By Colin Butler of https://www.icqpodcast.com/
Phil Karn KA9Q, Randy Standke KQ6RS and students at the Mount Carmel High School Amateur Radio Club have constructed and deployed an amateur radio marine buoy, callsign KQ6RS, transmitting 14.0956 MHz USB WSPR. About 700 km off the coast of southern California, the buoy is transmitting WSPR on 20m using the callsign KQ6RS and is being received all over the US and into Canada and Brazil.
The electronics is the 20m WSPR version of the WB8ELK “pico tracker” that has been flown quite a few times (including by us) on long-duration balloons. We removed the solar panels and substituted 21 ordinary alkaline D-cells wired to supply 4.5V. We estimate the battery lifetime will be 6 months.
The basic design was inspired by Bob, WB4APR, at the US Naval Academy. Physically, the buoy is just a 5′ section of 4″ PVC pipe, ballasted at one end to float vertically in the water. The top is closed by a sewer pressure test plug I found at Home Depot; it has a bolt in the centre that acts as a convenient feed-through and mounting point for the antenna, a stainless steel CB whip with a matching network designed, tested and carefully tuned by Randy. We use the sea as a counterpoise, but to avoid direct metal/seawater contact we lined the inside of the pipe with copper tape to form a capacitive connection. We probably spent too much time on this; Randy even modelled the electrical fields in the seawater with a professional RF analysis package.
Checkout the Bouy’s Latest – HERE .
James’ presentation Portable operating is addictive, whether it’s on a grassy hill top or on a bona fide mountain. The Summits On The Air (SOTA) award scheme allows you to combine amateur radio with some adventure. James, M0JCQ will introduce the basics of SOTA, while showing you some of the beautiful and wild places it’s […]
GIANT Health profiled the RSGB and NHS ‘Get on the air to care’ campaign in its recent newsletter. The company runs the biggest health tech event in Europe and has a global community of over 177,000. Get on the air to care – Using innovative channels in current times Amateur (ham) radio use in the […]
The news headlines:
Over 1000 online exams passed
Ofcom publishes EMF consultation responses
Covid-19 cancels National Hamfest
GB2RS Script – HERE .
CLUB NEWS
During the COVID crisis a list of known club nets, and activities, is now being published on the West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society (WoSARS) web site. They have a table listing times and frequencies and this can be found at
https://wosars.club/radio-nets/
With the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions, we are now including meeting details where advised. However, this information should be regarded as optimistic, it is strongly advised that you to check with organisers well before travelling. Above all, please observe any national or local restrictions, including social distancing.
And as of Sunday 19/07/20 & Thursday 23/07/20:
“The Stirling Club resumes it’s normal Sunday &Thursday Club openings with the Shack and Meeting area socially distanced, and has a net on GB3FE Repeater on 145.6625 from 1000hrs (Sun) & 1900hrs (Thurs) for those unable to visit the club.”
And, as noted in last Sunday’s GB2RS the following:
CANCELLATION – Lomond Radio Club – Crianlarich Rally Sunday 2nd August cancelled.
CANCELLATION – the Cockenzie and Port Seaton Mini Rally/Junk Night on Friday 14th August has been cancelled.
CANCELLATION – GMDX Conventition – Bannockburn – October, cancelled.
The RSGB is delighted to announce that recently the 1,000th person has passed the Foundation exam via remote invigilation. Congratulations to them and everyone else who has joined amateur radio via this exam process. To celebrate, the Society has launched a new web page to share the stories of just some of these successful candidates. […]
Ofcom has published the responses to the EMF consultation on their website. The RSGB would like to thank the 255 of you who took the time to respond either individually or on behalf of your organisation. The majority of all responders were against the proposals. Now that ICNIRP guidelines 2020 have been published, the RSGB […]
It is with much regret that the organisers of the National Hamfest have cancelled the 2020 event. This was due to be held on Friday, the 25th, and Saturday, 26 September 2020. In consideration of their primary responsibilities to the health and welfare of volunteers, traders and visitors they have decided that this cancellation is […]
Registrations for this year’s popular International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend appear to have been largely unaffected by the current COVID-19 pandemic. The event will take place this year on 22 and 23 August 2020. By mid-July, more than 200 entries had been received. New this year is Corsica, registered as lighthouse FR0030, and two lighthouses in […]
Tap or click the link below to download this week’s GB2RS news script GB2RS News Script for 19 July 2020 (11-page/199KB Microsoft Word document) Problems downloading the GB2RS news script? Try this alternative link.
Since the change of regulations applying to special event stations in the UK, many activations are now able to go ahead. UK amateurs would like to thank Ofcom for their help in making this happen. To commemorate the third anniversary of the FT8 Digital Mode Club, special event stations will be on air during the […]
