Monthly Archives: February 2007

MUSEUM NEWS. JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2007.

Posted on by
Reply

(RADIO-ZS Vol.60 No.1)

MUSEUM NEWS. JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2007.

by Dave Gemmell ZS6AAW
and the Old Timers.

IONOSPHERIC PROPAGATION.
Some of you my think this Column is not Museum News but delving into the history a bit makes interesting reading!
MNI TNX to Hannes ZS6BZP for comments.
Some points have arisen over the past year. As most hams know, the SA Antique Wireless Association, ZS0AWA net on Saturday mornings 08H30 to about 10H00 on 7070 kHz. I join in from the “Wireless Room” at the SAAF Museum, using my 30 year old FT-101B and three band Trap Dipole. Like any Ham worthy of this title, I keep a log ………..
The following signal report analysis makes interesting reading. The values are very subjective because I “estimate” these values by ear and not the set’s S-meter. {The explanation will be in the next issue of RADIO-ZS.
There are not really many readings to go on but very interesting all the same!!!! As you see I have taken an “average” of several stations of each Region. Unfortunately my R/S at the other stations wasn’t given to me very often.

R/S No. of Stations
ZS6 (mainly Wits area) = 3/3 to 5/6 5
ZS6 (Magaliesburg area) = 5/8 1 or 2
ZS5 (Dbn & Pmb) = 5/9 5
ZS5 (Estcourt area) = 5/7 to 5/8 2
ZS4 (ZS4SM Sasolburg) = 3/3 to 4/4 1
ZS3 No Stations = 0
ZS2 (PE area) = 5/6 to 5/7 2
ZS2 (Occasionally Knysna) = 5/5 to 5/7 1
ZS1 (mainly Cape Town) = 4/4 to 5/5 1
Z22 (Z22JE Dudley) = 5/9 1

Is it due to; a) due to poor ionospheric conditions, b) equipment and/or antenna or c) Type of antenna d) All three!
The fact that the above summary has stayed more-or-less the same of at least 18 months, if not two years, makes the subject more interesting!
One last point, I’ve been dealing with JOTA Reports for 10 years now, that’s almost one whole sunspot cycle. Invariably these stations complained about poor conditions. I’d accept this reason for two or three years but for 10 ????
The main question is …….. “Are we trying hard enough or just given up before we start???”
Can listening to some of the overseas BC stations give an idea of how ionospheric propagation conditions are behaving. I have listened to BBC transmissions on 6195 kHz from Swaziland and noticed that the signal fades away, completely at times, but does come back again. I know that the signal of this BC station has got a wollop, quite a few kilowatts but it does give you an idea!!!

The address is (as usual!!!); davegemmell@bmknet.co.za and
P.O.BOX 77, IRENE, 0062 and TEL: 012 – 667 2153

RADIO SCOUTING. JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2007

Posted on by
Reply

(RADIO-ZS Vol.60 No.1)

RADIO SCOUTING. JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2007

by Dave Gemmell ZS6AAW
and the Broomstick Warriors.

100TH ANNIVERSARY OF SCOUTING.
This year marks the date on which held the famous camp of Baden Powell at Brownsea Island which is taken as the start of the Scout Movement. The first day of the original camp was 1st August 1907 so a “Sunrise Ceremony” has been arranged for the same date in 2007.
The 21st World Scout Jamboree will be held at Hylands Park, Chelmsford, Essex, just NE London from the 27th July until 8th August 2007. They are hoping for 32,000 Scouts and 8,000 Adults including the International Service Team. The Jamboree will feature a Amateur station GB100J. Another station GB100BI will be established at Brownsea Island, near Portsmouth, on the south coast of England.
Both stations will probably use the same frequencies and modes, that is, 20m, 15/10m, 17m, 40/80m, VHF and Echolink, plus PSK 31and a possibility of Slowscan TV.
South African hams who are interested in helping with operating these stations, are welcome but there a few conditions, such as, being over 18 and having to be a member of your SA National Scout or Guide Association. Dare say, you will have to pay your own airfare and “chip-in” accommodation costs, and so on. Successful applicants must be available from the 24th July to the 9th August to include set up and dismantling of the station. If authorised you may extend your period of help on site from 21st July to 14th August 2007. This could be an interesting experience!!

Copies of the Team Member ‘Invitation’, which states the all the conditions, and ‘Application Form’ are obtained from the e-mail address below.
Full information about the Jamboree can be found on the Scout Association Official UK Website . www.wsj.scouting2007.org
And www.scouts.org.uk/ukcontingent

SOUTH AFRICA’S ROLE.
Evan ZS6EVD in Mafikeng and Eddy ZS6BNE have expressed great interest in operating from at Mafikeng on 1st August and 50th JOTA. This station will probably have an very “desirable” important More details will follow in the next issue of RADIO-ZS once more definite plans have been arranged.

THE CENTENARY OF SCOUTING RADIO AWARD.
An Radio Amateur award has been organised by an English Scout Group for 2007.
The main objectives are to help celebrate and publicise the centenary of Scouting through the medium of radio. Although not intended for profit, any surplus made will go to support Radio Scouting in developing countries.
Duration. The Award will begin at 00:00:01 on 1 January 2007 and finish at 23:59:59 on 31 December 2007.
Stations are required to contact Scout and Guide stations especially at The World Jamboree, Gilwell Park and Brownsea Island stations.
More details can be found at www.scouting100award.org.

The address is (as usual!!!); davegemmell@bmknet.co.za and
P.O.BOX 77, IRENE, 0062 and TEL: 012 – 667 2153

SA ANTIQUE WIRELESS ASSOCIATION

Posted on by
Reply

Every Saturday the members of the SA Anitique wireless association meet on 7070 kHz LSB at 08H30 sast for the weekly net.
Membership of this association is free. Any licenced radio amateur with an interest in restoring old radio and electronic equipment may join.
A CW morse code) net is run on Saturday afternoons at 14H00 sast on 7020 kHz.
There is also an AM net (amplitude modulation) i.e. double side band full carrier, on 3615 kHz most mornings at 05H00 sast
New members and/or reports are welcome.

The ZS0AWA Net will resume operating once more at the times and frequency 7070kHz on Saturday 05-01-2008. Monitor 3615 kHz as well.

SA Model Jet Nationals

Posted on by
Reply
17/02/2007 – 09:00
18/02/2007 – 17:00

SA Model Jet Nationals, with two hours of SAAFM Aircraft displays.
(All possible assistance is necessary if we are to make a success of this, our first event of the Year).

Flying of Museum aircraft viz Harvard, Kudu, Bosbok and the two Alouettes (II & III) will commence at 09h00 until 11h00. Thereafter it is the Model Jets competition with 22 aircraft participating until 17h00 on Saturday and from 10h00 – 17h00 on Sunday. A flyby at 11h00 of a REAL Spitfire Mk24 is also a strong possibility.