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February 2016
Around Your Region
radcom@rsgb.org.ukregion 8:
northern ireland
In November Mid Ulster
ARC transmitted from
Armagh
Observatory
using a variety of
different modes. The mic
was busy throughout
the night and the club
looks forward to working
more closely with the
Observatory. The club
hosted the RSGB youth
callsign GI15YOTA on 5
December. The station,
involving youthmembers
from other clubs as well,
logged hundreds of
contacts and all enjoyed
themselves.
Bangor & DARS will be holding a Foundation course and exam on 27 & 28 February. Please contact David, MI0OBC on 0745 328 3468. Club
members enjoyed a fascinating insight into broadcast and weather satellite technology from Allan, GI3MBB. He explained the role of digital electronics
and data streaming. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration) and EUMETSAT current orbiting weather satellites continually stream
down data that anyone may pick up and display using a specialised receiver, suitable aerial and a dongle for the computer. Allan is pictured
brandishing the double helical aerial he uses to receive signals.
region 9: london & thames valley
Verulam ARC had a busy December including an evening Christmas dinner at a local restaurant for members
and their partners and a Foundation course. All passed and three of the students were pupils from Sandringham
School, St Albans who were preparing for the school’s contact with Tim Peake aboard the International Space
Station early in January (see page 62 for more details).
region 10:
south & south east
Hilderstone R&EC enjoyed
promoting amateur radio to
the youngsters at Wellesley
House school as part of the
G15YOTA day. The club joined
in the school’s celebrations of
Tim Peake’s launch together
with other local primary and
secondary schools. A pleasant
evening was had at the Jolly
Farmer pub with an excellent
Christmas dinner; a fitting end
to a successful year.
region 11: south west & channel isleS
Exeter ARS
has had two new amateurs pass their Foundation licence. 17
year old Alex is the club’s youngest ever member and club members are
helping him get on the air with donations of equipment. Trevor, M6TVW has
finally taken his exam after much encouragement from his family who are
already licensed. Before Christmas, members gathered to celebrate with a
Christmas breakfast. They reflected on club stalwart Geoff, M0UWD who is
now a silent key and his many contributions to the club over the years as a
net controller, constructor and good friend.
South Bristol ARC
has had several members pass the Intermediate exam.
Mark, M6FKV is now 2E0FKV, Martin, M6EUW is now 2E0EUW and Gary
will sign 2E0HCC.
Flight Refuelling ARS
ran an Intermediate course and all six candidates
passed, including Steve who came from Buckinghamshire to attend the
course. Thanks to instructors Alan, M0VLT and Clive, G7SVI, ably assisted
by the assessor Sherry, M0ODE. New callsign holders are Steve, 2E0NEP,
Olly, 2E0WCL, Roy, 2E0REI, Jake, 2E0DQX, Douglas, 2E0WIM and Sam,
2E0MPU.
region 12: east & east anglia
The last Essex Skills Night of the year saw 93 people
attend. Visitors from Essex, Suffolk, Kent and South London
came to socialise, share ideas and look at a range of
demonstrations. On offer were show-and-tell sessions on
D-Star, DMR, equipment used to contact satellites, plus
how to test ferrites as a follow-up to a recent
RadCom
article. There was a QRP station on 20m and live demos
of the Realtek SDR. Antenna construction continues to be a
popular feature with more visitors completing their first Slim
Jim antenna. Majbritt completed her practical assessment.
The
Essex Ham
team was busy right up until the end of
2015 with several members supporting the Thurrock
Acorns 2m Activity Day by running nets and sending
SSTV images. The second Essex Young Ladies Net, hosted
by Dorothy, M0MLR, was another success. The ninth
Foundation Online course started, with a total of over 160
candidates enrolling since the course launched in May.
With the winter weather closing in, and it being too chilly
for /P, around 20 members gathered at the Horse & Groom.
The poor solo member of the bar staff was expecting a quiet