CQ CQ, CQ 70.4

This is the call that is being heard on the 4-metre band as members of the Southgate Amateur Radio Club take to the air with a supply of Marconi RC626 ex-PMR rigs - all crystalled for 70.4 Mhz.

Marconi RC626

A recent evening at the Club was devoted to recalibrating and tuning some of these rigs, which work very well and give around 10 watts FM output. Requiring the normal 13.8v supply, they make an ideal radio for either base station or mobile use.

A quarter wave aerial for this band is approx 108cm - making it quite a convenient size for mobile use.
Most amateur radio retailers now stock 4-metre band mobile antennas, however a homebrew version should be very easy to knock-up. For base station use, a variety of beams and verticals are also available from retailers, but once again, a homebrew beam or vertical should prove easy to construct and... even easier on the wallet.

Maxon PM 150/SM 4150

Apart from the Marconi sets, there are other
4-metre band pmr rigs appearing on the market including Maxon, Ascom, Tait, etc. A quick scan through the adverts of most amateur radio magazines should hopefully allow you to secure one at a reasonable price.

As you are probably aware, the UK has been one of the very few countries to allow its hams the use of the 4-metre band.

However, just of late, a few more countries have followed the UK's lead and allowed their hams access to this band.

Some have been allocated specified frequencies granted on a special licence, whilst others have been granted a licence for a limited period of time.

Among those now joining the G, GM, GI and GWs on the 4-metre band are:
EH, EI, OZ, OY, YU, S (Slovenia), ZS, ZR, UA, HA, SV (Temporary licence). This can only be good for the band and should help to increase the levels of interest and activity in, what was once dubbed, 'a peculiarly British band'. Listen out too for some of the many beacons scattered around the world.

Various clubs in the UK seem to have made use of ex-PMR equipment. Stevenage, Reading and South Yorkshire are ones that I know about. Other users of the 4-metre band include RAYNET, who are heard quite regularly on 70.4. Members of the Southgate Club hold a regular 4m net every Sunday morning, so please give us a call should you hear us.

I hope that this brief article has gone some way towards whetting your appetite for 70 megs, and that we'll soon be hearing you calling CQ CQ, CQ 70.4

73 Peter G8YNC Peter.Tuck@blueyonder.co.uk

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