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Club News - Archive (2024)
Club Meeting 04Dec24
(Posted 04 Dec 2024)
Many thanks to all that attended the club meeting this evening.
GW0ETU, GW0HUS, GW1GOE, GW2HFR, GW4HDR, GW4PJQ, GW7AMS, MW0NDE, MW1DSB, & Matt SWL.
Hope I haven’t forgotten anyone. (Apologies from 2W0JEB, GW4CQZ, GW6ITJ, GW8NZN, MW0GBR, MW0IDX)
There was lots of interesting chat, and lots of tea/coffee consumed as usual. Perhaps we should bring some biscuits next time!?
GW4HDR demonstrated testing a cheap wideband solid state (unfiltered) amplifier on a spectrum analyser.
As expected, it was awful!!
We discussed the possibility of holding regular club nets again, perhaps on 2m SSB and 160m SSB on separate evenings.
We also discussed the possibility of us taking part in some contests again, which seemed to generate a bit of interest.
Hopefully more about this in the future, watch this space....
Next Club Meeting 04Dec24
(Posted 28 Nov 2024)
Just a reminder that our next club meeting will be this coming Wednesday, 4th December, at 7:30pm at the Rhyl Yacht Club building.
Also, as some advanced notice, there will be no meeting in January, as the first Wednesday of the month falls on New Years Day, when we're sure everyone wil be busy.
More SSTV Transmissions from International Space Station - 11th-18th Nov 2024
(Posted 08 Nov 2024)
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) announces another SSTV event is to be held next week.
The event is scheduled to begin on Monday, November 11 at 11:50 UTC and to end Monday, November 18 at 13:40 UTC.
SSTV transmissions will be paused during scheduled school contacts on November 15 and 16.
Downlink transmissions will be on 145.800 MHz and the SSTV mode is expected to be PD 120.
The transmissions will consist of 12 images featuring activities from the 2024 40th Anniversary Celebrating Amateur Radio in Human Spaceflight.
If you are a past participant in our SSTV events, please note that we will be using our newly updated gallery
at https://ariss-usa.org/ARISS_SSTV/.
ARISS has a new way to request a special certificate.
When participants successfully receive at least one image and submit it at the new gallery, participants will be moved to a thank-you page.
There, a person can read text about data protection, and press the button that says “I agree,” and receive an email in two weeks or sooner with a certificate.
If a person submits additional images, the thank-you page tells them they have already asked for a certificate.
The transmissions can be received with any 2m FM receiver, and decoded with simple free computer software.
(e.g. "MMSSTV").
Even simple vertical antennas can be used for all but the highest angle (almost overhead) passes with excellent results.
Further details can be found on the AmSat UK website at
https://www.ariss.org/
Club Meeting 06Nov24
(Posted 06 Nov 2024)
Many thanks to all that attended the club meeting this evening.
2W0JEB, 2W0LJC, GW0ETU, GW0HUS, GW0WWQ, GW1GOE, GW4CQZ, GW4HDR, GW7AMS, GW8NZN, MW0GBR, MW0IDX, MW0NDE, MW1DSB, & MW3BJI
- Hope I haven't forgotten anyone!
The 132ft wire antenna tuned great on Top Band with a slightly too short counterpoise running along the ground,
and the band wasn't as noisy as we expected. Not many SSB signals about on top band that time of the evening,
though there was some nice strong European CW activity a bit later..
Also did some interesting comparisons between a little MLA30+ active receive only loop, and the wire antenna.
I was surprised that I could actually hear some top band signals on such a tiny loop.
Obviously way down on the resonant wire antenna, but at least we could hear something on it.
The local noise was quite bad this evening on some of the other bands, particularly on 10MHz, which we hadn't noticed in previous meetings.
Thanks to all that came along. We hope you are happy with the informal "natter night" format of the meetings??
SSTV Transmissions from International Space Station 8th-14th Oct 2024
(Posted 12 Oct 2024)
There are currently more SSTV tests being conducted from the ISS (International Space Station),
from 8th to 14th October 2024.
As usual these transmissisions will be on 145.800 MHz FM, using the PD120 SSTV mode.
Each image takes 2 minutues to transmit, with gaps of 1 minute between each transmission.
These transmissions can be received with any 2m FM receiver, and decoded with simple free computer software.
(e.g. "MMSSTV").
Even simple vertical antennas can be used for all but the highest angle (almost overhead) passes with excellent results.
Further details can be found on the AmSat UK website at
https://amsat-uk.org/2024/10/04/space-station-slow-scan-tv-transmissions/
(Thanks to Rob G0MOH for the heads up)
Regular monthly club meetings now confirmed
(Posted 06 Oct 2024)
We have now had confirmation from the Yacht Club that we can use their building for regular monthly meetings,
on the 1st Wednesday of every month.
Many thanks to Tony GW7AMS for arranging this for us, and of course many thanks to Rhyl Yacht Club for generously allowing us to use their facilities.
So as some advanced warning, our next meeting will be on Wednesday 6th November.
For insurance reasons, we need to maintain an accurate and up-to-date list of club members.
Also if we have up-to-date contact details for everyone then it is easier for us to contact everyone in the case of a last minute meeting cancellation etc.
Could we please ask that if you are not already listed as a club member
on the 'About Us' page,
could you please use the form on the 'Join Us' page
and fill in the membership application form with your contact details.
Many thanks…
Club Meeting/Natter night
(Posted 02 Oct 2024)
Thanks to all that attended the club meeting this evening.
GW0HUS, GW1GOE, GW4HDR, GW7AMS, GW8NZN, MW0GBR, MW0IDX, MW0NDE, MW1DSB (hope I haven’t forgotten anyone)
The 80m EFHW worked very well.
Took only 15 mins to set up, and about 10 to take down, in the dark.
Only problem was that the far end was almost in the sea!, I had to climb down some slippery rocks in the dark to fix the far end.
We may not be able to do that at high tide?
Next time I think we'll try a 12m pole at the building end, rather than the 9m one used today, to have a slightly longer vertical section.
This will pull the far end 3 metres closer, and make it safer to access.
The antenna performed well, all the SWR dips were in the right place without any pruning/tuning.
The rigs internal ATU even tuned it on the WARC bands.
Noise seemed to be much lower than the vertical we tried last time (perhaps unsurprisingly).
Even 80m was useable using a narrow CW filter.
Roger worked into West coast USA on 10m, using just the 10W.
It certainly helps to be so near all that sea water.
Next time we are going to try it on top band, without the 49:1 un-un, though we will need a much better counterpoise for that.
Perhaps a croc clip on the bare copper heating pipes?
Another enjoyable evening, lots of chat, and lots of tea coffee consumed….
Club Meeting/Natter night Weds 02 October @ 7:30pm
(Posted 20 Sep 2024)
We have been given permission to have another radio club meeting/natter night at the Rhyl Yacht Club, Horton Nose Lane, Kinmel Bay, Rhyl LL18 5AR –
on Wednesday 2nd October 2024, at 7:30pm.
As before, we will be asking for a £1 contribution from each person attending, as a donation to the Yacht Club to help offset their electricity bill charges etc.
I will bring the club’s QRP radio along, and this time, (weather permitting),
I hope to make up some sort of HF doublet on the night, to be suspended from the flagpole on site.
Would you please not attempt to drive around to the front of the building, as you will drive over the feeder!
(Please park alongside the boats instead, and do not attempt to park or drive on the grass at the front of the building)
I will bring the tea, coffee, sugar, and some paper cups that were left over from last time.
Please bring along your own mug if you prefer.
If someone could volunteer to bring some milk, that would be great.
Please put this date in your diaries – Weds 2nd Oct 24, at 7:30pm.
Also, it is looking hopeful that we may be able to use this building regularly, on the 1st Wednesday of every month, for our club meetings.
Thanks again to Tony GW7AMS for arranging permission from the Yacht Club.
We look forward to seeing you there.
For further details, please contact us,
or join in on the discussion on our club Facebook group.
Club social evening report
(Posted 04 Sep 2024)
Thanks to all that attended this evening’s club meeting at the Rhyl Yacht Club building. We had a good attendance, and particular thanks to our friends from the Dragon Club who also joined us.
Lots of chatting, drinking tea and coffee, and thanks to whoever it was that brought the biscuits!
I put up a temporary vertical wire to check out the noise levels. Unfortunately 80m is very bad there, around S9 noise level (but not as bad as at my home QTH). 40m had a bit of noise, but useable. The rest of the bands seemed to be quite quiet, (including top-band), so as long as we avoid 80m we could operate a station there if we wanted.
We also did a quick comparison between the IC-705 and Gordon’s Xiegu G90 on the temporary vertical.
I think everyone agreed that the venue is absolutely ideal. Plenty of space to put up temporary antennas (though we cannot have anything permanent up), there is even a flagpole with a pulley on it. And saltwater all around us too!
We’d like to thank Tony GW7AMS and the Yacht Club for allowing us to use their clubhouse for our meeting. Hopefully when they discuss this at their next committee meeting we may get permission to use the venue more regularly, hopefully monthly. Watch this space…
Club social evening Weds 04 September @ 7:30pm
(Posted 23 Aug 2024)
Our next club social evening will be held on Weds 04 September, at 7:30pm, at Rhyl Yacht Club,
Horton Nose Lane, Kinmel Bay, Rhyl LL18 5AR.
(Between the Foryd Bridge & Mayquay pub)
All local Radio Amateurs are welcome, you do not need to be a current club member to join us.
There are toilets, a sink, and a kettle on site, and free parking for a limited number of vehicles. Please bring along your own mug and tea/coffee provisions, as we do not want to use up the Yacht Clubs supplies.
We are being allowed to use this building for a small donation towards the Yacht Club, towards the cost of electricity etc.. A whip-round will be held on the night, please could you each contribute £1. Hopefully there will be enough of a donation to make it worthwhile for the Yacht Club to allow us to use their premises again in the future.
As the building could possibly be made available to us on a regular basis, please give some serious thought as to whether you want to commit to regular (once a month?) club meetings, or stay as we are with occasional social evenings, and give us your thoughts on this sometime during the evening.
The official start time is 7:30PM - but I am hoping to be there a little earlier, as I would like to set up a simple temporary HF vertical, to check out the noise level at this location, to see if it would be a suitable location to operate from.
We look forward to seeing you there.
For further details, please contact us, or join in on the discussion on our club Facebook group.
Possible venue for club meetings
(Posted 05 Aug 2024)
Thanks to Tony GW7AMS, there is a *possibility* that we may be able to use the building at
Rhyl Yacht Club, (by the Foryd Bridge), for club meetings –
as either a one-off, occasional, or perhaps even monthly meetings.
I’ve been to see the place with Tony, and to me it seems ideal. The room has chairs and tables, and can easily accommodate 30 or more people if necessary.
We would normally be the only ones there, so it will be quiet, a lot quieter than the pubs we have used recently.
There are toilets, and a kettle/sink etc. where we could make tea and coffee (if we bring our own supplies, including our own mugs).
Free on-site parking for a limited number of vehicles, and a convenient flagpole with pulley and line,
where we may be able to haul up a temporary lightweight inverted V wire HF antenna if required (although we couldn’t have anything permanent).
It is also possible to park a vehicle close to the building and use a drive-on mast plate which could support another antenna if required.
Hopefully, given its location, there shouldn’t be much in the way of local QRN, and given its proximity to the sea, it could be good for HF.
This would be possibly on a “donations towards electricity costs etc.” basis, rather than a formal hire agreement –
possibly financed by a £1? per head “whip-round” at every meeting? (These details are still to be confirmed!)
But if we could do it on a whip-round and donation basis, rather than a fixed rate hire, that would avoid the need for the club to have a formal treasurer,
and bank account, and charging club members a subscription – something we are trying to avoid.
Though we would need a volunteer to be an acting “treasurer” to collect the whip-round payments, and look after them until handed over to the Yacht club. Any volunteers??
I realise that being in Rhyl (actually just on the Kinmel Bay side of the Foryd Bridge),
that this location may not suit our members that travel from Denbigh or beyond, as it is not as central as perhaps St. Asaph would be.
So the purpose of this post is to gauge your interest.
In order to finance the use of the building via a whip-round, we would need to have enough people attending to make it viable for the Yacht Club.
So what are your feelings about this possible venue? How many of you would want to attend? And more importantly, how many would want to attend regularly??
Please post your comments on our club Facebook group if possible,
or if you prefer, use the contact form and let us know what you think about this idea..
This may be a chance to get the club meeting more often again, (if that is what you want?) -
But to do so, we would need your interest, attendance, and support.
Over to you...
RSGB International Low Power Contest
(Posted 16 Jul 2024)
For anyone interested in QRP CW operating, the RSGB International Low Power Contest takes place this Sunday, 21st July 2024.
This is a useful opportunity to see how well your QRP station performs.
CW only, on sections of the 80m, 40m and 20m bands.
More information and full rules are available at
www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2024/rqrp.shtml
4 metre activity this Saturday
(Posted 15 Jul 2024)
There should be a fair amount of activity on 4m this Saturday, 20th July 2024.
There are two 4m events on this day:
4.4.2 (4 metres for 2 hours) event.
Saturday 20th July 2024 12:00-14:00 (Local time).
This is a non-contest, just for fun event designed to increase activity on the 4m band.
(Though I suspect the organisers didn't realise there is a major 4m contest on this day too)
70.200MHz SSB calling
70.450MHz FM calling
Please QSY from calling frequency
RSGB 70MHz Trophy Contest
Saturday 20th July 2024 14:00-20:00 UTC (3PM - 9PM local time)
Contest exchange is RS(T) plus serial number, QTH Locator, and first two letters of your postcode
Full rules are available at
www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?year=2024&contest=70trophy
Hopefully there should be a fair amount of activity on this day....
VHF National Field Day 2024
(Posted 01 Jul 2024)
Just a remindeer that the VHF National Field Day 2024 will take place from
Saturday 6th July 14:00 till Sunday 7th July 14:00 (times in UTC),
on the 50/70/144/432/1300 MHz bands.
QSO exchange: RS(T) report, serial number starting 001 on each band, QTH locator.
Full rules are available at
www.rsgbcc.org/vhf/rules/2024/VHFNFD.shtml
This always used to be one of the major VHF contests of the year, so there should be a lot of activity about.
Practical Wireless 144MHz QRP Contest
(Posted 05 Jun 2024)
The 41st annual "Practical Wireless" 144 MHz QRP Contest will take place on:
Sunday 9th June 2024 at 0900 - 1500 UTC (10AM to 4pm BST)
144MHz SSB/CW/FM/AM (NO digital voice or datamodes). Maximum transmitter power 5W PEP. Fixed or Portable stations.
QSO exchange: RS(T) report, serial number starting 001, QTH locator.
Full rules are available at
www.pwcontest.org.uk/144MHzrules2024.html
This contest used to be a firm favourite with club members, as it is a fairly relaxed contest, with no QRM from high power stations.
OFCOM Amateur Radio Terms and Conditions booklet.
(Posted 14 Apr 2024)
The 2024 changes to the Amateur Radio Licence have been in force now since 21st February 2024.
I thought it was about time I read the current official Amateur Radio Conditions booklet (used to be called the "BR68" booklet) in full,
just to familiarize myself with the current regulations. (Including the increased power limits, making the use of RSLs optional, etc.)
I struggled to find this information on the OFCOM website at first, as I was still searching for the old outdated term "BR68 booklet",
but I eventually found it.
I have uploaded it to our club website, so the booklet is now available here:
Amateur Radio Conditions Booklet
to save you having to search for it on the OFCOM site yourself.
While I was at it, I also revalidated my licences by verifying my details, as I'd not done it for a couple of years
- it has to be done every 5 years in order to keep your licence valid.
So as a reminder, if you have not verified your details for a while, you can do so by logging in to
ofcom.force.com/LicensingComLogin?
New RSGB Region 6 Representative.
(Posted 23 Mar 2024)
You may have read in Liz's last update yesterday, that SIMON TAYLOR MW0NWM has been elected, unopposed,
to take over the role of RSGB Region Representative for RSGB Region 6, which includes our area.
Simon officially takes over from the date of the RSGB AGM, which is 13th April 2024.
The Rhyl & District Amateur Radio Club would like to congratulate Simon on being elected to his new post, and we wish him luck in the new role.
We offer our support and hope to see Simon soon.
A final message from our outgoing RSGB Region 6 Rep.
(Posted 22 Mar 2024)
Liz GW0ETU has sent her final update to all clubs, before she retires from the role of RSGB Regional Representative for North Wales:-
" Spring Update Region 6
This will be my last update. As you may know, I will be stepping down from my role as RR6, as from the RSGB AGM on the 13th April 2024.
I decided not to stand for reelection for another term of 3 years as it's time for someone younger to take over.
I will, however, remain as DR62 (Conwy & Denbigh).
I am pleased to announce that SIMON TAYLOR MW0NWM has been elected, unopposed, to take up the role.
I hope you will join me in welcoming Simon to the post and I will support him getting into the role.
Although you will get all Simon's details in due course, I will just remind you that my landline number has changed to 01492 830872.
It may come up on your display as Colwyn Bay but "No" I haven't moved (still in Capel Garmon!!) It's to do with changing to fibre broadband.
It's been a mixed few years, during and following, the effects of Covid, with some Clubs being unable to return to their previous meeting places of many years,
which, sadly, has caused them to close.
Attendance at Face-to-Face meetings has suffered too.
Some members had got used to virtual meetings during the lockdown's and find it easier to switch on their computer rather than turn out on a dark evening with inclement WX.
And we have had more than our fair share of that this winter!
Sadly, also, we have had many friends go SK these last few years.
It's not all been doom and gloom though as some clubs have thrived , increasing their membership, being active, having interesting programmes,
doing contests, SES's, and holding weekly nets on various modes.
Also, all the above is not confined to Region 6. It is replicated across the UK but it just seems so , as we are small Region with a different demographic.
With Easter nearly with us, let's hope for better WX and lots of activities in the coming months
I would hope that those who have caused dissent and problems in the past, would review their attitudes to others and become more amenable to everyone.
REMEMBER, THIS IS A HOBBY WE ARE SUPPOSED TO ENJOY IT TOGETHER.
Just one more thing, this week the RSGB has launched a new initiative on MEMBERSHIP.
This applies to individuals and Clubs. JOIN the RSGB and get £10.00 refund for yourself or for your Club.
All the details are on the RSGB website www.rsgb.org.uk plus the terms & conditions
Well, that's about it from me and all that remains is to say Thank You for putting up with me for nearly 25 years (On & Off.)
Pasq Hapus i bawb a Pob |Lwc i Simon
Happy Easter to all & Good Luck to Simon
Liz Cabban
GW0ETU
"
Club social evening
(Posted 13 Mar 2024)
Many thanks to all that attended our club social meeting this evening at the Salusbury Arms.
Present were Alan GW4HDR, Roger MW0IDX, David GW8NZN, Brian GW6VEI, Rhys GW4RWR, Martyn GW4CQZ, Nigel MW0NDE, Liz GW0ETU, and Dave MW1DSB.
(Apologies from GW7EXH, GW4PJQ, GW6ITJ, GW0WWQ, and GW6MLI)
Lots of interesting discussion was had, and hopefully everyone enjoyed it.
While discussing the possibility of future meetings the general consensus was that although the Salusbury Arms is a nice venue,
unfortunately it was too noisy for easy conversation, and parking was difficult even on a Wednesday, so not really suitable for regular meetings.
So we need to find another venue, preferably in or near St Asaph, as that is most central for our membership.
And it must be free, so we don't need to start charging subscriptions for club membership.
If anyone knows of a quiet pub somewhere in or near St Asaph, where we could meet, perhaps once a month,
please let us know.
It must be quiet enough to hold a decent conversation - i.e. no karaoke, no bingo, no quizzes etc…
Club social evening Weds 13th March @ 7:30pm
07 Mar 2024
Just to confirm that our next club social evening will be held on Weds 13th March @ 7:30pm,
at The Salusbury Arms, Tremeirchion, St Asaph, LL17 0UN.
All are welcome, you do not need to be a current club member to join us.
(On arrival please ask for the "TV Room")
We are not being charged for the room, on the understanding that we purchase enough drinks from the bar to make it worthwhile for them to allow us to use it.
Please can you purchase a drink or two during the evening, to make it worthwhile for them, otherwise we may not be able to use it again.
As the room could be made available to us on a regular basis, please give some serious thought as to whether you want to commit to regular club meetings,
or stay as we are with occasional social evenings, and give us your thoughts on this sometime during the evening.
Please also be advised that the road to Tremeirchion from the A525 at Trefnant is still closed due to the bridge collapsing,
so the village is best approached from the A55 junction 28 and through Rhuallt.
For further details, please contact us,
or join in on the discussion on our Facebook group.
Club social evening
06 Mar 2024
As per the post a couple of days ago about our next club social evening, we have been offered the use of a small room (seats about 18)
in The Salusbury Arms, Tremeirchion, St Asaph, LL17 0UN.
The Salusbury Arms is now run as a community pub, by and for the community.
[Thanks to Dave MW1DSB for enquiring about this on our behalf]
The room is only available on a Wednesday evening, and could be made available any or all Wednesdays if required.
(This no doubt would be dependent on how much we spend at the bar, obviously it would not be worthwhile for them if we all sat nursing one drink all evening!)
What are people’s thoughts on this, do you think this location would be suitable for a social evening?, or even regular club meetings?
Although it’s a bit further out from Rhyl than the previous venues the club has used,
I’m sure it will be more convenient for the members that travel from the Denbigh area, and further up the valley.
So what I am asking:
- Do you think this is a suitable venue for our social evenings?
- Would you like to make it a regular thing?
- If so, how often would you be prepared to meet there - monthly, fortnightly, weekly?? (we need to have enough numbers to make it worthwhile, for them and us)
Transport can be provided for up to four other people from the Kinmel Bay/Rhyl/Prestatyn area on the way if that helps?
Any comments, please contact us, or join in on the discussion on our Facebook group.
Club social evening
03 Mar 2024
On the after news net on 80m this morning, Brian GW6VEI was asking about our next social evening.
What are your feelings, are you up for another social evening? Any suggestions for a venue? Any volunteers to organise it??
If anyone can think of a suitable (free) venue, (preferably one that serves tea/coffee as well as cold drinks),
or if anyone would like to help arrange the next one, please contact us,
or join in on the discussion on our Facebook group.
** Licence changes come into force today **
21 Feb 2024
Some of the proposed changes to the Amateur Radio Licence come into force today.
This includes the increase in power limits for all licence levels, making the use of RSLs optional, etc.
The General Notice of variation was announced today by OFCOM, see:-
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/manage-your-licence/radiocommunication-licences/amateur-radio/amateur-radio-info/licensing-updates
You can download the full general notice, including the revised terms and conditions, as a PDF file here:
OFCOM General Notice
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