Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (B)
To : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Fri Jul 21 2017 07:43 am
LOTTERY WINDFALL FOR DX GROUP IN UK
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: When a group of DXers in the UK got a grant for ten
thousand pounds - approximately 13,000 U.S. dollars - they didn't shout
it from the rooftops - they shot it right up into space, via satellite.
Here's Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, with that story.
JEREMY: The Bittern DXers have won big, as recipients of a National
Lottery grant in the UK. The grant they've received for ten thousand
pounds is already earmarked for them to continue work on their
Educational Outreach initiatives. The DXers make it a priority to teach
the public about radio science, and getting on the air by taking
equipment to community events. Their radio demonstrations have enabled
members of the public to listen in, as the hams receive signals from
weather satellites, and even the International Space Station.
The North Norfolk-based DXers had a message of their own however,
shortly after receiving the good news: They announced their big lottery
gift by transmitting the announcement via the FunCube1 satellite. The
FunCube1 has been in orbit since November of 2013, when it was launched
by the ham radio community that also built it.
The Bittern DX group also celebrated by posting a message a little closer
to Earth - on their website. That message says, in part: [QUOTE] "Our
priorities are to get out in the field, to get on the air, and to spread
the word about amateur radio without the restraints of lectures and
evening meetings. There are a number of very good clubs in Norfolk
offering that kind of club environment, and we work with them wherever
possible." [ENDQUOTE] The group's message encourages anyone wanting the
Bittern DXers to set up a station at their next event to contact them at
info-at-bittern-hyphen-dxers-dot-org-dot-uk. (
[email protected])
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.
(EASTERN DAILY PRESS)
**
BUILDING A BETTER BEACON
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: If you want to take the pulse of HF propagation, you
can't beat using a beacon -- but what happens when older hard-working
beacons need refurbishing? Graham Kemp, VK4BB, tells us.
GRAHAM: Can you build a better beacon? The West Australian Repeater
Group did, and now the international HF beacon, VK6RBP, is better than
ever - or so it's hoped.
This is one of 18 beacons around the world that operates as part of the
International Beacon project established as a propagation tool in 1995
by the Northern California DX Foundation. Time has passed, however, and
with the equipment's advancing age, the repeaters have been growing less
and less reliable.
Enter "Beacon Version 2.0," which completed its successful installation
on Sunday the 9th of July, after a safe shipment from the California
group to VK6. The rollout has begun! The beacon operates by transmitting
CW in 10-second blocks across five bands, repeating the process every
three minutes.
The West Australian group asks that amateurs listen for the beacon, and
send signal reports along. You can email secretary@warg-dot-org-dot-au
(
[email protected]). Of course, if your QTH is right there in VK6,
send your report by joining the group's technical and general net. They
meet on Sundays at 02:30 UTC, using the local VK6RLM repeater on 146.750
MHz.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB.
**
NEWSCAST BREAK:
Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the Silvercreek
Amateur Radio Association's 2 meter repeater, W8WKY, Tuesdays, at 7:30 PM
local time in Doylestown, Ohio, celebrating their fortieth year as an
amateur radio club.
---
� Synchronet � The Thunderbolt BBS - wx1der.dyndns.org
