Ham Radio 2004

A taste of Israel at Friedrichshafen…

Wine and dates from the Holy Land.

The Annual Ham Radio fair for 2004 was held as usual at the end of the month June.

The IARC booth was put together by DL2FDP, 4X1DF, 4X1UK, 4X4CM, 4X6UU, 4Z5LI, and 4X6KJ. As every year the assigned spot of the stand is different from the year before, one can never really anticipate the entire scenario.

There are always surprises that have to be solved in a spontaneous method with improvised tools and materials.

At around 18.00 hours (local time) all was finished, everyone went to his respective hotel, to freshen up and assembled at a pre-arranged spot and hour to go to dinner.

Next morning, as the Fair opened at 09.00 o'clock, the wine from "Hagolan Wineries" and the dates from "Ahron 4X6AS" were tested, by the first visitors to pass by the I.A.R.C. stand.

The variety of “Palphot” pictures books about Israel, the countries map with blinking repeaters & echolink points being admired.

Reactions from the amateur public varied, "fine to see you again", "Viva Israel" greetings of 'Shalom' been asked to pass along. Inquiries made, about operators from home, as to how did I do in the Holyland contest; the first results were presented in a booklet that the Contest Manager, Mark 4Z4KX had prepared.

From inside the IARC booth looking out

Some 200 visitors signed the IARC guest book. Yet inscriptions in the Hebrew language have been noted.

The total amount of visitors to the fair was more than last year, more than 18 thousand visitors passed through the enormous hall, in which 219 exhibitors displayed their wares from 33 countries. The flea market was located in yet another huge hall.

The weather was fine, not too hot as in former years, it was agreeable to everyone. It was pleasant, plenty of light due to the lack of rain clouds.

I noted many improvements over last year, in the organization of the fair. As you may recall last year was the first time at the new fair grounds.

On Sunday, at about 14.00 hours we started to disassemble the booth, everything had to be put back to the way we found it, all stickers, empty bottles, packaging materials etc. and above all the double stick tape had to be removed.

An hour later all was done and as the gates were opened for departure we left. This was the 14^th Ham Radio that we attended.

Part of the IARC Booth in Friedrichshafen

A record number of 22 (call signs) IARC members have been present; in alphabetical call sign order:

4X1DF Amnon, 4Z4DX Dov, 4X1FC Yair, 4Z4RM Naphtali, 4X1UK Ziv, 4Z4IX Zvi, 4X4BR Eli, 4Z5CE Joshua (IK2OUI), 4X4CM Ruth, 4Z5FP Tommy (DL2FDP), 4X6FS Shlomo, 4Z5IG David (PA3GRI), 4X6KJ Joseph 4Z5IH, Anat (PA3HIR), 4X6SJ Judy, 4Z5LI Isaac, 4X6UO Arie + YL Naomi, 4Z5NB Eli, 4X6UU Paul, 4Z5NS Joel + YL Tami,

4Z1GY Yoram, 0N9CGB Bill + Alina.

A word of thanks to our sponsors: “Ramat Hagolan Wineries” for the delicious “Yarden Mount Hermon Red 2003”; “Suleima Imports” for the first class “dates”

“Palphot Ltd.” for the books, pictures postcards.

For those of you who want to attend the next Ham Radio, which will occur on the 24-25-26 of June 2005, at Friedrichshafen (Southern Germany).

Shalom, see you at the fair,

Joseph 4X6KJ

NEW IARC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The new “vaad” convened for their first meeting on May 4^th, hot on the heels of the annual General Assembly (reported in our last issue). Present were executive members: 4X6KJ , 4X1YM 4X1HJ , 4Z5KJ, 4X6UU, 4X6ZI ,4Z4KX ,4Z4TL ,4Z5RM , 4Z1PF 4X1DF ,4Z5FG; committee members and functionaries: 4X6UO , 4X1AB, 4Z5CA ,4X4KK, 4X1RU , 4X4KF , 4Z4BS, 4Z5IS; and visitors: 4X6ZQ ,4X6CM , 4Z4JT and 4X1AS.

Electromagnetic Radiation Law Proposals

Eli 4Z5IS reported on the yet to be passed Electromagnetic Radiation Law, where a number of amendments were made in the radio amateurs’ favor. Some were: inspectors may enter private homes if they have a court order, certain equipment not having to be registered, exemption for radio amateurs in the payment of a radiation levy, the extension of the authorization granted to radio amateurs to five years. As well, the IARC is being considered as body to authorize inspections. Also to be considered is a proposal for a certain power ceiling for exemptions.

Congratulations to Shalom 4Z4BS, who is grandfather of Israel’s youngest radio amateurl, 4Z5RL. Thanks to QRZ.co.il.

A NEW RADIO CLUB IN HOLON?

The general manager of the Holon city council expressed his readiness to renovate the town’s water tower, put it at the disposal of the IARC for a radio club, advertise it and send students. Siman-Tov 4Z5PS has volunteered to teach there.

4X4NSM INAUGURATED

The Executive Meeting of July 13^th meet at the Museum of Science in Haifa after the inauguration of the club station 4X4NSM which was donated in memory of Yehuda Kleinman 4X6UK by his mother, Sarah. For the ceremony, the executive committee and representatives of the museum were present.

HANKY PANKY ON THE HAM FORUM?

The “Amateur Radio Forum” on the Internet, conducted by Rami 4Z5RM, has ceased operation. There was an unofficial request by the Ministry of Communications as the result of a suspicion that topics were being discussed that were not in keeping with the Ministry’s by-laws. (Your scribe remembers seeing there upon a chance visit to the site, a request for information on how to establish a pirate broadcasting station.)

The Forum may be re-instated on the IARC server but under regular supervision.

HOLYLAND CONTEST INTERIM REPORT

As of mid-June, 317 logs were received from 58 countries, and about another 100 from 4X-4Z stations. At Friedrichshafen, a booklet with the claimed scores was available, so contestants could keep tabs and see what their interim standings were.

Ros 4Z5LA/MM off the coast of Israel last May. Present on board were Shalom 4Z4BS and Yuli 4X6HP. The sea was choppy, yet a good time was had by all. Thanks to QRZ.co.il.

WHAT ELSE?

Even though we’re in the summer doldrums, activities continue at a slower pace.

The regular lecture series at the IARC HQ in the Motorola building continues.

(By the way, IARC members were alarmed to receive a form to be filled out, waving all rights to personal secrecy to Motorola in order to receive authorisation to enter the Motorola buiding to get to the IARC HQ. Motorola, wary of industrial espionage, wanted to be able to check out IARC members entering the building. A hue and cry was raised by many of us, so Motorola backed down, and the waver does not have to be signed.)

More news for you next issue… stay tuned!

73 de Ahron and Ron

HAGAL INTERNATIONAL

SUMMER 2004