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by MØOIC - QSL Bureau Manager RSARS QSL BUREAU |
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Issue No. 20 - 1st November 2008
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To the many members that record the membership number on each card and send them in member order to the bureau may I please pass on my thanks and appreciation for it does save me a bit of time in filing - for those that don't - well it would be nice?  Plans change. Last month I made mention of the fact that the bureau was not all that full and I would not this year take it to the LARS Rally at Donington. In a moment of madness (a long moment) I decided, with the assistance of Linda 2E1SIS, to pack it into envelopes and take it with us. It does take a while to transfer out of the bureau, in member number order, to envelopes with cover notes, into call sign order, then back into the bureau, in member number on return but it is worth it. This activity also allows me to carry out a 100% check of the bureau against my management sheet which is not a bad thing now and then. Fifty eight (58) members had signed in at the RSARS stand on the Friday by the time we departed and of those, sixteen (16) members received envelopes of varying thickness containing cards. It was nice that this was reciprocated by a few members including 38 cards from Vic G6DIF - thanks Vic. In addition to this fine bunch from Vic, cards as the result of activities by Les C3/EA5AVL, Dennis EA5/G3PNF, Roger HB9/G3YBO, Sam 5Z4/G4OHX and others, have been arriving throughout the month and members will note that incoming is up on last month. Our rejoined member, Carl DA6TEC, has not only created a bit of activity and enjoyment on nets but also of course activity in the bureau. It is always great to work a new or rejoining member who has been absent for a while but even more so when he is now an overseas member Cards from Sam 5Z4/G4OHX are already en-route to many members. Two versions have been produced and images of both are attached. Whilst produced by me, I used a photograph taken by Grace, Sam's XYL, for the second card. Luckily she was not required to climb thorn bushes whilst at the same time attacking, or being attacked by, flies on this occasion. The photograph of the buffalo was actually taken by Grace during their safari in the Masai Mara which did sound quite memorable. (I knew I should have carried their cases?) The third card is one printed and produced by Vic G6DIF. It shows the Reverend Theodore Hardy receiving his Victoria Cross from the King at Frohen-le-Grand on 9th August 1918. Always nice to receive a card with a bit of history attached. The fourth is the card, a sample of which was sent to members from Les C3/EA5AVL when QRV from nr Pas de la casa, Andorra. Les did well under very difficult conditions to work members plus the added expense and time driving further than planned each time to transmit and was appreciated by many of us. QRM made conditions unworkable at his holiday QTH. The fifth, a bit closer to home, is from Ken G3CSY. I have not only shown this for the interest of members, and my love of this area but to advise that Ken is still well and on radio each week with friends both SSB and CW of course. A member did ask so I hope that he reads this newsletter? G3CIO F043
G3CIO has been in existence since 1947, with HQ RSARS being established at Catterick Garrison and the Catterick Radio Club becoming the headquarters station. It remained so until 1st April 1967 when G4RS was transferred to the RSARS and this call sign became the Headquarters Station G4RS HQ.G3CIO F043 remained as Catterick Club station, where it was operated and/or worked by many of our members until camp closure when the call was obtained by Ray G3EKL (sk) in order to retain the call for the Society. It was held by Ray on behalf of the Society until going SK in July of this year when it was automatically returned to the archives of OFCOM.It was suggested by Kit GM4EMX 0404 that the call sign should again be registered with RSARS. This was discussed in Council and it was agreed, owing to his regular radio activity, that MØOIC should make contact with OFCOM and obtain the call again for RSARS. With thanks to Dick G3NVK, Stephen Webb, son of G3EKL (SK) plus the efficient and very helpful staff at OFCOM the transfer of the call was carried out speedily and without problem. With effect from 27th October 2008 G3CIO F043 is now located with M0OIC at Chilwell where it will be regularly activated using SSB, CW, PSK31, RTTY and VHF. Understandably Linda 2E1SIS 3900 was the first member worked from Chilwell using 2M FM (me out in the cold with the handheld Linda in the warmth operating the FT897. Alan G4BXQ was the first CW contact and ten (10) members obtained a point and first contact with G3CIO during the evening net of Thursday 30th October. G3CIO will call into other nets when conditions allow and be looking for members around other mode frequencies. Obviously G3CIO has obtained many awards over the years and some of these are now located in Chilwell and images of these are attached for those interested. In view of this G3CIO does not require any cards for contacts made (that hurt) but all members worked are guaranteed a card which will normally be in the bureau ready for despatch within 24 hours
Statistics
The number of cards moving in and out of the bureau continues to be lower than in previous years however Oct 2008 is better than Oct 2007. This is owing to the activity of the few providing enjoyment for the many and I am still kept in business. I am just happy that my wage is not performance related
Finally again many thanks to those members doing their best to keep up RSARS activity by running special event call stations, holiday overseas specials, and of course net controllers, often working under rather "uncomfortable" conditions on 80M. What can one say about our net controllers on 40M - they deserve a RSARS perseverance medal if nothing else. One of these days I will be able to switch on and hear Sam G4OHX running his net without the assistance of Dave GM4FOZ and John EI5JN. Also to call into Dave's nets and hear more members than the two in Grandtully and Union Hall. One of the days …………….. Take care and be warm. 
 73,
 MØOIC RSARS 3867 |
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