Tag: People

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Snips – News For Scotland – 23rd January

CLICK – For Full Scotland Schedule

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND (GB2RS ) Extracts inc Additions

(Edited Sunday on 23rd – Jack GM4COX)

In this constantly changing pandemic situation, details of club activities can be found on the individual club’s website. A summary of activities in Scotland compiled by RSGB Regional Representative Tony, MM0TMZ can be found at wosars.club/radio-nets.

New GB2RS Broadcast from the station of Michael – 2M0GUI for west Glasgow – HERE .

Silent Key, Sandy Lawrie – GM3PQU, Longniddry, East Lothian.

New RSGB District Representative (DR) for Glasgow, Central and Lanarkshire – Harry GM1VFR; a WoSARS’s COMMITTEE MEMBER. Harry will being assisting our Regional Representative (RR), Tony MM0TMZ (another WoSARS Member). We wish Harry and the ‘Team’ all the best looking after our interests.

CLUB NEWS & NETS (Full Listings – HERE)

We start with advance notice that on the 3rd of February at 8pm Wigtownshire Amateur Radio Society is hosting an exclusive Zoom presentation by Roy Lewallen, W7EL, author of the EZNEC antenna modelling software.  Request an invitation via events@gm4riv.org. There is a net on Sundays from 7.30pm on GB3DG. Thursday sees a net on GB3DG from 7pm. There is also an open RAYNET net daily on GB3DG from noon. Oli, MM0YOS, info@gm4riv.org

West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society has resumed  the Solder Group meetings on Wednesday and Rose Street Club nights on Friday. There are daily ‘Ad-Hoc’ nets from 11am on 145.425MHz. Wednesday sees a net from 8pm on 433.425MHz and this Friday there’s a talk on ‘Kit For Out And About’ by Jack, GM4COX. www.wosars.club

The Loch Lomond 8pm Sunday open net takes place via MB7IBH on 145.3375MHz with 103.5Hz CTCSS. Thursday club nights remain suspended at the moment (due to resume 3rd February) replaced by a bi-monthly net on 145.3375MHz and via MB7IBH. The next net takes place on Thursday at 8pm. www.lomondradio.club

Ayr Amateur Radio Group has a net on Sundays from 7pm on 144.295MHz CW and from 7.30pm on 145.450MHz FM. There are daily nets around 7.035MHz from 10.15am, moving to 7.065MHz and 145.450MHz at 10.30am. derek.secaarg@gmail.com

Stirling and District Amateur Radio Society is open today for operating from 11am. It will also be open on Thursday from 7pm. secretary@gm6nx.com

Kingdom Amateur Radio Society has nets on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 7pm on 144.750MHz. Steve, MM0SKX, 0771 105 9343

Dundee Amateur Radio Club holds nets on Sundays and Wednesdays from 7.30pm on GB3AG and GB3DD. Martin, 2M0KAU, 0776 370 8933

Kilmarnock & Loudoun Amateur Radio Club holds a net on Sundays from 2pm around 3.720MHz SSB, later moving to around 3.540MHz CW. Tuesday sees a net on 145.475MHz from 7.30pm. klarcinfo@gmail.com

The Viking Amateur Radio Net runs on Sundays from 6pm on 3.660 or 3.639MHz. Details are on their Facebook page

Glenrothes & District Radio Club has open nets daily from 10am on 3.790MHz except Sunday. Morse training is now available on request. Tam, 0775 352 6498

Paisley Amateur Radio Club holds a net on Mondays from 8pm on 144.550MHz and on Zello. Tuesday sees a DMR net in room 4415 from 8pm. On Thursday, there is an FM net on 144.550MHz and on Zello from 7.30pm. Stuart, MM0PAZ, 0742 665 0757

On Monday, Edinburgh & District Amateur Radio Club has its net at 8.15pm on 433.525MHz FM.  Norman, GM1CNH, 0774 094 6192

DV Scotland has a multi-mode net on Monday from 9pm to 10.30pm using GM5DVS. Details of how to access all DV Scotland repeaters is at dvscotland.net

Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society is open on Tuesdays from 7.30pm with a talk from a club member on DMR. Wednesday sees a net on DMR Scotland TG23550 from 8pm. Cathie, 2M0DIB, 01506 433 846

Inverness & District Amateur Radio Society has stopped its Wednesday meetings owing to COVID restrictions. There are nets on Wednesday from 8pm on GB3BI and from 8.40pm on GB7II talkgroup 23558. Adrian, MM0DHY, InvernessRadioSociety@gmail.com

Falkirk Amateur Radio Club has a net via GB3FE from 8pm on Wednesday. Peter, gm8gax@tiscali.co.uk

Mid Lanarkshire Amateur Radio Society meets every Friday from 7pm at Newarthill Community Education Centre. Wednesday sees a net on TG 23550 from 8pm and on Thursday there’s a net on 70.425MHz from 8pm. www.mlars.co.uk

Lomond Radio Club has suspended its Thursday in-person meetings. (due to resume 3rd February) . Instead, there’s a net on GB3DM at 7.30pm and occasional Zoom meetings. Barrie, gm0kzx@googlemail.com

On Friday, Strathclyde Park Amateur Radio Club has a net from 7.30pm on 145.400MHz, and also on the BATC channel from 8pm. Bill, MM0SFB, gm0syv@btinternet.com

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.

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Snips – News For Scotland – 5th December

CLICK – For Full Scotland Schedule

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND (GB2RS ) Extracts inc Additions

The RSGB would like to welcome Jim Campbell, MM7BIW to the role of Regional Representative for Region 2. Jim has been co-opted until the 2022 AGM.

CLUB NEWS & NETS (Full Listings – HERE)

WoSARS – GM4AGG will be active during the morning of Sunday 12th taking part in the forthcoming TRANSATLANTIC CELEBRATIONS .

Wigtownshire Amateur Radio Society has a net on Sundays from 7.30pm on GB3DG, which then usually moves to Zoom at around 8pm. Thursday sees a net on GB3DG from 7pm, a Zoom meeting follows at 8pm. There is also an open RAYNET net daily on GB3DG from noon. Oli, MM0YOS, info@gm4riv.org

Ayr Amateur Radio Group has a net on Sundays from 7pm on 144.295MHz CW and from 7.30pm on 145.450MHz FM. There are daily nets around 7.035MHz from 10.15am, moving to 7.065MHz and 145.450MHz at 10.30am. derek.secaarg@gmail.com

Stirling and District Amateur Radio Society is open today for operating from 11am. It will also be open on Thursday from 7pm. secretary@gm6nx.com

Kingdom Amateur Radio Society has nets on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 7pm on 144.750MHz. Steve, MM0SKX, 0771 105 9343

The Lomond Sunday night net takes place from 8pm via EchoLink gateway MB7IBH and also locally on RF using 144.9625MHz, moving to DMR TG23559 from 9pm.

Dundee Amateur Radio Club holds nets on Sundays and Wednesdays from 7.30pm on GB3AG and GB3DD. Martin, 2M0KAU, 0776 370 8933

Kilmarnock & Loudoun Amateur Radio Club holds a net on Sundays from 2pm around 3.720MHz SSB, later moving to around 3.540MHz CW. Tuesday sees a net on 145.475MHz from 7.30pm. klarcinfo@gmail.com

The Viking Amateur Radio Net runs on Sundays from 6pm on 3.660 or 3.639MHz. Details are on their Facebook page

Glenrothes & District Radio Club has open nets daily from 10am on 3.790MHz except Sunday. Morse training is now available on request. Tam, 0775 352 6498

Paisley Amateur Radio Club holds a net on Mondays from 8pm on 144.550MHz and on Zello. Tuesday sees a DMR net in room 4415 from 8pm. On Thursday, there is an FM net on 144.550MHz and on Zello from 7.30pm. Stuart, MM0PAZ, 0742 665 0757

On Monday, Edinburgh & District Amateur Radio Club has its net at 8pm on 433.525MHz FM. On Saturday there is a meeting and social evening. Norman, GM1CNH, 0774 094 6192

DV Scotland has a multi-mode net on Monday from 9pm to 10.30pm using GM5DVS. Access to the net is via All-Star Hub and Brandmeister DMR. See the website for information.

Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society has its AGM on Tuesday from 7.30pm. Wednesday sees a net on DMR Scotland TG23550 from 8pm. Cathie, 2M0DIB, 01506 433 846

Inverness & District Amateur Radio Society has a club meeting at Green Tree Nursery from 7.30pm on Wednesday. Adrian, MM0DHY, InvernessRadioSociety@gmail.com

Falkirk Amateur Radio Club has a net via GB3FE from 8pm on Wednesday. Peter, gm8gax@tiscali.co.uk

On Wednesday Lothians Radio Society has its open Viral Net at 8pm on 144.350MHz SSB. secretary@lothiansradiosociety.com

On Thursday Lomond Radio Club meets from 7pm at the John Connelly Centre in Renton. Barrie, gm0kzx@googlemail.com

Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society meets at 7.30pm on Thursday for a pre-Christmas quiz with prizes. Visit the website for more information.

Mid Lanarkshire Amateur Radio Society meets every Friday from 7pm at Newarthill Community Education Centre 50 High Street Newarthill Motherwell ML1 5JU. Wednesday sees a net on TG 23550 from 8pm and on Thursday there’s a net on 70.425MHz from 8pm. Further details can be found on the website.

On Friday, Strathclyde Park Amateur Radio Club has a net from 7.30pm on 145.400MHz, and also on the BATC channel from 8pm. Bill, MM0SFB, gm0syv@btinternet.com

Details of club activities can normally be found on each club’s website. 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 The deadline for GB2RS submissions is 10am on Thursdays.

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BBC TV Archive Clip of 1949 Ham Radio Contact – BBC TV Rx’d In ZS

Extract off ICQPodcast by Colin Butler – M6BOY

“The BBC Archive shared a clip of a news item about a radio amateur’s reception of BBC TV pictures in Cape Town, South Africa in 1949, it includes an on-air contact

The BBC news item describes the remarkable reception of BBC television pictures from Alexandra Palace, London on 45 MHz by Henry Rieder ZS1P in Cape Town, South Africa.

The clip features a contact between Mr C. G. Allen G8IG of Bromley, Kent and Henry ZS1P in which G8IG asks Henry questions about the TV reception.“

A comprehensive article about the transmission can be found on EI7GL’s Website – HERE .

And from the South African Radio League’s( SARL) – Hall of Fame; Mike Bosch ZS2FM first to receive the BBC TV transmissions in 1956 on BAND I. There is a brief description of the equipment used – HERE .

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“SOS”. Amateur radio operators communicating at Mt. Chokai – Japan

………In late August, amateur radio enthusiast Yukio Sakurai (59) from Matsuyama, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, accidentally received a distress signal for a small boat drifting off the coast of Niigata Prefecture, and gathered information in collaboration with other enthusiasts. It was revealed on the 6th that the Niigata Coast Guard (Niigata City) helped two crew members………….Read MORE ………….

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The First Female Australian Amateur – A2GA

By Heather Holland <zs6ye.yl@gmail.com>

Florence Violet McKenzie OBE (nee Wallace) A2GA/VK2FV/VK2GA

Probably the best known lady amateur operator in Australia is Florence McKenzie (nee Wallace).  Born in 1891, she became Australia’s first tertiary educated female electrical engineer, and opened a wireless/electrical shop in Royal Arcade Sydney in 1921.  In 1925, Florence obtained her amateur licence and the callsign A2GA in 1925, our first known licenced lady amateur.

During 1922 Florence was involved with starting the Wireless Weekly magazine, along with three other people.  This magazine later morphed into Radio and Hobbies and later still, Electronics Australia. The 1948 call book lists her as VK2FV which lapsed about 1959. Regaining interest in amateur radio in 1979, Florence again became 2GA, this time VK2GA, which she held until her death in 1982.  In the mid 1930s Florence established the Electrical Association for Women which appears to have been formed mainly to teach women how to use electrical appliances in the home; she also wrote a cookery book for electric stoves, when none were available.

When Florence realised that war was imminent, “Mrs. Mac” as she was fondly known, became acutely aware of the need for radio communications as part of our defence, and the need for people trained in Morse code.  She established a no-charge training school in a loft near her shop. Her students were initially, predominantly women and the school became known as the Women’s Emergency Signaling Corps. (W.E.S.C.)  During 1940, in response to a newspaper advertisement by the Navy, appealing for trained amateurs to enlist as telegraphists, she offered her trainees.  The Naval Director of Signals and Communications recommended to the Naval Board that they be employed at shore establishments and fourteen selected applicants took up their duties at the Harman Wireless Station in Canberra. From this beginning the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) was established in 1941.  It grew to a peak of 105 officers and 2,518 ratings during the war.

Mrs. Mac trained the women to teach the thousands of men who wanted a skill to offer the Services.  She could also see that if there were women in the services, who were competent in communication, it would free the men for other duties.  In her valedictory published in Ditty Box, the ex WRANS magazine for June 1982, she was reported as being “eventually responsible for training more than 12000 servicemen”!  American servicemen who were based in Australia were sent to Mrs. Mac for refresher courses.  Initially skeptical, they were soon won over by her training methods. Continuing after the war, she trained many QANTAS pilots in Morse code.

Florence McKenzie was awarded an OBE in 1950 and became a SK in 1982 (2021-6-14  ALARA Column A.R. Issue 4 –  Jen VK3WQ

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TM100AA – 100 Years Of Amateur Radio In France

QSL Card – CLICK for QRZ.com

For the ‘centenary’ of the first official authorization of an amateur station, the REF (THE FRENCH TRANSMITTER NETWORK) will use the call sign ‘TM100AA’ from 1st to 15h September 2021

The call sign “8AA” was assigned to André Riss on September 3, 1921.

André was born in 1894, in Boulogne and was authorized at the age of 27 to use a transmitter of his own construction with a power of 1 kilowatt.

It became “eF8AA” (Europe France 8AA) in 1927, then “F8AA” in 1932.

He joined the REF in August 1927, n ° REF 423.

André was active until his death on March 2, 1982.

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Snips – News For Scotland – 5th September

CLICK – For Full Scotland Schedule

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND (GB2RS Extract)

Some sad news first. John Rankin 2M0JCG from Saltcoats has recently become a Silent Key. He came to amateur radio in 2011 being a CB-er before that and spent 11 years in the British Army where he was no stranger to radio. He was a member of the Ayr Amateur Radio Club and Kilmarnock and Loudon Club. Out condolences go to his family.

With clubs beginning to meet face to face and enjoy other activities, please make sure you keep GB2RS up to date. We can now accept repeat information such as nets and meetings but you must let us know at least every three months that nothing has changed.

WoSARS this weekend from its new shack the club is taking part in the 144MHz Trophy portable operating weekend and the 24hr.SSB Field Day. Details at www.wosars.club .

Dundee Amateur Radio Club; Tuesday now sees a Club evening. Martin, 2M0KAU, 0776 370 8933.

Edinburgh & District Amateur Radio Club; this weekend the club is taking part in the 144MHz Trophy portable operating contest. Norman, GM1CNH on 0774 094 6192.

On Wednesday Lothians Radio Society has a net on 144.350MHz SSB from 8pm. Email secretary@lothiansradiosociety.com for further information.

Falkirk Amateur Radio Club continues to have its net via GB3FE from 8pm on Wednesday. Peter, gm8gax@tiscali.co.uk.

Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society have resumed weekly meetings as of last week at 19:30 on Thursdays. Fred, GM3ALZ, 01975 651

Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio Club has resumed meetings on the first Friday of every month for a club night. Bob, GM4UYZ, 01875 811 723.

In this constantly changing pandemic situation, details of club activities can be found on the individual club’s website. To have your net listed on the WoSARS website  (https://wosars.club/radio-nets/) or to report any changes, contact Tony, MM0TMZ by email to rr1@rsgb.org.uk. Remember also to keep GB2RS updated via email to radcom@rsgb.org.uk. Please note that the deadline for GB2RS submissions is 10am on Thursdays.

 

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WoSARS Goes On Holiday To Fife And Comes Back With A Souvenir

Well it all started with an email from James 2M0RMP ………..

“…………..26th Oct 20……………….Jack can you email me your number I have a wind up mast that needs a new home…………..”

In discussion with James, he said he’d met a nice lady who lived just outside St Andrews in Fife and had a tower in her back garden with a ‘protrusion’ upon it; both were required to be removed.

A VersaTower with a ‘Protrusion’

Well what else could we do but help out this nice lady with a trip though to the sunny ‘Fife Rivera’.

And indeed, in June the ‘gang’, Alan GM4TOQ, Sam GM4BGS, Ted 2M0VGY and yours truly headed through to the ‘sunny’ east coast to administer the necessary surgery.

The Fife ‘TEAM’ (Picture Courtesy of Alex Paris)
‘Dropping’ The Tower
Sam & Ted Perform Surgery – Removing The ‘Protrusion’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sparks ‘Fly’ As Alan Cuts The Ground Post

It was intended to try and remove the Ground Post from below the surrounding grass level but this proved beyond the kit we had with us on the day, resorting to cutting it off with a grinder. Not ideal but it did the trick.

And WoSARS would like to thank Alex Paris and family for allowing us to remove their elaborate ‘flagpole’ 🙂 and return it to it’s rightful place in the hierarchy of radio towers. Thanks folks!

And discussions are initially on-going within the Committee as to the use that the tower will be put to. These will be presented to the Members in due course as to their own thoughts.

And, who was the original amateur that owned the house? Alex had no information but did have some communication from Ofcom – with just a reference number on it, but no amateur callsign – a fat lot of use that is! Well I carried out a wee bit investigative work using QRZ.com’s search facilities and tracked GM4DPC ; still listed on QRZ, though a SK for many years? (he left the QTH many years ago). I contacted Ofcom on Alex’s behalf, to inform them that GM4DPC no longer lived at the QTH. They acknowledged accordingly and as a consequence his entry in QRZ maybe removed?

Oh the ‘Protrusion’? Not too sure, but I think it’s was being used as part of a Wi-Fi node for the village years ago when there was limited landline/mobile internet facilities? I have it at my QTH and at the time of writing this article, I have still to ‘sweep’ it?

73

Jack(;>J

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