The attendance list was as follows:

• 2E0NGY – Mike on Canvey Island
• 2E1GUA – James, Chelmsford, near Andy
• G1KPS – Brian Canvey
• 2E0RMI – Jim Chelmsford (Having sparks!!)
• G0BDY  – Gary Brentwood burning pasta
• G0URK – Joel Chelmsford soldering pl259s.
• G0RNU – Neil in Tilbury

The topics included:

• Current HF conditions
• weather and the lightning in Chelmsford which was also heard on the radio
• Jim having sparks from his antenna coax
• D-Sstar registration.

As a reminder, the GB3DA Danbury repeater is operated by the Essex Repeater Group – Donations are welcomed to keep the repeater running.

Any comments on the ‘net, or topics for the next discussion? Please add a comment below…

Windmills On The Air is always a good weekend – lots of special event stations operating around the UK, and around Essex. This is Day Two of the Mills weekend. Here’s a list of some of the stations on air this weekend:

• GB5SM – Stock Windmill – On 40m and 2 metres
• GB4MW – Mountnessing Windmill on 145.450MHz and 7.129MHz
• GB2RWM – Rayleigh Windmill - On 40m and 2 metres. Also running PSK

The Essex Ham team has spoken to all three of the mills listed above, and all stations report it’s been a good day – both in terms of weather and contacts.

We’ve also been to the Stock Windmill to see how things are going for GB5SM, the special event station at Stock Winmill, operated by the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society.

Stock Windmill GB5SM

Mark M0IEO and Norman M0FZW have been operating for both days on 2 metres. On Sunday, Patrick M0XAP has been operating HF from the operations tent. Also on site Sarah M6PSK, Tom M6BCK and Pete M0PSX

Here are a few photos:

Stock Windmill, close to Ingatestone

Stock Windmill GB5SM on Sunday 13 May 2012 (Tom and Norman in shot)

Mark M0IEO working 2 metres from Stock Windmill

Other windmills received here South Essex today, SUnday 13th May 2012: GB2TMI in Leeds (Geoff), GB0HSM in Sussex (Pete), GB2WPM in Lincolnshire (James), GB0CMW (Judith), GB1WM in Norfolk (Neil), GB0BHW Bidston Windmill in Wirral, and GB0HPW in Holton (John) – all on 40 metres.

The attendance list for today is as follows:

• 2E0NGY – Mike on Canvey Island
• M0SHQ – Steve in Maldon (with no plans to fly at Southend Airshow!)
• M0FAQ – Martin in Great Notley
• 2E1GUA – James in Chelmsford
• G0RNU – Neil in Tilbury
• M6BTK – Jim in Hullbridge
• 2E0KIL – Terry in Chelmsford

The topics included:

• Using the Q Diamond Jubilee NoV prefix – Not many interested?
• Special Event Stations that we’ve worked recently
• Windmills On The Net, next weekend
• eQSL cards – Used by most of the people on the net, and expectations are that club and special event stations should use them
• QSL Bureau and the RGSB (See our write-up on the RSGB talk at CARS last week)
• Worked All Britain (and the Olympic Torch)
• D-Star comes to Chelmsford (MB6CE is now active on 144.8750MHz – See the entry on QRZ.com)

We wrapped up at 2135BST. As a reminder, the GB3DA Danbury repeater is operated by the Essex Repeater Group – Donations are welcomed to keep the repeater running.

Any comments on the ‘net, or topics for the next discussion? Please add a comment below…

Dr. Bob Whelan, RSGB Chairman

On Tuesday the 1st of May 2012, the Chairman of the RSGB visited Chelmsford to address members of CARS, the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society. Dr Bob Whelan G3PJT has been an RSGB member for over 50 years, and as Chairman, has strong views on the RSGB’s future and the challenges it faces in the 21st century.

Here is a summary of Dr. Whelan’s talk, and the subsequent questions, from the meeting held at the Marconi Social Club on Tuesday.

RSGB Presentation

After being wlecomed to the club evening by CARS President Carl Thomson G3PEM, Bob ran through a presentation outlining the RSGB’s history. The RSGB started out in 1913 as the London Wireless Club, and today has 20,000 members. 57% of the RSGB’s revenue comes from membership subscriptions, 22% from sales of books, 11% of advertising and 6% from examination fees. The company currently has 16 staff, and the support of several hundred volunteers.

Bob then outlined some of the recent achievements, such as the opening of the NRC (National Radio Centre) at Bletchley Park. (See this site’s National Radio Centre report). Other achievements include the creation of press packs for clubs, the introduction of the payment system for QSL non-members, and the inclusion of FAQs, reports and additional information on the RSGB website. Planned activities include maintaining a good relationship with OfCom, getting amateur radio into the media, reviewing Islands On The Air (IOTA), the introduction of new examination software, plus updates and fixes to the RSGB website.

Two slightly blurry pictures of Bob Whelan during his talk in May 2012

In closing, Bob outlines some of the ways that we could all help, including taking an active part in the consultation process, volunteering to help, and helping to recruit new members to the society. The floor was then opened to questions, a few of which are summarised below.

Questions to the RSGB

Discounts for unemployed or disabled
There appear to be no discounts for unemployed or disabled amateurs. This is something for the RSGB to look into

Compulsory membership to RSGB
Should RSGB membership be compulsory to new members? No. Bob outlined that there are restrictions placed on the RSGB by OfCom about compulsory membership to amateurs passing exams. The observation was made that in Germany, new amateurs have to join DARC, the German equivalent of the RSGB. It appears that the RSGB will not be pushing for any form of compulsory membership.

Emergency Communications and RSGB

Amateur radio can play an important part in communications in cases of disasters and emergencies. RAYNET plays a part and provides support to the emergency services, and they have played roles.

The GB4FUN Bus

Why is one of RSGB’s promotional tools, the GB4FUN bus gathering dust in Milton Keynes, rather than being out on the road raising the awareness of the hobby? When there’s the money, it seems. It costs between £30,000 and £40,000 a year to run. Hopefully this will get back on track in 2013. If RSGB can’t fund the GB4FUN, perhaps smaller ‘promotional packages’ could be considered?

The GB4FUN van, parked in Milton Keynes in early 2012

RSGB as a Charity?

The RSGB is not a charity, but the RCF is the RSGB’s charity. There was some discussion as to whether the RSGB should become a charity, but it is not as easy at it seems. It is something that the RSGB has reviewed and remains “on the list”. Lottery funding has been looked into, but this is only appropriate for project funding, and not running costs.

 RSGB, Ofcom and Abuse

Most hams have experienced abuse of the amateur bands. Although we’re supposed to be self-policing, how much pressure can RSGB put on Ofcom to start policing the amateur radio bands? Bob’s experiences of OfCom’s complain handling has been positive. We have the Amateur Radio Observation Service, but as amateur radio is not a protected service, Ofcom won’t go out to take action relating to abuse within our spectrum.

It was also observed that cheap and easy availability of amateur radio hardware makes . Aeronautical radio equipment can’t be sold without sight of a license, but that’s not the case for ham radio. Even if UK stores could be encouraged to toughen up, but non-UK eBay purchases would be harder to police.

What does the 21st century ham look like?

It seems that “grey hair, long white beard” is the consensus. Recruitment typically takes place within families, and those with free time and disposable income are targeted. CARS training courses typical age profile is 35+.

Bob believes that the Internet will be a big part of the future, possibly with courses and exams moving online. RF noise will be an increasing issue. Should RADCOM move to e-publishing and become an online magazine (with decent online search facilities)?

More images from the evening

Here are a few more images from the 1st of May 2012. If anyone has any images to contribute, please mail them to “online at essexham dot co dot uk”

Brian G3CVI receiving his certificate for gaining first place in CARS January 80M Fun Contest (Courtesy Colin G0TRM)

Patrick M0XAP receiving his certificate for gaining second place in CARS January 80M Fun Contest (Courtesy Colin G0TRM)

Dr Bopb Whelan getting his CARS mug from president Carl Thomson

Opening slide of Bob Whelan's RSGB Presentation

Thanks to Colin Page G0TRM for contributing some of the images from the evening

The attendance list t for this evening, Monday the 23rd April 2012, was as follows:

• M0KVR – Andy in Chelmsford
• M6BCK – Tom in Tiptree (with cottage pie and peas)
• 2E0RMI – Jim in Chelmsford
• M0PZT – Charlie in Chelmsford
• M3OJT – John in Swanley
• 2E0NGY- Mike on Canvey

The topics included:

• HMS Belfast GB40HMSB
• FRN, Free Radio Network
• eQSL
• LV18 operating
• Jim’s visit to Kent
• Baofeng UV-3R and UV-5R
• New regs allowing external aerials on PMR radios

The net was cut short due to some unwanted QRM on the repeater.

Many thanks to Mike for providing this summary…

We had a good turnout tonight for the Monday night net, on Monday the 16th April 2012. The attendance list this evening was as follows:

• M6BCK- Tom in Tiptree
• 2E0NGY- Mike mobile on way to work
• G0URK- Joel in Chelmsford
• M0KVR- Andy in Chelmsford
• G1KPS- Brian in Canvey Island
• M6SBQ- Steve in Harlow only been licensed for 1 week
• 2E0KIL- Terry in chelmsford
• M3JHQ- John in Southminster

It was a good night. The topics included:

• HF working
• Sandford mill international Marconi day on Saturday 21st April
• The FT 450
• APRS watching Mike on his travels to work
• HF antennas
• QSL cards and how to make your own

Many thanks to Tom for providing this summary…

GB100MWT has been operating all day today on 80m, 40m and 2m from the BAE Systems site in Great Baddow, near Chelmsford. The special event callsign has been used throughout the weekend to commemorate the fateful journey of RMS Titanic 100 years ago, and to commend the work of the two Marconi Wireless operators Jack Philips and Harold Bride in saving over 700 lives.

Great Baddow Mast, used by GB100MWT

The 40 metre transmissions were made using a dipole attached to the Great Baddow Mast, using a Kenwood rig from Mark M0IEO’s caravan. Operations were on 7.095MHz LSB using GB100MWT. Band conditions were very good, and there was a significant pile-up of stations across the UK and Europe trying to work the special event station.

Here is a brief video montage demonstrating the audio pile-up on 7.095MHz:

John G1UZD working 40m and Pete M0PSX Logging

Operating from the caravan were John G1UZD, Murray G6JYB and Andy . Logging was looked after by Pete M0PSX with some cover by Luke M6LNT. Other members of the CARS team were working 80 metres and 2 metres. James 2E1GUA, Mark M0IEO, Colin G0TRM and John G8DET were also active on the site.

Murray G6JYB, John G1ZUD and Pete M0PSX in the caravan

We wrapped up operations at 1715BST after clocking up 329 contacts on 80m, 40m and 2m on Sunday. Any stations that contacted GB100MWT can apply for a special QSL card that depicts Titanic and the two Marconi Wireless Operators, via the Bureau service.

Mark M0IEO's caravan used for 40m comms and tea

Thanks to Murray Niman G6JYB for arranging today’s operation, and to BAE Systems for allowing CARS to operate from the Great Baddow site.

For more details on this weekend’s operations, go to the CARS website at www.g0mwt.org.uk

Despite a troublesome start with serious HF problems due to local RF noise from the museum’s air conditioning plant, the CARS team was able to get an HF rig working nicely, racking up several contacts using the callsign of GB100MWT.

As of 1200GMT, CARS is operating on 40 metres, 7.183MHz with callsign GB100MWT. The day’s operation is a special event station from Chelmsford, the home of wireless, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the fateful voyage of the RMS Titanic.

Here’s a picture of the amateur radio setup at Oaklands House:

Oaklands House was built in the 1860 for Frederick Wells, a director of the Chelmsford Brewery. It now houses a collection of exhibits, including some items relating to wireless transmission from Chelmsford.

For a full report on the day’s operation, plus other Titanic activities this weekend, go to www.g0mwt.org.uk

Here’s the attendance list, so far this evening:

• M0PSX - Pete in Southend-on-Sea
• 2E0NGY – Mike on Canvey Island (the ham formerly known as M6KEB)
• M6BCK – Tom in Tiptree
• 2E0RMI – Jim in Chelmsford
• G0RNU – Neil in Tilbury

Discussion topics so far:

• Intermediate courses, and progress so far
• Using a mains inverter to power a laptop from a car battery
• CARS club night – Titanic event this week
• The busy events calendar this year – See our Events Diary for a list
• Becoming a pilot

If you’ve not joined a Monday Night net in the past – we try to run these each Monday on GB3DA, the Danbury repeater, normally from 8pm. You can find out when nets are on by following the EssexHam Twitter feed, or signing up to our email newsletter.

73s for now…

More Information

• EssexHam Net – Details of the Monday Night Essex Ham Net

Here’s the attendance list:

• M0PSX - Pete in Southend-on-Sea
• 2E0RMI – Jim in Chelmsford
• G0RNU – Neil in Tilbury
• G4MDB – Bob, Chelmsford

If you’ve not joined a Monday Night net in the past – we try to run these each Monday on GB3DA, the Danbury repeater, normally from 8pm. You can find out when nets are on by following the EssexHam Twitter feed, or signing up to our email newsletter.

We’ll try to have another go next Monday, but with a low attendance, it might be a case of taking a break from the Monday net and restarting when the demand is higher, and the evening TV is less exciting.

73s for now…

More Information

• EssexHam Net – Details of the Monday Night Essex Ham Net