27 Apr 2009

UPDATE 27/04/09

Hey all,

Well today everyone is Mr Samuel Morse Birthday! Happy birthday and Respect!
Believe it or not he was not a scientist - he was a professional artist. Educated at Phillip’s Academy at Andover, he graduated from Yale in 1810 and he lived in England from 1811 to 1815, exhibiting at the Royal Academy in 1813. He spent the next ten years as an itinerant artist with a particular interest in portraiture. He returned to America in 1832 having been appointed Professor of Painting and Sculpture at the University of the City of New York. It was on this homeward voyage that he overheard a shipboard discussion on electromagnets. This was the seed out of which the electric telegraph grew. Morse is remembered for his Code, still used today throughout this beautiful hobbie, and less for the invention that enabled it to be used, probably since landline telegraphy eventually gave way to wireless telegraphy.

From 1837 Morse gave the telegraph his full attention, having set up in partnership with Alfred Vail, Professor Leonard Gail, and congressman F O J Smith. Vail provided funds and facilities at the family ironworks, and Smith legal expertise. There’s an irony, therefore, that disagreements with Vail led to litigation; Vail provided funds for lawyers, too. The telgraph was eventually patented in Morse’s name alone, an event granted by the US Supreme Court in 1854. Morse’s decision to abandon painting was possibly due in part to his failure in 1836 to secure a commission to paint the Rotunda of the Capitol building, a commission he had expected. He did not entirely lose contact with his art, being President of the National Academy of Designfrom 1826 to 1845.

The first message sent by the electric telegraph was "What hath God wrought", from the Supreme Court Room in the Capitol to the railway depot at Baltimore on May 24th 1844. There is a website on this topic. The words were chosen by Annie Ellsworth; in one letter Morse wrote this phrase with ‘God’ capitalised and underlined twice.

In 1847 Morse bought Locust Grove, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and built there an Italianate mansion. This is now a Morse museum, and annually hosts the Poughkeepsie Amateur Radio Society for its Morse Day. In old age Morse became philanthropic.

For his 80th birthday in 1871 a statue was unveiled in Central Park in New York on June 10th, with two thousand telegraphists present. Morse was not, but was that evening at the Academy of Music for an emotional acclamation of his work.

Although most people nowadays would think of Morse code being used for long-distance radiotelegraphy, the land-line telegraph was standard until about 1880 for short-distance metropolitan communication. Over longer distances the telegraph tended to follow the line of the railways because there were no difficulties over rights-of-way. The lines were mostly overhead, since the problems of insulating underground lines proved insuperable for many years - indeed the development of the original line was hampered owing to this problem.

The telegraph of course came to be important for the military, being used first at Varna during the Crimean War in 1854. It was widely used in the American Civil War, where rapid deployment techniques for land-lines were developed; the Spanish-American War found the first use of telegraphy for newspaper correspondents (1898). The first military use for radio telegraphy was during the Russo-Japanes War in 1904 - 5.

Telegraphists were, no doubt, a special elite; perhaps one of the first documented to suffer from repetitive strain injury. ‘Brasspounding’, that is telegraphy on a straight (up and down) key gave rise to telegrapher’s ‘glass arm’; it was this that motivated the invention of the ‘side-swiper’ or ‘bug’ key, the most famous maker of which is Vibroplex.

The code itself is discussed more in my Morse Code pages which I plan on uploading soon :)

The papers and correspondence of SFB Morse are in the Library of Congress; visit the Samuel F.B.Morse homepage for more details.


Mr Samuel Morse died on April 2, 1872 at his home at 5 West 22nd Street, New York City, at the age of 80, and was buried in the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

For those of you are reading this and don't know what the hell Morse code is, well it is a type of character encoding that transmits telegraphic information using rhythm. Morse code uses a standardized sequence of short and long elements to represent the letters, numerals, punctuation and special characters of a given message. The short and long elements can be formed by sounds, marks, or pulses, in on off keying and are commonly known as "dots" and "dashes" or "dits" and "dahs". The speed of Morse code is measured in words per minute (WPM) or characters per minute, while fixed-length data forms of telecommunication transmission are usually measured in baud or bps.

Morse code was extensively used for early radio communication beginning in the 1890s. For the first half of the twentieth century, the majority of high-speed international communication was conducted in Morse code, using telegraph lines, undersea cables, and radio circuits. However, the variable length of the Morse characters made it hard to adapt to automated circuits, so for most electronic communication it has been replaced by machine readable formats, such as Baudot code and ASCII.


The most popular current use of Morse code is by amateur radio operators withinthis wonderful hobbie, although it is no longer a requirement for amateur licensing in many countries. In the professional field, pilots and air traffic controllers are usually familiar with Morse code and require a basic understanding. Navigational aids in the field of aviation, such as VORs and NDBs, constantly transmit their identity in Morse code. Morse code is designed to be read by humans without a decoding device, making it useful for sending automated digital data in voice channels. For emergency signaling, Morse code can be sent by way of improvised sources that can be easily "keyed" on and off, making Morse code one of the most versatile methods of telecommunication in existence.

So there you go thats it in a nutshell, I will publish more about this code in future updates but for now here is some news thats floating around amateur radio in Ireland with thanks to the IRTS.



SOTA Amateur Radio and Hillwalking

Those who want to combine amateur radio with
hillwalking can get involved in the Summits On The Air
("SOTA") programme. SOTA is a bit like IOTA, with hills
and mountains replacing islands. It is designed to
encourage portable operation in mountainous areas, and
there are awards for activators, who ascend to the
summits, and chasers, who either operate from home, a
local hilltop or are activators on other summits.

More than 20 countries are currently involved in the
SOTA programme, including Ireland - North and South.
There are 387 eligible summits in EI (of which more
than 50 have been activated) and 66 eligible summits in
GI (of which 36 have been activated). More details,
including a list of eligible summits and a lot more,
can be found at www.qsl.net/sotaei and at
www.sota.org.uk

With a view to encouraging more SOTA activity, an
International SOTA Weekend is to be held on Saturday
2nd and Sunday 3rd May 2009, which is next weekend. It
is hoped that this event will see many summit-to-summit
contacts between different SOTA associations, and give
chasers the chance to work activators from several
different DXCC entities.



6-metre Guyana Dxpedition

The 6 Meter Beacon Project, Inc., is happy to
announce a HF-50 MHz DXpedition to Guyana between
June 16th and July 6th.

Antennas for 6 meters will be a 6M7JHV yagi at 45 ft.
on the Atlantic Ocean pointed towards EU and NA, and
using a 3CPX800A7 amp.

Activity will be split between two teams: 11 days will
be by Chris W3CMP and Dave N3DB, the other 11 days by
Terry K4RX and Ken AC4TO.

They hope to get some decent openings to, amongst other
places, Northern EU, 5B/4X and W6/W7. They expect to
have Internet access most of the time.

Operating frequencies and Web site will be announced at
a later date.




Rallies

More information on Rallies can be found on the IRTS
website www.irts.ie/rallies



History this week

1900 Marconi International Marine Communication Company
Ltd. formed.

1900 Marconi Patent 7777 for tuned coupled circuits.

22 Apr 2009

UPDATE 22/04/09


History this week


1846 The telegraph ticker tape machine was patented by
R.E. House.

1900 First military (R.Navy) use of wireless in the
Boer War. 85kms.

1912 Titanic sinks, radio use results in saving
many lives.




Mayo Radio Experimenter Group


The IRTS radio news is transmitted every Sunday
evening on the Mayo Repeater (145.600) at 8pm local
time. The newsreaders are John, EI7IQ, Padraic, EI9JA
and Jimmy EI2GCB.

The Mayo Radio Experimenters are testing
simultaneous news transmissions on 50.375 SSB and
plan to add both 4mt and 70cms news transmissions
soon. Reception reports for the 6mts transmission
are especially welcomed.

The date for the Mayo Rally 2009 is Sunday November 22
at The Welcome Inn Hotel, Castlebar.



IRTS AGM


The IRTS AGM weekend, which is hosted by the Shannon
Basin Radio Club, takes place on Saturday 25th and
Sunday 26th April 2009. The venue is the Shamrock Lodge
Hotel Athlone, which boasts ample car parking space and
the best facilities around. The call in frequency will
be 145.350.

Tickets for the annual dinner are now available from
Brian Canning EI8IU, Brian can be contacted on 086
2514822 of via email from brianei8iu /at/ eircom.net

There will also be a Rally and Annual Gereral Meeting,
for further details in relation to the dinner or rally
please contact Brian EI8IU, Tony EI6DL, or Pat EI9HX
There is also lots more information available on the
AGM weekend from the IRTS website.

7 Apr 2009

UPDATE 07/04/09

IRTS AGM

The IRTS AGM weekend, which is hosted by the Shannon
Basin Radio Club, takes place on Saturday 25th and
Sunday 26th April 2009. The venue is the Shamrock Lodge
Hotel Athlone, which boasts ample car parking space and
the best facilities around.

Tickets for the annual dinner are now available from
Brian Canning EI8IU, Brian can be contacted on 086
2514822 of via email from brianei8iu /at/ eircom.net

There will also be a Rally and Annual Gereral Meeting,
for further details in relation to the dinner or rally
please contact Brian EI8IU, Tony EI6DL, or Pat EI9HX
There is also lots more information available on the
AGM weekend from the IRTS website.


NOMINATIONS FOR AWARDS IRTS AGM 2009

The IRTS Awards Manager Peter EI4HX is seeking
Nominations for IRTS awards. The awards available are
for SWL, Construction, and Service.

There are no nominations as yet for Service or Merit.
Please send your nominations to Peter EI4HX at the
following email address.
<ei4hxperimental@eircom.net>


Licence Renewals

Arising from our meeting with ComReg on 12 February and
in the context of the commencement in the near future
of the issue of Lifetime Licences, ComReg has agreed to
accept applications for renewal of currently lapsed
licences under the existing arrangements up to Friday
17th April 2009.

All applications for renewal of lapsed licences should
be made on the ComReg Application Form 02/04R3
(available on the ComReg website at www.comreg.ie),
quoting the relevant licence reference number (LER) or
Call-Sign and be accompanied by payment of all
outstanding fees. In this instance ComReg, in departure
from standard procedure, is prepared to reinstate the
old Callsign on renewal of the licences.

Applicants should however include a letter giving a
brief explanation as to why the usual reminders which
may have been received from ComReg were not responded
to. If you are aware of anyone to whom this item is
relevant please bring it to their attention.

It should be noted that following the introduction
of Lifetime Licences all applications for new
licences, whether previously licensed or not, will
be required to pay the lifetime licence fee for new
applicants of €100.


HF Band Plan

Band Plans are modified from time to time to reflect
changes in international regulations and in operating
requirements. A new HF band plan comes into effect in
IARU Region 1 - which includes Ireland - on Sunday 29th
March. The new band plan takes account of the fact
that, under international regulations, the segment 7100
to 7200 kHz will be upgraded to 'amateur primary' from
that date.

The principal changes incorporated in the new band
plan are in the 40 metre band, with exclusive CW
now extended to 7040 kHz, and two SSB contest
preferred segments - from 7060 to 7100 kHz and from
7130 to 7200 kHz.

Priority for intercontinental operation will now be in
the segment 7175 to 7200 kHz. Revised centres of
activity for SSB QRP and emergency traffic are also
included in the new band plan.

SSB operators should note in particular that the new
band plan indicates lowest dial settings for LSB Voice
mode of 1843, 3603 and 7053 kHz

A copy of the new band plan may be downloaded from the
downloads page of the IRTS web site
www.irts.ie/downloads


'500 kHz Permissions

Arising from our meeting on 12 February, ComReg has
agreed to allow IRTS to seek expressions of interest
for a limited number of permissions to operate in the
region of 500 kHz under a licence to be issued to IRTS.

Expressions of interest are being sought equally from
both non IRTS and IRTS members. Stations to which
permissions are issued will have to send regular
reports to IRTS consisting of their experience of
propagation, type of propagation used, noise
experienced and methodology used on this band so that
these can be coordinated and periodic reports submitted
to ComReg.

Participants will be expected to keep a separate full
detailed log of all experiments conducted.

It should be noted that only a relatively small number
of permissions will be granted and expressions of
interest should only be made by those in a position to
carry out realistic propagation experiments in this
part of the spectrum.

An form on which to submit to IRTS an expression of
interest is available on the IRTS website at
www.irts.ie The final decision on the issue of permits
will of course rest with ComReg as the statutory
licensing authority.


Bus to IRTS AGM & Friedrichschafen

Tony Liddy EI9IL is putting on a bus for anyone who
wishes to travel to the AGM in Athlone. The bus will
depart from Limerick City on Saturday or Sunday
depending on numbers. Tony is also considering running
a bus to Friedrichschafen in June with lots of space
for anyone wanting to bring goodies back! Tony can be
contacted on 087-9912341


International Marconi Day 2009

Saturday, April 25th marks the 135th anniversary of
the birth of Marconi. To mark the occasion the Cornish
Radio Amateur Club will be holding its 22nd annual
International Marconi Day event and many stations with
historic connections with Marconi will be active on
that date. This is not a contest but several classes
of awards are available for making QSOs with the
special Award Stations. There are also SWL awards to
be claimed.

The Howth Martello Radio Group (EI0MAR) is an Award
Station and will be QRV during the event from the
vintage radio museum in Howth. This is a twenty-four
hour event but EI0MAR will concentrate activities from
9am until 5pm local time, and visitors will be welcome
during those hours. To coincide with the special event,
the North Dublin Radio Club will hold its weekly
meeting at the same QTH from 8pm the same evening.
EI0MAR's web site is www.ei0mar.org. For more
information about the event including a listing of
award stations visit www.gb4imd.org.uk.


Rallies

Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club

The Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club will be hosting a
rally on the 9th May 09 at Brownlow Resource Centre,
Craigavon, Co Armagh.

More details are available at www.muarc.com, or email
the club secretary at cqmuarc@googlemail.com.


History this week

1938: On the 8th April 1938 the International Radio
Conference in Cairo concluded. This conference was
significant for radio amateurs as it started the
process, which continued over the following 2
conferences (Atlantic City 1947 & Geneva 1959) and a
period of 20 years, of the slow nibbling away at the 40
meter amateur band and re-allocating the spectrum to
broadcasting.

Last Sunday (29th March 2009), with the decision of
WRC2003 coming into force, amateurs after half a
century regained spectrum they were first allocated in
the Washington City conference of 1927.


-------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to the IRTS for the above Information

2 Apr 2009

Update 02/04/09

HF Band Plan

Band Plans are modified from time to time to reflect
changes in international regulations and in operating
requirements. A new HF band plan comes into effect in
IARU Region 1 - which includes Ireland - on Sunday 29th
March. The new band plan takes account of the fact
that, under international regulations, the segment 7100
to 7200 kHz will be upgraded to 'amateur primary' from
that date.

The principal changes incorporated in the new band
plan are in the 40 metre band, with exclusive CW
now extended to 7040 kHz, and two SSB contest
preferred segments - from 7060 to 7100 kHz and from
7130 to 7200 kHz.

Priority for intercontinental operation will now be in
the segment 7175 to 7200 kHz. Revised centres of
activity for SSB QRP and emergency traffic are also
included in the new band plan.

SSB operators should note in particular that the new
band plan indicates lowest dial settings for LSB Voice
mode of 1843, 3603 and 7053 kHz

A copy of the new band plan may be downloaded from the
downloads page of the IRTS web site
www.irts.ie/downloads



'500 kHz Permissions

Arising from our meeting on 12 February, ComReg has
agreed to allow IRTS to seek expressions of interest
for a limited number of permissions to operate in the
region of 500 kHz under a licence to be issued to IRTS.

Expressions of interest are being sought equally from
both non IRTS and IRTS members. Stations to which
permissions are issued will have to send regular
reports to IRTS consisting of their experience of
propagation, type of propagation used, noise
experienced and methodology used on this band so that
these can be coordinated and periodic reports submitted
to ComReg.

Participants will be expected to keep a separate full
detailed log of all experiments conducted.

It should be noted that only a relatively small number
of permissions will be granted and expressions of
interest should only be made by those in a position to
carry out realistic propagation experiments in this
part of the spectrum.

An form on which to submit to IRTS an expression of
interest is available on the IRTS website at
www.irts.ie The final decision on the issue of permits
will of course rest with ComReg as the statutory
licensing authority. '

Look for better 5MHz propagation


As the end of March approaches, Experimenters holders a
5MHz Permit may like to note that after-dark
propagation on the East-West path to the USA peaks when
America also falls into darkness.

To check the condition of the path, listen out for AM
broadcasting stations WWCR in Nashville on 5070kHz and
WWRB on 5050kHz, which is also in Tennessee. Both
employ 100kW.

Operators should find US amateurs congregating on
5403.5kHz around 0100 to 0200 hours UTC.


European PSK Club Stations

The following European PSK Club stations have agreed to
make an effort to be active solely on 10.140 on the
29th as a fáilte for EI stations

CS2EPC, DK0EPC, K1EPC, M0EPC, MI0EPC, N4EPC, PA30EPC

The above is the list so far although more stations may
come available on the day.


Call for donation to keep beacons active


The midcornwall beacon and repeater group operate and
maintain two voice repeaters, one ATV repeater and more
importantly 5 VHF/UHF beacons. The beacons will go QRT
on the 2nd of April due to the rising cost of
electricity and the groups lack of funds to pay same.

The UKSMG (uk Six meter group) has stepped in to pay to
keep the 6m beacon on the air. Donations are required
to keep the others on the air. As beacons are a great
aid to VHF/UHF operators if anyone feels the can donate
to the club it can be done online using PayPal from
there website other options are available. The
recommended amount is 10 pounds and with STG being weak
that is under 11 euro, but any amount will help.

more details can be found on the MCB website which is
www.mcbarg.co.uk or email to John G0VDU at
g0vdu /at/ yahoo.co.uk if you do donate send John a mail and
state which beacon you want the payment to go towards
the ones most important to EI would be 2m and 4m


Radio Rallies

Today the Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club Rally in
Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh, Sunday 29th March. More
details are available on the IRTS website.

Date for Mayo Rally Announced.

The 2009 Mayo Rally will be held on Sunday November 22
in Castlebar. The venue is The Welcome Inn Hotel, where
the 2008 rally was held at short notice, and doors open
at 11.00am. Rally Director, Padraic Baynes, EI9JA, is
now taking bookings for stands at the rally. He can be
contacted on 087 6957154. The hotel will be offering a
rally special deal for accommodation. Full details will
be available soon.



Stolen Radio


On the 18th march between 7pm and 9.30 pm an Icom207h
was removed from a vehicle at Tullamore outside
Atlantic Homecare anyone with any info please contact
ei5glb 0877757574


History this week


1885 Edison patents wireless induction telegraphy
between moving trains and railway stations.

1899 First wireless telegraph message sent across the
English Channel.