(RADIO-ZS Vol.60 No.2)
RADIO SCOUTING. MARCH/APRIL 2007
by Dave Gemmell
and the Broomstick Warriors.
JOTA 20/21-10-2007. AN UPDATE
Many thanks to Evan Davies ZS6EVD and LARK for the hard work that they are putting in to the preparations for JOTA and Sunrise Ceremony (1st August). Their efforts are concentrated at Mafikeng.
Applications for the callsigns ZS50MAF and ZS100MAF have been submitted. The applications for ZS100MAF AND ZS50MAF have been sent in to ICASA. Many thanks to Vee as well for checking the forms and getting through to the authorities.
Bear in mind that 1st August 2007 is the 100th anniversary of the first Scout Camp at Brownsea Island, UK so try to contact the special event station GB100BI which be operating at this time. Another special event station in the UK is GB100J which will be on the air at the 21st. World Scout Jamboree, to be held in Hylands Park, Chelmsford, Essex, from the 24th July to the 9th August 2007. This will be the largest camp held in the UK since the 1957 Jamboree.
ANOTHER CALL/REMINDER FOR DEMO. STATIONS.
Interested hams need only be on the air at times which suit themselves and for as long as they please but a continuous coverage of most of Saturday 20th October 2007 is really required.
Any non-JOTA station is welcome to contact JOTA stations. You are even more than welcome to demonstrate your favorite mode. We hope that both stations have the same equipment but don’t let this stop you as a few modes can be tried without much extra equipment. (Sometimes just a pair of ears will do!)
An important “thing” to remember is that the girls and boys like a bit of action so keep the chat to a minimum and let them try for themselves.
SPUTNIK???
Remember October 3rd, 1957 anyone or just the name?? The first artificial earth orbiting satellite and the first one that could be “heard” using relatively simple hams rigs. There were very few “established” hams at the time who didn’t tune in to the signals at least once. I’m not sure of every detail but I do know that the early Russian satellites transmitted data signals on 20 and 40 MHz.
The late Geoff Perry was a school teacher in the UK and visited SA as a guest of SARL about ten years ago. Geoff was interested in teaching his science students about the Doppler effect. He realized that the signals from the satellites seemed to have a higher frequency as they approach, a very noticeable change as it passed the point of closest approach then the frequency decrease to its “correct” value as it receeded. All the measurements were made with simple receivers and dipoles stretched between the school buildings. Now this what I call an excellent demo. for us.
Bacar (balloon carrying amateur radio equipment) was really used by hams to sharpen their skill in DF to track the satellites. Just a pity that once again expense takes its toll. Balloons move a little slower than satellites which makes things a little easier!!!
Please me news of your Guiding or Scouting activities of a radio nature to:- davegemmell@bmknet.co.za or P.O.BOX 77, IRENE, 0062 and TEL: 012 – 667 2153