Also in GB2RS this week…

| September 12, 2014

Slow scan television appears to be once again operational from the International Space Station. On 6 September the ISS slow scan television experiment was activated from the Russian service module on 145.800MHz FM. This followed an unsuccessful test back on 27August when only the carrier was detected but no SSTV audio tones were heard.

Clubs and groups are reminded that they need to send in their bids to host the G14YOTA callsign during December, which has been designated IARU Region 1 Youngsters On The Air month. Applications have been received from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, England and the Isle of Man with a number of clubs, schools and universities aiming to put youngsters on the air. Full details on how the month will work and how to apply to use the special callsign are on the RSGB website. Closing date for bids is 22 September, just a week away, so get working on those applications!

The RSGB Convention takes place between the 10 and 12 October and will be held at the Kent’s Hill Conference Centre in Milton Keynes. It is, once again, sponsored by Martin Lynch and Sons, whom the RSGB thank for their continued support of the event. The latest lecture schedule is available on the RSGB website. Visitors should note that tickets for the Technical Dinner on Saturday evening are now sold out. Gala Dinner tickets for the same evening are still available. Weekend packages and Pick and Mix options should be booked on www.rsgbevents.org. Day tickets with no other bookings will only be available on the door.

Ofcom have advised that there are expected to be LTE test transmissions over the next few months in the 2.3GHz band. LTE transmissions are the wireless communication of high-speed data for mobile phones. The tests will be in the central London area and will be up to 38dBW ERP. If licensed radio amateurs should become aware of unusual transmissions, they are asked to bear this in mind.

A report on 2012 trials in the United Kingdom that used 3.613MHz for 24kHz bandwidth high-speed data and video transmissions is now available to the public. It notes that by using modern modulation techniques an SSB channel can support a raw data rate of 12,800 bits per second and wider transmissions can support proportionally faster data rates. More information on this experimentation can be found in a very fascinating article with the long title of Wide Band High Frequency Communications 2012 UK Trials Summary (21-page/351KB PDF) prepared by James Alexander of Rockwell Collins Corporation.

The 2014 D-Star QSO Party will run from 000UTC on 19 September to 2359UTC on the 21st. The goal of the party is to communicate through as many D-Star repeaters as possible around the world during the period. All operators who submit an approved log will be eligible for the prize drawing with 10 lucky winners randomly selected to each win a prize. Full details of this event is on the web at www.d-staruk.co.uk.

Sochi hosts the Russian Formula 1 Grand Prix from the 10 to 12 October and a series of 11 special event stations will be active from tomorrow, the 15 until 15October on all bands and modes. All the callsigns begin with UE16.

Category: GB2RS Headlines