Click here for more info: www.mcmichaelrally.org.uk

Katherine Kelly who plays Becky Grainger in Coronation Street opened a new Co-Op store just across the road from ML&S.

Several members of the ML&S team hot footed it over to the opening and the photo shows Kelvin Wade from ML&S Despatch with a big grin on his face after Katherine kindly autographed one of Lynch’s new “I’ve been Lynched” T-Shirts. She apparently declined to pose for a wet T-shirt shot. (No idea why).

The T-shirt will be one of the raffle prizes donated by Martin for the fourth coming RSGB Ham Fest in October.

There is a new firmware update (Rev. 2.20) for the IC-7800.

The firmware update will provide the following improvements:

To access this update, click here: http://www.icom.co.jp/world/support/download/firm/IC-7800/2_20/index.html

Using his FT-897 and ATAS 120a Attila can be heard around the UK on 40m and up parked up with his Motorbike

Russell seen here collecting the very first Yaesu VX-8R in the country – from ML&S!

After a very long wait (the UK was due to get deliveries of this important new Handie in October last year), Chris Taylor finally places a new VX-8R in the hands of Russell G7RZF at Sundays Kempton Park Rally.

They are now in limited supply and tipped to be the hottest selling dual band hand held of 2009.

Click here for more VX-8R information.

Icom is pleased to announce details of two, new exciting dualband D-STAR transceivers…the IC-E80D and ID-880H. Both these radios have been designed with ease of use in mind with large LCD displays and straightforward controls. As such, they are the ideal starter radios for any amateur or D-STAR operator. Both models include a new user interface called 'D-STAR repeater mode' (DR mode) which allows the user to access a D-Star repeater in just two steps!

Click here for more details

Following on from a very successful SBS Open Day at ML&S Martin Lynch & Sons in Chertsey, Surrey Air Ambulance were presented with a cheque for £500.

Funds were raised through ML&S customers buying raffle tickets for a prize fund of almost £2000, made up from equipment (and even a London helicopter ride) donation from Kinetic Avionics the design and manufacturer of the famous SBS-1 Real-Time Virtual Radar, ML&S & Yaesu, Icom and Kenwood.

Image shows Chris Taylor ML&S Technical Sales Director and Andy Bustin, representing Surrey Air Ambulance.

Andy also asked us to remind readers that the “Air Ambulance Open Day 2009” takes place on Sunday 31st of May at 11:00-4pm at Dunsfold Park in Horsham. For further details see: www.surreyairambulance.co.uk

The Open Day at ML&S on Saturday was a great opportunity to put new and old faces to Forum contributors, share experiences and benefit from Kinetic and ML&S briefings.

As well as having a good natter with fellow SBS-1 enthusiasts and Chris and his colleagues at ML&S,  there was an informative demonstration of the latest SBS-Resources release by Paul (Halcones) and R1ck11 (Rick).  This included the latest high resolution airfield plans and the new XSL Editor feature.  Those who attended were able to take away a copy of SBS-Resources on a memory stick or you can download from here.  The latest version includes additional airfield outlines and the latest Operator Logos and Silhouettes, courtesy of Jack Ford and Ian Kirby respectively.  The new XSL Editor is really good so if you want to change your Aircraft Details window but were put off by the thought of editing the Basestation.xsl file, fear not.  The XSL Editor does it all for you.

We then had an engaging presentation from David Goodman, CEO of Kinetic Avionic Products Limited, ably supported by his colleagues, Keith, Gaby and Paul.  David gave two presentations, one in the morning and again in the afternoon for those who could only make part of the day.  Paul, Rick and Chris also repeated their presentations.

David provided an interesting insight to the original launch and development of the SBS-1 and Basestation, nearly four years ago.  As well as being a successful businessman, David is evidently a keen aviation enthusiast and passionate about SBS-1 and the enjoyment it brings to so many.

Judging by the reaction, the most exciting news is the development of Basestation 2, targeted for launch this summer.  David demonstrated a new, three-dimensional map and talked in depth about the exciting possibilities that this presented, such as the cockpit view, rendered aircraft and weather overlays.  Clearly the release will include a lot more and the current schedule suggests Beta Group testing in about two months time.

During the question and answer session that followed there was a useful debate about integrating ACARS and allowing peer-to-peer data sharing.

Chris Taylor from ML&S concluded the formal presentations with an informative talk about antennas, coax cable, preamps and the joys of living in Watford.

There was ample tea, coffee and nibbles to keep us refreshed and a raffle in aid of the Surrey Air Ambulance raised £500.  Prize winners are listed on the ML&S website (click here) and for those who can bear to look, lots of pictures from the Open day and a video!

Last but not least, David announced that there are plans for a two-day Summer Party this year at Sywell Aerodrome, near Northampton, comprising presentations, workshops, helicopter rides and lots more fun.  Watch this space!

All in all, a great day.  It was good to meet fellow enthusiasts and get updates from David and Chris.  Thanks to everyone for making it happen, including the SBS-Resources development team and all those who have given their free time to help fellow users, especially those who have developed add-on software and extra data files.

Roll on Summer!

Mike (ANMER)

ML&S were very busy on Monday the 2nd of February. Out of 14 staff 6 turned up. However, no deliveries in or out (let alone customers) allowed them more time to show their creativity and team building skills out in the car park…

There is a new firmware update (Rev. 1.04) for the IC-7700. The firmware update will provide improvements in the software performance for the DSP UNIT.

To access this update, click here: http://www.icom.co.jp/world/support/download/firm/IC-7700/1_04/index.html

Newbury and district ARS licence courses. The next Foundation Course will be held on Sat/Sun 28 February/1st March 2009.

The next Intermediate Course will be held on Sat/Sun 21/22 March 2009 (Theory) and Sat 25 April 2009 (Practical & Exam).

Stocks of the eagerly awaited SBS-1e “Pocket Radar” were delivered from the UK factory to ML&S Martin Lynch & Sons Ltd, on the 19th of November.

Chris Taylor, Technical Sales Director said:

“We still get orders coming through for the previous generation Real Time Virtual Radar, the original “SBS-1”, but customers get very enthusiastic when we tell them of the improvements the new SBS-1e has to offer. It’s not just smaller but has totally unique features like built-in Ethernet, better sensitivity than the previous SBS and is bundled with some amazing new feature rich software”.

“In addition, Kinetic are also giving away the Radio Licence key (worth £30GBP) free of charge to the first 500 orders placed with us or any of our dealers. “

The new SBS-1e pocket Radar is available from stock at £449.95 from ML&S Ltd or any of their dealers in the UK and throughout the world. For more details see: www.VirtualRadar.com

Above image: Avid aircraft enthusiast, Graeme Platts, collecting the very first SBS-1e Pocket Radar from ML&S at their store in Chertsey Surrey.

Above image: Just a small selection of SBS-1e stock seen here awaiting despatch to customers

Martin Lynch has announced that his ‘ 2008 Open day’ at the Chertsey, Surrey shop, will be held on Saturday December 6th and – to quote Martin – “It will be the biggest and best” – and will also feature the favourite ‘Hog Roast’. The event will be sponsored by Yaesu UK, Icom UK, and Kenwood UK and the doors will open at 0800 and close at 1600.

There’ll be free bacon butties for the early birds too! Also on offer will be a live demo of the new SBS-1e Virtual Radar. Staff from Icom, Yaesu and Kenwood will be on site together with Elaine Richards G4LFM, the Managing Editor of RadCom and Rob Mannion G3XFD and Tex Swann G1TEX from Practical Wireless. “And finally” – says Martin – “there’ll be even BIGGER discounts than you’ve ever seen before! So, don’t miss the best day out of the year!”

Further details from Martin Lynch & Sons on Tel: 0845 2300 599 or E-mail: sales@hamradio.co.uk

Dear ML&S Customer,

As you will be fully aware, in recent months, the global financial system has been shaken has been shaken to its core. The reasons for this are many but the blame lies at the feet of those institutions concerned and the faceless individuals who have been controlling them.

However, as is usually the case, it’s the man or woman in the street who will be asked to foot the bill and pay the price.

For almost two years now, the exchange rate between the US Dollar and our Pound Stirling has been around the £1 = $1.90-$2.00. The Yen at £1 = 210.00Y and the Euro at £1 = 1.40 Euro

Events in early November saw this fall through the floor, with the current level of $1.50USD, 145 Japanese Yen and 1.18 Euro, representing a fall of 20-30%.

At ML&S we have always put our customers first and we pride ourselves offering excellent products from around the world at excellent prices. We probably have the largest stock holding of any Ham supplier in Europe and that’s why we can deliver next day delivery with a 95% availability. It gives us lots of headaches getting stock levels right but ask anyone that either visits the store or orders via our web or telephone, we usually say “available from stock”.

What this means is that for all our vast range of products, whether it be from a main UK distributor (like Icom or Yaesu for example) or our overseas suppliers, (Palstar, LDG, CG-Antenna, Hustler, Tigertronics etc) is that prices will increase across the range from mid-November. Yaesu and Icom have already indicated a price hike of 12-22% across the board.

There is never a good time to put prices up, but I know that like other manufacturers and importers, we are not alone in having to deal with this problem. We have tried not only to keep our increases at lower levels than our competitors, but to defer the increases for as long as possible by buying as much stock before the “big three” put up their prices during December.

Thank you for your continued support.

CLICK HERE TO SEE NEW PRICES FROM ICOM UK

Ham Bands being wiped out by new technologies..

Suffering from QRM on the HF Bands? It maybe caused by technologies like BT's HomeHub/Plug systems.

BT vision power-line adaptors. In particular Comtrend adaptors which seem to be the worst of the bunch!

These units are used to establish a network within the home, TV and data signals are passed between the adaptors by means of radio frequency energy directly into the mains wiring of that home. The frequency used is 3-30 MHz. The resulting interference extends many 100's of feet from the household using them. This prevents users of the short wave radio spectrum from being able to use their radios. World broadcast stations and many other services are blocked out by the interference.

We feel this is an assault on our human rights and freedom, preventing us from hearing world band radio. It is also very dangerous as many safety, military, aviation and shipping services will also suffer! Look on You Tube for powerline adaptors. Current EMC regulations say: the electromagnetic disturbance generated should not exceed a level above which radio and telecommunications equipment or other equipment cannot operate as intended.

Clearly these units do not comply and we want them banned and strong regulations put in place to prevent such technologies from being approved for use within the UK in the future. UKQRM on Yahoo groups.

Click here to read more: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/UKQRM/

Better still, click here to sign the petition: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/SaveShortwave/