No subject

called PMR446.  This is a licence free 500 milliwatt personal mobile
radio service that is quite similar to the United States Family Radio
Service with one big difference.  The pan-Eueropean service permits is
users to connect their radio gear to the Internet using personal
computers and software interfaces.  The software of choice is eQSO and
with it Eueropean experimenters have created a network of linked rf-
gateways.

On the R-F side, the radio gear is limited to flea power and built-in
antennas, but thanks to gateway linking PMR 446 is quickly developing
into quite a hobby thats bringinging together hams and non hams alike.
In fact, it even has its own home in cyberspace at www.446user.co.uk.
Drop by and have a look at what's happening on the other side of the
Atlantic.  (PMR446 Users Group)

**

INTERNATIONAL - HOLLAND:  RADIO NETHERLANDS TARGETED BY PUBLIC
BROADCASTER

Radio Netherlands management have reacted angrily to a recent edition of
the Dutch domestic current affairs TV programme Nova.  A story reported
on Nova said that drastic budget cuts of up to 85% was in the offering
for Radio Netherlands, and as a result everything except broadcasts to
the Netherlands Antilles and Surinam would be scrapped.

According to Radio Netherlands, the erroneous item was based on a leaked
copy of a report into the efficiency of public broadcasting that was
jointly commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Culture and the
broadcasters themselves. Nova seized on one section of the report and
interviewed a representative of the Dutch Association of Journalists,
who said this would effectively mean the end of Radio Netherlands.

But  Radio Netherlands says that the report was not a call to action.
Rather, its purpose of the report was to identify multiple scenarios
where cost savings could be made.  The example quoted by Nova was just
one.   The Hilversum based station also noted that decisions on the
mission of Radio Netherlands are made by politicians in The Hague, not
by other public broadcasters or the authors of a commissioned report.
(Media Network)

**

ON THE AIR:  MUSEUM SHIPS 2003

On the air, K3CLG says that the 2003 Museum Ships Weekend special event
stations will be held on the weekend July 19th and 20th.  Operations
will encompass all modes including phone, C-W, PSK-31, APRS and even
contacts via the Internet Radio Linking Project or IRLP.  You can check
on all the details at this easy to copy URL.  Its all at
www.qsl.net/ww2dd/event.html  (K3CLG)

**

DX

In D-X, word that SM3CVM, plans to be on as portable CU2 from Sao Miguel
in the Azores through July 6th.  Activity will be mainly CW on 80
through 10 meters. This will be a holiday operation, so he will mostly
be active late evenings local time.  QSL to his home callsign via the
bureau or direct to his callbook address.  (GB2RS)

Also V31MX and V-31-M-F will be active from Caye Caulker from July 23rd
until noon of July 29th.  They will operate on 80 through 10 meters SSB
with some CW activity. QSL both callsign via KZBCN, either direct or via
the bureau.  (OPDX)


**


THAT FINAL ITEM: N6ZE'S CROSS-COUNTRY ROVING ODYSSEY

And finally this week, the story of Peter Heins, N6ZE, who may now hold
the record for a QRP Rover in the June ARRL VHF QSO Party.  In less than
two days, Pete managed to rove coast-to-coast, from Grid Square FN-20 to
CN-87.  Thats a distance of 2754 miles and he operated 6 and 2 meter SSB
from each location.  Here's how he did it.