Category Archives: General

general update or information about amateur radio station M0INI.

General, Operating

ICOM 726
ICOM 726 avatar

As you know, my classic rig, my ICOM 725 failed quite some time ago, and it turned out that the square chip behind the display gave off some smoke.  Since parts were not available, I have missed operating my classic ICOM 725.

Replacement ICOM 725

The search for another ICOM 725 started with an eBay search and a reminder being set up should one come up for sale.  I would even accept a “parts donor” rig, that would allow me to get either one working such was the fun and nostalgia I have had operating my classic rig.

Unfortunately, everything that came up, was at top bat price for a very average rig.  There were no “parts donors” that came available.

So, I widened my search to include the ICOM 726, a very similar rig that also includes the 6 metre band.  I have never transmitted on 6 metres nor 4 metres, so this may be an option should one become available.

After 18 months, the only 725 I saw was a very expensive average condition one, and for 726’s, two, both expensive and in Japan..!

Mint condition ICOM 726

Well last week, Graham M3XXG, posted to eBay a mint condition ICOM 726, and I was very interested.  The price was a little high, but, for the condition, and the fact that it was been well kept drew my attention.

After making contact via eBay, I decided to purchase the rig, and drove over to Graham’s QTH to collect.  The rig has a very nice receive, and we put out some calls on 40 metres, but it was a very busy pile up.  Hay oh, such are the bands sometimes.

So, the 726 is now back in my shack, replacing the failed 725.  I am very pleased with my purchase, and hope to operate it mobile some day as well.

Thank You

A big thank you to Graham, M3XXG, for selling me the rig and for keeping it in such a nice condition.  I certainly will keep it in good condition during my ownership.

General

How FM Radio Works
How FM Radio Works avatar

Whilst browsing YouTube, I came across this brilliant channel explaining how FM works, and in particular how stereo FM works in broadcast transmitters by Drew Kirkman.

The channel is called “Broadcast Blueprint” and the program is at How FM Radio Works: A History and Exploration of Frequency Modulation

None of this is my work, I simply watched the program, however, for effect, the image is a screenshot of the work from this channel.

Drew’s website is at: https://broadcastblueprint.com/

Bolton Wireless Club, General, Memories

New Website
New Website avatar

Mark M0INI
Mark Andrew Smith M0INI

Hello and welcome to my new website for my amateur radio station M0INI.  This is the story of how and why I got into amateur radio.

My father was a radio operator with the Royal Corps of Signals, and had a background in electro-mechanical engineering all his life.  Obviously, with my fathers influence, as a young child, I had an interest in radio.

Edward “Eddie” Smith

After leaving the army, my father was invited to teach with the Marconi School, but decided to go into engineering instead.  He was never licensed.

I have shown a keen interest in radio since before CB was legalised in the UK, however, as a teen, I had a choice, CB or computers, and I chose computers.  This was my first computer, an Acorn Electron, seen here still working today and operated by my son.

Acorn Electron

Like my father, we both didn’t go into a radio background, so it wasn’t until 2005 that I started to show an interest in radio again, and got on the air using CB, resurrecting my old handle from the 80’s of “Spark Transmitter”, a reference to the early days of radio and Marconi.

However, I wanted more, and looked for a radio club to study for my foundation license.

With the help of the West Manchester Radio Club, I quickly became licensed as M6INI, then later as M0INI with the help of Bolton Wireless Club.