STATION ACTIVITY REPORTS:
|
|
WB4GGS |
647** |
|
AF4NS |
123 |
|
K4BEH |
108*** |
|
K4FUM |
99 |
|
K4WKT |
25 |
|
WB4BIK |
80 |
|
K4BG |
43 |
| KR4JI | 6 |
| K4GK | 48 |
| N2WF | 20 |
| K4WKT | 55 |
** He's at it again! CONGRATULATIONS to
SID HUTCHINSON, WB4GGS, whose QTC for
January makes him eligible for yet another BPL award, with 344 messages sent,
298 received, and 7 for another whopping total of 647.
*** CONGRATULATIONS to
PAT HAYNES, K4BEH, who will be receiving a PHSR award
certificate this month. (This guy has such a good fist that he makes my callsign
sound good on the toot-tootin' horn on his root-tootin' scooter...)
"In days of old, when ops were bold and sideband not invented, the words were
passed by pounding brass, and all were quite contented."
Anonymous
A PRIMER ON INDICES
You've all probably seen propagation reports before, in which values are
supplied for the A and K indices. Most of us are aware that those numbers bear
some relevance to what kind of conditions we can expect to find when we turn on
our rigs. For me, I usually turn on my radio, tune around a bit, and take it
from there. However, a better understanding of the indices might serve to warn
us when the conditions are so poor that it'd be a monumental waste of time and
effort to even bother powering up the station. After all, it isn't much fun
trying to catch a good wave on a calm sea, and it isn't much fun trying to catch
a good radio signal when all you can hear is noise. So, here is some useful
information to help you decipher the A index, the K index, as well as a few
others that are lesser known, but equally as important, for your operating
pleasure.
K INDEX--- This is a measurement of the geomagnetic activity, based on a scale
from zero to nine. For operating conditions, the lower the number, the better.
Figures of zero and one mean quiet magnetic conditions and imply good radio
signal propagation. An index value between two and four is indicative of more
unsettled conditions and less exciting propagation, but still certainly worth
the effort of checking out the bands. Once the index hits five, that generally
indicates minor geomagnetic storm conditions, and fair to poor radio conditions.
By the time the index hits a seven, we're talking severe geomagnetic storms,
sometimes accompanied by radio blackout conditions. K indices of eight or nine
are rare, and indicate a very severe geomagnetic storm. Rule of thumb? If the K
index is above five, read a book.
A INDEX--- This is actually a summary of cumulative K index values, based on
eight daily readings. That means that the A index actually tells you how the
conditions were YESTERDAY, which can be somewhat annoying in the event that
today's conditions are in the toilet and you see that they were much better
yesterday, when you didn't have the time to get on the air. The A index is
open-ended, with readings of zero to thirty during quiet to active conditions,
one hundred during magnetic storms, and higher than three hundred during severe
storms. Once again, the lower the number, the better for good radio
communications.
X INDEX--- This is a measurement of the unexplainable: for those times you make
a multitude of great contacts, despite the fact that the K index is seven, for
when you make a contact with someone who is clearly beyond where the skip should
take you, for those contacts that are impervious to the MUF, and for that rare
time you pick up a signal before hooking up an antenna. An X index is also
involved when your radio stops working, only to mysteriously start functioning
as good as new.... before you have a chance to get that baby on the bench for a
look-see. The more inexplicable the situation, the higher the X index number.
Every ham has run into these, both on the air and off. For some reason, the
number of occurrences seems to be directly proportional to the individual's age.
(Things never USED to mysteriously "disappear" from where I "know" I left
them...)
Y INDEX--- Every dedicated amateur radio operator must have a Y index prepared
for those occasions when the A and K indices are smoking and outside forces are
pressuring you to do something else other than what you want to do, which is
turn on that radio. The more important that something else is to those outside
forces, and the more important that outside force, the higher Y index number
you'll be required to employ. CAUTION: Use your Y index wisely. For example,
when that outside force is pressuring you for such minor activities as dumping
the trash, it is highly recommended that you dispatch the matter with good
humor, rather than waste a perfectly good Y. Missing your next door neighbor's
daughter's soccer game requires a relatively low Y index number. Missing your
OWN daughter's game would be higher. Missing a distant relative's party would
also require a moderate number; missing your OWN party, however, would be
considerably higher, and ill-advised. When your outside forces want to know Y
you have to be on the radio, be prepared.
O INDEX--- This is a measure of the WOW factor, that indescribable attraction
that keeps us all in this hobby. This is a sliding scale, and is very
subjective. Working a rare DX station may have a high index number for one
person, and a zero for someone else. Same for working a contest, going to Field
Day, going to a Hamfest or club meeting, restoring an old rig, designing a new
antenna, or building a unique multi-channel antenna tuner. Whatever you can
imagine in amateur radio, it has an O index number, but only you can decide what
value it has for you.
OY INDEX--- This is a rare factor, but it can be very damaging. This occurs when
a high Y index is employed for a low O index value. Remember, use that Y index
wisely. An example would be using a high-valued Y index like, "I think I'm
coming down with the flu" to get out of going to your brother-in-law's wedding
so you can stay home to work the "Worked All Waffle Houses" contest. And the K
index is six.
OY VEY INDEX--- Same as above, but worse. You pull out the big Y for the little
O.... to miss your OWN wedding.
When the only tool you own is a hammer, every problem begins to look like a nail.
FYI: LEGISLATIVE NEWS
As you're probably aware, the Amateur Radio Spectrum Act (of 2005) has been
re-introduced into the House of Representatives. This time, it is designated HR
691, and was introduced by REP. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS, (R-FL) and has already gotten
its first co-sponsor, REP. ROSCOE BARTLETT. (R-MD) To refresh your memory, this
is the legislation that would require the FCC to provide the amateur services
with equal replacement spectrum, in the event that they take away or diminish
our operating privileges, either as a primary or a secondary user, on some other
part of the spectrum. Quid pro quo.
So, you know what that means. It's time for us to urge our representatives to
support this legislation, and to sign on as co-sponsors. You can write to your
representative online at www.house.gov/writerep/ If you aren't sure who your
representative is, you can find that information, too, by simply providing your
nine-digit zip code at that website. (If you're unsure of that, check with your
local post office.) A sample letter can be found at
http://www.arrl.org/govrelations/hr-691-sample-letter.html
Hopefully, this legislation will soon be introduced into the Senate, as well.
When that happens, you can contact our senators at
http://www.senate.gov/contacting/index.cfm
And, stay tuned: It's expected that REP. STEVE ISRAEL (D-NY) will soon be
re-introducing his "Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Consistency Act", as
well. This is the bill that would extend those PRB-1 antenna allowances into
areas that are currently controlled by those nasty CC&Rs. You might also mention
this legislation in the letters you write to your representative.
Southeastern Director
FRANK BUTLER, W4RH, recently appointed
BIFF CRAINE, K4LAW,
to the new position of Congressional Liaison for our district. As Vice Director
SANDY DONAHUE, W4RU, explained, "The ARRL, along with our Washington
Governmental Relations firm, Chwat & Company, is instituting a new grassroots
congressional outreach." The appointment of
K4LAW is a step in that direction.
ZACH DEWATERS, of Chwat & Company, provided some initial information and
suggestions as to how we might get involved in this grassroots movement:
The House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Commerce Committee have
jurisdiction over telecommunications issues which are of importance to the
interest of amateur radio. Two members on the House committee are from Georgia:
NATHAN DEAL, and CHARLIE NORWOOD. These two gentlemen are key targets for
letters regarding issues that are important to amateur radio.
Better yet, how about a personal visit to the local office of your legislator?
Put together a packet of information that you can leave behind at that office,
with information and articles about emergency communications provided by hams,
especially here in Georgia and in your house district, about BPL and its
inherent interference problem, not just to amateur radio, but to Law Enforcement
and Public Safety, as well, that sort of thing. Include a personal letter from
you, requesting that he support HR 691, as well as the bill soon to be
introduced by Rep. Israel. If you check the ARRL website for the "Grassroots
Campaign", you should be able to find additional information in putting together
an effective packet.
And if you do put together a packet and deliver it to your representative's
office, please let me know about it, OK? They say that the squeaky wheel gets
the oil. Well, we have almost 14,750 hams here in Georgia. That could create a
LOT of squeaking!! That's called strength in numbers. Let's make the most of it.
A flashlight is a case for holding dead batteries.
FCC CHAIRMAN ANNOUNCES NEW RULING ON BPL
In a surprise move, the new FCC chairman announced that BPL technology has been
re-classified into a new category, hereafter designated as 401, which exempts it
from compliance with the rules governing part 15 devices. This is a devastating
blow to the amateur radio community, and ARRL spokesman,
DAVE WINTERS, K1GAG,
said that the ARRL would take it to the Supreme Court, if necessary. "Not fair!"
he cried. "We have the facts on our side."
FCC spokesman SEYMOUR CASH, said that it was unfortunate that this ruling would
possibly have a detrimental affect on the 650,000+ amateur radio operators in
this country, but added that what was more important was the amount of money
that power companies stand to earn through this new technology. He also denied
that kickbacks from the power companies had any bearing whatsoever on this
ruling.
"Amateur radio operators have provided valuable emergency communications for
many years," Cash acknowledged, "but their usefulness pales in comparison with
other considerations. One of the major communications difficulties has always
been the lack of interoperability between our various emergency response
agencies, and the government has been working to address that problem, thus
making the use of amateur radio less important. We have spent nearly one billion
dollars to set up a communications system that will allow our agencies to
communicate directly with each other, and we expect to have that system
completed by no later than 2010."
Former FCC chairman MICHAEL POWELL, expressed admiration for the bold move, and
said he would have like to passed a similar ruling during his tenure, but his
daddy wouldn't let him.
I had amnesia once.... or twice.
1st ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL IRLP CONTEST 2005
This contest is underway, and will continue until later this month. If you enjoy
playing with IRLP and missed the information about this contest, here it is:
THE CONTEST IS FOR IRLP MODE ONLY
RULES:
The contest will be held starting MARCH 18 at 0001 GMT and ending APRIL 17 2359
GMT
POINTS WILL BE AWARDED AS FOLLOWS-
-
1 point for a contact with someone not in the contest in your own country
-
2 points for a contact with someone in the contest in your own country
-
2 points for a contact with someone in another country who is not in the contest
-
3 points for contact with someone in the contest in another country
-
5 points for contact with single node countries and special event stations such as the International Space Station etc
-
The following information must be included in your log
NAME
QTH
NODE #
CONTACT NUMBER-I.E.- You are number 001
Any contacts without this information will be counted as a single point contact. -
At present the logging program that will be used will be DXKEEPER, which is available free, on line.
-
For those without computers, paper logs will be sent to BRUCE DEHN
306 CRIPPLE CREEK CT.
V.A. BEACH, V.A. USA
Logs should be sent in within 30 days of the end of the contest. -
No duplicates allowed. one contact per callsign.
-
All nodes and reflectors may be used as long as the node/reflectors allow. persons who abuse this privilidge will be disallowed from the prizes.
-
Only voice communications allowed. (Maybe next year we will allow other modes)
-
Electronic logs are to be emailed to apostle465@netscape.net for disposition. (keep a copy of your logs for your own records)
-
Please include as much information as possible in your logs if you want an accurate count. again, please note with each entry, what you think the point count should be for that contact.
-
All amateur radio rules and regulations apply especially any involved with nodes/reflectors.
TRY AND KEEP TO THE RULES AND DON'T ABUSE THE NODES/REFLECTORS.
HAVE FUN AND HELP PROMOTE IRLP 'KEEPING THE RADIO IN AMATEUR RADIO' AS A VIABLE
METHOD OF COMMUNICATIONS
1st ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL IRLP CONTEST 2005
Rules are posted in the FAQ section of site. (#) Home - KG4ZXK.COM
kg4zxk com
Is it possible to be totally impartial?
NEW IOTA
Not into IRLP? How about working Islands on the Air? (IOTA) There's going to be
a NEW one (High O Index??) on the air, beginning later this month:
I would like to announce THE FIRST EVER IOTA ACTIVITY FROM EGYPT. (SU8IOTA) DX-Pedition from the Disuqi (also know as Nelson) Island in the Mediterranean
Sea (AF-NEW). Duration from 23 April 2005 until 1 May 2005. Operators will be
Hossam (SU1HM), Said Kamel (SU1SK), Tarek (SU2TA), and Sayed (SU1SA). Activity
will be on 160-6 meters on the usual DX and IOTA frequencies. For Modes and
updates please check http://www.qrz.com/su8iota.
Nelson Island lies approximately 20 kilometers east of the Egyptian port of
Alexandria, four kilometers north of Cape Aboukir and guards the northern
approach of Aboukir Bay, which is the western part of the Nile Delta. In
antiquity, Aboukir Bay provided one of the primary commercial routes
leading into the Nile River and consequently became a major commercial and
religious centre. The position of Nelson Island ensured that it too became
an important site and also one of great archaeological importance.
73
Said, SU1SK
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
HELP WANTED
JOHN MULLINIX, KF4SKT, is still looking for ham volunteers to help out with the
upcoming Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race. Here's the scoop:
The annual Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race will be held on April 9, 2005. For
those of you who have never attended, this is a running, mountain biking and
canoeing course that covers 30 miles. This year's course is completely different
from the course traversed last year. One major change is that the race will
start and finish at the park in Blue Ridge, Ga. The winning teams will complete
the circuit in about 7 hours and the last teams will complete the course around
1900 hrs.
It takes about 25 hams radio operators to provide communications for this event.
We will be using the N4NEQ repeater (147.165+ pl 151.4) for the event and the PL
tone will be on. Most of the course can be worked with a handheld radio.
If you can help, please contact John at john@cohutta.com and provide the
following information:
Name:
Call:
Address:
City, St. Zip:
E-mail address:
Phone Number:
Do you have a handheld vhf (2 m) radio?
Do you have an extra battery?
Do you have a mobile vhf radio?
Do you have mobile APRS?
Do you have portable APRS?
Are you a First Responder, EMT, Firefighter or Paramedic?
John says, "Come spend a day in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains and help
our Chamber of Commerce in the process. You will get a great T-shirt."
I went to San Francisco. I found someone's heart. Now what?
MORE HELP WANTED
LEE JUCKETT, AF4IA, is also looking for some hams who can help out with the
upcoming "Turtle Trot Parade" coming up in Sandy Springs on April 16th. (This is
a one-time event.) He writes:
Please help support the Turtle Trot Parade in Sandy Springs on Saturday April
16. We need about 15 communicators to help coordinate parade participants in the
staging area, parade route and disband area. Assignments will include shadowing
parade organizers, net control, reporting on parade progress, and watching the
parade. It will be a fun family event, so bring your spouse, kids, neighbors,
and other hams!
This marks the debut of the Town Turtles of Sandy Springs - a major fund raising
project for local charities developed by The Sandy Springs Society and sponsored
by the Northside Hospital Foundation. You can learn more about the project at
http://www.sandysprings.org/society/turtles.html. The turtle design was
conceived by internationally recognized cartoonist and Sandy Springs resident
Jack Elrod (Mark Trail), who is also the Grand Marshall of the parade. Each of
the turtles has been sponsored by a local business.
The parade will include 75 five-foot tall painted turtles (similar to the Cow
Parade in Chicago a few years ago), artists, turtle sponsors, a band, and local
dignitaries. Also participating are several local public and private high
schools, the National Charity League, Hands on Atlanta, and Leadership Sandy
Springs. In addition, we expect CNN, the Guinness Book of Records, and a local
radio station. After the parade, there will be a Town Turtle viewing area (so
you can see them all up close), kids fence white-washing, cutting of a 5-foot
chocolate turtle, and more.
Hams need to check-in at 7:00 AM in the parking lot by A Royal Affair Cafe, pick
up your free T-shirt, food, and assignment. This cafe is in the Parkside
Shopping Center (along with Tuesday Morning, Chicago Steakhouse, and Harry
Norman Realtors). This shopping center is south of Whole Foods and across from
the new Lowes on Roswell Road. The café faces Cliftwood, which is the 2nd street
north of the I-285 perimeter, running from Roswell Road to Lake Forrest.
We will operate on 2-meter simplex at 147.535, so make sure you program your HT
in advance. The parade steps off at 9:00 AM and will conclude at about 10:30 AM.
Please help support local charities by volunteering your ham expertise!
You can contact Lee at af4ia@arrl.net
All I ask is a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.
SECTION NOTABLES
CONGRATULATIONS to
JIM PETRO, K4FMB, for having reached the 15 year
milestone of service as an Army MARS operator.
JOHN BRANDON, KE4PCF, Hall county EC, was immortalized in print recently in
the "Gainesville Times", in an article that did a good job of describing the
Storm Spotter program and the services provided by hams. You can read this
article at:
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/stories/20050329/localnews/89295.shtml
I failed to make mention of it before, but in the week leading up to the
Dalton Hamfest, there were a couple of outstanding articles in "The Chatsworth
Times" and in "The Daily Citizen", highlighting amateur radio and the Hamfest.
One article profiled CECIL CLEMENTS, KG4RSU, and his sidekick son
TAYLOR,
KI4ADL. The other article takes a closer look at Dalton ARC club president
TONY
SMITH, AG4NE, and his grandson, BRANDON BRYANT. Both articles are excellent and
do a terrific job of positive PR.
One nice thing about egoists: they don't talk about other people.
PIGLETS (AKA YOUNG HAMS)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEET SIXTEEN!!!
ANDREA HARTLAGE, KG4IUM, will be reaching
that magic milestone on the 17th of this month.
KID'S ROUNDUP--- 1400Z April 2- 1400Z April 3--- 80M - 70cm, SSB/FM. Here's
an opportunity for youngsters to have fun with their very own contest. The
exchange: Callsign + state/ province/ country + category + first name. Entry
categories: M= multi-op (more than one kid at the station); L= single-op
licensed kid; C= single-op licensed kid, but using a control op's callsign; Y=
single YL op over 18; O= single OM op over 18. For more info, see www.ki3ds.org
Have you read ANDREA's latest youth column?? See it at:
http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2005/03/30/1/?nc=1
Teach a child to be polite and courteous in the home, and when he grows up,
he'll never be able to merge his car onto a freeway.
TECH TIPS
Are you one of those people who salivates over news on batteries?? This
information comes to us from ELLIOTT KANTER, W4PGI, who wrote, "I came across
this website from my Handihams Newsletter, the prices seem very reasonable and
according to the newsletter the quality was high!"
http://www.lmrbatteries.com/>
http://www.lmrbatteries.com/
ED DODDS, WA4HWW, found a great site "for people who do some design work or
just want to learn some more."
Electronic Products provides the industry's first Reference Design Directory!
http://ep.heh10.net/r/?ZXU=146286&ZXD=8663750
** over 600 fully tested designs -- these are fully working designs, not just
application notes or datasheets
** from over 80 manufacturers -- from companies like National Semiconductor,
Analog Devices, Intel, STMicroelectronics, & TI
** in 14 application categories -- search by applications like audio, power,
motion, imaging, lighting and wireless
On the road again?? GREG TILLMAN, N4VAD, shares this site, which provides
good and useful info on ALL of the GA interstates:
http://www.dot.state.ga.us/specialsubjects/newexitno/16.shtml
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure.
UPCOMING EVENTS
APRIL 2-3 --- QCWA QSO Party. 1900Z- 1900Z.
APRIL 2-3 --- Kids Roundup 1400Z- 1400Z
APRIL 9 --- Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race. Contact
JOHN MULLINIX, KF4SKT, at
john@cohutta.com if you can help.
APRIL 9-10 --- GA QSO Party. Sponsored by the Southeast Contest Club and the
Southeastern DX Club. 1800Z April 9- 0359Z April 10 and 1400- 2359Z April 10.
80- 10M. See http://gqp.contesting.com/Rules.html for details. If you only
support ONE contest, this is the one to support. Put YOUR county on the air for
those folks out there who are trying to work all GA counties.
APRIL 16 --- Macon ARC mini-Hamfest, to be held at Peach Outlet Mall, exit 149
off of I-75, in Byron
APRIL 18 --- AMATEUR RADIO DAY: marks the founding of the International Amateur
Radio Union (IARU) in 1925. This year's theme is "Radio Amateurs Expanding the
World of Wireless Communications" (Wouldn't this be a GREAT opportunity for your
club to set up a public demonstration of amateur radio, or to bring the joys of
amateur radio to your local school? (You can find a PowerPoint presentation on
promoting amateur radio, and other great ideas at
www.arrl.org/pio)
APRIL 23 --- Cherokee Capital ARS Hamfest in Calhoun. 8AM- 2PM at the Sugar
Valley Community Center, 3295 Sugar Valley Road. VE session at 11 AM. Admission
$5, free tailgating, $5 for inside table. Food onsite and hourly drawings for
prizes plus a grand prize drawing. We've been to this Hamfest every year since
its inception, and it has been growing steadily. We'll be there again this year,
and hope to see YOU there, too. See www.qsl.net/k4woc for more info.
APRIL 29-30 --- Southeastern VHF Society CONFERENCE in Charlotte, NC. A multitude
of activities with some of the top operators in the country. Includes technical
presentations, flea market, auction, and an awards banquet. Great prizes and
great fun. See www.svhfs.org for details.
My weight is perfect for my height.... which varies.
SILENT KEYS
EDWARD GRANT,
K4KER
WILLIAM MURRAY MITCHELL, KD4ICT
HUBERT PALMER,
K4AP
Sincere condolences to the families and friends of each of these fine men.
OK, folks that's about it for now. Until next time, this is AF4FO,
signing clear. Take care of yourselves. And each other. 73, Susan
73,
Susan af4fo@arrl.org (Send me your
news and tech tips!!)
ARRL Georgia Section Manager
No trees
were killed in the sending of this message. However,
a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
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