A list of contests you may be interested in has been posted in the forum !

A presentation on how it works and a demonstration of doing it by Dave G8KBB and Mike G4VSS

In lockdown, access to the club shack has been a problem.

Doubly so since the GYCA internet links mean we can’t easily access it remotely.

This talk will describe how we worked around the limitations and show how you can use the club’s 9100

Tonight we welcome Graham, G4FSG.

His talk will be on the history of Radar, including the work of Robert Watson-Watt who is known as ‘the father of radar’, it’s development in Suffolk at Bawdsey Manor and the role it played during WWII.

Bury Radio Society invite us to share this talk via Zoom:  ID 773 073 0073

Nick G4IWO will present this fascinating topic in stealth / covert antennas for when you might not want the public to know you have an amateur radio setup. Nick G4IWO was one of the driving forces behind the amazing two-day virtual GQRP Conference this year which was attended by people worldwide. Nick is also Chairman of Denby Dale Amateur Radio Club.

https://rsgb.org/main/blog/tonight-at-eight/2020/12/23/1-february-starting-out-on-the-microwaves-bands-by-neil-underwood-g4ldr/

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Michael, G0POT presents an introduction to getting started with SOTA - an exciting aspect of the hobby that combines walks and climbs with amateur radio, along with the challenge of the Mountain Goat!

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Howard WB2UZE will be giving an entertaining and very informative talk on how to learn morse and to improve it.

Heard of the mcHF transceiver

It's a complete kit for an HF transceiver. Steve M0MOI and Vincent M0LCR built a couple a while ago.

Steve will tell us all about it this evening.

Zoom ID 867 3049 5863

YouTube

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Join us on this amazing adventure of a lifetime. Two chaps, a light aircraft and a HF radio piloting their way from Blighty to Oz, the slow way!

by Andy Hardy G1AJH (ex VK2CHA)

https://rsgb.org/main/blog/tonight-at-eight/2020/12/23/1-march-using-propagation-prediction-tools-by-rsgb-psc-chair-steve-nichols-g0kya/

Following the recent release of Icom's all band portable SDR rig, Jeff, G1DYN will describe the radio and some accessories, giving his first impressions.

Bury Radio Society invite us to share this talk via Zoom:  ID 773 073 0073

Steve Hartley G0FUW brings us an introduction to QRP radio. This is a fascinating aspect of the hobby where low power (and often low cost) equipment can be used effectively to propel your signal to distant shores. Steve will explain what it’s all about, and give you an idea of what to expect when you turn the wick down on your power.

Steve is Chairman of the GQRP Club, a non-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers to promote Low Power Radio which publishes the highly acclaimed Sprat magazine every quarter. Membership of the GQRP club is very low powered too, at £6.

Steve Shorey (G3ZPS).

Old Ham Radio Gear, why the hell do we bother ?

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Nick M0NTV will take us through a build of a receiver that you can make yourself. He’ll explain how it works, the building blocks, how to make it and show you the finished receiver. It’s a single-conversion superhet, so if you’ve ever wanted to make your own receiver then this talk is not to be missed. So warm your soldering irons up, and pull up a chair.

Bury Radio Society invite us to share this talk via Zoom:  ID 773 073 0073

Alan Drury G4FZP will show us how an old ATX power supply from a PC that would otherwise be destined to the tip can be repurposed and modified. The resulting modification, using only three resistors, is an Amateur Radio Power Supply giving 10A at 13.8V.

Note: Please observe safe working practices when working on mains powered equipment, and only do so if you are competent to do so.

James Clerk Maxwell became one of the most eminent physicist of the 19th century, and arguably sits along great names such as Sir Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein. Best remembered for establishing the relationship between electric and magnetic fields and the existence of propagating electromagnetic waves, paving the way for the pioneering development of radio communication systems which are so essential in today’s technology and the hobby we enjoy.

David G0BCU will look at his early life, academic career, notable achievements and those who continued his work after his early death. Finally his talk would not be complete without visiting Maxwell’s Equations, David will explain the significance of these equations in an easy to understand way.

David’s working career spanned 45 years in electrical engineering design becoming a Principal Engineer. He is a Chartered Electrical Engineer (C.Eng) and member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology. He is also a member of WARC.

https://rsgb.org/main/blog/tonight-at-eight/2020/12/23/12-april-introduction-to-vnas-and-the-nanovna-by-alan-wolke-w2aew/

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We are very excited to welcome the legendary Bob Heil K9EID to speak to us.

Bob Heil is a sound and radio engineer most well-known for creating the template for modern rock sound systems. He founded the company Heil Sound in 1966, which went on to create unique touring sound systems for bands such as The Grateful Dead, The Who, Humble Pie and invented the high powered Talk Box for Peter Frampton. Bob has been an innovator in the field of amateur radio, manufacturing micro- phones and satellite dishes for broadcasters and live sound engineers. He has won multiple awards and honors, and in 2007 he became the first manufacturer to be invited to exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Bob is well known in the theatre organ circles, beginning his career at the age of 15 playing the FOX theatre Wurlitzer in St Louis. In 2014, Bob Heil was awarded an honorary doctoral degree in Music and Technology from the University of Missouri.

This talk-presentation on LA1ASK, by Peter Ebsworth, LB0K & G8CBK, is really of the history of broadcasting around the city of Bergen and especially of the transmitting site at Erdal.The first MW AM Tx was thrown up in a part of the city, then finally moved to a site giving coverage to the city centre and to the westerly coastal area.Having been shut down in 1978 it’s ‘rescue’ from demolition was partly due to a member of the Bergen Group of NRRL. A number of members from this group are now some of those providing guidance and research into the history of the installation. These people have formed a ‘Friends group’ if you like, and we keep an eye on the buildings and contents in return for using the building as a clubhouse.The Telefunken TX itself is still untouched, and in situ, it is a good illustration of the efforts put into glorifying technological advances still in the 20s and 30s. And the Marconi transmitter is also still in place in the basement.One of the remits we have is to continue broadcasting from the site, as a museum activity and to keep a (national) presence on the Medium Waves, this is fulfilled on the two frequencies of 1314 and 1611KHz. We are now using more modern FET based transmitters.
We also have the concession for 830KHz, and are active on FM 93.8MHz with another concession.

Brief details of Peter LB0K are: Licensed in 1995-6 as LB0K, after 3-4 attempts. Came from SW London many years ago.Worked in marine positioning and surveying systems, in several places. And for the last 12 years I have been instructing on the courses for the license exam.There is just the one level here and the exam is set a couple of times each year in different places.Up to this year we had collectively aided 130 people with getting their licenses and now have 22 participants from around the country taking web based instruction, soaking up information, and posing difficult questions!

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Frank Howell K4FMH presents a fascinating insight into our modern HF rigs looking at their price, their performance as measured by Rob Sherwood and reviews on eham.net. Do you get what you pay for? Are expensive transceivers really worth it? Join us on this presentation to find out.

Frank has an enthusiasm for electronics and radio that spans over six decades. He serves as the ARRL Assistant Director (Delta Division) and is an ardent amateur radio podcaster and journalist.

The current version (v6) of this popular HF SSB/CW transceiver kit was adopted as a club project earlier this year and club members will share their experiences and thoughts after building this rig.

Steve, M0MOI will give an overview of the unit and some thoughts on the superheterodyne approach.  Dave, G8KBB will present measurements on Mike’s, G4VSS completed rig and Peter, G4LLG will look back at his earlier version of the radio and show some mods and software alternatives.

Details of the project are posted on the WARC website.

Bury Radio Society invite us to share this talk via ZooM:  ID 773 073 0073

Join us for a very entertaining and informative evening with no other than Callum M0MCX, DX Commander - a YouTube celebrity no less.

Callum will be talking to us about making a multiband vertical antenna, explaining how it works, and what kind of performance to expect. A multiband vertical antenna can offer great performance with a very limited footprint, and with the added versatility that it can operate on multiple bands. Visit him here: https://www.m0mcx.co.uk/

17 May 2021 – Discover more about amateur radio direction finding by ARDF Chair Bob Titterington, G3ORY

Zoom code 867 3049 5863

Ok chaps

Where next?

We are as a country starting to open up, we need to decide how we want to proceed.

What do you as members want?

We can start to use the clubhouse (and the bar).

We need however to continue to use Zoom for remote members and those not happy to drive in the evenings, but what do you want? Natter nights? Practical evenings? Talks? A mix of these?

We can use the club shack. We have a large dish in the clubroom that needs mounting (and to get it out of the meeting room 🙂

So consider this a natter night and a chance to air your views.

Please attend - your views and opinions are important

Bury Radio Society invite us to share this talk via Zoom: ID 773 073 0073

Don Field G3XTT will take us through the fascinating properties of the 6m and 4m Bands which results in people calling them "The Magic Bands".

The propagation properties of these bands, as they are nestled between the HF bands and the VHF bands, give remarkable and often unexpected results.

These propagation properties attract enthusiasts who seek out these often unpredictable properties but with incredible results.

Don has also written the book, "The Magic Bands" which covers 6m and 4m. The book is available from the RSGB, Practical Wireless and Amazon.

Don Field G3XTT is a well-known person in amateur radio, having been on the board of the RSGB, carried out DXPeditions, and is the editor of Practical Wireless.

Tonight will be the long awaited first meeting at the clubhouse since the beginning of the pandemic over a year ago!  The meeting will inevitably be a social occasion enabling those able to attend to speak face to face and catch up generally.

For members who are unable to attend it is also proposed to provide a ‘live link’ via zoom (usual meeting ID) and maybe point the camera around the clubhouse and shack, particularly for newer members.

In line with prevailing restrictions, strict distancing measures are in place and the wearing of masks is required, as well as the need for all  to use the QR Code provided by the Community Centre.

The next Tonight @ 8 live webinar is on Monday, 7 June. In a change to the advertised programme, Rob Sherwood, NC0B will talk about Transceiver Performance for the HF DX & Contest Operator. Rob Sherwood’s name has become something of a standard in the radio amateur equipment world as a trusted comparison guide to the technical performance of a wide range of transceivers. His presentation will explain the process that Sherwood Engineering go through to produce detailed performance figures for a wide range of transceivers, including details of Rob’s recent findings on the long-awaited new Elecraft K4D. You will be able to watch and ask questions live on the RSGB’s YouTube channel. For more information about this and other webinars in the series, go to rsgb.org/webinars

Jack Ganssle is a firmware developer with many years of experience in electronics, he has graciously allowed us to show this video. In it he explains the origins of electromagnetic interference and how to minimise it. It illustrates every step with oscilloscope displays all with a practical approach.

He produces a monthly (or so) newsletter which is aimed at the embedded systems developer but it often contains hidden gems of instrument reviews or useful software -  see www.ganssle.com
where you may subscribe or watch a large choice of other videos.

Vincent and Steve will be on hand afterwards for any difficult questions (provided they’re easy).

Zoom code 867 3049 5863 All welcome

The 2021 144MHz QRP Contest takes place on Sunday 13^th June 2021.  Rules are in the June 2021 issue of Practical Wireless.

http://www.pwcontest.org.uk/

Reverse Beacon Network, how to set up an RBN node and how someone can make use of the system.

http://beta.reversebeacon.net/main.php

Zoom code 867 3049 5863

This evening will be the DF Hunt as usually held about this time of year.  A similar format to previous events will apply with  the 'foxes' hidden around the village.  Any form of 2m FM receiver/antenna should suffice but directional is better!  A slightly earlier start around 7.30pm is suggested in order to recap the rules(?) and then get started.  Walking speed only!

Members of Bury RS are invited to join us for this event and directions etc can be provided should anyone wish to venture over to Warrington.

For members not able to attend this event, Bury RS are hosting a talk on the Nano VNA and WARC members can join this at the usual Bury Zoom ID.

Have you ever wanted to learn morse code or are you an experienced operator wanting to brush up or improve?

Since the removal of Morse code as a requirement to be licensed it has experienced a resurgence in interest.

James, G5JIM will talk about his experiences learning  CW over the last year and some of the resources available to learners.

https://rsgb.org/main/blog/tonight-at-eight/2021/03/05/5-july-2021-assessing-your-station-against-icnirp-emf-levels-by-rsgb-emc-chair-john-rogers-m0jav/

Zoom code 867 3049 5863

Join us on Tuesday 13^th July at 8:00pm by Zoom or at the WARC clubrooms for a talk by Charles Brookson OBE G4GBA.

Charles is a renowned world expert on communications and computer security. For many years the Chairman of the GSM Security Group, he was made an OBE in the New Years Honours in 2015 "for services to telecommunications security."

Charles’ talk is titled “Who is looking over your shoulder?” and will be a look at the connected world and what it means for your privacy ….

Something new, any surplus equipment sold from your car boot in the car park of the club with 10% from your sale (maximum £5) towards club funds. This will be a chance to meet & greet safely with other members, remind ourselves what the inside of the club looks like and perhaps a beer or tea/coffee under the gazebo on the terrace outside the Bellhouse.

Steve Hartley G0FUW Discussion on the latest syllabus and how training is changing!

interesting as it will impact on how we at WARC see the future of our training program !

Zoom code 867 3049 5863

And also places at the club room.

The club annual barbecue will take place on 10 August and NOT 27 July '21.  A start of around 7.30pm is advised to take advantage of the slightly fading daylight hours!  We have the options of using the GYCA area as in previous years, or setting up an area by the clubhouse.

Bury RS members are welcome to join us, so please do contact us for directions etc should you wish to come along.

Everyone please note, if lockdown restrictions are not further lifted on 19 July, GYCA will not allow us to go ahead with the barbecue, so please stay in touch with events and we will confirm the go-ahead as soon as possible.

Ray, G7BHQ will talk about home-brew construction methods.

The talk will consist of a Power Point presentation and a short Live demonstration at the end. Ray will also cover a short history of building electronic circuits to the various methods of construction and tools and components required.

We welcome Mike Richards G4WNC with a talk on SDR technology.  Most of us will recognise Mike as the author of the monthly 'Data Modes' column in PW Magazine.

This is a look under the bonnet of SDR transceivers where he shows you why IQ signals are important and explains how they work. The talk uses illustrations to show how SDR systems operate and avoids maths where possible.  He covers a variety of SDR techniques and concludes with a look into the next generation of SDRs.

Gavin’s presentation

Have you ever thought about making more QSOs over a longer range on VHF? This talk will give you the background on how to achieve that through bouncing your signal off meteor trails. During the talk Gavin will show you how and why Meteor Scatter communications work: what software you should use, how you should use it, and when you should use it.

He’ll also look at what tools are available to help you to maximise your QSO count.

Roger, M0DWQ will take us through the current ways to get onto System Fusion, including repeaters, hotspots, nodes etc.

Tonight we take a look at 'An Introduction to Meteor Scatter' by Gavin Nesbitt, MM1BXF.   This is a RSBG video from the 'Tonight at 8' live webinar series and was aired on 6 September 2021.

If you have a handheld 2m or 70cms radio, bring it along.Vincent M0LCR will have a high quality spectrum analyser and power attenuator present.  This is your opportunity to check the operation on TX – for example power and cleanliness (and anything else time permits).  We’ll also attempt to show what’s going on on Zoom. It’s also an opportunity for a chat.  If it’s a success, we’ll schedule a few more evenings at intervals to allow a wider range of tests on rigs

https://rsgb.org/main/blog/tonight-at-eight/2021/08/10/27-september-2021-repeaters-how-they-are-built-planned-commissioned-and-used-by-steve-morton-f4vtf-g8sfr/

This Tuesday will not quite be as envisaged.

Last week, the Daves and Jeff had planned to do some E and H field measurements, the results of which might have interested you, but the weather colluded with other plans to get in the way.

So it will have to wait.

On Tuesday therefore we’ll have an open natter night but will include a teaser on what was planned for these measurements and how it will be done. Any suggestions members have to improve it gratefully received.

There will also be an update on what happened on Sunday with the mast erection party (and the big dish repair).

Jeff also has some information to pass on about the 6M contest that he took part in and on fire marshall training at the club

• Following the transmitter test session the other week, we are considering another one in the coming weeks, this time on receiver measurement. In preparation for that, there will be a short practical demonstration in the clubroom (and also on zoom) of how to measure receiver sensitivity.

• Following that, we pose the question "What do members think about a new aerial for HF?"

Two lecture streams

• An introduction to…
• Learn more about…

You can stick with one stream or dip in and out of both – the choice is yours!

A taster of the topics…

• Soldering: skills, ideas and tips
• SOTA, POTA, and IOTA, QRP DXpedition fun!
• Club Log for absolute beginners
• Having fun with electronics, coding and amateur radio
• Software Defined Radio
• VP8PJ 2020 – DX-pedition to the South Orkney Islands
• Precision microwave engineering: the fun of making your own components

Interactive Q&A after each presentation

Live feed and content from the RSGB National Radio Centre

https://youtu.be/M06gtz-wClQ

Previously, a presentation to the club outlined some measurements on E and H field that Dave, G0BCU, Jeff G1DYN and Dave G8KBB planned to do. Last Thursday, during the WARC Thursday coffee morning meeting, an initial foray was made into the field near the club.

This Tuesday, come along (or join by zoom) to hear the results so far. There will be a short presentation of what was learned so far, followed by a discussion on planning for Blue Ham this weekend, hopefully leaving time for a natter.

Over the weekend 16 and 17 October 2021 the Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC), will conduct a military style national HF radio exercise. Following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions RAFAC, CCF, ACF and SCC Callsigns look forward to operating with as many Radio Amateur Stations as possible during Exercise Blue Ham 21-2.

We invite UK and European Amateur Radio Operators to take part and make this the biggest Cadet – Amateur radio exercise RAFAC has been involved in.

The exercise will take place on the UK MoD 5MHz (60 Meters) Shared Band and a significant part of the exercise will be on the section of the band that amateurs are authorised to operate.

Exercise Blue Ham is one of several events RAFAC will be holding to mark the 80^th Anniversary of Formation of the Air Training Corps in 1941. Check out the GB80ATC tab above.

https://alphacharlie.org.uk/exercise-blue-ham/

Continuting on from the transmitter measurement event and the demonstration of measuring receiver sensitivity, we are having another club event.

Bring along an SSB receiver and we’ll see how sensitive it is. Any band up to and including 70cms.

The only stipulation is that the receive audio must either be (easily) available as a USB sound device or as a 3.5mm or ¼ inch jack. We’ll use a PC to perform the measurements

Professor Cathryn Mitchell, M0IBG, gave the keynote address at this year's RSBG Online Convention.  She is the Academic Director of the University of Bath Doctoral College and was recently inducted into the CQ Hall of Fame.

We will take a look at some of her talk which explores the connection between radio and space science.

https://rsgb.org/main/blog/tonight-at-eight/2021/08/10/1-11-21-bitx-to-sbitx-the-journey-and-development-of-this-exciting-and-affordable-range-of-transceivers-by-ashhar-farhan-vu2ese/

We welcome Peter Waters, G3OJV this evening.  Peter is a Founding Director of Waters and Stanton plc and has been an active radio amateur for many years.

He will talk about antenna options and solutions for operating from a small garden and also touch on techniques for successful operation.

We’ve a WARC special event laid on for you in November. It’s “Pie and peas” time.  We’d love you to join us on Tuesday 16^th November for a social event – partners included.  It will be held in the “Old Barn” at the Grappenhall Community Centre so lots of space to spread out in. It’s also near the bar!

We’ll be ordering the food the week before so please let us know (for example by replying to Jeff's email) ASAP if you plan to come and how many people. Cost is (provisionally) £5 / head.

Tonight will be a chance to talk about and identify club events for the coming year, catch up on general news and for anyone to raise any topics of club/radio related general interest.

CW: November 27 - 28, 2021

https://wwwd.cqww.com/

Peter, G4LLG will do a 'Show and Tell' on this very effective SDR transceiver; including something of it's history, development and specification.  He will also describe how it is implemented in the shack and try to give a practical assessment of it's performance including ways to give it a power boost.    (Life maybe is too short for QRP!)

https://rsgb.org/main/blog/tonight-at-eight/2021/08/10/6-december-2021-using-the-pluto-and-rpi4-for-amateur-tv-and-narrowband-use-by-noel-matthews-g8gtz/

During lockdown, Dave, G8KBB took the opportunity to try to implement P25 TX & RX on his SDR.

In this talk and demo, Dave will explain how P25 works, how he built it, and give a demo of a P25 software defined transceiver

Jeff G1DYN & Mike G4VSS, take a look at computer log programs as part of the “ Build Back better “ initiative  aimed at taking a look at the Club, it’s radio capabilities and what if any improvements can be made.

The object of this talk is to stimulate conversation seeing what’s available what would benefit us as operators of the Club stations. General qso, portable operating and contesting.

It is hoped that as we “build back “the radio club station we will have a number of talks looking a various aspects of the installation, i.e we have begun looking at the antenna installation ,tower and antenna upgrade.

logbook and how we use LOTW etc will be discussed!

Ray, G7BHQ will show a video which is a very light hearted look at Ham Radio as shown by GLK London!!...The Video runs for about 30 Minutes and sounds ideal for the pre Christmas meeting.  Ray suggests that members have a glass of their favourite tipple in hand and maybe some nibbles!

Just a general chat evening for those who aren't still busy with Christmas celebrations.  Maybe a look ahead to key dates in 2022  such as the Blackpool and other rallies, possible special events and contests etc etc!