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PW 144MHz QRP Contest 2025 – Sunday 15th June 2025

Posted by on June 12, 2025 No comments

Once again some of our members will be up the hill to compete in the Practical Wireless 144MHz QRP Contest.

We will use the callsign GM4YEQ/P and be operating from our usual spot on the Yarrow Swire/Witchie Knowe IO85MM.

The contest runs from 0900-1500UTC (1000-1600 BST).
Members and visitors are welcome to come along and join in or assist, or just see what we do. Bring your own food/drink and suitable footwear for a grassy field. The rough road is suitable for vehicles to drive up to the site but there are deep puddles. Keep dogs under control as there is usually livestock in the field.

We’ll mostly be tuning around or calling CQ on the SSB part of the band (144.150-144.397MHz) but will scan around the FM simplex part of the band for any local callers with handhelds (calling CQ on 145.500MHz in the contest is not allowed).

Exchange is signal report and serial number starting at 001 for the first contact, and 6-character Maidenhead Locator (or approximate location if not known).

Location: Yarrow Swire, off summit of C22 road between A708 (Yarrow) and B7009 (Ettrickbridge). Marked as Witchie Knowe on some maps.
Locator: IO85MM
Coordinates: 55.5215N , 2.9984W 360m (1180ft) ASL
NGR: NT370257 (WAB Square NT32) (NT 37058 25768)
Google Maps shortcut: 9C7VG2C2+JJJ
Closest Postcodes: TD7 5ND (Wester Kershope Farm on north side of the hill on the approach from Yarrow valley) or TD7 5JW (Area covering from our site southwards)
What3Words: /// juggles.police.chiefs (Switch to satellite view)

Click image to open full screen.

Directions:

From Yarrow Valley:

From East on A708 from Selkirk / Philiphaugh turn left just after Yarrow village onto the C22.
From West on A708 from Innerleithen / Gordon Arms / St Mary’s Loch turn right just before the sharp corner at Yarrow village, onto the C22.
The postcode provided leads to this farm. Do not turn off to this farm but continue on the C22 road to the top of the hill.
At the summit, cross the cattlegrid then immediately turn left up the rough track (on the south side of the dyke).

From Ettrick Valley

From West on the B7009 from Ettrick, turn left on to C22 then follow road to the top of the hill.
From East on the B7009 from Ettrickbridge turn right onto the C22 then follow road to the top of the hill.
At the summit turn right before the cattlegrid onto the rough track up the hill.

Antenna Renewal 20th April 2025

Posted by on April 21, 2025 No comments

A group of us came to the club QTH on Sunday to help Colin replace/repair the antennas that had been damaged in the last few big storms.

We had a replacement cobweb antenna in the cupboard ready to be put up, and also the endfed antenna needed to be re-slung over the tree.

We got the old cobweb taken down and dismantled. Bob was going to polish and UV-coat the fibreglass poles with a view of rebuilding the old cobweb so the club could make use of it somehow.

Then the new one was mounted on the pole, unfolded, and put back on the chimney.

Sorry looking old cobweb antenna on the chimney
Sorry looking old cobweb antenna on the chimney
Looking much better now.

The new antenna covers bands 20/17/15/12/10/6/4m.

We didn’t have a chance to test it as there was another group in our room so that’s a task for next Wednesday. We also didn’t have time to work on the endfed.

Many thanks to Colin and George for the bulk of the work on the roof, and Jim, Neal, Bob and Mike for assistance on the ground.

A more productive Easter Sunday than chasing eggs!

Photos from George, Neal, Bob and Jim.

Silent Key – Norman Mitchinson GM0FTJ

Posted by on March 9, 2025 No comments

Sad to report that one of our earliest members and long-time friend to many, Norman Mitchinson GM0FTJ from Selkirk died peacefully on Monday 3rd March 2025 at the Western General in Edinburgh.

His funeral service will take place on Wednesday 19th March 2025 at 12:00 noon at Selkirk Parish Church.
Interment at 13:00 at Kirkhope Cemetery, Ettrickbridge, followed by gathering at the Glen Hotel in Selkirk. All friends are respectfully invited.

Rest in Peace and 73’s Norman

2025 Rally! 26th October 2025

Posted by on November 21, 2024 1 comment

The hall has been booked and we’re already speaking to traders about the 2025 rally.

The date will be Sunday 26th October 2025. We know this clashes with the CQWW contest but most traders still preferred that week.

Traders who wish to book a table for this year but not done so already with Jim, please email:
rallytraders @ galaradioclub.co.uk

All other rally queries (NOT table bookings) to rallyqueries @ galaradioclub.co.uk

2024 Rally and Open Day – Sunday 27th October 2024

Posted by on November 21, 2024 11 comments

Many thanks to those who attended the rally, from the club members who helped set up and manned the doors and Bring & Buy, traders who came and offered something for everyone to see and buy, and the visitors who made it another great rally.

See you next year!

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