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MC0SHL Weekend Statistics
- Details
- Written by Chris Colclough
Taken from Tim's website.
Despite conditions being very challenging during the weekend activity at MC0SHL both Chris and I were very pleased with the effort that we made on air. Here are some of the statistics.805 QSOs logged.
FT8 was good to USA, with 31 USA states worked.
61 DXCC in total worked over the weekend as MC0SHL. 55 DXCC on 40m & 39 on 20m
38 DXCC on SSB, 27 on 40m and 27 on 20m, with a solitary HB9 on 10m.
50 DXCC on FT8, 40 DXCC on 40m and 32 on 20m. We also worked some on FT4.
For those of you that were monitoring our live OQRS you were able to see straight away that the call was logged. I am pleased to say that this works flawlessly and is available to all stations that I manage if they request it.
Equipment used Kenwood TS590S Transceiver, Acom 1000 at 400W, Hexbeam at 10m and a Carolina Windom for 40m.
Real Time Logging
- Details
- Written by Chris Colclough
This weekend while Tim and Chris are active from HQ they will be testing a Real Time Logging system. This will be through N1MM+ and is the brainchild of Pista (HA5AO), who has worked with Tim and Charles (M0OXO) to get this operational on their OQRS system.
To use it just go to Tim's OQRS page on his website. In the DX Station Box enter MC0SHL, this should then bring the
screen up as in the image. When the boys are active this will show you the frequency (move mouse over green dot on mode) and will also show any split frequency.
You will also be able to check your QSO is valid and has been logged by entering your call and it will show the band and mode that you have worked them. Tim will then open OQRS to request the QSL card. If this works this weekend Tim and Charles are hoping they will be able to roll it out to any dxpeditions they manage and will be used by others in the future.
MC0SHL on the Air For First Time in 2020
- Details
- Written by Chris Colclough
Tim (M0URX) and Chris (G1VDP) will be on the air from The Farm over the weekend 3rd January to 6th January 2020. This will be just a short break for the guys to recharge their batteries and have some fun.
As usual we do not need your QSL cards, but will send them through the bureau or direct if you follow the instructions on Tim's website and the OQRS service he provides for us.
Happy Christmas
- Details
- Written by Chris Colclough
As 2019 year end draws closer, we like to wish all our friends around the world seasons greetings in their home language, and we do apologise if we miss yours off the list. Lets hope that 2020 brings us all we wish for, good conditions on the radio and I hope to see you all for a drink (you are buying) at some point throughout the year.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd dda
Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo
Joyeux Noel et Bonne Annèe
Felices Pascuas y Feliz Año Nuevo
Vasel Koleda
Froehliche Weihnachten undein gluckliches Nues Jahr
Kala Christougenna Kieftihismenos O Kenowios Chronos
Boldoy Karácsonyt
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
Cestitamo Bozia
Boas Fiestas e um feliz Ano Novo
Nollaig Shona Dhuit
From all at Strumble Head Amateur Radio Klub
We also hope to be a little more active next year. with maybe going back to where we started and getting back to having a go in a contest or two and maybe a lighthouse on the air. Keep an eye here and we will let you know.
So have a good Christmas and New Year.
73, 88, 44 from the MC0SHL S.H.A.R.K team
Calling A DX Station When QRP
- Details
- Written by Chris Colclough
Taken from Tim's (M0URX) website.
QRP operators have a tough time out there in the pile up, not only are the high power stations loud and often wide but with Solar Minimum with SFI at 66 or just a little higher, every Watt of power the QRP'er uses has to be used wisely and with much greater 
skill than everyone else.
Article 19 of the Radio Regulations (2016) state -
19.45 § 21 1) The twenty-six letters of the alphabet, as well as digits in the cases specified below, may be used to form call signs. Accented letters are excluded.
19.46 2) However, the following combinations shall not be used as call signs:
19.47 a) combinations which might be confused with distress signals or with other signals of a similar nature;
19.48 b) combinations in Recommendation ITU-RM.1172-0 that are reserved for the abbreviations to be used in the radiocommunication services. (WRC-15)
Recommendation M.1172 which is primarily a Maritime Mobile Service document says -
1 The series of groups listed in this Annex range from QOA to QUZ.
IOTA/Clublog Matching - Please read..
- Details
- Written by Chris Colclough
Taken from Charles (M0OXO) website.
For those of you that have trouble using the IOTA/Clublog matching system, please check out this new information.
When you have logged in to the IOTA Site and have selected ''Add QSO's from Clublog'', you will see that several questions have now been added. These questions are for you to work through to try and assess why you cannot match your QSO in the Log Matching system. Here is a summary of what you will see;
1) Is your callsign in the Log Search of the operation in question?
2) Is the DX callsign in the Log Search of your own log?
3) Do the frequencies and modes in both Log Searches match?
4) Is the operation listed in the list of 'Accepted Activations?'
5) Have 30 days passed from the time and date of the QSO?
6) Is the IOTA Group you are trying to match, already in your pending QSOs or accepted QSOs list (You can't have it twice)?
7) Did you check the UTC of your QSO? It is not allowed to differ more than 15 minutes from the UTC in the activations log.
8) Are you sure you used the correct credentials to connect to Club Log?
9) If you cannot login to Club Log from the IOTA website then get a one time password from Settings -> App. Password. Use this on the IOTA website to get QSO matches.
I am hopeful these will help you determine the cause of your failure to get the matching credit. Of course it will also help to reduce the ''none matching'' emails to the IOTA Support Desk, hopefully enabling me to give a faster response to other questions on the Support desk and not solely matching enquiries.
IOTA for 2019
- Details
- Written by Chris Colclough
Looks like it is going to be an interesting end to 2019 for IOTA chasers. This information has been taken from the GPDX Facebook page so thank you to them for sharing this info. I for one need a few of them and I am sure the guys in the club will also be in the pileups.
RARE and SEMI-RARE IOTA ISLANDS ALREADY ANNOUNCED:
**UPDATE** (19-09-2019)
**TK19IOTA > (EU-100) - CERBICALES Is. - 20th September** CANCELLED - on the air from EU-014
J28PJ/P > (AF-053) , MOUCHA Isl. (FT8+SSB) - September ??
3W9KJ > (AS-132) DAO CO TO Isl - End Sept/October
**R1FW/0 > (AS-025) - KUNASHIR Isl. =>18 September > 25 September?
K6VVA/7 > (NA-187) WHITE ROCK ISL. - between 15/Sept & 15/Oct.
JI3DST/5 & JR8YLY/5 > (AS-200) - 20th - 25th September
JA8COE > (AS-206) SADO Isl - 22 - 24 September
S79GJ > (AF-024) - LA DIGUE Isl. - 21 - 29 September [6 m EME]
**OX3LX > (NA-220) - SIMIUTAQ Isl. - 26 - 30 September
JA4GXS/0 > (AS-206) SADO Isl. - 26 - 28 September
ZK3A (OC-048), TOKELAU - 1 - 11 October
DS3EXX/2 & DS3FGN/2 > (AS-122) DAECHEONG-DO Isl.
- 03th - 09th October
N5C > (NA-082) - CAT Isl. - 4th - 6th October
K5P > (NA-089) - AU PITRE Isl. - 4th - 6th October
3G1DX > (SA-100) PAJAROS Isl. 18 - 20 October (Plan 1)
3G1DX > (SA-100) PAJAROS Isl. 21 - 23 October (Plan 2)
JA4GXS/0 > (AS-206) SADO Isl - 26 - 28 October
5H3CA/5H3RCC > (AF-054) MAFIA Isl. - 29 - 05 October
YJ0RRC > (OC-104) GAUA Isl - 04 to 07 November
YJ0RRC > (OC-111) SHEPHERD Isls. - 08 to 13 November
TX7T > (OC-027) HIVA OA Isl - 06 - 17 November
YJ0FWA > (OC-035) EFATE Isl. - 14 to 20 November
VK2IAY/4 > (OC-142), HERON Isl., 2 - 9 DECEMBER
**depending on weather conditions and authorizations...
DX Féile 2019 (20/21 September 2019)
- Details
- Written by Chris Colclough
I have taken this from the DX Feile Facebook page to let our friends know about the spare place, and to help these guys fill it if possible. Would love to take it myself but unfortunately the funds won't stretch to it this year.
DX Féile 2019 (20/21 September 2019)
Hi all, as we know, weekend packages for this year's DX Féile sold out in under an hour however, due to an unforeseen cancellation from one of our delegates, ONE FULL WEEKEND PACKAGE has become available.
See:www.dxfeile.ie for full details and programme.
Replies asap to Dave EI9FBB +353877444777
News and Update on Club Activity
- Details
- Written by Chris Colclough
Hello all.
Well where can I start. So far 2019 has not been the best for some members of the group. Chris has had to give up his job he loved due to ill health, Tim has changed his job and had a bt of a time with the change. This has meant both having to put on hold any thoughts on activities and have only been able to operate from home.
The good news is the remainder of the team have all been busy doing their own thing, and sadly had no time to look at activating anywhere or visiting the farm to get the call on the air. This I am sure will change in the next year or so. There are plans currently being discussed to put a lighthouse on the air, a group of us going to Friedrichshafen, and we are also looking at maybe going to the Tokyo Hamfest in the next couple of years. Along with the other group activities that could come along.
In other News it is god to see IOTA management taking on board concerns for how to introduce new comers in to the award scheme and that all activators should allow everyone a chance to work them not just current chasers and award holders. This follows on from one activation earlier this year only taking calls, and the accrediting them, to stations that currently update each year for eithr Honour Roll or All Time Listing. A little short sighted in my view (Chris G1VDP) as it doesn't encourage new IOTA chasers in to the fray.
https://www.iota-world.org/
Sad news
- Details
- Written by Chris Colclough
I have taken the following from Ant's G3TXQ Hexbeam Facebook page.
Hi all. It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I inform you of the passing of Steve G3TXQ. Steve was always keen to help all fellow amateurs with antenna issues on the UK Ham Radio Deals amongst other forums. Steve will of course be remembered for eternity as the person who redesigned the Hexbeam to what we now refer to as the G3TXQ Broad Band Hexbeam. No one owes Steve more than I do, the Hexbeam has grown from strength to strength with thousands of units being used worldwide, a true legacy indeed. RIP Steve, you will be truly missed by all that knew you. Our thoughts go out to his family at this sad time. Ant & Laura
We are almost all Hexbeam users built by Ant and designed by Steve, and we here at S.H.A.R.K pass on our condolences to Steve's family at this sad time.
Seasonal Greatings
- Details
- Written by Chris Colclough
As the 2018 year end draws ever closer, we like to wish all our friends around the world seasons greetings in their home language, and we do apologise if we miss yours off the list. Lets hope that 2019 brings us all we wish for, good conditions on the radio and I hope to see you all for a drink (you are buying) at some point throughout the year.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd dda
Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo
Joyeux Noel et Bonne Annèe
Felices Pascuas y Feliz Año Nuevo
Vasel Koleda
Froehliche Weihnachten undein gluckliches Nues Jahr
Kala Christougenna Kieftihismenos O Kenowios Chronos
Boldoy Karácsonyt
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
Cestitamo Bozia
Boas Fiestas e um feliz Ano Novo
Nollaig Shona Dhuit
From all at Strumble Head Amateur Radio Klub
Future Activities
- Details
- Written by Chris Colclough
Over the past couple of days while Tim & Chris were down at the farm with Rob they had a quick chat and bandied around a couple of ideas for the next club activity.
We still need to chat with the rest of the guys but there maybe something happening next year. We just need to get together and put some plans together.
Watch this space and we will keep you informed.
Activity Ended
- Details
- Written by Chris Colclough
Sadly we have had to cut our activity short. The weather has forced us to lower the mast with the hexbeam due to high winds hitting the UK. This left us with the Windom and active on 40m, we tried to make as many contacts as possible but again the weather caused high static noise. We have also had a minor failure with the amp so this is going to be taken in for repair tomorrow.
We will be back on again soon. Don't for get to use the OQRS sytem for any card requests, and please DO NOT send us QSL cards via the bureau.
Thanks once again for the contacts, Chris and Tim.
MC0SHL Up and Running
- Details
- Written by Chris Colclough
Tim (M0URX) has fired up the radio and has had an hour on the air making roughly 90 QSO's on 20M. We have taken a break for dinner - 17:00 on 16th September - and will be back on some time around 19:00.
Don't forget we are on the mainland (EU-005). QSL via Tim's OQRS service on his website.
WE DO NOT NEED YOUR CARD SO PLEASE DO NOT SEND TO US VIA THE BUREAU, JUST REQUEST VIA OQRS
