Shhhh... I'm WSPRing !

Today I set the radio to do some WSPR while I was working from home. The radio was set to 10 watts on 14.09560 Mhz. I was surprised how well the signals went. I did this experiment as a before and after to when I erect the Mini Beam in the coming weeks. So here are the results. I’ve also uploaded the map taken from WSPR so you can visually see the effect (click to enlarge). South is a difficult heading for me, but with my house in the way that’s hardly surprising!

Hearing: AI4RY, DB1NN, DG7RJ, DH5RAE, DJ7KA, EA3SD, ES5EC, G4YTM, G7VBJ, IC8FAX, IK1RGM, K9AN, M0NQN, OH3DP, OH6GKW, OK7PM, OX3XR, OZ1PIF, RA0SX, RV3APM, UN7DB, VE2SHF, VE3BDR, VE3YUL, VE6OG, VK2KRR, W3GXT, W4BZW, WB4KLJ, WB8HWF

Heard by: 2E0BWP, 4X6IZ, AI4RY, DB1NN, DG2SAX, DG7RJ, DH5RAE, DK1AUP, DK6UG, DK8FT, DK8FTA, DK8FTB, DL4TOM, DL6YCU, EA1GFY, EA3SD, EI5JV, ES5EC, F0EZT, F1EXL, F6EWB, G0TPH, G3JKF, G3RMD, G3THQ, G4CAO, G4FJW, G4OEU, G4YTM, G7VBJ, G8VDQ, G8VOI, GM3JSX, HB9JNM, IC8FAX, IK1RGM, K6LG, K9AN, KB1VCZ, KC2LFI, KD0BJS, KF3BH, KI4UMX, KV0S, LX2GT, M0GWI, M6NKA, N3PU, N8EA, OE3MNC, OE3NAU, OH1ZAA, OH3DP, OH6GKW, OK7PM, ON4GP, ON7KB, ON7ZO, OZ1PIF, OZ9ACF, PA1PXL, PA2ZZ, PD7R, RA0SX, RV3APM, SWLDE, UA1ARN, UN7DB, VE2SHF, VE3BDR, VE3GTC, VE6OG, VE6PDQ/1, VE9GJ, VK2KRR, W2NRL, W3GXT, W3PM, WA3DNM, WB4KLJ, WB8ELK, WB8HWF

G4FSU appointed as HF Manager

The following post was taken unedited from Bath ARC Yahoo Group :

Following the decision by John, G3WKL to step down as HF Manager and the post being advertised in RadCom, the RSGB Board has approved the appointment of Ian Greenshields, G4FSU to this honorary position.

Apart from a having a very successful career as an RF and microwave communications engineer, Ian is well versed in radio spectrum matters. This is on account of his role, since 2005, of Secretary to the IARU Region 1 HF Committee. Recently, the IARU has appointed him as a Technical Consultant that will require regular involvement in ITU and CEPT matters.

Ian's other amateur radio interests include managing the speaker programme for the HF Convention between 2003 and 2009, and HF DXing and contesting.

Well Done Ian and Good Luck

73

Rob M0TFO
 
Original post can be found here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bath_arc/message/1752

Which antenna ?

This spring sees a big change at my home QTH, as I will be installing mini beam. Up until this weekend I had my heart set on a MA5B. All was well, but a few days ago I discovered the TGM MQ26-SR. a hybrid quad, which on the face of it seems pretty good. It has some amazing gain values and all from a small package. The crucial question is this - Which one to install? I’ve added the specs to each antenna below and a link to their respective web sites. i think i know which one i will be going for. but it makes for interesting reading

Details for each of the antennas are taken from their respective websites:

Cushcraft MA5B - PDF

TGM Communications MQ26-SR

Electrical Specifications

	MA5B	MQ-26SR
Bands	10m, 12m, 15, 17m, 20m	6m, 10m,12m,15m,17m,20m
Gain 6m	---	6.0dBd
Gain 10m	5.3dBi	6.0dbd
Gain 12m	1.0 dBi	5.8dbd
Gain 15m	4.8 dBi	5.8dbd
Gain 17m	1.0 dBi	5.4dbd
Gain 20m	3.6 dBi	5.0dbd
Power Rating	1200w	1200w
Front to Back	10 to 22 dB	12 to 20dBd
Front to side Ratio	---	-20dB

Mechanical Specifications

	MA5B	MQ-26SR
Element Legnth	17.1'	11' 9"
Boom Legnth	7.3'	4 1/2 "
Turning Radius	8.8'	6" 8'
Height	2"	4'
Wight	26.5 lbs	23lbs
Wind Survival	?	75MPH

Torbay Buildathon 2011

The Torbay Amateur Radio Society will be hosting a Buildathon on Sunday 5th June in Newton Abbott, Devon.

The Project is a 'Manhatten-style' 40m Sudden receiver by G3RJV with VFO.

The Bath Buildathon Crew will be providing tools and test equipment, for assisting and mentoring.

Enquiries to Pam Halliwell via the Torbay website: http://www.tars.org.uk/ or the RSGB Region 11 website.

February's round up

Ok, so it’s a little late. But here is a roundup of February’s activities.

Advanced Exam course.

The advanced Licence exam started at the beginning of this year with 3 in class students and 11 distance learning students. Soon however the numbers changed remarkably. As of the beginning of February we now have in the region of 27 distance learning students. This is quite a staggering number, which has been broken down into 3 groups now, for Lewis, Steve and myself to manage in easier chunks. Looks like this could be the first time suck a large number were taught in 1 go. And here’s hoping that June sees a bumper amount of students pass the exam!

More radio activity

I am slacking really. I haven’t been on the radio for some time, so this month I made the conscious effort to have the odd QSO here and there, and in response to G6NHUs QSO365 idea, I have attempted to have at least 1 CW QSO a week. Yes it’s not the same as 1 a day, but hey I’m learning and it takes time to calm down from the Morse nerves. So this month I managed to rack up 27QSO’s. Not great, but as i am quite busy I’m quite chuffed. Have a look at the logbook for details.

Plans for the year

Contesting plans and a DXpedition idea came 1 step closer this month, with 3 people now signed up to the idea of operating in a remote location later this year. I won’t add too much detail just yet, as we still have to finalise some key points.

Also for this year i have acquired semi planning permission from she who must be obeyed. I’m installing a MA5B on a tennamast that should provide a better set up than what I currently have with the vertical dipole. That will all be installed this year, at the “2011 Erection party”. Hosted by me, I will supply a BBQ and drinks of course

VHF/UHF

And finally, it’s only taken 2 years but I now have UHF and VHF from my home QTH. The installation of the Co-linear that has been in the living room behind the book case for 2 years is now sitting proudly on the patio. The wife is not amused. But I’m happy! The only thing now is to be able to do SSB on 2m, and 70cm. The FT8900 will only do FM, so maybe a FT817 will fill that hole? I’ve been after one for some time, and maybe the perfect rig, as I have other plans for it too. Have a look at this.