Also in GB2RS this week…

Joe Taylor, K1JT has announced a new digital mode, FT4, which is 2.5 times faster than FT8 and is an experimental digital mode designed specifically for radio contesting. FT4 can work with signals 10dB weaker than needed for RTTY, while using much less bandwidth. The message formats are the same as those in FT8 and encoded with the same low-density parity check code. Transmissions last for 4.48 seconds, compared to 12.64 for FT8. For full information download The FT4 Protocol for Digital Contesting (6-page/374KB PDF).

SOS Radio Week will take place between 0000UTC on 1 May 2019 and 2359UTC on 31 May 2019. This annual event has been extended for 2019 to raise awareness of the amazing work that the brave volunteers of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) perform and to honour the volunteer watchkeepers of the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) who provide eyes around the coast of the UK to observe and report potential disasters unfolding that technology cannot. Individual amateur radio operators and clubs are invited to register as official SOS Radio Week stations and operate during the month to raise awareness of the invaluable work these two organisations perform. Stations can be run under individual, club, or special event call signs, from home or other locations. There are few restrictions as to what can be done when, how, or where, other than to warn participants not to operate within the vicinity of a lifeboat or Coastwatch station without clearing it with them first. To register to take part, or for further information, please visit sosradioweek.org.uk.

The May edition of HackSpace magazine features amateur radio articles by Jo, MW6CYK—the magazine is available from the webpage as a free downloadable PDF.

Category: GB2RS Headlines