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LRS President Brian Flynn GM8BJF presented the video of the RSGB 2017 Convention lecture "Amateur Deep Space Reception" by Paul Marsh M0EYT at the meeting on 9th May 2018. Summary:

When in January Scott Tilley VE7TIL/VA7LF discovered a signal coming from the "dead" IMAGE satellite, Paul Marsh M0EYT gave the first independent confirmation.

In this video Paul Marsh, M0EYT gives an introduction to deep space mega-DX, the equipment needed and the techniques used to identify extremely weak signals coming from human-made space probes in various parts of our solar system. X-Band (8.4GHz) is the primary band of discussion but Paul also talks briefly about S and Ka reception equipment and antennas. 

You can receive signals from spacecraft in excess of 1 billion km with a modest size dish in your garden. If you have an interest in EME or microwave weak signal reception, Amateur DSR can help you push the limits of what is possible with home-built equipment. 

Click for full report with link to RSGB video.

 

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Brian Flynn GM8BJF talked about Using Chinese ADF4351 and ADF5355 PLL Boards as Microwave Signal Sources at the meeting on 25th April. He writes:

"Recently PCBs have become available from different Chinese internet outlets which have Analog Devices ADF4350/1  ADF5355 PLL ICs on them. The ADF4351 boards are available for prices starting at about £30 and the ADF5355 about £55 which is about the one off price for the chips in the UK. The chips have Microwave VCOs incorporated in them. The ADF4351 covers 35 MHz to 4.4 GHz and the ADF5355 covers 54 MHz to 13.6 GHz. Clearly these are very useful as microwave signal sources for our purposes. They cover all of our bands up to 19 GHz and can be multiplied further to our higher bands. As always every silver lining has a cloud and this talk will address some of the issues in using these devices and how to get best performance they are capable of from them". Full Report & ppt slides.

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The LRS "Spring" Surplus Equipment Sale on 11th April at St Fillan's Church was well attended. Most of the items were sold, with 10% donation to club funds.

 

A moment of merriment in an otherwise serious evening!

Full photo report.

 

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Paul at Dante's View, Black Mountains, CA.

We were delighted to welcome Paul Gacek W6PNG and his XYL from Laguna Beach, CA as the speaker at our meeting on 28th March 2018.  Paul is a SOTA friend of Andy MM0FMF to whom our thanks for arranging this talk. Originally from London, and now splitting his time between CA and Berwick-on-Tweed, Paul talked about "Wilderness radio in the Western US with an emphasis more on photos than any kind of tutorial" and showed many photos of the beautiful places he has operated from. Click for Paul's blog.

Click for Full report with photos. 

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(Photo of a similar installation)

John McCormick from Leonardo Airborne & Space Systems gave a talk about the Compact Antenna Test Range (CATR) at Crewe Toll, Edinburgh, at the meeting on 14th March. 

CATR is a dual-reflector test facility enclosed in a 24m x 14m x 8m anechoic chamber. It makes measurements of antenna performance from 500MHz to 40GHz.

Click for full Powerpoint presentation. 

John McCormick

 

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Allister Watson GM7RYR, who is beacon-keeper for GB7EE, talked about Digital Voice Modes at the meeting on 28th Feb 2018 at the Braid Hills Hotel. 

This talk looked at the different digital modes used on the VHF / UHF bands: D-Star, Fusion (C4FM) and DMR, the developments of the Local, National and International Networks and compared this with the state of the networks at the last talk given to the Lothians RS in February 2016. (Click)
 
There was a good turnout of 11 in spite of the blizzard blowing outside - "The Beast from the East"!
 
 Photos by Peter GM4DTH   
 

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Stan Frey GM8ZQY gave a comprehensive talk on "Battery Types and Behaviours" at the meeting on 14th February - a review of the currently available battery types with an emphasis on lithium ion rechargeables. And he was thinking about the behaviours of the users as well as the batteries themselves!  Full Report.

 

Stan brought many examples of batteries to demonstrate and describe their 'behaviours'.

 

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At the meeting on 24th January 2018, Neil Gillies, ex-GM6BZF, talked about and demonstrated 3D Printing, the state-of-the-art way of producing plastic parts. He gave an in-depth talk on how to get started - types of machine available, the software required for various parts of the process, materials, what can and can’t be done with 3D printing. He brought along his current 3D printer and demonstrated it in use, making a small plastic component during the meeting. Full report.

 

"Tiny Boy" 3D printer in action.

 

  1. Wed 10 Jan 2018 - Video NIght - The Role of Radio in Aviation - Peter Dick GM4DTH
  2. 6 Dec 2017 - Christmas Curry at the Himalaya Tandoori
  3. 22 Nov 2017 - Optimization of Antenna Height over Terrain - Brian Howie GM4DIJ
  4. 8 Nov 2017 - 'Pirates - Offshore Radio 1964-1974 - ding-ding' - James Gentles GM4WZP