Hello all,

 

 A few days ago a list of “Active” 500khz stations was posted on this reflector. There were approx. 30 G or English stations, 2-GM’s 2GI’s and 2GW’s. Whether there are many more who obtained NOV’s I don’t know.

However, it seems a rather poor take up of the privileged opportunity to operate on this interesting band. Excellent transmitter designs by M0MBU and GW3UEP (and possibly others )have been posted here but have not, as Mal G3KEV has said,  found their way into RADCOM. Possibly Dave G3YXM could bring these to the attention of the RADCOM people who select construction and design articles. It is of course, a niche interest as are many others in amateur radio but regrettably, one is drawn to the conclusion that some UK amateurs are a bit tardy when it comes to having to build equipment. Re the availability of components, this is not really a problem.  The big boys Farnell, Radiocomponents and Rapid will now deal direct and the small suppliers that come to mind are JAB, Sycom, and Mode Components and numerous others.

 

I too, am also critical of the current trend in RADCOM as voiced by others but it must be born in mind that without the representations by the RSGB we would not have had the NOVs on 500.and that we are the only European country with that privilege.

 

 I do fear that unless OFCOM make a decision soon at to the future of the 500khz allocation there will now be little incentive for people to go to the trouble of building for this experimental band.

With apologies for the ramble

 

Mike GW4HXO.