Aerial for radio, I am just out of range.

[ericmark]

I have a new hobby, I am helping on the railway, and when not there would like to listen in to what is going on, using a hand held down at the station with duel watch I can hear the local signal box speaking, and get a scratchy reply from the repeater, but across village where I live, can't hear the repeater, so want an aerial which will bring it in.

I am considering a HB9CV, however the frequency of the repeater is not permitted for me to transmit on, so not sure how I can tune it in?

165.200 is well above/below what I can transmit on, only want to listen, maybe a Slim Jim but seems likely I will need to make it, as DAB is much higher, and 2 meter much lower. So any ideas for an aerial that is not too big possibly mounting in the loft.

 

[mattylad]

Eric, as it is well outside of your allowed transmitting frequencies (and no doubt, someone will say out of your receiving frequencies) then there is no need to "tune it in" or ensure it has a low SWR.
Cut the elements to the right length for the frequency and it should be OK.

You can make a HB9CV pointing right at the repeater using https://www.changpuak.ch/electronics/HB9CV.php to calculate the element lengths.
Although it may be easier to make a JPole https://www.changpuak.ch/electronics/J-Pole_Antenna-Designer.php

BTW, what repeater is it thats at that frequency? Railway?

 

[ericmark]

Castle Caereinion is repeater location that is out frequency. I know it may not be totally legal to listen in, but it does increase safety when working on the line knowing where the trains are, so can't see anyone objecting. I could not transmit even if I wanted as don't know the tone.

 

[bernardgreen]

I know it may not be totally legal to listen in

Unless the rules have changed it is not illegal to listen to any legal transmitter.

The legal matters come into play when considering what use is made of any information that is received.

 

[winston1]

Unless the rules have changed it is not illegal to listen to any legal transmitter.

The legal matters come into play when considering what use is made of any information that is received.

Legally you are only allowed to listed to authorised broadcasters and licensed amateurs. If you accidently hear something else you are not allowed to act on it.

 

[JohnD]

only allowed

What is the law that forbids you to listen to anything else?

What penalties does it lay down?

 

[mattylad]

ISTR Wireless Telegraphy Act
The fine is "you have to pay for a TV license for the rest of your life" lol

 

[ericmark]

There is a second reason for looking at aerials, but not sure what is permitted under the licence, there are black spots on the train run, an aerial on the roof of the carriages could help, but one will the licence allow an aerial on the handie, and two would they allow an aerial on a heritage carriage? They are considering a taller mast, but unless they get an alteration to licence the height can't be altered.

So any experiment which improves signal, could then be considered to improve the signal on the train.

I actually get a better reception than the trains own handies, because I have duel watch, so can receive direct if the repeater is out of range. I think now my chance of experiment is over until next year, as when running just one train no need to know where the trains are to authorise tokens, so radios only used for maintenance gang.

But would be nice to say this will work, rather than I think this may work.

 

[JohnD]

ISTR Wireless Telegraphy Act

Where?

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/36/contents

Winston should be answering this, since it was he that made the unsubstantiated claim.

 

[winston1]

Where?

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/36/contents

Winston should be answering this, since it was he that made the unsubstantiated claim.

I CBA to run around for other people who, like yourself, can look it up. Lack of knowledge of the law is no excuse foe breaking it.

 

[JohnD]

You can make up laws if you want. But don't expect to be believed. Did you know that it is illegal to post made-up opinions and pretend they are fact?

 

[winston1]

You can make up laws if you want. But don't expect to be believed. Did you know that it is illegal to post made-up opinions and pretend they are fact?

It is not made up. It is fact. I don't make things up.

 

[JohnD]

What is the law that forbids you to listen to anything else?

What penalties does it lay down?

 

[winston1]

I CBA to run around for other people who, like yourself, can look it up.

 

[JohnD]

I haven't asked you to run around.

not even to put one foot in front of another.

Do you even know what the law is?