March 17, 2008 by kb3ljm.

he 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]

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March 6, 2008 by kb3ljm.

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]

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March 6, 2008 by kb3ljm.

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]

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March 6, 2008 by kb3ljm.

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]

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February 11, 2008 by kb3ljm.

There is good news this week for those experimenting on the MF band 501 to 504kHz.

Following representations made by the RSGB, OfCom have extended the validity of all Notices of Variation by one year to 28 February 2009.

At the same time the maximum permitted power has also been increased to 1W ERP from 100mW ERP.

The full statement from Ofcom, including details of how to apply for a Notice of Variation, can be found on the Ofcom web site. [GB2RS]

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February 5, 2008 by kb3ljm.

A new UK record is claimed by Angus Young, M0IKB, after working a nAmerican by moonbounce on two metres. Angus achieved the 500,000 mile contact with KB8RQ using just 25 watts to an indoor, homebrew 7 element beam. 2m EME is a well established practice, but usually requires large aerial arrays and high power. Angus said, “I was really shocked when I picked up the signal, it was brilliant.” [GB2RS]

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January 25, 2008 by kb3ljm.

The GB2RS news service is now available as a podcast. To access our podcast, you will need the latest iTunes software from Apple. This software can be downloaded for free from the Apple website ( www.apple.com/uk/ ) and works with both PC and Macintosh computers. Once you have downloaded and installed iTunes, you will need to set up the software to download the latest GB2RS news in MP3 format. You can do this by clicking on the “Advanced” menu option and then selecting “Subscribe to Podcast”. You will then have to enter a special web address into the box that pops up. The address is: [www.rsgb.org.uk/rss/gb2rs_rss.xml]. The latest issue of GB2RS should now automatically download when it is available. The GB2RS MP3 file will also be copied to your iPod or other MP3 player when you connect it to your computer. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, kindly provides the GB2RS mp3 files. You can download these directly from his site at: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/g4njh2/rsgb.html

http://www.rsgb.org/news/gb2rsaudio.php

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April 27, 2007 by kb3ljm.

GB3LEX, the 10GHz beacon located at the Leicestershire Repeater group site near Junction 22 of the M1 motorway, became operational on its assigned frequency of 10368.955MHz during the afternoon of 15 April. It beams south and ahs a beamwidth of 90 degrees. The ERP is 0.5W. Reception reports would be welcome to Geoff, G4AFJ , telephone 01 455 823344. [GB2RS]

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