A few hours later and reasonable journey with a few roadworks encountered and overcome later we arrived. Cup of coffee to start the motor and off we went. Andrew met his friend so went off exploring as did John and I and vowed to not spend much. Yea right!!  Usual players Moonraker, ML&S, Icom, Yaesu etc etc on show with Waters and Stanton having quite the lions share of space – always good for a browse. John and I found our way to the bits and pieces stalls and bought some minor electrical items (ferrite rings amongst other things) few pence. I was drawn to a mobile antenna system on sale from an independent (can’t remember the name) that on-paper looked impressive but…on closer inspection would probably last 5 mins compared to Hustler or Diamond and the build quality was pants. Resisted that.

Then….went back around again to the smaller stalls and to the small club bring and buys and there it was. An old home brew antenna part built and in need to some TLC. In true car boot fashion asked for a price and couldn’t believe what i got back. £2!!! Yes £2 and we think although needs a close look not done that yet that its a J pole design and according to the club selling it off they seem to think it resonated well somewhere around 145.250-146.000MHz but may have done better elsewhere. So I have my project and with the help of John (M3EQQ) and John (M0HFH) I’m sure we can make it perform with a few mods along the way. Happy bunny!! Especially since we think a few others had seen it and were after it to. Also had an aluminium tripod for £8 but again resisted.

Here she is (folded up of course and currently in the old office/shack);

I was not alone.. John also bagged a bargain with a Yeasu Ft7800 (I think) for £110 in the rally bring and buy although yet to hear that it performs but seem to be quite tidy. Andrew purchased a mobile mast I think for the field trip and we finished off by looking around once more at the radio’s on offer, new specs and whats coming up.

We finished off talking ourselves into the merits of Total Mast Solutions and Andrew and myself will certainly be investing as it seems an all encompassing and impressive system easy to use and portable in that the system (depending on the model and we were told there are over 100 now) can be broken down and re-assembled to suit the operating conditions, antenna systems etc. Bespoke builds are also possible.

Then….

We then found ourselves heading back to Lynch’s and a refreshing cup of tea (and chocolate mini rolls!! excellent marketing tactic well worth the visit!). On a technical note Andrew found his new power supply whilst John and I miandered around the shop and as always I got pulled back to the many antenna systems on offer and in consultation with Andrew have yet again changed my mind on the main system at the new home QTH shack.

A thoroughly good day and well worth the trip. I came away with some ideas/thoughts and perhaps even proposals for future PR events that the club might want to consider and of course my bargain. I’m planning a visit to the Weston rally on May 17th  to see what a smaller scale rally might look like so will be reporting back on that in due course.

Excellent day I believe had by all. Looking forward to the next.

Mark M6KMJ