Amateur Radio Operator's Code of Ethics :

The Amateur is considerate -- S/he never knowingly uses the air in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.

The Amateur is loyal -- S/he offers loyalty, encouragement and support to all radio amateurs, local radio club, and to the American Radio Relay League, through which Amateur Radio is represented.

The Amateur is progressive -- keeping the Amateur's station abreast of science; the station is well-built and efficient; operating practice is always above reproach.

The Amateur is friendly -- slow and patient sending when requested, friendly advice and counsel to the beginner, kindly assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others; these are marks of the amateur spirit.

The Amateur is balanced -- radio is a hobby. He never allows it to interfere with any of the duties he owes to his home, his job, his school, or his community.

The Amateur is patriotic -- knowledge and station are always ready for the service of country and community.

Source: Paul M. Segal, W9EEA

BBDXG in the ILLW 2008 :

In a new edition of the International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend (ILLW 2008) , which will be held on the third weekend of August (15, 16, 17 August) the BAHIA BLANCA DX GROUP RADIO CLUB (www.grupodxbb.com.ar) will transmit, this time, from SEVEN (7) different lighthouses at the same time:

————————————————–

MORRO NUEVO Lighthouse (ARLHS ARG–048, ILLW AR-0031) – FOR FIRST TIME.
Lat. 42° 52′ S Long. 64° 08′ W — Grid Locater = FE77wd
Located at the South end corner of Valdez Peninsula. It indicates the entrance to the “Nuevo” Gulf. 750 Km. South from Bahía Blanca
Operators and calls used: LU9ESD/W, LU4ETN/W, LW9EAG/W.

SAN GREGORIO Lighthouse (ARLHS ARG-062, ILLW AR-0028) – FOR FIRST TIME.
Lat. 45° 01′ S Long. 65° 38′ W — Grid Locater = FE74ex
Located in South East of Chubut Province.
Operators and calls used: LU1EUU/W LU5DEM/W + others.

CABO ARISTIZABAL Lighthouse (ARLHS ARG-023 HISTORIC, ILLW AR-0027) – FOR FIRST TIME.
Lat. 45° 13’ S Long. 66° 32’ W. — Grid Locator = FE64rs
Located at North end of “San Jorge” Gulf, in Chubut Province.
Operators and calls used: LU7DSY/W, LU5DIT/W, LU6DBL/W + others.

PUERTO ROSALES Lighthouse (ARLHS ARG-095, ILLW AR-0029) – FOR FIRST TIME.
Lat. 58° 55’ S Long. 62° 04’ W — Grid Locater = FD81xc
Located in the access to the main wharf of the commercial port of Punta Alta city in the south of Buenos Aires Province.
Call Used: LU3DXG/D (Official call of BBDXG). Operators: LU5EAO/D, LU8EHQ/D, LU7EUZ/D, LU5DKT/D, LW5DAD/D, LW2ENB/D

BALIZA CHICA Lighthouse (ARLHS ARG-083, ILLW AR-0026).
Lat. 38° 53’ S Long. 61° 58’ W — Grid Locater = FF91ac
Located in the Base of Marines called “Baterías”. 20 km. southeast from Naval Base Puerto Belgrano and 40 km. from Bahía Blanca.
Operators and calls used: LU8DWR/D, LU8DIP/D , LU3DZO/D, LU4ELE/D, LU4UZW/D, LU4DBP/D .

BALIZA PUNTA ATALAYA Lighthouse (ARLHS ARG-099, ILLW AR-0024).
Lat. 35° 01’ S Long. 57° 32’ W — Grid Locater = GF14fx
Located in the perimeter of the Argentine Naval Prefecture, detachment Atalaya. 102 Km. east from Buenos Aires city.
Operators and calls used: LU6DRN/D, LU6EU/D.

CLAROMECÓ Lighthouse (ARLHS ARG-014, ILLW AR-0008)
Lat. 38° 51’ S Long. 60° 03’ W — Grid Locater = FF91xd
Located in the Claromecó Spa, near Tres Arroyos town. 200 Km. east from Bahía Blanca.
Operators and calls used: LU7HW/D, LU3HKA/D, LU7EHL/D, LU7DR/D, LU4DBT/D

————————————————–

— All Bands and modes will be worked, including digimodes (RTTY, PSK31, SSTV…) and CW.

— SAN GREGORIO, CABO ARISTIZABAL and MORRO NUEVO Lighthouse will use each operator´s callsigns plus “/W” because they are located in the province of Chubut.

— PUERTO ROSALES LH will use the official BBDXG call LU3DXG for this first time activity.

— Contacts with PUERTO ROSALES, BALIZA CHICA, BALIZA PUNTA ATALAYA and CLAROMECÓ Lighthouses will be valid for the “PROVINCE OF BUENOS AIRES LIGHTHOUSES” Award organized by Bahía Blanca DX Group. (more info: lu9esd@yahoo.com)

— Also the permanent award is on the air this year again: “Argentine Atlantic Coast Lighthouses 2008” organized by Bahía Blanca DX Group, Mistongo DX Group, Tandil Radio Club (LU2EE) and Avellaneda Radio Club (LU7EE).
Silver version: working a minimum of 5 of 9 lighthouses valid for this award.
Gold version: working the 9 lighthouses valid for this award.

The valid lighthouses are:
ARG-048, ARG-062, ARG-023, ARG-095, ARG-083, ARG-099 and ARG-014 (by BBDXG)
ARG-063 (ILLW AR-0025) SAN JOSE Lighthouse activated for FIRST TIME (by Mistongo DX Group and Tandil RC)
ARG-008 (ILLW AR-0012) PUNTA MEDANOS Lighthouse (by Avellaneda Radio Club)

The award are printed in full color glossy paper and call and name in laser print.

The cost (totally: QSL’s, post costs and award) for all DXCC entities are 10 Green Stamps or 8 IRC. You will need send a log with a separated QSL per each Lighthouse.

The term for the reception of requests will overcome on 20th September of 2008.

For more info please contact: lu9esd@yahoo.com

— The QSL and Award manager are:

LU7DSY Carlos
P.O. Box 709
8000 Bahía Blanca
Buenos Aires
Argentina

Please send one envelope with all your QSL.
Up to 2 QSL = 1 IRC. Up to 4 QSL = 2 IRC. Up to 6 QSL = 3 IRC. Up to 8 QSL = 4 IRC. For 9 QSL without award please send 5 IRC.
If you want the award send QSL for each lighthouse and 8 IRC.

— For More information:
lu9esd@yahoo.com

PLEASE FWD THIS MESSAGE TO ALL YOUR CONTACTS AND BULLETINS. TNX.

Source: DX-IS News Site

International YL Meet South Africa :

An International YL Meet is scheduled to be held in South Africa during October 2008 when YLs and their partners will be arriving from Japan, Korea, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Canada, Australia and France.

The tour starts on 3 0ctober 2008 at Lesedi Cultural Village at the Cradle of Mankind. From there they will visit the Pilanesberg National Park and on 6 October travel to Durban and Cape Town.

Janet Musto, ZS5JAN, and Vee Antal, ZS6ZEN, were appointed as Organisers of the International YL Meet South Africa 2008 at the International YL Meet held in India last year.

Local radio amateurs are invited to join the international group at various points during their tour of South Africa.

There is a gala dinner at Lesedi on 4 October. In Durban the group will visit the Barnyard Theatre at Gateway to see the show Dancing Queen on 12 October and in Cape Town on 17 October, locals can join the visitors for dinner at the Breakwater Lodge.

For details and to book contact: Vee, ZS6ZEN, fax 088 011 675 2793 for the Johannesburg and Cape Town events and Janet, ZS5JAN, on 082 321 1158 for the Durban event.

Source: The South African Radio League

Russian Robinson Club foundation :

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of Russian Robinson Club foundation, the R15RRC callsign will be used in IOTA contest. QSL cards will be sent to all stations in log automatically (please,
provide your Logs to contest committee!)

Special Award -- 15 Years to RRC - will be released to everyone, who made 13 QSOs (with Russian Robinson Club Awards' programs www.hamradio.ru/rrc : RRA, RLHA, RMA, RFFA (WFF), including KL7DX and other special RRC expeditions) during 2008 year + 2 (obligatory!) QSOswith R15RRC station (different modes / bands / QTHs are possible). Totally -- 15 QSOs.

Application form with 3 IRCs should be sent to Eugene RZ3EC.

Source: "Andy Novikov" <rz3em@yandex.ru>

NIAR Special callsigns AT25MY, AT25RG :

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR), the premier Amateur Radio organizations in India, the following 2 special callsigns will be active.

AT25MY QTH: NIAR Hyderabad

• VU2MY S.Suri
• VU2MYH S.Ram Mohan
• VU2BL Ms.M.Bhanumathy
• VU2JOS Jose Jacob
• VU2YAM Ms.S.Yamini
• VU2LFA Sushil Kumar Dhingra
• VU2JMA Ms.B.Jayamma
• VU2UWZ S.Madhu Mohan
• VU3LMS Ms.Lissy Jose

AT25RG, Operator: VU2RBI YL Bharathi, QTH New Delhi.

QSL via VU2NRO
73

Jose Jacob, VU2JOS
National Institute of Amateur Radio
Raj Bhavan Road, Hyderabad 500082, India

Telefax: 91-40-23310287 Tel: 91-40-65167388
Cell: 94416 96043
www.niar.org

More QSL cards uploaded :

Friends I have uploaded new QSL cards which I have received from bureau.
Click here

Selvagens Islands DXpedition :

Selvagens Islands - AF047

The group composed by CT1DSV, CT1EFS, CT1ENV, CT1FEK, CT1HFS and CT1BOL are making a big effort to be active as planned from 24 to 27 July in theses Islands. They plan to use 2 HF Stations, and they will be active as *CQ9U*, and *CT95S* Callsigns. The first one will be used for participating in the RSGB IOTA Contest, the second one will be used as a tribute to Funchal City 500 Years Foundation Commemoration. Funchal Citybis the Capital City of Madeira Isl Arch. This group of Expeditioners decided to help the Madeerian Radio CLub (ARRM) in celebrating this event, and so this call is valid for the Funchal 500Years Award.

All info can be seen in www.cq9u.com

Listening :

If you're not listening, you're not learning. To be a good listener, you must cultivate an attitude of respect and acceptance towards others. To do this, it is necessary to overcome the obstacles that prevent you from listening powerfully. Do not be distracted by your own thoughts. Concentrate and listen. Your ablility to listen can determine the success of being a good amateur radio operator.

Nature has given to men one tongue, but two ears, that we may hear from others twice as much as we speak.
Epictetus

Ragchewing :

Ragchewing is simply enjoying long conversations with friends made over the air waves. Ragchewing is an art, and like all art, it is improved by experience and practice. The key of building successful relationships is to know the HAM's you deal with as individuals. Respecting other people means recognizing their value as human beings, regardless of their background, race or creed.

For showing that you care for the feelings of others :

• Act in an honest and truthful way.
• Never be selfish, boorish or undisciplined.
• Communicate your own values, attitudes and opinions.
• Always present yourself to best advantage.
• See yourself from the other persons standpoint.
• Do not correct other peoples diction and grammar in group QSO.
• Keep calls as short as possible; the loner th call, the greater the irritation in those who have no choice but to listen.
  
• Think before you speak.

Mistakes will happen, so it's best to own up to them, learn from them then move on.Your credibility is based on your ability to be honest in all situations.

NIAR Silver Jubilee Contest :

1. Object: To contact as many amateurs around the world as part of NIAR Silver Jubilee Celebrations.

2. Eligibility: All licensed amateurs & SWLs around the world.

3. Contest Start: Saturday 1200 UTC (5.30 pm IST), August 16, 2008.

4. Contest End: Sunday 1200 UTC (5.30 pm IST), August 17, 2008.

5. Entry Categories:

• Operator (VU Stations): Using Home Brew rig
• Operator (VU Stations): Using Commercial equipment
• Foreign Class: High Power (Above 100 watts)
• Foreign Class: Low Power (Below 100 watts)
• SWL
  

6. Bands: 7 & 14 MHz. The same station may be contacted on both bands.

7. Modes: CW & Phone. The same station may be contacted on both modes.

8. Contest exchange: Signal Report and Serial Number of Contest Contact.

9. QSO Points:

For VU Hams:
QSOs with:
VU stations: 2 points
Asian stations: 3 points
Other DX stations: 5 points
VU Special station: 10 points

For DX Hams:
Asia – VU: 3 points
DX – VU: 5 points
Foreigners – VU special station: 10 points
Foreigners – Foreigners: 1 point.

Note: VU Special station is NIAR HQ Club station with the callsign VU2NRO or special callsign to be issued for NIAR Silver Jubilee.

For SWL category: 3 points for each contest QSO monitored.

SWLs must log the complete QSO consisting of the call including the Serial Number and the second call. Incomplete QSOs do not count. Every station counts once per band and mode for the SWLs.

10. Final result: Summery of QSO-points

11. Reporting:
Entries may be sent by post to:
Silver Jubilee Contest
National Institute of Amateur Radio
Raj Bhavan Road, Somajiguda
Hyderabad 500082, India

Computerized logs must be sent in adif; cabrillo format by email to: vu2nro@gmail.com

The last date for receipt of entries is: September 17, 2008.

11. Awards:

• A certificate will be awarded to 3 high scoring entries in each category.
• Top scorer in Single Operator (VU Stations) using Home Brew rig. will receive a trophy sponsored by Mr. Franz Berndt, DL9GFB, Germany.
• General membership to NIAR will be given to 5 high scoring entries in each category.
• Participation certificates will be awarded to all those who send entries.
• The Awards will be given at the NIAR Silver Jubilee Celebrations to be held at Hyderabad on October 18-20, 2008.
• Staff members of NIAR are not eligible for Awards.

The entries shall be judged by a contest committee.
The decision of the Contest Committee shall be final.

Source: VU2NRO

IARU HF Championships 2008 and VUs :

Tomorrow and the day after, we have the IARU HF Championships 2008. (12th and 13th July ) This is an important International contest in which the operators give the ITU Zone number (India is in 41) in exchange. The National Societies give their Abbreviations like RSGB, ARRL, SRR, PZK, JARL, ARSI etc.

From India, AT6T (VU2PTT OM Prasad) is the operator of the National Society- ARSI. With his Force 12 antenna, full legal power, and sufficient experience, gives ARSI a chance to come among the top few, single-Op stations.

Others are also taking part in their personal capacity, like AT7A (OM Ananda Bose VU2AMB) from Calcutta,who got his special call after a lot of correspondence with WPC. VU2UR will also be there, only in CW. There are many others like VU2JOS, VU3DJQ etc., who will also be single op individual stations.

Watch out for a good VU-show. Please send info about the VU stns whom you heard at your QTH. I am likely to miss hearing many VU ops due to very pronounced skip conditions.

Good luck to all those who are taking part.. Others should also try their hand. Good show and let your skill come to your scoring.

vy 73, Namaste
de Arasu VU2UR
Contest Manager--ARSI.

Source: ARSICOM

Chinese Olympic Special Event Stations :

Amateur Radio Special Event stations for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games are now on the air. The Southgate news says that the stations began operating May 18th with five special event calls representing the five rings of the Olympic flag.

The calls are BT1OB, BT1OJ, BT1OH, BT1OY and BT1ON with the last letter of the callsign corresponds to the color of each of the rings of the Olympic flag . BA4EG will be the QSL manager for all stations. QSL's can be sent either direct or via the bureau and will begin to be answered in October.

There is a website set up that includes an on-line log search, a QSL card receive and sent status, and other information. Its in cyberspace at at www.bj2008ses. com.cn.

The website will include an on-line log search, and QSL card receive and sent status, along with other information. There will also be award criteria posted soon.

Look for these five Olympic special event stations to be QRV through September 17th.

Source: Southgate Amateur Radio Club

Matheran repeater's blog :

After many obstacle's and lot of R & D, Now Matheran repeater is fully functional. And footprints of this repeater is really good i.e. we in Mumbai get stations from Baroda, Surat ,Valsad, Udwada, Pune, Lonavala & Nasik. To know more about it visit this blog.

Visit : http://vu2bbb.blogspot.com/

Suggestions for DX pile-ups :

1. The DX station operators are in charge of any pile-up.
2. The DX station should make and adhere to their operating rules quietly and respectfully.
3. The DX station should use, when appropriate, call areas and areas for the world for better accuracy, rate and order.
4. The DX station should use split operation and spread stations out, keeping in mind others not in the pile-ups. A MUST.
5. The DX station should give their call sign at least every 10 minutes and maintain a pattern especially when ending a QSO.
6. The DX Station should create a rhythm or timing which maintains a good rate and allows the pile-up to call at the right time.
7. The operators in the pile-up, if not sure of a QSO, should dupe and the DX operator continue not wasting time commenting.
8. The DX station should work those who will create the fastest rate, at least at first, then make an effort to work the weaker stations.
9. No one should lecture on the air.
10. Everyone should always require and give full calls.
11. Know and practice the gray line.
12. Know the equipment being operated such as the split button, audio levels, keying waveform, etc.
13. NEVER be a “KC Cop”. NEVER.
14. Operators giving spots on a DX Cluster should ensure their accuracy!
15. Keep away from personal, political and religious comment any time on the air and/or the DX Cluster. Keep all comments in the true spirit of ham radio whereby ALL ARE EQUAL.
16. Don’t rush giving your call when the DX station is standing by, especially on CW. Time will be lost trying to obtain ALL of the call sign.
17. Don’t the call the DX station constantly. Get in the rhythm.
18. Let the last station complete his QSO.
19. Use only the power it takes and figure out what that is!
20. Figure out the DX operator’s operating practice for greater success.

These “suggestions” provided courtesy of QRZ DX and The DX Magazine

A must for your shack :

• Copy of your license.
• Copy of rules and regulations.
• Equipments list.
  
• Logbook.
• Call book.
• Handy toolbox.
• SWR meter.
• World map.
• List of DXCC countries.
• Battery.
• Proper grounding.
• UTC clock (if possible showing temperature and humidity).
• QSL cards.
• Headphones.
• Dummy load.
• External speakers.
• Multimeter.
• Extra pairs of Patch cords.
• Small vacuum cleaner.
• Soldering Iron.

GARDENCITY CONTEST :

THE GARDEN CITY CONTESTED WILL BE CONDUCTED ON HF 40 METERS FOR VUHAMS AS PER PLAN. ( PHONE CONTEST)

DATE: STARTS AT 06.00HRS 1st. ON 26th. JULY 2008 ENDS AT 18;00 HRS 27 th. JULY 2008.

THIS CONTEST IS FOR VU HAMS AND 4S7 HAMS.

EVERY CONTACT COUNTS ONE POINT. NO DX CONTACTS.

THOSE COMPLETES CONTACTING 100 VU STATIONS IN THE CONTEST WILL GET A SEPARATE CERTIFICATE.

THE LOG SHOULD REACH BY 15 OF AUGUST 2008.

SEND THE LOG TO P.O.BOX 1927. BANGALORE 560 019. ( I.I.H. POST BOX).

ALL ARE REQUESTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONTEST AND FORWARD THIS INFO TO ALL HAMS.

REGARDS
VU3ITI (VARADAN)

source: ARSICOM

SOS turns 100 years :

Happy Birthday SOS!

"SOS", the distress signal that saved thousands of lives, turned 100 on 1st. July,2008.

"SOS", which is commonly used description for the international morse code distress signal containing three dots, three dashes and three more dots (... --- ...), was first adopted by the German government in the radio regulations on April 1905.

It became the worldwide standard when it was included in the II International Radiographic Convention which was signed on 3rd.November, 1906, and became effective from 1st. July, 1908.

The call actually became famous when one of the radio operators of the ill-fated Titanic had supposedly said to his colleague: "Send SOS". The tragedy revealed just how vital a universal system was. They soon learn otherwise, as international headlines told how Jack Phillips, Titanic's first radio operator, and 1,500 others had been lost along with the "unsinkable" ship.The new "SOS" distress signal was rarely ignored after that.

Of course, technology has moved on dramatically since 1908 and only very occasionally are the telltale dots and dashes that have saved countless lives employed today.

So, it seems "SOS" is the safe for 21st. Century too...........

To be a Good Ham Operator :

1. Listen with care. Avoid distractions in your radio room. Make sure your radio is operating on the proper frequency.

2. Monitor the frequency you wish to use. Call only when a frequency is free. Make sure the station you are calling is available for contact.

3. Make short calls, with a break to listen. Speak clearly, at a steady, moderate rate. Three short calls are better than one long one.

4. Speak near the mike. Keep local background noise to a minimum.

5. You must consciously learn to push the microphone button, pause slightly, and then begin speaking. If you push the button and speak simultaneously, the first word or the first part of a word may be cut off.

6. Talk as you would in person. If you need, notes will help avoid mixing up subjects. Try to keep your language polite.

7. Speak naturally. Make QSO’s interesting. Use proper operating form to promote efficiency in communication and add respect and prestige for your station.

8. Always keep a pen and a paper handy to note down the station info. you are talking to.

9. Try using Headphones, if there is a local QRM within the shack.

10. Maintain your log book.