2015-06-06

SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO LEAGUE NEWS SUNDAY 07 June 2015

Good morning and welcome!

You are tuned to the News Bulletin of the South African Radio League,

read by . . . . . . . . (name, callsign and QTH)

You can listen to the South African Radio League news broadcast on

Sunday mornings at 08:15 SAST in Afrikaans and at 08:30 in English on

HF and many VHF and UHF repeaters around our country. Echolink

listeners can connect to ZS0JPL for a relay. A podcast is also

available from the SARL web site at www.sarl.org.za.

This audio bulletin can be downloaded from the SARL-website You will

find this bulletin and previous ones in text format under the news link

on the left-hand side of the webpage. While you are there, you can sign

up to receive bulletins by e-mail.

We regrettably start this bulletin with news of three silent keys:

*** A message is received from Karel ZS6ALD via Tjerk ZS6P that Dirk

ZS6KT went silent key on Tuesday 2 June. He was 94 years old and came

on the air in 1938.. Dirk was a manager at the mines in Stilfontein

where he went on pension and moved to Bela Bela (Warmbad).

We extend our condolences to his son Dirk and other family and friends

*** It is with sadness that we have to announce that Peter Linington -

ZS6RX (ex ZS5RX) became a silent key on 12 April 2014. It only came to

our knowledge this week.

Peter will be well remembered for his heroic efforts when Cyclone

Demoina isolated the town of Mtubatuba in 1984 from the outside world

for 4 and half days. Peter passed messages, information and data from

his shack. He requested stock for the baker to provide bread for the

town and asked for emergency medical supplies. This was all flown in by

helicopter. Peter was later awarded for his efforts.

To his two sons, Bruce (now an aspiring amateur) and Andrew, his

adopted daughter Samantha and other family and friends, we pass our

belated condolences.

*** It is with sadness that we learn of the passing of Garth Laaks

ZS2HB on 21 May. Garth was an active member of the Port Elizabeth

Amateur Radio Society. He could send and receive Morse code at around

60wpm. Garth served as the editor for the PEARS newsletter QSX for many

years.

Garth leaves behind his wife: Elise, 2 sons: Keith and Gary who are

also amateur radio operators and grandchildren the oldest Lyle who is

also an amateur radio operator in Durban

Our thoughts are with all the family and friends of the aforementioned

silent keys

PAUSE (at least 5 seconds)

IN THE NEWS TODAY:

A PROGRAM FOR NEW AMATEURS METEOR SCATTER - BY MIKE BOSCH ZS2FM YOUTH

NET ON 40 METERS EAST RAND CLUB'S WINTER FLEA MARKET

Stay tuned for more on these and other interesting stories.

A PROGRAM TO ASSIST NEW- AND INEXPERIENCED AMATEURS, IS ON IT"S WAY.

Etienne Naude, ZS6EFN, approached the SARL President Fritz Sutherland,

ZS6SF, with a proposal of starting a Rookie Radio Amateur Program in

South Africa. The SARL President tabled this proposed initiative at the

next committee meeting held on 13 May 2015. It was accepted

unanimously. The President said that this proposal directly addresses a

problem the SARL has had for years, i.e. that the majority of RAE

candidates that pass, disappear and only come back to amateur radio

years later (or never).

A manifest is currently developed by Etienne for final approval after

which the program will be launched. Etienne said that he investigated

similar Rookie programs at the ARRL (American Radio Relay League) and

RSGB (Radio Society of Great Brittain). He wanted to develop a unique

Rookie program on a national and international level that will give new

and inexperienced amateurs a platform to ensure a sustainable interest

and future engagement.

This Rookie Radio Amateur Program will be managed by Etienne under the

auspices of the SARL. Should you be interested to get involved and

assist Etienne, you may contact him by email at .

Your involvement will aid in making this SARL initiative a big success.

Keep an eye on all radio amateur media and other social platforms for

news and developments on this program.

EAST RAND CLUB'S WINTER FLEA MARKET

The East Rand Radio Club will hold their Winter flea market on Saturday

27 June 2015 from 12:00 SAST. You are encouraged to bring lots of money

for the stuff you may need or for a bargain. Also, bring all your

unwanted stuff, which you want to get rid of. There will be someone

that needs it. Book a table for R30. Phone Judy on mobile 079 730 2030

or send e-mail to for more info.

For only R30 per raffle ticket, you stand a chance to win a Daiwa

CN-801 cross needle SWR/Power meter valued at R2 250 at the October

2015 flea market (thanks to Sam`s Radio Accessories). The tickets will

be on sale at this Winter flea market.

Leave the flask with tea and the sarmies at home. There will be

Boerewors rolls and cold beverages available. Bring the family and

enjoy the day with us.

SA AMSAT SPACE SYMPOSIUM

The next SA AMSAT Space symposium will be held on 20 June 2015 at the

Innovation Centre in Pretoria. The following points will be addressed:

The University of Technology, Capetown Peninsula build their second

CubeSat; methods to increase the power-to-weight-ratio of the cubus

satellite; building a ground station, solar sail and the exciting

updating of Kletskous Make a donation to the SA AMSAT KLETSKOUS fund of

R100 or more and you can collect a specially designed coffee mug at the

conference.

Plan your next trip in amateur radio by satellite and book now. Members

of the League or AMSAT may qualify for a discount or a price if they

book early. Offer closes on 10 June. More info and the program can be

downloaded at www.amsatsa.org.za with "Space"in the subject space, or

send an email to The whole package will then be

sent to you by email.

SARL LOWERS COST OF COMMERCIAL HAMADS

The SARL has reduced the cost of commercial Hamads to R300.00 for six

months and R500.00 for 12 months, payable beforehand. A small add of 50

words can include a link to your email and website. For more info call

the office at 011 675 2393 or send an email to

Swopshop is still available to members for their second hand equipment.

No commercial advertisements will be allowed here.

NEXT YOUTH NET TO DISCUSS USING A MOBILE PHONE FOR ECHOLINK

The next SARL Youth Net will be on Sunday 14 June from 17:00 SAST on

7070 kHz SSB SARL Youth coordinator, Koos Fick invites all young radio

amateurs to join in. Mobile phones and Echolink will be dicussed. Clubs

can invite young people into the club's radio room to experience

amateur radio at first hand. You may use the club's callsign from a

club member's station.

ANOTHER AUSSIE BALLOON CIRCUMNAVIGATES THE EARTH

The party-type foil balloon PS-46 from Melbourne Australia has shown

that going around the southern hemisphere is no fluke - although it

does need some perseverance.

A very excited but humble Andy Nguyen VK3YT, who launched the balloon

carrying an Amateur Radio payload, expressed a big thank you to

everyone assisting with its tracking across the continents.

These solar power helium filled balloons use a 25 mW transmitter with

WSPR, JT9 and sometimes Olivia signals on the 20 and 30 meter bands.

The PS-46 flight did an s-shape over the Pacific Ocean to South

America, traversed the South Atlantic to Namibia, tracked above South

Africa, crossed the Indian Ocean to Cape Le Grand near Esperance back

to Australia.

RADIO ZS ON THE WEB PAGE

The May/June copy of Radio ZS should now be on the web page of the

League. Read about "Arduino, a new breath for Amateur Radio" by Kevin,

ZS6KMD; the 50 th anniversary of Sasolburg Radio Club by Riaan ZS4PR;

the DIY-manpack with an FT 857 by Mathew M0LMK; Michael 3D2JR and his

wife's sailing trip around the world and the SA Maritime mobile net.

Agent Tim also tells us more about Clandestine Radio in the Second

World War.

As from July Radio ZS will be issued monthly

METEOR SCATTER - BY MIKE BOSCH ZS2FM

We are now in the Meteor shower season when there are many meteor

showers during the month of June. There are two major meteor showers

this month, they are: Arietds and the Daytime Zeta Perseids with visual

rates of 54 and 20 per hour, respectively. The two major meteor showers

will make SSB and FM voice contacts possible, on 50, 70 and 144 MHz

over distances up to about 2500 km. The minor meteor showers could

provide digital communications on 50, 70 and 144 and 432 MHz via

FSK44l. There is a skip distance of around 500 km on 50 MHz but

increases on the higher bands.

South African MS Record distances currently stand at: 50 MHz FSK44l

2011 km and SSB 1929 km 70 MHz FSK44l 1527 km and SSB 1183 km 144 MHz

FSK441 1975 km and SSB 1524 km.

See the SARL VHF Forum for more details.

OTHER ACTIVITIES ON VHF

** Carl Minne, ZS6CBQ started a net which is active on Saturdays and

Sundays from 06:00 to 07:00 SAST on 144,300 MHz SSB. Several stations

from Gauteng and others as far as Bloemfontein joined in.

In Cape Town, Mike Kellet, ZS1TAF, recently started a net on Thursday

nights from 19:00 SAST on 144,300 MHz SSB and it has been growing ever

since.

On Monday nights around 19:00 SAST in the Port Elizabeth area, Al

Akers, ZS2U, is active on 70,200 MHz FM with antennas pointing West.

Check your VHF equipment and join in.

You are listening to a news bulletin by the South African Radio League

PROPAGATION REPORT

Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP, reports that the expected solar activity will

be at low levels. None of the Earth facing sunspots pose a threat for

strong solar flares.

If you want to do your own frequency predictions, the expected

effective sunspot number for the week will be around 63.

The 20 to 15 m bands will provide lots of DX fun, especially during the

late afternoons and in the evenings.

Please visit the website www.spaceweather.sansa.org.za for further

information. DIARY FOR THE COMING WEEKS

14 June - Youth net on 40 meters 17 June - World QRP Day 20 June - SA

AMSAT Simposium 21 June - Father's day 26 tot 28 June - Ham radio in

Friedrichshafen 27 June - the East Rand Winter flea market

To end this bulletin, here is a repeat of the main items

Etienne Naude, ZS6EFN, approached the SARL President Fritz Sutherland,

ZS6SF, with a proposal of starting a Rookie Radio Amateur Program in

South Africa. The SARL President tabled this proposed initiative at the

next committee meeting held on 13 May 2015. It was accepted

unanimously. The President said that this proposal directly addresses a

problem the SARL has had for years. This program will give new and

inexperienced amateurs a platform to ensure a sustainable interest and

future engagement

AND THAT BRINGS US TO THE END OF THIS NEWS BULLETIN.

If you have any news items of interest to amateur radio, please submit

them by following the news-inbox link on the SARL webpage. News items

for inclusion in the next bulletin, should reach the newsteam not later

than the Thursday preceding the bulletin date. Join us every Sunday

morning at 10:00 SAST for Amateur Radio Today, the weekly amateur

magazine program. This program may be heard countrywide on VHF and UHF

repeaters, on 7082 kHz lower side-band as well as on 7205 kHz and 17660

kHz AM. A podcast by Dick ZS6RO is also available. There is a replay on

Monday nights at 18:30 SAST on 3230 kHz AM. The radio transmissions on

the non amateur frequencies, are sponsored by Sentech.

You have listened to a news bulletin of the South African Radio League,

compiled by Flip Britz ZS4GE, edited by Brian UttersonZS6AE and read by

.. . . . . . . . . . . . . (name, callsign and QTH)

Thank you for listening. Best wishes from me and the entire news team

for the week ahead.

/EX

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