Amateur radio is supposed to be a hobby that brings people from all around the world together in harmony, it's a hobby that should allow people who don't speak the same language to unite and become friends with out the need to speak the same language. I got into radio to make friends around the world, I certainly didn't join this hobby to get into arguments with my fellow amateur radio operators.
I need only mention the frequency 14.195 MHz how many of you well know exactly what goes on there on a daily basis. If you haven't had the pleasure (said with tongue in cheek) of tuning into this frequency then have a listen to the couple of videos that I have included with this post. I'm not entirely sure what the ins and outs are of how this ongoing argument started, however I believe it was because a well-known Italian amateur radio operator IT9RYH who everybody knows as Nino sits on 14.195 MHz and has basically claimed it as his own frequency. 14.195 MHz is unofficially a designated DX calling frequency so radio amateurs around the world recognise this and don't sit on the frequency rag chewing. Since this is just one frequency and there is plenty of other space on the spectrum I can't see why anyone would want to deliberately go out of their way to annoy other amateur radio operators, which is obviously what has been going on for the last few years. I'm quite sure that IT9RYH is a nice chap at the end of the day, but for crying out loud why continue this ridiculous and childish behaviour? Nobody has the power to force him off the frequency, but why on earth he would want to single-handedly turn the whole amateur radio fraternity against himself is anyone's guess.
Now we've mentioned Nino and his antics, we must also address the behaviour of the so-called amateur radio police who think it is perfectly okay to shout abuse, attempt to jam the frequency, play music and recordings of other amateur radio operators. They are not helping in any way whatsoever, in fact they are worse than Nino, playing music, shouting abuse is a lot worse than one person using a frequency that is at the end of the day is there for anyone to use, whether it is an unofficial DX freq or not.
I must have been living under a rock for the last few years because I only just found out about the goings-on on 14.195. I tuned into the frequency this afternoon and quite frankly was gobsmacked by the immaturity of some amateur radio operators out there. I don't know why so-called amateur radio operators have to behave the way they do. I have no idea who this Nino (IT9RYH) character is, I have never spoken to him before. However, he may well upset people by monopolising one particular frequency and insisting that it belongs to him and nobody else, but that doesn't excuse the antics and behaviour of all the other amateurs who seem to have taken a dislike to this character. I couldn't care less whether he monopolises 14.195, there are plenty of other frequencies to use, I would suggest that people grow up and get a life and stop goading him because this is a really nasty side to amateur radio that is just giving it a bad name. From what I heard today, IT9RYH was not doing or saying anything that I would class as offensive or illegal. As far as I'm concerned anyone who plays music, tries to jam the frequency, shouts obscenities should have their licence revoked.
I have posted a video to YouTube the can see what was going on today, and actually got worse after I stopped recording. But I guess many of you already know about what goes on on that frequency
For those of you who like tweeting, in other words have got a twitter account then you can follow me on twitter if you wish. I basically use it to announce what frequencies I'm using one may be anybody interesting I may be talking to. Am also going to announce any YouTube videos that I've made that I think you may find interesting. So come on, follow me on twitter
I happened to notice that http://www.websdr.org/ is back online after being off air for a few months. They also seem to be including a few more remote stations on the website as well. In case you don't know what this website does, basically they left various bromate stations around the world which broadcast on various frequencies on the amateur radio bands. I actually like using it model myself on 40 m, if you tune into the same frequency on the computer and your radio, you can often hear yourself if the propagation is running into that particular parts of the world that the remote station is set up.
Check it out, you can probably waste a couple of hours tuning around. Remember that you will need JavaScript installed and up-to-date. A few of them don't work for me, I have no idea why sto
Now that winter has arrived and the days are getting shorter most of the HF bands are closing down reasonably early, probably closed by about seven o'clock in the evening. However, I was tuning around 20 m this evening, about 7:45 PM and I came across an extremely strong station obviously working into Europe. The station was W1AW, the callsign for the headquarters of the American Radio Relay League. Ironically it was Ron who was on the microphone, the last time I spoke to W1AW, Ron was also on the microphone then. I thought I would check out their headquarters on Google Street view, I took the screenshot to you could also see it. I'm sure you would agree that they have a very impressive station with obviously very understanding neighbours.
I was extremely pleased to receive an e-mail from my good friend Ian this evening informing me that he has passed his advanced amateur radio test and is now a fully licensed radio amateur. He's obviously been lucky to be able to obtain the same suffix as his intermediate call, Ian is now M0IAT and operates from Paignton in Devon.
Congratulations mate, I knew you could do it
I haven't really been on any other band in the last few days apart from 10 m. The 10 m band has really opened up to the USA and most days from about 12 noon you will start hearing signals coming in from the USA. In fact, the propagation is so good that you will do quite well even with a small dipole or vertical and just 100 W, the conditions really are that good. I've worked quite a few stations on the West Coast, California, Utah, Montana and Washington. If you haven't checked out 10 m then you are really missing out. Here's a little taster, I recorded this YouTube video a couple of days ago, and this is not at its best.
It's been awhile since I last posted anything in the blog on here, been a little bit busy doing other things such as fishing, anyway haven't really been the wilful lots of amateur radio apart from a couple of hours in the evening, nothing to write home about, no extraordinary contacts, just the normal stuff into North America. Anyway, a few months ago I purchased a hex beam, it was really as a standby antenna just in case I had to spend prolonged periods of time in bed. Thankfully and touch wood that hasn't happened so the antenna has been sitting down in the cellar still in its packing. My good friend Steve, M0BKL who is primarily a VHF man installed a vertical antenna a few months ago which is really for the CB frequencies that works really well and 10 m, and also on 12 and 17 m as well. 17 m is one of my favourite bands so Steve and myself had been able to get on the band together. Unfortunately when it comes to 20 m he hasn't got an antenna, until now. I persuaded him to try out my hex beam since he had taken down his six and 2 m antennas leaving his 10 m mast with nothing on for the moment. So yesterday Steve finally managed to get the hex beam up on his mast, apparently a little bit of a struggle but it's up. So last night we got on the band together and as usual I took the lead and put a CQ call out. N4FTV return my CQ call with a 58 signal. Now was the time to see how well the hex beam performed, to my delight Steve had absolutely no problem working the station in the states, couple of S points down but nevertheless the antenna will doing a really good job.
So we spent the rest of the evening working stations in North America, the USA and a couple in Canada. We even managed to work two stations on the West Coast, a station in San Francisco and another in Oregon, and also a VE6 which Steve worked with no problems whatsoever. The hex beam performed extremely well, in fact its performance far exceeded my expectations, Steve could hear everything I could hear on the three element SteppIR, albeit only residing at 30 feet because of the winds we've had. Els also using my amplifier running at 400 W so it's not surprising my signal was a little stronger. We are going to try again this evening but this time I will be running at 100 W, the same as Steve.
I've heard many good things about the hex beam, I've also spoken to countless people who have been using them and nobody has got a bad word to say about this antenna. After witnessing firsthand how well the hex beam performs, I can categorically recommend this antenna for anyone who may have slightly restricted space or can't put antennas up because they may look unsightly. These antennas are made of wire and really do blend in extremely well, unlike a large three element steppIR that you can see from miles away.
During our club meeting which we hold at my house on Thursday evenings, my neighbour from across the road knocked on the door complaining that his caravan intruder alarm had gone off and he suspected that my transmission was the cause as him and his wife were sitting outside at the time and saw my antenna move. After a couple of quick tests we ascertained that is indeed it was my transmission on 20 m that was setting his caravan alarm off. I can't honestly say I've got a lot of time for this neighbour as he hasn't exactly done me any favours whilst I've been living here, quite the opposite actually. Anyway, I've been a radio ham for quite a long time now so I know that keeping your neighbours onside is always the best way to go.
The first thing I did was to get straight on the QRZ forum and get some advice from people who know what they're talking about. Everyone said the same thing, "not your problem mate" which was quite a relief I must say. What it boils down to is I am using some very sophisticated radio equipment and I'm operating it under the terms of my amateur radio licence. It just so happens that my neighbour has got an alarm fitted to his caravan that is malfunctioning, in other words it should not be falsely activating when I transmit. Now I don't know whether there is something wrong with it, it's been fitted incorrectly, or it's just plain rubbish, all I know is that I am not responsible for this continuous problem with his intruder alarm going off when I use my radio. The same goes for televisions, radios, any other equipment that may suffer from RF, if you're conforming to your licensing conditions and using equipment that is allocated for amateur radio use, then if one of your neighbours starts complaining that they are experiencing interference then you can inform them that this is not your fault and really, there's nothing more to be said. Having said this, none of us want to fall out with our neighbours so it's always advisable to cooperate with your neighbour and try and resolve the problem.
A friend of mine who has helped me before with interference problems passed on to me a very useful leaflet which is intended to give the proper advice to owners of security alarms. This is a very valuable piece of documentation that all radio amateurs should have in their possession, just in case you experience the same problems I have been having with my neighbour.
This document from the Radio Society of Great Britain is extremely helpful if you have been having trouble with radio frequency interference
http://www.g0vqy.co.uk/my-shack/radio-frequency-interference
Keith, MM0KTC, dropped me an e-mail today showing a video of the final stage of installation of his new Obti beams on top of his 80 foot Radio Structures extra heavy duty tower. I'm sure you will agree that Keith has got a very impressive station and is sure to make his presence felt on the bands.
Good luck mate I hope to work you very soon, maybe on 10 m during the sporadic E spell
Enjoy his two videos
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few months you will know that this coming Friday, April 29, Prince William will be marrying Kate Middleton. All UK amateurs have been given a chance to apply for a special call sign to coincide with this Royal event. I have applied and I've been successful in obtaining permission to use this special call sign. On Friday, 29 April I will be operating as GR0VQY. I'm not sure what bands I'll be using, I haven't designated a particular band to use, I would probably use various bands during the day if they are open. We can operate up until May 9, 2011, however I haven't decided on the period of time I will be operating.
Now I know some people may want a QSL card to confirm this contact. I have thought long and hard about whether to get some cards specially made and I eventually decided that it really wasn't something I wanted to get into, I have enough to do with my regular callsign. However, I have set up an eQSL account especially for this occasion and designed a nice card that will commemorate and confirm both the Royal Wedding and our contact. Even if you haven't got an account with eQSL, it's very easy to set one up and it won't cost you a penny, this way you will at least be able to receive a card from me because I will not be sending any cards in any other form apart from electronically.
Please do not send a QSL to me directly or via the bureau because you will not receive one back
The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) has been successful in persuading OFCOM to allow UK radio amateurs holding full, intermediate and foundation licenses to apply for a temporary callsign to commemorate the Royal wedding between Prince William and Catherine Middleton.
Special temporary callsign is can be used between the dates of 29th of April and May 9 2011.
More information can be found on RSGB's website
http://www.rsgb.org/operating/weddingcall/f
I started using the CB back in the early 90s after being disabled for about four years. I was living in a small flat and really had not much to do with myself rather than sit in front of the television. I remembered that for a very short period of time in the early 80s, I had got myself a CB radio which was strapped on the front of my bicycle handlebars. I think by enthusiasm for CB radio only lasted a couple of months back in 1983. However, in 1990 I once again got myself a radio and I've never looked back since. All of the friends I have now are directly related to the radio, I used to spend hours chatting away on the CB, even staying up to 3 o'clock in the morning, not sure I could do that now.
Sadly CB has died the death down here in the South West and I spend all of my time on amateur radio. I like nothing better than to have a good rag chew with the people that I meet all around the world. I often hear operators exchanging just a report with people, they are moving at a rapid pace working as many people as possible. I'm not criticising this way of operating, but I do you often hear the same people doing it over and over again, are they not interested in getting to know the people they talk to? It sounds silly I know, but I sometimes feel a little bit mean when I tell the person I am going to end the QSO and carry on calling, I just couldn't move from one person to another like a robot, that just is not my way of operating.
I find it very rewarding that I can go on the radio every day and more than likely I will contact someone I have already spoken to before. More than often we have a really good chat, just like friends do, I know I haven't met these people, some of the guys are in their 80s, even 90s, but that really doesn't seem to matter, we have this one fantastic hobby in common and that is all that matters. If you never bother to strike up a conversation for even a few minutes, you are going to miss out big time.
Ever heard of SDR? This stands for Software Defined Radio and basically it means a radio that uses your computer to receive, transmit and basically function. I don't really know an awful lot about these type of radios so I'm not going to talk about using them instead of your traditional amateur radio transceiver.
I wanted to tell you about a few websites that use software defined radio to transmit over the Internet. There are a few guys over here in Europe and over in the States who have set up websites that enable you to listen to their software defined radio through the computer. Some of the stations only have one band to listen to, others have various bands using different types of antenna. You basically tune into their website, choose the band you want to listen to, type in a frequency or move a slider control and that's it, you are listening to what that particular station can hear, whether that be the East or West coast of the states, down in Romania, or in the Netherlands.
There are two that I listen to on a regular basis, The US software defined radio site W4MQ is based in Virginia on the East Coast and enables you to listen to 3 bands, top band, 40 m and 20 m. What I really like doing is monitoring 20 m to see if I can hear myself, that is a lot of fun and it gives you a good idea of what propagation is like. Another one that unfortunately shut down a couple of months ago because they had to move rooms is based in the Netherlands. This had various bands including 40, 15 and 20 m and being so close to home meant I was able to monitor myself on 20, 15 and 40 m, plus listening to all the other stuff. They will be back online at some stage, when it will be I cannot say, you'll just have to keep monitoring their website where they have been kind enough to keep everyone updated on the situation.
I have included a few links for you including W4MQ which transmits 24/7. Please be aware that the website often crashes when too many people are using it at the same time. If you get a message telling you that the site is too busy then either leave it a little while, or keep clicking refresh page and sometimes that works if somebody suddenly leaves the website. Also, you need to have JavaScript enabled on your computer. If you haven't got it then it's free to download.
http://www.websdr.org/
http://w4mq.com/
http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/
