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Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:24:23 +0100
From: John GM4SLV <gm4slv@sighthound.demon.co.uk>
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Subject: Re: LF: MF acty
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David Pratt wrote:
> You won't be hearing any beacons or data from me on 501-504kHz

> I presume that UK stations operating Beacons on 501-504kHz and on 136kHz 
> must have special permits to do so.  I do not.
> 
> 73
> 

Dave, LF,

On your first point (above) I'm disappointed not to have heard any A1A 
CW from you yet either. Perhaps we could arrange a sked?

On the second point.

I take the term "beacon" in the context of 500kHz in its colloquial 
sense - ie a transmission intended for reception by unspecified 
stations, not in any strict legal definition, as per the license documents.

In the manner I use "beacons" I think I'm within the terms of the 
license. For one thing they aren't "unattended" as I'm always in the 
shack, or an adjacent room.

What's the difference between a fully legal  QRSS-30 (after all that's 
just A1A-CW) transmission taking 10 hours intended for visual reception 
and a repetitive 10-15wpm CW callsign lasting the same length of time?

Neither are necessarily "beacons" just because they are of a protracted 
length.

At least the proper speed CW is interesting to listen to.

The clauses that I see to be relevant:-

1(1)(a) Self-training - including technical investigation

11(4)(a) Initial Calls

It could even be argued that clause 7(5) could come into play.

My own "beacon" transmissions are in reality "initial calls" which are 
permitted as signals for "general reception".

I'd love someone to answer. Many people do, although generally by QSL 
card or email.

I see nothing in the regulation that specifies how long or short the 
"initial call" must be. As long as I identify with my callsign every 15 
minutes then all seems to be in order? Must I return to RX mode and 
"tune high to low and low to high" every now and then during my "initial 
call" to satisfy you? That's easily arranged.

To further satisfy you I'll change the message from "GM4SLV" to "CQ de 
GM4SLV" to avoid any doubt that it's an "initial call".....?

There's too much nit-picking going on at the moment, and not enough 
serious work!

I've just listened to G3UNT calling CQ on 501.xx fruitlessly (I'm at 
work listening to my RX audio via the internet). Instead of all the 
moaning about what we can and can't do perhaps someone could have worked 
him. If I can hear him in Shetland, in the daytime, then I'm sure 
someone in the home counties who is perhaps retired or off work could 
also have also done so and could have had a useful QSO to add to the 
knowledge base of the 500kHz community in this country, and beyond.

Regards,

John GM4SLV