Members discussed ways of identifying the type and content for future lectures that would be of interest.  Ways of increasing the appeal of attending was also discussed.    David said “we need a set of topics that the members can get involved in and make a contribution”.

Don, G4LOO began this time by showing a comparison of contest statistics from 2000 to 2020. The results attained in the contests were about midway between highest score and the lowest score submitted by all stations in our class. The statistics showed that contesting was as popular now as in years gone by, perhaps even more popular at times, although the operators’ ages were tending toward the older end of the spectrum.

A number of RTTY contests done by Don from his home station were single operator, multi band using about 50W power. In these contests the results were about half way between highest and lowest scores as reported for Europe, but considerably higher with regard to UK scores

Don, G4LOO began by showing statistics from our CQ-WW SSB entry from 26-27 Oct 2019, followed by several photos of the site set up.

That year we did experience several equipment problems which were reflected in the score. However, we did manage to be fourth in our class in England out of 8 entries.  Don showed the statistics covering bands worked and results achieved hour by hour during the entire contest.

Of course, 2020 reflected the operating restrictions due to the Covid Pandemic lockdown. Only two operators took part working one at a time. Their score in Europe was 57 out of 88 stations in their class. However, in England, they achieved First place in their class!

Don then explained the equipment to be used this year and how the stations would be set up and run. The aerials will be about the same as 2019 with an eye on the pitfalls experienced in 2019.

Members watched a video by the RSGB on filling out the latest EMF calculator.  Quoting from their web page: “The New Amateur Licence now requires all amateurs to check compliance with EMF exposure limits. Compliance is required after 18 November 2021 for frequencies above 110MHz, after 18 May 2022 for frequencies above 10MHz but below 110MHz, after 18 November 2022 for frequencies below 10MHz”.

As presented, the calculator only shows results for frequencies above 10MHz, the lower frequencies will be covered in a later publication.

Discussions followed the video, including some speculations about what will befall the lower frequencies.  The calculator can be found at www.rsgb.org.uk/emf      Look for RSGB/Ofcom calculator (3.6 MB MS-Excel Worksheet version rsgb11a) V0.1.2

Don was a quiet man who was an active member of our society. He lived in Luton all his life except for his time doing National Service in 1956. After that, Don returned to George Kent Ltd where he had originally done his apprenticeship in 1951. He worked for the company for 23 years till retirement.  Don was licensed in 1989 but had been a club member since 1975.

After an accident, Don passed away on 2 October, 2021. He will always be remembered and greatly missed.

Due to Covid restrictions, it was felt there would be only room for family members at the funeral.