Fri 2nd January 2009

The founder of QSL.net, the ham radio website that offered free web space and e-mail forwarding to radio amateurs, has decided to retire.

In a statement on the QSL.net website, the site's owner
Al Waller, K3TKJ writes:

Dear fellow hams,

After 13 years of providing hams with no cost web space, e-mail forwarding and mailing list services through QSL.net and QTH.net, I have decided to retire. All QSL.net and QTH.net servers and Internet connections at my home QTH are being turned down.

Scott KA9FOX has graciously decided to pick up where I left off, and he is in the process of migrating all services to new hardware. See http://www.qsl.net/index.html for an update on the status of the migration.

I want to thank all of you for all of your support over the years, and I hope that you will support Scott as he takes over the reigns.

See you on the air!

73
Al Waller, K3TKJ

Sat 27th December 2008

Australia's telecommunications regulator ACMA has confiscated a consumer device that was wreaking havoc on an amateur radio 2-metre repeater.

The unit turned out to be a pair of wireless headphones, with a talk back-channel, designed to be used with a PC online.

The headphones carried a brand label Omni model WEP-910D. It turned out that they use the 2 meter frequency of 147.000 MHz to deliver audio to the headphones. This explains why radio hams in range of the repeater being jammed heard endless hours of whatever was being processed through the offending PC's sound card.

Now, here's the kicker. Not knowing that the unit was in a ham radio band, the users of these headphones complained that on some occasions they heard "voices talking to them" on their personal computer system.

As there may be more of these units in use anywhere in the world, radio hams need to keep an ear out for them. Most appear to operate on 147.000 MHz +- about 15 kHz, so users listening to repeaters on or near 147.000 MHz are more likely to be affected by these units.

Source: WIA, ARNewsline

Sat 27th December 2008

China officially started construction of a Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST), the largest in the world, in a remote southwest region on Friday.

Preparation and research for the project took some 14 years.

The dish-like telescope, as large as 30 football fields, will stand in a region of typical Karst depressions in Guizhou Province when it's done in 2013

Read the full specification at China.com

Fri 26th December 2008

Then look no further than the WADARC website !!

The following link will take you to the Artificial Owl, a site dedicated to providing a selection of the most fascinating abandoned man-made creations. Simple rules followed by the website as much as possible for including content are:-

     - Provide the exact location, today pictures, and a summarize story.
     - Present places and things that still exist, are still visible.
     - Focus on modern era abandoned creations.
     - Link to the Authors of the published material.

To start your browse .. click on GO .. which will take you to the abandoned giant Duga-3 antenna system near Prypiat. (Close to the abandoned city of Chernobyl in the Ukraine).

Afterwards you can choose your man-made creation by country (down the right hand side) or just pick another offered at random.

A superb site to spend an easy hour or so just browsing on some stunning photographs from around the world and and learning a little on the way.

Thur 25th December 2008

'Low energy' light bulbs are renown for causing radio interference but they can be put to good use.

The following website describes how to turn one into a transmitter for the Amateur Radio 80m band.

Michael Rainey AA1TJA's website describes how to convert a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) in this case a TriMax Electronic Fluorescent Lamp, into a 1.5 watt QRP CW transmitter for 3.5 MHz.

Das DereLicht (complete with circuit diagram, list of components and instructions).

Tue 23rd December 2008

According to a recent paper by two professors at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute a 'revolution' in the way we illuminate our world is imminent.

'Science Daily' reports that innovations in photonics and solid state lighting will lead to trillions of dollars in cost savings, along with a massive reduction in the amount of energy required to light homes and businesses around the globe, the researchers forecast.

A new generation of lighting devices based on light-emitting diodes (LEDs) will supplant the common light bulb in coming years, the paper suggests. In addition to the environmental and cost benefits of LEDs, the technology is expected to enable a wide range of advances in areas as diverse as healthcare, transportation systems, digital displays and computer networking.

"What the transistor meant to the development of electronics, the LED means to the field of photonics. This core device has the potential to revolutionize how we use light," wrote co-authors E. Fred Schubert and Jong Kyu Kim.

The 'Science Daily' article says that in general LEDs will require 20 times less power than today's conventional light bulbs, and five times less power than "green" compact fluorescent bulbs.

The paper 'Transcending the replacement paradigm of solid-state lighting' by Jong Kyu Kim and E. Fred Schubert can be downloaded from http://tinyurl.com/6wnza7

Read the full Science Daily article

'LEDs And Smart Lighting Could Save Trillions Of Dollars, Spark Global Innovation'

Source : Science Daily

Mon 22nd December 2008

An article in the Times newspaper on December 19 covered a report from the Digital Radio Working Group which indicated that a compulsory switch from FM to Digital broadcasting as early as 2017 was a possibility.

The report from the Digital Radio Working Group is not currently Government policy. FM radios installed in cars (automobiles) have a lifetime well in excess of 10 years and they may well prove to be the limiting factor for any timescales that are eventually drawn up by the Government.

It is likely to be several years before all new cars come fitted with Digital Radio as standard. Even after that occurs it could take 15 years before all cars that were fitted with FM radios are sent to the crusher.

Read the full Timesonline article 'FM to be tuned out in favour of digital by 2017'

Digital Radio Working Group sets out vision for digital future

DRWG Final Report

We give notice that the 32nd Annual General Meeting of Wirral & District Amateur Radio Club will take place at 8pm on Wednesday the 14th January 2009 at our Irby Cricket Club HQ.

As in all clubs, new blood on committee is both a welcome and vital element in a thriving organisation, and let's be clear .. we have a very active club which is doing well.

Last year we had two new members join committee who both brought considerable practical day to day experience in electronics to the table. It would be nice if that was to happen again in 2009 ? but .. maybe your abilities are more business orientated with good ideas or perhaps you have good organisational skills ? .. remember variety strengthens the pack !

If you would like to nominate a club member who you believe has the qualities to join our team, and benefit WADARC further in 2009 .. or be nominated yourself ? .. please click on the following link and print out the nomination form. Fill it in, gain the necessary signatures .. and pass it to our Secretary Tom G4BKF or any other committee member as soon as possible. Click on Nomination Form

We look forward to your support on the 14th January and again throughout 2009. We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year.

Thur 18th December 2008

The standard low cost, low pollution incandescent light bulb had been banned in New Zealand but on Wednesday the NZ Government announced an end to the ban.

There have been concerns raised around the world about the high-energy costs involved in manufacturing so called "energy efficient" light bulbs along with the potential risks resulting from the use of the toxin Mercury in such bulbs.

The pollution of the Radio Frequency spectrum by so called "energy efficient" light bulbs, which deprives people of their radio programmes, has been raised in UK national newspapers. Traditional incandescent bulbs do not cause RF pollution.

The following is from 'Light bulb ban ended' at
http://national.org.nz/Article.aspx?ArticleID=29097

Energy and Resources Minister, Gerry Brownlee, has told Parliament today the ban on traditional light bulbs is being lifted.

"This government has real concerns about telling people they have to move to energy efficient light bulbs by decree," he said.

"It has been well signalled and will come as no surprise that the government is lifting the ban on traditional or incandescent light bulbs," said Mr Brownlee.

"We are committed to energy efficiency in the home and efficient lighting has an important role to play in helping us reduce the amount of energy we use, but this Government believes it is a matter of consumer choice.

"People need good, credible information about the different lighting options that are available to them, and then they can decide what is right for them in their homes."

"Lifting the previous government's ban on incandescent light bulbs simply means we are allowing their continued sale, and I am confident the consumer trend to energy efficient bulbs will continue," said Mr Brownlee.

Sun 14th December 2008

• Helmuth, W6KDX is staying on Amundsen-Scott South Pole station until Jan 5, 2009 and if time permits may be active as KC4AAA. Activity will mainly be on 20 meters SSB 14243 kHz. QSL via K1IED.

• Nicolas, F4EGX will be QRV as FT5YI from the French base "Dumont d'Urville" on Petrel Island, IOTA AN-017, until mid December. Activity is on the HF bands using SSB in his spare time. QSL to home call.

• Joel, ON5XX will be QRV as OP0DL from Patriot Hills until around December 25

• Bob, VK2ABP will be QRV as VK0BP on Davis Base until March 7. He will be active in his spare time. QSL via VK2CA.

• OPØLE is the callsign of the new Belgian Antarctic Research Station "Princess Elisabeth" situated on Utsteinen on Dronning Maud Land. Activities can be expected between mid December and the mid of February 2009. The OP will be Paul ON3PC

• Once again OH9SCL is going to be active in CW, SSB and digital modes on 10-160m from Santa Claus Land (SCL) at the Arctic Circle. Ho Ho Ho! QSL via OH9UV, PL 50, 96101 Rovaniemi, Finland.

Wireless Institute of Australia

Sun 14th December 2008

It's now the 75th anniversary of the development of Frequency Modulation by Edwin Howard Armstrong.

The story begins in 1904 when his father gave him The Boys' Book of Inventions and following year a publication entitled Stories of Inventors. At age 14 he told his parents he wanted to become an inventor.

Inspired by Faraday, Marconi and others, he experimented with wireless telegraphy, later holding the office of President in the Radio Club of America.

While an undergraduate at the Columbia School of Engineering in 1914 he created the regenerative circuit, using a triode tube invented in 1906 by Lee De Forest.

In 1917 he enlisted in the army signal corps to be stationed in France testing and developing radio equipment.

He returned home for a 19-year legal battle that ended with the regeneration method awarded to De Forest.

Armstrong had moved on, developing the super-heterodyne receiver. Then he took out a patent for wideband FM on the 26th of December 1933.

In 1936 he set up FM stations and amazed the public by their broadcast quality. In 1940-41 he helped adapt FM for mobile military communications.

To keep his FM broadcasting dream going he started court action seeking unpaid royalty payments on FM radio receivers. Armstrong was financially ruined, depressed and he ended his life in 1954 aged 63.

His wife Esther continued the battle to gain millions of dollars for patent infringements.

Edwin Howard Armstrong, a genius, the father of FM, did more than anyone other individual to develop radio technology which the world enjoys today.

Jim Linton VK3PC

Tue 9th December 2008

David Barber has reported on the AMSAT Bulletin Board that the International Space Station (ISS) 70cm to 2 metre FM Repeater is operational.

The Space Station FM repeater has it's input on 437.800 MHz and it's output on 145.800 MHz. Unlike terrestrial repeaters there is no need to use CTCSS or any toneburst to activate it.

For information on how to use it see 'ISS Repeater Tips' by Miles Mann WF1F

You never know, you may get to talk to one of the Astronauts on-board the space station.

AMSAT Bulletin Board AMSAT-BB
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/maillist/

Tue 9th December 2008

Tim, EI8IC, has a great collection of the most comprehensive prefix maps on the Web; now available for free to download (yes, for free!).

There are 34 new maps available separately or in a combined zipped archive.

EI8IC also has a unique IOTA Bearing List which has been updated with all the latest IOTA island numbers. You can create your own list of beam headings and distance in miles or kilometers to ALL of the IOTA island groups.

He also has maps for CQ Zones, ITU Zones, ITU Regions, Grid Squares, ARRL Sections and much more.

Visit the following Web page at: http://www.mapability.com/ei8ic/index.html

Source: OPDX

Tue 9th December 2008

An article on Science Daily reports that Researchers at Linköping University in Sweden have succeeded in creating electrical wires consisting of protein fibres encased in plastic.

The article quotes Mahiar Hamedi as saying "For the first time, we have created proteins that conduct current extremely well but can also function as semiconductors in transistors, for example". Mahiar Hamedi describes the technology in his doctoral dissertation.

Read the full ScienceDaily article at
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081125113322.htm

Science Daily
http://www.sciencedaily.com/

@wadarc 2008

Gordon G8MMM with Sheila (G4WUA) last Friday night at the 'WADARC Christmas Night Out' held at the Cherry Orchard, Landican.

An excellent evening of good food, good company and a fine raffle made for a 'Top Evening' enjoyed by everyone present.

Our thanks to Gordon, our Chairman, for arranging a great evening for everyone which ran seamlessly.

A selection of photos are available on the website:- Activity Reports / Christmas Night Out Reports.

Wed 3rd December 2008

The UKQRM group have produced a useful page that describes how to formally complain to Ofcom about interference to radio reception caused by devices that use the mains power supply for broadband internet or video transfer.

The page 'How to report this interference' can be seen at
http://www.mikeandsniffy.co.uk/UKQRM/how2.htm

The UKQRM site also has a videos page contains several short videos that clearly demonstrate the severe interference these devices can cause to radio reception even in houses several hundred feet away, see
http://www.ukqrm.org/

Wed 3rd December 2008

Jörn Krieger writes in Rapid TV News: The German city of Wittstock has commenced a field test in which for the first time in Europe terrestrial broadcasting spectrum will be used for wireless broadband Internet access.

“This pilot project is an excellent opportunity to study benefits of the deployment of frequencies from the digital dividend, i.e. from the UHF band below 862 MHz, for coverage of rural regions and for gathering initial experiences. These frequencies are ideally suited to closing in an initial step the gaps in Germany’s broadband availability,” said Günther Ottendorfer, head of technology at T-Mobile. The mobile broadcast subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom is conducting the test together with Berlin’s media authority Medienanstalt Berlin-Brandenburg and national telecommunications regulatory authority Bundesnetzagentur.

The test will use frequencies vacated through the transition from analogue to digital terrestrial TV distribution which are not used for the distribution of television channels via DTT. In this way, households in regions with no or only insufficient broadband coverage via ADSL or cable networks can have access to a fast internet connection.

The one-year pilot project, in which up to 100 participants will take part, is intended to clarify the framework of the technical and economic conditions necessary for regular operation, including the achievable technical reach, the bandwidth in the broadcasting cell and possible interferences with DTT.

Source: Media Network, Rapid TV News

Mon 1st December 2008

Improved band conditions may soon be on their way. Scientists say that after more than two years of few sunspots and even fewer solar flares, the sun is finally showing signs of life.

David Hathaway is a sunspot forecaster of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville Alabama, and in his opinion the solar minimum is behind us. He said that in October scientists counted five sunspot groups.

Read the full report

Source : Amateur Radio Newsline, NASA

Mon 23th November 2008

Operators Peter PA8A, Fred PA8F and Rob PA3GVI will once again activate the big array, formerly used to broadcast 'Radio Netherlands', with the special callsign PG6G between 1200z, November 27th and 1200z, November 28th.

The array antenna is a curtain antenna with 8 stacked dipoles between two 400 feet towers. Radiation angle is about 7 degrees and a gain of approximate 22 dB!!

Their activity will be on CW and SSB, mainly on 40 meters.

QSL via PA3GVI.

Watch this video from their last visit:

Source: OPDX

Sun 23rd November 2008

Who knew that an ordinary roll of Scotch (TM) tape could be used to create X-rays ?

Apparently, the Russians did in the 1950's, but it was never developed.

Researchers at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles), have been toying with the power that comes from peeling tape from a roll in a vacuum. In fact, a mere piece of tape can produce an enormous amount of power, which surprised researchers.

In an article being published in the Journal Nature, researchers are suggesting that the finding could lead to the production of inexpensive and easy-to-use equipment that could be used by paramedics on accident scenes or for places where electricity is not available.

The researchers have applied for a patent to protect their work. In this new research, a machine was used to peel ordinary Scotch tape off a roll in a vacuum chamber at about 1.2 inches per second. This caused rapid pulses of X-rays, each about a billionth of a second long, to emerge from very close to where the tape was coming off the roll.

And that is where electrons jumped from the roll to the sticky underside of the tape that was being pulled away, As those electrons touched the sticky part of the tape, they slowed down, emitting readable X-rays.

So the question is, does this pose a danger for those of us slaving over wrapping paper this coming Christmas season? Not so much.

The research shows that this only works in a vacuum, and most of us are not wrapping presents in a vacuum... Hi-Hi.

Read the full story at the Geek News Central website

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia, Geek News Central

Fri 14 November 2008

A podcast covering all aspects of astronomy from The University of Manchester's Jodrell Bank Observatory may be of interest to radio amateurs.

It has been created by a group of astronomers for anyone who is interested in things out of this world.

Parts of this podcast are available as separate downloads from:-
www.jodcast.net/amp/jodcast.html#jodcast_50.

There’s a piece about radio noise from the atmosphere and space.

Source: RSGB

More info at www.stanguard.com

Stan McNally (left) receiving applause led by our Chairman Gordon G8MMM for an excellent talk at WADARC on the Standguard EPIRB Guard Receiver.

(EPIRB: Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon)

The talk concluded with some anecdotes on just why such a system should be mandatory where EPIRB's are in use.

Mon 10th November 2008

After nearly fifty years of near continuous service from the transmitting station at Wrotham in Kent (JO01DH), the two-metre beacon GB3VHF will fall silent towards the end of December 2008.

The beacon, which operates on 144.430 MHz is being forced to shutdown by the high site rental costs.

Read the GB3VHF Press Release

Read also the RSGB posting, from their website .. http://www.rsgb.org/news/gb3vhf.php

Fri 14 November 2008

Since then .. Chris Whitmarsh, G0FDZ, the GB3VHF Beacon Keeper, has issued a NEW statement on new moves by the RSGB aimed at keeping this valuable VHF beacon on the air.

Read the following link www.gb3vhf.co.uk

Mon 10th November 2008

Treat yourself to an interesting construction project that is very useful if you live in an area where thunderstorms occur.

A complete kit for a Lightning Predictor is now available from the South African Amateur Radio Development Trust at R100 plus R20 postage and packaging.

By ordering the kit you are contributing to the newly established Study Grant scheme to assist young radio amateurs to study electronics and communication at a tertiary institution.

The Lightning Predictor device measures the static charge between the clouds and the earth, and as the charge builds up before a storm the LED indicators show you the charge increasing in intensity.

It is very interesting to watch the wave-type motion and the intensity of the LED signals changing, as a result of increases and decreases in static charges - as a storm approaches - and the sudden drop in charge when a strike occurs.

Full order details can be found on www.amateurradio.org.za.

Tue 28th October 2008

An announcement on the website of the Spanish National society, URE, says Spanish Radio Amateurs are getting access to new 70 MHz and 1.8 MHz allocations.

The new 4 metre allocation is 70.150 - 70.200 MHz with a 10 watts ERP restriction.

Also Spanish Amateurs will be permitted to operate on 1810-1830 and 1850-2000 kHz during specified international contests.

Announcement in English - Google Translation http://tinyurl.com/5pcs25

Mon 27th October 2008

Good news at last. After a long process of contacts between the military authorities and Ireland's regulator ComReg, the first of the 5 MHz licences were issued to EI stations on Friday, October 17th.

The Irish Radio Transmitters Society said:
"We hope by now that all of those who applied have received the necessary permission. The permission varies the terms and conditions of the licences concerned so as to include three 3 kHz channels with centre frequencies of 5280, 5400 and 5405 kHz."

"The practice is to use Upper Sideband for voice transmissions on these channels. As these are centre channel frequencies and the actual dial readout on upper sideband is 5278.5, 5398.5 and 5403,5 kHz respectively i.e. 1.5 kHz on the low frequency side of the centre of the channel. The maximum power allowed is 200 watts. CW stations are encouraged to use the bottom 300 Hz of the channels as this permits the use of the channel for SSB at the same time."

"It should be noted that military cadet stations in the UK which use special non amateur call signs are allowed to participate in the 5 MHz experiment in the UK. EI stations with 5 MHz permissions can not communicate with these stations and may only communicate with other licensed experimenter or amateur stations."

Dave EI3IO was one of the first EI’s on the band and has sent IRTS some observations. He indicates that 5 MHz with its near optimum Near Vertical Incidence Skywave (NVIS) properties provides superb and stable communication during daylight hours around the Western European Isles of EI, G, GI, GW and GM. At night, stations in North America on the East Coast and the Mid West were easily workable.

After 48 hours with the 5 MHz permission Dave worked 12 DXCC countries including Bermuda, Greenland and Puerto Rico. In all he had 82 QSO’s in that period with the best DX being K5RK in Alvin Texas at 7189 kilometres. Other EI’s heard on the band were EI7CD, EI6IZ and EI7CC.

Finally, IRTS offers a word of thanks to ComReg and to the primary spectrum user for facilitating the release of the three channels at 5 MHz for experimentation

Source: IRTS

Mon 27th October 2008

The GB3CB repeater in Birmingham has adopted the novel approach of having additional inputs/outputs in the 4m and 10 metre bands.

GB3CB has for many years operated in 70cm using 434.950 MHz input and 433.350 MHz output using 67.0Hz CTCSS.

Now it has addititional input/outputs in the 4m and 10m bands on 70.3625 MHz and 29.530 MHz.

Hopefully this will generate additional Amateur activity in these bands.

For details on how this all works .. click on GB3CB

Sun 5th October 2008

Episode 22 features part two of a tour of the Australian Army’s Signals Museum.

Vintage communications equipment from WW1 - the Vietnam era. Plus the answer to the question posed in part one concerning to use of the odd cw device with two keys.

17 minutes of old radios and war stories.

You can find and download all of their videos (which are much higher in quality than the YouTube versions) at: http://www.amateurlogic.com

Sat 27th September 2008

A new video is now available on YouTube showing the high level of radio interference that can be caused by Comtrend Powerline Adaptors. These devices are typically used for Internet connections via the mains.

The YouTube description of the video says:

In this video we try to cram in as much as possible in the short time allowed. I purchased a set of Comtrend powerline adaptors from eBay for £30. This was an X BT Vision set.

We have a look and listen to the adaptors and test to see how effective or not the notches are. (US ham bands only)

We see the first UKQRM 'How to' featuring home brew DF for plt hunting.

Finally we have a look inside the adaptors and get the latest update from UKQRM and its efforts to save shortwave radio.

UKQRM website http://www.mikeandsniffy.co.uk/UKQRM/

At a time when some manufacturers are lobbying to allow a further 20dB on their transmissions, it is *absolutely vital* that we continue to keep the pressure on. Please take the time to sign the petition below.

This is a very serious threat to our hobby at HF, please sign the petition from the link below.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/SaveShortwave/

Powerline Adaptors - more ...

RSGB Response to Ofcom

The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) has published an extract from a letter sent to the UK regulator Ofcom regarding Power line adaptors. After waiting for nearly two years for a response from Ofcom over the introduction of possibly non-compliant power line adapters, the RSGB was extremely disappointed to hear from Ofcom that they do not intend to do anything about it.

It can be viewed on the RSGB website at http://www.rsgb.org/news/plt_statement.php

Sat 27th September 2008

The RSGB and the Network and are pleased to announce that, with immediate effect, Ofcom has agreed that RAYNET Talk Through units, for which permits have been issued, no longer need to be manned provided that the unit can be closed down within a maximum of 15 minutes.

Permit holders will be responsible for ensuring that the unit operates within the terms of the amateur licence at all times.

Shutdown arrangements must ensure that the unit can be closed down within the required time in case of malfunction whether by attending the site or by remote switch off.

Source: RSGB

Tue 16th September 2008

The videos of the presentations given at the Sheffield Microwave Round Table in July can now be seen on the BATC website.

Videos of the 9 presentations are available by going to http://www.batc.tv/ clicking on the 'Archive' button and selecting the required presentation.

The videos can be made full screen by clicking the size icon on the BATC video player.

UK Microwave Group - http://www.microwavers.org/

Surplus Sale - Top Night

Tom, G4BKF seen here offering a piece of equipment 'of substance' to the waiting audience !

Wed 10th Sept introduced our Autumn Season of Club Nights for 2008 in style with another great Surplus Sale. There was plenty of radio and electronic equipment and many bargains to be had by the shrewd members. There was obviously some tactics being deployed in the bidding as some of the bids only just managed to be recorded as the hammer was falling !!

Our thanks to Tom for working all evening as auctioneer and other members of committee for the smooth running of the evening.

More pictures ? .. click "Activity Reports" on main menu

Fri 5th September 2008

Icom UK have issued the following information regarding Ni-Cad batteries:

On the 26th September 2008, a new EU directive comes into force preventing the importation of Ni-Cd and other batteries into Europe.

Ni-Cd batteries will only be available until our UK stocks are exhausted. Alternative types of battery for current equipment has been available for some time, so there should be no problem in finding an substitute. For older equipment where Ni-Cd was the only type of battery available, replacements may not be available.

Care should be taken to ensure you have the appropriate charger for alternative battery technology that is used for your equipment.

Please dispose of your Ni-Cds safely. Most municipal recycling centres have facilities for the disposal of batteries, and you may also be able to leave the defective batteries with your replacement supplier for disposal.

Should you require any further advice please email us at: info@icomuk.co.uk

Also the DEFRA website has more information.

Sat 30th August 2008

Radio Today says streaming Internet radio in cars has taken a step forward with the announcement from Chrysler in America that they are to include UConnect Wi-Fi routers from next year.

The aim of Chrysler is to provide Internet connectivity to keep passengers entertained but it is another step towards the day when AM/FM car radios are replaced by Internet radios enabling drivers to tune into thousands of Internet radio stations.

Read the Radio Today report

Fri 22nd August 2008

The horrendous radio interference problems caused by devices providing an Internet connection over the household electrical mains has become a 'hot topic' recently with a petition being started on the Government website to get the devices banned.

A number of companies are selling products that enable people to link their computers or TV set-top boxes to the Internet via the household mains. Such devices are even being supplied to consumers by British Telecom (BT) as part of their BT Vision product.

In a recent posting on the DRM-L Yahoo group Mike Barraclough provided some links demonstrating the interference these devices cause across the radio bands. Mike wrote:

BT are supplying two Comtrend DH10-PF adaptors, they are being used to communicate from the BT Home Hub by the computer to the BT Vision V-Box by the television.

The interference affects all bands, there is limited, but not particularly effective, notching in the amateur bands.

BT Vision is installed in 282,000 UK homes, the adaptors are supplied as standard and the install guide says customers should use them.

There are alternatives to this technology, wired or wireless solutions. Ofcom are logging complaints as spectrum abuse and it's known that in three cases the adaptors have been removed by BT following complaints to Ofcom.

However a complaints based system does not solve the problem, BT Vision has been targeted so far at current BT Broadband users, they are shortly to be advertising the system nationally.

For much more information - please go to the UKQRM website.

and join the Yahoo Group.

and if you are a British citizen (including ex-pats) or resident sign the petition at:
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/SaveShortwave/

Mike

DRM-L Yahoo Group
http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/DRM-L

Fri 22nd August 2008

The leading article in the Wednesday edition of the UK Independent newspaper highlighted the plight of Bletchley Park.

The article says:

One of the greatest of all the wartime stories of dedication and self sacrifice was played out in what are now the neglected, rotting buildings of Bletchley Park.

In these rundown, weed-infested old huts, teams of code breakers, linguists, typists and file clerks worked in fantastically difficult and demanding conditions to decode, record and analyse thousands upon thousands of radio messages exchanged by enemy personnel.

Their achievements saved countless lives, and may have shortened the war by two to three years.

Read the full article from the Independent.

Petition lobbying the Prime Minister to act to help preserve Bletchley Park - please go to:- http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/BletchleyPark/

Just thought I would write a few notes for the website on what I got up to on holiday. I am leaving out all of the non-radio nausea which is pretty tedious but has to be done to get the enjoyment from the good bits! As usual we tugged the caravan down to a holiday park near New Milton in the New Forest. This year Susan G6ADO and myself were joined by our two harmonics ( Katie 2E1CES and Julie M3JLI) and sub-harmonic Lennon, who ( at 15 months) shows every sign of having a strong Guinness grip and microphone button ability!

The first good point about the local area is that it actually sports a real amateur radio shop from which I acquired my first HF transceiver some four year ago. Check it out at www.shortwave.co.uk. The next benefit is the existence of several street markets at Christchurch, Lymington and Ringwood. At one of these I picked up a set of fibre telescopic poles that extend out to 6M for £6.99!. Hopefully it can be used to provide the height for an HF wire antenna with suitable base loading. Type “Pachawk” into Google and you will see loads of suppliers.

However the award for the most attractive day of the holiday must go to the Hamfest run every year by the Flight Refuelling Radio Club Flight Refuelling Radio Club. Check out the details at http://www.frars.org.uk . This rally has always been a quality downscaled version of Elvaston, and attracts some 1500 people to an event full of radio gear .. particularly ex-military being located close to many M.O.D. establishments. I always try to use the nearby Echolink node to call “back home” but this year it was tied up with a conference session. However the FRARS site is currently hosting a D-Star repeater GB7MM and I had the opportunity of examining an ICOM IC-E92 as demonstrated by Kevin Nice of Monitoring Monthly. So next year I may be calling back to the Wirral on digital !

Maybe next year some other WADARC members might make the trip??

Simon, G6XHF has just emailed me to say how much he enjoyed two very wet weeks in Cornwall .. and writes as follows:-

"As usual on our trips to the Southwest, I had various radios with me, A Trio 9130 on 2M and my trusty TS 440 for HF. I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of activity on 2m."

"After 17 years of regular trips to the Hayle and St Ives area, I actually found life on the GB3SI (St Ives) repeater which has been very quiet in the past. GB3NC (North Cornwall) repeater near St AUSTELL was also lively and is the local Echolink node. I replied to a 9V1 station in SINGAPORE and a ZS2 in SOUTH AFRICA via this mode."

"Although these chats were interesting, for me the 'real achievements' were on a couple of evenings when the boys and I went to a location above St Ives and used my WADAPole. I had a U.S. station attempt a contact on 20m, but the conditions got the better of us. Well actually, the SO239 to BNC adaptor I had, fell apart. He had, however, obviously heard me initially. Most pleasing of all, however, was a 5/7 report (also on 20m) from a DK9 a couple of nights later."

"One modification that I would recommend however, especially when trying to erect the antenna in the pouring rain and howling wind of a Cornish Summer, is.... A Daniel {1st harmonic!!}....He was extremely useful as a temporary support for my flimsy mast before getting the guys secured. I could make him available to others for very reasonable rates."

Thanks to Daniel for the photos

Riggers seen erecting the new digital TV antennas on the top section of Storeton Mast
Photos from Chris M1EEV (Tue 5th August 2008)

Mon 4th August 2008

Last Friday, the UK regulator Ofcom published Terms of Reference for a technical pilot to trial digital TV DVB-T2 transmissions. The pilot will help to establish the technical standards for the delivery of high definition services on digital terrestrial television. Read the document here.

Ofcom, who will coordinate the pilot, has also published an open letter inviting participation in the pilot from interested parties. Read the Ofcom letter.

It seems inevitable that in time MPEG-4 along with the new DVB-T2 standard will be used for Standard Definition TV services as well as HDTV. This combination would permit as many as 19 TV channels per multiplex instead of the current 8. A complete changeover would render all existing Freeview receivers obsolete.

Thur 31st July 2008

Nearly 400 radio amateurs from around the world tuned-in to watch a new 'live tv' service last weekend.

The brand-new service, from the British Amateur Television Club, got a 'baptism of fire' when the BATC provided live coverage of the entire Amsat-UK Space Colloquium - a three day event, held at the University of Guildford, Surrey, UK.

The audio and video quality of the broadcast drew universal praise from viewers as far apart as the USA, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, with many of them opting to view the high-definition video feed of the presentations in 'full-screen' mode.

However, there was an added bonus. Viewers could not only see and hear the presentations, they were also able to take part in the conference as well, because running alongside the video was a 'Live Chat' panel, where viewers could post comments, or ask questions of the speaker via the internet - a facility quite a few took advantage of.

The televised weekend was even more remarkable in that it was only the second outing for the new BATC Live TV service, the first being the Microwave Roundtable held in Sheffield a few weeks ago. On that occasion, there were 50 viewers.

Over the coming months, the BATC hopes to add a lot of new material to their streaming media portal.

The BATC would also be glad to offer live streaming facilities to any amateur radio groups world-wide, who have conferences or radio-related events that they wish to share with the ham radio community at large.

There is no charge to broadcast your video, provided that it has some relevance to Amateur Television, or amateur radio in general.

To find out more from the BATC website click on the logo above

The streaming portal http://www.batc.tv

Fri 18th July 2008

BBC World Service listeners in the UK who access the international radio channel via Freeview will need to retune their set top box to continue listening after Monday 4 August 2008.

The retuning (or rescanning) action is required as BBC World Service is changing to a different digital terrestrial multiplex – one of the bouquets of digital spectrum that provide the channels and services on Freeview.

The multiplex move means that although BBC World Service keeps the same channel number of 710, the box will need to be retuned to find the channel in its new home.

The BBC says the new multiplex will give the World Service greater coverage across the UK than its previous home. This change affects no other channels.

Source: Media Network, BBC World Service Press Office

Some of our group out one evening .. Andy, Bob, Denis, Gordon, Phil & Neil behind the camera

It's over - the 33rd HAM RADIO in Friedrichshafen. 17,100 visitors, 180 exhibitors and societies from over 30 countries were represented at this year's show.

95 youngsters participated in the HAM RALLY, aimed towards the younger Messe visitors. Over 100 teachers were present at the special training course and lecture that was held especially for them.

The DARC International Affairs Committee is interested in your society's feedback; what was good, what could be improved for next year. Your comments will help the Committee of International Affairs as it prepares a final report on this year's show for the Messe exhibition company.

Submit your feedback - not later than July 15th - to DL7RBI, the DARC Secretary of International Affairs

WADARC report to follow soon.

Wed 9th July 2008

Smart Metering could become a serious threat for amateur radio, when wide band is used.

The EUROCOM Working Group chaired by Gaston Bertels, ON4WF, produce the EUROCOM Newsletter which can be downloaded from the web.

At the EUROCOM WG meeting in Friedrichsfhafen, member Societies were invited to forward information concerning power companies planning power line communications for collecting metering data, and possibly the frequencies under consideration.

Thilo Kootz, DL9KCE provided input which has been published in the 07.07.2008 issue of the newsletter.

The report mentions that IBM are already using frequencies up to 1.5 MHz and the concern is that over time frequencies will rise.

The PDF of the newsletter containing the report by Thilo Kootz, DL9KCE can be downloaded from the web.

Google Translation of article [1] referenced in the report http://tinyurl.com/55fqsj

Wed 9th July 2008

A new version of both the Foundation and Intermediate syllabus have been released which will take effect from 1st June 2009.

Addition material will be added to both Foundation and Intermediate.

Foundation will additionally cover Conductors and Insulators but the major change is to Intermediate. It will now cover some material previously in Advanced, such as Alternating Currents and Voltages. This will significantly increase the technical level of Intermediate.

The new syllabus will not apply until 1st June 2009 so any exams held before then will still use the current syllabus.

RSGB Tutors Web pages http://www.rsgb.org/tutors/

New June 2009 Foundation Syllabus

New June 2009 Intermediate Syllabus

Check out the Radio Communications Foundation RCE Exams page which contains the current syllabus as well as the new.

Fri 2nd January 2009

The founder of QSL.net, the ham radio website that offered free web space and e-mail forwarding to radio amateurs, has decided to retire.

Thur 1st January 2009

Sat 27th December 2008

Sat 27th December 2008

Thur 25th December 2008

Tue 23rd December 2008

Mon 22nd December 2008

Thur 18th December 2008

Sun 14th December 2008

Sun 14th December 2008

Tue 9th December 2008

Tue 9th December 2008

Tim, EI8IC, has a great collection of the most comprehensive prefix maps on the Web; now available for free to download (yes, for free!).

Tue 9th December 2008

Wed 3rd December 2008

Wed 3rd December 2008

Mon 23th November 2008

Sun 23rd November 2008

Fri 14 November 2008

Mon 10th November 2008

Mon 10th November 2008

Tue 28th October 2008

Mon 27th October 2008

Mon 27th October 2008

Sun 5th October 2008

Powerline Adaptors - more ...

RSGB Response to Ofcom

Sat 27th September 2008

Tue 16th September 2008

Fri 5th September 2008

Sat 30th August 2008

Sat 30th August 2008

Fri 22nd August 2008

Fri 22nd August 2008

Mon 4th August 2008

Thur 31st July 2008

Fri 18th July 2008

Wed 9th July 2008

Wed 9th July 2008