GB3EB new Eastbourne 2m VHF repeater

Following the successful application with ETCC and Ofcom, the new Eastbourne 2m Repeater GB3EB now has its NoV Licence.

Despite the unexpected but welcomed issue of the licence on 19th November 2013, behind the scenes activity has allowed the repeater to be almost complete and is expected to be on air by early December 2013.

GB3EB is in a 12.5 KHz allocation, its output frequency is 145.7875 MHz, input (-600 KHz shift) 145.1875 and CTCSS tone 88.5 Hz.

The repeater will initially be located at the Eastbourne location of MB7IEB (G8PUO QTH).

Now the NoV is in place, plans have already opened to relocate it as soon as possible within the Eastbourne area, pending rekindled discussions with suitable site(s) and field testing in order to access suitable coverage. The repeater is for the local Radio Amateur community and we welcome feedback in order to improve its availability where possible.

GB3EB will be on EchoLink, so eventually replacing MB7IEB, once GB3EB is fully tested and live. EchoLink connectivity will probably be on a timed basis and subject to local Amateur Radio user’s feedback, in order that we strike a happy balance of local RF and EchoLink connected use. This is to allow peak times and nets to operate without interruption.

A RadioReference Live Audio Web Feed is already configured and can be found on our website under GB3EB. During testing, the audio feed is currently being taken from MB7IEB but will transfer over once GB3EB goes live.

We welcome both individuals and local clubs to support your local Repeaters, Internet Link and DSTAR through membership of your localRepeater and Internet Linking Group of East Sussex (RILGES).

Please feel free to join us through our website or write to me (details on our website).

A RILGES AGM is in the planning for January or February next year (once we find a suitable venue and date), which will give the local Radio Amateur community the opportunity to embrace support and provide feedback, through membership, committee and repeater working group participation. Details will be emailed to members and posted on our website, once confirmed.

Further information can be found at RILGES Repeater Group - http://www.rilges.org.uk

Kerry Amateur Radio Group repeater move

The Kerry Amateur Radio Group have announced another step in the group's ongoing 70cms repeater upgrade program, the repeater has moved to a new home.

Situated on Mullaghanish, Co. Kerry with a new callsign EI7MGR, the better coverage will ensure a greater availability of the repeater to the amateur radio community in Co. Kerry and beyond.

Reception reports have already been received from areas not covered from the previous location. The Kerry Amateur Radio Group look forward to receiving reception reports to  EI1KARG<at>gmail.com  and to working you on the air.

New VK6RIO beacon on 144.950 MHz to beam at South Africa

The Trans-Atlantic and Trans-Indian ocean two-way contacts on 144 MHz via Tropo Ducting are still the most challenging terrestrial frontiers on VHF.

Many attempts have been made but without success; a beautiful trophy is still waiting in Dublin to be awarded to the first successful attempt across the Atlantic.

Pieter ZR1AEE (now V51PJ) and Flavio PY2ZX ran a series of tests between Cape Town and Sao Paulo and received traces of each other, while a team comprising Andre ZS2ACP, Jim ZS2JF and Mike ZS2FM, in Port Elizabeth ran CW tests with Bill Hosie, VK6ACY (now ZS6CCY) at Perth, but did not receive any signals at all.

Now the Northern Corridor Radio Group at Perth are going to try and break this hoodoo by using the latest chirp modulation techniques on their VK6RIO beacon, and bridge Australia and South Africa on 144 MHz.

Keith Bainbridge, VK6RK, and spokesman for the Australian group says: "If we can get someone in the right location over there then perhaps we can help with some of the equipment". This project is real amateur radio science!