ARRL's Free Contester's Rate Sheet Email Newsletter - 4 May Issue
The 4 May issue was emailed to 12479 subscribers, jam-packed with announcements, news, technical tips,
and editorial content. Highlights included announcements, such as the upcoming two-week period in which
there are QSO Parties everywhere - A good weekend to put a dent in Worked All States, eh? For VHF+
enthusiasts, there are three big competitions, including the 6-meter and Microwave Spring Sprints,
sponsored by the Eastern Tennessee DX Association. Just a sample of the news - the Antenna and
Contest Hamvention Forums "change bands" to the Crowne Plaza hotel from the Hara Arena. There are
brand new videos available on the Icom America Web site (in the Amateur section under "2004
Hamvention..."). Technically, there's a big section of Web links to information about bolts for towers,
"Tick Talk" references to time and frequency. As always, the editor manages to horn in with an opinion,
"Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom" - an editorial about new types of contesting. The Rate Sheet is FREE
to ARRL members - just log on to your member services page and check the box to receive the
newsletter every other week at no charge. No fancy reader software required! You can read the back
issues at http://www.arrl.org/contests/rate-sheet/, too!
73, Ward N0AX
New Isle of Wight ATV Repeater on the Air
GB3PD, the new SCART ATV repeater co-sited with GB3IW at Stenbury Down, Isle of Wight, went
operational on Wednesday 20 April and initial results are excellent. GB3PD operates on 1316MHz, with
its input on 1249MHz. Howard Chapman, G3NZL, the repeater keeper says "A big thank you to everyone involved." [GB2RS]
2-metre Moonbounce Activity from the South Cook Islands
News for VHF 'Moonbounce' enthusiasts. Between about 5 and 30 May BobZL1RS, will be active as ZK1EME
from Rarotonga in the South Cook Islands on 2-metre moonbounce. There may also be some 6m
EME activity. He will be operating from a location on the lagoon edge at the northern side of the island in locator
BG08ct, so he says to expect some good ground gain on both moonrise and moonset during
northerly declinations. His operation will be mostly on JT65b. Bob notes that the window to Europe is very
limited, so he will be asking North American stations to stand by until moonset in Europe. Regular updates
and information will be on Moon-Net during May.
Finland's Public Telephones to be Shut Down
The surge in the popularity of mobile telephones means that a large percentage of Finland's public telephones
will be shut down within a year. Before the end of 2005, one phone service provider,
Telia Sonera plans to cut the lines to its telephone booths, and another provider Elisa also plans to
phase out its public telephones by the end of the decade. In addition to phasing out public
telephones, phone companies are also cutting back on their fixed land line telephone network. A TeliaSonera
manager says that the goal is to encourage the use of wireless services. This will lead
to the elimination of all of Finland's 1.5 million telephone poles. Finish Broadcasting Corp, YLE.
(Maybe the poles can be recycled as antenna masts- N3CVA)
Thank You, MS Walk Amateur Radio Volunteers!
On behalf of the Maryland Chapter of the National MS Society, thanks to the amateur radio operators who volunteered
their weekend mornings recently to help with the MS walks in Baltimore City and Towson. The numbers are in. The MS
Walks raised $560,000, up 11% from 2004. Baltimore increased 18% and Towson raised 83% more than last year. The beautiful
weather surely helped the turnout. Thanks to all of the hams who volunteered at these and other Maryland walk sites. Ian, N3CVA
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