MAY 1999
VHF/UHF - AN EXPANDING WORLD
Eric Jamieson VK5LP PO Box 169 Meningie South Australia 5264
E-mail: vk5lp@lm.net.au
Fax: 08 8575 1777
Packet: VK5LP@VK5WI.#ADL.#SA.AUS.OC
All times are UTC
New 2400 MHz Record
A contact between Doug Friend VK4OE/p and Adrian Pollock VK2FZ/4 has broken the VK2 state record for 2.4 GHz set by VK2ZAC and VK2BDN in 1973. This contact also breaks the previous VK4 state record set by Doug and Adrian in January 1996.
Adrian was operating from Maleny and Doug portable near Ben Lomond in northern NSW on 15/11/98, distance 374.7 km.
Also, re the national 1296 MHz record: The original distance calculating software has been replaced by a more accurate program, and all records set before the changeover have been recalculated. The 1296 MHz record distance (VK6WG - VK3ZBJ) has been corrected to 2455.1 km. This correction didn't make it into the last Call Book but it will be in all future lists. ... John VK3KWA.
Six metres
Ian VK5XE reports: On 21/3 I worked 13 JAs on six metres CW. All were from JA7 and 8 areas. Also heard were 7J1s, and a KH7 talking to a JA8 on SSB. Rig is IC 736 with 100 watts and using my HF log periodic (7el) through the auto tuner in the rig.
Wally VK4DO - 9/3: 2213 XE2UZL/b 4x5; 10/3: 1022 V63CV Rosrae Island 5x9; 11/3: 0430 XE2UZL/b 5x1, 0447 XE3RCM/b 4x1. The two KH6 beacons in at the same time.
I have been trying for a long time to work out the actual location of the Chinese TV on 49.750 and am now convinced it is from Harbin in North China. On 11/3 I was receiving one predominant TV picture from China which came over the weaker one, and by zero beating on the IC 7100 (USB and LSB) came to the conclusion it was on 49.750 MHz. On 12/3 at 0950 the sound channel on 56.250 was at good strength, with two announcers, male and female, talking in Chinese. At the time the 49.750 video was S9+.
Here at Strathdickie QG49hq, 50.110 is a minefield; when the band is open it is full of VK2s, VK3s, JAs, KH6s plus VK and Chinese TV crud. The number of stations staying there for long periods working JA after JA on CW is beyond belief.
However, I have noticed many JAs calling on 50.110 and saying they will be listening on 50.160, which seems a good idea. The main problem is that there are so many JAs calling that despite saying you are calling east to the US, they persist in calling you.
John VK4KK from Brisbane made a number of interesting contacts. On 10/3 at 2225 W1LP/mm in EK94; 19/3 0730 KH7U, NH6YK, KH7L; 20/3 2148 HP2CWB; 27/3 0330 T33RD (CW and SSB) and 2/4 0335 V63AO 5x9. Many contacts to JAs and HL5 also available. The W1LP/mm contact is interesting as EK94 is off the west coast of Nicaragua and a considerable distance.
A mass of information is appearing on the JA 50 MHz Cluster, too numerous for a blow-by-blow description. However, what follows is a representative sample. From 9/3 to 15/3 the JAs worked V63CP, 3D2TC, V73AT, P29NB, 5W1SA, VK1-8, ZL1-4, KH7R, VR2UW, VR2YRC, VR2LC, VR2UP, VR2RS, VR2BG, DU1/JA1HBC, VR2JK, VR2PM, V63AO, BG7OH, VR2BA, VR2XRW, VR2ZGD, VR2LX, VR2XTM, 9M2TO, DU1EGA, HL5HF, VQ9DX, YC1MH, DU1SAN, 9M6GY, 9M6CT, 9M2XA.
JAs heard: 9M-TV, V63CV, V63SC, V73SIX/b, VK4ABP/b, VK4ABW, VK4RIK/b, VK4TZL, VK5VF/b, VK6AOM, VK6JJ, VK6RBU/b, VK6RO, VK6RPH/b, VK6RSX/b, VK7RAE/b, VK8RAS/b, VK8VF/b, XE2UZL/b, ZL3TY.
Other contacts of interest were 9M2NK and VR2LC to VQ9QM; KH7R to P29KFS; V73AT to KH7R, P29KFS; ZL2KT heard XE1KK/b; HL5XF to VK2QF and VK3s AMK, AWY, XQ, OT; ZL3TIC to VK1VP, VK0YQS/9, W5OZI, W1LP/mm; VR2LC to 5W1SA; HL1LTC to VK3SIX; JAs to KH2/JF2VNV; YC0UVO to 9M6GY; VK8AH to 9M6CT, 9M2JK, A61AH; VR2LC, VR2IL to 9M6GY and 9M2JKL; LU5WW to WP4O; VK8MS to KH7L; KH7L to HC2FG;
JAs were worked by VK6AOM, VK6ACY, VK3SIX, VK6RO, VK2QF, VK3ZYS, VK1VP, VK7BE, VK4BRG, VK3TMP, VK7GUN, VK2FHN, VK3AMK (also by RTTY), VK2FA, VK5AYD, VK3DQJ, VK4BLK, VK2FLI, VK4DMI, VK4IBW, VK0YQS/9, VK2DN, VK9NQ, VK9NM, VK6JJ, VK4GPS, VK4JH, VK4WDM,
Neville VK2QF said: That 11/3 presented a classic six metre morning in south east VK. US indicators to 40 MHz by sunrise, W1LP/mm in grid EK94 off the coast of Nicaragua (bound for Panama on an oil tanker!) was heard working ZLs at 2130. First two-way here at QF47pf was 2153 to Clint W1LP/mm, he was still audible at 2350. XE1KK/b audible from 2152 to 2333. Mass sporadic E has enhanced this propagation with the ZL video audible here overnight.
WP4O was heard at very low level around 2215, a 15,800 km path! Masses of VK beacons and of course QRM from Es to Es local contacts around 50.110 (yawn)...
Australian Militiary Liaison on 50.100 FMn, possibly North Queensland, 0055 to 0140. This is legitimate; do not interfere with this operation.
At 0300, strong R1, and JA dogpile on 50.110 to VK3s. HL5XF 5x9 into south east VK at 0305, it just goes on, can only get better!
Sunday 21/3 also a good day. Solid TEP opening to Japan 0230 to 0430, all call areas, 50 QSOs, nothing under RST 559. Emerging morning F2 to Central America with regular indicators to 40 MHz and beacons on 50 MHz. Interesting period ahead.
22/3: Another solid TEP opening to Japan 0150 to 0430, Hokkaido initially then south to JA1, 2, 4 and 5 call areas, 39 QSOs, nothing under 559. HL5XF (Jin) worked 0405. V73SIX beacon in on scatter from 0243 to 0340. Masses of northern R1 video.
31/3: HL5XF, J-----\JD1 Marcos Id, JR6QWW Ryuku Id, JD1BIA Ogasawara Id, BV2PU Taipei and JR6GU plus Okinawa beacon JR6YAG from 0757 to 1050 15 to 320 degrees, CW signal strength. This event is significant from the perspective of 32 degrees south lat. and the events that unfolded.
Due to a solid E's cloud access to the northern Class II TE zone was available. With E's it can and mostly is a barrier to extended propagation by acting as either a shield or deflection to useless locations for a desired path. Tonight (31/3) was just the opposite at 32 degrees south, the crucial element.
Okinawa beacon (6946 km) in from 0757 to 1010 up to S9; this is a rare latitude from this location. I know it may not be significant in the north but it is at this location. Many locals were rag chewing about the band on .120 and .140 and were commenting that other signals were unusually strong, giving a clue that broad scatter was about from the E layer. From here northern VK4 beacons and operators were very strong early in the session; normally this is a sign that no real DX will be made.
The design error in that theory is that the Okinawa beacon was audible to a large number of VK2s judging by their comments, in other words, the E's was conducting the signal to the "Super F mode TEP". Other indicators and longer haul to mainland Japan were down, in fact only a small number of mainlander's were worked.
Video offsets: The usual R1s around 49.750 (Chinese) but on 48.2604, 48.2505 and 48.2396 bearing around 275 degrees weak but consistent. At 1310 48.2600, 48.2498, 48.2500 and 48.2395 back in at 310 degrees.
To summarise for those who are bored:
The opening for any of the above contacts lasted from 3 minutes to less than 10, the window of opportunity is extremely small, no-one can afford to dither with a QSO for the benefit of others!
Okinawa 6946 km, Ogasawara Id 6484 km, Marcus Id 6330 km, Taipei 7077 km. 20 years wait to work Marcus Id! Roll on Cycle 23.
A message from Peter Scutt G3IBI to Steve VK3SIX, reports that he has just returned to UK from A6 and spent two days with Almurr A61AH. The local band 1 TV transmitter is on 48.248 MHz running 200 kW 24 hours a day. Audio is on 53.748 WFM. Almurr has already worked into the Pacific area during his morning/midday time.
T33RD Banaba was worked by all and sundry from 0300 on 26/3. T33RD is the first new DXCC country into VK east coast this cycle. QSL OK1RD, Jaroslav Semotam; Borova 155; ZC-251 01 Ricany; Czech Republic.
Steve Stephens VK4KHQ says that nothing has changed at his shack, the six element yagi awaits conversion from 52 to 50 MHz, so in the meantime, he uses a 1/4 wave vertical and about 10 watts of SSB. On-air times are usually limited to 10 am to 3 pm local.
With this set-up he rarely works anyone from June to September! This year he has included contacts with VK9NS, YJ8UU, joined in JA dogpiles, worked all VK States and heard the V73SIX beacon. In March a two-way RTTY contact with Norm VK3DUT.
Rob VK3EK reports from his mountain at Bairnsdale that he worked HL5XF 5x4 at 0600 on 11/3. On 12/3 at 1031 50.110 was open to JA so with a CQ call and QSY to 50.125 and 45 minutes later, he had worked 7 call areas and 37 stations.
ZL on 144 and 432 MHz: 12/1: At 0830 on 146.5 FM Ian VK3ST and Rob VK3EK worked Mike ZL3TIC and Ross ZL3ADT also 5x9 on FM. Conditions then changed so that the two ZLs were S5 and Mark ZL3AIC 5x3, all on SSB. The propagation then moved north from Christchurch to Ray ZL2TAL 5x2 and Alan ZL2VAL 5x7 RF70 at New Plymouth. On 432.160 Ray ZL2TAL was 4x1, distance 2,309 km.
Norm VK3DUT now resides at Johnsonville QF32VE in the Gippsland area. His neighbours are Rob VK3EK (VK3DEM) north of Bairnsdale and Warren VK3BWT at Mallacoota. Norm has an estate of about 3.5 hectares and may eventually grow an antenna farm! At present he runs 100 watts on six metres to a 4 element yagi, two metres 100 watts to a bay of 4x5 yagis and on 70 cm 15 watts to a bay of 4x11 yagis.
On 8/11 he shared in the auroral contacts and on 18/11 the meteor contacts, these to VK2BA, VK2DN, VK2TWR, VK3WN, VK3BWT, VK4APG, VK4IC, VK4KK, VK2FZ/4, VK5ZDS and VK7JG. A good representative coverage.
In December aside from the many Es contacts, Norm contacted TI2KD 5x2 at 0120 on 12/12 and heard V31PC weakly, at 0405 NH6YK 5x9, 0415 KH7R 5x5, 0425 KH6WV 5x9, many ZLs, VK9NS and FK8CI for several hours. On that magic day of 19/12 ZLs, VK1,2,4,5,7,8. During a contact with Jeff VK8GF at 1020, Jeff said he had had 14 hours of two metre propagation that day! For the remainder of the month many Es contacts, ZLs and JAs.
On 3/1/99 Norm worked 56 JAs between 0432 and 0527 in all districts except 8, with most reports 5x9 or better. On 12/1 he worked ten ZLs on two metres between 0735 and 0810, many at 5x9. On 15/1 ZL9CI 5x2 at 0825.
February was comparatively quiet with openings to VK4 and ZLs. JAs on 14/2 and 25/2.
March was more active. JAs on 6/3, 10/3 and HL5XF at 0550. On 12/3 from 0638 to 1119 Norm worked 72 JAs in all districts except JA8, also VK9NQ at 0735. 13/3 0245 to 0444 he worked 45 JAs in areas 1-5 and 7-0. JA dogpiles appeared again at 0640 and 1232. More JAs on 20/3 from 0350. On 21/3 Norm reported Ray ZL2KT having worked N7CW and several W6s and W7s around 2330. 27/3 0343-0400 T33RD heard working VK2s.
Beacon news
Don VK6HK regrets to advise that the beacon installation at VK6RSX near Exmouth WA was disabled by Cyclone Vance on Monday 22/3/99. The beacons (50.306 and 144.576 MHz ) will be off air indefinitely.
Cyclone Vance was a Category 5 Cyclone with winds in excess of 250 km/hour and of intensity greater than Cyclone Tracy that wiped out Darwin in 1974. Severe damage was done to the town of Exmouth and Onslow.
Don also advises that a message from Bob VK6BE indicates that the VK6RTW 50 MHz beacon on 50.308 MHz is operational. The beacon runs 10 watts to a sloping dipole. Operation is continuous. The licensee of VK6RTW is the Southern Electronics Group in Albany. VK6RTW is also operational on 144.564 MHz with beams directed east and north from a 10 watt transmitter.
Gridsquare Standings at 18 March 1999
144MHz
VK2ZAB Gordon 56
VK3BRZ Chas 55
VK2DVZ Ross 52
VK3CY Des 45 (+3 EME)
VK2KU Guy 44
VK2FLR Mike 42 (+68 EME)
VK3EK Rob 37
VK3BDL Mike 31
VK3CAT Tony 28
VK3BJM Barry 21
VK6KZ Wally 17
VK6KZ/p Wally 16
VK2TZ Dale 16
VK3HZ/2 David 1
VK3HZ/8 David 1
432MHz
VK2ZAB Gordon 33
VK3BRZ Chas 32
VK3CY Des 23
VK3EK Rob 18
VK2DVZ Ross 17
VK3BDL Mike 15
VK2KU Guy 14
VK6KZ Wally 10
VK3BJM Barry 10
VK6KZ/p Wally 8
VK3HZ David 5
VK2TZ Dale 4
VK3HZ/2 David 2
VK3H2/8 David 1
1296MHz
VK3EK Rob 11
VK2ZAB Gordon 10
VK2DVZ Ross 9
VK6KZ/p Wally 5
VK6K2 Wally 4
VK3BRZ Chas 4
VK2KU Guy 4
VK3BDL Mike 3
VK2TZ Dale 1
VK3HZ/2 David 1
VK3BJM Barry 1
Additions, updates and requests for the guidelines to Guy VK2KU, <guy@mpce.mq.edu.au>, or by mail (QTHR 99).
It is interesting to note that a change of placings has occurred on 1296 MHz since the December 1998 listing. The other two bands look interesting too. Jockeying for positions is always a worthwhile exercise!
New technology
Clarry Castle VK5KL sent a hand-written letter (rare these days) with news. However, before adding the news, it may interest readers to know that Clarry's letter was given the distinction of probably being the first letter ever, for publication in AR, which was entered into a computer using a new technology called "Voice Direct", in which I dictated the written word into a microphone attached to appropriate software. My words appeared as text on the monitor with about 75% accuracy.
As the computer has not so far been "trained" to accept electronic and technical terms I consider 75% reasonable accuracy. After its training course, which takes some time, I expect the accuracy rate to rise to at least 90% which is faster than I can type as the words are read at a rate of about 160 words per minute. I hope to make more use of this medium as the computer becomes better trained to understand my voice!
Clarry said: I was late getting on 50 MHz this season; I was checking my gear last September and accidentally put a 12 volt lead that had the voltage reversed on to my transverter. After the smoke cleared, all transistors were blown plus the Tantalum capacitors, with a few other capacitors and resistors damaged.
It was after Christmas by the time I got all working. Heard one or two VKs and I did QSO ZL9CI. Heard no JA openings until 21/3 while looking for any stations in the John Moyle Field Day, when up came JF5NTT/7. I QSOd him at 0240 but did not hear any other JAs or beacons.
Was a little disappointed that there were not more openings. [Plenty of activity before Christmas, Clarry ... VK5LP]. Some days the Alice Springs beacon was strong but no other signals.
Been mainly getting my ATV gear on 426/576 MHz working and producing a satisfactory signal and colour picture.
News from all over
Ted Collins G4UPS advises that 25 February 1999 was the tenth anniversary of the first ever six metre QSOs with VS6 and JA from the UK. Apart from the VS6 and JAs from 0855 the band was open later to ZS3 (now V5), ZS6, J52US and 5N0.
Ted says: It really does look as if the present solar cycle is going to peak on the 11th year. Incidentally, on 26 February 1989 the band opened again to JA, JA6, ZS6, ZS3, J52US, and from 1535 the band opened "across the pond" to W3JO/W2CNS and W8 land!
Ted continues to maintain his daily morning skeds with G3CCH over the 350 km tropo path and says that contacts have been particularly good over the past few months. On 28 February 1999 we celebrated our 4000th six metre QSO - I wonder if this is a record over this distance? [Whether it is a record or not, it is a good effort as Ted runs 25 watts to a five element beam, not very high. ... VK5LP].
Restrictions on use of 420 MHz band
Amateurs will have received a notice from the Australian Communications Authority advising of the withdrawal from use by amateurs within a 150 km radius of the Homebush Olympic Stadium, of the spectrum 421 to 422 MHz and 424 to 432 MHz until 31/12/2000.
The only comment I wish to make is to say it was a pleasant surprise to receive a letter from a Government authority or agency, outlining certain changes to existing procedures, without the accompaniment of a threatening paragraph outlining (usually) huge fines for failure to comply. In this case the ACA has made a concilliatry approach, albeit definite, that portions of the band have been withdrawn from use by affected amateurs.
For those operating high power around 432 MHz the ACA has invited amateurs to check that they do not interfere with the SORN operations. Again, I see this as a sensible approach to gain cooperation from those involved. Thank you ACA.
A listener reports
I was pleasantly surprised to receive during February a DX radio listener's extensive log covering the VHF bands. It came from David Vitek of Parkholme, an Adelaide suburb. All reception is via an Icom R7000 and a five element 50 MHz beam!
David has no interest in transmitting but is an avid listener, and keeps reception logs covering FM and TV transmissions, six metres, beacons, VHF 30 to 150 MHz, 10 metres, shortwave stations, harmonics and HF stations in general. I am truly amazed at the loggings he has amassed. I always knew there were many signals between 30 and 150 MHz, but it is not until you see a well documented listing that you realise their sheer numbers.
I have spoken directly to David and he understands that it is difficult to include much of what he hears in these columns. However, with the recent arrival of another massive listing, I think there are readers who would be interested in a sample of what can be heard on VHF. I have selected one day from each group.
The MUF must have been very high on 19/12/98 when 66 stations were logged in the commercial FM band, with areas heard including Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Airlie Beach, MacKay, Toowoomba, Mount Isa, Alice Springs, Perth, Northam, Albany, Bunbury, Launceston, Devonport, Burnie, St Marys, Hobart, Cootamundra, Sydney, plus a host of lesser known localities, particularly in Queensland. Frequencies ranged from 88.7 to 107.75 MHz.
In addition, 15 TV stations were logged including three from New Zealand. On 50 MHz there were 8 amateur beacons and 16 VKs plus P29PL.
On 11/3/99: TV: RTQ0 51.670 MHz, ABSQ1 62.76, NEN0 51.761, ABMN0 45.24/25/26, 49.750/7465/749/7526/7564/7573; 57.750 China C2, 57.7488 C2, 48.2394 E2 Nalaysia, 48.260/250/2396. FM: 88.7 MHz 4ABCFM Nambour, 93.3 4SBS Brisbane.
Amateur: 11 JAs in JA1,2,3 and 9 between 0314 and 0402, VK4JH, VK4ABW, VK2DN, VK2FHN, VK2YO, VK4AFL. Beacons: VK8RAS, VK6RPH, VK4ABP, VK4RGG, VK2RHV, JA2IGY, JG1ZGW.
In total, from 18/12/98 to mid March, the MUF supported signals from 88 to 108 MHz on 19 occasions, plus the odd Channel 5A on 143.750 MHz. All very interesting; I just wish I could give readers a full print-out.
Barry Miller VK3BJM asks: In order to assist me plan a few field trips, I'm interested in getting some feedback from the grid square hunters as to what squares they may want to add to the "worked" list. Bands immediately available to my plans are 2m and 70cm. 23cm under way.
At the moment grid squares I plan to set up in are those within VK3, and some of those into VK5 and VK2. But all reasonable requests will be considered. I believe QF04 and QF05 may be my first target, tentatively for around 29/30/31-5-1999.
E-mail to <BMiller@vnpbtrom.telstra.com.au> or address letters to 250 Elgar Road, Box Hill South, Victoria, 3128.
Closure
A mixed bag this month. I have done the best I could with it.
In lieu of the usual two thoughts for the month, read the following.
David VK5KK said: Here is a piece written by a frustrated engineer in a private company .... James Antonacci wrote:
Engineers vs Managers
A group of managers were to measure the height of a flagpole. They take ladders and tape measures; they're falling off the ladders, dropping the tape measures - the whole thing is a shambles.
An engineer sees what they're trying to do, walks over, pulls the flagpole out of the ground, lays it flat, measures it from end to end, gives the measurement to one of the managers and walks away.
After the engineer has gone, one manager turns to another and laughs. "Isn't that just like an engineer, we're looking for the height and he gives us the length."
73 from The Voice by the Lake
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