SOUTH DORSET RADIO SOCIETY

CATSWHISKER AUGUST 2001

The newsletter of the South Dorset Radio Society

Posted 27/07/01

A full colour version of this Newsletter with pictures is now available in 'PDF' format and can be accessed from the Catswhisker Index page.

Next SDRS meeting is on September the 4th
 Click here for more information on coming club events

EDITORIAL

First of all I would like to congratulate all those who have just received their pass results for the RAE exam. But also not forgetting the few that didn't manage it this time around and wish them all the best of luck if they should sit it again in December.

I also must report that the last society meeting was a joy and inspiration to me. To listen to Colline G3PGK and watch him disembowelling one of Geoff G0EVW's old television sets while at the same time managing to draw circuit diagrams on a blackboard and finish up with convincing me that I could build an HF transceiver using only the components found in the television set and a few tobacco tins! Well you could knock me over with a ****** better not say it or someone might start to tell me how you could convert it into a satellite receiver or something!

Colline will be writing a series of articles each month, starting next month on how to go about building the transceiver and for those that do manage to follow each step, he will be holding a net sometime next year using the radios.

Don't forget our BBQ at the New Barn Field Centre on Saturday 4th August. This can be combined with a visit to the centre and is a very interesting place to visit for all the family.

International Lighthouse Weekend is nearly upon us again and we have been allowed the use of the same location as last year at the DRA station at Portland Bill. Those of you who are interested in helping with the running of the station or visiting over the weekend should contact Robert G0RYL as only those of you who have had their names added to the list will be able to enter the site for security reasons.

Looks as if there will be plenty happening between now and when the next newsletter comes out. Who knows, I may even see some of you at one of the events or rallies before then and I might even have a new call-sign!

Neville, 2E1HFY He has it's now M5NEV - well done Neville de Geoff! m5nev@g3sds.org.uk

MEMBERSHIP LIST

List of all paid up members since the 2001 AGM of the South Dorset Radio Society :-  SDRS Paid up members

SDRG 2000 - South Dorset Repeater Group News - also see GB3SD News

AGM - SDRG 2000 will be holding an ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING on Tuesday the 7th of August at CHICKERELL CHURCH HALL - Weymouth at 1930 BST.

LATEST NEWS - UPDATE ON GB3SD - The South Dorset Repeater GB3SD had been QRT pending the issue of a new license. GB3SD is now back on!! The repeater was returned to service at 1415 GMT on 13th July. Thanks are due to everyone who have helped restore GB3SD - in particular the RSGB who acted with speed and efficiency to get the licence re-issued. The Repeater Keeper is now Geoff, G0EVW, to whom any reports should be sent.

SUBSCRIPTIONS - Subscriptions will be collected at the AGM, or can be sent to the group's New Repeater Keeper, Geoff Watts G0EVW (who will be holding any new subscriptions until the new Treasurer has been elected).

SDRG 2000 c/o G. R. Watts, 46 Links Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 0PE

Please include your name, callsign, address, and telephone number. The subscription proposed for 2001 is £10.00. Cheques should be made payable to: 'South Dorset Repeater Group 2000'. Please do not send cash by post.

Well here we are again, another month over and a lot of things have happened.

Colline Pearless, G3PGK gave a great talk on 'AMATEUR RADIO, IS THERE A CURE'?

Well by the look of things there is no cure for this 'disease' of ours, Colline started to explain about the fundamentals of this great hobby.

I feel that this certain little amateur is mad! Because all of a sudden he went behind a TV which I hasten to add was a little taller than he was, he he!

Arms started to fly, bits came off here and there as he was explaining about what we could do with the components.

We could build a full TX/RX and maybe a radio shack while we are at it! So as you can see what a fantastic talk Colline gave. I for one am looking forward to the forthcoming articles starting next month from Colline, when he will explain step by step how to go about building a transceiver from only the bits and pieces from an old TV set.

So watch this space!

Ok Catch thee later me old muckers 73 Pat G1XJH

WANTED - For the next Novice training course Has anyone got a copy of The Novice Licence Student's Notebook? Please contact Neville on 01305 772806

" CQ CQ CQ this station is G1XJH calling CQ and standing by"

Well, as you can see no confusing wording here just identify my station. CQ = SEEK YOU When a call comes back some might say " My handle is" This is an American way of saying NAME. (bad habit I am not a door handle he-he)

I usually say "My name is Pat operating the station of G1XJH."

Well that's plain enough, name and station. If the other station is having problems then this is when I use the phonetic code. "My name is Pat, Papa, Alpha, Tango and the Station is GOLF 1 XRAY JULIET HOTEL!"

That's short and sweet, straight too the point!??!

I never mention the band that I am on because I assume that because the other station is talking to me he/she is on the same band. Why put unnecessary things in a call to confuse things further?

Is this why many stations miss that vital call!

Footnote; The phonetic code was devised so that all communication can be done easily. If you use something else then don't wonder why other people who don't speak your Language, misinterpret what your saying. This is my opinion of making that vital call to be heard, it is just a light hearted way of showing how communications can be made more easily.

I am not trying to correct anyone; I am just casting my opinion, 73 de Pat, G1XJH

Any comments to the editor please!

RAE Passes Congratulations to :- Richard Brokenshaw, Jerry Milward, Alex Smith, Mike Harris, Stephen Biggs, David Bridle , Robin Ayers, John Marchment, Neville Bridle & William Turnbull.

LIGHTHOUSE RULES - Mr. B. Joplin of QuinetiQ has requested the following. Please abide by the following rules, as they are important to keep good relationships with QuinetiQ.

1: No alcoholic drinks on the premises. 2: Vehicles to be parked on the roads and not on the grass. 3: No BBQ due to being a SSSI site. 4: No smoking inside the building.

These are basic rules please use common sense while on the site.

Times of entry to the compound:-

Saturday 07:00 - 09:00 12:00 - 14:00 17:00 - 19:00 Sunday 07:00 - 09:00 12:00 - 14:00 17:00 - 19:00

Just a few rules to make everything comfortable at the site. If you have any problems then contact me Pat G1XJH or Mark M5MKW (Site sponsor)

A great event to take part in.

Silent Key - John Ellis, G2FNK  

John, from Martinstown, died on Monday, June the 11th, 2001. He was a keen HF operator and could often be seen logged on to the Packet Radio DX Cluster. He took part in a number of past SDRS activities; in particular the Special Event Station  held at the Nothe Fort in 1994 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of D-Day.

WIMBORNE HAM-FEST 12th AUGUST 2001 - As in years past this popular event is being held in Merley Wimborne, Dorset. There will be marquees full of items of interest to radio Amateurs, electronic/electrical hobbyists, computer buffs, and others. The usual car boot sales. Food and drink will be available at the Sports and Social Club (licensed bar). Bill Journeau will be in the Sports and Social Club with his unique collection of antique radios and television sets.

A new attraction this year will be slow Morse code examinations conducted by Tom Money M0AKY in the FRARS Clubhouse.

Tesla Coil demonstrations (miniature lightning generator) were given at the two previous Hamfests, and considerable interest was shown. Lightning bolts 12" long were displayed. This year they will be 24" long due to various improvements in the apparatus.

Plenty of free parking spaces. Overnight camping available for Saturday 11th. Talk-in on S22.

Entrance fee: £2.00 per person (Under 14 year olds free)

Sorry, no "BRING & BUY" this year.

Are you going to the Wimborne Ham-Fest? Sunday August 12th

If so, the SDRS and Jim G7JIM could do with your help.

Last year Jim helped to raise substantial funds for the society with the sale of equipment etc. at the Ham-Fest, with 10% going towards club funds.

He cannot do this by himself. So if you can spare a little of your time on the day, please contact Jim either by phone or e-mail g7jim@btinternet.com Phone: 01300 348790

Even just one hour during the day would be a great help. Thank you in anticipation on behalf of the SDRS.

EVENTS DIARY

Forthcoming events to look out for! - There will be no monthly meeting this month so why not join in one of the other events planned instead?

AUGUST 4th - Saturday - BBQ at New Barn Field Centre. Radio station in operation from mid-day and BBQ from 6pm. Bring your own food to cook - fun for all the family - plenty of time to pay a visit to the centre.

AUGUST 12th - Flight Refueling Hamfest near Wimborne.

AUGUST 18th & 19th International Lighthouse Weekend By kind permission of QinetiQ ( formally DRA ) at Portland Bill. Names of those wishing to attend the station over the weekend to Pat G1XJH as soon as possible please.

AUGUST 26th - TORBAY AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY Annual Mobile Rally (Bank Holiday Sunday) at the Churston Grammer School, Churston, Paignton. More information: John Head G4VUD, 01626 205514

SEPTEMBER 4th - Monthly meeting at the Chickerell church hall. Demonstration and talk about Amateur Radio equipment by Yaesu UK.

OCTOBER 2nd - A talk by Tim Walford, G3PCJ of Walford Electronics; www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~walfor (The talk by Ted Hall G3ETA talking about suitcase radios and their use behind enemy lines during the war years has been postponed)

NOVEMBER 3rd - 5 & 12wpm Morse testing at 134 High Street Wyke Regis To be tested you should register with the RSGB. Forms available from Neville, M5NEV on 01305 772806 or RSGB

WHAT - Morse Code? - come on, go for it, become a 'complete' Radio Amateur, you know it makes sense! - Geoff, G0EVW

Contact Des Lawrence, G4FYT - QTHR or Tel: 01305 772425 - UK orders only please.

Training courses benefit from donation of equipment - When the Y.O.I. changed from a basic electronics course to a computer course all of the equipment was removed from the workshop and put into storage. Here it was found by myself. On making a few enquiries, I learnt that it was going to be disposed of in the time honoured fashion of any Gov' Dept', ie, scrapped !!! On contacting a few people I was able to get the relevant info' needed to approach the relevant Governor, Mr Kerr, so all thanks are due to him for his help and co-operation in securing the equipment for the South Dorset Radio Society where it can be put to good use for the Novice courses and any surplus passed on to any interested youth groups, ie, Scouts, A.T.C. etc.

73 de Rob M1HFX

A big thank you to Mr Kerr and Rob from the training team. A lot of the equipment will be used during the next Novice course starting in September.

Would you like to help the RSGB ? We are looking for others to join Dave & I in the GB2RS news reading team. I wonder if anyone in the SDRS might be interested? - it is a most rewarding activity to be involved in.

Main requirements: A good QTH, with coverage to the north and west, or willingness to go mobile to a suitable location e.g. the top of Portland. A spare hour or so around 11:00am local on a Sunday morning (not every Sunday!). Oh, and must be an RSGB member (they insist on this at the moment I'm afraid).

Kerry, G1WIK (01305 788591)

Most radio amateurs I know, are a breed of their own. It's what the hobby is all about, wanting to find out how things works, wanting to improve on it if at all possible, not wanting to throw anything away just in case it can be used in the future for one of their experiments.

I went to see just that person the other day. A person who I came across only since I have been in this hobby of ours. We got talking about ourselves and I found that we knew the same people and had a lot of things in common with our other interests.

George used to be a boat builder before he retired, making wooden boats and worked locally. His boats are still in use today and just as good as the day they were built. In the process it meant having to use quite a lot of good quality glue and spread it just in the right places. So George started to save his old toothbrushes and used them for the job of mixing and spreading the glue - they proved ideal.

After George retired he for one reason or another continued saving his old toothbrushes to be used for the odd job now and again. George passed his Morse test in March this year and then had the job of getting aerials up for use on the HF bands. When I visited George for the first time at his home in June of this year he showed me what he had done with the toothbrush handles and I just had to tell his story. At one end of the toothbrush there is already a hole and by cutting off the bristle end and drilling another hole you have an insulated stick. When George wanted to keep two pieces of wire apart to use as twin HF aerials without interaction taking place, he had just the thing and I wanted a picture of him and his toothbrush invention! I say "Well done George"; this is what ingenuity is all about.

Do you know of someone who has invented something out of the ordinary? If so, why not drop me a line.

Neville, M5NEV m5nev@g3sds.org.uk

STOP PRESS - The GB3SD repeater is now back on the air.

The official AGM will be held at Chickerell church hall on Tuesday August 7th at 7:30pm, All are welcome.

Subscriptions/donations for the forthcoming year can be sent to G0EVW who will deal with this matter until the AGM.

Keep listening on 433.350MHz and see also GB3SD News

DEADLINE FOR NEXT MONTHS CATSWHISKER is the 14th August.

Please ensure that I receive your contributions before that date.

73 de Neville, M5NEV m5nev@g3sds.org.uk Catswhisker Editor.

(Full details of the Society and it's committee can be found on the SDRS Information page)

>South Dorset Radio Society <