Category Archives: Events

Magnetic loop antennas and fundamental antenna questions – Prof. Mike Underhill G3LHZ

Folks,

At our next meeting we welcome Prof. Mike Underhill G3LHZ to tell us all about magnetic loop transmitting antennas including the latest research. He will bring a selection of loops.

Venue: Woodford Park, Woodley, 8pm as usual, Thursday 27th April.

Further, Mike will address fundamental questions about antennas in
general.

Mag loops offer interesting possibilities where space is at a premium –
a number of them we are hoping will fit in the tea room at Woodford
Park.

Also, if extreme volts and amps are your bag – this is definitely one
for you. I’m no expert (Rael is, M0RTP) but the tuning caps need to be
specially designed to handle the high voltages (often involving vacuums) and the loops themselves need low resistance.

Tuning of said caps offers challenges for micro controller/computer auto tuning so there’s something for Arduino/Raspberry Pi enthusiasts etc. – indeed Rael has done quite a bit of work here.

Refreshments to be served as usual.

Looking forward to seeing you on Thursday.

Many thanks to Rael, our own mag loop exponent, for helping organise this meeting.

cheers

John
G4RDC

Digital Voice Modes from a User Perspective, Tim Kirby G4VXE

 Folks,

Next RADARC meeting is on Thursday 13th April  when Tim Kirby
G4VXE joins us again to look at the DMR, DSTAR and Yaesu Fusion digital voice modes from a user perspective.

Venue is Woodford Park as usual, 8pm.

Please feel free to bring along your digital voice mode hand held
equipment. Or larger if you wish. I’d be particularly impressed with
thermionic equipment (perhaps in the shape of a linear??).

If anyone has PC programming stuff they could demo that would also be good. I keep hearing about ‘codeplugs’ and it would be great to see one in all it’s 3 pin glory 🙂 Though I suspect you wouldn’t want to
connect it to the mains.

On the software side, if anyone has DSD working on a PC/tablet it’d be great to see that too.

Digital Speech Decoder

SharkRF openSPOT also looks interesting
https://www.sharkrf.com/products/openspot/ – thanks PW for pointing that one out 🙂

Refreshments to be served as usual.

A huge thankyou to Tim for supporting us.

Look forward to seeing you there.

cheers

John
G4RDC

53 years of Earth-Moon-Earth (EME), then and now

Folks,

Peter Blair, G3LTF, joins us on Thursday 9th March, 8pm at RADARC for a talk entitled “53 years of EME, then and now”.  He will take a look at how it started and then a look at the scene today, in particular the technology developments. The concentration will be on the bands above 144MHz.

Prepare to be amazed at the possibilities and see how you might get started yourself!

Venue: Woodford Park Leisure Centre, Woodley, RG5 4LY as usual.

Refreshments will be provided as usual.

73

John

G4RDC

 

Simple Satellite Operating by Tim Kirby G4VXE

Folks,

Next RADARC meeting is Thursday, 23rd February at Woodford Park,  Woodley, 8pm as usual.

Satellite operating is easier than you think! Tim Kirby G4VXE (of Practical Wireless fame – need I say more) explains how to get started on the amateur satellites as simply as possible. Hopefully afterwards, you’ll want to give it a go!

In the words of the great G3NGX “Get to your seat by 8.00.  Pin back your ears  at 8.10.  Digest what you have heard at 9.30 and wash it down with a  cup of RADARC coffee.  Consider how this could change your life for  the better.”

Looking forward to seeing you all.

Visitors welcome!

73

John

G4RDC

Didcot/Harwell Radio Rally Sunday 12th February 2017

Sunday 12th February 2017

HARWELL AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY are holding a Radio and Electronics Rally at Didcot Leisure Centre, Mereland Road, Didcot, OX11 8AY from 10.00am-3.00pm. There will be radio and electronics trade stalls, a Radio Society of Great Britain bookstall, information on local courses for those who would like to become a Radio Amateur and an Amateur Radio Demonstration Station. Refreshments will be available all day. Entry £3.00 (children under 12 free). Details from Ann G8NVI on 01235 816379 or ann.stevens@btinternet.com

 

‘Drones’ by Adam Juniper

Folks,

Next club meet is Thursday 9th February at Woodford Park, 8pm as usual.

Adam Juniper will give an introduction into the world of drones and advice on how to get started.

I wonder if it’s possible to string a top band vertical from one of those things….or whether it’s possible to get them to lift a line to the top of a tree for antenna stringing. Might even be safer than the traditional catapult.

Look forward to seeing you there and exploring the possibilities of these fascinating flying machines.

Refreshments to be served as usual.

cheers

John
G4RDC

‘Life on the Other Side’ Steve Venner, G0TAN

Folks,

Next RADARC meeting is on Thursday 26th January at Woodford Park as
usual, 8pm.

In a talk entitled ‘Life on the Other Side’ Steve Venner, G0TAN/W6TAN,
will give us an insight into what happens behind the doors of one of the
country’s biggest ham radio dealers. With a focus on the workshop.

There’s opportunity for lots of discussion here about the past, present
and future of commercial amateur radio gear so I am sure it will be an
enjoyable and informative evening.

I can also be certain you’ll all be asking for discounts and I can
probably be even more certain what the answer will be 🙂

Sadly I won’t be able to make this one but I’m confident refreshments
will be served as usual.

cheers,

John
G4RDC