Issue No. 37 - 1st April 2010

There are obvious signs of Spring in the air. Daffodils are mingling with our snowdrops, birds at our local nature reserve and back garden appear to be pairing up, selection of nest items appears to be in preparation. Closer to home, for members using the Bureau, there is a feeling that members are getting up to date or clearing backlogs of QSL cards. Maybe it is increased Royal Mail charges, more of that later, but it feels good :)

Edna M6ELA, QSL Manager for GB95STD, has confirmed receipt of a thick large envelope from the Bureau at Chilwell. She advises that 'STD' cards are being printed, are expected and cards for RSARS members will soon be completed and despatched. It is great that Edna has taken on this important duty for STDARC which has enabled exchanges with one of our Affiliated stations to work so well.

Our propagation guru Barry G3YEU keeps me up to date with activity forecasts and it is good that things appear to be getting better. Tuesday and Thursday evening nets are now back in their published locations instead of temporary slots on Wednesday and Friday afternoon. My Tuesday afternoon net used to run on 7.070MHz before changing (disappearing) conditions forced the move to 80m. Members will read this again in "MERCURY" and in Net News on this website, but I plan, with the assistance of the usual Tuesday afternoon net members to call CQ RSARS from about 1350hrs (Chilwell time ) on 7.070MHz +/- QRM from Tuesday 13th April 2010. The aim of this move is not only to get back onto our original frequency but importantly to allow members without converted rigs and those unable to operate on 80m to join us again on a Tuesday afternoon net at 1400hrs. If 7.070MHz +/- fails we will QSY to around 7.170MHz +/- and if it all fails on 40m we will end back on 3.743MHz +/- as usual. Conditions are improving and we will certainly do our best to keep on 40m; it maybe a bit messy until things are settled. Slightly OT for the Bureau News but if the end result is more work for me I am more than happy to advertise the Tuesday afternoon net :)
If you can please join us and add your support to this move. As always exchanges are welcomed (they keep me busy) but bring along an interesting subject or two to keep us going.

I made mention of increased postal costs with the price of 2nd and 1st class stamps going up (is there any other way for prices?) and of course for sending to our Overseas members. Already I try my best to be sensible as to how often I despatch envelopes to members but if you would prefer to receive them less frequently (or more often) please let me know - it is your choice. However ALL members will receive their cards when I have a major Bureau clearance to get rid of spiders' nests (much to Linda's dismay of course).

The 1st Class Letter price will increase to 41p. (Not required by the RSARS QSL Bureau as a waste of money) The 2nd Class Letter price will increase to 32p. The 2nd Class Large price will increase to 51p.

The Bureau requires 5 x 2nd Class, or as some members are already supplying, 10 x 2nd Class, stamps. The Bureau takes one out of five to supply 4 envelopes and cover other Bureau expenses. (2 stamps out of 10). Fewer than five sent, the Bureau still takes one so work that out?

To our Overseas members, sadly of course, International charges will also rise.

LOTW & eQSL.cc

Always guaranteed to start discussions between the for and against users of the LOTW & eQSL.cc. Not knowing any better I signed up to eQSL soon after being licensed and being very aware that other radio users value these I have continued but only for that reason for sadly ARRL, RSGB IOTA and RSARS do not recognise them. CQ and the DARS recognise eQSL and of course ARRL recognise all LOTW confirmations. Rumour has it that one of these days RSGB IOTA will recognise LOTW which will please me for I do have quite a number of IOTA confirmations listed and my DXCC currently stands at 136 with my WAS standing at 33, and of course paper cards can be added to these totals. Yes I am pleased that Nick 5X1NH (G3RWF) also uses LOTW and good to see that we made contact a few times during these past two years.

LOTW

14 Records Shown (1-14)
Sorted by call sign

I was pleased to receive an eQSL from our member John VK4EMM for our recent QSO, so I thought "well I am short of interesting paper RSARS cards so why not attach a few eQSL.cc cards that I have received from members?" Who knows they may even generate a bit of heated discussion? The wall of cards can be seen by going to: eQSL DISPLAY

Finally, I would appreciate any interesting QSL card scans and stories in support to add a bit of interest to my Newsletter. "Check Net News for changes"

73, Bryan MØOIC
RSARS 3867
QSL Bureau Manager
Number 6 (Six) Greenland Crescent
Number 6 (Six) Greenland Crescent
Number 6 (Six) Greenland Crescent

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