yl.beam #121 oct 2023

Contents

Oceania DX Contests
YL Raisa to promote Ham Radio in Croatia 7 Oct 2023, Saturday
9A1P Hosts 2nd Annual Istra contest conference- ICC 2023
"SPRING 2023" CERTIFICATE Argentina
HamSCI: Where Science Meets HAM Radio:
HamSCI Solar Eclipse QSO Party October 14, 2023
The Scientific Magic of Total Solar Eclipses
DARC e.V. YL-Referat - German Yls contest work-shop
West Rand Ladies Field Day
Japan YL Booth at JARL Ham Fair 2023, August 19 - 20
VK2VMP HMAS Vampire - Australian National Maritime Museum
Silent Key - PD0HMF Francina Heida – Pijl & VE1PDZ Shelley Marie James – Finn
Contact & Calendar
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Oceania DX Contests
The first and second weekend of October brings us the Oceania DX Contests
Oct 7-8 Phone
Oct 14-15 CW
ALARA - YL Memorial Plaques:
The Florence McKenzie (Mrs Mac) Award is for the YL (“young lady”) Single Operator entrant from inside Oceania with the highest combined score in the Phone and CW sections.
The Australian Henry YL Award is for the YL Single Operator entrant from outside Oceania (i.e. the rest of the world) with the highest combined score in the Phone and CW sections
These awards recognise two women who have made significant contributions to amateur radio in Australia. https://www.oceaniadxcontest.com
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YL Raisa to promote Ham Radio in Croatia

Hamradio not only for men - by R1BG/OH7BG and VO1BIG "YL Raisa"
YL Raisa is feeling excited. 20 Sept 2023:
It's time to make waves from beautiful Croatia.
I will be happy to greet and meet you PERSONALLY there.
Yes! It's not just another online Event - it is a face-to-face rendezvous! 🤩
We need to see fellow radio enthusiasts eye to eye and ignite the passion for ham radio among the youth and encourage more women to join Ham Radio.
Therefore, I gladly accepted the invitation of a 9A1P team to this event.
My journey to Istra will be difficult (there are no direct flights between Russia and Europe at the moment). But I am glad to have the opportunity, as one of the speakers, to talk about my path, positive five-year experience in our hobby and also to do everything possible to popularize Amateur Radio at this conference offline, and also online after it.
YL in Hamradio 7 Oct 2023, Saturday / 14:15 - - 15:00

9A1P Hosts 2nd Annual Istra contest conference- ICC 2023
International Contest meeting for HF & VHF contesters. 6 – 9 Oct. 2023
Idea was born by 9A1P in 2019 due to lack of events of this kind in Europe.
Venue: Plava Laguna Hotel Materada, Poreč, Croatia ("Blue Lagoon")
Poreč is on the Adriatic coast of Croatia in the region of Istria, opposite the small island of Sveti Nikola. https://icc2023.9a1p.com/
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Editor: This event has passed but we do hope you were able to contact many of the Yls below.
"SPRING 2023" CERTIFICATE
5th Annual event hosted by the Radio Club La Rioja (LU1SF) Argentina.
September 15 - 30 2023, 00:00 - 23:59 UTC
participants must confirm contacts with the greatest number of collaborating stations in any band and mode possible, exchanging only callsign aand signal RS

Argentinian stations:
LU1SF RC La Rioja, LU5RC RC Catamarca, LU6DK RC Tomás Espora, LR1D Claudia, LU1DAS Sara, LU2DNF Yanina, LU1EQF Delfina, Lu1JCK Luciana, LU1JGG Claudia,
Lu1LAW Eliana, Lu1MME Monica, LU1RSV Valentina, LU2SMD Maria Monica,
LU2SYL Andrea, LU1XJJ Patricia, LU2BB Beatriz, LU2ELZ Liliana, LU2GAC Sarah, LU2HYL Rosa, LU2JBA Narella, LU2jWI Natali, LU3EZH Lucia, LU3FCA Patricia, LU3HHI Gabriela, LU3RNL Monica, LU3XMS Cristina, LU3YL Liliana,
LW3EXJ Maria from Los Angeles, LU4DJB Natalia, LU4ESZ Sandra, LU4JVE Nadia, LU4RAN Elvira, LU5HCV Claudia, LU5HOY Miriam, LU5ILA Leticia, LU5RAO Anabella, LU6HGO Graciela, LU7SNB Denis Marianella, LU4SNV Antonella Salome,
LU7sV Viviana, LU7UVV Vanesa, LU7YCH Chiara, LU8GCJ Alicia, LU8DMA Andrea, LU9DN Alejandra, LU8dOC Marcela, LU9ALS Fernanda, LU9JVC Virginia,
LU9SAX Lorena, LU9VYY Paola, LU9YBM Bianca.

Foreign Collaborative Stations
CA1AKL Alejandra Chile, CE1RFI Maritza Chile, CA3YHQ Johana Chile, XQ4NUA Leticia Chile, CO5ABC Barbara Cuba, CO7YS Adys Cuba, CX5ACG Gabriela Uruguay,
DL9YJ Yvetta Germany, HB9EPE Dora Switzerland, HB9FPM Eva Switzerland,
KP4NRF Nancy Puerto Rico, KP4QVQ Carmen Puerto Rico, WP4QME Judith Puerto Rico, PU2NQT Sylvia Brazil, PU3ESM Ester Brazil, PY2QL Barbara Brazil, VU2JFC Saborni India, VA3YLR Alicia Canada, XE1LOV Luzma Mexico, YV5EVA Ydorca Venezuela.
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The Scientific Magic of Total Solar Eclipses
Throughout the millennia, total solar eclipses have instilled fear in some people while inspiring others, as the Sun’s wispy corona reveals itself in fleeting moments The recognition that the Sun’s corona is the extension of the solar atmosphere into space, together with magnetic fields on the solar surface, is less than a century old.

Thought this was of interest!! 33, Anne ~ WB1ARU F/w - McKenzie Denton (KO4GLN):
HamSCI: Where Science Meets HAM Radio:
HamSCI, short for Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation, is on a mission to bring together amateur radio operators, scientists, and researchers.
Together, we'll delve into the effects of solar eclipses on radio communications.
It's all about expanding scientific knowledge and nurturing a sense of community among radio enthusiasts. Engage in the Solar Eclipse QSO Party by making radio contacts during the solar eclipse and entering your QSOs into a contest log.
Familiarize yourself with the Solar Eclipse QP contest rules, propagation measurement techniques, and data reporting. Remember, every observation counts,
For information on event guidelines, propagation tips, and how to get involved, go to: https://hamsci.org/
follow on social media HamSCI Facebook Page 💬 HamSCI Discord Server 🐦 HamSCI Twitter

HamSCI Solar Eclipse QSO Party October 14, 2023
FoEIS (Festivals of Eclipse Ionospheric Science)
Inviting all amateur radio enthusiasts, scientists, and the general public to participate in the HamSCI Festivals of Eclipse Ionospheric Science.
These are public events organized by the HamSCI (Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation) organization to coincide with solar eclipses.
Participants will use a myriad of radios and antenna configurations to make measurements of the ionosphere and observe how it changes as the eclipse passes overhead.
They also use the occasion to promote science education and outreach, particularly in the fields of radio communication and space weather.
For more information, please visit: https://hamsci.org/

Nathaniel Frissell from The University of Scranton has invited amateur radio operators to participate in “Solar Eclipse QSO Parties.” The operators will attempt to make radio contacts with as many other operators as possible in different locations. This endeavor aims to observe how the ionosphere, an electrically charged region in our upper atmosphere that aids long-distance radio communications, changes during the eclipses. Previous experiments have demonstrated that solar eclipses can significantly impact the electron content of the ionosphere, affecting the behavior of radio waves.

https://scienceblog.com/538334/nasa-selects-5-experiments-for-2024-total-solar-eclipse/
*****

DARC e.V. YL-Referat - German Yls contest work-shop
It's been a long time since our last YL contest work-shop took place.
Now it's almost time again.
Mareike DG6MBS and I, Michaela DL1TM, would like you to join our 8th. YL contest workshop on 21st /October 22, 2023.
For better planning, registration by October 7th, 2023 is necessary.
You can register by email, dl1tm@darc.de dg6mbs@darc.de
We are looking forward to your registration!
VY 33 by Michaela (Ela) Gondek, DL1TM
YL Spokesman District Westphalia-North
PS: It would be great if you also inform YLs who don't have internet. Please share - We are grateful for any advertisement!
https://www.facebook.com/photo/? fbid=6615450658547045&set=gm.1329604931254958&idorvanity=552438255638300
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The West Rand Ladies Field Day March 11-12, 2023
by Veronica ZR6TVK and Jack Kotzé, ZS6JJK
For the first leg of the 2023 SARL (South African Radio League) Field Day, the West Rand ARC (WRARC) decided to do something different (also lovingly known as the Woesrand! Ed.) A first for our club! A Young Ladies operating team with the Old Men providing technical support. We decided that an all YL operating team was a fitting plan to celebrate International Women’s Day. What a successful weekend it was, filled with QSOs from every division in South Africa and a couple of QSOs from the SADC Region. To every person that contacted us and wished us well, thank you. Your support is immensely appreciated. The ladies had a wonderful time with lots of giggles and jokes all around.
The WRARC Contest Team operated from the Baptist Church grounds on the mountain situated in Roodekrans, Roodepoort. The team met on Friday night to start setting up and of course enjoyed a braai (BBQ), a few members camped at the grounds. Thanks to our awesome technical team for setting up a perfect field station.
On Saturday morning the ladies were ready and waiting by 09:45 CAT to start calling and getting the Field Day Contest on the go. We had 5 YL operators - Alyscia le Roux, ZS6ALY; Beverley Van Tonder, ZR6BVT; Dienie Schnetler, ZS6DNI; Karin Andrew, ZS6MMA and Veronica Kotzé, ZR6TVK. We alternated during the contest and worked 10, 15, 20, 40 and 80 m bands throughout Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday night was spent enjoying each other’s company around the braai. A special mention must be made of Phillip, ZS6PVT and Beverley, ZR6BVT, they made the most amazing vetkoek!
On Saturday night around 22:30 CAT a freak wind came up and we had to run around to secure tables and tents, etc. Some antennae had to be lowered for safety.
It was wonderful to have a few of our RAE students visit. I could see the excitement in their eyes. I am sure they will be attending the next Field Day as operators.
All in all, this was a very successful Field Day Weekend for the WRARC team. I could see our “Technical Support Team” were itching to get on the radio and make a few QSO’s.
Thank you, guys, for the support and effort you made to give us the opportunity to enjoy this weekend.

 

A word from the OM Support team - Vaughn le Roux, ZS6VLR; Phillip van Tonder, ZS6PVT; Danie Schnetler, ZS6DPS; Glen Andrew, ZS6GGA and Jack Kotze, ZS6JJK.

“Yip, we were green with envy as we were banned from touching a mic and we didn’t dare try. Lucky for us, the (not so) Young Ladies were not too demanding except when it came to the antennas. They wanted to operate on all the bands, not only 80, 40 and 20 m!
While we waited to be called to attend to a technical problem we chatted about radio, load shedding (electrical power cuts) and potholes. We complained about work and our neighbours’ noise making devices. Some prepared food and others enjoyed refreshments. Some moaned about the forbidden mic but altogether a splendid weekend with good company, good food and lots of laughs.” The moral of the story. Field Day is a grand way to enjoy a weekend with your radio family!

 

Note how difficult the OMs found the day! (LOL) (Vetkoek is a traditional South African fried dough often stuffed with a sweet or savory filling.)

*****

Japan YL Booth at JARL Ham Fair 2023, August 19 - 20
many people came to our JLRS (Japan Ladies Radio Society) booth. I would like to thank you for the opportunity to have fun talking with the people who visited us, including the 1st Eyeball QSO. We are also happy to have many beginner female hams visit us. We look forward to working with you in the future as well. Let's enjoy the radio!
We operated the JLRS corporate station "JA1YWM" from the venue using a handy-radio. Thank you very much to everyone who communicated with us. All the QSL cards we prepared have been issued, so we will hand them over to you . We will deliver to the stations that could not be reached via the bureau.
"JA1YWM" will be operated as a HAMttee member station from now on in Kiyosu City, Aichi Prefecture (JCC: 2035) , so please keep in touch with us.
https://ameblo.jp/jlrsblog/entry-12817183179.html?frm_src=thumb_module
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Editor: Seems an appropriate event for Halloween?
AUSTRALIAN HAMS OFFER A QSO WITH A 'VAMPIRE'
VK2VMP HMAS Vampire - Australian National Maritime Museum
A team of amateurs, led by Colin VK2JCC, has set up shop in the radio room aboard HMAS Vampire. “HMAS” stands for His Majesty’s Australian Ship, and the Vampire is located at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney. The radio room is part of the museum, and thus open for visitors to learn about the importance of radio communications, both in wartime and in peace.
The Vampire team uses the callsign Victor Kilo Two Victor Mike Papa, VK2VMP. (VMP = Vampire) If you have never worked a warship, now is a good time to start!
So far, eight amateurs are on the roster to keep Vampire on the air, using CW and Sideband on 20 and 40 metres, and the station is now a permanent fixture on the ship.
So, listen out for HMAS Vampire in Sydney, Australia. And check VK2VMP on qrz.com.

PS: Q - What does “vampire vampire vampire” mean in the navy?
A - NATO code-word for a hostile anti-ship cruise missile.
*****

 

Silent Keys
PD0HMF Francina Heida – Pijl from Groningen Netherlands, went unexpectedly silent key 17 April 2023.
QRZ Forum: Our thoughts and prayers in these and upcoming difficult times go to her wife, family and friends.

VE1PDZ Shelley Marie James – Finn S/k [1 Sept. 1965 – 23 Aug. 2023]
The obituary of Silent Key, my wife, Shelley, VE1PDZ.
It is with broken hearts the family of Shelley Marie James-Finn, wife of Robert J. Finn wishes to announce her passing on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at Bobby’s Hospice with her family by her side. Shelley was born in Saint John, N.B. on September 1, 1965, to the late Samuel Douglas and Carolyn (Pitt) James.
Shelley was very proud to be an Amateur Radio Operator, holding the callsign, VE1PDZ. She was also a member of the Loyalist City Amateur Radio Club and one of its past presidents..
Shelley is survived by her beloved husband, Robert J. Finn, twin sons, Eric Finn and Robert Finn, one sister, Nancy Ann James, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Shelley is predeceased by her parents, S. Douglas and Carolyn James.
VE9EE Robert James Finn · 25/08/2023
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CONTACT US yl.beam news: Editor Eda zs6ye.yl@gmail.com
newsletters can be found: https://jbcs.co.za/wp/
It is now published on:- https://wrarc-anode.blogspot.com/
Italian Radio Amateurs Union: QTC U.R.I.
https://www.unionradio.it/qtc-la-rivista-della-unione-radioamatori-italiani/
West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society https://wosars.club/category/yl-news/

Unsubscribe: If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please email: zs6ye.yl@gmail.com
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October 2023
Oct 4 - 10 World Space Week Wed – Tues
Oct 6 – 9 Istra International Contest meeting 2023 Croatia
Oct 7 YL Raisa to promote Ham Radio @ ICC- Croatia
Oct 7-8 Oceania DX Contest Phone - website https://www.oceaniadxcontest.com
Oct 8 RSGB DX Contest
Oct 08 Japan Ladies Radio Society (JLRS) "YL CQ Day" 09:00 UTC+09 – 16:00 UTC+09
NB. "YL CQ Day" will be delayed by one week, to October 15th, as 2nd Sunday is
JARL's "City-wide All-County Contest".
Oct 13 - 15 RSGB Convention Milton Keynes
Oct 14 HamSCI Solar Eclipse QSO Party 1: 2023 (1200Z-2200Z)
Oct 14-15 Oceania DX Contest CW website https://www.oceaniadxcontest.com
Oct 20 JOTA
Oct 20 - 22 ARRL Pacificon Div Convention,
Oct 21 HamExpo 2023 - Le Mans (France) Saturday -YL's Free https://hamexpo.r-e-f.org/
Oct 21 - 22 DARC e.V. YL-Referat - German Yls contest work-shop
Oct 21 – 22 Worked all Germany contest;1500Z, to 1459Z,, 2023
Oct 21 -23 YLRL - DX/NA-YL Anniversary Contest SSB/CW/Digital
UTC Oct 21- 0200 UTC Oct 23
Oct 27 26th Zombie Shuffle :Friday Nite, Mode: CW; 80, 40, 20m; QRP 5 watts
Oct 28-29 CQ WW DX SSB contest
Oct 28, VERON, Dutch radio society. 61st Ham Radio Convention at Zwolle, Netherlands.

Oct 31 Halloween,Tuesday, celebrating Eve of All Hallows day, aka All Saints' Day.

Nov 01 Silent Key Memorial Contest http://www.skmc.hu/en/rules.html
1st Nov 0600 UTC to 0859 UTC every year. Mode: CW only
Nov 1-4 IARU Region 1 General Conference, Serbia

yl.beam #120 sept 2023

 Contents

• Oceania DXContest
• Friedrichshafen  YL Meeting 2023
• Ja-No-Well-Fine (Editorial)
• VE3DBQ Minnie Dawe Silent Key
• ZS1LAW / ZS2LAW Dr Lee-Anne McKinnell Silent Key
• Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (HMO) & SANSA Background
• LU3EH / LV3D LU3EH/J -  Ana Maria Mitja,  died 6 August 2023
• G7UUR Nancy Bone (nee Blundell),  Silent Key
• Contact & Calendar

Results Oceania DXContest 2022
ALARA sponsors two plaques for this contest. Congratulations to the winners:
Austine Henry Award World YL phone and CW single op Emily BU2BE from Taiwan
Florence McKenzie Award Oceania YL phone and CW single op Catherine VK7C / VK7GH
In addition, Catherine VK7C won the Australia phone YL single op all band plaque sponsored by Diane Main VK4DI and Bill Main VK4ZD.

 Oceania DXContest Oct 2023 .
Phone is on 7/8 October 2023 and CW is on 14/15 October 2023.
For more information go to the Oceania DX Contest website
https://www.oceaniadxcontest.com     Linda VK7QP
alara.org.au ▪ ALARA Newsletter Issue 186 July 2023 page 9
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 Friedrichshafen  YL Meeting 2023
The "International YL Meeting" at the HAM RADIO 2023 in Friedrichshafen at Lake Constance.
Complete event including group photo at : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyAjs1lp8ds&t=2492s

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Ja-No-Well-Fine
This month's newsletter focuses on those who have passed and although we mourn their passing, we also celebrate their lives and their contribution to our history of women in Amateur Radio. These ladies are now on a different frequency, one we will all reach some day. They are inspiring and a reminder of what can be achieved.
Enjoy and Remember them. 33 / 88 Editor ZS5YH Heather
*****

VE3DBQ  Minnie Dawe, Silent Key Obituary
Dawe, Minnie Alecia, 95, of Ingersoll passed away peacefully at home on May 17, 2023 with family by her side.
She was married to the late Lloyd Dawe in 1952, for 56 years before Lloyd’s passing in 2008. . Survived by her three children: Alan, Brian (Sandra) and Marina and by her grandchildren,
Minnie served on the CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) Advisory Board for Oxford County in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. In 1975, she passed the Amateur Radio License exam receiving her call VE3DBQ becoming an active member for the rest of her life and making many cherished friendships from around the world. Over the years, she received many awards and served as president of the Canadian Ladies Amateur Radio Association (CLARA) for the years 1999-2000.

 Minnie VE3DBQ was one of our ALARA 'DX Members' and hailed from Newfoundland, Canada, though she lived for quite some time in Ontario. She became a 'White Cane Operator' with limited vision but she didn't allow that to become a barrier to enjoying her ham radio hobby. Here in her own words, is her story...

Tell us where you were born and where you have lived through your life?
I was born in St. Johns, Newfoundland. When I was age 23 in 1951 we moved to Ontario, we felt there was more opportunities for a better life in a bigger province. We both found jobs right away. We decided to buy a house on a quiet street on the edge of town with other young families; we are still living in the same house.

What kinds of things do you currently do with ham radio?
My radio activity slowed down when I entered my 90s. I check the 40 meter net most Tuesdays to see if I can hear anyone and the same with the 20 meter net but HF has not been very good for quite a while. I really look forward to every other Wednesday listening for Shirley VK5YL and our group of YL's on Echolink which has grown in size over the past 20 years and I hope will keep going for many more years.

How do you manage ham radio being sight-impaired?
 In the early days I only had 80 meters; I kept track of time with my braille clock and kept a braille log on my brailller. Now I have the Kenwood 570 which has a voice frequency read out and automatic antenna tuner. I have a 50 foot self-supporting tower with an Explorer 14 tri band beam. I have a little device made by Handy Hams which can indicate the direction the antenna is pointed. I have a talking clock which lets me know the time, as well as the indoor and outdoor temperatures. I have a computer with a programme which enables it to read aloud text on the screen. I guess at signal reports, loud and clear is 5-9 and down from there.

What are your favourite non-ham activities?
 My favourite activity is knitting and crocheting. I also enjoy reading audio books especially non-fiction works as well as listening to piano accordion music.

What did you do for work?
I was a stay at home mom, popular back then. Our 3 children arrived between the years of 1953 and 1957, a year or so later I became a registered member of the CNIB. I learned to read and write braille and the art of touch typing. A blind teacher came to our house every other week; it was very helpful at the time.

What is your biggest ham related success?
I would have to say it was the year I accepted to become the president of CLARA, years of 1999 - 2000. The year 2000 was the start of a new millennium and 33rd anniversary for CLARA Someone said: let's have a party. We agreed: Venue? Catering? Prizes for lucky draws? Gifts for goodie bags? Guest speakers? Music? A few months later they were all answered. The CNIB offered their auditorium in downtown Toronto as well as the CNIB amateur radio station; we also hired their catering staff for lunch and dinner. The rest of the questions were filled by CLARA members including Musical groups and speakers, lots of prizes and goodie bag gifts. Months of gathering everything together, a beautiful morning in June 2000 the executive arrived at the venue before 8am with everything, to be there before the guests arrived. Thanks to our CLARA members we had lots of prizes, about 50 goodie bags one for each CLARA YL attending. Some of us enjoyed working the radio station and even talked to a few members who could not attend. We enjoyed informative talks and great music. Lots of time for face to face chatter, good food and everyone went home with a prize, a wonderful 33 party.

How did you get involved in ham radio and get your licence?
I knew about the CNIB amateur radio programme and decided to enrol. Everything you needed to know about radio was available on cassette tape also code practice tapes. Our friend loaned me a radio receiver to listen to code and a key to practice sending code. That is all I did for months. I tried for the exam in July of 1975 it was a tense hour of questions and answers, sending and receiving CW. He finally congratulated me and said you have earned your licence.
When I had my licence I could apply for the rent to own equipment to get started, a Heath Kit HW-12 Transceiver for 80 meters and an inverted v wire antenna. My son and husband set it all up for me and I was ready to go on air. It took a while to summon up the courage to push the button and announce my call. When I finally called in on one of the nets the response was overwhelming with encouragement. It was so uplifting. I was spending so much time on the radio during the day one could work stations all over Ontario and during the evening hours the long skip allowed one to work the world. My first DX YL was a lady in South Africa and she told me she was a CLARA member which blew me away. The Ontario Amateur Radio Service net ONTARS runs every day from 6am to 6pm with a different net controller each hour, I was brave enough to try controlling and found it was a great way to get to know many amateurs,

What advantages do you get from being a CLARA member?
For me it's a sense of belonging to a family of sisters who share the love of the wonderful radio hobby, who enjoy keeping in touch and sharing stories. I enjoy reading the quarterly newsletter and keeping up on the news of CLARA. I am also a member of ALARA BYLARA and WARO and keep up with their news too.

Anything else you would like to tell us?
In the late 1980s we took a road trip to St. Johns NFLD with another couple in our new van. I went mobile with 2 meters and HF radio; it was so much fun talking to so many amateurs along the way to St. Johns. It was great spending time with family, old friends, enjoying the beautiful scenery and the fresh ocean breezes. On the way home I even managed to get a phone patch to my mom to let her know our progress back to Ontario. Our friends traveling with us were very impressed with the Amateur radio hobby.

http://www.alara.org.au/membership/member%20profiles%20ve3dbq.html
alara.org.au ▪ ALARA Newsletter Issue 186 July 2023 page 6

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ZS1LAW / ZS2LAW Dr Lee-Anne McKinnell   Silent Key
30 December 1970 – 19 August 2023    
Trailblazer in Space Science leaves a remarkable legacy
Dr Lee-Anne McKinnell, Managing Director of the South African National Space Agency’s Space Science Programme and Sandbaai (WC) resident, passed away on Saturday 19 August 2023 (age 52) after a short illness.
Dr McKinnell is survived by her husband John, her parents Lynn and John Williscroft (ZS6EF), and her two brothers Mark and Gerald Williscroft, and their families.

Lee-Anne grew up near Krugersdorp, on the West Rand and was the first female learner to complete a technical matric at the John Orr Engineering School of Specialisation.
Passionate about physics, she pursued a BSc Physics and Electronics degree at university. Obtaining her BSc, she then secured her Honours, Masters and PhD degrees, all at Rhodes University (Eastern Cape province). She later obtained an MBA from the Business School Netherlands (BSN) in 2015, with distinction.

Dr McKinnell originally joined what was then the Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (HMO) in 2004, as a researcher. She was appointed acting MD of the facility in 2010. 25 July, 2011 Dr McKinnell was appointed Managing Director of SANSA Space Science, formerly the Hermanus Magnetic Observatory.
She was on hand in April 2012 to celebrate 80 years of magnetic observations and one year of SANSA (the South African National Space Agency) one year after the Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (HMO) was renamed on 1 April 2011. In 2012 the observatory was incorporated into the newly formed SANSA.
Many of the students Dr McKinnell supervised are now full-time researchers at SANSA and around the world. She served as SANSA Space Science [MD] for 12 years and during this time made a tremendous contribution to space science.
The Space Weather Project was her crowning achievement  The launch of the 24/7 Space Weather Centre in November 2022 was a highlight for her and the SANSA team. Lee-Anne was a space weather advocate and custodian of the unique SANSA Hermanus facility which she loved and is now a National Key Point, thanks to her continued efforts to protect the site.

 23 Feb. 2023 - Dr Lee-Ann Mckinnell, Managing Director of SANSA Hermanus escorting DHET Deputy Minister, Buti Manamela on a tour of the Hermanus Facility. Space day 2023 in Hermanus. (Indigenous 'fynbos' fauna in foreground, new SANSA building behind and Cape mountains in background).
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Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (HER) & SANSA Background
Hermanus is located on the southern coast of the Western Cape province of South Africa, about 115 km southeast of Cape Town, The seaside town known for whale-watching is home to SANSA, the South African National Space Agency.

An invisible force protects life on Earth from dangerous space weather. The earth is continuously battered by charged particles from the sun and other sources in outer space, but the earth’s magnetic field protects us from the majority of these. More accurately known as the geomagnetic field, it is a dynamic phenomenon that is constantly changing and shifting. The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) monitores this ever-changing geomagnetic field.

Hermanus Magnetic Observatory functions as part of the worldwide network of magnetic observatories; its core function in this regard is to monitor and model variations of the Earth's magnetic field. In 2011 Hermanus Magnetic Observatory became part of the newly established South African National Space Agency (SANSA), and the research and geomagnetic activities now form part of the SANSA Space Science Directorate in Hermanus. In 2009 the network of geomagnetic observatories for space weather applications was expanded through the installation of a number of magneto-tellurometric (MT) devices in southern Africa
 Besides its core function of providing geomagnetic field information, the scope of the activities also includes fundamental and applied space physics research, post-graduate student training, and science outreach.
SANSA in Hermanus is host to the only space weather regional warning centre in Africa which operates as part of the International Space Environment Service (ISES)
Source: Hermanus Magnetic Observatory: a historical perspective of geomagnetism in southern Africa  https://www.proquest.com/docview/2092307358

*****

Silent Key  Q.E.P.D  LU3EH / LV3D LU3EH/J -  Ana Maria Mitja,  
died 6 August 2023 (age 76) in her home town General Juan Madariaga, in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.
She was an active member of Radio Club Pinamar LU3DRP and was part of the club activation in the 2019 American Lighthouses on Air event, at the Querandí Lighthouse, ARG 007.
Together with family and friends she attended the dinner held to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Radio Club Pinamar during October 2022
Always Active her last QSO's uploaded were dated 17/7/2023

From Husband  LU8EY Mario Siste, 8 August 2023
The will of God has been to take Ana Maria, my wife, my partner, my friend and companion inseparable for all life. For almost 50 years we shared everything. Joys, sadnesses, thousands of kilometers traveled together and the radio, that passion that with its magic contacted us with the world and allowed us to harvest thousands of friends.
Our deepest condolences, RIP colleague LU3EH
*****
G7UUR Nancy Bone (nee Blundell),  Silent Key
Passed away in hospital on May 5th 2022, aged 68 years
Nancy Bone, G7UUR, the co-founder and long-time secretary of the Angel of the North ARC became a Silent Key.
Nancy, a stalwart lady, had trained as a solicitor and dedicated her life to help the neglected, the abused and the underprivileged. She was the heart and soul of the Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club which was formed in 2008. You could describe Nancy as an Ambassador for Amateur Radio. She was an RSGB Deputy Regional Manager for a number of years, a repeater licence holder, exam tutor and GB2RS news reader. She enabled over one hundred people to achieve an Amateur licence.
In everything she did, she approached it with enthusiasm and commitment that challenged and inspired others.
She is missed by husband Warren, G7MWB, family and friends.
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September  2023 Calendar
 Japan Ladies Radio Society (JLRS) "YL CQ Day" 2nd  Sunday of every month!
9:00 AM UTC+09 – 4:00 PM UTC+09
Sept 7 - 10,  EDXC 2023 Conference, Metz in Lorraine, France
Sept 9          CHOTA (Churches-on-the-Air) Saturday
Sept 9-10 WAE (Worked All Europe) SSB contest:  2nd full weekend September,
Saturday, 0000 UTC until Sunday, 2359 UTC
Sept 9 – 10   QSO Today Academy Event replaces QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo
Sept 9 – 13  19th IARU Highspeed Telegraphy World Championship in Primorsko,  
                   Bulgaria on the  Black Sea Coast.
Sept 9 - 17   Route 66, 2023 - 24th Amateur Radio Special Event
Sept 15-17   Rosh Hashanah
Sept 16         European SOTA Activity Day, also ALL OE SOTA Activity Day
                     & OE5 SOTA Day 2023.
Sept 16,       2023  8º Concurso Regional IARU Región 2 Área G:
                   Radio Club Argentino, Radio Club de Chile, Radio Club Paraguayo,
                   Radio  Club Uruguayo  HF SSB
Sept 16 - 17 IberRadio 2023 - VIII Feria de las Radiocomunicaciones (Fair) Ávila,ES
Sept 23 – 24 Railways-on-the-Air     https://rota.barac.org.uk/
Sept 23 - 24 2023   CQ WW RTTY contest  ( 0000 UTC Sat - 2359 UTC Sunday)
Sept 23        AMSAT SA Space 2023 Symposium. 09:00 – 15:00 on  'BlueJeans'
                     theme  “Make Space your techno past time”
Sept 24-25  Yom Kippur,
Sept 25       ZS SOTA Activity Day
Sep 26-29,  Grace Hopper Celebration GHC 2023 Orlando, USA.  Created in 1994  
              Celebrates research & careers of women in computing https://ghc.anitab.org
Oct 4 -10    World Space Week 2023