Monday, December 30, 2013

Spain gets permission to use 5 MHz



Monday, December 23, 2013

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!


Friday, December 20, 2013

The World Radiosport Team Championship

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

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Something to do after the Christmas Festivities!



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

Have fun!!


Wednesday, December 11, 2013

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


Monday, December 02, 2013

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)

Saturday, November 23, 2013

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

Monday, November 18, 2013

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


Sunday, November 10, 2013

5 MHz newsletter Autum 2013

Keep up to date with 5 MHz activity.

5 MHz

Saturday, November 09, 2013

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:

 

Monday, November 04, 2013

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

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

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

Monday, October 28, 2013

Building a TS-990

This is how your next Christmas gift will be built!

TS990


Monday, October 21, 2013

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)

Friday, October 18, 2013

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)

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Previous RSGB manager pays up!

Thanks to the RSGB for this news
Click on the above text for a better image

Tuesday, October 08, 2013

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"

Sunday, October 06, 2013

OFCOM are reviewing the Amateur licence.

RSGB News
Click on the text for a better image.
RSGB News Item


Wednesday, October 02, 2013

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.




Tuesday, September 17, 2013

IOM Government wishing to replace or upgrade TETRA communications system.


(Click on the text for a clearer view)

Wednesday, September 04, 2013

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

Saturday, August 31, 2013

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


Thursday, August 22, 2013

Amateur radio is to blame!!


Monday, August 19, 2013

QRP HF Radio from China


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

Tranceiver

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Friday, August 16, 2013

Huntsville Hamfest live

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

Hamfest

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Are you going to the UK National Hamfest!


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


Friday, August 09, 2013

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)

Saturday, July 27, 2013

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)

Thursday, July 25, 2013

OFCOM frequency allocation table for the UK (2013)



An interesting publication from OFCOM.

OFCOM FAT


Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Special prefix for Belgium


(Many thanks to EURA for that news)
Click on the image for a better view.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

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:


Monday, July 15, 2013

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


Sunday, July 14, 2013

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.

Monday, July 08, 2013

Is there enough money in the kitty?

For sale Second World War radio communications bunker.

Bunker


Saturday, July 06, 2013

Your clock may start to tell the wrong time!

 (RSGB News)
Please click on the text for a better image


Thursday, June 27, 2013

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)

Saturday, June 22, 2013

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.

Friday, June 21, 2013

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


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

antenna analyser

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

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)

Saturday, June 15, 2013

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



Monday, June 10, 2013

New Frequencies for Spanish Amateurs

(Click on the text for a better view)
Thanks to RSGB News for this item

Monday, June 03, 2013

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.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

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


Thursday, May 23, 2013

ARRL News in MP3 format





Logbook of the World


(ARRL News)
Click on text for a clear image

Sunday, May 19, 2013

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.

Monday, May 06, 2013

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.


Friday, May 03, 2013

5MHz News

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

5MHz Newsletter

Click on the above link for the PDF file.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

New 4mtr and 6mtr SSB CW radio

New Radio

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

more information

Thursday, April 25, 2013

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)

Friday, April 19, 2013

South Africa to get 5MHz channels

(RSGB news)


Amateur Radio at the Boston Marathon

(RSGB News)
 

Friday, April 12, 2013

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)

Thursday, April 11, 2013

GT8IOM working hard for the ARRL International DX Contest


These contests are hard work! results to follow.