How one person, over the years, installed and tested a number of HF mobile transceiver was the subject of the talk given by Dave, G4ETG.

The first warning was to check the manufacturer’s manual to see what power levels they suggest shouldn’t be exceeded and where best to mount an antenna for VHF or HF.  Dave has found that most modern cars use a CAN-Bus wiring system that not only makes the power connections but also supplies data to the car’s electrical control system, including engine management, power windows, lights, in fact, everything electrical.  This system using just two wires can eliminate the need for up to 2km of the conventional old style car wiring!

Dave explained that using conventional mobile phone mounts he was able to mount a modern HF radio head on the dash and since he seldom has back seat passengers,  was able to put the body of the transceiver under the front seat. Of course, any item mounted on the dashboard needs to be out of the way of any possible air bag deployment!  To minimize noise pick up, the radio wiring was routed on the side of the car that didn’t have the main wiring. Since almost all hinges are painted they require bonding to ensure the entire body shell is electrically connected, which includes the exhaust, since on a large car can be almost a quarter wave on 20m!

After the installation, extensive testing on all bands, while stationary and moving,  will point out any interruptions or unexpected changes to the car’s normal operating systems and give an indication of noise experienced on the HF radio which may need further work.

As a way of indicating if all this was worth it, Dave explained he had made contacts with Tasmania on 40m as well as 20m contacts with Japan and the west coast of America!

Not the best of turn outs, and we were pleased to welcome visitors from Stevenage and Huntington clubs.  A slightly lower amount of junk was dispersed in the allotted time, followed by free tea and biscuits.

Bryan, M0BIK presented a very good PowerPoint programme of our progress so far in this contest by looking back over a few years. He then went on to explain what we hope to achieve this year. Some recruitment followed as he filled in more of the slots in the operators rota. The rota can be seen by going over to the contest section of this site. The final slide showed that the production was assembled by Don, G4LOO with data supplied by Ian, G1JCC.

Craig explained the flight by United Airlines 929 started as any other from London to Chicago, except on this day it was noticed that the plane was still some way out from U.S. airspace when they started to descend and jettison fuel. The pilot explained they were being diverted to Gander in Newfoundland. Once on the ground they discovered what had happened in New York; the date was September 11, 2001.

Although named Gander International Airport, the facility is small and no longer used as a refuelling stop by the large jets now flying between Europe and America. Fortunately Gander is still the major airspace controller for the area. Planes that had only just started out from Europe were turned back but 38 nearing the U.S. were diverted to Gander.  Passengers were then bussed to Gander, Gambo and Lewisport where they were made welcome by airline staff and locals. Those from UA929 went to Gambo and were supplied with essentials like soap, toothbrushes, razors etc. and later even clean clothes. Friendships were established and grew between passengers and with locals.

In the years since those six days at Gambo, passengers have kept in touch, now through a webpage and Facebook.  One passenger said in 2012  “This time 11 years ago we were waiting on the tarmac without knowing what a special week in Gambo was ahead of us. How a terrible tragedy can cause so many wonderful memories is one of the wonders in life”.

A good club turnout heard Paul explain the technicalities of Yaesu’s new VHF/UHF DR-1XE digital repeater system. The equipment is not meant to be a total solution, but a building block in which radio amateurs can easily configure or ‘add to’ in order to build a ‘personal system’.  Paul explained that full system information is supplied as well as many ports and connectors to enable user system modifications. Of course, the repeater could be used just ‘as is’, if necessary, often as a direct swop.

A quick demonstration showed the unit could handle inputs in both analogue and C4FM digital with outputs in either format as required, the selections being automatic and not necessarily selected by the users who can communicate freely between C4FM digital and analogue FM.

In use with the Yaesu FT1DE handheld or the FTM-400DE mobile, real-time navigation function transmitted together with the voice signal enables location checking at any time. The distance and direction to other stations on the system can be displayed in real-time while communicating with them.

Members got a taste of what the equipment was capable of, but in the short time available, it was obvious the equipment was capable of much more.

Bryan Bourne opened the evening by telling us about Frederick James Camm who edited the first issue of Practical Wireless and continued until his early death in February 1959.  Then introducing the new editor, Bryan handed over to Don.

Don said how he became interested in amateur radio and began writing amateur radio articles on HF. including items for CDXC Digest, Amateur Radio Today and Ham radio magazine, which he enjoyed doing.

PW, along with the other many “Practical” magazines was moved to Bournemouth and when the publishers decided to close down these magazines, a management buyout took over PW (and Falconers). A very small staff for artwork, advertising, and editorial is all that is left.

Rob Mannion was employed by the new publishers and when he retired last year, Don Field took over on a freelance basis. He found this much harder than writing articles, as he was always under pressure to meet deadlines, to live within budgets, please the advertisers, increase the circulation, cope with the many reader’s view on what the magazine should be. As the only radio magazines that is now on sale mainly through W H Smiths – he feels a responsibility to keep the magazine going.

He has started to change the authors from Rob’s time and would like to include more constructional projects, but this seemed to him to be unlikely. All the text and pictures are now sent to him in Word format – no paperwork is involved. As editor it is a time consuming activity but he also has to find time for his family and other activities.

Brian Farey brought a selection of PWs to show how the magazine had changed since the early 30s (first issue in 1932) to the current issue. He also displayed examples of the various free gifts ranging from an early Blueprint to amateur radio data cards.

There was a good attendance, including visitors from nearby clubs.

The evening ended with questions from the members and Victor presented Don with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of PW’s significant and historic role in informing, training and entertaining the countless generations of wireless enthusiasts and amateur radio operators since 1932.

Tonight’s presentation was  a video from NASA and ESA telling the story of FERMI, the Gamma-ray telescope in low earth orbit used to examine a ‘Transformer’ Pulsar which was revealed to be a binary constructed of two stars orbiting their common centre of mass.

This was followed by a video tour of the Space Station and finally how the Soyuz accomplishes the safe return of astronauts to earth.

We had a very good turnout last evening at the club; members told of experiences during the break and listened to discussions about up and coming events.

Next week, 11 Sept. will be a video evening featuring a compilation of reports about recent events in astronomy and space travel.

The following week, 18 Sept. the club will host Don Field, G3XTT, editor of Practical Wireless, telling of his first year with the magazine.

A good club turnout heard Steve, M0DYR explain that Smith’s Metals offered many additional services that go beyond simple stocking and supply. Since materials are sourced from accredited suppliers, Smiths can assure customers that materials meet specifications required by manufacturers of critical components. They have their own laboratory to ensuring quality is met and can help customers understand how materials behave during and after the manufacturing process.

Steve conducted a tour of the facilities to show members that all the materials in stock have been barcoded to allow quick loading and delivery when required.

We also saw billet cutting and other material being cut to size .This Additional Processing options open up the possibility to supply  engineering raw materials in sizes, lengths, finishes and coatings that are already one-step closer to the finished component customers manufacture.

By the way, this was our last meeting till September 4th, Have a good summer holiday!

The ‘Fox’ was Terry,  G4UEM, assisted by Don, G4LOO. Terry reports ‘We were parked towards the end of Elgar Drive, which is off Purcell Way, which is a turning off Clifton Road.  The first three to find us were:

1st  at 20:55 was Ian Taylor G3ORG
2nd at 21:05 was Katie Jefferson M3KEJ (just slightly ahead of her Dad) and 3rd at 21:05 was Ian Jefferson G1JCC’

Afterwards,  those who took part met up at the ‘local’ for a pint and a chat.  All in all, a very good evening!