TX Factor
Episode 33
In October 2025 we brought you part one of a two-part special featuring some of the action from National Hamfest 2025 at Newark, Nottinghamshire, UK. Hamfest is the UK’s premier amateur radio rally and it’s taken two episodes to ensure TX Factor covers as much of the action from the two-day event as possible.
In this second show we complete our coverage with news from the RSGB, Icom, VMARS and Martin Lynch. And there’s more!
We have chats with Steve Thomas M1ACB, General Manager of the RSGB and Heather Parsons M7OWS, Communications Manager bringing updates of how the Society continues to promote the news and ethos of amateur radio to the world-wide community, helping to keep the hobby fresh in the minds of youngsters and established hams alike.
To see a list of all our previous shows, click here
Show Notes for Episode 33 (TXF033)
Please note that all URL links included in these notes are, to the best of our knowledge, correct and have been tested, although from time to time some may appear not to be working at the time of reading this. Sorry for the inconvenience, however, these things do happen, and a search on Google or similar should provide you with more up-to-date links.
The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) is a sponsor of TX Factor. We are truly grateful for the support the RSGB provides to enable us to produce our shows. However, TX Factor retains full editorial control of all content shown in our episodes.
National Hamfest has its own website, where details and booking info for next year’s show will appear here
For a full list of UK repeaters and co-ordinated gateways and to apply for clearance for a new repeater or gateway go to rsgb.org/etcc
The Amateur Radio Licence Terms and Conditions contain the following information regarding the new rules covering the setting up of repeaters and gateways.
Gateway operation 14. The Radio Equipment may be used as a Gateway and may be operated (but not controlled) by other radio amateurs without supervision, providing that the Licensee: a) ensures that the Gateway transmits at powers no greater than 5 Watts ERP; b) is able to demonstrate that reasonable steps have been taken to minimise the risk of the Gateway causing undue interference to other authorised uses of radio and provide evidence of this if requested by Ofcom; c) is able to close down the Gateway within two hours of being required to do so by Ofcom. d) takes all reasonable steps to ensure that the Gateway is only used by an Amateur; e) remains responsible for the operation of the Gateway and compliance with the terms, conditions and limitations of the Licence; and f) Anyone wishing to establish a link to a Repeater must have the written permission of the Repeater keeper to do so.
Repeater operation 15. Where this is an Intermediate, Full, Full (Club) or Full (Temporary Reciprocal) Licence, the Radio Equipment may be used as a Repeater and may be operated (but not controlled) by other radio amateurs without supervision, providing that the Licensee: a) transmits in accordance with any restrictions as notified by Ofcom; b) ensures that the Repeater transmits at powers no greater than 5 Watts ERP; c) does not operate in a frequency band below 28 MHz; d) is able to demonstrate that reasonable steps have been taken to minimise the risk of the Repeater causing undue interference to other authorised uses of radio and provide evidence of this if requested by Ofcom; e) is able to close down the Repeater within two hours of being required to do so by Ofcom; f) takes all reasonable steps to ensure that the Repeater is only used by an Amateur; and g) remains responsible for the operation of the Repeater and compliance with the terms, conditions and limitations of the Licence.
16. Where this is a Full, Full (Club) or Full (Temporary Reciprocal) Licence, the Radio 6 Equipment may be used as a Repeater Station at powers greater than 5 Watts but no more than 25 Watts ERP, providing that the Licensee: a) transmits in accordance with any restrictions as notified by Ofcom; b) does not operate in a frequency band below 28 MHz; c) ensures that the Repeater is identified using the call sign allocated and published by the Radio Society of Great Britain or any other body stipulated by Ofcom for that purpose; d) is able to demonstrate that reasonable steps have been taken to minimise the risk of the Repeater causing undue interference to other authorised uses of radio and provide evidence of this if requested by Ofcom; e) is able to close down the Repeater within two hours of being required to do so by Ofcom; f) takes all reasonable steps to ensure that the Repeater is only used by an Amateur; and g) remains responsible for the operation of the Repeater and compliance with the terms, conditions and limitations of the Licence.
For ideas and help from the RSGB for promoting Amateur Radio and helping clubs to spread the word and recruit more people to the hobby contact Heather Parsons M7WWS at comms@rsgb.org.uk
Full specs of the ICOM IC-7300 Mk 2 can be found here
For more information about VMARS, the Vintage & Military Amateur Radio Society visit https://vmars.org/ their excellent site includes a very useful archive section containing a massive selection of manuals and tech info for vintage radio gear which are free to download.
How about having a great interactive morse code game at your next public amateur radio event? To find out more about the Morse Battleships game featured in this episode take a look at Alex Johansson’s web page You can buy the game at https://store.steampowered.com/app/1976860/MORSE/
The RSGB has an extensive web site, full of information, great videos and links to all the various resources the society offer the radio amateur here
Email us at info@txfactor.co.uk
