Activities in 2016

40^th Anniversary Lunch

To mark the 40^th Anniversary of Poole Radio Society we had an excellent celebratory lunch on Sunday 20^th November at Playgolf Bournemouth.  As might have been expected the event was well supported by members and their partners. 

The lunch was rounded off with the cutting of the 40^th Anniversary Cake by Dave Mason G3ZPR, President and Founder.  The cake featured an edible shack, antenna, microphone and Morse key!  

40^th Anniversary – GB40PR

2016 mared the 40^th Anniversary of Poole Radio Society.  We operated at 12 different locations in Poole and the surrounding area during October 2016 using the special event callsign GB40PR.  In November 2016 we had an excellent meal to celebrate.

GB40PR - JOTA 2016

Poole Radio Society supported the Scout’s Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) over the weekend of 15^th/16^th October 2016 from Butcher’s Coppice. 

There were several stations operational, one mainly on 40m SSB, one mainly on 20m SSB and another using datamodes.  Antennas used included the club’s trapped dipole and a Hex Beam.  JOTA is all about Scouts talking to Scouts and the 40m station was always busy with contacts mainly with other UK stations.

GB40PR – Poole Museum

On Tuesday 11^th and Thursday 13^th October 2016 Poole Museum kindly hosted GB40PR where we operated from the café area on the third floor of the building overlooking Poole High Street.  After being outdoors at previous venues, it was nice to be inside.  The improved propagation continued on Tuesday, with contacts SSB mainly on 20m, interspersed with some PSK31/63 contacts mainly on 20m. 

For our return visit on Thursday, the propagation was not good.  Nevertheless, we battled through the constantly fading signals on 40m and 20m.  We ran a second station on 17m, where contacts were made with countries as far apart as Asiatic Russia and the Azores Islands, using RTTY and PSK31/63.  The fading on 17m meant that signals across the band suddenly just disappeared and then returned a few minutes later.           

We received a number of visitors, one of whom wanted to know how her late step-father could have received radio signals with a piece of galena.  We were happy to explain the principles of the crystal set.  Other visitors were fascinated to find out about the developments that Marconi made at the Haven Hotel in the early 1900’s.  As usual visitors were really amazed at just how far our signals were getting.      

GB40PR – Norden Station

On Saturday 8^th, Sunday 9^th and Monday 10^th October 2016 we were guests of Swanage Railway at Norden Station to the North of Corfe Castle.  The improved propagation helped in making numerous radio contacts, mainly on 40m and 20m CW and SSB.

With trains every 80 minutes, we had a constant stream of visitors arriving or departing by train or car or on foot.  As might be expected, the interest level varied between visitors.

We were able to convey our passion for the hobby to many visitors.  One young visitor was fascinated that we could speak to amateur radio enthusiasts back in his native Germany.  Unfortunately his train was due to depart before we were able to give him a chance to exchange a greetings message.

GB40PR – Worth Matravers

On Wednesday 5^th and Thursday 6^th October 2016, GB40PR was operated from Worth Matravers.  With better propagation, activity was certainly better, also helped by several spots appearing on the DX Cluster.

The cold wind meant that some of contacts were made from inside cars.  Nevertheless, we were active on 40m SSB and 20m PSK31 where contacts with 20 countries were made as far apart as Spain and European Russia.

GB40PR – Lake Pier, Hamworthy

On Tuesday 4^th October 2016, GB40PR was operated from Lake Pier in Hamworthy.  Two stations were operating.  One concentrated on making SSB contacts, whilst the other made RTTY and PSK31/63 contacts on the 17m and 30m bands.

We returned to Lake Pier on Friday 7^th October and again on Monday 17^th October.  Activity was mainly on 40m SSB, 20m PSK31 and 2m FM.  Contacts were made with countries as far apart as Kazakhstan and USA, no doubt aided by the use of an RF earth actually in the sea and touching the sea bed.

Several visitors were interested to see what we were doing, and were genuinely impressed by the distances we were working.

GB40PR – Kingston Lacey

After several months planning, Poole Radio Society’s 40^th Anniversary celebrations finally got underway on Saturday 1^st October 2016 when GB40PR took to the air from the grounds of National Trust property Kingston Lacey, near Wimborne.  A number of visitors popped in to see what we were doing and to be introduced to the world of amateur radio.

Following a rather wet start to setting up, and a couple of technical problems, we made a number of Morse contacts on 20m.  Colin G0JII is seen in the photo operating the station during the afternoon.

GB40PR operated from Kingston Lacey again on Sunday 2^nd October and Monday 3^rd October.

Click Here for information on all the GB40PR activations throughout October 2016.

On the Air

At the meeting on Friday 23^rd September 2016 we put our recently installed antenna to good use with some PSK31/63 contacts into Europe.  Countries worked included Spain and Italy.

It’s great to be able to get on the air from the club again without having to put up and take down an antenna in the dark!

Tim Guy M0TGY can be seen making the contacts.

Antennas

At the meeting on Friday 16^th September 2016 we installed our first semi-permanent antenna at our new premises. 

The antenna is a trapped vertical with radials (part of the V-shaped dipole we used at Creekmoor).  When used with an ATU it operates on the 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m and 15m bands.  Already some CW contacts have taken place using it.

Many thanks to everyone involved in the work to put it up.

Plans are also being made for a 160m / 80m trapped tuned wire and perhaps some other antennas.

Hamfest 2016

The club had its usual stand at Hamfest on Sunday 14^th August 2016, which was well supported by club members.

This year we had a number of transceivers for sale as well as a high-current 13.8V power supply as well as assorted component and a good mixture of highly desirable surplus equipment.  It was also a great opportunity to catch up with local amateurs and some who had moved out of the area.

Newsletter

The latest G4PRS Newsletter has been produced, covering February/March/April 2016.  Amongst the articles are a silent key tributes to Brian Baverstock G4WCJ, John Stacey G4XGM and Pat O’Connor G3WLK.  There is also a report of our entry into VHF National Field Day and articles on mains transformers, a description of a member’s shack, a book review, a description of a basic spectrometer, an End-Fed Half-Wave Tuner, a report on JT65 and how a member improved their Morse operating skills.  With our 40^th anniversary taking place later this year, there is a describing how we celebrated our tenth anniversary in 1986.

Eddy Cobb is always pleased to receive items for the Newsletter.

Brian Baverstock G4WCJ SK

It is with great sadness that Poole Radio Society reports the passing of Brian Baverstock G4WCJ. 

He was a member of the club for many years from the mid-1980s for about 20 years. 

During this period, Brian ran the club raffle, and acted as the club’s QSL Card Manager.  His funeral took place on Monday 27^th June 2016. 

Geoff’s Construction Challenge for 2017

This year, there is NO specific subject for Geoff’s Construction Challenge.  Entries just need to have some relevance to amateur radio.  Entries will be judged at the Annual General Meeting in April 2017.

Yeovil QRP Convention

Poole Radio Society had a stand at the Yeovil Club’s QRP Convention held on Sunday 10^th April 2016.  About 15 members attended.

New Chairman

Congratulations to Alan Walker G4UWS (photo on right) on taking over as Chairman from Richard Ayley G6AKG at the AGM on Friday 8^th April 2016.

Advance Training Course

We are pleased to announce that the next Advanced Training course for the Full Amateur Radio licence will start on Friday 1^st April 2016, with enrolment and licence conditions.  Please contact Steve Morris M0SXM on 07811 020443 if you are interested in enrolling.

John Stacey G4XGM SK

It is with great sadness that Poole Radio Society reports the passing of John Stacey G4XGM.  Several members attended his funeral on Friday 11^th March 2016 at Poole Crematorium.  John was a very active member of the club in the 1980s, 1990s up to about 2006 is seen on the right operating an exhibition station at Upton House in 2005.  John was a keen CW operator and particularly enjoyed the 10m band.      

Pat O’Connor G3WLK SK

It is with great sadness that Poole Radio Society records the passing of Pat O’Connor G3WLK.  Pat was a member of the club in the early days and a very keen constructor, always finishing his projects to a very high standard.  He enthusiastically contributed to local nets on bands ranging from 160m to 70cm.  His funeral took place on Thursday 3^rd March 2016 at Poole Crematorium.