11 participants contributed to a lively net #45 on 10th Feb: Colin GM4HWO, controller, Alan GM3PSP. John GM8OTI, Mike GM8KCS, Peter GM4DTH, Melvyn GM4HYR, Peter GM4BYF, Brian GM8BJF, Brian GM4DIJ & Briain GM8PKL.

Alan in the middle of one foot of snow at Fairmilehead, reported that George DU1GM continued to enjoy the reports and audio of these nets. Andy MM0FMF in Livingston regretted that he would have to go up into the Bathgate Hills to participate. Tonight Brian BJF was barely readable, even with his antenna at 45 degrees! John was looking forward to his vaccination on Sunday. As a retired astronomer he was excited by the arrivals of the Mars probes. Mike had had his vaccination. He was hearing Brian BJF very well tonight. Peter's brother's obituary in London had appeared in the Times and Telegraph. He had been photographing Arthurs Seat and the Blackford Hills (including the QTH of Briain GM8PKL)! Melvyn continued work in his daughter's house. Currently his beam is down and will be put back up as a vertical. He had had his vaccination. Pete reported 13 inches of snow, making clearing the sheet-ice on his steep driveway essential! After competing the re-decoration of their lounge he and Kay were looking to purchase new furniture for it. He had re-tuned his (valve) linear but was thinking of getting a modern transistor amp. He had contacted Bob GM4CMI who hoped to join the net soon. Pete's tower was frozen but he worked 19 stations in the 70cm contest including four by the same aircraft-scatter - is this a record? Brian BJF was weaker tonight for most people. He was hoping to hear the moon beacon on 3cm but nothing yet.  Colin had refurbished two folded dipoles to help Bob 4CMI and Bill 8SQM to get on this net. He had sold many valves from 3HOQ-SK. He was looking forward to seeing Robin 4YPL tomorrow for some dental work. Brian DIJ had worked 14 stations in the 70cm contest after fitting a new feeder. Brian  BJF was S7 tonight. He had watched the Wigtownshire club FT8 lecture on Zoom. He had resurrected his 1982 Blue Peter sledge. He was due for his vaccination tomorrow and might run to it! Briain had spent 3 x 2 hours clearing more than 8 inches of snow from his steep drive-way and had concluded that he was no longer 25! Several stations noted the widespread power cut last Sunday. E&OE. Audio tnx Peter GM4DTH.

Note: A = Net; B = post-net rag-chew.

 

 

 

 

Another lively net #44 on 3rd February with 10 participants: Colin GM4HWO (Controller), Peter GM4DTH, Pete GM4BYF, Brian GM8BJF (Peebles), Alan GM3PSP, Mike GM8KCS, John GM8OTI, Briain GM8PKL, Melvyn GM4HYR & Brian GM4DIJ.

Peter reported another QSO with Toby MM0TSS/M. He had carried out tests last Sunday with fellow-GB2RS reader Vic GM3VTB. Pete and XYL Kay had been busy re-decorating Bates Motel. On the 2m contest last night he had 22 QSOs, the best via aircraft-scatter with best DX G3XDY in Colchester. Brian BJF was using a new microphone which all agreed made his signal more readable, not to mention the 300W from his new NAG amplifier. He has been listening on 3cm with an 80cm dish for the HF moonbounce signal from DL3S but N/H yet. Alan said it had been snowing almost continuously at Fairmilehead for two days. He had posted on the website the notice of the first MOC Goudie lecture on on Orkney - Energy Islands  on 20th February.  His "big news" was that he had just had his first Covid vaccination a couple of hours before. Mike reminded people of the upcoming AM HF-6m Rally on 6-8 February, mostly in the USA, and would provide full info for Alan to post. Website: AM Rally Homepage. John was sorry to record the SpaceX rocket crash. He had been busy with his music in Celtic Connections. Briain continued his 2m antenna work at least indoors at the moment., battling centre-of-gravity vs centre-of-windage issues. He had taken his mother for her vaccination and was looking forward to his own. Colin had installed a DC PSU on his bench and had met 'Orkney Bob' GM4CMI at Tesco's and was encouraging him to join this net. Like Alan, he had had several more e-mails from George DU1GM (Philippines). Melvyn continued work at his daughter's new house, building a partition and laundry room. Brian DIJ had worked 25 stations on the 2m contest, the best being G4PLZ in Norfolk, by aircraft-scatter. He had worked 3 stations by reflection off the same aircraft. KST and NEC-5 software were very useful for this. And he had been out running on Corstorphine Hill. E&OE. Audio tnx Peter GM4DTH:

 

Lots of good "stuff" in net #43 on 27th January with 9 participants again: Controller Colin GM4HWO, Alan GM3PSP, Peter GM4DTH, Mike GM8KCS, Pete GM4BYF, Brian GM8BJF, Melvyn GM4HYR, Brian GM4DIJ, & Briain GM8PKL.

Alan reported that he was now in regular e-mail contact with former LRS member George DU1GM / GM4COK in the Philippines. George is reading these net reports and listening to the recordings with nostalgic interest. A number of others recalled George's LRS membership in the 1970s & 80s with pleasure including many social events that he brightened up. Colin remembered that George had also, like himself, attended Leith Nautical College before becoming a ship's Radio Officer. There was discussion of a number of small groups / clubs in Edinburgh - Edinburgh Repeater Group (including Shank GM8FM, David GM8ARV), possibly at Napier University, Edinburgh VHF Group (including Tom GM3DXJ, George GM3OXX, David GM3YMX, Bob GM3ZVB, Roger GM3ZVL, Bill GM8BPL, Bill GM8BQV, GM8BCB, Eric GM8DKB and Dave GM3OLK). Some meetings were held in members' homes. Peter recalled this group started the Tartan Trophy. He had again worked Toby MM0TSS/M on a visit to Edinburgh. Mike recalled a Military Equipment Net that met on Sundays at 1500h to discuss the Clansman rig etc. Melvyn mentioned the "Old Club" (E&DRC) that met in the Observatory on Calton Hill. Pete had been busy completing the LRS Annual Report for the Charity Commissioners. Brian BJF was again a good signal with most, using his new / refurbished NAG linear and 45-degree antenna orientation. Brian recalled building a PA for the Repeater Group and being miffed when it was not used!  Brian DIJ had been on 4m last weekend with his FT847 now working OK again. On the 13cm/9cm contest last night he only worked GM8MJF He recalled the VHF Group and also a Pentlands Radio Club which met in the Iona Hotel. He suggested a moonbounce QSO with George! Briain remembered many enjoyable Indian meals with George, including a regular contest for the hottest curry! He was still working on his antenna, having to drill new holes in the correct positions on the mounting bracket! E&OE.  Audio tnx Peter GM4DTH:

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Quite a lively Net #42 on 20th January with 9 participants: Controller Colin GM4HWO, Alan GM3PSP, Pete GM4BYF, Brian GM8BJF at good strength from Peebles with 45-degree antenna, Briain GM8PKL, Melvyn GM4HYR, Mike GM8KCS, Peter GM4DTH, Brian GM4DIJ.

Alan, in 4 inches of snow at Fairmilehead, had had a major computer failure and had to re-load Windows 10 and Office, fortunately not losing any photos or documents. Pete had found 23cm abysmal the previous night - only worked Brian GM4DIJ! A snow-bridge across the driven elements of his 2m beam hadn't helped much. He had finished selling his current batch of valves and was expecting another 100! For Aircraft-Scatter (see Mike below) he recommended Air-Scout for timings. Brian BJF was now running 300W with his refurbished NAG linear from Colin. He had had a long catch-up phone-call with Chris GM3WOJ. He had fixed the 10GHz beacon Rx at GM8PKL Briain was continuing work on the head-frame for his 2m beam with the application of "magic" Galvafroid" coating. Melvyn, located below the snow-line, was mostly busy at his daughter's new house and was particularly enjoying working on the blocked drains. Mike also had sticky snow on his new, improved yagi. He had heard aircraft scatter from a Boeing 777 at Prestwick on a signal from GI. Peter had just got a new body (for his camera) after 10 years, useful for low light-level shots. He had worked Toby MM0TSS mobile today. Colin, running 100W with a new Microwave Modules linear, had listened to the funeral service on-line for Eric Lamb, his old LNC mentor back in 1982 and had heard positive comments about the SK on this website. He was looking out a folded dipole for Bill GM8SQM to get him on this net. He would circulate the e-mail address of George GM4COK in the Phillippines who was anxious to re-connect with his old LRS friends. He is the current web-master for the Philippine Amateur Radio Association (PARA)Brian DIJ had done little radio, with FT847 problems. He hope to be on the 4m contest tomorrow. E&OE (because I may not be able to read my notes the following morning! - psp).

 

 

Colin GM4HWO was the controller for Viral Net #41 on 13th January 2021 with participants: Melvyn GM4HYR, Mike GM8KCS, Pete GM4BYF, Alan GM3PSP, Brian GM4DIJ, and Peter GM4DTH.

Colin had a quiet birthday the previous week with his younger son, Callum. He continues to sell old valves for amazing prices, e.g. a total of 3 for £550 to China. He had had a visit from Brian GM8BJF from Peebles. Melvyn was still busy fitting out his daughter's new house. Mike mentioned a nasty cycle crash he had seen on the closed section of Braid Road in icy conditions. He had links to 3 videos of amusing car servicing jobs which he would share via the LRS e-mail reflector. He mentioned an upcoming AM rally on HF. Pete had made 24 QSOs on the 70cm contest including M0SAT in Watford on aircraft scatter. Best Dx was G4ZTR in Colchester at 515km. He also continued to sell valves from GM3HOQ-SK and GM3VLB-SK. With the snowy Wx he was busy changing his car to snow tyres. He suggested we should be using the club callsign GM3HAM whenever possible. He noted that the currently-advertised anti-radiation mobile phone stickers were useless! Alan had posted an article on the demise of Ferranti on the website but then removed it as the content was all business with nothing technical! He had posted two SKs on the website: John Hein GM1YME and Eric Lamb of L.N.C.. Otherwise he was trying to tidy his pig-stie of a radio shack. Brian congratulated Colin on his 60th, noting that he had passed his already, equal to that of Jack GM6XI-SK when he first knew him! With the current Wx he was not doing much running but had managed 8km on Monday. He had made 12 QSOs in the 70cm contest including GI6ATZ near Belfast but any aircraft scatter bursts were too short to be useful. He had got a spectacular view of the recent aurora overhead by going to Currie.  Peter had listened to the 70cm contest with his new headphones. E&OE.

 

 

There were only 5 participants in Net 40 on 6th January, the first in the New Year of 2021, but they managed to fill the whole hour of the net!: Pete GM4BYF (Controller), Briain GM8PKL, Mike GM8KCS, Melvyn GM4HYR & Brian GM4DIJ. Apologies from Alan GM3PSP & Peter GM4DTH - ("don't ask" x2), and Colin GM4HWO who was celebrating his 60th birthday.

Briain had been busy installing smoke alarms and would be assembling his 2m beam (in his lounge) the following day to fit to his new pole. See photos on his QRZ.com page. Mike had been active on a 60m net. Attempts at repairing hand-portables had resulted in several being dumped. He had heard the Irish 2m beacon tonight at S5. He had seen several people at West Linton who had been skiing on the Pentlands. Melvyn continued to work on his daughter's new house including installing central heating radiators. He noted that new smoke detectors were now wireless, greatly simplifying the new legal requirement for them to be linked together. Others also discussed this. Melvyn suggested a virtual junk sale (!) and mentioned a digital warbling noise on 2m - probably the GB7DE digital repeater in Edinburgh on 145.6375MHz - psp. Brian had been busy repairing things - his old soldering iron and his FT-847 which had lost its 15m band function. On the 2m contest last night his best DX was G8REQ on the Wirral, worked via aircraft scatter. Pete commented on ice problems including when he had to deliver music sheets over 8km in Musselburgh. On smoke detectors he mentioned new batteries which were predicted to last 10 years. On 2m he had worked 26 stations, the best DX being G8CUL in Didcot, Oxon. The GD beacon was very strong through Allermuir Hill!! To avoid rotator noise he recommended earthing the rotator case to the pole. Brian recalled a frog being put in Colin's sleeping bag at Field Day many years ago. The weather, especially the ice had limited his running recently but he had been out once or twice.  Having just received a new computer and monitor he now had to transfer all the software from his old machine. He would be participating in the Wigtownshire club net on Zoom tomorrow. Pete wound up the net mentioning difficulties replacing surface-mount components. He now used a digital microscope to see what he was doing! He was also concerned that the days of cheap Chinese components might be over with post-Brexit customs duty and VAT being payable and a customs declaration label required for each item..

The last net of 2020 on 30th December was controlled by Colin GM4HWO, with Peter GM4DTH, Alan GM3PSP, Pete GM4BYF, Mike GM8KCS, Briain GM8PKL, Brian GM4DIJ & Norrie GM1CNH.

Colin had called in after GB2RS on Sunday while Mobile on his way to Inverness. Peter had compact flash cards to improve his audio recording from 64MB to 128GB. He had just bought a new camera body to work with his existing lenses. Alan reported on new website items - link to the National Valve Museum provided by Pete and new list of items for sale from Norrie. Both Alan and Pete had observed the helicopter rescue of a woman walker who had broken her ankle on Caerketton Hill in the Pentlands the previous day. Pete continued to test and sell valves from GM3HOQ-SK and GM3VLB-SK with some amazing prices paid - including £93 for a 6C6. He noted recent EME contacts on 23cm by Tom GM8MJV of Pathhead, but not audible to him. Mike had been on 160m including a QSO with N. London. More work was needed on his antenna. Norrie had worked some SOTAs north of Stirling on 2m and 4m and was now using DX-Keeper logging software (free). Briain whose house has a very steep driveway and steps was currently trapped by all the snow and ice and he was plagued by noisy kids on sledges on the road outside! He had just painted the rotator for his new 2m antenna. Brian had been active in the Xmas Cumulatives on 2m and 4m. Activity had been very low but he had worked GM8KCS and GM1CNH. The net ended with participants raising their glasses to each other and wishing them all a Happy New Year.

In spite of the closeness to Christmas there was a good turnout of 8 for the 38th Viral Net on 23 Dec: Colin GM4HWO (Controller), Peter GM4DTH, Alan GM3PSP, Pete GM4BYF, Briain GM8PKL, Brian GM4DIJ, Mike GM8KCS & Melvyn GM4HYR.

Colin had recently finished his job and was looking forward to seeing sons Stuart and Callum over the holidays. Peter had been busy with Christmas cards and was now looking at MPEG coders and decoders for ATV use. Alan had seen the Jupiter-Saturn Conjunction two nights ago when skies were clear. He mentioned a proposal from his old club, the Rochester Amateur Radio Association (RARA) in Rochester NY to exchange lectures with the LRS via Zoom etc and asked for LRS input. (There wasn't much). Pete GM4BYF & XYL Kay GM6KAY had just celebrated her birthday with a meal at the Hawes Inn. He had almost finished testing the valves from Colin and GM3HOQ-SK. The GM8BJF beacon receiver had been improved by Brian. Briain asked for audio reports following some earlier concerns and was told there was no problem. Brian had been on the recent 4m contest after the Wigtown ARS Xmas Quiz. Mike, operating from his shed (shack?),  was very weak at first and came up amazingly to 5&9+50 (at PSP) when he turned on his transverter! He had just bought a 2-way wireless camera. Melvyn had been very busy with his daughter's house move and had not been doing much radio. The net ended with participants cheering each other with conveniently-placed glasses at their desks and agreeing to having net 39 next Wed, 30th December.