On 12th February 2025, RigExpert’s administrative office, in Kyiv, Ukraine, was destroyed by a Russian ballistic missile. All employees are reported to be safe.
RigExpert is a leading manufacturer of antenna and cable analysers and officials said they are committed to restoring operations as soon as possible.
“Our top priority is the safety of our team and the continuity of our operations. While our administrative office is in ruins, our production facilities survived, allowing us to continue serving our customers and partners.”
— Ashot Andeev, Chief Executive Officer.
The company is working to minimize delays and fulfil its commitments while maintaining customer support operations.
I thought I’d put a bit of a report on here for everyone to see, a little on the late side as I’ve only just managed to sort out and fill in the gaps in the log! We had a good few hours operating GS4AGG up at the club shack, over the 3 hours we’d made nearly 70 QSOs, with some repeat call ins… although this isn’t a contest so it doesn’t really matter too much how many you make, the aim is purely about promoting activity on the 2m band (specifically FM). It’s supposed to operate like a traditional net, but in reality that doesn’t end up being the case so much, in my experience the vast majority just call in, some come back later on.
Equipment in use at the Shack
As most of you are aware the shack tower is still not reinstated, however the temporary pole setup that we’d figured out, and Archie helped put up on both our test run and the actual event worked pretty well. Not quite as well as it would’ve been on the tower when extended but by most accounts we were still putting out a very strong signal.
Ernie GM0EZP Operating
I should hope so after spending £50 getting a 15m length of fancy italian coax to use, rather than an old length of RG213 that was lying about that’s probably older than me! In theory that worked out to us putting out about 170W ERP.
Jack GM4COX Operating
Overall everything went pretty smoothly and we managed to put the station on for the full 3 hours, with only a couple of quieter periods for 5 mins or so. The station was operated by myself, Jack GM4COX and Ernie GM0EZP, with support from Archie GM4KNU and David MM7FZU.
“…………….. The first amateur radio station on the moon, JS1YMG, is now transmitting. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, landed its Smart Lander for Investigating the Moon on the 19th of January 2024. The JAXA Ham Radio Club, JQ1ZVI secured the JS1YMG callsign and has been transmitting Morse code on 437.41MHz since the 19th of January. The probe uses 1W to a UHF antenna, with circular polarisation, and is transmitting what is described as “matters related to amateur business.” Radio amateurs have been busy analysing JS1YMG‘s signal. You can read more about this story on Daniel Estévez, EA4GPZ’s blog at destevez.net …………………”
NEWS FOR SCOTLAND & CLUB NEWS (GB2RS) Extracts inc Additions
NET QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
On Sunday afternoons, Kilmarnock and Loudon Amateur Radio Club has a net on 3720kHz from 2pm. This is followed by a quiz on 145.475MHz from 7.45pm on Sunday evenings. Monday sees a question-and-answer night on Zoom from 7.30pm. On Tuesday, members will be meeting at the clubhouse and via Zoom from 7.30pm. klarcinfo@gmail.com
GET CONNECTED WITH A PI
Moray Firth Amateur Radio Society next meets on Tuesday the 17th of October, at 7pm, at the Reserve Centre in Elgin. During the meeting, GM8HWZ will give a short demonstration of the new SDRConnect software using an RSP1A receiver and a Raspberry Pi. mfars.secretary@gmail.com
DOWN BY THE SEA
Largs and District Amateur Radio Society meets on the third Tuesday of the month in the Largs Museum, 2 Manse Court, Largs, KA30 8AW. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday the 17th of October. James, GM0GMN, QTHR
EQUIPMENT SALE
On Wednesday, Lothians Radio Society will be holding a surplus equipment sale at St Fillan’s Church, Buckstone Drive in Edinburgh. The doors will be open from 7.30pm. secretary@lothiansradiosociety.com
SOLDER SMOKE
West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society will have its usual Solder Group meeting from 6pm on Wednesday. This Friday the Club will be meeting at 8pm at its Rose Street club rooms for a ‘Hands-On’ evening. For more information check out the club’s website – wosars.club & Pat, 2M1CKE Secretary
JOTA’ing ON
Livingston and District Amateur Radio Society has a club night at the Crofthead Centre on Tuesday from 7pm. On Thursday, there is a net on 145.575MHz at 7.30pm. Next weekend, the Society will be active for JOTA, or Jamboree on the Air. Cathie, 2M0DIB, 01506 433 846 (also see below)
BORDERS RALLY
The Galashiels Radio Rally will take place next Sunday the 22nd of October. The venue will be the Volunteer Hall, St Johns Street, Galashiels, TD1 3JX. The doors open at 11am. Entrance is £2.50, although under-16s will be admitted free of charge. More info – Programme@WoSARS.groups.io | View Event
FURTHER NEWS
BBC ABERDEEN (G)2BD) 100 YEARS YOUNG!
Checkout this WoSARS Website POST for more information.
JAMBOREE ON THE AIR
JOTA is an annual event, this coming weekend (21/22nd) in which Scouts all over the world connect with each other by means of amateur radio. Short-wave radio signals carry their voices to virtually any corner of the world. It’s the shear excitement of having a live conversation with a fellow Scout at some other place in the world that attracts so many young people to this event. More info – Jamboree On The Air | JOTA-JOTI 2023 – The world’s largest digital Scout event (jotajoti.info)
OTHER CLUB NETS AND MEETINGS
Details of club activities can usually be found on the individual club’s websites. A fuller summary of activities, Nets, Contacts and Links in Scotland can also be found at RSGB – GB2RS News for Scotland and the WoSARS NETS Page.
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
NEWS FOR SCOTLAND & CLUB NEWS (GB2RS) Extracts inc Additions
TERRY’S 73 CUBED
During the week of his 73rd birthday, from the 2nd to the 8th of October, Terry GM3WUX, plans to walk 73 laps of a familiar loop in Glasgow’s Queens Park. The whole walk will be about 100 miles including over 14,000 feet of ascent. Terry is doing this in honour of his best friend, Jeremy Browne, G3XZG who passed away due to cancer last year. All funds will go to Cancer Research UK. You can find Terry’s fund-raising page by searching online for ‘Jeremy Browne 73 Cubed’. Terry has named the event ‘73 Cubed’ as he is a 73-year-old, doing 73 laps, wishing us all 73 towards a cancer-free future.
THE RETURN OF THE ‘BONNIE’ NET
The Lomond Sunday Night Net returns next Sunday the 8th of October and will take place every week over the winter months with check-in from 7.45pm. All the usual ways to join in are available, via Echolink MB7IBH-L and on 145.3375MHz locally across the Clyde Coast. Paul, MM3DDQ mm3ddq@gmail.co
HF IN THE SOUTH WEST
On Sunday afternoons, Kilmarnock and Loudon Amateur Radio Club has a net on 3720kHz from 2pm. This is followed by a quiz on 145.475MHz from 7.45pm on Sunday evenings. Monday sees a question-and-answer night on Zoom from 7.30pm. On Tuesday, members will be meeting at the clubhouse and via Zoom from 7.30pm. klarcinfo@gmail.com
UP NORTH ON HF
Caithness Amateur Radio Society has club nets at 2pm on Wednesday and Saturday on 3.740MHz. There are club meetings on Thursdays in the Skirza Clubhouse, near John O’Groats. Nigel, MM7BWT, Mansfield.n27@gmail.com
uW EXPLOITS
On Monday, Edinburgh and District Amateur Radio Society has a net on 433.525MHz from 8pm. Next Sunday, members will be undertaking some UHF and microwave portable operating. Norman, GM1CNH, 0774 094 6192
HF ‘HANDS-ON’
Moray Firth Amateur Radio Society meets this Tuesday the 3rd of October for a technical session. This will include hands-on activities with the IC-7300 and FT-450 HF radios. The meeting will take place at the reserve centre Elgin from 7.15pm. All are welcome and tea and coffee will be available – bring your own mug! mfars.secretary@gmail.com
SIDEBAND NET ON 2
On Wednesday, Lothians Radio Society has its net on 144.350MHz SSB from 8pm. secretary@lothiansradiosociety.com
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
ISLE OF HARRIS ON THE SOTA MAP
RSGB Director Ben Lloyd, GW4BML has taken on the challenge of activating ten summits during 12 days on the remote Scottish islands. He will climb some with his partner and fellow radio amateur Martha, and their two-year-old daughter Lyra. This SOTA – or Summits on the Air – challenge combines Ben’s favourite hobbies of amateur radio and hiking, but it also sometimes brings with it adverse weather conditions and the need to reach remote islands by kayak! Ben is hoping that by sharing his challenge he will not only inspire radio amateurs to try SOTA, but he will also encourage people who love walking and hiking to try amateur radio. You can catch up with his adventures on the RSGB social media channels and through the special playlist of videos on the RSGB YouTube channel. Go to youtube.com/theRSGB and choose the playlist called “RSGB Director Ben Lloyd, GW4BML – SOTA challenge”.
OTHER CLUB NETS AND MEETINGS
Details of club activities can usually be found on the individual club’s websites. A fuller summary of activities, Nets, Contacts and Links in Scotland can also be found at RSGB – GB2RS News for Scotland and the WoSARS NETS Page.
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
Due to personal circumstances, Michael, GM5AUG is no longer running weekly GB2CW sessions. However, he is keen to help those who are learning CW on a one-to-one basis. Please feel free to contact him at gm5aug@topple.scot
GS4AGU
The Glasgow University Wireless Society is resuming its Monday evening 2m FM nets on Monday the 18th of September from 6pm. All radio amateurs are welcome to join the net, which will be controlled by the club callsign GS4AGU. The next in-person meeting of the Society, for members and visitors, is on the 29th of September at 7.30pm. The meeting will take place at the Centre for Contemporary Arts, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. gm5aug@topple.scot
FTDX3000
The Moray Firth Amateur Radio Society next meets on Tuesday the 19th of September for a hands-on look at the Yaesu FTDX3000 HF transceiver. The meeting will begin at 7.15pm at the Reserve Centre, Elgin. Tea and coffee will be available, and all are welcome. www.mfars.club mfars.secretary@gmail.com
MOC VISIT
On Wednesday, Lothians Radio Society will be visiting the Museum of Communication in Burntisland. Andy Sinclair, MM0FMF, secretary@lothiansradiosociety.com
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
THE BONNIE BANKS OF LOCH LOMOND
Lomond Radio Club meets each Thursday evening in the club rooms at the John Connolly Centre in Renton at 7.30pm. Simon, MM0XME, mm0xme@outlook.com
OTHER CLUB NETS AND MEETINGS
Details of club activities can usually be found on the individual club’s websites. A fuller summary of activities, Nets, Contacts and Links in Scotland can also be found at RSGB – GB2RS News for Scotland and the WoSARS NETS Page.
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
NEWS FOR SCOTLAND & CLUB NEWS (GB2RS) Extracts inc Additions
SUMMER RECESS
Kilmarnock and Loudon Amateur Radio Club is in summer recess and now meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month in its clubhouse at 34a Main Street, Crookedholm. During the recess, informal meetings will continue on Tuesdays and formal meetings will return on the 12th of September. The on-air quiz will return on Sunday the 3rd of September. There are currently no other on-air meetings or nets. klarcinfo@gmail.com
AERIAL WORK
Moray Firth Amateur Radio Society will be meeting on Tuesday the 4th of July to check out its HF Tri-bander for the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend. The meeting will start at 7.15pm at The Edgar Road Reserve Centre, Elgin. GM8HWZ/MM0TQH, www.mfars.club mfars.secretary@gmail.com
VIRTUAL NET
On Wednesday, Lothians Radio Society has its Viral Net on 144.350MHz USB at 8pm. Andy Sinclair, MM0FMF, secretary@lothiansradiosociety.com
FURTHER NEWS ITEMS
TONIGHT@8
The next RSGB live Tonight@8 webinar will take place at tomorrow night – 8pm on Monday the 3rd of July, with Eric P. Nichols, KL7AJ presenting “Receiving antennas are different”. Eric, who has written numerous amateur radio and electronics articles over the past 30 years, says that almost every ham radio station can benefit from a separate receiving antenna. Effective receiving antennas are optimised for best signal-to-noise ratio, not necessarily the greatest gain. Tune in to the RSGB YouTube channel or special BATC channel to hear Eric discuss the countless interesting means of building high signal-to-noise ratio receiving antennas. You can find out more at rsgb.org/webinars
MEET-UP
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. On Tuesday the 11th of July there will be a Wigtownshire Amateur Radio Club special event in-person meeting at The Mull of Galloway Gallie Craig Café. This will be a lunchtime and afternoon meet-up. Oli, MM0YOS, info@gm4riv.org
OTHER CLUB NETS AND MEETINGS
Details of club activities can usually be found on the individual club’s website. A summary of activities, Nets, Contacts and Links in Scotland can also be found at wosars.club/radio-nets
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
NEWS FOR SCOTLAND & CLUB NEWS (GB2RS) Extracts inc Additions
BRAEHEAD RALLY
The ASRA Braehead Rally is taking place today, Sunday the 14th of May. The venue is Braehead Arena Foyer, 150 Kings Inch Road, Renfrew G51 4BN. Free parking is available. The doors open for everyone at 10am and admission is £4. There will be trader stalls, bring and buy and an RSGB Book stall. Catering is available on site. The event will feature the Central Scotland Repeater Group AGM. For more information and contact details visit www.braeheadradiorally.com
RADIO QUESTION & ANSWER NIGHT ON ZOOM
On Sundays, Kilmarnock and Loudoun Amateur Radio Club has an SSB net on 3.720MHz from 2pm, followed by a quiz on 145.475MHz from 7.45pm. On Monday there will be a radio question and answer night on Zoom from 7.30pm. On Tuesday, the club will be having a natter night at its clubhouse from 7.30pm. klarcinfo@gmail.com
CW TRAINING
On Monday and Thursday evenings, Michael, GM5AUG provides GB2CW slow Morse for the Glasgow area on 144.600MHz FM from 8 to 9pm. All are welcome to join in. For more information email gm5aug@topple.scot
DR16 SUPPORT NET
On Wednesday, from 8pm to 9pm, George, MM0JNL will be hosting his DR16 Support Net via the GB3BT repeater. The net is open to anyone, within range, who has any radio-related issues and needs assistance or guidance, and as an open session with the local RSGB representative for Members and non-Members alike. dr16@rsgb.org.uk
TEN MINUTE TALKS
On Thursday, Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society will enjoying ten-minute talks by its members. Fred, GM3ALZ, 01975 651 365
AGM
West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society will have its usual Solder Group meeting from 6pm on Wednesday at the CCA. This coming Friday will be West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society’s 52nd AGM. Commencing at 8pm sharp, the meeting will take place at their Rose Street Club Rooms. For further information checkout the Club’s website: wosars.club
FURTHER NEWS ITEMS
CPSARC SUMMITS ON THE AIR (SOTA) ACTIVATION
Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio Club – 18:00 hours on Wednesday 17th May 2023. This is a totally new club event, and everyone is welcome to come along and activate North Berwick Law (GM/SS-280) by climbing to the top. If you can’t make it, then listen out for us on 2M – 145.400MHz and give us a call it will be so much appreciated. Pray the weather is kind to us!!! Checkout website cpsarc.com
OTHER CLUB NETS AND MEETINGS
Details of club activities can usually be found on the individual club’s website. A summary of activities, Nets, Contacts and Links in Scotland can also be found at wosars.club/radio-nets
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
CONTENTS:
Editorial
Elena UA1WCM
ALARAmeet 2023
NZ – WARO Field Day
2023 SARL Annual Awards Local-is-Lekker
Susan Prinsloo pilots Helicopter recovery of experimental Balloon
Silent Keys
Calendar
