AmateurRadio.com

I had a recent email from John, WB2OSZ regarding using the raspberry pi for APRS and he has developed an application that looks like a very slim APRS beacon and digipeater for aprs called Dire Wolf . I have yet to investigate it further but for all those with an interest head over to Johns website and take a look. Here is the address.

From what i can see the application acts as a soundcard modem and tnc for programs like Xastir and APRSIS32. I think this needs some further investigation

I’ve finally managed to crack open the radio again this month and get going again. I can’t believe its March already, a full 2 months into 2013 and I must admit my radio rate (a bit like work rate but far more enjoyable)  has been very low. However, i see light at the end of the tunnel.

I managed to get out last night and particiapte in the UKAC 144Mhz contest. I find this to be a nice and easy going type of contest where I can operate as a portable station without too much bother. last night i managed 17 contacts from the comfort of the car with 10w and a 5 ele yagi. I am using these contests as a way to get more involved on a regular basis with vhf operating as I struggle to get out on hf as the salt air has knackered my vertical antenna.

Next off is the new outdoor antenna. I have always had a soft spot for Cobwebb antennas. My single wire one is going to a new home and I wanted to get myself building again so I will be making a more robust version for outside. I have XYL permission and will get cracking in the summer.

Also is the VHF field day. Andrew, G4VFL and I will be putting together a station to operate from Corney fell, which judging by Andrews recent results in the UKAC should give us some advantage in height.

Only work can get in the way now.

December seems a long time ago. I had a different job and radio was still up there on the ‘things I do when I’m not at work’ list. Since then I haven’t stopped at my new job, its nice to be busy but its really interferring with my radio stuff! The cycle race I marshalled at last May (with my trusty Yaesu VX8-GE) has me as an entrant and my MSF reciver project has yet to be turned into a PCB.

its not looking good

but

Winter is almost over. I’m getting out on the bike in the mornings and evening going to and from work, which means, the evenings are free(er), which means I’ve uploaded my MSF receiver to circuits.io and there is progress with getting a PCB made up, it’s almost warm enough to think about re-cabling the minor antenna farm. The salty air is a continual problem with my antennas and it may be time to go ‘full stealth’ the aluminium ( note correct spelling ).

All this points me in the direction of thinking about radio. If I’ve got time to think about it then I’m not far of ‘doing’ it. Very positive steps. Spring is on its way

The UKAC contest series is a vhf contest that runs throughout the year on Tuesday evenings. Each Tuesday has a different band allocated and last night’s was the turn of the 2m band.

This normally quiet band (up here at least) has plenty of activity to keep even the most relaxed operators busy for 2 and a half hours. I count myself in that category. Although last nights entertainment was far from relaxing.

I operate portable from ai reasonable hill close to home. The car is my qth with the ft 817 providing the noisey end and a portable mast with my excellent 5 ele lfa yagi doing the ‘pointing’. A drive on plate holds the outside parts in place. Except last night when very strong winds were rocking the yagi and the car so much I thought I was going to end up with a mast and antenna as a bonnet ornament.

By 9:30 I’d had enough but tried a few more station before packing up and retreating to a cosy house.

It’s a very addictive thing this contesting but I really think I should get extra points for enduring fierce weather!

After the unsuccessful Christmas cumulative contest I thought I’d have another go at the UKAC 144Mhz contest. I will be portable again from one of the local hills that I can get access to easily from the car and without having to drive for miles. I better sort that out tomorrow before its too late. Last time I operated from a farm track near a water pumping station with enough metal furniture around to ‘help’ propagation no end. Its a toss up between there and somewhere near Whitehaven that is just as quick to get to. Lets hope its not as cold as last time.

Well it never rains….

Sometimes it snows

Other days it blows a gale

That’s the simple tale of gb4lbc this weekend. Our special event station barely made it off the ground. Or rather it nearly did because of the wind. Any wire antennas would have been blown down and would have hurt someone.

So its a shame we didn’t get much air time this weekend but maybe next time.

Better safe than sorry

Whilst operating the GB4LBC special event station on Sunday we had a very urgent knock on the door. The station manager burst through and announced that the crew were launching for real. We stopped the session immediately and got well out the way.

The crew managed to get the boat into the water in what seemed to be seconds and before long they were out of sight and off to help a struggling fishing boat. It made the sos radio week just that little bit more realistic and hopefully it was just as one off.

Let’s hope that next weekend is not as busy for them but just as busy for us. Our 250 or do contacts, mainly on Sunday, were very much appreciated and thanks to everyone who took the time to answer our calls.