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Lighthouse Dxpedition 2019

Dear Members.

This Interesting annual event, as in the past, will be held at a Light House. On the 3rd weekend in August Radio Amateurs all over the world go to light houses and operate, often with special call signs to highlight these often lonely places which do a great service to maritime traffic.
Every year, for more than 25 years, the RSSL has been taking part in this event.. The most number of times or the most popular have been the Beruwela Barbaryn Light House on Barbaryn Island( a boat trip of a little less than one Kilometer) and at the Southern most Dondra Light House. We have also operated from Point Pedru the Northern most lighthouse and also Mannar. Other Light Houses have been Colombo and Galle in the past.
This year by popular demand its Dondra (Devundara) and the RSSL is making all arrangements for members to enjoy this event. Dondra is easy to access and its by the side of the main Southern coastal road. The RSSL is securing a guest house within close proximity, so participants will have comfortable sleeping/resting accommodation.  We will share the cost which should not be anything big by any means.
The Dates 17th and staying overnight and returning on Sunday 18th. If sufficient people are interested we can stay the 16th night as well. Parking should not be a problem
Antennas will be set up for both HF and VHF operation and SWLs and Licensed Amateurs can operate under the Radio Society call sign 4S7LGT. Already 10 participants have given their names. There is no restriction. If you like you could even come for a few hours, share a drink and a snack, enjoy fellowship and operate the radios. On Saturday night we will have our traditional BBQ with Uthpala our Chief BBQ master. Good fish and chips, garlic bread and some vodka  😛 🙂
We have to give the names and ID card numbers of those who will enter the Light House, so please be kind enough to give us your names and ID numbers by the 10th of August latest.  Last minute participants Might not be allowed into the Light House premises due to security reasons.
CONTACT : Senarath 4S6WAS  0728187087
                    Victor 4S7VK    0711356113
Yur participation will be most welcome.
73
Victor 4S7VK
Hony. Secretary RSSL.
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RSSL Fox Hunt 2019

THE RADIO SOCIETY’S ANNUAL FOX HUNT IS ON AND THE RED LETTER DATE IS THE 20TH OF APRIL 2019.

For those who are not familiar with the FOX HUNT let us give some information.
The FOX is a hidden transmitter which sends out signals every 10 minutes for a period of one minute and competitors have to locate the hidden transmitter using their antennas and receivers. It is in other-words a Direction Finding exercise. This is open to all members of the RSSL. The team leader has to be a member of the RSSL but he/she is free to have friends join him.  Since participants are not transmitting the contest is open to non transmitting members. So join up with a group or have your own team with some friends.
The organizers will give you a map covering a 5 km radius from the starting point where the fox would be hidden.  It is an exciting event as teams take readings from different points within that 5km area to  see where the  lines cross and try to find the Fox before the other teams do. The first to find the Fox will be the winner and many exciting prizes are waiting to be won.
Date 20.04.2019
Time 0900 to 1230
Stating place  Millennium Dr, Malabe   The shady drive just before the bridge. The starting point will be about 200 metres  after the turn off from the New Kandy Road.
Fox freq 144.220 mhz
Fox hunt voice stand by freq 439.900 MHz UHF Rep
Fox will be 5km  radius of a circle  from stating point 
 
Please bring your antenna compass and radio. A Good Team would consist of a vehicle driver, navigator and one or two people who would take readings, and plot the direction on the map. .
 
At this point there are two teams and we are sure we will have many more.  It will not be an Off Road exercise so any vehicle or a team on two wheeler will be fine.  Walking might not be enough to cover the area and find the Fox within 3 and a half hours., 
 
i have two teams conformed. We need to know at least by the 18th so that we can prepare materials.
 
4s7vj and team 
4s6cpt and team
4S7VK and team (opeen for team members 🙂 )
 
More details contact Jaliya 4S7JL  077 237 8108 or 4S7VK Victor 0711 356 113
 
Victor 4S7VK
Hon y. Secrtary RSSL
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Monthly Meeting April 2019

THE GENERAL MEETING OF THE RADIO SOCIETY OF SRI LANKA will be held on the 10th  of April 2019, commencing sharp on time at 6PM in the Balcony Hall OTTER AQUATIC CLUB, BAUDHALOKA MAWATHA COLOMBO.

All present will be served with refreshments as usual.

Hope to see you all at Otters.

Further News:

ECHO LINK:  The Echolink which the RSSL introduced to Sri Lanka immediately after the Tsunami in 2004, was out of commission. Thanks to our Young-Turk 4S6LEO completed the project initiated by Amaranath 4S6ACN and funded by VP Nadika 4S6NCH and is linked to the Pidurutalagala repeater. Use it to be in touch with the world and you out there to be in touch with the RSSL and SL Hams.
Back to Yatiyantota and the antenna was relocated and the trusty old repeater running just 4.7watts was put back into service with staggering results in the Sabaragamuwa and Western Provinces, its intended coverage area.
The UHF REPEATER: 435.100 and 349.900 MHz FM  (Test basis)  This project was initiated 3 years ago when Ron 4S7RO/VK4NRO and Jaliya 4S7JL gived a beautiful Australia made UHF repeater.  However, it took quite a lot of time to get the project moving and 4 months ago the present administration took it upon itself to move in the matter and we are thankful to the TRCSL and MOD for approving the project and also clearance for our repeater to be got down from Australia. It was air freighted as we didn’t want to lose any more time and within two weeks the repeater was brought, import licenses secured, customs duty paid, programmed by our technical team of 4S5SC Jayantha and Singhe 4S6LEO and in no small way assisted from Australia by Ron 4S7RO. Ron has been a great help finding software, material with total dedication to the RSSL.
Three years ago one of our Duplexers was in very bad shape and thanks to Ron it was tuned to better than factory specifications and always assisted by Jayantha 4S5SC. Vasanth 4S7VG has always been a tower of strength to the RSSL, always willing to give his technical support and also plaacing at our disposal valuable test equipment.
The UHF Repeater is running on Test Basis awaiting its more permanent location.  In the meantime we are requesting the TRCSL to grant us the standard 5MHz separation and we are hopeful to receive it.

RSSL SPONSORED RADIO AMATEUR COURSE:  This started 3 weeks ago and consists of theory and practical CW/MORSE classes. Its completely free as a service to members. The Classes are held at the Software company WSO2 premises at Colpetty  Liberty Plaza Duplication Road junction. You cant miss the board.  Classes are held from 9 AM to 1.30 PM. Please contact 4S7VJ  Wijay on  0711514498  or Afkaz   077332 0919.

KIWI SDR in Colombo: A Service to all SWLs and radio Enthusiasts. This is an SDR with covers 1 kHz to 30 MHz and is a communications receiver on line.  You can tune AM, SSB(LSB USB) and is very user friendly. What do you need to use this?. Just an internet connection to access it. 4 users can use it at the same time and thus you need not worry about not having a suitable receiver. All you do is  search  http://colombo4s7vk.proxy.kiwisdr.com:8073/    or just  SDR.HU and you will go into the website of nearly 200 or more such receivers and select whatever location and listen on line. (This is with the complements of 4S7VK to the international Radio Community.)
73 and good DX
Victor Goonetilleke 4S7VK
Hony Secretary RSSL
Tel 0112614098/0711356113
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ANTENNA WORKSHOP FOR RSSL MEMBERS

On the 10th of March 2019 Vice President of the RSSSL Jaliya 4S7JL along with senior member 4S7VJ Wijay conducted a very successful VHF and 6 Metre antenna workshop at the Koratota sprawling residence of Jaliya. There were 26 members in attendance including the President of the RSSL, 4S7DF and Council members. 4S7DSB, 4S7VK, 4S7PA
The morning started with 4S7VJ explaining the theory of antennas, resonance, impedance, relationship to wavelength and also the art of using test equipment like Antenna analyzers and SWR Metres. This session was also aimed at the Radio Amateur Exam candidates sitting the examination later this year.

After the theory session the practical session of putting into practice what was learnt took place with seniors assisting the SWLs and new hams. Thee RSS is thankful to 4S7JL and 4S6MLM Hussain who bought materials in bulk at discounted rates and it was also, just come along and use Jaliya’s workshop, match your antennas and walk away with an antenna, just meeting the cost of the materials. What more could one ask one may say.

The RSSL provided refreshments and it was a very successful day of fellowship and strengthening bonds between friends and new friends.

The Picture gallery which will make you capture the mood of the occasion. Thanks everyone who helped and came along and our apologies to Jaliya’s xyl for messing up her house and beautiful garden.