A.N.A.R.T.S. News Bulletin 1405 for 16th of July 2006

 

 

Views expressed in this news bulletin are not necessarily

those of the Broadcast Officer, the Relay Officers, or of

the Society.

 

 

Items in this broadcast include

1. Cols column

2. IPS REPORT

3. OPDX News

5. Anarts Information

 

 

 

Col's Column

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

 

Propagation of Radio Waves.

 

Optimum Working Frequency.

 

In Practical HF communications, it is desirable to use a frequency

somewhat less than MUF. This frequency is known as the 'Optimum

Working Frequency' (OWF), and is usually about 85 percent of the

MUF. Although some loss of signal strength results when the operating

frequency is reduced below the MUF because of the increased

attenuation at the lower frequency, the use of such a frequency

counters any tendency of the signals to skip over the receiver as

a result of hour to hour ionospheric changes, as would be possible

if the MUF was used for communcation purposes.  The lower frequency

gives on the average a more dependable service and does not require

a frequency change so often.

 

Since the MUF has daily and seasonal changes, the OWF experiences

similar changes. Because a number of frequency changes is not desirable

during the course of a day, it is usual in some communications services

to select two frequencies, one for day use and the other for the night,

and which, on the the average approximate fairly closely to the Optimum

Working Frequency. The day frequency is relatively high, while the night

frequency is about half the day frequency.

 

A sketch showing a 1500 mile (excuse the old Imperial measurement) OWF

and the approximate day and night working frequencies which will

provide a service fairly close to optimum conditions, will be placed

on ANARTS Web site this Sunday.

 

In general, a frequency of about 15 to 20 MHZ for day use and 7 to 10

Mhz for night use is employed for long distance communications, while

for short distance work of 6 to 7 MHZ and 3 to 4 Mhz for day and night

use respectively are commonly used. However, there is no hard and fast

rule about this, and under some conditions, it is possible that only

frequency is needed for the greater part of the 24 hour period.

 

More about day and night frequencies next week.

 

73's Col VK2CTD.

 

 

 

 

 

IPS Weekly Solar and Geophysical Report 7/13th Jul

 

SUMMARY

Date       07  08  09  10  11  12  13

10cm flux  80  77  75  73  71  71  70

AFr index   5   2   5  12   5   9   6 est

Aaus index  6   3   4   7   5   8   4 est

T index    24  19  13  17  18  24  22

 

Solar flare activity was low on 7th and very low otherwise.

 

Geomagnetic activity observed for the Australian Region was quiet

on 8th, 11th and 13th quiet to unsettled on 7th, 9th and 10th

and quiet to unsettled with isolated active periods on 12th.

 

Southern Australian Ionospheric F2 critical frequencies were near

predicted to 15 percent enhanced on 7/8th near predicted on 9/11th

near predicted to 35 percent enhanced on 12th and near predicted

to 30 percent enhanced on 13th.

 

COMMENT: A small shock in the solar wind was observed late in the

UT day on 9th Jul. This shock may be associated with the M2 flare

which was observed at 0836UT on 6th Jul. The flare had associated

Type II and IV radio sweeps - inferring a mass ejection from the

Sun. However, the event wasn’t very geoeffective.

 

Forecast for 14/20th Jul

 

Solar activity should be low.

 

Geomagnetic activity should see quiet to unsettled conditions.

 

Frequencies should be near predicted monthly values.

 

courtesy of the IPS Radio and Space Services

 

summary by Pat VK2JPA ANARTS Broadcast Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately we do not have the VK2SG Rtty DX Notes to hand so we

will go without them and add in more of the OPDX Notes.

 

 

The Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 766 - excerpts

 

4W, TIMOR LESTE

Michael PA5M (4W6AAB) will be returning here for about one month to finish

his work there for the United Nations World Food Programme. He is expected

to arrive on Jul 14. Activity will be limited to his free time. QSL via

PA7FM. For updates, logs and pictures, visit the following Web page at:

http://www.4w.pa7fm.nl/

 

ED8, CANARY ISLANDS

Several members of URE (Las Palmas Section) will be active as ED8URL Jul

19-21 to celebrate the 44th anniversary of URE (Las Palmas Section).

Activity will be on all bands and modes. QSL via the Bureau to EA8URL

(section callsign).

 

F, FRANCE (Castle Activity)

Members of the Radio Club de Saverne (F6KNJ) will activate Griffon Castle

(DFCF 67056) Jul 16. Watch on 7067kHz Members will sign as homecall/p.

QSL via F6KNJ.

 

GJ, JERSEY

Russell G5XW will be active as GJ5XW/p from the Channel Islands (EU-013)

Aug 26/Sep 1. Activity will be on all HF bands SSB only. QSL via G5XW.

 

HC8, GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Operators Glenn/W6OTC Steve/K6AW Jeff/WK6I and Ramon/XE1KK will be active

as HC8N during the CQ WW DX RTTY Contest Sep 23-24 as a Multi-2 entry.

QSL via W5UE.

 

HQ9, HONDURAS

Ray WQ7R will be active as HQ9R during the CQ World Wide DX SSB Contest

Oct 28-29 as Single-Op/All-Band entry. QSL via N6FF. Look for Ray to be

active as HR9/WQ7R before and after the contest.

 

IOTA NEWS

 

AS-131. Look for Vange BD7KLO to be active as BD7KLO/7 from Shangchuan

Island Jul 21-25. Activity will be on 40-10M SSB or RTTY. QSL via BD7KLO

direct only. ADDED REMINDER: Vange is also expected to go to Sanmen Island

(AS-129) Jul 27-30. Activity will include an entry in the IOTA Contest.

 

AS-137. Vange BD7KLO will be active as BD7KLO/5 from Shengshan Island Aug

13-17. Activity will be on 40-10M SSB or RTTY. QSL via BD7KLO, direct only.

 

AS-141. Vange BD7KLO will be active as BD7KLO/5 from Dongtou Island, Aug

5-9. Activity will be on 40-10M SSB or RTTY. QSL via BD7KLO, direct only.

 

EU-003. Pedro CU2CR will be active from Sao Miguel Island during the IOTA

Contest Jul 29-30th. QSL via U2CR.

 

EU-008. Members of the Scottish-Russian ARS and West of Scotland ARS will be

activating the Isle of Eigg (IOSA NH03 SCOTIA DI19) during the RSGB IOTA

Contest. The team of operators will be using two different calls and will

enter the contest as two different contest groups - GM2Z operator MM0DFV is

a CW station and GM4A operators GM0WRR GM4TOQ MM0GDL GM7WED and MM3LKV) is

a SSB station.

 

EU-031. Gian IC8WIC will be active from the Isle of Capri during the IOTA

Contest. QSL via IC8WIC.

 

EU-038. Operators Jan/PG7V and Jack/PD2J will be active as PC6IOTA from Texel

Island during the IOTA Contest. QSL via PG7V.

 

EU-040. Operators Jose/CT1END Arlindo/CT1EGW Luis/CT1EEQ Jose/CT1DIZ

David/CT1DRB Antonio/CT1EGH and Antonio/CT1EDX will be active as CT6B from

Bugio Island during the IOTA Contest. QSL via CS1GDX.

 

EU-043. Operators Boleslaw/SP4AAZ and Surdziel/SP4TKR will be active as

SM6/SP4AAZ/p and SM6/SP4TKR/p from Orust Island Jul 25/Aug 2nd. QSL via

their home callsigns. Look for them to be in the IOTA Contest as SM6/

P4AAZ/p and as a Multi-OP/Multi-Band/Mix-Mode/100w entry. QSL is OK via

the Bureau or direct.

 

EU-061. Members of the Norwegian Expedition Club will be active as LA1NEC

from Jomfruland (Norwegian Virgin Island)(WLOTA LH-08321) Aug 19-21. They

will focus on the International Lighthouse/ Lightship Weekend Aug 19-20

with 6 operators and 3 stations. QSL via the bureau. For more information

check their Web site at http://www.la1nec.no

 

EU-096. Joern DG5XJ will activate Houtskar/Mossala Island one of the most

wanted islands in Europe Jul 29/Aug 4. He will use the callsign OH1/DG5XJ

and will be active on 80/40/20/15/10M SSB only. He will use a Yaesu FT-897

100 watts to a Force 12 Sigma 40XK and double-dipole for 80 and 40M. QSL

via his home callsign. More information can be found at

http://managementpsychologie.de/dg5xjiota.htm

 

EU-122. Members of the Kilmarnock and Loudoun ARC will be active as GN0ADX/p

from Rathlin Island (WLOTA LH-0039) Jul 28-31. This is the eighth year in a

row for this group to be active in the RSGB IOTA Contest. Operators mentioned

are Allan/GM3OZB Barry/GM3YEH Steve/GM4OSS John/GM0DJG Gordon/MM0BIM and

John/MM0BQN. QSL via GM0ADX (QRZ.com).

 

EU-129. Operators Peter/DM5DX and Ulf/DL5AXX will be active as DR6IOTA from

Usedom Island during the IOTA Contest. QSL route TBA.

 

EU-136. Operator Okko PH2CV will be active as 9A/PH2CV/P from Krk Island

July 22/Aug 12. Activity will be on all bands SSB. QSL via PH2CV (QRZ.com).

 

EU-146. Operators Will/PE1OPM, Manfred/PE1OXV and Jeroen/NL12339 will will be

active as PE1OPM/p from Schouwen Duiveland during the IOTA Contest (July

29-30th). Activity will be on all bands from the City of Zonnemaire. QSL via

NL12339 (QRZ.com)

 

EU-171. Hans OZ7BQ will be active as OZ7BQ/p from Fur Island (NJ-003 for the

Danish Islands Award Jul 27-31. Operations will iclude an entry in the RSGB

IOTA Contest. Activity will be on all HF bands QRP with a K1 and vertical.

QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the bureau.

 

EU-172. Operator Chris DL4FO will be active as OZ/DL4FO from Tuno (TUNØ)

Island Jul 22/Aug 5. Activity will be mostly CW QRP and all HF bands. He will

also be active in the IOTA Contest and plans to activate a lighthouse

(DEN-071). QSL via DL4FO (QRZ.com). Visit his Web page at

http://www.qslnet.de/dl4fo

 

NA-046. Alec W2JU is currently active as W2JU/1 from Marthas Vineyard (USI

MA-005S WLOTA LH-2804 Dukes County Massachusetts) til Sep 2. Activity will

be on all bands mostly CW this will include an entry in the RSGB IOTA Contest.

QSL via his home callsign.

 

NA-083. Members of the Dominion DX Group will activate Tangier Island (USI

VA-001S, Accomack County Virginia) as K4VAC during the IOTA Contest.

Operators mentioned are Tony/ KC4AUF Becky/KS4RX Guy/K4CNF Mike/K4AUR

Robert/W4BNO Dave/N4DWK Jim/W4THU Bruce/WD4LBR Sheila/K4WNW Parke/N4KFT

Andrew/K4PUF Ron/KG4QIV and Warren/KO4XB. Activity will be on 80-10M CW/SSB

near the IOTA frequencies. QSL via K4VAC.

 

NA-092. Operators Nelson/KI5JF and Carl/KA5GUD, will be active as homecall/p

from Matagorda Island (USI TX-010S Calhoun County Texas) during IOTA Contest.

Activity will be on 40/20M CW SSB. QSL via their home callsigns.

 

NA-112. Kyle W4KTF will be active as W4KTF/p from Bald Head Island (USI

NC-003S Brunswick County North Carolina) July 28/Aug 4. Look for activity

on all bands, IOTA Contest included. QSL via his home callsign direct or

by the bureau.

 

NA-112. Members of the Tennessee Valley DX Association will be active as

W4PL from Emerald Isle (USI NC-010S Carteret County North Carolina) Sepember 27/

Oct on 80-10M CW SSB and RTTY including the WARC bands. QSL via K4KWK (QRZ.com).

 

FREE IOTA LOGGER. Paul EI5DI reminds everyone that the 14th IOTA (Islands On

The Air) Contest takes place on Jul 29-30. The SDI program by EI5DI is the

only contest logger dedicated to this event. SDI is recommended for stations

that will be in the IOTA Contest as a Single-Operator entry. Since SDI is

optimised for IOTA it offers many unique features. SDI runs on any Windows PC,

and is free from http://www.ei5di.com/sd/sdisetup.exe

It is intended for SO-unassisted entries. It supports ESM (Enter Sends

Message) in both Run and S and P modes with internal serial or parallel keying

or external keying via WinKeyer USB (recommended)see http://www.k1el.com

Any problems send Email to sd-user at contesting.com

 

OJ0, MARKET REEF

Members of the QLF DX-Team will be active as OJ0LA Sep 8-14. Activity will be

on all bands from 160-10Ms and on modes CW SSB and RTTY. Operators mentioned

are Bjorn/LA5UKA Andy/LA8AJA Morten/LA9DFA Trond/LA9VDA and Olav/LB8IB. QSL

Manager is LA9VDA. For updates and more info visit their Web page at

http://www.la8aja.com/expeditions/oj0la UNDERSCORE _2006/

 

T8, PALAU

Operators Taka/JO2JDJ Ryo/JG3DOR and Hide/JM1LJS will be active as T88DJ

T88OR and T80W respectively 1300z Jul 14/1500z Jul 18. Activity will be from

the 'IMAPC Palau Rental Shack' on 40-6M CW SSB. QSL via their home callsigns.

Visit Hides Web page at http://radio-dream.com/t80w/

 

TX1, NEW CALEDONIA (Lighthouse Activation)

Members of the Association Radio Amateur en Nouvelle Caledonie (A.R.A.N.C)

will sponsor the activation of the Amedee Lighthouse (FK-0147) to celebrate

the 140th anniversary of this lighthouse. Operator Sam FK8DD will be using

the callsign TX1A Jul 21-31. The equipment will be 2 transceivers, dipoles

for 80-40M multiband T2FD and a vertical Cushcraft antenna R7 with 100 watts

of power. Activity will be mainly on CW with some SSB if conditions are

good on 160-10M no 6M. QSL via LZ1JZ Tony Stefanov PO Box 43 HARMANLI

6450 BULGARIA.

 

XX9, MACAO

Hide JM1LJS will be here Aug 10-16. He is trying to renew his XX9TJS license.

He states that his activity will start around 0700z on Aug 11th. QSL XX9TJS

via JM1LJS.

 

 

 

 

 

The Society can be contacted in the following ways

To Pat VK2JPA via patleeper at optusnet.com.au or

Col VK2CTD via ctdavies at bigpond.net.au or

you can drop a line to PO Box 93 Toongabbie NSW 2146.

73’s from Pat VK2JPA broadcast Officer

NNNN