Welcome to the Lothians Radio Society

Details

There were 9 participants in the 14th LRS Viral Net on 8th July, controlled by Colin GM4HWO: Briain GM8PKL, Pete GM4BYF, Brian GM8BJF in Peebles. Mike GM8KCS, Alan GM3PSP, Norrie GM1CNH, Peter GM4DTH & John GM8OTI. Brian GM8BJF had rotated his antenna to 45 degrees vertical and was heard for the first time by several stations at about 4&1, a significant improvement! With viral conditions improving gradually and participation laws being relaxed, future events were discussed - a possible Pub Night in August if a suitable beer-garden can be found, an expedition to Gatehouse in the first weekend in September, possibly more for social reasons than a contest score, and a Junk Sale at St Fillan's in October. Pete GM4BYF has been making arrangements for GM3HAM QSLs to be distributed via LOTW as no volunteer has come forward to replace him as QSL Manager. 

GM8PKL's 2m cloverleaf. Edinburgh Castle in distance.

==========================================

The next LRS Viral Net will be held on Wed 15 July at 20:00a on 144.350MHz SSB - all welcome!

==========================================

On the 1st of July, Colin GM4HWO was back in control on the 13th net with participants: Briain GM8PKL, Mike GM8KCS, Alan GM3PSP, Peter GM4DTH, Pete GM4BYF, Brian GM8BJF in Peebles, heard only by GM4BYF and Brian GM4DIJ; also Norrie GM1CNH. At this time it doesn't look as though LRS Pub Nights in July & Aug are ready to resume. Colin suggested that we should plan for a portable contest at Gatehouse of Fleet in early September. We have had a membership enquiry from a recent GM7 who has returned to radio after about 20 years, whom we are advising about equipment and antennas for VHF / UHF operation from a flat in Newington.

========================================= 

With "apologies for absence" from Colin GM4HWO, the 12th net was controlled on 24th June by Peter GM4DTH. This was the date when we should have had the Lothians Summer Barbecue at Bates Motel. Net participants were: Mike GM8KCS, Alan GM3PSP, John GM8OTI, Norrie GM1CNH, Pete GM4BYF who relayed input from Brian GM8BJF in Peebles; Briain GM8PKL, Brian GM4DIJ, who could also hear BJF; Mike GM0MMN in Kirkcaldy and Willy GM0CII in Edinburgh. It was reported that BJF's 1296MHz beacon GB3EDN had been received in Sweden at 960km.

Mike GM8KCS in his well-equipped shack in Buckstone.

(Also added to "LRS Members and their Shacks") 

=========================================

Numbers were a little light on the 11th net on 17th June with 9 calling in: Colin GM4HWO (controller), Peter GM4DTH, Alan GM3PSP, Brian GM8BJF (Peebles), Peter GM4BYF, John GM8OTI, Mike GM8KCS, Briain GM8PKL, and Brian GM4DIJ. but we had a good chat on what we had been doing in Amateur Radio during the last week. 

=========================================

The 10th net which was held on 10th June (and which should have been the LRS AGM!) attracted 13 participants: Colin GM4HWO (controller) Pete GM4BYF, Brian GM8BJF (Peebles), Peter GM4DTH, Alan GM3PSP, John GM8OTI, Norrie GM1CNH, Briain GM8PKL, Mike GM8KCS, Brian GM4DIJ, Melvyn GM4HYR, Steve MM0XPZ (Greenock), & Nathan MM3NDH. We discussed what we were doing to keep busy / sane during the viral shut-down. More photos of smiling operators were requested. 

========================================= 

  

2m rig  that John GM8OTI uses on the net 

=========================================

(Earlier Viral Net reports added to

"Meeting Reports".

=========================================

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).

2020-06-28 Time-Lapse Video of 10 years of the Sun's History

==========================================

2020-06-25 - Photo of GB2RS "Studio" at GM4DTH:

=========================================

2020-06-24 GB3EDN beacon on 1296MHz heard in Sweden at 960km (GM8BJF).

2020-06-24 LRS BBQ POSTPONED - date TBD.

2020-06-10 LRS AGM POSTPONED - date TBD.

2020-05-24 Report on 8JXX2 yagi for 2m portable use by Norrie GM1CNH.

=========================================

2020-05-20 Marconi wireless telegraph equipment to be recovered from the Titanic wreck of 1912.

Photo courtesy MSN News

 

Reproduction of Titanic receiver room at the Antique Wireless Museum in Bloomfield NY. Equipment condition unlikely to be very good after 108 years! 

========================================

2020-05-07 Terry Robinson GM3WUX featured in Glasgow Evening Times article.

Photo courtesy Glasgow Evening Times

Terry has been a very welcome guest operator at GM3HAM/P on 6m & 4m VHF NFD for several years.

=====================================

2020-03-31 Social Distancing 

MHz!

ALSO: click for special instructions.

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

3. ITEMS FOR SALE  (Click item for details)

2020-07-08 Updated list from Dave GM6KGZ

2020-05-02 Silent Key Sale List Updated - GM1CNH

4. ITEMS WANTED 

5. NEW ON LRS WEBSITE

 ===================================

Details

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

...................................................................................

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

========================================

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.”

Details

EFFECTIVE APRIL 01, 2020.

Amateur Radio operators are ordered to strictly observe the Coronavirus mitigation guidelines as they apply to amateur radio operating.

All ham radio operators are encouraged to stay at least 6 feet from the microphone in order to maintain proper separation from others.  The distance may be reduced if a mask is put on the microphone.

CW operators should wear appropriate gloves when handling keys.  Speakers should be securely covered with .01 micron particulate HEPA filters. 

There should be no more than 10 stations on the same frequency at the same time.

Disinfect your knobs, switches, etc before operating ... especially touch screens and PTT.  Shoe covers should be worn when using foot switches.  Use of hands-free VOX is strongly encouraged although from 6 feet away, it may be necessary to shout.

Disinfect all antenna cables coming into the station.

Only mobile stations and walkie-talkie contacts are permitted where sit-down service has been banned.   The 6 ft microphone separation guideline is suspended for these types of operation, but a mask on the microphone is strongly recommended.

Mobile operators are encouraged to remain in their vehicles except to get necessities.

Operators should leave their operating positions only for necessities.

Outdoor antenna work is allowed as long as there is social distancing among all who are present.

Hoarding of batteries, spare tubes, coax, etc. is discouraged and is unfair to others.  We are in this together.

New equipment and parts should be ordered online for front porch delivery.

Do not test (tune) your equipment unnecessarily. That is wasteful and inconsiderate. Testing should be reserved for those who actually need it.

Your understanding and cooperation in this matter is mandatory while particularly observing the Effective Date. 

(By NL7XM, received via N2BEG, Rochester NY).

Details

In view of the current Coronavirus pandemic with the risk of infection being passed from one person to another when attending meetings, the LRS Committee has decided to stop all meetings for the time being at the Braid Hills Hotel and the Surplus Equipment Sale at St Fillans' Church, up to and including 24th June (BBQ).

Alan J. Masson GM3PSP

LRS President. 

PS - Click for special instructions.

========================================

PS In the meantime, if you have any reports on your radio activities - portable expeditions, technical projects etc, that you would like to share with LRS members, please let me have them, preferably with photos (and not too much maths!), and I will put them up to keep the website fresh. 

========================================

The first is already up (GM4DIJ 23cm DXpedition)     - see this page. - psp.

========================================

 

Details

 

Brian Howie GM4DIJ took part in the UK Microwave 23cm contest on Sunday 8th March from a site near Stranraer. He has kindly provided these photographs. 

Click for full report with more photos.

=======================================

Details

Geoff's yacht Contender approaching Rockall during a charity sail there in 2018.

At the meeting on March 11th our good friend Geoff Crowley MM5AHO returned to talk about "How Not to Sail to the Faeroe Islands". 

Synopsis: Sleep deprivation is a problem in radio contesting and also in sailing single-handed. Geoff Crowley does both, and he recounted a few experiences during 2019 when lack of sleep caused problems in both sailing and in contesting. Some further examples from 2018, including a 1000 mile round trip to Rockall added interest about managing 24 hour activity. 

Click for full report including summary by Vic GM3OWU, and Geoff's slides.

========================================

 

Details

Photo courtesy RadCom

The RSGB Convention video "The Raspberry Pi Explained for Radio Amateurs" by Mike Richards G4WNC was shown  by James GM4WZP at the meeting on 26th February 2020. Click for short report with link to the video (RSGB Members only).

This lecture is based upon a new RSBG book by Mike - see above / click here.

========================================

 

  1. 12th February 2020 - Robot Wars + Rampaging Chariots - Dr Roger Hill
  2. 22nd Jan 2020 - Aircraft Scatter & Useful Test Equipment for it - Pete Bates GM4BYF
  3. 8th Jan 2020 - LRS Video Night - "The Cold War" at Edinburgh Cine & Video Society
  4. 11th December 2019 - LRS Christmas Curry at the Gurkha