Hi to all Club members

It has been suggested that we try an experimental Club net on Top Band, on Thursday eve. 31st October starting at 20.00hours.

I have been asked to co-ordinate this by John, G4RDC and I’m happy to do this.

I understand that not many members will have this capability at the moment but here is an opportunity to see how well you can lash up a system for local contacts. I suggest the following simple approach. 

Antennas.

We are not looking for NVIS ionospheric propagation, what is needed for a local net of stations a few Km apart, I think,  is local ground wave propagation. This means having some component of radiation with vertical polarisation  from the antenna.  An inverted L is ideal. It can be non-resonant  and shorter  than a 1/4 wave, provided your ATU will resonate it.   The ATU can be at the feed point  if you use a remote auto ATU, or in the shack, where the coax feeder will act as a crude counterpoise.   An additional  wire  counterpoise  at the feed point may probably help but not necessarily.

Strapped feeders on a doublet is good.  A short loaded vertical resonated on top band,  if you already have, one will work.

If you run a full sized antenna for more serious Top Band work, I expect it will be fine for local contacts.

Power Level.

I am proposing a net frequency  of 1850KHz  LSB or just below in the high power all mode section of 1840 to 1850KHz. The lowest dial reading we can use on LSB is 1843KHz. This means we can use in excess of 32W   but I will probably limit my power to 50W. Your power  may be limited by “RF in the shack” issues.

So, in summary, I will call on 1850KHz at 20.00 on the 31st.  Or on  the best frequency clear of QRN  just  below and co-ordinate the net as Net Controller and pass it round according to the list of callers.

Best of Luck,

Vin, G4JTR.

To all you creative people out there. It's time to think about impressing the membership with your skills and ingenuity!

As usual, entrants will give a short (5 minutes or so) presentation on their entry.

There are two cups to be won, as voted by the whole membership in attendance. Software, hardware, old technology, new technology: all is valid and gets its chance on account of cleverness, quality of construction, complexity or simple brilliance - they all count toward the popular vote for the winner and runner up cups, to be presented on the night.