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Snips – News For Scotland – 6th September

The news headlines:

            Latest RSGB Convention information

            Anyone lost a trailer mast?

            GB2RS Newsreader stands down after 40 years

GB2RS Script – HERE .

CLUB NEWS

We start with a vacancy for a 2m newsreader in the Perth area. Work commitments mean regular newsreader Paul, GM6MEN, will be unable to continue for the time being—until at least May 2021. One, or preferably two, volunteers are needed to take over. Volunteers must have a 2m FM station with good coverage of Perth and the surrounding area, hold a Full Licence and be a Member of the RSGB. If you are interested in joining the team, contact Steve Thomas, M1ACB, via gm.dept@rsgb.org.uk.

Now, before we turn to the events, a reminder to check with organisers before travelling, as events mentioned here may be affected by fluctuating pandemic precautions. Above all, please observe all national or local restrictions, including social distancing and wearing face coverings where required.

The Viking Amateur Radio Net runs daily from 0500 to 0600UTC on 3.770MHz. See the group’s Facebook page for more details.

Dundee Amateur Radio Club continues International Air Ambulance Week activities this week. Today sees the VHF 2m contest. Sundays also see an open net, via GB3AG, from 7.30pm. On Tuesday, there’s a club night with training. Saturday also sees the start of activities for International Air Ambulance Week. Contact Martin, 2M0KAU, on 0776 370 8933.

Mid-Lanarkshire Amateur Radio Society has a net on Sundays from 10pm on 28.475MHz. On Wednesday it’s the DMR Scotland net on talk group 23550 from 8pm. Friday sees the club Zello chat from 7.30pm, which later moves to 2m. Details at mlars.co.uk.

West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is watching the Tonight @ 8 presentation on Monday.  There’s a daily net on 145.425MHz at 1100hrs, Also 433.425MHz Wednesday’s @ 2000hrs, 145.425 Friday’s @ 2000hrs . See wosars.club for details, where you will also find a list of all known club nets and activities across the region, compiled by RSGB Region 1 Regional Representative Tony Miles, MM0TMZ.

Wigtownshire Amateur Radio Club has a net on Sundays from 7.30pm on GB3DG, which usually moves to Zoom around 8pm. On Thursdays, the net is on GB3DG from 7pm. Members are also invited to join the daily RAYNET net on GB3DG at noon. For details see gm4riv.org.

Ayr Amateur Radio Group has daily nets on 7.035MHz ± QRM at 10.15am, QSYing to 7.065MHz for SSB, and 145.450MHz at 10.30am with CW on 144.295MHz at 7.30pm. On Sundays there a CW net on 144.295MHz from 7pm, and 145.450MHz FM at 7.30pm. Contact Derek, MM0OVD on 0744 793 1941.

Kilmarnock and Loudoun Amateur Radio Club has a net on Sundays from 2pm around 3.720MHz SSB, moving to around 3.540MHz for a CW net after the SSB net ends. On Tuesday there’s a net on 145.475MHz FM from 7.30pm. Contact Len Paget, GM0ONX by email to Klarcinfo@gmail.com.

Glenrothes and District Radio Club has open nets on Monday to Saturday at 10am on 3.790MHz. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, they are also on 145.425MHz at 7.20pm. Supplemental to the VHF nets there will be Morse training. Contact Tam on 07753 526 498.

Paisley Amateur Radio Club has a net from 8pm on 144.550MHz and Zello on Monday. Tuesday sees the club using DMR room 4415 at 8pm. On Thursday there’s a net on 144.550MHz and the Zello channel from 7.30pm.

On Monday, Edinburgh and District Amateur Radio club has its net, starting on 433.525MHz FM at 8pm. Contact Norman, GM1CNH, on 0774 094 6192.

On Tuesday and Saturday, Livingston and District Amateur Radio Society will either have a net or a meeting, as advised by current guidelines. Details from Cathie, 2M0DIB, on 01506 433 846.

On Wednesday, Lothians Radio Society has a net on 144.350MHz SSB at 8pm. Details by email to secretary@lothiansradiosociety.com.

Inverness and District Amateur Radio Society has a net from 8pm on 145.575MHz and via GB7BI or GB7II slot 1 475 on Wednesday. For details, email InvernessRadioSociety@gmail.com.

The Lomond Club will be using MB7IBH on 144.9625MHz in the Dumbarton area from 7.30pm on Thursday, and they will be also connected on EchoLink using the same gateway. More from Barrie, GM4HEL by email to gm0kzx@googlemail.com.

Stirling and District Club is now open for Thursday evening and Sunday morning sessions. There is a net on GB3FE on Mondays from 7pm. There are live web presentations on the club’s YouTube page. For details, email secretary@gm6nx.com.

On Friday, Strathclyde Park Amateur Radio Club runs a net from 7.30pm on 145.400MHz, and also on the BATC channel from 8pm. Contact Bill, MM0SFB for information.

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Snips – News For Scotland – 30th August

The news headlines:

    • Could you join the RSGB Board?
    • Latest Online RSGB Convention news
    • 20,000 downloads for GB2RS Podcast

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 noted in last Sunday’s GB2RS the following:

CANCELLATION – GMDX Convention – Bannockburn – 17th October. (On CALENDAR)

CANCELLATION – Galashiels  Rally – 25th October. (On CALENDAR)

CANCELLATION – GMRT – Scotland’s Microwave Round Table & Dinner – 7th November. (On CALENDAR )

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Snips – News For Scotland – 23rd August

The news headlines:

            Nominate a new DXer for G5RP Trophy

            Latest Online RSGB Convention news

            Vacancies on important RSGB committees

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.

Today Sunday 23rd:

The West of Scotland ARS (WoSARS)  – will operate a trial SSTV net after the RSGB News on on 144.500 FM around midday. Feel free to join in. (On CALENDAR)

Dundee ARC – has a net via GB3AG from 7pm. Contact Martin, 2M0KAU, on 07763 708 933. Restrictions permitting. Also this weekend 22/23rd August see International Lighthouses Weekend ILLW activities. (On CALENDAR)

And, as noted in last Sunday’s GB2RS the following:

CANCELLATION – GMDX Convention – Bannockburn – 17th October. (On CALENDAR)

CANCELLATION – Galashiels  Rally – 25th October. (On CALENDAR)

CANCELLATION – GMRT – Scotland’s Microwave Round Table & Dinner – 7th November. (On CALENDAR )

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Snips – News For Scotland – 9th August

The news headlines:

            Remote Invigilation helps hundreds

            Check RSGB news online

            Could you write for children?

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.

Stirling Club has resumed normal Club meetings on Thursdays and Sundays, and is running an ARDF day on 16th August. (On WoSARS Calendar)

Also a new AR Net from Shetland & South Uist

“We are delighted to announce the Viking Amateur Radio Net started last Saturday, 25th July. The Net is based in Scotland and is dedicated to promoting friendly Amateur Radio chat on the Amateur Radio Bands of 80m & 40m. Our Facebook & Net is open to all licenced amateur operators & SWL’s from any country. The current MORNING band is on 80-metre from 05:00 to 06:00 UTC (06:00 to 07:00 local UK time) seven days a week. The base frequency is 3.770MHz. The 40-metre band Net time/frequency is yet to be announced. https://www.facebook.com/groups/VikingAmateurRadioNet/ “

 

And, as noted in last Sunday’s GB2RS the following:

CANCELLATION – the Cockenzie and Port Seaton Mini Rally/Junk Night on Friday 14th August has been cancelled.

CANCELLATION – GMDX Conventition – Bannockburn – 17th October.

CANCELLATION – Galashiels  Rally – 25th October.

And New This Sunday:

CANCELLATION – GMRT – Scotland’s Microwave Round Table & Dinner – 7th November. (On CALENDAR )

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Reflections From An Old WoSARS Young-Yin!

By Hugh Cummings GM0HSC (WoSARS Past Member)

Dragging up some old memories:

Along with a number of the other younger amateurs around Glasgow, we set up a group specifically aimed at younger folks, and people new to the hobby, called YAGIS – the Young Amateurs Group In Scotland. One area of interest saw us partake in conversion of assorted PMR sets, to get cheap access to the bands, where commercial kit wasn’t available, including a batch of Pye Cambridges on 4m AM, then converting them (badly) to FM. We ended  with D3E – pretty much!

PYE Cambridge – Hybrid Mobile Tx/Rx (Valve Tx Transistor Rx)

A lesson was learned about shorting out valve grids with a screwdriver I remember, and simultaneously, that electric current flows from a person to another touching person – ouch!

I used to use aircraft scatter to make a 4m qso between David – then GM7BPA (who was a runner up in the young amateur of the year contest I think?) in Croftamie and myself in Mansewood Glasgow. 2m was fine but 4m needed an aircraft approaching the airport over Duntocher for the path to work 🙂

We also ran fox hunts, and many hill-top operations, with all sorts or mobile trips up hills in Ayrshire and the southern Highlands. I also remember a VHF field day above East Kilbride and special event station GB0BUS using a double decker bus I had at the time.

Hugh’s Current Bus – Fares Please! (COX)

I went on to become the senior novice licence instructor for Strathclyde and along with Tommy GM3VBT and Susan GM4SGB, we trained somewhere in the region of 30 mainly young people at novice level, with many going on to get Class B and Class A licences – including young folk from the High School of Glasgow and St Aloysius’ College – one of whom went on to be the lead guitarist in Indy band  MOGWAI  (Almost a callsign – COX).

Another memorable adventure was a mini dxpedition to ACHILL ISLAND in Co Mayo in Ireland IO43………..

View of Achill Island using NASA’s technology overhead

…………..where we got special permission from the Ministry to operate as EJ4VNX on 50MHz as well as on 70MHz, and the other bands. We picked a great week for it (as we had researched the likelihood) and from day 2, had almost constant day time E openings to mainland Europe.

Great times.

Best regards to all at WoSARS for your forthcoming 50th Celebrations.

Shug GM0HSC – a Old Young Yin!

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Cambodia (XU) Gets On The ‘Air’

 

Cambodian Amateur Radio Club

Some years ago unknown Koreans amateur radio operators left behind a very complete set of ham radio equipment and antennas at  the National Polytechnic Institute of Cambodia (NPIC) near Phnom Penh. This great shack was sitting idle for some years until the Engineering Service Team of FEBC,  through  locally resident engineer, Mike Adams  (XU7AJA/KH0AS) made contact with the school.

NPIC thought it might help interest students in radio careers if an amateur radio club could be started and the shack brought back into operation, which is how the NPIC Amateur Radio Club was born. Since anyone can be behind the mic as long as a properly licensed control operator is present, lots of professors and students got to spend time on the radios.The radio club has been active in contests, using Adams’ XU7AJA call sign.

FEBC International – Engineering Service Team  held the first ARRL VEC Amateur Radio examination session in Cambodia  on April 5.2018.
FEBC – Far East Broadcasting Company)  an association of local broadcast ministries.

For further information checkout: https://guychrisfebc.blog/tag/npic/

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Snips – News For Scotland – 24th May

The news headlines:

  • YOTA Online programme launched
  • SARL celebrates 95 years
  • Change to exam booking system

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/

The following clubs have submitted their activity details for GB2RS as follows:-

Club activities taking place daily:-

 Ayr Amateur Radio Group has daily nets on 7.035MHz ± QRM at 10.15am, QSY to 7.065MHz for SSB; 145.450MHz at 10.30am; CW on 144.295MHz at 7.30pm, QSY to FM or SSB later.

Glenrothes & District Radio Club has open nets on Monday to Saturday at 10am on 3.790MHz On Tuesdays and Thursdays on there are also nets on 145.425MHz at 7:20pm. Supplemental to the VHF nets there will be morse training. Contact Tam on 07753 526 498.

Club Activities taking place on specific days:-

 Sunday

 Ayr Amateur Radio Group has a CW net on 144.295MHz from 7pm and 145.450MHz FM at 7.30pm. Contact Derek, MM0OVD, on 0744 793 1941.

Stirling and District Radio Society are running a using the GB3FE repeater located at Stirling from around 10am.

Glasgow and Clyde RAYNET group are running a NET using the MB7IBH gateway at Dumbarton. Access is via EchoLink or on RF on 144.9625 MHz and the net is open to ALL from 8:00pm

Dundee ARC has a net via GB3AG from 7pm. Contact Martin, 2M0KAU, on 07763 708 933.

Kilmarnock & Loudoun Amateur Radio Club has a net from 2pm around 3.720MHz SSB, moving to around 3.540MHz for a CW net after the SSB net ends.

Mid Lanarkshire Amateur Radio Society has a net from 10pm on 28.475MHz.

Monday

 Edinburgh & District Amateur Radio Club has a net on 433.525MHz FM at 8pm. Contact Norman, GM1CNH, on 07740 946 192.

Paisley Amateur Radio Club are running nets on Monday from 2000 on144.550 and Zello

 Tuesday

 Kilmarnock & Loudoun Amateur Radio Club has a net on 145.475MHz FM from 7.30pm

Paisley Amateur Radio Club at 2000 using DMR 4415

Wednesday

 Mid Lanarkshire Amateur Radio Society has a net on DMR Scotland channel TG23550 from 8pm

Lothians Radio Society will be holding a net on 144.350MHz SSB at 8pm. All are welcome to join in. For further information please contact Andy by email to secretary@lothiansradiosociety.com.

Inverness & District Amateur Radio Society has it net from 8pm on 145.575MHz & GB7BI or GB7II slot 1 475. For details, email InvernessRadioSociety@gmail.com.

West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society has a net from 8pm on 433.425MHz. On Friday there’s a net on 145.425MHz also from 8pm. Details are at wosars.club.

Thursday

 Paisley Amateur Radio Club at 2000 on 144.550 and Zello and  a Virtual Meeting on Zoom at 1930

Wigtownshire Amateur Radio Club has a net from 7pm on GB3DG. See www.gm4riv.org for other details.

The Lomond Club will be using MB7IBH on 144.9625MHz in the Dumbarton Area from 7:30 and they will be also connected on EchoLink using the same gateway

The Stirling Club has a net on GB3FE from 7pm.

Friday

 Mid Lanarkshire Amateur Radio Society has a Zello net on the club channel, moving later to 2m FM using GB3KE and EchoLink. Details are at https://mlars.co.uk.

West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society has a net on 145.425MHz from 8pm. Details are at wosars.club.

Strathclyde Park Amateur Radio Club  (SPARCS) runs a net from 1930 on 145.400 MHz also on the BATC channel from 2000hrs contact Bill MM0SFB for information.

Saturday

 Kilmarnock & Loudoun Amateur Radio Club has an online meeting. Contact Len Paget, GM0ONX, via email to klarcinfo@gmail.com.

Finally a reminder that the list of active club nets is listed on the WoSARS website at  https://wosars.club/radio-nets/. If you want to have your net listed or to report any changes to existing nets please contact Tony Miles MM0TMZ on address rr1@rsgb.org.uk or (07702)-134188 For any other Scottish news please send details to radcom@rsgb.org.uk and note that the deadline is 10am. On Thursday.