RadCom May 2020, Vol. 96, No. 5

May 2020 63 Regulars to learn to spread out their operations and the development of software such as MAP65 for other digital modes is needed. 6DP * ''. UHSRUWV WKDW WKH FXUUHQW ORFNGRZQ KDV EHQHÀWWHG amateur radio by driving more amateurs to using their radios during the day. Locally, in East Suffolk, a number of members of the G4MRS (BTRL Martlesham) Radio Society have been using both 145MHz and 433MHz FM simplex channels to keep in touch (as well as using email, WhatsApp and Skype, of course) in lieu of the weekly coffee meetings. For some of the group it has meant digging out long-since retired FM rigs, dusting them down and learning how to drive them again. In Sam’s case it is a now elderly FT-7800. This is connected to an aging Watson dual band ‘white stick’ that has been restored to place of honour at the top of the mast, above the various other VHF and UHF Yagis and the 10GHz dish. This antenna will shortly be replaced by a Diamond V2000 to give three band (50, 145 and 433MHz) capability. The new vertical antenna is currently on test on a 2.5m ÀEUHJODVV WHOHVFRSLF PDVW DV WKH 0+] ¶UDGLDO· QHHGV WR EH DGMXVWHG for lowest VSWR in the lower part of the band. Sam says, “What has been noticeable is how easy it is now to get a reply to a call on the local FM repeaters compared to the last 10 years or so. Few, if any, are using rigs in their cars for obvious reasons, so there must be a lot of home installations now in use. Maybe one day I will use digital voice, but for now the superior quality of analogue voice is more appealing and it does at least get the old FM rig back into use.” GMDX Celtic Knot The GMDX Celtic Knot VHF-UHF Competition is based on the KLJKO\ SRSXODU 56*% 8. $FWLYLW\ &RQWHVWV EXW ZLWK D VSHFLÀF focus on promoting VHF-UHF activity in the north and west of the geographical British Isles where populations and activity are often very sparse. There are two sections: one for stations within those ‘Celtic’ areas (GM, GD, GI, EI, GW, Cornwall and Brittany); and the other for ‘Supporters’ (mainly in England but also beyond) who help to promote activity by making a point of working ‘Celtic’ stations. 7KH DZDUGV WDNH WKH IRUP RI FHUWLÀFDWHV DQG IRU WKH ZLQQHU RI HDFK section, a handsome engraved silver quaich – a traditional Scottish drinking cup. The winners for 2019 are: Celtic section : Dave Flanagan, GW4ZAR Supporters section : Pete Lindsay, G4CLA &HUWLÀFDWHV IRU WKH UXQQHUV XS DQG WKH OHDGHUV LQ HDFK DUHD JR WR -RQ -R\FH *0 -7- $QG\ 'RUPDQ *' $0' 3 *RUGRQ &XUU\ *, $7= 'DUUHOO -DFREV ( 9&& 3 &RUQZDOO *UDKDPH 5HDG ) 94; (Brittany); Keith Tatnall, G4ODA; and Conrad Farlow, PA5Y. Detailed results are at gmdxvhf.wordpress.com where you can also read about the rules, scoring and all the other details you need to know before taking part. This year’s GMDX Celtic Knot VHF-UHF Competition is already ZHOO XQGHU ZD\ (YHQ LQ WKLV XQXVXDO \HDU WKH WURSKLHV DQG FHUWLÀFDWHV for 2020 are well worth chasing. Thanks to Ian White, GM3SEK for the information. Virtual NRC Whilst the RSGB National Radio Centre itself is currently closed, as is the Bletchley Park museum, the NRC volunteer team have taken the opportunity to run some nets to keep in touch with each other. Martyn, G0GMB, the NRC Coordinator, says they are acutely aware that whilst in self-isolation, it is more important than ever to stay in communication, what better way than using amateur radio. Keeping up radio (social) contact helps maintain moral, especially for those feeling isolated or living alone. To help keep in touch and promote a Virtual NRC presence, the RSGB volunteers have been running regular NRC volunteer nets on 2m most days, depending on who is available. You are welcome to call in, and if you haven’t got the equipment to be active on the band, why not listen in using the Farnham webSDR [4] for the 2m net? The 2m net is on 144.330MHz at 2.30pm (with as many as 16 stations participating on different days). Not all those calling in are NRC volunteers; some are amateurs who have previously been to the 15& DQG HQMR\HG WDONLQJ ZLWK YROXQWHHUV ZKLOVW RWKHUV DUH DPDWHXUV who had planned to come in the near future. RadCom VHF/UHF Columnist Vacancy $IWHU RYHU \HDUV RI ZULWLQJ WKH 9+) 8+) FROXPQ LQ RadCom every month, Richard Staples, G4HGI decided to step down. The RSGB is very grateful to Richard for all his hard work in providing an interesting and lively column. Over the years of writing this popular column, Richard has managed to strike a balance between activity reports and issues of more general interest. So we are now looking for a new VHF UHF columnist – is that something that interests you? 7KH 9+) 8+) FROXPQ FRYHUV WKH DQG 0+] DPDWHXU EDQGV 7KH PDLQ UHTXLUHPHQWV IRU WKH UROH RI 9+) 8+) FROXPQLVW DUH ‡ DQ HQWKXVLDVP IRU DOO WKLQJV 9+) 8+) FRXSOHG ZLWK DQ DELOLW\ WR ZULWH DURXQG ZRUGV PRQWK FOHDUO\ DORQJVLGH VRXUFLQJ VRPH SKRWRV (with due regard to copyright). ‡ an understanding, but not necessarily expertise in, operating techniques, propagation and the technology across the 50, 70, 144 and 432MHz amateur bands. ‡ PDLQWDLQ D EDODQFH DFURVV WKH YDULRXV LQWHUHVWV DW 9+) 8+) DQG QRW WR IRFXV MXVW RQ RQH EDQG RU W\SH RI DFWLYLW\ ‡ use received activity reports from a number of regular contributors but also encourage newcomers and old hands to try something new. ‡ have the time to produce the column in line with the deadlines for the monthly publication of RadCom . 6R LI \RX KDYH WKH HQWKXVLDVP IRU 9+) 8+) DQG WKH WLPH DYDLODEOH WR ZULWH two pages for RadCom every month please apply, by email, to the Managing Editor, Elaine Richards, G4LFM via elaine.richards@rsgb.org.uk . Websearch > @ 0$3 6RIWZDUH KWWSV SK\VLFV SULQFHWRQ HGX SXOVDU . -7 PDS KWPO > @ 1 8. (0( &KDW KWWSV ZZZ FKULV RUJ FJL ELQ MW HPH$ > @ /LYH &4 KWWSV ZZZ OLYHFT HX > @ KWWS IDUQKDP VGU FRP radcom@rsgb.org.uk next reports deadline: 27 April In less restricted days, GB3RS was operated by Dave, G4UFS at the 1DWLRQDO 5DGLR &HQWUH WR PDNH LWV ÀUVW 462 YLD 42 ZLWK 3HWHU 0 (<7