Just to remind members that there is equipment available for loan from the club if you’re a paid up member. For more information please email info@iomars.im or approach any committee member
Shack Meetings to restart
After the announcement yesterday by the Chief Minister that lockdown would end on Monday 19th April 2021 the committee at last nights meeting decided to commence meeting at the shack form Wednesday 21st April 2021 at 19:30 . Look forward to seeing you there.
New APRS node for Isle of Man
Thanks to Dave GD4HOZ we now have another APRS node covering Ramsey and the North of the Island.

Swiss equivalanet of OFCOM – list of some non regulation compliant radios
Thanks to Matty MD0MAN for bringing this one to our attention makes interesting reading don’t forget regulations are there to cut down interference to others and more recently to meet RF exposure regulations.
Message From Dave GD4HOZ reference GB3IM repeaters and linking
More on linking.If you wish to set up a link, P-L-E-A-S-E state your callsign when you do so. I ask for this simple courtesy so that it is clear who set up the link. It helps, when deciding to close down a link that is clearly not being used by local stations, if it is known who the link “belongs” to.Thank you for your co-operation[GD4HOZ]
Have you say on Whether direct access to the Full license exam should be allowed
Just a reminder that feedback on direct to Full licence consultation closes at midnight on 14th March 2021 if you have had your say and wish to comment follow this link . http://rsgb.org/direct-to-full
Contesting News
For information about all the contests in the coming week, including the RSGB’s Commonwealth Contest happening this weekend, see our website: https://rsgb.org/main/blog/news/gb2rs/contest-news/2021/03/12/contest-news-14-march-2021/…
Announcement from Dave GD4HOZ the repeater keeper
We have been regularly linking with the FreeStar network for almost a month and it’s been a Marmite experience from what I can gather; some like it, some don’t.Personally, I approached it with caution and, in my conversations with the FreeStar admin who reached out to us, I made that known. However, I felt that we at least should give it a fair shot.After a number of conversations in various quarters, and seeing my fears of users de-camping to simplex frequencies being realised, I have come to the conclusion that we are better served with an “Opt-In” link to off-island networks.I have asked the FreeStar admin to change the connection schedule such that we are linked to the network overnight, between 10pm and 7am.Hopefully that will give the “night owls” someone to talk to and it will keep the local network clear during the day.Again, I draw your attention to the linking guidelines on the main website.[GD4HOZ]
New Net created for Covid Lockdown
Following the Wednesday night net at 19:30 on GB3IM with Arthur as controller it has been decided to try start a net on Simplex. The idea is to hold this on Sundays at 16:00 hours (local time) on either 145.475 or 433.475 or possibly both. We ask as many people to listen on both Frequencies and join in . For more information email info@iomars.im
APRS Update
As an update there are now 3 APRS receiving station based on the Island. Thanks to Matty Cunningham we now have one at Carnane MD0MAN-10, One at Glen Vine kindly hosted By Gavin Wilby 2D0PEY-10 and one in Ballasalla GD6AFB-10 hosted by Nigel Bazley. If you would like to host one or get involved please get in touch and we will be happy to help.