The SARL recently purchased licenses for two frequencies, 5250 and 5260 kHz. The two frequencies are only available to SARL members who have registered.

Check the website on www.sarl.org.za and select ‘Propagation Research’ in the left hand panel and follow the links. If your name and callsign are not listed you may not operate on the two 5 MHz frequencies. Use by unregistered persons amounts to unauthorised use and could result being fined by the licensing authority. Registration is normally completed within 3 days.

The SARL is considering various proposals for propagation experiments on 5250 kHz and hold a teleconference on Wednesday 22 May at 20:00 to discuss proposals. Some proposals have already been received and are being evaluated. If you have ideas, submit a proposal in as much detail as possible. Include your contact details so that you can be invited to the teleconference and receive a copy of all the proposals on the agenda.

Proposals should be sent to propresearch@sarl.org.za by Tuesday afternoon 21 May.

Only a maximum of 10 participants can be accommodated on the teleconference and only landlines can be accommodated.

Article source: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/may2013/5mhz_operation_already_showing_interesting_propagation_paths.htm

Available to the team are antennas,
towers, etc. for a large MULTI-MULTI contest station. About all that is
needed are ops, transceivers (with accessories) and computers. Depending
on team size, Gill’s QTH and the local EOC would be used.

Harry states,”I will send an info e-mail with more details to those interested. You
can contact me several ways, htflasher@gmail.com,

937-434-9616 or
Skype using flasher-ac8g.

Between the two locations (within distance
rules), there are four beams already up and room for others. This is a
GREAT chance to be DX and be in a major contest. The major cost is airfare.
Costs on the island are fairly reasonable. This will be covered in my
info E-mail.

For those with Goggle Earth, Gill’s QTH is at 12 degree
2.971 N. 61 degree 44.386 W.

Feel free to call – I am retired and
home most of time.”

OPDX

Article source: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/may2013/grenada_team_members_needed.htm

Logistical support to the event was provided by Yorkshire 4×4 Response, using D-Star communications provided by members of the East Yorkshire Emergency Communications Group.

The combination of Icom IC-E92D and GPS microphones allowed vehicles to be tracked during the several handovers, as the runners crossed major roads and took to the pedestrain only areas of the city.

From a communications viewpoint, the exercise proved the value of using UHF in an urban area; with the D-Star signal surviving the multiple reflections from tall buildings obscuring the line-of-sight path, with trouble-free communications throughout the course.

Despite many runners being disappointed by the last minute changes to the course which diverted the route, due to a hydraulic failure of one of bridges over the Marina. The back markers managed an unimpressive time of 1:33:12 whilst enjoying the view and soaking in the atmosphere from the spartan comfort of an ex-army Land Rover!

Article source: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/may2013/dstar_success_for_jane_tomlinson_hull_10k.htm

In this edition:
– SolderSmoke’s WWV Advertising Campaign!
– Bands Better — Working DX!
– Shack and Shed reorganization
– Arduino Madness!  CW Beacon Machine!  DDS Sig Generator! (see video on blog)
– Breaking and Fixing an Arduino
– Reverse Beacon Network
– The Cult of Arduino: QRP Computing with Italian Charm
– PSK-31 and JT65 with Homebrew DSB Rig
– SolderSmoke Book Corner:  Hollow-State Design!  Getting Started With Arduino!
– Massimo Banzi has THE KNACK!
– Mailbag

Listen to
http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke152.mp3

For Podcasts :
http://www.soldersmoke.com/

For the associated blog see:
http://soldersmoke.blogspot.com/

Check out “SolderSmoke — The Book”:
http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm

SolderSmoke — Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics Now available on Amazon’s Kindle e-reader:
http://www.amazon.com/SolderSmoke-Adventures-Wireless-Electronics-ebook/dp/B004V9FIVW

Article source: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/may2013/soldersmoke_amateur_radio_podcast_152.htm

“This is a significant milestone for South Africa’s SKA project, proving that our engineers are able to deliver a cutting-edge scientific instrument, and that our scientists are able to use it for frontier science,” says Derek Hanekom, Minister of Science and Technology.

“It bodes well for the delivery of our 64-dish MeerKAT telescope, currently under construction in the Karoo, and for our ability to play a key role in building and commissioning thousands of SKA antennas over the next ten years.”

Using the new KAT-7 telescope in the Karoo and the existing 26 m radio telescope at the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO), South African and international astronomers have observed a neutron star system known as Circinus X-1 as it fires energetic matter from its core in extensive, compact jets that flare brightly. The details of the flares are visible only in radio waves.

Read the full story and watch a brief video on www.amsatsa.org.za/

Article source: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/may2013/significant_milestone_for_ska.htm

Tim Peake, from Salisbury in Wiltshire, was chosen for astronaut training in 2009 from 8,400 applicants. Since then has been undergoing training in a number of locations around the world including Köln in Germany, Star City in Russia and Houston in Texas. He had previously served in the army for 18 years primarily flying Apache helicopters and has seen active service in Afghanistan.

The Guardian newspaper says: 41-year-old Peake has been assigned a lengthy stay in orbit in 2015. He will be blasted into space on a Russian Soyuz rocket from Kazakhstan in November that year [2015] and flown to the space station where he will stay for five months. He will be able to take part in spacewalks and other complex scientific activities.

On May 18, 1991 the first UK astronaut Helen Sharman GB1MIR flew to the Mir Space Station in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft and during her 8 day mission contacted a number of radio amateurs around the world. There have been no other UK astronauts since that epic voyage over 22 years ago.

It had been expected that Sarah Brightman would be the second UK astronaut but it looks as though her mission to the ISS will take place after Tim Peake’s.

Read the Guardian newspaper article at
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2013/may/19/tim-peake-mission-space-station

Helen Sharman GB1MIR
http://amsat-uk.org/about/history/first-uk-astronaut-helen-sharman-gb1mir/

Sarah Brightman plans ISS mission
http://amsat-uk.org/2012/10/10/sarah-brightman-iss/

2013 UK Space Conference Glasgow July 16-17
http://amsat-uk.org/2013/05/18/2013-uk-space-conference-glasgow-july-16-17/

Free CubeSat Workshop Guildford July 19
http://amsat-uk.org/colloquium/cubesat-workshop-2013/

AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium Guildford July 20-21
http://amsat-uk.org/colloquium/colloquium-2013/

Article source: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/may2013/uk_astronaut_to_fly_to_iss_in_2015.htm

Tim Peake, from Salisbury in Wiltshire, was chosen for astronaut training in 2009 from 8,400 applicants. Since then has been undergoing training in a number of locations around the world including Köln in Germany, Star City in Russia and Houston in Texas. He had previously served in the army for 18 years primarily flying Apache helicopters and has seen active service in Afghanistan.

The Guardian newspaper says: 41-year-old Peake has been assigned a lengthy stay in orbit in 2015. He will be blasted into space on a Russian Soyuz rocket from Kazakhstan in November that year [2015] and flown to the space station where he will stay for five months. He will be able to take part in spacewalks and other complex scientific activities.

On May 18, 1991 the first UK astronaut Helen Sharman GB1MIR flew to the Mir Space Station in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft and during her 8 day mission contacted a number of radio amateurs around the world. There have been no other UK astronauts since that epic voyage over 22 years ago.

It had been expected that Sarah Brightman would be the second UK astronaut but it looks as though her mission to the ISS will take place after Tim Peake’s.

Read the Guardian newspaper article at
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2013/may/19/tim-peake-mission-space-station

Helen Sharman GB1MIR
http://amsat-uk.org/about/history/first-uk-astronaut-helen-sharman-gb1mir/

Sarah Brightman plans ISS mission
http://amsat-uk.org/2012/10/10/sarah-brightman-iss/

2013 UK Space Conference Glasgow July 16-17
http://amsat-uk.org/2013/05/18/2013-uk-space-conference-glasgow-july-16-17/

Free CubeSat Workshop Guildford July 19
http://amsat-uk.org/colloquium/cubesat-workshop-2013/

AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium Guildford July 20-21
http://amsat-uk.org/colloquium/colloquium-2013/

Article source: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/may2013/uk_astronaut_to_fly_to_iss_in_2015.htm

“This is a significant milestone for South Africa’s SKA project, proving that our engineers are able to deliver a cutting-edge scientific instrument, and that our scientists are able to use it for frontier science,” says Derek Hanekom, Minister of Science and Technology.

“It bodes well for the delivery of our 64-dish MeerKAT telescope, currently under construction in the Karoo, and for our ability to play a key role in building and commissioning thousands of SKA antennas over the next ten years.”

Using the new KAT-7 telescope in the Karoo and the existing 26 m radio telescope at the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO), South African and international astronomers have observed a neutron star system known as Circinus X-1 as it fires energetic matter from its core in extensive, compact jets that flare brightly. The details of the flares are visible only in radio waves.

Read the full story and watch a brief video on www.amsatsa.org.za/

Article source: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/may2013/significant_milestone_for_ska.htm

“As part of the April 2, 2013, visit to South
Sudan by a delegation headed by the Foreign Minister of Finland, several
supporting elements were discussed. Just three weeks later, following a
series of meetings focusing on practical matters in Juba, there was a
high-level presentation, with relevant endorsements, made to the South
Sudan government.

The presentation was made with a view toward enlisting
support on telecommunications matters in general and Amateur Radio’s role
in society in particular.

Ultimately, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
was signed specifying several elements of Amateur Radio as a study case
for local administrators. These elements include Amateur Radio’s role in
society, frequency allocations, regulatory matters and promotion of Amateur Radio as part of an educational agenda. The MoU calls for a workshop to
be held for the senior staff of the Ministry of Telecommunications and
Postal Services. Members of the Ministry of Higher Education and the
Research and Technology agency will also attend the workshop.

In early June, a senior South Sudan telecommunications official will attend an IARU Administrator’s Course in Accra, Ghana to observe ITU and
IARU. This travel will be made possible thanks to the valuable support
of the Yasme Foundation www.yasme.org.

As Amateur Radio is only provisionally regulated in South Sudan, the
Radio Arcala Fellowship Group of Finland, OH8X, was granted a provisional
license – Z81X – to facilitate operating events during visits by the
project representatives. We expect that Z81X will be activated several
times during the course of this project, notably on low bands and in CQWW
Contests.

Just today, the initial Z81X activity, with one radio only, was concluded
with more than 20.000 QSOs. QSOs were split evenly between the three major
population areas of the world – Europe 8693 (43%), North America 5774 (29%)
and Asia 5162 (26%). The Finnish duo – Olli, OH0XX and Martti, OH2BH – has
now returned to their native Finland.
See www.qrz.com/db/Z81X.

As the entire project is carried out on a voluntary basis, the group
will accept donations to be used solely for offsetting direct project
expenses incurred in South Sudan. ClubLog OQRS is now active for QSL
requests (bureau or direct) and project support..

We are pleased to acknowledge the support of Mr. Pekka Haavisto, the
Finnish Foreign Minister’s Special Representative to the Horn of Africa
and Sudan. We also acknowledge the supporting efforts of Mr. Amul Behera
of Rock City Investments, Juba, Dr Anu Kantele of Helsinki University
Central Hospital, Massimo, Z81B (IZ0EGB), Diya, Z81D (YI1DZ) and Ken,
Z81Z (K4ZW) for supporting the project and welcoming the latest country
of the world to the valued ranks of Amateur Radio.

Z81X QSL manager is OH0XX, QRZ.com.”

Martti, OH2BH

OPDX

Article source: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/may2013/south_sudan.htm

NA-160 ­ Cochinos (callsign HQ3W); May 27-30th
NA-035 ­ Swan (callsign HQ8S); June 16-20th
NA-223 ­ Vivorillos (callsign HQ8D); July 16-20th

Activity will be on 160-10 meters.

For more details and updates, watch:
http://hriotas.com

Article source: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/may2013/honduran_iota_dxpedition.htm