Logbook of the World (LoTW for short) is an online QSL
system - an alternative to paper QSLs for award
credits. ARRL, which runs the LoTW system, have
announced that LoTW now has 50,000 users. These users
include more than 100 EI radio amateurs. QSLs from LoTW
can be used towards DXCC and other ARRL-sponsored
awards. Recently it was announced that LoTW QSLs will
shortly be valid for operating awards issued by CQ
Communications.
A review of LoTW users shows that call signs from all
but one of the 340 current DXCC entities have, at some
stage or other, uploaded logs to LoTW - the one entity
that has no participation in LoTW is Mount Athos. Most
major DXpeditions upload their logs to LoTW, some
immediately the DXpedition finishes and others after a
delay of a few months. Experience has shown that
contest stations have a particularly high
participation in LoTW.
While paper QSL cards are still popular, anyone
interested in maximising DXCC credits should consider
using the Logbook of the World system.
13 May 2012
European Football Championship 2012 on the AIR
EFC 2012 is an on-the-air activity which promises to be
a great deal of fun, organized by Polish and Ukrainian
amateurs affiliated with PZK and UARL.
From June 1st to July 5th 2012, there will be numerous
special event stations active on the air. They will be
operating concurrently with the 2012 European Football
Championship, which this year is organized jointly by
Poland and Ukraine.
More detailed information about our activity can be
found on website http://efc2012.pzk.org.pl There are
two awards which can be earned during this period, as
well as many interesting QSL cards and prizes.
a great deal of fun, organized by Polish and Ukrainian
amateurs affiliated with PZK and UARL.
From June 1st to July 5th 2012, there will be numerous
special event stations active on the air. They will be
operating concurrently with the 2012 European Football
Championship, which this year is organized jointly by
Poland and Ukraine.
More detailed information about our activity can be
found on website http://efc2012.pzk.org.pl There are
two awards which can be earned during this period, as
well as many interesting QSL cards and prizes.
10 May 2012
Huge sunspot AR1476
Huge sunspot AR1476 is crackling with M-class solar flares and appears to be on the verge of producing something even stronger.
The sunspot's 'beta-gamma-delta' magnetic field harbors energy for X-class flares, the most powerful kind.
Radio operators are recording strong bursts of shortwave static from the sunspot as it turns toward Earth.
Visit http://spaceweather.com for sample recordings and forecasts.
- Posted from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
The sunspot's 'beta-gamma-delta' magnetic field harbors energy for X-class flares, the most powerful kind.
Radio operators are recording strong bursts of shortwave static from the sunspot as it turns toward Earth.
Visit http://spaceweather.com for sample recordings and forecasts.
- Posted from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
6 May 2012
Locating Power Line Noise
Ham Radio Now have released a video of a 2010 Dayton presentation by Ed Hare W1RFI.
From the ARVN "Vault of Video we never got around to editing..." - the ARRL's Ed Hare W1RFI's seminar on locating Power Line Noise.
Ed made this presentation at the 2010 Dayton Hamvention.
Watch Ham Radio Now - Episode Ten: Locating Power Line Noise
From the ARVN "Vault of Video we never got around to editing..." - the ARRL's Ed Hare W1RFI's seminar on locating Power Line Noise.
Ed made this presentation at the 2010 Dayton Hamvention.
Watch Ham Radio Now - Episode Ten: Locating Power Line Noise
GB3LV repeater back on the air
GB3LV - the north London 70cm, IRLP and Echolink enabled repeater, is back on the air again after having been off air for a day or so with an intermittent fault. GB3NL and GB3EN were unaffected. The fault has been rectified by the rapid actions of Roger G8IUC.
Roger indicated that an upgrade/maintenance action was due on GB3EN (the Amateur TV repeater in Enfield) and that a new antenna, feeder and other sundries would be installed. The time scale for the installation is not known.
20 Apr 2012
DXCC Card Checking Rule Change
It was announced late last week that a notice of an upcoming change in an administrative procedure contained in the DXCC Rules.
The change in the DXCC Rules will permit volunteer Card Checkers who have achieved DXCC on 160 meters to check 160 meter QSLs in the field, and all Card Checkers to check cards for Deleted Entities.
Until now there has been a requirement that 160 meter cards be checked by Headquarters staff. The main issue has been that some cards for 18 MHz QSOs can be altered to show 1.8 MHz without the alteration being detected. Therefore, the time of the QSO becomes significant.
Some cards for Deleted Entities date back to 1960 and before, and sometimes it is difficult in the field to determine what entity the card ought to count for. Deleted Entities do not count for the DXCC Challenge or for the Honor Roll but do count toward all-time totals.
After discussion during the teleconference the "Programs and Services
Committee" (PSC) unanimously voted to authorize staff to amend the DXCC rules as proposed but with no change in how Card Checkers are appointed.
For complete details on the change, please take a look at:
http://www.arrl.org/awards-blog
The change in the DXCC Rules will permit volunteer Card Checkers who have achieved DXCC on 160 meters to check 160 meter QSLs in the field, and all Card Checkers to check cards for Deleted Entities.
Until now there has been a requirement that 160 meter cards be checked by Headquarters staff. The main issue has been that some cards for 18 MHz QSOs can be altered to show 1.8 MHz without the alteration being detected. Therefore, the time of the QSO becomes significant.
Some cards for Deleted Entities date back to 1960 and before, and sometimes it is difficult in the field to determine what entity the card ought to count for. Deleted Entities do not count for the DXCC Challenge or for the Honor Roll but do count toward all-time totals.
After discussion during the teleconference the "Programs and Services
Committee" (PSC) unanimously voted to authorize staff to amend the DXCC rules as proposed but with no change in how Card Checkers are appointed.
For complete details on the change, please take a look at:
http://www.arrl.org/awards-blog
16 Apr 2012
IRTS 80th Anniversary AGM & Rally
Just under one week remaining for the 80th Anniversary IRTS
AGM and Rally and you can still purchase your tickets
for the special anniversary AGM dinner on Saturday 21st
April. However hurry as hotel need final numbers by
Thursday next. Dinner tickets are just €32, a reduction
on previous years and represents great value for this
very special dinner. B&B is €55 for single and a double
is €65. The Venue is Fairways Hotel Dundalk, telephone
042-9321500.
Dinner tickets can be bought now by contacting Thos
EI2JD on 087-2953256 or email thoscaffrey@hotmail.com or by contacting any IRTS committee member.
The radio rally and exhibition will be held in the
large conference hall with lots of space to move about
and to peruse at your leisure. It all happens over the
weekend of April 21st & 22nd, that’s next weekend. A
very warm welcome awaits you.
AGM and Rally and you can still purchase your tickets
for the special anniversary AGM dinner on Saturday 21st
April. However hurry as hotel need final numbers by
Thursday next. Dinner tickets are just €32, a reduction
on previous years and represents great value for this
very special dinner. B&B is €55 for single and a double
is €65. The Venue is Fairways Hotel Dundalk, telephone
042-9321500.
Dinner tickets can be bought now by contacting Thos
EI2JD on 087-2953256 or email thoscaffrey@hotmail.com or by contacting any IRTS committee member.
The radio rally and exhibition will be held in the
large conference hall with lots of space to move about
and to peruse at your leisure. It all happens over the
weekend of April 21st & 22nd, that’s next weekend. A
very warm welcome awaits you.
15 Apr 2012
Wireless narrative of the sinking of the Titanic is offered by the BBC World Service.
A very interesting version of the wireless narrative of the sinking of the Titanic is offered by the BBC World Service. BBC producers used computer generated voices of actual telegraphic exchanges to simulate the frantic network traffic.
I expect this is of deep meaning to all amateur radio operators. The very foundations of our service are clearly laid in this narrative. You'll hear urgency, courage and disbelief from the wireless operators. You'll hear our on-air jargon even as it is used today. You'll recognise network message frustrations. You will be amazed when you hear echoes of our amateur radio service as it is today--especially in times of disaster and recovery. Please have a listen.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00q89fy
The valent efforts of the wireless officer John George "Jack" Phillips as his ship sank are beyond description.
RIP TITANIC - DE EI5IX / M0XII
I expect this is of deep meaning to all amateur radio operators. The very foundations of our service are clearly laid in this narrative. You'll hear urgency, courage and disbelief from the wireless operators. You'll hear our on-air jargon even as it is used today. You'll recognise network message frustrations. You will be amazed when you hear echoes of our amateur radio service as it is today--especially in times of disaster and recovery. Please have a listen.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00q89fy
The valent efforts of the wireless officer John George "Jack" Phillips as his ship sank are beyond description.
RIP TITANIC - DE EI5IX / M0XII
12 Apr 2012
GI2012MGY - A special event station onboard the SS Nomadic - Titanics 'Little Sister'.
GI2012MGY
A special event station located in Belfast from onboard
the SS Nomadic - Titanics 'Little Sister'.
To mark the Centenery of the sinking of the Titanic,
City of Belfast Radio Amateur Society ( CoBRAS ) will
be QRV on most HF bands, CW and SSB, from onboard 'the
Nomadic' from 12th - 18th April. The SS Nomadic is the
only remaining historic link to the Titanic left
afloat, and she is also the last surviving White Star
Line vessel in the world. Like Titanic herself she was
built at the shipyards of Harland and Wolff in
Belfast,and served as a tender to the Olympic and
Titanic. She is curently undergoing restoration work in
the docks where she was built, adjacent to the new
Titanic Belfast visitor attraction.
International interest in all things 'MGY' is reaching
extraordinary levels - and the extremely rare GI2012
prefix is sure to add extra interest from WPX hunters.
CoBRAS members look forward to working many EI
stations during the week of activity from onboard this
unique ship.
Further information and QSL details can be found under
Gi2012MGY at QRZ.com
A special event station located in Belfast from onboard
the SS Nomadic - Titanics 'Little Sister'.
To mark the Centenery of the sinking of the Titanic,
City of Belfast Radio Amateur Society ( CoBRAS ) will
be QRV on most HF bands, CW and SSB, from onboard 'the
Nomadic' from 12th - 18th April. The SS Nomadic is the
only remaining historic link to the Titanic left
afloat, and she is also the last surviving White Star
Line vessel in the world. Like Titanic herself she was
built at the shipyards of Harland and Wolff in
Belfast,and served as a tender to the Olympic and
Titanic. She is curently undergoing restoration work in
the docks where she was built, adjacent to the new
Titanic Belfast visitor attraction.
International interest in all things 'MGY' is reaching
extraordinary levels - and the extremely rare GI2012
prefix is sure to add extra interest from WPX hunters.
CoBRAS members look forward to working many EI
stations during the week of activity from onboard this
unique ship.
Further information and QSL details can be found under
Gi2012MGY at QRZ.com
8 Apr 2012
Mayo Radio Experimenters - Titanic Special Event Operation EI 1 MGY
Mayo Radio Experimenters - Titanic Special Event
Operation EI 1 MGY
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of
the Titanic, The Mayo Radio Experimenters will operate
EI 1 MGY from the 8th to 21st of April as part of the
Addergoole Titanic Society's week-long centenary
programme of events which take place in the village of
Lahardane, County Mayo, commencing Easter Sunday 8th
April through to Sunday 15th April. In April 1912
fourteen men and women from the Parish of Addergoole,
in North Mayo, set sail from Queenstown, Cork for a new
life in America. Within days, eleven had died in the
icy waters of the North Atlantic. Their ship,
‘Titanic’, sank on her maiden voyage. Rural Ireland
resounds with tales of emigration, steeped in the
traditions of letting go. Addergoole will never let go
of the memory of eleven neighbours and friends who
disappeared with that "Ship of Dreams". Please visit:
www.mayo-titanic.com where you can download a brochure
of the events taking place during the week.
Operation EI 1 MGY
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of
the Titanic, The Mayo Radio Experimenters will operate
EI 1 MGY from the 8th to 21st of April as part of the
Addergoole Titanic Society's week-long centenary
programme of events which take place in the village of
Lahardane, County Mayo, commencing Easter Sunday 8th
April through to Sunday 15th April. In April 1912
fourteen men and women from the Parish of Addergoole,
in North Mayo, set sail from Queenstown, Cork for a new
life in America. Within days, eleven had died in the
icy waters of the North Atlantic. Their ship,
‘Titanic’, sank on her maiden voyage. Rural Ireland
resounds with tales of emigration, steeped in the
traditions of letting go. Addergoole will never let go
of the memory of eleven neighbours and friends who
disappeared with that "Ship of Dreams". Please visit:
www.mayo-titanic.com where you can download a brochure
of the events taking place during the week.
2 Apr 2012
World Amateur Radio Day
On April 18, 2012 we will celebrate the World Amateur Radio Day on the 87th Anniversary of the founding of the International Amateur Radio Union, IARU. This year´s theme for the World Amateur Radio Day is
“Amateur Radio Satellites: Celebrating 50 Years in Space" in remembrance the launching of OSCAR 1 on
December 12, 1961 and the launch of OSCAR 2 on June 2, 1962.
For this reason there will be several special event stations from IARU’s Member Societies active on different dates during April: 6H6IARU, 3G73IARU and LZ1WARD. If IARU's Member Societies plan to have a special event station for this reason in April let us now so we can publish the details before the end of this month. Send an email to news@iaru-r2.org with the information.
“Amateur Radio Satellites: Celebrating 50 Years in Space" in remembrance the launching of OSCAR 1 on
December 12, 1961 and the launch of OSCAR 2 on June 2, 1962.
For this reason there will be several special event stations from IARU’s Member Societies active on different dates during April: 6H6IARU, 3G73IARU and LZ1WARD. If IARU's Member Societies plan to have a special event station for this reason in April let us now so we can publish the details before the end of this month. Send an email to news@iaru-r2.org with the information.
The 5Mhz Newsletter
The Spring Edition of The 5 MHz Newsletter has now been published and features information on the recent WRC-12 conference. A subscription is not needed and the Newsletter can be freely read or downloaded from Google documents at http://tinyurl.com/7ylxz9z
A paper copy can be obtained by sending an SASE large enough to take folded A4 to the Editor, G4MWO, who is QTHR and on QRZ.com.
A chart is also maintained of current Worldwide 5 MHz Amateur Allocations. This can be found at
http://tinyurl.com/82rwq2b
A paper copy can be obtained by sending an SASE large enough to take folded A4 to the Editor, G4MWO, who is QTHR and on QRZ.com.
A chart is also maintained of current Worldwide 5 MHz Amateur Allocations. This can be found at
http://tinyurl.com/82rwq2b
1 Apr 2012
Japan to launch Amateur Radio satellites
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has announced the launch of five amateur radio satellites
on two launches taking place in May and July. The first H-IIA launch takes place on May 17, 1639-1642 UT and will carry the amateur radio satellite HORYU-2. The second launch on July 21, 0218 UT of the HTV3 will deliver the JEM-Small Satellite Orbital Deployer
(J-SSOD) to the International Space Station (ISS).
on two launches taking place in May and July. The first H-IIA launch takes place on May 17, 1639-1642 UT and will carry the amateur radio satellite HORYU-2. The second launch on July 21, 0218 UT of the HTV3 will deliver the JEM-Small Satellite Orbital Deployer
(J-SSOD) to the International Space Station (ISS).
30 Mar 2012
Revised DXCC Fee Structure
Listeners who are involved in the DXCC programme will
be aware that there have been a number of
administrative difficulties with the programme in
recent months. In particular, there have been delays in
processing applications for DXCC credits at certain
times, for example after major contests and
DXpeditions.
In an effort to overcome these difficulties in the
future, ARRL has announced a new fee structure for
DXCC applications, one of the aims of the new
structure being to encourage frequent smaller
applications for DXCC credits. To achieve this, the
premium charged for second and subsequent applications
in each year will be dropped.
Later this year, ARRL plans to have an online system
for QSL card applications in place: while the cards
will still need to be checked by a field checker, it
will be possible to generate online the application
form to be submitted to the field checker; this, of
course, will greatly speed up the eventual processing
of the application, as the DXCC staff will not have to
perform the data entry.
be aware that there have been a number of
administrative difficulties with the programme in
recent months. In particular, there have been delays in
processing applications for DXCC credits at certain
times, for example after major contests and
DXpeditions.
In an effort to overcome these difficulties in the
future, ARRL has announced a new fee structure for
DXCC applications, one of the aims of the new
structure being to encourage frequent smaller
applications for DXCC credits. To achieve this, the
premium charged for second and subsequent applications
in each year will be dropped.
Later this year, ARRL plans to have an online system
for QSL card applications in place: while the cards
will still need to be checked by a field checker, it
will be possible to generate online the application
form to be submitted to the field checker; this, of
course, will greatly speed up the eventual processing
of the application, as the DXCC staff will not have to
perform the data entry.
26 Mar 2012
IRTS 80th Anniversary AGM & Rally
The annual dinner of the IRTS takes place on Saturday
April 21st, with the Rally and AGM on the following
day. Dinner tickets are just €32, a reduction on
previous years and represents great value for this very
special dinner. B&B is €55 for single and a double is
€65. As dinner tickets and rooms are distributed on a
first come first served basis, you are encouraged and
advised to act now to avoid disappointment. The annual
rally, on Sunday April 22nd, will also have its
favourites and many new and novel exhibitors.
This is a must attend event in the 80th Anniversary
year of your national society. Full details of this
event are on the IRTS web site www.irts.ie
Dinner tickets can be bought now by contacting Thos
EI2JD on +35387-2953256 or email thoscaffrey@hotmail.com or by contacting any IRTS committee member.
The Fairways Hotel can be contacted on +35342 9321500 or
www.fairways.ie
April 21st, with the Rally and AGM on the following
day. Dinner tickets are just €32, a reduction on
previous years and represents great value for this very
special dinner. B&B is €55 for single and a double is
€65. As dinner tickets and rooms are distributed on a
first come first served basis, you are encouraged and
advised to act now to avoid disappointment. The annual
rally, on Sunday April 22nd, will also have its
favourites and many new and novel exhibitors.
This is a must attend event in the 80th Anniversary
year of your national society. Full details of this
event are on the IRTS web site www.irts.ie
Dinner tickets can be bought now by contacting Thos
EI2JD on +35387-2953256 or email thoscaffrey@hotmail.com or by contacting any IRTS committee member.
The Fairways Hotel can be contacted on +35342 9321500 or
www.fairways.ie
20 Mar 2012
Special Event Stations for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Some special event call-signs will be activated to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games:
2O12L (Two Oscar One Two Lima) from London, England and
2O12W (Two Oscar One Two Wales) from Barry, Wales. The
Radio Society of Great Britain has been granted the 'Inspire mark' for these stations by the London 2012
Inspire programme. The London station, 2012L will be active through the duration of the Games, located at
the historic Eltham Palace, south-east London on 160m-2m, all modes. More information is available on
the website http://www.2O12L.com or contact the Press Officer, Mr. John Warburton G4IRN at press@2o12l.com.
2O12L (Two Oscar One Two Lima) from London, England and
2O12W (Two Oscar One Two Wales) from Barry, Wales. The
Radio Society of Great Britain has been granted the 'Inspire mark' for these stations by the London 2012
Inspire programme. The London station, 2012L will be active through the duration of the Games, located at
the historic Eltham Palace, south-east London on 160m-2m, all modes. More information is available on
the website http://www.2O12L.com or contact the Press Officer, Mr. John Warburton G4IRN at press@2o12l.com.
8 Mar 2012
Another Major Flare
Big sunspot AR1429 has unleashed another major flare--an X5-class eruption on March 7th at 00:28 UT.
As a result of the blast, a radiation storm is underway and a CME will likely hit Earth's magnetic field in a day or so.Geomagnetic storms are already in progress at high latitudes due to earlier eruptions from the active sunspot.
Last night, auroras were spotted over several northern-tier US states including Michigan and Wisconsin.
Check http://spaceweather.com for updates and images also have a see this site http://halpha.nso.edu/movie_all_L.html.
24 Feb 2012
Cold and Spellbinding: An Alignment of Planets in the Sunset Sky
Cold and Spellbinding: An Alignment of Planets in the Sunset Sky
A special night to look at your night Sky is Saturday, Feb. 25th 2012, when the crescent Moon moves in to form a slender heavenly triangle with Venus, Jupiter and the Moon as vertices.
One night later, on Sunday, Feb. 26th 2012, it happens again. This arrangement will be visible all around the world, from city and countryside alike. The Moon, Venus and Jupiter are the brightest objects in the night sky; together they can shine through urban lights, fog, and even some clouds.
After hopping from Venus to Jupiter in late February, the Moon exits stage left, but the show is far from over.
In March, Venus and Jupiter continue their relentless convergence until, on March 12th and 13th this year, the duo lie only three degrees apart—a spectacular double beacon in the sunset sky. Now you’ll be able to hide them together behind a pair of outstretched fingertips. Should make some interesting photography!
Yeah there’s something mesmerizing about our stars and planets all bunched together in this way—and, no, you’re not imagining things when it happens to you. Just chill, relax and enjoy the spectacle!
7 Feb 2012
GB80PW operation moves to Saturday
This special callsign GB80PW, issued to Practical Wireless magazine to celebrate the publication's 80th year in print, had its first airing in January this year.
However, PW editor, Rob Mannion, G3XFD received a number of requests to operate the station at weekends, rather than a weekday, as most people were at work and unable to get on the air in time.
In order to accomodate those requests, Rob has now opted for operation on the Saturday following PW's publication.
So, please look out for GB80PW on the Saturdays immediately following publication days during 2012.
The dates are Saturday February 11th, March 10th, April 14th, May 12th, June 16th, July 14th, August 11th, September 15th, October 13th, November 10th and December 15th.
Keep those dates in your diary and Phil G3XBZ and Rob G3XFD – and the other operators who'll be involved – look forward to working you!
However, PW editor, Rob Mannion, G3XFD received a number of requests to operate the station at weekends, rather than a weekday, as most people were at work and unable to get on the air in time.
In order to accomodate those requests, Rob has now opted for operation on the Saturday following PW's publication.
So, please look out for GB80PW on the Saturdays immediately following publication days during 2012.
The dates are Saturday February 11th, March 10th, April 14th, May 12th, June 16th, July 14th, August 11th, September 15th, October 13th, November 10th and December 15th.
Keep those dates in your diary and Phil G3XBZ and Rob G3XFD – and the other operators who'll be involved – look forward to working you!
3 Feb 2012
Galway Radio Experimenters Club
The Galway Radio Experimenters Club will be holding their next meeting in the Anno Santo hotel in Salthill on Monday 6th of February at 8pm. On the night Enda (EI2II) will be giving a demonstration on the advantages of computerising the ham shack. Beginning with getting the most from your logging software to propagation prediction and DXClusters. Should anybody wish to have help setting up software please feel free to bring along your laptop on the night. We would like to welcome any interested amateurs, SWLs or indeed anyone with an interest in amateur radio.
1 Feb 2012
Ofcom: GPS Jamming Notice
RAF Spadeadam, Cumbria
Dates: Between 9th and 20th April, 2012 inclusive (weekdays only).
Times: 0700 - 1800 GMT.
Location of MULTIPLE Jammers: Land based within 5km of N55° 04.000’ W002° 34.000’.
Frequency: A 24 MHz band centred around 1575.42MHz (GPS L1).
Total Power: Up to 10 Watts EIRP.
It is stressed that, as in previous exercises, Safety of Life operations will at all times take precedence over exercise activities.
Ofcom stakeholders should contact
InfoGPS.Notices@ofcom.org.uk
Dates: Between 9th and 20th April, 2012 inclusive (weekdays only).
Times: 0700 - 1800 GMT.
Location of MULTIPLE Jammers: Land based within 5km of N55° 04.000’ W002° 34.000’.
Frequency: A 24 MHz band centred around 1575.42MHz (GPS L1).
Total Power: Up to 10 Watts EIRP.
It is stressed that, as in previous exercises, Safety of Life operations will at all times take precedence over exercise activities.
Ofcom stakeholders should contact
InfoGPS.Notices@ofcom.org.uk
Device To Predict Solar Activity To Be Launched Soon
It has been reported that solar activities in the past few weeks have increased by manifolds. With the increased solar activities, researchers have also begun to increase their efforts in improving the devices by which the solar activities could be gauged.
It has been reported that researchers and scientists of the NASA are planning to make a computer based device which would predict the coming solar storm. In the past few weeks, the activities of the solar have increased quite rapidly.
Last week, it was a major solar storm which was experienced by the researchers. It has been informed that the solar storms can be hazardous for the earth as it scratches the Earth’s Magnetic field. It has been informed that the device upon which the NASA researchers are working would enable the researchers to gauge the coming solar activities. Moreover, the prediction of the weather forecast would also improve with the help of the device.
Michael Hesse from Goddard’s Space Weather Laboratory was reported as saying, “Ensemble forecasting will provide a distribution of arrival times, which will improve the reliability of forecasts. This is important. Society is relying more so than ever on space. Communications, navigation, electrical-power generation, all are all susceptible to space weather”.
The device would bring revolution in the way weather is predicted. Moreover, it would become easier for the researchers and scientists to explore new horizons of the universe.
It has been informed that the device is being supported by the NASA’s Space Technology Program. Moreover, the Implementing Ensemble Forecasting would improve the weather forcast and would allow the scientists to predict peak and worse weather conditions before hand.
It has been reported that researchers and scientists of the NASA are planning to make a computer based device which would predict the coming solar storm. In the past few weeks, the activities of the solar have increased quite rapidly.
Last week, it was a major solar storm which was experienced by the researchers. It has been informed that the solar storms can be hazardous for the earth as it scratches the Earth’s Magnetic field. It has been informed that the device upon which the NASA researchers are working would enable the researchers to gauge the coming solar activities. Moreover, the prediction of the weather forecast would also improve with the help of the device.
Michael Hesse from Goddard’s Space Weather Laboratory was reported as saying, “Ensemble forecasting will provide a distribution of arrival times, which will improve the reliability of forecasts. This is important. Society is relying more so than ever on space. Communications, navigation, electrical-power generation, all are all susceptible to space weather”.
The device would bring revolution in the way weather is predicted. Moreover, it would become easier for the researchers and scientists to explore new horizons of the universe.
It has been informed that the device is being supported by the NASA’s Space Technology Program. Moreover, the Implementing Ensemble Forecasting would improve the weather forcast and would allow the scientists to predict peak and worse weather conditions before hand.
Antarctic Activity Week Special Event
Look for special event station TM9AAW to be on the air between February 10-26th. Activity is to celebrate the 9th Antarctic Activity Week (AAW).
Operations will be made by François, F8DVD, from his QTH of Mâcon in the east part of France. The WAP reference number for TM9AAW is 220. Operations will be on 40-10 meters mostly SSB.
QSL via F8DVD, by the Bureau or direct (w/SAE + 1 IRC or 2 USDs to: François Bergez, 6, Rue de la Liberté, F-71000 MACON, FRANCE.
For more details, see http://tm9aaw.monsite-orange.fr
or TM9AAW on QRZ.com.
Operations will be made by François, F8DVD, from his QTH of Mâcon in the east part of France. The WAP reference number for TM9AAW is 220. Operations will be on 40-10 meters mostly SSB.
QSL via F8DVD, by the Bureau or direct (w/SAE + 1 IRC or 2 USDs to: François Bergez, 6, Rue de la Liberté, F-71000 MACON, FRANCE.
For more details, see http://tm9aaw.monsite-orange.fr
or TM9AAW on QRZ.com.
Limited future activity from Jan Mayen Island
Recently the Norwegian government declared most of Jan Mayen a Nature Reserve and banned landings and camping on most of the island.
This means that tour operators can no longer visit since the main landing area is part of the Reserve. The only places left on the island which could be used as landing and camp sites are in Kvalross-bukta and in Båtvika, in the very extreme (weather-wise) southern part of Jan Mayen.
This will mean that most visits to the north part of the island (where previous landings occurred) will soon be impossible. Whilst radio amateur operations may still be possible from these two locations, which are difficult to get to (rough landing, very strong winds with sand storms, no access to any shelters or resources etc), it now appears JX5O was probably the last major expedition to Jan Mayen and may well be for the coming years.It also seems that only professional, licensed staff members at the Olonkin base will be able to activate the island, with that in itself a rare occurrence." However, Svein, LA9JKA, is expected to be based on the island beginning March 22nd, and is expected to stay until March 2013
.
No eQSLs, SWL reports are welcome.
QSL only direct to: Svein Rabbevag, Brendlia 12, N-6013 Alesund, Norway. Also, see details on QR.com for postage info.
This means that tour operators can no longer visit since the main landing area is part of the Reserve. The only places left on the island which could be used as landing and camp sites are in Kvalross-bukta and in Båtvika, in the very extreme (weather-wise) southern part of Jan Mayen.
This will mean that most visits to the north part of the island (where previous landings occurred) will soon be impossible. Whilst radio amateur operations may still be possible from these two locations, which are difficult to get to (rough landing, very strong winds with sand storms, no access to any shelters or resources etc), it now appears JX5O was probably the last major expedition to Jan Mayen and may well be for the coming years.It also seems that only professional, licensed staff members at the Olonkin base will be able to activate the island, with that in itself a rare occurrence." However, Svein, LA9JKA, is expected to be based on the island beginning March 22nd, and is expected to stay until March 2013
.
No eQSLs, SWL reports are welcome.
QSL only direct to: Svein Rabbevag, Brendlia 12, N-6013 Alesund, Norway. Also, see details on QR.com for postage info.
31 Jan 2012
Declan EI9HQ
Declan will be out on Sunday 12th February on a run to Kilkenny starting around 0930 in WAI Square Oscar22. He will be active on 7.170mhz. (40Meters) Anyone looking for squares from this route please email before 10th February at ei9hq@O2.ie
IOTA Contest Results
Provisional results of the 2011 Islands On The Air contest have now been published.
Despite low sun-spots levels, the contest organisers received over 2,300 logs - the highest number yet – covering 632,000 QSOs and sufficient to enable them to
adjudicate 75% of all QSOs.
The highest scoring station in the contest was the Bristol Contest Group (GJ6YB) who operated from Jersey and achieved a score of just under 15 million points from over 3,300 QSOs.
The Bristol Contest Group were also the IOTA contest winners in 2010.
Irish stations submitted 21 contest logs and one check log. The full provisional results for EI and GI stations are on the IRTS web site - see Contest Results page or the link on the home page. The highest score was achieved by the EI/GI group on Rathlin Island, with a total of 2.7 million points from 1,606 QSOs. Other groups had higher QSO numbers, but the Rathlin group had a better mix of multipliers and island stations. There are also some excellent results from stations in the Single-Operator categories.
The IOTA contest is one of the best supported contests in Ireland. The 2012 contest takes place on 28th / 29th July. The contest organisers have indicated that there will be a number of significant rule changes in 2012, notably to the scoring to emphasise island QSOs and, for the same reason, there will no longer be a World multi-op category as they are anxious to refocus the contest on working islands rather than building points through non-island stations working other non-island stations.
Despite low sun-spots levels, the contest organisers received over 2,300 logs - the highest number yet – covering 632,000 QSOs and sufficient to enable them to
adjudicate 75% of all QSOs.
The highest scoring station in the contest was the Bristol Contest Group (GJ6YB) who operated from Jersey and achieved a score of just under 15 million points from over 3,300 QSOs.
The Bristol Contest Group were also the IOTA contest winners in 2010.
Irish stations submitted 21 contest logs and one check log. The full provisional results for EI and GI stations are on the IRTS web site - see Contest Results page or the link on the home page. The highest score was achieved by the EI/GI group on Rathlin Island, with a total of 2.7 million points from 1,606 QSOs. Other groups had higher QSO numbers, but the Rathlin group had a better mix of multipliers and island stations. There are also some excellent results from stations in the Single-Operator categories.
The IOTA contest is one of the best supported contests in Ireland. The 2012 contest takes place on 28th / 29th July. The contest organisers have indicated that there will be a number of significant rule changes in 2012, notably to the scoring to emphasise island QSOs and, for the same reason, there will no longer be a World multi-op category as they are anxious to refocus the contest on working islands rather than building points through non-island stations working other non-island stations.
19 Jan 2012
EI80IRTS Award
The Irish Radio Transmitters Society was founded in 1932 and the organization are proud to celebrate their 80th anniversary in 2012. As part of the celebrations the Society will be using the special callsign EI80IRTS.
A special certificate, available to all amateurs and SWLs, is being offered to celebrate this wonderful occasion during the period of January 1st 2012 to December 31st 2012.
This award is been sponsored by Dundalk Amateur Radio Society, full details of the award can be viewed at
http://www.ei7dar.com/ei80irts.html
http://www.ei7dar.com/ei80irts.html
Special Callsigns for Amateur Radio stations in the UK during 2012
The Radio Society of Great Britain and Ofcom have reached agreement on the optional use of special callsigns for two significant events during 2012.
For the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, all UK amateur stations will have the option of applying for a variation to their licence if they wish, to use a special prefix for a five week period. This will add or substitute the letter “Q” in the place of the Regional identifier in the callsign.
For the period of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, a similar facility will exist for a seven week period, using the letter “O”.
Both the above facilities will also be available to Amateur Club licences.
Furthermore, calls in the series GB2012aaa will be available for Special Event Stations relating to the Olympics and licences will be issued for four “flagship” stations using the prefix 2O12a where “O” is the letter O, and a is a single letter relating to the location of the station.
Further details of these arrangements are on the attached summary, and administrative details will be issued by Ofcom and the RSGB shortly.
In more detail:
The following facilities will be available to holders of the following licences:
Amateur Foundation Licence
Amateur Intermediate Licence
Amateur Full Licence
Amateur Full (Club) Licence
Amateur Full (Reciprocal) Licence
Amateur Full (Temporary Reciprocal) Licence
Special prefix to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee:
Period: 00.00 BST 5th May 2012 to 23.59 BST 10th June 2012
Authorisation: To conform to the requirements of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006, each licensee must obtain a Notice of Variation . This is an on-line process, and will be available from 1st March 2012.
Callsign: the letter Q will be added to calls, or replace the regional identifier. For example (where “aaa” represents the final alpha block of the callsign):
M3aaa becomes MQ3aaa
G3aaa becomes GQ3aaa
GM3aaa becomes GQ3aaa
2E0aaa becomes 2Q0aaa
2M0aaa becomes 2Q0aaa
GX3aaa becomes GQ3aaa
Special prefix to celebrate the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games:
Period: 00.00 BST 21st July 2012 to 23.59 BST 9th September 2012
Authorisation: To conform to the requirements of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006, each licensee must obtain a Notice of Variation. This is an on-line process, and will be available from 1st March 2012.
Callsign: the letter O will be added to calls, or replace the regional identifier. For example (where “aaa” represents the final alpha block of the callsign):
M3aaa becomes MO3aaa
G3aaa becomes GO3aaa
GM3aaa becomes GO3aaa
2E0aaa becomes 2O0aaa (Two Oscar zero aaa)
2M0aaa becomes 2O0aaa (Two Oscar zero aaa)
GX3aaa becomes GO3aaa
For more Info please check this out
- Posted from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
For the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, all UK amateur stations will have the option of applying for a variation to their licence if they wish, to use a special prefix for a five week period. This will add or substitute the letter “Q” in the place of the Regional identifier in the callsign.
For the period of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, a similar facility will exist for a seven week period, using the letter “O”.
Both the above facilities will also be available to Amateur Club licences.
Furthermore, calls in the series GB2012aaa will be available for Special Event Stations relating to the Olympics and licences will be issued for four “flagship” stations using the prefix 2O12a where “O” is the letter O, and a is a single letter relating to the location of the station.
Further details of these arrangements are on the attached summary, and administrative details will be issued by Ofcom and the RSGB shortly.
In more detail:
The following facilities will be available to holders of the following licences:
Amateur Foundation Licence
Amateur Intermediate Licence
Amateur Full Licence
Amateur Full (Club) Licence
Amateur Full (Reciprocal) Licence
Amateur Full (Temporary Reciprocal) Licence
Special prefix to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee:
Period: 00.00 BST 5th May 2012 to 23.59 BST 10th June 2012
Authorisation: To conform to the requirements of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006, each licensee must obtain a Notice of Variation . This is an on-line process, and will be available from 1st March 2012.
Callsign: the letter Q will be added to calls, or replace the regional identifier. For example (where “aaa” represents the final alpha block of the callsign):
M3aaa becomes MQ3aaa
G3aaa becomes GQ3aaa
GM3aaa becomes GQ3aaa
2E0aaa becomes 2Q0aaa
2M0aaa becomes 2Q0aaa
GX3aaa becomes GQ3aaa
Special prefix to celebrate the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games:
Period: 00.00 BST 21st July 2012 to 23.59 BST 9th September 2012
Authorisation: To conform to the requirements of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006, each licensee must obtain a Notice of Variation. This is an on-line process, and will be available from 1st March 2012.
Callsign: the letter O will be added to calls, or replace the regional identifier. For example (where “aaa” represents the final alpha block of the callsign):
M3aaa becomes MO3aaa
G3aaa becomes GO3aaa
GM3aaa becomes GO3aaa
2E0aaa becomes 2O0aaa (Two Oscar zero aaa)
2M0aaa becomes 2O0aaa (Two Oscar zero aaa)
GX3aaa becomes GO3aaa
For more Info please check this out
- Posted from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
The new VHF-UHF band plan - 4m in Ireland
The Irish Radio Transmitters Society website reports that the new Region 1 Band Plan for VHF and UHF frequencies came into effect on 1st January this year.
The biggest changes are in the 6 metre band - with new beacon sub-bands and a number of new "centre of activity" frequency allocations.
The revision in the 6 metre band plan is designed to give more bandwidth to CW and SSB users, while recognising increased activity levels in the new digital modes.
The revised Band Plan for the 6 metre, 4 metre, 2 metre and 70cms bands can be downloaded from the downloads page of the IRTS web site. Bear in mind that the 4 metre allocation in EI does not cover the full
extent of the 70.0 MHz to 70.5 MHz band plan contained in the IARU document; a note showing the EI allocation has been added to the document which is on their downloads page.
Those operating on frequencies above 70cms can see the relevant band plans in the VHF Managers Handbook, which is available on the IARU Region 1 web site.
Again, it is important to note the EI frequency allocations, which can differ from the limits shown on the band plan pages.
IRTS web site
http://www.irts.ie
IARU Region 1 web site
http://www.iaru-r1.org/
- Posted from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
The biggest changes are in the 6 metre band - with new beacon sub-bands and a number of new "centre of activity" frequency allocations.
The revision in the 6 metre band plan is designed to give more bandwidth to CW and SSB users, while recognising increased activity levels in the new digital modes.
The revised Band Plan for the 6 metre, 4 metre, 2 metre and 70cms bands can be downloaded from the downloads page of the IRTS web site. Bear in mind that the 4 metre allocation in EI does not cover the full
extent of the 70.0 MHz to 70.5 MHz band plan contained in the IARU document; a note showing the EI allocation has been added to the document which is on their downloads page.
Those operating on frequencies above 70cms can see the relevant band plans in the VHF Managers Handbook, which is available on the IARU Region 1 web site.
Again, it is important to note the EI frequency allocations, which can differ from the limits shown on the band plan pages.
IRTS web site
http://www.irts.ie
IARU Region 1 web site
http://www.iaru-r1.org/
- Posted from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
16 Jan 2012
London 2012 Olympic Simplex DStar Nodes
Just to inform you, that the digital node test for the pending London 2012 Olympic Simplex DStar Nodes is planned, it will be a 2-day event next weekend Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd of January.
The test will be carried out both on 2m and 70cm in Echo Test Mode Only (without DStar Gateway) between hours of 10am till 4pm. The DStar node will record your digital test transmission and then retransmit it back to you, at the same time you will then be able to see what type of coverage we will have.
DV Node Test Frequency
Saturday 21st on 433.4125 MHz
Sunday 22nd on 145.3125 MHz
Also Gary, 2E0ULA and Michael, 2E0MRE will be on hand for assistance and talk back will be on to GB7OK. Please let us know how well you can receive DStar Node, your information will help!
For more info visit http://www.gb7ok.com/.
If there are any changes look up Bromley Repeater Group on Facebook
The test will be carried out both on 2m and 70cm in Echo Test Mode Only (without DStar Gateway) between hours of 10am till 4pm. The DStar node will record your digital test transmission and then retransmit it back to you, at the same time you will then be able to see what type of coverage we will have.
DV Node Test Frequency
Saturday 21st on 433.4125 MHz
Sunday 22nd on 145.3125 MHz
Also Gary, 2E0ULA and Michael, 2E0MRE will be on hand for assistance and talk back will be on to GB7OK. Please let us know how well you can receive DStar Node, your information will help!
For more info visit http://www.gb7ok.com/.
If there are any changes look up Bromley Repeater Group on Facebook
ISS performs debris avoidance maneuver
UniverseToday reports that
the ISS needed to perform a maneuver on Friday, January 13 to avoid debris from the 2009 collision between an inactive Russian Cosmos 2251 satellite and a commercial Iridium satellite.
U.S. Space Command recommended the space station perform a debris avoidance maneuver on Friday, January 13, 2012 to move out of harms’ way and dodge a possible collision with the piece of space junk, said to be about 10 centimeters in diameter. The thrusters on the Zvezda service module fired at 1610 UTC on Friday to raise the orbit of the ISS.
Without the maneuver, the object would have made two close approaches to the station on consecutive orbits on Friday, passing within the “pizza box” shaped region around the station, measuring 0.75 kilometers above and below the station and 25 kilometers on each side (2,460 feet above and below and 15.6 by 15.6 miles).
A higher orbit for the ISS means that AOS will occur at a slightly later time than those predicted in existing Keplerian Elements.
Users are encourage to update their tracking elements to maintain tracking accuracy.
Source: Amsat, UniverseToday.com
the ISS needed to perform a maneuver on Friday, January 13 to avoid debris from the 2009 collision between an inactive Russian Cosmos 2251 satellite and a commercial Iridium satellite.
U.S. Space Command recommended the space station perform a debris avoidance maneuver on Friday, January 13, 2012 to move out of harms’ way and dodge a possible collision with the piece of space junk, said to be about 10 centimeters in diameter. The thrusters on the Zvezda service module fired at 1610 UTC on Friday to raise the orbit of the ISS.
Without the maneuver, the object would have made two close approaches to the station on consecutive orbits on Friday, passing within the “pizza box” shaped region around the station, measuring 0.75 kilometers above and below the station and 25 kilometers on each side (2,460 feet above and below and 15.6 by 15.6 miles).
A higher orbit for the ISS means that AOS will occur at a slightly later time than those predicted in existing Keplerian Elements.
Users are encourage to update their tracking elements to maintain tracking accuracy.
Source: Amsat, UniverseToday.com
UK amateurs experience echo phenomenon
Two UK radio amateurs have reported hearing strong echoes on their 80m CW signals in the evening last week. Tony, G3ZRJ in Herefordshire and Andrew, GW3OQK in Swansea were in QSO on 1 January when they could hear another signal underneath theirs. It turned out to be an echo of their own signals
Tony said the echoes were initially so strong that he had trouble monitoring his CW keying. The delay in the echoes was of the order of 0.25 to 0.5 seconds and the echo strength hit S9. Tests by Andrew on the evening of 3 January revealed the same phenomena at around 2100Z, albeit weaker.
Steve, G0KYA, chairman of the RSGB's Propagation Studies Committee, said that these were unlikely to
be round-the-world echoes, but could be due to a form of magnetospheric ducting where signals follow the earth's magnetic field lines down to the southern hemisphere before being bounced back along the same duct. Steve said that this was quite rare and not really understood.
UK amateurs are being urged to look out for any echoes on their 80m signals and report any findings to G0KYA@QSL.NET
Tony said the echoes were initially so strong that he had trouble monitoring his CW keying. The delay in the echoes was of the order of 0.25 to 0.5 seconds and the echo strength hit S9. Tests by Andrew on the evening of 3 January revealed the same phenomena at around 2100Z, albeit weaker.
Steve, G0KYA, chairman of the RSGB's Propagation Studies Committee, said that these were unlikely to
be round-the-world echoes, but could be due to a form of magnetospheric ducting where signals follow the earth's magnetic field lines down to the southern hemisphere before being bounced back along the same duct. Steve said that this was quite rare and not really understood.
UK amateurs are being urged to look out for any echoes on their 80m signals and report any findings to G0KYA@QSL.NET
15 Jan 2012
Check This Out!
NASA and others has reports on Solar Storms useful for us to know about!
http://solarstormwarning.com/
- Posted from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
http://solarstormwarning.com/
- Posted from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
12 Jan 2012
My UK Call-Sign M0XII
I have received my New UK Call-Sign * M 0 X I I * from Ofcom, the regularity authority here in Great Britain.
Currently I have up-dated my Log's under M/EI5IX on LoTW as my CEPT part of my Irish License M/EI5IX was running out so I had to apply to Ofcom for a Reciprocal License here in the UK.
Propagation has being "Kind" as of late and the DX has been very good for QRP stations such as myself here in outskirts of London City, I'm now looking forward to working some of you on the air while I live over in Great Britain under my new call-sign M0XII!!
73's for now!
Currently I have up-dated my Log's under M/EI5IX on LoTW as my CEPT part of my Irish License M/EI5IX was running out so I had to apply to Ofcom for a Reciprocal License here in the UK.
Propagation has being "Kind" as of late and the DX has been very good for QRP stations such as myself here in outskirts of London City, I'm now looking forward to working some of you on the air while I live over in Great Britain under my new call-sign M0XII!!
73's for now!
IRTS AGM & Rally 2012
The IRTS AGM, Annual Dinner and Rally this year is
hosted by Dundalk Amateur Radio Society at the
Fairways Hotel on the weekend of April 21st & 22nd
2012. Please keep your diaries free for this special
event in our 80th Anniversary year celebrations. More
details to follow.
hosted by Dundalk Amateur Radio Society at the
Fairways Hotel on the weekend of April 21st & 22nd
2012. Please keep your diaries free for this special
event in our 80th Anniversary year celebrations. More
details to follow.
10 Jan 2012
Updated Happings in our Hobby
IRTS AGM & Rally 2012
The IRTS AGM, Annual Dinner and Rally this year is
hosted by Dundalk Amateur Radio Society at the
Fairways Hotel on the weekend of April 21st & 22nd
2012. Please keep your diaries free for this special
event in our 80th year Anniversary celebrations. More
details to follow.
Counties Contest
The IRTS 80 metres counties contest, held on Monday 2nd
January was well supported, with plenty of activity
right up to the last minute of the contest. Most
counties appeared to be represented, although some made
only a brief appearance. Our reporters tell us that
Carlow, Cavan and Kerry were top of the "most wanted"
list, with other sizeable counties like Tipperary and
Waterford not far behind.
This year there was a reasonable level of activity on
the CW portion of the band. As darkness fell, CW ops
benefited in particular from the improved propagation
between Ireland and mainland Europe, allowing some
Scandinavian and Eastern European stations to answer
their contest calls.
Logs should be submitted as soon as possible to
contestmanager@irts.ie
IRTS 80th Anniversary
IRTS will be celebrating its 80th anniversary this year
2012. Details of a worldwide contest – CQIR – to take
place on Saint Patrick’s Day, Saturday 17th March 2012
have just been announced. Full rules and information
are available at www.irts.ie/cqir or by email to cqir@irts.ie
IRTS will be celebrating its 80th anniversary this year
2012. Details of a worldwide contest – CQIR – to take
place on Saint Patrick’s Day, Saturday 17th March 2012
have just been announced. Full rules and information
are available at www.irts.ie/cqir or by email to cqir@irts.ie
9 Jan 2012
ISS on 145.800 MHz Monday morning
ISS on 145.800 MHz Monday morning
There's a chance to hear ISS astronuat Dan Burbank, KC5ZSX, on 145.800 MHz FM on Monday morning.On Monday Jan. 9, at approximately 1014 UT, an International Space Station (ISS) amateur radio contact is planned with students at Descartes High School, located in Montigny-Le-Bretonneux, France.
The contact will be in English and downlink signals should be audible in the British Isles and Europe on 145.800 MHz FM.
A simple 2m hand-held transceiver or a VHF Scanner is all you need to hear the International Space Station.
Read Listening to the International Space Station
http://www.uk.amsat.org/3491
The IZ8BLY Vox Recoder, enables you to record the ISS on 145.800 MHz
FM while you're away from home
http://antoninoporcino.xoom.it/VoxRecorder/
ARISS ham radio contact planned with Descartes High School, France
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/january2012/ariss_event_0901.htm
5 Jan 2012
43 years of 73 Magazine on web
PDF's of all issues of the popular Amateur Radio publication 73 Magazine produced by Wayne Green W2NSD from 1960-2003 are available for download.
Wayne was always into the latest ground breaking Amateur Radio technology and his magazine reflected that with articles on RTTY, ATV,SSTV, FM Repeaters and Amateur radio satellites.
A popular part of the magazine was Wayne Green W2NSD's 'Never Say Die' column. In it he gave his views on just about everything. Among Wayne's favorite topics over the years were:
The failure of the ARRL to prepare for the 1971 World Adminstrative Radio Conference which resulted the loss of hundred of MHz of amateur satellite frequencies
- The disaster of incentive licensing
- The FCC restrictions on repeaters
- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
All the 73 Magazine PDF's can be downloaded from http://tinyurl.com/73Magazine
Wayne is now 89 (D.O.B. believed to be September 3, 1922) and still going strong, you can read his blog at http://www.waynegreen.com/wayne/news.html
Wayne was always into the latest ground breaking Amateur Radio technology and his magazine reflected that with articles on RTTY, ATV,SSTV, FM Repeaters and Amateur radio satellites.
A popular part of the magazine was Wayne Green W2NSD's 'Never Say Die' column. In it he gave his views on just about everything. Among Wayne's favorite topics over the years were:
The failure of the ARRL to prepare for the 1971 World Adminstrative Radio Conference which resulted the loss of hundred of MHz of amateur satellite frequencies
- The disaster of incentive licensing
- The FCC restrictions on repeaters
- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
All the 73 Magazine PDF's can be downloaded from http://tinyurl.com/73Magazine
Wayne is now 89 (D.O.B. believed to be September 3, 1922) and still going strong, you can read his blog at http://www.waynegreen.com/wayne/news.html
3 Jan 2012
The new IARU 50Mhz R1 Band-plan
Take a look at the new Band Plan from the IARU Region 1 of the
Magic Band that is 50MHz (6Meters)
The bandplan has came into effect on 1st January 2012
ARISSat-1 altitude is rapidly decreasing
Came across this interesting bit of news on Southgate Amateur Radio News website
The altitude of amateur radio satellite ARISSat-1 (145.950 MHz FM) continues to decline rapidly.
On Tuesday, Dec 27, 2011, ARISSat-1 was losing about 4.1 km (~2.5 miles) a day in altitude, by Friday Dec 30 2011 the decay was 5.9 km (3.6 miles) per day. This rate will continue to increase over the next days and ultimately result in the satellite burning up in the atmosphere.
Telemetry reports haven't shown a large increase in temperatures yet, please collect and report these values during each illumination period. There have been a number of people that continue to update their calculations on when the satellite will re-enter, now expected to be sometime this week.
The fall rate dh/dt is increasing dramatically. Be sure to do daily updates of the ARISSat-1/RadioSkaf-B Keps from Celestrak.com. The ARISSat-1 orbit changes daily while the satellite continues to lose altitude.
Roland, PY4ZBZ from Brazil has updated graphs of height and fall rate on his Web site: http://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/arissat.htm#r
ARISSat-1 Getting Hotter
http://www.uk.amsat.org/2011/12/30/arissat-1-getting-hotter/
http://www.uk.amsat.org/2011/12/30/arissat-1-getting-hotter/
AMSAT News Service (ANS)
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/news/
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/news/
1 Jan 2012
HAPPY NEW YEAR ***2012**
I would like to wish my family and friends world wide a very happy and prosperous 2012 an may you have the hindsight to know where you've been, the foresight to know where you're going and the insight to know when you're going too far.....
All the very best....... Happy New Year
25 Dec 2011
Merry Christmas!
Right, we’re all off to eat our own body weight – and possibly someone else’s – in cheese, turkey and purple Quality Streets.
Thank you all for your support, comments, clicks and heated debates here on EI5IX.net in 2011. It’s been another fine year, and you’ve all played your part.
Christmas is the time of year to spread the message of love, harmony and peace. Of course it is a time to get showered with gifts and wishes, but in the midst of all the commercialism, we should not forget the real spirit of the Christmas. Here's a message from known man that reminds us that Christmas is not only about fun and gifts, but of love and generosity.
"What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace."
Agnes M. Pharo
So one last thing before I go: A festive message to everyone from EI5IX, EI9JA and the rest of my family.
The year-end brings no greater pleasure than the opportunity to express to you season's greetings and good wishes so with that I would like to take this opportunity to wish you health, comfort, and prosperity this holiday season an may all your wishes come true!
Merry Christmas to one and all. Best 73's
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
Thank you all for your support, comments, clicks and heated debates here on EI5IX.net in 2011. It’s been another fine year, and you’ve all played your part.
Christmas is the time of year to spread the message of love, harmony and peace. Of course it is a time to get showered with gifts and wishes, but in the midst of all the commercialism, we should not forget the real spirit of the Christmas. Here's a message from known man that reminds us that Christmas is not only about fun and gifts, but of love and generosity.
"What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace."
Agnes M. Pharo
So one last thing before I go: A festive message to everyone from EI5IX, EI9JA and the rest of my family.
The year-end brings no greater pleasure than the opportunity to express to you season's greetings and good wishes so with that I would like to take this opportunity to wish you health, comfort, and prosperity this holiday season an may all your wishes come true!
Merry Christmas to one and all. Best 73's
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
22 Dec 2011
Ofcom - 3400 MHz licence exemption
The UK regulator Ofcom has published regulations that permit the use of a range of new devices on a licence-exempt basis.
These include the use of personal locator beacons on land; wireless road safety systems; wireless access terminals in the 3400 to 3800 MHz band; mobile satellite services operating in the 2 GHz band; and mobile terminals connecting to the 2012 London Games Tetra Network.
Read the statement at
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/
licence-exemption-candidates-11/statement
PDF at
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/consultations/
licence-exemption/statement/statement.pdf
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
These include the use of personal locator beacons on land; wireless road safety systems; wireless access terminals in the 3400 to 3800 MHz band; mobile satellite services operating in the 2 GHz band; and mobile terminals connecting to the 2012 London Games Tetra Network.
Read the statement at
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/
licence-exemption-candidates-11/statement
PDF at
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/consultations/
licence-exemption/statement/statement.pdf
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18 Dec 2011
"A Desperate Situation" All you need is Propagation!
Wow... What a morning for DX!! 40M and 20M alive with DX... I can't believe how good propagation was. I have just set up over here in North West London under my Call M/EI5IX and here in my apartment I use a simple setup with a very simple antenna thrown off the Balcony using 50 watts from an Icom IC-706MK2G and I had the pleasure working into USA, (N5CYK) Canada (VE1LD) and Australia (VK3VCE) just to name a few from the log last night and this morning.
The first antenna I set up here to test if I could receive anything in my new QTH was a very simple antenna to construct, just mobile magnet base which was sitting on top of the Dust Bin with Pl plug connected to a 47ft long wire thrown off the balcony onto the ground. I had the pleasure of working many European and Middle Eastern stations on Friday evening going into Saturday morning. But this was not enough... ;) I knew that the propagation was getting better SO a desperate situation leads to desperate ideas...
As soon as I recognised that signals were getting a lot stronger on the bands on a simple receiving loop I decided to construct a Delta loop for 40M and 20M with an Ugly Balun which was 21ft of coax wrapped around a water bottle. The reason for a Loop as comparsion to a Inverted V or a Dipole was the Low Level of noise received on a Delta Loop. Living in a City has its horrible limitations so with that I got to say to every fellow amateur out there...
"EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE OR OWN SOME SORT OF A DELTA LOOP"
I have some photos of the structure of this simple antenna home-made of course with just items you would normally find in any amateur radio enthusiast box/home "wire, open feeder, sweeping brush handles, a scarf and coax / 2 PL plugs" simple setup and were on air.
I have had so much fun working DX on this antenna with fantastic reports ( 58 into Australia at 09:10UTC) Even for such limited space and resources I am now looking of ways to get this antenna a permanent structure here at my London QTH.
Here are some of the photos of the Crazy Delta loop I constructed.
You get the Idea... I will say it's not a permanent fixture at the moment but this "Mess" as my flat mate likes to call it has got me back on air.
I hope to work you soon on the bands under M/EI5IX... Best 73's
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
The first antenna I set up here to test if I could receive anything in my new QTH was a very simple antenna to construct, just mobile magnet base which was sitting on top of the Dust Bin with Pl plug connected to a 47ft long wire thrown off the balcony onto the ground. I had the pleasure of working many European and Middle Eastern stations on Friday evening going into Saturday morning. But this was not enough... ;) I knew that the propagation was getting better SO a desperate situation leads to desperate ideas...
As soon as I recognised that signals were getting a lot stronger on the bands on a simple receiving loop I decided to construct a Delta loop for 40M and 20M with an Ugly Balun which was 21ft of coax wrapped around a water bottle. The reason for a Loop as comparsion to a Inverted V or a Dipole was the Low Level of noise received on a Delta Loop. Living in a City has its horrible limitations so with that I got to say to every fellow amateur out there...
"EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE OR OWN SOME SORT OF A DELTA LOOP"
I have some photos of the structure of this simple antenna home-made of course with just items you would normally find in any amateur radio enthusiast box/home "wire, open feeder, sweeping brush handles, a scarf and coax / 2 PL plugs" simple setup and were on air.
I have had so much fun working DX on this antenna with fantastic reports ( 58 into Australia at 09:10UTC) Even for such limited space and resources I am now looking of ways to get this antenna a permanent structure here at my London QTH.
Here are some of the photos of the Crazy Delta loop I constructed.
The ugly Balun and the coax feeder.
One leg of the antenna.
The Right Leg of antenna held by a brush.
View of the coax feeder.
The Famous Ugly Balun.
And of course the famous Dust Bin now with a 2M / 70CM antenna on Top.
You get the Idea... I will say it's not a permanent fixture at the moment but this "Mess" as my flat mate likes to call it has got me back on air.
I hope to work you soon on the bands under M/EI5IX... Best 73's
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12 Dec 2011
Radio Propagation : Space Weather : Sunspot Cycle Information
http://sunspotwatch.com/
Check this website out, It's a live reference resource site for solar and geomagnetic data and images. :-)
8 Dec 2011
Geo-engineering the Climate
I came across this article online and thought I should share it with our fellow Ham Radio enthusiasts! The Weather can play a massive part on our fantastic hobby, what happens when the world around us starts messing with the weather where do we stand?
This article is by Nick Prebble; On the back of news that revealed November 2011 was the second warmest November since records began, questions are being thrown up again about global warming; its impacts and what, if anything, can be done to mitigate its effects. An obvious answer is to cut emissions of greenhouse gases around the world, but this is easier said than done in today’s highly developed and industrial planet. As a result, there has been significant research into “Geo-engineering” to reduce, mitigate and adapt to climate change.
The two methods of this “Geo-engineering” are Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) and Solar Radiation Management (SRM). Whilst both methods have considerable strengths; their effectiveness, timescale of use, ease of implementation and level of control must be called into question before large sums of money are spent developing them.
CDR methods involve the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and directly combat the problem of global warming by reducing the “greenhouse” effect. Land-based methods include the use of artificial trees that remove more carbon dioxide than natural trees, the replanting of crops and vegetation and using a special “biochar” that creates a carbon sink on land. There are also ocean-based methods, such as fertilizing surface waters with chemicals to increase their intake of carbon dioxide.
SRM methods on the other hand involve directly reducing the incoming solar radiation from the sun. One such way is to make the earth more reflective (increasing the albedo) by painting roofs white, growing highly reflective crops and placing giant mirrors on the earth’s surface. Since more radiation is reflected back into space, less is trapped in the atmosphere thus reducing the warming effect. Another method is to divert incoming solar radiation by placing sunshades in space – directly cooling the planet.
From a general perspective, CDR methods of geo-engineering have the advantage over SRM methods in directly addressing the root cause of global warming: by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Therefore since SRM methods still allow the build-up of carbon in the atmosphere, there will be a real problem if they suddenly cease to work. On the other hand, SRM methods are far more effective due to being able to cool the atmosphere much more quickly after deployment, which is a major advantage when faced with an ever-warming planet.
Both SRM and CDR methods therefore could be undertaken adjacently to maximise the effectiveness of reducing the effects of global warming. Current research into geo-engineering is continually suggesting new and innovative ways to tackle the problem of climate change and in the near future we could see many of the methods being implemented.
What's the future of our Propagation one would ask?
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This article is by Nick Prebble; On the back of news that revealed November 2011 was the second warmest November since records began, questions are being thrown up again about global warming; its impacts and what, if anything, can be done to mitigate its effects. An obvious answer is to cut emissions of greenhouse gases around the world, but this is easier said than done in today’s highly developed and industrial planet. As a result, there has been significant research into “Geo-engineering” to reduce, mitigate and adapt to climate change.
The two methods of this “Geo-engineering” are Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) and Solar Radiation Management (SRM). Whilst both methods have considerable strengths; their effectiveness, timescale of use, ease of implementation and level of control must be called into question before large sums of money are spent developing them.
CDR methods involve the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and directly combat the problem of global warming by reducing the “greenhouse” effect. Land-based methods include the use of artificial trees that remove more carbon dioxide than natural trees, the replanting of crops and vegetation and using a special “biochar” that creates a carbon sink on land. There are also ocean-based methods, such as fertilizing surface waters with chemicals to increase their intake of carbon dioxide.
SRM methods on the other hand involve directly reducing the incoming solar radiation from the sun. One such way is to make the earth more reflective (increasing the albedo) by painting roofs white, growing highly reflective crops and placing giant mirrors on the earth’s surface. Since more radiation is reflected back into space, less is trapped in the atmosphere thus reducing the warming effect. Another method is to divert incoming solar radiation by placing sunshades in space – directly cooling the planet.
From a general perspective, CDR methods of geo-engineering have the advantage over SRM methods in directly addressing the root cause of global warming: by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Therefore since SRM methods still allow the build-up of carbon in the atmosphere, there will be a real problem if they suddenly cease to work. On the other hand, SRM methods are far more effective due to being able to cool the atmosphere much more quickly after deployment, which is a major advantage when faced with an ever-warming planet.
Both SRM and CDR methods therefore could be undertaken adjacently to maximise the effectiveness of reducing the effects of global warming. Current research into geo-engineering is continually suggesting new and innovative ways to tackle the problem of climate change and in the near future we could see many of the methods being implemented.
What's the future of our Propagation one would ask?
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5 Dec 2011
IRTS 80th Anniversary
IRTS will be celebrating its 80th anniversary next year. Details of a worldwide contest "CQIR" to take place on Saint Patrick's Day, Saturday 17th March 2012
have just been announced.
Full rules and information
are available at www.irts.ie/cqir or by email to cqir@irts.ie
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have just been announced.
Full rules and information
are available at www.irts.ie/cqir or by email to cqir@irts.ie
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Marconi Auction
A two day auction of Marconi memorabilia will take
place at the D4 Berkeley Hotel in Dublin Ireland on December 13th
and 14th 2011. Among the interesting items will be two
lengths of the original Marconi-code ticker tape, measuring 24inches and 19inches framed.
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place at the D4 Berkeley Hotel in Dublin Ireland on December 13th
and 14th 2011. Among the interesting items will be two
lengths of the original Marconi-code ticker tape, measuring 24inches and 19inches framed.
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Satellite AO-51
Satellite AO-51 has ceased transmission and is not
responding to commands. The last telemetry data indicated that the third of six batteries was
approaching failure to short, and observations indicate the voltage from three cells is insufficient to power the UHF transmitters. Initial tests with the S band
transmitter were also not positive, although more
attempts are in order. We have tried leaving the satellite in an expected state where if voltages climb high enough, the 435.150 transmitter may possibly be
heard, stated Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations.
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responding to commands. The last telemetry data indicated that the third of six batteries was
approaching failure to short, and observations indicate the voltage from three cells is insufficient to power the UHF transmitters. Initial tests with the S band
transmitter were also not positive, although more
attempts are in order. We have tried leaving the satellite in an expected state where if voltages climb high enough, the 435.150 transmitter may possibly be
heard, stated Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations.
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29 Nov 2011
Mayo Radio Rally
The annual Mayo Rally took place in Castlebar on Sunday
The 20th of November. There was a great attendance of traders and punters on the day, with plenty of buying, selling and eyeball QSOs taking place throughout the day.
On Saturday night, ahead of the rally itself, Mayo Radio Experimenters Network, the rally organisers, had arranged presentations on Amateur Television and on
Logbook of the World.
Pat EI2HX gave an excellent
introduction to Amateur Television, showing some of
his collection of antennas, transmitters, receivers and
connectors. For those in the audience more used to
working with equipment designed for Kilohertz or
Megahertz frequencies, the "Gigahertz" hardware Pat
works with seems almost exotic, but really an interesting part of the hobby.
Dave EI9FBB, who is not long back from DXpeditioning
with the T32C group on Kiritimati, explained the in's
and out's of the ARRL's Logbook of the World - an online
alternative to paper QSL cards for those working towards a DXCC award.
Dave outlined the steps involved
in setting up and maintaining a Logbook of the World
account and also covered the security measures in place
to ensure the integrity of the system.
We also noted that Dave EI9FBB, our local DXCC card checker, was kept very busy throughout the Rally.
There was a fantastic attendance to the Radio Rally in the West of Ireland, I even got to meet some old friends who I have not spoke too or even seen in a long time and I even got to meet a few new Amateur's who I'd like to take this opportunity in congratulating all new comers to our fantastic hobby.
For anyone interested in joining a very active Amateur Radio Club, check out this club here in the west of Ireland "The Mayo Radio Experimenters Network" based here in the County of Mayo, check them out here on EI7MRE for up to date information.
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The 20th of November. There was a great attendance of traders and punters on the day, with plenty of buying, selling and eyeball QSOs taking place throughout the day.
On Saturday night, ahead of the rally itself, Mayo Radio Experimenters Network, the rally organisers, had arranged presentations on Amateur Television and on
Logbook of the World.
Pat EI2HX gave an excellent
introduction to Amateur Television, showing some of
his collection of antennas, transmitters, receivers and
connectors. For those in the audience more used to
working with equipment designed for Kilohertz or
Megahertz frequencies, the "Gigahertz" hardware Pat
works with seems almost exotic, but really an interesting part of the hobby.
Dave EI9FBB, who is not long back from DXpeditioning
with the T32C group on Kiritimati, explained the in's
and out's of the ARRL's Logbook of the World - an online
alternative to paper QSL cards for those working towards a DXCC award.
Dave outlined the steps involved
in setting up and maintaining a Logbook of the World
account and also covered the security measures in place
to ensure the integrity of the system.
We also noted that Dave EI9FBB, our local DXCC card checker, was kept very busy throughout the Rally.
There was a fantastic attendance to the Radio Rally in the West of Ireland, I even got to meet some old friends who I have not spoke too or even seen in a long time and I even got to meet a few new Amateur's who I'd like to take this opportunity in congratulating all new comers to our fantastic hobby.
For anyone interested in joining a very active Amateur Radio Club, check out this club here in the west of Ireland "The Mayo Radio Experimenters Network" based here in the County of Mayo, check them out here on EI7MRE for up to date information.
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New TV Repeater in Ireland
South Dublin Radio Club is in the process of installing
a new television repeater with coverage over the greater Dublin area.
The repeater, which is located on the three rock mountain, will transmit on 2390Mhz and receive signal in on 1249Mhz. While not on the air yet, initial tests have proved sucessful with perfect pictures received 60 miles away at the EI2ATR Cavan repeater site.
The repeater will be linked by radio to the existing TV repeater system currently operating in
Co Cavan, This repeater currently transmits on 1276.5Mhz, 2370 Mhz and 10.040Mhz and gives good coverage of Cavan/Louth/Meath Area.
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a new television repeater with coverage over the greater Dublin area.
The repeater, which is located on the three rock mountain, will transmit on 2390Mhz and receive signal in on 1249Mhz. While not on the air yet, initial tests have proved sucessful with perfect pictures received 60 miles away at the EI2ATR Cavan repeater site.
The repeater will be linked by radio to the existing TV repeater system currently operating in
Co Cavan, This repeater currently transmits on 1276.5Mhz, 2370 Mhz and 10.040Mhz and gives good coverage of Cavan/Louth/Meath Area.
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RTE
RTE may charge licence-fee payers for access to certain
parts of its online operations, it has been revealed.
The broadcaster is looking at ways to increase its
revenue from its online and digital business. No firm
decisions have yet been made.
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parts of its online operations, it has been revealed.
The broadcaster is looking at ways to increase its
revenue from its online and digital business. No firm
decisions have yet been made.
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Ham Radio on the Increase
There are over 700,314 ham radio licence holders in
the United States, according to the FCC. There has
been an increase of over 40,000 ham radio licences in
the last five years alone. The ARRL refers to this era
as the "golden years"
According to Allen Pitts of the
ARRL, he reckons that the USA has had over 20-25,000
new hams per year.
Great to hear more people are getting involved in this fantastic hobbie.
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the United States, according to the FCC. There has
been an increase of over 40,000 ham radio licences in
the last five years alone. The ARRL refers to this era
as the "golden years"
According to Allen Pitts of the
ARRL, he reckons that the USA has had over 20-25,000
new hams per year.
Great to hear more people are getting involved in this fantastic hobbie.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
20 Nov 2011
Mayo Radio Rally
The annual Mayo Radio Rally took place in Castlebar on Sunday the 20th of November. There was a fantastic attendance of traders and punters on the day, with plenty of buying, selling
Including eyeball QSOs taking place. We also noted that Dave
EI9FBB, our local DXCC card checker, was kept busy.
On the Saturday night, ahead of the rally itself, Mayo
Radio Experimenters Network, the rally organisers, had
arranged presentations on Amateur Television and on
Logbook of the World. Pat EI2HX gave us an excellent introduction to Amateur Television, showing us some of his collection of antennas, transmitters, receivers and connectors. For those in the audience more used to working with equipment designed for Kilohertz or Megahertz frequencies, the "Gigahertz" hardware Pat works with seems almost exotic.
Dave EI9FBB, who is not long back from DXpeditioning
with the T32C group on Kiritimati, explained the ins
and outs of the ARRL's Logbook of the World - an online
alternative to paper QSL cards for those working towards a DXCC award. Dave outlined the steps involved in setting up and maintaining a Logbook of the World account and also covered the security measures in place
to ensure the integrity of the system.
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Including eyeball QSOs taking place. We also noted that Dave
EI9FBB, our local DXCC card checker, was kept busy.
On the Saturday night, ahead of the rally itself, Mayo
Radio Experimenters Network, the rally organisers, had
arranged presentations on Amateur Television and on
Logbook of the World. Pat EI2HX gave us an excellent introduction to Amateur Television, showing us some of his collection of antennas, transmitters, receivers and connectors. For those in the audience more used to working with equipment designed for Kilohertz or Megahertz frequencies, the "Gigahertz" hardware Pat works with seems almost exotic.
Dave EI9FBB, who is not long back from DXpeditioning
with the T32C group on Kiritimati, explained the ins
and outs of the ARRL's Logbook of the World - an online
alternative to paper QSL cards for those working towards a DXCC award. Dave outlined the steps involved in setting up and maintaining a Logbook of the World account and also covered the security measures in place
to ensure the integrity of the system.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
18 Nov 2011
Space Station Active on 70 cm Packet
The Amateur Radio station located in the Columbus module aboard the International Space Station is now active on AX.25 packet radio at 437.550 MHz.
To utilize the the packet system, operators need to set their TNC UNPROTO paths to ARISS for digipeating, or they can connect to the packet BBS using the call sign RS0ISS-1. The packet beacon is set to transmit at 2 minute intervals.
Click here to see the current position of the space station in real time. You can also obtain pass predictions online from AMSAT-NA.
Story courtesy of Trevor Hawkins, M5AKA
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ARISSAT-1 May De-Orbit in April 2012:
eHam.net News -- According to predictions satellite is due to re-enter Earth's atmosphere in early April 2012. Launched from the International Space Station on August 8, the satellite is traveling in a low orbit and is steadily losing altitude. The rate of orbital decay may be accelerated by increasing atmospheric density caused by increased solar
activity. With that factor in mind, some ARISSat-1 decay predictions
suggest re-entry as early as February 1.
This is from The ARRL Letter on November 17, 2011
Website: http://www.arrl.org/
ARISSAT-1 May De-Orbit in April 2012:
According to predictions http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/arissat5.htm from Mineo Wakita, JE9PEL, the ARISSat-1 http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/index.php satellite is due to re-enter Earth's atmosphere in early April 2012. Launched from the International Space Station on August 8, the satellite is traveling in a low orbit and is steadily losing altitude. The rate of orbital decay may be accelerated by increasing atmospheric density caused by increased solar activity. With that factor in mind, some ARISSat-1 decay predictions suggest re-entry as early as February 1. ARISSat-1 remains quite active, sending voice messages, digital telemetry and Slow Scan TV images. Amateurs have also been able to enjoy contacts through ARISSat-1's linear transponder despite the fact that the UHF antenna was apparently damaged prior to (or during) deployment. Last month, AMSAT-NA announced a competition http://www.arrl.org/news/arissat-1-team-announces-morse-code-contest to see who can record the last bits of telemetry as ARISSat-1 makes its final plunge. To decode the CW or BPSK telemetry you must use the ARISSATTLM software http://www.arissat1.org/v3/ for Windows or Mac OS. The CW signal is transmitted at 145.919 MHz and the BPSK signal appears at 145.920 MHz, plus or minus Doppler.
Source:
The ARRL Letter
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activity. With that factor in mind, some ARISSat-1 decay predictions
suggest re-entry as early as February 1.
This is from The ARRL Letter on November 17, 2011
Website: http://www.arrl.org/
ARISSAT-1 May De-Orbit in April 2012:
According to predictions http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/arissat5.htm from Mineo Wakita, JE9PEL, the ARISSat-1 http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/index.php satellite is due to re-enter Earth's atmosphere in early April 2012. Launched from the International Space Station on August 8, the satellite is traveling in a low orbit and is steadily losing altitude. The rate of orbital decay may be accelerated by increasing atmospheric density caused by increased solar activity. With that factor in mind, some ARISSat-1 decay predictions suggest re-entry as early as February 1. ARISSat-1 remains quite active, sending voice messages, digital telemetry and Slow Scan TV images. Amateurs have also been able to enjoy contacts through ARISSat-1's linear transponder despite the fact that the UHF antenna was apparently damaged prior to (or during) deployment. Last month, AMSAT-NA announced a competition http://www.arrl.org/news/arissat-1-team-announces-morse-code-contest to see who can record the last bits of telemetry as ARISSat-1 makes its final plunge. To decode the CW or BPSK telemetry you must use the ARISSATTLM software http://www.arissat1.org/v3/ for Windows or Mac OS. The CW signal is transmitted at 145.919 MHz and the BPSK signal appears at 145.920 MHz, plus or minus Doppler.
Source:
The ARRL Letter
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Longer Lasting Lithium-ion Batteries
Scientists boost battery strength with small holes.
Batteries for phones and laptops could soon recharge ten times faster and hold a charge ten times larger than current technology allows.
Scientists at Northwestern University in the US have changed the materials in lithium-ion batteries to boost their abilities. One change involves poking millions of minuscule holes in the battery.
Batteries built using the novel technique could be in the shops within five years, estimate the scientists.
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Batteries for phones and laptops could soon recharge ten times faster and hold a charge ten times larger than current technology allows.
Scientists at Northwestern University in the US have changed the materials in lithium-ion batteries to boost their abilities. One change involves poking millions of minuscule holes in the battery.
Batteries built using the novel technique could be in the shops within five years, estimate the scientists.
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RMS Titanic
RMS Titanic, the world’s largest passenger ship at the time, sank on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York, following a collision with an iceberg, at approximately 0245 on the morning of April 15th 1912.
1,517 people lost their lives in the tragedy.
The 100th anniversary of the sinking will be marked by several special event stations at ports associated with the ships maiden voyage.
These include Belfast, Southampton, Cherbourg, Cobh, Cape Race, VO1MCE and a maritime mobile station, VE0MGY, at the site of the sinking.
The call sign in Ireland EI100T has been issued for the year 2012 and will operate in co-operation with the Cobh Titanic 100 Committee.
The main events will happen over the weekend of April 13/14th 2012 and EI100T will also be operated regularly throughout the year.
A special award will be announced before the end of December in conjunction with the other special event locations.
Enquiries and QSLs to EI4HQ QTHR.
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1,517 people lost their lives in the tragedy.
The 100th anniversary of the sinking will be marked by several special event stations at ports associated with the ships maiden voyage.
These include Belfast, Southampton, Cherbourg, Cobh, Cape Race, VO1MCE and a maritime mobile station, VE0MGY, at the site of the sinking.
The call sign in Ireland EI100T has been issued for the year 2012 and will operate in co-operation with the Cobh Titanic 100 Committee.
The main events will happen over the weekend of April 13/14th 2012 and EI100T will also be operated regularly throughout the year.
A special award will be announced before the end of December in conjunction with the other special event locations.
Enquiries and QSLs to EI4HQ QTHR.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
Mystery of the Lunar Ionosphere
How can a world without air have an ionosphere?
Somehow the Moon has done it. Lunar researchers have been struggling with the mystery for years, and they may have finally found a solution.
Read the full NASA story here:
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/14nov_lunarionosphere/
A video version of this story is available, watch ScienceCasts:
Mystery of the Lunar Ionosphere
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zSrP4MacFE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Thanks to Ken Eaton GW1FKY for spotting this item.
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Somehow the Moon has done it. Lunar researchers have been struggling with the mystery for years, and they may have finally found a solution.
Read the full NASA story here:
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/14nov_lunarionosphere/
A video version of this story is available, watch ScienceCasts:
Mystery of the Lunar Ionosphere
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zSrP4MacFE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Thanks to Ken Eaton GW1FKY for spotting this item.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
16 Nov 2011
Mayo Radio Experimenters Network Radio Rally
The MREN Rally will be held on November 20th this year at its now established venue of The Welcome Inn Hotel in Castlebar, County Mayo. All the usual traders attending and as always it promises to be a very enjoyable rally. An opportunity to meet old and new friends. Come and join us the Doors open at 11am.
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
6 Nov 2011
Sun comes alive, blasting massive solar flares
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/space/story/2011-11-04/sun-storms-solar-flares-space-weather/51075488/1
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
4 Nov 2011
Mayo Radio Experimenters Radio Rally
The Mayo Radio Experimenters are holding their annual Radio Rally on Sunday 20th November at their usual location in the Welcome Inn Hotel, Castlebar, Co Mayo where the doors will open at 11.00am.
This is one of the premier events on the Irish radio scene each year and as well as the usual extensive range of traders, club stands, demonstrations and extensive catering facilities, the club is proud to announce even more reasons to attend this year Rally.
On Saturday evening, 19th of November we are lucky to have two of Ireland’s most experienced amateurs enthusiasts, who will talk on their respective topics:
Commencing at 7.00pm Pat Fitzpatrick EI2HX will give a talk and demonstration on amateur television (ATV).
Pat has extensive experience and many of you will be aware of his articles in Echo Ireland and qrz.com. This is a unique opportunity to explore this aspect of the hobby and Pat will allow time to answer any queries or comments you may have.
At 9.00pm Dave Deane EI9FBB will give a talk on the ARRL DXCC Program and also on the Logbook of the World system. Dave is an accomplished DX,er and is the only Irish based QSL card checker for the ARRL DXCC programme. Dave took part in the recent T32C dxpedition and will hopefully share some of his experiences on this and other expeditions. Dave will also be present on the IRTS stand on Sunday to check DXCC cards. This is an efficient and practical way to ensure your cards are authenticated so, doesn’t forget to bring any DXCC cards you have for verification.
It is expected the lecture programme will be well attended and the club has arranged some very attractive packages with the Welcome Inn Hotel, Castlebar to enable overnight stays at affordable prices.
There are full details of the hotel packages, the lecture programme and the latest information on the Radio Rally on the club website ‐ www.ei7mre.org or you can contact Padraic Baynes, EI9JA rally director and organiser on his mobile +353 87 695 7154 or e-mail – pbaynes1@eircom.net for any information about the rally.
For overnight booking/information and details contact the Welcome Inn Hotel direct on: +353 949 022288.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
This is one of the premier events on the Irish radio scene each year and as well as the usual extensive range of traders, club stands, demonstrations and extensive catering facilities, the club is proud to announce even more reasons to attend this year Rally.
On Saturday evening, 19th of November we are lucky to have two of Ireland’s most experienced amateurs enthusiasts, who will talk on their respective topics:
Commencing at 7.00pm Pat Fitzpatrick EI2HX will give a talk and demonstration on amateur television (ATV).
Pat has extensive experience and many of you will be aware of his articles in Echo Ireland and qrz.com. This is a unique opportunity to explore this aspect of the hobby and Pat will allow time to answer any queries or comments you may have.
At 9.00pm Dave Deane EI9FBB will give a talk on the ARRL DXCC Program and also on the Logbook of the World system. Dave is an accomplished DX,er and is the only Irish based QSL card checker for the ARRL DXCC programme. Dave took part in the recent T32C dxpedition and will hopefully share some of his experiences on this and other expeditions. Dave will also be present on the IRTS stand on Sunday to check DXCC cards. This is an efficient and practical way to ensure your cards are authenticated so, doesn’t forget to bring any DXCC cards you have for verification.
It is expected the lecture programme will be well attended and the club has arranged some very attractive packages with the Welcome Inn Hotel, Castlebar to enable overnight stays at affordable prices.
There are full details of the hotel packages, the lecture programme and the latest information on the Radio Rally on the club website ‐ www.ei7mre.org or you can contact Padraic Baynes, EI9JA rally director and organiser on his mobile +353 87 695 7154 or e-mail – pbaynes1@eircom.net for any information about the rally.
For overnight booking/information and details contact the Welcome Inn Hotel direct on: +353 949 022288.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
1 Nov 2011
Mayo Radio Experimenters Network
The Mayo Chairperson calls for radio enthusiasts to join
their local club.
Jimmy Kelly, EI2GCB, was re-elected Chairperson of the
Mayo Radio Experimenters, at their recent AGM. This is
Jimmys third consecutive year, and, under the club
rues, he will have to step aside at next year's AGM,
because of the three year rule. Adrian Healy, EI2HAB,
was returned as Treasurer and selected for the first
time as IRTS Club Rep. The other officers elected
were: Newsletter Editor; John Corless, EI7IQ, PRO
David Hatfield, EI3ECB, Rally Director; Padraic
Baynes, EI9JA, and QSL Manager; Brendan Minish,
EI6IZ. Addressing the meeting, the Chairperson Jimmy
Kelly, EI2GCB, said the club continues to have a
strong and vibrant membership with well attended
monthly meetings and is financially solid. He
congratulated Adrian Healy on his success in the July
theory examination. He said that everyone interested
in the hobby should join their local club; the
availability of theory classes being one of the many
benefits of membership. The club performs well in
contests, he said, including winning the portable
section of the IRTS 80mts. Counties Contest. He noted
that MREN took part in the Lighthouses on the Air
event for the first time this year, which proved a
very enjoyable event. He added that the club was
delighted to support the scouting event, JOTA, again
this year. He thanked members who called in to the
club callsign, EIMRE/P, which is used in these events.
The club organised a number of publicity and promotion
events over the summer on an experimental basis. These
were public events and he reported limited success,
adding that while they were very worthwhile
endeavours, the events themselves would need tweaking
for next year. The chairperson reminded the meeting
that the Rally would be held on November 20th this
year at it now established venue of The Welcome Inn
Hotel in Castlebar. He thanked the management and
staff of the hotel for their continued support of the
club. Jimmy also congratulated John Browne, EI7FAB,
winner of the MREN annual activity, with half a point
margin over Dominic Curtin, EI9JS, in the closest-run
club event ever. The annual activity is decided by a
cumulative tally of scores recorded in the twelve
monthly competitions held by the club for its members.
He concluded his report by thanking his fellow
officers and all the members for their attendance at
club meetings and events and their support over the
year past.
The Connor Shield (for outstanding service to hobby,)
was won jointly by Jimmy Kelly, EI2GCB and Dominic
Curtin, EI9JS and the Wishing Well Shield (for
outstanding service to the club) was won by Padraic
Baynes, EI9JA
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
New TV Repeater in Ireland
South Dublin Radio Club is in the process of installing a new television repeater with coverage over the greater Dublin area.
The repeater, which is located on
the three rock mountain, will transmit on 2390Mhz and
receive signal in on 1249Mhz. While not on the air yet, initial tests have proved sucessful with perfect pictures received 60 miles away at the EI2ATR Cavan
repeater site. The repeater will be linked by radio to the existing TV repeater system currently operating in Co Cavan, This repeater currently transmits on
1276.5Mhz, 2370 Mhz and 10.040Mhz and gives good
coverage of Cavan/Louth/Meath Area.
Looking forward to trying some experiments through this repeater when it's up on air.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
The repeater, which is located on
the three rock mountain, will transmit on 2390Mhz and
receive signal in on 1249Mhz. While not on the air yet, initial tests have proved sucessful with perfect pictures received 60 miles away at the EI2ATR Cavan
repeater site. The repeater will be linked by radio to the existing TV repeater system currently operating in Co Cavan, This repeater currently transmits on
1276.5Mhz, 2370 Mhz and 10.040Mhz and gives good
coverage of Cavan/Louth/Meath Area.
Looking forward to trying some experiments through this repeater when it's up on air.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
25 Oct 2011
Some Satellite News
AMSAT to celebrate 50 years in space at symposium
The AMSAT-NA 2011 Space Symposium will be held on
Friday, November 4-6 in San Jose, California. This
year's Symposium coincides with the celebration of the
50th anniversary of OSCAR 1, the first Amateur Radio
satellite.
30th anniversary of UoSAT-1 (OSCAR-9)
On October 6, 1981 the United Kingdom's first Amateur
Radio Satellite UoSAT-OSCAR-9 was launched. Surrey
Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) celebrated the 30th
anniversary of the launch of Surrey's first satellite,
UoSAT-1. Launched into orbit on 6th October 1981,
UoSAT-1 was designed and built by a team from the
University of Surrey led by SSTL founder Sir Martin
Sweeting, G3YJO.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
The AMSAT-NA 2011 Space Symposium will be held on
Friday, November 4-6 in San Jose, California. This
year's Symposium coincides with the celebration of the
50th anniversary of OSCAR 1, the first Amateur Radio
satellite.
30th anniversary of UoSAT-1 (OSCAR-9)
On October 6, 1981 the United Kingdom's first Amateur
Radio Satellite UoSAT-OSCAR-9 was launched. Surrey
Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) celebrated the 30th
anniversary of the launch of Surrey's first satellite,
UoSAT-1. Launched into orbit on 6th October 1981,
UoSAT-1 was designed and built by a team from the
University of Surrey led by SSTL founder Sir Martin
Sweeting, G3YJO.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
CEPT proposes frequency allocation for amateur radio
A small allocation of about 15 kHz in parts of the 500
kHz band to the amateur radio service on a secondary
basis - this proposal has been made by a project team
of about 50 representatives of European governments
and other stakeholders in preparation for the next
World Radiocommunication Conference WRC12. They
followed an invitation of the Federal Network Agency
in Germany and met by the end of September in Mainz.
The discussion led to a compromise in the size of the
amateur radio band, namely 480 kHz - 472 kHz, with a
maximum power of 5 W EIRP.
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kHz band to the amateur radio service on a secondary
basis - this proposal has been made by a project team
of about 50 representatives of European governments
and other stakeholders in preparation for the next
World Radiocommunication Conference WRC12. They
followed an invitation of the Federal Network Agency
in Germany and met by the end of September in Mainz.
The discussion led to a compromise in the size of the
amateur radio band, namely 480 kHz - 472 kHz, with a
maximum power of 5 W EIRP.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
26 Sept 2011
Tiree Expedition (MS0WRC)
For the 8th year running members of the Workington
Radio Club from West Cumbria are planning to visit the
Hebridean Islands off the West Coast of Scotland. This
year they will be joined once more by members of the
Sands contest group from Morecambe in Lancashire and
Brendan (EI6IZ).
The team of 11 operators will travel to the Island of
Tiree (EU-008) on the 1st October and operate
throughout the following week from their base in Caoles
on the North East coast of the Island.
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Radio Club from West Cumbria are planning to visit the
Hebridean Islands off the West Coast of Scotland. This
year they will be joined once more by members of the
Sands contest group from Morecambe in Lancashire and
Brendan (EI6IZ).
The team of 11 operators will travel to the Island of
Tiree (EU-008) on the 1st October and operate
throughout the following week from their base in Caoles
on the North East coast of the Island.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
RSGB Convention
The RSGB convention takes place this year on October
7th, 8th and 9th. Full details from
www.rsgb.org/rsgbconvention
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NASA's UARS re-enters Earth's atmosphere
From Southgate Amateur Radio News;
NASA's decommissioned Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) fell back to Earth between 11:23 p.m. EDT Friday, Sept. 23 and 1:09 a.m. Sept. 24, 20 years and nine days after its launch on a 14-year mission that produced some of the first long-term records of chemicals in the atmosphere.
The precise re-entry time and location of debris impacts have not been determined. During the re-entry period, the satellite passed from the east coast of Africa over the Indian Ocean, then the Pacific Ocean, then across northern Canada, then across the northern Atlantic Ocean, to a point over West Africa. The vast majority of the orbital transit was over water, with some flight over northern Canada and West Africa.
Six years after the end of its productive scientific life, UARS broke into pieces during re-entry, and most of it up burned in the atmosphere. Data indicates the satellite likely broke apart and landed in the Pacific Ocean far off the U.S. coast.
Twenty-six satellite components, weighing a total of about 1,200 pounds, could have survived the fiery re-entry and reach the surface of Earth.
However, NASA is not aware of any reports of injury or property damage.
The Operations Center for JFCC-Space, the Joint Functional Component Command at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., which works around the clock detecting, identifying and tracking all man-made objects in Earth orbit, tracked the movements of UARS through the satellite's final orbits and provided confirmation of re-entry.
"We extend our appreciation to the Joint Space Operations Center for monitoring UARS not only this past week but also throughout its entire 20 years on orbit," said Nick Johnson, NASA's chief scientist for orbital debris, at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. "This was not an easy re-entry to predict because of the natural forces acting on the satellite as its orbit decayed. Space-faring nations around the world also were monitoring the satellite's descent in the last two hours and all the predictions were well within the range estimated by JSpOC."
UARS was launched Sept. 12, 1991, aboard space shuttle mission STS-48 and deployed on Sept. 15, 1991. It was the first multi-instrumented satellite to observe numerous chemical components of the atmosphere for better understanding of photochemistry. UARS data marked the beginning of many long-term records for key chemicals in the atmosphere. The satellite also provided key data on the amount of light that comes from the sun at ultraviolet and visible wavelengths.
UARS ceased its scientific life in 2005.
Because of the satellite's orbit, any surviving components of UARS should have landed within a zone between 57 degrees north latitude and 57 degrees south latitude. It is impossible to pinpoint just where in that zone the debris landed, but NASA estimates the debris footprint to be about 500 miles long.
For more information about UARS, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/uars
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
NASA's decommissioned Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) fell back to Earth between 11:23 p.m. EDT Friday, Sept. 23 and 1:09 a.m. Sept. 24, 20 years and nine days after its launch on a 14-year mission that produced some of the first long-term records of chemicals in the atmosphere.
The precise re-entry time and location of debris impacts have not been determined. During the re-entry period, the satellite passed from the east coast of Africa over the Indian Ocean, then the Pacific Ocean, then across northern Canada, then across the northern Atlantic Ocean, to a point over West Africa. The vast majority of the orbital transit was over water, with some flight over northern Canada and West Africa.
Six years after the end of its productive scientific life, UARS broke into pieces during re-entry, and most of it up burned in the atmosphere. Data indicates the satellite likely broke apart and landed in the Pacific Ocean far off the U.S. coast.
Twenty-six satellite components, weighing a total of about 1,200 pounds, could have survived the fiery re-entry and reach the surface of Earth.
However, NASA is not aware of any reports of injury or property damage.
The Operations Center for JFCC-Space, the Joint Functional Component Command at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., which works around the clock detecting, identifying and tracking all man-made objects in Earth orbit, tracked the movements of UARS through the satellite's final orbits and provided confirmation of re-entry.
"We extend our appreciation to the Joint Space Operations Center for monitoring UARS not only this past week but also throughout its entire 20 years on orbit," said Nick Johnson, NASA's chief scientist for orbital debris, at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. "This was not an easy re-entry to predict because of the natural forces acting on the satellite as its orbit decayed. Space-faring nations around the world also were monitoring the satellite's descent in the last two hours and all the predictions were well within the range estimated by JSpOC."
UARS was launched Sept. 12, 1991, aboard space shuttle mission STS-48 and deployed on Sept. 15, 1991. It was the first multi-instrumented satellite to observe numerous chemical components of the atmosphere for better understanding of photochemistry. UARS data marked the beginning of many long-term records for key chemicals in the atmosphere. The satellite also provided key data on the amount of light that comes from the sun at ultraviolet and visible wavelengths.
UARS ceased its scientific life in 2005.
Because of the satellite's orbit, any surviving components of UARS should have landed within a zone between 57 degrees north latitude and 57 degrees south latitude. It is impossible to pinpoint just where in that zone the debris landed, but NASA estimates the debris footprint to be about 500 miles long.
For more information about UARS, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/uars
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
5 MHz Newsletter now online
A new Newsletter has been launched to support the
growing number of 5 MHz operating permissions globally
- it's the 5MHz Newsletter. Edited by Paul Gaskell,
G4MWO, one of the original RSGB 5 MHz team, it aims to
be both an accurate information source of news about 5
Mhz and a platform for exchange of ideas, be they
theoretical, operational, constructional or just
general comments about the band. You can freely access
the 5 MHz Newsletter from Google Documents at
http://tinyurl.com/6fkhcmf
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
growing number of 5 MHz operating permissions globally
- it's the 5MHz Newsletter. Edited by Paul Gaskell,
G4MWO, one of the original RSGB 5 MHz team, it aims to
be both an accurate information source of news about 5
Mhz and a platform for exchange of ideas, be they
theoretical, operational, constructional or just
general comments about the band. You can freely access
the 5 MHz Newsletter from Google Documents at
http://tinyurl.com/6fkhcmf
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
Jelly Batteries
A new polymer jelly could be the next big step forward
for lithium batteries. The jelly replaces the volatile
and hazardous liquid electrolyte currently used in most
lithium batteries. Researchers from the University of
Leeds hope their development leads to smaller, cheaper
and safer gadgets. Once on the market, the lithium
jelly batteries could allow lighter laptop computers,
and more efficient electric cars.
_________________________
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for lithium batteries. The jelly replaces the volatile
and hazardous liquid electrolyte currently used in most
lithium batteries. Researchers from the University of
Leeds hope their development leads to smaller, cheaper
and safer gadgets. Once on the market, the lithium
jelly batteries could allow lighter laptop computers,
and more efficient electric cars.
_________________________
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
Mayo Radio Experimenters Network
The Mayo Radio Experimenters, using the call sign
EI7MRE/P, activated the Blacksod lighthouse, IE0008,
which is sited on the north west coast of Mayo, on
Sunday August 21st for the International
Lighthouse/Lightships On The Air event. This was the
first time that this lighthouse was activated for the
occasion and the first lighthouse the club has
activated. Approximately 250 contacts were made into 22
countries and 6 UK and Dutch lighthouses were worked.
Best DX was Japan, Indonesia and Phillipeens. North
America was prominent too with limited openings to
South America. The bulk of the contacts were with
stations in Germany and Italy.
Plans are well underway for the 2011 Mayo Rally will be
held on Sunday Nov 20th in The Welcome Inn Hotel,
Castlebar. The Rally Director is Padraic Baynes, EI9JA.
More details about the club and its events can be found
on the web at www.ei7mre.org
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
EI7MRE/P, activated the Blacksod lighthouse, IE0008,
which is sited on the north west coast of Mayo, on
Sunday August 21st for the International
Lighthouse/Lightships On The Air event. This was the
first time that this lighthouse was activated for the
occasion and the first lighthouse the club has
activated. Approximately 250 contacts were made into 22
countries and 6 UK and Dutch lighthouses were worked.
Best DX was Japan, Indonesia and Phillipeens. North
America was prominent too with limited openings to
South America. The bulk of the contacts were with
stations in Germany and Italy.
Plans are well underway for the 2011 Mayo Rally will be
held on Sunday Nov 20th in The Welcome Inn Hotel,
Castlebar. The Rally Director is Padraic Baynes, EI9JA.
More details about the club and its events can be found
on the web at www.ei7mre.org
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
1 Sept 2011
NASA Moon Mission in Final Preparations for September Launch
NASA's Gravity Recovery And Interior Laboratory (GRAIL)
mission to study the moon is in final launch
preparations for a scheduled Sept. 8 launch from Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
GRAIL's twin spacecraft are tasked for a nine-month
mission to explore Earth's nearest neighbor in
unprecedented detail. They will determine the structure
of the lunar interior from crust to core and advance
our understanding of the thermal evolution of the moon.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
25 Aug 2011
Increased Power for Contests
Following representations from IRTS, ComReg has agreed
to allow increased power to all licensed amateurs for a
specific list of the major HF and VHF/UHF contests. On
HF, 1500 watts can be used and on VHF 1000 watts for
the duration of the contests concerned. Through an
error the 28 MHz band was omitted from the multiband
contests. This will be taken up with ComReg The list of
contests and other details can be found on the ComReg
website under Radio Spectrum Licensing Licence Types
Radio Amateurs. The society is grateful to ComReg for
granting this additional facility to radio amateurs
generally.
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to allow increased power to all licensed amateurs for a
specific list of the major HF and VHF/UHF contests. On
HF, 1500 watts can be used and on VHF 1000 watts for
the duration of the contests concerned. Through an
error the 28 MHz band was omitted from the multiband
contests. This will be taken up with ComReg The list of
contests and other details can be found on the ComReg
website under Radio Spectrum Licensing Licence Types
Radio Amateurs. The society is grateful to ComReg for
granting this additional facility to radio amateurs
generally.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
Two Metres Counties Contest
This contest, which takes place on Sunday next, 28th
August, from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm local time, provides a
great opportunity to liven up the two metre band. The
32 counties in EI and GI are multipliers, so the rarer
counties will be in great demand.
Both SSB and FM can be used and a station may be worked
on both modes. The contest rules specify that after any
QSO in which you are called by another station, you
must QSY to another channel (FM), or by at least 3 kHz
(SSB), before soliciting another QSO; when you respond
to a CQ or QRZ from another station, you then have the
right to that frequency for a single additional QSO
before QSYing. See www.irts.ie/contests for more
details about this and other IRTS contests.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
August, from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm local time, provides a
great opportunity to liven up the two metre band. The
32 counties in EI and GI are multipliers, so the rarer
counties will be in great demand.
Both SSB and FM can be used and a station may be worked
on both modes. The contest rules specify that after any
QSO in which you are called by another station, you
must QSY to another channel (FM), or by at least 3 kHz
(SSB), before soliciting another QSO; when you respond
to a CQ or QRZ from another station, you then have the
right to that frequency for a single additional QSO
before QSYing. See www.irts.ie/contests for more
details about this and other IRTS contests.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
15 Aug 2011
ARISSat-1
ARISSat-1 low duty cycle mode
The new Amateur Radio satellite ARISSat-1 has been switching into low duty cycle mode, even while in full sun, which has suprised some observers.
When the satellite is in darkness, in order to conserve battery power, it switches into a low duty cycle mode (also known as low power mode) where it transmits for 40 seconds and then shut down for 2 minutes. On Thursday, August 11, a number of Radio Amateurs reported that ARISSat-1 was in low duty cycle mode when the satellite appeared to be fully illuminated by the sun.
On the AMSAT bulletin board Tony AA2TX, ARISSat SDX software and hardware developer. provided an explanation, he wrote:
My analysis indicates that at certain "bad" sun angles, the solar panels may not provide enough power to run the satellite even in full sun.
The power from the panels can actually drop to as low as 2.5 watts at really bad angles but the satellite needs around 8 watts average to run in high power mode. This means that the satellite would have to draw current from the battery to run in high power mode even though it is in the sun.
This discharge would reduce the life of the battery so to minimize the damage and prolong the life of the satellite, it will switch itself to low power mode under these conditions.
I don't know for sure if this is what is happening but this condition is within the predicted nominal operation of the satellite.
ARISSat-1 Reception Certificates (for voice and Slow Scan TV reports)
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/august2011/
arissat_1_reception_certificates.htm
Free Slow Scan TV Software MMSSTV uses your PCs Soundcard
http://mmhamsoft.amateur-radio.ca/
The IZ8BLY Vox Recoder software enables you to record ARISSat-1 on 145.950 MHz FM while you're at work or asleep
http://antoninoporcino.xoom.it/VoxRecorder/
Online Satellite Pass Predictions, select ARISSat-1
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/predict/
ARISSat-1 Website
http://www.arissat.org/
AMSAT Bulletin Board (AMSAT-BB)
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/maillist/
AMSAT-UK publishes a colour A4 newsletter, OSCAR News, which is full of Amateur Satellite information.
On another note I heard about this on Southgate Amateur Radio News, the ARISSat-1 telemetry being received in Sudan.
Nader ST2NH in Khartoum, Sudan, has posted a video showing reception of the ARISSat-1 BPSK telemetry beacon on 145.920 MHz USB.
The YouTube description reads:
A 6mins movie clip shows a received ARISSat-1 CW and BPSK1000 Telemetry data
Rig is IC-910.
Doppler correction software is HRD.
Antenna is 6 Elements Yagi.
ARISSatTLM is software to be used in conjunction with your computer soundcard to demodulate, decode and display the CW and BPSK-1000 signals.
Watch A 6mins movie clip shows a received ARISSat-1 Telemetry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgovjj210Q8&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Download the Windows and Mac versions of the ARISSatTLM free ground station soundcard demodulator and display software:
http://www.arissattlm.org/
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12 Aug 2011
Amateur Radio satellite ARISSat-1 deployed
The Amateur Radio satellite ARISSat-1 has been deployed
from the ISS during EVA-29 on Wednesday, August 3.
First signals have been received by JR8LWY reporting
copy of the telemetry beacon as the satellite passed
over Japan. Full operational capability of
ARISSat-1/KEDR is still under evaluation pending
performance evaluation of the UHF antenna. This amateur
satellite is one of the most dynamic amateur satellites
ever deployed in space and provides us with unique
opportunities to conduct amateur radio experiments.
Please submit your reception signal reports on amsat-bb
and via the mission's e-mail boxes on
http://www.amsat.org.
____
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
from the ISS during EVA-29 on Wednesday, August 3.
First signals have been received by JR8LWY reporting
copy of the telemetry beacon as the satellite passed
over Japan. Full operational capability of
ARISSat-1/KEDR is still under evaluation pending
performance evaluation of the UHF antenna. This amateur
satellite is one of the most dynamic amateur satellites
ever deployed in space and provides us with unique
opportunities to conduct amateur radio experiments.
Please submit your reception signal reports on amsat-bb
and via the mission's e-mail boxes on
http://www.amsat.org.
____
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
7 Aug 2011
News Update
IRTS 2 Metres Counties Contest
The IRTS 2m Counties Contest will take place Sunday
28th August 2011. The closing date for the submission of the log to the contest manager is 27th
September 2011.
Introduction to Amateur Radio
The Mayo Radio Experimenters Network are holding a
series of practical hands on open days throughout the
summer months. The events will start at 13.00 approx
(weather permitting) and will take place on the
following dates:
Sunday August 14th
Sunday September 11th
Anyone with an interest in radio related matters,
who would like to have the opportunity to
participate or observe the operation of an amateur
radio station, or meet club members, will receive a
warm welcome. Whatever you’re level of interest, the
club will be pleased to help in taking your interest
further, be it a complete novice, shortwave listener
or formal assistance in progressing to a full
amateur radio licence.
The location for all events will be the car park at the
Halfway House on the Castlebar to Westport Road. If you
would like further details please contact: Padraic
Baynes EI9JA on +353 87 695 7154 (email
pbaynes1/at/eircom/dot/net) , email David Hatfield
EI3ECB on ei3ecb/at/gmail/dot/com or text or phone the
club mobile phone number +353 86 208 9777
Limerick 2M Repeater QRV again.
The Limerick 2M repeater on 145.725 is now QRV again
after being off the air due to vandalism at the
repeater site. Limerick Radio Club are grateful for the
many generous donations received from around the
country, which have gone towards installation of a new
security door. A new run of Hardline has also been
installed from the hut to the mast.
Astronomers Find Largest, Most Distant Reservoir of
Water
Two teams of astronomers have discovered the largest
and farthest reservoir of water ever detected in the
universe. The water, equivalent to 140 trillion times
all the water in the world's ocean, surrounds a huge,
feeding black hole, called a quasar, more than 12
billion light-years away. (Source:www.nasa.gov)
NASA's WISE Mission Finds First Trojan Asteroid Sharing
Earth's Orbit
Astronomers studying observations taken by NASA's
Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) mission have
discovered the first known "Trojan" asteroid orbiting
the sun along with Earth. Scientists had predicted
Earth should have Trojans, but they have been difficult
to find because they are relatively small and appear
near the sun from Earth's point of view. (Source:
www.nasa.gov)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
The IRTS 2m Counties Contest will take place Sunday
28th August 2011. The closing date for the submission of the log to the contest manager is 27th
September 2011.
Introduction to Amateur Radio
The Mayo Radio Experimenters Network are holding a
series of practical hands on open days throughout the
summer months. The events will start at 13.00 approx
(weather permitting) and will take place on the
following dates:
Sunday August 14th
Sunday September 11th
Anyone with an interest in radio related matters,
who would like to have the opportunity to
participate or observe the operation of an amateur
radio station, or meet club members, will receive a
warm welcome. Whatever you’re level of interest, the
club will be pleased to help in taking your interest
further, be it a complete novice, shortwave listener
or formal assistance in progressing to a full
amateur radio licence.
The location for all events will be the car park at the
Halfway House on the Castlebar to Westport Road. If you
would like further details please contact: Padraic
Baynes EI9JA on +353 87 695 7154 (email
pbaynes1/at/eircom/dot/net) , email David Hatfield
EI3ECB on ei3ecb/at/gmail/dot/com or text or phone the
club mobile phone number +353 86 208 9777
Limerick 2M Repeater QRV again.
The Limerick 2M repeater on 145.725 is now QRV again
after being off the air due to vandalism at the
repeater site. Limerick Radio Club are grateful for the
many generous donations received from around the
country, which have gone towards installation of a new
security door. A new run of Hardline has also been
installed from the hut to the mast.
Astronomers Find Largest, Most Distant Reservoir of
Water
Two teams of astronomers have discovered the largest
and farthest reservoir of water ever detected in the
universe. The water, equivalent to 140 trillion times
all the water in the world's ocean, surrounds a huge,
feeding black hole, called a quasar, more than 12
billion light-years away. (Source:www.nasa.gov)
NASA's WISE Mission Finds First Trojan Asteroid Sharing
Earth's Orbit
Astronomers studying observations taken by NASA's
Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) mission have
discovered the first known "Trojan" asteroid orbiting
the sun along with Earth. Scientists had predicted
Earth should have Trojans, but they have been difficult
to find because they are relatively small and appear
near the sun from Earth's point of view. (Source:
www.nasa.gov)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
25 Jul 2011
News From The IRTS
IRTS 2 Metres Counties Contest
The IRTS 2m Counties Contest will take place Sunday
28th August 2011. The closing date for the
submission of the log to the contest manager is 27th
September 2011.
______________________________________________
IRTS SSB Field Day
The IRTS SSB Field Day takes place Saturday 3rd
September and Sunday 4th September 2011. The closing
date for the submission of the log is October 4th 2011.
______________________________________________
GI HF Conference
The West Tyrone Amateur Radio Club (WTARC) Omagh are
holding a HF Conference on Saturday 20th August 2011.
This Conference comes following the very successful
DigiCon 09 Conference back in September 2009.
A range of speakers from around GI, EI and G will be in
attendance to share their various perspectives on
aspects of HF operation. There will also be in
attendance Traders such as, Tyrone Amateur Electronics
(TAE) and JBT (Jim Bob) along with exhibits from the
RSGB and the IRTS.
The Event is supported by Practical Wireless, TAE, JBT,
IRTS and RSGB. So come along for what will be a Fun Day
Out for all the family. The town of Omagh has a range
of top class shopping along with a wide range of other
tourist attractions
http://www.omagh.gov.uk/culture_leisure_and_tourism/
We look forward to seeing you there. For details of the
Venue etc go to http://wtarc.co.uk/GIHFConference.aspx
______________________________________________
London 2012’s critical communications ready for service
Airwave, the leading provider of critical voice and
data communications to public service organisations in
the UK, has announced that the private mobile radio
(PMR) service infrastructure for the London 2012
Olympic and Paralympic Games is ready for service. The
PMR network, named Apollo, will provide voice
communications for over 18,000 staff and volunteers
from the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and
Paralympic Games (LOCOG) during the 2012 Games. Apollo
has been purpose-built to provide mobile radio to all
London 2012 competition venues from the Olympic Park
itself to sites across the country from Glasgow and
Manchester to Coventry and Weymouth. The stand-alone
network is now ready for operation and will be used by
Games staff and volunteers, from stewards and security
personnel to anti-doping officials, from now until
December 2012. ( Source:southgatearc.org)
______________________________________________
RSGB Amateur Radio survey released
The results of the RSGB Amateur Radio survey are now
available. It shows the Amateur population is
continuing to age with a typical RSGB member now being
about 65. The survey also shows that just 1.97% are
women and only 0.88% classify themselves as being from
an ethnic group other than White or White British a
figure closer to 13% might have been expected.
(Source:Southgatearc.org)
______________________________________________
The IRTS 2m Counties Contest will take place Sunday
28th August 2011. The closing date for the
submission of the log to the contest manager is 27th
September 2011.
______________________________________________
IRTS SSB Field Day
The IRTS SSB Field Day takes place Saturday 3rd
September and Sunday 4th September 2011. The closing
date for the submission of the log is October 4th 2011.
______________________________________________
GI HF Conference
The West Tyrone Amateur Radio Club (WTARC) Omagh are
holding a HF Conference on Saturday 20th August 2011.
This Conference comes following the very successful
DigiCon 09 Conference back in September 2009.
A range of speakers from around GI, EI and G will be in
attendance to share their various perspectives on
aspects of HF operation. There will also be in
attendance Traders such as, Tyrone Amateur Electronics
(TAE) and JBT (Jim Bob) along with exhibits from the
RSGB and the IRTS.
The Event is supported by Practical Wireless, TAE, JBT,
IRTS and RSGB. So come along for what will be a Fun Day
Out for all the family. The town of Omagh has a range
of top class shopping along with a wide range of other
tourist attractions
http://www.omagh.gov.uk/culture_leisure_and_tourism/
We look forward to seeing you there. For details of the
Venue etc go to http://wtarc.co.uk/GIHFConference.aspx
______________________________________________
London 2012’s critical communications ready for service
Airwave, the leading provider of critical voice and
data communications to public service organisations in
the UK, has announced that the private mobile radio
(PMR) service infrastructure for the London 2012
Olympic and Paralympic Games is ready for service. The
PMR network, named Apollo, will provide voice
communications for over 18,000 staff and volunteers
from the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and
Paralympic Games (LOCOG) during the 2012 Games. Apollo
has been purpose-built to provide mobile radio to all
London 2012 competition venues from the Olympic Park
itself to sites across the country from Glasgow and
Manchester to Coventry and Weymouth. The stand-alone
network is now ready for operation and will be used by
Games staff and volunteers, from stewards and security
personnel to anti-doping officials, from now until
December 2012. ( Source:southgatearc.org)
______________________________________________
RSGB Amateur Radio survey released
The results of the RSGB Amateur Radio survey are now
available. It shows the Amateur population is
continuing to age with a typical RSGB member now being
about 65. The survey also shows that just 1.97% are
women and only 0.88% classify themselves as being from
an ethnic group other than White or White British a
figure closer to 13% might have been expected.
(Source:Southgatearc.org)
______________________________________________
Space shuttle Atlantis: Highlights of the final mission
Space shuttle Atlantis: Highlights of the final mission
The space shuttle Atlantis has landed back on Earth, ending the shuttle programme's last-ever mission.
The spacecraft touched down at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on Thursday, bringing an end to America's 30-year shuttle programme.
The crew of commander Chris Ferguson, pilot Doug Hurley and mission specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim spent almost 13 days in space.
BBC News draws together some of the highlights of the shuttle's historic final journey.
The space shuttle Atlantis has landed back on Earth, ending the shuttle programme's last-ever mission.
The spacecraft touched down at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on Thursday, bringing an end to America's 30-year shuttle programme.
The crew of commander Chris Ferguson, pilot Doug Hurley and mission specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim spent almost 13 days in space.
BBC News draws together some of the highlights of the shuttle's historic final journey.
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