RSGB Headlines

GB2RS NEWS
Sunday 5th June 2011
The news headlines:
• South Coast Olympic comms tests on 70cm this week
• New ARISS contact record
• Luso Tower sold
As previously announced, the RSGB has been approached by Ofcom to determine sections of the 70cm band that could be released for a limited period around the Olympic Games. The RSGB has has now received an update that the first communications tests for the Olympics affecting 70cm will take place in the Weymouth and Portland area between Friday 3 June and Wednesday 8 June. These will take the form of spot frequency telemetry transmissions in the range 431 to 432MHz plus some more limited activity around 436MHz. All amateurs are requested to respect these tests and not interfere with them. We understand that OFCOM have advised the Olympics organising committee that this spectrum should not be used for this purpose during the actual Games, although further tests may take place later this year.

After spending 157 days aboard the International Space Station, ESA Astronaut Paolo Nespoli, IZ0JPA answered questions of students from 45 different schools, setting a new ARISS record for a single astronaut. Expedition 26/27 established a new ARISS record, working 77 schools in 68 radio contacts during the mission.

The RSGB is pleased to report a great deal of interest in the Luso tower described in this month’s RadCom. Several members have expressed an interest in the 36m tower and we can report that it has been sold at the price originally paid for it.

The International Amateur Radio Union Monitoring System Region 1 newsletter is now available online on the IARUMS website, www.iarums-r1.org. You can see detailed reports from the national coordinators within Region 1.

The RSGB CW National Field Day finishes at 1500UTC today, 5 June, and stations will be looking to collect as many points as possible. QSOs on 160 and 10m count as double points and so expect the 10m band to be particularly popular. Results will appear in due course on the RSGB Contest Committee website.

GB3GD Repeater back in use

Our 2mtr repeater on Snaefell is now active once again... on a temporary basis for now, but at least "GB3GD" is just about workable. It has been given a temporary home on the west leg at a height of 6m, much lower than planned. Myles Ellis completed the install this morning and hopefully when the weather (wind) is acceptable they will complete full installation. Dave GD4HOZ will be testing the PC and logic control in the next few weeks to make sure all is well on top.

A Birthday Present?

Thinking of new toys for the shack have a look at the latest Amateur Radio Equipment available for your enjoyment!


Radio Equipment

GB4MNH

The special event callsign GB4MNH will once again be active on the 25th and 26th of June from the Old Grammar School in Castletown.
This is a IOMARS event to participate in "International Museums Weekend 2011"
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk/imw/

To make this a successful event for the Society we need support from our local Amateur community. Please put the dates in your diary and turn up to help with this event.

The Royal Wedding callsign!

The Royal Wedding