October 2011
IN THIS ISSUE
Meeting Program
Club News
Future Meetings & Events
Members News
Technical Snippetts
Noticeboard - Wanted/For Sale
News from other Clubs
Meeting and Event Diary:
07 Oct
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M
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'Military Radio Equipment for the Amateur' by Dennis Noe M0NDJ
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06 Nov
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R
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Kempton Park Radio & Electronics Rally
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7-9 Oct
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E
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7-9 Oct - RSGB Convention
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20 Nov
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R
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CATS Bazaar
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04 Nov
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M
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An Evening of Short Talks
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02 Dec
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M
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Christmas Social
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E = External event, M = club meeting, R = Rally, T = Training course
Dear Reader
Recent Event News
I am sorry to have to advise that club member Peter Springall died in hospital on Wednesday 7th September aged 87 following a stroke just before the Kent House Flower and Vegetable Show. Peter joined this club in 1996 and although his over-riding passion was bee keeping, he had been interested in radio and was a short wave listener for a number of years. He passed his Foundation examination in 2010 and was in the process of assembling a station.
An obituary and funeral details appear later in this newsletter.
2nd September - Junk Box Antennas by Martin Butler M1MRB
Martin gave us an illustrated talk with three short videos on how easy it is to make aerials from junk box parts with a bit of lateral thinking' These included
a 3 element 2m yago made from tape measure parts and a plastic booma 70cm, 23m and 13cm groundplanes constructed on SO239 sockets
a dipole made from coaxial cable
a dipole made with a series of BNC connectors and adaptors
a variety of VHF verticals using PL259 plugs on a magnetic mount base.
The lesson that we all took away from this talk was "don't say I can't do it, make the effort and try it, no matter how simple or complex".
4th September 2011 - The Kent House Flower and Vegetable Show
Alan, Colin, Dave and myself attended this event and activated the club call GX2LW/A on both the HF and VHF bands. We were provided with a 3m square gazebo with walls, a mains supply and space to erect a long wire aerial supported by two of the club masts at about 25 feet in height plus a Slim Jim for 144MHz. Unfortunately due to the presence of an active wasp nest in my loft I was unable to retrieve the club HF dipole for the event.
The equipment in use was an Icom IC7400 and Z-Match for HF/6m and an FT897 for 2m connected to a laptop running Ham Radio Deluxe. We made a number of contacts on 7MHz and 21MHz with our most distant being Cypress (5B4) - not bad for a rather makeshift aerial.
The photo below shows Colin M0XED operating the HF station and Alan standing by to greet visitors.
A small number of examples of amateur radio equipment were displayed on the table in the foreground for visitors to inspect including a FOXX3 transceiver built into a sweet tin, some open wire feeder and my new station console.
Other activities included a Russian music trio, an NSPCC fund raising stall and a Bee Keepers tent with a section of a live bee hive on display.
The following photos show some of the other activities at the Garden Show:
Entries of flowers:
Entries of fruit:
Our thanks go to the Kent House Garden Society for providing the facilities and we are keeping in touch with them regarding a possible event next May.
Future Club Meetings and Events
7th October 2011- 'Military Radio Equipment for the Amateur' by Dennis Noe M0NDJ
This talk is about the current equipment that has become available on the market with the recent MOD disposal of the Clansman Radio system and what use it is to the Radio Amateur.
Foundation Training Course 2011
Our next Foundation training course which was due to commence on 24th September has been postponed due to insufficient candidates to make it financially viable. We have also been waiting in excess of a year for the RSGB to inspect our examination facilities.
30 Sep & 1 Oct - National Hamfest
George Stephenson Pavilion, Newark and Nottinghamshire Showground, Lincoln Road, Winthorpe, Newark NG24 2NY (close to junction of A1/A46/A17). Morse proficiency tests on demand, RSGB Bookstall, RSGB Services & Committees.
This event has extensive parking facilities and can be easily reached by train from London Kings Cross to Newark followed by a short taxi journey. Entrance tickets can be purchased full price on the day or online with a small discount.
14th November 2011 CATS Quiz
Steve G3WZK, CATS Secretary, writes: "This year, the Coulsdon Amateur Transmitting Society (CATS) has re-introduced its Annual Quiz. The Quiz will be organised by Steve G7SYO and partner Wendy, both of whom are experienced quizmasters outside the sphere of amateur radio.
As a nearby radio society or club, you are warmly invited to send a team to take part in the quiz. We are inviting the following societies:
Crystal Palace
Dorking & DRS
Surrey RCC
Sutton and Cheam RS
Wimbledon & DRS
Individual members from your societies are also welcome to attend if they wish, but please do let us know first.
This year's event is on Monday 14th November 2011 and is at the usual CATS venue - St Swithun's Church Hall, Grovelands Road, Purley. It starts at 8:00 pm. For more information or updates, please visit www.catsradio.org"
Members News
a) Don G3WDY has just moved to Dorchester to be nearer his family.
b) Trevor M0DIA is now active on 2m with his AKD FM transceiver and Slim Jim aerial and is being received with no problems on the club net. However, he is in need of a larger 13.5V PSU in order to run the AKD on full power (25W) - the current PSU will only provide enough current for low power (5W) operation.
c) Your scribe and his XYL Cathy have just returned from eight days holiday in Cornwall. A 2m handheld rig was taken but no signals were heard. Places visited included the Eden Project, St Ives and Perranporth. The coastline is extremely rugged but there are plenty of paths to walk as long as you are well wrapped up - the sea breezes can be quite cold. A lot of surfing activity was noted.
Club Meeting Place
Commencing in October our meetings will be held in the newly developed church meeting area. This has much improved facilities and the church committee has agreed to find a convenient place to keep our club cupboard and blackboard but we will now need a display screen for the projector. The new meeting area is accessed through the church front door and entrance hall.
Technical Snippetts
a) If you have ever dreamed of a (modest?) three element beam on 7MHz then take a look at the OH8X web site - they have a 100m high rotateable tower that holds a three element beam for top band and a five element beam for 80m. The entire structure weighs about 36 tons and can stand its own weight again in ice and snow.
OH8X, also known as Radio Arcala, is located on 45 acres of privately owned land inside the Arctic Circle in the north of Finland and has a total of seven towers and a fully operational shack designed for serious contest operation which is also capable of remote operation.
b) Colin M0XED has an interesting loop aerial mounted on a remotely controlled rotator and positioned on a flat roof area outside his kitchen. This lop covers 7 - 30MHz and is rated for use with a 400W transmitter. To cope with this power level and the resulting very high voltagesand currents the loop is made from large diameter aluminium tubing and the tuning capacitor has a plate spacing in excess of half an inch (12.7mm). Colin has made QSOs across the pond with this setup.
c) NXP have just announced the BLF178P which is a dual power transistor rated at 1000W continuous carrier output power and 1200W peak output from HF to 108MHz. This device runs from a 50V DC supply and offers a typical gain of 26dB and 75% efficiency at full output. Although it is specified for class AB1 operation no linearity curves or IP3 results are provided.
d) The recent spell of good conditions early in the morning on 20m seems to be on the way out. Long path communications has been much worse and noisier in the last week .
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:
a) Heavy duty Radio Mast, (Clark Mast DAF 30) which stands at 7ft 6in tall when collapsed and 30feet fully extended. There is a fitting at the top for many different aerials to be fitted to this mast, 6 guy lines and 3 heavy duty iron angle ground pegs to assist when using in windy conditions and a bag with a hammer to hold the guy lines and pegs when transporting them. £500.00 ono. Delivery within a reasonable distance may be possible otherwise buyer must collect as it is far too heavy to post or ship. Photos available on request. Contact Norman Norris M0NTN on: 020 8299 0242 or 07817 338 255.
b) Contact Victor G1PKS on 020 8653 2946 if you are interested in purchasing:
Pye Westminster 4m transceiver. Including crystals for Channel 10 ie Tx 51.310, Rx 50.810, in good condition £30 ono.
Kenpro 2M hand-held FM Transceiver KT22 including battery but no charger, in good condition £30 ono.
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 at blueyonder.co.uk
73
G3OOU
Diary of External Events
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30 Sep & 1 Oct - National Hamfest
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Brought to you by the RSGB in association with the Lincoln Short Wave Club. George Stephenson Pavilion, Newark and Nottinghamshire Showground, Lincoln Road, Winthorpe, Newark NG24 2NY (close to junction of A1/A46/A17). Morse proficiency tests on demand, RSGB Bookstall, RSGB Services & Committees.
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7-9 Oct - RSGB Convention
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Horwood House, Little Horwood, near Milton Keynes. Full convention programme with lectures for all interests and all levels of technicality
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06 Nov - Kempton Park Radio & Electronics Rally
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Kempton Park racecourse, Staines Road East, Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex TW16 5AQ. OT 10.00. TS, FM, DF, free CP, RSGB, LEC, TI S22 (V44). Paul, M0CJX, 08451 650 351, email: info at radiofairs.co.uk, website: www.radiofairs.co.uk
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20 Nov - CATS Bazaar 10am - 1pm
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1st Coulsdon Scout HQ, rear of Council Car Park, Lion Green Road, Coulsdon, Surrey. 10.00-13.00, £1, Details Glenn, G4FVL, email: chairman at catsradio.org.
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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
04 Oct
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Annual General Meeting
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01 Nov
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"Islands On The Air, IOTA" by Martin Atherton, G3ZAY.
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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 at catsradio.org
10 Oct
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Radio In The Scouting Movement by G6CJR and M0NDJ
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14 Nov
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CATS quiz: Quizmasters Steve (G7SYO) and Wendy
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12 Dec
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AGM
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Dorking & District Radio Society
Meetings at the Friends' Meeting House, Butterhill, South Street, Dorking RH4 2LE starting at 7.45pm.
25 Oct
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Software Defined Radio, Olof Lundberg G0CKV
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22 Nov
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The 4 Square Antenna - results, Garth Swanson
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Echelford Amateur Radio Society
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:
Meeting on 3rd Thursday of each month, 7:30pm at RNIB Redhill College, Philanthrophic Road, Redhill.
South East Essex Amateur Radio Society (SEARS) ContactDave G4UVJ on: 01268 697978,
Meetings: 8pm 2nd Weds each month at: 31 Feeches Road,Southend on Sea SS2 6TE (temporary location which may change for each meeting - please see web site).
12 Oct
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Talk by Philip G8LHW on Power Supplies
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09 Nov
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AGM
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14 Dec
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Christmas Social Night
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Surrey Radio Contact Club (SRCC)
1st. and 3rd. Mondays every Month (unless Bank Holidays) 7.30 for 7.45pm at Trinity School, Shirley Park, Croydon, CR9 7AT. Contact John Kennedy G3MCX on 020 8688 3322 or
03 Oct
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Autumn Surplus Equipment Sale
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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 at scrs.org.uk Web: http://scrs.org.uk/
20 Oct
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`Noise Eliminating Products' by Graham Somerville M3ZGS of BHI Limited
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17 Nov
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To be confirmed
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08 Dec
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Christmas Junk Sale - note change of date
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19 Jan
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'Ham Radio Olympics' by Roger Western G3SXW
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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
28 Oct
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AGM
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25 Nov
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Surplus Equipment Sale
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Please replace the _at_ with @ in all email addresses shown in this newsletter.
Peter Springall (Pete the Beekeeper) 1924 - 2011
The picture shows Peter on the right talking to Barry Mills in 2008.
Peter died on 8th Sept 2011 after suffering a stroke - he was 87 and had been a beekeeper for over 60 years. Many of you will remember Peter as the Show Supervisor of the National Honey Show.
Peter started keeping bees two days after he left the Royal Air Force in 1947. He was a bee breeding enthusiast, a strong advocate of the dark European honey bee (Apis mellifera mellifera) and had written many articles on the subject for the Bee Improvement Breeding Association (BIBBA) magazine. He lectured in beekeeping at the Kirkdale Institute in South London until 1989; it was here that he taught Norman Carreck. He made many TV appearances.
Peter discovered there was such a thing as a local association some 15 years into his beekeeping and he joined the Bromley Beekeepers Association in 1962. He was the apiary manager from 1973, and the fact that he was still fulfilling this role when he died is testimony to his energy and commitment to beekeeping. The branch named their apiary after him to commemorate his 60 years of beekeeping. Ever eagle-eyed, Peter once found a silver rose bowl in a skip - it polished up nicely and is now awarded annually at the Bromley and Orpington Honey Show and bears Peter's name.
Peter's beekeeping drew on his background as an engineer and he made a lot of equipment himself, including his innovative resin cast jar feeder for Kirchhain nucs. Peter could also recall going to Boots to buy equipment that he didn't really need just so that he could talk to other beekeepers. He was well known for his gentle bees and he won many prizes at the National.
I first met Peter after joining the Bromley Beekeepers Association about 21 years ago and was soon drawn to branch activities like setting up the Bromley Bee Tent that Peter had made with his customary engineering skills (materials mostly sourced from skips, naturally) and the staging of the National Honey Show. The latter involved long hours in the car taking Peter's many short cuts across London (some of which shaved up to 2 minutes off the journey time).
Peter was a kind and generous person and was always in demand on his allotment for his engineering skills and knowledge about growing vines. His other hobbies included motorbike racing, computers, jazz, dancing and latterly amateur radio. Ever forward thinking, Peter recently passed his amateur radio licence exam stating that he was looking for a new hobby, something he could do from home should his health fail and he no longer be in a position to manage his bees.
Peter had a natural ability to talk to anybody and enjoyed engaging with the public and helping others with their bee related problems. He will be greatly missed by his many friends.
Peter's funeral will be on Wednesday 19th October at 10.30am at St William of York Catholic Church, 4 Brockley Road, SE23 1PS. The Rev. Francis Capener will be taking the service.
After the service the cortege will pass by Kent House Allotments en route to Hither Green Cemetery for the cremation at 12.15pm and afterwards to Kent House Allotments for refreshments.
No flowers please but donations if desired to Bees for Development or The Stroke Association, to be sent to The Funeral Centre, 43-47 Rushey Green, London, SE6 4AS. The only flowers that will on the coffin will be a 'BEE' and flowers from Kent House Allotment.
Steven Turner G6LPF (Bromley Beekeepers)
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
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Price
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Description
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Price
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Telequipment Model 43 dual beam oscilloscope - working but needs a good clean as very dusty inside.
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£5
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1 bag of pre-packed ICs, 1 bag of RS Components prepacked, 1 bag of identified ICs and transistors
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£5
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2 two-way data transfer switch box - useful painted project box
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£2
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Sangamo Weston E772 1000 ohms per voltanalyser with leads.
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£5
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3 way data transfer switch box - useful painted project box
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£2
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Original HRO receiver printed manual with an S Meter conversion article.
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£5
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15W soldering iron, mains powered
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£1
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25W soldering iron, mains powered
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£1
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Pye fist microphone with 5pin connector
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£2
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A Future Electronics transistor tester FTC 401
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£5 the lot
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1mA FSD meter with 3 inch dial
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£1 each
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b) The following items are from the shack of Ron G8OTG:
Description
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Price
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Description
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Price
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Advance Signal Generator SG62B
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£30
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Kenwood SP120 loudspeaker enclosure
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£25
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FT290 + manual
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£50
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Microwave Modules digital frequency counter with short aerial
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£25
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Trio 9130 2m multimode
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£75
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Soldering iron base and spring - less soldering iron and sponge
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£5
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Crystal calibrator on a PCB with 1MHz crystal
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£5
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Bosch mobile radio with fist mic - amateur band frequencies not yet established
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£20
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Thandar battery oscilloscope SC110 with brief manual
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£25
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Colinear vertical aerial with white weatherproof outer cover for 6m and 2m, other bands not yet known
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£15
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Active ATU - requires external DC supply
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£10
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Complete 230V Soldering Iron station
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£25
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Icom IC-240
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£80
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Yaesu FT-225 RD transceiver
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£80
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Nova mobile radio
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£10
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Heathkit RF Probe
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£5
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Mains Bench PSU with 12V output
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£10
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Kenwood PS-30 DC PSU
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£30
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ARRL Handbooks - 1976 and 1988 editions
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£5 each
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Yaesu speaker/microphone YM-49
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£10
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AM Radio Techniques by G3VA
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£5
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RSGB VHF Manual
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£5
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Q-Max chassis punches
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£5 each
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2 gang 500pF standard varable capacitor
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£4
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c) The following items are from Trevor's shack:
Description
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Price
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Description
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Price
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Project box, unused, in good condition approx 7" x 7" x 11" wide
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£5
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Project box, unused, in good condition approx 4" x 5" x 6"
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£2
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Marconi TF2437 100MHz counter timer
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£50
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PX3 small unused project box
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£1
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Marconi TF2103 AF oscillator
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£30
|
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Datong D70 battery powered Morse tutor
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£25
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Box of assorted variable capacitors
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£3 each
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Ex Army Morse key
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£5
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Avo Universal Multimeter - looks like a model 7
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Small hand held hand powered drill
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£2
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Commercial Loudspeaker in black case with lead and 3.5mm plug
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£5
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Box of assorted valves including two EF183 and one 6SA7
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Unboxed £1 each, boxed £2 each
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Q-Max chassis punches in ?. 1, 1?
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£5 each with an Allen key, £4 without
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Home constructed kit frequency counter with LED display
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£10
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Diamond Antennas 50 ohm 15W Dummy load with PL259 connector
|
£15
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All items are bought as seen.
