Issue 25 - April 19

QUA Welcome, to issue 25 April 2019 of the Stockport Radio Society (SRS) Newsletter

Written and compiled by SRS members, ‘QUA’ (Have you news of… ?) is your source of news, views and informed opinion on all matters relating to - and about - your hobby.

Three Wise (!) Monkeys

Art G0EOM receiving the Harry Arnfield Trophy www.g8srs.co.uk @G8SRS @SRSContestGroup

StockportradioSociety

Chairman’s Corner Hello to all club members, At the end of this month (March) the clocks will be going forward for the start of summer 2019. We are hoping that both the weather and the bands change for the better.

Our radio nights now use two rooms, with the JB room dedicated to members who wish to operate the stations, and the main room for digital, socialising plus any other activity, is working well. Again anyone wishing to have tuition on the operation of our stations or the digital radio just let a Committee member know.

We are here to help you get started on all bands and all modes of operation.

The SRS Contest Group are looking for volunteers to assist in assembly of the stations, and also operators. You do not have to be proficient in anything (apart from brewing) to help the group. Assisting in putting together their contest stations really is an eye opener as to what is involved. If you have the time, pay them a visit on a contest weekend. Contest dates are on the web site.

The portable FM/Fusion station that I am assembling should be ready in time to go on the stand at NARSA. Just awaiting the DV MEGA Bluestack then Neil (M6NAE) will do the necessary programming. Once the kit has been tested and approved, then we will look at doing the same with the HF kit.

The Events Group (Special has been removed) are in the process of finalising dates for outside events. Two are confirmed as I write this. Marple Forces Club and Avro Heritage Museum. The Transport and Aviation Festival at Manchester Airport viewing park has been cancelled due to building work taking place adjacent to the site. Keep a look out on Google Groups, Facebook and the SRS website for updates You do not have to be a Committee member to assist in running your club.

Early evening set up on a club night, making sure that all cups are washed dried and returned to the cupboard. Assisting in setting up the relevant kit for a presentation. All this has to be done by someone, it could be you. Those members who already assist THANK YOU you are a great help.

Thank you to those who chair the club nets. You open up the airways for all to participate in radio and also gain points for the Double Sapphire Awards.

73 de Tony M0SAV Chairman 2

Contact Emails General Treasurer Website / QUA Membership Courses Contesting -

- info@g8srs.co.uk treasurer@g8srs.co.uk - srswebsite@g8srs.co.uk membership@g8srs.co.uk courses@g8srs.co.uk contesting@g8srs.co.uk

Website -

www.g8srs.co.uk

SRS Contest Group is the ‘Contesting Arm of Stockport Radio Society’

Since the last QUA, we have received a couple of calls about a few of our members who are not very well, and have been or are still in hospital, or are still receiving treatment On behalf of everyone at the club we wish them all a very speedy recovery.

John 2E0GCX, John G3WFK, Don G8WPL and Tom M0DCG Also can we all wish Neil M6NAE’s daughter Dawn a speedy recovery back to health after the serious car accident that she was involved in.

Dawn provides the club with their evening treats and also the buffet or sandwiches at events that we do.

Wishing everyone all the very best.

Date of Next Issue - 4 June 2019 Articles to be sent to QUA by middle of May If you have news, events, contest information etc that you would like to share with your fellow members, please email : srswebsite@g8srs.co.uk 3

Diary of Events - April 2019 Tues 2 Thurs 4 Fri 5 Tue 9 Thur 11 Fri 12 Tue 16 Fri 19 Tue 23 Wed 24 Thur 25 Fri 26 Sun 28

HF Propagation Part 2 - Evan Duffield M0TJU SRS Committee Meeting 70cm Net using GB3MR 433.350 7.30-8.30pm 6m SRS Net 51.550 FM 7.30-8,30pm 2m SRS Net 145.375 7.30-8.30pm 70cm Net using GB3MR 433.350 7.30-8.30pm Radio Night and Morse Class 7.00-10.00pm 70cm Net using GB3MR 433.350 7.30-8.30pm Skills Night and Morse Class 7.00-10.00pm 2m SRS Net 145.375 7.30-8.30pm Advanced Tutorial - Primer 1 70cm Net using GB3MR 433.350 7.30-8.30pm NARSA Rally at the Norbreck Hotel Blackpool

May 2019 Fri 3 Tue 7 Fri 10 Tue 14 Thur 16 Fri 17 Tue 21 Fri 24 Sat 25 Sun 26 Tue 28 Wed 29 Fri 31

70cm Net using GB3MR 433.350 7.30-8.30pm VHF Digital - The World of Yaesu Fusion - Neil, M6NAE 70cm Net using GB3MR 433.350 7.30-8.30pm 6m SRS Net 51.550 FM 7.30-8,30pm 2m SRS Net 145.375 7.30-8.30pm 70cm Net using GB3MR 433.350 7.30-8.30pm Radio Night and Morse Class 7.00-10.00pm 70cm Net using GB3MR 433.350 7.30-8.30pm CQ WPX 48hr Contest with SRS Contest Group CQ WPX 48hr Contest with SRS Contest Group Skills Night and Morse Class 7.00-10.00pm 2m SRS Net 145.375 7.30-8.30pm 70cm Net using GB3MR 433.350 7.30-8.30pm

You can also view the updated diary of events upto the end of 2019 on our website - www.g8srs.co.uk

4

June 2019 Sat 1 Sat 2 Tue 4 Thur 6 Fri 7 Tue 11 Thur 13 Fri 14 Sat 15 Tue 18 Fri 21 Tue 25 Wed 26 Thurs 27 Fri 28

RSGB National Field Day CW 24 Hr Contest RSGB National Field Day CW 24 Hr Contest Receiving Antennas (TBC) SRS Committee Meeting 70cm Net using GB3MR 433.350 7.30-8.30pm 6m SRS Net 51.550 FM 7.30-8,30pm 2m SRS Net 145.375 7.30-8.30pm 70cm Net using GB3MR 433.350 7.30-8.30pm Events Group - Marple Forces Club playing Radio Radio Night and Morse Class 7.00-10.00pm 70cm Net using GB3MR 433.350 7.30-8.30pm Skills Night and Morse Class 7.00-10.00pm 2m SRS Net 145.375 7.30-8.30pm Advanced Tutorial - Primer 2 70cm Net using GB3MR 433.350 7.30-8.30pm

July 2019 Tues 2 Fri 5 Sat 6 Tue 9 Thur 11 Fri 12 Tue 16 Fri 19 Tue 23 Fri 26 Sat 27 Sun 28 Wed 31

Summer Operating on a Mountain Top (Ray King, M1REK) SRS Rally Prep Night SRS RALLY 6m SRS Net 51.550 FM 7.30-8,30pm 2m SRS Net 145.375 7.30-8.30pm 70cm Net using GB3MR 433.350 7.30-8.30pm Radio Night and Morse Class 7.00-10.00pm 70cm Net using GB3MR 433.350 7.30-8.30pm Skills Night and Morse Class 7.00-10.00pm 70cm Net using GB3MR 433.350 7.30-8.30pm IOTA SSB/CW 24hr Contest IOTA SSB/CW 24hr Contest 2m SRS Net 145.375 7.30-8.30pm

If you know of anyone who may be interested in giving a talk or demonstration at SRS on one of our society nights, please let Evan know either at a society meeting or email: treasurer@g8srs.co.uk 5

My View on the Digital Exams

By Dave M7DAV/2E0???

I joined SRS in July 2018, after considering ideas of amateur radio for some time.

Having joined, I initially decided that I was going to undertake at least the foundation course and licence, to get me on the air and try a few new things in radio. At that time, I wasn't sure what I was interested in trying out, so my plans beyond joining the club were really to see how it went, decide if the hobby was for me and see if I wanted to go further than the foundation. It has been a long time since I did any Physics and Electronics at school, so I wasn't sure how the exams would feel.

I quickly realised that the foundation course date was a frustratingly long wait and I decided that I probably should also book onto the intermediate course at the same time and get the two courses "over and done with".

Over the course of the last 30 years, I have undertaken a number of different exams in various subjects. These have been in almost every format from long-hand written, through paper-based multi choice to electronic multi choice. Generally I am fairly comfortable with all methods of examination, although I have a general preference for the online-type tests. The RSGB exams are probably the first where I have brought and used my own computer during the exam.

My main concern was really if my computer was suitable for the tests and I hoped that there would be no issues on the day. Having recently loaded a variety of amateur radio software onto the machine, I had minor concerns about reliability and connectivity but I was assured by John M0JFM and Tony M0SAV that they would be able to deal with any issues that arose.

As you'll have seen on the RSGB's presentation, an e-mail arrives prior to the exam and you are invited to install the TestReach app. This only takes a few minutes, and despite a few minor hiccups I got up and running fairly quickly. I completed the tutorial and got on with revising for the big day.

6

On the day of the exam, computer setup is arranged well in advance. There was ample opportunity to connect to the local wifi and ensure that TestReach is working properly. The invigilators took time to ensure that computers are all set up properly, connected and working OK. A short while later, the exam began, with candidates starting paper and electronic versions at roughly the same time. You won't be surprised to hear that all four of the online students were out of the exam first, having completed their exams and all came out of the exam knowing that they had passed, but also what their marks were and where they had dropped any marks. For me, this was critical, as I was going straight from the foundation to the intermediate courses, I wanted to know that I'd passed and any weak areas I needed to focus on.

Overall, I would recommend to anyone sitting the exams to consider the electronic version. For me, the most compelling part of the online testing is that you get instant feedback on performance, with no nail-biting wait for the pass or fail, which takes one element of stress away from sitting exams

Congratulations on the first winner of the Diamond Gold Double Sapphire Award On Tuesday 4 March, Nigel 2E0CKA was awarded the final certificate of the Double Sapphire Award collection. Close on his heals are Neil M6NAE, and myself Heth M6HNS. If you are interested in taking part in the award, on the page 15 are the instructions for the first two certificates.

7

The Needles Wireless Telegraph Station Alan G0ROW has recently been away for a few days in the Isle of Wight and sent me the following pictures for QUA

8

Digital Software Update from Neil M6NAE Please find below an update on the new digital free apps that are now available to use for free... yes free 

Zello is a free android app which will allow you to connect to many android radio talk channels. You can register your call sign - some channels are used by ham radio operators and some are not, there for if you have small children in the house be careful of the foul language. You are better off sticking with channels 1 to 5 for ham radio operators who use their callsigns.



Peanut the new android app . created by David PA7-LIM - which you can download from the google play store for free. You must register on the digital network. When you have registered, David will give you a pass code to enter. This will allow you to connect to some Yaesu c4fm links and d-star x-reflectors. More connections are added daily to the database ect ect, but the app gives you the chance to have a play with the digital network for free.



The latest version of Peanut works on pc’s.



The advantages from downloading bluestacks onto your pc. You can run many programs from google play. The system requirements for running on your pc are on the bluestacks website.



You can use echolink, or even try pocket rx tx free from google play which will allow you to listen to a sdr hf transceiver, or try your hand at hamsphere virtual pc radio. You do get a free trial and you don’t need a licence, but for £25.00 per year you can submitt your callsign and use it.

There is lots of activity on hamsphere, and you will be able to talk to others on hamsphere

When the hf bands are poor and nobody is on, why not have a try at one of the above. most are free to use - give them a try. You may be surprised how many amatuers are on the above platforms.

Neil M6NAE

Watch out for another article from Neil in the next issue on the latest updates and changes in the world of digital radio 9

G6UQ (From the Archives)

g6uq G6UQ was originally the personal callsign of a Mr Jim Eaves who did so much to advance the interests and well being of the Society in the early, formative years and from whom it was inherited as a permanent tribute of thanks and affection.

When sent in morse G6UQ does have a certain rhythm to it and in that mode at least it has never altered, not quite as slick and easy on the fist as some might like perhaps but distinctive enough, and always highly regarded in amateur radio QSO’s and contestings.

Over the years the phonetics employed for G6UQ would have changed on a number of occasions. In the Royal Air Force for example it would have been ‘George Six Uncle Queen’ from 1924 until 1956. In civic use its versions would have included firstly ‘Gallipoli Six Upsala Quebec’ (sic!) from 1934 right upto the late 40’s when it became a much more acceptable ‘Golf Six Uniform Quebec’. In 1956 both the RAF and Civil formats were standardised to the by now universally accepted RAF form.

I wonder if, in one of those large hotels where rooms and floor levels are numbered, there is a communal bathroom somewhere that is labelled ‘G6’ and which has a sign out saying ‘You Queue here’!!

Whilst researching the Centenary book, I came across an article from the archives - which is above.

After reading this, and chatting with my other half Nige 2E0CKA, we came up with the idea of doing a quiz for you to try on morse code translation.

If this works, we may incorporate this on a regular basis.

Let me or Nige know you thoughts?

Heth M6HNS 10

JUST FOR FUN TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF MORSE CODE 4 QUESTIONS BELOW FOR YOU TO ANSWER

how many members are on the committee who is the editor of qua what date is the srs rally where does the narsa rally take place

11

Pictures from the SRS Presentation and Social Evening

12

Pics from Heth M6HNS, Nigel G0RXA and Neil M6NAE 13

Double Sapphire - Silver and Gold Awards Here are some brief instructions on how to do the awards Award open to all members of the Society, i.e. those whose subscription covers the year that the QSO (contact) was made.

There is a page on the website to check if that person that you have had a QSO with is a member – just put there callsign in the search box and see if they come up - https:// www.g8srs.co.uk/current-members/ 1. Contacting a member scores 1 point.

2. Contacting a SRS club callsign – GX3LX/G3LX, GX6UQ/ G6UQ, GX8SRS/G8SRS and MX5MDX/M5MDX – Scores - 5 points each.

3. Contacting the Society President G0ROW – also scores – 5 points. The President is classed for this award only, as a club call.

The two classes of the award for contacts are as follows with variations on how to score your 25 points



Silver – 25 members only / 20 members +1 society callsign / 15 members + 2 society callsigns / 10 members + 3 society callsigns = 25 points any mode any band and only current call being used.

14

Gold – a further 25 members / 20 members + 1 society callsign / 15 members + 2 society callsigns / 10 members + 3 society callsigns = 25 points. (25 silver points + 25 gold points = Total 50 Points) any mode, any band, and you can work any member or club call again in this section as long as it is not on the same band as it was worked on in the silver section, and again only current callsign must to be used. (ie if they have just advanced to the intermediate you must use that callsign only) Submissions Submit a log extract showing, Date, Time, Band, Call sign & Mode for all points claimed to Alan G0ROW-: E-MAIL al.g0row.66@gmail.com Why not give it a try – there is also a log on the web after each net to confirm which callsigns have been on that net. Remember though, that not all the callsigns listed are SRS members, there may be one or two who have called in.

Once you have done these you can advance onto the next two which are harder as you cannot contact a member who you have already contacted on the silver and gold award. As they say on TV ‘THE CHASE IS ON’

Heth M6HNS’s Silver and Gold Award - sample

15

In Praise of Solar Minimum - Evan M0TJU Those of us active on HF will have noticed that many of the bands on the higher ends of the shortwave spectrum – namely 21MHz (15 metres), 24MHz (12 metres) and 28MHz (10MHz) – have been quiet of late. This is not surprising given that we are at the ‘bottom’ of the 11-year solar cycle, meaning that the level of skip-producing high-energy radiation is at a minimum. However, there is an important silver lining: the HF bands that remain usable should be more stable and predictable.

When you hear folks taking trips down memory lane, recalling solar maxima of the past, the recollections are nearly always positive: “I remember working New York on 28MHz on a 5W handheld,” and such like. What seems to be forgotten are the unwanted side effects of solar cycle peaks. These include the frequent occurrence of solar flares, which are gigantic explosions on the Sun’s surface. The energy unleashed from such an event can lead to the blasting of electrically-charged particles in the outer solar atmosphere (the ‘corona’) into space – a phenomenon known as a ‘coronal mass ejection’ (CME). The rapidly moving dense clumps of charged particles resulting from CMEs may impact Earth’s magnetic field and dramatically disturb it. Such disturbances act to push down maximum usable frequencies (MUFs), closing off the higher HF bands. Hence, there is a negating of the positive effect of the heightened levels of high-energy radiation that the Sun sends us during solar maxima. The overall quality of propagation, also, tends to be degraded.

Another type of event that occurs with great frequency on and around solar maximum is the ‘coronal hole high-speed stream’ (CHHSS). ‘Coronal holes’ are areas of relatively low particle density in the Sun’s outer atmosphere, which allow streams of charged particles from the solar surface to shoot out into space relatively unimpeded – hence their high speed. Like CMEs, their impact with Earth’s magnetic field will act to lower MUFs and reduce propagation quality, in general. CHHSSs happen during solar minima, too, but relatively few are ‘geo-effective’ ; instead, most shoot into space in directions away from the Sun-Earth plane.

When I look back at the last solar maximum (2013-14), and in the year or two leading up to it, yes, I can remember plenty of times that I called America or central Europe on 28MHz. However, there were many days – especially in 2012 – when none of the higher HF bands was functional due to CME impacts, and there was lousy propagation on the bands that remained open; 2013 was the ‘Year of Coronal Holes’, when numerous high-speed particle streams put paid to quality skip, and simply closed off activity above 20MHz. So, as frustrating as solar minimum can be, appreciate that propagation on the HF bands that remain usable should not (too often) be adversely affected by disturbances in Earth’s magnetic field and, therefore, ought to be generally of high quality. Enjoy it while it lasts!

16

S H A C K S S C V Y W I R X Q S L K I R

T S N O F B V A B V S N A U J N E W W E

O A D F E R E P M A B J S J A U O M O P

C K I S E O Y V O J V R P A L N N F J E

K V M Q E T T M O V E W B A L U N T A A

P R O P A G A T I O N V E L E U U F F T

O I D T U B A N U C O O R X T M O R S E

R N E V E O J A U O D E R A E S I R T R

T J J A T A V N V M E E Y R I Y R T V Y

R N E M U B W N K E E T P K W E O Y O F

A I O S Y R S E E K P K I K S L A T A R

D C R Y U E R T N Y L I Z Y R D U T J L

I E K K W X K N W I K J L F Y S M R N E

O J L O M E Y A O R L A T A O A P M C C

S T A T L L A I O F N O M R Q S Y O N I

O W I V V P T Q D A T S O T L Y A R E T

C V R O B U F F J N X I A H E X Q H W E

I Q L I F D B Y M E C N Y T R E D F A N

E B F S F B R M V T O M B J O D J R W O

T R A N S M I T T E R A L V J I L W L H

Y A E S U G W L J F E S O Q D L P M I P

SWR Coax / Core / Icom / Iota / Jota / Mode / Node / RTTY / Unun Balun / Morse / Yaesu Ampere / Mayday Kenwood Analyser / Antenna / Duplexer / Phonetic / Repeater Transmitter / Propagation Raspberrypi Stockportradiosociety

26 words to find

17

Frequencies LF (Low Frequency) 2000m : 135.7 - 137.8Khz MF (Medium Frequency) 630m : 472 - 479Khz 160m : 1.81 - 2.0Mhz HF (High Frequency) 80m : 3.5 - 3.8Mhz 60m : Consists of 11 spot frequencies check band plan 40m : 7.0 - 7.2Mhz 30m : 10.1 - 10.15Mhz 20m : 14 - 14.35Mhz 17m : 18.068 - 18.168Mhz 15m : 21 - 21.45Mhz 12m : 24.89 - 24.99Mhz 10m : 28 - 29.7Mhz Note for operating on 60m Only available to advanced licence holders

Old Timers Honour Roll Radcom Feb 19 In the February issue of Radcom was a roll of honour of amateurs who have been members of RSGB - apologies if I have missed anyone This is for 50 years plus 67 Years - Eric McFarlane - G3GMM 59 Years - Barry Simpson - G3PEK 56 Years - Bernard Naylor - G3SHF 54 Years - Stewart Revell - G3PMJ 52 Years - John Elliott - G3WFK It also states that Stockport Radio Society has been with the RSGB for 66 years. This is currently been looked into as we know from this history that we were affiliated from 1920.

VHF (Very High Frequency) 6m : 50 - 52Mhz 4m : 70 - 70.5Mhz 2m : 144.0 - 146.0Mhz

UHF

(Ultra High Frequency)

70cms : 430.0 - 440Mhz 23cms : 1240.0 - 325Mhz

How many members are on the committee?

Who is the editor of QUA? What date is the SRS rally?

If you have any news, reviews, articles that you think would be of interest for the next issue of QUA, please let me know.

Please come and chat with me at any meeting, net or email and we will put your article in

18

Club Nets

Membership You can become a member of Stockport Radio Society by completing a membership form and, either emailing it to membership@g8srs.co.uk or handing the form to the Membership Secretary, Nigel 2E0CKA, at any Society meeting.

Payable Annually on Dec 1st Senior Family Country Pensioner Junior

£12.00 £12.00 £ 7.00 £ 7.00 £ 1.00

Juniors upto 18 yrs of age Senior upto 64 yrs of age Pensioner from 65 yrs of age

Meeting Admission £2.00 per meeting.

If you are interested in paying your subs by standing order, please contact the Treasurer on treasurer@g8srs.co.uk

It has been decided, that the following callsigns may be used by any full licence holder chairing the nets G8SRS, G6UQ, G3LX, M5MDX All club call signs will be used on a rotational basis by full licence holders authorised by Alan G0ROW. 2m net, 6m net, 70cm net If you have any queries about the use of these callsigns, please speak to either Tony M0SAV or Alan G0ROW at any Club meeting

Net Controllers We are also looking for net controllers to chair a specific net. If you have the equipment and would like to try and chair a net, please contact Alan G0ROW who will happily help you.

If you would like to try a net with a current net controller with you, again speak to Alan G0ROW The current Net Controllers are: Alan G0ROW, Neil M6NAE, Heather M6HNS, Keith 2E0JPY

Tony M0SAV, Nigel 2E0CKA, Nigel M0VNL Slawek M0SQJ

The Friday 70cm Nets are now transmitting at 7.30pm via GM3MR

19

Morse Code

Morse Code

Phonetic Alphabet

1

._ _ _ _

A

._

A

Alpha

2

.._ _ _

B

_...

B

Bravo

3

..._ _

C

_._.

C

Charlie

4

…._

D

_..

D

Delta

5

…..

E

.

E

Echo

6

_....

F

.._.

F

Foxtrot

7

_ _...

G

_ _.

G

Golf

8

_ _ _..

H

….

H

Hotel

9

____.

I

..

I

India

0

_____

J

._ _ _

J

Juliet

K

_._

K

Kilo

Our Morse

L

._..

classes run

M

__

L

Lima

on each club

N

_.

M

Mike

night from

O

___

N

November

7.00 to 7.30

P

._ _ .

O

Oscar

pm.

Q

_ _._

P

Papa

R

._.

Q

Quebec

Come and

S

…

R

Romeo

speak to

T

_

S

Sierra

Evan M0TJU

U

.._

T

Tango

if you would

V

…_

U

Uniform

like to give

W

._ _

V

Victor

this part of

X

_.._

W

Whiskey

the hobby a

Y

_._ _

X

X-Ray

try.

Z

_ _..

Y

Yankee

Z

Zulu

20

21

Courses - FLC/ILC/ALC Course Secretary John Marsh - M0JFM courses@g8srs.co.uk

Are you interested in taking a course with Stockport Radio Society.

We run all three courses at Walthew House, in Stockport. If you would like to put your name down for one of the three courses, please email John on courses@g8srs.co.uk. These courses fill up very quickly, so don’t delay book NOW!

Course Fees Foundation - £50.00 - Based on a minimum of 6 students Intermediate - £116.00 - Based on a minimum of 4 students (Inclusive of construction kit) Advanced - £95.00 - Based on a minimum of 4 students These prices were correct at the time of printing.

Foundation The January foundation course was a great success with all candidates passing.

Dates for the next course will be advised in the next issue of QUA

22

Intermediate The February/March Intermediate course was a great success - now taking place over three weekends, all candidates passing.

Dates for the next course will be advised in the next issue of QUA

Advanced Below are the dates for the current course.

Thurs 25 April Thurs 27 June

Primer 1 Primer 2

Start 7pm Start 7pm

Monday 9 September Monday 23 September

Tutorial 1 Tutorial 2

Start 7pm Start 7pm

Monday 7 October Monday 21 October

Tutorial 3 Tutorial 4

Start 7pm Start 7pm

Monday 4 November Monday 18 November

Tutorial 5 Tutorial 6

Start 7pm Start 7pm

Monday 2 December Examination Start 6.30 Candidates to be at Walthew House no later than 6.30pm for the exam to start at 7.00pm

Remember when you have your new callsign do not forget to inform the Membership Secretary Nigel 2E0CKA on m6bbl@btinternet.com and he can update his records and then forward onto Heth M6HNS to update the website.

QUA is compiled by Heather Stanley M6HNS. If you have any articles, reviews or announcements that you would like to see in the pages of QUA, please send your information to srswebsite@g8srs.co.uk or give Heather a call on 07506 904422 23

SRS Links RSGB www.rsgb.org UKFM Group Western www.ukfmgw.org.uk Ofcom www.ofcom.org.uk ARRL www.arrl.org QRZ.com www.qrz.com UK Repeaters www.ukrepeater.net Raynet www.raynet-uk.net Summits on the air www.sota.org.uk BYLARA www.bylara.org.uk Echolink www.echolink.org

Club Log (HF Ladder) If you wish to join Club Log and also get entry into the HF Ladder with the end reward of entry in the HF Ladder competition at the end of the year, and you chance to win a trophy for the year, follow the information below. If you wish to join SRS DXCC league in Clublog, please follow these instructions:    

Register your details with Clublog at www.clublog.org Click ‘settings’ and then go to the ‘clubs’ tab Select SRS - Stockport Radio Society and click ‘join club’ Your membership of SRS will show as pending until approved by the Administrator

The SRS DXCC League can be viewed from this link http://www.clublog.org/league.php? club=99

Ham Links www.eham.nets Hack Green SDR www.hackgreen.co.uk

If you have any Links you would Like to see on this Page please email srswebsite@g8srs.co.uk

Get your logs in and get yourself on the HF ladder with your chance to win a trophy at the end of the year.

If you are new to the HF Ladder speak to Pete M1PTR at a club meeting or email info@g8srs.co.uk for further Information.

24

Repeaters - www.ukfmgw.co.uk 23cm

Output

RX1

Mode

GB3SE 70cm

1297.0750 Mhz 1291.0750 Mhz Analogue

Stoke on Trent

GB3CR

433.1500 Mhz 434.7500 Mhz Analogue

Mold

GB3LI

433.2500 Mhz 434.8500 Mhz Analogue

Liverpool

GB3LL

434.0000 Mhz 434.6000 Mhz Analogue

Llandudno

GB3MA

433.0250 Mhz 434.6250 Mhz Analogue

Bury

GB3MF

433.0500 Mhz 434.6500 Mhz Analogue

Macclesfield

GB3MR

433.3500 Mhz 434.9500 Mhz Analogue

Stockport

GB3PZ

430.9000 Mhz 438.5000 Mhz Analogue

Dukinfield

GB3SM

433.3250 Mhz 434.9250 Mhz Analogue

Stoke on Trent

GB3ST

433.2250 Mhz 434.8250 Mhz Analogue

Stoke on Trent

GB3WP

430.9375 Mhz 438.5375 Mhz Analogue

Hyde

GB7DV

439.6125 Mhz 430.6125 Mhz Digital

St Helens

GB7WC 2m

439.4875 Mhz 430.4875 Mhz Digital

Warrington

GB3MN

Analogue 145.6500 Mhz 145.0500 Mhz Digital Fusion

Stockport

GB3MP

145.7500 Mhz 145.1500 Mhz Analogue

Denbigh

GB3VT 6m

145.7250 Mhz 145.1250 Mhz D Star

Stoke on Trent

GB3SX

50.7900 Mhz

Stoke on Trent

51.2900 Mhz

Analogue

Location

If you use the repeaters on a regular basis, please subscribe to them www.ukfmgw.co.uk. Please check the website to confirm which are currently working 25

SRS DXCC Ladders 2019 Welcome to another year of DX’ing and a clean sheet start for all. Congratulations to last year’s winners Carsten G0SYP, winner of the HF & 6 Ladder and Jim Barlow trophy, and to Neil M6NAE, winner of the 2 & 70 Ladder.

Propagation In the first quarter of the year HF activity usually favours the lower bands. So 80m and 40m are good places to get started to collect calls from UK and near Europe.

Forecasts show that 20m is now open most days, with occasional openings on 17m. Fleeting openings on 15m can be expected especially around lunchtime if you are lucky. The good weather in February also brought us tropo and short term improved conditions on 6m and above.

HF & 6 DXCC Ladder The first report of the years shows there has been activity mainly on 20m and 40m with a couple claiming spots on 17m.

Kieron, M5KJM leads the field ahead of Bob, GM4UYZ. Alan, G0ROW holds third place with an early start on 60m. Carsten, G0SYP (last year’s winner) sits in fourth place and continues where he left off in 2018 with a good start on 6m. Welcome to Matt, M0MVR who joins the competition with spots on 40m and 80m.

2 & 70 DXCC Ladder Neil, M6NAE opens the season with a spot on each of 2m & 70cm. He could do with some competition otherwise we will be printing his winner’s certificate early!

Details to join either or both ladders are found http://www.g8srs.co.uk/hf-ladder-2/

26

If anyone needs help with a submission please drop me an email or catch me or Neil at the club. We’ll be glad to help.

To find out about propagation forecasts go to propquest at http://www.propquest.co.uk/

73 and Good Dxing, Pete Ridley, M1PTR 27

Stockport Radio Society Walthew House, 112 Shaw Heath, Stockport SK2 6QS 07506 904422 / info@g8srs.co.uk Print Sponsor of QUA, and general printers of all SRS Literature Olympic Press Soapstone Way, Irlam, Manchester M44 6RA Tel : 0161 775 2555 / sales@olympicpress.co.uk

Stockport Radio Society are affiliated members of RSGB (Radio Society of Great Britain) and NARSA (Northern Amateur Radio Society Association) 28