Snips – News For Scotland – 15th August

The news headlines:

  • Amateurs help with forest fire comms
  • Latest Online Convention news
  • Morse Texting girls make video

GB2RS Script – HERE .

SCOTTISH & CLUB NEWS

As we heard in the main news Moray Firth Amateur Radio Society will be operating as GB0CSL from the Covesea Skerries Lighthouse, Lossiemouth, with the kind permission of the lighthouse trustees. Activity will be on HF and VHF, with details listed at www.mfars.club and on QRZ.com under GB0CSL.

Kevin, G0PEK and Lauren, 2E0HLR will be taking part in the Megacycle DXpedition as they cycle from Lands End to John O’Groats. They started off on the the 1 st of August, and they hope to be home by the 28 th . They will be carrying radio equipment on the bikes and operating VHF bicycle mobile and APRS along much of the route.. You can follow their progress on the Megacycle DXpedition Facebook page. They will be operating from Cape Wrath for Lighthouses on the air.

CLUB NETSHERE .

TAGS: (Within GB2RS Script)

have made a video about Morse Texting; QSO Today online conference; Morse Competency Scheme; G4NZQ; G-QRP Club has released the agenda for its Online Convention 2021; sub-manager for the G4T-Z group has retired; Dudley and District club; RSGB held its 2021 AGM online in April and members were invited to send in questions; The Dartmoor Radio Rally takes place today; the British Amateur Television Club Convention, CAT 21, will commence on the 21st of August; FO/F1SMB; AM1CCB; HI9/HB9TUZ; 6E0D; R20RTA, R20RTM, R20RTP, R20RTRN and R20RTT; Next weekend is International Lightships and Lightship weekend; GB0ELH; GB0AVL; GB2RL for Roker Light, Sunderland; GB5HCL, Hurst Castle Lighthouse; GB0TLH, Teignmouth Lighthouse and GB0ALK for the Association of Lighthouse Keepers; GB0BRO; We had another week of minimal sunspot numbers; a low solar flux; there were no coronal holes on the Sun’s equator so we may expect the good conditions to continue over this weekend; reasonable Tropo conditions over southern areas extending south into the near continent and down across Biscay to Spain; week’s Perseids meteor shower has probably added some useful new long-lived metallic ionisation into the mix as fuel for Sporadic-E;

Snips – News For Scotland – 25th July

The news headlines:

  • RadCom Basics latest issue
  • NRC Net to close
  • DARC reports survey results

GB2RS Script – HERE .

CLUB NEWS & NETS

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 www.wosars.club/radio-nets

TAGS: (Within GB2RS Script)

logging and eLog; survey, as well as opinions on FT8 and licensing; the first 50MHz and 70MHz Machine Generated Modes-only contests; G4PLZ; Bletchley Park has relaxed their requirement for mask wearing and social distancing; we wish to take a more cautious approach at the National Radio Centre; GB3RS; GB2RS continues to expand; M5GWH has joined the existing team in the Stoke-on-Trent area; from MM0JNL is now additionally covering Northumbria; QSL Bureau sub-manager for the G4T-Z group is retiring; Finningley ARS Car Boot Rally; The Wiltshire Radio Rally; 1st Cornwall Antenna Build Off; The King’s Lynn ARC radio rally; Dartmoor Radio Rally; J88PI from Palm Island in the St Vincent; TF/HB9HKE; CT8/W6PQL; Islands On The Air Contest (IOTA); UK Microwave Group Contest runs from 0600 to 1800UTC today; Worked-All-Britain 144MHz Low Power Contest;Fourth 144MHz Backpackers Contest; 144MHz Low Power contest; Thursday the solar flux index was up to 94; HF propagation remains dominated by Sporadic-E; some very good days of Tropo recently; Southern delta Aquarids meteor shower is under way;

Snips – News For Scotland – 18th July

  • RSGB Survey results published
  • Build Off in Cornwall
  • New Full course from Distance Learning Team

GB2RS Script – HERE .

GB2RS Extract:

“……………………The Bath Based Distance Learning team is now planning another course for the Full level exam syllabus. The course will run from the end of August to December this year. Students will receive weekly work packages via a virtual classroom and will have access to weekly online tutorials. Students will also have access to one of the remote tutors who will provide feedback and additional guidance where required. There will be no charge for the training but applicants must work through a pre-course classroom and quiz to be eligible for a place. The deadline for course applications is the 4th of August. For full details, and an application form, email g0fuw@tiscali.co.uk…………………”

CLUB NEWS & NETS

The GB2RS News Service is seeking a volunteer in the Caithness and Orkney area. The successful candidate should have a good 2m FM signal into the GB3OC repeater. They would be joining the existing team that reads the news each Sunday morning at 0930 UK time. If you would like to find out more, without obligation, please contact the GB2RS News Manager, via email to gb2rs.manager@rsgb.org.uk

To celebrate the first one-way amateur radio QSO across the Atlantic that took place on the 12th of December 1921, there is a plan to re-create the event in December this year. Those involved are still looking for volunteers and anyone with vintage 1920s equipment that they might consider loaning for the accompanying exhibition. See GM0DEQ on QRZ.com for email details. (More info within POSTBAG – HERE )

The GB3FE repeater serving the Stirling area is now back in service, operating on reduced power.

TAGS: (Within GB2RS Script)

IARU workshop; Antenna Build Off; Bath Based Distance Learning; Full level exam syllabus; QSL Bureau sub-manager for the G4T to Z group; GB4RS; GB2RS continues to expand; Finningley ARS Car Boot; The Wiltshire Radio Rally, Electronics Fair & Car Boot Sale ; Dartmoor Radio Rally; GM7V during next weekend’s IOTA contest; C6AHA; GM3RCV; MM8C; 18th, the International Low Power contest; 24-hour Islands On The Air contest; UK Microwave Group contest runs from 0600 to 1800UTC; solar flux index remained in the 70s last week; a large solar coronal hole impacted the Earth; University of Massachusetts Lowell Observatory has now been fixed; Sporadic-E remains; Tropo ducting;

Snips – News For Scotland – 11th July

The news headlines:

  • RSGB Convention goes online for 2021
  • YOTA contest second leg
  • National Radio Centre reopens

GB2RS Script – HERE .

CLUB NEWS & NETS

The GB2RS service is seeking a newsreader to cover the Western Isles of Scotland. You would be joining an existing team as a reserve reader and there are opportunities for more than one applicant to broadcast the News on Sunday using HF, VHF or UHF. You should be an RSGB Member and have good coverage of the region. If you want to find out more without obligation, please contact the GB2RS Manager at gb2rs.manager@rsgb.org.uk.

Now the listing of all known nets in Scotland, which is collated by RSGB Regional Rep Tony, MM0TMZ in association with Jack, GM4COX and the West of Scotland ARS and published at www.wosars.club/radio-nets.

The GB3FE repeater serving the Stirling area is now running on reduced power and this will affect the Stirling and Falkirk nets.

TAGS: (Within GB2RS Script)

RSGB National Radio Centre; G-QRP Club Convention; EMC help desk; Ofcom; AM QSO Party; Dragon Amateur Radio Club; East Suffolk Wireless Revival and McMichael rally & boot sale; Finningley ARS Car Boot; C6AHA; RI0FM; GB1COC & GB8CCC; IARU HF Championship; solar flux index declined this week ending at 76; Sporadic E season also continues to delight UK amateurs;

Snips – News For Scotland – 4th July

The news headlines:

  • Join Monday’s Tonight @ 8
  • NRC closure for tree felling
  • GM0GMN to lead IPA Amateur Radio Section

GB2RS Script – HERE .

CLUB NEWS & NETS

The GB3FE repeater serving the Stirling area is still out of service and this will affect the Stirling and Falkirk nets.

Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio is participating in VHF Field Day today. Bob, GM4UYZ, 01875 811 723.

Edinburgh & District Amateur Radio Club will be operating portable for VHF NFD portable operations today Its regular FM net on Monday takes place at 8pm on 433.525MHz.. Norman, GM1CNH, 0774 094 6192.

The West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is working on the new shack today and may operate for VHF Field Day It has a regular Sunday net from 11am on 145.425MHz. Wednesday sees a net from 8pm on 433.425MHz and on Friday there is an open net on 145.425MHz from 8pm. www.wosars.club.

Dundee Amateur Radio Club is taking part In VHF NFD today as well as the Backpackers contest. The Club holds nets on Sundays and Wednesdays from 7.30pm on GB3AG and GB3DD. The. Martin, 2M0KAU, 0776 370 8933.

TAGS: (Within GB2RS Script)

Tonight @ 8 webinar; National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park will be closed; International Police Association has appointed Jim, GM0GMN; update from Ofcom to their guidance What you need to know as an Amateur Radio user; RSGB awards are open to everyone; The GB2RS service is seeking a newsreader to cover the Western Isles of Scotland; Churches and Chapels on the Air; Finningley ARS Car Boot bring & buy is scheduled to go ahead on Sunday the 25th of July; Wiltshire Radio Rally, Electronics Fair & Car Boot Sale is planned to go ahead on Sunday the 1st of August; ES2TT/0 from Saaremaa Island; VP2V/K3TRM from Tortola; ZD7GB; Coventry being the UK City of Culture GB1COC & GB8CCC; IARU HF Championship; the SFI ended up way higher than this, peaking at 94 on Thursday; Sporadic-E has started to tail off a little as we enter July;  solar flux index will decline from around 92 to perhaps 85 next week; We had a super North-South duct up the East Coast on Wednesday evening allowing a close-to 700km 10GHz Tropo QSO;

Snips – News For Scotland – 27th June

The news headlines:

  • Covid-19 affects VHF NFD
  • Tree-felling to interrupt National Radio Centre
  • Durham is 13 Colonies bonus station

GB2RS Script – HERE .

CLUB NEWS & NETS

It has been reported that the repeater GB3FE serving the Stirling area is still out of service which will impact all users, especially the Stirling nets today, and Monday and Thursday and Falkirk net on Wednesday. At present it is unknown when service will be restored.

Kingdom Amateur Radio Society is having to vacate its premises but is continuing to have a net on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 7pm on 144.750MHz. Contact Steve, MM0SKX, 07711 059 343 for further information.

Today Stirling and District Amateur Radio Society is open for outdoor activities and operating from 11am this Sunday. The Club is also open on Thursday evenings from 7:00 pm for further details, email secretary@gm6nx.com

And finally, The Loch Lomond net in the Vale of Leven has stopped for its summer break and will return first Sunday in October.

TAGS: (Within GB2RS Script)

VHF NFD and Covid Restrictions; 13 Colonies Special Event; GB13COL; Youngsters On The Air Contests; Ham Radio World event; vintage Alexanderson alternator transmitter  SAQ; HB0/HB9HBY; J20EE; AK4AM/P; St Helena; City of Culture. GB1COC & GB8CCC; Boy Scouts of America Radio K2BSA/8; GB1HA; Museums on the Air GB0HMG; GB0UTA and GB5UTA; 3rd 2m Backpackers contest; there is no ionosonde data on the Propquest.co.uk; best chance of Tropo is over Scotland and Ireland.

Snips – News For Scotland – 20th June

The news headlines:

  • Latest rally news
  • Ofcom updates guidance
  • ARISS SSTV from ISS

GB2RS Script – HERE .

CLUB NEWS & NETS

The Sunday Loch Lomond net in the Vale of Leven which was temporarily suspended returns tonight. See the Facebook pages or contact mm3ddq@yahoo.co.uk

Falkirk Amateur Radio Club’s net on Wednesday is unable to operate until further notice owing to repeater GB3FE being down. Peter, gm8gax@tiscali.co.uk

For the same reason the Stirling Club Net today and the ones on Monday and Thursday are also not taking place on GB3FE

A listing of all known nets in Scotland, collated by RSGB Regional Rep Tony, MM0TMZ in association with Jack, GM4COX and the West of Scotland ARS and published at www.wosars.club/radio-nets.

TAGS: (Within GB2RS Script)

Dartmoor Radio Rally; McMichael Rally; East Suffolk Wireless Revival; What you need to know as an amateur radio user and the Ofcom EMF calculator; Bletchley Park; G0NSY SK; virtual Ham Radio World Weekend; FMH Portable Operations Challenge; Slovenian Amateur Radio Union will celebrate the country’s 30 years of independence; TO11A; GM4PVM; 7D9BA; UK Microwave Group 122 to 248GHz contest; UK Microwave Group 5.7 and 10GHz contest; SFI at around 80 and quiet geomagnetic conditions with a Kp index of two; We are in peak season for Sporadic-E;

Snips – News For Scotland – 23rd May

The news headlines:

  • Final details on EMF from Ofcom
  • Cathryn, M0IBG inducted in to the CQ Hall of Fame
  • RSGB National Radio Centre re-opens

GB2RS Script – HERE .

CLUB NEWS & NETS

No Scottish updates this week

A listing of all known nets in Scotland, collated by RSGB Regional Rep Tony, MM0TMZ in association with Jack, GM4COX and the West of Scotland ARS and published at www.wosars.club/radio-nets.

TAGS: (Within GB2RS Script)

EMF from Ofcom; M0IBG; Contesting and DX Halls of Fame; Bletchley Park will re-open; 50MHz awards; GB7LA; thousands of new people gained their Foundation licence; 3A/IW1RBI from Monaco; 5R8RP; F5TRO; FR8UA and FR8TZ; SM7/OZ3ACB; GB1SCW as part of SOS radio week; another wild week with Sporadic-E; Transatlantic multi-hop sporadic Es brought contacts in the USA

SOTA Fun On Microwave

During ‘On-Air’ chats, members of WoSARS often hear me describe some of the fun that can be had on microwave frequencies; especially for myself 13cms (2.3/2.4GHz) whilst out Activating a SOTA summit.

These escapades evolved from the creation of the GM13 GROUP of likeminded amateurs in 2017.

CLICK – For Further Information

Following the successful launch and operation of OSCAR 100 in 2018/19; this has opened up the opportunity to predictably work distant stations around Europe, Asia, Africa and even South America. Using the Satellite’s 13cms UP and 3cms (10GHz)  DOWN translator; some of our hardy band of SOTA-microeers have put together kit to access this facility.

GM/SS-037 Hart Fell – G(M)4VFL- Microwave Kit (19/05/21) [PIC – G4VFL]

Andrew’s GM/SS-037 – LOG

Andrew G4VFL was an early adopter of this challenge (see WoSARS Web March 2020 Article – HERE ) along with his ‘partner-in-crime’ Nick G0HIK; they have been progressively ‘knockin’ off summits in LD (Lake  District) and SS (Southern Scotland).

G/LD-024 Pike O Blisco – Nick G0HIK Operating (19/05/21) [PIC – G0HIK]
Now not having quite the enthusiasm of the ‘twosomes’ as to lugging dishes up summits, I do however benefit from potential Summit-to-Summit’s S2S’s, utilising my 8 ele Bow-Tie and SG transverter (2W out) and the gain of the dishes at the other end.

GM/SS-142 Scawld Law – GM4COX’s 8 El Bow-Tie (19/05/21) [PIC – GM4COX]
Popping down to just below the 2.4GHz UP Oscar frequency (2399.950MHz), it is possible to work Point-to-Point (S2S) utilising the high gain of the dishes – with the majority of the contacts being made on FM (of course falling back on SSB/CW on marginal paths).

GM/SS-100 Croft Head – GM4COX Bow-Tie on Walking Pole (19/05/21) – see end of this Post for design information [PIC – GM4COX]
And Wednesday 19th (May) this week, saw us all heading out on a predetermined series of Activations; an LD for Nick (and Chris M0KPW), and SS’s for Andrew and myself.

Predicted Path Profile – G/LD-024 to GM/SS-037 [PIC – G4VFL – CLICK to View]
Path Routes – G/LD-024 to GM/SS-037,100, 142 [PIC – GM4COX – CLICK to View]
So why not join us. Just bring along your kitchen microwave to a suitable top – you never know who you’ll work. 🙂

And I’ll leave the last word to Nick:

“……… Hi Guys,

Thanks for the contacts today, it was staggering how strong you both were. I think GM/SS-037 was 110km and GM/SS-142 was 99km. Sorry we could not stay around for your 2nd one Jack …………..”
73
Jack(;>J
EDIT: 10/06/21 – The design for the 8el Bow-Tie has been added to the GM13 Site. If you would like a copy please email gm4cox@gmail.com (file size 4MB)

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