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SARL Today HF Update with ZS4BS Focus on VHF/UHF/Microwave The ZS CW Group SARL Forum current topics Commercial Hamads

SARL TODAY! 

Breaking

SARL Diary of events - The Draft 2025 SARL Diary of Events can be downloaded from the SARL Diary of Events page on the yellow menu.

Documents for the 2025 SARL National Convention are available rom the Member's Only section under AGM Documents

BACAR 12 Payloads and Frequencies can be found at http://www.sarl.org.za/Web3/DocumentStore/20241106182920EXyJnSXFVA.PDF


The November 2024 Radio ZS and the Radio ZS Index are available for download. Click on Publications in the lefthand menu and select Radio ZS download.


The SARL VHF UHF and Microwaves DX Table dated 6 August 2024 has been uploaded. Get your copy http://www.sarl.org.za/public/local/VHF_SA_Records.asp 

The IARU Monitoring System Region 1 Newsletters are available at https://www.iaru-r1.org/spectrum/monitoring-system/

Beacon update.  

Become part of the Next Generation Science Beacon Project by making a contribution to the beacon fund. The fund is administered by AMSATSA as their contribution. Click Here  to go to the easy credit card facility. It is handled  by payfast, a secure paymentplatform. You contribution will be acknowledged.(pic SARL Karoo beacon site)

 


SARL ON-THE-AIR BULLETINS AND AMATEUR RADIO TODAY PROGRAMME  3 November 2024 

SARLNEWS with Herman Erasmus ZS6CTA Listen or download here

SARLNUUS  met  Christo de Witt ZS3CDW laai af/luister

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/download here .  

Transmissions: Sundays at 08:00 UTC on repeaters around South Africa including 145,750  and 145,725 MHZ in Pretoria. On HF 7 115 kHz by Louis, ZR4DJLAmateur 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


SARL sets up a Spectrum and Technology Workgroup  -With the publication of various Spectrum Policies and the imminent publication by ICASA of the equipment type approval policy, the Council of the SARL has decided to establish a Spectrum and Technology Workgroup which will be known by the acronym SARL STW.

The STW will coordinate the various previous initiatives such as the Technology Workgroup. The first tasks of the STW will be to develop a document to highlight opportunities for Amateur Radio in the recent gazetted Spectrum Policy for Economic Development. The STW will also coordinate the SARL’s participation in the SABS TC3 and TC74 EMC and Telecommunications technical committees, the WRC27 National Preparatory Workgroup (NPWG) and the IARU Region 1 EMC and Noise Monitoring (NMC) committees.  Another task of the Spectrum and Technology Workgroup will be to set up technology webinars.

The STW is inviting interested SARL and AMSAT SA members with an interest in the technology issues confronting amateur radio to join the STW.

Here is a real opportunity for the younger generation to contribute to Amateur Radio’s future and to gain valuable personal experience. Send an email with your contact details and your area of interest to sarlstw@amateurradio.org.za


Pay your SARL Membership fees online using PayFast. Go to https://mysarl.org.za/shop/ and select your membership category.


ICASA LICENCE FEES

PLEASE take note that it is YOUR responsibility to pay your license fee directly to ICASA.

The new fee structure is: 1 Year - R188,00; 2 Years - R359,00; 3 Years - R515,00; 4 Years - R656,00 and 5 Years - R784,00. The SARL highly recommends that you pay for a five-year license. This ensures you have a valid license for the next five years.

Payment must be made via EFT directly to ICASA using the following account: ICASA, Nedbank Corporate Client services; Account no: 14 62 00 29 27; Branch: 146245. Use your ICASA license number No “******-******” as the payment reference. Do not pay the ICASA fees to the South African Radio League.

If your licence is managed by the SARL, please follow the instructions as e-mailed to you by Noel, ZR6DX, the RAE Manager.

All other license holders must log into their account on the ICASA Customer Portal https://online.icasa.org.za/, click on the “Manage” button and then the “Renew” button; and select the number of years for the license period you want to pay for. The ICASA system will then send you an invoice, or you can click on “Invoice” and the invoice can be downloaded. You can then click on the “Pay” button and pay via you credit card, or you can do an EFT. Note, if via EFT then you must click on the “Upload Payment” button and upload the proof of payment. If the POP is not uploaded, then ICASA will not issue the new license.

The SARL cannot help you if the ICASA Customer Portal is slow or not responding. The SARL has got nothing to do with the ICASA system, which is a government system of the State Information Technology Agency. Be patient and try in the evenings or early mornings.


SARL/AMSAT SA display receives award at Science Forum South Africa 

 

WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE AWARD PRESENTATION HERE 

The SARL– AMSAT SA display at the Science Forum South Africa 2023 was awarded a special mention award for the best display and audience interaction. The award was presented at the closing ceremony of the forum on Friday afternoon. Hans van de Groenendaal ZS6AKV and Brian Jacobs ZS6YZ, who were responsible for developing and executing the display, received the framed certificate from the Dr Phil Mjwara, Director-General of the department of Science and Technology and Innovation. The forum at the CSIR convention centre was attended by over 4000 delegates.

The joint display, with the theme Science in Amateur Rado, featured the AMSAT SA dual band yagi antenna, a proto type of the AfriCUBE satellite, the SARL RF Noise monitoring system and the SARL two metre Karoo beacon project.

The RF noise monitoring system output was displayed on a large screen showing in real time the RF noise level at the convention centre.  It was significate to see the drop in the RF noise level at night when all the LED lighting and computers were switched off.

Brian Jacobs manned the stand full time assisted at various times by Hans van de Groenendaal, Cameron Eales , Koos Fick and Ruben Jansen van Rensburg.

The event was a worthwhile experience and a great opportunity to show that Amateur Radio is just not another hobby but a true technology pastime.


The 2024 SARL Diary of Events is available - click on the link in the yellow block on the left.


HOW TO CONQUER THE SARL HF CONTESTS - the presentaton by Chris Burger ZS6EZ is now available on YouTube.Watch it here

Video of contesting with ZS6EZ now on YouTube. A recording of the SARL Contesting with ZS6EZ is now available on YouTube. Click here 


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.


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  


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 her

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.


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.


2024 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 2024) 

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


HF Update with Dennis, ZS4BS - 9 November 2024 

Rodrigues Island, 3B9. Kazu, M0CFW will be active as 3B9/M0CFW from Rodrigues Island (AF-017) between 17 and 27 November. He will participate in the CQ WW DX CW Contest as 3B9KW. QSLs via LoTW and Club Log's OQRS.

Antarctica, ZS_ant. Oleg, ZS1ANF (UA1O, ex UA1PBA) will be active again as ZS7ANF from Wolf's Fang Runway, Queen Maud Land, Antarctica (AN-016) starting around mid-November until late February 2025. He will operate mainly CW on 40 to 10 metres. QSL via DL5EBE or RK1PWA, and LoTW.

Chile, CE. Team 3G7X (namely CE3CT, CE3SPR, CX6DRA, KQ7W, LU9FVS and LW6DG) will be active from Chiloe Island (SA-018) between 15 and 30 November. They plan to be active on 160 to 6 metres "all modes" and to participate in the CQ WW DX CW Contest as XR7X. QSLs via LoTW.

Saba, PJ6. Dave, WJ2O will be active as PJ6/WJ2O from Saba (NA-145) between 17 and 26 November, including an entry in the CQ WW DX CW Contest. QSL via N2ZN.

St Kitts, V4. Andy, N2NT will be active on 160-6 metres as V47NT from St. Kitts (NA-104) between 17 and 26 November. He will participate in the CQ WW DX CW Contest as V47T. QSL for both call signs via W2RQ.

Saint Martin, FS. Team TO9W (K9EL, K9NU, W9AP and W9MR) will be active again from Saint Martin (NA-105) from 30 November to 13 December. They will operate CW, SSB, RTTY and other digital modes on 160 to 6 metres with three stations. QSL via LoTW, Club Log's OQRS (preferred), or via W9ILY. See https://www.k9el.com/TO9W/TO9W.htm for more information.

Honduras, HR. Gerard, F2JD will be active again as HR5/F2JD from Copan, Honduras from late November to late March 2025. He will operate CW, SSB and digital modes on the HF bands and 6 metres. QSL via F6AJA (direct or bureau); log search on http://LesNouvellesDX.fr/voirlogs.php.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, E7. Celebrating Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina (25 November), special call sign E7BOSNIA will be active on various bands and modes between 10 and 25 November. QSL via LoTW. A certificate will be available, see https://www.qrz.com/db/E7BOSNIA for more information.

Belgium, ON. Members of the Radio Club des Ardennes (ON4RCA) will be active as OO80BB between 16 November and 15 December, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. QSL can only be requested via Club Log's OQRS until 31 January 2025.

Philippines, DU - DU0A is the new vanity call that was issued to Tim, 4F1GN (aka 4G1G, NP4TT, N4GN) on 6 November. He plans to use it "almost exclusively" from now on. "We are currently building a competitive contest station here at DU0A", he says, "where we hope to start breaking some regional records. Our first big operation will be during CQ WW DX CW in November, where we will have a strong team of operators in the multi-single category". QSL via LoTW (preferred), or direct to KU9C.

French Polynesia, FO. Look for FO/N5LCP to be active from Bora Bora (OC-067), French Polynesia on 11-16 November. He will operate SSB and FT8 mainly on 20 and 15 metres. QSL via LoTW, eQSL, or direct to home call.

Marshall Islands, V7. Janusz, SP9FIH will be active as V73WE (requested call sign) from Majuro Atoll (OC-029), Marshall Islands between 29 November and 13 December. He plans to be QRV on 40, 30, 20, 12 and 10 metres ("the operation will be limited to only few radio bands due to high costs of luggage ticket", he says). QSL via Club Log's OQRS. Bookmark  http://v7.dxpeditions.org for more information and updates.

India, VU. Provided that the AU2K operation from Kanika Island (AS-179) proceeds as planned and is completed successfully, the team is exploring the option of operating also from Sagar Island (AS-153). The operation is tentatively scheduled between 10 and 13 December. "We have applied for a special call sign, which will be announced on https://au2k.weebly.com once issued", Cezar, VE3LYC, reports. "The activation will be carried out by the entire team, using the same equipment employed in the AU2K project".

India, VU. Datta, VU2DSI will be active once again as AU2JCB from 15 November to 16 December to commemorate the birthdate (30 November 1858) of Indian physicist and radio pioneer Jagadish Chandra Bose. He will operate SSB on 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 metres, and FM on 50 800, 51 500 and 29 700 kHz. QSL direct to home call.

Andaman Islands, VU4. Krish, W4VKU will be back to the Andaman Islands (AS-001) and be active as VU4A between late November and mid-December. He plans to operate SSB and digital on 160 to 6 metres. QSL via Club Log's OQRS (preferred for both direct and bureau cards), LoTW, or direct to W4VKU. See https://www.qrz.com/db/VU4A for more information and updates.


CW News and Contesting 

The COOL

http://www.sarl.org.za/SAQSL/Default.asp

http://www.sarl.org.za/members/interest/interest.asp#Software

SARL Forum Active Topics
Mega CW QRS Week is approaching with RaDAR  09/11/2024  12:47:59
by: ZS6MSW
Take a break for 2025  08/11/2024  15:28:55
by: ZS6MSW
Ameritron SDA 100 screwdriver antenna  07/11/2024  17:12:17
by: ZS6PCW
Die Streek 1 Tussentydse Vergadering  07/11/2024  14:55:58
by: ZS4BS
The Region 1 Interim Meeting  07/11/2024  14:54:20
by: ZS4BS
The state of Amateur Radio repairs in SA  06/11/2024  16:56:04
by: ZS6ARF
Balloons Carrying Amateur Radio - BACAR-12 @ 07h00  04/11/2024  22:26:57
by: ZS6HI
Power Hour Tech Talk - HF Field Antenna Placement  04/11/2024  21:38:55
by: ZS6HI
The RaDAR Rally 2nd November 2024  02/11/2024  19:15:26
by: ZS6BNE
ICOM 706 requires repair  02/11/2024  07:25:44
by: ZS6MUE


Commercial Hamads 

ZS2BL's S.A. HAMSHACK

Direct importer of a wide selection of SWR meters, H.F., V.H.F. and U.H.F. base and mobile antennas. Amateur radio transceivers, antenna analyzers, etc. Affordable shipping costs for out of town customers and subsidized shipping to SARL members.Check out all my amateur radio goodies here. 0720268909. 


Place your commercial hamads on the home page.  Book a six months space for R300 or 12 months at R500 prepaid with order   The advertisements will be  text only up to 60 words including address, telephone number and click through URL to advertisers' website and email address. Adverisement can be changed  Send your contact details to admin@sarl.org.za and we will contact you or call the NARC at 011 675 2393


What is Amateur Radio ? 

Tell me more  about Amateur Radio

Radio Amateurs, or "Hams" use two-way radio communication to make contact with other radio amateurs all over the world. They are even able to use satellites and on occasion speak with astronauts. Radio Hams can do this from home or while mobile in cars, boats or on foot.

Radio Hams have a full range or communication modes at their disposal. These include plain voice, Morse code, numerous digital computer modes and even graphical modes like television. As a licensed amateur radio operator you will be able to join in experiments using all these modes.

A
mateur radio can be enjoyed by young and old, male and female, even the most severely disabled can make friends around the world from their own home. This hobby knows no boundaries.


Random Photo from the Call book.


 Michael J Barnard, ZS4MJB


     

Bombastic 



RF Design 

https://rf-design.co.za/ 



Hot Tools 

https://hottools.co.za/

Hot Tools



HMSA 

 





ICOM Hamshack 

                                       


Sam's Radio 

visit our web here

Call us on 011 802 2976 

 



Radio ZS 

On the lefthand menu, click on Publications and then on Radio ZS Download.

 Radio ZS



BACAR Flies Again 

 BACAR

On the morning of Saturday 16 November 2024, a Balloon Carrying Amateur Radio (BACAR) is scheduled to launch from the Trichardt Model Air strip near Secunda. The event co-ordinated through the Secunda Radio Club, ZS6SRC will be the twelfth flight and is named BACAR-12.

The idea is to construct a series of 1U cube satellites (10 x 10 x 10 cm) weighing not more than 500 g and string them together on the end of a hydrogen filled weather balloon and then ‘fly’ the payloads and see how the equipment works in a near space environment. While people are preparing their CubeSats, the chase team prepare and deploy to hopefully retrieve the string of CubeSats that parachutes to the ground after the ballon bursts. Some of the payloads include crossband repeaters, parrot repeaters, LORA trackers, WSPR beacons, SSTV payloads and APRS trackers.

If traveling to Secunda for the 5 AM meet on the Saturday is a bit much, there are camping facilities available at a very reasonable price through ZS6SRC.

Participation in the event is not limited to those with a payload, all are welcome to come join in and experience the fun but pack some snacks and a flask of tea or coffee as there are no facilities at the launch site, although town is just down the road, you do not want to miss out on anything.

As with most radio activities you also do not have to be at the point of transmission. People can also follow, track and try use the repeaters in the payloads from as far away as possible. A payload description and frequencies will be published in the next Radio ZS.

For more information or to participate contact Christo Kriek, ZR6LJK at christo.kriek@sasol.com or after hours on 082 907 9685.



Frequency Fanatics 

 


Worked All ZS award
An interesting operating goal

The entry level for the WAZS award is 100 different call signs. The programme has recently been expanded to include higher level endorsements, such as WAZS-200, WAZS-300, etc. Endorsements may also be obtained for specific modes, eg: CW, SSB, etc.
Click here for more information...
 


lboat034a.gif (1979 bytes)SA Maritime Net

The South African Maritime Mobile Net provides weather reports and maintains contact with sailing vessels from around the coast and high seas.
The net operates 7 days a week.

There are two regular schedule times as follows:

  • 06:30 UTC and 11:30 UTC on 14 316 kHz – high seas net.
  • 06:35 UTC and 11:35 UTC on 7 120 kHz – coastal net - the net lasts approximately 30 minutes .
Visit the official SAMMNet Website or their facebook page for more information.
 
   

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This page last modified: 22/9/2024