| Lists (updated monthly) of RSARS QSL BUREAU USERS are available from our E-LIBRARY |
by MØOIC - QSL Bureau Manager RSARS QSL BUREAU |
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Issue No. 22 - 1st January 2009
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Doesn't time fly when you are enjoying yourself? Here we are at near the end of 2008 and I am, no doubt like many, wondering where it has gone. Amateur radio-wise I am aware that many of us still try our best to enjoy it as is borne out by the odd interesting data being passed by the RSARS email list server and many thanks to those involved for allowing us this facility. Personally I do think it works well and for the benefit of its members and it is just a little sad that not all our members avail themselves to signing up to the system. Those that cannot, those without email facilities, I can understand but the rest - why not? Member activity has been well covered by me in my earlier newsletters or by Dick, our webmaster, on this website. Looking back there have been some interesting ones to chase and of course Mike M1CCF was one of those looking after our interests as award chasers. I made mention that I would be hoping that cards from Mike would arrive before emptying the Bureau and true to his word they did. An interesting selection of cards as can be seen by the attached images and it is nice that he went to a lot of trouble in making each card unique and interesting. I have my full set ready in my bundled next claim awaiting despatch to our Awards Manager in a few days' time. Looking at the cards from Mike it is of course worth mentioning that these do not produce themselves with all work from getting the call sign and AF number, to logging, designing, printing, completing and sending - all done by Mike. Again Mike many thanks if you are reading this; and of course the same to our other Special station organisers. Mentioning the past makes one wonder about the future and what 2009 will bring? Propagation is still very uncertain and how positive and/or negative it will be still depends on which article you read. Our friends and fellow RSARS members in VE and VK are starting to discuss skeds for PSK31 so that is a very good sign and I look forward to a few cards passing between UK and our Overseas members, including yours truly I hope x 3. We are aware that Sam G4OHX will be active as V8FHX around 11th to 23rd February and Roger G3YBO as GD3SIG for a few days 27th April until 4th May which will be appreciated by those who require this to complete the set for the G3SIG Award, or assist in getting the set. Rumour control mentions a couple of UK specials by Dennis GW4XKE (no doubt his last ---again - hi!) Maybe also another by Mike M1CCF I think? Sadly that is it for the moment however we do live in hope for others to appear. A large card-producing event of course will be the May Anniversary Activity when it is hoped that our more recent joining members will be made aware of its existence. Our two local new members will definitely be aware! Anyway 2009, as yet unknown, could be an interesting year for radio and we just hope it is a positive one. The end of year activity reports sadly confirm what I have been grumbling about all year and I am sure that you don't need me to clarify this drop in activity. I have produced results for the month of December followed by the year's in total.
Obviously no cards being sent in December 2006 was as the result of the Bureau clearout during the month of November. January 2009 will be nil, or near nil, owing to my clearing the Bureau in December 2008. As always it is the Bureau receipts that give a true image of Bureau activity and in case we get excited about the high activity this month it is of course thanks to Mike M1CCF in sending 69 cards for his special stations, seen attached in glorious Technicolor  Ignoring this 69 it shows the still falling trend as 167 received excluding those from Mike.As the Bureau records only go back to March 2005, this year is not shown, full years only from 1st January to 31st December are shown below for:
As I complete this final section we are now into the year 2009 for the Hogmanay/Pop-In-Pop-Out Net has just come to an end which enables me to make a rough comment as to its success or otherwise. With the absence of Peter GØRGB owing to family problems, I am led to understand from others, we were joined by Ian G0RCS (G8OFZ) as Net Controller covering the period 1400 - 1600hrs. Well done to Ian for jumping in and I hope that he enjoyed his on the job training, and in fact he did find it such an enjoyable experience he has volunteered to cover for Peter on Thursday 1st January 2009 - a good radio start to the year. Conditions have been much better than anticipated with all 80m Net Controllers having more than 30 stations listed in their PIPO logbooks and I look forward to receiving a positive report from Brendan 2EØBDS running his net on top band. Alan G4BXQ on closing his two hour block at 0007 hrs 1st January 2009 announced that he had 42 call signs listed so a successful 12 hours. A full report on the Hogmanay/Pop-In-Pop-Out net 2008 will be produced and sent to our "MERCURY" editor in good time. To the members who have done their best to help the Bureau run easily (cards all facing the same way, in member order number etc.) I thank you. To the member who throws his cards on the floor, let's the cats shuffle them in a sack before putting them in the envelope, I hope that Santa was kind to the cat and it has better things to do with its time this year. Incidentally no foreigners found after Bureau clearout, so it was totally devoid of life (apart from the odd spider maybe - all protected in this house hi!) for near 48 hours. However I am pleased to record that we do have a few in store now ready to start off the year. Take care and be warm, and a very happy, prosperous and healthy 2009 to all. 
73,
 MØOIC RSARS 3867 |
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