SURREY RADIO CONTACT CLUB84th Anniversary Year - Founded 1935

FEBRUARY 2019 – No 918 Iss 2SRCC supports the RSGB Child Protection Policy

General Club Business: sec retary@g3src.org.uk

Membership/Treasurer: membership@g3src.org.uk

Newsletter articles/distribution: newsletter @g3src.org.uk

Club Equipment Loan: equipment@g3src.org.uk

Club Website: https://www.g3src.org.uk

Honorary Secretary & Editor

John Simkins G8IYS

18 Riding Hill, Sanderstead,South Croydon, Surrey CR2 9LN

Tel: 020 8657 0454

ship@b

MONTHLY MEETINGS NORMALLY ON 1ST AND 3RD MONDAYS 7.30 FOR 7.45pm

Meetings at Trinity School, Shirley Park, Croydon CR9 7AT*******************************************************************************************

FIRST MEETING Monday 4 February Corrected DateMillimetric Microwaves with Chris G0FDZ

SECOND MEETING Monday 18 February Corrected Date

Fix-it, Skills and Advice Night

SRCC Committee 2018/19 Chairman & Club Meetings G3ZPB Peter Burton 01737 551413Vice Chairman M0LEP Rick Hewett 01689 851472Hon.Secretary & Newsletter Editor G8IYS John Simkins 020 8657 0454Treasurer & Membership Records G4FFY Ray Howells 01732 357474Resources, Fund Raising and Liaison G4DDY Maurice Fagg 020 8669 1480Contest Co-ordinator G3WRR Quin Collier 020 8653 6948Committee Member and Events G6JXA Kim Brown 07812 735507 735507

Publicity G3MCX John Kennedy 020 8688 3322

Webmaster (Co-opted) G4FYF Steve Jones 01424 584143

Dear Members & Friends. Hello and welcome to the 918th edition, the February 2019 issue, of the SRCC Newsletter. Last month, by mix of sloppiness in wording and sickness, I gave an incomplete listing of SRCC Nets and in the view of one reader a demotion of the status of SRCC Nets. This month, I have done my best to correct those matters.

NEXT MEETINGS Corrected Date

First Meeting: Monday 04 February 2019: Millimetric Microwaves with Chris G0FDZ

Second Meeting: Monday 18 February 2019: Fix-it, Skills and Advice Night - led by John G8MNY

SRCC Newsletter February 2019 - E&OE Page 1 of 15 28 Jan 2019

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

First Meeting: Monday 7 January: FT8 – a brief introduction with Alan Messenger G0TLK

The evening’s presentation consisted of a slide presentation followed by a live demonstration. Twenty members and visitors were present.

Alan opened by explaining that the name FT8 derives from “Franke-Taylor design, 8-FSK modulation” – the Franke being Steve Franke K9AN and the Taylor being Joe Taylor K1JT. Some of its top level features are as follows:a digital modulation mode, introduced in mid-2017 as part of the WSJT-X open source suite of weak signal propagation programs

uses a standard upper sideband capable transmitter

based on transmit/receive cycles of 15 seconds, corresponding to a QSO time of 90 seconds

capable of receiving signals up to 24dB below noise in the channel bandwidth

use of standardised QSO format and short (maximum 22 characters) standard messages. These are semi-auto sequenced, and although it is possible to manually override the auto-sequencing, the operator has only a very short time window to take the necessary action.

Some key technical aspects of the v2.0.0 protocol (introduced mid December 2018 and unfortunately not operationally compatible with the previous version) are as follows, derived from http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/ :

message length: 77 user bits + 14 bits CRC (cyclic redundancy check)

forward error correction (FEC): (174, 87) LDPC (low density parity check codes) which allow correction approaching the theoretical Shannon limit

modulation: 8-FSK using a tone spacing of 6.25Hz

waveform: continuous phase, constant envelope

bandwidth: 50Hz

synchronisation: based on three 7 x 7 Costas arrays

decode threshold: specified as 50% or better chance of decoding down to -20dB (but -24dB often achievable) in an AWGN (Additive Gaussian White Noise) channel

decode capability: multiple decode of all FT8 signals in receiver passband.

Alan noted that there were a number of sources of information on FT8 on the internet, but emphasised the importance of using the information from the Princeton website, as this is the authoritative source.

In terms of take-up, Alan noted that there had been an explosive take up of FT8 since its introduction eighteen months or so ago, particularly on HF, 6m and 2m. Evidence for this is available from PSKReporter at https://pskreporter.info/ (something of a misnomer as the websitecovers not just PSK but a wide range of modes). For instance, on 23/12/18 the following numbers of signals were reported:SRCC Newsletter February 2019 - E&OE Page 2 of 15 28 Jan 2019

FT8 1,585,242CW 4716JS8 2292MSK144 1065.

Prefixes reported by PSK reporter in the same period were VP2E (Anguila), 3B9 (Rodriguez Island), E5 (South Cook Island), VK0 (Antarctica), ZL7 (Chatham Island), XX9 (Macao), PS (Brazil), and VN9 (Norfolk Island). Some serious DX – and rare prefixes - there, and in view of the current parlous state of HF conditions, that is pretty impressive!

The WSJT-X suite also supports a number of other data modes such as JT4, JT9, JT65, QRA64, ISCAT, MSK144, WSPR AND Echo, all of which are optimised for particular applications (for instance MSK144 for meteor scatter). A number of other program suites, such as JTDX and MSHV, are also available providing some or all of the above modes, although fromPSKReporter it seems WSJT-X was the most widely used for FT8. Alan was active on FT8 during the winter of 2017/8 on the HF bands (including 160m) using a horizontal loop cut for 80m with the ends connected (thus approximating a very fat longwire). Modelling shows that this is not a very efficient antenna: nevertheless Alan has had many successes running 60W, some of the notable ones being QSOs with YB (Indonesia) on 40, BY (China) on 20m and JA (Japan) heard but not worked on 160m.

A number of points arising during the presentation, demonstration and question/answer session were as follows:

a typical FT8 QSO would look something like this:

CQ G9AAA IO91 (G9AAA calls CQ and sends his locator)

G9AAA G9ZZZ JO02 (G9ZZZ responds and sends his locator)

G9ZZZ G9AAA -12 (G9AAA acknowledges call and sends signal report in the form of signal/noise ratio)

G9AAA G9ZZZ R-14 (G9ZZZ acknowledges report and replies with his report)

G9ZZZ G9AAA RRR (G9AAA acknowledges all information)

G9AAA G9ZZZ 73 (G9AAA finishes QSO with wishing 73)

Detractors of FT8 tend to say “it’s not real amateur radio” but then that was said about SSB and AM some 60 years ago! It’s simply different and amateur radio is continuously changing. While it could be said that after hitting a key to respond to a CQ everything happens automatically, onestill needs to know where to place one’s transmit signal in the passband and if one wishes to test reflexes then try manual operation! All the essential basic elements of a contact are there, and the mode may be well suited to country or square chasers, or simply those in compromise locations who wish to work some DX.

In an attempt to overcome such perceptions, a recently developed product designated JS8 Call (not part of the WSJT-X suite and still in pre-release phase) has been created – this seeks to provide a keyboard / keyboard capability at a speed roughly equivalent to CW at 13 wpm. In a similar spirit, a “Fox and Hounds” mode optimised for DXpedition working has been defined by the WSJT-X team.

SRCC Newsletter February 2019 - E&OE Page 3 of 15 28 Jan 2019

Accurate timing (+/- 1 second) is critical, as this provides a function analogous to frame synchronisation. Normal Windows computer clock management functions are unlikely to be adequate. Suitable tools include Meinberg NTP (Network Time Protocol), Dimension 4 or NMEATime2 in conjunction with a GPS dongle.

DSP SSB filters can normally be used, but other DSP capabilities such as audio tailoring are best avoided as they can adversely affect signal decoding – the FT8 software includes that functionality.

Although FT8 is designed as a weak signal mode, that does not ipso facto mean it is a low power mode. If you are running QRP, your signal at the far end can be wiped out by QRO signals in the far end receiver’s passband (however the resultant AGC “pumping” can be mitigated by turning off the receiver AGC).

Adjustment of send and receive signal levels is extremely important as in the receive direction overloading the computer sound card can badly affect the ability to decode signals, and in the transmit direction can result in you being a bad neighbour by emitting a wide signal.

Alan then went on to demonstrate FT8 using 5W from a FT817 and a dipole at 10m kindly erected by John G8MNY. Once key items have been initially setup (involving such aspects as inputting callsign, locator and rig control information, setting transmit message macros and send/receive levels (particularly important – see above)), the most important window is the one which displays QSO information, which has a number of fields, including:waterfall display, showing all the signals in the receiver passband.

tabular display of band activity providing a decode of all signals in the receiver passband

tabular display of receiver activity providing a decode of all messages (receive and transmit) relating to a single signal in the receiver passband (different types of message (eg. CQ, sent and received) can be differentiated by displaying them in different colours),

“thermometer display” of strength of selected received signal

relative position in 15 second (individual message) and 90 second (whole QSO) cycles.

A number of QSOs were attempted, several of which (with EU stations) were successful. On PSKReporter, the signals were spotted from the Ukraine and Azores – not bad for 5W to a low dipole on that band! It was interesting to note that, once the QSO had been initiated by hitting the key controlling the initial “call” macro, the QSO was completed automatically while Alan was answering questions from the audience! Alan went on to demonstrate JTDX and MSHV using a pair of laptops communicating by audio, which provided largely the same information but formatted differently. Overall a most interesting evening – and I for one will be giving FT8 a try! Quin Collier G3WRR

Second Meeting: Monday 21 January: Fix-it, Skills and Advice Night

No report – other than to say that this regular event continues to be very popular and is one of the key factors by which SRCC is judged. This is primarily down to the efforts by John G8MNY.

SRCC Newsletter February 2019 - E&OE Page 4 of 15 28 Jan 2019

CHAIRMAN'S RAMBLINGS

Here we are a month after Christmas, well into winter, Brexit no nearer to being sorted, so what better time to play Amateur Radio????

New Toys – yes, not just one but two shiny new boxes now in the ‘ZPB shack. Neither of them as exotic as a new rig or new amplifier but both will get lots of use.The bigger one (and more expensive), though not as much as the rig, is a “microHAM MicroKeyer II”. Some of you may know that I have been struggling for several months with the problem of how to make two computer programs communicate with one radio without “crashing”. The specific problem I have is using either Log4OM as the logging program or MINOS2 as the contest logger at the same time as WSJT-X for FT8. Both logging programs read the RX/TX frequency and mode and can also set PTT and change modes etc. This all happens along the USB bus between computer and rig. Also, the WSJT-X software reads the RX frequency and during a QSO will switch the rig into transmit and set the frequency (which is likely to be different to that on receive). This all happens along the USB bus between computer and rig. Get the picture? Two different pieces of software both telling the rig what to do!! Surprise, surprise, it doesn’t always work. The problem is both the computer programs and the Icom USB interface all think they are the only thing in the world and therefore timing doesn’t matter, so they can think about sending a response when they feel like it. I have tried several “Virtual Port Splitters” but none of them seem to solve this timing problem. The solution I have found is to use the “MicroKeyer II” product from the microHAM company. This is a very clever piece of hardware/software that carries out a multitude of functions including having an “intelligent data fork”. The logger and the FT8 program are allocated separate virtual ports on the computer. The MK II software monitors the data sent from each one and routes the rig’s responses back to the correct program. Easy when you think about it but difficult when it comesto finding someone to implement it! The MK II also does loads of other clever things including having a “sequencer” (for example, when using a footswitch, it will correctly sequence the pre-amp, linear amplifier and transmit functions so you don’t stuff a few hundred watts up the preamp), a digital voice memory keyer (seems to be considerably better audio quality than my MFJ product), built-in preamp for electret microphone and optical or transformer isolation of all the ports. I am still learning about all its functions but I’m impressed by what I know about it so far.The other box is even smaller but still manages three coaxial connectors plus two others. It is a“Global Positioning System Disciplined Oscillator” (GPSDO for short). Basically it is a box of tricks containing a 10MHz ovened crystal oscillator that is controlled by signals from the GPS satellites. But this one is cleverer than just that; it also outputs a serial data stream containing very accurate time information. It thus serves a dual purpose in the shack…accurate frequency (I have calibrated my IC-9100 to it; HF isn’t too much of a problem, but accurate frequency on 70cms is more difficult) and super-accurate time. This is next week’s project; I have the software already on the computer but have not yet had time to make up the serial data interfacefrom the GPSDO to a USB port on the computer.

Radio Contesting – none again this month but I have been on the 2m nets a couple of times and worked a few stations on FT8. Big plans for the next month though with 70cms AFS, MGM contest and UKAC all in my sights!That’s all for this month, so it’s bye for now; I hope to see lots of you at the Microwave talk on 4 th

February.

73 and 88, Peter G3ZPB.

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SRCC LEAGUE TABLE – RESULTS FOR DECEMBER AND WHOLE YEAR 2018

MONTHLY TABLE FOR DECEMBER

ENTRANTTOTAL

SCORINGQSOs

SCORINGCONTEST

QSOs

SCORINGINTRA-SRCC

QSOs

POINTSTHIS

MONTHG4LZE 69 138G4WGE 47 17 111G3EUE 41 12 94G4FYF 18 1 38G3WRR 8 8 24G3ZPB 6 1 14M0LEP 6 12

The leading station in the December session was Colin G4LZE with 138 points. This is the third of the eight monthly sessions in the 2018 season that he has won. In second place was Alun G4WGE with 111 points.

Colin G4LZE has again been very busy on HF FT8 – most of his QSOs were on 40m & 20m with a singleton on 30m. Most of the claimed QSOs were in Europe, but with quite a number of Asians: these were concentrated in or around the Arabian peninsula, but a couple of other nice ones were BY (China), YB (Indonesia) and 9M2 (West Malaysia). There was also a sprinkling of North and South Americans and Africans (including 4S (Sri Lanka), a very rare prefix). Most of Alun G4WGE’s QSOs were also on FT8, although a small proportion were made in the OK RTTY contest. Activity was mainly on the bands between 80m and 17m, with a (small) handful on 160 and 12m and nothing at all on 15m or 10m. Geographically, the contacts were nearly all within Europe but with a handful of Africans (all in the north of the continent), North Americans and Asians.

Ted G3EUE’s QSOs were all HF CW – mostly European but with a sprinkling of Africans (including 5A (Libya) and 9Q (Congo), both rather rare prefixes), North Americans, South Americans (including PJ2 (Curacao), a first for him), and Asians.

All Steve G4FYF’s contacts were intra-European on HF, Peter G3ZPB was likewise almost exclusively HF but with one “big square” claimed – and Quin G3WRR’s only foray onto the bands was on 2m for the 2m AFS contest.

Rick M0LEP was active on HF while visiting family in 5Z4 (Kenya), which he describes as “hard work” (the HF, not the family visit….). He nevertheless picked up a couple of prefixes (VK (Australia) and VU, (India)) that are quite difficult to work at present from the UK.

The dire conditions on the HF bands continue with no real sign of improvement, and the ability of FT8 to achieve DX contacts at present once again demonstrates its credentials as a weak signal mode. After Alan G0TLK’s interesting presentation on the subject at the December A meeting, I am minded to give it a try…..

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2018 CUMULATIVE TABLE

And now onto the 2018 whole season results, which are presented below: ENTRANT 5/18 6/18 7/18 8/18 9/18 10/18 11/18 12/18 CUMULATIVEG4LZE 110 238 218 46 54 134 138 938G4WGE 130 165 132 163 200 111 901G3WRR 168 42 105 24 57 36 204 24 660G3EUE 19 53 83 42 84 140 94 515G4FYF 70 78 86 70 80 62 30 38 514G3ZPB 63 36 27 36 24 32 26 14 258G8IYS 84 16 100M0LEP 14 14 20 12 60G4FFY 26 26

It was clear, based on the cumulative scores at the end of November, that the end of season result was going to be a very close run thing between Colin and Alun, who were both way aheadof the rest of the pack. In the end, Colin managed to slightly extend his end of November lead, winning from Alun by just 37 points (just under 4%). So, many congratulations to Colin who winsthe SRCC Club Cup on its first outing in its current role, and will receive it at the AGM in April. Many thanks to all those who took part – hopefully they found the experience stimulating! It is also to be hoped that the rules changes recently published will encourage more of the membership to come on and give the 2019 season a go. That’s all for now and see you on the bands. 73, Quin G3WRR 3 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM Gareth G4XAT

“ADALM-PLUTO” SDR

ADALM-PLUTO, is a ‘learning tool’ sold by Analog Devices. It was initially launched at a bargain price and I waited nearly a year for Farnell to deliver one. I bought a second unit last week and it arrived in days, all the way from Digikey in the USA! Duty paid, delivery included, for under £100 (£91.20 at point of purchase). So why pay £100 for a SDR? Well…..this one is capable of duplex transmit and receiver. OK, interesting….it can be hacked – it was designed tobe, after all, is supposed to be a learning tool! How hacked? Out of the box it covers 325-3800 MHz with a bandwidth capability (subject to USB) of 20MHz. Useful, but no cigar yet. It didn’t take the community long to discover that the range could be extended. But a 30 second hack of the config. opens it up from 70-6000MHz with a bandwidth of 56 MHz (definitely subject to USB capability!) Wow! Not quite ‘DC to daylight’ but definitely amazing!It gets better…..SDR# (nice simple to use SDR receive software, version 1670) has a ‘plug-in’ that gets it working with the Pluto, so I checked the TX frequency of my 5.8GHz ATV unit – a couple of KHz high…..Then I downloaded DATV-Express (free) and found a webcam. So now PLUTO transmits a whole selection of DATV protocols and bandwidths all the way from 70 MHz (NOV already applied for and issued) up to 6 cms! I’ve checked it out on 2M, 70cms, 23 cms and 13cms, the limit of my current RX capability.Software exists to turn it into a spectrum analyser and undoubtedly a whole load of other clever things, like up-converters (70MHz ATV up to where my receiver can actually receive) and spoof GPS signals. Unfortunately a lot of the magic software runs on Linux based systems, which although I have dabbled with, I find obscure and unfriendly. Windows does at least have some useful messages and google usually gives a solution to those messages.

SRCC Newsletter February 2019 - E&OE Page 7 of 15 28 Jan 2019

I’m sure the software will mature and real working solutions on various platforms will become commonplace. Analog Devices have a long history of making great parts and have always supported the amateur community (free samples for instance). Treat yourself to one and join in the fun.

Download and install the drivers and info from here https://wiki.analog.com/university/tools/pluto/users then upgrade the firmwareDownload and install PUTTY https://www.putty.org/

Connect to your device (finds its serial com port via device manager) following instructions herehttps://wiki.analog.com/university/tools/pluto/users/customizing

There’s a bit more info on the actual how-to here https://www.rtl-sdr.com/adalm-pluto-sdr-hack-tune-70-mhz-to-6-ghz-and-gqrx-install/ but don’t put quotes around the ad9364. That’s it, job done!

5.8GHz ATV

I’ve been lurking on the periphery of ATV for a long time and did actually manage a brief TX from our last house 25+ years ago on 1.3 GHz. A skeleton halo on a broom handle out of the loftwindow made it as far as John, G8MNY who was portable up on the Woldingham ridge somewhere. More recently I’ve been reading and watching developments in DATV and the reduced symbol rate (and therefore bandwidth requirements) this offers. As I may have

SRCC Newsletter February 2019 - E&OE Page 8 of 15 28 Jan 2019

mentioned at the last CC I’m also building the Portsdown full-feature DATV system which runs on a RPi and is fantastic. I have NOVs for 71MHz and also 146-147MHz (easy to apply for online). Via the BATC forum I’ve also read about using the FPV 5.8 GHz FM gear used by dronepilots etc. and did actually buy some gear from eBay a few years ago for use with a pupil's drone. With the lab closing the gear passed to me, but the TX was faulty. Anyway, I bought a matching pair of flat plate panel aerials (24dBi), a new TX and got out the lovely aluminium surveyors tripod I acquired in about 1987! See, it WILL come in useful one day…..

The separate RX and TX mount directly onto the back of the aerials and can cope with both being on at the same time, not that you would receive the distant station if you did that.By hand of son Josh, who whizzed up some CAD for suitable vented hoods to make the installation slightly weatherproof. And a few hours later, by hand of my 3-D printer, I have bespoke covers. I could have made them from some bent aluminium, but I don’t have a louvre press handy and these little modules do get hot. Airflow is a must otherwise they seem to lock up and wander. I’d guess that in their target application (drones) there would be plenty of airflowso this doesn’t happen. I have a handy supply of tiny 12 volt fans and these are fitted to matching heatsinks making them easy to add-on.The 2 aerials are mounted identically to a square aluminium cross-bar which is retained by a single bolt onto the tripod, itself adjustable in all planes once in the field. A compass and a smallspirit level will be fine for alignment. As its all 12 volt powered, one of my lithium laptop packs (8 A/Hr each) will provide reliable power. A camera, culled from some security chuck-outs, provides a local vision source. If the weather perks back up, I intend to try it out as there are now several stations theoretically within reach.

SRCC Newsletter February 2019 - E&OE Page 9 of 15 28 Jan 2019

I bought a 3-D printer.

Some members may recall the talk I did a while back about my experiences with 3-D printing and more specifically, some of the clever stuff son Josh made with his printer for his car. With Josh living in Warwick and me retired from Trinity, I put ‘get a 3-D printer’ on my list of desirable things. Via my membership of SMEE and in particular the digital control off-shoot group, one of their members mentioned that he had bought a PRUSA I3 V3 and that he built it from a kit, saving a bit in the process. He also said that it had ‘printed straight off the bat and hadn’t stopped’. Recommendation indeed.

In my talk I did mention the cheap Chinese copies than can be had, but I also mentioned that only with extensive ‘tuning’ could eventually get reasonable results. As I’ve had my fill of fiddling about with worn or cheap kit (at work) and rather than save up the money,

I embarked on flogging off surplus ‘car’ parts that I had acquired over the years via eBay. Some fortuitous purchases made a significant profit too, so it wasn’t long before I had the funds to order the printer.

Six weeks later the kit arrived, but I was busy with all sorts of stuff so it sat in its box for a few weeks. Then we had some bad weather, so I spent about 14 hours , over two days, building it. There is a very good manual, with a big-screen version available online too but it went together without any problems. It was then calibrated and it passed every test. It has since printed for over 12 days’ worth of jobs and hasn’t needed anything. It just works….

Ideally I need to learn some suitable CAD myself, but that’s for a ‘rainy day’. Websites like ‘thingyverse’ have most of what you might need, plus a whole load of things that you didn’t knowyou needed.

If you want one for yourself, https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/3d-printers/180-original-prusa-i3-mk3-kit.html?gmc_currency=7&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtb_bBRCFARIsAO5fVvGIp1JDPHgXekcJ0wRWh84en43NVHUFGYHoPBtcNr4hjppk-f7xCToaAgWgEALw_wcB

Just add £700. If you want it ready built and tested, add £200. It comes with a roll of filament, but you might like to add some to the order. Its good stuff and you will soon need more.

Pic follows on net page

I am very grateful to Gareth G4XAT for the 3 articles above , which he sent to me many months ago and I managed to lose - twice! 73 and apologies. Ed

SRCC Newsletter February 2019 - E&OE Page 10 of 15 28 Jan 2019

SRCC Newsletter February 2019 - E&OE Page 11 of 15 28 Jan 2019

I Should Know Better – A word of Warning.

A while ago I was playing with some components on the kitchen worktop that included a PP9 and CR2035 battery. In my absence, and clearing the worktop, my XYL put the bits into a plasticgrip-seal sandwich bag that she stuck in a cupboard housing our gas meter.

Today I happened upon the bag – wow!

The PP9 had expanded and distorted to an extent to rend apart the plastic label. The casing of the lithium button cell was distorted and totally separated. The black debris to the left in the bag,I presume, is the spent innards of the button cell. In addition, the plastic bag had melted througharound the area of the black stuff. I guess that a randomly, coincidental, connection between component leads/batteries led to shorting of the lithium cell?

Very, very fortunately there was no associated disaster as a consequence. I wax lyrical to the family on the hazards of lithium cells – I really should practice what I preach! Beware.

73 Steve, G4FYF

SRCC Newsletter February 2019 Iss 2 - E&OE Page 12 of 15 29 Jan 2019

SRCC NETS

The following is a list of structured nets where members of SRCC meet regularly. They are sometimes joined by members of other local clubs, who are always made most welcome. The net is not usually led by a nominated controller, but stations normally transmit cyclically, transmitting in the order in which they sign in. If any member wishes further occasions and frequencies to be added to the table, please let me know at secretary@g3src.org.uk.

Band – Frequency - Mode Day of week Start Time

160m – 1.905 kHz - LSB Sunday 9.30 am

4m – 70.30 MHz - FM Thursday 8.00 pm

6m – 51.51 MHz - FM Tuesday 8.00 pm

2m – 145.6125 MHz – D star Friday 7.30 pm

2m – 145.35 MHz – FM Friday 8.00 pm

FUTURE SRCC MEETINGS

04/02/19 Corrected Millimetric Microwaves with Chris G0FDZ

18/02/19 Corrected Fix-it, Move-it-on, Skills and Advice Night, Social Chat

04/03/19 Spring Surplus Equipment Sale

18/03/19 Fix-it, Move-it-on, Skills and Advice Night, Social Chat

01/04/19 Annual General Meeting

15/04/19 Fix-it, Move-it-on, Skills and Advice Night, Social Chat

FREQUENT AFTERNOON APPEARANCES OF SRCC MEMBERS

If anyone, with the freedom to get on the air during afternoons, wants a bit of company, techy advice or guidance then they might find advantage by joining the frollowing activity.

John G8MNY is around 3700 kHz SSB on most weekday and Saturday afternoons for several hours. He works around the UK - making about 50 QSOs per week with max legal power, a nestof dipoles and effective noise cancelling equipment. He is often joined by G8IYS for an hour or so on most days, who runs 200W on this band to a 40m long inverted L antenna.

John G8IYS is often on 5398.5 kHz SSB and other frequencies toward the top end of this band on most weekdays/early evenings, working UK. He runs 100W to the same inverted L antenna as above. He also spends a couple of hours working NE Europe on 5363 kHz SSB early evenings using a mix of English, German, Dutch and Spanish as opportunity presents. He makes about 20 QSOs per week on this band.

Martin G3OQD and Martin G4FKK can often be found on either 80m or 60m – usually chatting about their progress in home construction of Software Defined Radio equipment. SRCC Newsletter February 2019 Iss 2 - E&OE Page 13 of 15 29 Jan 2019

OTHER LOCAL CLUB MEETINGS

No Feb info

Bromley & District ARS

Normal Meetings are held on third Tuesdays 7.30 for 8.00pm @ Victory Social Club, Kechill Gardens, Hayes, Bromley, Kent.

Contact Andy G4WGZ on 01689 878089 or enquiries(at)bdars.co.uk.

Website: www.bdars.co.uk

11 Feb

Coulsdon ATS

Jam Handy and Future of Club discussion

Meetings are held at 8pm on 2nd Monday each month at St. Swithun’s Church Hall, Grovelands Rd, Purley.

Contact Terry Giles G4CDY via secretary@ catsradio.org

Website: http://www.sthost.co.uk/webspace/cats/start.html

21 Feb

Sutton & Cheam RS

Video Evening

Meets 8pm on 3rd Thursday every month. They also run a practical groupmost Monday evenings at the Banstead Scout Hut.

Contact John Puttock G0BWV on 020 8644 9945 or email info(at)scrs.org.uk

Website: http://www.scrs.org.uk/

07 Feb

Horsham Amateur Radio Club

From Key to TVI with G3OGP

Normally meets on the first Thursday of each month at the Guide Hall, 20Denne Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1JF. NRQ TQ172304 at 20.00hrs local time. Contact Alister Watt G3ZBU at g3zbu(at)hotmail.com

Website: http://www.harc.org.uk/

26 Feb

Dorking & District Radio Society

Practical Evening: Slim Jim & J-Pole Antennas

Meetings at 7.45pm. Contact: David Browning (M6DJB) at djb.abraxas(at)btinternet.com.

Website: http://www.ddrs.org.uk

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01 Feb

Crystal Palace R&EC

AGM

All Saints Church, Beulah Hill (Normally meets monthly on first Friday). Contact: Bob G3OOU 01737 552170

Website: http://www.g3oou.co.uk

07 Feb

Cray Valley Radio Society

Meteor Scatter: A Practical Introduction by Mike G0GAD

1st Royal Eltham Scouts HQ, Rear of 61-71 Southend Crescent, Eltham, London SE9 2SD

Website: www.cvrs.org

Sign Off. 73 from John G8IYS Hon Sec and Newsletter Editor

Formal Notice of the 78th. SRCC AGM from Hon. Sec. John Simkins G8IYS

I HEREBY GIVE NOTICE that the 78th. Annual General Meeting of the SRCC will be held on Monday 1st April 2019 at Trinity School, 7.30 for 7.45pm start. This notice is issued more than one month ahead, as required by Club Rules. It allows time for circulation, if there any proposed alterations to the Rules. It also gives Members an opportunity to giveadvance notice of any points they wish to raise at the AGM. We also ask for nominations for Honorary Secretaryand Committee Member, with such nominations (and acceptances) to be received by the Committee prior to the opening of the AGM. Minutes of the last AGM and a full Agenda will follow separately, with or before issue of the MarchNewsletter.

NOMINATION FOR Honorary Secretary 2019- 2020

I.............................................................wish to nominate.......................................................................................... For the position of Hon Secretary 2019-2020

I agree to stand and serve - if elected

Signed.......................................................Date......................................................

NOMINATION FOR COMMITTEE MEMBER 2019-2020

I.............................................................wish to nominate.......................................................................................... For the position of Member of the SRCC Committee 2019-20

I agree to stand and serve - if elected. Signed.......................................................Date......................................................

SRCC Newsletter February 2019 Iss 2 - E&OE Page 15 of 15 29 Jan 2019