2e0edx
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QRP "It is vain to do with more what can be done with less" William of Occum, 1290-1350.
Posts: 109
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Post by 2e0edx on Dec 29, 2006 12:29:43 GMT
Very pleased to read this message on another forum and of which possibly answers my burning question for some time now in relation to the Intermediate License working outside the UK on a Reciporacal basis, with particular interest in working in Gibraltar.
This is the quote which started the ball rolling, inspired me and started the research into the future activation of Gibraltar, The Rock in 2007.
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2e0edx
Full Member
QRP "It is vain to do with more what can be done with less" William of Occum, 1290-1350.
Posts: 109
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Post by 2e0edx on Dec 29, 2006 12:52:51 GMT
For those of you interested in this thread, this is the Europa Lighthouse that I hope to be operating as ZB2/2E0EDX/P on the south of the Rock and east of the strait of Gibraltar facing the Mediterranean Sea. Looking to operate both 20 and 2m FM/SSB. The intention is to operate using the FT-857 on both HF and 2m FM/SSB using a half size G5RV possibly in an inverted 'V' supported by a SOTA pole and VHF using a 2m 3el SOTA beam supported by either a SOTA pole or by the WASP Special and Leki pole. To give you an idea of the Europa Lighthouse location on the Rock and the surrounding area: Information has been gained from the local Gibralter Amatuer Radio club that VHF into North Africa, Morocco and of course Spain is excellent from this location.
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2e0edx
Full Member
QRP "It is vain to do with more what can be done with less" William of Occum, 1290-1350.
Posts: 109
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Post by 2e0edx on Dec 29, 2006 13:00:21 GMT
Contacted by e-mail the Chairman of the Gibraltar Radio Association mid August this year confirming that an Intermediate License holder could indeed operate from Gibraltar and this was his reply:
Reply from Alan ZB2IF Chairman of the Gibraltar Radio Association today 21/08/06.....
Hi, There Ian,
Good to hear from you, there is certainly no problem as far as operating from Gib with your Intermediate, since we run the same system here . You need to apply for a reciprocal license from the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority which you can collect when you come over to operate. This license is issued to you on the basis you have a valid UK license. So I suggest you email the GRA and warn them so that no time is wasted and just come in to collect it.
The only restriction here is that you cannot operate from the upper rock, but I suggest the Europa lighthouse area to do so, in fact that's where the club does most of its operation from and I assure you its a great site ( providing conditions are good )
I hope this is of help to you and I will cc a copy to the GRA so that they also have the information.
Hope to hear or maybe meet you soon,
best 73's
de ZB2IF
Alan Guerrero
So far so good...............
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2e0edx
Full Member
QRP "It is vain to do with more what can be done with less" William of Occum, 1290-1350.
Posts: 109
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Post by 2e0edx on Dec 29, 2006 13:13:55 GMT
Just back from Spain, arrived back at midnight, 8th December 06. While there managed to carry out an initial recce of the Europa Point lighthouse for activation in 2007. Recce achieved on Monday 4th December 06. From daughter No 1's house in Estapona, Spain, it is approximately 55 kms with a driving time of 35 minutes. The daughter dropped both myself and the XYL off at the frontier where we went through the customs post showing our passports, waited to cross the airfield while a BA aircraft took off approximately 200m from us and then onto the rock. WX was great, sunny, warm but with a slight wind. Managed to find a bus stop close to the Battle of Traffalgar cemetery, on the right side of the road heading towards the lighthouse. The No 3 bus runs every 20 minutes to Europa point and cost us 90p return each with a journey time of approximately 10 minutes. On reaching the lighthouse, the bus stop a hundred yards away only, was pleased to see that their was a large area away from the viewing platform where coach parties arrive to view the distant mountains of north Africa and the Straight of Gibraltar. An excellent view can be enjoyed here of all previously mentioned and the large tankers/ships below the point in the Straight. The access to the lighthouse is marked 'No Entry', however, directly behind the lighthouse is an open area to erect both a mast and an antenna without difficulty. Behind this area is a mosque, when on our visit they were calling from the tower. Directly behind the mosque is the Rock and battlements. As you can all see this is a fantastic platform for an activation, close to the Equator with what I would describe as an excellent groundplane. WX should be magnificent and I hope to fill the log book with some excellent QSO's including locals in 'G'.......... This area is a very pleasant area to both view, activate from and I look forward to the activation in 2007.
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2e0edx
Full Member
QRP "It is vain to do with more what can be done with less" William of Occum, 1290-1350.
Posts: 109
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Post by 2e0edx on Dec 29, 2006 13:36:26 GMT
Further e-mailed Alan, the GARS President who offered excellent information with regards to operating on Gibraltar. Alan stated that the best two modes to operate on when conditions are good are HF & VHF. Apparently however, where the Lighthouse is situated there is no where to accommodate wire antennas, but, verticals will tie to railings around the perimeter or in close proximity to the lighthouse. Although after carrying out a recce in recent weeks, I believe that the SOTA pole will fit the bill.
With this in mind I really need to be considering at this time equipment to take with me, this is where you forum members come in...... the 'ideas brigade'.
So far the equipment list is as follows:
FT-857 12v 12AH Gel cell battery + charger Antenna two way switch
HF Half size G5RV 21' 50 Ohms coax SOTA pole, guy lines & guys
VHF 2m 3el SOTA Beam WASP Special Leki Pole Coax guy lines & Guys
Before you reply, please bare in mind the portable/lightweight considerations of equipment to be taken due to flying to Spain and of course the current climate of airport checks.
I look forward to all advice, information and assistance or indeed just general comments.
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2e0edx
Full Member
QRP "It is vain to do with more what can be done with less" William of Occum, 1290-1350.
Posts: 109
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Post by 2e0edx on Dec 29, 2006 13:43:18 GMT
Would you credit it, worked my first ZB station this month on the 20th at 1024 hours on 20m.
ZB2/4O3AL David Liañez Fernandez Aljaraque , Huelva SPAIN
David gave me an RST 59 and I gave him an RST 54. On this occassion it was purely an exchange of reports due to the pile up he was enjoying, no opportunity to find out where on the Rock he was activating from. Shows though that I should beable to work into 'G', therefore, hopefully working forum members.
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2e0edx
Full Member
QRP "It is vain to do with more what can be done with less" William of Occum, 1290-1350.
Posts: 109
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Post by 2e0edx on Dec 29, 2006 13:50:02 GMT
Continuing my research and preperation for the expedition to Gibraltar.
I have very litte HF portable activation experience. However, the experience that I do have was gained at both Delph Quarry and Jubilee Towers in the Trough of Bowland, two locations at elevation.
Now on listening to various locals some excellent DX has been acquired on 20m and other bands from such areas as Fairhaven Lake near Lytham, St Annes on the Fylde coast. Now I ask myself, why are results just as good or indeed better from Fairhaven Lake at 1m ASL than from say Jubilee Towers at 287m ASL? I believe the answer lies in the fact that height above ground is obviously less of an importance than a location over or near water and the excellent ground-plane that it provides, in this case both the Irish Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Now baring this in mind, the Gibraltar activation lends itself to the ground-plane over water scenario. The area chosen, the Europa Lighthouse, is at the SSE corner of the Rock, approximately 20m ASL and the antennas will be directly above and within 20m of where the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean meets, what greater ground-plane can there be?
I would appreciate comment on this thread, others experiences in the scenarios mentioned above, perhaps some of you have actually worked from both Jubilee Towers/Delph Quarry and Fairhaven Lake. Lets hear your views on this subject...............
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Post by M0ZOE on Dec 29, 2006 14:13:23 GMT
Brilliant Posting Ian. You have certainly done all your homework and it has done you well. I think this is quite interesting because I don't think many Amateur's know that there are places outside of the UK mainlands that you can work from. I wonder how many other Amatuer's have similar knowledge of other places? If you are reading this and have knowledge of other places that we can operate from why not join the forum and post your experiences of getting the permissions and what exactly is needed and why not give us a rendition of how you got on. I know I for one am quite interested. There's bound to be other Amateur's out there who are too.
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Post by M0ZOE on Dec 29, 2006 14:15:34 GMT
Ian, I forgot to say some excellent photographs. The lighthouse looks like a wicked place to operate from Look forward to seeing some great photo's of you operating from there..
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2e0edx
Full Member
QRP "It is vain to do with more what can be done with less" William of Occum, 1290-1350.
Posts: 109
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Post by 2e0edx on Dec 29, 2006 15:12:23 GMT
Hi Zo
As you have probably gathered I'm off work at the moment till next Tuesday, hence all the postings.....Hi!
The intention of this thread was in the main to keep forum members abreat of my future portable intentions and to perhaps inspire others to give it ago. Nothing better than to relate to others activities, if you intend to do something similar. an important aspect of this thread is that most would not have previously been aware that you could operate outside the UK on either a Foundation or Intermediate licence, well they all know now after reading this thread.
When you consider the ease of flying to Malaga Airport from Blackpool, cheapest flights can be £14.99 one way. Malaga to Gibraltar approximately 1 & a 1/2 hours drive. Say four people hiring a car for two days at a cost of £60 to £100 divided by 4 and sleeping in a bivibag overnight at no cost, WX fantastic, it certainly sounds I'm sure to most forum members, a realistic opportunity to operate abroad.
I just hope this thread wets members appetite, especially the licenses I make mention too, to follow in my footsteps.
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Post by M0ZOE on Dec 29, 2006 15:34:44 GMT
That certainly is cheaper than I imagined. So for a party of four sharing the cost of the car it works out at around £55/60 per person. Great for money on what could turn out to be the adventure of a lifetime for some of us....This is what the forum is all about...sharing knowledge with each other and wetting interests in new area's of the hobby...Thanks again for starting this one Ian.
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