Issue No. 52 - 1st July 2011

Well, what can I say? The merry month of May started well in keeping the dust at bay within the bureau, with higher than normal activity. Jubilant June has continued this activity with the highest monthly number of cards having been sent in by members since June 2005 being received. Furthermore, the bureau is no longer empty (that didn't last long?) so cards will be sent to a few members during the month of July. The bureau has the feel of June 2007 about it. This was but two months after my taking over the bureau when conditions, and therefore activity, were much more brisk than now. Well up to last April that is, for during the months of May and June I have been quite busy.
Many of the cards coming and going have been as the result of our Royal Wedding SES, Dennis GW4XKE and his team with their SES and of course our French travellers F/G3PNF and F/G0TAK. Mike (GU3WHN) very kindly activated GB2AFG (Armed Forces Guernsey) F313 and a large number of cards have already been received from Mike. So on behalf of members, gentlemen, many thanks for keeping us busy.

Future and Current Events (Full details on our website):-

For the CW operators there is a new N2DAN Key holder with AFF311 to chase - congratulations to the holder Derrick G3LHJ. If members are planning any special calls or overseas activities please feel free to let me know so that I can add details to this section, and importantly they can be included on our website.

Mike F/GU3WHN will be leaving his island for the pleasures of France very soon. No dates so listen out for F/GU3WHN which will be a new one for the Anniversary log.

RSARS 50th Anniversary Activity - 18 June 2011 for one year
GB50RSARS - AFF 300 various operators throughout the year.
G4RS - AFF 301 as above
G3CIO - AFF 302 as above

The 50th Anniversary activities have started, a bit slower than expected, and I get the feeling that one or two of us may have forgotten? However there is no need to panic for the three special call signs will be active up to 19 June 2012. Those members having volunteered have been given their two week operating slots and will be doing their best for members and the wider world. I note that Nick G3RWF with GB50RSARS has been spotted on the DX Cluster on more than one occasion so the word is getting round. Dick G3NVK, with G3CIO and Mike G0SWY with G4RS have been doing their best so if the three specials are not in your log maybe the problem lies closer to home? Working the 100 members required in addition to the three specials and four overseas members, if going for the Gold Certificate (I am) is of course up to us the members. So oil the key and/or dust off the microphone other members want to add you to their Anniversary log. These figures apply to members in zones 14,15 and 16 of course with different requirements for those members outside of those zones.

Full details of this Anniversary Activity are laid out in the RSARS Website and on QRZ.COM under GB50RSARS and under G4RS. It is there to be enjoyed and I hope that we all do our best to do so. Don't forget of course that if non-members wish to take part you could be in demand - again all information needed is in the rules.

Once again it is the number of cards received by the bureau that gives a true reflection of RSARS member exchange activity.

And finally. Many thanks to the members who have sent stamps into the bureau as they have reached a Nil balance. However, don't just send stamps alone for that is a bit of a waste of money. Please just wait until you can wrap your stamps inside a QSL card or two. Even though your account is at Nil balance I will still leave you on the bureau user list if I consider that you would wish to remain so.

Any questions you have my email address: bryanm0oic@virginmedia.com

May all of your Bureau envelopes be heavy ones.

73, Bryan MØOIC
RSARS 3867
QSL Bureau Manager