THE CATSWHISKER - OCTOBER 2000
Newsletter of the South Dorset Radio Society
Editor - John Rose, M0BQO - 45, Ringstead Crescent, Weymouth, DT3 6PT, UK
Lighthouse Weekend 2000 - QTH Portland Bill
A great time was had by all at this event. Click the above link to see pictures and statistics.
THE SEPTEMBER CLUB MEETING
PRESENTATION
Jim, G7JIM handed over £88, the proceeds of the sale of G3AVV,s silent key sale and his own stand at the Wimborne Hamfest.
COMMITTEE MEMBER
The new committee member, replacing Mrs Carol Hodges, is Pat, G1XJH.
We express our thanks to Carol, who stood down due to personal commitments. She has been a very effective Committee member and we'll miss her contributions.
TUNE FOR MAXIMUM SMOKE
To some of you folk of venerable years the title of this piece may mean something.
It was used by G1TEX at the September meeting. 'Tex' had prepared a talk using an overhead projector but unfortunately the OHP was determined to cause problems, so he had a quick re-think and spoke mainly about aerials - particularly about antenna tuning units, which don't influence the aerials themselves but simply convince the transmitter that it's seeing the right impedance.
Using a small lamp, a lens and a mirror Tex also demonstrated how propagation is a trade off between field strength and directivity.
The headline? Well, in days of yore broadcast stations would get their diesel generators running at full power - or more - in attempting to achieve greatest current in the aerial lines.
FOR YOUR DIARY
SDRS MEETINGS
October 3: A talk by Robert Micklewright, G3MYM about HF Aerials. This is by request, and Robert, from the Yeovil club, is a knowledgeable and excellent speaker.
November 7: Rev Alan Rogers on `Fishing in Murky Waters' (a truly Enigmatic title!). Alan was recently featured in the Dorset Evening Echo, he was one of the code-breakers at Bletchley Park during WW2 so this should be an absorbing evening.
December 5: A speaker from the Radiocommunications Agency; 'History of the Radio Investigation Service' though undoubtedly topics will spread far and wide around that theme.
Please, all members and readers, try to publicise these meetings far and wide because they are all worthy of special attention.
January 2: The Annual Quiz!; Organised by Robert, G0RYL and XYL Carol.
OTHER EVENTS
Sunday October 8: Portland ARC and Portland Island Computer Club Rally at the Royal Manor School, Weston, Portland. Opens at 10am - Admission £1, (accompanied children free) - Talk In on S22 - contact Kerry, G1WIK on 01305 788591 or e-mail parc@the-morris-family.freeserve.co.uk (Information from October Radcom)
GUEST NEWSLETTERS
The latest Yarc News (from Yeovil ARC) is now available but I have had nothing recently from other Societies.
RADIO ENTHUSIAST
It is the final edition of this, the Radio magazine from Neville 2E1HFY. Starting its life as a CB fanzine for the 934 MHz band, it has continued for a few years but Neville now has to cease publication for a number of personal reasons. As usual it is a bright, breezy and easy-to-read booklet and we'll miss seeing them.
Thanks, Neville.
AND FINALLY - THE POWER OF RADIO
Way back in 1938 mass hysteria gripped USA when people thought they were being invaded by Martians. Cars blocked the highways as people-eating creatures reportedly wreaked havoc. It was in fact a too-realistic radio drama adapted by Orson Welles from the novel 'The War of the Worlds'.
Just a week ago a jocular remark on a Welsh independent radio station sent motorists scurrying to fill up, as the rumour spread that petrol-pickets were at the blockades again. Cars blocked the road as drivers awaited their turn for fuel. Remember?
A NEW TWIST ON AN OLD LINE
During the fuel crisis, Prince Charles cancelled a night out with Camilla in case he ran out of petrol!
John, M0BQO