MB7IAH

Today I received a very nice email from Ofcom. It was my NoV for my echolink node.

MB7IAH

Whilst I won’t be able to get it up and running this weekend because we have guests I hope to have everything up, running and ready for use early next week.

There is a restriction of 1.6w TX output using the 1/2w dipole (vertically polarised) but I’m keen to get the thing up and running. Eventually It’ll all be on the RPi but for now it might be quicker to install onto one of the old netbooks and to use that as a way of optimising audio and tx settings before going headless. There are a few restrictions on its use but they are perfectly sensible and being able to be unattended is a real bonus.

Exciting times. Here’s hoping it’ll get used by more than just me.

Alex Hill, G7KSE, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Cumbria, UK. Contact him at [email protected].

3 Responses to “MB7IAH”

  • Philip McCleary N4LNE:

    Hello Alex
    I read your post and I think I missed something. Do you have to get special permit of some type to set up an unattended Echolink node? If I am reading correctly there are also other restrictions about the antennas and power output.
    WOW that sounds rough for something that should be simple to setup and operate.
    Can you share what the other restrictions are and why you think they are “perfectly sensible”.
    Alex I am just trying to understand why the restriction when here I would hook up an antenna, connect a radio and computer, setup the sysop side of Echolink and put it on the air at whatever power I wished. Our club repeater has an unattended Echolink node in place 24/7. Our Node is w4gr-r check it out sometimes.

    73’s
    N4LNE

  • Alex, g7kse:

    Yep. We’ve got to get permission from the grown ups to have any kind of repeater. Echolink or otherwise. There are reasonable reasons behind the intentions but they can be a bit draconian. The restrictions are to stop frequency abuse.But they come with problems.

    1.6w may be a reasonable amount of power in a heavily built up area but at my qth it will likely only serve 3 amateurs. Myself included. This is a combination of ‘ham density’ and topography.I get the feeling that this might be a quiet node.

    The sensible restrictions are that there are named people who can turn it off.

  • Philip McCleary N4LNE:

    Hello Alex

    Thanks for the reply. I was really curious to see the difference in what
    others countries do/require of the local hams.
    We take for granted that here in the USA that once licensed we have
    the ability to do just about anything we want with in the
    very broad scope of the rules.
    Thanks again the lesson in what rules others have to live with.

    73’s
    Phil N4LNE

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