Welcome to the Lothians Radio Society

Details

This year the RSGB Convention will be held online on Sat 10th October and will be free, with a very interesting program of lectures live-streamed on the RSGB's YouTube channel. For full information, go to:    https://rsgb.org/main/about-us/rsgb-convention/

After the keynote address by Eric Swartz WA6HHQ of Elecraft, there will be two streams, "An introduction to ..." & "Learn more about ...". The following selection are talks likely to be of interest to LRS members, taken from both streams.

09:00: Keynote: Behind the scenes at Elecraft, from the K2 to K4, Eric Swartz WA6HHQ.

10:00: QRO Magnetic Loop Antennas, Rael Paster M0RTP.

11:00: VHF Propagation & Weather, Jim Bacon G3YLA.

12:00: The Magic of Six Meters, Chris Deacon G4IFX

13:00: DSP: Underlying Concepts, William Eustace M0WJE

14:00: VHF/UHF Radios for Contesting & DXing, Alwyn Seeds G8DOH

15:00: Ionoscatter on 50 & 144MHz, Palle Preben-Hansen OZ1RH

16:00: Getting Started on Low Earth Orbit Satellites, Peter Goodhall 2M0SQL

The complete list is also in RadCom Oct 2020 pp. 26-27, so check it out!

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Details

There were 9 participants in the 25th LRS Viral Net on 23rd September: Controller Colin GM4HWO, Briain GM8PKL, Mike GM8KCS, Pete GM4BYF, Alan GM3PSP, Peter GM4DTH, Brian GM4DIJ, Norrie GM1CNH, and Melvyn GM4HYR who squeaked in at the end for a quick hello! Colin reported that he and Pete were still working on the disposal of Andre GM3VLB's gear, nearly finished now. Briain had just bought a "clampometer" (or current clamp meter) and had completed his new antenna base. Mike had been busy revamping his antenna feeders which were showing significant losses, but he had worked an EI and a GM in Kintyre on 2m at the weekend. He mentioned a possible portable site near Innerwick and Colin also mentioned one at a redundant mast at Coldingham. Pete had worked several PA0s and a DL on 2m the previous evening plus another PA on 23cm CW. Alan mentioned new items on the website: the Seawater Antenna and the likely re-opening of the Barnton Quarry Nuclear Bunker soon. There was agreement that this would make an interesting visit. Colin has a contact there. Alan would also put up information about the RSGB Convention which will be free and 100% virtual this year with a very interesting program of lectures. Peter mentioned a software bug in the audio recording software which he has now fixed. Brian was just back from 4 weeks in Galloway. Norrie had been at home, painting, even a few days at work.

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The next LRS Viral Net #26 will be on Wed 30th Sept at 20:00a on 144.350MHz SSB - all welcome!

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Details

Click on item to open. Send items to GM3PSP.
Archived as News or Silent Keys in LRS Archive

1. RADIO NEWS ITEMS (Click on for full info).

2020-09-20 Seawater Antenna (Tnx Briain GM8PKL).

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2020-09-17 Barnton Quarry Nuclear Bunker to open to public soon, after 9 years of refurbishment.

Photo courtesy EEN.

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2020-09-16 It's Official - Solar Cycle 25 has begun! Forecast to be fairly weak, similar to Cycle 24.

Chart courtesy Spaceweather.com

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2020-09-08 Historic photo of Harry Matthews of Museum of Communication published in Evening News.

1983 photo when museum was at Edinburgh University. Photo courtesy Museum of Comunication, Burntisland.

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SCOTTISH RALLIES, MEETINGS 2020 CANCELLED:

- 17 Oct - GMDX AGM

- 25 Oct - Galashiels Rally 

- 07 Nov - GMRT - Scottish Microwave Round Table 

2. SILENT KEYS (Click item for full SK). 

3. ITEMS FOR SALE  (Click item for details)

2020-09-19 Updated list reduced prices Dave GM6KGZ

2020-09-18 Updated List - Norrie GM1CNH

4. ITEMS WANTED 

2020-07-28 NAG-144XL 2m valve amplifier or similar unit (possibly Dressler). Condition not a problem as long as the transformer is OK - Brian GM8BJF

5. NEW ON LRS WEBSITE

1969-07 - Distasteful VHF Contest Practice - letter to RadCom Editor from LRS members. (Archival). 

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Details

The LRS GM3HAM/P contest group were active during the 2m Trophy Contest from our usual site near Gatehouse of Fleet in Dumfries & Galloway.

Participants were: Colin GM4HWO, Brian GM8BJF, Mike GM4IGS, Norrie GM1CNH, Bob MM0XRI (guest), Rob MM0RHU (guest) and Peter GM4DTH, with apologies (H&S) from Alan GM3PSP & Pete GM4BYF.

The station made 196 QSOs plus a few dupes.

Best DX: F6DKW 57097 JN18cs in Paris at 808.4km

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Photos - by Colin GM4HWO & Andy MM0FMF. 

L-R: Andy MM0FMF, Brian GM8BJF, Mike GM4IGS, Norrie GM1CNH, Colin GM4HWO, Bob MM0XRI, Rob MM0RHU & Peter GM4DTH - suitably masked!

 

 Andy MM0FMF  

Peter GM4DTH 

 Colin GM4HWO in his cook tent where he made great bacon rolls on both mornings and a superb barbecue on the Saturday evening.

 

GM4DIJ Recording of GM3HAM/P QSO with G4AQB.

(Full report in Society Activities) Click.

 

 

Details



 

                                         GM8BJF/P                                  GM4BYF/P 

Brian GM8BJF reports: Pete GM4BYF and myself have recently built up VK3CV 122GHz (2.4cm wavelength)  transceiver boards into portable systems and have been doing some tests with them. On Thursday 23rd July we had what we believe wss the first GM to GM contact across a distance of 0.69 km between two hills in Edinburgh and on Saturday 25th July we went down to the English border and had what we believe to be the first GM to G contact on the band. 

Interestingly, Doppler effects were observed even at walking speed on this band (no fire-engine required)!             
We were using the system in its most basic form with 25 mm circular horns. Plans are now afoot to add refinements such as GPS locking and improved antennas and try for longer paths having established the basic functionality of our setups.

John G3XDY of the UK Microwave Group has confirmed that these are "Firsts" for GM/GM & GM/G on 122GHz. Certificates will be awarded. Congratulations to Brian and Pete.

QSO summaries by Pete GM4BYF / G4BYF:

Thursday 23/07/20 First GM/GM qso timed at 1521 UTC GM4BYF/P <> GM8BJF/P;  GM8BJF/P was received at 57 and GM4BYF/P was received at 55 distance 700m Blackford Hill to Braid Hills Road.

Saturday 25/07/20 First GM/G qso timed at 1531 UTC. reports 59 both ways GM8BJF/P <> G4BYF/P 160m crossing Carham Burn (south of the River Tweed between Kelso and Coldstream).

Second QSO 25/07/20 GM/G timed at 1553 UTC. reports 59 both ways G8BJF/P <> GM4BYF/P.

     GM8BJF/P seen across the border from G4BYF/P.                                 (International DX !)

Full details with more photos and 3 short videos are on Brian's website at: 
https://gm8bjf.joomla.com/2-uncategorised/23-122-ghz-activities 

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Details

 

Brian GM4DIJ returned to his favourite portable location at IO74mu about 8km south of Stranraer, to operate in the 70MHz Trophy contest on 19th July. 

Brian's station was an FT847 into a TE Systems linear amp with 100W output. The antenna was the 11-element VHF NFD yagi re-spaced as a 6 element, which was a struggle to erect to 5m in the wind, but at least the wx was sunny.

Valid QSOs: 30

Claimed QSO points: 9224

Claimed # of exchanges: 23

Claimed # of DXCCs: 4

Claimed total score: 249,048

Best DX: G3XDY; JO02ob; 513km.

Mni tnx to Brian for providing this report.

See also Brian's 23cm entry in March 2020

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Details

 WorldRadioHistory.com

 

Many thanks to Brian GM8BJF who has just reported finding a potentially very useful website: https://WorldRadioHistory.com which provides detailed links to a very large number of publications serving the Amateur, Broadcasting and Music interests. You can search for specific pages in the publications, from the first edition onwards.  

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Details

Brian GM4DIJ has just received this from his friends in the SOC - Second-Class Operators Club:

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From SOC mailing list

Temporary Ham Radio Q-Codes for our times:

QLD: I am locked down.

QUA: I am quarantined.

QPD: I am in the middle of a pandemic.

QTP: I have toilet paper. Want to trade for a new car?

QFC: I am flattening the curve.

QHG: I need a hug.

QSH: I am sheltering in place.

QHS: I have hand sanitizer. Want to trade for two new cars?

QSD: I am observing social distancing.

QCV: I hate Coronavirus

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MESSAGE FROM RSGB TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS

Dave Wilson, M0OBW, RSGB President, and Ian Shepherd, G4EVK, RSGB Board Chair have a message to radio amateurs.

“We hope that you all understand the very serious nature of the current health crisis. As you are now aware, the situation has dramatically worsened and we have all been ordered to stay at home unless travelling for a specific and unavoidable reason. As radio amateurs we are in the fortunate position of being able to talk to other amateurs and chat to those who are finding it tough going. Ian and I are asking you, as radio amateurs, to please do one thing for us: search out local amateurs and arrange a sked, not necessarily on air: there are many alternatives we can all use such as video calls, or even a simple phone call. Pay particular attention to those who you know or learn to be alone or who are vulnerable for whatever reason. We are all in this together! Keep safe.”

  1. 01 April 2020 - HAM COVID-19 Guidelines
  2. 17 March 2020 - LRS MEETINGS POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
  3. 8 March 2020 - GM4DIJ 23cm DXpedition to Stranraer
  4. 11th March 2020 - How Not to Sail to the Faeroe Islands - Geoff Crowley MM5AHO