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GB2RS > NEWS 07.11.04 03:01l 98 Lines 4906 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : GB2RS071104A
Read: GUEST
Subj: MAIN NEWS - 7th Nov 1/11
Path: DB0FHN<DB0RGB<OK0PPL<DB0RES<ER3KAZ<UR6IUG<UX0IXI<SP7MGD<ON0BEL<GB7CIP<
GB7SXE
Sent: 041107/0033Z @:GB7SXE.#38.GBR.EU #:11698 [Hastings] FBB7.00i $:GB2RS07110
From: GB2RS@GB7SXE.#38.GBR.EU
To : NEWS@WW
The main news headlines:
UK Amateurs Enjoying Extra Spectrum at 7MHz
Change of Frequency for GB2RS 40m News
West London Radio and Electronics Fair - 14 November
G5RV Logbook Saved for Posterity
Peterborough Crown Castle Mast Collapses
Special Event News
The news in detail:
UK Amateurs Enjoying Extra Spectrum at 7MHz
UK radio amateurs gained access to new frequencies between 7.1 and 7.2MHz
from 31 October. After dark, the band between 7.1 and 7.2MHz is still
full of powerful broadcast stations, although some clear frequencies
can be found. The band became available on the second day of the CQ
World Wide DX Phone Contest. Many UK stations took advantage of the
new band by making contest QSOs with stations in the USA on their own
frequency, instead of having to work ‘split’ as had been the case when
contacting North America on 40 metres SSB. During the daytime, numerous
UK stations are now able to have virtually interference-free inter-G
contacts above 7.1MHz. The new band is available to radio amateurs on
a Secondary (non-interference) basis until 2009. After the end of March
2009, the broadcast stations should move to other frequencies and 7.1
to 7.2MHz will then become an amateur Primary band.
Amateurs in the Republic of Ireland were also granted access to 7.1
to 7.2MHz towards the end of October, joining those in Croatia, Norway
and San Marino who already had access to these frequencies. Radio amateurs
in Switzerland will also gain access to 7.1 to 7.2MHz from 1 January 2005.
Notices of Variation for the Foundation, Intermediate and Full licences
have been published on the Ofcom website.
Change of Frequency for GB2RS 40m News
GB2RS News Manager Gordon Adams, G3LEQ, and regular GB2RS 7MHz newsreader
Jimmy Porter, GI3GGY, carried out extensive tests on the new band on
31 October. As a result, it has been decided that with effect from 7
November the 7MHz GB2RS news will be read at 1000 on 7150kHz. Band users
are kindly requested to take note of this new arrangement. GI3GGY will
give a short call on the previous 7048kHz frequency to advise listeners
of the change before commencing the news reading on 7150kHz.
G3LEQ also conducted a most interesting experiment using the GB2RS News
transmission on both 5405kHz and 7150kHz at 1230. Both bands gave excellent
UK-wide propagation and the results are being analysed as part of the
on-going ‘5MHz Experiment’. A very large number of stations reported
in over several hours - and they are all thanked for being so patient
during the pile-up. Anyone still wishing to send in a report on this
one-off test may do so by e-mail to g3leq@ntlworld.com
West London Radio and Electronics Fair - 14 November
The West London Radio and Electronics Fair takes place at Kempton Park
on Sunday 14 November. In addition to the usual traders, club stands,
RSGB bookstall, bring and buy and 'flea market', there is also a series
of lectures intended especially for beginners and 'improvers'. Covering
topics as varied as Internet-linking, home-made HF beams, propagation
and ‘Instant Morse’, the lecture programme begins at 10.45am. The show
opens at 10.00am and talk-in is available on 145.550MHz. For further
details call 01737 279108 or e-mail: info@radiofairs.co.uk
G5RV Logbook Saved for Posterity
The final log book of one of the UK's best-known radio amateurs has
been saved for posterity. The late Louis Varney, G5RV, was one of the
founder members of the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society in 1936, so
when eagle-eyed Chelmsford club member Duncan, M0KGK, spotted that G5RV's
last ever logbook was being auctioned on e-bay, the club decided to
buy it. Duncan did the bidding and despite fierce competition managed
to secure the logbook in the last eight seconds of auction. The logbook
shows that G5RV's final QSOs, on 11 January 2000, were with G0WGP and
Chelmsford club President Harry Heap, G5HF, appropriately enough on
page 73 of the logbook. Louis was, of course, using a G5RV antenna for
the contacts!
Peterborough Crown Castle Mast Collapses
On the evening of Saturday 30 October there was a fire at the Peterborough
Crown Castle transmitter site, which carries BBC Radios 1, 2, 3 and
4 and Radio Cambridgeshire as well as Classic FM and Digital Radio services.
As a result, the 153-metre high mast totally collapsed, falling on to
the transmitter buildings and neighbouring fields. There were no reports
of any casualties, but of course all radio services from the site were
off the air. There are some dramatic photographs on the website of 'mb21'
by Mike Brown.
Special Event News
Norman, M0CRM, is operating at MX0BEE/P from on board the Endeavour,
the replica of Captain Cook's famous ship, between 1 and 8 November.
The Endeavour is in the port of Whitehaven for a refit, and sets sail
for Sydney, Australia, on 8 November.
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