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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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Net #59 on 19th May was a little smaller and shorter than usual, possibly as people were still recovering from the 2m contest at Gatehouse the previous weekend! Participants: Colin GM4HWO (controller), Mike GM8KCS, Peter GM4DTH, Alan GM3PSP, Briain GM8PKL, Brian GM8BJF & Melvyn GM4HYR/M.

Colin had enjoyed the weekend and his cooking had been appreciated. The equipment had worked well. He may have some funny stories to add to the report! He noted that VHF-NFD was only 6 weeks away, in July. Mike may have more to contribute to the Silent Key for Jack GM8GEC including visits to his shop. Colin added that he thought Jack GEC had attended Leith Nautical College - MRRT course. Peter was sorting out his contest material for the website report. He would be doing tests with a circular antenna for all-round reception. Alan was sorry not to have been able to participate in the contest but was busy putting up the report on the website with photos etc from Colin, Peter and Brian DIJ, who had gone on to his caravan at Luce Bay to operate GM4DIJ/A on the Sunday. Briain had been listening from home and had heard F6 and EA via sporadic-E. Brian called in from Peebles on his FT-736 and with his antenna vertical which gave him minimum noise. He was well-heard by some, but not all on the net. He had really enjoyed participating in the contest at the weekend. He had just fixed a PSU for Chris GM3WOJ after finding a capacitor shorted. Melvyn was fairly weak at first from his mobile station but increased in strength. He had heard some Gs in the contest from his Corstorphine QTH. E&OE. Audio tnx Peter.

 

 

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The participants in Net #58 on 12th May 2021 were: Colin GM4HWO (controller), Melvyn GM4HYR, Briain GM8PKL, Peter GM4DTH, Norrie GM1CNH, Pete GM4BYF, Brian GM8BJF (Peebles), Mike GM8KCS, Steve GM7UAU (Greenock) & Peter GM0PXV.

There was quite a lot of discussion of the plans for this weekend's 2m portable contest from Gatehouse of Fleet, which is not reported here. Colin had installed a 2m FM rig in his red Landrover and would be on-site by 3pm on Friday. It was concluded that the proposed D/F Hunt would not take place in late-May due to pub limitations.  Melvyn had been away for a few weeks and now had car-brake problems. Briain's amplifier was now OK. He measured the net frequency as 144.350.020. Peter DTH was hearing Brian BJF at 4&2 with Brian's antenna at 45 degrees. Norrie had been busy maintaining the contest check-list and was looking forward to the weekend. Pete had been on the 70cm contest last night but it was "dire" with aircraft scatter being useful. He did work G3XDY in Ipswich. There was an aurora the previous afternoon when he worked 10 stations including SM4GGC. He was hopeful that the LRS BBQ could take place at "Bates Motel" on 23rd June. Brian was running an amp to his antenna at 45 degrees and was audible by most. He had received the PCBs for synthesisers. Mike worked Toby MM0TSS/M as usual today. He noted a number of military aircraft today, probably in connection with a major exercise out of RAF Brize Morton. The "Phantom Jammer" wide-band scatter was very bad today. Alan will listen out for GM3HAM/P at the weekend. Brian BJF was very readable tonight at "5&0" on his S-meter!. There were two call-ins after the net had officially closed: Steve GM7UAU in Greenock who had listened to the net, but could not hear GM4HYR, GM1CNH or GM8BJF. Peter GM0PXV had held back as he did not want to interrupt the ‘contest’ talk! E&OE. Regret no audio recording of this net.

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Net #57 participants on May 5th were: Colin GM4HWO (controller), Pete GM4BYF, Briain GM8PKL, Peter GM4DTH, John GM8OTI, Mike GM8KCS, Norrie GM1CNH, Alan GM3PSP and Brian GM4DIJ.

Pete had used a temporary mast for the microwave weekend and worked 15 stations on 70cm, 10 on 23cm but only 1 on 13cm. On 2m last night he worked 40 stations and 13 squares, best DX at 517km. He was working on a computer for next weekend's 2m portable contest. Brian BJF was not on this evening. Briain toasted everyone with Rioja! He had received photos of the recent installation of the 6m beacon GB3RMK at Rosemarkie by Brian BJF and Chris GM3WOJ and would circulate them. He had just bought a CW filter for his FT-736 on e-Bay. Colin would be catering the barbecue at the 2m portable contest at Gatehouse next Saturday with German-style dishes and beer. A table had been booked at the Masonic Arms for the Friday evening. He had installed a 50W mobile rig in his red Landrover. Peter had 2m antennas for testing. He had received C-cells from China. He had worked Toby MM0TSS/M again on his weekly Wednesday visit to Edinburgh, and also Mike on the Erskine Bridge. He requested all LRS expenses claims by the end of May. John was just back from Gatehouse, where he had checked out the Masonic Arms. There was no alcohol served indoors yet. He hoped he might make it for the contest weekend. Mike asked if the 2m antenna height was 54 inches. Norrie had had lunch at the Masonic Arms last Saturday where they had 8 tables outside, serving alcohol. Alan had received photos of the installation of the GB3ANG beacons in 1982 from Chris GM3WOJ and had put them in the Archive section of the website. He mentioned the Silent Key of Danny Begg GM3YXJ of Penicuik, father of a neighbour of his. Brian was complaining of a headache after his Vax-2! He had just bought a new pair of running shoes. On 13cm he had worked 27 stations, all locals. 2m was a damp squib with mostly locals but 2 Gs - G4SZN/P and G4KUX. He could not hear the new Rosemarkie beacon (neither could Alan). George DU1GM / GM4COK had just joined the LRS reflector - welcome! E&OE. Audio rec. tnx Peter:

 

 

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Net #56 participants were: Pete GM4BYF (controller), Alan GM3PSP, Peter GM4DTH, Willie GM0CII, Brian GM4DIJ, Briain GM8PKL, Mike GM8KCS, Norrie GM1CNH, Peter GM0PXV & Colin GM4HWO (just)!

Alan mentioned some website news items. He asked for more information about the broadband VHF noise that people had experienced. Peter DTH said the "Phantom Jammer" was giving wide-band noise from 140 - 170 MHz especially on Mondays and Thursdays at 11-12h with vertical and horizontal polarization at times. The bearing from his QTH at Holy Corner was about 110 degrees, vertically-polarized. The broadband signal suggested a military source. He also mentioned the historical Russian Duga or "Woodpecker" over-the-horizon radar signals in the 1980s.. These were also mentioned by DIJ, PKL, KCS and BYF. Peter has just received a nice pre-focus LED lamp from China. Willie called in to give historical info to PSP on Portland Radio in Rodney St., run by a Mr Sturruck. Brian DIJ found 13cm to be ropey on Tuesday but worked GM4JCN (?) in Montrose. The beacon had been good strength, then disappeared!. He would put more info about Duga on the LRS reflector. Briain had finally got a new filter for his FT-736 on e-Bay. He was visited yesterday by Ricky GM0VUY, and later by Brian BJF who brought the new 50MHz beacon being prepared for Rosemarkie. Mike now had a wide-band antenna for 2-300MHz and had heard the rescues of people from Cramond & Inchkeith. He now had a new 70cm 30W rig. Norrie was running 20W vertical and everyone was 5&9+. Pete would listen for the jammer tomorrow. He recalled the Woodpecker array. On 13cm yesterday he only worked 5 stations including a G4 in Lincs by aircraft scatter. Peter PXV in Corstorphine had had a successful house electrical inspection. Colin called in at the end after having to work late. He was anxious to finalize details for the May 2m portable contest at Gatehouse of Fleet. E&OE. Audio rec. tnx Peter: 

 

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The participants in Net #55 on 21st April were: Colin GM4HWO (controller), Pete GM4BYF, Brian GM8BJF, Peter GM4DTH, Briain GM8PKL, Bernie GM4WZG (Dalgety Bay), Mike GM8KCS, Ricky GM0VUY (also Dalgety Bay), Melvyn GM4HYR, Alan GM3PSP, Peter GM0PXV, Brian GM4DIJ.

Pete was busy sorting poles for the upcoming 2m portable contest. He had ordered additional fittings for his main mast at home. He is testing GM4ISM's designs for additional features for 122GHz and is collaborating with him. Brian BJF had reported smoke and flames coming out of a coax feeder with 400W input, probably due to moisture in it! Click for video! Brian is also working on a new 6m beacon for Rosemarkie which he will take to Chris GM3WOJ when completed. Peter DTH had worked Toby MM0TSS/M again today. He had installed a Pseudo Pink Noise Generator to optimise his RSGB GB2RS transmissions. Colin had worked Briain on a hand-held from the Braids (DX). He confirmed he had watched all the MoC Goudie lectures so far, on Zoom. Briain had worked people in the past on the Braid Hills radio towers. He had just worked the IOTA station MS0INT (Stirling club) on the Bass Rock. He sent his 73s to George DU1GM in the Philippines who reads these reports and listens to the audio recordings. Bernie called in briefly to say 73 to everyone, all 5&9, including Brian BJF in Peebles. Mike had also worked MS0INT on the Bass Rock. Newcomer Ricky GM0VUY has been listening to these nets for some time and with a new IC-705 rig he was glad to join in - welcome!. He is also Mobile on SSB. Alan complimented him on his QRZ.com page with photo of the Forth Bridge & noctilucent clouds. (see main report). Melvyn has the family back in the house for a few weeks. He has done some chatting on the radio. He is trying to get an old IC-290 (1980s) to work. It's off-frequency with a missing coil-core. Peter GM0PXV had visited Andy Dignan to get some bits. Brian DIJ worked 16 stations on 4m last Thursday, best was (regular) Tony GW8ASD in Wrexham via aircraft scatter. On Tuesday he worked 5 on 23cm, best was Terry G1LPS in Durham. Brian's IC-970 is now locked to GPS. George DU1GM has since read this & listened to the audio & sends his 73s to all. E&OE. Audio file tnx Peter:

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There were 12 participants in Net #54 on 14th April: Colin GM4HWO (controller),Brian GM8PKL, Mike GM8KCS, Melvyn GM4HYR, Peter GM4DTH, Alan MM0VPM (Dalkeith), Pete GM4BYF, Brian GM8BJF, Peter GM0PXV, Alan GM3PSP, Norrie GM1CNH, Brian GM4DIJ.

Colin had suffered a failed bearing in his Landrover. He had received a note from Veronica XYL-GM4VLB-SK who had returned to her career in nursing, doing Covid vaccinations. Briain had worked Fraser GM0FZN in Mt. Kean. Mike had worked Peter on a 5/8 whip, also Colin from Glasgow. Melvyn was busy working in his own house in "Sunny Murrayfield", doing plastering. Peter DTH was looking forward to the May contest. Alan VPM called in from Dalkeith running only 5W. Pete's mast had failed completely and would have to be replaced. On Sunday he had been on the microwave contest on 23 and 13cm in poor condx. His 122GHz eqpt is working well. He reported that Brian BJF had told him of a new 50MHz beacon. Peter PXV called in from Silverknowes. Alan PSP reported on some website updates. Norrie was running only 20W erp. He had ordered a new radio from Nevada. He reported we now have plenty of people for the 2m portable contest in May. Brian DIJ had been working on FT8 digital in the 70cm contest. Somebody suggested continuing these nets on alternate weeks after we return to normal meetings at the BHH. E&OE - scribbled notes difficult to read next morning! Audio recording from Peter, with this note: "The recording is incomplete and there is a discontinuity near the end at the time of a failure just as Brian BJF was about to speak. However, Pete also recorded BJF and supplied this to insert."

 

 

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The participants in Net #55 on 21st April were: Colin GM4HWO (controller), Pete GM4BYF, Brian GM8BJF, Peter GM4DTH, Briain GM8PKL, Bernie GM4WZG (Dalgety Bay), Mike GM8KCS, Ricky GM0VUY (also Dalgety Bay), Melvyn GM4HYR, Alan GM3PSP, Peter GM0PXV, Brian GM4DIJ.

Pete was busy sorting poles for the upcoming 2m portable contest. He had ordered additional fittings for his main mast at home. He is testing GM4ISM's designs for additional features for 122GHz and is collaborating with him. Brian BJF had reported smoke and flames coming out of a coax feeder with 400W input, probably due to moisture in it! Video soon! Brian was also working on a new 6m beacon for Rosemarkie which he will take to Chris GM3WOJ when completed. Peter DTH had worked Toby MM0TSS/M again today. He had installed a Pseudo Pink Noise Generator to optimise his RSGB GB2RS transmissions. Colin had worked Briain on a hand-held from the Braids (DX). He confirmed he had watched all the MoC Goudie lectures so far, on Zoom. Briain had worked people in the past on the Braid Hills radio towers. He had just worked the IOTA station MS0INT on the Bass Rock. He sent his 73s to George DU1GM in the Philippines who reads these reports and listens to the audio recordings. Bernie called in briefly to say 73 to everyone, all 5&9, including Brian BJF. Mike had also worked MS0INT (Stirling club) on the Bass Rock. Newcomer Ricky GM0VUY has been listening to these nets for some time and with a new IC-705 rig he was glad to join in - welcome!. He is also Mobile on SSB. Alan complimented him on his QRZ.com page with photo of the Forth Bridge & noctilucent clouds.:

Melvyn has the family back in the house for a few weeks. He has done some chatting on the radio. He is trying to get an old IC-290 (1980s) to work. It's off-frequency with a missing coil-core. Peter GM0PXV had visited Andy Dignan to get some bits. Brian DIJ worked 16 stations on 4m last Thursday, best was (regular) Tony GW8ASD in Wrexham via aircraft scatter. On Tuesday he worked 5 on 23cm, best was Terry G1LPS in Durham. Brian's IC-970 is now locked to GPS. E&OE. Audio file tnx Peter:

 

 

  1. 7 Apr 2021 - LRS Viral Net 53
  2. 31 Mar 2021 - LRS Viral Net 52
  3. 24 Mar 2021 - LRS Viral Net 51
  4. 17 Mar 2021 - LRS Viral Net 50