BREAKING NEWS:
The June 2023 Radio ZS is available for download. The Radio ZS Index from 1925 to June 2023, click here.
Updated Version of the 2023 Blue Book. The Blue Book has been updated for clarity and usability, there is now a table with clickable active links to each contest on page 3, some of the contest submission e-mails have been updated and some typos fixed. There have been no rule, date or time changes from the version issued in December last year.
SARL ON-THE-AIR BULLETINS AND AMATEUR RADIO TODAY PROGRAMME 28 May 2023
SARLNEWS with Rory Norton ZS2BL listen/download here
SARLNUUS met hannes Enslin ZS6JDE luister/laai hier af
Amateur Radio Today - Programme about Amateur Radio and technology hosted by Hans van de Groenendaal, ZS6AKV . The programme features news about amateur radio, reports on Hamnet, VHF and UHF, Satellites and HF plus technical features. One hour of Amateur Radio bliss. Listen or download here Today programme is 62 minutes long.
Transmissions: Sundays at 08:00 UTC on repeaters around South Africa including 145,750 and 145,725 MHZ in Pretoria. On HF 7 082 kHz by Louis, ZS5LP. Amateur Radio Today on 80 metres on Mondays - On Mondays Amateur RadioToday is transmitted at 19:30 local time on 3 620 kHz by Andy, ZS6ADY.
Note when SARL website is not available programmes will be posted on www.amateurradio.org.za. Reception reports are invited. Please send your report to artoday@sarl.org.za. Please give details of the signal strength antenna and location. Text bulletins from 1 March 2020 to today can be found at https://sarlnewsbulletin.wordpress.com
Interference from solar installations- As the South African public are realising that they are on their own and facing the many challenges of loads heading, self-generating electricity by households and businesses have become the norm.
Generally, Radio Amateurs should not experience interference on HF or VHF from properly installed solar power installations but unfortunately it does occur when unqualified people do not install the system properly and use poor quality inverters and solar maximisers.
Often fitting ferrite beads and basic filters will solve the inference problem.
By design solar installations are not expected to radiate radio frequencies (RF) and cause interference as the necessary circuits suppress any RF radiation should be included in the design. There however are suppliers that will install equipment of inferior quality. Solar installers are expected to issue COC’s, certificate of compliance, but these certificates generally only cover the electrical installation.
If a neighbour installs a solar system and it kills HF, there are two approaches. Point out to him or her that the installation is causing radio interference and that he should insist that his installer sorts out the problem. If that fails it is necessary to send a written complaint with details of the interference to the manager of the local ICASA office. ICASA is fully quipped to do the necessary test and advise the owner of the installation to have the problem seen to or switch off his system.
The addresses of the local ICASA managers can be found on http://www.sarl.org.za/public/licences/licences.asp. Please your copy your letter to the SARL at secretary@sarl.org.za and Chris, ZS6GM at chris@crturner.net and keep the SARL informed of progress of the complaint.
NEW RF SPECTRUM LICENSE FEES
During last week ICASA issued licence renewals for the 2023/24 licence year. Unfortunately, the notification to renew was sent out prematurely. At the time, the increase in fees had not been populated in the ICASA system and any invoice issued would have reflected an incorrect fee. The Authority therefore closed the renewal process. Any renewals paid on these notifications will be honoured by ICASA.
Licensees will receive another notification at the beginning of February in order for the renewal process to proceed. That annual increase is 6.9% and will be as follows: The fee for a one-year licence increases from R 166.00 to R 177.00; a two-year licence increases from R 317.00 to R 338.00; a three-year licence increases from R 455.00 to R 485.00; a four-year licence increases from R 579.00 to R 618.00 and a five-year licence increases from R 692.00 to R 738.00.
It is important to note that renewals need to be paid before Saturday 1 April 2023 as unpaid licences will expire after this date.
The 2023 SARL Contest Manual is available here
The 2023 Diary of Events is available here
A Template - Constitution and Rules for an Amateur Radio Club - get a copy here
Ethics and Operating Procedure for the Radio Amateur EN IARU ed3 2 Jan 2009 - download your copy here. Ongelukkig is dit nog nie na Afrikaans vertaal nie.
South African VHF, UHF and Microwave Record Table. The latest table of records is available from the VHF SA Record page. Compiled and updated by Paul, ZS6NK - send your record claim to zssixnk@gmail.com
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SARL Next Generation Beacon fund stands at R30 150 - The crowd funding initiative to collect funds for the SARL next generation beacon programme was initiated by AMSAT SA. During the past week R2000 was received from two donors. The fund moved f past the half way mark which is still far short of the R60 000 target required to finance a beacon in the Karoo and the Western Cape.
AMSAT SA and the SARL thank all who have thus far contributed. Help us make it happen by making your donation to the fund. Visit www.amsatsa.org.za and make your contribution by clicking on one of the payment buttons for a R50, R250 or R1000 donation. The button will take you to the Payfast website where you need to enter your credit card details. Please also add your callsign after your surname.
Visit the Next Generation Beacon web page for article, videos, updates. and a list of donors Click here
The SARL Noise Floor Project - The presentation by Hans, ZS6AKV during the C7 - EMC meeting atthe Region 1 Virtual General Conference, can be seen here.
The IARUMS Region 1 Newsletters are available on iaru-r1.org and read it!
New Satellite Book now available - The new ARRL Amateur radio satellites for beginners is now available in South Africa. With the opening of e-commerce, Postnet is operating again and books can be sent to your nearest Postnet. You can make contacts through amateur radio satellites, and even with the International Space Station, using equipment you probably own right now! All it takes is the right information, which you will find in Amateur Radio Satellites for Beginners by Steve Ford
There are dozens of spacecraft in orbit just waiting for your signals, and more are being launched every year. This book is your guide to a whole new world of operating enjoyment.
Amateur Radio Satellites for Beginners will introduce you to new experiences that you may have thought were out of your reach. Start reading and discover how easy it can be! To order the book visit www.amateurradio.org.za. 115 pages plus index.
Guidelines for a non SARL member to use the SA-QSL system- Phone Kelley at NARC (011 675 2393) and check that your correct information is on the database – license number and e-mail address are important.
Click on SA-QSL system link (on the left-hand side of the web page) and then click on “Need to Register”. Follow the instructions on the screen. Your username and password will be e-mailed to you which you can use to logon in future.
SARL and not yet SARL Members are requested to check their Electronic QSLs on a regular basis.
2023 Advertising in Radio ZS and the SARL Web site
Radio ZS and the SARL web welcomes advertising, it is a source of information for readers. Send your advertisement to Dennis, ZS4BS at radiozs@sarl.org.za.
Advertising Rates (effective 1 January 2023)
Display (cameo) on home page and Radio ZS: R300 pm; R1 700 for 6 months; R3 000 per annum
Commercial Hamad on home page - R100 pm – R300 for 6 months – R700 per annum
Terms and conditions
All contract advertisements content may be changed monthly on 5 working day notice.
The rates are based on the complete supply of material in Jpeg unless otherwise negotiated. For artwork additional charges may apply as agreed. A design service is available at R400 per advertisement.
The content of the advertisements must comply with regulations and norms acceptable in South Africa
All advertisements are playable in advance by EFT to SA Radio League, ABSA, account no 4071 588 849 branch code 632 005.
All correspondence and material must be sent to radiozs@sarl.org.za
Examination
home or while mobile in cars, boats or on foot.
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