SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO LEAGUE NEWS SUNDAY 8 MAY 2016

Good morning and welcome to the weekly news bulletin of the South
African Radio League read by ................ [your name, call sign and
QTH]

You may tune in to the South African Radio League news bulletin on
Sunday mornings, at 08:15 Local Time in Afrikaans and at 08:30 Local
Time in English, on HF as well as on many VHF and UHF repeaters around
our country. Echolink listeners may connect to ZS0JPL for a relay.

This audio bulletin may be downloaded from the League website at
www.sarl.org.za where you will find this as well as previous bulletins
in text format under the news link on the left-hand side of the web
page. While you are there, you may sign up to receive future bulletins
by e-mail.

IN THE NEWS TODAY

SARL AGM

MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN KLETSKOUS EPS

VK6RIO TESTS WITH ZS ABANDONED!

RADAR CHALLENGE NEWS

ADVANCE AMATEUR RADIO

The AGM is around the corner. The AGM takes place 21 May 2016 in
Vaalpark, Sasolburg. Register before 11 May 2016 to qualify for early
bird benefits. For more information visit http://www.sarl.org.za/ or
http://www.zs4srk.co.za/

Radio amateurs are requested to please pay your ICASA license fees
directly into the ICASA bank account and not into the South African
Radio League bank account. It is not the League's responsibility to pay
your license fees to ICASA. All monies mistakenly paid into the
League's account, will be seen as a donation. Thank you very much for
your cooperation.

Membership of the SARL currently stands at 1655 plus 48 affiliated
clubs. This membership figure does not include the new RAE candidates
for May 2016.

The electric power system (EPS) is the sub-system that provides the
satellite with power. The sub-system started out as a set of
specifications and requirements which evolved to a basic block diagram.
From there a few simple conceptual experiments eventually led to the
first prototype. The first prototype was based on 10 V (open-circuit)
solar panels, a 2-cell lithium polymer battery and 2 switch mode
step-down converters for 3.3 V and 5 V power conditioning. Taking the
risk of fire or explosion was somewhat justified by the good energy to
weight and power to weight ratio it offered. However, in the meantime a
new battery technology has emerged from the laboratory stage to being
(fairly) commonly available on the market. This new technology is the
lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery. Also based on lithium it
still offers a fairly high energy to weight but it is inherently much
safer and has electrical characteristics that are very similar to the
lithium polymer an

d lithium ion type batteries. Another advantage is the longer expected
lifetime of the LiFePO4 battery. Learn more about Kletskous and other
exciting satellite projects at the AMSAT SA Space Symposium in Pretoria
on 28 May 2016. Book now to benefit from early bird discounts. Get
details on www.amsatsa.org.za.

YOUTH NET ON THE AIR TODAY Join the SARL youth net on the air today at
17:00. Koos Fick ZR6KF will be standing by on 7070 kHz for your call.
This is a peer to peer net for radio amateurs and young people under 25
years of age. Clubs are encouraged to host young people and let them
experience the magic of amateur radio under the supervision of a
licensed radio amateur even before they are licensed.

The May 2016 issue of CQ magazine carries the results of the 2015 CQ WW
CW Contest and South Africa was well represented. Vidi la Grange,
ZS1EL, participated in the 28 MHz high power category and with his 224
846 points, achieved 3rd place world wide. Congratulations Vidi.

VK6RIO TESTS WITH ZS ABANDONED!

The VK6RIO Trans-Indian Ocean beacon tests on 144,950 MHz between
Australia and South Africa have been abandoned. The lack of local
sponsorship and the depreciating ZA Rand have torpedoed this amateur
science research project. This Trans-Indian Ocean project was conceived
by the Northern Corridor Radio Group and would use chirp modulation
based on the chirp radar system invented in Australia. It was hoped
that this would achieve the first 144 MHz contact via Tropo Ducting
between VK and ZS and contribute to the study of Trans-Indian Ocean
propagation conditions.

The following e-mail arrived from Keith Bainbridge, VK6RK, spokesman
for the research group at Perth, Western Australia. It reads: "Well
Mike we have given up on the ZS hams. As of next week we will be
dismantling your end of the link and selling off the gear. There is an
expression here "I'm into flagellation, necrophilia and bestiality",
i.e. I'm flogging a dead horse. Three years waiting is a bit too long
I'm afraid. What we intend to do is reprogram the gear with a JT mode
and point it to our east and when the guys in the east coast have had
enough, we will swing it around your way. Obviously it won't have
anywhere near the signal penetration, but hey, no one is interested
anyway. I just wish you could have raised the interest level, but I
know what hams are like. Thanks for your efforts in the past and best
wishes for the future. 73 Keith."

Notice of the AGM and the new committee of the DurbanARC.

The AGM was held on 2 April 2016 and attended by the majority of the
paid up members. The past committee was re-elected and the results are
the following: Chairman: Louis de Bruin ZS5LP Tel. nr 031 467 7357 Vice
Chairman: Neil Slogrove ZR5NAS Treasurer: Louis de Bruin ZS5LP
Secretary: Kurt Linsin ZS5KL Tel. nr 031 466 3728 Members: Sean Beukes
ZS5TI; Denham Eva ZS5DE; Aubrey Worthington ZS5ACW; Glen Meyer ZS5GM
DurbanARC QSL manager: Kurt Linsin ZS5KL DurbanARC RAE assessors: Louis
de Bruin ZS5LP and Kurt Linsin ZS5KL DurbanARC RAE invigliator: David
Long ZS5FR Durban RAE venue: University of Natal, Durban

The DurbanARC is and will remain an affiliated Club with the SARL as
well as a registered educational Station (ZS5D) (will be renewed every
year)

The latest edition of The 5 MHz Newsletter (No 16 Winter/Spring 2016)
is now available for free pdf download from tinyurl.com/zh65rb9. This
edition features news on the latest 5 MHz allocations, a provisional
band plan from IARU Region 1 and a cartoon that might bring back a few
memories!

The ZS3 Sprint will be on the air from 14:00 to 15:00 UTC on Sunday 15
May and you have an opportunity to make phone and CW contacts with
radio amateurs in the Northern Cape. The exchange is RS(T) and
provincial or country abbreviation. Activity will take place between 7
000 to 7 040 kHz for CW and 7 063 to 7 100 and 7 130 to 7 200 kHz for
phone. Contacts with stations in ZS3 are worth 2 points and all other
contacts are worth 1 point. Contacts with the Northern Cape ARC, ZS3NC,
Namaqualand Aero Sport Association, ZS3FLY, the Kalahari Karoo ARC,
ZS3ARK, and the Sutherland ARC, ZS3OBS, are worth 5 points each. Only
one contact per station is allowed. Logs, labeled "your call sign ZS3
Sprint," must be sent by e-mail to by 22 May 2016. The
2016 Blue Book contains all the details.

The results of the QRP contest held on 9 April 2016 are as follows:

1st ZS6ZU - Hammies ARC 410 points 2nd ZS6WR - West Rand ARC 270 points
3rd ZS6PTA - Pretoria ARC 186 points 4th ZS4DZ - Johan van Zijl 125
points 5th ZS6MHH - Tienie Herbst 96 points

Congratulations to the Hammies. The youngsters are really giving the
"Big Guns" a run for their money. Once again the log submissions were
pathetic.

It's not the first time I've heard such a statement, "I don't remember
the last time I had this much fun!!!", the words from Julian OH8STN.

Looking at his profile on qrz.com Julian writes, "My belief is all too
often we rely on the comfort of fixed locations, the stability of a
home or other grid tied shelter as operating locations for our radio
communications. In contrast, learning to operate off-grid, out of a
backpack, temporarily setup next to your car, from a hotel room,
getting there with skis, bicycle, or hiking up the side of the mountain
to setup your tent or shelter, that's a challenge, and also that's what
it's all about for me. Operating QRP portable from unusual places
provides an opportunity to learn about yourself, and your gear". Julian
could not have said it better!

Not everyone submits a log after a contest or in this case, a
challenge. That is quite the norm. Logs that were received for the
April 2nd RaDAR challenge a

Eddie ZS6BNE, Tienie ZS6MHH, Johan ZS4DZ, Sid ZS5AYC and Greg N4KGL.
Julian OH8STN described his RaDAR ops on the Google+ RaDAR group.

ZS6BNE and N4KGL took on the RaDAR Challenge as on-foot operators which
is by far the most challenging as everything needs to be carried. The
operator needs to dismantle his station and antennas, pack up, move and
redeploy at least a kilometer away each time.

ZS4DZ operated from a fixed location and these stations are necessary.
They keep the band alive with RaDAR activity.

ZS6MHH operated "portable" from his vehicle parked at the top of
Klapperkop in Pretoria.

ZS5AYC and OH8STN both operated from vehicles moving to the next
destination six or more kilometers away after every five QSO's. If more
than five QSO's were made from a particular deployment position the
excess did not count for points. Sometimes propagation is not
favourable so some stations move to the next destination with less than
five QSO's.

Sid ZS5AYC, his wife Adele ZS5AYL, and a few friends made it a team
effort and all had much fun. Sid's overall score was the highest which
makes him the overall champion. Well done Sid and team!

Ideas exchanged and a forever changing RaDAR landscape will see the
following changes for future challenges.

A suggestion has been made that the 24 hour period remain but it's up
to each individual to plan his / her maximum, single period, four hour
ops. He / she would take propagation into account with the ultimate
goal of inter continental RaDAR to RaDAR communications in mind. (10
bonus points!)

Pre planning and making specific skeds beforehand is an acceptable
practice. The only requirement is that the QSO takes place via radio
with the necessary information exchange.

See www.radarops.co.za for future challenge dates.

ADVANCE AMATEUR RADIO, DON'T LET IT BECOME STATIC!

Advance amateur radio and don't let it become static and disappear.
Many Radio Clubs are guilty of doing the same old thing over and over
again and not advancing Amateur Radio in any way. Amateur Radio was
founded on experimentation and exploration, and that is how they made
their mark in history and earned the many amateur bands. The commercial
radio world has since moved on and higher up the radio spectrum, while
the vast majority of radio amateurs have remained at the low end of the
amateur spectrum. You do not have to sacrifice your HF interests, but
supplement it with some challenging and exciting experiments on the VHF
and UHF bands. You do not have to start off with fancy and expensive
equipment, as many old-timers began with small horizontal Yagis and low
power, and had to learn the secrets of VHF propagation.

There are many records that could still be broken on the VHF, UHF and
Microwaves bands, and you could increase your radio knowledge
tremendously. One of the greatest challenges for radio amateurs is to
bridge the Atlantic and/or Indian Oceans on 144 MHz via Tropo Ducting.
These are the most difficult projects that are currently challenging
the VHF fraternity. By the way, a few keen and dedicated radio amateurs
in Germany and the USA have already ventured to the top end of the
microwave spectrum and beyond.

HF Propagation prediction Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP, reports that the
solar activity is expected to be at very low levels. All the visible
sunspots are currently stable with very little chance for serious solar
flares.

If you want to do your own frequency predictions, the expected
effective sunspot number for the week will be around 14.

The 20 to 15 m bands will provide lots DX fun with some 10 m openings
also possible on sunlit paths.

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

Lets look at some upcoming events

8 May - Antique Wireless Association Valve SSB QSO Party 15 May - ZS3
Sprint 19 May - RAE Examination

To conclude our bulletin a quick overview of or main news item: The
SARL AGM is around the corner. The AGM takes place 21 May 2016 in
Vaalpark, Sasolburg. Register before 11 May 2016 to qualify for early
bird benefits. For more information visit http://www.sarl.org.za/ or
http://www.zs4srk.co.za/

And that brings us to the end of this bulletin

Clubs and individuals are invited to submit news items of interest to
radio amateurs and shortwave listeners, if possible, in both English
and Afrikaans, by following the news inbox link on the South African
Radio League web page. News items for inclusion in the bulletin should
reach the news team no later than the Thursday preceding the bulletin
date.

You are welcome to join us every Sunday morning for the weekly amateur
radio magazine programme 'Amateur Radio Today' at 10:00 Central African
Time. The programme can be heard on VHF and UHF repeaters countrywide
and on 7 082 kHz lower side-band and on 7 205 kHz and 17 760 kHz AM.
There is also a pod cast available from Dick Stratford, ZS6RO. A
rebroadcast can be heard on Monday evenings at 18:30 Central African
Time on 3 230 kHz AM.

We welcome your signal reports, comments and suggestions; please send
these by e-mail to . Sentech sponsors the radio
transmissions on the non-amateur frequencies.

You have listened to a news bulletin compiled and edited by Emile
Venter, ZS6V, and read by ..............

From the news team, best wishes for the week ahead.

/EX

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