 What's new in Democratic Republic of CONGO? |
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| Feel free to
use information on this page, please just reference our website for credit. Also do not
hesitate to sign our Guestbook for any possible return comment. 73 de Pat F6BLQ 9Q1A 9S1X - Matadi grid JI64. |
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 Review 2002 9Q News here
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 Webmaster then being on
vacation, this page will not be updated between 1st and 30th April |
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| 25-03-03: NEW
Antenna works are completed at 9Q1A/2 (see
post 24-02-03). Pics are available HERE. |
| 22-03-03: NEW 38.000: That's the total number of QSO's as at now since 14th july 2001 by 9Q0AR + 9Q1A
+ 9Q1YL + 9S1X from 80 to 6 meter. Please note it has been NO
160 meter QSO, and CW by
november and december 2002 ONLY.
Again this is no DXpedition and we do have professional occupations around here. |
| 20-03-03: NEW 9S1X will enter WPX SSB contest of 29-30th March as
TB-Wires all band high power single op, with FD4 on 80 and 40, and 6 element tribander on
20, 15 and 10 fed with 500 watts (but 100 w only on 10). Please look for him, he needs
your points! QSL via Paul F2YT, buro or
direct to CBA with SAE + postage. |
| 17-03-03: Sorry for
no earlier update of this page. Reason is that, after 3 weeks battling with my ISP counter
performances, I have just recovered an internet reasonably fast connection, hence U/L
speed, even though the local link is still far from simple: 9Q1A shack > ISP Matadi
relay > ISP Matadi server > ISP Kinshasa server > Brussels server > Web.
Maintenance of the first legs is often a nightmare. |
| 24-02-03: Final plan for antennas at 9Q1A/2: |
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| - 9 meter tower: 18/24 mhz 4 el. beam. |
| - 10 meter tower: 14/21/28 mhz 6 el. beam @ 10 m. + 50
mhz 5 el. beam @ 12 m. |
| - FD4 for 3.5 and 7 mhz in inverted V shape at 10 m.
apex. |
| 22-02-03: For
reasons beyond his control, Flo F5CWU has
not obtained his visa on time, and regretfully will not travel to Matadi, where - after a
major power failure in town - we have been on generator for a week. Flo says he will try
another time this year. |
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| 18-02-03: ARAC national Society had to re-register with State Security -
Bas Congo Province! This is now done, as well as for radio equipment: this should prevent
of possible local harassment in future. Our previous post was understated: Matadi main
voltage fluctuates from 120 up to 280 volts, and equipment is permanently at risk. Voltage
protecting features are being installed whereever possible to try secure the electrical
supply. |
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15-02-03:
Second tower is under construction at 9Q1A/2 Matadi. On the air testings from this QTH
yield apparently better reports than from Kinshasa, even though antenna time being is
still an FD4. The AL-1500 is now on line, but voltage from the main is often as low as 150
iso 220 volt, that does not enable the tx/rx amp relay to operate !!! Life is too short
for QRP, but on generator only :-) |
| 10-02-03: Visa permitting, Flo F5CWU http://perso.wanadoo.fr/f5cwu/
should visit Matadi from 24 February to 10 March, as guest operator, including entry in
ARRL International DX Contest (SSB) as 9S1X/2. QSL will be via Paul F2YT,
buro or direct to CBA with SAE + postage. |
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| 31-01-03: 9Q1A/2 - 9Q1YL/2 confirm to resume activity from MATADI by 1st
week february: a 10 meter tower is already up for 6 meter 5 el. beam. Another 12 meter
tower is expected to be raised by week 6 for 20/17/15/12/10 beams + FD4 80/40. Pending a
GPS measuring, the new Matadi hilltop QTH is estimated to be about 400 meter ASL, offering
a clear view all around 270 degrees at minimum. |
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| 26-01-03: 9Q0AR ARAC club station takes shape slowly at PTT Kinshasa
Training Centre: furnitures are there and a rcvr will soon be operative and accessible to
Society's members. Still no 2003 membership has been cashed yet by the Society from
members since last Annual General Meeting of 7th december 2002. |
| 25-01-03:
ARAC members licences have been renewed till 11th july 2003 by Ministry of PTT who give
those days a valuable support to 9Q Hamradio (thanks to David 9Q1DM). Documentation to be
soon on line for 9Q0AR, 9Q0HQ, 9Q1A, 9Q1YL, 9Q1KS, 9S1X, 9Q1DM and 9Q1MM. Also a next
"Arrété" from Ministry is due for signature within next 15 days, in order to
finally and officially streamline a long term Ham radio activity in D. R. CONGO and
definitely invalidate the 1972 suspension
decision. |
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18-01-03:
Here are some pics of MATADI, Bas CONGO province, where
downtown is hot, wet and dusty, finally quite unfriendly. In return, hilltop surroundings
are quite fresh and offer reasonable residential spots for 9Q1A/2 and 9Q1YL/2 to be QRV as
from end january, 80 to 6 meter, details to follow (click on
pics to enlarge). |
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08 -01-03: ARAC has opened a sub-office at Matadi (Bas CONGO province). As per
the national prefix chart, the Radio Society now
covers 9Q1 Kinshasa province with 9Q1KS
Cyprien Vagheni Kahundira ([email protected]
or GSM (00 243) ....) and 9Q2 Bas Congo province with 9Q1A/2 Patrick Crepelliere ([email protected]
or GSM (00 243) 9972121. |
05-01-03: IOTA potential references around Muanda area, namely "BULABEMBA Island/Lighthouse" by 6°025S and 12°25E and "Ilot des Pecheurs" by 06.01S and 12.25E appear to be both
under tight control of congolese army forces, hence special authorizations from military
authorities are mandatory. As a matter of fact, it is said that Bulabemba has been for
more than 40 years some kind of jail for "personnae non
grata". ARAC still has plans to try operate in the course of 2003 from
this "all times new" IOTA location . |
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