BARSCOMDUNMOW

STEBBING

NOTLEY

RAYNE HALSTEAD

WITHAM

COLCHESTER

COGGESHALL

Monthly Communication of theBraintree and District Amateur Radio Society

GX3XG

G3XG G6BRH

BRAINTREE

August 2017

Aerial Clinic - Another busy club night for BADARS members atour new venue

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Aug2017

UPDATE !

Coming up in August we have theshowing of TX Factor14, this is thecontinuation from TX Factor 13.Then the 2nd meeting we have anatter night, a good chance to catchup with each other for a rag chew.

So what’s happening with our BZrepeater? Well we are hoping to haveDigital and Analog on the same re-peater. This will give us more scopeto use a different mode of amateurradio. It will also mean we will haveto use BZ!! Is anybody using it?Even the visiting mobile operatorswould seem to not bother with itbecause no one answers their calls.

So let’s put out some calls, mobile orfrom home and have a quick chatwith each other, and use our greatrepeater.

Well that’s all for this month.

Best 73’s John M5AJB

Chairman’s ChatJohn, M5AJB

Contents Chairman’s Chat …………… 2 Meeting Reports ..….………. 4 RSGB Band Plans 1…..……… 10Club Meetings and Nets ….…… 12 Rallies/Contests……… 13/14 Committee Info ……..…… .... 14 Club Info …………………… 15

Thought for the month

"Be glad of life because it gives youa chance to love and to work and toplay and look up at the stars."Henry Van Dyke.

“Summer tiiiime… an’ thelivin’ is ea-sy”

Especially if you come to theBADARS Summer Camp.

August Bank Holiday 26h -28th August 2017

At John, M5AJB’s QTH

(By kind invitation)

. . . . . 6

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Aug2017

There were nine entries forthe 2017 constructioncompetition.As interesting as the examplessubmitted, were the explanationsof problems encountered duringtheir construction and the stepsexhibitors had taken to resolvethese.Edwin entered a frequencycounter constructed from aChinese kit which could be usedindependently but was socompact as to be able to be usedas a module in a more complexproject.

Edwin had also built a portablepower supply housed in aupcycled classic woodenequipment case. Incorporatedinto this were a lead acid gel typebattery, a power supply for

charging the same, a voltagemeter, usb charger outlets, and anifty drawer for the storage ofleads and other accessories.

Paul submitted a neatlyconstructed KRC – 2 regenerativereceiver which covers CW andSSB medium wave to 30MHz.

The regenerative stage is fixed at10.7MHz and used as an IFamplifier. The main receiver board

Meeting ReportsGeoff, G1WRH

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Aug2017uses only one transistor and anaudio IC.It was referred to as "a verysensitive little receiver" by RobMannion of Practical Wireless.

Geoff had brought along firstly anElecraft KX3 transceiver where hehad added an internal batterycharger (and real time clock) pcbto overcome the risk of damage tothe delicate ribbon cable linkingthe two halves of the body shellevery time batteries were changed.

He also showed an Elecraft K3Sbase model to which he had addedan internal ATU module, all mode2 meter module and 100 wattinternal amplifier module.Additionally added were roofingfilters, 6kHz for AM, 2.7kHz forFM and SSB, and 400 and 200 Hzfor CW.

Finally Geoff put a 70 MHz slimjim constructed from 45Ωbalanced feeder on the table.

It was difficult for members tojudge the entries due to theirdiversity and the variety of skillsinvolved, however eventually aftermuch deliberation the score cardswere handed in and totted up.

Third place was awarded to Johnfor his kit built air band receiver118 – 136 MHz fm with animpressive range of 130 miles.

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Aug2017

John had to overcome a fewproblems with the kit, firstly thatalthough there was a fullcomplement of parts theinstructions were contradictoryand without illustrations.Additionally there had beenproblems regarding power andwhere to put the extra switch thatwas provided! Power was checkeddown through to the output stagesand found to be present, but audiooutput was still proving to beproblematic – all examples ofproblem solving on the hoof.John also found himself in secondplace with his QRP Sudden CWtransmitter. These kits offer theirown challenges with their method

of mounting components and selfwound coils on pads, but whenthey are completed skilfully theyare both functional and attractiveradios with the scope forindividuality in the finalarrangements. This was a primeexample.

The construction shield wasawarded to Mike for his scratchbuilt 360° night sky camera. Thisproject involved combining skillsin fine engineering and electronicstheory and practice with the use ofdedicated computer software. Anall sky fish-eye lens “borrowed”from Mike’s main home telescopewas mounted in a self built quickrelease holder under aweatherproof security camera

Cont.d on P8

19-01-17 …7

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Aug2017

Chairman John M5AJB, presentsthe

Constructor of the Year TrophyAwarded in memory of Rob

Taylor G8ZHF to Mike G8DJO.

The second meeting in July wasthe Aerial Clinic.

The meeting hosted by G0DEC Davewas an aerial testing evening usingDaves aerial analyser and the newlymodified winch up mast from MelvinG0EMK. Members aeriels weretested in turn with printouts of theresults given to each one.

With 18 members present the rangeof aeriels was considerable, with allmembers joining in helping to raiseand lower the mast and mountmobiles ontoDave’s mag mount.The range of aeriels tested included:the clubs dual band X30A 20 metre and 40 metre dipole

dome fixed on top of a length ofblack PVC pipe.

A problem which became apparentwas the formation of dew on theunderside of the dome, and so asystem of resistors with heatsinksas dew heaters was evolved. Tocontrol these Mike constructed aunit that could supply the heatersto this and all of his otherequipment with eight outputs inall, utilising dual 555 timerscontrolling heatsink mountedswitching transistors. A USBsocket on the side of the unitconnects to a laptop running‘HandyAVI’ by AZendantSoftware which can detect motion(e.g. meteors, or more commonlyunwanted aircraft!) and triggertime lapse recording. A prerecorded example was availablefor scrutiny.

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Aug2017

A home made ribbon antenna for 4metresA dipole for 4 /2 metres8 mobile antennas for 2/70 and 6 me-tres

All in all a very good evening, thanksDave and Melvin.

Ian enjoyingthe feeder

skippingcompetition

Daveanalysing

Much discussion

10

Aug2017Know your band plans! Firstinstalment.

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Aug2017

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Aug2017

Apr 11thTalk/presentation from RNLI

Apr 25th

Sausage and mash / Mills on the air planningMay 9th

QRP Operating Evening/Mills on the Air (MOTA)prep

May 12,13,14 MOTA

May 23rdThe AGM

Jun13th

Construction Evening

Jun 27th

Club BBQJul 11th

Construction Contest

Jul 25th

Aerial ClinicAug 8th

TX Factor 14Aug 22nd

Natter Night

Aug 26th-28th Summer Camp

Sep 12th

Railways on the Air Planning (ROTA)

Sep 22nd-24th ROTA

Sept 26th

Natter NightOct 10th

Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) Planning

Oct 20th-22nd JOTA

Oct 24th

TX Factor 15Nov 14th

Digital RadioNov 28th

Surplus Equipment sale

Dec 12th

Christmas socialDec 26th

Natter Night

Don’t forget!New Club venue, newClub nights, new ClubNet nights, new Barscomdates

Club Net - 08.00 pm local time, 2 Metres (S15) (145.375 MHz)First, third & fifth TUESDAYS

Club Meetings, Activities and Nets

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Aug2017 Rallies

13 AUGUST 2017FLIGHT REFUELLING ARSHAMFESTCobham Sports and Social ClubGround, Merley, near Wimborne,Dorset. BH21 3DA hamfest@frars.org.uk

20 AUGUST 2017RUGBY ATS ANNUAL RADIORALLYPrincethorpe College,Princethorpe, Rugby, CV23 9PY Details from Tony, G0OLS on0775 968 4411 or by email torally@rugbyats.co.uk.[www.rugbyats.co.uk]

27 AUGUST 2017MILTON KEYNES ARSRALLY.Contact is Tim Cowell, G6GEI on07976 262 497 or emailrenegade62@hotmail.co.uk

28 AUGUST 2017HUNTINGDONSHIRE ARSRALLYErnulf Academy, Bardord Road,St Neots PE19 2SH.More from Malcolm, M0OLG on01480 214 282or by email toevents@hunts-hams.co.uk

2-3 SEPTEMBER 2017TELFORD HAMFEST & G-QRPCONVENTIONwww.telfordhamfest.co.uk

9 SEPTEMBER 2017CAISTER LIFEBOAT RADIORALLYContact Zane, 0771 1214 790 oremail m1bfidx@ntlworld.com[www.m1bfidx.wixsite.com/cl-radio-rally]

9 & 10 SEPTEMBER 2017BATC CONVENTION (CAT 17)Finningley Amateur RadioSociety, The HurstCommunications Centre, BeltonRoad, Sandtoft, Doncaster DN85SX10 SEPTEMBER 2017TORBAY ANNUALCOMMUNICATIONS FAIRNewton Abbot Racecourse, DevonTQ12 3AF

Further afield:

See RSGB website for full listing.http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

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Aug2017

CommitteeChairman: John, M5AJB 01787 460947 1 Ross Cottage, Southey Green

Secretary/Membership Secretary: Edwin, GØLPO 01376 324031 42 Panfield Lane, Braintree,

Treasurer: Neville, G8CDG

Ordinary Members: Geoff, G1WRH 01376 323223 07745 569564 Melvin, GØEMK

ContestsHF

Aug9 1900-2000 Autumn contest series24 1900-2000 Autumn contest series

Sep2-3 1300-1300 SSB Field Day13 1900-2000 Autumn contest

VHFAug10 2000-2230 50MHz UKAC13 1400-1600 70MHz Cumulatives #515 2000-2230 1.3GHz UKAC17 1900-2000 70MHz FMAC 2000-2230 70MHz UKAC22 2000-2230 SHF UKAC

Sep2-3 1400-1400 144MHz Trophy Contest3 1100-1500 5th 144MHz Backpackers5 1900-2000 144MHz FMAC 2000-2230 144MHz UKAC12 1900-2000 432MHz FMAC 2000-2230 432MHz UKAC

Next MonthWhat items can you contribute???

Plus the usual …New Events, Rallies, Contests, etc.

Braintree and District Amateur Radio SocietyThe club meets every 2nd and 4thTuesdays of the month at St PetersChurch hall, St Peters Road, offThe Causeway Braintree. Doorsopen at 7.30 pm, meetings runfrom 8 pm to 10 pm.

Membership is £16 annually;Senior members (State Retirementage) and Junior members, under18, pay £10. A door fee of £1 isalso payable at each meeting bymembers and visitors.

BARSCOM is sent to members bye-mail on the 7th of the month;paper copies are available at the

first meeting of the month (pluspostage if appropriate).

Members may sell or exchangeequipment etc. before the start ofeach meeting, during the tea/coffeebreak and may advertise inBARSCOM free of charge.

The Club Net operates on 2 metresonly. This should make it easier forall members to remember thefrequency, and for non-membersto find the net. The net will useV30 (S15) 145.375 MHz, starting20.00 hrs local time on the 1st, 3rd,and 5th Tuesdays of each month.

Please send articles for publication tomike.adcock@physics.org

The deadline for submissions for the next edition is 1st of the month. Items will be published in the first

available edition subject to space availability.

For more information and pictures of events and projects seeour Web Site at www.badars.co.uk

Please contact our Chairman for details about commercialadverts.

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Aug2017