Committee Changes

At the Committee Meeting held on Wednesday 8th October 2014, the consequences of two resignations were dealt with.

Doug G4IGN has stepped down as Chairman, for health reasons, but will continue as an Ordinary Committee Member until the AGM in December. He was thanked for his strong leadership and substantial contributions to the club during his nearly two years in the chair.

To fill the vacancy arising from Doug’s resignation, Giles G0NXA was appointed Chairman until the AGM, moving up, so to speak, from Deputy Chairman.

Ron G3SZS has stepped down as Editor, also for health reasons, the October issue of CARA News will be his last. He was thanked for his sustained and highly valued work as Editor during two long stints in the job.

The Committee is now seeking as a matter of urgency a new Editor for the club’s monthly newsletter, CARA News. The Editor does not have to attend Committee Meetings but clearly it would be helpful if he/she did. Any one interested in taking over as Editor should speak to either Giles G0NXA or Derek G3NKS.

October Meeting – Report

Two Short Talks

We received two fascinating and interesting talks at the October meeting, the first from a club member of some 25 years standing and the second from one who joined less than a year ago.

Ken G3LVP related “Stories from My Logbooks” starting with his SWL days from 1954 onwards, then his first year on the air in 1957 and through to modern times. His stories gave us an insight into how band and mode activities have changed over the years. On a conservative estimate he has clocked up well over 40,000 QSOs since first becoming licensed, 21,000 of which were made since the start of year 2000.

Christopher 2E0YNG spoke about “From M6 to M0 – my journey so far”. He was first licensed as M6EBF early this year and soon afterwards passed the Intermediate exam so gaining his current callsign. He took the Full Licence exam at the RSGB Convention on 12th October and was anxiously awaiting the result. We saw pictures of his station and aerials, and learnt about his experiences on the air.

Both speakers triggered much audience reaction and participation, providing additional anecdotes and humour.

A very interesting meeting which was very much enjoyed. As well as being informative it was also a fun evening. Very many thanks to both both Ken G3LVP and Christopher 2E0YNG for giving us the talks.

We also heard briefly from John 2E0GCR about his forthcoming “Row the Atlantic” challenge – more on this soon. Watch this space!

There was also a table with “SK Disposal Items” for sale and many members were seen looking for bargains of which there were many!

G3NKS

Railways-on-the-Air: GB0GWR activation cancelled

Due to a change of circumstances totally beyond our control, the Committee has decided that CARA cannot now take part in Railways-on-the-Air from the GWR Cheltenham Racecourse Station this coming weekend, 27/28 September.

The Committee apologies for the cancellation of this year’s GB0GWR operation but we really were left with no alternative but to abandon the event.

The Committee offers its grateful thanks to those members who helped prepare for the event as well as to those who had pledged their support and we are sorry for the disappointment the cancellation may well cause.

We hope that normal circumstances will prevail in future years.

Derek G3NKS
Secretary, CARA

September Meeting – Report

“Talking Over A Light Beam” by Chris M0OLO

This month we welcomed Chris, M0OLO, to hear a talk on his experiments with using a light beam as a bearer of voice signals. He described how he designed and built the light beam transceivers using photodiodes and red LEDs and a cylindrical toilet brush holder inside a drain pipe. He showed a short video of his successful 11 mile test between Painswick Beacon and May Hill, and demonstrated the equipment working from reflection on the wall.

Chris, M0OLO, preparing for the talk
Chris, M0OLO, preparing for the talk
The visible light receiver
The visible light receiver
Chris, M0OLO, demonstrating the visible light AM transmitter
Chris, M0OLO, demonstrating the visible light AM transmitter
The transmitter in operation
The transmitter in operation
Chris, M0OLO, with the visible light receiver
Chris, M0OLO, with the visible light receiver

Railways-on-the-Air

This year RotA will take place over the weekend of 27/28 September and once again CARA will be taking part from the Cheltenham Racecourse Station of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.

The event celebrates the anniversary of the first steam powered passenger service which began in September 1825. However it is also an opportunity for us to have fun on the air with decent antennas and to bring attention to our local heritage railway.

We’ll be running two stations, one on 80m and 40m with a trapped dipole at 40ft and another on the higher bands with a 3-element yagi at 60ft. Operations will be mainly on SSB from 9am to 5pm using the special-event-callsign GB0GWR.

All CARA members are invited to come along and operate, but not all at the same time!

Set-up will commence at 10.30am on the Friday (26th) – help needed please!

August Meeting – Report

Car Boot Sale

Several of us arrived at the Brizen car-park at 7pm under a darkening sky, rain seemed a possibilty but we crossed our fingers, set-up outside and after a few minutes were ready to sell. We were soon joined by many more: sellers, buyers and on-lookers. The car-park became very full. It would be an exaggeration to say that business was brisk but many sales took place at bargain prices and the sellers went home with less than they arrived with.

We survived one light shower but by 8.30pm the light was fading and the rain falling again so most of us called it a day and went inside for a cuppa.

Some 40 people turned up including several visitors who we were pleased to welcome. There was lots of chat, both during the sale and well into the night after – very good to see.

Our thanks go to Barry M0HFY for manning the tea bar and providing much needed refreshments.

Derek G3NKS

UK Microwavers Field Day

On Sunday 3rd August G5BK/P will be active from Birdlip between 1000-1800 BST. Operators will be Nick G4WLC and Matt 2E0MDJ, assisted by others. The station will be housed in Nick’s van.

We will be taking part in the UK Microwavers Field Day (Restricted section; 10W on 1.3 GHz and 1W on 10GHz).

G5BK won this section last year. Let’s see what we can do this year.

You are welcome to pop up and say hello and optionally do a bit of operating or logging if you wish.

QTH: From Barrow Wake Viewpoint go under the (A417) bridge, 60m on the left on grass verge.

July Meeting – Report

The contents of the shacks of three club members who died earlier this year have been donated to CARA with the stipulation that the equipment, or the proceeds of the sale thereof, should be used for the benefit of the club and, in particular, younger and newly licensed amateurs in the locality. We are very grateful to the three widows for their very kind generosity.

The Committee decided that most of the stuff should be sold by auction at the July meeting with the proceeds going to fund activities and events aimed younger and newly licensed amateurs. Nearly 40 people attended including several of our friends from the Gloucester ARES who we were pleased to welcome to Brizen.

The auction was presided over by John G4PDQ who did an excellent job of keeping the proceedings in order. We got through about 60 lots in an hour of lively bidding. He was ably assisted by Giles G0NXA and Derek G3NKS. Thanks also go to Chairman Doug G4IGN for issuing the bidding cards, to Martin G4ENZ for recording the bids and issuing “bills” to bidders, and to Treasurer Peter G3YJE for relieving the successful bidders of their cash! Our grateful thanks also go to Colin G3TA for manning the tea bar for the second time in the month.

The meeting took place at the usual venue: the Brizen Centre, Up Hatherley Way, Cheltenham.

Lots on display, lots of interest
Lots on display, lots of interest
John, G4PDQ, presiding as auctioneer
John, G4PDQ, presiding as auctioneer
Bids being taken for an FT-290
Bids being taken for an FT-290

Successful Test and View Meeting

The pre-auction “Test and View” evening, held on Thursday 10th July, was well attended with at least 20 people turning up to inspect and help test the items on display. Most of the equipment which will come up for auction next week was tested. A couple of items were found to be faulty and they were marked accordingly. We were very pleased to welcome several members of the Gloucester ARES to the meeting and we look forward to seeing a good contingent from our neighbouring club at the auction proper.

The fact that this additonal monthly meeting was a success bodes well for the second, informal, monthly meetings which the committee hopes to introduce later this year.

A reminder that the auction of the SK items will take place on Thursday 17th July at the Brizen Centre, Up Hatherley Way, Cheltenham, located between the Shurdington Road and Morrisons. Door will be open by 7.30 for a prompt 8pm start. Beware of the height barrier when entering the car park. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available at the end of the auction.

Only members of the Cheltenham and Gloucester radio clubs may take part in the auction. Strictly no dealers.

G3NKS

Giles G0NXA is new DRM54

We are delighted to announce here that CARA member Giles G0NXA has been appointed the new RSGB Deputy Regional Manager for Region 54 (Gloucestershire). Giles becomes a point of contact for those seeking more information about amateur radio and the RSGB, as well as a link between RSGB HQ and the amateur radio clubs and RSGB members in the county. We wish him every success in this new role.