SARL NEWS - SUNDAY 22 JANUARY 2012

You are listening to ZS6SRL, the official radio station of the South African Radio League, the national body for amateur radio in South Africa, with a news bulletin every Sunday at 08:15 CAT in Afrikaans and at 08:30 CAT in English. To listen to a web stream, visit www.sarl.org.za, click on 'Amateur Radio Today' and follow the links for details. PLEASE NOTE: for audio via Echolink, connect to ZS0JPL-R.

You can download this bulletin and previous ones from www.sarl.org.za and also subscribe to receive future bulletins by e-mail.

Your newsreader this morning is (name), (call sign), on 145,725 and 7,066 MHz from Pretoria, with relays on 3,695 MHz SSB.

SILENT KEYS

It is with deep regret that we have to announce that the key Jacques Bauermeister ZS1FE, member of Oakdale RAC committee, became silent during the night of 13 January 2012. Our sincere condolences go to his wife and children.

It is also reported that the key of Kobus van Rooyen, ZS2KVR ( previously ZS1KVR), went silent earlier this week. Our sincere condolences to this wife Ansie, ZS2AVR, and children.

(PAUSE)

In the news today:

SARL ANNOUNCES THE 2012 RAE DETAILS

ANNUAL LICENSE RENEWAL

NOMINATIONS FOR COUNCIL OF THE SARL

You are listening to ZS6SRL. Stay tuned for more details on these and other important and interesting items.

SARL ANNOUNCES THE 2012 RAE DETAILS

The SARL has announced the details of the 2012 Radio Amateur Examinations. The May exam will be held on 24 May 2012 with the closing date for registration on 27 April 2012. The October exam will be held on 18 October 2012 with the closing date for registration on 21 September 2012. The registration fees have been adjusted to align with the new ICASA rates for license application and the first year license fee.

Candidates will, on registration, receive complimentary membership of the SARL which include copies of the electronic Radio ZS and full access to the web. Candidates will enjoy free membership till 30 June 2013. The main objective of the complimentary membership is to involve candidates more in amateur radio and activities.

Full details can be found on www.sarl.org.za, select “Licensing” from the left hand menu on the home page.

ANNUAL LICENSE RENEWAL

Radio Amateurs are reminded that the license renewal date is 1 April 2012 when the new annual fee also comes into operation. An Amateur Radio License will cost R120. ICASA has indicated that license reminders will be posted soon. Should you however not receive an invoice the responsibility remains yours to pay the renewal fee by 1 April 2012. Payments can be made electronically or at any post office. Be sure to quote your callsign and your account number which you can find on your license or previous account.

NOMINATIONS FOR COUNCIL OF THE SARL

Members are reminded that nominations for the Council of the SARL close on 31 January 2012. A nomination requires a nominator and a seconder who both need to be current members of the SARL. Also required is a brief amateur radio related CV of the nominee and a letter that he or she is willing to stand for election and, if elected, serve on the council. Nominations should be addressed to the Secretary of the SARL. Scanned documents may be sent by email to secretary@sarl.org.za

DXCC SEES AN INCREASE IN APPLICATIONS

Interest in DX is growing. So says the ARRL. The ARRL reports that it appears as if more amateurs are working DX these days. This in turn means the ARRL's Membership and Volunteer Programs Department, especially the DXCC Desk and the ARRL Incoming and Outgoing QSL Bureaus, are working very hard in processing applications and sending out cards via the different QSL Bureaus.

In 2010, the DXCC Desk processed 7 134 applications for initial awards and endorsements. These 2010 applications included 853 462 QSOs. In 2011, the DXCC Desk processed 11 175 applications, representing 1 250 864 QSOs.

Sharon Taratula is the Membership and Volunteer Programmes Administrative Manager. She explained that comparing 2010 to 2011 represents a 47 percent increase in the number of QSOs and a 57 percent increase in the number of applications received.

And that's quite an impressive increase in any area of amateur radio.

CLUB NEWS

THE PEARS VHF/UHF CONTEST IS NOW UNDER WAY

The PEARS National VHF/UHF Contest started on Friday evening and will continue until 14:00 CAT on Sunday afternoon. At the time of writing this bulletin a number of field stations in Divisions 1, 2 and 6 have announced that they will participate in the contest. We are hoping that La Nina will play along and not disturb the weather. There is still some time left this morning to give some points away to contestants, so give it a try. PEARS wishes all the contestants good luck and thank you for your participation.

PROPAGATION REPORT

Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP, reports that the solar activity is on the increase with some geomagnetic effects expected. Sunspot 1 401 continues to pose a threat for M-class flares.

For the people doing their own frequency predictions the expected effective sunspot number for the week will be around 104.

All the bands, from 20 to 10 m, will provide lots of DX fun with the higher bands typically opening first and the lower bands opening later during the day. With the increase in solar activity 6 m may also provide some exciting openings.

Please visit www.spaceweather.co.za for further information.

DIARY OF EVENTS

22 January – Last day for the PEARS National VHF/UHF Contest.
31 January - Last day for submission of nominations for Council members and also for submission of motions for the 2012 SARL AGM.
31 January - Closing date for submitting papers for SA AMSAT Space Symposium.

Remember that nominations may still be submitted for SARL awards which will be presented at the gala dinner which will take place over the weekend of the 2012 SARL AGM. Send nominations to secretary@sarl.org.za.

SARL News invites clubs and individuals to submit news items of interest to radio amateurs and shortwave listeners. Submit news items - if possible - in both English and Afrikaans to www.sarl.org.za/newsinbox.asp, not later than the Thursday preceding the bulletin date.

The SARL also invites you to listen to Amateur Radio Today every Sunday morning at 10:00 CAT on 145,750 MHz in the Pretoria area, with relays on 7 082, 7 205 and 17 760 kHz. There is also a podcast by ZS6RO. For a web-stream and Echolink by ZS6FCS, visit www.sarl.org.za, click on 'Amateur Radio TODAY', go down the green column and click on 'LISTEN ON THE WEB'. A repeat transmission can be heard on Mondays at 17:30 UTC on 4 895 kHz. Sentech sponsors the ARMI transmissions on the non-amateur frequencies.

You have listened to a bulletin of the South African Radio League, compiled by Gustav, ZS6BWN.

Thank you for listening, 73.
/EX



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