IARU Monitoring System issues August 2018 Newsletter

The August 2018 Newsletter of the IARU Monitoring System for Region 1 has just been released and it again shows the various intrusions into the radio amateur bands.

The newsletter reports that long-time broadcasters from the Horn of Africa have now moved from the 40-metre band although there are signs of increased military traffic on 7 and 14 MHz from Russia and China.

The contributor for the IRTS is Michael EI3GYB and he reports many instances of fishermen heard on the 80-metre amateur band.

The full newsletter can be seen here... http://www.iarums-r1.org/iarums/news2018/news1808.pdf

Russia proposes to use DRM on 65.9-74.0 MHz

On the 11th of September 2018, it was reported that the Russian Federation proposes to use the digital DRM+ standard for broadcasting on the  the radio frequency bands 65.9-74 MHz and 87.5-108 MHz.

While this move may not have much of an issue here in Ireland, it has the potential of being a major source of interference to radio amateurs using the 4 metre band (70 MHz) in central and eastern Europe. As 'Secondary Users' of this part of the spectrum, radio amateurs have no choice but to live with any interference, especially during the Summer Sporadic-E season.

The 65.9 MHz to 74 MHz spectrum has been used up to now for analogue FM transmissions in Russia and some adjacent countries. Over the last 20 years, the general trend has been to close these low band VHF transmitters and move them instead to the usual 88 to 108 MHz band. It seemed as if the 65.9 to 74 MHz band might eventually close but this new digital DRM allocation will see it being put to a new use.

This highlights the fact that while extensive parts of the low band VHF spectrum were allocated to the Amateur Radio Service in Ireland, that is very unlikely to happen elsewhere in Europe.

From Google Translate...

EI8JK works Japan on 70cms Moonbounce for an EI first

Working Japan on any band from Ireland is pretty good but what about doing it on 432 MHz? That's exactly what Tony EI8JK did on Monday the 10th of September 2018 when he worked Toshia JA6AHB by bouncing 70 cms signals off the moon!

The pair have been trying to make the contact for several weeks with Tony making small incremental improvements to his system to squeeze out every fraction of a dB. In the end, they managed to complete the contact using the JT65 mode on Monday morning during a 2-hour window to make it an EI-JA first on the UHF band.

In terms of equipment, JA6AHB was using 500 watts into a 7 metre dish while Tony was using 4 x 21 element yagis with a medium powered amplifier. His antenna system is shown below.

Tony lives on the scenic Sheeps Head peninsula in West Cork and no doubt the remote location with low noise background really helps on the VHF and UHF bands. With his current set-up and more improvements on the way, he hopes to work many more stations off the moon on 432 MHz.

48 hours on 14 MHz WSPR...

I tried out WSPR on 14 MHz last Saturday in an effort to hear a high altitude balloon in Argentina which was supposed to use it during a flight. I had no luck hearing the beacon but I left the radio on for 48 hours anyway to see what could be heard.

As can be seen, lots of signals were heard although if I have to be honest, I didn't find it that interesting. It's really no big deal to get worldwide signals on 20m.

What I did find interesting though was those stations using really low power, especially SM0FXK with 1 milliwatt!

These are the stations using 100mW or less.

FT8 tests on 144 MHz with limited success

After reading a post on the blog of Roger G3XBM about the possibilities of FT8 on 144 MHz, I tried it out for myself. The results for me on receive on a flat band however were mediocre at best...

Like any experiment, you always learn something even if the results are poor.

The key points for me are...

1) Poor antenna..... Using an indoor Slim-Jim half wave vertical antenna in the attic doesn't cut it for weak signals on 144 MHz. It might be fine in the SE of the UK, the low countries or Germany but not here in Ireland.

2) Too far west..... I estimate the bulk of the FT8 stations on 144 MHz are at least 400 kms to the east of me. Roger had a lot more stations closer to him even from the continent.

3) Fewer planes..... With a 15 second transmission time, aircraft scatter probably plays a big part on the number of FT8 signals heard on 144 MHz. Here on the south coast of Ireland, most of the aircraft traffic is Trans-Atlantic going east-west. There would be a much higher number of planes criss-crossing over the south east of the UK with many at lower altitudes.

The results confirm what I would have kind of guessed anyway. FT8 is good but it's not that good. To operate 2m FT8 from here, I would need an external horizontal Yagi.

Article on Finbarr EI0CF operating on 501 KHz

Nice article by VE7SL on the 630m adventures of Finbarr EI0CF in Donegal on 501 KHz.

Link here... http://ve7sl.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-630m-portable-adventures-of-ei.html

Frequency for new Irish beacon on 40 MHz announced...

In the September 2018 issue of Echo Ireland which is sent out to members of the IRTS, it was announced that the proposed frequency for the new Irish beacon on the 8 metre band will be 40.013 MHz.

The only amateur beacon currently on the band is OZ7IGY from Denmark on 40.071 MHz. The one on 40.050 MHz from central England seems to be off the air and was last spotted several years back.

The proposed frequency for the Irish beacon on 60 MHz will be 60.013 MHz.

GB3NGI heard on 144 MHz with an indoor antenna...

During the EI 2m activity period on Tuesday evening, I had a tune around the beacon band and used the PI4 software to see if I could see any faint signals in the waterfall. To my suprise, I could faintly see and hear GB3NGI which was 385kms away...

Considering I was just using a vertical Slim Jim in the attic of the house, I really wasn't expecting to hear anything.

I looked up the beacon website https://www.qsl.net/gb3ngi/ and found that the signals were alternating between CW and JT65b. As I had never used JT65b before, I had some trouble getting the WSJT-X programme to decode the signals.

After doing a bit of research, I changed some settings on the programme... Settings > General > Enable VHF/UHF/Microwave features and then used the settings in the graphic above. It now works ok and I can see the decoded signals.

0840 -25  1.4 1261 #* GB3NGI IO65VB          f
0842 -26  1.4 1260 #* GB3NGI IO65VB          f
0854 -26  1.3 1260 #* GB3NGI IO65VB          f
0856 -24  1.3 1260 #* GB3NGI IO65VB          f
0858 -23  1.3 1260 #* GB3NGI IO65VB          f
0900 -23  1.3 1260 #* GB3NGI IO65VB          f

Thanks to G0MJI and the screenshots on his website which make things a lot clearer.

Notice : IRTS 2m/70cms Counties Contest... Sun 9th Sept 2018

The IRTS 70cms and 2 metres Counties Contests, in which EI and GI counties are multipliers, take place on Sunday next, 9th September 2018. The 70cms event is at 1.00pm local time, for one hour, and this is followed by the 2 metres contest from 2.00pm to 4.00pm local time. There are separate sections in these contest for portable and fixed stations, low power and high power, as well as an FM Only section for single ops and an SWL section. The portable sections are for field-day type operations, so those entering one of the portable sections should be aware of the requirements for portable section entries in the contest rules.

See www.irts.ie/ contests for more details, which include the frequencies for these contests and the 'QSY Rule' that applies to FM QSOs.

ICQ Podcast covers Zello link to Southern Ireland Repeater Network

The ICQ podcast is one of the most popular amateur related podcasts from the UK and is usually released once a fortnight.

In this episode released on the 2nd of Sept 2018, they discussed the recent linking of the online Zello network to the Southern Ireland repeater network.

On the video below, fast forward to about 21:35 for the SIRN item and it lasts until about 29:00.



Links...
1) The ICQ podcast show notes can be seen HERE
2) Previous post on this blog about the linking of Zello to the Southern Ireland Repeater Network HERE

Remote controls for garage doors on 40 MHz...

Another post about 40 MHz :o)

The ISM (Industrial, Scientific, Medical) band goes from 40.660 to 40.700 MHz and is intended for use by a range of very low power devices. I came across some information recently about a garage door remote control system which operates in the band.

40.66 MHz 40.7 MHz B 40.68 MHz Worldwide
HÖRMANN HSM4 40 MHZ

40.685 MHz

Hormann Garador HSM4 Garage Door Remote Control Keyfob Transmitter - 40.685MHz - Grey Buttons

It just goes to show that the band is not completely empty and radio amateurs should probably avoid using the ISM band especially in built up areas.

Italian Paging System at 40 MHz...

There was a news item on the Southgate ARC website today about a new DAPNET POCSAG Pager Gateway being licensed in the UK.

After reading up a bit on it, I found a website which lists the frequency allocations for commerrcial paging devices and it turns out that there is one in Italy at 40 MHz.

As always, I try to keep a record of any 40 MHz information here on the blog for references purposes.

Copied text below......"In Italy the 26.225-26.935 MHz band (AM/FM, odd frequency steps) and 40.0125-40.0875 MHz (in 25 kHz steps) may be used for local pagers. These frequencies are often used for on-site hospital paging systems, including voice paging."

Going off the information above, the four Italian frequencies are...
40.0125 MHz
40.0375 MHz
40.0625 MHz
40.0875 MHz

As can be seen from the proposed 8 metre band plan from the IRTS, these pagers are in the beacon band.

Considering that pagers are only intended to receive local signals, it's unlikely that they are susceptible to interference from Sporadic-E type signals. However, those frequencies are probably best avoided for beacons in Ireland or elsewhere.

Low Band VHF Pagers... I have included a list of frequencies between 30 and 50 MHz which are used for paging systems below...

New Facebook page for the EI7GL blog...

Just to make it a bit easier for people to follow the posts on the blog and perhaps to attract a few more readers, I have set up a new page on Facebook... https://www.facebook.com/EI7GL-Amateur-Radio-1646048415540800/

One of the main targets of this blog is to promote more activity on the amateur bands so hopefully it might noticed by some of guys there on Facebook.

Videos from the 2018 Amateur Radio Show in Tokyo..

See below the video clips showing the latest radios from Japan...

ICOM booth...

Applications for the Irish Radio Amateur Licence Examination now open

The Irish Radio Transmitters Society have announced that the next Amateur Station Licence Examination will be held on Thursday 15th November 2018 in the ComReg offices in Dublin and at other centres if warranted by the numbers. The closing date for applications to sit this examination is Thursday 1st November 2018.

Interested individuals can find more information on the IRTS website... https://www.irts.ie/cgi/st.cgi?applying

Zello Network Radio connection to the Southern Ireland Repeater Network

There has been a lot of interest of late in 'Network Radio' and the most popular app for this is probably Zello. (See previous post)

In the last few days, the Southern Ireland Repeater Network has been connected to the Zello network. In effect, this allows people to access the repeater network over the internet.

From my understanding of it, anyone can listen to the SIRN on Zello but only licenced radio amateurs are allowed to gain access.

Here is some info from one of the repeater group moderators...

Hi all, I’m delighted to announce that the Southern Ireland Repeater Network now has a Zello gateway. This is a very comprehensive network which covers most of the country with VHF, UHF, 4m, and also has a DMR link.

Please visit our pages for all the info and we welcome all licensed amateurs and listeners.

The same moderator structure as used in network radio is in place just add as a friend and you will be trusted as a friend and have full access to most of EI on RF! As these are RF amateur repeaters it will be obviously for licensed holders only though non licensed operators can listen.

I believe this will be one of the first Repeater network gateways to be accessed through the Zello network and we’re very excited to be able to provide this facility which will enhance more activity.
Thank you very much de John EI2HW.

https://sirnrepeaters.blogspot.ie/

https://zello.com/channels/k/e8Tb1

***
SIRN Activity... The Southern Ireland Repeater Network covers roughly half the island of Ireland and consists of two repeaters on 2m and five on 70cms. It is also connected to the DMR network on TG27240.

The repeater network can be pretty quiet considering the number of repeaters on the network. The busiest period is usually on Tuesday evenings when the IRTS news is read out at 9:30pm local time.

The EI activity evenings on 2m and 70cms are on the first two Tuesdays of every month and it's worth having a listen then as well.

If you are calling in via Zello then be sure to give your callsign and call more than once if you get no answer at first. A number of people may well be monitoring or scanning and may not hear you first time around.

Zello to Zello.... Just remember that if you do access the network via Zello then you are tying up a whole RF repeater network. If the person you are talking to is also on Zello then that conversation can be held on Zello instead.

Remember that it is not just another Zello channel, it's a means of accessing a repeater network in Ireland from the Zello network.

Getting on Zello.... It's very easy to get started on Zello. If you have a smartphone or tablet then just download the app for free and then set up a Zello account. To get on the Southern Ireland Repeater Network, just go to the this page.. https://zello.com/channels/k/e8Tb1 or scan the QR code that is shown there.

SIRN Coverage... A map showing the RF coverage of the Southern Ireland Repeater Network can be seen below...

Italian CB allocation at 43 MHz...

I came across a piece on the web today about an Italian CB allocation at 43 MHz. This is especially relevant considering that the proposed 8 metre radio amateur band in Ireland will go from 40.0 to 44.0 MHz.

The graphic above is from a 2012 brochure from Intek. A close up of the mobile is shown below...

International Versions... Note there seems to be an 'International Version' with 224 channels! With 12.5 kHz spacing, that's about 2.8 MHz of spectrum and it seems to cover 42.300-45.0875 MHz. The power o/p has been increased from 4w to 20w.

List of 43 MHz CB radios... Alan HM-43 4 W, Dragon MX-430 4 W, Intek K-43 4 W, Intek SY-343 4 W, Intek SY-5430M 4 W, Layayette ULTILITY

Wikipedia... Here is some info from Wikipedia...

Italy has a "VHF CB" allocation at 43 MHz, usually called "Apparati a 43 MHz" or "CB 43 MHz". 

Italy, like many other countries, suffers from extremely lax enforcement of radio communications laws, and "freeband" modified equipment covering wider frequency ranges as well as amplifiers are widely available and openly advertised by communications equipment vendors. "Freebanding" occurs with both the 27 MHz area (often as low as 25 MHz and as high as 30 MHz) and the 43 MHz area (as 43 MHz CB equipment is often modified to cover down to 34 MHz and up to 47 MHz, using 12.5 kHz steps). There is evidence of these frequencies being used outside of Italy for illegal "CB-like" operations.

Italian 43 MHz "VHF CB" or "43 MHz CB" allocation. 24 channels, FM mode, 12.5 kHz channel spacing. Each channel has a "recommended use" associated with it. Portable handheld (walkie-talkie), in-vehicle mobile and base station transceivers are available for this band. Channels are numbered in straight sequence, however many transceivers marketed for this band also include a frequency display. Due to the low-VHF band frequency characteristics of this band, it is often used as an adjunct to, or replacement for, the traditional 26–27 MHz CB allocations.

CH - FREQ - USE
1 - 43.3000 MHz – Rescue, Road/Traffic Control, Forestry, Hunting, Fishing, Security
2 - 43.3125 MHz – Rescue, Road/Traffic Control, Forestry, Hunting, Fishing, Security
3 - 43.3250 MHz – Rescue, Road/Traffic Control, Forestry, Hunting, Fishing, Security
4 - 43.3375 MHz – Rescue, Road/Traffic Control, Forestry, Hunting, Fishing, Security
5 - 43.3500 MHz – Rescue, Road/Traffic Control, Forestry, Hunting, Fishing, Security
6 - 43.3625 MHz – Rescue, Road/Traffic Control, Forestry, Hunting, Fishing, Security
7 - 43.3750 MHz – Industrial, Commercial, Agricultural, Crafts
8 - 43.3875 MHz – Industrial, Commercial, Agricultural, Crafts
9 - 43.4000 MHz – Industrial, Commercial, Agricultural, Crafts
10 - 43.4125 MHz – Industrial, Commercial, Agricultural, Crafts
11 - 43.4250 MHz – Industrial, Commercial, Agricultural, Crafts
12 - 43.4375 MHz – Industrial, Commercial, Agricultural, Crafts
13 - 43.4500 MHz – For safety of life at sea, Marine Use (Ship-to-Ship/Ship-to-Shore), Marinas and Harbors
14 - 43.4625 MHz – For safety of life at sea, Marine Use (Ship-to-Ship/Ship-to-Shore), Marinas and Harbors
15 - 43.4750 MHz – For safety of life at sea, Marine Use (Ship-to-Ship/Ship-to-Shore), Marinas and Harbors
16 - 43.4875 MHz – For safety of life at sea, Marine Use (Ship-to-Ship/Ship-to-Shore), Marinas and Harbors
17 - 43.5000 MHz – To aid in the administration of sports and other competitive activities
18 - 43.5125 MHz – To aid in the administration of sports and other competitive activities
19 - 43.5250 MHz – To aid in the administration of sports and other competitive activities
20 - 43.5375 MHz – to aid in the administration of sports and other competitive activities
21 - 43.5500 MHz – For use by health professionals, doctors, hospitals, and activities related to them.
22 - 43.5625 MHz – For use by health professionals, doctors, hospitals, and activities related to them.
23 - 43.5750 MHz – For use by health professionals, doctors, hospitals, and activities related to them.
24 - 43.5875 MHz – For use by health professionals, doctors, hospitals, and activities related to them.

RTE podcast about amateur radio at Loop Head Lighthouse

On Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th August 2018, members of Limerick Radio Club activated Loop Head lighthouse in Co.Clare as part of the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend.

The Countrywide programme on RTE 1 radio had an interview with the club... see below...

Amateur radio enthusiasts are gathered at Loop Head in Co. Clare this morning to connect with fellow operators across the world as part of the 21st International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend. John met members of the Limerick Radio club to find out more.

Listen here... https://player.fm/series/series-2281751/amateur-radio-loop-head

There was also a piece in a local newspaper... http://clareherald.com/2018/08/ham-radio-operators-tune-into-loop-head-lighthouse-94816/

http://www.limerickradioclub.ie/

EI9E/P on 23cms - July 2018

A short video from Terry G0VRL showing a contact with EI9E/P during the VHF contest in July 2018. The distance was approx 257kms over mostly water.

New World Meteor Scatter Record on 144 MHz... 7th Aug 2018

It seems to be a week of new records on 144 MHz. Following on from the new Region 1 tropo record on the 5th of August 2018, a new world record for meteor scatter on 144 MHz was set on the 7th of August.

In the early hours of the 7th of August, Dieter DJ6AG (JO51eq) in Germany worked Fernando EA8TX (IL18qi) in the Canary Islands to set a new world distance record of 3428 kms. The FSK contact took several hours to complete with the final decode being received in Germany at 00:14 UTC.

001430 16.0 220 1 26 9 R!RRRR EA TX RRRR RRRR EA8TX RRRR

The new record of 3428 kms breaks the old record between EA8TJ and S50C by 51 kms.

Previous best distances by meteor scatter on 144 MHz in Region 1...

Distance record on 144 MHz Propagation : MS
Band Propagation Call a Loc Call b Loc Mode Date Distance
144 MHz MS S50C JN76JG EA8TJ IL18RJ FSK441 2013-08-12 3377
144 MHz MS EA8TJ IL18RJ PA4EME JO20WX FSK441 2013-08-12 3132
144 MHz MS GW4CQT IO81LP UW6MA KN97VE CW 1977-08-12 3101
144 MHz MS HB9FAP JN47PH EA8TX IL18QI FSK441 2014-08-14 3077
144 MHz MS HB9FAP JN47PH EA8TJ IL18RJ FSK441 2013-08-13 3069

It's very probable that there was a combination of meteor scatter and tropo involved in this record. It was probably a long meteor scatter hop of about 2,200-2,300 kms from Germany to the south coast of Portugal and marine ducting tropo from there to the Canary Islands.

Is this the maximum?