June 2011
IN THIS ISSUE
Meeting and Activity Program
Event News
Future Club Meetings and Events
Members News
Technical Snippetts
Computer Corner
Miscellaneous
Noticeboard "Wanted" and "For Sale"
Adjacent Clubs

Meeting and Event Diary:
03 Jun
M
Domestic Hot Water Using Three Forms of Energy by Jim Lugsden
05 Aug
M
Summer BBQ
5 June
R
Newhaven Fort Amateur Radio Group Rally and Fort Open Day
02 Sep
M
Junk Box Aerials by Martin M1MRB
12 Jun
R
East Suffolk Wireless Revival (Ipswich Radio Rally)
07 Oct
M
'Military Radio Equipment for the Amateur' by Dennis Noe M0NDJ
19 Jun
R
Newbury Radio Rally and Boot Sale
04 Nov
M
TBA
01 Jul
M
Construction Evening
02 Dec
M
Christmas Social
E = External event, M = club meeting, R = Rally, T = Training course


Dear Reader
Recent Event News
6th May 2011 - Introduction to D-Star by Chris Howard 2E0CTH
Chris gave us a very interesting and well illustrated talk on D-Star covering its history, equipment, repeaters, how to use it and a brief on-air demonstration.
D-Star stands for Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio and is a digital based mode used on the 23cm, 70cm and 2m bands.
Developed by the Japanese Amateur Radio League there are 2 modes of operation, Digital Voice (DV) and Digital Data (DD).
DV mode, which is by far the most popular of the two, allows voice and slow speed data operation.
DD mode is data only and operates solely on the 23cm band. This provides a much faster rate of transfer than DV mode. The amateur radio emergency groups seem to have taken an interest in this mode.
The underlying technologies used are GMSK modulation, as also used in GSM mobile phones and AMBE digital voice encoding, which is also used in satellite telephones.
Operating scenarios include Simplex and through a network of Internet linked repeaters, or regenerative nodes to give them their correct name. The real power of Dstar comes from being able to link repeaters together and the use of reflectors, which allow many repeaters to be linked together at once. This linking and unlinking can be controlled through commands sent from your radio. Dstar operators need to register their callsign with their local repeater keeper before being able to fully use the system.
The only current manufacturer of Dstar radios is Icom although other companies make associated equipment, such as the DV Dongle, which allows you operate Dstar from an Internet connected computer.
The repeater with coverage of the Crystal Palace area is GB7OK, located in Bromley. You can listen to this repeater, without any DStar equipment, on the Internet at the following address - http://gb3ok.com/live_feed.html
More information can be found at these web sites:
GB7OK - Bromley Repeater:
http://www.gb3ok.com/gb7ok_homepage.html
Real time Dstar information:
http://www.dstarusers.org/
Yahoo Group:
http://www.dstar.org.uk
Icom D-star pages:
http://www.icomuk.co.uk/categoryRender.asp?categoryID=3786
DStar Tutorial:
http://www.napasars.org/news/Mar09/Dstartutorial.htm
AMBE 2020 Manual:
http://www.dvsinc.com/manuals/AMBE-2020_manual.pdf
Wikipedia article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-STAR
CQ Magazine article on GMSK modulation:
http://www.scribd.com/mobile/documents/16190764/download?commit=Download+Now
DV Adapter:
http://dstarradioclub-international.com/
ICQ Podcast feature on Dstar:
http://media.libsyn.com/media/icqpodcast/ICQPdcast_S03_E13_Final.mp3
22 May - Garden Show, Sydenham
We decided to take up Peter's kind offer of a stand at a Garden Show run by his Garden Society. Two of these events are run each year, one in May for the Society's benefit and one in September where the proceeds go to the NSPCC.
Peter provided us with a 3m square gazebo, table, chairs, mains power and the use of their facilities to erect aerials. We took along an HF and VHF station but ended up operating just on the HF bands and all of our contacts were made on 7MHz. Towards the end of the event, 14MHz was just opening to the States but signals were weak and noisy.
We had a good number of visitors, particularly during a short rain shower! The club stand was staffed by David, Alan, Colin and your scribe.
The event was well attended and there were a number of demonstrations including one on bee keeping by Peter and some entertainment acts including a Balalaika band and a Jazz duo. Tea, coffee, cakes and lunches were served in the main meeting room next to the Society's Garden Shop. There were lots of plants and pots of honey on sale
The photo below shows Dave using the R1000 demonstration receiver and your scribe talking to a visitor.
The next event is on Sunday 4th September this year.
Future Club Meetings and Events
3rd June 2011 Domestic Hot Water Using Three Forms of Energy by Jim Lugsden
We try to have one talk each year that is not directly related to amateur radio and this time we are looking at the provision and use of energy including both conventional and "green" forms.
Jim is a member of the Blackheath Scientific Society and is going to give us an illustrated talk about the work that he has done on the problems of integrating solid fuel, solar and and gas systems in a low tech way.
He also has energy bills which compare gas consumption of the old boiler and the new condensing boiler.
Members News
Trevor, who is receiving treatment following a road traffic accident has decided to sell some of his amateur radio gear and a short list is included at the end of this newsletter - offers to your scribe please. We wish him all the best for a speedy recovery.
Club Net
Can members please let me know if they would prefer the club net to be moved to a different day, time or frequency? Channel S21 that we currently use on 2m is often in use by 8pm by nets that are audible to your scribe but may not be audible to members in lower lying areas.
Alan G8NKM can be clearly heard in Coulsdon with his 5W and Slim Jim but his receiver is completely blocked by local pager transmissions and needs a filter to remove the interference. Colin M0XED can communicate with regular net users, which is surprising considering his location at the bottom of a large hill.
Victor G1PKS and I have tried 6m with success and that band is much less busy except for openings and contests. We could always consider one of the HF bands but some tests would be required.
Technical Snippetts
a) TDK-EPC have announced that they are supplying power capacitors from EPCOS for the Velaro high speed trains that Siemes is buildibng for the Chinese state railway. They will be used in the resonant circuits of the traction converters.
What makes these capacitors interesting is that in a space of 340 x 600 x 165mm they can fit 1520uF at 3600V DC or 2960V AC with a maximum operating current of 273A and a maximum peak current of 200KA - a serious amount of power.
They are constructed as film capacitors and mounted in a series parallel arrangement in a steel case filled with rape seed oil for improved thermal conductivity. They are also self-healing and have an operating life of 200,000 hours or 23 years. The trains run at a maximum speed of 350Km/hr.[Source: TDK Components]
b) Rapid Online have packs of 1000 carbon film resistors of a range of values in both quarter and half watt ratings and a good selection of medium and high voltage disc ceramic capacitors at very competitive prices. All items may be purchased online using a credit or debit card and orders of £30 or more (excluding VAT) are post free - ideal for a group purchase.
See http://www.rapidonline.com/ for more information.
Notice Board - Wanted and For Sale
The Notice Board is for all club members to use so if you have one or more items that you wish to buy or sell then please send in the details. The current list of items may be viewed at: http://www.g3oou.co.uk/ in the "Notice Board - Wanted and For Sale" section.
Wanted:
SWL club member looking for a VHF multimode receiver covering at least 144-146MHz. Contact Victor on 020 8653 2946 or Bob on 01737 552170.
For Sale:
Mode Components has a website at http://www.modecomponents.co.uk/ and can be contacted on 0121 554 5157 or 07984 071369.
Email at sales@modecomponents.co.uk or
modecomponents@yahoo.com
Sycom run by Robin G3NFV has now closed following Robin suffering a mild stroke.
JAB Electronic Components, PO Box 5774, Birmingham, B44 8PJ supply a wide range of electronic components and can be contacted on 0121 682 7045 or by email at: jabdog@blueyonder.co.uk
73
G3OOU
Diary of External Events
5 June - Newhaven Fort Amateur Radio Group Rally and Fort Open Day
Newhaven Fort, East Sussex, near the southern end of the A26. CP, £2, OT 10.30, CBS, DF, FAM, CS, SIG, C. Sellers tables £7 each, set up 9am. Eddie, G0ECW on 01273 300772, eddiezamboodle.demon.co.uk.
12 Jun - East Suffolk Wireless Revival (Ipswich Radio Rally)
The Orwell Crossing Lorry Park, A14 Eastbound, Nacton, Ipswich, IP10 0DD. CBS, B&B, SIG, LRC, RSGB Bookstall, GB4SWR HF station, C, CP, TI S22. OT 9.30, £1. Contact Steve, M1ACB on 07711 329624
Visit website: www.eswr.org.uk
19 Jun - Newbury Radio Rally and Boot Sale
Newbury Showground, next to M4 J13. Big display area of amateur radio stations, exhibitions, special groups, clubs and societies. TI S22 (V44), free CP, OT 9.00, £2, TS, C, DF, FM, SIG. Sellers have access from 8am and pitches cost £10. Details from rallynadars.org.uk
Visit website: www.nadars.org.uk
24-26 June - Hamtronic Show, Friedrichshafen
Messe, Friedrichshafen, Germany. TS, FM, CP, SIG, LB, C, DF, LEC, CS. Large RSGB bookstall
Website:
17 JULY - McMichael Rally and Boot Sale -
Reading Rugby Club, just off the A4 east of Reading. TI, free CP, £2, LB, C, SIG, WIN, TS, CBS. OT 9.30. Details Pete, G8FRC, 01189 695697, g8frcradarc.org
06 Nov - Kempton Park Radio & Electronics Rally
20 Nov - CATS Bazaar 10am - 1pm
A full list of rallies and events may be found at http://www.rsgb.org/events/index.php
News from other Clubs
Club Secretaries - please send your meeting programs to Bob G3OOU. Our newsletter is now published during the third week of each month and closes for editorial input at the end of the second week. Due to differing publication dates and short lead times it is sometimes difficult to include other clubs' specific events although we will endeavour to do so if advised in time.
Chelmsford Amateur Rado Society (CARS)
Secretary Martyn Medcalf G1EFL Tel: 01245-469008. First Tuesday of each month at MASC, Beehive Lane, Great Baddow, Chelmsford, CM2 9RX. Essex. UK. Web: www.g0mwt.org.uk
07 Jun
"G5RV Night" to commemorate his Birthday 100 years ago by CARS Members
05 Jul
"G5RV Night" to commemorate his Birthday 100 years ago by CARS Members
Coulsdon (CATS) 2nd Monday every month, 8pm at St Swithun's Church Hall, Grovelands Road, Purley. Contact: Steve Beal G3WZK on 01883 620730 or secretary@catsradio.org
Web site: http://www.catsradio.org/
13 Jun
CATS Annual DF Hunt
Dorking & District Radio Society
Meetings at the Friends' Meeting House, Butterhill, South Street, Dorking RH4 2LE starting at 7.45pm.
Contact: Garth Swanson G3NPC on 01737 359472 or G3NPC@swansons.org.uk
Web site: http://www.ddrs.org.uk
28 Jun
Electrical Safety - Robin Page-Jones G3JWI
26 Jul
South Downs evening.
Echelford Amateur Radio Society
Secretary Tony Collier 2E1IDK on 01932 564099 - e-mail tony@woodroad12.fsnet.co.uk
Web site: http://beam.to/ears
Meets on 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month.
Phone for details.
Mitcham & District Amateur Radio Society
Secretary: Mike Knott G0WCR, 76 New Barnes Avenue, Mitcham, Surrey, CR4 1LF.
Tel: 020 8764 4716
Phone for details
Reigate Amateur Transmitting Society
Secretary: Tim Trew G8JXV
Tel: 01293 775278. Email:
tim.trew@btinternet.com
Meeting on 3rd Thursday of each month, 7:30pm at RNIB Redhill College, Philanthrophic Road, Redhill.
South East Essex Amateur Radio Society (SEARS) Contact: Norman, M0FZW (Hon Sec)
Tele: 01268 692776,
Email: secretary@southessex-ars.co.uk
Web: http://www.southessex-ars.co.uk/
Meetings: 8pm 2nd Weds each month at: South Benfleet Primary School, High Rd, SS7 5HA.
08 Jun
Essex CW Group Presentation by Jonathon Michener
Surrey Radio Contact Club (SRCC) 1st and 3rd Monday every month, 8pm at Trinity School, South Croydon. Contact John Kennedy G3MCX 020 8688 3322 or secretary@g3src.org.uk for more details.
06 Jun
Construction Contest
04 Jul
Club BBQ
Sutton & Cheam RS. 3rd Thursday every month, 8pm at Sutton United FC, The Borough Sports Ground, Gander Green Lane, Sutton. Contact John Puttock G0BWV on 020 8644 9945 or email info@scrs.org.uk  Web: http://scrs.org.uk/
23 Jun
'Susy Radio' by John Stockley G8MNY - note change of date
21 Jul
'Repairing Vintage Radios' by Dave Smith MØSXD
Wimbledon. 2nd and last Friday every month, 8pm at Martin Way Methodist Church, Buckleigh Avenue, Merton Park, SW19 9JZ
Contact Jim Bell, M0CON on 020 8874 7456
Web site: http://www.gx3wim.org.uk/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
24 Jun
Modern Photography by Peter
Beardow G1SHV
29 Jul - 07 Aug
Summer Camp
09 Sep
Summer Camp Retrospective


Items For Sale
Sensible bids are invited to Bob G3OOU for the following items that are for sale from three radio shacks:
a) A few remaining items from the shack of Eddie G4KBY:
Description
Price
Description
Price
KW1000 HF bands linear - fairly heavy and in reasonable condition
Sold
Telequipment Model 43 dual beam oscilloscope - working but needs a good clean as very dusty inside.
£5
Sangamo Weston E772 1000ohms per volt analyser with leads (old and large testmeter)
£10
1mA FSD meter with 3 inch dial
£1 each
Original HRO receiver printed manual with an S Meter conversion article.
£5
Two small soldering irons, 15W and 25W, both mains powered
£1 each
1 bag of pre-packed ICs, 1 bag of RS Components prepacked, 1 bag of identified ICs and transistors
£5
2 two-way and three way data transfer switch boxes - useful project boxes
£2 each
A Future Electronics transistor tester FTC 401
£5 the lot
A 250v-12v power supply unit.
£5
Pye fist microphone with 5pin connector
£2
Labgear E5034 Low Pass Filter, -0.5dB at 31MHz, -50dB at 40MHz. Two SO239 connectors
£10
b) The following items are from the shack of Ron G8OTG:
Description
Price
Description
Price
Advance Signal Generator SG62B
£30
Universal Avo Minor in old leather case
£10
FT290 + manual
£100
5 Way coaxial switch with SO239 sockets - 4 outputs plus ground position
£7.50
144-146MHz strip-line filter with SO239 sockets
£20
Kenwood SP120 loudspeaker enclosure
£25
6 way coaxial switch - four outputs plus open and ground positions, SO239 sockets
£10
Microwave Modules digital frequency counter with short aerial
£25
Trio 9130 2m multimode
£75
RF Through-line power meter T-435
£10
Crystal calibrator on a PCB with 1MHz crystal
£5
Soldering iron base and spring - less soldering iron and sponge
£5
Active ATU - requires external DC supply
£10
Bosch mobile radio with fist mic - amateur band frequencies not yet established
£20
Kenwood R-1000 receiver
Sold
Complete 230V Soldering Iron station
£25
Icom IC-240
£80
Yaesu FT-225 RD transceiver
£80
Yaesu speaker/microphone YM-49
£10
Thandar battery oscilloscope SC110 with brief manual
£25
Nova mobile radio
£10
Diamond DSV3000 12V 25A PSU
£25
Mains Bench PSU with 12V output
£10
Kenwood PS-30 DC PSU
£30
ARRL Handbooks - 1944, 1976 and 1988 editions
£5 each
Colinear vertical aerial with white weatherproof outer cover for 6m and 2m, other bands not yet known
£15
AM Radio Techniques by G3VA
£5
RSGB VHF Manual
£5
9 Q-Max chassis punches
£5 each
AVO 8 with probes and carrying case
£20
Heathkit RF Probe
£5
2 gang 500pF standard varable capacitor
£4
c) The following items are from Trevor's shack:
Description
Price
Description
Price
Marconi Signal Generator TF2008
£100 bid
Black & Decker KR500 power drill
£10
Yaesu FT-707 HF multimode solid state transceiver with matching FP-707 power supply. Covers 3.5-30MHz ham bands incl WARC with CW, SSB and AM.
£150
Q-Max chassis punches in ?. 1, 1? and 1½ inches
£5 each with an Allen key, £4 without
Yaesu FC700 aerial tuning unit
Project box, unused, in good condition approx 7" x 7" x 11" wide
£5
Marconi TF2437 100MHz counter timer
£50
Project box, unused, in good condition approx 4" x 5" x 6"
£2
Marconi TF2103 AF oscillator
£30
PX3 small unused project box
£1
Hora 144-146MHz FM Handheld with rechargeable battery, aerial and charging lead but no charger
£40
Diamond Antennas 50 ohm 15W Dummy load with PL259 connector
£10
Elmac 4810 single beam oscilloscope
£20
Box of assorted variable capacitors
£3 each
Realistic DX394 HF Communications receiver
£50
Avo Universal Multimeter - looks like a model 7
Datong D70 battery powered Morse tutor
£25
Avo 8 multimeter
Ex Army Morse key
£5
Small hand held hand powered drill
£2
Home constructed kit frequency counter with LED display
£10
Commercial Loudspeaker in black case with lead and 3.5mm plug
£5
Home made, battery powered LC bridge
£10 bid
Box of assorted valves including two EF183 and one 6SA7
Unboxed £1 each, boxed £2 each
Black & Decker D.520 power drill
£7.50
Items sold just before publication are shown as sold. Where an offer to purchase has already been received the item is highlighted and the cost includes the word bid. All items are bought as seen.