Essex Ham Chat

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  • This forum has 9 topics, 8 replies, and was last updated 1 week ago by Aurora66.
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Viewing 9 topics - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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    • …’ It’s all so new !!! ” Logging Questions / 2m Team, I'm just about to take my foundation ! Please may I table a couple of questions... 1: QRZ. Is this is must / highly rec. / or just handy ?? 2: Logging. Can anyone recommend an easy logging program/app for a Mac ? The easier the better !! 3: Initially, I'm probably going to purchase a 10w handheld. I thought this would be a good option in order to get used to making contact, becoming familiar with the band and making a few initial QSOs. I hear people say that 2m can be a bit quiet. My intention (being on the edge of Dartmoor), is to get out and get up high and see how far I can reach and to see if I can hit my two nearest repeaters. Would be interested to hear peoples thoughts on the general use of 2m. I will look to progress to a proper station at some point, but I am a little worried about the whole business of interference with neighbours etc. That said, I think that most people have their TV piped down the internet where I live or through a Sky dish. Am I overthinking the whole interference thing? Obviously, and understandably, it features heavily in foundation training. The last thing I want to do is upset my local folk !!! I'm possibly going to have an antenna that will need to go in the loft. Luckily, I have quite a high loft and my house is already elevated at the top of the hill just outside the town. Anyway, enough of my rambling, however I would very much appreciate some words of wisdom from those in the know !! I'm really quite excited about getting my license and getting going but could do with some real life guidance. Best wishes to all 73 Dave

      Started by: Aurora66

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    • 1 week ago

      Aurora66

    • solar eclipse this week solar eclipse this wednesday evening about 6:15PM start, 7:10pm peak (approx 90% coverage), end 8:05PM have a listen on HF the bands change and go quieter, some interesting listening as without the solar radiation affecting the ionosphere you get bands start to change as though night time etc

      Started by: Peter M0PWX (2E0PWX)

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    • 3 weeks, 1 day ago

      Peter M0PWX (2E0PWX)

    • RSGB AGM 2026 – TOMORROW! A reminder that it's the RSGB AGM tomorrow, Saturday 18th April 2026. The event will be streamed online, and we're aware that questions about training, clubs and the RSGB website have been submitted. Watch online from 10am to 1.30pm here: https://rsgb.org/main/agm-2026/

      Started by: Pete M0PSX

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    • 4 months, 2 weeks ago

      Pete M0PSX

    • time for hams to revalidate details on OFCOM portal there was a reminder in this months radcom for Hams to re validate license detail on the OFCOM licensing portal as ofcom will be starting on phase 2 and 3 of the ham licensing consultation where licenses may be re-assigned after 5 years of inactivity if memory is correct when you go onto you personal details page of the portal there is a  "last validated" date bottom left of your details panel, 

      Started by: Peter M0PWX (2E0PWX)

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    • 7 months ago

      G3AKA

    • RSGB yearly Construction competition the annual RSGB construction competition has been announced for 2026 see https://rsgb.org/main/construction-competition/ there are six other categories for you to get involved with – there really is something for everyone. Categories Beginners: a chance to build a kit or create your own equipment to help you take your first steps into amateur radio Construction excellence: recognising the skill and craftsmanship used in building your project Outreach: a project that can be reproduced in a school or public environment Reimagination: for projects that are radio related but not necessarily requiring an amateur radio licence to construct and operate. Projects using new modulation techniques such as LoRa are encouraged Innovation: recognising an original contribution to the art and science of radio communication Software: recognising the importance of software technology to all aspects of amateur radio Antennas: an opportunity to design and build an antenna of your choice How to enter You need to be an RSGB member to enter, but you can live anywhere in the world – entries will be judged online to allow you to participate and demonstrate your creativity. Email a short description of your entry and up to four photos to construction.competition@rsgb.org.uk The judges also encourage you to send a link to a video that demonstrates your entry working The deadline for entries is 1 March 2026 Special recognition will be given to entries submitted by: Radio amateurs under the age of 24 Those who have just gained their Foundation licence The judges will choose the section in which an entry is judged and the number of prizes/awards, after they have looked at all the projects submitted.

      Started by: Peter M0PWX (2E0PWX)

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    • 8 months, 2 weeks ago

      Peter M0PWX (2E0PWX)

    • ISS transmitting SSTV to mark 25 years and scouting November 11, 2025 — Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) announces a Slow Scan TV (SSTV) event to be held this week in recognition of Scouting and in celebration of 25 years of the International Space Station. This event will feature 12 images that will be transmitted at 145.800 MHz using SSTV and using mode PD120. The transmissions will be the standard 2 minutes on and then 2 minutes off before the next image transmission begins. The operation times are as follows and are tentative: SSTV- date/start time: Nov.12, 2025 at 17:05 UTC SSTV - switched off: Nov.16, 2025 at 14:30 UTC to accommodate school contact event. SSTV - switched on: Nov.16, 2025 at 15:05 UTC following school contact event. SSTV - switched off: Nov. 18, 2025 at 10:05 UTC to accommodate school contact event. SSTV - switched on: Nov. 18, 2025 at 10:30 UTC following school contact event. SSTV event scheduled to end on Nov.19, 2025 at 14:55 UTC Follow ARISS Social Media for any updates in operation.

      Started by: Peter M0PWX (2E0PWX)

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    • 9 months, 3 weeks ago

      Peter M0PWX (2E0PWX)

    • RSGB Convention this weekend For those at a loose end this weekend, the RSGB Convention is streaming live this weekend - details here: https://rsgb.org/main/rsgb-convention-2025/rsgb-2025-convention-livestream/ Sessions to watch today include solar eclipses, QO-100, online elmering and a talk on how to encourage clubs to thrive - Watch live free on the RSGB's YouTube channel.

      Started by: Pete M0PSX

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    • 10 months, 3 weeks ago

      Pete M0PSX

    • New M8 & M9 callsigns Hi! Does anyone know when we will be able to change our 2E0 callsigns to the new M9 ones? I regularly check my Ofcom page but never see an option to make the change.

      Started by: Steve Woolford M8SOM

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    • 11 months, 2 weeks ago

      Steve Woolford M8SOM

    • Ofcom Callsign list Ofcom must be getting fed up of FOI requests because they now have a list of allocated callsigns on their website which is, in theory at least, a bit easier to find than the FOI spreadsheets. It's on < href="href="https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/our-research/opendata" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/our-research/opendata in spectrum open data section. Not perfect because it only includes ones that are described as Amateur radio license so it misses a few but hopefully it will get tweaked and improved over time.

      Started by: Mark Dunsford

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    • 1 year, 1 month ago

      Mark Dunsford

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