RadCom April 2024, Vol. 100, No. 4

Report April 2024 43 technology, especially with young students, explaining that there are many exciting career opportunities in radio communication. The NRC now has a team of 60 enthusiastic volunteers who between them help to keep it open seven days per week. In terms of radio equipment, little has changed in 2023. The Flex6500, with a Gemini amplifier and SteppIR antenna, comprise the main HF station. The FT-5000 is used on LF for UK/ European SSB/CW QSOs and demonstrating FT8. The IC-9700 station is used primarily on 2m SSB and for demonstrating D-Star (digital) communication. The TS2000 remains the main radio for local FM QSOs and for polar-orbiting satellite QSOs. The QO-100 station continues to prove a success in demonstrating geostationary satellite communication. The main additions this year were introduction of digital amateur TV (DATV) reception, utilising the wide-band segment of the QO-100 satellite and three radios previously belonging to the late King Hussein of Jordan, JY1 donated by Her Majesty Queen Noor. Several special events were held in 2023. A Build a Morse Tutor event ran in March; in May a special event station to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles II was in operation; in September the NRC participated in Bletchley Park’s 1940s weekend; in October the International Enigma Reloaded event took place; and the NRC ran a GB23YOTA station for two days in December. It is anticipated that we will restart the Arkwright Scholarship (licence) training again in 2024. As well as welcoming more than 40 visiting radio amateurs as part of the RSGB Convention weekend, the NRC took the initiative to offer clubs the opportunity to enjoy, by prior arrangement, a private visit. 12 amateur radio clubs and two cadet/scout troops were welcomed for evening visits and many more amateur radio clubs visited the NRC during normal daytime opening. Regular maintenance work has again been undertaken during 2023 on the tower supporting the SteppIR antenna and throughout the NRC to ensure it continues to be a safe and fully- functioning venue for the visiting public to enjoy and for the NRC volunteers to actively and enthusiastically engage. Martyn Baker, G0GMB martyn.baker@rsgb.org.uk Operating Advisory Service (OAS) During the course of 2023, OAS dealt with a wide variety of issues. These issues included, but are not limited to, interference to individual amateurs and club or other nets, complaints about callsigns being pirated, repeaters being jammed, and suspected unlicensed operation by persons who are not radio amateurs.  Each contact made to OAS was treated as confidential and tailored specifically to individual circumstances. In most circumstances, OAS responded within 48 hours, with considered advice, but in a few cases an acknowledgement was sent while other officers or committees were consulted. Ian Suart, GM4AUP oas@rsgb.org.uk Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) 2023 continued to be a quiet year for members of the Planning Advisory Committee. The RSGB Planning Guidance booklet, downloadable free of charge from the members area of the RSGB Website, gives advice on how to make a planning application, the planning appeals process and what to do should you receive a planning enforcement notice. Members should read this guide before making a planning application or appeal, and contact the Planning Advisory Committee for one-to-one advice if additional help is needed. PAC can also provide a letter of support, to accompany your planning application, for your local planning authority. Whilst most applications that cross PAC’s table are measured and have a good chance of success either on the initial application or appeal, we are unfortunately seeing a number of enquiries from members who had ignored the planning rules by erecting overly-large antennas/masts in postage- stamp-sized plots then expecting an instant service from PAC. There has also been, on occasions, an expectation that PAC would act as their agent in discussions with their local planning authority. This goes beyond the service provided offered by the Planning Advisory Service which is provided by volunteers in their spare time. Whilst PAC has lobbied the relaxation of planning rules for smaller installations on a number of occasions, both central and the devolved governments are so far unconvinced by the need for change. As such, PAC can only give advice on existing planning legislation and not campaign for a change in legislation to allow a particular installation proposed by members. PAC is always on the look out for new volunteers. If you have experience of the planning process and wish to help others, please contact pac.chairman@rsgb.org.uk Len Paget, GM0ONX gm0onx@rsgb.org.uk Propagation Studies Committee (PSC) The purpose of the Propagation Studies Committee (PSC) is to promote interest in radio propagation amongst amateurs and shortwave listeners, to enable them to make better use of the amateur bands and encourage research into the subject. Peter Duffett-Smith, GM3XJE has been developing an automatic Long Delay Echo (LDE) sounder, with the ambition of providing software (WSTJX-style) that any radio amateur may use to search for these elusive events. Peter gave a talk about it at the RSGB Convention and, as a result, Heather Nickalls, M0HMO has volunteered to produce the software. John, G4BAO has plans for a 24GHz WebSDR for the Essex coast. Its intention is to study trans- North Sea propagation at 24GHz using the Dutch and Belgian beacons. The hardware and software have been completed and tested for well over 12 months and has been trialled from John’s QTH in Cambridgeshire. There are plans to add it to the Martello Tower Repeater Group’s site at Holland- on-Sea. Installation is on hold until the better weather arrives. John has also continued to help produce the GB2RS weekly propagation bulletin and write about GHz matters in his monthly RadCom To read more about the NRC, visit rsgb.org/nrc Visit rsgb.org/oas for more information.