vmars valentine’s day social · the north yorkshire moors railway operates from pickering to...

Issue 139 A publication of the Vintage and Military Amateur Radio Society October 2014

www.vmars.org.uk M0VMW Affiliated to the Radio Society of Great Britain

1 October 2014

A cold early Sunday morning in October 1944. See North Yorkshire Moors Railway event report on page 3

From our Chairman

Last month I investigated the use by RAF 100 (Bomber Support) Group of equipment developed by TRE for carrying out offensive air operations against Germany between 1943 and 1945. Another important aspect of the electronics warfare

undertaken by 100 Group was the airborne gathering of electronics intelligence (ELINT) and this role fell largely to 192 Squadron, based at RAF Foulsham, 5 miles southeast of Fakenham in Norfolk. 192 Sqdn. operated Wellington and Halifax aircraft which had been modified and fitted out for electronics intelligence gathering using a variety of aerials, receivers, wire recorders and signal analysers operated by one or two SOs (Special Operators) from a purpose built work station on board the aircraft. The squadron also operated Mosquito aircraft, specially fitted out with a single receiver and signal analyser which was specific to carrying out a particular task that required a high speed sortie, with

VMARS Valentine’s Day Social Saturday 14th February 2015

10.30 a.m.–4.00 p.m. Baginton Village Hall and the Old Mill Baginton

Auction Lunch

“And all because the lady loves …” Please see page 9 for more information

VMARS Committee Chairman: Ian Underwood M0YMK Roundwyck Farm Pipers Lane Balls Cross, Petworth, West Sussex GU28 9JZ +44(0)1403 820185 [email protected]

Hon. Secretary: John Keeley GW6RAV 93 Park Crescent Abergavenny Gwent NP7 5TL +44(0)1873 850164 [email protected]

Hon. Treasurer & Publications Manager: Bronek Wedzicha M0DAF 22 Farmers Way Copmanthorpe, York North Yorkshire Y023 3XX +44(0)1904 708704 [email protected] [email protected]

Membership Secretary: Peter Shepherd G7DXV 25 Tomkins Close Stanford-Le-Hope Essex SS17 8QU +44(0)1375 640618 [email protected]

Ordinary Member: Peter Jones G8CDC Tudor House Stoneleigh Road Blackdown, Leamington Spa Warwickshire CV32 6QR +44(0)1926 883345 [email protected]

Ordinary Member: Ron Swinburne M0WSN 32 Hollywell Road Sheldon, Birmingham Warwickshire B26 3BX +44(0)1217 421808 [email protected]

Co-opted Member and Public Relations Officer: Stuart McKinnon G0TBI 145 Enville Road Kinver, Near Stourbridge West Midlands DY7 6BN +44(0)1384 872157 [email protected]

Co-opted Member: Tony Barron G3YYH Wren Cottage, Foxcote, Andoversford Gloucestershire GL54 4LP +44(0)7785 376518 [email protected]

http://www.vmars.org.uk/

mailto:[email protected]






Issue 139 The VMARS News Sheet

October 2014 2

the Navigator doubling as the SO. For a while, many of these high speed sorties involved looking for signals that may be used in connection with V1 flying bombs and seeking out signals that were believed, mistakenly as it turned out, to be used for guiding V2 rockets to their targets. Britain had obtained credible intelligence of a remote radio controlled guidance system being developed by German scientists for rockets, confirmed by a V2 test rocket with a radio guidance system installed which crashed in Sweden in July 1944. In fact, early trials had ruled out radio guidance for V2s because their speed, range and trajectory combined to make radio control from the ground to the rocket’s final destination virtually impossible given the technology of the day. Instead, German scientists developed a system of gyroscopes to control stability and accelerometers to control the thrust of V2 engines and switch off the propulsion at the point calculated in its upward trajectory where it would continue to rise before free falling to the target area. After the war it was discovered that there had indeed been an advanced programme of radio guidance for rockets, but it had been for a project called “Wasserfall”, a short range surface-to-air anti-aircraft missile, about one quarter of the size of a V2. The guidance system was code-named “Rheinland” and employed radar, a transponder in the missile, a DF system and a basic analogue computer to guide the missile onto the initial angle of the radar beam, after which it was guided to the target from the ground by a radar operator using a joystick. “Wasserfall” development was virtually completed by the end of the war but it never became operational.

The AN/APR-4 radar search receiver

For all tasks undertaken by 192 Sqdn., each SO was allocated bands of frequencies in which to search for signals, which he would then analyse and possibly record as well. Audio recordings of the signals were made using a specially adapted Wirek Type A portable wire recorder weighing 57 lbs and with a capacity to provide up to 66 minutes of recorded signals for later analysis. The Wirek Type A used 0.004 inch stainless steel wire as the recording medium and was built and supplied to the RAF by the unlikely Boosey & Hawkes Company, better known today, as it was in the 1940s, as a principal supplier of sheet music and musical instruments. By 1944, a radar search receiver used by 192 Sqdn. was the AN/APR-4, a later American development of the original receivers designed by TRE for use in the “Carpet” and “Carpet II” radar jamming systems. The Americans had adopted this system for the USAAF and

made useful improvements to its capabilities, becoming “Carpet III” and used extensively by both air forces. The AN/APR-4 search receiver had broadband coverage in the range 38–4000 Mc/s, using five plug-in tuning units which covered 38–95 Mc/s, 74–320 Mc/s, 300–1000 Mc/s, 975–2200 Mc/s and 2150–4000 Mc/s, respectively. A semi-automatic scanning mode could be selected and halted with a switch when a signal was heard. The receiver could then be fine-tuned manually before the signal was closely inspected using an AN/APA-11 signal analyser, incorporating a CRT display and circuits for determining pulse repetition frequency, pulse width, signal strength and other characteristics of the radar. If the SO determined that the received radar signal was one that he had been briefed to search for or it was unusual, he would first switch on the wire recorder and then take a photograph of the analyser CRT display before writing the exact time of interception and the signal details in the Special Operator’s log. Once the aircraft had completed its task and was safely back at its base, the SO was required to provide a debriefing to the Special Signals section Intelligence Officer and assist in completing a preliminary analysis of navigational and SO logs, recordings and photographs. A report was then forwarded to several RAF and scientific intelligence departments, including TRE Malvern, any of which could request additional information for more detailed examination if they required it.

Fixing accurate locations during a sweep search for radar or other defensive signals would have been simplified if the crew had been able to make use of the ground mapping

H2S MkIII navigational radar fitted to the aircraft. By now it had been further developed and operated on 3 cm instead of the original 9.1 cm, but had a major drawback for use on 192 Squadron’s intelligence gathering operations. Although it offered much better resolution than the earlier H2S versions and was much more difficult for the enemy to jam or home onto, it caused significant interference to the broadband search receivers, to the extent that the two sets of equipment could not be operated simultaneously, meaning that accurate radar position plots were not available. Additionally, TRE development of airborne direction finding equipment had been low on the priority list, so approximate locations of the source of received radar signals had to be determined by a mixture of the SO instructing the pilot to perform various manoeuvres in order to try to ‘null’ out the signal using the airframe and by careful examination and comparison of the SO’s log with the navigator’s log back at the squadron base. Manoeuvring of the aircraft was usually

sufficient to get a rough idea of the direction from the aircraft to the signal source to within about 120 degrees and other information in the log would enable a reasonable fix of the location of the aircraft at the time of reception. These calculations were compared with similar information obtained from aircraft on other sorties and triangulated to build a surprisingly accurate picture of enemy ground radar station geographical locations.

The R1622, code-name “Bagful”, was another receiver developed by TRE and fitted into some Bomber Command Lancasters which carried an additional eighth SO crew member on detachment from 100 Group. The set had the capability of receiving on any one of three bands 300–420 Mc/s, 355–475 Mc/s or 450–590 Mc/s. “Bagful” scanned a block of preset frequencies in one of the three selectable bands and automatically recorded the frequency and the time of intercept of any signals received onto an

The VMARS News Sheet Issue 139

3 October 2014

electrically sensitised paper roll. These rolls were sent on to Air Ministry Intelligence where they were analysed and used to plan counter-measures against defensive radars on future raids or for closer scrutiny by 192 Squadron. Dozens of Lancasters flying various tasks in a bomber stream were fitted with these sets and were actively searching for signals when enemy electronic defences and countermeasures were at their maximum, providing invaluable intelligence of their strengths and weaknesses over a wide area.

As the war ended, RAF 100 Group was disbanded and a very small remnant was formed into the newly established RWE (Radio Warfare Establishment). SIGINT aircraft from the disbanded 192 Squadron were designated “Y Wing” reflecting their role as airborne ‘Y-Stations’, tasked with maintaining a limited signals intelligence capability. Control of Airborne-Y was taken over by the LSIC (London Signals Intelligence Centre) at Eastcote, West London, which had been renamed from the Government Code & Cypher School when it moved out of Bletchley Park. By 1947, the breakdown of relations between the USSR and Western democracies and the resulting military threat saw Airborne-Y operations transferred back to the Air Ministry where they were rapidly expanded to meet Bomber Command’s pressing demands for intelligence on Soviet and Eastern Bloc air defences. RWE was merged with Airborne-Y Wing to become the Central Signals Establishment located at RAF Watton, Norfolk, opening a new and fascinating chapter in British airborne electronic warfare. 192 Squadron was reformed and eventually renumbered as 51 Squadron, which continues the SIGINT role today from its operating base at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire.

Sources UK National Archives Kew.

http://www.rafbombercommand.com/tactics_elecwarfare.html

http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/

Listening In, RAF Intelligence Gathering Since 1945 – Dave Forster & Chris Gibson – Published 2014 by Hikoki Publications Ltd – ISBN 9 781902 109381

Ian Underwood M0YMK

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Railway in Wartime

Pickering Station Busy St 1 The North Yorkshire Moors Railway operates from Pickering to Whitby and is run by enthusiasts. If you have seen the Hogwart’s Express in the Harry Potter movies then you have seen this railway which is used in many films including the

new Dad’s Army movie which is about to start filming (other locations are in Scarborough and Bridlington).

Hercule meets a GI Each Autumn, the railway holds a “Railway in Wartime” themed weekend which has grown into a major event. Visitors to the event come from as far away as Australia and the public get into the spirit by dressing in 1940s style. For re-enactment, Pickering is the British side and includes GIs. Levisham station is France under German occupation. Thus, the two sides in the conflict are kept apart for sensitivity to the older generation who attend.

Pickering Radio HQ

Pickering Radio Operations Tent folks This year, the Scarborough Amateur Radio Club was invited to ‘exhibit’ in the goods yard of Pickering station. We


October 2014 4

decided to run a special event station and the theme was “radio in wartime up to the present day” or, as some folks noted, “from real radio to X-box radio”. We were allocated the Special Event Station callsign GB2YMR, prepared posters for the ‘real’ radio and we ran my 19 Set MkIII/T with the 38AFV Set as WWII equipment. We had one of PRC350s and PRC320s to represent the Falklands conflict/First Gulf War and the ‘X-box’ radio was the club Flex radio and computer logging.

We had two antennas, a 60 m dipole and a 40 m vertical. We were positioned next to a railway carriage which had several inverters running lighting and found reception on our vertical to be swamped by noise. Fortunately, the 60 m dipole ran across the car park away from the railway carriages and worked well. We had to press this into service with the Flex radio which left us with no real operating options on the 19 Set or the PRC320. Despite these challenges, we managed many hundreds of contacts across Europe and in the UK, including a few AM contacts on 5317 kHz.

On-air with the 19 Set We provided a Morse key with an oscillator and it was quite amazing how many senior operators were ‘itching’ to have a go. What was also interesting was that girls were fascinated whilst boys had no interest. We were astounded at the interest in the 19 Set. The first group were amateurs reminiscing about their first radio being a 19 Set. The second group was ex-forces 19 Set operators and radio mechanics, all keen to hear the 19 Set in operation. Some had not touched one since 1945. One senior gentleman explained the faults he saw in the sets during the desert

campaign and told us that his job had been to repair Montgomery’s set. The sound from the intercom and AM broadcasts on the headset brought tears to his eyes especially when he sniffed the contents of the spare valves case, many memories flooding back. His family took a number of photographs of him listening to the set. He said it not only made his day, it made his year. The third group were the re-enactors who are all desperate to get a 19 Set into their Willys Jeep. Many of these folks were seeking advice on what they should buy and where to get them restored to some level of operation.

Churchill speaking to Montgomery A number of lessons were learnt. It is clear we need to expand the wartime equipment display, to sort out the antenna and hopefully move away from the staff railway carriages. We need to have some VMARS promotional material as there were a number of visitors with an interest in VMARS. It was reassuring to know that the equipment was secure on the site as there was night security patrolling but we had two people sleeping with the equipment too.

Next year, we would like to be able to have a T1154 and R1155 set-up as well. Being in Scarborough, we have GCHQ on our doorstep so we are going to ask for a loan of their Enigma machine. The club has been allowed access previously and there is no harm in asking.

The weather was fine and we all really enjoyed ourselves. With the benefit of experience we hope to make it even better for next year.

Stewart Gebbie G8YQN


5 October 2014

Visit to G4RS

I had an enjoyable few days at Blandford Camp, ‘slumming’ it in my usual bunk in the Sgt's Mess. One of the reasons for taking this break at Blandford was to visit the Station Manager of HQ station of RSARS at Cole Block, which is situated c. 500 m from the Museum. I have recently become a member of RSARS and I must say I could not have received a warmer welcome. My thanks to Rich Carter G0ZEP, Ken King G3RGE and Jim Heck G3WGM who guided and looked after me in all things RSARS. Ken is also a keen CW man.

The operating position at G4RS To say it was a ‘baptism of fire’ is an understatement. I had volunteered to operate the HQ station (Kenwood TS570D and Zepp antenna) and, using my own callsign, I appeared to be in great demand on the RSARS morning 40 m Net, even working M0WSN. My status as a new RSARS Member and unique Royal Signals Number were the reasons for my popularity at the time. Whilst two-thirds of the way through the list of 10 or 12 stations on the Net, I mentioned that signals were deteriorating, only to be told a few minutes later by Alan Mockford M0GKD, the Station Manager at Cole Block, that the Zepp had come down. I said “Alan, they can still hear me”. It must have been the Beverage effect. This was the day that the remnants of Hurricane Gonzalo had hit the UK shores but, with the combined efforts of Alan, Ken and myself, and despite the very high winds, we dropped the two guy ropes and quickly added two new lengths of wire of which, fortuitously, I had a new roll in the car. I was very pleased that we had been able to repair the Zepp as it was my intention to call in to the 618T SIG's net that afternoon and, I have to say, it worked a treat. At 13.10 hrs very fine signals from Trevor Sanderson PA3BOH and colleagues were heard on 7073 kHz and it happened that our editor Bronek M0DAF was visiting the CRASH40-45 Museum that day and joined Trevor on the air as PI4C. I know that Bronek very much enjoyed his first encounter with a working 618T and was very much touched by the kind hospitality shown by Trevor and his colleagues at the Museum. Trevor has provided a comprehensive description of the radio set-up at the CRASH40-45 Museum in his informative article below.

I am hoping to become a regular visitor to the RSARS HQ and I am looking forward to identifying opportunities for VMARS to collaborate with RSARS on a wide range of activities of mutual interest.

It was nice to catch up with the Museum Director Nick Kendall-Carpenter whilst on Camp. Following on from tests

by fellow VMARS member Martin Smyth M0MGA, we discovered that one of the RT344s given to me by Plessey in Christchurch was a space model. When Nick explained that the Museum did not have an RT344 in their collection, I took the opportunity to present the space model to him. Thanks to Martin for making the discovery whilst repairing my other set.

Presenting the RT344 to Museum Director Nick Kendall-Carpenter

I had chance to catch up with other volunteers at the Museum and managed to give some time to Sharon and Meg who are involved with a mammoth task of cataloguing and recording equipment under various headings. I have to admit there was at least one question to which I did not know the answer but I agreed to forward any future queries to our membership so that I may pass on your advice. I will be using the Queries section of the NS or the VMARS-Member Reflector according to the urgency of the requests.

Adam Forty sends his best wishes to members

Stuart McKinnon G0TBI

The CRASH40-45 Museum

PI4C is the callsign of the radio room belonging to the CRASH40-45 Museum, in Rijsenhout in The Netherlands, close to Schiphol Airport. The Museum is housed in one of the 19th century forts which were built around Amsterdam. In one of the rooms of the fort is a radio room, full of WWII radio equipment and a working radio station. Put together by members of the Dutch Surplus Radio Society (SRS), the station goes on the air every Saturday when the Museum is open. It is also on the air every Wednesday with the 618T Special Interest Group net.

The fort housing the Museum


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The main aim of the radio room is to display items of WWII radio equipment but, in other parts of the museum, parts of aircraft recovered from crash sites in the Netherlands during WWII are on display, some of which include radio equipment recovered from the crash site.

The museum, called CRASH40-45, began life in 1987 when a person called Henk Rebel formed a small group to study the crash of a Wellington which he had seen come down as a young boy during the war. At the time, parts of the Wellington had been dug up and were put on display in a small building at a local farm. Since then, the group has been involved in numerous excavations and, as a result, has had to move twice to larger premises, now occupying the fort which is part of the ‘Stelling of Amsterdam’, a ring of defensive forts built around Amsterdam 100 years ago. The group has been able to contact many of the survivors of crashes as well as their families and other crew members. One such survivor of a crash was the late well know singer, Cy Grant, an ex-RAF navigator, who made several visits to the museum.

Gerrit PA0GJC, Herman PH1DTC and Trevor PA3BOH

Central to the radio room is a T1154/R1155 installation mounted on a table in the form of the Lancaster wireless installation. The transmitter and receiver have been restored to their original specifications and are powered by original ground power supplies. Another restored set is a Collins 618T aircraft transceiver which is used on Wednesdays and Saturdays for skeds within the Netherlands, with the UK and the rest of the world, using either a dipole and or an all-band vertical on the top of the fort.

Also regularly used on the air are an AN/GRC-9 and a SEG-15 transceiver. In the display area are several British

and American sets such as an R1132, American SCR522, RU receiver, GF transmitter, Command sets, WS19, WS62, and an R107.

In the rest of the Museum are parts of equipment retrieved from crash sites which includes parts of an R1155, TR9, TR1143, Gee Set and miscellaneous radar and electrical parts.

Regular users (most of whom are also all owners of a 618T transceiver) are Anton PE1JAS, Geert PA7ZEE, Gerard PA3GRK, Gerrit PA0GJC, Herman PH1DTC, and Trevor PA3BOH. PI4C is on QRZ.com (http://qrz.com/db/PI4C) with links to the Museum. The Museum is open on Saturdays throughout the year.

Trevor Sanderson PA3BOH

Collings Foundation October Battle

Re-Enactment

The Collings Foundation is a private organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of WWII aircraft and military vehicles, in addition to its large collection of vintage and veteran motor-cars and other historical artefacts. The facility at Stow MA, which has a grass airstrip, is in process of expanding to accommodate a recently acquired collection of WWII armoured vehicles. I have been overhauling some of the Wehrmacht Panzer radio equipment which arrived with the new acquisitions.

The Foundation hosts three events each summer at the Stow facility, “Wings and Wheels” in mid-June, “Race of the Century” towards the end of July and the two-day battle re-enactment event in early October.

The main hangar at Stow is home to a number of vintage aircraft, including a Stearman biplane equivalent to the Tiger Moth as a primary trainer, a T6 Texan fighter trainer and a Feisler Storch, all of which take passengers (for a price) on short flights during the open day events. Several other vintage aircraft in the hangar, although flyable, do not take part in the events. The Foundation also has a B17G Flying Fortress, a B24 Liberator, a P51 Mustang, which fly around the country, stopping at local airports for weekend events. Flights in these aircraft are also available (for a price) which helps to cover fuel and maintenance costs.

The recent two-day event, featuring four battle re-enactments of the capture of a front line airfield in France, drew large crowds of spectators and over four hundred re-enactors from all over the USA. German, British and American forces were represented including, for a wonder, a group of ARP and Home Guard re-enactors from Pennsylvania, complete with a stirrup pump and an unexploded bomb.

ARP and Home Guard re-enactors


7 October 2014

My own display included a fully working T1154/R1155 radio desk and a number of WWII RAF artefacts. This year I also included a Morse code practice oscillator and a variety of Morse keys which proved to be very popular with young visitors.

Overall view inside the hangar and a close-up of Tony Rock’s table

My participation in battle events was limited to that of observer in the Feisler Storch during one of its flights over the battlefield. Fortunately, the colour of my RAF battledress closely matched that of the Luftwaffe so no comments were made by the inevitable nit-pickers, even though the badges were on the wrong arm of the RAF uniform, a tailoring error which I was not able to have corrected before the re-enactment. In the UK, this would have been spotted immediately. The remainder of the time I manned my floor exhibit in the hangar. Next to my table was an excellent display of original Enigma equipment, presided over by Prof. Tom Perera W1TP, author of the RSGB publication “Inside Enigma”.

T1154/R1155 exhibit

A number of heavy armoured vehicles owned by the Foundation and other participants were used in the battles, firing blank ammunition. Ear-plugs were on sale for the wiser members of the audience. The whole building shook when the German 88 mm anti-aircraft guns were fired.

Ear-plugs were on sale As a non-battle participant, I left my Webley .455 service revolver at home.

“I can’t imagine how Mussolini ever managed to climb into one of these things”

Tony Rock AD1X/G3KTR

Holland story

Members will be only too aware how a thread of correspondence amongst enthusiasts quickly develops in unexpected directions. A posting of mine on the web advertising aircraft manuals from the Estate of the late John Coggins G3TFC brought interesting correspondence with Gerry Holland, which I have condensed into the following passage which may be of interest to Members. Gerry Holland writes:


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48th Entry 'C' Flight in July 1964. All Air Wireless Mechanics plus some Medics

I was in the Royal Air Force between 1962–1969, first as a ‘Boy Entrant’ at Cosford (48th Entry) on the Air Wireless Mechanics Course. Looking back I can only barely remember the 'bull' but the good fun is still well remembered. We were bad-uns! I visited a few different stations in the UK and NI but failed to make Nicosia, Cyprus as I was just under 18. The Navy were fighting at 16. That course was 18 months long and included square bashing, radio theory, practise and aircraft practise. The course covered TR1998, SR18B, ARC 52, AYF (height finder), ILS and Radio Compass. Our practise aircraft were the full suite of V-Bombers, Hunters, Canberra and Javelins. I believe we had Collins in the Argosy if memory serves me and I had worked on R1155 & T1154 and STR18. The 1100 series were for training and insight but the STR18s were in use in various aircraft. HF was always needed when we had adventures in the Far East along with Radio Compass. No ILS/VOR/DME or good VHF comms. Another favourite in the 1950s and 1960s was the TR1980 series. I think we had TR1998 with a Crystal Store at RSF. The formula for selection was 18 x crystal frequency+9.62 or something like that. You then tuned the receiver on background noise and the transmitter for maximum brightness using the aircraft compass bulb. It did lead to occasions where harmonics had been tuned instead of the required frequency.

W1948950 ex-B/E Holland en route to Odiham in August 1964

My first posting was to 18 Squadron at Odiham servicing Wessex 2's. A year later I was back to Cosford for Advanced Course passing out as Junior Technician Trade: Electronic Fitter Air Comms. We covered IFF and Collins on that course. Also, don’t laugh, Laser and transistor theory. I missed valves, especially output tetrodes. By a weird fluke, my posting to VC10s was changed to Chipmunks at RAF Filton, Bristol University Air Squadron. After three years at Filton I purchased my discharge and joined an American multinational company where I stayed until 1997. This year, 48th Entry had its 50th anniversary of passing out in 1964. A few of us are still around.

50 years later at RAF Cosford Museum for a 50th anniversary reunion

I learnt to fly in 1968 with a mind to becoming a commercial pilot. It never worked out due to the ‘Six Day War’ or ‘Yom Kippur’ (I cannot remember which). Oil prices soared and the airline industry died for a while. I still fly and have an airstrip just SW of Bath. After slippery modern stuff I now fly a 1929 single seat design. Mine is 60 years old in the main but some parts are older including engine and prop. I did have some old lesson books from Cosford but they may have been got rid of by the present Mrs Holland.

Gerry Holland’s 1929 single seat design Stuart McKinnon G0TBI


9 October 2014

VMARS Valentine’s Day Social Baginton Village Hall and the Old Mill Baginton

Saturday 14th February 2015 10.30 a.m.–4.00 p.m. This event for VMARS Members and partners will consist of an auction of Members’ equipment (including the possibility of a SK sale which is being negotiated) at Baginton Village Hall in the morning (10.30 a.m.-12.30 p.m.) followed by lunch at the Gray Lady Suite of the Old Mill in Baginton, a short walk from the Village Hall. After lunch, over dessert and a drink, there will be a light hearted and informative talk by Bronek Wedzicha M0DAF entitled, appropriately, “And all because the lady loves ..”, with time for a chat before we break up.

As far as is practical, items for auction should be pre-notified to Stuart McKinnon G0TBI and lists (with photographs where available) will be published in the January 2015 Issue of the News Sheet. In order to defray the cost of the event overall, sales will be subject to a 10% commission to VMARS.

Those attending lunch are asked to pay for their meals at cost. There is a two and three course menu available (listed below) as well as the normal bar menu which can be found on the Chef and Brewer website. We are required to pre-order the lunches and to ensure that we can meet minimum and maximum numbers for the Old Mill. For this reason it would be very helpful if members could let Stuart McKinnon G0TBI know if they intend to come to the event and their menu choices, by the beginning of January. A booking form will be circulated with the November Issue of the News Sheet.

Menu Starters

Pan fried mushrooms topped with crumbled Stilton and a Welsh Rarebit sauce (v)

Chef’s choice of paté with red onion chutney and crusty bread

Soup of the day served with farm house bread and butter

Mains

Chicken breast topped with brie wrapped in bacon and served with a honey mustard sauce

Grilled sea bass fillets served with crushed new potatoes and a white wine & rocket sauce

Goat’s cheese with balsamic roasted beetroot and roasted butternut squash served over a mixed leaf salad (v)

Grilled pork loin steak with stuffing served over sage-infused mash potato with gravy

Desserts

Indulgent syrup pudding with custard

Rich chocolate fudge cake served with cream

Profiteroles with cream filling served with rich chocolate sauce

3 courses £24.99 2 courses £19.99

Stuart McKinnon G0TBI

VMARS Reflectors (Groups) on the Web

The Society hosts two official Yahoo Groups (VMARS-Member and VMARS-Collector) exclusively for VMARS Members. These are closed groups and the discussions cannot be viewed by non-subscribers. Members can join both groups by invitation only. Invitations to join VMARS-Member are issued automatically to new Members or by application to Bronek Wedzicha M0DAF. Invitations to VMARS-Collector are issued by application to Ian Underwood M0YMK. Both Groups are moderated by the Committee and their purpose is as follows:

The VMARS-Member Group is a forum where Members can share technical and other specialised information about all aspects of VMARS Members' interests and within the scope of the Society. It is not to be used for the posting of advertisements for trade.

The VMARS-Collector Group is a trading platform for VMARS Members. Its purpose is to enable Members to buy, sell, exchange or request items which relate directly to vintage and military radio, radar and associated items.

Members are advised that another Yahoo Group calling itself VMARS is not an official VMARS site and correctly identifies itself as having nothing to do with the Society except in name.

Bronek Wedzicha M0DAF

Correction: Newark Hamfest Report

News Sheet Issue 138 (September 2014)

Colin Tuckley G8TMV has drawn our attention to the following error which crept into the Newark Hamfest Report:

Rob Chipperfield's callsign is M0VFC not M0VFL

Thank you Colin and with apologies for the mistake.


VMARS Members’ badges

Once again, Stuart McKinnon G0TBI is taking orders for VMARS Members’ badges, which he orders several at a time. If you would like to order a badge (at very reasonable cost) please let Stuart have details of your name and call sign as you would like for it to appear on the badge. He will be placing the next order shortly.


Sending in articles, news items, letters and advertisements for VMARS Publications

Please send copy to Colin Guy G4DDI by post or e-mail, 7 Herrick Court, Clinton Park, Tattershall, Lincs. LN4 4QU Tel 01526 344715 [email protected] The copy deadline for the next issue of the News Sheet is 15th November. For articles for the next issue of Signal the deadline is 9th November, but copy would be appreciated as far in advance as possible.



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Saturday AM Net-Controller’s Rota

Date 1st op 2nd op 3rd op

15th Nov M1PVC M0YMK G3XGW

22nd Nov M0YMK G3XGW M0TCM

29th Nov G3XGW M0TCM M0DAF

6th Dec M0TCM M0DAF G0TBI

13th Dec M0DAF G0TBI G4GEN

20th Dec G0TBI G4GEN G4BQF

27th Dec G4GEN G4BQF GW8TBG

Whenever possible Ian Underwood M0YMK posts a recording of the Saturday AM Net from his QTH in West Sussex on the VMARS website:

http://www.vmars.org.uk/Regular_NETS_Details

Committee Notices VMARS Subscriptions 2015

Members will be aware that the Committee proposed the raising of the annual subscription rate for 2015 by £1. This was agreed at the AGM and the new rates for those Members who receive their News Sheet electronically will be as follows:

UK: £21.00 Europe: £22.00 Rest of the world: £23.00

The Family Membership rate will remain unaffected at £5.00.

Members who choose to receive their News Sheet as hard copies by second class post do so at cost. The table below shows the cost of printing and mailing the News Sheet (almost all go to UK addresses) during the current year to date, with the actual numbers of copies printed and mailed alongside. The News Sheet is mailed along with Signal in February, May and August hence there is no separate entry for the cost of mailing the News Sheet in these months. Each month we print 10 extra copies of the News Sheet so as to be able to provide new Members with hard copies of the back issues should they choose that method of distribution.

This table is included to show that the average cost of printing and mailing the News Sheet this year has been £0.96 per issue per Member and the annual cost is, therefore, close to £11.52. The £6.00 UK rate for 2013 was, therefore, somewhat below the actual cost to the Society.

It is, therefore, appropriate to revise upwards the 2015 postage and printing rates for the News Sheet in hard copy, allowing for inflation, as follows:

Addresses in the UK: £12.00 Addresses in the EU: £13.00 Addresses in the rest of the world: £15.00

These figures will be included on the Membership Renewal Form for 2015 and current application forms.

Report for the RSGB Spectrum Forum Meeting on 1st November 2014 VMARS OBJECTIVES

1). We would still like to see an expansion of 80 m from 3.80–3.90 MHz. This would certainly alleviate some of the ‘overcrowding’ on the band, especially during the winter. This has generally been met with approval from other Spectrum Forum members in the past. Perhaps with the Chair’s permission we could ask for a show of hands by members as to their present views on this point.

The band extension would also present us with an opportunity to work those American AM amateurs who regularly use this part of the spectrum.

2). One subject we would like to revive is to bringing the full 160 m band into the same licence conditions as those of other HF bands, i.e. maximum transmitted power levels of 400 W PEP instead of the current 32 W PEP allowed on most of the band. This subject of late appears to have been put to one side.

3). A continuous 150 kHz bandwidth for 60 m as a full amateur band for all classes of licence and including mobile use. I have been asked to prepare a full update on 5 MHz. Also, clarity on the WRC15 proposals being made by the RSGB for use of 5 MHz and of support or problems they are receiving from other countries on this subject. I should point out that, despite misgivings expressed early on by some on the 5 MHz Reflector about AM being allowed on 60 m, its use has been very popular and has not resulted in any reported complaints from other users of the band.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU

The Committee, on behalf of all VMARS members, wish to express their thanks to the RSGB and to this Forum for the splendid work that they undertake on behalf of all amateurs.

Ron Swinburne M0WSN

Month Print Mail N printed N mailed

Jan 31.99 62.50 129 119

Feb 29.76 120

Mar 67.52 75.68 121 111

Apr 45.38 74.06 122 112

May 30.75 124

Jun 38.44 75.12 124 114

Jul 30.75 76.74 124 114

Aug 46.50 125

Totals 321.09 364.10 989 570

Average cost 0.32 0.64

Copyright Notice The VMARS News Sheet is a publication of the Vintage and Military Amateur Radio Society. Copyright remains vested in the authors, thus no material in this News Sheet may be copied and published elsewhere, in part or in full, by any means, without the express permission of the author. This may be sought either from the author direct, or from the News Sheet Editor, Bronek Wedzicha M0DAF.

http://www.vmars.org.uk/Regular_NETS_Details


11 October 2014

Annual General Meeting 2014

The Society Annual General Meeting for 2014 was held on Saturday 9th August at the Royal Signals Museum, Blandford Forum.

The meeting began at 1030 hrs BST with 37 members in attendance.

1. Welcome

Ian Underwood (Chairman) opened the meeting and welcomed those present including Tony Bell VK5UA who was visiting from Australia.

2. Apologies

Twenty (20) members had sent apologies and these were given to the meeting by John Keeley GW6RAV (Hon. Secretary).

3. Minutes of AGM 2013 The draft minutes of AGM 2013 had been circulated in summary form with the meeting agenda. No matters arising from the minutes were raised.

A motion from the floor to accept the AGM 2013 minutes as being a true and correct record of the meeting was proposed by Stuart Atkinson G3YPS and seconded by David Smith G8IDL.

The motion was put to the vote and carried by a unanimous show of hands.

4 Chairman’s Report

Ian Underwood M0YMK, Chairman, delivered his annual report to the meeting. This year Ian focussed on the work of the Committee and outlined some of the areas over which the Committee must exercise governance.

Beginning with finance, the Committee has a responsibility to manage the Society affairs so as to minimise financial risk. The Society has Public Liability (PL) Insurance and is covered up to an amount of £10 million by virtue of our affiliation to the RSGB. This is vitally important given the number of rallies and events where there is formal VMARS attendance. For the PL cover to apply, the Committee must sanction the Society stand and this now includes reviewing completed Health and Safety Risk Assessments covering the proposed display or demonstration. If you are proposing to front a Society stand at a rally or event, please get in contact with the Committee in good time so that the necessary processes can be completed and PL cover confirmed. Another area of concern for the Committee is the Society’s tax position. We are a not-for-profit society but we do from time to time generate ‘profit’ from auction sales. This ‘profit’ goes back into the Society to improve Members Services. As our auctions are restricted to fully paid-up members they can be considered as mutual trading between members. The Society has an aim in the Constitution to promote the exchange of equipment between members and, to clarify our tax position, the Committee has tabled a motion to amend the Constitution so that our aim to promote the exchange of equipment is achieved through mutual trading.

Another area of concern is risk of libel in the Society’s published media. The Committee must therefore take a firm line in respect of moderating the posts in our e-mail reflectors and have a robust editorial policy in respect of the News Sheet. Members will be aware that, from time to time, reflector postings have been removed and letters edited or not published. This is simply the Committee exercising appropriate governance in avoiding the risk of libel.

Seeking ways to raise the profile of the Society is another vital area of responsibility for the Committee and, to this end, approval had been given to investing in a transportable and adaptable display stand. This was first deployed at the National ‘Hamfest’ in Newark and attracted considerable interest resulting in 18 new members for the Society.

Ian touched on Bletchley Park (BP). As Members will know, there has been considerable controversy in respect of the recent changes and development of the site and, in particular, the transfer of ownership of the Colossus Replica exhibit from BP to the National Museum of Computing. Members will also have seen the discussion on the Members Reflector. The Committee has kept a watching brief on the changes at BP and has decided that it is best for the Society to adopt a neutral position and not make any public comment.

Ian concluded his report by introducing the Committee and finally reminded Members “that a society is only as good as its members.”

5. Secretary’s Report

John Keeley GW6RAV, Hon. Secretary, gave his annual report to the meeting. He began by noting the Committee had met four times during the course of the year. Meetings are normally on Saturdays and usually begin at 10.00 and finish around 15.00 with a break for lunch which sometimes takes the form of a working lunch! The summary minutes published in the News Sheet give an idea of the range of topics discussed and the expertise and experience your Committee has brought to the Society. John then took the opportunity to thank the Committee for their work and support during the year and commended the Committee to the meeting. He asked the assembled members to remember that they are your committee and to appreciate the tremendous amount of work they have put in for our Society during the year.

John continued by mentioning two administrative items. First, he noted that the Health & Safety Risk Assessment Forms were working well and now being completed by those organising VMARS attendance at rallies and events. The Society does need to maintain a file of H&S Assessments for record purposes and he asked that a copy of the completed form be forwarded to the Hon. Secretary following the event. Secondly, some questions had been raised regarding the Society’s data protection status and, in consequence, a review had been undertaken. The Committee considered whether or not we need to register with the Information Commissioner and concluded that we are exempt from registration. The reasons for this are as follows:

(a) We are a not-for-profit organisation.

(b) Any profit we do make is ploughed back into the Society to improve services to members. We do not pay dividends or pay a share of the profits to members.

(c) We hold members’ data only for the purposes of mailing and administration.

(d) We do not share or provide members’ data with/to any other organisation. The data file containing addresses provided to HDP (our printer) is to facilitate mailing only.

(e) The published Membership List is provided to fully paid-up members only and the data contained therein is provided voluntarily by members who wish their details to appear.

(f) The Membership Database is updated annually after renewals to reflect the current membership and information relating to lapsed members or members who leave the


October 2014 12

Society is removed. The Membership Database is also updated as necessary during the course of the year.

(g) The Membership Database is held on a secure server and access is restricted to Committee.

One area was identified as needing improvement, namely the timely removal of information from the Membership Database relating to those who have left the Society. This will be put in hand.

In consideration of the above your Committee believes that we are exempt from registration/notification under the Data Protection Act. We understand that it is possible to register voluntarily but such a step would probably complicate our administrative process.

Concluding his report John, as always, drew members attention to the sterling work done behind the scenes by Colin Guy our Archivist and his team and on behalf of the Society record our appreciation and grateful thanks to Colin and his team for all they do.

6. Treasurer’s Report

Bronek Wedzicha M0DAF, Hon. Treasurer, delivered his report on the Society Accounts for the year ending December 31st 2013. The balance sheet, report and notes were as part of the meeting. In summary, the Society Accounts showed a deficit for the year of £133.07 in respect of income over expenditure. The net assets of the Society stood at £34,190 on 31st December 2013 compared to net assets of £34,327 for the previous year. It was noted that the value of membership subscriptions fell from £9,897.77 in 2012 to £9,725.75 in 2013. Each year there is a proportion of non-renewers – at the end of 2012 the Society membership stood at 413 but fell to 393 when the membership list was confirmed for 2013 in the February of that year. A number of successful auction sales were held during the year to sell off the residue of the Estate of the late John Coggins G3TFC whose remaining equipment had been purchases by the Society the previous year. Members were invited to bring their own equipment for sale on a no commission basis at an auction held as part of the Autumn Social Event. After payment of auction costs (including ongoing storage) and monies due to vendors at the Autumn Event, the net surplus to the Society was £3,426.70 compared to a net surplus of £7,941.18 in 2012. The lower value of the surplus resulted from reduced auction activity and the lower value of the sales items as the prime equipment from the G3TFC Estate had already been sold.

The full accounts and Treasurer’s Report were included with the AGM Agenda sent out to each paid-up member.

6.1 Adoption of Accounts

The accounts were formally presented to the meeting and a motion to adopt the accounts was proposed from the floor by Gerald Stancey G3CMK and seconded by Peter Bannon M0PXB.

The motion was put to the vote and carried by a majority show of hands.

6.2 Increase in Annual Subscription

In previous years a proposal to increase the annual subscription was introduced at the AGM. This year the Committee felt it would be better to table a proposal to increase the subscription as a Committee Motion as in this way it would be included in the postal voting process. The following motion was, therefore, put to the meeting:

That the annual subscription be increased by one pound (£1) in 2015 and a further one pound in 2016.

The voting results were:

6.2 Vote For Against Abstentions Postal 15 2 1 Proxy 2 0 0 Floor M 0 0

Total M 2 1

In order to simplify the floor voting process the Committee have decided that where the show of hands indicates a clear majority this will be shown as ‘M’ and no count will be taken.

The motion to increase annual subscriptions by one pound (£1) in 2015 and a further one pound in 2016 was accordingly declared to have been carried by a clear majority.

7. Election of Officers & Committee

Result of Elections

A total of twenty (20) postal votes had been received, of these one paper was disallowed being a duplicate. In respect of the election of Committee Members only (two posts) four (4) voting papers had been disallowed as votes had been cast for all three candidates.

Floor Voting Procedure

In order to simplify the floor voting process the Committee decided that where the show of hands indicates a clear majority this will be shown as ‘M’ and no count will be taken.

Gerald Stancey was appointed by the meeting to chair the election of the Chairman.

(a) Chairman

Nominee: Ian Underwood M0YMK Nominated by: Ken Sanderson G4KCF Seconded by: Keith Yates G3XGW

Chairman Ian Underwood Vote For Against

Postal 17 0 Proxy 2 0 Floor M 0

Total

Ian Underwood M0YMK was declared to be duly elected as Chairman by a clear majority.

(b) Honorary Secretary

Note: John Keeley GW6RAV currently held the post of Honorary Secretary and, as his term of office has expired, could not seek nomination under the provisions of Clauses 7(d) & (e) of Constitution V2.22. As no nominations came forward when nominations for the Committee were sought for AGM 2014, Ian Underwood (Chairman) asked for nominations from the floor for the post of Honorary Secretary. No nominations were forthcoming. Accordingly under Clauses 7(d) & 7(e) of Constitution V2.22 Ian Underwood then asked John Keeley if he would be willing to stand again for the Post of Honorary Secretary. John answered in the affirmative saying that he would be honoured to serve again as Secretary if that was the wish of the Membership but did ask that consideration be given to


13 October 2014

succession as the time would come when he would need to retire.

The election for the post of Honorary Secretary therefore proceeded with John Keeley as the nominee.

Nominee: John Keeley, GW6RAV Nominated by: Ian Underwood M0YMK Seconded by: John Somerville MW0XHO

Secretary John Keeley Vote For Against

Postal - - Proxy 2 0 Floor M 0

Total M 0

John Keeley GW6RAV was declared to be duly elected as Honorary Secretary by a clear majority.

(d) Honorary Treasurer

Nominee: Bronek Wedzicha M0DAF Nominated by: Chris Jones G8GFB Seconded by: David Smith G8IDL

Treasurer Bronek

Wedzicha Vote For Against Postal 17 0 Proxy 2 0 Floor M 0

Total M 0

Bronek Wedzicha M0DAF was declared to be duly elected as Honorary Treasurer by a clear majority.

(e) Membership Secretary

Nominee: Pete Shepherd G7DXV Nominated by: Tony Sheerstone G4AWN Seconded by: Len Maunder G4KRX

Membership Secretary

Pete Shepherd Vote For Against Postal 17 1 Proxy 2 0 Floor M 0

Total M 1

Pete Shepherd G7DXV was declared to be duly elected by a clear majority as Membership Secretary.

(f) Publications Manager

Nominee: Bronek Wedzicha M0DAF Nominated by: Ray Robinson VK2NO Seconded by: Robin Maddison G0GNE

Publications Manager Bronek Wedzicha Vote For Against

Postal 17 0 Proxy 2 0 Floor M 0

Total M

Bronek Wedzicha M0DAF was declared to be duly elected as Publications Manager by a clear majority.

(g) Committee Members (2 Posts)

Three Candidates were nominated for these posts but four (4) voting papers were disallowed in respect of the election of Ordinary Members as votes were cast for all three candidates in each of those papers.

The voting results for each candidate were as follows:

Nominee: Tony Barron G3YYH Nominated by: Ian Underwood, M0YMK Seconded by: Keith Yates, G3XGW

Tony Barron Vote For Against Postal 10 4

Corrected Postal Vote 6 4

Proxy 0 0 Floor 9 0

Total 15 4

Nominee: Peter Jones G8CDC Nominated by: Dr Alan Knell G0BNE Seconded by: Keith Yates, G3XGW

Peter Jones Vote For Against Postal 14 0


Proxy 2 0 Floor 35 0

Total 47 0

Nominee: Ron Swinburne M0WSN Nominated by: Paul Higginson 2E0PRF Seconded by: Chris Suslowicz G8KGS

Ron Swinburne Vote For Against Postal 17 0


Proxy 2 0 Floor 34

Total 49 0

The total votes cast for each candidate were thus as follows: Name For Against Tony Barron 15 4 Peter Jones 47 0 Ron Swinburne 49 0 Accordingly, Peter Jones and Ron Swinburne were declared to be duly elected as Committee Members. Ian Underwood thanked Tony Barron for coming forward and standing for Committee and said that the Committee would like to talk to him about likely co-option later in the year. This completed the election of Officers and Committee.

8. Appointment of Honorary Examiners

The Chairman thanked both of our Honorary Examiners, Antony Wedgwood G0TJD and David Smith G8IDL and asked if they were willing to stand again. Both answered in the affirmative. The Chairman then asked the meeting for a show of hands to reappoint our Honorary Examiners.

David Smith and Antony Wedgwood were reappointed as Honorary Examiners by an unanimous vote.


October 2014 14

9. Membership Report

Pete Shepherd G7DXV, Membership Secretary, presented a brief report on the Society membership. After thanking the Committee for their help and support during the year, Pete mentioned that he had a spell of illness and the support he received was very much valued.

The year had been a busy one with a growing membership that currently stands at 456 paid up Members, compared to about 413 reported at the 2013 AGM. This figure includes four new applicants whose details have been published in the July News Sheet pending acceptance. Late membership renewals were pursued; eventually 32 members were lost. Many of those who did not renew appeared to be those who joined the Society simply to gain access to the restricted archive.

Enquiries have been received from younger radio enthusiasts during the course of the year and this has led to the Committee reviewing the membership situation for younger members. It was felt that the best way forward for prospective members under the age of 18 was, as a trial, for them to join as family members who would be welcome at Society Events provided they were accompanied by the Full Member who would be deemed to be the responsible adult. This is to ensure that we address child protection issues. It has also been noted that the ‘Student Member’ Class of Membership had been omitted from version 2 of the Constitution and this will be reinstated in due course.

Pete concluded his report by thanking his Partner, Charlene, for her support during the year. Charlene has helped with a great deal of the work and was a tremendous support during his illness.

10. Public Relations and Publicity

Stuart Mckinnon G0TBI, PR & Publicity Officer, gave a report on PR and Publicity activities during the year.

He began by mentioning that last year’s AGM at the Yorkshire Air Museum had produced some very positive feedback. A number of other successful events had taken place during the year and Stuart highlighted the Autumn Social Event. This had been the first of its kind combining a Social gathering with a members’ auction. It was hoped to hold a further social event in the coming year. The Committee was always on the lookout for ideas for Society events and Stuart invited members to contact the Committee with any ideas. The Society had been represented at the NARSA (Northern Amateur Radio Societies Association) Rally at Blackpool, the Canvey Island Rally had brought a steady stream of enquiries, the Dambusters Event at Thorpe Camp, the Wartime in the Vale Event at Evesham, the Centenary Parade at Worcester and a number of other rallies. Our presence at these and other major events serves to raise the profile and increase public awareness of our Society and what we do very effectively.

Contact is maintained with Bletchley Park (BP) and some excellent feedback had been received in respect of our participation in the “Are You Listening” event. He and Ian Underwood had visited BP had met with the events organising staff on a couple of occasions.

During the course of the year, the Society had been approached by the RSGB as to whether we could provide an example of vintage military equipment, that had been used by radio amateurs, for display at the National Radio Centre at BP. We subsequently provided a cosmetically restored WS19 on long term loan to the RSGB. Also during the year, Ian Greenberg G8LOY kindly donated an early example of the ‘Elizabethan’ Transmitter designed by Louis

Varney G5RV, along with some original documentation. After discussion with Ian, the Committee decided that the transmitter should also be offered, again on long-term loan, to the RSGB for their display at the NRC. Providing assistance to the RSGB in this way has significantly increased our profile with them.

A good relationship is also being developed with the BVWS (British Vintage Wireless Society). Although their main interest is domestic wireless both from a technical standpoint and the social history of wireless in the UK, we share some interests and a number of Society members are also BVWS members. During the course of the year, Antony G2ATT donated an early Cossor Melody Maker broadcast receiver to the Society. After discussion in Committee it was felt right to donate this to the BVWS. We understand the set is now on display at the Gerald Wells Vintage Wireless Museum in Dulwich, South East London.

Stuart took the opportunity to mention that the Society had a long standing relationship with the Royal Signals Museum (RSM) from the foundation of the Society in 1999. A number of members had volunteered at the Museum and provided assistance to the RSM in a number of areas over the years and we are very pleased and honoured to be able to hold our AGM here this year.

In closing, Stuart was pleased to announce that a venue and date had now been agreed for next year’s AGM. The 2015 AGM will take place on Saturday 18th July at the RAF Museum, Neatishead.

11. Archive Group

Colin Guy G4DDI, Archivist,. was unfortunately unable to attend the meeting and deliver his report. Peter Jones G8CDC gave a brief report on the Archive in Colin’s absence. Peter began by thanking Colin and Martin Longmore M0LQR (who works with Colin) for their sterling work throughout the year. He reminded members that the Archive represented an amazing asset to the Society, the wealth of information contained was invaluable to our interest not only in terms of technical matters and equipment handbooks but also to facilitate historical and technical study. The work involves scanning the paper documents into electronic form and ‘cleaning’ the result to provide a high quality document. These continue to be added to the open download list that is available online to the wider vintage and military radio community. Peter thanked those who had donated or loaned handbooks for scanning, etc. during the course of the year and encouraged others to do likewise. The restricted document list continues to grow and Peter expressed disappointment that there are still those who join the Society apparently simply to gain access to the restricted list. Peter concluded by saying that work continues to produce an index of the paper archive and it was hoped to make this available soon.

12. VMARS Publications & Handbook

Bronek Wedzicha M0DAF, Publications Manager, gave a brief report on Society publications and the VMARS Handbook. Bronek began by thanking all those who had contributed to ‘Signal’ during the course of the year. This is very much our flagship publication and he paid tribute to the quality of the contributions but reminded members that “what you read is what you write”. Work on the VMARS Handbook continues and Bronek had brought with him two sample chapters for Members to inspect.

13. RSGB Spectrum Forum

Ron Swinburne M0WSN had taken over the role as VMARS Representative at the RSGB Spectrum Forum from Ian


15 October 2014

Underwood earlier in the year. The Spectrum Forum meets annually, usually in November.

Ron began by asking the question, who are “The Spectrum Forum” and what do they do? The Forum consists of 16–17 RSGB Members from all aspects of amateur radio who volunteer their time to “get the voice of UK amateur radio” not only to OFCOM but also heard internationally. It was the Spectrum Forum who negotiated the release of segments of the 5 MHz band for amateur use including the 6 kHz-wide allocation for AM use.

Things had generally been quiet during his first 12 months with the Forum but Ron said he had been surprised by the number of people who did not know that AM was still in use. On the spectrum front, the Forum continues to push for an extension to the 80 m band but progress is slow and the spectrum at the top end of the band is used by the MoD. In the pipeline is an extension of 2 m to 147 MHz but it is unclear how this will be used – if by NoV then the extension could only be accessed by full licence holders which does not seem quite right. There was also something of a hiatus when OFCOM approached the RSGB at very short notice to temporarily use some spot frequencies in the 2 m band. This was agreed but a number of people saw this as being the “thin end of the wedge”. There was also something of an upheaval in the microwave allocations at present but this does not really concern us at HF.

14. Collins 618T Special Interest Group

The Chairman reported that Trevor Sanderson PA3BOH, who runs the group, was unable to attend the meeting but it was hoped that a report would be available later. It was noted that Trevor continues to run the very successful Wednesday lunchtime LSB net at 1330 local time on 7073 kHz and Collins 618T equipment can frequently be heard in use.

15. Members Business

There was no business tabled for discussion under this heading.

16. Committee Business

John Keeley GW6RAV, Honorary Secretary, stated that the Committee wished to table four (4) motions in respect of proposed amendments to the Constitution for which they wished to seek approval.

16.1 Amendment to Section 2 Clause 2(c) “Aims of the Society”

There is a need to clarify the Society’s tax position in respect of auction sales such that Society auction sales are considered to be part of mutual trading between members of the Society. The Committee therefore proposes to amend Sub-clause 2(c) to make clear that one of the aims of the Society is to facilitate interchange of radio equipment through mutual trading.

Section 2 “Aims of the Society”

2(c) To facilitate the interchange of radio equipment between members;

Amend sub-clause 2(c) by inserting the words “through mutual trading” so that the sub-clause now reads:

2(c) To facilitate the interchange of radio equipment through mutual trading between members.

There being no questions or discussion from the floor the motion was put to the vote.


Total M 0 3

Motion 16.1 to amend Constitution Sub-Clause 2(c) was therefore declared to have been carried by a clear majority. There were three (3) abstentions.

16.2 Amendment to Section 7 “Membership of the Society’s Committee”

The Committee believes there is a need to ‘tidy up’ Section 7 by bringing the qualifying period for election to Committee into line with the one year service on Committee qualifying time requirement before election as Chairman

Section 7 “Membership of the Society’s Committee”

7(a) The Committee shall have been members of the Society for at least six months prior to the election.............

Amend sub-clause 7(a) to increase the qualifying membership time for election to the Committee from six (6) months membership of the Society to one (1) year membership of the Society. The sub-clause will now read:

7(a) The Committee shall have been members of the Society for at least one year prior to the election..............



Total M 0 0

Motion 16.2 to amend Constitution Sub-Clause 7(a) was therefore declared to have been carried by a clear majority.

16.3 & 16.4 Amendments to Section 9 “Annual General Meeting”

Each year Committee seeks to hold the AGM at attractive and interesting relevant venues across the country and the requirement to hold the AGM within 6 months of the end of the financial year can sometimes prove difficult to meet as the actual date for the AGM has to fit in with the availability of the chosen venue. Increasing the time window for the AGM from 6 months to 9 months makes it easier to fit in with venue availability and so provide a better service to members by holding the AGM at more attractive and relevant venues. The Committee therefore seeks the support of the membership in changing the AGM time window from 6 to 9 months from the end of the financial year.

The Committee recognises the need for timely publication of the Society Accounts and to avoid unnecessary delay in the event of a late AGM proposes to effectively separate the publication of the accounts such that they can be published in advance of the AGM if the availability of the chosen venue is more than 6 months from the end of the financial year.


October 2014 16

16.3 Section 9 “Annual General Meeting”

9(a) The Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall, except in the event of special circumstances, be held within six months of the end of the financial year.

Amend the first sentence of sub-clause 9(a) to read:

9(a) The Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall, except in the event of special circumstances, be held within nine (9) months of the end of the financial year



Total M 2 1

Motion 16.3 to amend Constitution Sub-Clause 9(a) was therefore declared to have been carried by a clear majority. There were two (2) votes against and one (1) abstention.

16.4 Section 9 “Annual General Meeting”

Insert new sub-clause 9(b) and renumber subsequent sub-clauses. The new sub-clause to read:

9(b) The examined and authorised statement of the Society’s accounts shall be published within six (6) months of the end of the financial year.



Total M 0 2

Motion 16.4 to insert new Constitution Sub-Clause 9(b) and re-number subsequent clauses was therefore declared to have been carried by a clear majority. There were two (2) abstentions.

17. Any Other Business

17.1 Payment of Subscriptions

A question was raised from the floor in respect of the methods of paying subscriptions.

In reply, Bronek Wedzicha agreed that this was a topic that came up from time to time. Currently the only methods available for the payment of subscriptions are direct payment by cheque, by standing order or by bank transfer. Direct debit collection of subscriptions is not available to us and the cost of accepting card payments is prohibitive. ‘Paypal’ facilities are also not available due to the particular constitution of the Society – we do not have a registered office as such and are therefore unable to have a Paypal account.

17.2 Action in respect of Non-renewers

David Smith raised a question from the floor as what action was taken in respect of those who do not renew their subscription to the Society.

This was answered jointly by Stuart Mckinnon and Pete Shepherd. A list is drawn up of those members who had

not renewed and Stuart and Pete share the task of contacting each member, by telephone where possible, who had not renewed. In many cases non-renewal was simply an oversight and the subscription was subsequently received. A number cite change of interests or change of circumstances. Sadly, a number of members are in poor health and feel unable to continue an active interest in the Society. One or two members express dissatisfaction with some aspect of the Society and, where a specific problem is mentioned, Stuart and Pete do their best to resolve it.

One general difficulty is that renewals fall due during the Christmas period and are easily overlooked. For that reason a reminder regarding renewals is always published in November.

17.3 Vote of Thanks

Chris Suslowicz proposed, from the floor, a vote of thanks to the Committee for their work during the course of the year. This was supported by an unanimous show of hands.

18. Next AGM

The AGM for 2015 will be held at the RAF Museum, Neatishead on Saturday 18th July.

There being no further business, Ian Underwood, Chairman thanked all present for coming to the RSM, Blandford Forum, and declared the meeting closed at 12.30.

Committee Meeting 6th September 2014

Committee Meeting No. 1 of 2014/15 was held on Saturday 6th September 2014 beginning at 1000 UTC. The meeting was kindly hosted by Peter Jones G8CDC at his QTH near Leamington Spa.

The following were present: Ian Underwood M0YMK (Chairman), John Keeley GW6RAV (Hon. Secretary), Bronek Wedzicha M0DAF (Treasurer & Publications Manager), Pete Shepherd G7DXV (Membership Secretary), Peter Jones G8CDC (Committee Member), Ron Swinburne M0WSN (Committee Member) and Stuart Mckinnon G0TBI (Public Relations & Publicity Officer).

The principal decisions taken and topics discussed were as follows:

1. E-mail Decisions There were no e-mail decisions to record.

2. Health & Safety

John Keeley reported that he had received the completed Risk Assessment Forms in respect of Society participation in The Centenary Parade held in Worcester on the 16th August. There was some general discussion on Society participation in re-enactment or military display events. The question was posed as to whether there was a ‘cross-over’ between radio-related activities and re-enactment. It was agreed that any VMARS display stand should be distinct from re-enactment activities – for example it would not be appropriate for weapons to be displayed on a VMARS stand or display. Consideration was given to drafting a guidance note in respect of


17 October 2014

VMARS participation in re-enactment events, however, the view was that this was unnecessary.

3. Society Membership Pete Shepherd reported that 14 New Members had been added to the Membership Database. In respect of the initiative to increase Society membership by mailing other clubs and societies, Pete reported that to date the first 150 mail shots had produced one reply. Given the low response, it was agreed to discontinue the mailing initiative for the time being.

4. AGM 2014 – Feedback & Matters Arising

A number of comments had been received from various members praising the success of the AGM and the choice of venue. The day had gone very well with plenty of time to explore the Museum. Lunch was superb and the Guest Speaker, Dr Elizabeth Bruton, delivered a most interesting lecture on the development of RDF during WWI. Detailed costs were now to hand and a matter of voting procedure was also raised (a) Costs

Bronek Wedzicha reported on the costs of the AGM. An estimated budget of £1,500 had been set to cover costs. The actual costs incurred were:

Museum Entry: £342.50 Provision of Lunch: £163.20 (Mains cost £2.80 and Deserts £0.60 each) Guest Lecturer (Dr Bruton): £192.00

The actual total cost to date, excluding Committee expenses (which were not yet available) was, therefore, £697.70

(b) Voting – Committee Member Posts

Some issues occurred with postal voting for the CM posts in that four (4) voting papers had to be disallowed as the individuals concerned had recorded votes for all three candidates rather than casting votes for two of the three candidates. There was also a concern that it would have been better if the candidates had been listed in alphabetical order to avoid apparently giving preference to candidates seeking re-election. In future, where there is a contest, candidates will be listed in alphabetical order.

5. Co-option of a Committee Member

Ian Underwood had spoken with Tony Barron G3YYH (the unsuccessful candidate in the election for the CM posts) to ascertain if Tony would be willing to serve as a co-opted Member of the Committee and reported that Tony had expressed a willingness to serve. Accordingly, Ron Swinburne proposed that Tony be invited to serve as a co-opted Member of the Committee. Peter Jones seconded the proposal which was carried by an unanimous vote.

6. The Commercial Structure of the Society

Peter Jones raised a topic concerning the commercial structure of the Society. Along with improving Members Services it was also necessary to maintain the Society’s financial position. The current balance at bank was £26,642 whereas, at the same time in 2012, balance at bank was £27,925. There was thus a fall of £1,283 over the year. Peter suggested that we should aim to achieve an increase in our income by c. £2,000 per annum in order to maintain our financial position. This increase would be funded by increasing subscriptions along with revenue from auction sales.

After discussion, Peter’s point was considered to be well made and a strategy will be developed to achieve an annual increase in our year-end bank balance. 7. Next Auction

It was agreed that the next Auction Sale forms part of a Christmas or New Year Social Event. Tentative details will be published as soon as possible.

8. Society Finances

(a) Current Balance Bronek Wedzicha reported that the current balance at bank was £26,642 (see 6 above).

(b) Container Rental The owner of the container rented by the Society at Rosswood Farm in Baginton has indicated that he wishes to move the container to another site. Currently the container houses a quantity of items remaining from the residue of the G3TFC SK equipment purchased by the Society. Peter Jones offered the use of his 30 foot container but this would also need to be re-located. Peter was thanked for his kind offer and it was agreed that he would investigate possible sites for the container in the vicinity of Baginton.

(c) Members Individual Liability This topic was raised by Ron Swinburne at the previous meeting and relates to a scheme whereby the members of an un-incorporated society (such as VMARS) individual liability could be limited to an agreed amount in the event of the Society getting into debt and having to be wound up. Ian Underwood is to investigate further and report back at the next meeting.

9. Archives & Publications

(a) Pete Shepherd reported that a quantity of vintage technical books had been donated to the Society. Pete will discuss with Colin Guy as to how the books can be taken into the archive and what arrangements could be made to give members of the Society access to the books on a loan basis.

(b) Bronek Wedzicha reported that he had taken two sample chapters of the VMARS Handbook for members to examine at the AGM. There was little significant feedback. Progress continues.

10. Working Parties

Noted that in the light of 8(b) above, the container at Rosswood Farm still held a quantity of G3TFC SK items. These will need to be moved to storage at Wolverhampton and a working party will be organised in due course.

11. Public Relations & Publicity

There was nothing specific to report as PR work had been relatively quiet following the AGM. There was some discussion as to the merits of press releases to the news sections of Practical Wireless, Radcom and Radio Byegones to highlight specific Society activities and so raise our profile.

12. Rallies & Events (i) Auction/Social Event

Peter Jones proposed a further auction/social event either in the autumn or spring. Baginton was felt to be the best location with an auction at the Village Hall followed by lunch at a nearby Pub. Stuart McKinnon & Peter Jones to investigate availability of the Village Hall, options for lunch and report back.


October 2014 18

(ii) Rally Calendar for 2015 Proposed that the Society would attend the following rallies and events in 2015:

(a) Canvey Island (b) Blackpool (c) NVCF (d) Wartime in the Vale (e) Flixton (f) Newark Hamfest (g) Dambusters

This list is not exhaustive and attendance at the above is subject to confirmation. Other events may be added to the list at a later date.

(iii) Event at Brooklands

Ian Underwood is investigating a possible event at Brooklands and will report back in due course.

13. Improvements to Members Services This is a regular agenda item and although there were no specific items to report it was agreed that the holding of the AGM at the Royal Signals Museum represented a significant improvement to Members Services.

14. Further Committee Meetings

The next Committee Meeting (No 2 of 2014/15) is scheduled for 10th January 2015. The venue is to be confirmed..

There being no further business, the meeting was formally closed at 1440 hours.

Applications for Membership

We wish to welcome the following new applicants for VMARS Membership:

Name, Callsign (Region) Interests Mr R Figueres F6ASF Perpignan, France

Reception of military material, cryptography, Telex, Fax. Goniometry.

Mr SAR Kinch Cromer, Norfolk

1950s police radio/ telephone systems. Marconi H16. Owns a 1953 Portsmouth city police car which was fitted with boot mounted H16.

[Membership rules require names of applicants for Membership to be published, before they are formally accepted as Members. This allows existing Members to object, if they wish. If you want to object to any of the above, please write to our Hon Sec, John Keeley – Ed.]

Helplines Queries 139/1 Mystery receiver 1

I am a VMARS member and wonder if you or your colleagues may be able to help in identifying some equipment. I have attached some photos and I have been told the type/reference number is typical of RADAR equipment, but no one I have spoken to can identify the unit. Given the hand written labelling maybe it was a prototype that got not further. Any suggestions would be welcomed.

David Smith M0SXD

139/2 Mystery receiver 2

The three photographs below are of a mystery receiver donated to VMARS through the RSGB. There is no ID on it whatsoever.

Does any member recognise this receiver?

This receiver will be on offer at the next VMARS Auction possibly the Social Event in February advertised on page 9 of this News Sheet.

Ron Swinburne M0WSN


19 October 2014

Helplines Answers 138/1 Mystery item

The meter housing obviously slots onto a pair of screw heads on some outside equipment, and the ‘shorting plug’ and warning notice on the back makes me think it is intended for a UHF wavemeter of some sort - possibly searchlight radar. It is Army, not RAF, from the stores code: W is the Electric Light & Power Section of the stores catalog, and there was a test set for the WS19 'B' set made by the Australians under WYA 4410 and 4412.

Chris Suslowicz G8KGS

Letter to the Editor From Steve Kinch

Marconi H16 boot mounted VHF radio (Helplines 137/1)

I was knocked for six when Brian Summers telephoned to say that he had a H16 set. It was a long day collecting from Camberley and returning to Cromer but, after such a long time looking, I convinced my wife that it was worth the trip. Although in poor condition and minus the covers there is enough to make a good start.

I have decided to join VMARS with the view of expert help on restoring the radio equipment and possibly some spare parts. I will start with some photos as is, then the gradual restoration shots and final fitting to the Police car.

Once again may I thank you for your kind assistance,

From Frederick Day M0RFD

Invitation to give a talk

I am a member of MARTS (Medway Amateur Receiving and Transmitting Society) who meet most Friday evenings in a local hall (Catkin Close, Walderslade, Chatham, Kent, not far from the top of Blue Bell Hill).

I ask if you have anyone available and willing to give a presentation/talk upon military radio/VMARS to Club members on a date agreeable to them. We can pay expenses, i.e. fuel, etc. and no doubt there will be a couple of bottles of wine presented in appreciation. Refreshments are available free of charge.

I feel sure that, if this were possible, it would make an excellent evening's entertainment and bring together MARTS and VMARS in a common interest.

Frederick is on QRZ.com

Some ‘entertaining photos’ from F1AHX

“The work of mice”


October 2014 20

Advertisements FOR SALE: HRO in working condition but in need of renovation. I am looking for a good offer or an item in exchange e.g. R210 in very good condition.

Paul G4VAM (NM) 079266 42415 [email protected]

FOR SALE: The following 6 items as shown:

Item 1.

Item 2.

Item 3.

Item 4. Item 5.

Item 6.

Offers to Roy Chapman (NM) [email protected]

vmars valentine’s day social · the north yorkshire moors railway operates from pickering to...

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