All posts by Mark Smith

I am a UK amateur radio ham, first licensed as M6INI, now as a full license holder M0INI. I also use the CB radio as 26TM998 "spark transmitter". Enjoy the website, and I hope to also enjoy a QSO with you on the air, 73, Mark M0INI.
Awards, Events, West Manchester Radio Club

Paul Sargeant – Services To The Club Award
Paul Sargeant – Services To The Club Award avatar

Last night, at the West Manchester Radio Club’s annual general meeting, I was awarded the “Paul Sargeant” services to club award for my continued service over the last four years for being the club secretary.

I am very proud to receive this award from our club President, Les Jackson G4HZJ (left), myself Mark Smith M0INI (right).  It means so much to me for receiving this special award.

When I took over, there was very little previous history due to COVID, and I had to piece many things together, and bring some stability to the club’s admin.  I served under two Presidents, firstly Stan Batchelor M1HLL, then for the last year, Les Jackson G4HZJ, supporting them both for their committee meetings, annual general meetings, and even a extra ordinary general meeting, further supporting a minor change to the club’s constitution.

I have not stood for re-election as my circumstances have changed, however, I have loved my time as club secretary, and I hope to support the new secretary Dennis Anderson G6YBC in my old role.  I intend to remain a loyal member of this club for many years to come.

Photo kindly courtesy of Tony Adams G7OHA.

West Manchester Radio Club

Stepping Down As WMRC Secretary
Stepping Down As WMRC Secretary avatar

I have been a member of the West Manchester Radio Club for more than 15 years, having studied for my foundation license with them.  However, since 2021, I have been the Secretary of the club, but, now my circumstances have changed, so I have decided to step down as Secretary of the club.  Here is what I said to members…

I announced at the committee meeting on Thursday that I plan not to stand for re-election at the AGM.
As some of you know, I live 55 miles away (as the signal propagates), but a more realistic 69 miles away by road.
When I first became Secretary some years ago, I could always do business up here, but in the last 18 months this has changed such that I now have to come up especially for committee meetings or other events.
This means a 140 mile round trip, typically 2.5 hours coming north due to traffic and 1.5 hours home, leaving me tired the following day.
I still plan to remain a member of the club, and help out where I can, however I will be the DX member.
I have already received interest in the Secretary role, and this has a nomination. However, in the interests of fairness and openness I am making this all known to all members.
If anyone is interested in *ANY* role on the committee, please let me know. Without committee help and planning, we would not have the excellent club that we all love.
Mark Smith M0INI
Club Secretary

An end of an era, but, the new incoming secretary who will be elected next month will do a fine job, and I will support who ever is voted into post.

Events, West Manchester Radio Club

Red Rose Rally 2025 Successful
Red Rose Rally 2025 Successful avatar

Today was the West Manchester Radio Clubs Red Rose Rally.  Over 250 people attended the event, which was judged a success despite it being in an unfortunate smaller venue that cannot be helped.  The club is working on this for a larger and affordable venue.

As secretary of the club, I arrived just before 10am, and offered my services to cover any job position to relieve people allowing them to take a break.  I managed to get involved in taking the money on the door, selling raffle tickets, folding the raffle tickets, clearing up used cups and plates, sorting out the car parking issues, asking vendors to keep the isles clear, helping on the bring and buy.  At 1pm, I did the announcement of the draw, thanking everyone for coming, and inviting Dave Wilson from the RSGB to draw the raffle tickets.  Like everyone else running the rally, a busy day for all.

The main raffle prize, a Yaesu FT70D, was won and collected on the day, and the 2nd prize of a £20 cheque and cap from our sponsor, was won by a newly licensed amateur who only passed his foundation level exam this week on Wednesday..!

I did manage to take a break myself in order to enjoy one of the delicious bacon baps.  And, there may be every truth in the rumour that an hour later I participated in trying one of the sausage baps too.  A big thank you to the kitchen staff for the presentation of the food.

And lastly, a big thank you to all the volunteer members of the West Manchester Radio Club for helping out and making the rally possible.

Events, Operating

DXpedition South Andaman Isles 2025 – Callsign VU4AX
DXpedition South Andaman Isles 2025 – Callsign VU4AX avatar

Expedition News

DX-Adventure is thrilled to announce our upcoming DX-pedition to the beautiful South Andaman Islands (IOTA AS-001) operating as VU4AX.
From March 10th to March 20th, 2025, an experienced team of 12 operators will be active from South Andaman, operating 6 stations around the clock on bands from 10m to 160m (incl. WARC + 60m), using CW, SSB, and DIGI.  Months of careful planning and preparation have brought together an international team of experienced DX-peditioners, including: ON4AMX Marc, ON4HIL Patrick, ON5UR Max, ON5RA Pascal, ON5TN Karel, ON6CC Marc, ON7FT Jonas, ON7USB Geert, ON7RU Franky, ON8AZ Francis, PA3EWP Ronald, PA9M Marcel.
Six stations mean a lot of material and it is a big challenge to transport it all to VU4. With 1.150kg of equipment meticulously prepared, we will try to offer the best experience possible for you, covering 24/7 operations to maximize the change on having a QSO with us. VU4 ranks as #28 for the USA and #53 worldwide, making it a rare and exciting challenge.
Needless to say, your support is essential to make this DX-pedition a success. We deeply appreciate our sponsors and suppliers for their ongoing support and welcome further contributions to help us achieve a memorable DX-pedition.
Stay updated with the latest news at www.dx-adventure.com.
Events, Radio Rallies, West Manchester Radio Club

Red Rose Radio Rally 2025
Red Rose Radio Rally 2025 avatar

Next month sees that winter radio rally for my radio club, the West Manchester Radio Club and will be held on Sunday 23rd February 2025 from 10am onward.

Red Rose Rally Venue

Due to work being carried out in the usual hall, there will be a change of venue, and the Red Rose Rally will now be held at Mather Hall (Postcode: WN7 2PJ) instead of the usual St Josephs Hall.  However, please use the same car park.

Personally, I am very interested in the 27MHz / PMR users meeting, however, full details of the radio rally are on the West Manchester Radio Clubs website at: Red Rose Rally.

Radio Rally Update

I understand that the trader tables at this years Red Rose Rally are 5ft not 6ft, due to the venue only being able to supply 5ft tables, however, the good news is that the price for a table is the same price.

Events, West Manchester Radio Club

West Manchester Radio Club Christmas Party 2024
West Manchester Radio Club Christmas Party 2024 avatar

Last night, I enjoyed a brilliant night at the West Manchester Radio Club‘s Christmas Party.  Every year, my club puts on a tickets only Christmas Party where we all have a get together, have a lovely buffet and enjoy a quiz.  At the end, the ticket price includes a random draw for a bottle of something for you to take away.  Although, I never seem to win the whisky..!

For the last three years, being the Secretary, I have stepped up and done a quiz with a range of categories to make everyone have a jolly good think.  As it is only for fun, the club provides a box of chocolates for the winning team.  This year, the winning team scored 42 out of 50, the worst team, ah hem, 11..!

The buffet we enjoyed was organised by Janet LePuy (thank you) with caterers T&T Sargeants from Leigh who supplied a lovely spread of food, and plenty too..!

Christmas Party

Here are some Christmas party pictures taken courtesy of Peter Nutt G4WLI. Thanks Peter.

If you are into amateur radio, and live in the north west of the UK, then you really need to think about joining this very socially active radio club, it is well worth the membership fee and effort of coming down to the club shack.  Oh, and you don’t always have to wear a Christmas jumper..!

Licensing

UK Amateur Radio Licensing Framework 2024
UK Amateur Radio Licensing Framework 2024 avatar

Here is the latest update to the UK amateur radio licensing framework from OfCom, (Office for Communications – the UK’s licensing body), delaying the roll out of phase 2 and 3 of the licensing to 2025.

AmateurRadioLicensing2024 PDF Download size 167KB

Surrendering of Callsigns

Comment: I don’t mind surrendering my M6INI callsign, (I never had an Intermediate 2E callsign), but for those who for example hold their own callsign in addition to a silent key parent, but also want to continue to hold and use a silent key callsign of that parent as well as their own, will now be forced to chose under this new arrangement which to surrender as only one personal callsign is allowed.  So if both parents are now silent key, you now have to chose between Mum or Dad, sadly.

Licensing, Operating

Update to Tango Mike DX Group
Update to Tango Mike DX Group avatar

A little update to my Tango Mike CB callsign and the TM DX Group’s directory listing.

I moved from Lancashire to Shropshire in 2013, but, I forgot to inform the Tango Mike registrar of the move, so the directory entry for me, 26TM998 no longer reflected my QTH and so needed updating.

Today, I kindly heard back from Simon, G7UFS, that the entry has been updated.

Many thanks Simon.

Here is the Tango Mike directory listing for England.