THE CATSWHISKER - MAY 2000
Newsletter of the South Dorset Radio Society
Editor - John Rose, M0BQO - 45, Ringstead Crescent, Weymouth. DT3 6PT
Hello again members and readers. You will be able to read more specific details of the AGM business later on but suffice to say here that it was a most useful meeting in many ways.
There was a good attendance, a lot of voices heard and some fresh ideas put forward. The Committee has almost entirely changed - only the Secretary remains of the original officers.
It is appropriate to express our grateful thanks to Bill, G3EAT for his sterling work as Hon. Treasurer (no pun intended!); and to Mike G0NEV who has chaired the Club meetings with such charisma over the years, making his the voice of the SDRS. It will be a difficult act to follow, but they can be sure their advice will be called upon in some way.
We greet our new Chairman, Rob Hodges G0RYL. He may be assured of our support and goodwill. Likewise Emma Illsley M1CCJ, appointed treasurer to keep the funds healthy.
I hope we realise that the new Family Membership has two sides: OK for families, as it saves them some money; not so OK for SDRS coffers as it loses us some. Hence, greater emphasis will be placed on fund-raising and generous donations for such delicious grub as Thelma and others have lavished on us recently.
Best wishes to all members and those yet to join in the next twelve months.
John, M0BQO
ALL FOR EMMA!
Just a reminder - your Annual Subscription may be overdue. Treasurer of SDRS, Emma, M1CCJ, would appreciate your offerings as soon as possible so that she can clear some of the heavy overheads.
NOVICES COURSE
A new NRAE course is about to start (May 4th).
Please inform Neville 2E1HFY if you are interested in joining it.
FOR YOUR DIARY
May 2nd - Colin Pearless will talk and lead discussion relating to a possible RAE course. Please, if you know of anyone interested in Amateur Radio, get them to come along to hear and join in. There is a real possibility of such a course getting under way, but numbers are critical.
June 6th - Robert G0RYL on Moving-coil Meters (setting up and calibrating)
July 4th - SDRS annual Barbecue and Car Boot Radio Sale, at Victoria Inn, Knights in the Bottom, Chickerell.
INTERNATIONAL MARCONI DAY
It is now almost upon us! April 29th at the New Barn Field Centre, Bradford Peverell.
Friday April 28th: if you can help Mike G0NEV with setting up, please be at the site in early afternoon. As Mike is our co-ordinator for IMD, he will be happy to answer your queries.
Mike's phone number is 835318.
Catering It would help Carol Hodges if she had advance notice of who'll be there. Please contact her (see back page panel) so she can organise the food. Donations of money or food will be appreciated.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The SDRS Annual General Meeting took place on 4th April. About twenty were present, including some guests who joined the Club on the night.
Treasurer’s Report
Bill G3EAT reported slightly better figures than last year. More income was derived from donations and snack profits but there is a desperate need to recruit new members.
A £20 donation to cancer research was authorised on behalf of silent key G3AVV.
Bill announced his intention to resign from this office; the meeting endorsed a vote of thanks for his years of service.
Chairman’s Report
Mike G0NEV in his valedictory address overviewed the story of SDRS over the years of his chairmanship, and the Special Events he had been involved with. He welcomed the prospect of a new-look Committee which hopefully would encompass interests from ladies and the VHF part of the radio spectrum.
Awards
The Spirit of Amateur Radio trophy was balloted, with M0BQO and G0NEV scoring equally, so it is shared for the year.
In the interests of reviving the Constructor’s Cup which has not been awarded for some time, the meeting agreed to devote future March meetings to constructional topics.
Committee
Chairman Robert Hodges, G0RYL
Treasurer Emma Illsley, MICCJ
Secretary John Rose, M0BQO
Others John Illsley, M0BQQ, Neville Bridle, 2E1HFY and Mrs Carol Hodges.
Co-opted, to be invited: Alex Shannon G3KKJ.
Subscriptions
Normal - remaining at £10-50
Student - 2-50 for full time students under the age of 21.
Family - £15 for husband and wife (or equivalent).
Youth wing - Neville’s suggestion to form a sub-committee to explore the implications of forming a youth-oriented group was accepted. (See ‘Sowing the Seed’, March Catswhisker.)
Honorary Life Membership - Unanimous agreement to give Mrs Dolly Dean (XYL of the late G0NRQ) honorary life membership.
THE CHAIRMAN’S
GREETING
Robert G0RYL
Hi, Just a brief few words to say ‘Welcome’ to all members in this new year of the SDRS calendar.
The Club although being the same ship, does have a slightly different steering crew since the AGM, where the group allowed two very Long Standing Committee Members some well deserved ‘Shore Leave’, i.e. Bill (G3EAT) and Mike (G0NEV). I can only pass on my thanks to them, (and John M0BQO who is still with the committee), from all of the members, and myself, for their hard work and dedication over the previous years. Their efforts resulted in the handing over of the affairs to the new committee a very simple matter.
And so to the new steering group, the first full committee meeting took place on Tues 18th April at Neville’s (2E1HFY ) with all in attendance, the meeting went well with many suggestions coming forward for the coming year. The initial concern was obviously to cater for the monthly Club Meetings and to this end dates to October appear to be in hand, with other issues in reserve for later, these will require further organisation.
I was however badgered by Neville and Carol (my XYL) to give a talk in June on meters, (not the tape measure version), following on from an article that appeared in a well known Fairly Local Radio Magazine. This will include Repair, Modification, Adjustment and Calibration of Moving Iron, Moving Coil and Air Damp analogue meters, together with a brief description of their limitations, some digital issues will also be covered. Handouts will be made available to those who wish a guide associated with the relatively simple mathematical formulae involved.. This should suit all levels of expertise, except the brilliant!!!.
There appeared to be a definite interest within the committee to endeavour to arrange ‘Extra Curricular Activities’, other than the Club Nights. This involved areas such as HF Field Day, Contests and outings, etc, these are currently being evaluated by committee members and news of them will obviously be communicated to you when we have further information.
NOTE :- So if you have any particular areas of interest, that you wish to share with others, now is the time to contact a committee member.
Bye for now, Rob (G0RYL) - Chairman, South Dorset Radio Society
COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT
At the Committee Meeting on 18th April the following points were discussed and/or decided:
Finance
New signatories for transactions are now Emma M1CCJ (mandatory, as Treasurer), plus one of John M0BQQ and Mrs Carol Hodges.
Club Meetings
Suggestions were made and agreed including multi-demonstrations of data communications, simulating a contest, A talk from Radiocommunications Agency, SDRS 40-years celebration (2001)
Contests
A Contesting sub-committee was appointed, consisting of Alex G3KKJ and John M0BQQ.
HF and VHF contests are to be attempted, also a VHF Field Day operated exclusively by Novice licence holders.
Suitable locations are sought for these events, in the Weymouth area.
John M0BQQ would like to organise a DX-pedition but that might need sponsorship.
Raffle
There was support for holding a raffle. This may take place monthly, or tickets may be available monthly for a quarterly draw. Or variations on the theme. It would be kind for members to give suitable prizes.
Next Committee Meeting: Tuesday 16th May. Any requests for discussion please contact Secretary M0BQO
SDRS COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Rob Hodges G0RYL - Chairman 820400
John Rose M0BQO - Secretary 832057
Emma Illsley M1CCJ - Treasurer 823232
John Illsley, M0BQQ - 823232
Neville Bridle, 2E1HFY - 772806
Mrs Carol Hodges - 820400