During the events to commemorate the World Amateur Radio Day, the National Executive of Federación de Radioaficionados de Cuba (FRC) informs about the activities that are underway from April 13 to 21, coinciding with the celebration of the World Amateur Radio Day and the 87th Anniversary of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), whose motto this year is “Amateur Radio Satellites: Celebrating 50 Years in Space”:
The recently formed Group of Amateurs for Satellite Operations (abbreviated GROS in Spanish) of the FRC has been promoting radio activity through amateur radio satellites, since Friday, April 13, holding a discussion board through the VHF repeater located at Pico San Juan, which provides coverage to CO zones 4, 5, 6, 7 and part of CO8. Héctor, CO6CBF, with a lecture on GROS, the history of amateur radio satellites, active satellites, requirements and the implementation of domestic solutions for satellite operation, among other subjects.
On Saturday, April 14, simultaneous conferences were held in the cities of Havana and Camagüey, led by Raydel, CM2ESP, and Pavel, CO7WT, respectively, promoting the work of GROS, a brief summary of amateur radio satellites, space mechanics and the use of the ISS for digital communications, among other subjects.
On April 14 and 15, with the holding of the traditional Victoria de Girón national phone contest in the 160, 80 and 40-meter bands, more than one hundred stations of the three license categories in Cuba participated. A special 8‑hour CW session within it promotes the use of that mode in QSOs.
On Wednesday, April 18, there is the announcement of the Centennial Certificate, to commemorate the birth of radio amateur Mario Muñoz Monroy, CO5MM, a martyr of the independence struggle in Cuba, valid for those that work 100 Cuban stations in the 160, 80 and 40-meter bands in the 100 days between April 18 and July 26 of 2012. No QSL cards are needed, but the log must be attached to the application.
Specifically on April 18, a special and unique version of Diploma CUBA, satellite version, is announced, awarded for working the 8 Cuban CM/CO/T41-CM/CO/T48 districts during April 18, 19, 20 and 21, via satellite. Collective CM/CO/T49 stations and special CM/CO/T4Ø stations can be used to substitute a district. No QSL cards are needed for this diploma, only a detail of the stations contacted, indicating date, time, station worked, satellite used and locator received. Valid for Cuban and foreign stations with the same general rules of FRC Diplomas (http://frc.co.cu)
On Saturday, April 12, starting at 10:00 am, a joint exercise will be held by FRC National Civilian Defense, called “Radio-2012″, simulating the use of digital communications in emergency situations (a large earthquake) with the main participation in the provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Camagüey, La Habana and Pinar del Río.
On the same day, April 21, special station T4ØIARU will be active from the cities of Havana (EL83), Cienfuegos (EL92) and Camagüey (FL11), in satellites ISS, AO-07, AO-27, FO-29, SO-50 and VO-52, to culminate the activities of FRC for this important event.
Information by: CO2HA, Ing. Francisco Hernández
Vicepresident of the National Executive of FRC
FRC-IARU Liaison
Translation: José Arturo Molina, YS1MS, IARU R2 Vice President
Also available in Español (Spanish).