The Exeter City UHF Gateway is now operating permanently on Echolink and has joined the Exeternet gateway Cluster. The easiest way to connect to Exeter via Echolink is using the node number 2605 and connecting directly to the conference server `Ireland`.

Output is now back at 10W ERP and the old faithful `temporary` laptop has been replaced. I am still amazed that this 3.00 GBP junk laptop from a rally managed to keep going for 6 years driving the Exeter gateway on eQSO.

To make the most of the improved Exeter gateway, tune your radio to the following settings:-

Freq: 430.050 MHz (No Repeater Shift)
CTCSS: 94.8Hz

We now transmit the CTCSS tone along with TX audio so you can use radios which auto detect the tone, and use ENC/DEC modes if preferred.

As with our other gateways in the Exeternet cluster, the Gateway is permanently connected to the IRELAND conference server which we use as our hub with the blessing of Peter EI4JR.

Although not a permanent connection, you can also connect GB3SW repeater at Honiton the Exeternet cluster to improve coverage of the repeater to the west into Exeter City and further south right down to the coast via Sidmouth and Exmouth gateways. To do this, simply type 2605 into the repeater GB3SW to connect it to the hub and it will work through all the associated links.

I hope that the ongoing upgrades at Exeter will provide a high quality and stable echolink node in the heart of the City, with good signals for mobile operation.

As usual, please let me know if you experience any problems or difficulties using the system.

All the best,

Exeternet Internet Linking Group.
www.exeternet.info-gb.com

The Laser - possibly one of the worlds greatest inventions.

The first working laser was demonstrated on May 16, 1960 by Theodore Maiman at Hughes Research Laboratories. Since then, lasers have become a multi-billion dollar industry. The most widespread use of lasers is in optical storage devices such as compact disc and DVD players, in which the laser (a few millimeters in size) scans the surface of the disc. Other common applications of lasers are bar code readers, laser printers and laser pointers.wikipedia

Surprisingly the laser was born out of ideas proposed by Albert Einstein in the 30's and not out of necessity. When the laser was invented it did not really have a use and virtually none of its many applications we see today could have been foreseen. As Maiman himself put it -A laser is a solution seeking a problem!-

BigL The English music station broadcast to the UK from Holland is three years old today. The station was started by Ray Anderson of offshore radio fame. They have experienced many difficulties along the way including a dispute which caused the MW transmitter to remain off air for a while. However BigL has managed to survive and is still here broadcasting 24 hours a day on Sky 0190 and 1395 KHz on Medium Wave.

www.bigl.co.uk

Hi Exeternet Members. The UHF gateway at Calne in Wiltshire will remain off the air for the foreseeable future. Local terrain restricted the coverage to around two miles so the gateway was mainly used for testing and experimental purposes.

I will soon be moving back closer to Exeter and so there is little to be gained by re-instating the service at Calne. I think I was the only person using it !!.

In the meantime I will be continuing my work with the Exeternet Group and with the Exeternet gateway cluster so be ready for more projects !!.

All the best

Mike, G7FEK.

The Calne gateway is off air while I am carrying out house renovations. I expect to return it to the air in a few weeks.

Hi All

just a quick note to let you all know that the MB7IEX 24.7 INTERNET GATEWAY is now back on-line using the same frequency 145.2375 Mhz The only change is the CTCSS TONE which is now 107.2 Hertz (Don't ask me why.....)

The gateway is set up in echolink so all standard dtmf tones are in use. In the future the gateway will be brought into line with other gateways in Sidmouth and Exeter under the "Exeternet" project umbrella but we will keep you informed about that.

The eqso sytsem will be active soon on 6m, the frequency not yet confirmed.

73'S

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all

Geoff
M0AGI
Exmouth

Geoff has announced that the Exmouth gateway will be returning to air on an attended basis shortly. Geoff is still awaiting confirmation of the re-issue of the MB7IEX callsign for unattended operation. This means that service availability may be restricted to some extent for a week or two. We will keep you posted. After some initial difficulty with the ETCC frequency cooordination they have agreed to allow Geoff to retain the original frequencies although strangely they have insisted on changing the CTCSS tone requirements. So if you have programmed your radio for Exmouth gateway you will need to change the CTCSS tone to 107.2 Hz instead of the usual 77 Hz.

We are still experimenting and evaluating the benefit of running a gateway cluster around Devon to cover the difficult terrain. Shortly Exmouth, Sidmouth and Exeter gateways will all operate on a common conference server and it will be possible to access different parts of the region through any of the gateways.

The Calne gateway is operational again. Most days you will find the gateway on 430.050 MHz with a 94.8 Hz CTCSS tone required to call through the gateway.

Ofcom have sent through the renewed NoV for G7FEK's gateway at Calne. This will be back on the air shortly on 430.050 MHz. CTCSS will remain as 94.8 Hz.

MB7IEX Update
Firstly we would like to welcome Geoff, MB7IEX keeper, to the Exterenet group and we are hoping that MB7IEX will be back on the air shortly as it provided a useful service filling in gaps not covered by Exeter.

On Geoffs behalf we are negotiating clearance of the original frequency rather than allocating a new one proposed by ETCC since this is the most spectrum efficient solution. If this is not possible we have also suggested 145.3375. Field testing and our computer prediction shows that MB7IEX will not interfere with Taunton, now on the original MB7IEX frequency. The frequency proposed by RSGB Emerging Technology Co-ordination Committee, 144.8375 is not ideal since it will be just 12.5KHz from Sidmouth only 9 miles away and with significant footprint overlap causing a risk of adjacent channel splatter with user stations operating is such close proximity to eachother. We will keep you posted with developments.

G7FEK-L update
The G7FEK gateway at calne was switched off on 27th November as we are still awaiting NoV renewal.

M0KFW-L Update
Exeter is due for renewal in two weeks and Ken, who has already contacted the ETCC, is hoping that this one will go smoothly.

Mike, G7FEK was down again this weekend installing the new computer and networking hardware and radio equipment for MB7ILO.

The system is now completely self contained and uses a hardy maxon radio, built to military specification - so it should survive our abuse !!.

Our next project will be the upgrade at Exeter. This eQSO gateway is running on the original temporary laptop computer originally installed by Mike on the very first gateway !! It has been surprisingly stable but the time has come for a new one.

MB7ILO Sidmouth Internet gateway will be down for scheduled system upgrades on Saturday 1st December from 2pm. The work is expected to take about 2 hours.

We have today received the formal notification that supports the unattended operation of the new gateway at Sidmouth.

This is great news as we may now bring forward the implementation of 24 hour operation on the VHF service.

Many thanks to all those involved and the RSGB and Ofcom for their help and support.

Exeternet Group

After extensive on-site testing and many late nights at M1OOO's second home the Sidmouth Observatory, M1OOO-L will shortly be live 24/7 with the new MB7ILO callsign. We are just awaiting the green light while this part of the licensing is finalised. In the meantime tests will continue when Iain can be at the site which is usually very often and very late!!

M0THJ provided the computing hardware, and the RF system, currently an IC-706, will be replaced with a heavy-duty PMR unit donated and programmed by Peter at Garex Electronics, to satisfy the anticipated high demand through the link.

During extensive on-site testing, the system has been surprisingly stable with mobile stations reporting a good RF footprint. Plans are advanced for upgrading the Gateway in Exeter, and possibly Exmouth, to be linked in with Sidmouth, which should provide good mobile coverage in South and East Devon, and parts of mid Devon, under the 'EXETERNET' project originally proposed by Mike, G7FEK.

Many thanks to those who've supplied time and hardware for the project and those who have assisted with trials:

G7FEK M3HUS M0HXT G0UIL M0THJ G6XUV G7HFS G4KEE M1APU

Please visit
http://www.qrz.com/M1OOO
for more details.

The gateway is operating on: 144.825MHz / 77Hz CTCSS

Signal reports and comments to:

m1ooo (AT) gb2nlo.com

The M1OOO RF Internet gateway at Sidmouth is currently in testing phase. Operation will be regular but the system will be shut down late at night or if Iain cannot be at the site.

An application has been submitted for 24/7 unattended operation and we are hoping that this will be granted shortly.

SIDMOUTH OBSERVATORY'S SOUTHWEST ASTROFAIR SAT 11th AUGUST 2007 WAS A GREAT SUCCESS.**** The Event was blessed with fine sunny weather and next year's date has been pencilled in for Sat 9th August 2008. Evening Visitors were treated to a display of the Perseid Meteor Shower, use of the telescopes and two passages overhead of the International Space Station. Our Field Day Radio Station was active with Voice, CW and Slow Scan TV (SSTV) throughout the Event and attracted lots of interest from the public and visiting Amateurs. www.gb2nlo.com

BigL 1395 KHz AM / Sky 0190

On the morning of Monday
13 August, Big L 1395AM returns to its pirate roots (for a couple of days
anyway). Mike Read will commence broadcasting from an American gun-boat off the
Frinton and Walton coast at 9AM to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the
demise of pirate radio.

Expect Big L's usual fun and frolics and a few special guests to celebrate
this historic occasion.

www.bigl.co.uk

Radio Caroline - Sky 0199

Radio Caroline is running a
series of Special programs on its satellite (SKY 0199) and its web streaming
outlets to commemorate this event. The programs include many clips of recordings
of early radio Caroline programs.

Radio Caroline Website

The second annual South West Astronomy Fair takes place at the Norman Lockyer Observatory overlooking Sidmouth, Devon, on Saturday 11th August 2007. Doors open at 09:00 and close at 18:00.

Last year's Fair was a triumphant success for the Observatory and only better things are promised for this year!

http://leyenn.net/nlo/astrofair/astrofair.html

John Healey, MP for Wentworth in South Yorkshire and a Minister of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government (named 'floods minister' by the press) visited the groups stand. He was met by Ian G3ZHI and told about the work of RAYNET and how amateur radio can be used, on behalf of user services in times of disaster.
Ian also briefed him on the work of the Sheffield and Rotherham RAYNET groups in the recent South Yorkshire floods.

Article...
http://www.raynet-uk.net/news/show.asp

GB2NLO Sidmouth Observatory Radio Station is on the air 3.700MHz to 3.750MHz every Tuesday night from approximatey 2030 UTC.

The Nov was receved and all is OK.

Best wishes for Christmas and a happy 2007 to all my friends in Radio wherever you are in the world.

Mike, G7FEK

Tests were carried out today after reports that it was not possible to access the Exeter eQSO gateway. We could not find a problem but levels were re-adjusted and the perfomance tested. The situation will be monitored.

The Exmouth eQSO gateway also had excessive audio into the network apparently for some time and this has no been rectified. Further fine tuning of the Exmouth eQSO gateway will continue tonight.

Your Feedback is Needed
It's a shame that no-one reports back problems when they find them. I'd rather be notified of a problem than find out that someone has chosen not to use the system because it's not working, via the gossip channel. Please lte mw know if you encounter any problems and we will do our utmost to solve them. Contact details are on this website.

Thank you for your support

Gatekeeper bug fix.

The release 2c of gatekeeper has a bug with the logging in which the message gateway enabled is logged when the gateway is disabled.

This has been fixed and the update 2d is available at www.g7fek.co.uk/software

This is an important update if you use the logging feature.

Ofcom today published draft regulations that, when implemented, would legalise the use of low power FM transmitters, which can be used to connect MP3 players and other personal audio devices wirelessly to radios and in-car entertainment systems.

Low power FM radio transmitters such as the �iTrip� are currently illegal to use in the UK and continental Europe because of the potential to cause interference to broadcast services. However, Ofcom is responding to consumer demand for the use of these devices and has led negotiations in Europe to develop a harmonised approach which will minimise the risk of interference.

Today�s announcement follows a 10 week public consultation; draft amendments to the Wireless Telegraphy Exemption Regulations 2003 required to implement this change will be open for a further four weeks� consultation. Subject to consideration of the responses, Ofcom intends to bring the new regulations into force in early December 2006.

The publication of the draft regulations is part of Ofcom�s overall approach to reducing the regulatory burden on stakeholders while encouraging the innovative use of the UK�s finite spectrum resource.

CB radio and low power devices

As well as allowing the use of low power FM transmitters, the draft regulations propose to deregulate Citizens� Band services, allowing around 20,000 licensees to use short-range transmitters without the administrative and cost burden of an Ofcom licence.

The draft regulations will also make more spectrum available to meet consumer demand for other low power devices such as hearing aids, walkie-talkies, alarms systems, tracking and tracing systems and meter reading devices. Under the proposals, these will be able to operate in the 169.4 -169.8125 MHz band.

The deadline for responses to the draft regulations is 6 November and the full document can be found at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/exemption/

Ends.

Gatekeeper 98 version 2 is available for download. There is also a Windows XP only version available soon with more functions. I have put the 98 version up because it will work on older computers used by many gateway operators because they are cheap !!.

Please register a valid email address so that I can send you a key and keep you informed of updates.

Please click on the gatekeeper link on the left to download the setup file.

Jon NB0X died September 16, 2006 at just 46 years old. Jon will very much be missed. He was one of a minority of Hams who made the radio fun and interesting. Knowing how to make people laugh is one of the greatest gifts anyone can have. 73 Jon.

The radio station Big L named after the 1960,s pitate radio station Radio London, is back on Medium Wave from Holland on 1395 KHz. The radio station has been envolved in a dispute over ouput power and unpaid bills and the transmitters were turned off last year. Although broadcasting via the Internet and Sky channel 0190 the station will be heard on medium wave tonight from 10pm for the first time in many months.

The radio station produces programs in a casual free radio format which makes a change from todays formula commercial stations. For details visit www.bigl.co.uk

gatekeeper version 2 is now testing and should be ready for release in September. This new version of the gatekeeper software allows the RF gateway to move to different rooms at predetermined times as well as the original features of version 1.

The gatekeeper software is being updated. The new version will have a new feature to allow automatic change of eQSO conference room at predetermined times. This feature will allow for a greater spread of gateways around eQSO and for gateways to automatically join regular nets. I am really looking forward to completing the software but as usual it has been delayed by lack of time. If you need the original version please contact me by email as the download has been removed.

My eQSO gateway at Calne, Wiltshire is operational for testing on 430.050 with CTCSS of 94.8 MHz. A full service is planned once the new antenna is installed. Operation will be on eQSO but not necessarily in 101 English. The gateway will be operated in different conferences (rooms) at different times and i intend to synchronise this with other gateways around the world. This plan will reduce congestion in 101English and make the system more versatile. DTMF will also be provided with the codes the same as Exeter. More soon.

Some minor changes have been made to the website navigation as some people said they found the small text on the menu hard to read. I have changed the menu to make it easier to read.

I am planning a major overhaul of the site in the Autumn, as soon as time allows.

The Exeter eQSO gateway at M0KFW-L is now back to normal operation after essential maintenance and replacement of the transmitter.

Externet is a conference (room) on eQSO where the Exeter, Calne and some other RF gateways are parked.

The primary purpose is a place to chat without blocking 101english and to host the two gateways that I look after.

The Exeter and Calne gateways both operate on 430.050 MHz simplex with a CTCSS tone of 94.8.

It is planned that the exeternet gateways will all use the same DTMF control codes and the conference will also be accessable via Echolink from a PC or via a RF gateway. The Echolink node number allocated is 67174.

You can switch any of the gateways to 101english if needed via DTMF tones and the gateways will default back to Exeternet automatically when quiet, making the use of DTMF optional rather than necessary.

The new version of eQSO gatekeeper software (available soon) will allow us to start and stop gateways at different times in diffrent servers and rooms. This will enhance eQSO further and make it more interesting because gateways will appear at various sheduled times from all sorts of locations instead of remianing static in one room or on one server.

That's about it for now. Keep coming back to the site for further updates.

The exteter gateway will now be running in its own conferece room on eQSO called EXETERNET. This will mean it is possible to connect to Exeter via a PC client without going through all the gateways in 101ENGLISH. This allows us to stimulate more varied conversations on eQSO and run a regular net which is something we are planning for the summer.

The gateway at Calne, Wiltshire will also be tied to the conference and G7FEK is considering this to be a combined Echloink / eQSO port thus allowing Echolink users to join in. This also raises the possiblility of extending the range of GB3SW via the gateway link at other times.

Mike, G7FEK is also looking at providing our own DTMF option for eQSO so that it will be possihble to change conference and control the crosslink remotely.

For details contact Mike, G7FEK via this site.

The usage of the eQSO gateway in Exeter on 430.050 is almost non existent. There has been little feedback or support for the project since the opening of GB3SW

Myself and Ken have discussed whether it is worth keeping it open. If anyone wants to see the gateway remain, please contact me or leave a message in the guestbook on this site.

GB3SW
Thanks to G0BCO for GB3SW. I'm pleased that we finally got an internet linked repeater in Devon, its a shame that GB3EX's keeper is so reluctant to keep up with the times.

My UHF gateway at Calne in Wiltshire will use Echolink and be linked at times to the GB3SW repeater in Honiton. This allows me to keep in touch with old friends in Devon which is great.

73 for now. Another bulletin soon.

Mike

Happy new year to everyone. I have been very busy, having recently moved to Wiltshire. I have had to concentrate on work so radio has not been a priority.

I have a NOV for a gateway here in Calne and I may well do something on eQSO soon. The frequency will be 430.050 in line with my other gateways, with CTCSS of 94.8. Please keep an eye on this website for a start date.

The Exeter gateway will be overhauled in the Spring. A new interface, radio and possibly antenna are planned.

That's it for now. Another update soon.

Recent problems with the eQSO gateway on 430.050 have been fixed and this gateway is operating normally. Ken and I are planning a major overhaul of the system very soon as, after several years running 24 hours a day, the equipment is getting a bit less reliable.

If you would like to help with a donation it would be appreciated. We have recieved nothing at all from anyone for a long time.

I notice that Alec G0BCO has now shut down his eQSO gateway at Honiton due to no users. We will of course keep Exeter City eQSO gateway going if it gets used and supported. I fear that someday soon Exeter may end up with nothing. No repeater, gateways or anything as none of these services get any real local support or use. - Sad eh.!!

www.g7fek.co.uk

I will be moving home to Wiltshire within the next month. This website will be getting a major overhaul too. Futher updates to follow.

I'm sad to say that we have had to say goodbye to Tom W9DWC who was one of the nicest hams on the radio. Those of you who use the eQSO gateway may have been famailiar with his friendly voice and his thoughtful operating manner. Our good friend Jon, NB0X has created a tribute page on his website at http://www.nb0x.com/w9dwc.html. Tom will be missed on Earth but I have no doubt that he has gone on to a better place. Best 73 Tom wherever you are!!.

Mike.

The gateway at Saltash is off the air. this was discontinued earlier in the year due to lack of interest. The gateway did not attract any users comments, emails, reception reports and no one asked where it had gone when I swicthed it off. This and the lack of use or support for other repeaters in the area leads me to believe that there is little appetite for Amateur Radio in the South West. I decided therfore that it is pointless to continue the service.

The gateway software has been updated to work with the eQSO DTMF software and is available for download from this website. Please choose gatekeeper from the site menu to the elft of this page.

The new gateway run by Alec, G0BCO is now operational on 145.3375 MHz at Honiton. The system requires CTCSS tone 77Hz. The system allows connection to many UK and worldwide repeaters by dialling in the appropriate DTMF tone sequence.

Full Details are at www.g0bco.co.uk

Both the renewal NoV's, and the new port applications have been issued by DCC/ Ofcom. The planned frequencies of operation are...

Exeter
Exeter is to continue with no changes.

430.050 MHz - Tone F - eQSO 101ENGLISH

Honiton
New service from G0BCO for Honiton / East Devon.

430.075 MHz - No Tone (or Tone F) eQSO UHF Port (On air Jan)

145.3375 - Tone C (77Hz) - Echolink Node 218838 (On Air December)

70.4125 - No Tone - eQSO VHF Port (On Air Jan)

Saltash

This gateway is mainly for reasearch and experimental use and will mostly be on 51.950 or 29.630 as these give best coverage and least interference. It may also be on any of the following ports carrying out various R & D tests using various linking modes / software!!.

Service provided is eQSO and linked to Exeter / Honiton. (Echolink is already served by GB3IE so is not provided on this link).

51.950 - CTCSS Tone 88.5 - Main VHF Port
29.630 - CTCSS Tone 88.5 - Main HF Port
145.2875 - (CTCSS Tone 94.8 mandatory)

Experimental / Additional Ports
430.050 / 434.500 - Very Low Power only
70.2875 - (Experimental No Tone)

DTMF will be provided and full details of implementation will be made available soon.

Merry Christmas from all of the South West Internet Linking crowd.

73

Alec confirms that the 2m and 70cm antennas have been installed. I will be providing the linking controller hardware as soon as it is built.

After discussuion with Alec it looks like the plan is for..

70.4125 MHz & 430.075 MHz on eQSO
145.3375 will be an Echolink Port.

This allows for an extension of coverage on Echolink from that of the Paignton Link as well as the planned extension of eQSO coverage from that of Exeter, both on nearby channels.

The 4m (70MHz) port is just for fun to promote activity on that band. There is some interest in this band in the Southwest and an eQSO port on 101English would bring some regular traffic to the band when it is quiet.

Garex (www.garex.co.uk) are able to supply a range of equipment for use with the gateways and simplex operation on 4m.

No news on the NoV's yet. We did have some problems with the RSGB as regards allocation of 430.075 but as far as I am aware these have been resolved.

Thats the latest - See ya.
Mike

NoV renewals are in progress for Exeter and Saltash. New NoV's are applied for for Saltash and Honiton.

Exeter
Exeter is to remain on 430.050 with no changes plannned.

Saltash
Saltash has not been without its problems with local TVI. It will soon be testing on eQSO with multiple ports on 29.630 MHz, 51.950, 70.2875, 430.050 and 434.500 at various times. If an optimum frequency is found it will replace the existing 430.050 MHz frequency which is subject to some TVI problems at the moment and running very low power.

Honiton
The new gateway proposed for Honiton is planned to operate a 4m port on 70.4125 MHz and a 2m port on 145.3375 Mhz. A 70 cm port is also proposed as an option if 2m is unsuccessful. This will hopefully expand the capture of eQSO by providing access on 2m but also to promote some kind of local activity on 4m (70MHz). Garex (www.garex.co.uk) is able to provide suitable equipment for 70MHz operation.

Please come back to this site for the latest update of our small groups Internet Linking plans for the south west.

Regards,

Mike.

Another Gateway (probably eQSO) is planned for Honiton area. This should give additional coverage beyond the limits of the Exeter gateway. The gateway is likely to be operational on 70.4125 as well as 145.3375 making it more accessable for VHF users and also to encourage use of the 4m band. This is an interesting project and tests will be carried out soon to assess whether these frequencies will coexist at the site.

More details to follow.

(Updated Nov 18)
Hi.

I've now got around to installing something of a ham station here at the home qth.

I am now operational on 10m, 6m, 2m and 70cm with the possibility of 20m and 4m and 23cm Television coming soon.

I can now access GB3DN on 145.6375 with just 1 Watt which is quite useful as some of the Hams I used to talk to near Exeter can also access this repeater. So this might become my new home repeater. I am also in good range of GB3IE, our local Echolink repeater. Other repeaters in range include GB3TR, GB3WD and GB3PL.

So I am on the air again, but what about the eQSO gateway. I was thinking of closing this but I think I will renew the NoV after all. It will be useful for further experimentation at least and I may apply for a lower frequency such as 29MHz or 51MHz which will be less of a problem for TV sets with masthead amplifiers around the site. This will also be a little more interesting than UHF which is already well served here.

All the best,

Mike
G7FEK

Hello website visitors. Since moving to Saltash I have been very busy with work, trying to recover from the impact that moving has when you are self employed. This has meant that not much time has been available for radio. The Saltash gateway is on the air occasionally but still doesn't have a dedicated computer. I'm hoping that by the end of the year I will be able to spend more time with the hobby and keeping this website up to date. Many thanks go to the few who have donated to the Exeter Gateway which has offsett some of the running and equipment costs. Thank you.

G3ZVI has offered a suitable computer to drive the Saltash Gateway. This is good news as it was looking like the Saltash gateway was never going to get on the air!!. TVI is the next issue with so many TV masthead amplifiers in close proximity !!. A QRP service is likely to start soon.

After almost 1 1/2 years in operation the Exeter Gateway may Close.

Ken has said he may wish to close the Exeter Gateway and this is mainly because the low usage does not warrant the efforts and costs involved in keeping it running.

Like all things Amateur Radio if you don't use it you will lose it. Why ?, because sometimes we need to know that we are not just wasting our time and that there are other active Amatuers out there.

If you use the Gateway or think it should stay, please post any comments on this website's guestbook and at least let us know you are still out there - Even if you are just a listener.!!

Talk on Internet Linking
I hosted a talk on eQSO and Internet linking at the Exmouth radio Club last Wednesday, with particular references to the Exeter Gateway. Interest seemed quite high and it is hoped that this may encourage some local activity. I was surprised though how few Radio Amateurs at the club have 70cm UHF equipment since GB3EX is a UHF repeater and has been the primary repeater in the region for many years.

Amatuer radio Activity and enthusiasm is noticably low in the East Devon region and this could ultimately lead to the end of the gateway and the local repeater as well as prevent future projects from evolving. So come on guys and gals, switch off the TV and get on the PTT !!.

I don't have a spare computer for the Saltash gateway and the main computer is now so busy with other tasks I am unable to put the gateway on air full time. If anyone has a spare PC (early pentium will do) they don't need and wish to donate to the service I would be pleased to hear from you.

All the best,
Mike.

The work of the members of West Devon Raynet, based in Plymouth, has been recognised by Plymouth city council, which has awarded them the Lord Mayor's Shield for Outstanding Community Assistance for 2003. The shield is awarded by the council to show its appreciation of the work undertaken by the voluntary sector in the city, especially at large public events. Ian Harley, G6BJJ, the Group Controller, who accepted the shield on behalf of the group said: "It is an honour to receive this award as it shows just how much the work of the whole team is appreciated. They put in a lot of time and effort, much of it in the background at these events, but that is a testimony in itself that the work is done quietly and efficiently with no dramas."

The Saltash eQSO gateway will be on air soon. This was delayed due to other priorities.

Thank`s to a lot of hard work by the Save Gittisham Group we have managed to secure the future of the Gittisham Communuty for now. There are still some concerns for three tennants and also some details are sketchy about the deal which was struck.

The Agents Colvilles and Savills must have learned something about community and human nature ove the last two weeks and that business cannot rule over peoples lives. They could have chosen to work with the community for a solution, but decided to fight them instead which was madness.

I hope that the efforts of this campaign and the worldwide publicity we received act as an inspitation to others in similar situations to stand their ground.

I hope that the British Government and Councils have realised that the 'home ownership' investment culture in the UK, the treatment of tenants as second class citizens and the exclusive use of shorthold tenancies with limited rights, is causing an affordable housing crisis which cannot be ignored. Are we heading towards `buy or be homeless`? This is simply unsustainable.

Britian has a strong economy - yes - but it is a false economy, financed by ever increasing personal debt in the form of loans and mortgages. Soon it will come to a sudden halt if we are not careful.

I wish my good friends in Gittisham well for the future.

East Devon Village Gittisham is struggling to come to terms with the mass evictions imposed on them by the landlord of the estate. This quiet traditional village is a rare piece of English heritage and in time honoured tradition, owned by one family. These people will lose their homes of many years, their friends and traditions if their homes are sold on mass as holiday homes. Visit www.savegittisham.org.uk to pledge your support. This is a very serious issue which affects local peoples lives and the tradition and culture of an ancient English village that could never be the same again. Please support the campaign.

The NoV has arrived for the new gateway at Saltash. The service will be on air soon at an erp of 1 watt. More details soon. DTMF is not supported at present.

An application is in progress for an eQSO gateway at Saltash, Near Plymouth on 430.050 Mhz. 434.500 MHz is also applied for as a backup freq and for further experimentation. a gateway on 70MHz or 50MHz is also being considered.

Click for Status

The DTMF Codes have changed...

Code * * (Reset) is room 101ENGLISH
Code 1 * is now 102ENGLISH
Code 2 * is now Room 200
Code 3 * to 8 * remain as rooms 300 to 800 respectivly
Code 9 * is now ECHOLINK (N2LEN Node 16938) crosslink

The G7FEK room is now longer on the DTMF presets as it has been replaced with 102ENGLISH for general chat use.

Please remember to reset back to 101ENGLISH with * * after completing your qso if you have changed rooms.

Hi Devon radio hams, GB3EX's future is more uncertain as support and usage has not been the best. So if your normally just a listener, put out a call and let us know your there. Come and chat to myself G7FEK, or M1OOO we are on as often as we can be !! I know we only talk rubbish but hey, it's all good fun!! The more users the better for the future of EX and further projects. Your contributions towards site fees, for which the Keeper is again out of pocket for another year, are now more important than ever. And if the MOD get their way, we may loose chunks of 70cm forever so lets show them we need it. Why not click on the link to GB3EX on this website and offer the keeper a small donation to keep the box alive.

Due to abuse on the gateway, access requirements have been changed. To use the gateway you will need to obtain access info by phoning Mike on 07050 645533. If this does not solve the problem then the gateway service will be discontinued for now and the idiot will no longer be able to have his fun. Then he can compliment himself on his clever and worthwile achievement! He has also been heard faintly on EX output freq. where he can do little harm.
DF Location
We now know his location to within about 1/8 mile radius and it is getting easier to DF the more he transmits. When he's found we will prosecute as we have tangeble evidence and we will also be publsihing his voice on this website in case anyone can identify him. - Sorry for inconvenience with acccess.

Today we tested making a contact from M1OOO in Exmouth via the M0KFW eQSO gateway to G7FEK in Saltash on the Echolink repeater GB3IE. Two different systems but we can now link the two together entirely under DTMF control via RF thus removing the restriction of the chosen system for RF users. This was a success and full details of how this works will be published on the website soon. Soon it may be possible to establish a standard for achieving cross system contacts.

We have changed the access requirements to require a PL tone (CTCSS) along with yur transmission. The current PL tone in use is tone B (71.9Hz). The tone in current use can be identified by the letter added to the end of the CW ident.

Yes our NOV was issued on 6th January 2003 and we were on air a few days after. Many thanks to all that have supported us over the last year.

Ken has been doing a fantastic job attending and maintaining the gateway while I have been in Essex and many thanks go to him for his efforts. I will be returning at the end of January and hopefully we can get the Echolink gateway on the air in the Spring. We still don't have many users for the gateway so I will be looking at the possibility of 2 meters for the Echolink service which will be more useful for mobiles. Anyway, I'm looking forward to coming home - Essex is far too noisy and has too many cars !!.

I'd like to wish all users of the G7FEK and M0KFW gateways, and all you radio hams and short wave listeners a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. We are grateful for all the support we have received throught 2003 and hope that we can continue to provide the services thru 2004.

After several delays the new gateway is now operational and giving improved coverage for Exeter and Exmouth. The NoV arrived yesterday (Wednesday) and the new gateway was switched on at 6pm this evening. Please provide us with reception reports using the Guestbook on this site. Thanks.

The DCC chairman has advised me that the status of Closed refers to the DCC website administration and not the NoV. I quote.. 'If you still have the paperwork, then it doesn't make any difference what the web site status is.' I am therefore considering this an error by the DCC admin. So I am putting the gateway back on air as I do not have any paperwork to the contrary from the RA, and the DCC 'closed' email will be ignored. This does mean that the gateway is no longer listed on the DCC gateway list.

The NoV for G7FEK-L has been cancelled without a reason being given. This is most likely that the DCC have cancelled this in order to free the frequency for M0KFW. This is possibly a good sign that the new application may have been successful, but this was an unexpected action which leaves us without any service until the new NoV arrives.

Since M0KFW-L is now awaiting a new NoV for 430.050, the G7FEK-L gateway has been temporarily re-instated on a small dipole antenna with reduced coverage. I'm sorry if the service is less effective but this is a temprary measure while we solve the problems with the M0KFW gateway. - Watch this space for updates !!.

The G7FEK gateway will be going off air on 7th / 8th October as the eQSO hardware and antenna is being dismantled and re-installed at M0KFW. It is possible that there will be no gateway service for a few days.

Interference on 434.475 at night at the new location has made the frequency unusable for the gateway. So we have submitted a new application for 430.050 MHz at the new location. This means that the eQSO service may not change frequency after all. In the meantime, installation is complete. We just need to await a new NoV. The Echolink idea is abandoned for now but an Echolink crosslink is available on the eQSO gateway.

We are testing DTMF on the eQSO gateway on 430.050. The codes are as follows

Rooms
* * - reset to 101ENGLISH
* n n n # - go to room nnn. (102 - 109)
Presets
1 * - G7FEK room
2 * - N2LEN Echolink crosslink (16938)
3 * - Room 300
8 * - Room 800 etc.

Please send * * to reset back to 101ENGLISH.

Please do not use DTMF tones when the gateway is busy.
This service is experimental - More details to follow.