News Feed

The Blog now has a news feed facility which can be accessed by clicking “Subscribe to: (Atom)” which is situated at the bottom of the blog page. Alternatively go to http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/jBvp.
News feeds allow you to view what is on the blog without opening the full web site; you can instantly see if any new items have been posted.
This facility is very easy to use if you browse with Firefox as clicking on “Subscribe to: (Atom)” creates a button at the top of the browser.

The IOMARS would like to wish all members a very happy New Year.

Membership Subscriptions

These continue as previously - £15 Normal Membership, £17.50 Family Membership, £10 Senior Citizens, £5 Students and Overseas Members and free membership for registered disabled.
All membership subscriptions must be paid if full before the end of February 2008.

Isle of Man Amateur Radio Society AGM

At the 59^th AGM of the Society the following committee members were elected to serve during 2008:

President: GD0MWL

Chairman: MD0OHM

Treasurer: 2D0HEB

Secretary: GD0NFN

North Rep: GD0OUD

South Rep: 2D0RGW

East Rep: GD7DUZ

West Rep: GD4UHB

59th Annual General Meeting

The Isle of Man Amateur Radio Society AGM

Tuesday 11th December 2007
At the Sea Scout HQ, Tromode
Douglas

19:30hrs for 20:00 hrs

All are welcome; please remember it's the evening for paying your membership subscription!

RSGB on the move

After twenty five years at Potters Bar, the RSGB is moving its headquarters to Bedford. Modern IT technology and business practice, mean that Lambda House is no longer cost effective to run as an HQ and due to the age of the building it is proving increasingly costly to maintain. The move which the Society hopes to complete by March 2008 will also involve a relocation of the museum, shack and library. Discussions are taking place with the Bletchley Park Trust, the aim being to establish a heritage centre dedicated to Amateur Radio and the RSGB at Bletchley Park. The Society is in the process of purchasing a modern office building located on the Priory Park, Business Park on the eastern side of Bedford. This will house the admin operation.

It is envisaged that the Bletchley Park site will be the centre of the Society’s training activities and will also be the home of the RSGB HQ station GB3RS which it is hoped will be on the air daily. A fuller statement will appear, on the RSGB website and RadCom shortly.

For Sale from the Society

We have 2 new 12 volt Power inverters for sale at £15 each. These can be used in cars, vans or boats and give an output of 80w (160w Peak) @ 230v. A great Christmas gift!

Foundation Training

It has been agreed that the next Foundation Training Course will take place in January 2008. As a result of continued difficulties with the backlog of mail in the UK and the forthcoming Christmas period it is not possible to run the course during the remainder of this year.

AGM

The 59^th Annual General Meeting of the Society will be held on Tuesday 11^th December at the Sea Scout Headquarters, Tromode, Douglas. Commencing at 20:00hrs.

Any items members wish to raise at this meeting must be received in writing (letter or e-mail) before Tuesday 4^th December.

Society members and others will be very welcome but only paid up members will be allowed to vote on any matter.

It should be noted that the Treasurers post is likely to become vacant and the post of Northern Representative is also vacant.

Foundation Training

It is with great regret that we must cancel the Foundation training and examination which was due to take place over the next two weekends.

The postal strikes in the UK means that we can’t be certain that the examination papers will be available on time. Detailed discussion today with the RSGB allowed for no other options than to use the UK postal service.

As soon as it’s certain that examination papers can be delivered we will rearrange the training and inform all candidates.

Eary Cushlin 10am Sat to lunch time Sun (23-09-07)

Come and play radio!
The Society is holding a weekend of radio activity at Eary Cushlin; bring your radios, antennas and any other equipment you would like to use.
A tower and beam will be available and the site. You can stay overnight (£10) or come down on Sat (22nd) or Sun (23rd).
The site is well facilitated with a kitchen lounge and sleeping areas. Electricity is supplied by a local generator and there is a nice coal fire in the lounge.
This is a very good radio location with low background noise levels, point your antenna to the west and enjoy the possible QSOs.
Please bring you own food and sleeping bag.

Foundation Training Course and Examination

The Society will be running a Foundation licence training course and examination over the weekends 13-14, 20-21 October (Examination on 21st).
If you wish to train and obtain an amateur radio licence please complete the form found at www.rsgb.org/tutors/general/pdf/catce.pdf and send it to either iomars@manx.net or
GD0NFN Secretary IOMARS
15 Church Close
Lonan
The RSGB examination fee of £20 needs to accompany your form and all candidates are required to be members of the IOMARS.
The training and examination will take place @ Transport House, Fort Street, Douglas.
If you need more information before committing to the training/examination please contact iomars@manx.net and we will either arrange to meet with you or have a chat by telephone.
Amateur Radio is a world wide hobby and provides many exciting opportunities to explore the many areas of radio communication.

IOM Aero Modelling Club

Arrangements are in hand for the Isle of Man Aero Modelling Club to attend our meeting on 9^th October and get a demonstration of miniature radio controlled aero models. They will also demonstrate live airborne camera/video pictures being transmitted from the aircraft.

Life and Radio in a field

Today the IOMARS had a station for the 10th European Vintage Ploughing Championships.

YUPITERU MVT-7100 Scanner for sale

This scanner is like new and is in first class working order.
530khz to 1650mhz - WFM, FM, AM, LSB, USB
1000 channel memory
Complete with mains power supply; just needs 4 NiCad’s.
Offers between £80-100 will be considered.
Contact Steve GD7DUZ on 478547

European Vintage Ploughing Championships 2007 (GB8EVP)

The Isle of Man is set to host the 10th European Vintage Ploughing Championships, with competitors using tractors & ploughs that were built prior to 1959.
The event is to be held over the weekend of the 1st & 2nd September 2007 on land at Great Meadow, Castletown and will attract champion ploughmen from all over the British Isles & Europe.
The site is more usually associated with the Southern Agricultural show and can be found approx ½ mile outside Castletown on the main A3, Castletown to Foxdale road.

Isle of Man Post Office is pleased to present a set of six stamps which features various aspects of Ploughing on the Isle of Man. The stamp issue marks the commencement of the European Vintage Ploughing Championships which take place on the Isle of Man on 1st September 2007.

The IOMARS is pleased to be running a special event station using the callsign GB8EVP. Please come along (Sat / Sun) and give your support, do some operating, talk to the visitors etc. Your assistance at this important event will be very welcome.

Foot and Mouth Restrictions

From 8am on Friday 24th August public ramblage restriction imposed on the Island as a result of the UK outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease have been lifted.
This means that SOTA activity can once again commence on the Isle of Man.

Use of the Blog

Blog activity during the last month
242 visits by 97 unique visitors
237 from UK, 3 from Switzerland, 1 from Belgium, 1 from Lithuania.

The UK visitors were from Douglas, Castletown, Edinburgh, Maidenhead, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Blackpool.

72% used IE
15% used Safari
12% used Firefox

Interesting Web Pages!

Here are a couple of sites worth looking at.

W4RNL and AA5TB

These are excellent sites for those interested in learning about or making antennas of any type.
Just enter these call signs into your search engine.
Thoroughly recommended!
Mike G0HYM

HF Convention

This years HFC takes place at Wyboston Lakes Centre, Bedfordshire on 12-14thOctober.
Early booking reduced price tickets are now available, have a look on www.rsgb.org.uk/hfc for further information.

Technical Headlines
*GB3SSS Marconi experiment - 160 metre experiment exploring Marconis 1901 trans- Atlantic success. Presenter – Steve Nichols, G0KYA.
*Elecraft K3, an in-sight into the background of this latest modular, no-soldering kit. Internet presentation by Wayne Burdick, N6KR.
*Software Defined Radio – presenting will be Olaf, SM0CVK
*Digital Modes by Simon Brown, HB9DRV
*Alan Melia, G3NYK, a member of the Propagation Studies Committee will present some ideas on 500kHz propagation and data on aerial tests on 136 and the new 500kHz allocation.
*Satellites – presented by Terry Genes, G6CNQ

Operating Headlines
*Experiences of a newcomer to CQWW Multi-Multi from West Africa -Voodoo contesting by John Warburton, G4IRN
*Contesting for beginners

Regulars
*HF Contest Forum
*HF Contest Trophy Presentations
*DXCC Card Checking
*HF Forum, including 5MHz and/or 500kHz Forums
*Full suite of RCF exams
*VHF Contest Trophy Presentations
*Demonstration Stations

Foot and Mouth restrictions (SOTA Activity)

Please be advised that there are currently severe restrictions on the Isle of Man with regard to 'Public Ramblage' and this means that access to the Islands SUMMITS on the AIR activation locations is not at the moment possible.
The IOM is free of foot and mouth disease but precautionary restrictions are in place; “www.gov.im/daff/footandmouth.xml” gives further information.
This information will updated once SOTA activity becomes possible.
If you need to make direct contact with the Islands Radio Society, please email “iomars@manx.net”, we check this email each day.

International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend

00:01 UTC Sat 18-Aug-07 to 23:59 UTC Sun 19-Aug-07

This weekend radio activity is sponsored by the Ayr Amateur Radio Group and participants from around 51 different countries join the event.
The IOMARS will have a station operating from the Point of Eyre (WAB NX40, IO74TB).
This is not a contest but has been developed to “Promote Public awareness of lighthouses and lightships and their need for preservation and restoration. Also to promote Amateur Radio and to foster International goodwill”.
To see the registered participating list go to http://illw.net/2007_list.htm
This is always a good weekend for radio activity so why not offer your help and support to our members working from the most northern point of the Island.

RSGB 2007 IOTA Contest

The 2007 RSGB Island on the Air Contest takes place this weekend.
12:00 UTC Sat 28th July - 12:00 UTC Sun 29th July.
Operators from the Society will be entering this important contest and the station will operate from a /P location near the Point of Ayre.
The Isle of Man is known as EU116 for this activity and the World will be very keen to make contact with the station.
Please visit the station and offer your support and assistance; the operators will have a very busy 24hrs and will welcome your support. This will also be a good chance to work some interesting DX.

Why call "CQ"

Mike GD0HYM has sent a link to an article writen in 1998 which discusses the above topic.
http://www.cebik.com/tales/cq.html

Special Event Stations!

Greetings to All from Cornwall.
Pleased to see that GB4MNH and GB2MAD went ahead OK.
Last Sunday I was at GB2MOP (Museum of Power) near Aberporth
in S Wales. Not good propagation with lots of QSB. Best
station heard was the Geevor Tin Mine in Cornwall. Never
heard GB4MNH nor did the operator, Mike.
73 de Alan GD0MWL

FOR SALE

‘CUSHCRAFT-A3’ 3 Element Beam for 10-15-20 Mtrs

Has never been assembled/used and is as NEW. Box has deteriorated in storage, but antenna is OK.
New price from W&S is £600! Will sell for £350!! (Cash or cleared cheque - Isle of Man only)
Contact Mike Dunning GD0HYM at aquatechiom@mcb.net

An ASBO to control the size of your antenna!

This is an interesting story from Redditch, the Radio Amateur only wishes to talk to his friends.
http://www.redditchadvertiser.co.uk/news/ranewslatest/display.var.1416875.0.i_will_live_in_a_very_quiet_world.php

Special event station on Mad Sunday GB2MAD

The Isle of Man Amateur Radio Society is running a special event station on MAD SUNDAY (03-Jun-07) using the callsign GB2MAD.
The station will be located on Ballacreggan Farm, Plantation Road, Port St Mary (on the cross roads next to the school). Operation will be from 10:00 until we finish. Why not visit the station and give us some help, we need operators and willing workers!!

Web activity on the blog during the last month

Members of the IOMARS may be interested in the viewing activity on this blog over the last month.
There were 80 unique visitors to the site.
They made 225 visits.
350 pages were viewed.
On average 8:04 minutes were spent on the site (a high value).
27.56% of the visitors were new to the site.

New look to the Blog!

The software used for the Blog has now been upgraded and this allows us to easily change the way it looks. For 2007 we have a new image, please add your comments and let us know if you like it (or don’t).

New IOM QSL Manager

From 31 December 2007 Martyn Parnell GD3YUM will take over as QSL manager for the Isle of Man.

Full Licence Training Course

Due to other commitments there will be no training on Monday May 28th & June 4th.
Training will recommence on Monday June 11th at the 'Smithy' Castletown.

Keith

MD0OHM

GD and IM are showing an improved state of health

A much improved antenna system and an increase in power, now means that GD and IM repeaters are once again accessible from more locations on Island and can now also be accessed from UK, Ireland etc.
For more information go to "http://www.qsl.net/gb3gd/"

An IOMARS badge sewn in to your new jumper!

The IOMARS have aranged for you to have the society badge sewn into any clothing (hat, jumper, jacket etc) with your own callsign should you wish.

Here is a sample sewn into 2d0heb's jumper.

This is not a very good image and further information is to follow.

International Museums Weekend 16-17 June 2007

The IOMARS will be operating a radio station from Castletown for the International Museums Weekend. We will be supporting The Old Grammar School, Castle Rushen, The Old House of Keys and the Nautical Museum.
The station will be located next to the Old Grammar School and using the special event callsign GB4MNH (Manx National Heritage).
This international event has been running for a number of years and further details can be found on www.ukradioamateur.co.uk/imw/ .
We are delighted that Manx National Heritage are supporting this special weekend and we also look for support from Society members. We need station operators, people to set up and take down the station and people to speak to the public about the event. Please contact any Society committee member to register your willingness to help.

Full Licence Training Course

Due to Holiday commitments there will be no training on Monday April 16th & 23rd.
Training will recommence on Monday April 30th at the 'Smithy' Castletown.

Keith
MD0OHM

Your licence details are up for sale!

Readers may be interested to hear that RSGB are in the process of sending out a mail shot to all non RSGB (some 40,000) licenced Amateurs.

There has been great concern about this process particularly as your personal data has been purchased from a company called “UK Amateur Mailing” which became established on 16-Mar-2007. The RSGB General Manager has written about this to other lead RSGB officers. http://www.rsgb-region-12.org.uk/news.php?news_id=121

It is possible to have your details removed from this commercial mailing list by visiting www.ukamateurmailing.co.uk but to do so will probably require you to submit more Personal information than the company already has. A better option may be to contact the company 07847 118121 or via Mark Webster ukamateur@hotmail.co.uk

The URL for this company has only one page and very little information is available about the organisation and its intensions, I have therefore written to Mark Webster for a little more information.

Amateur Radio callsigns and personal details have been used by the hobby for many years; indeed this information can be of great technical help and has always made the hobby one of friends working together, now our details are for sale on the mail shot market I dread to think how this will cripple the hobby.

Your comments would be most welcome to iomars@manx.net

John GD0NFN Secretary IOMARS

Happy Easter from Italy

Giorgio Romanin one of our SWL from Italy would like to wish everyone a very happy Easter.
"Buona Pasqua" to Giorgio and familiy.

An easy way to get those hard to find parts, tools and other items.

Society members can now order items from the CPC Farnell catalogue. This company supplies a vast range of discrete components, computer parts, antennas, even gardening equipment all at wholesale prices.
Orders over £40 are free P&P and it will be normal for the Society to collect small orders until they can be sent post free.
No orders will be accepted until full payment is made to the Society.
A catalogue (it’s large) is available to browse in the Foxdale shack, or go to http://cpc.farnell.com to view on line.

Full Licence Training Course

Training for the Advanced Licence will now take place at "The Smithy" Hope Street, Castletown.
Monday nights from March 12th approx 19:30.

MD0OHM

Next Committee Meeting

Committee Members--
Please note:

Time and date of next Committee Meeting:

Tuesday 6th March 2007 @ 19:30hrs @ Foxdale

Lecture by Simon Brown (author of “Ham Radio Deluxe” software)

Lecture by Simon Brown (author of “Ham Radio Deluxe” software)

Simon will be giving a talk to members of the IOMARS on Wednesday 7^th March @ 19:30hrs in the trade union building, Fort Street, Douglas.

The talk will be about digital modes and his new software; we look forward to seeing you on the night.

Please note that this is a MEMBERS ONLY event, if your subscription to the Society has lapsed you can renew it when you attend.

Norfolk Raynet

Last week's info was completely duff...
I now have it on good authority that the
'3 minute wonder' programme entitled
'Preparing for the worst' will be on
Channel 4, Monday to Thursday 5th to
8th March. Fingers crossed!
Alan.

Norfolk Raynet

According to the RSGB advance news Norfolk Raynet will be appearing in the
TV programme '3 minute wonder' next Monday 26th February at 19.55. The
title of the short film is 'Preparing for the Worst'.
There is a degree of confusion, however, as a check of future TV programmes
doesn't show this item appearing either on Channel 4 or ITV4!
Anyway, if convenient tune in and see what appears.

Alan GD0MWL

Full Licence Training Course

Training for the Advanced Licence will start this Wednesday 21st February 8:00pm at the Foxdale Shack. Any 2D0's interested please attend.

MD0OHM

Blackpool Radio Rally

Blackpool Radio Rally takes place on Sunday 18^th March
This is the major rally in the North West and a good place to buy components, radio’s and all the bits and pieces you always wanted.
A number (4 at the moment) of Society members are planning to go on the Heysham boat (morning of 17^th back early hours of 19^th) and will be discussing the finer details at the next club meeting on Tuesday 13^th February.

We wonder if other members are planning the trip; if so let us know on Tuesday so that we can have a good “GD/MD/2D” presence at the rally.

"http://www.g1gyc.demon.co.uk/narsa/"

Interesting ARRL website!

Worth a look at:
www.emergency-radio.org
shows how Amateur Radio is appreciated and promoted
in the USA.

IOMARS on Manx Radio

Manx Radio have broadcast interviews with members of the IOMARS for a programme called “Passions for Life”.
Got to the following link http://www.manxradio.com/listenagain.aspx
look for Friday, then click on “Passions for Life”.
Enjoy.

Silent Key

We are very sad to hear of the tragic, sudden loss of Chris Qualtrough MD1EUJ who passed away on the 27^th of January. We offer our deepest sympathy to his family and know that he will be missed by his many friends and colleagues.

Manx Radio Broadcast

Manx Radio have recorded a programme with the IOMARS about Amateur Radio as a hobby. A group of members spent Thursday evening in the Foxdale shack recording with the programme producer John Hines.

The broadcast will last about 26 minutes and be transmitted on Friday 2^nd Feb @ midday (after the news) on AM and @ 20:30hrs on FM and AM.

For those Blog watchers who would like to learn more about Amateur Radio tune in and enjoy.

The programme will also be available via the Manx Radio Internet link http://www.manxradio.com/.

Good Music !!

I just thought you would all like to hear some great amateur radio sounds.
http://www.llanelli-radio-club.tk/ (press space bar when you get to the web page)
GD0NFN

Radio Tests

To continue the around Island radio tests this Sunday (21-Jan-07) we are going to use 70cms simplex. Initial CQ calls will take place @ 11:00hrs (local time) on 433.500mhz (U280 calling Frequency).

Please join in and enjoy radio.

Membership Subscriptions

The committee wish to advise those members who have yet to pay the annual membership subscription that this payment is now overdue.
Harry 2DoHEB the treasure will be pleased to hear from you, subscriptions can be sent to:-
Harry Blackburn
32 Close Rushen
Castletown
IM9 1NN

(£10 oaps, £15 General membership, £17.50 family membership, £5 student/overseas).

Make your treasurer a happy man!

Lecture by Simon Brown (author of “Ham Radio Deluxe” software)

Simon will be giving a talk to members of the IOMARS on Wednesday 7^th March @ 19:30hrs in the trade union building, Fort Street, Douglas.

The talk will be about digital modes and his new software; put the date in your diary.

RSGB News and RadCom

There are several items of interest for the coming weeks.
For details look at the RSGB website and the February
issue of RadCom(which should be with members during
the next few days) eg.:

RNLI SOS Weekend
Marconi International Weekend
International Museums Weekend
Mid Cheshire Radio Rally at Nantwich in April

Alan GD0MWL

IARU - The International Amateur Radio Union

Worth having a look at the IARU website:
http://www.iaru.org/
A lot of interesting information.

Alan GD0MWL

Special Event Callsigns

There has been a lot of discussion recently about obtaining a Special Event Callsign to commemorate the
100th Anniversary of the TT Motorcycle Races. However, there seems to be some confusion about what is
involved, ie. the advantages, disadvantages, procedures and responsibilities of having such a callsign.

To begin with full details can be found on pages 75 to 77 of the 2007 RSGB Yearbook which, in some respects,
are quite onerous. It is recommended that anyone contemplating the use of a GB callsign read these carefully!
In addition, as there will probably be a significant demand for QSL cards pages, page 17 should also be read.

In brief summary, a Special Event Callsign is issued by OFCOM for a maximum of 28 consecutive days and is by
Notice of Variation to an INDIVIDUAL who holds an Advanced Licence. This individual undertakes to be responsible
for the Special Event Station and is required to be present to supervise its correct operation. The station should
normally be open to viewing by members of the public and may only be established and operated at ONE specified
location. This must be the address stated on the application form and must be detailed enough for anyone to
find easily.

Those interested in a TT Special Event Station will be aware of the problems of finding a suitable location, getting
enough support operators, deciding on how many days and for how many hours the station will operate and
funding and ultimately sending off the special QSL cards!

Don't forget the IOMARS club callsign can be used throughout the year, at any time and place and by any suitably
qualified member!

Alan GD0MWL

Play Radio on Sunday 14-Jan-07

More Sunday morning radio tests around the Island:

11:00hrs (Local Time) Sunday 14-Jan-06 6mt FM will be tested.
Tune in to 51.510 MHz FM and listen for a CQ call – nothing heard call CQ yourself.
Once contacts are established an available frequency will be found.
Failure on that frequency will result in CQ calls on 50.150 MHz SSB

Just to add to the fun 70 MHz FM will also be monitored give a call on
70.45 MHz FM and see who does or does not reply!
The purpose of these tests is to establish simplex round Island communications on the most suitable and stable frequencies/modes, please join in and enjoy the tests.

John GD0NFN

IOMARS - January 2007 Meeting at Tromode.

Just to remind everyone that tomorrow (9th January)
is the second Tuesday of the month!
See you there.

Sunday Communication Tests

Sunday 7th January 11am Tx/Rx tests will take place on 3.7120 MHZ (+-QRM). We would like to establish round Island communiation if possible so why not give a call and join the net.