DECEMBER 1998
VHF/UHF - AN EXPANDING WORLD
Eric Jamieson VK5LP PO Box 169 Meningie South Australia 5264
E-mail: vk5lp@ozemail.com.au
Fax: 08 8575 1777.
Packet: VK5LP@VK5WI.#ADL.#SA.AUS.OC
All times are UTC.
Change of Fax number
Please note that my Fax number has changed to 08 8575 1777 as of now.
My e-mail address was missing from my last notes, but be assured it
still exists as <vk5lp@ozemail.com.au> and will continue to do so until
otherwise noted.
With this issue I commence my 29th year of writing these notes.
Two metres to New Zealand
<bold>Gordon McDonald VK2ZAB<end>sent me a Fax to say that he had
received an NZART VHF Century Club Award, Certificate 160, for VHF
contacts with more than 100 New Zealand stations. All were made using
SSB. Gordon believes he may be the first VK station to achieve this
feat, with all contacts in excess of 2000 km. Congratulations Gordon. I
suspect that world-wide there would not be many amateurs, if any, to
have made hundreds of contacts on two metres at distances in excess of
2000 km.
However, it is ironical that the significance of this achievement
appears to be lost on the NZART Awards Manager, who did not note in a
letter or on the award that it was for two metres. The usual VHF
Century Club Award is to collect 100 points by scoring 1 point for
contacts on six metres, 3 points for two metres and 5 points for 70 cm.
This claim was for 100 contacts on two metres, not 100 points.
Hopefully, the necessary endorsement can be made in the near future.
Gordon has sent me a list of 108 first contacts, each to a different
station and dating from 26/01/81 to 22/01/97. All the listed contacts
were made between November and February inclusive. The list shows the
first contact with each station, but during the period noted hundreds
of two metre contacts were made with the ZLs, and in some cases three
and four contacts with the same station each season over the entire
period. The contacts were spread over 18 or 19 locator squares.
Gordon said it is now almost impossible to obtain a QSL card for any
contacts, even those which break a record. In 1980 the QSL rate was
around 30 per cent, now virtually zero.
Gordon has also made contacts with ZL on 70 cm and 23 cm. The VK2
record for 70 cm is for a contact between VK2ZAB and ZL1AKW in 1988. A
new VK2 record for 23 cm was established in January 1997 between VK2ZAB
and ZL1AVZ.
ZL News update
30/9/97: "With the installation of a TV translator near Auckland,
operating on New Zealand Channel 1 (44-51 MHz), amateurs in Auckland
were notified by letter on 28 June 1997 that they were to cease
operation on the 50.0-50.15 MHz band.
"Previously the NZART had received assurances from the local
broadcaster that they wouldn't take up the use of Ch 1 in Auckland. ZLs
have to get approval to use 6m from the Ministry of Commerce
Communications Division; it seems that some amateurs in the Auckland
area may gain access to the 6m band on a non-interference basis,
following the submission of new permit applications and testing and
approval by the authorities. They still have 51-53MHz as secondary
users." Information from G3FPK.
Antarctica
Roman EM1KA, will be QRV from the Ukrainian research base at Vernadsky
for another year. There is the possibility of some 6 meter operation
from there. He is regularly QRV on 1827 KHz at 0400. QSL via JA2JPA.
Six metres is not dead
<bold>Don Graham VK6HK<end> reports: "Some stirrings on 48-49 MHz here
on Monday 13th October, with video on 48249.8, 48250.3, 48251.0,
49751.03, 49749.96, 49749.7, 49750.24 and 49751.35. Bearing generally
about 350 degrees. TV video carriers up to S7 but mostly S1-2, with
each frequency exchanging prominence during the period. No signals on
50 MHz."
The following is an overview of six metre activity for late September
and for October, practically all being by TEP mode.
27/9: 1120 JA3EGE heard VK8VF/b 50.056
27/9: 1140 JH6VXP to VK8PN 50.110 579
28/9: 0840 JH6WFV to VK4AFL 50.110 319
29/9: 0658 JA1RJU to VK8RH 50.110 5x9
29/9: 0400 VK3OT heard JA7ZMA/b 599
29/9: 0530 VK3OT 49.7498 warbly offset
29/9: 0626 V73AT to JA1RJU 50.110 5x9
29/9: 0640 VK4GPS Asian video 49.750 to S9
29/9: 0730 VK3OT heard JA2IGY/b 50.0097 539
29/9: 1044 JH4JPO heard VK8VF/b 589
29/9: 1117 JH4JPO to VK8AN 50.110 5x3
29/9: 1230 JA6QGG to VK8MS 50.110 5x5-9
29/9: 1243 VR2IL to VK8MS 50.130 5x1
30/9: 2055 LU9EO worked four KP4 stations 5x9
<bold>2100 WP4O heard by LU1DMA on 144 MHz<end>
1/10: 1115 JH4JPO heard VK8VF 50.056 599
1/10: 1810 GJ4ICD heard by 7Q7RM
2/10: 1246 VR2IL to VK8RH 50.110 5x9
2/10: 1300 VR2IL to VK8AN 50.120 5x5
3/10: 2235 CO2KK to HH7PV 50.130 5x9
3/10: 2258 AC4TO to CX, LU, HH 50.110 5x9
4/10: 2300 WP4O to LU, CX, PY 5x9
4/10: 0515 VK4DO and VK4TL 50.120 heard by JA3EGE
5/10: 0435 VK4AFL to JR2NET 50.140 5x5
5/10: 0436 JE9BHE to VK4AFL 50.140
5/10: 0440 JA1RJU to VK4AFL 50.140
5/10: 0442 JA1RJU to VK4DO 50.120
5/10: 0451 JA1RJU to VK4LE 50.139
5/10: 0530 UA0-TV 49.750 to VK3OT
5/10: 0750 N7ET/DU7 to JR1LZK 50.085 559
6/10: 2350 WP4O to PY5CC 50.110 5x6
8/10: 0445 VK3OT UA0-TV 49.750 multi video
8/10: 0610 VK3OT heard JA7ZMA/b 50.027
8/10: 0625 VK3OT 49.752 +/- video
8/10: 0701 V73AT to JA6YBR 50.110
8/10: 1800 I5MXX heard by K3RRE and K1DT 50.105
8/10: 2210 W4PO to LU and CX 5x9
9/10: 2310 W4PO to LU 5x9 and PY5CC 5x1 50.110
11/10: 2237 PY5CC to EH8BPX 50.110 5x5
11/10: 2345 PY2DSC to TI5KD 50.110 5x5
12/10: 0132 V73AT to KH6JOI 50.110
12/10: 0415 V73AT heard JA2IGY/b, JA6YBR/b
13/10: WP4O worked many LU and CX3ET
13/10: GJ4ICD to EH9/I/S5/IS0/SP/YU 5x9 Es
13/10: 1230 GJ4ICD copied 5B4CY multi-hop Es
13/10: 1656 Italy worked A22BW TEP
13/10: PP5JD-1 to TI4JHQ, HP3XUG, V44KA, 8P6ER, KP4KIA, KP4JN.
13/10: 2256-2350 PY to KP4, J3, WP4, PR7
<bold>2340 PY5CC worked 8P6 on 144 MHz<end>
14/10: 0012-0107 PY to TI4, TI5, ZP5, EH8
14/10: 0102 PY5CC worked JR6HI 50.110 5x9*
14/10: 0330-0410 V73AT worked many JAs
14/10: 0339 V73AT 50.110 heard by JA1RJU 599
14/10: 0345 V73AT 50.110 heard by JH0MHE
14/10: 0420 V73AT heard first VK video 46.17165
15/10: 1600 TR8CA to GJ4ICD, G/I/CT/F 5x9
15/10: LU2EGQ copied XE and YV beacons
16/10: 2343 PY2NQ, PY5CC to WP4O 50.110 5x9
17/10: 2150 PP1BG to CT3FT, EH8BPX, 5x9
18/10: PY5CC worked CT1AL, CT1HB, EH1YV, first PY to Europe
18/10: 1530 V51KC, 1725 TR8 - into Europe
18/10: 1600 V51VHF/b heard by SM7AED
18/10: 2300 GJ4ICD to PY5CC
19/10: 0604 VK2QF 50.110 worked JH6VXP 559
19/10: 2218 PY5CC to EH7, CT4; 2312 KP4, V44, 8P9HA
<bold>2344 PY5CC to 8P6HA, 8P6ER on 144 5x1<end>
20/10: 0038 PP1CZ to 8P9HA, YV4DYJ, HP1XUG 5x5
20/10: 0300 to 0700 VK5LP heard UA/BY TV 49.750 +/-
20/10: 0620 VK3OT heard VK8RAS/b, Russian TV 5x9
20/10: 0629 VK3OT heard JA7ZMA/b
20/10: 0620 VK3OT heard UA0 TV 49.750 +/- strong
20/10: 0635 VK3OT worked VK8GF 50.115
20/10: 1700 TR8CA to GJ4ICD 5x9, also ON/PA/F
20/10: 2120 WP4O to LU and CX9DX
21/10: 0020 WP4O to CX, LU 5x9
21/10: 0511 V73AT VK video again on 46.17165
21/10: 0519 V73AT to JA1ZYK 50.110
22/10: 1520 IK0 to V51KC
22/10: 2150 PP1CZ and PP1BG to D44BC 50.110
23/10: 0419 VK4AFL to JA1RJU 50.140 5x6
23/10: 0620 JA6IMJ to VK4DO 50.110 5x9
23/10: 0644 JA1RJU to VK4WTN 50.110 559
23/10: 0647 JA3EGE to VK4DO 50.120, VK4 video S9
23/10: 0810 JA3EGE to VK4BRG 50.110 5x4
23/10: 0824 VK4BRG to JA3EGE
23/10: 0830 JA3EGE to HL1LTC 50.110 5x9
23/10: 1008 VK4TL to JE1BMJ 5x5
24/10: 0221 HL1LTC to JA1RJU 50.110
24/10: 0426 VK4BRG to JA1RJU 50.110
24/10: 9G1BJ (Ghana) worked by many I stations 5x9
26/10: 0009 ZP6CW to TI5KD, YV4DYJ, TI4JHQ, HP3XUG
26/10: 0428 JA3EGE reported VK video on 46.170
27/10: 1000-1400 G/GJ to I/YU/EA/CT/S5 by Es
27/10: 2149 EH7KW heard ZD8VHF/b
28/10: 0005 PY5CC to K5LLL 50.100 579
28/10: 0039 LU8EWD to W5 and W6 50.130 5x7
29/10: 0254 JA1RJU to VK4APG 50.180 5x9
29/10: 0257 JL4GTO to VK4ZX 50.120 5x9
29/10: 0259 JL4GTO to VK4APG 50.110
29/10: 0255 JA1RJU to VK4AFL 50.150 5x9
29/10: 0300 VK3OT UA0/BY-TV 49.750 +/- TV offsets
29/10: 0305 JA1RJU to VK4DO 50.125 5x9
29/10: 0314 JL4GTO to VK4BRG 50.135 5x9
29/10: 0315 JA1RJU to VK4BRG 50.110 5x5
29/10: 0352 JL4GTO to VK4AFL 50.150 5x5
29/10: 2246 EA7KW heard ZD8VHF/b 539
30/10: 2237 PY2PA to TI4JHQ
30/10: 2314 PY5CC KH6HI/b 579 **, 2317 KP4UK 5x9
30/10: 2337 PY5DP KH6HI/b 579 **
30/10: 2353 PY5CC to NH6YK 50.110
*JA to PY
JM1SZY received an e-mail from Peter PY5CC which said: "Yes, I worked
Kenji JR6HI (Okinawa) at 0101 on 14/10 on 50.110. Signals 5x9. It was a
nice surprise. No other JA or Pacific stations. Many stations from
Central America and Caribbean areas."
** These are interesting reports of KH6HI/b, as it seems too early for
Southern Hemisphere Es. No other reports of such east-west propagation.
Thanks to Six News, OH2BUA Web Cluster and VK3OT for the above table of
more than 100 events. I have given rather full coverage to these
openings this month to indicate that six metres is far from dead,
particularly in the Northern Hemisphere, where there have been TEP
openings almost on a daily basis. It seems few JA stations are
presently operating on six metres and not many VKs either.
Here at VK5LP I noted video carriers around 49.750 MHz on at least 20
days during October. The one most received was on 49.7493 at a bearing
of 335 degrees which is the direction of China and eastern Russia,
strength usually around S2 but reaching S8 on 13/10. Generally there by
0400, but heard as early as 0300 and continuing until about 0600/0700.
Such signals are being noted in VK2, 3, 4, 6 and 8. This is similar to
the 1987/88 period when most of us did not realise the significance of
the reception of such signals which lead to F2 openings to Europe and
the UK, also to the US, in 1989, and continuing for four years.
I would suggest that six metres should be given particular attention
during the next equinox (March/April) and most certainly next
September/October when it seems the possibility exists of bridging the
distance to Europe in the evenings and to the US, Central America and
the Caribbean in the mornings. By 1999 the openings to EU/UK will
probably spreadout over a longer period than the equinox, with November
being important.
News from China
<bold>Alan VK3XPD<end> sent the following called "BY1QH Special" which
was contributed by Lars Melin, SM0KAK, a member of the Tsinghua
University Amateur Radio Club, Beijing, China.
BY1QH, the club station, is presently looking for stations who want to
try 144 MHz DX, and are located less than 2,000 km from Beijing in
such DXCCs as BY, BV, VS, HL, JT, UA, and, in particular, VK6 (less
than 400km from Dampier). The Dampier area is the only location to
which it would be possible to make QSOs on 144 MHz using
Trans-Equatorial Propagation. Stations interested in working with BY1QH
on 144 MHz need at least one yagi (preferably horizontally or
circularly polarized), the capability to work on SSB or CW, a good
take-off (low horizon) in the direction of Beijing, and a minimum
output power of 50 watts.
In the first leg of the ARRL EME Contest on the weekend of 18-19/10,
BY1QH worked SM5FRH, SM5BSZ and SM2CEW. The QSO with SM5FRH was the
first EME QSO ever from China. BY1QH also heard and identified 11 more
stations during the contest. On the weekend of 25-26/10, BY1QH worked
KB8RQ (first BY to North America on EME), and W5UN. Also heard was
VE7BQH.
BY1QH will participate in the second leg of the ARRL EME Contest on
15-16/11. Antenna improvement is becoming urgent as it is not yet
wind-proof. In addition, the club is requesting China Radio Sports
Association (CRSA) to clear the much QRMed 144.000 MHz, caused by a
local paging system.
Tsinghua University Amateur Radio Club is seeking any possible
assistance from the international amateur radio community, such as on
EME. Write to David Zhang BZ1BM at <bzibm@wg.chnmail.com> or Lars
Melin SM0KAK <lars.melin@era.ericsson.se>.
Something new
This is surely a rarity. <bold>Alan Devlin VK3XPD<end> saw the
following on the Internet and thought it may interest readers of AR,
adding: "Some of our US cousins have a lot to learn, and the spelling
is appalling too. One learns something new every day - I can't wait to
try it!"
The message:
Subject: Modifying FM reviecers...
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 1997 11:46:56 -0500
From: "Dr. Cosmo-SYS" <drkosmo@server.iso.net>
Organization: Information Superhighway Onramp
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.space
"I heard one can do this by clipping the device to the antenna and i
think the negitive ( - ) side of the battery. i want to make it recieve
differnt Freq. s and maybey transmit on them too. i know about the FCC
and licenseing stuff so i will keep the power down :)
"i'm new in radio stuff so please use simple terms and maybey scematics
(i can read those :> )
"thank you in advance. Dr. Cosmo-SYS"
I leave you to draw your own conclusions. Thanks Alan.
Beacons
<bold>Ian Glanville VK3AQU<end> advises: "Further to my last e-mail
regarding the closure of VK3RAI/b. [Reported in September issue.] The
beacon was shut down on the 16/9 after more than 10 years of continuous
service.
"I have received an e-mail from Michael VK3TDV on behalf of Ralph
VK3WRE, Eastern Zone repeater officer, accepting the offer to take over
the beacon and incorporate it into their plans to establish 2 metre,
70 cm and 23 cm beacons. I am very pleased that someone is taking up
the offer and will put it to good use."
<bold>Rod VK4KZR<end> reports that the VK4RTT beacon is off air. The
understanding is that the Brisbane VHF Group will reinstate it soon.
More later.
<bold>Ron VK3AFW<end> reports: "The Melbourne VK3RTG beacon on 144.430
returned to air at 0425 on 13/10. It runs 7 watts to a halo in an
average location at Clayton. All reports appreciated. It went off due
to a high voltage transient which destroyed the power supply, although
the remainder of the hardware survived."
Meteor scatter
<bold>Ron Cook VK3AFW<end> sent the following report from <bold>Scott
VK4JSR:<end> "On 16/10 I spent a half hour in the shack listening to 50
MHz before departing for work. The following is a summary of what I
monitored."
2031 VK7RAE/b 50.057 419 5*
The following are for VK3SIX/b on 50.053 MHz.
2042 549 30*
2043 519 5
2045 419 20
2046:15 319 5
2046:45 419 10
2059 419 5
2100 519 - 559 30+
2102 419 5
2103 319 15
2105 319 5
2106 519 5
* The final column is the ping/burn duration to the nearest 5 seconds.
"The pings were not significantly stronger than normal, as I monitor
the beacons each Saturday and Sunday mornings while listening on 144.2
and 432.2 MHz, but the number of pings had increased. At all times the
VK3SIX beacon was detectable, sometimes just 3 dB above my imagination!
"For your information, I was using my IC551D with 20 dB receive preamp,
and Timewave DSP into my temporary 6 element yagi, six metres agl."
Ballon launch
<bold>Alan VK3XPD<end> reported: "Saturday 18/10 at 1300.
Annunciator/Packet/Slow Scan TV - all on 145.700 MHz sequentially.
Repeater 432.975 input, 145.375 output.
"Unfortunately - "the powers that be" have limited the Payload to just
1 Kg therefore transmit power is a low 100 milliwatts for the
Annunciator and 1 watt when Transmitting Packet. That's all I have."
Alan also reports that the Sputnik 1/3 scale, PS-2, will be RS-17 when
released, according to sponsor's web page. Listen on 145.82 FM
(145.80-145.85 for doppler?). Date of release has again been pushed
back to November 3rd, during the next EVA (spacewalk) from MIR.
Tropo report
<bold>Ron VK3AFW<end> advises that on 6/10 good conditions allowed Rod
VK2TWR to work Andrew VK7XR at 1205 on two metres at 5x5. The beacon
VK7RAE was 529.
Also on 6/10 at 2100 Andrew VK7XR worked Ron VK3AFW, 5x9 both ways on
144.08 MHz SSB, and 5x1 both ways on 432.1 MHz SSB at 2116. Andrew
was able to access many two metre repeaters along the southern part of
VK3. Unfortunately there were no other stations around to take part in
these excellent conditions.
Repeater update
<bold>Steve VK2KFJ<end> provides the latest information regarding six
metre repeaters in VK2:
VK2RMB Sydney (Northern Beaches), 53.675 working, local activity has
increased, waiting for summer DX.
VK2RSN Newcastle, 53.625 working.
VK2RWI Sydney (North-West), 53.850 - nearing completion, could be on
air in December.
VK2RTM Walcha, 53.575 - should have been on air by middle of 97, status
not confirmed yet. Licence and equipment taken over by Walcha Radio
Club.
Afternoon TEP and Es linked up.
<bold>Steve VK3OT<end> reports: "Following the 46.240 TV report by
JA1VOK of VK2QF working JH6VXP yesterday (October 19th) I carefully
watched the band today.
"At 0600, like clock work the various 49 MHz TV stations from Russia
and China appeared and built up over the next 30 minutes. The
difference today was that the path was skewed North West and on
investigating a QSB carrier on 50.047 I heard the VK8RAS beacon keying
from PG66 Alice Springs over a short E's path of 1750 km. Also noted
were strong 49 TV offsets, one running raspy video with what looked
like a digital test pattern on the ICR7000.
"I QSO'd Jeff VK8GF on 50.115 at 0640 on SSB both running about 80
watts and 5x5 signals.
"The new JA7ZMA beacon came in after the VK8 beacon faded out, which is
the normal extension mode as the hole into PG66 closes, and the path
extends via TE afternoon mode. The beacon has three callsign sequences
then FUKUSHIMA then QM07 (the grid) and a Dit Dah which I am unsure of
the significance. Frequency is 50.027 dead and best report was at 0625
519 to 539 with fast QSB.
"The TV shifted to 300 degrees and I heard Vladivostok in grid square
PN briefly on 49.7499 with pronounced signature and the JA2IGY beacon
50.010 audibile using DSP only at 509. I alerted VK5LP who was also
copying multiple TV offsets around 49 MHz and the VK8RAS beacon."
Portable operation
<bold>Barry VK3TBM<end> operated portable from Mt Tassie on 13/9. On
two metres only (20w into 5el yagi) he worked at 2233 VK2TWR 5x5;
2237 VK3BWT 5x3; 2242 VK3DEM 5x9; 2245 VK1BG 5x1; 2247 VK2ZAB 5x1;
2249 VK2BBF 5x2; 2252 VK1BG 5x3; 2254 VK1DO 5x2.
He returned to Mt Tassie on 27/9, but this time with 2m and 70 cm. He
had two new antennas, a recently completed 10 el DL6WU yagi for two
metres and a 15el DL6WU for 70 cm. This was the first opportunity to
test the antennas and both worked well.
The "on air" start at 2255 meant he had missed many possible contacts
but stayed on site till 2345, and managed to work (on 2m) VK3HY 5x9,
VK3DEM 5x9, VK3WRE (Ralph, Traralgon) 5x9, and VK3ZQV (Michael,
Blackwarry) 5x9.
On the weekend of 11/12 October with a camp-out in the State Forest
south of Vaughn Springs, in central Victoria, he had more time, so he
took two 10el DL6WUs for 2m for a trial run together.
"I was on air at 0230 on 12/10, and listened and called till 2330
(admittedly stopping to sleep during the night). However, our
favourite campsite is not well elevated, in fact, the surrounding
ridges seemed to provide excellent protection from all forms of harmful
RF. I heard not a cracker. I got occasional short noises from the Mt
Anakie beacon, and that was as good as it got.
"However, on the drive out I found I could easily receive the Mt Anakie
beacon on the halo from a nearby ridge. While mobile, on the way home,
I was fortunate to work Des VK3CY, from Mt Franklin (5x9); and Alan
VK3XPD, while passing Gisbourne. Thus I was able to prove to my
companions that my radio did in fact work, and was more than a mere
white noise generator with a fancy dial."
On 18/10, Barry went portable near the summit of Mt Hoogly, 10 km west
of Mt Tassie. Using a single 10el DL6WU on two metres, he worked: 2245
Norm VK3DUT Lakes Entrance 5x9; 2249 VK1BG 5x3; 2254 VK2ZAB 5x1; 2300
VK1DO 5x2; 2305 VK3AUU 5x9; 2325 VK3KLO 5x7; 2332 Len VK3BMY Numurkah
4-5x1; 2336 VK3DUQ/p Dromana 5x9; 2345 David VK3XDR Hallam 5x9; and
2348 Les VK3ZLS Point Lonsdale 5x5. The site wasn't ideal as his low
mast was unable to clear the low eucalyptus regrowth to the north and
north-east, and a pine plantation 200 m to the west affected signals to
Melbourne and beyond, especially since they were wet from the drizzle
that morning.
Closure
October was certainly an interesting month. The many days of video
signals around 49.750 +/- from about 335 degrees is worth noting and
augers well for more TEP during March/April 1998. Our cousins in the
Northern Hemisphere have certainly been given a treat with so many
openings across the equator. If you want to live in a prime TEP
location, then try Brazil or Peurto Rico.
Closing with two thoughts for the month:
1. A person can be so well-rounded that he isn't pointed in any
direction, and
2. If mankind profits from mistakes, what a wonderful future is coming
up!
73 from The Voice by the Lake.