Congratulations to Herve Venries and John Hamilton who passed the Radio
Communications Foundation level exam on 30th June 2009 at the Livingston and
District Amateur Radio Society, Crofthead Farm Community Education Centre,
Livingston. 100% success at this examination sitting.

Norman Stewart GM1CNH
Secretary, LaDARS

REMINDER, REMINDER, REMINDER

JUNK NIGHT
FRIDAY 14th AUGUST 2009
Bring along your own "junk" and sell it yourself. Tables on a First Come, First
Served Basis
Time: 1830 till 2200
Location: Cockenzie & Port Seton Community Centre (Main Hall) Disabled access
available
Entry: £2 ALL PERSONS
Raffle @ 21:00, Food & Drink Available

If any one would like to donate any prizes for the raffle or food towards the
catering it will be more than appreciated.


--- In ms0liv@..., "Norman Stewart" <norman.d.stewart@...> wrote:
>
> 14th August 2009. Details in 'Calendar' section.
>
> Norman Stewart GM1CNH
> Secretary, LaDARS
>

William Hepburn's Worldwide Tropospheric Ducting Forecasts web site has been
added to the 'Links' section. This provides graphical 6 day forecasts of VHF and
UHF tropospheric 'lift' conditions.


Norman Stewart GM1CNH
Secretary, LaDARS

LaDARS programme for August 2009. See 'Calendar' for further details.

4 Aug - Club Evening
11 Aug - Operating Evening
18 Aug - Talk 'What's in the Box?' by Norman Stewar GM1CNH
25 Aug - Morse Code Practice


73

Norman Stewart GM1CNH MM0BMG
Secretary, LaDARS

LaDARS programme for July 2009. See 'Calendar' for further details.

7 July - Club Evening
14 July - Operating Evening
21 July - Club Evening
28 July - Morse Code Practice


73

Norman Stewart GM1CNH MM0BMG
Secretary, LaDARS

I will be away for the next 10 days or so, and so the node will be down until
21st or 22nd June.
Iain
MM0DEC

-- Original Message -----
>From: "Norman Stewart" <norman.d.stewart@...>
>To: <ms0liv@...>
>Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 11:16 AM
>Subject: [MS0LIV] Foundation Level Training (Q2)
>Here is an example Foundation level question everyone can have a go at.

>Electrical power is:
>A. the applied voltage divided by the circuit current.
>B. the circuit current divided by the load resistance.
>C. the rate at which energy is converted.
>D. the amount of current flowing in a circuit.

Got to be "C".
Iain
MM0DEC

----- Original Message -----
From: "Norman Stewart" <norman.d.stewart@...>
To: <ms0liv@...>
Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 11:05 AM
Subject: [MS0LIV] Foundation Level Training


>Here is an example Foundation level question everyone can have a go at.
>The primary role of a fuse is to:

>A. protect equipment from developing a fault.
>B. protect equipment which has been incorrectly connected to a power
>supply.
>C. protect the operator of equipment from receiving an electric shock.
>D. protect equipment and wiring from combusting.

I would say "D". However, in combination with a diode, it could also be
"B"....
Iain
MM0DEC

Here is an example Foundation level question everyone can have a go at.

Electrical power is:

A. the applied voltage divided by the circuit current.

B. the circuit current divided by the load resistance.

C. the rate at which energy is converted.

D. the amount of current flowing in a circuit.


Norman GM1CNH

Here is an example Foundation level question everyone can have a go at.

The primary role of a fuse is to:

A. protect equipment from developing a fault.

B. protect equipment which has been incorrectly connected to a power supply.

C. protect the operator of equipment from receiving an electric shock.

D. protect equipment and wiring from combusting.


Norman GM1CNH

A few people were asking about the mobile broadband internet service I had. I
was able to surf the internet and check my emails from inside my tent in Glen
Coe!

I use Vodafone pay-as-you-go mobile broadband. The device (dongle) costs £39
which includes 1 GB download. You pay for how much data you download not for how
long you are connected. I used about 14p over the weekend including setting it
up and testing it on Friday. You top it up 1 GB at a time for £15. There is no
restriction on monthly usage so it could last six months or more before you need
a top up. You can transfer it to any computer. You do need to be in a Vodafone
cell phone coverage area for it to work. It will work on 3G and GPRS service
areas. 3G gives faster downloads but has less coverage in rural and remote
areas. GPRS is fine for checking emails and gives reasonable coverage out of
town and in the more remote regions. It is easy to install, you just plug it
into a USB socket and it installs itself automatically.

Here is the link for more information:-

http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/mobile-broadband-devices/usb-modem-stick-topup-a\
nd-go?compatible=false

You can buy it online from the link above or at any Vodafone shop. The
pay-as-you-go only works in the UK. If you need to use it in Europe you will
need to upgrade to the pre-pay contract which is £15 per month.


Norman

I plan to be out at Lauder Common (NT486458, IO85OQ) on Saturday and/or Sunday
16-17 May for the 2m contest. It will be a lightweight setup but if more people
are interested we could make the deployment a bit bigger and put on a more
effective station.

All subject to reasonable weather. Anyone interested?

Norman GM1CNH

***From Gordon Kelly***

IAM NOW RUNNING BOTH APRS AND D-PRS GATEWAY LOCATED IN GLENROTHES FIFE TO GATE
ALL APRS ON (144.800MHZ FM)  AND D-PRS (d-star gps) ON (144.6125MHZ DV)  TRAFFIC
TO THE INTERNET AND MAPPING SOFTWARE.

HERE IS A LINK TO SEE WHATS ON THE MAP
<http://aprs.fi/?lat=56.2136&lng=-3.1572&mt=m&z=9&timerange=3600> YOU WILL HAVE
TO USE YOUR CALLSIGN THE FIRST TIME YOU LOG INTO THE MAP PROGRAM BUT AFTER THAT
YOU WILL NOT NEED TO IN THE FUTURE VISITS

CAN YOU INFORM YOUR CLUB MEMBERS AND  OTHERS OF THIS SERVICE AND IT WOULD BE
NICE IF THE RAYNET MEMBERS  USE THE SYSTEM TO SEE HOW WELL IT WOULD COPE WITH
LOADS OF TRAFFIC

ALL THATS NEEDED IS TO TRANSMIT YOUR APRS BEACON ON 144.800 FM OR 144.6125 ON
D-STAR IF YOU HAVE D-STAR

WE HAVE ALSO PUT A SPOT ON FOR YOUR SPECIAL EVENT STATION ON THE MAP ALSO  SO
HOPEFULLY WILL BRING MORE PEOPLE ON THE AIR IF YOU COULD DO YOUR BEST TO PASS
THE WORD ON THAT THIS IS UP AND RUNNING THAT WOULD BE GREAT ALSO ARE YOU RUNNING
VHF UHF AT THE EVENT STATION AS MANY PEOPLE LOOSE OUT ON YOUR EVENT STATIONS
WITH THE LACK OF HF SETUPS AS NOT ALL NEW LICENCE HOLDERS HAVE HF SOME JUST HAVE
VHF OR UHF AND I THINK YOU WOULD AGREE WE NEED MORE TO GET THESE NEW FOLK ON THE
AIR

MANY THANKS IN ADVANCE
GORDON 2M0XGP GLENROTHES FIFE

RSGB have announced increases to the examination fees from September 2009. The
new fees charged by LaDARS for exams from 1 Sep 2009 are as follows:-

Foundation:
Non-member £33
Member £29

Intermediate:
Non-member £38
Member £34

Advanced:
Non-member £43
Member £39


Norman Stewart GM1CNH
Secretary, LaDARS

ICQ Amateur / Ham Radio Podcast comes of age with 21st Episode


  Launched in July 2008, the ICQ Amateur / Ham Radio Podcast provides a mixture
of news, views, training, technical reviews and information for all levels
around the world. This month, April 2009, the ICQ Podcast came of age with the
publication of our 21st episode.



Previous episodes have included roundtable discussions with new entrants to the
hobby and seasoned pros discussing the hobby. Technical reviews have covered
many topics including aerials, modifications and products reviews, and
interviews with Hams advising their latest

innovations.



The ICQ Amateur / Ham Radio Podcast is a fortnightly radio type show,
downloadable from the internet. Episodes can either be downloaded direct from
the website (http:// www.icqpodcast.com) or by subscribing to iTunes
(http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/ MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=284922000).
By registering with the ICQ Podcast website, an email will be sent to you with a
direct link to download the latest episodes. Episodes can be played back either
from the computer or by loading the mp3 file onto an mp3 player.



The ICQ Podcast is a podcast "for Amateur's by Amateur's" and we would be very
interested to hear for anyone who would like to be involved. If you would like
to contact us, please email info@...



We hope you enjoy the ICQ Podcast.



Kind regards



Martin Butler (M1MRB) and Colin Butler (M6BOY)

LaDARS programme for June 2009. See 'Calendar' for further details.

2 June - Club Evening
9 June - Operating Evening
16 June - Club Evening
23 June - Morse Code Practice
30 June - Club Evening


73

Norman Stewart GM1CNH MM0BMG
Secretary, LaDARS

LaDARS programme for May 2009.

5 May - Club Evening
12 May - Operating Evening
19 May - Club Evening
26 May - Morse Code Practice


73

Norman Stewart GM1CNH MM0BMG
Secretary, LaDARS

D-Star Scotland GB7DE, GB7DG, GB7DK, GB7DW, GB7GD Information

D-star radio in scotland

http://www.dstarinfo.org/index.html

Livingston and District Amateur Radio Society - MS0LIV

Radio Communications Course Fees - 23 March 2009


FOUNDATION MEMBER (NON-MEMBER)
Training £8 (£10)
Assessments £4 (£5)
Examination £26 (£30)
Total         £38 (£45)


INTERMEDIATE MEMBER (NON-MEMBER)
Training £16 (£20)
Assessments £4 (£5)
Examination £30 (£35)
Total         £50 (£60)


ADVANCED MEMBER (NON-MEMBER)
Training £24 (£30)
Assessments - -
Examination £34 (£40)
Total         £58 (£70)

Interesting article on troposcatter here:-

<http://www.oe1cwj.com/literature/troposcatter.htm>

Any member who has full access to the web site can add an entry or an
event to the calendar.

Norman Stewart GM1CNH MM0BMG
Secretary, LaDARS

We have had an initial enquiry to support a TDOTA station and
associated activities. This would be run on the Sat/Sun of the TDOTA
weekend (February 2010) from the MSoLIV club station at the
Crofthead Centre.

We can order publicity material from the RSGB and would need to
install (at least temporary) a low band HF antenna for the 80m and
40m bands.

Suggested activities are:-

- Morse Code
- International Call Signs
- Phonetic Alphabet
- HF Station
- UHF IRLP Station

Would anyone be interested in helping to set up and run this event?


Norman Stewart GM1CNH MM0BMG
Secretary, LaDARS

OpenOffice 3 is a free to use (for both personal and business use)
Microsoft Office compatible suite of applications. It can be
downloaded from the following link:-

http://www.openoffice.org/

There are versions for most of the common operating systems such as
windows, unix, linux, Mac OS etc. and it supports various hardware
platforms (PC, MAC, Power PC). Big saving on paying for MS Office.

Hope you find it useful.


Norrie

I have posted the draft minutes of the 2008 AGM in
the 'Files|Secretary' section of the LaDARS Yahoo Group. I have also
updated the membership database and committee database as a result of
the AGM.


Norman Stewart GM1CNH MM0BMG
Secretary, LaDARS

There is a good write up of radio continuous wave (CW) at the link
given below. It explains how the term 'continuous wave' came into
existence.

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuous_wave>

Notification is herby given, in accordance with the constitution, of
the Annual General Meeting of the Livingston and District Amateur
Radio Society. The meeting will be held at 7:30 pm on Tuesday 2nd
December 2008 in the Tac Room at the Crofthead Farm Community
Education Centre, Templar Rise, Livingston, EH54 6DG.

Norman Stewart GM1CNH MM0BMG
Secretary, LaDARS


9. Annual General Meeting
9.1 AGM Notice
The Annual General Meeting shall normally be held on the first
normal meeting day of December each year. At least 14 days notice
shall be given.

9.2 AGM Quorum
The quorum for the meeting shall be five members or 50% of the
membership, whichever is the smallest. Only Society members shall be
permitted to vote at the AGM.

9.3 Agenda
The agenda for the meeting shall be:
(i) Apologies for absence
(ii) Minutes of the previous AGM
(iii) Chairperson's report
(iv) Secretary's report
(v) Treasurer's report
(vi) Election of the new Committee
(vii) Election of auditors
(viii) Set subscription rate
(ix) Any other relevant business

9.4 Chairperson
The AGM shall be chaired by the out-going Chairperson (or by the
newly elected or reappointed Chairperson if this is the same person).

9.5 Nominations
Nominations for Committee members shall only be valid if confirmed
by the nominee at the meeting or previously in writing.

9.6 Any Other Business
Items to be raised by members under any other relevant business must
be notified to the Secretary not less than 7 days before the AGM.

The original measurements I made following the new feeder replacement
are recorded in message No. #129. Note that the HF antenna meaurements
will be affected by the height of the mast. It was lowered at the time
of the measurements.


Norman Stewart GM1CNH MM0BMG
Secretary, LaDARS

The N plugs and sockets from Diode Comms (SSB Electronics) suffer from
a design fault. The centre pin is not fully captive and can therefore
float backwards inside the connector. This is a result of movement in
the ECO-10 cable between the dielectric/foil and braid/sheath. This
can give rise to a failed or poor (lossy) interconnection as the pin is
shoved back by the force of connecting it to the mating connector.

I have decided to fit the PL-259 connectors instead. These have
compression gland and top hat fitting, the centre pin is rigid and
does not float. This will limit operation to VHF, ECO-10 is rated to 6
GHz. The alternative is to find a suitable 10 mm N connector that has
a centre pin which will accept a 3mm centre conductor.

Norrie

Thanks to all who were involved in the repairs to the antenna
system. A few minor tidy-up tasks are still to be completed plus
installation of the new additional feeder for a low band HF antenna.

VSWR checks were as follows:-

20m  1.3:1
15m  2.5:1
10m  1.6:1
2m   1.8:1
70cm 2.0:1

Please use low power only on the 2m and 70cm bands and Rx only (no
Tx) on the 15m band until the high vswr problems can be resolved.

Feeder, antenna and connectors to be checked on V/UHF; 15m antenna
elements/traps to be checked on HF antenna.


Norman Stewart GM1CNH MM0BMG
Secretary, LaDARS

Do you want to arrange a club evening event at LaDARS?

Select a free Tuesday evening and enter the details in the
Calendar/Events, set a reminder for 7 days before and 1 day before.
Also send notification to the RSGB news at least one week in advance
(see example below).


Norrie



GB2RS News - 3rd February 2008

News for Scotland

Livingston and District Amateur Radio Society will be having an
operating evening on Tuesday 5th February from 7 pm at the Crofthead
Centre, West Dedridge, Livingston. Further details from Norman
telephone 0131 449 7641 or uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/ms0liv.


73 de Norman Stewart GM1CNH MM0BMG