THE ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY

April the 7^th, 7 PM at the Lev Auditorium of the Tel-Aviv University saw a respectable turn-out to fulfill the obligations of our constitution, socialize and take a chance in the raffle of door prizes.

Eli Tal 4X6VR “ViRus” was chosen to chair the meeting which he did in his characteristic humorous fashion.

The first speaker was Mr. Moshe Galilee of the Ministry of Communications who informed us that 1200 amateur licenses were renewed in 2005 with 70 new licensees, the license fee being reduced in accordance with the Ministry’s policy of encouraging amateur radio. The Ministry will honor the IARC memberships wishes with regards to the future of the Morse requirement for HF access which at this time still holds in Israel. Next year will be the preparatory conference for the World Administrative Radio Conference (WARC) 2007 and the Ministry is pleased to have the IARC participate. PLC (Broadband Communications over Power Lines) remains an issue to be resolved, the Ministry having requested position papers from users of the HF spectrum. And finally, Mr. Galili praised Miriam Stessel 4X6KT who handles amateur radio licensing in the Ministry for her excellent and efficient work. (We all can echo that sentiment. –ed.)

Next, Yossi 4X6KJ, IARC chairman spoke. He has been kind enough to provide us with the text of his concise address, so it is fitting it include it here:

“Again, it is this time of year to sum up the activities of the year gone by; Va’ad meetings held during the past year, many times have dragged on too long, various subjects talked about at length, decisions finally taken. The process can and needs to be shortened if everyone does his “homework”

Joe Obstfeld 4X6KJ, IARC chairman

“Moadonim (clubs) With great difficulty, we have managed to get a person to handle the all-important task of Moadonim. It has been slow in getting of the ground, but resulting, in a first batch of candidates, taken the exam. Still, I must say that this all-important task is the future of our hobby; it has to be functioning more seriously.

“PLC We have had a heated discussion with the MoC (Ministry of Communications) about this subject at the IARC Office. Two representatives of the MoC participated in this debate. One of them specifically said complaints of Radio Amateurs do not really interest our office! The question is; “Is this also the Ministry’s opinion “? Unfortunately, we have been unable to stop the Ministry in its efforts to destroy the spectrum. I see with enormous concern, interferences with emergency services, if and when required and other vital spectrum users "BPL is not a radio spectrum user. It is a radio spectrum polluter,"

“Pikud Ha’Oref (Civil Defense Command)

Cooperation with Civil Defense Command, and the Evacuation Volunteers has somewhat improved, joined exercises were held, and from time to time, one can hear emergency traffic on our repeaters. Indeed our repeaters serve the public in time of need. A few life saving events have been recorded with the use of our repeaters. This proves again that amateur radio, is a valued national resource.

“Holyland Contest – Awards

Held in April, as every year, again produced world wide participation of foreign amateurs and a multitude of contest logs, as well as improving and collecting more squares for the popular Holyland Award. This years contest is held on 16 April, I sincerely hope that all present here, have HF equipment and will be active on the bands. Remember we are the “goodwill” Ambassadors of the Country.

“Ham Radio - And talking about Ambassadors of the Country, representation at the yearly amateur radio exhibition in Southern Germany, helped along by our sponsors Ahron 4X6AS (dates) and Ramat Ha-Golan Wines (wines). Was again a success on the international arena. This year as well, we hope to be present, to represent the IARC.

“Antfest - 4Z5KJ and his helpers have organized a memorable field day, at the “Ilanot Forest”. Complete with appropriate games in the field of amateur radio. More of these events should be organized, as it brings us all together.

“4XØMS The year ended with the DX-expedition to Masada, by a group of local amateurs, receiving permission to stay on the Mount overnight. Consequently, strengthening ties with the Massada management.

“Improvements; have been made on the IARC Internet Server, thanks to a dedicated team. An IARC “Forum” has been launched and we wish it success.

Last, but not least, a new and sophisticated IARC Callbook 2004/05 was been produced on a CD. Something we can be proud of.

“I like to thank Motorola for the hospitality, last years security problem has been arranged to the satisfaction of both parties.

“The Thursday lectures thanks to Tuvia have become a regular weekly feature.

I like to thank all those that have helped, contributed, supported the IARC during the year. And like every year, from this podium, I call for volunteers, to help IARC in all its activities”

Thus quoth Yossi, 4X6KJ, whom we are very grateful to have at the helm of our organization, who has given tirelessly of his time, efforts and resources for the good of amateur radio in Israel.

Next spoke Arieh 4X6UO, chairman of the membership committee. He reported that 70 new members were accepted to the IARC in the past year. Criteria have been drawn up for life and honorary IARC membership and fee reductions in special cases. An orderly membership data base is being prepared by Tuvia 4X4GT aided by Eli 4X4FD.

Miki 4X4KK, watchdog committee chairman, delivered his report, reporting that there were 14 executive meetings in the past year. He said that we have to get our act together in applying for funds bequeathed to the State in order to further the IARC’s educational activities.

Arieh Sharoni 4X4ND presented the financial report, showing that we have a healthy treasury with good reserves to fall back upon.

Yankele 4X1AH, IARC elder statesman and honorary president then addressed the duly assembled. He reminded us that all our functionaries are working voluntarily and praised their services. He wished to thank all. He praised the ongoing activities of the weekly meetings at the IARC HQ in Tel-Aviv, where one can hear lectures delivered on a wide spectrum of topics. Special mention was made of 4X4GT and 4Z1PF for keeping the series going.

4X1AH, Yankele Yitzhaki

The Amateur of the Year was announced – Eli Shahaf 4Z5NB for his community services.

Outstanding Amateur was named as Tuvia 4X4GT for educational activities.

Aharon and Shoshana Kirschner 4X1AT and 4X6OL were awarded a plaque for their life-long service to amateur radio which includes turning their home into the Holon-Bat-Yam amateur radio club, preparing scores of people for their amateur license examinations, and many other activities that would easily need a few pages to list.

Mark 4Z4KX presented the trophies to the 2004 Holyland and VHF-UHF contest winners.

The 2005 Holyland Contest took place this year on the 24 hours of April 16^th. Mark reports that up until the 12^th of May, 281 logs were received from outside of Israel. The claimed scores booklet will be available aty the IARC booth at the Ham Radio fair on Friedrichshafen.

Participation was high, with around 120 Israeli stations on the air. Conditions were so-so as the sunspots dwindled. Your humble scribe who made about 350 CW contacts (nothing earth-shaking… the 4X winning stations report well over a thousand QSOs for this period) found a dead 10 meter band whenever he tried to make some contacts there. On the other hand, 40 meters was exceedingly good, with Stateside stations pounding in louder than many Europeans, even well after sunrise!

Stations from every continent were heard in the contest, with some overseas stations making well over 300 contacts with 4X/4Z stations. There were many mobile and portable stations out in the rarer Holyland squares, some on the seaside going for a good salt-water ground and others on hilltops.

A new category was created for this year’s contest – QRP. Stations operating with 10 watts or less compete for a trophy specially donated by Vadim 4X4FJ

THE 2005 INDEPENDENCE DAY

VHF-UHF-50 MHz CONTEST

This year’s contest was on May 12^th, and lasted from 9AM to 12 noon local time. The idea was too make it short and sweet, so that the participants would have the remainder of the day free to enjoy with their families doing the other non-ham activities traditional for this fun holiday.

Last year’s conditions had been poor with a hot weather system and dust-storm limiting the range severely. We had all been hoping for the famous temperature inversion “duct” that is commonplace over the eastern Mediterranean especially in the summer, yet also prevalent in the late spring. A few days previously this had happened, yet alas a cool low-pressure system set in with even a few rain clouds, and it made operating a challenge. Sometimes, propagation would peak for just half a minute and a much more than line-of–sight contact could be made. The conditions also underscored the importance of good antennas, higher power, and good location.

The scoring for this test is the sum of distances of all contacts made. It got a lot of people out mobiling and going for the choice locations.

What’s most important - a good time was had by all.

THE ILANOT ANTENNA FEST

May 7^th saw over 150 callsign holders and their family members assemble in the Ilanot Forest, south of Natanya for a fun day and plenty of activities.

Actually, a number of hearty souls camped out there the night before, raising antennas,

enjoying a cook-out, some 807’s and 813’s and a sing-song around the campfire.

The smoke was thick that day as the burnt barbecue offerings were prepared.

As well as the operation of special stations on battery and generator power, there were a few interesting competitions and exhibits.

Mark 4Z4KX’s World-War II key collection in celebration of the 60^th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany was hooked up to a code oscillator so those present could try their “fist”. Dani 4X1FC displayed his collection of telegraph keys, also hooked up to be tried. Not content with sending CW by hand, two competitions were set up… one by keying a toilet seat with one’s own bum, and the other a large key on the ground to be operated by one’s left foot. (Old timer’s will require the Q signal QLF – “send with your left foot you lid.”)

Alex 4Z5KJ trying out the ASSKEY (not ASCII.

4X1FC being tested at QLF – left foot keying with Mark 4Z4KX on the left timing him. Is that a glass of Guiness in Dani’s hand to aid in the syncopation?

4X1DF operating a high-power mobile/portable HF set-up. Note that the engine has to be running to keep the battery charging. That’s a solid state linear amplifier on the table being cooled by three fans.

On the left, Shlomo 4Z5JO, collector of vintage radio gear, showing off just a few pieces from his museum. Note the World-War II vintage “Command Set” gear and frequency calibrator. (photo by 4X4GT)

There was also a goodly representation by the importers of amateur radio gear as well as a flea-market with many bringing their junk and other gear to part with in return for a few shekels.

A lot more was there, and rather than read about it, it would be best to be prepared to come to next year’s event. Suffice it to say that the atmosphere was exceptional, and at the time of writing, a week after, the bands are still reverberating with people recalling their experiences there and savoring the event.

Special thanks to Slava 4Z5MU for these photos that he so skillfully took. And thanks to the organizers headed by Alex 4Z4KJ.

NEWS SNIPPETS

A special operation activity is being planned for the 17^th Maccabiah games to take place from 10^th to the 21^st of July. About 7000 sports-people from around the world are expected to participate.

To commemorate the event, 14 stations will be on the air on all the bands and modes possible using the prefix 4X17 and suffixes that will spell out “MACCABIAH”.

Special QSL’s and awards are intended… keep your ears to the ground…

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4Z1PF has taken over the responsibility for the emergency network co-ordination. Good luck, Moshe! And thanks to Amnon 4X1DF for his work over the years in organizing this vital function and keeping it going. Nonetheless, is our hope that we’ll never need it.

And in the meantime, Amnon will be representing us at a convention on amateur radio emergency communications in the Phillipines this summer.

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One of Tuvia 4X4GT’s latest projects is a compilation of ALL the issues of HAGAL magazine since 1948. Although not 100% complete, there is plenty to see on the www.iarc.org/~4z1pf/ .

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A new Morse course has commenced at the IARC headquarters with a reported 17 participants. The main idea is to get the Technician class licensees upgraded to General. 5 words per minute shouldn’t be too hard.

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The inverting of the frequencies of the Haifa repeater has been almost incredibly successful. The location on the Haifa University high-rise tower atop the Carmel mountain is after many years, freed of QRM, really proving itself as a national repeater.

73 de Ahron and Ron

HAGAL INTERNATIONAL

Israel Ham News

J une 2005