New Sunspots :

Scientists say the new sunspots are here improved band may soon be on their way. Scientists say that after more than two years of few sunspots, even fewer solar flares, the sun is finally showing signs of life.

David Hathaway is a sunspot forecaster of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville Alabama. In his opinion the solar minimum is behind us. He said that in October scientists counted five sunspot groups.

Hathaway says that this may not sound like much, but in a year with record-low numbers of sunspots and long stretches of spotlessness, five is significant.

Even more significant is the fact that four of the five sunspot groups belonged to Solar Cycle 24. That's the new and long-awaited next installment of the sun's 11-year solar cycle. Hathaway says that October was the first time sunspots from new Solar Cycle 24 outnumbered spots from old Solar Cycle 23. Hathaway adds that this is a good sign that the new cycle is taking off.

This will be welcome news to the ears of hams who have waited a long time to work some new and possibly rare DX.

Source : Amateur Radio Newsline, NASA

150 birth-anniversary of Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose :

Special Event Operation with Special Call sign prefix blocks For the Birth Anniversary of the greatest Indian Scientist and inventor, Shri. Jagadish Chandra Bose “Special permission of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Department of Communications ,Government of India, to following group of Amateur Radio Operator’s licenses to use special call signs (as mentioned below against each participant) to operate during the 150th Birth Anniversary of India’s great scientist and inventor Shri. Jagadish Chandra Bose, (which falls on Nov. 30th 2008) from 23th Nov 2008 to 02nd Dec 2008, from their existing licenced location mentioned in his Radio Amateur Licence, to participate in the activity. This is the invitation to all amateurs world wide, who are Prefix hunters, Special QSL hunters, etc, to avail the finest opportunity , to work and get QSOs, and later on QSLs from the very special prefix series AU1 to AU0. Thank you for visiting OUR PAGE Please come back and visit again for updates!

Operating stations:

AU0JCB-------VU3DJQ

AU2JCB-------VU2DSI

AU5JCB-------MULTI OPERATOR MULTI MODE

AU6JCB-------VU2LR

AU8JCB-------VU2ACK

AU9JCB-------VU2SMS

To commemorate the 150 birth-anniversary of Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose-"Father of Radio
Communication" -Indian Hams are going to operate with special call-signs. I am going to operate
AU2JCB call-sign.

The details are as follows :
Call-sign :AU2JCBPeriod of operation : 15 th Nov to 08 th Dec 2008.
On all bands.
My home call :VU2DSIInformation : QRZ.COM & eQSL.
QSL :DIRECT

VU2DSI
"SURABHI" MEHERABAD,
AHMEDNAGAR.
414006.INDIA

New QRZ Callsign CD-ROM Released :

Turning to the ham radio business scene, the 32nd edition of the QRZ Ham Radio CD-ROM Callsign Database is now available. In addition to the popular QRZ database of callsigns, the also contains over 310,000 e-mail addresses, the latest FCC callsigns issued as of April 2008, over 10,000 Digital QSL Card images and much more. This latest edition also includes a new, faster installation program and a return to the previous disc layout for maximum logbook compatibility. More is on-line at www.qrz.com.

AS-199 update :

DXpedition Call :AT2RS

DXpedition target :India, Nachugunta Island, IOTA AS-199p First activation of Andhra Pradesh South State Gruppe

Dates: December 05.- 07. 2008 (72 h.)

Operators:
1. DL4KQ
2. VU3RSB (VU4NRO, VU4AN, VU7LD)
3. VU2BGS
4. VU3KET

Stations/Equipment :
1 x Elecraft K3 + 300 W
1 x Elecraft K3 + 500 W
1 x ICOM IC7000 (Reserve)
1 x 7.6 kV Diesel Generator
1 x Force12 C3SS Yagi
1 x Spiderbeam
dipole/verticals

Bandes / Modes:
1 x CW + 1 x SSB Station
3 of 4 OP`s can/will operate in CW
80/40/20/17/ 15/12/10 m (30m not permitted in VU - needed special permit
too expensive ....)

QSL Manager:
W3HNK NA/SA
DL4KQ Rest of the world

Demonstration at Trissur :

Govt. Engineering College Trissur to conduct a great Exhibition 'RESONANCE 08' On Nov. 28,29 & 30 in THEKKINKAD MAITHNAM THRISSUR - Demonstration of Amateur radio is arranged pse contact VU3MQK - Madhu kuttappan Trichur for further information.

AS-199 - Nachugunta Island :

VU3RSB Sara, along with VU3FRK (DL4KQ),Frank; VU2BGS,Kumar; and VU3KET,Bapuji; plan to activate Nachugunta Island, ANDHRA PRADESH (AS-199) between December 4th and 7th. This will be the first IOTA operation from AS-199.

Sara says the team will be operating as AT2RS with two stations,possibly a third, on 3.5 through 28 MHz (except 10 MHz). QSL via W3HNK either direct or via the bureau for North and South America and via DL4KQ.

Courtesy :ARSICOM

20th Anniversary of BCDX Net :

The weekly BCDX Net operating on the 40 Meter Amateur Band in South India is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. This Net was started on Sunday November 27, 1988 by a small group of Amateurs viz. Shanmughasundaram VU2FOT, Victor Goonetilleke 4S7VK, Jose Jacob VU2JOS and some SWLs.

The whole concept of this Net started when these Hams used to meet regularly on the band and exchanged DX news at various times. This later transformed into a regular Net which benefited many people. This Net is conducted on Sunday mornings for the advantage of those who are keenly interested in Broadcast Band Dxing.The unique thing about this Net is that is helped Hamsto become SWL Dxers and SWL's to become Hams!

On a typical Sunday morning,the Net control starts the Net by calling in for regular check-ins. After about 10 minutes he gives the latest DX tips that he has gathered and later other stations also takes turn in exchanging their DX information. It has all the ingredients of a live two way DX program and continues for about 30 minutes depending on the traffic. For some time it was known as SWL DX Net.

The Net grew up with VU2KAK Anil, VU3SIO Sanil,VU2ISR Harsha,VU3ITI Varadhan, VU3DJQ Raman, VU2NGB Binu,VU2BNP Prahalad, VU3BGK Neel, VU2ICI Mohan etc.joining in.

In 1989 a monthly newsletter was published on behalf of the Net by VU2FOTwhich was unfortunately discontinued after some issues. In May 1991 a BCDX Net Convention was held at Kozhikode which was a big success & attended by over 85 people including Victor Goonetilleke 4S7VK from Sri Lanka. A Ham station with the special call sign VU2F was also operational at the convention venue. A DX contest sponsored by Radio Netherlands was organized on 29 & 30th January 1994 in collaboration with Union of Asian DXERS, Sri Lanka . Special QSL cards were issued by Radio Netherlands for the occasion. In 1995 a special QSL card was also issued to mark the 7th anniversary of the Net by VU2BNP. In 19989 Adventist World Radio Wavescan broadcasted a special program on the occasion of 10th anniversary of the BCDX Net. Articles onBCDX Net has also appeared in "NAIR Ham News" July 1998 issue, "Hamfest India" 1998 souvenir and other DX publications and was also mentioned in various DX programs several times.

The BCDX Net has been very regular all these long 20 years, thanks to thededicated Net Controllers. Now a days it is conducted on sunday mornings at 0830 IST (0300 UTC ) on 7085 kHz USB on 40 meter Amateur Band which covers South India & Sri Lanka. Occasionally it was also conducted on the 20 Meter Band 14150 kHz at 2130 IST ( 1600 UTC). Currently the regular net controller is Sanil Deep VU3SIO and assisted from time to time by VU3BGK & VU2JOS etc.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of BCDX NET, India a special feature by Mr.Sanil Deep, VU3SIO is to be broadcast by Wavescan Program of Adventist World Radio on Sunday 23 Nov 2008 as follows:

1150 UTC (5.20 pm IST) 15260 kHz via KSDA, Guam
1220 UTC (5.50 pm IST) 15495 kHz via Wertachtal, Germany
1520 UTC (8.50 pm IST) 12105 kHz via KSDA, Guam
1550 UTC (9.20 pm IST) 11675 kHz via KSDA, Guam
1620 UTC (9.50 pm) 9585 & 11690 kHz via KSDA Guam
1650 UTC (10.20 pm) 11980 kHz via KSDA Guam
etc.

Special QSL cards for reports on the above broadcasts are available from:

Mr.Sanil Deep, VU3SIO
Day Light
Kannancherry Road
Calicut 673003. Kerala
India

Congratulations to BCDX Net on its important anniversary !

Tiruchengoud Repeater Club :

The information to you, your family and friends,that your Tiruchengoud Repeater Club has organized an Eyeball meet on 25th and 26th January 2009 at YERCAUD.You are cordally invited to attend with your family and friends to make it GREAT EYEBALL meet of the year.No doubt, that the first ham meet at Yercaud in January 2007 was a great success due to your valuable support, best wishes and wholehearted participation. YES,this time with the same enthusiam and support we intend to out beat that.

YERCAUD - hill station 30 Km away from Salem with a winding ghat road, of 20 hair pin bends and 4920 ft,above mean sea level is situated in the Shevaroy hills. Its climate is cool and temperature never rises more than 30Deg Cand dip below 13 Deg c. You are amble around
leisurely,do a tour of the lake in a pedal boat,or hire a car for the sight-seeing, The rocky escapements over looking the plains, Lady'Seat,Pyramid point(3Km away) once a Stone Age fortress shrine (7 km away) and the Shevarayan Temple leading to an old cave temple are
some of the places worth visiting.

Some of the original forests still exist here and contains several endemics species of plants and fauna.Wild life like bison,deer,ant- eater,mongoose, partridges, the bird of paradise and many
more , jack fruit,orange, guava and spices like black pepper and cardamom are the crops raised here,beside coffee. A wonderful place for rest and unwinding.

Our friends have planned lot of activities,a dx expedition,a foxhunt and many more,Efforts are being made to get a special call sign to mark the occasion.What else we need for a perfect holiday away from the maddening crowds to have an wonderful eyeball meet!.

Come Let all of us have a great pleasure of meeting each other.
VENUE;- STAR HOLIDAYS INC., YERCAUD (Near lake)
Registration: -
1.Ham/Guest Rs 350 each.
2.Ham and xyl Rs 600 per couple
3.Harmonics above 10 Yrs Rs 250 each
4.Harmonics Below 10 Yrs Complimentary
Accommodation: -
Those who are interested to avail the services to book their
accommodation at Yercaud (at first first served basis) may please
contact:- P.Panneerselvam VU2PCP.
E-mail . vu2pcp@gmail. com, Cell 9345635973

Last Date to receive the forms containing.
1.Name.2.Callsign, Name for Badge. Address, Telephone (o),( R),(M),Email,
No.of persons attending Single/couple, Guest,Children( Above 10 years)
and Below 10 years, Food Veg/Non veg

Last Date to receive the completed information along with the payment
is 10th January 2009.
Mail to P.Paneerselvam,
Hotel mathi,127,Annasalai ,Tiruchengodu- 637 211 ( Mobile 9345635973)

Courtesy : VU2TCD

HMY2K8 - A multiband HF transceiver :

By Dr. R. RAJASEKHAR, VU2HMY



TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS :
Frequency coverage: Ham Bands
3.500 - 3.600 M.Hz ( 80 M )
7.000 - 7.100M.Hz ( 40 M )
14.000 – 14.350 M.Hz ( 20 M )
21.000 - 21.350 M.Hz ( 15 M )
28.000 – 28.350 M.Hz ( 10 M )

Frequency control :
Ver. 1: Direct Digital Synthesizer (DDS) with 1 Hz step continuously variable VFO with 20 memory channels. 2 line LCD display. Dual VFO, Split , RIT, Key pad /rotary encoder for frequency entry.

Ver. 2: 5 Band Heterodyne VFO with PIC frequency counter to reduce cost of the project.

Receiver :
Single conversion receiver with 10.000 M.Hz Cohn filter.
Low noise figure, 2.2 K.Hz SSB band width, 1.5 W audio O/P.

Transmitter :
RF O/P - SSB - 90 W ( DC PWR I/P )
CW - 60 W ( DC PWR I/P )
Built in CW side tone, CW delay, pwr meter, MOS FET Push Pull PA.

Dimensions :8.5 X 7 X 4.5 inches

Genesis :
Being a home brewer I was hesitated to buy a commercial HF transceiver soon after getting my ticket in1988. Even my guru, late T.K.Seshandam VU2WC was not allowed me to do so. But he was kind enough to give me a set of pcb’s of VWN QRP TX . I was successful to come on air with VWN QRP effectively along with L board RX on 40M. Those days are really good for HF communication. With low band noise, excellent propagation conditions we could work hours together daily on 40 M with 7 W AM signals. After that I have homebrewed RM96 and ATS1 and came on air effectively with SSB signals on 40 M. Even though there is a feeling of missing a lot of activity on other HF bands Viz 20 M, because all the above rigs are mono banders. If I want come on other band I have to construct another rig of same circuit! Then I could get a used ICOM - IC720 commercial TRX. It worked well for about 6 months and gone QRT. I just sent it to few service centers and was not able to get it repaired due to the non availability of spares for PLL & Logic boards. Then I secured one BEL524 in dead condition and able to repair it and came on air on all HAM bands with an home made out board DDS VFO. But servicing such surplus equipment is not that much easy due to their concealed and modular construction. Then I was thinking of home brewing a multi-band SSB/CW TRX using indigenous components freely available in VU land. I searched for the circuit schematics even on the internet. But ….in vain! Then I could download and made simple 40 M band SSB TRX circuits.

Using bilateral switching technique using switching IC 74HS4053 by KD1JV using NE602 and PY2OHH using TA7358. Both performed well and gave me good results on air. But the cost of NE602/SA612 is around Rs.300/- ++ and its rare availability in VU land, whereas the cost of TA7358 is Rs.15/- and freely available.

Finally, I was decided to design a multi band SSB/CW TRX using Toshiba IC TA7358 with band switching using diode switching arrangement which can give 90 W DC PWR input from 80 to 10 Mtr bands. I have incorporated CW delay and side tone for easy CW operation. I have designed pcb (measures 7 X 3.5 inches) lay out using EXP PCB design soft ware and printed the board which accommodates all stages Viz Bal. Modulator/ demodulator, RX/TX mixer, 5 bandpass filter, 6 pole Cohn filter, Tone circuit for CW, CW side tone, mike amp, audio amplifier, transmitter driver and TRX change over. I have used home made DDS VFO using up-conversion to cover 80 – 10 M bands. In other version a pre mixed heterodyne VFO has used to minimize the cost of the rig. I hope this tiny rig shall meet all the demands of an average VU ham with all its sophistication at reasonable cost.

The circuit :
The circuit is simple and strait forward. IC1 TA7358 is used as RX/TX mixer, IC2 TA7358 is used as Product detector / Bal. modulator and IC3 as a bi-lateral switch to switch both the ICs, IC1 and IC2 to particular inputs / outputs in transceiver operation by applying DC voltage in Key down / press of PTT condition.

Receiving chain :
The incoming RF signal is amplified in broad band RF amplifier and fed to the band pass filter by applying appropriate switching voltage from the band switch from front panel. The strong local signals can be attenuated by VR1 from front panel. Here the signal is filtered in the band pass filter and fed to IC1 TA7358, RX mixer through the switching IC, (IC3 sec A). Here the incoming signal is mixed with local oscillator signal (VFO) and converted to 10 MHz IF frequency and fed to the SSB filter (6 pole 10 MHz Cohn filter) through switching IC (IC3 sec B) and fed to IC2 Product detector through switching IC (IC3 sec C). In the product detector the signal is beat with Carrier oscillator signal to get resultant audio signal which is further amplified by transistors Q2 and Q3 and sent to audio amplifier IC4 LM380 to deliver sufficient audio from speaker. The AF gain can be adjusted by the potentiometer VR3 (VOL) from front panel.

Transmitting chain :
Voice received by the condenser microphone is amplified by transistor Q4 and sent to IC2 Bal. modulator. Here carrier frequency is modulated and 10 MHz DSB signal is produced and further amplified by Q2 and fed to the SSB filter through switching IC (IC3sec C) to eliminate unwanted side band. The mike gain can be set by the preset VR2 and appropriate side band X-Tal is selected by the mode switch SW 2 from the front panel. The 10 MHz SSB signal from filter is fed to the TX mixer IC1 through switching IC (IC3 sec B) and mixed with Local oscillator signal (VFO) to get required transmitted frequency. The signal is further amplified by 2 stage broad band RF amplifier and sent to band pass filter through switching IC (IC3 sec A).

Appropriate band pass filter is selected by applying +12V to the switching diodes from the 5 way band switch SW3 from front panel or from logic out put from DDS VFO in case of using DDS VFO. Few milli volts of RF of TX signal from band pass filter is further amplified by 3stage broad band HF driver amplifier for about 1 – 1.5 W. The driver amplifier is having good linearity through 80 – 10 mts and the gain of the amplifier can be adjusted by changing the value of damping resistors R53, R54, and R57 to get adequate drive level to the final amplifier. Initially one can come on air with this 1W power and can work few stations to get reports and to align the transceiver.

VFO :
I have used DDS VFO using AD9851 along with PIC16F628 in up conversion mode to cover 80 to 10 Mtrs bands in one set and in another set a pre mixed heterodyne VFO is used to reduce the cost of the transceiver. If one wish to operate on single band, can use simple colpits oscillator such as RM96 VFO which is very stable in operation. I don’t want to describe more about VFO, because one can choose his VFO according to his taste and requirement. There are varieties of VFO circuits available in hand books or on the internet.

CW operation :
Sine wave tone around 900 K.C from an oscillator consisting of Q13 and Q14 is fed to mike amplifier through SW1, SSB/CW switch in key down condition. At the same time the side tone is amplified by IC 6 LM386 and heard in speaker LS 2. CW delay circuit provides sufficient delay for proper CW operation. The delay time can be adjusted by the preset VR7 in the base circuit of Q 12.

SSB filter :
Six x-tal Cohn filters is used for selective band width of around 2.5 K.C. Select all the six x-tals with in 100 Hz tolerance to each other to achieve proper band width and audio quality. Select carrier oscillator x-tals with + and - 1.5K.C of filter frequency for LSB and USB operation.

Final MOS FET push pull broad band amplifier :
Circuit of popular IRF 510 push pull amplifier is used for final RF amplifier which is capable of delivering of 90 W DC power input over the frequencies between 3.5 to 30 M.Hz with 1 – 1.5 W of drive. Double side glass epoxy PCB has to be used for proper operation and to achieve stability especially at higher frequencies. A large heat sink ( 6 X 3. 5 inches) with fins should be used. The amplifier draws 3 – 3.5 A for the maximum voice peak with 25V of operation. The O/P of the PA is connected to the SO239 antenna socket through change over relay contacts with a peace of 50 ohms thin coax. The O/P of the PA is sampled and the PWR level is indicated by VU meter mounted on front panel.

Construction :
Soon after finishing soldering all the components, check for shorts and solder bridges between the tracks. I have selected a cabinet of FLD (front loaded) tape deck available from electronic shops which measures 8.5 X 7 X 4.5 inches (Almost the size of commercial TRX). On front panel volume controller, Tuning knob, Attenuator controller, mode switch, band switch, key pad, on/off switch, jack sockets for PTT/MIC, Phones, Key and VU meter are fixed. The main board is fixed on the chassis and on the back panel the PA, SO239 antenna socket, relay and two fuse holders are fixed. Inter connections are done with multi strand hookup wire. 25 V line to PA has to be wired with thick wire used for car wiring capable of carrying 5A. All audio connections should be made with 1+2 shield cable and the RF interconnections are done with thin coax cables RG174 and RG58C/U. Shields with thin ms sheet should be provided for SSB filter, VFO and to the PA. PTT switch and microphone are housed in a small plastic box such as cell phone charger case. Condenser microphone is wrapped with few layers of soft cloth or sponge to avoid unwanted low frequencies entering into mike such as breath. 1 + 2 thick shield cable which is used for public address system should be used for microphone.

Alignment :
To align the receiver, the RF signal from signal generator or the incoming signal from antenna should be used. Both the coils for each band in the band pass filter are peaked by Teflon alignment tool for maximum signal strength. Then adjust the carrier frequencies of LSB and USB X-Tals for exact beat note. This completes the receiver alignment. To align transmitter, connect a 6 V low current bulb to the O/P of driver amplifier and apply power to TX line by pressing PTT or in key down condition. As you shout into the microphone or depressing the key, you will observe glow in the bulb. By observing brilliance of the bulb set the mike gain preset VR2 to adequate level. If necessary alter the values of damping resistors R53, R54, and R57 in driver amplifier to get adequate drive. Keep this level 20 % low in CW mode to protect the finals from thermal run away by adjusting CW level preset VR8. Now disconnect the bulb and connect the driver amplifier O/P to relay, with this one can work (QRPP) few stations and get reports initially.

Connect a milli ammeter in series with PA and apply 25 V than adjust idling current of MOSFETS to draw 40 mA ( 20 mA each) by adjusting potentiometers VR4 and VR5 . Then disconnect milli ammeter and connect 5A FSD ammeter and connect the driver amplifier O/P to the I/P of the PA. Now connect 50 ohms / 100W dummy load or an external antenna to the rig. By shouting into the microphone, check the current drawn by the PA. It should be 3 – 3.5 A at 25V of drain supply. If not, re-adjust the mike gain preset VR2. Too much mike gain leads distortion of transmitted signal and shift in operating frequency.

Things to remember :
1. All the resistors should be of 1 % tolerance and capacitor C6, C8, C11, C13, C16, C18, C21, C23, C26, C28, C56, C57 are styroflex to obtain stability and to avoid drift in operation. Use only 74HC4053 high speed switching IC to achieve good results especially in higher bands.
2. SSB filter should be shielded with a metal case and grounded.
3. Use 1 + 2 shield wire for audio and RG174 & RG58C/U for RF inter connections.
4. Good quality heat sinks should be used for Q8, Q9, IC5 and a large ( 6 X 3.5 inches ) heat sink for FETs. Use heat sink compound applied both the sides of mica washers.
5. Shield VFO and the PA with small boxes made with soft ms sheet.
6. Beware of static damage while handling FETs, microcontrollers etc. Ground your soldering equipment and unplug from mains while soldering such devices.
7. Use 50 ohms/100W dummy load and carry your initial testing of your rig. Don’t shout haaaalo--- haaaalo---- halo on air and create QRM to others. Identify your self on band to get critical reports and certainly these reports shall help you to improve the performance of the rig.

Component Layout :

Click on Image for larger view


Power supply :
The exciter requires 12 V / 1 A depends upon the type of VFO / Display and PA needs 24 V / 4 Amp to get maximum RF O/P. I have got 35 W DC PWR I/P even with 12V car battery and had several contacts. The following circuit diagram can be used for PSU. Use rated fuses and good heat sinks for LM7812 and 2N3055.

Click on Image for larger view

List of components :

Click on Image for larger view

Click on Image for larger view

Coil winding details for Band pass filter : Slug tuned 10 mm former (Preferably with slots for split winding). 36 SWG or thinner enamel copper wire.

Click on Image for larger view



Acknowledgements :
I am thankful to VU2RVK and VU2WMJ for their great support especially monitoring my signal and giving reports. I thank VU2RM and VU2SV for their critical suggestions to improve the final performance of the rig especially on improving CW oscillator. I also thank our UV hams VU2NR, VU2VWN, VU2RM, VU2ATN, VU2IF, VU2EM, for their great contribution of designing and publishing successful homebrew rigs and kept many hams on air.

I thank VU2PAL, VU3ITI, VU2RJN, VU2AF and all net controllers who are controlling nets for year together and keeping hams active in spite of their busy schedules.

Guardian angel of my happy HAM home, my XYL Dr. Ashalatha and my harmonics Hannu and Minnu were more keen on my academic and research activities rather than domestic chores and kept me scintillating with vigour always and never allowed any situation that would dampen my enthusiasm for ham radio.

73. Happy home brewing.

Courtesy :VU2HMY, OM Sekhar.(9704269922), vu2hmy@yahoo.co.in

LZ DX Contest :

The LZ DX Contest is organized annually by the Bulgarian Federation of Radio Amateurs the week before the last full weekend of November from 12.00 UTC on Saturday till 12.00 UTC on Sunday, i.e. during the weekend before the CQ Worldwide CW Contest weekend.This year the dates are November 22 and 23.

Bands and modes:
80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters, CW and SSB. Same station may be worked once on CW and once on SSB on each band. After changing the mode the entrant must operate on this mode for at least 10 minutes. Band changes are allowed without restrictions. Only one signal can be transmitted at any given time. Low power (up to 100 watts output) entrants will be marked (*) sign in the final results. Bulgarian stations are listed separately from foreign entrants.

Exchange:
For non LZ stations: RS(T) + ITU zone; for LZ stations: RS(T) + 2 letters district abbreviation.

Points:
10 points for each QSO with LZ station; 3 points for each QSO with other continent;
1 point for each QSO with the same continent (own country included).

SWL points:
3 points for two call signs and two numbers received; 1 point for two call signs and one number received.

Multiplier:
The sum of ITU zones + LZ districts on each band regardless of the mode.

Final score:
The sum of QSO points multiplied by final multiplier.

Paper logs:
Separate logs for each band + summary sheet are required. Please send your logs to: BFRA, P.O.Box 830, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria.

Electronic logs:
Please send your e-log (preferably in CABRILLO format) to lzdxc@yahoo. com or lzdxc@bfra.org. Deadline for both: 30 days after the contest (post seal being decisive).

Courtesy :VU2TS, OM Ganesh

Bajo Nuevo DXpedition :

5K0T and HK0/HK3JJH to be active from Bajo Nuevo (NA-132) between November 23rd and December 2nd.

The four-person DXpedition will focus on low band operation, especially 160 meters, and will be operated by George AA7JV, Tomi HA7RY, Pedro HK3JJH and Fero HA8MT.

QSL HK0/HK3JJH via home call, direct or bureau. Further information and log search at www.5k0t.com/

Polands Special Prefixes :

For commemorating the 90th Anniversary of their Independence, Poland is using many interesting prefixes like :

SP1918PR, HF1918PR, SO1918PR, SQ1918PR, SN1918PR, SO90PR, SN90PR, SQ90PR, HF90PR, SP90PR, etc.,.

Try working as many as you can, There may be some special award for working these special calls.

Source : VU2UR, OM ARASUJI

Quilon Amateur Radio League :

Quilon Amateur Radio League has launched new website http://www.vu2qar.com/ its worth visiting it.

WonderRadio the Indian SDR :

WonderRadio the Indian SDR transceiver was presented at the Lisboa Hamfair on Nov 9th. The company SDR Technologies was represented by OM Silvio CT1BPT our representative for Portugal nearby region.

http://www.arvm.org/feiraradio/2008/fr.htm

I am pleased to inform you SDRtec stall was judged for best exposition and innovation.

Have posted some pics here as well :
http://s367.photobucket.com/albums/oo120/vu3wjm/

Here are links to videos on YouTube:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ITqohE_cb6o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRmYn9sZ1Cs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgvgq_OOvYI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwwKWtV5xrA

The 100W WonderRadio Pro starts shipping this month. We move ahead.

Enjoy & 73

Rahul,VU3WJM

Source: In an email OM Rahul ,VU3WJM

Lightning Predictor :

This device called the Lightning Predictor it will give you a warning of an incoming lightning strike and with a little imagination and Amateur ingenuity you can use it to disconnect things before and during a storm.

For detailed info : click here

Source :South African Amateur Radio Development Trust SSouth African Amateur Radio Development Trustouth African Amateur Radio Development TrustSouth African Amateur Radio Development TrustSouth African Amateur Radio Development Trust

Nandi Repeater ON :

Nandi Repeater VU2RSB 145.700 ( - Shift ) is ON. Using the same old FTR-2410 set at 5 watt output . Old timers will remember the VU2RSB repeater active since 1987. It was inactive for the last 2 years, its up again.

The morning R5 net is on 145.700 ( - Shift ) 0700-0730 hours. Evening R3 net is on VU2TWO ( - Shift ) 2030-2100 hours.The Repeater Society of Bangalore started in 1987 and have been maintaining & improving the repeater setup from time to time.

Eyeball meet at Yercaud Hills :

There is a Yercaud ham meet on Jan 25 and Jan26 at Yercaud hills. Delegate fees Rs 350/- and accommodation Rs 400/- near to the venue.

Accommodation on first cum first basis. Yercaud is near Salem. Salem has got both bus and train stations.

From Salem buses are going to Yercaud hills.

For details please contact VU2PCP,OM Paneerselvan
Cell : 09345635973/09443235973