News

 

12/10/09

Essex radio ham receives ISS picture

Essex radio amateur David Barber, G8OQW has just captured his first, and possibly the UK's first slow scan tv image from the International Space Station's current SSTV operation.

 

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11/10/09

GB2RS 40m news broadcasts to resume

Last week we reported some important changes to the GB2RS news reading arrangements on 7.150MHz in the 40m band. The RSGB have now appointed two main readers who are some 1300kms apart and whose skywave signals will jointly cover the UK.

The reading at 10am UK local time is now re-instated and will serve listeners to the North of Birmingham, whilst the new 1030 hours reading will generally cover those to the South of Birmingham. Listeners as far away as Iceland and Poland should be able to receive one of these readings under the present propagation conditions.

As the new Sunspot cycle climbs back to its hoped-for peak around the time of the London Olympic Games in 2012 and beyond, one news reader only may then be able to cover the whole of the UK.

At present Near Vertical Incidence Skywave Propagation (NVIS) is not possible on 7MHz at 0900 hours UTC, because the Critical Frequency is no higher than 5MHz.

Listeners who would like 24-hour real-time ionospheric data can download this from a sounder at Fairford, Gloucestershire. Click here.

 

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11/10/09

Ofcom statement on Channel 4 and DAB radio

On Friday Channel 4 informed the UK regulator Ofcom of its decision to withdraw from 4 Digital Group, the consortium which was awarded a licence for the second national commercial DAB radio multiplex last year.

A statement by Ofcom can be viewed by clicking here.  

Ofcom recognises that the economic environment is very challenging and that all organisations need to make decisions in light of the circumstances they face.

Ofcom and the Government have supported DAB through the licensing of services and Ofcom continues to believe that DAB offers listeners real benefits. There are now 7.7 million DAB devices in the UK with 11 per cent of all radio listening through these.

Next steps

Ofcom will meet the other members of 4 Digital Group over the next few days to discuss how they propose to take matters forward. Ofcom is also in discussions with other multiplex operators and the BBC, to consider how best to secure a viable outcome which is in the interests of radio listeners and the industry.

In addition, Ofcom continues to support the work of the Digital Radio Working Group which is considering the obstacles to the further take-up of digital radio.

 

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10/10/09

Pennsylvania becomes 27th state with PRB-1 law 

On Wednesday, October 8, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell (D) signed into law a bill that guarantees radio amateurs the right to erect antenna support structures up to 65 feet without the need for a Special Use Permit.

The bill passed in the House with a vote of 196-1; it passed in the Senate with a vote of 49-1. The new law is scheduled to go into effect December 8, 60 days after signing.

Senate Bill 884 (now Act 88), An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Restricting Municipalities from Regulating Amateur Radio Service Communications, was first introduced on June 1, 2007 by Pennsylvania Senator Stewart J. Greenleaf (R) who represents portions of Bucks and Montgomery Counties.

The bill requires local municipalities to "reasonably accommodate amateur radio service communications, and to impose only the minimum regulations necessary to accomplish the legitimate purpose of the municipality" and says that "no ordinance, regulation, plan or any other action shall restrict amateur radio antenna height to less than 65 feet above ground level, but a municipality may impose necessary regulations to ensure the safety of amateur radio antenna structures, but must reasonably accommodate amateur service communications."

 

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10/10/09

Cape Town's tow-truck jammers

 

It has been alleged in main stream media that some of Cape Town's tow truck drivers are almost certainly using sophisticated "cell phone jammers" to ensure that accident victims cannot contact other tow truck drivers or even emergency services.

According to research by a member of the Cape Town Amateur Radio Centre, cell phone reception is "compromised" at the scene of car accidents whenever
certain tow truck operators arrive.

Andre van der Merwe, the national chair of the South African Towing and Recovery Association (Satra), said he had "no doubt" some operators were using cell phone jamming equipment and urged motorists to report drivers scrambling cell phone signals. A member writes in the Cape Town Amateur Radio Centre's latest newsletter: "The objective is very simple - no cell phone access, no help can be summoned, the victims are forced to use their towing services.

Cell phone jamming equipment transmits a wide-band, low-power jamming signal in the cell phone bands. Banned in many countries, it may be used in South Africa only with an "appropriate transmitting licence" from the Independent
Communications Authority of SA (Icasa).

 

 

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IC-7200 - Rugged HF/50MHz Rig with IF DSP!

 

The Icom IC-7200 offers an excellent overall specification coupled with ease of use.

The controls on the front panel are water resistant, providing a measure of protection against the elements. The IC-7200 has a rugged build, which means that this rig can be used in the field as well as in the shack.

The front-mounted speaker provides clear audio sounds that can be clearly heard during operation. The '7200 sports a "rear bumper" which provides protection for the radio for storage and transportation with the radio standing on the rear panel.

Some of the main features of this model include:

• 100-Watts transmitter. All mode, general coverage receiver, covering 30kHz -60.000 MHz.
• The built-in digital filter allows you to flexibly select the filter width and shape from soft and sharp and provides cutting edge filter characteristics. This makes optional filters a thing of the past for this model.
• Twin Passband tuning allows you to tailor your IF passband by electronically shifting the upper and lower edges of the IF filter. This allows you to either narrow the IF passband, or shift the entire passband to eliminate interfering signals.
• The IC-7200 comes with a high stability oscillator, providing +/-0.5ppm frequency stability with all the versatility of Icom's "IF" DSP.
• Manual notch filter delivers more than 70dB of attenuation. Strong interfering tones will be eliminated without adversely affecting the AGC loop performance. On the bottom right of the front panel, a dedicated control knob adjusts the notch filter frequency.
• USB port The USB port provides PC control as well as the possibility of recording incoming calls and/or transmits pre-programmed messages from your PC. (3rd Party Software required.)

Ian Lockyer, Marketing Manager at Icom (UK) Ltd said,
'While the IC-7200 is an entry-class transceiver, by utilising the latest IF DSP technology the IC-7200 provides advanced digital features which are comparable to higher class transceivers.'

 

Full product details, click here.

 

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Lithuanian Amateur Radio Society Special Event

Members of the Lithuanian Amateur Radio Society (LRMD) are celebrating its 70th anniversary.

To mark their 70th anniversary, LRMD will be issuing special ceramic medals for radio amateurs who make contact with the 12 special event stations using the prefix LY70 (as well as all the other LY stations active), and collecting 70 points during the period between October 2nd and November 30th (2008).

Points for EU stations are: LY70 station - 10 points, other LY stations 5 points. DX stations: LY70 - 20 points, LY - 10 points.

Necessary QSOs are: DX stations (3 QSOs with LY70 sations), and EU stations (5 QSOs with LY70 stations). Contacts with the same station on different bands and modes are possible.

Price for special ceramic medal is 10 EURO. Application deadline is December 31st, 2009. Send certified list of contacts (no QSLs) and payment to: LRMD Award Manager, P. O. Box 1000, LT-01014 Vilnius-1, Lithuania.

Look for the following special LY70 stations:

LY70LRMD - LY3W    LY70PAX - LY2PAX    LY70X - LY3X
    LY70AE - LY2AE     LY70QT - LY2QT     LY70Q - LY4Q
    LY70FE - LY2FE      LY70BY - LY3BY     LY70A - LY5A
  LY70GW - LY2GW      LY70M - LY3M      LY70W - LY5W

 

For more details, visit the following Web pages at:
http://www.lrmd.lt/en/awards.htm
http://www.LRMD.lt

 

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RSGB unhappy with Ofcom over PLT inaction

After waiting for nearly two years for a response from Ofcom over the introduction of possibly non-compliant power line adapters, the RSGB was extremely disappointed to hear from Ofcom that they do not intend to do anything about it.

RSGB President Colin Thomas, G3PSM, has written to Ofcom stating the RSGB’s concerns that Ofcom are failing to deliver on their statutory duty of ensuring the optimal use of the electro-magnetic spectrum especially in the HF bands.

The RSGB will continue to pursue Ofcom on this matter.

The full statement and an extract of the letter sent by RSGB President can be found on the RSGB website. It will also appear in the November edition of RadCom.

 

Click here for the statement

 

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From Front Page

BPL Interference

As you are aware, one of the single most serious issues to hit the UK is BPL.  These units that are being marketed by BT, Argos and Maplins are the biggest causes of interference to the HF bands not only in the UK but also world wide.

Below is a copy of the text taken from the UKQRM Website.

"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers"

In this respect the deliberate or otherwise jamming of world band radio (shortwave) and amateur transmissions is in direct conflict with this act!
 

Are we going to stand by and allow the whole sale jamming of the short wave radio spectrum?

British Telecom with its BT Vision package and many independent electrical and computer stores/outlets are supplying power line adaptors to as many homes as they can.

Well there is one element of this package that is causing the death of short wave radio!

Shortwave radio is the medium used by most International Broadcasters to transmit their programming to the World. Commonly referred to as World Band Radio, it has amazing properties that allow world wide communications and it has been in use since Marconi made his first historic transmissions.

Shortwave broadcasts are found in the 2Mhz to 30Mhz band of the radio spectrum (just above the Medium waveband) and include many thousands of users: Military, Shipping, Long Range Aircraft communication, Space, Amateur, safety of lives and World Broadcasters.

Many Millions of people listen to short wave radio every day, some relying on it for their very existence. Modern short wave equipment is very sophisticated and can even be computer controlled.
Shortwave radios cost from a few pounds to many thousands of pounds, there is a huge world market in shortwave equipment!

We believe it is of paramount importance that its uninterrupted use is
maintained and protected.

The full report can be found by clicking on the link below:-

Click here

 

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RS-30 Transmission on anniversary of Sputnik1

Saturday 4th October was the 51st anniversary of the launch of Spunik 1.

To commemorate this the amateur radio satellite RS-30 appears to have made a special transmission. RS-30, also known as Yubileiny, was launched on 23rd May 2008 and is known to transmit on both 435.315 and 435.215 MHz.

At 15:50 UT on 4th October DK3WN recorded the RS-30 signal on 435.315 MHz FM. During that pass the national anthem of the Russian Federation and sounds from Sputnik-1 were transmitted.

The recordings can be heard at:-

DK3WN SatBlog 'RS-30 sent national anthem' Click here

Article on new Russian Amateur Radio Satellite Click here

New Russian Satellite in orbit Click here

Wiki - RS-30 (Yubileiny) Click here

Wiki - Sputnik 1 Click here

 

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Kent Radio Amateurs assist ambulance service

The Radio Amateurs' Emergency Network has published this report on the recent call out of RAYNET groups to provide communications on behalf of South East Coast Ambulance.

Operators from South Kent, Thanet and Medway RAYNET groups were called in on Thursday evening (2nd October) to provide communications on behalf of South East Coast Ambulance.

SECAMB were undergoing routine power maintenance at their HQ when failure of their UPS and generator occurred. This in turn took out all telephones lines and the analogue radio system. As stated in the SECAMB emergency plans, Airwave provided 90 Airwave handsets and some 200+ batteries but these took some hours to arrive.

Kent Raynet provided operators at all East Kent and South Kent Ambulance Stations as well as the three A&E Hospitals in those areas. Routine traffic facilities between HQ and the outstations was provided, reducing the load on the Airwave system which was being used for all priority traffic. Additional operators travelled from South Sussex to provide assistance overnight, and further help from Essex was "in transit" on Friday morning as the call to stand down was received.

The telephone system and radios were restored by 9am Friday (3rd October), with Airwave continuing to be used as a contingency measure.

Richard Mason 2E0RAM, on behalf of Kent Raynet, has expressed his thanks to everyone who assisted by putting their zones, groups and operators on standby.