The Worked All Britain Awards Group has organised a special award to coincide with the passage of the Olympic flame around the country.
Various amateur radio clubs around the UK will be operating from locations along the route used by the Torch Bearers for that particular day. They will use the callsigns G4WAB and G7WAB. The main call will be G4WAB, the exceptions for this being Shetland and Orkney, Jersey and Guernsey, when both callsigns will be used on the same day.
There will be three versions of the award, depending on the number of stations worked: Bronze, Silver and Gold. The award will be issued as a PDF as standard, with the option of a paper version for those that require it.
Full details of the cost, route and club stations are available on the WAB website, http://www.worked-all-britain.co.uk/.
29 May 2012
IRTS Field Day Contests
Next weekend - Saturday and Sunday, 2nd and 3rd June 2012 - the first of the year's IRTS field day contests takes place, with CW field day, which runs from 15:00 UTC on Saturday to 15:00 on Sunday.
The IRTS CW Field Day contest coincides with similar contests in other
European countries, so there should be no shortage of QSOs.
While the emphasis in these contests is on portable operation, fixed station QSOs are welcome.
See www.irts.ie/contests for more information on this and other contests.
As previously announced by the IRTS, there are some rule changes this year - these are highlighted in the contest rules.
The Field Day series of contests continues in July with VHF/UHF Field Day, while HF SSB Field Day takes place in September.
The IRTS CW Field Day contest coincides with similar contests in other
European countries, so there should be no shortage of QSOs.
While the emphasis in these contests is on portable operation, fixed station QSOs are welcome.
See www.irts.ie/contests for more information on this and other contests.
As previously announced by the IRTS, there are some rule changes this year - these are highlighted in the contest rules.
The Field Day series of contests continues in July with VHF/UHF Field Day, while HF SSB Field Day takes place in September.
Change in the IRTS 40 Metre News Frequency
The present 40 metre radio news frequency has become increasingly busier on Sunday mornings. This has lead on occasions to some difficulty in the reception of both the bulletins and the reports on the transmissions.
It has been decided, therefore, to move the transmission of the 40 metre news to a new
frequency of 7123 kHz on and from Sunday the 1st of July. This frequency was selected after monitoring a range of frequencies over a period of time by amateurs who use this particular transmission of the radio news bulletin.
25 May 2012
New transatlantic 144MHz beacon GB3WGI
Spotted this earlier!LINK
On the 18th of May, 2012, Ofcom issued a NoV for another propagation beacon to test the possibility of a 144MHz transatlantic path from the UK.
Located at Lough Navar Forest in Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland OSI 06599 57718, 349m asl level with a clear take off over the sea, GB3WGI ("West GI" will radiate on 144.487MHz towards North America, initially with an ERP of 100 Watts relative to a dipole, with plans to increase this if licensing allows.
This beacon was made possible due to the generous donation of a transmitter by Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, the man behind the US 70MHz beacon, and NoV holder, Gordon Curry GI6ATZ who is providing the site and site services.
This NoV is particularly welcome from Ofcom in what is clearly a busy Olympic year, and the VHF weak signal community in the US and the UK thank them for their efforts.
No date is yet fixed for the installation of the beacon, but plans are well under way and an announcement will be made in due course
73
John Worsnop G4BAO
GB3WGI Project Manager
On the 18th of May, 2012, Ofcom issued a NoV for another propagation beacon to test the possibility of a 144MHz transatlantic path from the UK.
Located at Lough Navar Forest in Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland OSI 06599 57718, 349m asl level with a clear take off over the sea, GB3WGI ("West GI" will radiate on 144.487MHz towards North America, initially with an ERP of 100 Watts relative to a dipole, with plans to increase this if licensing allows.
This beacon was made possible due to the generous donation of a transmitter by Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, the man behind the US 70MHz beacon, and NoV holder, Gordon Curry GI6ATZ who is providing the site and site services.
This NoV is particularly welcome from Ofcom in what is clearly a busy Olympic year, and the VHF weak signal community in the US and the UK thank them for their efforts.
No date is yet fixed for the installation of the beacon, but plans are well under way and an announcement will be made in due course
73
John Worsnop G4BAO
GB3WGI Project Manager
13 May 2012
Logbook of the World
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.
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.
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.
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