Category: Site News

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]

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.

Short movie shot on the Isle of Man, using equipment loaned by Andy and John from the IOMARS. A very good movie in its own right.

Dear colleagues:

The Local Section in TARRAGONA of the UNION DE RADIOAFICIONADOS ESPAÑOLES (URE) and the RADIO CLUB DEL TARRAGONES, are pleased to organize the permanent award “TARRACO TRIUMPHALIS” in Latin, with the aim of boosting radio activity of our members and promoting knowledge of the historical heritage of Tarragona. WORLD HERITAGE SITE . We hope to inform your associates for their knowledge and to participate in this activity. For full details click here.

Sincerely.

Info – QRZ.COM  EA3BDE

EA3BDE Diploma Manager.

Hi,

I am writing to you as the RSGB team in Region 3 to ask for your support for the Cricket World Cup Marathon that we are organising. Cricket is hugely influential in the North West, with Old Trafford being used of several of the World Cup matches. This means that an opportunity to have lots of fun on the radio should not be missed!

We are also looking for support from the Isle of Man and have already sent some requests to local amateurs there but a waiting to hear what they are able to do. There is a specific callsign GB19CIM that can only be activated from there.

Please forward this email to all Affiliated Clubs in your Region or District. We are looking for RSGB members to take part. Of course you could take one or both of the roles described below if you wished.

Introduction

The RSGB Contest Club is organising an International Amateur Radio Marathon on the HF bands to celebrate the Cricket World Cup which is being held in England and Wales this summer.

·       The Marathon will run from 30 May 2019 to 14 July 2019.

·       Special UK and International callsigns will be active on 9 HF bands using SSB, CW and Digital modes.

·       The Marathon will encourage HF operation and provide an opportunity for all operators to enjoy being a sought after callsign.

·       Award certificates will be offered to participants based on the number of QSOs they achieve with the Special stations.

·       We are using the Hamlogs system that allows logs from activating stations to be uploaded to a central database. Participants will be able to track their progress towards the available awards.

·       From the UK we will be activating 31 special callsigns including eleven for the Cricket Grounds that will be used in England and Wales and ten for the teams that are participating. We also have callsigns for Scotland, Northern Ireland Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. All UK callsigns will all have the prefix GB19 with a two or three letter suffix.

We have had detailed discussions with Ofcom who have encouraged this project as it fulfils many of the aims of amateur radio licensing. They also recognise that this is an international activity rather than being public-facing, although of course it will be appropriate for showcasing the hobby to newcomers.

Coordinators

We are looking for volunteers who can help coordinate the marathon by recruiting and helping operators, assisting with log uploads and providing local technical advice. This role could be shared by two or more people.

We are using a QRZ.com page for each callsign with a calendar keeping a record of who is activating or supervising the use of the callsign during the event. We will use the venue callsigns on an RSGB region basis; most RSGB regions in England and Wales have a cricket ground that is being used. For regions and countries that don’t have a ground there are other special callsigns to activate.

Each coordinator will have plenty of opportunity to operate.

Activators

This is an excellent opportunity for some really fun radio operating. All full licensees who are RSGB members can join the RSGB Contest Club and as club members can operate, either in a local radio club or group, or simply operate from home. You don’t have to be a cricket fan to take part and you don’t need a “super station”. You can also just operate for a few hours.

Foundation and intermediate licence holders may operate supervised from a club or the station of a full licence holder. We want to encourage those who have good stations to allow others to operate them.

Full details for Coordinators and Activators can be found on the RSGB website under the Radio Marathons topic. 

Please contact us at the email address ContestClub@rsgbcc.org with your details, including your RSGB region, if you would like to get involved.

More details will be sent to you next month.

Kind Regards,

Nick Totterdell G4FAL,

RSGB HF Contest Committee Chair

HFCC.Chair@rsgbcc.org