Welcome to the Lothians Radio Society

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The next LRS Viral Net, #63, will be on Wed 16th June at 20:00a on 144.350MHz SSB.

All welcome to call in!

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The participants in the very interesting Net #62 on 9th June were: Colin GM4HWO (controller), Pete GM4BYF, Brian GM8BJF (Peebles), Alan GM3PSP, Melvyn GM4HYR (remote, from Dumbarton), Peter GM4DTH, Mike GM8KCS, Brian GM4DIJ, Briain GM8PKL (squeaked in at the end).

Pete was on 23cm and 13cm on Sunday, fairly disastrous, but worked a few on 23cm, and G3XDY on 13cm, then his preamp failed! On Tuesday there was extended tropo on 70cm right down the east cost to Norfolk. Difficult to find space but he worked 40 QSOs. Best DX was G3SED near Portsmouth. He worked I.O.M. on tropo over the Pentland Hills. He was now working on his 10GHz gear with 14W output power. VHF NFD planning was going well - check-sheet soon. Brian BJF was readable by most. He was working on spurii from his FT-736. His antenna was now fixed  Alan missed last week's net due to family visit to celebrate daughter's 50th birthday. He mentioned an article in the EEN on the Barnton Quarry Nuclear Bunker and would post on the website. He asked to clarification on possible D/F Hunt and barbecue. Melvyn was a very good signal from Dumbarton - via a remote link to his station in Murrayfield! Peter had checked his frequency calibration and had a back-up station for VHFNFD with panoramic display etc. He had dropped in to the Braid Hills Hotel where they hope to be able to hold LRS meetings again in the autumn. A date for a D/F hunt might be Wed 14th July - tbc. Mike had visited a customer near Biggar yesterday and managed to work Briain who was in West Linton on 40m. Brian DIJ was now back after a month in Galloway where he had been busy in all the relevant contests from a site above Stoneykirk. Unfortunately Internet access was very poor there. He only worked 2-3 stations each on 23cm and 13cm. Running 2W on 3cm from Port Logan he worked GI6ATZ. GM3OXX (SK) set the 3cm world record from nearby Portpatrick when he worked G3BRS/P in Cornwall. Colin had been busy at work and domestic activities. He had met Bob GM4CMI at Tescos who had a 4m beam for sale, which Alan would put on the website. Pete concluded that a BBQ would not be feasible for a while. Briain called in at the end for a quick hello to everyone. E&OE. Audio tnx Peter - GM8BJF overs to be updated.

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The participants in Net #61 on 2nd June were: Pete GM4BYF (controller), Briain GM8PKL, Mike GM8KCS, Peter GM4DTH, Colin GM4HWO, Malcolm GM3TAL (Dunfermline) & Brian GM8BJF (Peebles).

There was a subdued air to this net as several participants had attended Jack GM8GEC’s funeral earlier in the day. (See SK report on this site).


Pete reported that on Monday he had worked Denmark and Sweden on 70cm by tropospheric propagation. He then described his annual task of cutting a long boundary beech hedge. He also noted that, as health restrictions were still applicable, the barbecue would have to postponed. Briain was investigating significant spurious emissions from his Yaesu FT-736. Power supply noise was the cause and substitution provided a cure. He commented that Denmark was just audible on 2m with a vertical omni aerial. Mike was running 200W for Brian’s benefit. He commented on the excellent service of Icom’s service department both from a commercial user’s and an amateur’s viewpoint. Peter suggested that the DF hunt could be held at the end of the month. Colin was sorry that he was unable to attend the funeral. He reported that Danny GM6CMQ was available for VHF NFD. He was looking forward to VHF NFD and had started his preparations. Malcolm was running 1W QRP from some older equipment and could receive Brian from Peebles at 51. He then changed rig and ran 5W. He had carried out some work on his classic TR3 car and took it out during the good weather. Initially Brian was heard by some of the stations on net. However, the gremlins that had been plaguing Brian over the months attacked again and he almost disappeared completely. Brian’s signal level at GM4DTH’s location varies from week to week from unreadable to 52, this week he was unreadable. All other stations were at a good strength. GM4BYF will provide a recording of Brian’s over and that will be edited into the net recording making it a composite. Report & audio tnx Peter.

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The participants in Net #60 on 26th May were: Pete GM4BYF (controller), Alan GM3PSP, Briain GM8PKL, Peter GM4DTH, Mike GM8KCS, Norrie GM1CNH, Brian GM8BJF (Peebles), Malcolm GM3TAL (Dunfermline) & Melvyn GM4HYR/M (M8).

Pete & XYL Kay had been away in NW Scotland for a few days without a radio and he had missed the 23cm contest yesterday. Things were looking good for VHF NFD in July and planning had started. Alan had put a few new items up on the website. He regretted that he would not be able to take part in VHF NFD. Briain had found his IC-202 but no microphone! Pete said he had lots and would try to find a suitable one for him!  Briain complained that the Napier digital repeater was massively over-deviating. Peter was running 500W to overcome the QRN from the repeater. He had heard some Sporadic-E and had worked Toby as usual.  He had ordered some chips for his projects. (And some fish for his tea). Mike was busy stitching the case for his Novpal radio. Norrie reported "numbers stations" on 4783kHz and 16.194MHz. He was servicing his generator. Brian had been audible on call-in but was unreadable on his over. He forwarded that he did not have info yet on the funeral of Jack GM8GEC. Malcolm was a very welcome call-in from Fife, running 1W pep to a 5/8 vertical antenna. Most people were readable. He had worked a few more useful Dx stations on 4m/6m via Es running 20W/100W to a new 2x3-ele beam. Click for full description.

Melvyn called in at the end from Harthill on the M8 having driven from Dumbarton. E&OE. Audio tnx Peter:

  

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  Reports & recordings of previous nets: Meeting Reports. 

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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).

2021-07-04 SAQ Annual Alexanderson Day Transmission on 17.2kHz 

Photo courtesy SAQ.

2021-06-19 MoC Goudie Lecture The Fishwives of Fisherrow, Simon Fairnie, Musselburgh Museum.

2021-06-09 Barnton Quarry Nuclear Bunker given Category A Listed Building Status.

Photo courtesy EEN.

2021-05-27 GM3HAM/P participation in RSGB VHF-NFD - 2-4 July - planning started - Pete GM4BYF.

2021-05-23 RSGB video: 2020, a year like no other

2021-05-22 Sunspot causes blackouts up to 20MHz.

2021-05-21 Scientists find source of Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) being sent to earth.

2021-05-14 -16 Our GM3HAM/P contest group were at Gatehouse of Fleet on 14-16 May for the RSGB 2m spring contest. Report includes photos from Colin GM4HWO & Peter GM4DTH and several audio recordings of QSOs. Click for full report (in prep).

- Also includes report from Brian GM4DIJ/A on his operation from caravan near Stranraer on the Sunday.

- GM3HAM/P log submitted: 131 QSOs, Claimed Score 2,481,592, Best Dx F6DKW @ 808km nr Paris.

 

Peter GM4DTH & Brian GM4DIJ at Gatehouse.

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2021-05-10  NASA spacecraft hears ‘hum’ outside our solar system.

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LRS MEETINGS ARE POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE BUT WE DO HAVE OUR "LRS VIRAL NET" EACH WEDNESDAY AT 8-9pm ON 144.350MHz SSB. (Reports on this page).    ALL WELCOME.

And if you miss it, each net is recorded by Peter GM4DTH. Click on link at the bottom of each report.

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Don't forget the RSGB GB2RS NEWS BROADCAST is available every Sunday morning in the Edinburgh area at 09:30h from LRS member Peter GM4DTH on 70.425MHz FM, 145.525MHz FM, 433.525MHz FM, followed by call-in to Peter at 10:00h usually on 145.575MHz. with several LRS members often there.

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

 

3. ITEMS FOR SALE  (Click item for details)

2021-06-12 Tecsun S8800 Multiband radio - only £150  for sale by  Dave GM6KGZ 

2021-06-09 For sale by Bob GM4CMI: 4m 4-element  70 MHz Beam, commercial spec, made by Pye Telecom Dublin, belonged to a Radio Ham from Cheshire and has not been used outside – loft use only. VGC. £25. Contact Robert  0131 654 1926 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

2021-06-08 Items for sale at reduced prices by Dave GM6KGZ 0131 539 2858:

- iPhone 6s - 16Gb  - £50

- Canon EOS 4000D  DSLR Camera  with 18-55        Zoom Lens - £120

- Tascam DR60 MKII Portable 4 Track Recorder - £50 

- Tecsun  PL-990x  Multi-Band Portable Radio - £85

2021-04-03 For sale by Norrie GM1CNH (April List).

2021-03-31 - 150 MHz VHF 2m folded dipole with a 1.2 metre boom fully tested and fitted with a coaxial tail with N type socket ready to use - for sale - £15 - Colin GM4HWO.

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 4. ITEMS WANTED 

5. NEW ON LRS WEBSITE 

2021-06-01 GM4DIJ/P in 2mAC from Luce Bay.

2021-05-23 - RSGB Videos on YouTube.

6. COVID-19: Click for Special Instructions.

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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 

Recording of GM3HAM/P QSO with G4AQB.

(Full report in Society Activities) Click.

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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. 

John G4BAO has credited Brian and Pete with the GM-G "First" in his GHz Bands page (64) in the November 2020 RadCom & link to Brian's webpage.

     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:

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

Click for Special Instructions.

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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.”

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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).

Click for Special Instructions.

 
  1. 17 March 2020 - LRS MEETINGS POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
  2. 8 March 2020 - GM4DIJ 23cm DXpedition to Stranraer
  3. 11th March 2020 - How Not to Sail to the Faeroe Islands - Geoff Crowley MM5AHO
  4. 26 Feb 2020 - The Raspberry Pi Explained for Radio Amateurs - Video - Mike Richards G4WNC