Gilmore Gazette - Issue 06

Andy 2E0GCL with his best friend Sasha

Your friendly radio club produces this gazette to provide our members with news and information about GRC and the hobby

About Your Friendly Club

Your Team at GRC

Alan Gurnhill G0ROW // Nigel Stanley 2E0CKA

Keith Sale M0JYP // Heather Stanley M6HNS

Venue

St Mary’s Church Hall, St Mary’s Drive, Reddish

Stockport SK5 7AX

Meeting Time 7.30pm

Your Gilmore Gazette Team

Editor : Heather Stanley M6HNS // CW Corner : David McArthur M0WDD

Contact Us

General Email : info@m0juw.co.uk

Members only Email : GRCmember@googlegroups.com

North West Morse Email : northwestmorse@gmail.com

Website : www.m0juw.co.uk

Telephone : 07506 904422 // 07735 036267

Gilmore Radio Club (GRC)

@Gilmoreradio

Gilmoreradioclub

Gilmoreradioclub

let me have it no later than 28 May 2023. If you have any information that you would like to share with your fellow members please email me. Without your input we would not have a gazette to send out -

info@m0juw.co.uk

April 2023

Every Tuesday 2m Net 145.375+/- 7.30pm

Every Sunday 2m CW Activity Net 144.064 +/- 4.00pm

Sunday 2 80m CW Net 3.510Mhz 7.30pm

Thursday 6 Radio Night at St Marys Church Hall

Sunday 9 CW Training Net 50.080Mhz 6m 7.30pm

Thursday 13 70cm Net 433,575 70cm 7.30pm

Sunday 16 CW Net 28.080Mhz 10m 7.30pm

Thursday 20 6m Net 51.550 FM 7.30pm

Sunday 23 CW Training Net 50.080Mhz 6m 7.30pm

Sunday 23 NARSA - NORBRECK Hotel all day

Sunday 30 80m CW Net 3.510Mhz 7.30pm

May 2023

Every Tuesday 2m Net 145.375+/- 7.30pm

Every Sunday 2m CW Activity Net 144.064 +/- 4.00pm

Thursday 4 Tory Island Presentation with Pete M1PTR, Kieron M5KJM, Tom M0DCG at St Marys Church Hall from 7.30pm

Sunday 7 CW Training Net 50.080Mhz 6m 7.30pm

Thursday 11 70cm Net 433,575 70cm 7.30pm

Sunday 14 CW Net 28.080Mhz 10m 7.30pm

Thursday 18 6m Net 51.550 FM 7.30pm

Sunday 21 CW Training Net 50.080Mhz 6m 7.30pm

Sunday 28 80m CW Net 3.510Mhz 7.30pm

June 2023

Every Tuesday 2m Net 145.375+/- 7.30pm

Every Sunday 2m CW Activity Net 144.064 +/- 4.00pm

Thursday 1 Radio Night at St Marys Church Hall

Sunday 4 CW Training Net 50.080Mhz 6m 7.30pm

Thursday 8 70cm Net 433,575 70cm 7.30pm

Saturday 10 Radars Rally Rochdale 10am doors open

Sunday 11 CW Net 28.080Mhz 10m 7.30pm

Thursday 15 6m Net 51.550 FM 7.30pm

Sunday 18 CW Training Net 50.080Mhz 6m 7.30pm

Sunday 25 80m CW Net 3.510Mhz with Chris M0KCJ 7.30pm

Can you give a Presentation, quiz or demonstation

Would you be interested in giving members of GRC a presentation, demonstration or talk on one our nights at St Marys Hall. It would be for about 30-45 minutes.

If you are interested, please contact on of the team : info@m0juw.co.uk

Gilmore Radio Club and North West Morse run nets on the following frequencies

Details of all the nets are posted are on our website, email and social media platforms

Net Controllers

Alan G0ROW

Keith M0JYP

Nigel 2E0CKA

Chris M0KCJ

David M0WDD

As the holder of the callsign M0JUW, Keith M0JYP has give permission in writing for the following full callsign holders to use the club callsign. Notification in advance to be given to Keiith M0JUW and Heth M6HNS for our records.

Alan G0ROW, David M0WDD, Robert M0NVQ and Chris M0KCJ

GRC Net Controllers NWM Net Controllers

Silent Key - Andy Finn 2E0GCL

We were very sad to be informed in December that one of our members and close friend had passed away whilst visiting family in Edinburgh.

A Message from Janice (Andy's sister)

"Andrew, my big brother, was taken ill while in Scotland visiting family at the end of October 2022 and passed away in Edinburgh on 13 December. He was peaceful and I was with him. He was a loving son to parents Joseph and Ellen, Brother-in-law to David, Uncle to Robert and Euan and Great Uncle to Samuel and Joshua. He will be greatly missed."

Andy was 60. His funeral took place in January 2023 in Stockport, and the family kindly mentioned Gilmore Radio Club in the service. Heather M6HNS and Nigel 2E0CKA attended on behalf of the club. Andy was highly thought of at his place of work and his work colleagues carried his coffin into the church. It was a lovely service and gathering after of his family and friends to reminisce and remember Andy, and it was good to meet his family.

We have kept in touch with Janice (Andy’s sister) who very kindly donated Andy's ‘shack’ to Gilmore Radio Club. Some of the radios have been sold on and the proceeds put into club funds. We have also kept two radios for club use. These are now part of the club kit for all members to use on Club Nights.

The club now has an Icom 746 and an Yaesu FTM100.

We would like to thank Janice and Andy's family for their generosity. On behalf of the GRC team I would like to welcome Ian M6LBI // Adrian G0EHG // Jim G4HPH

To our friendly radio club.

Ukraine Relief Project

As most of you will know, Heather M6HNS represents GRC at the NARSA meetings, and was asked to help out with a leaflet for the Ukraine Relief Project. The leaflet is on the opposite page.

We put a table on at our December meeting and were given a handful of items to sent to Richard G4HGI. These items have all been held for the next collection, along with some silent key items and items from our home QTH. Richard G4HGI has been to Heather M6HNS’s QTH on numerous occasions to collect items for this good cause. We have also had a generator donated.

The donations so far have been fantastic. Richard has shipped 44 boxes to Bournemouth including the genny.

From Richard G4HGI - To say the folks there bowled over to say the least! We have overcome all kinds of logistical and border issues. The people that made the transport happen are https:// www.ukrainerelief.org.uk/ A fantastic group of volunteers so dedicated to getting as much aid to Ukraine as possible. Thanks so much to all

Continued on next page

On 18th January, I received an email from Nick UR6QV

Nick UR6QV / UT5Q, Principal NGO ”Zaporizhia Amateur Radio Club”, Founder of UR4QWW club station Zaporizhia University Deputy Head of Zaporizhia department organization ”Ukrainian Amateurs radio League".

Dear Heather

Thank you for your help, thank you for the support of Ukrainian radio amateurs. I prepared a small thank you. I'll send you a paper version as soon as possible. Our lights go out very often. Regular bombardments of the power grid do not go unnoticed. We arm ourselves with power banks, generators, batteries …

The other day, a terrorist attack took place not far from me - a Russian rocket crashed into a high-rise building. About 40 people died, dozens were injured. The times are troubling, but we hold on. I will be glad to answer your questions.

The Translation (thanks to Steven - Alan G0ROW’s son)

GRATITUDE

From GO [[ Zaporozhye Radio club ]]

Heather Stanley M6HNS For giving voluntary help to radio amateurs of Ukraine. Your help is very important for every one of us! Thank you to the people of Great Britain for your help and support Glory to Ukraine!

If you would like to donate any items to the Ukraine Relief project, please let me know. There will be a donation table at NARSA.

The Good Old Days

Alan G0ROW

I purchased this radio at the age of 18 for a sum of £17 making it 63 years old and still working.

I have just fitted a new battery and away it went. Manufactured by Bush radio Medium and Long wave one of the first fully transistor radio now used in many background fifties television programmes on BBC and ITV.

GRC and North West Morse Club Nets Analysis

The chart below show how the nets are progressing. These run from Jan 01 to February 28. These show the number of members and non members that joined the relevant net, but does not include the net controllers or anyone listening.

Membership of Gilmore Radio Club is easy. If you know someone who maybe interested in joining us. please ask them to complete the application form on our website, which will come directly to us. Subs are payable annually on December 1st each year.

Adults £20.00 Joint (2 Adults) £30.00

Junior (upto 16) £ 5.00 Overseas £20.00

Payment can be made by bank transfer, details on the membership form, our sumup payment machine or cash at a club meeting. GDPR information available on request

Adrian G0EHG Alan G0ROW Lee G2LK

Jim G4HPH Bob GM4UYZ Jim G6URD

Ray G7TQT Brian G8NHN Steve G8YTP

Graham M0IYP Keith M0JYP Chris M0KCJ

Robert M0NVQ Chris M0OGG Rob M0ORA

Jon M0RFU David M0WDD Lee M0ZPZ

John M1EAS Jamie M1JSC Ed 2E0CFM

Nigel 2E0CKA John 2E0CGX Jack 2E0JEH

Andy 2E0KKF Robert 2E0OFF Paddy 2E0TWD

Steve 2E0WIT Ken M3UQP Heth M6HNS

Alan M6KOY Ian M6LBI Simon M7AUC

Ron M7RJL SWL - Kieron R SWL - Tracy L

Member’s Profile - Adrian G0EHG

My journey into radio started in the same way as many other young teenagers in 1981 when I got a CB. After my first contact I immediately became fascinated in radio and knew it wouldn’t just be a passing phase.

I was lucky to make contact with a local Radio Amateur called Charles who helped me set up my station properly. He also introduced me to the world of Amateur Radio. As soon as I walked into his shack I knew that it was the hobby for me and quickly became a shortwave listener.

In 1985 I started studying for the RAE and I am very grateful to another local radio amateur called Dave. Not only did his knowledge and expertise help me pass the RAE but he also helped me finally pass Physics “O” level.

In February 1986 I sat and passed the morse test and became G0EHG. I was still living at my parents house and enjoyed the 600ft take off and large garden. That however all came to an end when I decided to get a job in London in 1987. A bedsit in Kings Cross wasn’t the best for ham radio.

After moving to Kent I became more active on radio again and thoroughly enjoyed packet radio during the 1990’s making friends all over the world. It was an exciting time because the internet was not a household name at that point and being able to send emails around the world was certainly not the norm.

Working long hours and doing a degree resulted in radio taking a back seat for a few years. However, since moving back to the North West I have become very active again and I operate on all bands 80 - 70cm. My favourite mode is CW but I also enjoy all digital modes.

Another favourite aspect of the hobby for me is building and testing my own antennas.

My setup is a FT857D and random wire antenna. I also have a fan dipole for 12m 10m and 6M. For VHF I made a dual band end fed vertical based on the “Flower Pot” design.

Gilmore Radio Club is the first radio club I have joined since 1987. I took part in several club nets and the warm welcome I received made me realise the club really has something about it. I am very pleased to now be a member and look forward to meeting everyone soon.

73 Adrian G0EHG

We are pleased to confirm that GRC will be doing BIWOTA (British Inland Waterways on the Air) again this year. It will take place over the August bank holiday, but from a different venue. This time we will be operating from North Cheshire Cruising Club (or High Lane to the boaters among us). More details will follow in the next Gazette, Email and Social Media Platforms

Links

RSGB Ofcom

www.rsgb.org

www.ofcom.org.uk

QRZ.com Raynet

www.qrz.com

www.raynet-uk.net

BYLARA Ham Links

www.bylara.org.uk

www.eham.nets

UKFM Group Western ARRL www.ukfmgw.org.uk www.arrl.org

Summits on the air

Hack Green SDR www.sota.org.uk

www.hackgreen.co.uk

Best

Our AGM Winners

Sorry about the poor quality pics not to my normal standard

Club Attendance Winners - Certificates presented by Alan G0ROW L-R Ray G7TQT, Jamie M1JSC and Robert M0NVQ

Net Controller Winners and Club Log Phone Section Winner

Certificates presented by Alan G0ROW

Keith M0JYP

David M0WDD and Chris M0KCJ

Club Log Winners

Left - David M0WDD for CW / Right - Jim G6URD for Data

Gilmore Radio Club

CW Corner

News No 6, by

David M0WDD

Welcome to CW Corner News No 6 from the friendly Gilmore Radio Club. Want to know more about Morse code and what’s been happening at North West Morse? Read on to find out. North West Morse (NWM) is the CW division of Gilmore Radio club, and CW Corner brings you the latest news from NWM. Have you any ideas for future articles? Please let us know, contact David M0WDD.

In this CW Corner News No 6:

1. The story of North West Morse so far ….

2. Can Morse code make you laugh? Try these

3. A look at Long Island CW Club and what they offer in learning CW which of these stories is true? what do you think?

1. The Story of North West Morse so far…

How it all started

It was Chris M0KJC who had the idea. The idea was for a dedicated division within GRC for Morse code. This became known as North West Morse (NWM). Keith M0JYP initially set the ball rolling with Chris to establish NWM in the club, and later David M0WDD joined Chris in NWM. All three had met on the Stockport Radio Society (SRS) afternoon CW net and shared a common interest in Morse code.

style nets offering a range of QSO exchanges and net experience, and David runs training style nets offering QSO and Morse training quizzes. The nets alternate each week so check the schedule to see which net is next. Both nets are friendly and supportive, to encourage use of Morse code by club members and non-members.

Behind the scenes Chris and David regularly check band conditions with signal tests, and review each net afterwards to consider overall progress.

The Callers

The NWM nets now attract 4-5 regular callers each week, members and non-members, who all contribute to relaxed enjoyable nets. Interestingly our regular callers find ways to call in to each net every week, even though each week is on a different frequency. Sometimes a caller may have difficulty hearing and joining the net on a particular frequency one week, then they solve the access issues(s) through antenna or power changes, and go on to have successfully net access the next time the net is on that frequency. We are also pleased to say that NWM activities are contributing to new members joining GRC, and we look forward to this continuing.

The new NWM weekly activity hour – NWM WAKE UP CW ON 2M –

Sunday 4pm-5pm

The NWM team are currently offering a new Morse Code Activity Hour on 2m – WAKE UP CW ON 2M – every Sunday, 4pm-5pm on 144.064 Mhz. The aim is to encourage use of Morse Code on 2m, by offering any op a short QSO of up to about 10 mins any time during the hour. There are no check-ins, only short QSOs with the controller. To avoid a pileup at 4pm, ops are asked to listen and answer the controller CQ calls during the hour rather than just at the start.

The format is: controller calls CQ and has a first QSO, then wraps it up, and calls CQ again – then on to the next QSO, and so on. The activity hour is for any local ops, whether a member of any club or not, as the aim is to promote and encourage use of Morse code on 2m locally.

We asked Chris and David for comments about North West Morse.

Chris said, “North West Morse is fast becoming the place to go if you wish to improve your Morse skills, or just join in on the many nets NWM has to offer” and

David said, “North West Morse is a friendly supportive team, offering on-air Morse code practice and experience for anyone wanting to improve their cw skills”. He added, “Getting on air is a key step and NWM can help you with this”.

Chris M0KCJ ready for next NWM net

David M0WDD ready for CW Zoom call

2. Can Morse code make you laugh? Try this selection of seven CW jokes

Please tell us which joke you like best. Replies to Heather please. We’ll tell you the most liked joke next time.

 What secret code did Vikings use? Norse Code

 Not all hams are created equal, some know Morse Code

 What is the favourite car of young hams? The Toyota

 Why was Samuel Morse bad at canoeing? No dual paddle

 What do you get if you cross a centipede and a parrot? A walkie talkie

 What do hams wish each other at New Year? Happy New Gear

 Why is it hard to operate /MM? Because of the Continuous Waves

3. A look at Long Island CW Club and what they offer in learning CW

The Long Island CW Club (LICW Club), based in New York, offers anyone anywhere the opportunity to learn Morse code online. The club offers online training classes using Zoom for a variety of CW levels and interests, including Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced and many CW areas, such as sending tips, question and answer forums and much more. The ethos is head copy and the club aim is to encourage participants to get onto the air for live QSOs as soon as possible. Full details are on the club website https://longislandcwclub.org/ and the club updates this with new courses regularly.

LICW classes run on a carousel basis. Students do not have to follow a fixed schedule but each carousel covers a set range of topics. The carousels go through cycles, designed to allow a student to join in at any stage and to leave at any stage, usually when they complete a

full cycle of topics. Some students may move to the next level after one cycle and others may stay for another one or more cycles to reach their desired CW skill level.

Each class has a friendly guide and who, as well as encouraging class students through various practical exercises, often tell tales of their CW experiences and adventures. The classes have a strong supportive spirit where everyone helps one another.

There is no homework as such, as LICW recognise that people often have busy lives, and progress does depend on individual practice and commitment. The club aims to encourage all students on to the air within about 3 months of starting a Beginners class.

LICW Club currently offers over 75 different CW online classes every week. LICW club do ask for a small donation, currently around $30 for a one-year membership, and allows access to all courses. There is also a sliding scale up to life membership.

The downside is that class times tend to favour US East Coast times. So many classes are around 5 hours later than UK time. So some can run around 2am or 3am UK time. There are some exceptions with some classes running at late evening UK time.

Due to the popularity of LICW classes, a new LICW class called “London Calling” has recently started aimed specifically at UK students, running in the early evening UK time. So if you are interested in learning CW online via live classes in Zoom, LICW is certainly worth considering.

4. The Gilmore Radio Club CW Quiz 6

Which one of these stories is true about the invention of Morse code?

1. Marconi needed a method to communicate with his assistant whilst developing his spark transmitter and receiver. After many failed attempts, he tried interrupting the signal carrier sent to his transmitter, and this lead to his invention of Morse code to modulate his transmitters.

2. Research scientists at EMI developed Morse code over many years leading to a patented paper ticker tape system, which initially used levers to mark a paper tape when receiving. A system of audio tones later replaced the paper system.

3. A painter away on an assignment got a letter telling him his wife was very ill and said he should come home immediately. By the time he reached home, his wife had died and was already buried. He invented Morse code to improve messages over wires.

4. A naval engineer during First World War was using semaphore to signal between ships. During one foggy night, the semaphore operators could not see each other to warn about rocks, and a ship was lost. He invented Morse code to save lives by improve shipping messages using

As the GRC club premises may be available for short booking such as for a half day, full day, or evening, we could look at a a couple of special NWM activities.

A first activity might be a social gathering, so ops can meet over tea/coffee and biscuits, and chat about Morse code.

A second activity might be something like a Morse code practice session, using electronic keyers connected to paddles and headphones. This might be a good way to involve every participant, rather than trying on-air practice in a group with ops waiting around.

We could ask interested ops to bring their own headphones and paddles, and organise ops in one or two groups on separate tables. Each table group would have one master CW electronic keyer, connected to two rings of 3.5mm sockets. One ring connects all headphones in the group, and the other connects all paddles. So each group only hears, and can reply to, Morse sent or received in their group. A group controller could run Morse practice exercises and short practice QSO in each table.

What do you think about this? Would you be interested in helping

If you would like any help from NWM getting on air with Morse code, or have any suggestions for future nets, activities or articles, please contact Chris M0KCJ or David M0WDD or any of the club team through the GRC

Some Pics from the Midcars ’Radio Active’ Fair and Rally in February

Some Pics from the Red Rose Rally in March

Useful Information

The pages that follow are just general information that we all know, but is handy to have on hand. If there is anything else you would like to see on these pages, please let me know.

 Club Log : How to Join

 Club Log : Current standing

 Phonetic Alphabet

 International Morse Code

 The RST Code

 Frequencies

 Repeaters

 Popular Bands

Your Ofcom Licence - Revalidate

All radio amateurs are required to ‘revalidate’ their licence at least every five years. In practice, confirming annually is recommended. The process requires every licence holder to confirm or update the details on the Ofcom licence database. It is important to be registered with Ofcom as This enables revalidation, amendments and other functions including Exam-pass and Special Event callsign applications.

If you are not registered, your call sign becomes potentially available for reassignment to others. Don’t let that happen! Keep your details up-to-date and make a diary reminder to renew each year.

Full Licence note: Any 5MHz/60m usage has an explicit licence requirement for a current (preferably mobile) phone number to be stored on the database as well.

If you need further assistance in the process, Ofcom staff are available to help, but please be patient during times of heavy workload.

Club log is now set up for Gilmore Radio Club. If you wish to join Club Log please follow the information below. If you wish to join GRC DXCC league in Clublog, please follow these instructions:

 Register your details with Clublog at www.clublog.org

 Click ‘settings’ and then go to the ‘clubs’ tab

 Select Gilmore Radio Club (once set up) and click ‘join club’

 Your membership of GRC will show as pending until approved by the Administrator

First I would like to say a warm welcome to new members to club log Chris M0KCJ Ian M6LBI Rob 2E0OFF and Adrian G0EHG.

Please note we work on SLOTS not DXCC.

Two month and a few days of club log started well with the opening of higher HF bands 10/12 and 15 meters bring in some very nice DX.

Top of the SSB section Keith M0JYP with 105 DXCC and 236 SLOTS.

Top of the CW section Chris M0KCJ with 92 DXCC and 167 SLOTS

Top of the Data section Adrian G0EHG with 35 DXCC and 71 SLOTS

There should some night opening on 20m with some good DX and as we go into spring there should be some openings on 6m USB maybe late afternoons.

Thank you to all the members that have put logs in and if your not a member of club log and need help please asked one of the Team.

Till next time 73 and Good DX

Alan G0ROW GRC Team

GRC Club Log - Alan G0ROW (GRC Team)

Phonetic Alphabet A Alpha

Bravo

Charlie

Delta

Echo

Foxtrot

Golf

Hotel

India

Juliet

Kilo

Lima

Mike

November

Oscar

Papa

Quebec

Romeo

Sierra

Victor

W Whiskey

X Xray

Y Yankee

Z Zulu

Gilmore Radio Club and North West Morse

International Morse Code

A Dah is equal to three Dits

The space between parts of same letter is one Dit The space between letters is three Dits

Common Grammar Common Cut Numbers

Forward Slash / / 9 N

Question ? ? 0 T

Full stop . .

Comma , , Hyphen-

The RST Code

R – Readability

R1 Unreadable

R2 Barely readable (occasional words understood)

R3 Readable, but with considerably difficulty

R4 Readable, with very little difficulty

R5 Perfectly readable

S – Signal Strength

S1 Signals very faint, barely heard

S2 Very weak signal

S3 Weak Signal

S4 Fair signal strength

S5 Fairly good signal strength

S6 Good Signal strength

S7 Moderately strong signals

S8 Strong signals

S9 Very Strong signal

T – Tone

T1 Extremely rough hissing noise

T2 Very rough unmusical note

T3 Rough low pitched note with trace of musicality

T4 Rather rough note, moderately musical

T5 Musically modulated note

T6 Modulated note, slight trace of whistle

T7 Good note smooth ripple

T8 Good note trace of ripple

T9 Pure note

LF (Low Frequency) 2000m : 135.7 - 137.8Khz

MF (Medium Frequency)

Frequencies

HF (High Frequency)

look for VO1 evenings about 21.00hrs

Note for operating on 60m Only available to full licence holders

VHF (Very High Frequency)

6m : 50 - 52Mhz

4m : 70 - 70.5Mhz

2m : 144.0 - 146.0Mhz

UHF (Ultra High Frequency)

70cms : 430.0 - 440Mhz

23cms : 1240.0 - 325Mhz

Popular Bands