

Lamar, N3AT, reported on our club receiver project. So far, 8 people have signed up. He noted that the price should be $40 or less, depending on the cost of shipping. Glenn, K3PP, noted that he and Larry, N3CR are still working on a place for the club to assembled the kits. Bert, W3OWP, offered his home as an alternative.

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.

Glenn, K3PP, noted that the next issue of the National Contest Journal will have an article about the W3HA Pennsylvania QSO Party operation.

Unfortunately, Goody, K3NG, was unable to attend the meeting, so the planned PSK31 demonstration was postponed.

The meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.

The K3PP Manifesto

By Glenn K3PP

( Editor's Note: This was written by Glenn in response to an email "thread" regarding the recent restructuring, an extremely hot topic that has both delighted and dismayed many throughout our ranks. Glenn offers his thoughts and insights into the current state and future of ham radio. )

I don't really believe anyone betrayed us. The current state of ham radio is simply the result of technological progress. Like you, I wish we could all maintain the ideological standard of days gone by. The harsh reality, however, is that those days really have "gone by" and the world is very different today.

I believe that ham radio is in deep trouble because of at least four major causes:

1. The Internet has drained interest and functional purpose AWAY from ham radio.

2. In large part, hams are no longer the innovators of technology. New wireless technologies like spread-spectrum, satellites, and cellular are driven by industrial behemoths. Communications systems have become too complex to be developed by small-time experimenters. Money drives innovation, not hobbyists.

3. Twenty years of dysfunctional FCC enforcement has turned the bands into a free-for-all.

4. We're a bunch of stodgy old timers with little youth to replenish the silent keys. Our median age is well over 50!!

My feelings about each:

1. As a medium for social gathering and ragchewing, ham radio is dying. Internet discussion is easier, cheaper, and more reliable than HF radio. Digital cellular telephone service is a convenient and fairly cheap personal communications system for the extreme vast majority of people. Finally, while ham radio is still a powerful force in emergency communications, I feel our days are numbered here also.

Ham radio will continue to thrive for those among us who feel a special affinity toward this "antiquated" mode. People like you and I will always get a thrill out of securing a two-way contact with someone half a world away, relying on the surreal, invisible conduit of HF propagation. I don't know about you, but the more I understand the science behind radio communications, the more I am fascinated by it and the more I wish to explore and conquer its many mysteries.

I am a renowned expert in data networking. I am equally seduced and driven by these technologies as I am by radio. I consider myself to be a die-hard technocrat and I transfer countless volumes of traffic across the Internet and other data networks. Despite all of this, an email or an Internet phone call doesn't even come close to giving me the excitement I experience when I bag a new band-country on 160m CW.

I can compare radio to the bicycle. Why ride a bicycle to work when it's MUCH faster and more convenient to drive your car? BECAUSE IT'S FUN! In fact, we can look at a lot of examples of how "obsolete" modes of transportation still thrive. One obvious example is competition. Who can

run faster in the 100m dash? The marathon? Who can navigate a kayak the fastest and most accurately through a course? I really believe the future of ham radio lies in the recreational and competitive aspects of it, just like in any other sport.

As DXers and contesters, this is good news for us. Tune through the bands on any given weekday and there is a pitiful number of stations to be heard. If there is some juicy DX station active, suddenly there are hordes of people swarming around the listening frequency (and the usual smattering of lids on the TX frequency too!). This is SPORT! On several weekends of the year, these "dead" bands explode with so much activity, the QRM is S9+20dB from wall to wall. This is SPORT! We do it BECAUSE IT'S FUN, not because it has some profound social or technical purpose.

2. What can I say about this, except that it's true. We are USERS of technology, not the innovators. Who builds their own equipment anymore? Hardly anyone. Who REALLY needs to know how to properly bias a 6L6 vacuum tube anymore? Hardly anyone. Who are the innovators in wireless technology? Qualcomm, Motorola, Intel, Lucent, Nokia, etc. Sure, a good number of the engineers and technicians working on this stuff are hams, but how many of us tinker with spread-spectrum and DSP

filtering algorithms in our spare time? Hardly any of us. We're a bunch of appliance operators. This isn't anyone's fault. It's just that technology has accelerated beyond the ability for a hobbyist to play a crucial role.

3. Luckily there is some hope here. I think it's naive for us to view ANY testing as an idiot filter. Do I believe there is an added incentive to behave properly if I worked harder to earn my privilege? No doubt. Do I believe a harder test, in and of itself, will result in a markedly more civil environment on our bands? Absolutely not! The bands are in a state of disarray because of the past neglect by the FCC and the general social decay of humanity.

I am not a holy roller or some right wing conservative extremist, but our entire society needs a good kick in the teeth. We've run amok on every aspect of respect, morality, and responsibility. It seems nobody is willing to take responsibility for their own actions. It seem nobody has respect for anyone anymore. This putrid lack of social protocol is bound to spill over into ham radio and it has indeed.

I pay homage to Riley Hollingsworth and his team at the FCC. They have finally gotten tough with the creeps that corrupt our haven. I hope they continue to crack down on these morons. I truly believe they are having a positive effect, but we can't just sit back and rely on the FCC to unilaterally reverse two decades of deterioration. We all need to act. We need to be vigilantes and "neighborhood watch" groups to clean things up.

As time moves on, the bands WILL become more crowded with newer hams who don't know a 4CX800 from a zener diode. We cannot change this fact but we CAN help guide these people down the right path. Without guidance, they will disintegrate into glorified CBers or, more likely, they will disappear. ... which brings me to my fourth important point.

4. We're LITERALLY dying out! If we don't get some GOOD new blood in our ranks, we're doomed! Thirty years from now, if I'm still alive, I want to make sure I have someone to work on the bands. WE NEED YOUNG PEOPLE IN HAM RADIO!! Forget restructuring! THIS is our worst problem, not reduced CW standards! CW will survive. WE will not! We need to make a radical move to entice younger people to get excited about radio. Personally, I think we need to promote competition to the "kids" because I think they are more likely to enjoy the SPORT rather than public service or ragchewing. They're ALREADY ragchewing on AOL and Yahoo! and the guy on the other end isn't telling them about his most recent surgical procedure!

No matter what, KIDS LIKE SPORTS! They like football and soccer and baseball and "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" and on and on. Let's introduce them to the SPORT of radio! Let's show them that there are hurdles, but let's not place the hurdles so high that they just blow it off and go back to playing Doom on the Internet.

I'm not happy that we have to relax the criteria for ham radio either. I'm downright terrified, however, that we may not have a hobby to enjoy at all. It's a hard pill to swallow, but we must. Contesting won't be much fun when it's just a few dozen 80-somethings instead of thousands across all ages.

Well, as usual, I've babbled on way too long. Getting back to Kay (yeah, this was about Kay!), I've come to know Kay as an intelligent and vibrant person. She is a great leader for amateur radio and she can really kick butt when she has to. She is also perceptive to the complex ebb and flow of our dynamic world. I know she is not comfortable with the changes taking place, but she realizes it's a matter of our survival. I've discussed this subject with her many times over the past year. I applaud her courage to take a stand, however unpopular, to ensure that we have a future.

It's not easy, trust me! I've been in similar situations in my

professional life. I get paid to steer our technology in the right direction. When I propose a direction that is steeped in controversy, the pressure is brutal. I sympathize with Kay. I respect her tremendously, and I support her. I know she has our best interests in mind. Sometimes even Mohammed can't move the mountain, though. Life is a game of compromises. That's how we make it to the next day.

73 my friend,

de Glenn

 

DX News

Provided by Bob K3PH

The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster

DX Bulletin No. 451

March 6, 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, K1ZZ, AI2Q, WB2YQH/WB2RAJ & The 59(9) DXReport, N4GN, AI5P, K5TT, K7HG, K8PT, K8YSE, N8BJQ, WA8AA, KE9NA, CT1ETE, DL1YFF, DJ5AV & DX News Letter, DL2FAG, G3SWH, JA1HGY, JA3JM, JN1HOW, ON1DAN, PA1AW, PA3GIO, PT2BW, RA4HT, RN9XA, SM7CRW, TG9IGI, TG9/IK2NCJ, VK4ZEK and the ARRL Letter for the following DX information.

3W, VIETNAM

Scott, AC3A, hopes to be active during the second week of March as 3W2SO on 40, 20 and 15 meters near the QRP frequencies.

3W, VIETNAM

"The DX News Letter" reports that operators OK1CW, OK1HWB/ 3W7TK and OK1TN will be active as 3W5OK from Cat Ba Island (AS-132) now through March 19th. Their Web page can be found at:

http://www.okdxf.cz/indexan.htm

QSL via OK DX Foundation, Bradlec 73, CZ-293 06 Kosmonosy, Czech Republic.

5Z4WI, WASINI ISLAND DXPEDITION (Update. Special 160 meter activity)

Phil, G3SWH, reports that the team will concentrate their 160 meters CW activity on Friday, March 10th at 1600z until Saturday, March 11th at 0600z, and from Sunday, March 12th at 1600z until Monday, March 13th at 0600z. They will transmit on 1827 kHz and listen on 1835 kHz for Europe etc. or on 1910 kHz for Japan (until 2100z) during the first 15 minutes of each hour. They will clearly indicate where they are listening. In the event of a lack of activity, they will QSY to another band.

6W, SENEGAL

YL operator Marie, 6W1RB, seems to like to be active mainly on 20 meters. Her activity is centered between 14175 and 14190 khz after 0230z as late as 0500z. She has also been heard on 14295 khz at 2150z.

6Y5, JAMAICA

Look for Curtis, KE3Q, to be active from May 8-14th (no callsign mentioned). Activity will be on all bands, but CW only. QSLs are via KE3Q. QSL cards can be picked up at the Dayton HamVention.

7P, LESOTHO

A German team of operators will be active from here for 3 weeks between July 3/4th until July 22nd as 7P8DX. They will leave from Frankfurt on July 2nd (at 2100z) via South African Airways and arrive in Johannisburg on July 3rd (at 0745z). From there they will travel by car to Maseru, the Capital of the Kingdom of Lesotho, and if everything goes according to plan (customs, equipment), they should be on the air the next day. By the way, it will be wintertime down there. There will be 3 stations active on CW/SSB/RTTY on 160-10 meters and 6m (if available). The team of operators will be: Jorg/DF6VI (CW), Dieter/DJ9ON (CW), Markus/DL1IAN (SSB), Hans/DL1YFF (SSB, RTTY), Thomas/DL1QW (CW, RTTY) and Thomas/DL4OCM (CW). QSL Manager will be DL7VRO via the bureau or direct to: Fritz Bergner, Sterndamm 199, D-12487 Berlin, Germany. Check out the "7P8DXpedition 2000" Web page at:

http://www.qsl.net/7p8dxpedition2000

After the DXpedition you can find an online logsearch at:

http://dx.qsl.net/logs/index.html

CX, URUGUAY

If you need this country on 160 meters, "The 59(9) DXReport" reports that Al/CX4SS and George/CX1SI are active daily on 1833 kHz from 0000-0400z.

CY9, ST. PAUL ISLAND

Richard, AI5P, informs OPDX that this summer a small number of amateurs (four currently, Duane/WV2B, Rich/AI5P, Henry/KE1AC and Rob/WA4RX) are planning to activate this island for five days, July 6-10th. Landing permission has been received from the Canadian Coast Guard. However, this news is tempered with the new rule (as far as they know from previous DXpeditions) that the island housing structure cannot be used and liability insurance will be required. The team is hopeful that they will be able to meet the new requirements. While this may not be one of the rare DXCC entities, St. Paul represents a difficult challenge to activate. The team hopes to be able to concentrate on the higher HF bands and provide a new entity or new band entity to many. The group is looking for sponsors/ donations (particularly foreign clubs). Contact Richard, AI5P, for more information. More details are forthcoming, and check out the Web page for future updates at:

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/7651/DXpedition.html

DAYTON HAMVENTION DX DINNER TICKETS UPDATE

Steve, N8BJQ, reports that all ticket requests for the SWODXA DX Dinner have been processed and were mailed on Monday, February 28th. He also states that there are good seats still available. Please check the Web site for details on ordering tickets at:

http://members.aol.com/SteveB4622/2000DXDinnerAnnouncement.htm

EA6, BALEARIC ISLANDS

Look for Babs/DL7AFS and Lot/DJ7ZG to be active as EA6/DL7AFS and EA6/DJ7ZG from March 5-11th. Activities will be on all bands on SSB and RTTY with the emphasis for contacts with Japan and North/South America. QSL for both calls are via DL7AFS (CBA or bureau).

EY, TAJIKISTAN

Alex, EY8CQ, has been active recently on 10 meters CW around 28025 kHz after 1245z. If you cannot find him there, check 20 meters SSB between 14200 and 14210 after 0245z. QSL via DJ1MM (only from the 2000 CBA): Sergej Kowaljew (EX-DJ1SKO), Hauptstr. 50, 84513 Toeging am Inn, GERMANY.

FO0, CLIPPERTON

The team is now active and signing FO0AAA. They will continue to be active until March 8th. The scheduled landing on the island was slowed by very bad monsoon like rains. They are active now on all the bands 160-6 meters. Please check the following Web page for updates and further information: http://www.qsl.net/clipperton2000 QSL via N7CQQ.

HC8, GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Bert, PA3GIO, will be active from here as PA3GIO/HC8 from April 1-12th, after his Belize trip as V31GI. His activity will be on the IOTA or DX frequencies (only SSB) 80/40/20/17/15/12/10 meters. His equipment will be a Kenwood TS-50 w/100 watts. Bert would like to say many thanks to Pedro/HC1OT, The Ecuador Radio Club and Rick/NE8Z (HC1MD) for their great support! Also, he thanks the staff of the Galapagos Hotel who made him feel very welcome. QSL "PREFERABLE" by the Bureau to PA3GIO. Check out the Web page:

http://www.xs4all.nl/~pa3gio/HC8/

IOTA NEWS

AS-056. Masa, JA6GXK, will be active from Danjo Archipelago now through March 9th and again March 17-28th. This is not a DXpedition, and Masa will be active during his spare time. Suggested fre- quencies are: 14260 +/-5kHz or 21260 +/-5kHz. QSL via the Bureau or direct to JA6GXK: Masafumi Ishihara, 493-4 Koba-cho, Fukue, 853-0033, JAPAN

EU-038. Gino, ON1DAN, reports that his groupp will be active from Texel Island starting April 28th until May 1st. The callsign is not yet known by the RDR of Netherlands but will be annouced on their homepage. For more info, please visit their Web site at: http://www.vra.be/texel

EU-145. Operators CT1AHU, CT1EEN, CT1EGW, CT1END and CT4NH will be active from Culatra Island March 11th. They will use their own callsign /portable.

JD1, OGASAWARA (Update)

Last week we metioned (in OPDX.450) that Hiko, JN1HOW, would be active from Chichi-Jima Island (AS-031) between March 17-20th, as JN1HOW/JD1. Hiko informs OPDX that he will now also be active on 160 meters CW besides operating on 40/30/20/17/15/12/10 meter CW/SSB.

K5FUV RESIGNS FROM THE ARRL

It was reported early last week by Dave Sumner, K1ZZ, that Membership Services Manager Bill Kennamer, K5FUV, has submitted his resignation from the League's staff effective March 28th. The only reason given was that "Bill and his family have compelling reasons to return to Arkansas." Dave Sumner, K1ZZ, states, "Bill has made great contributions to the ARRL and particularly to the DXCC program since he joined the staff in 1992, and he will be greatly missed. He has promised to do what he can to effect a smooth transition. I know you all join me in wishing Bill the best. While he has very mixed feelings about leaving, I know he's looking forward to again living in a place where people don't speak with an accent......"

MJ, JERSEY

Craig/K3PLV and Pete/K8PT will be active on the island from March 22nd through March 28th, including the CQ SSB WPX Contest. They will operate SSB/CW/RTTY, 80-10 meters including the WARC bands. Typical DX/RTTY frequencies will be used along with 14260 kHz for IOTA QSOs. Their callsigns will be MJ/K3PLV and MJ/K8PT. QSL via respective home calls.

OH2BH NAMED RADIO AMATEUR OF THE YEAR

The "ARRL Letter" reports that the Dayton Hamvention has announced the winners of its "Amateur of the Year", and DXer Martti Laine, OH2BH, was named Hamvention's Amateur of the Year for 2000. Congrats to Martti. For more details, read the March 3rd "ARRL Letter", Vol. 19, No. 9.

QSL INFO AND NEWS

RUSSIAN ADDRESSES UPDATE. Eugene Bugrimov, RN9XA, informs OPDX that "QRZ" has some problems with upgrading their CIS databases, but all are OK now. We have also received updated information from Alex, RA4HT, stating the situation with Russian addresses on "QRZ.com" was corrected on February 20th.

QSL FK8HC via VK4FW or direct to FK8HC: Franck, Box 7636 Ducos, 98801, Noumea, NEW-CALEDONIA. This was active February 25-26th, by the way, FK-DX Group logged 1450 QSOs from Freycinet Island (DIFO FK-078), using a 100 watts and a R-7 verticale antenna. They state that there was good propagation with USA, Japan and Europe during this expedition. ADDED NOTE: If you have any questions about the DIFO, "French Overseas Island Award" (Diplome des Iles Francaises D'Outremer), go to Gil, F5NOD's, Web site and download all the information/rules (in English, and a Islands list) at: http://perso.easynet.fr/~f5nod/

Several have requested the QSL address for Monk Apollo, SV2ASP/A. QSL to: Monk Apollo, Monastery Dochiariou, GR-63087 Mt. Athos, Greece.

QSL cards for 3C0R and 9U5D are now being received.

QSL PW2A via PT2BW either to the bureau or direct. Operator was Ari, PT2BW during the ARRL Int. DX SSB Contest.

CT1ETE Address Update. Paulo, CT1ETE, reports having problems with mail going to his older PO Box. QSL CT1ETE via: Paulo Pinto, P.O. Box 1026, Guimaraes 4811-908, Portugal.

QSL ZD8T via AC4IV, NOT via AC4VV. Ken, AC4VV, states that he has been receiving many QSL cards from the bureau for ZD8T. He is not the QSL Manager. Please pass the word around....

QSL TG0AA direct ONLY to: P.O.Box 115 Guatemala City, Guatemala. The operator was Luca, TG9/IK2NCJ, who received special permission from the Board of Directors of Club de Radioaficionados de Guatemala (CRAG). He was active in the ARRL SSB DX Contest.

QSL 8S7A via W3HNK or direct to SM7CRW at: John-Ivar Winbladh, P.O. Box 100, SE-386 22 Oland Island, Sweden. This station was active in last weekend's ARRL DX Contest as Single Band/Single OP from Oland Island (EU-037) in the Baltic Sea. A special QSL will be printed for this contest.

S7, SEYCHELLES

By the time you read this, Kurt, HB9MX, is expected to be active from Mahe as S79MX until April 1st. Activity will be on 40-10 meters with a special emphasis on 6 meters. QSL via HB9MX.

T8, PALAU

Look for JA1BRK, JA1HGY and JI1DLZ to be active from the Belau Republic. The trio will be in Korror on a DXpedition/vacation from March 17-19th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters plus 6 meters CW/SSB/RTTY. They will have two separate stations and will concentrate on RTTY and 6 meters. Their callsign and QSL routes are: T88GM (JI1DLZ), T88HG (JA1HGY), and T88RK (JA1BRK). The main RTTY operator will be JA1HGY/T88HG and the main 6 meter operator will be JI1DLZ/T88GM.

VK9WI WILLIS ISLAND (Update)

David, VK4ZEK, reports that the May 2000 Dxpedition will start up approx. May 10th. Remember, for full details about this operation, check the Web site: http://www.qsl.net/vk9wi/ QSL Manager will be Peter, VK4APG, via his CBA.

VP5, TURKS & CAICOS

Oklahoma DX Association members Dave/W5AO, Jim/K5TT and Jim's wife Karen will be traveling here to operate during the WPX SSB Contest the weekend of March 25th. They will be located on North Caicos Island at the northern end of the group. The operation will take place from March 20th until March 29th. All bands from 160 through 6 meters will be activated on SSB and CW with 160m, 6m and WARC being emphasized. The callsign VP5V will be used during the contest with personal callsigns portable VP5 being used before and after the contest. VP5V and VP5/W5AO QSL cards go to Box 88, Morris, OK 74455-0088 while VP5/K5TT cards go to the home address. E-mail may be sent before and after the operation to [email protected] and during the operation to the station owner's E-mail address - [email protected] -- More information is available at the Web site:

http://hammer.prohosting.com/~w5ao

Heard Through the Grapevine…

The March/April issue of the National Contest Journal is about to hit the streets. Check out this issue for K3PP's article on the W3HA multi-multi operation in the recent Pennsylvania QSO Party! Subscriptions are available through the ARRL. It's a great magazine for anyone interested in contesting!

The club needs an EC/RO for the ARES and RACES activities. A net control operator is also needed for the Wednesday night net. Contact Larry N3CR for details.

Goody K3NG will be giving a demonstration of PSK31, hopefully at the next meeting, . PSK31 is a narrowband digital mode that requires just a computer with a sound card connected to your HF rig.

CARC Calendar

 

** Denotes CARC supported or sponsored events

Bold indicates items of local interest

March 11: QCWA QSO Party

March 12: North American Sprint CW, Wisconsin QSO Party

March 16: *** CARC Meeting – 19:30 Local – Carbon County EMA Center, Route 93 ***

March 18: Virginia QSO Party, CQ WW WPX Contest SSB

April 8: QRP ARCI Spring QSO Party

April 15: Michigan QSO Party

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

April 22: Six Club Sprint

April 29: Florida, Nebraska, Ontario QSO Parties, *** March Of Dimes Walk America - Beltsville Lake***

Carbon Amateur Radio Club – 1999-2000 Officers

President: Larry Lilly N3CR [email protected]

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

Directors

John Bednar K3CT, Bruce Appleton N3RXJ, Bert Rex W3OWP

Illuminator Staff

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 [email protected]

Newsletter Printing, Folding, and Mailing: Bob K3PH

Services

W3HA Repeater: 147.255 Mhz + PL 131.8

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

Webmaster: Robert KB3BYT [email protected]

CARC Email Reflector: see www.qth.net CarbonARC list for details

Internet Telnet DX Cluster - contact Goody K3NG for access

CARC Membership Information

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

All amateur radio operators are invited to join the CARC ARES / RACES net held 21:00 local time every Wednesday on the W3HA repeater at 147.255 Mhz + offset, PL 131.8. Any amateur radio operator or anyone with an interest in ham radio is welcome to attend our monthly meetings.