RNLI SOS Radio Day

Have a look at Facebook to see IOMARS radio activity for this day and join in!!

Login to Facebook and search for "gt3flh" you will be able to sign in to the group and read all about the RNLI Radio Day.

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year

The IOMARS would like to wish all members a very nice Christmas and good DX for 2010.

The Society has a new Committee

At the recent AGM a new committee was elected by the Society members:

President - Alan Crowther
Chairman - Steve Kelly
Secretary - Andy Morgan
Treasurer Jeanie Hill
Members Reps:-
Morgan Griffiths
David Cain
Stuart Hill
Matty Cunningham.


Also at the meeting Jeanie Hill was awarded the Jim Christian Award + £50.

Jim Christian Award

Submissions are now required from any member who wishes to be considered for this years Jim Christian award.

This award is available to Foundation and Intermediate licence holders who can produce log booked evidence (data from a PC log is fine) of their QSO’s this year.

The operator with the maximum number of evidenced QSO’s will be considered for the award and in the event of a tie the max number of different countries worked (Prefixes) will be considered (not repeater contacts).

Evidence must be made available to the secretary (secretary@iomars.com) and submitted before Thursday 3^rd December 2009.

Notice of "Annual General Meeting"

The Isle of Man Amateur Radio Society will hold its 61st Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 8th December 2009 at the Sea Cadet Building Tromode.
The meeting will commence at 20:00 hrs, please arrive early so that the start of the meeting is not delayed.
If any paid up members wish to present items for any other business, please send these to the "secretary@iomars.com" as soon as possible and no later than Tuesday 1st December 2009.
It will be necessary at this meeting to elect new committee officers and any proposals for these posts should be sent to the secretary indicating who seconds that proposal.
Minutes of the last meeting will be made available on the night.

Secretary IOMARS

Foundation Examination

Just a quick note to tell you that 7 students passed their Foundation Examination this afternoon.
Well done!!
We now have some callsigns -Dave MD6TSW -Henry MD3ZFQ - Izi MD6IZI - Michael MD3ZGV (more to follow)

Harry (md0heb) in Australia

Just got a nice email and photo from Harry who is enjoying very hot weather in Australia.
It will be noted from the photo that Harry is visiting a Hair and Beauty Studio possibly for some "Body Piercing"! He did mention that he was trying to get brown sun burnt legs but any other beauty therapy was not mentioned in the email - we will wait and see!!

John

Latest RSGB News

Goto this link for the latest from the RSGB.

http://homepages.manx.net/butler/RSGB News.pdf

Recognise digital modes

Link

The link above has 'images' of the various data modes - to help distinguish between their different waterfall patterns

A great facility to help you understand more about digital modes.

From Matty

A job for RAYNET!!

Whitehall plans 'White Noise' phone network collapse

The government will simulate a shutdown of the national phone network next week in an exercise involving hundreds of government and industry players.

The exercise - codenamed "White Noise" - is designed to simulate a catastrophic nationwide communications failure, will take place over Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th November.
It will be the first time the UK has conducted such a large scale exercise, Geoff Smith, the head of communications security in the Department for Business, told a Lords committee today.
White Noise will simulate a total national collapse of the traditional Public Switched Telephone Network. There will be no impact on those not involved in the exercise.
Such a scenario could be caused by a cyber or physical attack, or a natural disaster.
Officials will monitor the government's ability to respond in a coordinated way, including keeping Parliament and the public informed.
"We will learn whether we can respond in real time," Smith said.
Data and mobile communications will remain intact throughout the exercise.
"We'd be reduced to carrier pigeons and semaphore if we didn't have some form of communications," Smith explained.
He added that anticipation of White Noise in Whitehall had already prompted "a lot of thought and action" over the resilience of government communications and said "a lot of money" has been spent on private sector help preparing for the exercise.
Analysis of the response to White Noise will add momentum to efforts across government to strengthen the UK's communications infrastructure, Smith claimed.
He was appearing before the House of Lords EU Sub-Committee on Home Affairs.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION!!

“The ETCC and OfCom have approved the Repeater Keeper’s request for permission to change the CTCSS tone on one of the two co-channel repeaters that form part of the GB3IM network.

The change will be implemented on the Bride repeater this weekend, when the CTCSS tone will change from 110.9Hz to 71.9Hz (Tone letter “B” in the RSGB listings).

It is hoped that this will reduce, or even eliminate, the problems caused by mobiles operating in overlap areas.

Thank you to everyone for their support and patience during the rather prolonged gestation period of this project. There is still much to do and which can be done, and ideas and feedback are welcomed.

David Osborn – GD4HOZ”

Message from Andy GD1MIP

Wanted people for a trip to a UK rally. I have a 7 seter minibus and intend to take a trip to a UK rally in eaarly 2010.
The intention is to travel by boat and stay a night in a hotel then get the boat home after the rally. Blackpool on 11th April 2010 springs to mind, unless people suggest a better one. www.g1gyc.demon.co.uk/narsa/index.html

reply please to Andy GD1MIP@manx.net or 412711

First come first served etc. Places will need to be booked by paying up front (as I will have to pay the boat up front)

Tuesday 10th November @ Tromode

Bob md0cce will be talking about his experience participating in the St Brandon DXpedition.
If you get to Tromode @ 19:30 hrs for a 20:00 hrs start you will catch the experience of this fascinating event 137,500 QSO's in the log!!!
Bring along a friend.

Foundation Examination

Foundation Course Candidates – please note that the examination will take place on Saturday 14th November @ 13:00 hrs prompt. The venue will be 88, Woodbourne Road, Douglas, the same rooms used for the training.

There will be a revision session before the examination starting @ 10:00 hrs, if you wish to attend this session please bring some lunch with you.

It is important that you bring with you photographic identification and your record cards covering the practical instruction you have undertaken.

Could you please confirm ASAP via e-mail to "secretary@iomars.com" advising that you have seen and understood this notice.

Good luck for the examination.
John GD0NFN
Secretary IOMARS

Selling equipmen due to deafness!

I have a Kenwood TS530sp with matching VFO, ATU and Speaker. Around £350
A Kenwood TS770 2m/70cms all mode base station. " £120
An Alinco DR510 dual band mobile. " £70
An old Kenwood 7500 2M. mobile. " £15
A Yaesu FT470 dual band handheld. " £75
An Icom IC2e handheld. " £30
And various other modded Philips M290's on 2 and 4m. many other bits too numerous to mention.
If any members want to contact me regarding any this equipment,
please e-mail me gd4vba@manx.net or call in the evenings on
824812 as my wife will relay all calls so I can lip-read her.

Thank you and regards to all, 73, Rob.

Weekend Activity

This weekend17-18th October Foundation Training will commence in the Civil Defence training rooms @ 88 Woodbourn Road, Douglas. Why not come along and help - training will start at 10:00hrs each morning.

Also @ about 19:00 hrs on Saturday evening on 51.510 MHz (FM) on the the air activity will be heard from various stations around the Island. Join in and enjoy contacts on the 6mt band.

HB9DRV Presentation

Simon Brown HB9DRV or GD4ELI will be giving a talk on Tuesday 13th October 09 on his world famous software "Ham Radio Deluxe" Simon last spoke to the Society in May and will be informing members of the latest developments with HRD.
Members are invited to bring along a guest and you need to be at Tromode 19:30hrs for 20:00hrs.
Goto http://www.ham-radio-deluxe.com/ for further information.

Keep up to date

Have a look at the Download Section of the Society Forum (www.iomars.com) and there you will find two intersting monthly magazines/newsletters.

Eary Cushlin was great.

Eary Cuslin was a very busy weekend.
Radio conditions were fantastic with many quality contacts.
A busy workshop created a 3 section top band vertical; it was a pleasure to see so much dedication going into the production of this beast.
Then the beast was let loose into the morning air – and it was all hands to the ropes to control its desire to dance in the sky. This was the sporting element of the weekend – some you win (occasionally) and many you don’t win!! Never mind it was great fun!

The Outward Bound Centre at Eary Cushlin, is available to Society members this week end (Sat mid-day to Sun mid-day) 19th-20th September.
So why not come along and try out you latest antenna or just operate radio without disturbance (all night if you wish).
This is a fine radio location with no local interference and lots of available land. Bring some food and a sleeping bag if you would like to stay overnight. (£10 for the day and £20 for overnight).

Eddystone 740

A working Eddystone 740 receiver is available to be used and cared for by an interested individual.
Ring 623715 to arrange collection.

LINKING PROGRESS

Next Tuesday 8th September at Tromode David Osborn GD4HOZ was to be giving a talk entitled "Linking Progress".
David has unfortunately had to cancel this presentation due to changed personal circumstances, he apologises to members for this cancellation.

This weeks activities cancelled!

Please note that the Foxdale Shack will not be opened this Wednesday evening (2nd September).

As a result of the potential difficulties committee members may experience attending the next meeting (Thursday 3rd Sept); it has been agreed to cancel this month’s meeting.

An opportunity will be taken next Tuesday at Tromode to deal with any urgent committee matters.

John GD0NFN

Secretary IOMARS

RSGB Representitive for the Isle of Man

We are delighted to announce that Stewart gd0oud has been accepted as the RSGB representative for the Isle of Man. This important position has been held by Alan gd0mwl for the last few years and we would like to thank Alan for his excellent representation at the RSGB meetings.
Stewart is a very experience Amateur, a strong member of our Society and will certainly be a superb ambassador for Amateur Radio on the Island.
Congratulations Stewart and many thanks Alan.

EMC Compliance of Power Line Adaptors

The RSGB have sent a letter on the above matter to OFCOM complaining about the RF problems caused by these devices.
The letter can be found at:
http://homepages.manx.net/butler/letter_to_rtb.pdf

Foundation Licence Training

A new Foundation Licence training course and examination has now been arranged.
The training will take place at the Civil Defence Training facility, 88 Woodbourne Road, Douglas on Sat 17 Oct 09 @ 10:00 to 16:00hrs
Sun 18 Oct 09 @ 10:00 to 16:00hrs
Sat 24 Oct 09 @ 10:00hrs with the Examination taking place at 13:00hrs.
All papers will be marked on the day and results will be available after the examination finishes.

The RSGB Examination fee will be £22.50 and this is payable in advance.

Application forms are available at http://www.rsgb.org/tutors/general/pdf/catce.pdf.
Once completed they need to be handed to myself (John GD0NFN) with the examination fee.

"Foundation Licence Now" is the recommended book for this course and again this is available from the RSGB book shop http://www.rsgbshop.org/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Training_19.html#a438

Once you pass the examination, callsigns become available from OFCOM (UK) within one to two weeks.

Callsign Data

OFCOM have made public all the UK callsign data following a request under the UK freedom of information act; we have extracted all the IOM callsigns and they are now available for you to see.
As this database is no longer checked on an annual basis it may be that some of the information is incorrect, this being the case please let us know so that we can keep up to date the local list.
Please send corrections to "secretary@iomars.com"
To see the data go to :-
http://homepages.manx.net/butler/local callsigns.xls

Tromode Meeting

On Tuesday 11th August there will be a presentation on “First Aid” by Steve from “Manx First Aid” followed by a short introduction to PSK (Digital Mode) by Matty.

RAYNET Training

RAYNET Isle of Man held a formal training session on Friday 31-Jul-09 and the document used to guide the matters discussed can now be found on the IOMARS Forum under the RAYNET section.
The red italic text represents action agreed on the night to be taken ASAP.

Go to www.iomars.com and click on "club info / forum" and go to the RAYNET section.

International Links with the Island

From the 14 July 09 to the 31 July 09 the new Internet linked 70cm repeaters (IM and Bride) have seen lots of international activity. Many callsigns have contacted the network using Echolink (software which allows licenced Amateurs to contact the repeaters via the Internet) and the following countries have been on line:

Argentina
Austria
Bahamas
Belgium
Bulgaria
Canada
China
Cyprus
Germany
IOM
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Kuwait
Morocco
Scotland
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Trinidad/Tobago
UK
USA
Wales

Some callsigns have connected frequently:

Callsign	Name	Calls
2D0FHG	frank	2
2D0HEB	harry	1
2D0NOT	dave	1
2E0DHS	Dave	2
2E0DHS	Dave	2
2E0DHS	Dave	1
2E0DHS	Dave	1
2E0GSB	Gary	2
2E0NLG	Ken	1
2E0RBC	derek	1
2E0TWS-L	CONF	1
2E0VEC	CONF	5
2E1DNB	PETER	2
5B4AHL	Dave	15
9K7AAF	faisaal	1
9Z3AS	Anthony	1
AB9RH	Dennis	1
AD5XP	Michael	1
BG8EOI	gaoqingping	1
C6ANY	lowell	1
CN8WL-L	[GB3IC-R]	1
DD4QE	Gerhard	1
DJ2TT	Bernd	1
DJ8KI	CONF	1
DL1GCM	Manfred	1
DL3PU	willi	1
DL4SEQ-R	Markus	1
DO9BC	Claus	2
EA3EWO	Terry	1
EI7GEB	David	1
G0AWW	DAVID	1
G0CKI	Ken	1
G0CRB	Allen	1
G0CSK	Peter	1
G0HLX	Nick	1
G0KFS	albert	1
G0RBA-L	Cheshire	1
G0TKV	DAVID	1
G0UKM	Michael	3
G0VVU	colin	1
G1JOD	John	1
G1ULZ	LOUIS	2
G1VML	Paul	1
G3KAF	Jim	2
G3KAF	Jim	1
G3OFA	Derek	1
G3SEA	Paul	2
G3SNA	Stuart	1
G3TXA	Rod	1
G3UEQ	Andrew	1
G3VVT	Bob	6
G3ZHI	ian	5
G3ZQQ	Jim	1
G4BXD	Ben	3
G4FIF	david	1
G4TPA	David	2
G4UED	gary	1
G4WWK	Steve	1
G4XIQ	John	1
G4ZHS	jose	1
G4ZPL	John	1
G4ZPZ-L	(Conference)	5
G6UGA	Mike	2
G6WRW	Carolyn	1
G6XHG	Ed	1
G7AQY	CHRIS	1
G7GVP	colin	1
G7JNM	Allen	1
G7MRL	Norman	7
G7OEM	Tony	1
G7TOK	Gary	1
G7VFQ	TONY	1
G8DBH	Chris	1
G8ILN	Martin	2
GB3IE-R	CONF	1
GB3KD-R	145.7875	1
GB3LF-R	(Conference[0])	3
GB3PZ-R	(Conference[3/4])	1
GD0NFN	John	4
GD3FXN	Arthur	4
GD4HOZ	David	2
GD4IHC	Ralph	22
GD4PTV	Brian	6
GD7DUZ	STEPHEN	3
GI4SZW	Seamus	2
GM0IQI	paul	1
GM8SVB	Alexander	2
GW0SYN	JOHN	1
GW8NZN	David	4
GW8XLY	barry	2
HB3YDM	Martin	1
IQ4BQ-R	Ari	1
IW5EJ	iw5ej	1
IZ6FXS-R	CONF	1
JE6DBI	Yuji	1
JG6DMH	Kumadaki	1
K1PIJ	Walt	6
K1VKP	John	1
K3SG	Stephen	1
K4MQL	Jim	10
KA1TEF	Christian	1
KA5BGQ	Joe	1
KA6YBK-L	[listen	1
KB1SFB	Steve	1
KB3SGN	Edward	1
KB8JVW	john	1
KB9POR	CH.	1
KC0YQU	Mike	1
KC2JRQ	Joe	1
KC2THO	Thomas	1
KC2VMI	Ron	2
KD0BSH	Brandon	1
KD0HJV	Jeremy	1
KD8HAH	jeff	1
KE4EGM	Derek	3
KE5DRA	John	1
KE5NWY	Richard	1
KE5WCS	Tim	1
KE7NDY	David	1
KF7BKF	Kirby	3
KG5RQ-L	CHARLIE	1
KG6ARH	Robert	1
KG6FIY	Endaf	1
KG6HMN	Gabriel	1
KI4RVA-L	CONF	3
KJ4HFU	Bob	1
KJ4MBR	jack	1
KJ6ANR	Kenneth	9
KN4DO	Jim	2
KU4RR	JACK	2
KX1M	Jim	1
LU9HOD	Claudio	1
LZ1VVD	Vladimir	1
M0ABK	mike	12
M0CGA	peter	4
M0CZI	STAN	1
M0KSP-L	Karl	1
M0SFR	Alex	1
M0WRI	Peter	2
M3BKH	michael	1
M3CIO	Tom	1
M3NNZ	BARBARA	2
M3OTZ	martin	1
M3UCB	Doug	1
M3WID	jim	4
M3YBF	Peter	3
M6AJP	Andrew	1
M6CHS	michael	2
M6DCL	david	1
M6DRI	Terry	2
M6EJL	Mark	2
M6KNT	john	1
M6PFE	Peter	1
M6WNE	wayne	1
M6XSD	Colin	9
MB7IAC-L	Altrincham	1
MB7IDT-L	G4FKI	4
MB7IFY-L	FyldeCoast	1
MB7IOM-L	CONF	3
MB7IPR-L	Paul	1
MD0FIX	Nigel	2
MI0MSR	Melvyn	1
MI5UTC	Syd	1
MI6WAC	Geff	1
MW3HGR	Hugh	1
N1BGG	Jack	1
N4UBK-L	Robert	1
N8NPM	Marv	1
OE7PWI	Paul	1
OZ5WU	Michael	1
S55SM	Matej	1
SM6KUT-L	Thomas	2
VE2MDK	Daniel	1
VE3ELJ	Joseph	2
VE3NY	Tom	1
VE3VC	Ken	23
VK3FELA	John	2
VK4PDR	David	11
VK5WD	John	1
VK6QK	Peter	3
W0PD-L	Mike	1
W1IVB	Frank	1
W4GBS	Gary	1
W6DYL	Darrell	1
W7TWC	Tom	2
WA4GHA	Mark	1
WB3DGR	TOM	2
WB4L	ALAN	1
ZS2ABF	Peter	1
ZU6TAN	mario	1

German Visitors

A group of German radio amateurs are visiting the Island and staying at Eary Cushlin for a week. Over this weekend they have invited local Amateurs to pay them a visit and enjoy their hospitality and radio activity.
The web site contains further information about their visit,
http://www.iomars.com/pages/news/2009.html

New Society Chairman

The committee are please to advise members that Godfrey Baillie-Searle GD4EIP has agreed to be co-opted as Chairman of the Society until the position can be elected at the next AGM (December). Godfrey brings to the committee years of Amateur Radio experience and a very positive drive and commitment to the development of Amateur Radio.

This situation has occurred because Keith MD0OHM has had to resign from Chairman as a result of personal circumstances. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking Keith for the valuable service he has given to the Society both as Chairman and Tutor and we look forward to seeing him as a continuing Society member.

Society Talks/Lectures

The following talks have been arranged for the Society monthly meetings
at Tromode (19:30 for 20:00hrs).
Plenty of interesting topics up to the AGM


Jul 14th Godfrey GD4EIP: will talk about his time in Amateur Radio

Aug 11th Stephen Underwood: Safety in the shack

Sept 8th Dave Osborn: Echolink and its operation.

Oct 13th Malcolm Newton: The PIC and how to programme it.

Nov 10th Bob Barden: 3B7C DXpedition

Museums on the Air - 27th - 28th June 2009

We are operating from the old grammar school in Castletown this weekend and need your help with setting up the equipment and operating the station.

http://www.iomars.com/pages/events/2009/museums_on_the_air/index.html

9-5pm will do fine!!!

RADCOM Letter

Jeanie Hill one of our Society members got a letter published in Radcom!

GB3IM Links to the Internet and gets new equipment.

Today’s report is as follows:

GB3IM’s radio on Snaefell has now been replaced with a Simoco PRF1060 base station. This has improved receiver sensitivity and has also increased our transmitter output power. Initial contacts via the new radio have been very encouraging.

This activity brings two of the three Isle of Man UHF repeaters “on-line” with internet linking facilities
From now on, access to GB3IM will be by means of CTCSS at 110.9Hz only. Tonebursts will have no effect.

The Snaefell repeater is connected to the other Isle of Man nodes (and, from time to time, other AllStar or Echolink nodes) by means of an uplink radio located in Bride. For stations working through Snaefell by radio, the following points need to be noted:

· The repeater itself (i.e. the box on Snaefell) has no “Hang” time.

· When your transmission ends, the uplink radio is keyed in order to send a “Pip”. Consequently, if you transmit before, or during the “Pip”, you will be doubling with the uplink radio and may not be heard.

· When the repeater is linked to other internet nodes, it is important to allow time for the remote link radios to become ready. Please wait until after the pip before responding. Also, it would help “breakers” if you would pause a moment after the pip to provide a gap.

These points only apply to Snaefell and then, only for so long as it is “Uplinked”. We hope to install a control system on-site in the near future, which will remove these requirements.
GB3IM’s Echolink node number is 464453.

Node Status can be viewed at: http://stats.allstarlink.org/nodeinfo.php?node=2480 for Snaefell and http://stats.allstarlink.org/nodeinfo.php?node=2481 for Bride.

Stations wishing to set up outgoing Echolink or AllStar Link connections are encouraged to contact GD4HOZ for instructions. At this early stage we need to take care that we don’t end-up being linked to other repeaters without realising it, and that those who set-up links take care to tear them down again after use. As time passes and experience is gained, things will become clearer for everyone.

Noted Issues

1. I apologise in advance for the “wordy” node linking announcements. These are already proving to be a pain and I hope to be able to remove them in the near future.

2. When Snaefell receives a broken transmission, the software on the uplink sends a “pip” immediately after the repeater drops – which only takes a couple of hundred milliseconds. The sending of the pip takes approximately two seconds, during which time the incoming mobile will probably be “flattened” by the uplink. This leads to unnatural sounding breaks in a transmission which, under other circumstances, would just be a little fluttery. The system is oversensitive in this area and I am looking at ways to reduce the problem. When a PC is installed on Snaefell, and control then becomes local, this issue will go away, so it is hopefully only a short term problem whilst we are using an uplink.

Dave

Repeater update

Current Status

GB3IM-R (Kionlough, Bride) has been working well for over a month now and has been an invaluable test bed for discovering the functionality of the AllStar Link software, as well as the best way to use it.

A number of local stations have made good use of the repeater, and it is covering all of the areas that it was expected to. Specifically, solid coverage is now available from the Sulby Glen Hotel, right through to Ramsey on the Lezayre road (a traditional Snaefell “black spot”). Further East, coverage is good around Ramsey and some of the Maughold area. On the coast road, coverage is good up to the Dreemskerry turn-off and, on the mountain, solid coverage is available right up to the Mountain Box.

GB3IM-S (Snaefell) has been on test for a couple of weeks and a number of iterations have taken place in coming to a suitable configuration. When it is put into service, the “personality” of GB3IM will change significantly, particularly in the following areas:

Access: 1750Hz access will disappear forever. CTCSS at 110.9Hz will be required.

Timeout: Gone.

Idents: Every 15 minutes at 00, 15, 30 and 45 minutes past the hour. The long beacon (i.e. “GB3IM Isle Of Man”) will cease to exist and the callsign will be “GB3IM H”, where the “H” indicates the CTCSS tone frequency as dictated by the RSGB.

The repeater on the mountain will be a standard, unmodified, Simoco PRF1060 commercial grade repeater with a transmitter output of 15W (The existing repeater is 5W). In common with many other commercial repeaters, there is no provision for “courtesy tones”; When the repeater is opened by a valid signal, it will relay that signal and, when the incoming signal is removed, the repeater will drop carrier immediately. This can be somewhat disconcerting for those unaccustomed to such behaviour but it is mitigated by the behaviour of the supporting system, which I will explain.

Some amateurs are familiar with the use of an “uplink” radio to access a hilltop repeater. Many EchoLink users use this technique to connect their local repeater to the internet. We are using a similar technique for Snaefell, mainly because there is presently no internet access up there. By reducing to an absolute minimum the amount of equipment on the hilltop, particularly a PC, the chances of serious problems are reduced.

The uplink radio is co-located with GB3IM-R at Bride.

When a user calls through Snaefell, the Uplink radio will receive the output from Snaefell and send it into the local AllStar network, as well as to any incoming/outgoing links to other nodes. When the user ends his transmission, the uplink radio will signal this to the controlling computer which, in turn, will briefly command the uplink radio into transmit in order to send a “Pip”. The repeater will then drop carrier, ready for the next incoming transmission either from a local user on the repeater’s input frequency or from someone accessing either from the internet or via another Isle Of Man repeater node.

It is hoped that the new radio will be installed on Saturday 20^th June 2009. For a short period the repeater will be operated without the uplink, so there will be no bleeps or hangtime. From the caller’s perspective, it will appear that the repeater is not working – but it will be!

GB3IM-C (Carnane)

Watch this space. Hopefully very soon.

Other linking methods

GB3IM-R is registered with EchoLink, node 464453. Very little testing has been done on this link so far so please report any problems. This link connects to the GB3IM-S node computer at Bride and thence into the remaining IOM repeaters. Outgoing EchoLink connections are possible but, since only the Snaefell node is presently registered with EchoLink, you can only set-up an outgoing Echolink connection via Snaefell.

I am keen to hear from any local amateurs who operate, or plan to operate, simplex internet gateways – especially on 70cm.

If anyone requires clarification on any of the foregoing, please get in touch.

David Osborn

GD4HOZ

GB5LB Special Event Station

The Peel Lifeboat Station will now operate on Thursday 11th June and not as previously announced.

New IOMARS Web Site

We are developing a new IOMARS web site (www.iomars.com) which will enable the Society to promote Amateur Radio and all our activities. The web site will become the centre for information about local Amateur Radio and naturally will give all our members the chance to contribute to the web pages as they grow.
We are also now able to provide all members with their own unique e-mail address encompassing your callsign as the prefix followed by @iomars.com. There is no charge for this service and it is available to all paid up members.
Interested - then send an e-mail to blog@iomars.com giving your callsign and current e-mail address, we will then send you details about how to setup your new e-mail address.
One of the advantages of this arrangement is that other members will have an easy way to make contact if they know your callsign. A list of these e-mail addresses will be available on the web site.

The Latest News.

There will be no Society meeting at Tromode on Tuesday 9th June (TT gets in the way!). The next meeting will be on Tuesday 14th July.

There are a number of Society events happening in the next few weeks and we need your support and assistance to make these a success.

Peel Lifeboat Station will be on the air on Thursday 4th June please come along an offer your support. Contact Mike GD0HYM (aquuatechiom@mbc.net) for further information.

Mad Sunday (7th June) will be the day when GB2MAD operates from the Southern Vintage and Tractor Club Show. This takes place at Port Erin and again we need your support.

Museums on the Air takes place on 27th and 28th June from the Old Grammar School in Castletown GB4MNH (Manx National Heritage) will be operating all modes all bands.

Please also remember that we need your commitment and money to book the next weekend at Eary Cushlin. This week end event is planned for 19-20th September and will cost each member £20 for the week end (inc. overnight stay) and just £10 if you would like to stay for one of the days. Payment to Mike GD0HYM or Steve GD7DUZ - ASAP so that the venue can be booked.

Radio Magazine stops publishing

Monitoring Monthly magazine appears to be the latest casualty of the economic downturn, and is reported to have closed.

In a letter sent to the magazine's subscribers, Kevin Nice, G3UNR, the Managing Director of Nice One Publishing Limited, announced the magazine's closure, citing financial problems for its demise.

(Southgate ARS)

Tuesday 12th May 2009

Alan GD0MWL will be giving a talk on "International Amateur Radio and its Organisation" at the next Society meeting.

This will take place at Tromode 19:30 for 20:00 hrs.
Member's guests will be very welcome to attend.

RSGB Increase Examination Fees

Advance notice of changes to the Amateur Radio Examination fees. From 1 September 2009, the fees will be rising by £2.50 in each instance. The new fees for the Foundation exam will be £22.50, the Intermediate exam will be £27.50 and the Advanced exam fee will be £32.50. Please note these changes don’t take effect until 1 September 2009.

Douglas Lifeboat Station

Just a reminder that Douglas Lifeboat Station is on the air this Sunday (09:00 to 17:00hrs) and we need operators to work GB5LB. Please come along and help make this day a successful event.

Practical Construction of Wire Antennas

Godfrey GD4EIP will be presenting a session on constructing and testing wire antennas. This will be a practical session where you will have the opportunity to make erect and test a real antenna.

Learn how to calculate the correct length of wire and how to feed the antenna to your radio. Test equipment will also be available so that you can make certain that the antenna is suited to the frequency you wish to work on.

All this will take place at Tromode on Tuesday 14th April 19:30 for 20:00hrs.

Emergency frequencies declared for Italian earthquake

The ARRL report that 7045 and 3640 kHz are being used as emergency frequencies for the Italian earthquake.
Please keep these frequencies clear.

Examination Changes!

From the 1st June 2009 there will be changes to the Foundation and Intermediate examinations syllabus. There will be no examinations during the month of May to allow the changes with the question banks to take place.
The Foundation training book was altered some months ago and the new Intermediate book (5th edition) is now on sale.
Dates/Times for the advanced examination are as follows:
4th June18:30hrs
7th August 18:30hrs
October date to be announced.
7th December 18:30hrs
2nd February 2010 18:30hrs
7th April 2010 18:30hrs
3rd June 2010 18:30hrs

GB5LB Special Event Station

Mike Dunning GD0HYM has arranged with the Royal National Lifeboat Institute a series of special event stations using the callsign GB5LB (5 Lifeboat Stations around the Island).
Stations will operate SSB on 80mtrs (3.7 MHz +/-) on the following Open Lifeboat days:-

Douglas Lifeboat Sunday May 10th 2009
Peel Lifeboat, Thursday June 4th 2009
Ramsey Lifeboat, Saturday July 4th 2009
Port Erin Lifeboat Sunday July 12th 2009
Port St Mary Lifeboat, Sunday July 26th 2009

There will be a special QSL card for the event and operators who contact all 5 Lifeboat Stations will be eligible for a special RNLI certificate.
All QSL card must be sent to:-
Port St Mary Lifeboat
The Boat House
Lime Street
Port St Mary
Isle of Man
IM9 5EF
NOT VIA THE BUREAU.
Please also send an SAE and an IRC with all your QSL cards (UK stamps can’t be used from the IOM) if you would like a special certificate.
Local operators are required for all these events; for further details please contact the organiser Mike GD0HYM at "aquatechiom@mcb.net"

Congratulations to Tom!

Congratulations to Tom Milestone 2D0TWM who passed his Intermediate examination on Wednesday evening;

Well done Tom!

Foxdale Shack Closed!!

The shack at Foxdale will be closed this Wednesday evening (01-April-09)as examinations are taking place @ Crosby Church Hall. We wish the examination candidates good luck!

Modern Communications – The Issues!

Alan GD0MWL and Stewart GD0OUD recently attended a three day conference funded by the IOM Government.
There attendance was a part of the Government strategy to support the IOMARS in their development of RAYNET on the Island. At times of disaster things can go wrong with the communications systems and back up radio communication become essential. Most of our statutory services now depend on a single solution (TETRA) for their resilient communications; this can and has failed and RAYNET then becomes very important.
Alan and Stewart will speak about the issues they discovered during the conference.

When things go wrong on the Isle of Man.
Tuesday 10th March 19:30hrs. @ Tromode.
Members are very welcome to bring along a guest for this interesting presentation.