I have seen a Racal type frequency counter-timer instrument for sale in South Glos for about £30. If anyone is interested, let me know. Generic details on the following web page. The same vendor is also offering some adjustable 30V 2A regulated PSUs: http://ijl.mbnet.fi/racal_9903.html
Steven Ring M0SVR delivered a technical talk on the theory and practical uses of radio transmission lines. This was followed by a practical session where simple home-made test equipment was used to measure the characteristic impedance (Zo) of several readily available types of cables. The cable test set-up used is illustrated in the picture. This exploits the use of a quarter-wave length of cable to transform the impedance at the right hand end down to 50 Ohms at the left hand end of the cable under test shown in the picture. A 50 Ohm impedance measurement bridge was used to measure the quality of the 50 Ohm match at the left hand end of the cable under test, whilst a 1k-Ohm variable resistive load (R-load) fitted to the right hand end of the cable is adjusted to achieve a good 50 Ohm match as measured on the bridge. The characteristic impedance (Zo) of the cable under test can then be calculated from the formula: Zo = Square-root(50 x R-load).
Graham
G0MGC
A a very pleasent day spent meandering around Reading Rally. In my humble opinion a better rally this year than Newbury. The first picture below (although not brilliant) tried to show a new tri-band mini beam on test can’t remember who from but claims to be totally portable and with a fantastically light head load. To be honest I was at the other end of the show so by the time I got to the arena the demonstration was over. I also couldn’t hear the audio from the PA system well either so apologies on that. In the foreground of the picture there was a model army vechical display which was interesting and I did manage to see some of that. In terms of spend!!! dare I say it I did buy wisely this time and not with either my eyes or heart but head. Some millspec 214 (ex test lab) feeder approx 50m made off neatly with N type £10, ideal for my portable stuff. Galvanised coated base for my antenna mast (perfect inside diameter 65mm) to allow full rotation once slotted together – spot on and some N type connectors and adopters (as you do). Nearly talked into a NOS IC7000 but resisted. Very good day indeed. Same time next year ????
There is loads of noise about the IC-7300 at the moment in Radcom, QST and other magazines. So I felt we should do our bit too! Here are a couple of video reviews of the radio.
The first is by AmateurLogic and chaired by George Thomas of Ham Nation and Ray Novak from Icom America.
Should the club get one of these? Let me know 😉
The second video is by Bob McCreadie (G0FGX) of TX Factor fame as he talks with Icom UK to give an overview of the radio.
Andrew
G0RVM
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit at your antenna and see what it ‘sees’? Well, this evening I attached a camera to my antenna and shot the following short video as the mast was raised and rotated.
The video starts with the antenna pointing at 45 degrees. Once elevated its rotated to the following directions where it stops momentarily: North, West, South, then back around to East, South, back to North then to 45 Degrees before the mst is finally lowered again.
What this little experiment shows is that the horizon looks pretty flat in all directions – no big hills evident. It also gives a good feel for how well the antenna clears the surrounding houses.
Andrew
G0RVM
Rally will be held at Reading Rugby Football Club, Holme Park Farm Lane, Sonning Lane, Sonning on Themes, Reading RG4 6ST (according to that advertised in RSGB).
I will keep the thread posted with how it goes.
May see you there.
Mark M6KMJ
Following on from Andrew’s post I couldn’t help but add the picture took by Thornbury Carnival staff. Struck me as a cross between the blues brothers (only more of us) and a bunch of people you probably wouldn’t buy a car from… :). We had fun so who cares!! Great day and looking forward to more of the same.
Mark M6KMJ
Wednesday evening (6th July) saw this year’s pedestrian Fox Hunt in and around the Thornbury area. This year it was decided to use 70cm instead of the usual 2m. It was found by the hounds however that it was much more difficult to locate a 70cm signal. After approximately an hour most of the hounds were in the local area of the fox. However the final few hundred yards proved very difficult.
At around 9pm most of the hounds were suffering with fatigue leaving just two in the running.
The fox was eventually found after a number of clues and instructions, by Garry G7NVZ with Peter M6KVA meeting us on the way back.
Paul
M0ZMB
The RSGB Convention takes place in Milton Keynes over the weekend of 8th and 9th October.
Not to be confused with a rally, the convention has lots of lectures on topics related to Amateur radio including DXpeditions and a construction competition.
Video’s of lectures, talks and events from previous years can mainly be found on Youtube or on the RSGB (Members only section) website where there is a Navassa Island video.
Hope to see you there,
Andrew
G0RVM
The 2nd of July was the date of the Thornbury Carnival and what a glorious day it was. Hot and sunny. Thanks to those who helped with the organisation, who provided equipment, who got equipment to/from the site and to those that manned our tent through the long day.
We where allocated a prominent position slightly down the hill from the entrance/exit so there were lots of people passing and quite a few stopped by to see us. Although the pitch was in a good position for passing traffic, it was in a very noisy position, not far from a music stage and had a children’s inflatable play ‘thing’ next door. The latter had an acoustically noisy generator running the whole day which, at times, made hearing the radio’s hard.
All-in tho, it was a good day. We handed-out many flyer’s advertising the club and had at least one person promise to come to the club. Jane and Sue did an excellent job at arresting our local Police, telling them about Amateur radio and getting a promise of a lecture….
The real test of success will be how many potential members come and see us over the next few weeks. But even if its none, I believe it a worthwhile exercise as it helped communicate Amateur radio to the general public, raise our profile within the community and has most likely secured us a talk.
Lashing a pole to an in-situ climbing frame and another to my truck we managed to get a dipole for 20m operational and made several contacts across Europe. We also had a short ‘white stick’ antenna for 2m and 70cms which allowed us to communicate with members not attending the site during the day. Peter assembled 10 x SDR radio kits to sell to interested visitors and sold 5, including 1 to Mark ;-).
Thanks again folks,
Andrew
G0RVM