The purpose of this page is to act like a notice board for what is happening around EI on the VHF bands. I hope to keep it updated with news of repeaters, beacons, news of future expeditions, etc. I may also include some non-EI VHF news items as well.....de John, EI7GL.
New Experimental Simplexer on 70.350 MHz in EI -
Here in the South of EI, there is an experimantal 4m "Simplexer" operational on 70.350 MHz (FM). This operates like a repeater except it operates only on one frequency. It listens on that frequency for any transmissions, records them and then re-transmits the recording on the same frequency. The maximum lenght of recording is 45 seconds. QSO's can be slow but it is pretty good when the other station is out of range or inaudible.
With the Sporadic-E season underway, this may be of interest to any OZ, 9A or S5 station when the band is open. I suggest that if any stations in those countries hear the Cornwall beacon GB3MCB, they should try a short transmission on FM on 70.350 MHz to see if the "Simplexer" is hearing them. It should be possible for, lets say, 2 stations in Denmark who cannot hear each other, to be able to work through the "simplexer" in Ireland on 4 metres!!
It is located on a mountain in the southern part of IO52 square, about 40 kms North West of the city of Cork and it is about 4-500 metres. GW stations in West Wales or G stations in Cornwall may be able to access it as well. (Polarization is Vertical, by the way)........de EI7GL
Additional Info from S51DI......"About "Simplexer" I was informed by letter from Hugh, EI2HI. Letter arrived on 11th of May.
On Saturday, 15th of May after working EI6ARB at 07:17 on 70.2625 Mhz, I tried on 70.350 MHz. From 07:20 to 07:30 GMT I was getting
strong response ( 59 +20 dB) from "Simplexer". It was funny listening
to my own voice. Signals faded out at about 07:32 GMT.
I found this a wonderfull idea, and of course, a very usefull tool to check
out propagations to EI land.
Congatulations and thanks to all involved. 73, Ivan S51DI"
New 70 MHz EI First Contact -
Congratulations to Dave Court, EI3IO, on making the first ever contact between Ireland and Croatia (9A) on the 4 Metre band (70 MHz). Dave made contact with 9A3AB on the 15th of May 2004 at 11:25 UTC during a Sporadic-E opening. Stations in Croatia have had permission to use the 70 MHz band since the start of the year. Other countries like Slovenia and Denmark have issued 4 Metre alocations over the last few years and it is hoped that several more may gain access over the next few years.
New 4m Beacon in the South of England increases power output -
"Further to the earlier information made available via direct e-mail various relevant web sites and the RSGB news, in March, we can now confirm that at 17:30 local time this evening (Thursday 6th May 2004), the groups 4m beacon increased output power to 22 dBW ERP (>150 watts).
The beacon, GB3WSX sited at Yeovil, Somerset, (IO80QW), started QRP transmissions with 2.25 watts output into a 5 element beam antenna at approx 90ft agl, beaming at 70 degrees East of North. Many excellent reports having been received.
The beacon is keying it's callsign and locator on a 60 second cycle. The increase in output power to the 22 dBW level was the next step in the project. The future plans include synchronised antenna switching, and low level signal mode outputs - JT44 / FSK441 / PSK31. However, these additions will only be added as and when resources become available.
We will be very pleased to receive updated and new reception reports via: gb3wsx_AT_twxrg.info
If you know of any 4m enthusiasts, or others who may be interested in this information, please feel free to forward this e-mail. Other organisations - Please feel free to re-produce this
information.
Further data is available on request.
Cheers & 73's.....For and on behalf of The WesseX Repeater Group - www.twxrg.info
Dave, G3ZXX, Chairman & Beacon Keeper GB3WSX (4m Beacon - 70.007 Mhz - IO80QW)."
...................from G3ZXX via the Fourmetre Reflector
Cork Packet News -
"In late January, Jim EI8GS and John EI8IR put the Cork digipeater back on air. The digi had been off air for the last few months and was in need of an overhaul. The 2m radio has been replaced and a new antenna and feeder have been installed at the site. The digipeater operates on 144.600 MHz and 439.875 MHz into an omni-directional antenna.
Despite the drop-off in the numbers of packet users over the past few years, the network is still operational and working well. The Tipperary BBS run by John, EI3DIB in Ardfinnian is operational with an access frequency of 144.850 MHz. The East Cork DXcluster EI8IR is accessible on 144.600 MHz and is connected in real time to the worldwide DXcluster network via an Internet wormhole, which provides the DX spot almost instantly. There is a lot of packet equipment out there, why not dust it off and give it another go."
...................from the IRTS Newsletter
March 2004
Lifting of 6m restrictions in EI -
"6 Metres - Following a meeting between IRTS and ComReg
representatives held on Wednesday February the 25th,
the society is pleased to announce that it has secured
the lifting of restrictions on the 6-metre band. All
experimenters are now licensed to use this band with a
power limit of 20dBW. We stress that there is no need
to apply for specific permission to use the band.
Unfortunately, there is no change in the 4-metre band
licensing requirements."
...................from the IRTS News
New 70cms Region 1 Record (EI5FK-S51ZO) -
"A new 70 cms IARU Region 1 European record was set during the Aurora of November 20th between EI5FK and S51ZO in Slovenia. The old record was set in March 13th by PAOFRE and RA3LE and over a
distance of 1851 km, the new record is 1883km. Charles was using 50 watts and a 21 element Tonna and also worked 9 German, 2 Dutch, 1 English, 1 Welsh and 1 French station during the opening, all stations were worked on CW. Aurora contacts on 432 MHz are extremely rare and Charles reports just one previous contact on aurora with Simon G3LQR in September 1989 and has listened many times since without hearing other stations. It seems likely that this is also the first
contact between Ireland and Slovenia on 70cms."
...................from the IRTS Newsletter
Repeater News -
"Two new repeaters have recently been licensed by ComReg and both are now in service.
Southeast Amateur Radio Group - The Southeast Amateur Radio Group have had to remove their 2 Metre Repeater from Mount Leinster due to an incurable cross-mod problem. This has been replaced by a new repeater on the 70cm band.
The Callsign is EI2??? and the output is on 430.950 MHz with the input on 438.550 MHz.
A new site is being sought for the 2m repeater removed from Mt. Leinster.
East Cork Amateur Radio Group - The East Cork Group have a new 70cm repeater located in Ballygarvan, just south of Cork City. The output is on 430.900 and the input is on 438.500
MHz. It is linked to the Helvick Head repeater on 145.675 MHz. The callsign is E12???
EI9ED Facilities in Co. Cavan - The following are the amateur radio and TV facilities on the EI9ED site in Co Cavan:
EI7KRR RB3 433.075 Tx 434.675 Rx, 15W CTCSS + 1750 Hz with links to 144.750 ATV Talk back channel protected by Tone Burst.
EI7KRC-4 4 meter packet link, EI7K-RC-2 2 meter packet link.
E12ATR ATV Repeater 1276 Tx 1249. Rx(13cms) EI3ATR ATV Repeater 10.040 Tx (3cms)
ATV Repeaters linked and controlled on 144.725 via DTMF.
All equipment licensed by COMREG and comply with COMREG regulations i.e. tone protected, remote switch off, and ID. Site location 53 degrees 43 / 006 degrees 53; 1000 ASL."
...................from the IRTS Newsletter
New 4m Beacon -
The GB3WSX 4m beacon on 70.007 Mhz, went live on Monday 1st March 2004.
It is keying callsign and locator in F1A mode. The Beacon is located in Yeovil, Somerset, at locator IO80QW. Although the licence is for 22dBW ERP, it is currently operating with only
2.25 watts into a 5 element beam antenna at approx 90ft agl. A suitable PA
stage is currently being completed. The antenna is pointing at 70 degrees
East of North, into Eastern Europe...................from the 4m E-mail reflector
4m thriving in North Wales -
"March 2004 - Following a brief presentation on the possibilities of the 4 metre band by Rob MW0DNK to his local club, The Dragon Amateur Radio Club in Anglesey, several new stations are now operating on the band.
Stations QRV on the band include Rob MW0DNK (FM); Dave GW4JKR (FM); Steve GW0GEI (FM, with SSB/CW coming soon); Patrick GW1SXN (FM); John MW0BER (FM); Kevin MW1CFA (FM) with Rob MW0REH and Brian GW4KAZ, an old hand at 4m, joining us soon. Some stations are ideally situated to work Ireland and the North West of England and beyond with ease.
All stations will be keeping a watch on the UK FM calling frequency 70.450 MHz, and keeping a keen ear on the Irish FM calling frequency 70.2625 MHz. Initial tests on the band confirm that conventional propagation is indeed be generous compared with 2m, with many stations operating simple antennas and low power with excellent results. Most stations have opted for Ascom SE550 transceivers, and would be interested to hear if any nets have been able to use selective calling by upgrading their software.
So, if you are in the area or visiting this summer, or based in Ireland and would like to work us - we look forward very much to meeting you on the band. "...................from the 70mhz.org website
4m receiver project in Elektor magazine -
"The April 2004 issue of Elektor Electronics magazine will contain a simple, low-cost 4m band NBFM receiver called the VHF-Low Explorer. This project is aimed at boosting the interest in the 4m band and thus increasing the pressure on radio regulatory authorities in various countries across the globe to release the 70-70.5 MHz section to radio amateurs. The receiver is based on a TDA7000 and a MOSFET preamp.
Despite its simplicity and ease of construction the receiver has good sensitivity and should be a great project for beginners interested in exploring the 68-88MHz band and in particular the amateur section at 70 MHz.
The April 2004 issue of the magazine will be available from UK newsagents from 26 March 2004."...................from the 4m E-mail reflector
New 241 GHz record -
"New 241-GHz distance record claimed: Perennial microwave-band record
seeker Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, has claimed a new world and North American
DX record for the 241 GHz band. On February 17, WA1ZMS/4 in EM96wx worked
W2SZ/4 in FM07fm at a distance of 79.6 km (49.35 miles). The two stations used slow-speed CW (QRSS). Pete Lascell, W4WWQ, was the W2SZ operator.
Both stations used Spectran software to aid in receiving the slow-speed CW, in which a dit lasted
about one second and each dah lingered for three. "The entire QSO took
well over an hour to complete, with both stations having to send the
exchanges several times," Justin said. "Some portions of the CW were
copied by ear, but the DSP software came through in the end to help
make
the QSO happen." Justin says the QSO marked the fifth grid W2SZ needed
for
the ARRL VUCC Award http://www.arrl.org/awards/vucc/ for 241 GHz--the
first VUCC on that band. Additional details are on the Mount Greylock
Expeditionary Force Web site http://www.mgef.org/zms_241_vucc.htm "..................from the ARRL News
2m Trans-Atlantic beacon in Bermuda -
According to a resent article in an issue of Dubus, the 2m equipment is already in place but not yet operational because of interference problems with an adjacent FM repeater. Once operational, it should be beaming towards Europe.
4 Metre Echolink Gateway in Northern Ireland -
"There is now a 4 metre gateway active on 70.3875 MHz FM in Strabane which ran by Chris
GI0VJE and the link is identified on the Echolink server as GI0VJE-L"..................from MI0AAZ in Coleraine