| April, 2008 |  |
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N2Y and N2J Special Event
N2Y and N2J will be the Special Event call signs used for this year’s special event
honoring the precious lives that were lost and giving thanks to the world that stood by
us in time of need while this tragic event shattered lives throughout the globe. Let us
not forget the lives that were taken during the first attack on the World Trade Center in
1993. This is for them as well!
We will be operating from a very special location not many know about. Operations will
commence on Sept. 11 at 0000UTC and will be a multi-operator event. Operating bands will be:
6m } 10m } Short periods of time unless bands open! 12m } 15m } 17m } Will be concentrating the most! 20m } 30m } 40m } 160m } Tentative!
D-Star expands on two metres
The D-Star system has become accessible to many more UK stations thanks to several newly operational
two meter repeaters. These include GB7DG in Glasgow, GB7YD in Yorkshire, GB7MI in Manchester and GB7DE
in Fife. D-Star repeaters have already become well established on the 70cm band but these VHF units
will considerably broaden access to the network. An overview of D-Star was published in the March
edition of RadCom, and coverage information can be found at www.ukrepeater.net Barnsley’s new 70cm
D-Star repeater has been forced off the air because interference on its input from unlicensed devices.
GB7YD dash C on 433.9125MHz has been removed from service until an alternative frequency can be found.
This part of the band is used by a large number of licence-exempt micro power consumer electronic devices.
These include vehicle keyless entry systems, wireless door bells and data links for home weather stations. [GB2RS]
Ultra-stable microwave beacon
Improvements have been made to the 5.76GHz beacon on Bell Hill, near Blandford in Dorset.
GB3SCC has been given a high stability GPS locked frequency standard and DFCWi keying. The beacon
now maintains its nominal frequency of 5760.905007MHz to anaccuracy of a few Hertz. Reception reports
will be gratefully received by G0API, whose address is correct in the RSGB Yearbook. Alternatively,
visit the web site of the South Coast Repeater and Beacon Group at www.scrbg.org, where full details of
all their beacons can be found. [RSGB]
BBC closes European World Service transmitters
The BBC has announced that all its shortwave radio transmissions to Europe ceased on 18 February 2008.
Although they recognise that this will be a loss to some of their listeners, they point out that BBC World
Service radio programmes are delivered to Europe via other platforms including longwave at night.
The experimental Digital DRM transmissions for North East continental Europe will continue unaffected.
Full details of World Service sound broadcasts can be found on the web at bbc.co.uk/worldservice. The BBC’s
World Service grew from the original Empire Service, which was inaugurated in 1932. Last year it celebrated
its 75th anniversary, with an estimated world audience of some 180 million. [GB2RS]
Special permits for 4m band in Czech Republic
It is reported that some amateurs in the Czech Republic will soon have access to the 4 metre band. There are plans to issue up to 20 special permits for 70.2 to 70.3MHz with 10 Watts ERP. The permits will be valid until 31 December 2008. [GB2RS]
DXCC status of Kosovo clarified
ARRL’s DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, has clarified the situation regarding the DXCC status of newly independent Kosovo. It cannot be added to the list of DXCC entities until it becomes a member of the UN, or if it receives a prefix block from the ITU. The date of inclusion in DXCC will be the date that either of these conditions is met. [GB2RS]
| April , 2008 | |
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