Spain gets permission to use 5 MHz

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

A very merry Christmas to all our readers and may you have a perfect 2014 with lots of good Radio!

The World Radiosport Team Championship

Here are the current DXCC standing estimates for GD/MD/2D operators on the Isle of Man.

Something to do after the Christmas Festivities!

 

RSGB Contest

Why not have a go at the Christmas VHF/UHF Contest and try out 50/70/144 and 432 frequencies.

Have fun!!

OFCOM to make changes to CB radio regulations in the UK

OFCOM have now agreed that the UK will allow AM transmissions on CB radio from July 2014. Permission for this has been available in the EU since June 2011.

View the OFCOM document (10 Dec 2013):

OFCOM

Live video and audio stream from the International Space Station

This great link lets you see live the view from outside the space station and hear their communication with ground control. A second window follows the Space Stations position on a moving map.

Space Station

New Zealand Amateurs on 6m from 6th December

 

(Please click on the text above for a better image)

(From RSGB NEWS)

ICOM IC-F8101 a real mobile HF radio

Icom have produced a very solid mobile HF Transceiver, the price has not been announced to date, but if you need professional mobile HF rig this is worth looking at:

IC-F8101

OFCOM spent £1.8 million pounds on Amateur Radio.

OFCOM state that they are making a big loss for the sake of Amateur Radio.
During 2011-2012 their accounts indicate that we are costing the UK Government lots of money; do we need to worry!!

(click on the above for a clear image)

The full report can be seen at OFCOM

5 MHz newsletter Autum 2013

Keep up to date with 5 MHz activity.

5 MHz

Spectrum plan for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games

It looks like the spectrum use for the Commonwealth Games may not require the use of Amateur Bands.
The current plan can be seen here:
Spectrum Plan

 

 

(click on the above for a better image)

International Amateur Radio Union - Intruder Alert

The Amateur bands are always being abused around the World and we do have some dedicated Amateurs who regularly monitor the situation and report their findings.

 

(click on the above for a clearer image)

Have a look at the October 2013 report:

Intruder Alert

 

DX-world.net news

Many thanks to DX-World for this information

(Click on the image for an improved view)

Using the Ofcom online licensing service

It seems that Amateurs are finding it difficult to use the OFCOM on line services to maintain their licence. So they have made available a help leaflet and it's here for you to download:

OFCOM

CQ-WW-SSB contest entered by GT8IOM

The Island Radio Club had a go at a big contest this week end; great fun was had by all and the results were far better than expected. On a number of occasions it seemed like the World was trying to contact the Isle of Man.

See the story:

GT8IOM

Building a TS-990

This is how your next Christmas gift will be built!

TS990

The wonders of modern radio (1939 New Zealand)

Here is a nice story about sending greeting via radio in 1939.

Radio 1939

WICEN (Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network) Australia, called to help in Bush Fire emergency.

(click on the text for a better image)

JOTA this weekend (19-20 October 2013)

So that JOTA can enjoy a good weekend on the radio please keep the contest free frequencies available.

(click on the above for a clearer image)

Previous RSGB manager pays up!

Thanks to the RSGB for this news

Click on the above text for a better image

Times of India reports on Amateur Radio help with Cyclone Phailin.

The Times of India

AM/SSB for CB users in the UK - OFCOM are thinking about it!

OFCOM wish to consider an EU directive which allows CB users to Tx using AM/SSB.
Frequencies, power etc has already been agreed in Europe and the UK has started to think about allowing it happen legally, possibly some time next year.

Read the OFCOM consultation document:

OFCOM and CB Radio

Remember to reply to the consultation document by 5pm on 8th November 2013.

"I'm gone"

OFCOM are reviewing the Amateur licence.

 

RSGB News

Click on the text for a better image.

RSGB News Item

American FCC shutdown plan when USA Government takes a siesta.

USA Government is shutting down for a time while it has a chat about money.
The communications commission has a plan to shut down many of it's services.

FCC Plan

OFCOM appoints a new head of spectrum management.

IOM Government wishing to replace or upgrade TETRA communications system.

(Click on the text for a clearer view)

Tony Hancock - Amateur Radio Training Video

Just for your entertainment and to bring back some distant memories.

Tony Hancock

Summer 5MHz newsletter

If you are interested in working on 5MHz this newsletter will be of great interest.

5MHz

New ICOM IC-7100 Radio

Have a look at a good video demonstrating the features of this new ICOM radio.
The radio is small and full of fantastic features using touch screen technology and also covering 70MHz.

ICOM IC-7100

Amateur radio is to blame!!

QRP HF Radio from China

QRP transceiver from China covers all the usual HF bands and is available for around £255.

Tranceiver

UK MOD undertake wide band HF Data and Video trials.

Ministry of Defense Trials

Huntsville Hamfest live

Watch the Huntsville Hamfest live (great quality video), join the chat room and you may win a prize tomorrow (Saturday).

Hamfest

Are you going to the UK National Hamfest!

 

The National Hamfest  takes place on 27th and 28th September.

Hamfest

Silent Key of a well known Amateur

This gentleman was well known around the World and I understand had visited the Isle of Man.
RIP OM.

(ARRRL News)

CB Radio is still alive!

Just thought some of you old CB operators would be interested to know that the hobby is still alive!

 (click on the above image for a larger view)

Monitoring the local repeaters.

I saw your post re the Android app for listening to the local repeaters. Just for information, the feeds can be listened to using any web browser by visiting http://www.manxrepeaters.com/index.php/78-iom-repeaters/84-gb3im-listen
Registration is not required.
Listeners can also visit  http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/ctid/4531, where there is a choice of selection of player types available. The web player seems to work well enough.
I have used the “911 Scanner” application on my Windows ‘phone and that works well.
It’s worth noting that the streaming delay is something like 35 seconds. I think that this is due to buffering in the player rather than a delay anywhere else.

Dave

(Many thanks to Dave gd4hoz the repeater keeper for that information)

OFCOM frequency allocation table for the UK (2013)

An interesting publication from OFCOM.

OFCOM FAT

Special prefix for Belgium

(Many thanks to EURA for that news)

Click on the image for a better view.

GB3GD and the IOM repeater network are now available to monitor on an Internet scanner.

This Android app is available free of charge.
With this app you can also monitor other interesting radio transitions from around the World, particular USA first responder services.

Also the IOM repeater network is available to listen to on the same Internet scanner .

RSGB Manager talks about his vision for the future of Amateur Radio.

Go to:

BATC

Then select as follows from the BATC.TV site:

New scanners at IOM Post office, bring in new postal regulations.

The IOM Post Office have now installed a new scanning system for the parcel service; this brings with it new H&S concerns and hence new regulations about what can and can't be posted.
You will now be asked at the counter to scan a large list of restricted items and verify that you are not breaking the regulations with your parcel.
It is interesting to note that a number of types of batteries are on the "you can not post" list:

"Batteries that are classified as dangerous goods by the

latest edition of the Technical Instructions for Safe

Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air published by the

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) including

wet spillable lead acid/lead alkaline batteries (such as

car batteries), lithium batteries when not sent with or in

equipment, damaged batteries of any type, together with

used alkaline and nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries"

Look at the following PDF file before you decide to post any items from the Island.

Postal Regulations

Solar activity weakest in the last 100yrs.

Though the sun is currently in the peak year of its 11-year solar weather cycle, our closest star has been rather quiet over all, scientists say.
This year's solar maximum is shaping up to be the weakest in 100 years and the next one could be even more quiescent, scientists said Thursday (July 11).
"It's the smallest maximum we've seen in the Space Age," David Hathaway of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., told reporters in a teleconference.

Is there enough money in the kitty?

For sale Second World War radio communications bunker.

Bunker

Your clock may start to tell the wrong time!

 

 (RSGB News)

Please click on the text for a better image

Interesting USA proposal

The USA amateur radio emergency communications organisations are requesting
the possibility of using encrypted communications during emergencies or related exercises.
The proposal has been submitted by AB1PH (Don Rolph).

(Click on text for a better image)

(From ARRL News)

Progress with GD and IM repeaters on Snaefell

Repeaters

Click the link above to read the latest report on fixing the Isle of Man repeaters.

You will now see a further update from today's visit (23-06-13)

The new antenna on Snaefell.

New small antenna analyser for around £160 (minus battery pack)

This new product seems ideal for checking your antenna in the field.

antenna analyser

Emergency Communications agreement with the Polish Government and the Amateur Radio Union

(please click on above text for easy reading)

Some progress with GB3GD

The local 2mt repeater GB3GD now has a new antenna, but there are some issues which will be reviewed over the coming weekend.

Please keep up to date with progress by viewing the repeater web site before you try and make any contacts.

Repeater Web Site

(Many thanks to GD4HOZ for this information)

Keep a 2mt/70cm radio in your car when traveling in the UK

(click on the map for a larger image)

Consumers in 99.7% of the UK’s premises (homes and offices) can already make and receive phone calls and send and receive text messages using mobile connections from at least one operator.
However, some premises, typically in more sparsely populated areas, still do not have outdoor  2G mobile coverage from any operator. These premises are defined as being in a ‘complete mobile not-spot ’.
 .......................................................................................
Mobile phone coverage is still very poor in the UK as the OFCOM map above shows with red spots, so if you are traveling in the UK it's still a good idea to keep an amateur radio in the car in case you need to communicate with the outside world.

OFCOM report
2m Repeaters
70cm Repeaters
BBC Story

New Frequencies for Spanish Amateurs

(Click on the text for a better view)

Thanks to RSGB News for this item

First job using SUGRU.

First try using SUGRU - had to fit head mount clip for a FTM-10R transceiver into the car; did not wish to use screws and had to be able to remove it without any damage at a later date.
Arranged some SUGRU under the clip pressed it down and left it overnight. Next morning perfect fit and stronger than using screws - very happy.

SUGRU an interesting product.

I wonder if anyone has tried this product for Amateur Radio use - fix an antenna coax into it's plug, repair broken parts, put feet on the bottom of a radio, made a tuning knob easier to turn etc?

SURU

ARRL News in MP3 format

ARRL News

Logbook of the World

 

(ARRL News)

Click on text for a clear image

Russia causing inteference on 3.5MHz

(click on text for a clear image)

Many thanks to RSGB for this news.

Israeli now able to use 5MHz

(click on text for a clear image)

Many thanks to RSGB for this news.

Monitor 60 metres (5MHz) on a nice SDR receiver in Bolton (UK).

If you would like to check out 5MHz activity, try this nice SDR web based receiver in Bolton.

5MHz

Many thanks to g4hyg and Cross Country Wireless for this facility.

5MHz News

Read the latest information on the 5MHz band (RSGB news).

5MHz Newsletter

Click on the above link for the PDF file.

New 4mtr and 6mtr SSB CW radio

New Radio

More information is now available (29/04/13)

more information

Chinese Amateur's provide emergency communications

(ARRL News - click on the news sheet for a better view)

Amateur Radio Licence Examinations (UK)

UK Amateur Radio Exam Committee Report 2012

The report shows that in 2012 the number of exams taken and number of candidates in all grades of licence exceeded those for 2011, however, in the RSGB Board Proceedings for February 16 it was reported that in January 2013 the number of candidates taking exams had slumped by 17% compared to January 2012.
(click on the table for a clearer image)

South Africa to get 5MHz channels

(RSGB news)

Amateur Radio at the Boston Marathon

 

(RSGB News)

 

HF Prediction April 2013

The predictions below are valid for April, 2013
The figures represent percentage availability, i.e. 1 means the path should be open between 1 and 19% of days, 2 means the path should be open between 20 and 29% of days, etc. The colours represent expected signal strength, i.e. Black = low to very low signals, Blue = fair signals and Red = strong signals. 

Click on the Pictures for a clearer view.(RSGB)

World Amateur Radio Day - 18th April

 (From RSGB News)

GT8IOM working hard for the ARRL International DX Contest

These contests are hard work! results to follow.