EI7IS

EI7IS back on 4 metres

2012-01-22T21:38:00.001Z

Back up and running on 4 metres since earlier today. Got the 4m dipole back up in the sky and John (EI8JA) carried out a modification to the rig.

Station info: TRX is a Motorola MC micro -- FM only, 70.1250 to 70.4500 MHz channelised (25 kHz steps - 27 channels). Sloping dipole antenna.

Anyone like to try a sked, let me know. The location is Waterford (IO62lf).

73 es Good DX de EI7IS ..._._ . .

New bandplan for VHF/UHF in Ireland

2012-01-17T16:29:00.004Z

The new Region 1 Band Plan for VHF/UHF came into effect on 1st January. The revised Band Plan for the 6, 4, 2 metres and 70 centimetres can be downloaded from the downloads page of the IRTS web site.

The biggest changes are in the 6 metre band - with new beacon sub-bands and a number of new "centre of activity" frequency allocations. The revision in the 6 metre band plan is designed to give more bandwidth to CW and SSB users, while recognising increased activity levels in the new digital modes.

The downloads page also has the most recent Region 1 HF bandplan (updated in August 2011).

Vintage Facebook, Twitter, Skype and YouTube Posters

2012-01-06T16:56:00.000Z

More vintage posters for Skype, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter here.....
http://mastercom.over-blog.com/article-social-media-vintage-ads-facebook-twitter-youtube-and-skype-55194116.html

IRTS 80m Counties Contest

2011-12-27T15:25:00.001Z

=========================
CONTEST CALENDAR
All Times UTC
=========================

Monday 2 January - 1400 - 1700 hrs

IRTS 80m Counties Contest CW/SSB
(deadline for logs - 1 Feb. 2012)

(from www.IRTS.ie)

HAREC – Revised Examination Format

2011-12-19T10:48:00.000Z

Following recent consultations with ComReg the IRTS have announced that ComReg has approved a change in the format of the theory examination.

It will now consist of two sections each with 30 questions. The pass mark is 60% and a pass is required in each of the two main sections of the paper.

In addition, a new Annex has been included containing the principal national call sign prefixes for Europe and North America, knowledge of which is required for the examination. Intending candidates are advised to study the Syllabus carefully paying particular attention to the associated Notes for Candidates and the Annexes to the Syllabus.

Click HERE for more information from the IRTS.

Contest Calendar - December 2011

2011-12-05T16:22:00.004Z

Upcoming contests..... for those of us who like contests, and for those of us who want to avoid them :-)

=========================
CONTEST CALENDAR
All Times UTC
=========================

December 2011
-----------------------

~~10-11 Sat 0000 - Sun 2359 ARRL 10-Meter Contest CW/SSB~~ - complete

~~17 Sat 0000 - Sat 2359 OK-DX Contest RTTY~~ - complete

~~17-18 Sat 1400 - Sun 1400 Croatian Contest CW~~ - complete

~~17-18 Sat 1500 - Sun 1500 Stew Perry Topband Challange CW~~ - complete

January 2012
-----------------------

2 Jan. Mon 1400 - 1700 hrs: IRTS 80m Counties Contest CW/SSB
(deadline for logs - 1 Feb. 2012)
Sat/Sun 17/18 Mar. 2012 - CQIR – Ireland Calling
Mon 9 April 2012 - 2m Counties Contest

(from www.IRTS.ie)

30th Anniversary of CB UK

2011-11-23T10:25:00.002Z

An interesting article on Southgate ARC web site today..........

2nd November 2011 marked the 30th anniversary of the introduction of legal Citizens Band radio in the UK. Many radio amateurs (myself included) started out their interest in radio on 27 MHz.

The links on Southgate ARC have some interesting historical news footage from the early days of CB Radio in the UK.

Read more HERE

"Image Communications on Short Waves" - online book

2011-11-21T10:57:00.003Z

"Image Communication on Short Waves" is a full book by Martin Bruchanov, OK2MNM that's now available on-line for free and is suitable for SWLs and Radio Amateurs. The book deals with SSTV, radio facsimile (WEFAX) and digital SSTV (HamDRM). The book can be read on-line or downloaded (PDF format). Chapters can also be downloaded individually.

Visit the following link to download the book; http://www.sstv-handbook.com/

Activity Mapping

2011-11-17T09:50:00.000Z

Activity map from PSKReporter.info showing my recent on-air activity. This site will automatically map QSO information (mainly digital) by taking the information regarding received signals uploaded by software such as HRD/DM780 (SuperBrowser) but it also caters for phone/C.W.

More information at http://www.pskreporter.info

Developments in Digital Voice

2011-11-16T10:49:00.000Z

David Rowe VK5DGR has described in his blog the recent work done to develop a Digital Voice CODEC that works at 1400 bps - suitable for HF SSB communications as it uses roughly half the bandwidth of a standard SSB voice signal.

http://www.rowetel.com/blog/?p=2255

Old QSL Collection

2011-11-15T13:14:00.000Z

Jean Michel, F6AJA, wants to remind everyone to visit the Les Nouvelles DX (LNDX) Web page to see more than 9500 old amateur radio QSL cards in several different albums/galleries.

The website can be viewed on http://LesNouvellesDX.free.fr

(From IRTS Radio News)

Mayo Rally

2011-11-14T12:35:00.001Z

The Mayo Rally will take place on Sunday 20th November 2011 - doors open at 11 a.m. Additionally, there will be talks on the Saturday evening (19 November) by Pat Fitzpatrick EI2HX will give a talk and demonstration on amateur television and Dave Deane EI9FBB will give a talk on the ARRL DXCC Program and on the ARRL's Logbook of the World. Accommodation specials are available at the nearby Welcome Inn Hotel.

Visit the MREN Rally page at; http://ei7mre.org/?page_id=67

IARU Region 1 Band Plans

2011-11-11T12:21:00.000Z

Most recent IARU HF bandplans for region 1 - revised at the General Conference Sun City 2011.

HF Bandplan;
http://irts.ie/downloads/Region_1_Band_Plan_HF.pdf

VHF/UHF Bandplan (existing);
http://irts.ie/downloads/Region_1_Band_Plan_VHF_UHF.pdf

IARU Region 1

2011-11-10T10:49:00.000Z

During the CEPT WRC-12 Conference Preparatory Group held in Bucharest earlier this month, a European Common Proposal was agreed. This ECP represents the block vote of 48 administrations and was passed without dissent. It proposes an allocation to the amateur service between 472-480 kHz on a secondary basis with a maximum power limit of 5W eirp.

In the Czech Republic, IARU Region 1 reports that the use of the band 70.1-70.3 MHz will be extended through 2012. However, unfortunately the 5 MHz experiments in the Czech Republic will cease at the end of this year.

Timezones

2011-08-31T11:36:00.000+01:00

An interesting article about time on Southgate ARC web site.

http://www.southgatearc.org/news/august2011/time.htm

Free sample RadCom issue available from RSGB

2011-07-12T11:38:00.000+01:00

A free sample edition of the Radio Society of Great Britian (RSGB) RadCom publication is freely available to download or read on the RSGB web site.

It is available in digital magazie format (requires Flash plugin) and a downloadable PDF version (24 Mb) is also available.

The sample RadCom is available at the following link.....

http://www.rsgb.org/news-radcom/radcom/sample-radcom.php

Terrestrial JT65

2011-07-04T11:57:00.000+01:00

Similar to WSPR weak signal beaconing, JT65 works in a similar way but allows you to have QSOs. This works very well with extremely weak signals over very long distances.

There is an excellent explaination here from NW7US... http://nw7us.us/jt65a.html

Howth Martello Radio Group

2011-06-14T11:23:00.000+01:00

The Howth Martello Radio Group, EI0MAR will be on air over the weekend of 18 and 19 June for International Museums Event from Ye Olde Hurdy Gurdy Museum of Vintage Radio in Howth, Co. Dublin. The website of the organisers of this amateur radio event is www.ukradioamateur.co.uk/imw/index.html where a list of museums registered for the event can be inspected.

Among the museums that participated in the past were HMS Belfast (GB2RN), moored on the Thames and Bletchley Park in Milton Keynes (GB2BP).

Visitors are welcome to visit the museum which is located in the Martello Tower overlooking the East Pier in Howth. The museum is open daily until the end of
October from 11am until 4pm. The website address www.ei0mar.org.

(From IRTS Radio News)

Amateur Station Licence Exams

2011-06-02T13:10:00.000+01:00

Examinations for the Amateur Station Licence are held twice yearly at the end of June or early July with a repeat examination at the end of September / early October. Under an arrangement with ComReg, the IRTS is responsible for setting, organising and correcting the theory examination. The examination is usually held in the ComReg Offices in Dublin but, where the numbers warrant it, examinations can be held at other centres.

The Next Examination will be held on Thursday the 7th of July 2011, at 2.00 p.m.

For more information, visit http://www.irts.ie/cgi/licence-exam.cgi

Geopark 2011

2011-05-18T11:24:00.001+01:00

The annual Geopark communications weekend is co-ordinated from GB6GEO at Kents Cavern in Torquay, in the heart of the English Riviera Global Geopark and numerous stations operated from various Geoparks throughout the world. Plans are currently underway for South Eastern Amateur Radio Group participation in the 2011 Geopark Communications weekend on 28 and 29 May. GB6GEO will be on again this year but from Occombe Farm in Torbay

The Copper Coast Geopark in Waterford will be activated by us and the Marble Arch Caves Geopark in Fermanagh will be activated by Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club.

South Eastern Amateur Radio Group and the Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club will ensure that Ireland again has its say in the 2011 International Geopark Communication weekend on 28 & 29 May, with special event stations QRV from both of Ireland's Geoparks. We will be using the callsign EI2GEO again (subject to approval) from the old copper mine at Tankardstown (Bonmahon), Co. Waterford on the Copper Coast Geopark. Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club will use the callsign GB2MAC (Marble Arch Caves) again this year, and will be QRV from the Marble Arch Caves International Geopark in Fermanagh which straddles the border into Co. Cavan.

International Marconi Day

2011-04-15T14:27:00.002+01:00

International Marconi Day takes place this year on Saturday 30th April. The Howth Martello Radio Group will be participating once again as an award station using the call-sign EI0MAR.

This is not a contest but there are several nice awards available for working the officially listed stations, each of which has an historic connection with Marconi.
The event is organised by the Cornish Amateur Radio Club. For more information please visit the club's website http://crac.g4usb.net/cracblog/

EI0MAR operates from the Martello Tower overlooking the East Pier in Howth. The tower now houses a vintage radio museum. In 1905 the British Post Office carried out wireless telegraphy experiments at the tower in Howth using Marconi equipment.

Visitors are always welcome at the museum and the group hopes to see many visitors during the IMG event in April. The HMRG's website is www.ei0mar.org where a free information booklet in PDF format can be downloaded.

From IRTS Radio News.

QRP: Scotland to New Zealand on 5 Watts

2011-03-29T12:01:00.001+01:00

On Saturday 26th March 2011 at 10:30 UTC (during the CQ WW WPX Contest) Callum Graham (2M0YCG) in Scotland worked John ZL2JBR - located near Wellington in North West New Zeland, a distance of 18,426 kilometres.

He was using a Yaesu FT-817 with 5 Watts into a Cobwebb Antenna.

Watch - QRP DX:- Scotland to New Zealand on 5 Watts with my Yaesu FT-817 (18426.64 Kilometres).

Japan earthquake / tsunami - Latest news from ARRL

2011-03-15T12:50:00.001Z

Recent news regarding the disaster in Japan can be found on the ARRL web site at the following link;

http://www.arrl.org/news/view/japan-asks-radio-amateurs-to-keep-frequencies-clear-as-country-goes-into-recovery-mode-after-devasta

7030 kHz should be kept clear for emergency use.

The following additional frequencies should also be kept clear:

3525 kHz
14100 kHz
21200 kHz
28200 kHz

Japan earthquake/tsunami - Emergency Frequencies

2011-03-12T15:26:00.001Z

The Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) Regional HQ station JA7RL is now involved in emergency communication to support rescue and disaster relief coordination using 7 MHz SSB, 144 MHz SSB/FM and 430 MHz SSB/FM.

Recent information from CQ Newsroom: http://cqnewsroom.blogspot.com/2011/03/quake-update-radio-amateurs.html

7043 kHz is being used by JR3QHQ, the Osaka branch manager of JARL, gathering incident information on radio and forwarding it to the Internet.

7075 kHz is occasionally operated by JL3YSP in Wakayama.

7030 kHz is the JARL emergency communication frequency in its bandplan and is in use by JA7RL (JARL regional HQ station).

Please cooperate in keeping the emergency frequencies clear.

QSO365 latest

2011-03-08T10:19:00.001Z

Keith, G6NHU made a resolution at the start of the year to work at least one QSO per day for the duration of 2011. This has been a successful venture to date with recent contact into VK.

You can follow Keith's blog here... http://qso365.co.uk/

New Zealand Emergency Communications

2011-02-24T13:46:00.000Z

Users of the 40 and 20 metre bands should 'be aware of possible (earthquake) emergency communications traffic taking place in and around the affected areas of New Zealand's South Island.

The propagation on 40 meters is more likely to cause problems to the New Zealanders from unintentional QRM. A similar pattern, with a slight time shift shows up on 20 meters, too.

Specific emergency communications frequencies have not yet been released but keep an eye on http://www.southgatearc.org for updates.

ARISSat-1 activation scheduled for 12 April

2011-02-15T14:08:00.000Z

The Russian Federal Space Agency has reported that the ARISSat-1 satellite (also known as Kedr) will be activated on April the 12th this year in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first human space flight. Originally planned for this month, the delay which was necessary to fit with the astronauts work schedules provides extra time to upgrade stations for the reception of SSTV images from orbit.

FM downlink on 145.950 MHz includes live SSTV images (from 4 on-board cameras) as part of the cycling voice ID, select spoken telemetry values, and the international greeting messages. The RF downlink power will be 250mW which should be sufficient to receive SSTV pictures from a HT with a large whip, although you may need to orient the whip to line up the antenna polarization.

The satellite is currently inside the International Space Station (ISS) and will be connected to an Amateur antenna mounted on the ISS for the activation on 12 April. It is planned to deploy the satellite during a space walk in July this year.

Read the Russian Federal Space Agency announcement at
http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=11374&lang=en

ARISsat-1
http://www.ARISSat1.org/

First Edition of Practical Wireless (Sept. 24, 1932) available on-line

2011-02-08T11:00:00.000Z

The first ever edition of Practical Wireless magazine published on the 24th of September 1932 is available on-line as a PDF document at the following link;

http://www.wikiradio.org.uk/wiki/images/3/35/Practical_Wireless_Issue_01.pdf

IRTS Radio News - Community Radio and Podcasts

2011-02-02T11:01:00.001Z

The Irish Radio Transmitters Society (IRTS) weekly radio news will now be read on ‘Dundalk FM’local community radio station on Tuesdays. Thisprovides open access to amateur radio news for thegeneral public, locally and interested people alike.Dundalk FM broadcast on 100 MHz and stream live on theinternet on www.dundalkfm.com

In addition to this, plans are at an advanced stage to provide a podcastversion of the IRTS weekly radio news bulletin. The MP3 podcast willbe available for download from the IRTS website. Thisdevelopment will benefit all service users of the IRTS
website. More news on this will feature in next weeks radio news.

Information from IRTS web site.

SEARG - AGM

2011-01-31T10:20:00.000Z

The Annual General Meeting of South Eastern Amateur Radio Group will take place at 8.00 p.m. on Monday the 28th of February in the usual venue of the Roanmore Social and Sports Centre, Cleaboy Road, Waterford.

All are welcome.

Theory Courses

2011-01-27T19:26:00.005Z

For those wishing to gain an amateur radio license, courses will be available soon in Dundalk, Dublin, Limerick and Omagh;

Dundalk
Classes run by Dundalk Amateur Radio Society will commence on Thursday February 3rd2011 at Classes will be held at the Dundalk Amateur Radio club premises 'LarkinHouse', 113, Castletown Road, Dundalk.For further information and details please contact ei4dib / at /ei7dar/ dot/ com or by text only to 0864066660. Everyone welcome.

Limerick
Classes run by Limerick Radio Club will commence in February depending on numbers and those interested in attending should contact Ger McNamara EI4GXB on 087 2532512 or ei4gxb / at /gmail / dot /com. Classes will also include lots of practical sessions and will be based on the revised syllabus as detailed on the IRTS website.

Dublin
South Dublin Radio Club are running theory classes on Tuesday nights. For information contact Michael Friary on 087-2481970 or e-mail miklef / at / oceanfree / dot / net

Enniskillen
The Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club will run anIntermediate course and examination in SHARE over threeweekends, 12th and 13th, 19th and 20th, and 26th and27th February. This resumes the course begun inNovember but abandoned in December’s severe weather.

Omagh
West Tyrone Amateur Radio Club (WTARC) - GN4OMA are running an amateur radio foundation course.Registration Date is Tuesday February 1st 2011 at 8 p.m.The course itself will commence on Saturday February 19th2011 and Saturday February 26th 2011. That is twoSaturday afternoons.Examination Date is March 1st 2011.The Venue is Technology Education Centre, 2 SpillersPlace, Omagh, BT78 1FA. Everyone welcome.

Digital Voice: Codec2 Now Available

2011-01-26T10:13:00.000Z

Bruce Robertson VE9QRP has made available the Codec2 for digital voice on amateur radio.

A blog entry with the c2 binary files and wav mixdown of a 35 minute conversation between VE9QRP and Paul ZL3IN is available at:
http://ve9qrp.blogspot.com/2011/01/codec2-qso-with-zl3in.html

The Codec2 Project: http://codec2.org/

Codec2 Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Freetel-codec2

My previous post regarding dv codecs;

http://ei7is.blogspot.com/2010/06/codecs-for-digital-voice-on-amateur.html

Some more relevant sites;

David Rowe VK5DGR Codec2 Blog
http://www.rowetel.com/blog/?p=128

Interview with Codec developer VK5DGR
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/june2010/interview_with_vk5dgr.htm

Amateur Radio Presentation @ DEF CON

2011-01-25T16:46:00.000Z

A presentation on Amateur Radio given at the DEF CON Hackers Convention is now available on YouTube. The speaker is JonM, Security Consultant & Amateur Radio Operator.

http://www.defcon.org/

Ham Radio Nation - Social Networking for Radio Amateurs

2011-01-17T12:02:00.000Z

Ham Radio Nation (www.hamradionation.com) is a social networking site specifically for radio amateurs. It includes profile updates, picture galleries, games and 'friending' in much the same way as Facebook does and also contains Forums, Repeater Lists and other amateur radio related features and is often used to arrange skeds.

Registration on the site is free and voluntary donations can be paid online.

http://www.hamradionation.com

Radar Intrusions on 7 and 10 MHz

2011-01-14T10:05:00.000Z

Regular users of the HF bands will have no doubt from time to time noticed the wide pulsating sounds that seem to cover 40 metres. Many are aware of the fact that this is a Russian Over The Horozon Radar (OTHR).

The "IARU Monitoring System newsletter" this week reports on Russian Radar affecting 40m and another radar system in Cyprus affecting the 30m band most afternoons.

The IARUMS Region 1 newsletter can be accessed here;
http://www.iarums-r1.org/iarums/news2010/news1012.pdf

EI7MLR repeater (Mt. Leinster) back on air

2011-01-10T10:53:00.000Z

The voice repeater on Mt. Leinster (EI7MLR - 430.950 MHz [+ 7.6 MHz shift]) is back up and running again.

It was down for the past month for repairs. Reports and queries to South Eastern Amateur Radio Group.

Find out your WAI Square

2011-01-05T12:23:00.000Z

Gridreference.ie is a site that provides longitude, latitude and grid reference information by clicking on a zoomable map. This is a convenient way of working out your WAI (Worked All Ireland) square (also know as Tetrad).

The website http://www.gridreference.ie is accurate in the absence on an Ordnance Survey map. By simply zooming and clicking in on your location on the map, all very useful grid information can be found to the right of the page including altitude information (WAI square is last on list - Letter followed by 2 digits).

Note: The application is valid for the Island of Ireland only. Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland use the same Grid Reference system.

Click here to view the site.

Example data from gridreference.ie

normal Grid Ref = X 732 975
10 digit Grid Ref = X 73263 97520
Latitude = 52.12481 (north)
Longitude = -6.93016 (west)
Latitude = 52°7'29" (north)
Longitude = 6°55'49" (west)
Tetrad = X79I <-- (First letter and two digits from Tetrad is the WAI square)

Altitude = 7 metres

HF Propagation Predictions from the RSGB - Jan 2011

2011-01-04T16:48:00.002Z

The predictions are valid for January, 2011.

The figures represent percentage availability;

1 = the path should be open between 1 and 19% of days,
2 = the path should be open between 20 and 29% of days, etc.

The colours represent expected signal strength;

Black = low to very low signals,
Blue = fair signals
Red = strong signals.

Click the following link to view the chart; http://www.rsgb.org/propagation/

The table has been compiled from a prediction model by VE5ZX, the parameters and prediction engine options were supplied by G4FKH. These predictions were prepared for the average Radio Amateur using an average radio with a dipole type aerial, in a quiet urban environment. It is possible to adjust the result based on the current set-up.

WorldRadio Online - January edition available for download

2010-12-20T11:53:00.000Z

The January 2011 issue of the free "WorldRadio Online" magazine is now available for download. The link to download the edition is on the WRO Welcome page:
http://www.WorldRadiomagazine.com/

To download recent editions of the magazine, click on the PREVIOUS 2010 ISSUES link on the Welcome page and select the edition you'd like to download.

DX Code of Conduct

2010-12-16T11:26:00.000Z

Some people find these guidelines a bit condescending, however listen to any pile-up and see how quickly manners and good operating protocol go out the window. Even without a pile-up, it's clear that some people don't listen and don't give due consideration to others using the band.

Check out the following link - worth a read....

http://dx-code.org/

Geminids Meteor Shower

2010-12-13T12:43:00.000Z

Tonight (Monday 13 December) sees the start of the 2010 Geminids meteor shower and best viewing will be just after midnight (early morning Tuesday). The meteors will be easily visible to the naked eye as they will be bright and slow-moving with an estimated frequency of 100 meteors per hour.

More information here.
View the Wikipedia item here.

IRTS Outgoing QSL Service

2010-12-08T09:57:00.002Z

Due to further recent losses with batches of QSLs in the post system, Tony EI8JK, the Irish Radio Transmitters Society's Outgoing QSL Manager, has started a service whereby if he is made aware of cards being sent to the Outgoing Bureau via email, Tony will in turn advise when the cards have been received.

It is thought that already about 50% of Bureau users are already doing this and if the number can be increased it will add to the comfort of not only the Bureau Manager expecting batches but also the user being made aware of when the cards have been received etc.

For members who wish to avail of this service please email Tony once cards have been sent, Tony’s email address is ei8jk /at/ amsat.org

(from IRTS radio news)

NORAD ready to track Santa on Christmas Eve

2010-12-03T14:20:00.001Z

In 1955, Sears Roebuck ran an ad in a local paper in Colorado Springs with a phone number that kids could use to call Santa. The number however, was wrong in that it was off by a digit, and when kids called to talk to Santa, they instead got through to a number in NORAD (North American Aerospace Defence Command) that was intended for the type of calls that would warn if the Russians were attacking. Answering the phone that morning, U.S. Air Force Col. Harry Shoup must have expected the worst but was Instead greeted by a childs voice asking, "Is this Santa Claus?"

Before long the phone was busy with children wanting to talk to Santa so Col. Shoup found an airman and told him to man the phone. With that, as NORAD puts it, "a tradition was born".

The project has become an annual favorite of thousands of children around the world, and each year it gets a little bit more sophisticated. This year (it's 55th year), Santa watchers can track his updated progress on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Flickr, and TroopTube. In each case, NORAD says, simply search for "@noradsanta." The site provides the parameters which allows real-time tracking of Santa on Christmas Eve using Google Earth and there's an iGoogle gadget also available.

On Christmas Eve, NORAD will be posting updates on Google Maps and Google Earth via the NORAD Santa site and NORAD personnel will be answering phone calls and e-mails. The site is available at the following link which also includes instructions to track Santa on Google Earth and links to the NORAD Facebook page etc.

http://www.noradsanta.org/en/index.html

Stealth Antennas

2010-11-24T09:54:00.001Z

Steve Nichols, G0KYA has a new amateur radio book called 'Stealth Antennas', and is now available to buy from the RSGB.

The book features a range of antennas including indoor dipoles, magnetic loops, stealth verticals, and birdhouses in addition to a number of more unusual stealth designs.

Stealth antennas are the solution to antenna installation problems where space is limited (apartment dwellers and those with small gardens), neighbours are intolerant or planning laws are not compatible.

New Satellites

2010-11-23T10:18:00.001Z

Five new satellites (with amateur radio equipment on-board) were launched recently. FASTRAC-1, FASTRAC-2, NanoSail-D2, O/OREOS and RAX were launched at 01:24 UT on Saturday Nov 20, reports of the signals are needed.

Nominal Frequencies are.....

- FASTRAC-1 "Sara Lily" 437.345 MHz FM AX.25 1200bps
- FASTRAC-2 "Emma"      145.825 MHz FM AX.25 1200bps
- RAX-1                 437.505 MHz
- O/OREOS               437.305 MHz
- Nanosail D2 0.5 sec   437.275 MHz
    beacon every 5 sec

Full information including links to the relevant web sites and Facebook pages are available on Southgate ARC web site at;
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/november2010/5_new_satellites_in_orbit.htm

Also, check out the link on ARRL;
http://www.arrl.org/news/view/hams-invited-to-listen-for-new-satellites

EPC PSK63 QSO Party

2010-11-17T11:19:00.000Z

The European PSK Club (EPC) invites amateur radio operators from all over the world to participate in the 5th EPC PSK63 QSO Party 2010 which will take place from 00:00 for 24 hours on Sunday the 21st of November. Rules are available here.

The objective of the competition is to establish as many contacts as possible using the BPSK63 mode. Everybody can work everybody for QSO and multiplier credit. Note: Only BPSK63 mode is allowed and maxium power is 100 Watts. Exchange format is as follows; Send signal report plus 5-digit EPC membership number (example – 599 EPC00001)

Recommended frequencies are:

160 metres ( 1.838 – 1.840 MHz)
   80 metres ( 3.582 – 3.590 MHz)
   40 metres ( 7.040 – 7.050 MHz)
   20 metres (14.072 – 14.080 MHz)
   15 metres (21.072 – 21.080 MHz)
   10 metres (28.072 – 28.080 MHz)

Please note that EPC members should send signal report plus 5-digit EPC membership number (e.g. – 599 EPC00001). Non-EPC member stations should send signal report plus QSO number, starting 001 (example – 599 001).

Logs should be sent via e-mail to; ut7fp _AT_ srars _DOT_ org

Using MixW in this Contest.
The new set of files for the MixW data mode software makes your particiapation in the EPC PSK63 QSO Party most enjoyable. You can download this set of files at http://www.digitalrus.ru/Files/StatsEUEPC.zip

After the deadline all logs will be published as UBN reports..
http://ut7fp.kiev.ua/epc-psk63-qso-party.htm

Contest Log Checker Software
http://www.contestlogchecker.com/

Understanding LF and HF Propagation

2010-11-11T10:14:00.000Z

A new eBook has been published by Steve Nichols (G0KYA) and Alan Melia (G3NYK) called Understanding LF and HF propagation and is available free for download. Steve and Alan wrote a series of articles on LF and HF propagation for the RSGB RadCom magazine.

The book can be downloaded as a 1 Mb PDF download.

To visit Steve's blog and download the eBook, Click Here!

VOACAP Online Update

2010-11-03T10:10:00.001Z

The online HF propagation prediction service VOACAP Online now uses Google Maps for coordinate entry making the service faster and more accessible.

The transmitter and receiver coordinates are defined by dragging two location markers on the map (which can be zoomed). Sunspot predictions are also updated up to 2012.

Visit VOACAP Online at http://online.voacap.com

Low-band CW activity from 5R8X, Madagascar

2010-11-02T10:15:00.000Z

A low-band operation from 5R8X in Antananarivo, Madagascar got underway on Monday 1 November.

The station is QRV during darkness on 160, 80, 40 and 30 metres. Activity will run for 8 days, until Tuesday the 9th of November. Planned frequencies are 1822.5, 3505.5, 3525.0, 7005.5 and 7025.0 and 10105.5 kHz CW almost exclusively.

The team will be using vertical antennas for the low-bands set up in a large field. WARC activity will also be provided. The 5R8X team will be using lightweight K3 radios byElecraft. This operation will be conducted in cooperation with Ake, 5R8FU.

QSL is via OH2BH.

More information available here... http://www.qrz.com/db/5r8x

Theory Exam Results

2010-10-27T12:32:00.000+01:00

The results of the (Amateur Licence) theory examination on 6 October have just recently been issued. 9 of the 14 candidates passed, so hopefully we'll be hearing a few new call-signs soon.

The next theory examination is planned for early July 2011.

For more information visit http://www.irts.ie
and http://www.comreg.ie

UK Digital Switchover

2010-10-22T10:21:00.001+01:00

The Daily Telegraph has run a report on the upcoming switchover to digital radio in the UK. The switch-over is planned for the year 2015.

Read the 'Telegraph' article here.....
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/8073195/Help-make-FM-switchover-happen-Ed-Vaizey-tells-the-BBC.html

Read the Southgate ARC article.....
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/october2010/government_committed_to_analogue_switchoff.htm

Campaign to save analogue radio.....
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/april2010/save_analogue_radio.htm

SSTV Archive - part 4

2010-10-21T17:30:00.002+01:00

Received during QSO with IK7XTG (Italy) - 14 MHz, Scottie 1 mode - 7-Nov-04

Received during a QSO with DD7VA (Germany) on 14 MHz SCOTTIE 1 mode - 14-Nov-04

Received image from I0NLD (Italy) on 14 MHz using SCOTTIE 1 mode - 18-Sept-04

SSTV Archive - part 3

2010-10-20T17:25:00.000+01:00

28 MHz (local QSO with EI8JA) SC2 180 mode

Received on 14 MHz SCOTTIE 2 mode

Transmission by EI8JA (locally) on 28 MHz using MARTIN 1 mode - 25-Oct-04

Transmission by EI8JA (locally) on 28 MHz using MARTIN 1 mode - 25-Oct-04

Received during QSO with OH5XO (Finland) - 14 MHz, Martin 1 mode - 6-Nov-04

SSTV Archive - part 2

2010-10-19T17:03:00.000+01:00

My transmission received by EI8JA (locally) on 28 MHz using MARTIN 2 mode - 25-Sept-04

Received during QSO with OZ6SM (Denmark) on 14 MHz using MARTIN 1 mode (with caption of my originally sent image) - 11-Sept-04

Transmission from my station received by EI8JA during a local QSO on 28 MHz using MARTIN 1 mode - 25-Sept-04

Transmission from my station received by EI8JA during a local QSO on 28 MHz using PD 50 mode - 10-Oct-04

Received during a QSO with IZ2GAF (Italy) on 14 MHz SCOTTIE 2 mode

SSTV Archive - part 1

2010-10-18T16:58:00.000+01:00

My transmission received by EI8JA (locally) on 28 MHz using MARTIN 1 mode - 26-Sept-04

My transmission received by EI8JA (locally) on 28 MHz using ROBOT B/W 12 mode - 10-Oct-04

Received during QSO with DJ1TU (Germany) - 14 MHz, Martin 1 mode - 9-Oct-04

My transmission received by EI8JA (locally) on 28 MHz using SC2 180 mode - 25-Sept-04

My transmission received by EI8JA (locally) on 28 MHz using MARTIN 1 mode - 25-Sept-04

Communications at Chile Mine Rescue

2010-10-14T12:48:00.000+01:00

Radio Club de Chile (RCCH) provided it's services to boost the availability of communications in the area during the rescue of the trapped miners in Chile.....

Full story from Southgate ARC is here....

RCCH Website (Google translation) here....

Morse Code and 4 metres in Dundalk

2010-10-06T10:40:00.001+01:00

The Dundalk Amateur Radio Society has begun live Morse tuition on Tuesday nights commencing at 20:40 hrs on 145.400 MHz. The purpose is to send Morse at a slow and easy pace and is aimed at those who are just starting out and those that want to sharpen up their Morse skills.

Tony, EI4DIB would like to suggest a 4 metre activity night which would start after the IRTS news on a Monday night at approximately 8:30 p.m. It is suggested that stations who has 4 metres capability to QSY to 145.400 MHz and 70.400 MHz (FM) after the news call-ins on the DAR Repeater.

More info is available on the Dundalk Amateur Radio Society website at www.ei7dar.com

Netherlands Antilles - DXCC changes!

2010-10-05T15:47:00.000+01:00

Five of the Caribbean islands will change status on the 10th of October. Some of the Netherlands Antilles (that are currently an autonomous part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) will become independent entities within the kingdom while others will remain within the Netherlands as special municipalities. This will result in the reorginisation of the relevant DXCC entities.

Bonaire & Curacao and the group of islands, St Maarten, Saba and St Eustatius will be deleted from the DXCC list and replaced by up to five new entities.

For more information, see the following ARRL page....

http://www.arrl.org/news/view/pj-pandemonium-opening-october-10-on-an-hf-band-near-you

Incursions on 28 MHz

2010-10-04T16:26:00.000+01:00

Ger EI4GXB, the IRTS IARUMS coordinator, would like to ask everyone to keep a listening watch around 28.265 MHz FM as there have been incursions by churches broadcasting on this frequency heard throughout Europe with very strong signals.

Recently there has also been a Church in the Dublin area transmitting on 28.030 MHz (in the CW portion of 10m).

Please send and details of names etc used so that the locations can be identified and investigated. All information can be sent to Ger McNamara EI4GXB at:
ei4gxb /at/ gmail / com
or by phone to 087 2532512.

Climbing a Broadcast Radio Tower

2010-09-16T14:19:00.001+01:00

The above video gives a POV perspective of the engineer climbing a radio tower (a very high one - 1768 ft).

PH9HB Aeronautical Mobile from a Boeing 737

2010-09-08T10:53:00.001+01:00

Jerry (PH9HB) has been active /AM recently from a Boeing 737 and is normally heard around 14.325 and 14.210 MHz and also on 18.165 MHz +/- QRM.

More information here.....
http://f1jxq.passion-radio.org/ham-radio-operator/ph9hb-ham-radio-operating-from-a-boeing-737/

The QRZ.com profile for PH9HB is here... http://www.qrz.com/db/ph9hb

ISS heard in QSO on 145.800 MHz

2010-09-07T10:06:00.000+01:00

It's always worth monitoring 145.800 MHz. The International Space Station is normally in repeater mode on this frequency but from time to time the astronauts can be heard in QSO here. Uplink is 145.200 for Region 1.

New version 1.2.12 of Hamlib released

2010-09-06T12:43:00.001+01:00

Hamlib, the Amateur Radio Control Libraries, is a development effort to provide a consistent interface for programmers wanting to incorporate radio control in their programs. Hamlib is a software layer that facilitates the controlling radios, logging applications and rotators etc. via software by providing an API for rig control.

Hamlib, Sourceforge Wiki:
http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/hamlib/index.php?title=Main_Page

eHam news item:
http://www.eham.net/articles/24541

Help, need part for FT-101ZD

2010-08-31T13:17:00.005+01:00

Update (20 Sept. 2010): Thanks to Andrew (EI3FEB) who responded to my plea for help and passed on a link to a company that supplies the part. The part is now fitted and the FT-101ZD is back on-air!
----------------------------------------------------

I'm looking for a PB-2153A Premix Local Oscillator (plug-in board) for an FT-101ZD Mk III.

If anyone has such a board that they're willing to sell or know where I could get one I'd be most grateful.

A picture of the board can be seen about half way down this page...
http://www.foxtango.org/ft101zd/foxtangoFT-101ZDmodule.htm

My contact details are on http://www.qrz.com/db/ei7is

North Cork Rally, Morse Testing and Theory Exam

2010-08-30T11:00:00.001+01:00

The North Cork Radio Group will hold their first annual rally at the Blarney Golf Resort, Tower, Co Cork on Sunday September 19th. For more information visit; www.NorthCorkRadioGroup.com, traders are very welcome and should contact the events organiser; Liam EI7GTB, Tel: 085-7039042 or e-mail: ei7gtb /at/ gmail.com

Note: Morse Testing will be available at the rally. Anyone wishing to sit a Morse test should contact Ger McNamara EI4GXB on 087 2532512 or by e-mail; ei4gxb /at/ gmail.com

For further details on Rallies please see www.irts.ie/rallies

Closing date for applications to sit the next radio licence theory exam is 17th September. The exam itself will take place at 2 p.m. on Wednesday 6th October in the ComReg Offices in Dublin.

Further information is available on the IRTS Web Site

Get Your Feet Wet (CW Weekend)

2010-08-24T12:23:00.001+01:00

FISTS are running the "Get your feet wet weekend" from 00:00Z Fri Sep 10, 2010 (Thursday local) to 00:00Z Sep 13 (Sunday local) - http://www.fists.org/getfeetwet.html. The focus of this event is on sending slow and clear Morse, keyers are not allowed, automation or computer assistance is not allowed, just human-powered transmissions using a straight-key is what this is about.

Suggested frequencies;

3558 kHz
7110 kHz
14110 kHz
21110 kHz
28110 kHz

For more information and rules see;
http://www.fists.org/getfeetwet.html

New version of MMSSTV software

2010-08-17T11:03:00.000+01:00

A new version (1.12) of the MMSSTV software is available at the following link;
http://mmhamsoft.amateur-radio.ca/pages/mmsstv.php

New features are;
- Changed the sound card selection scheme
- Soundcard Output Level works on Vista and Windows 7.
- Soundcard Input Level works on Vista and Windows 7.
- Updated the duplication check routime of JASTA contest

Perseids Meteor Shower

2010-08-10T18:20:00.004+01:00

The Perseids meteor shower is upon us.From the ARRL web site.......
http://www.arrl.org/news/view/surfin-hamming-by-pinging

http://www.arrl.org/news/view/dark-time-is-the-right-time-for-the-perseids

Wikipedia article......
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseids

What the Hell? (Hellschrieber)

2010-07-27T11:19:00.005+01:00

Hellschreiber was patented in 1929, and is still in use by radio amateurs/experimenters using the original format. The mode was very popular at a time when teleprinters were complex and expensive. The Hellschreiber was initially used for sending textual information over land-lines (a practice which continued into the 1980s). Each character of a Feld-Hell transmission is portrayed as a series of dots in a matrix. The dots are sent one at a time (in an on-off keying fashion just like Morse code). Feld-Hell is the most popular of the Hellschreiber modes, but there are others.

This method of communication has one major advantage over all other HF digital keyboard modes in the fact that it is NOT a true digital mode in the same way as RTTY and PSK31 are (it is a 'fuzzy' mode, similar to SSTV, therefore if the signal is weak, the print will be weaker and darker print will be achieved with a stronger signal). With Hell modes the text characters are not decoded by the computer program, rather Hell text is "painted" to the screen as the Hell tone is being received through the sound card for the user on the receiving end to decode 'visually'!

With Hell modes, the only time that a received character appears wrong on the screen is when it is typed wrong. Also FELD HELL has a very narrow bandwidth (about 75Hz when properly driven).

FELD-HELL QSO Screenshot (above): A screenshot from a QSO I had with a TI2CPQ in Costa Rica. There were times when the signal disappeared in the noise, yet the the signal was still capable of being decoded. The faded text is representative of QSB and the dark patches, QRM.

FELD-HELL is a form of Facimile transmission and is the predecessor to the modern-day FAX. As well as FELD-HELL, there is PSK Hell which is a new mode that uses phase shifts to represent the marks and spaces.

More Info.....

Click HERE to download IZ8BLY Hellschreiber software. (Freeware)!

Check out the following video from K7AGE.....

Phase Shift Keying (PSK)

2010-07-22T11:13:00.006+01:00

PSK31 is a digital mode designed by Peter Martinez G3PLX for live keyboard QSO's (the same type operation as RTTY).

The PSK31 mode uses a transmission speed of 31.25 baud using varicode caracter coding what provides a speed of 50 words per minute (very few people can type faster than this). The varicode character set has varying data lengths for each character with the most commonly used letters having the shortest data length.

Instead of using FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) or on/off keying uses BPSK (Binary Phase Shift Keying) or QPSK (Quad Phase Shift Keying). The mode uses advanced DSP and narrow band techniques. A BPSK-31 signal, when properly driven occupies about 31 Hz bandwidth! Other common formats are PSK63 and PSK125, obviously the higher the data rate, the wider the bandwidth and the less reliable under noisy or poor conditions.

Click HERE to visit the DigiPan "Digital Panoramic Tuning" web site and download the Digipan software for PSK operation.

EPC PSK signals are commonplace around 7.035 MHz, 14.070 MHz and 28.120 MHz. Even when band conditions are very poor. One of the main advantages of PSK31 is that the mode is very effective when signals are extremely weak (even with QRM)! Because of the narrowband DSP technology used, most software will allow the user to monitor two or more QSO's simultaneously without having to change frequency on the rig.

Vintage Radio Museum at Howth Martello Tower

2010-07-20T00:19:00.004+01:00

I recently paid a very enjoyable visit to the Vintage Radio Museum at Howth Martello Tower in Co. Dublin. The tower itself is steeped in history. Built in 1805 and modelled on a tower in Martello Point, Corsica, it is one of a number of similar structures around the Irish coastline. It's original purpose was to defend against an expected attack from Napoleon and as such these towers occupied strategic vantage points around the country.

In 1852 the first submarine cable connecting Britain and Ireland came ashore at the Martello tower but was operational for only 3 days and was replaced in 1854.

From the radio perspective and probably due to it's strategic location, the Martello tower has a significant history associated with it as it was used by the American radio pioneer Lee De Forest in 1903 to demonstrate his wireless telegraph system to the British post office where successful two way communications were established with another of De Forests stations in Holyhead. Two years later in 1905, the Marconi company established a receiving station at the Martello tower while the telegraph ship Monarch sailed to various locations in the Irish Sea transmitting signals which were analysed and measured at Howth while trying various antenna and earth configurations.

The museum itself pays tribute to the historic location and displays a range of transmitters, receivers, TVs etc. from the very early days of wireless with items such as Morse sounders, crystal sets and sections of submarine cable right up to modern equipment that we use every day. The exhibits also includes gramaphones, records, documents, posters and very old advertising material. Some items are very rare and have in themselves a significant history.

The visit was made all the more enjoyable by Pat Herbert (the museum curator) and Tony Breathnach, EI5EM (who runs the amateur station EI0MAR from the tower) who gave us a very warm welcome on our visit. You don't just visit the museum, you hang out there and chat, drink tea/coffee, in fact you're a guest.

The museum is run out of a love for radio and a desire to preserve the past, it is not a commercial enterprise. I highly recommend a visit.

You can visit the museums web site here.... http://ei5em.110mb.com/museum.html

MAI-75 activation (15/16 July 2010)

2010-07-14T22:42:00.002+01:00

Cosmonauts on board the International Space Station will activate the MAI-75 experiment (Moscow Aviation Institute) on the 15th and 16th of July.

Times fall between 12:00-15:00 UTC on the 15th and 10:00-12:00 UTC on the 16th . The system will operate the space cam in slide show mode and the likely SSTV sub-mode will be Martin1. The times are just over 1 orbit each day (two passes over Moscow).

The best time to receive it from South East Ireland will be Thursday (15 July) at approximately 14:25 UTC.

For more information visit;
http://www.energia.ru/eng/iss/researches/education-26.html
http://www.marexmg.org/fileshtml/howtoisssstv.html

70 MHz in Spain

2010-07-13T11:24:00.000+01:00

In October 2008, it was announced by the Spanish PTT that radio amateurs would have temporary, limited experimantal access to the 4 metres (70 MHz) band with an allocation of 70.150 - 70.200 MHz.

The temporary allocation has been extended for a year allowing EA stations to use 4 metres until the 1st of July 2011.

Also in Spain, given the success of the national team in the World Cup and taking into account numerous individual requests, amateurs areallowed to use the special World Cup prefix (AM, AN and AO) until the end of July.

D-STAR Illegal in France

2010-07-05T10:26:00.000+01:00

I was surprised to learn recently that D-Star radio is illegal in France (despite being legal and gaining popularity in other European countries). Highlighted by DR@F (the association of amateur digital mode operators) who have put in place an on-line petition and state that the crux of the issue appears to be that the D-Star protocol permits a radio to be connected to the Internet, which is reportedly illegal in France and that it breaches conditions regarding encrypted communications citing national security concerns (parts of the patented proprietary AMBE codec are undisclosed).

I'm guessing that this impacts the use of other digital voice modes in France also though it seems that Echolink nodes and APRS gateways (which also connect to the Internet) are legal as a number of them are operational from France.

Information from Southgate ARC:
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/june2010/dstar_illegal_in_france.htm

Information from G4ILO Blog:
http://blog.g4ilo.com/2010/06/d-star-illegal-in-france.html

The On-line Petition can be accessed here.....
http://draf.asso.fr/index.php?pages/Digital-Voice-Internet-Access-in-France-Petition

EI8WDT ATV Repeater

2010-06-25T02:28:00.005+01:00

The EI8WDT ATV (Amateur Television) Repeater in Helvick Head has a live feed to the Internet and can be viewed at http://www.searg.com/livecam.php

The IRTS Radio News is transmitted at 9.30 p.m. (local) every Tuesday via this ATV repeater (and also via the Repeater Network).

Codecs for Digital Voice on Amateur Radio

2010-06-14T12:00:00.004+01:00

A Codec is a software program that converts audio or video to and from a digital data stream (the word Codec stands for Compressor-Decompressor or more commonly Coder-Decoder). A shortage of suitable open source codecs has until now being a limiting factor with digital voice communications on amateur radio but David Rowe VK5DGR has plans to change this.

Two codecs are required for amateur radio use, one for HQ voice on VHF/UHF possibly using 5 kHz spacing and the other with a lower data rate for use on the HF bands and possibly using less than 1.5 kHz of bandwidth.

Recently, digital voice (DV) is more commonplace on the amateur bands (especially on HF), however, this type of communication has until now relied on proprietary software Codecs (not always compatible with copyright rules). It is believed that for HF digital voice to progress, then an Open Source Codec is needed.

Free Telephony Project founder David Rowe VK5DGR Codec2 Blog
http://www.rowetel.com/blog/?p=128

Open Source Identity interview with David Rowe VK5DGR at
http://www.cio.com.au/article/264806/
open_source_identity_free_telephony_project_
founder_david_rowe/

70 MHz openings

2010-05-28T09:45:00.006+01:00

On Tuesday 25 May, I worked EI3GYB in Knock, Co. Mayo via the 4 metre 'simplexer' on 70.350 MHz. The simplexer (store & forward repeater) is based in Co. Cork and I normally have a good path into it but didn't hear it last night.

Shortly after working EI3GYB I heard OZ8ZS (Denmark) calling on the same frequency. We could hear each other via the simplexer but could also hear each others original 'input' signal (the original signals were about RS 55 each way). That was my first outside of EI on 4 and was well pleased to make the QSO. As a result, I'm paying a bit more attention to 70MHz hoping to catch another opening. Lift conditions are fairly strong at the moment with good openings on 6 metres (sometimes worth checking 4 when 6 is open).

I'm using a re-programmed ex-PMR 25 Watts (FM channellised) and sloping wire dipole.

Geopark Communications Weekend

2010-05-24T14:22:00.002+01:00

South Eastern Amateur Radio Group took part in the Geopark Communications weekend over the weekend of May 22/23 from Tankardstown on the Coppercoast Geopark in Co. Waterford.

For more information regarding the Geoparks weekend from SEARG visit, http://www.searg.com/geopark.php

The Copper Coast European Geopark is located on the South East coast of Ireland. It extends from Fenor in the east to Stradbally in the west and as far north as Dunhill.

The Copper Coast gets its name from the 19th Century copper mines that were once predominant in the area.

The Copper Coast consists of 25 kilometres of spectacular coastline. Oceans, volcanoes, deserts and ice sheets all combined to create the rocks, which provide the physical foundation of the natural and cultural landscapes of the Copper Coast.

The Copper Coast is an outdoor geology museum with geological heritage that reflects a variety of environments under which the area has evolved over the last 460 million years. Sedimentary and volcanic rocks illustrate the closure of the Iapetus Ocean, the resulting volcanic activity, evidence of the collision of two continents leading to the creation of Ireland and finally the effects of glaciation from the Ice Age. Cross-sections of these are exposed on the many spectacular cliffs along the Co. Waterford coastline.

Sun Ready to Erupt Again

2010-04-27T10:43:00.003+01:00

SpaceWeather.com reports that the Sun might be on the verge of erupting again.

This month, the sun has produced two of the biggest eruptions in years (13 and 19 April 2010).

For more information, check out SpaceWeather.com

Largest CME in years

2010-04-15T10:15:00.004+01:00

On Tuesday last (13 April), the Sun exploded to life with a huge coronal mass ejection (CME) the largest for a number of years.

The Sun has been 'quiet' of late but there has been a recent increase in sunspot numbers, magnetic activity and flares. Solar Maximum is predicted for 2013.

Click HERE for more information.

70MHz Activity (Waterford area)

2010-03-09T17:20:00.006Z

Anyone on 70 MHz (4m) in the South East area? As would be expected, this band isn't exactly a hive of activity but there has been some activity in recent times on 70.2625 MHz FM in Waterford. If anyone would like to arrange a sked, my details are on QRZ.com and eQSL.cc. I notice also from web forums that there is some WSPR (digital beacons) activity on 4 metres recently.

I'm using a Motorola MC Micro (25 Watts) F.M. (converted PMR) into a sloping wire dipole antenna. - 70.125 to 70.450 MHz channelised (see photo).

The monitor frequency is 70.2625 MHz FM.

Recent Weather on Mt. Leinster

2010-01-23T12:11:00.007Z

The South Eastern Amateur Radio Group repeater on Mt. Leinster is operating with reduced signal due to damage to the antenna caused by the recent severe weather conditions. The APRS node on the same site is also off air due to the recent weather conditions.

The photos below give an idea of how bad the conditions were up there. For info on the SEARG repeaters, click here!

Zen and the Art of Radiotelegraphy

2010-01-20T22:30:00.006Z

The following link contains a downloadable 97 page PDF document which explains a number of techniques to aid in learning Morse code. Gives some excellent advice for beginners.

Click here to view / download!

SEARG - Christmas get-together

2009-12-16T12:31:00.009Z

There will be no meeting of South Eastern Amateur Radio Group for the month of December (normal meetings will resume in January).

This coming Friday (18 December) however, there will be an informal get-together over a few drinks in the Roanmore Centre, Cleaboy Road, Waterford from about 8.30 p.m.onwards.

All are welcome!

Linux Journal Article

2009-12-08T10:35:00.008Z

The current issue of Linux Journal contains an article about amateur radio titled.......

When All Else Fails—Amateur Radio, the Original Open-Source Project.

See the link, below.

http://www.linuxjournal.com/ham

IRTS News via ATV

2009-11-25T09:39:00.009Z

The IRTS radio news which is normally available from South Eastern Amateur Radio Group via the repeater network on Tuesday nights at 9.30 p.m. (local time) is now available live via the EI8WDT (Amateur Television Repeater) in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.

A live video feed is also available via the Web at EI8FFB.com.

Click HERE to view (note: Available on Tuesdays from 9.30 p.m. local)...

70 MHz - Waterford

2009-09-21T10:50:00.005+01:00

There is some activity in the Waterford area on 70.2625 MHz FM. Activity, is not scheduled but feel free to get in touch to arrange skeds.

Sonograms Explain Sunspot Mystery

2009-09-17T10:04:00.005+01:00

From the Global Oscillation Network Group.....
http://gong.nso.edu/news/solarmystery/

UK Propagation Predictions

2009-09-12T12:54:00.006+01:00

The RSGB have made available a propagation predictions table and can be viewed at the following URL; http://www.rsgb.org.uk/propagation/

The predictions are aimed at the average radio amateur using average radio equipment with a dipole in a quiet urban environment.

Perseids

2009-08-07T10:40:00.003+01:00

Earth will make its annual passage through the Perseids on August 11 and 12. The Perseids is space debris shed by the Swift Tuttle comet and when the fragments hit our atmosphere they can create a stunning meteor display which also leave short-lived ionized trails in their wake which can reflect radio signals (meteor scatter).

The name Perseids derive from the fact that the meteor shower appears to originate from a point in the sky that lies in the Perseus constellation.

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/08/06/11006/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseids

Demo of Google Earth 4D Ionosphere

2009-07-31T23:41:00.000+01:00

Keyboards and Earth Data Leakage

2009-07-30T10:36:00.006+01:00

"Power sockets can be used to eavesdrop on what people type on a computer."

Scary Stuff. I came across this recently on southgateARC.org.....

Apparently, security researchers have found that inadequate shielding on some keyboards (specifically the connecting cables) means that data relating to the characters being typed can be leaked from the keyboard into the mains earth where it can be picked up by a hacker / eavesdropper.

It has been demonstrated to work at a distance of up to 15m, but refinement may mean it could work over much longer distances. The research in this case dealt with PS/2 keyboards. The six wires inside the PS/2 cable are typically close to each other and not well shielded in all cases meaning that earth leakage is highly likely. This is useful to an eavesdropper as data travels along PS/2 cables 'one bit at a time' using a very slow clock speed.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/july2009/watch_what_you_type.htm
So, using poorly shielded cables, doesn't just mean that you're polluting the RF bands or flooding the power grid with noise, but sending sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers etc. along with it.

Cycle 24 Comes Alive!

2009-06-23T10:47:00.004+01:00

Finally, Sunspot Cycle 24 is coming to life as a new sunspot group emerged on the Suns southwest quadrant yesterday (Monday). This is the fourth such group this month and the effects are apparent on the HF bands with openings up to 10 metres (even late into the night) and some good sporadic-E openings on 50 MHz.

See also;

Solar Minima - No Light at the end of the Tunnell
Solar Minimum on BBC Radio 4
Deep Solar Minimum
New Sunspots
Solar Cycle 23 Vs Solar Cycle 24

Numbers Stations

2009-06-22T16:02:00.002+01:00

An interesting site about 'numbers stations' that I came across while browsing around the web.....
http://www.simonmason.karoo.net/page30.html

WSPR on YouTube

2009-06-10T10:39:00.004+01:00

The following is an interesting look at MEPT_JT (beacon mode) using WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) software.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItcX4xm8oV4&feature=related

Previous entry relating to WSPR.
http://ei7is.blogspot.com/2009/03/wspr-distant-whispers.html

Looking for CW Operators for DXpedition to Norfolk, VK9

2009-05-29T19:17:00.004+01:00

The Hellenic Amateur Radio Association Of Australia is organizing a trip to Nolfolk Island from July 22nd until July 28th. They are looking for CW operators to support them.

If you are interest, contact the Association via "info 'AT' haraoa 'DOT' com" or visit their web site at http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/HARAOA/.

Stolen IC7000

2009-05-20T19:10:00.004+01:00

Derek Holmes, EI7GLB had his Jeep broken into last friday night and his radio stolen.

The radio is an Icom IC 7000 mobile unit and the number on the radio is 1001743. If anyone comes accross this, please contact Derek on 087 9049023.

Monitoring Monthly to cease Publication

2009-05-14T11:13:00.003+01:00

Sadly, Monitoring Monthly have announced that the May 2009 edition of the popular magazine is to be the last. Monitoring Monthly is a UK based magazine aimed primarily at the SWL community but is of interest to many radio amateurs.

The publishers have cited difficult trading conditions as the reason for this unavoidable closure. The web site will remain on-line for the foreseeable future to allow MME customers to download their electronic issues.

The web site can be viewed at; http://www.monitoringmonthly.co.uk/

Theory Exam

2009-05-07T15:27:00.005+01:00

The next Theory Examination for the Experimenters licence will take place on uesday the 30th of June at 2 p.m. in the ComReg Offices, Dublin and in Carrigtwohill Co. Cork.

For more information, visit www.irts.ie

Copper Coast Geopark, EI2GEO

2009-05-06T10:26:00.007+01:00

South Eastern Amateur Radio Group will participate in the Geoparks Communication Weekend over the 23rd and 24th of May 2009. The event is part of European Geoparks Week and SEARG will air the callsign EI2GEO from Tankardstown, Bonmahon, Co. Waterford which lies on the Copper Coast Geopark.

The event is organised by GB6GEO which will be based in the English Riviera Global Geopark and a number of stations based at Geoparks around the world will participate in the event. The following are frequencies likely to be in use by Geopark stations; 3.680MHz, 7.080MHz, 14.180MHz, 21.180MHz, and 28.180MHz.

For more information about the Copper Coast Geopark visit; www.coppercoastgeopark.com