Thanks to all of those who attended our recent SSB field day. Luckily the weather managed to broadly hold off for us, minus around 20 minutes of torrential downpour!
We submitted a log with 52 QSOs and a claimed point total of 2970, fairly impressive for the short duration that the sation was active. Watch this space! When the results are out this page will be updated with how we stack up
Our setup was an 11m fibreglass sotabeams mast and linked dipole, arranged in an inverted V with the centre around 9m above ground level. This antenna was then fed from an IC-7300 running at 100w, and powered by batteries charged with 100% green energy.
Some photos of the event below :), hope all had fun!
In our March meeting Steve VK6WN / M0CRX gave us a presentation on “Chasing Down and Reducing Local QRM”. A very relevant topic to most, if not all of us!
Steve covered his noise problem, and close encounters of the third kind, before presenting his comprehensive four part solution to reducing his local QRM problem, these included (with some quick takeaways):
Common mode chokes – Buy the good ones!
Mains power filters – Feed Everything through filters
Each of these filtering techniques have different methods of reducing RF, and reasoning for why you might/might not want to use them. A very interesting talk with lots of discussion at the end.
Along with the presentation, Steve also brought along some of his noise reduction kit for us to see and aid discussion, including a beautiful DIY common mode choke, smaller chokes, a wide band antenna + noise canceller/phaser setup, and a DIY mains filter.
Turnout was again strong, many thanks to Steve VK6WN/M0CRX and those that came along for the evening!
Following on from our most recent club meeting I’d like to again point the spotlight towards Brickworks, the RSGB’s newest scheme to encourage people to get involved in the wide variety of activities that the hobby has to offer.
To summarize, Brickworks aims to be a fun way to point you to discover more about amateur radio and what the hobby has to offer by completing a range (or all!) of 23 different activities, centred around five key themes. There are five certificates available, ranging from Bronze to Diamond depending on how many activities you have completed.
Internally BARC has created a google form that you can fill in to update us on your progress. Once you’ve reached the required number of achievements, you’ll be awarded a certificate, simple! The form saves your call-sign to collate your data if you make multiple submissions, please don’t mix your 0’s and O’s! To access the form, please click here. Alternatively, to learn more about brickworks, click here.
Brickworks is an exciting and fun way to build on what you have learned on your Foundation Course. It enables you to learn more about your new hobby, build your confidence, gain a greater understanding of how to get the best out of your equipment and enjoy new experiences.
Tell me more about Brickworks
Brickworks is a scheme run by local amateur radio clubs such as ourselves that have committed to helping all licensed amateur radio operators discover what the hobby has to offer. Brickworks Accredited Clubs are welcoming and friendly places that will support both those new to the hobby, and those who are already licensed, who want to explore the hobby more fully. They will give them advice, guidance, and help. They will work with their Brickworks participants and provide them with a refuge when things go a little wrong. It’s the scheme that we all wish had been in place when we were newly licensed.
You will have fun whilst discovering more about amateur radio and what it has to offer by completing the 23 varied activities that Brickworks is based on, centred around five themes.
How will I be rewarded for my achievements?
As you progress through the scheme, and complete activities successfully, you will receive awards to recognise your progress; Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond.
Certificate
Activities
Bronze
3
Silver
5
Gold
10
Platinum
15
Diamond
23
Award Table
Need More Information or want to join?
For more information, such as the types of activities, the RSGB Brickworks page goes into more details here
basingstokearc.co.uk 