The West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society — WELCOME
Live off-air recording of some of the last day of programming from the Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) Radio 1 longwave station on 14 April 2023 beginning at 11:55 UTC on the frequency of 252 kHz. The signal originated from a transmitter located at Clarkestown/Summerhill, County Meath, in the Republic of Ireland, reported to operate with a power of 150 kW during the day (and 60 kW during the night). The transmitter was capable of operating at 300 kW. The station used a 248-metre high single-mast antenna.
RTÉ Radio 1 is a general-interest, news, talk, and music station. It now uses FM, satellite, streaming, and cable services.
The recording starts with the final minutes of the "Louise Duffy Show," followed by the "RTÉ News at One" (which featured reports on U.S. Pres. Joe Biden's visit to Ireland) and then the first 13 minutes or so of "Liveline," an interview and phone-in chat show. The recording ends with an announcement of the shutdown of the longwave service.
Reception of the 252 kHz signal was reasonably good but it suffered from slight co-channel interference from a station in Algeria and local noise at the reception site.
RTÉ Radio 1 programming on 252 kHz ended at 23:03 UTC on 14 April 2023 and was replaced with a repeated announcement of the cessation of broadcasting on longwave and information about other ways to hear RTÉ Radio 1. It begins with the RTÉ Radio 1 interval signal "O’Donnell Abú." Examples of the announcement are included in the second three-and-a-half-minute recording which starts at about 12:34 UTC on 15 April 2023. In this recording, most of the interference has been removed by an audio filtering technique. The closedown announcements ended on 18 April 2023 at 09:59 UTC and the transmitter then fell silent.
The broadcasts were received by the Web-interface wideband software-defined radio at the University of Twente in Enschede, The Netherlands, with a "Mini-Whip" antenna in synchronous AM mode with 5.08 kHz RF filtering.
NEWS FOR SCOTLAND & CLUB NEWS (GB2RS) Extracts inc Additions
2M SLOW CW
Michael, GM5AUG, who is RSGB District Representative for Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway, provides GB2CW Slow Morse for Glasgow and the surrounding area on 144.600MHz FM every Monday and Thursday at 8pm.
SEEING THE LIGHT WITH GB0CSL
On Tuesday, Moray Firth Amateur Radio Society will be meeting, from 7.15pm, at the Reserve Centre, Elgin to prepare for International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend at Covesea Lighthouse. Helpers will be required for setting up on Friday afternoon, the 18th of August. Details will be confirmed at the meeting. On the 19th and 20th of August the Society will take part in International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend from Covesea Lighthouse Lossiemouth, with the kind permission of the trustees. Operation will be on the HF and VHF bands using SSB, CW and FM from 10am to 4pm on Saturday the 19th, and Sunday the 20th of August, using the special event callsign GB0CSL. Visitors are welcome. The lighthouse is open for booked tours and the RAF and Fleet Air Arm Heritage Centre is open from 11am to 4pm. Please see the Society’s website for details. If you can’t visit, make sure you give them a call! GM8HWZ/MM0TQH, www.mfars.club mfars.secretary@gmail.com
SEE THE LIGHT FROM ‘THE MULL’
Wigtownshire Amateur Radio Club, together with Dumfries and Galloway RAYNET group, has an open net on GB3DG every day at noon. All are welcome. There is also a net on the GB3DG repeater every Thursday from 7.15pm, then joining via Zoom from 8pm. The Club will be operating from the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse on the 19th and 20th of August for International Lighthouses and Lightships Weekend. Oli, MM0YOS, info@gm4riv.org
SOLDER SMOKE
West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society will have its usual Solder Group meeting from 6pm on Wednesday. The club will be meeting at 8pm on Friday at its Rose Street club rooms. For more information check out the club’s website via wosars.club & Pat, 2M1CKE Secretary
FURTHER NEWS ITEMS
DF ON THE MOVE
Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club’s Second DF night of the year has been moved from the 15th of September to the 8th September due to holiday arrangements. The club usually meets on the first Friday of the month for a club night in the lounge bar of the Thorntree Inn. Bob, GM4UYZ, 01875 811723, www.cpsarc.com
uW GETOGETHER
The date has been confirmed for the 2023 Scottish Microwave Round Table, or GMRT. It will be held between 10.30am and 5pm on Saturday the 11th of November at the Museum of Communication, Burntisland, Fife in Scotland. An interesting programme of speakers has been arranged. Microwave test facilities will be provided, and the event will be an opportunity to purchase components and microwave-related items. The cost is £12 and this includes a buffet lunch. A dinner will be held in the evening at a local hotel. Full information and online registration are available at gmroundtable.org.uk/about Please email Colin, GM4HWO via gm4hwo@gmail.com for more information.
OTHER CLUB NETS AND MEETINGS
Details of club activities can usually be found on the individual club’s website. A fuller summary of activities, Nets, Contacts and Links in Scotland can also be found at RSGB – GB2RS News for Scotland
To have your net listed on the WoSARS website or to report any changes, contact Tony, MM0TMZ by email to rr1@rsgb.org.uk. Please also keep GB2RS updated via email to radcom@rsgb.org.uk
© 2019-2023 WoSARS.Club