Israel Ham News by Ahron Kirschner 4X1AT and Ron
Gang 4X1MK
“First”
A new group of
radio amateurs has emerged from a rather unexpected quarter. Our new colleagues are from “First”, a
volunteer organisation devoted to rescue and evacuation.
Israelis love
to hike in the wilderness of the country – in the desert and canyons, areas off
the beaten path as it were. And it
sometimes happens that hikers get lost, or trapped in a canyon during a flash
flood in the desert, or go unprepared and have to be extricated from a
situation they never should have gotten into. So, at times like this, organised rescue groups do the
blessed work of saving lives under difficult situations.
Moshe Inger
4Z4PF, a veteran amateur radio instructor, told us a bit about this. The rescuers of “First” and similar
outfits use two-way simplex VHF radios that under certain topographical
instances can’t keep them in touch.
Yet, the Israel Amateur Radio Club operates a system of repeaters that
gives good coverage of many remote areas.
So, the members of “First” came to us wishing to use our repeaters. Upon learning that they would need to
pass the exams for a ham licence, they didn’t flinch. Apparently after overcoming so many obstacles in their
rescue operations, a little examination wouldn’t stand in their way.
So, we now
have a dozen new members from Eilat up to the Golan. And they have indeed become real hams, with a keen interest
in the hobby and have made friends with many of the old ham crowd.
AN
ANNIVERSARY
Last week Mark, 4Z4KX, celebrated
the 500th edition of his ‘Newsletter on the Air’, for Russian-speaking ham community in
israel. He is doing it now for the
last 11 years – every Saturday morning on the 40 meter band on 7.080 MHz.
Mark’s is 100% dedicated to the
new ham population, which arrived, from the former soviet Union. For many years Mark has been getting
donations of second hand equipment for distribution to the new-immigrant
hams. Many stations in Israel are
on the air due to Mark’s efforts.
To commemorate his 500th
Newsletter he produced some very attractive caps. Of course the number 500 is
dominant but is also includes the emblem of the IARC as well as a ‘round table’
and his personal callsign 4Z4KX.
But
Mark is also the Israeli Award Manager and, if that wouldn't be enough, he also
issues the awards and trophies for the Holyland and Israeli VHF-UHF Contests. .
The Israel Amateur Radio Club is
calling itself very happy to have such a dedicated member. Thank you Mark for a job well done!
By the way, the Russian speakers
are hosting a picnic for the entire amateur community on November 10th
at the Yarkon Park in
Tel-Aviv. Come one come all for a
fine time!
NEW
COURSES
As the holiday season is
over, and the new year is now in full swing, there are a number of amateur
radio courses beginning. First of
all, in the IARC headquarters starting November 10th, a course for
the Grade “D” technical licence is commencing. Those passing the 5 WPM code
test will along with the ”D” theory and regulations will qualify for the full
privelege “B” ticket.
Other courses are happening in
Beer-Sheva, Haifa, Re`ut (near Modi`in) and in Jerusalem. Hopefully in a few more months we’ll be
hearing a smattering of new callsigns on the air.
NEWS
SNIPPETS
***
Last chance for a plastic wallet-size Israeli ham licence! Those renewing their licences and
paying dues to the IARC for 2002 can receive the special licence. Joe 4X6KJ, who has devoted a lot of
time and effort making these licences possible, says this is the last time he’s
organising these tickets.
***
Talking about IARC membership…
Danny 4X4YM reports that this year’s membership number is higher than
last year’s, partly due to his drive to get errant members to return to the
club. Danny has been busy
contacting those who had let their memberships drop, and has been quite
successful in returning them to the fold.
*** Itzik 4X6HJ is working on the new
edition of the Israeli Callbook, slated to come out in the beginning of January
. Please provide him with
updates and corrections.
*** The IARC social event is planned
for early December to be held in Natanya.
As soon as it’s official, the invitations will be sent out.
MOVING
At a certain age or time, many of us are becoming more or
less dependent on others. That was the reason, my XYL and I had to move, from
the house we owned for almost 50 years and loved dearly, to move to the
vicinity of our daughter. We were
looking for a flat, which would give my wife and me a domicile we could stay in
comfortably and of high importance for a radio amateur, the possibility to put
up antennas. It was not easy to
find. Both of us are handicapped,
so we needed a place without steps and spacious enough for me to move around
freely on a wheelchair. Finally we
found just a the right place but – my head said ’We have to move’ but my heart
protested violently. So, in
the end, we decided to move but new antennas must be up before we are moving. Two hams, who I value very much, drove
to the site to decide when and how we are going to put up the tribander Yagiy
and where we would hang the dipoles for 40 and 80 meters.
Unfortunately we entered the time
of the year every few days we have a Jewish Holiday like New Year, Yom Kippur
and Succoth. So I fell, very
unfortunately, between the chairs.
We are here for almost an entire month but there is no antenna in
sight. If it was already
frustrating enough to leave my old home, now in addition I am in my new home
with no possibility to speak with any of my friends I had been in contact
almost daily.
In less than a month the antennas
will be operational, and within another month I will have forgotten my
despair. Yes many of us hams do
see things, connected to our most beautiful hobby, out of any proportion. But these days will be forgotten within
a few days after everything will be rectified and we back on the air.
It is the waiting we, the aged
folks, do hate – the passing of time we value so highly!
de 4X1AT
Until our next issue – 73 and Shalom fron Ron And Ahron