An updated and  complete list of ham radio repeaters in italy, is mantained by IK2ANE  in his website, where you can download the  italian repeaters excel file

Here is  a subset of Italian ham radio Repeaters in Tuscany and in Florence area (FI)

Nome	Freq	        shift	         tone	Prov.	QRA Loc
R0	145.600,0	-600 kHz	1750	LU	JN53HW
R0a	145.612,5	-600 kHz	 	AR
R1	145.625,0	-600 kHz	 	LI
R1a	145.637,5	-600 kHz		AR	JN53XL
R1a	145.637,5	-600 kHz	 	MS	JN54BC
R2	145.650,0	-600 kHz	1750	GR
R3	145.675,0	-600 kHz	1750	GR	JN53LD
R3a	145.687,5	-600 kHz	79,7	MS	JN54BC
R4	145.700,0	-600 kHz	 	PI	JN53IP
R4a	145.712,5	-600 kHz		GR	JN52SU
R5	145.725,0	-600 kHz	 	PO	JN53OT
R6	145.750,0	-600 kHz	 	FI	JN53SR
R6	145.750,0	-600 kHz	 	MS	JN54BC
R6a	145.762,5	-600 kHz		PO	JN54NA
R7	145.775,0	-600 kHz	 	MS
R7	145.775,0	-600 kHz	 	SI
R7a	145.787,5	-600 kHz	79.7	FI	JN53SR
RU0a	430.012,5	+1.6 MHz		FI
RU1a	430.037,5	+1.6 MHz		AR	JN53TP
RU2	430.050,0	+1.6 MHz	79.7	PI	JN53IQ
RU2a	430.062,5	+1.6 MHz	146.2	FI	JN53SR
RU3	430.075,0	+1.6 MHz	79,7	GR	JN53LD
RU3a	430.087,5	+1.6 MHz		MS	JN54BC
RU4	430.100,0	+1.6 MHz	 	FI	JN53SR
RU4a	430.112,5	+1.6 MHz	79.7 	MS	JN44XF
RU5	430.125,0	+1.6 MHz	 	AR
RU6a	430.162,5	+1.6 MHz		FI	JN53SR
RU8	430.200,0	+1.6 MHz	 	LU	JN53HW
RU9a	430.237,5	+1.6 MHz	 	FI	JN53LR
RU11	430.275,0	+1.6 MHz		FI	JN53QS
RU12	430.300,0	+1.6 MHz		FI	JN53SV
RU13	430.325,0	+1.6 MHz	 	FI	JN53OR
RU13	430.325,0	+1.6 MHz		MS	JN54AB
RU14	430.350,0	+1.6 MHz	 	GR	JN52RU
RU15	430.375,0	+1.6 MHz	88,5	GR	JN52TV
RU20	431.325,0	+1.6 MHz	88.5	AR	JN53XL
RU20	431.325,0	+1.6 MHz	88,5	FI	JN53SR
RU22	431.375,0	+1.6 MHz	88,5	SI	JN52TV
RU24	431.425,0	+1.6 MHz		PT
RU26a	431.487,5	+1.6 MHz		LU	JN53GU
RU27a	431.512,5	+1.6 MHz		AR
RU28	431.525,0	+1.6MHz	 	MS
RU28a	431.537,5	+1.6 MHz		GR

In the Florence area, a popular repeater is the R6, on 145.750 -600 it is managed by ARI Firenze.

Download a PDF of the latest
IARU R1 Bandplan 2012

or watch a presentation video at UK Six Meter group web site

Few hours ago QRZ.com published a new design interface.
They moved from the full wide screen size to the more common 970 pixel wide template. Much more similar to most of the blogs and news web sites.

One of the main innovations of this interface, is the navigation menu, that using the drop down feature allow a faster access to the numerous QRZ.com features.

While the Main site template has changes, the Forum template has been unchanged, and this is maybe one of the worst things… a so professional web site, with an huge income in founds, I expect could invest more on usability and web design.

In any case, the load time looks faster than before.

Interesting Article published on 22nd November by Fox News concerning amateur Radio Licences that looks are increasing.
That is a surprising data considering that in the Social Networks era, an old and ancient Communication method looks is being discovered by many, and it’s fellowers are increasing.

Watch the Movie here:

Or read the complete article

ARI Milano obrained last october, for temporary period , the permission to operate on the 500 KHz band to develop experiments.

After having obtained such permission, ARI Milano home made a vertical antenna with a capacitive toploading , a Transmitter and a Receiver for that band.

A beacon has been setup with an ERP of 20 mW

This LF Beacon can be received in CW  as IQ2MI and is followed by QRSS3 including the locato JN45NL

Tipically during the day the Beacon is turned off, and is turned on only during the night CET.

You can receive the beacon using a QRSS software like ARGO or other Weak Signal software

More info on this beacon can read at IQ2MI Beacon Page

I’ve ordered the radio at 409shop.hk web site, and have choosen the registered letter Hong Kong  post method to save on DHL costs, that were more expensive that the radio itself.

Unfortunately the package has been intercepted ad italian customs (not all packages get controlled) and therefore I had top pay custom fee, and suffer of an additional 30 days delay on delivery.

Coming to the review, I ‘ve decided not to buy the more famous UV-3R because it was advertised that extenal microphone was not working with the UV-3R model, and therefore I adopted for the more recent UV-200 model, that is basically identical in funcionts, but has a slight different button shape as you can see from the picture.

Unfortunately the external mic that I’ve ordered once pressed keep the PTT hold and it does not release it. It’s not a mechanical problem, but rather a RFI problem, since I’ve noticed that touching the mic cable make the PTT to be released, and I’ve also tested that setting the Power to Low the problem is considerably reduced.

This happens to the enclosed heraphones, but making a small choke solve the problem.

Like all other models, it suffer of the High Speaker volume defect. I know there is a mod published, but since I use mainly while driving the scooter, it does not represent really a problem

Compared to the more robust Kenwood TH-F7E that I own, I can say the the difference is evident. Kenwood transceiver offer a wide variety of functions, like usage of names in memories, a wider spectrum, and excellent selectivity and sensivity and a power of 5 Watts. It’s really worth the money that cost.

From the other side the Baofeng product, has an excellent price to features ratio, since the cost is really ridicolous. One of the main reasons for which I’ve decided to buy one of this radio, is mainly because I use these radios daily and I hold them in the jacket, so having a so small transceiver is much more easy carry on and to put in the jacket.

My Begali Stradivarius

I’ve just started making practice on the air with Morse code. After many years and three courses, I found time and inspiration to start making some contacts on the air in CW.

If you are one of the unlucky operator that found me on CW, accept my apologies…. I’m still learning how to conduct a QSO. My absolute first contact in CW has been with MU/PA9M on 12 meters band on 23rd October 2011.

I’m using a Stradivarius key from Begali, that is my wife’s present for my 40th birthday.

I still finding very difficult to decode high WPM Morse code..but as you may know.. it’s matter of time and practice.

Maybe you already know, maybe not but one of the most interesting places where to learn Morse Code, is Online… yes, using Learn CW Online.

It’s a terrific web site, surely programmed by a skilled CW Operator and superb PHP Programmer. Highly Recommended.

In the mean time     _ _… …_ _

Mercato Radioamatori Scandicci 2011

Tomorrow 29 October will be held the 18° edition of the “Mercatino di Scandicci” in the palazzetto dello sport in Scandicci.
A Check Point DXCC WAZ IOTA will be managed by Mauro Pregliasco I1JQJ

For further information visit the Mercatino di Scandicci web site

Also this year I’ve been in local Scout Group Headquarter for the annual Jamboree on The Air.

Along to some other hams belonging to the local ARI section of Florence, we helped the AGESCI Scout Group Florence 8 to keep in touch with other scout groups using our radio.

Satation Callsign for this event was II5BP

Tuning GAP Titan DX

I had to remove the antenna last week-end due to maintenance works into the roof, so I took the occasion to play a little bit with the Titan tuing rods.

I Found this schema on the net originally made by CT1EFV based on the GAP picture.

I made some minor changes, expecially to the 10 meter part that based on what I read on manual and on the net, was wrong.

I’m sure this picture can help on tuning your antenna.