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February 2016
RSGB Matters
6
www.rsgb.org.ukInternet Gateways and
Wires-X Nodes
With the festivities behind us it is time to look forward to making
some changes to our station or trying new things. This month’s
edition brings us plenty to consider and probably top of the list
for many will be Peter Hart’s Equipment Review. Whether or not
you are planning to get a new rig, many of us like to keep abreast
of the technical aspects of the latest commercial offerings. This
month Peter, G3SJX, reviews the Yaesu FT-991 – a very versatile
HF/VHF/UHF transceiver, whether for home or when travelling.
Our Microwave columnist, Dr John Worsnop, G4BAO, reviews
the Gemini 23 1296MHz linear that seems to pack a lot into
the design.
Last month, I needed to find some words for Peter, G3LDO’s
funeral to describe his contribution to amateur radio over the
years. Aerial projects are something that nearly all of us tackle,
so I am delighted to see that there are two articles on the subject
this month. Maybe, we can plan to do something for Spring,
when the wind and rain abates (not to mention snow and ice).
Turning to warmer times we have a feature on the recent
DXpedition to Niue by a well-known group of RSGB Members.
DXing is not everyone’s cup of tea, but it is rare for me to work
into the middle of the Pacific on 100W and a wire aerial at 25ft
– this group know how to put an effective DX station together,
and have the operating ability to go with it...
There are many other features in this month’s edition –
for example the one on the first school’s contact with the
International Space Station. I was very pleased to attend on that
occasion. Finally, I would draw your attention to our vacancy
notices for the new contest committees and for someone to
replace our General Manager, Graham, G0NBI who is retiring
(see page 7). Graham has done a tremendous job for the Society
since 2012 and we will be sorry to see him go.
John Gould, G3WKL, RSGB President
RAYNET Active
The Amateur Radio Observation Service (AROS) in
conjunction with the Emerging Technology Co-ordination
Committee (ETCC) has noted a number of examples of
UK amateurs operating internet linked nodes that are
carrying 3rd party traffic and would like to draw attention
to the requirement for an NoV to the licence under these
circumstances.
Guidance for the use of personal hotspots, crossband
repeaters or other similar installations can be found in
Section 10 of the amateur licence, which is reproduced
below with the appropriate parts in
italics
:
10 Unattended and remote control operation
10(1) The Licensee may conduct Unattended Operation
of Radio Equipment provided that any such operation
is consistent with the terms of this Licence. Additional
restrictions which apply to the Unattended Operation
of Beacons are specified in Schedule 2 to this Licence.
10(3) This Clause 10 does not permit the Licensee to
install Radio Equipment capable of Remote Control
Operation for general unsupervised use by other
Amateurs.
10(4) Any communication links used to control the
Radio Equipment or to carry Messages to or from the
Radio Equipment in accordance with Clause 10(2)
must be adequately secure so as to ensure compliance
with Clause 3 of this Licence. Any security measures
must be consistent with Clause 11(2) of this Licence.
Our interpretation of this is that the use of personal hotspots
is legal provided that they are for personal use only and
not open for others to use. If the installation is open and
carrying third party traffic then it will be considered as a
repeater or gateway and will need a Notice of Variation
(NoV) to your licence. NoVs will only be issued to Full
Licensees in the case of repeaters and to Full Licensees
and Intermediates in respect of Gateways and can be
applied for at no cost through the ETCC website.
RAYNET groups in the North of England and Scotland have again been busy
during the Christmas period. Storm ‘Eva’ caused widespread flooding in
the Leeds and York areas, causing loss of power and telecommunications
issues. Storm ‘Frank’ caused flooding/property damage due to high
winds and rain. Dumfries and Galloway RAYNET members provided
emergency communications from the badly flooded South West Scotland
town of Newton Stewart to the region’s main emergency control centre
in Dumfries on 30 December. All telephone and internet coverage were
down due to power outages in the exchange and many properties.
Lothians, together with Glasgow and Clyde RAYNET, went to a
voluntary standby status, but stood down as the effects of the storm
subsided.
The RSGB Promotion Group, working with the
Inspire
initiative, has
developed an Event Pack to assist clubs that are considering or planning
to stage public demonstrations of amateur radio. The pack provides
material and links to existing good practice in all the areas that a club
needs to address. Further material will be added to the pack as it
becomes available, and all clubs are encouraged to use this resource
to share what they do with others. The pack can be found on the Club
Membership portal (accessible by logging into the RSGB website).
A NewYear
The RSGB Board has appointed two new trustees to the Legacy
Sub-Committee – Glen Bates, G6HFF and Lindsay Pennell,
G8PMA. The Legacy Sub-Committee considers applications
and makes recommendations to the Board, for funding from the
Society’s Legacy funds.
Two donations totalling £16,800 have recently been received
from the estate of a donor who wishes to remain anonymous and
have been added to the Society’s Legacy Fund, which now totals
£180,000.
Legacies
Supporting Affiliated Clubs