Thermopiles, Bibles and the KGB

In the 1970’s we had a family friend who had spent most of the 1960’s as a Christian missionary smuggling bibles in to the Soviet Union. He always told wonderful stories of his adventures and how he travelled extensively behind the Iron Curtain paying his way with Wrangler Jeans and Wriggles Chewing Gum. He had been a member of the Communist Party as a way of appearing a legitimate visitor but that did not stop him from being constantly followed by KGB agents or from finding that every room in every hotel he stayed in was bristling with hidden microphones. Somehow he usually managed to evade his followers and travelled to places where tourist were not supposed to go, to meet his contacts and distribute his contraband. The problem was that avoiding the secret police drew attention to him and after a few near misses, were he was interrogated and then released, he was caught red handed and spent six months in a Siberian Labour Camp. If the tale of his escape is not in a book somewhere it probably should be but it ended with him crossing from East To West Berlin in the boot of a car, where he would have been caught if someone had not chosen that moment to make a run for it.

It was while he was in the Siberian prison camp that he came across a radio receiver powered by a kerosene lamp. He explained that the lamp had what is known as a thermopile which directly converts heat in to electricity. A thermopile is a mass of hundreds or thousands of thermocouple junctions in parallel and series to generate a useful amount of current. A thermocouple works due to the fact that when there is a junction of two dis-similar metals and there is a temperature difference a current flows.

I had no reason to disbelieve him or his amazing stories but for years I wondered if this thing really existed. For some reason after many years it suddenly popped in to my head and the wonders of the Internet let me research the subject. Sure enough there it was a kerosene lamp with a thermopile powering a transistor radio.

Visit this link to find out more.

Site of the year 2009

Of course its a fake. I can dream can't I?

2010 Radio Rallies

Dates for your diary... 2010 Radio Rallies

17 JANUARY 10am – RED ROSEWINTER RALLY

Lowton Civic Centre WA3 2AH, just off the A580 East Lancs Road.

Further details from Steve on 01942 888900

http://www.wmrc.org.uk/

17 JANUARY – DOVER AMATEUR RADIO CLUB RALLY

Whitfield Village Hall, Dover CT16 3LY.

http://www.darc.org.uk/

31 JANUARY 10am/10.30am – HORNCASTLEWINTER RALLY

Horncastle Youth Centre, Lincolnshire LN9 6DZ. £1.50

Details from Tony, G3ZPU 01507 527835

http://www.blogger.com/G3ZPU@yahoo.co.uk

7 FEBRUARY – 25TH CANVEY RADIO & ELECTRONICS RALLY

'The Paddocks', Long Road, Canvey Island, Essex

SS8 0JA (southern end of A130). £2,

Dave, G4UVJ, 01268 697978 (evenings).

http://www.southessex.ars.btinternet.co.uk/

14 FEBRUARY 10.15/10.30 – HARWELL RADIO AND COMPUTING RALLY

Didcot Leisure Centre, Mereland Road,

Didcot OX11 8AY. £2 (under 12s free),

Details on 01235 816379

e-mail http://www.blogger.com/ann.stevens@btinternet.com

http://www.g3pia.org.uk/

14 FEBRUARY 10.15/10.30 – NORTHERN CROSS RALLY

Ossett School, Storrs Hill Road, Ossett, West Yorkshire WF5 0DG. £3.

http://www.northerncrossrally.org/

21 FEBRUARY 10.30 – SWANSEA ARS RALLY

Afan Lido (Aquadome), Aberavon seafront, Port Talbot, SA12 6QW,

1 mile from M4 J41 £1.50/50p

Details Roger, GW4HSH, 01792 404422.

28 FEBRUARY – RAINHAM RADIO RALLY

Rainham School for Girls, Derwent Way, Rainham. Gillingham.

Kent ME8 0BX. Trevor, G6YLW, 0771 7678 795.

7 MARCH 10.30 – EXETER RADIO & ELECTRONICS RALLY

America Hall, De la Rue Way, Pinhoe, Exeter, EX4 8PW. £2

Contact Pete G3ZVI, 07714 198374

e-mail http://www.blogger.com/g3zvi@yahoo.co.uk

13 MARCH 09.00 – DUTCH NATIONAL RADIO FLEA MARKET

"Autotron", Rosmalen ('s-Hertogenbosch, just off A59 motorway). PI4SHB €6.

Details +31 6 1356 1325,

e-mail http://www.blogger.com/info@radiovlooienmarkt.nl

http://www.radiovlooienmarkt.nl/

20 MARCH 11.30 – LAGAN VALLEY ARS RALLY

The Village Centre, 7 Ballynahinch Road, Hillsborough.

Contact Jim, GI0DVU, 02892 662270,

e-mail http://www.blogger.com/jim.henry@ntlworld.com

21 MARCH 10:00 – 1500 – 25TH WYTHALL RC RADIO AND COMPUTER RALLY

Woodrush Sports Centre, Shawhurst Lane,

Hollywood, near Birmingham B47 5JW

on the A435, 2mi from J3 M42. £1.50

Contact Chris, G0EYO, 07710 412 819

email http://www.blogger.com/g0eyo@blueyonder.co.uk

http://www.wrcrally.co.uk/

21 MARCH 10am – CALLINGTON AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY RALLY

Callington Community College, Launceston Road,

Callington, Cornwall PL17 7DR. £2.00

Contact Chris G7UDX, 07973418371

email http://www.blogger.com/g7udz@mac.com

28 MARCH 10am – SPRING MILITARIA & ELECTRONICS &

RADIO AMATEUR HANGAR SALE – Hack Green secret

Nuclear Bunker, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 8AP. £2.50

Contact Rod Siebert, 01270 623353

email http://www.blogger.com/coldwatr@hackgreen.co.uk

http://www.hackgreen.co.uk/

11 APRIL 10:45/11:00 – NORTHERN AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETIES

ASSOCIATION EXHIBITION – Norbreck Castle Exhibition Centre, Blackpool.

Dave Wilson, M0OBW 01270 761 608

http://www.blogger.com/dwilson@btinternet.com

http://www.blogger.com/www.g1gyc.demon.co.uk/narsa

11 APRIL 12 noon – LOUGH ERNE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB ANNUAL RALLY

The Share Holiday Village, Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh BT92 0EQ N. Ireland.

Access from Erne/Shannon Waterway.

Details Iain 028 66326693,

email http://www.blogger.com/gibbjgbb@aol.com

http://www.lougherneradioclub.co.uk/

24 APRIL – 4TH CHESTERFIELD AMATEUR RADIO RALLY

Hasland Village Hall, Eastwood Park, Hasland S41 0AY (M1 j29/30).

e-mail http://www.blogger.com/rally@chesterfieldrally.com

http://www.chesterfieldrally.com/

25 APRIL 09.30 – 26TH YEOVIL QRP CONVENTION

Hall, Hound St, Sherborne, Dorset. Digby Hall adjoins the

Digby central shopping car park.

Robert, 01935 706715

e-mail http://www.blogger.com/robert.farey@btinternet.com

http://www.yeovil-arc.com/

3 MAY 1015 -1030 – DARTMOOR RADIO RALLY

Tavistock College, Crowndale Rd, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 8DD. OT

Details Peter, M1AYI, 01822 860277

14-16 MAY – DAYTON HAMVENTION

Hara Arena, Dayton, Ohio, USA.

3 day pass $20/$25 on door

http://www.hamvention.org/

25 – 27 JUNE – HAMTRONIC SHOW FRIEDRICHSHAFEN

Messe Friedrichshafen, Germany.

http://www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.de/html/en

27 JUNE – WEST OF ENGLAND RADIO RALLY

"Cheese & Grain", Bridge Street, Frome, Somerset BA11 1BE.

Contact Shaun, G8VPG 01225 873 098

e-mail http://www.blogger.com/rallymanager@westrally.org.uk

http://www.westrally.org.uk/

8 AUGUST – FLIGHT REFUELLING ARS HAMFEST

Cobham Sports and Social Club Ground, Merley, Nr.

Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3AA.

Details Mike, M0MJS 01202 883 479

e-mail http://www.blogger.com/hamfest@frars.org.uk

http://www.frars.org.uk/

5 SEPTEMBER 10:30 – TELFORD HAMFEST

Enginuity Technology Centre, Coalbrookdale, Telford TF8 7DU.

Discounted admission to Enginuity Centre.

Details from Martyn, G3UKV, 01952 255416

http://www.telfordhamfest.co.uk/

1 & 2 OCTOBER – RSGB NATIONAL HAMFEST

in association with the Lincoln Short Wave Club.

George Stephenson Pavillion, Newark and

Nottinghamshire Showground, Lincoln Road, Winthorpe,

Newark NG24 2NY (close to junction of A1/A46/A17).

3 OCTOBER 10am – AUTUMN MILITARIA & ELECTRONICS &

RADIO AMATEUR HANGAR SALE – Hack Green secret

Nuclear Bunker, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 8AL. £2.50

Contact Rod Siebert, 01270 623353

http://www.blogger.com/coldwatr@hackgreen.co.uk

http://www.hackgreen.co.uk/

8-10 OCTOBER – RSGB CONVENTION

http://www.rsgb.org/rsgbconvention

30-31 OCTOBER – 24th NORTH WALES AMATEUR RADIO SHOW

Llandudno, Ysgol John Bright, Maesdu Road, Llandudno. LL30 1LF

Liz Cabban GW0ETU, 01690 710257

http://www.blogger.com/rally@nwrs.org.uk

http://www.nwrs.org.uk/rally/info.html

This list is available here to download in word format.

If you have any up-dates or additions please let me know by leaving a comment.

Red Roses but no news

The RSGB figure there will be nothing happening between now and the 10th of January and as a result have given their news readers the 27th of December and the 3rd of January off. GB2RS will return on the 10th of January after their final transmission of 2009 on the Sunday 20th.
Never fear though because CQHQ along with great services like those of Southgate ARC Newsline will do the best to keep you up to date with what is happening in the world of amateur radio.

The news GB2RS listeners will be missing includes the first UK radio rally of the year...

On the 17 January the Red Rose Winter Rally takes place at Lowton Civic Centre WA3 2AH, just off the A580 East Lancs Road. Talk In is on S22, Opening Time is 10am.

It should be even better than last year's event at this superb new venue.

All on one level. More traders.
Low cost “Bring & Buy".
Special Interest groups.
Hassle free. Large spacious halls at ground level.
Free car park, disabled facilities.
Really excellent catering
Large, comfortable, social area
Licensed bar

RSGB bookstall

Further details from Steve on 01942 888900
[www.wmrc.org.uk].

500kHz deadline extended

Good news for UK radio amateurs experimenting with the 500kHz band. It was announced on Wednesday 16th December that the period due to expire in February 2010 would be extended until 29 February 2012. RSGB have received confirmation from Ofcom who have been negotiating with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency over the 501-504kHz band and have extended the validity period to 29 February 2012. RSGB General Manager Peter Kirby G0TWW, said “This is another fine example of the RSGB working closely with Ofcom to the benefit of all UK radio amateurs.” Just like they are working with you on the issues of PLA and PLC interference hey Peter?

This announcement has come at a time when there is growing interest in the band from non-coders due to the popularity of using narrow band modes such as WSPR to study propagation. Previously almost all amateur 500kHz traffic has been CW.

The full text of the announcement can be found via the RSGB web site at www.rsgb.org/news/article.php?id=0010, or at www.ofcom.org.uk where you can search for update special research permit.

Kenwood makes it to PsD

Kenwood USA have made it to the mainstream by getting one of their advertisements on the hilarious PsD or Photoshop Disasters Blog. The disembodied hand stands out so obviously that one has to ask 'How could someone create that, and think it was good?' And 'how did someone actually approve it for the brochure?'

To see the PsD post...
Kenwood: The Right to Bare Arms.

To view the original brochure...
Click here! [PDF]

The daft thing is this might actually get Kenwood more publicity than if they had done a proper job.

Mobile Phones Crash Cable TV

BT have making a misery of life for those that enjoy the short waves for some time with their power line adapters now it looks as though O2 are not to be out done and have come up with a way of crashing cable TV set-top boxes using mobile phones so couch potatoes can be just as miserable.

We are told he next generation of mobile phones will be capable of lightning fast speeds and advance features but Long Term Evolution (LTE) or 4G will use the 800mHz band in the UK. 4G is not available in the yet but O2 is currently testing 4G at the LTE Slough testing centre. LTE allows users to connect to the internet at speeds twenty times faster than currently available. The problem lies in the fact that cable TV set-top op boxes operate on a frequency of between 800 to 900 MHz and a 4G mobile phone in the vicinity can cause break up of the picture and sound and even crash the box, which requires turning the box off and on again to reboot. O2 researchers are looking at the problem, but aside from replacing millions of set top boxes or using a different frequency band I think they are on a looser, which is a pity because the advantages of 4G would be most welcome to most mobile Internet users and we do not want it delayed too long or the UK may miss a whole generation of mobile technology.

Source: Various

Fighting talk

I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our hobby, to ride out the storm of PLC, and to outlive the menace of PLA, if necessary for years, if necessary alone. At any rate, that is what we are going to try to do. That is the resolve of the Radio Society of Great Britain - every man of them. That is the will of RSGB and the nation of radio amateurs. The RSGB and all UK radio amateurs linked together in their cause and in their need, will defend to the death their RF spectrum, aiding each other like good comrades to the utmost of their strength. Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Power Lines Communications and all the odious apparatus of Power Line adapter, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in the court rooms, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength on the air, we shall defend our hobby, whatever the cost may be,we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Society or a large part of it were subjugated and penniless, then our fellow amateurs beyond the seas, armed and aided by the British amateur community, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the PLC menace, with all its power and might, is resigned to the dustbin of history.

Appologies to Winston Churchill.

Most Wanted DX 2010

From QRZ.com we have more about DX this time from John Ferringtonde VK6HZ/VK6ARI who has created a Most Wanted DXCC for 2010 survey on his website.
The URL is http://dxsurvey.vk6hz.com

He says he has two reasons for the survey.

1. He would like to compare global needs for DXCC against VK needs
2. A statistics assignment for a course he is doing and what better survey to get a decent cross section of the community than a DXCC wanted survey?

The poll is open until March 1st and results will be published on www.vk6hz.com and other DX websites, along with an article for AR magazine here in VK.

Please vote and ask your friends from the DX community to join in and give John some good data.

Who has the biggest DX?

Over at the DX World of Ham Radio it is time to vote for your choice as to the best DX peditions of 2009. You can vote for up to three from a randomised list here.

The one that grabbed my attention was K4M Midway Atol but as I never managed to work any of those listed I will not be voting. Sure I heard quite a few of those in the running but my 100 watts to a wire at 30 feet never cracked the kilo-watts to a seven element beam on the tower at 300 feet boys. It is a pity these great opportunities to work somewhere rare usually turn in to a free-for-all peeing contest. For me a good expedition is one where the calls are managed numerically, alphabetically or by zones. Calling occasionally for QRP marks you almost for sainthood in my book.

"Na na na na. Look my DX is bigger than yours!"