Ramsey Kits Calls Time

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Ramsey Hobby Kits, a purveyor of inexpensive electronics kits for hobbyists, enjoyed by the Amateur / Ham radio community, have ceased operation.

“We end our heritage with a smile, not a frown, and say thank you, to all our customers and fellow hobbyists,” Ramsey’s announcement said. 

The Victor, New York, company sold a wide array of hobby kits over the years, starting with its LED Blinky kit in the 1970s and eventually including simple ham radio transmitters and receivers, aircraft band receivers, and other devices. Ramsey kits were frequently available at hamfests.

The Ramsey RF Test Equipment Group is unaffected by this change.

ARRL story - http://www.arrl.org/news/ramsey-kits-calls-it-quits

Ramsey announcement - http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/ce.htm

Reflectorless Yagi Radio Antennas Designs

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Chris Moulding, G4HYG has added a new webpage to the Cross Country Wireless website detailing some of the reflectorless yagi designs he has been experimenting with.

Included in the article are  designs for VHF antennas for portable operation and a home station HF version.

Chris’s designs are optimized using the freeware antenna modeling software 4NEC2, and were recently tested during a RSGB UKAC contest.

Antenna Article - http://www.crosscountrywireless.net/reflectorless_yagi_design.html

4NEC2 - http://www.qsl.net/4nec2/

Councillors Vote in Favour of Ham Radio Mast

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At a meeting of the Bury planning committee councillors voted overwhelmingly to support the retention of an amateur radio mast 

Planning agent Greg Dixon pointed out that Amateur Radio Operator, Julian Niman (G8GAJ) previous operating mast had been in place since 1987, and when the new one is extended during use, it appears transparent and blends in with TV aerials and other street furniture. 

The council's development control manager Dave Marno noted that the structure was sound and it was up to the regulator Ofcom to monitor it. 

Local news story -  
http://www.burytimes.co.uk/news/13650149.
Mast_narrowly_misses_boy_s_head_after_smashing_through_roof
_but_councillors_allow_replacement_to_stay/