Before looking at popular programmes for PSK31, the method of installing the driver for the USB to Serial cable was described and also shown was how to remap a Com port, should that be necessary. Installing Digipan was very straight forward and configuration followed. Macros were set up, info on how to set the sound card levels was explained. Discussions followed as to other software that could be used with the interface.

Richard provided the very sticky glue necessary to attach the copper lining to the ABS box for shielding. This method yields a box which is easy to drill and the cost savings are considerable compared to a die cast box.

Reports from those who have finished their project are very good, their owners being very pleased.

Steve, M0DYR spoke for about half an hour about the The Realtek RTL2832U Radio & TV Dongle and the software required to use it as a Software Defined Radio. By Sunday the info was supplied to members in an email detailing the links as to where it could be found as well as the drivers, SDR and, TCP utility software.

There followed a DVD about Mitcham Mullard Valve Factory.

Brian’s board ‘Meet the Members’ featured former member, Arnold Mynett. There was a notice in Radcom that he had died in 2015. He was a Club member in 1951-52 when he was stationed at Henlow. He was also on the Committee in 1952.

Twenty members gathered at the Henlow Signals Museum to hear Deputy Curator, Dave Thompson talk about early communications up to and including WWl.

Dave started with some predictions made in 1900 while radio was still in it’s fledgling state. A certain John Watkins writing of What May Happen in the Next Hundred Years, in December 1900 Ladies Home Journal, predicted that by the end of the century “a husband in the middle of the Atlantic will be able to converse with his wife sitting in her boudoir in Chicago” A commentator in the London Spectator, quoted in the Nov. 1902 edition of the Los Angeles Times, “Some day men and women will carry wireless telephones as today we carry a card case or camera” If only he had realised he was predicting the mobile phone complete with camera and games and much more, all built in! Progress was made by the Marconi company in mobile communications as reported by Western Electrician in 1901.

Dave went on to describe early sets, most were very large and heavy, and in 1901 Marconi described a mobile set up built on a heavy steam motorcar (a bus) that provided communications up to about thirty miles. Of course this was all spark transmissions in Morse.

Wartime proved to be the driving force behind smaller and more efficient sets. Dave not only described some early sets, but went on to show the actual sets from the museum collection. (see photos below) Of course, telegraphy was also taken up by the Navy and the Royal Flying Corps from about 1915, which proved invaluable in the First World War. The equipment used in aircraft didn’t have a receive capability due to the interference from the engine and wind noise. The aircraft had to rely on a large letter K laid out on the ground by the runway to acknowledge that their transmissions were being heard!

Much development was carried out by the Marconi Company and the War Department resulting in smaller sets with the move from Long Wave to shorter waves and eventually VHF.

David detailed the progress of electronic communications by wireless brought about by Marconi, the GPO and the Military including the many types of sets used during the First World War till it’s end.

Andy, G8ATD told members the first Jukeboxes appeared in the UK in 1953 when a London manufacturer, who had an agreement with the US owner, began building them here. The UK government’s import restrictions meant that items from abroad could be sold only if their content produced here was 53% or greater. The overall appearance was, however, the same on both sides of the Atlantic. Andy said it was the working mechanism on show in the BAL-AMI Junior, introduced in 1956, that first caught his eye when he was very young and that is the unit he has restored.
Almost all of Andy’s restorations now are, however, confined to the amplifiers. He explained he wanted to keep as many parts as possible, but some which had been stressed by high voltage or age simply couldn’t be reused. Replacement parts were made to look like the originals, if possible. It was apparent that Andy’s electronic experience stood him in good stead since the building methods used in the 50s certainly don’t stand up to today’s standards.

It looks like some publicity for the sale had paid off, nearly half of those attending were visitors! Although there were fewer items on offer, the quality seemed to be higher. The ‘star’ of the sale was the 25 Amp Variac in working condition that sold for less then a quarter of the usual price offered for new on line. No doubt the new are built down to a lower standard, as well. Also featured were two laptops in working order with carrying cases and power supplies. Definitely a bargain!

All who attended were treated to free tea and biscuits and it was agreed that It was a good evening to meet and chat with old friends.

Don, G4LOO started by looking back at last year. Details of who won in our division and their score was examined. How did we do? We were third out of seven entries! Details of how points were lost and what to look out for when logging this year were discussed.

Don then went on to bring members up to date with the rigs and antennas to be used, including a new antenna for receive only.

Setting up will start on Friday, 23 Oct at 10:00 am BST. Please remember to bring some tools, your hard hat, if you have one, and also a 2m handheld for communicating up and down the field. Also, as in the past, remember to bring your own cup and plate with eating irons. Don’t forget we will also need to take down and pack away the antennas on Monday morning starting at 10:00.

It won’t be long till the launch of the next club project.  This kit will build into a Data Interface complete with isolation transformers and serial/USB rig connection.  Also included with the kit will be a CD with helpful info about the kit and data transmissions in general. This is a members only project.

Steve told of his route through the years that brought him to his involvement in presenting discos and broadcast radio. It all started when he was ten years old and went to his first disco. He was very impressed with the lights and music and felt this was something he wanted to do. At fourteen he teamed up with a friend and built some equipment to be used in his own light show. Steve told of the turntable and mixing decks development through the years and how they have made the job easier and more enjoyable for those at discos. The latest digital mixing decks are able to play MP3, CD and music from memory sticks.
Steve doesn’t get involved in running discos now, but what he learned through the years stands him in good stead for his music show at Radio Peterborough.

In June 2015, Brian, M0BIK, Don, G4LOO, Terry, G4UEM and Andy, G8ATD set out in a nine seater bus to drive to the Amateur Radio Exhibition at Friedrichshafen. They could have flown but since they might have bought large items to bring back, the bus was the best option. The trip was viewed as a holiday, so stopping at interesting places along the way would break up the long drive. The first night was spent in Belgium at a pre-booked hotel. On day two, they arrived at Stuttgart  to visit the Mercedes Benz museum. This modern building housed many of the notable vehicles the company had built in the past starting with the first Benz car from 1886 powered by petrol.
Upon arrival at the ‘Ham’ radio exhibition they found three large halls filled with 200 exhibitors from 34 countries. The number of visitors was expected to reach 17,100, and that didn’t include the flea market with 297 exhibitors from 25 countries! Nearby were the Dornier and Zeppelin Museums which were very interesting. Later, by way of a break, the four took a boat ride on Lake Constance, known in Germany as Bodensee before starting the long drive back home. They had decided to take a different route home via Maastricht and upon nearing Dunkirk found that the Police had closed all routes due to the lorries being backed up waiting for a crossing.
After studying the maps, it was decided to try for the Hook of Holland and they managed to book a place on the ferry to Harwich. They arrived in the UK at 8pm but still had to make the journey down to Dover where Andy lives. The rest of the group arrived home about 2am after having driven a total of 1800 miles and Bryan had to work the next day!