Once again this morning I have had to report to Ofcom an interference problem that has caused major problems to my Amateur Radio Station. After the initial investigations back in March 2010, two deivces were found to be faulty, a plasma TV and also a mast head TV pre amp. Both of the previous matters were resolved by Ofcom who i have to say dealt with my complaints very well. So now I have S9 plasma TV type noise again and I have to start the whole complaint off again. I will keep you informed of progress.
Ofcom field engineer will be here to investigate this week.
Category - Blog
130 direct QSL cards were sent in the post on Thursday 12th August.
United Radio QSL Management Bureau are pleased to support and promote the following appeal.
I ask all readers of my Blog please read the press release below and consider a donation to this fund. A very worthy cause…
Press Release [in full] by GD6TWF:
The following appeal was made on DX World. Net Assistance Required
Hi! I am Abel (ex-9E2ABL). What I want to ask about is that I have passed the RSGB exam[1] and am now properly licensed.. but when I apply for the license here I am required to have a radio & I may pay for the custom duty here but for the radio that I cannot afford … so if there is a way like an organization to support or anything…that I can get a radio it will be so helpful. I hope I will get a positive response.
Thank you, 73 Abel
Following this appeal Sid May ET3SID a British National Resident in Ethiopia for decades contacted DX World.Net to say he had coached four young Ethiopians – all members of the Ethiopian Amateur Radio Society (“EARS”) through the examination including Abel – and stated that all four were in the same position; they had the qualification to get a license but could not afford the cost of buying, shipping and importing equipment.
As a result of this request several amateurs made offer of help and it was decided to form a simple appeal to raise funds and accept donations of equipment so that these four young amateurs could get on the air.
The appeal is called Amateur Radio In Ethiopia (“ARIE”) and a webpage has been launched at http://tinyurl.com/ETproject which gives all the information and details on how to donate.
We have already had offers of equipment and cash donations from UK, Germany, New Zealand, UK, USA and Isle of Man.
The appeal has been designed so anyone can donate according to means. That old rig gathering dust on the shelf would change someone’s life. A small donation would allow us to buy PL259’s or a few metres of coax. A big donation would allow us to ship a donated rig out.
We welcome donations from individuals, clubs, societies, associations, dx-groups any where in the world. If your business is interested in being involved please contact us to see how we can work together.
We passionately believe that this organisation will have a lifelong impact on the recipients, help people enjoy their hobby who, without your help, would not be able to do so. Contributed towards equipping Ethiopian hams who will be making contacts and giving many other hams a new DXCC country while at the same time developing their own valuable technical skills and career prospects.
[1] Radio Society of Great Britain (‘RSGB”) International Examination. The cost of which was met by the RSGB.
The Logo may be used in publications or online provided it is attributed. The logo is available in a variety of formats and file sizes from Chris Wood GD6TWF@IOM.COM please specify your requirements.
For any questions please look at our website http://tinyurl.com/ETproject or contact Chris Wood
As many of you know I upload my log to Club Log and have some friendly rivalry between friends in the SSB 2010 League to see who can be No 1 SSB DX’er for the year. When MM0SJH Steve emailed me today saying with a snigger “I think you better look at Club Log!” I knew straight away that he had taken the Number One spot. Luckily my latest upload keeps me top on band slot difference. Over the last few weeks I have taken my eye off the ball with all the QSL work just lately, and being away in Wales where i can’t add to my score of course.
So here is the table as we stand today August 2nd with just under 5 months to go!
Club Log 2010 SSB DXCC League
| Rank | Callsign | 160 | 80 | 60 | 40 | 30 | 20 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 70 | Total | Slots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M0URX | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 183 | 106 | 135 | 89 | 98 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 224 | 652 |
| 2 | MM0SJH | 25 | 8 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 221 | 7 | 11 | 20 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 224 | 331 |
| 3 | IZ8OGR | 0 | 46 | 0 | 121 | 0 | 167 | 80 | 118 | 64 | 76 | 17 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 218 | 694 |
| 4 | MW0JZE | 0 | 32 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 174 | 95 | 118 | 31 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 210 | 511 |
| 5 | MW0CRI | 17 | 9 | 0 | 78 | 1 | 153 | 94 | 105 | 61 | 55 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 208 | 598 |
John Plenderleith 9M6XRO reports this week, John says:
“We had a great time at the 6th All Borneo Amateur Radio Festival in Brunei over July 23-25th hosted by BDARA whose members could not do enough for us. I kept the BARC banner flying high by winning the CW and General Knowledge Competitions!
As it so happened the 25th was the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah’s 64th birthday and all Bruneians turn out for it. Everyone at the Hamfest was also invited. BDARA was allotted booth number 64 at the Padang and after the welcoming ceremony the Sultan makes the rounds of all the booths most of which are for local people from the outlying villages. At the BDARA booth the Sultan was presented with a gold-plated morse key and up to that point I was not aware of the Sultan’s interest in ham radio but it seems he has the call V85HB and the booth had on display images from the past of the Sultan operating on 2m and working YB on HF!
I have attached photos of the gold-plated key, and one of yours truly with the talented young musicians from Kampong Bebuloh who were adjacent to our booth and performing traditional music on their gongs. I am sure some of the youngest members were no more than 5 or 6 years old and were barely visible behind the larger gongs but they never missed a beat!
Clubhouse Repairs
On Thursday I went out to Langkah Syabas resort with 9M6GY and set up the station for a JA visitor, JE9MBV. I spent Friday at the BARC clubhouse repairing the low band inverted vee. A barrel connector and two PL-259 plugs were cremated so once again I suspect a lightning strike close by as the culprit. I have been busy but not on the air!
9M6XRO’s Noisy Electricity Pole Gets a Visit!
One other thing. I had a call from the MCMC last Thursday and was told that the SESB (Electricity Board) were sending engineers out to inspect the noisy pole I’d been complaining about. I quickly headed out there clutching my MFJ noise meter and let them listen to the problem. The result is that it is now on their work list so one of these days it should get done. I just hope it is the last one and the problem doesn’t jump to the next dodgy pole along the line!”
Terry G4MKP will be operating from Paphos, Cyprus QRV as 5B/G4MKP, for around 10 days. Located in the lower part of Tsada village with my K3 and fan dipole. Conditions are greatly improved on HF since my last 5B4 dxpedition in 2009 so maybe a little easier into the UK and W Europe this year. If you hear me please call. I’ll QRV cw on 40-10m around 010 each band and ssb wherever I can get a clear slot but usually the top end of the band. Times will be in the 0600-1200 and 1600-2400 region.
Terry reports “In the first hour I worked JA, LU, PY, UA, OH, IT, 9A EA, G and most of EU already.” At 1900z Sunday 1st, Terry says 400 Qs in the log already, it sounds like Terry is enjoying his holiday!
QSL Via M0URX
More info on Terry’s Blog at: 5B/G4MKP
Photo courtesy of Terry G4MKP
Log uploaded to online log search and LoTW.
9M6XRO, 9M6DXX, 9W6AMC, 9W6LEE and G3USR plan to activate the rare IOTA island of Pulau Sebatik, OC-295, from 24 to 27 September inclusive. The operation will be on 10 – 80m with the emphasis on 15 – 40m. Two stations will be used with amplifiers to a HexBeam and verticals located directly above the sea water.
Callsigns will be 9M6XRO/P on CW and 9M6DXX/P on SSB and it is hoped to have both stations on the air during all the major openings to Europe and North America. OC-295 has only been claimed by 14.2% of IOTA participants, having been activated just once before, in July 2006. QSL both callsigns via M0URX, direct, bureau, or LoTW.
Image above – ‘Kampung Air’ stilt village, Sebatik Island.
See Sebatik
2010 for further details and for a link to M0URX’s on-line QSL request form for both direct and bureau cards.I am now home and all direct and email Bureau QSL requests are completed.
MC0SHL, M9X MW9W, P29CS and ZC4VJ (ZC4VJ log up to 20th July) logs uploaded to the online log search.
137 letters posted 30/07/2010
If you are posting your QSL from Russia I ask you please to seal the envelope with tape for security. many letters arrive with no postage from Russia and these are returned Via Bureau. Or use Paypal.
Why no stamps?
I recently asked for NO postage stamps be sent if you are outside the UK. Since then I have received several emails on the matter. Please let me explain. Some QSL cards that I send are 4 sided cards, some just 2, some envelopes you send me are slightly heavier and wider than the standard 114mm x 162mm that I prefer.
In the UK the limit for the minimum postage weight to Rest of World is 10g. Quite often the letter weighs 11g which is considerably more expensive.
Also the US$2 or 1 x IRC has to cover all expenses of the QSL manager not just the post. This is why I DO NOT use postage stamps to send my mail. I have an International Postal Account where i can get large discounts on post. This frees up money to pay for ink, labels, QSL printing and other stationary needed. All stationary is purchased from wholesale outlets where i can get a good discount for bulk purchase. Bureau costs are quite considerable and are subsidised by the donations sent in and by the IRC’s and dollars with your QSL.
To be sure that your QSL arrives quickly and safely to you. Please do not send postage stamps with your QSL ONLY use US$2 or 1 x IRC that will cover 1 QSL card. For multi QSL requests check “Direct & Bureau Instructions”
If you need IRC’s or dollars ask a QSL manager in your country and see if he can supply you with some. I would rather sell dollars and IRC’s than cash them in to the bank and PO.
Credit where credit is due!
We are often quick to complain when things don’t go as we expect, me included! So I thought I would let you know about two Amateur Radio services that provide outstanding and beyond the call of duty service.
ARRL LoTW HQ.
Kathy Allison at LoTW HQ has shown excellent quality of service, every time I have emailed Kathy, I have received an email back usually within 5 minutes. All enquiries dealt with fast and efficiently.
Ukraine QSL Bureau UARL.
I have heard many comments from you guys about bad post in the Ukraine but the Ukraine QSL Bureau time after time have shown excellent quality of service.
Here is the latest example: on 16th July I posted a package of MS0INT QSL cards to the Ukraine QSL Bureau. On the 22nd July I receive an email from a Ukrainian Ham thanking me for the fast Bureau QSL for MS0INT. This can’t be true so I checked my log and yes, for sure this QSL was sent Via Bureau.
G3TXQ-Hexbeam by MW0JZE 6m 10m 12m 15m 17m 20m Broadband Hexagonal Beam.
I was recently asked how I rate the Hexbeam and did I think it was a good choice of antenna for Club / Portable use.
Now into the second year using this antenna / Portable. In my opinion this is the antenna to go for. It took me 1 hour to assemble my antenna at home on my own and as you may know antenna assembly is not my forte. You do need a fairly decent mast but this antenna works very well at just 21 feet as we had it last week on Ramsey Island. We had 2 Hexbeams up at 21 feet and we put 4,900 Qs in the log in no more than 46 hours operating over about 4 days.
Last year we had winds in excess of 65 mph sustained for several hours and it didn’t even sneaze.
Ant and I sponsored the Hexbeam that you see on this months RadCom for the MS0INT activity on Flannan Isles. This team were only on Flannan for just two and a half days and they logged 8,200 Qs which I think speaks for itself.
The quality of the parts from Anthony are very high quality to withstand UV, high winds, sub zero and rain with all screws and nuts n bolts all stainless. You can find more about the antenna here G3TXQ Hexbeam by Ant MW0JZE
Using portable I would suggest that you put the antenna back in the box and roll the wire elemenrts, and put them back in the sleeved bag to make sure that everything is easy for its next useage.
When we finished Ramsey we took both Hexbeams down and had them carefully packed away in little over 1 hour.
I give this antenna my recommendation for home, protable and DX’pedition use.
GW – Ramsey Island EU-124 – Once again the Strumble Head DX and Contest Group are heading over the water to activate this rare Welsh coastal island. They will be on the air from 22nd July through to 26th or 27th July (all dependant on tides) using the club call MC0SHL. This trip also takes in the RSGB IOTA contest where they will be on the air using the club contest call MW9W over the weekend 24th and 25th July. Last year they tried to work as many Asian and Pacific stations as this is #18 most wanted on the IOTA listings for that area and they will again try to make as many contacts both before and during the contest. They will have 3 stations using the following equipment;
2 x Elecraft K3 Transceivers
1 x Yaesu FT2000
2 x G3TXQ Hexbeams (built by Ant MW0JZE)
80M Dipole
40M Vertical
3 x Acom 1000
The team will be using MC0SHL on 17 and 12M during the contest to try to give as many contacts on these bands also. They will be on the air mostly in SSB, but with some RTTY and CW thrown in. This year the team will be Rob (MW0RLJ), Jane (Robs wife), Ant (MW0JZE), Oli (MW0JRX), Tim (M0URX), Chris (G1VDP) and Tony (G4LDL). Sadly Charles (M0OXO) is not joining them but will be acting as a pilot station and will be in contact with the team throughout the trip as they are taking mobile internet so they can get on skype and their website with updates. Full details and photographs of last years operation are on the groups website SHDX where there may be live access to the station via webcam if they can get this up and running. All QSL requests should go via the team’s manager M0URX where there is on line request and details on how to get the QSL quicker. All logs will be uploaded to the ARRL Logbook of the World (LoTW) upon getting back to the farm HQ on their return. Many thanks and we hope to hear you in the pile up.
Wow, this one came from nowhere! After struggling all morning not hearing much DX at all up pops a really strange call sign FWD2A Yuji in Wallis & Futuna Islands on 18.140 MHz up 5 – 10. Yuji says that the call sign may change during this activity. It appears that the licensing authority made a mistake on the callsign.
This was DXCC Worked 286 for me, this for me was one of those real big buzz moments in Amateur Radio! Just awesome, and with the sun spot poor conditions continuing just lately, new ones are getting few and far between.
Much closer to home is MU/PA4N Guernsey worked on 17m this afternoon also for a new band slot on 17m.