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
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26 Sept 2011
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.
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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/
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX
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.
17 Apr 2011
An Astronaut and a Robot seen from Earth
Ralf Vandebergh has made available a remarkable picture he took showing Astronaut Steve Bowen and the Robot Dextre on the ISS.
The picture and description can be seen at
http://www.startje.be//vieuw.php?qid=375025
The picture and description can be seen at
http://www.startje.be//vieuw.php?qid=375025
BBC World Service is 'all-important'
Richard Ottaway, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, explains the value of the World Service to the UK
The interview was broadcast on the Radio 4 Today show on Wednesday, April 13 and you can hear it at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9456000/9456338.stm
BBC World Service 'should not be cut'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13049816
The interview was broadcast on the Radio 4 Today show on Wednesday, April 13 and you can hear it at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9456000/9456338.stm
BBC World Service 'should not be cut'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13049816
Ofcom to Issue Special Temporary Call Signs for Royal Wedding
If you are a prefix hunter -- or you just get caught up in the pageantry that a Royal Wedding can bring -- then take note: Ofcom, at the request of the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB), will issue special temporary call signs that British amateurs may use from April 29 through May 9, 2011, commemorating the marriage of HRH Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton. Amateurs in the United Kingdom who choose to apply for these special call signs will be using GR, MR and 2R prefixes during this time to commemorate the wedding.
14 Apr 2011
International Marconi Day
International Marconi Day takes place this year on Saturday 30th April. In Irelands capital city Dublin The Howth Martello Radio Group will be participating once again as an award station using the call-sign EI0MAR.
This is not a contest but there are several nice awards available for working the officially listed stations, each of which has an historic connection with Marconi. The event is organised by the Cornish Amateur Radio Club. For more information please visit the club's website http://crac.g4usb.net/cracblog/
EI0MAR operates from the Martello Tower overlooking the East Pier in Howth. The tower now houses a vintage radio museum. In 1905 the British Post Office carried out wireless telegraphy experiments at the tower in Howth using Marconi equipment.
Visitors are always welcome at the museum and the group hopes to see many visitors during the IMG event in April. The HMRG's website is http://www.ei0mar.org/ where a free information booklet in PDF format can be downloaded.
This is not a contest but there are several nice awards available for working the officially listed stations, each of which has an historic connection with Marconi. The event is organised by the Cornish Amateur Radio Club. For more information please visit the club's website http://crac.g4usb.net/cracblog/
EI0MAR operates from the Martello Tower overlooking the East Pier in Howth. The tower now houses a vintage radio museum. In 1905 the British Post Office carried out wireless telegraphy experiments at the tower in Howth using Marconi equipment.
Visitors are always welcome at the museum and the group hopes to see many visitors during the IMG event in April. The HMRG's website is http://www.ei0mar.org/ where a free information booklet in PDF format can be downloaded.
Up-Coming IRTS Contests
1. 2m Counties Contest Monday April 25th 2011.
From 2pm till 4pm. Log to be submitted by May 25th.
2. CW Field Day Sat 4th/ Sun 5th June 2011.
Log to be submitted by June 5th.
Calling all active VHF and Higher operators, we are
trying to get the 2010 Squares table finalized on
http://www.irts.ie/. So can anyone that was
active on the VHF bands last year please send your
Square totals or your log to EI2GLB@hotmail.com and he can work it out for you.
To see the squares table please go to http://www.irts.ie/cgi/vhf.cgi
From 2pm till 4pm. Log to be submitted by May 25th.
2. CW Field Day Sat 4th/ Sun 5th June 2011.
Log to be submitted by June 5th.
Calling all active VHF and Higher operators, we are
trying to get the 2010 Squares table finalized on
http://www.irts.ie/. So can anyone that was
active on the VHF bands last year please send your
Square totals or your log to EI2GLB@hotmail.com and he can work it out for you.
To see the squares table please go to http://www.irts.ie/cgi/vhf.cgi
UK Coast Guard Frequency Changes
Two UK Coastguard stations have moved frequency to below 2MHz from April 4th. These changes will be to HMCG MF transmitting frequencies: MRCC Humber - TX on 2226 KHz changed to 1925 KHz MRCC Falmouth - TX on 2226 KHz changed to 1880 KHz
15 Mar 2011
World Radio Communication Conference Amateur Radio
World Radio communication Conference Amateur Radio has moved a step closer to a medium frequency (MF)allocation below the AM broadcast band. During the first week of the Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM)for the 2012 World Radio Communication Conference(WRC-12) of the International Telecommunication Union(ITU), held in Geneva February 14-25, delegates completed the drafting of nine pages of analysis of the technical and regulatory issues related to WRC-12 Agenda Item 1.23: consideration of a possible secondary allocation to the Amateur Service of about 15 kHz somewhere between 415 and 526.5 kHz. What is now called Method A envisions an allocation of up to 15 kHz between 472 and 487 kHz. Method B calls for allocations of 461-469 kHz and 471-478 kHz.
Look forward to more developments on this!! Stay Tuned
Look forward to more developments on this!! Stay Tuned
Mayo Radio Experimenters Club
John Browne, EI7FAB, won the 2010 Mayo RadioExperimenters annual club activity competition. The annual event consists of twelve monthly competitions with accumulator points going to the annual award. John won four of the monthly competitions, and had half a point to spare over Dominic Curtin, EI9JS in the annual table. All the monthly competitions are for on air activity and range from working Locator squares, DXCC countries, a novelty alpha-numeric gridand a month devoted to listening. John McAndrew,EI3JM, (third,) Padraic Baynes, EI9JA, (fourth,) and Jimmy Kelly EI2GCB, make up the top five in the competition. The club uniquely transmits the IRTS and local news on Sunday evenings simultaneously on four VHF bands - 6mts, 4mts, 2 mts and 70cms and the club is very active on these bands locally. The news simulcast originally presented technical challenges,but these have been overcome thanks to the guidance of Dominic Curtin, EI9JS.
Mayo Radio Experimenters publishes a monthly newsletter for members and this is currently edited by John Corless, EI7IQ. He took over form David Hatfield,EI3ECB last summer.
At the recent AGM, Jimmy Kelly, EI2GCB was re-elected Chairperson, and the club’s two prestigious awards for contribution to the club and to the hobby went to Padraic Baynes, EI9JA and Dominic Curtin, EI9JS.
The club plans a monthly activity day where SWLs and the public will be invited to explore the hobby with portable set-ups at different locations on one Sunday per month from April to September.
The club is active in all IRTS competitions using the club call, EI7MRE and individual members take part inmany international contests.The club won the January 80mts counties contest again this year. John Walsh, EI5GHB was well placed in this contest also. Another member, Brendan Minish, EI6IZ, is one of the best CW contesters in Europe.
Theory classes are ongoing within the club under the guidance of John Corless, EI7IQ. The club meets on thefirst Wednesday of each month in The Welcome Inn Hotel, Castlebar Co.Mayo at 9.30pm local time. Visiting amateurs or curious radio enthusiasts are most welcome to come along.
Mayo Radio Experimenters publishes a monthly newsletter for members and this is currently edited by John Corless, EI7IQ. He took over form David Hatfield,EI3ECB last summer.
At the recent AGM, Jimmy Kelly, EI2GCB was re-elected Chairperson, and the club’s two prestigious awards for contribution to the club and to the hobby went to Padraic Baynes, EI9JA and Dominic Curtin, EI9JS.
The club plans a monthly activity day where SWLs and the public will be invited to explore the hobby with portable set-ups at different locations on one Sunday per month from April to September.
The club is active in all IRTS competitions using the club call, EI7MRE and individual members take part inmany international contests.The club won the January 80mts counties contest again this year. John Walsh, EI5GHB was well placed in this contest also. Another member, Brendan Minish, EI6IZ, is one of the best CW contesters in Europe.
Theory classes are ongoing within the club under the guidance of John Corless, EI7IQ. The club meets on thefirst Wednesday of each month in The Welcome Inn Hotel, Castlebar Co.Mayo at 9.30pm local time. Visiting amateurs or curious radio enthusiasts are most welcome to come along.
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