THE SPARK
GAP
October 1996
We had a very constructive business meeting this past September 7th. The amended club Constitution and By-Laws that were sent with the last newsletter were voted on and approved. Also we now have a vacancy in the President and Vice President positions, therefore at the next business meeting on October 5th we will need to nominate and elect someone to fill these open positions. As editor I want to thank Howard W5UTL for the great job he did filling in as club President. Also want to thank Mr. John Davis W5DEJ for the Treasurer update and keeping such accurate records of the club's finances.
This will be old news for most of you by the time you receive it, but I thought I would mention it. We also voted to try the pre-amp back on the repeater for a two week period, just to see how it would effect signal reports. My observations are mixed. I love the extra receive range that it has. But really dislike the extra noise. I guess this trial will be all decided when I return from Ohio. Can we have both?
President
Report: I want to thank all
who have supported me during the absence of the elected President.
I would like to encourage all to pull together and continue to
support the newly elected President upon my resigning. W5UTL
Secretary Report: Don't forget to check into the Tuesday evening 2-meter net at 7 P.M. each week on 146.700. Any announcements, emergency traffic, or a simple hello and 73 can be passed along to others. Let us know how you are doing.
Treasurer Report: Thanks to all who have made a contribution to the new repeater fund. However; We still need $165.94 more funding. Please mail your contributions to John Davis, 2215 28th Ave, Meridian, MS 39301.
Slot
number update: Please add
slot #s to your list that was distributed in the August
newsletter.
19 KC5NMB - Tom
20 WA5URL - Charles
21 KC5CZX - Darrell
Propagation Forecast
From Tad Cook, KT7H
Seattle, WA September 6, 1996
To all radio amateurs
The Fall equinox is here, and the days are gradually getting shorter. 40 meters is the best nighttime band for worldwide propagation, while 20 is best during the day. We are still suffering from very low solar activity at the bottom of the current solar cycle, so MUFs are depressed. Expect big improvements over the next two years.
Solar activity was down only slightly last week compared to the week previous. Average solar flux and sunspot numbers were each down about a point. Solar flux peaked on the last day of August at 76.2,
the highest value since August 4.
Geomagnetic activity quieted down during the week after the disturbances at the end of the month. Quiet conditions should continue until September 19, with the possibility of disturbances peaking around September 25. Solar flux should decline and drop below 70 after September 10, and rise above 70 again about a week later. It should peak again around the mid seventies around September 23 or 24. Sunspot Numbers for August 29 through September 4 were 20, 16, 26, 11, 13, 11 and 11, with a mean of 15.4. 10.7 cm flux was 73.5, 73.3, 76.2, 73.5, 72.3, 71.2, and 70.8, with a mean of 73.
DX NEWS
From ARRL Headquarters
To all radio amateurs
This week's bulletin was made possible with info provided by Mauro, I1JQJ, the 425 DX News, Tedd, KB8NW, the OPDX Bulletin, Antoine, 3D2AG, Chris, G4BUE, the DX News Sheet and Contest Corral from QST. Thanks to all.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA, 3C1. EA6BH, will be active from Cogo October 16 to 22 as 3C1DX. Try 3005, 7005, 14005, 21005 and 28005 kHz for CW, and 14195, 21195 and 28495 kHz for SSB. Some RTTY is possible on 14088 kHz. QSL via EA6BH.
EAST MALAYSIA, 9M6. Saty, JE1JKL, operates 9M6NA from Labuan Island.
ROTUMA ISLAND, 3D2. The DXpedition planned by 3D2AG has been postponed until late October or November. 80 through 10 meter CW and SSB will be worked, and possibly some 160 meters and RTTY. QSL via CBA of 3D2AG only.
TRANSOCEANIC DX CHALLENGE
The West Park Radiops of Bay Village, Ohio, has announced the W8VM Transoceanic DX Challenge. The idea is to become the first Amateur Radio DXpedition team to establish a two-way QSO over the longest ocean path, which the group estimates at up to 22,000 miles. The end points of the path must be on continents or peninsulas that are part of DXCC countries. The trick is that a line between the two points may not cross land, including large islands or peninsulas. Entry forms and complete rules are available for an SASE from the W8VM crew. Write West Park Radiops Inc, 513 Kenilworth Rd, Bay Village, OH 44140.--Glenn Williams, AF8C
Hamfest:
October 5-6
MS Coast ARA, Biloxi, MS
B.J. Byrd, KB5CSQ
18316 Landon Road
Gulfport, MS 39503
601-832-3249
For Sale List: HandiCone - Solution to wheelchair accessibility parking problems
Have a great month
