Issue No. 33 - 1st December 2009

Bureau activity is again rather low as can be seen from the figures below. However Nick 9L1NH has done us proud setting skeds for RSARS members only and it was good to know that he was being kept a little busy. I use "little" because Nick was regularly calling but with NIL results, especially on Day 2. Conditions were certainly not the problem - my 100W from the rig, some of it into the Cobwebb which stands at 31 feet above ground (in old money) on Wednesday 25th November was sending and receiving 589 589; later with G3CIO this had dropped to 579 579 with 2E1SIS, later still, struggling at 569 569. While listening throughout I never heard Nick get worse than 569 and at best 589 into Chilwell. Listening to him calling CQ RSARS at 0824Z on Thursday 26th November without response I called him and we had a short but enjoyable QSO at 599 599 under perfect conditions, maybe down to Nick's Spiderbeam which accompanied him to Sierra Leone, but still a pleasure - and no QRM evident apart from that of one of our own members. This was during Nick's efforts on Wednesday morning - he knows who he is, and it wasn't his first time . To have to QSY because of the actions of one of our UK members, (who would have been copying Nick) after Nick had advised us of "14.056MHz from 0800Z = SKEDS" makes one think! No doubt it may be the same for Sam G4OHX in Africa next month - it had been the same during his adventures last year. It takes all sorts I suppose - anyway off my hobby horse
As to Net activity, there is good news and bad news so which would you prefer first? OK, the bad news is that Nets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings are just not happening. No, nothing to do with Alan G4BXQ or Keith G6NHY, but all down to or the lack of band conditions and propagation. I have sent out email messages on behalf of Alan G4BXQ advising members that as these conditions continue, and expected until the Spring as reported by our propagation guru, Barry G3YEU, he would try and operate an RSARS Net on Wednesday afternoons. Keith G6NHY quickly followed by announcing to members that he would check conditions each Thursday night, try for a Net if possible, but if conditions continued as is he would try and conduct a Net on Friday afternoons.
I am very happy to report that Alan G4BXQ was kept company by 17 members (18 in total in the net) including Carl DA6TEC who was having a well-earned day of rest from work. (No they don't have sports afternoons anymore!) I was in a group of members from around England mainly with Alan GWØVEM representing the Principality. All stations, apart from GØDTR with shack problems, were 59 into Chilwell (40/80 trapped dipole, inverted V, running north to south and only 29 feet high in the centre). The Net for MØOIC started at 1358Z and I was with Alan G4BXQ and our membership secretary George G3VBE enjoying 59 reports as we finally closed at 1623Z. No exchanges owing to a lack of "new ones" which would have been nice but still an enjoyable sports afternoon on radio. As a comparison I had 12 members (13 including me) in my gathering on Tuesday afternoon and again conditions were good. Band change noises started appearing on Wednesday as we were closing. Anyway Alan BXQ and those of us with him enjoyed this first Wednesday afternoon rendez-vous. Frequency to avoid conflict with established nets was finally 3.746.70MHz so look for us there each Wednesday afternoon if not found Tuesday night. Keith G6NHY also had a good crowd on Friday afternoon. So there you go guys!
Sadly the Bureau is still not being over-worked, had to pay off the lad, so if you are one of our recently-joined or less-than-active members we now have Nets where exchanges can be made every weekday morning on 40m, and Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons on 80m. We also have a Net on Thursday afternoon (a natter net - no exchanges) and of course our long standing Chatterbox Net (the next is number 1116) every Sunday on 80m (and certainly no exchanges there). RSARS Award chasing does carry a health warning for it can be addictive - and I speak from experience - I am glad to say. So please, if you are one of our more recently-joined members have a listen and dip your toe into the water, you may enjoy it. You are under no obligation to exchange details or cards. All that I request as Bureau Manager is that should you not wish to exchange cards please advise the member of this when he/she is being worked for there is nothing I dislike more than having to return cards to members at their expense. So in a nutshell "If you don't wish to use the Bureau please advise this fact to the other member while the exchange is taking place" many thanks.

Statistics

RSARS Net Information

In case you missed it rushing to read my Newsletter we do have a new page on our website. It is in addition to Shack Aid, and will keep members up to date on any Nets news or changes. Dick G3NVK, our webmaster is providing this additional service to members whilst we suffer changing band conditions requiring sudden changes which cannot wait until the next publication of "MERCURY". Email messages will of course continue to be sent to members using the RSARS email list server but as not all members avail themselves of this facility Dick has very kindly taken on yet another task to help us keep up to date with current activities - thanks Dick. All information is available in RSARS Net News on our website at: http://www.rsars.org.uk/NETNEWS.htm

A final reminder to members about the Hogmanay/Pop-In-Pop-Out Net, which will be running from 1200Z 31st December 2009. I will not give fine detail about who is doing what for all is revealed at the RSARS Nets News page just mentioned, HOWEVER: Please note 40m 1200Z David GM4FOZ for one hour as well as of course at 80m 1200Z Bryan G3CIO for one hour until taken over by Ian G8OFZ. PIPO Net running therefore on both 40m and 80m for first hour, G3CIO will then be heard, probably not in UK apart from maybe Wollaton calling CQ RSARS on 20m trying to make contact with Terry VA3TRM.

Some of my favourite things?
The shortage of QSL cards from members limits my choice for displaying within my Newsletter this month so I have taken the liberty of showing some of mine. "Now show me some of yours!"
In addition to chasing RSARS awards I also chase DXCC and IOTA, yes I may have mentioned this before (must get a life?) and these are but a very small sample taken from the front of my DXCC list card folder. I wonder if any member reading this and looking at cards will recognise (a) which one is held awaiting my next RSARS claim, and (b) recognise the member displayed upon it?
Next month I would expect to display cards received from Nick 9L1NH (G3RWF) 293 and F283 (both worked so looking forward to cards from Nick in due course) and of course Sam 5R8HX (call sign confirmed ) and ZS5/G4OHX with whom I have been involved in producing the cards so am privy to what they look like. However I have yet to work him - fingers crossed.

Finally, as this will be my last Newsletter for 2009, with Linda 2E1SIS (XYL and Assistant Bureau Manager) may we take this opportunity to wish you and your family a Very Happy Christmas and a healthy, enjoyable 2010 and beyond.