Wed 8th Dec 2021 - LRS Viral  Net 82

Participants: Pete GM4BYF (con), Briain GM8PKL, Brian GM8BJF (Peebles), Mike GM8KCS, Peter GM4DTH.

Audio tnx Peter GM4DTH:

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1 Dec 2021 - LRS Viral Net 81

Participants (8): Pete GM4BYF (con), Peter GM4DTH, Mike GM8KCS, Briain GM8PKL, John GM8OTI, Melvyn GM4HYR, Norrie GM1CNH, Brian GM4DIJ.

Audio tnx Peter GM4DTH:

 

  

Wed 24th November at 8:00pm - PUB NIGHT 

"Wee" Bennet's Bar, 1 Maxwell St, Morningside. 

John GM8OTI, Alan GM3PSP, Peter GM4DTH - just three from a cast of thousands who attended the Pub Night.

Precis: An explanation of WSPR, the Weak Signal Propagation Reporter protocol (pronounced Whisper) used to measure antenna performance and investigate radio propagation in near-real-time. The theory and practicalities were explained, followed by the steps required to observe WSPR traffic and to build and operate a WSPR station. The construction of a practical and simple standalone WSPR station was demonstrated using low-cost DIY modules. The author’s station was shown. Finally, two amateur- led applications for WSPR were outlined: tracking high-altitude balloons around the planet in real-time, and investigating aircraft flight paths with an update on recent research on the missing HM370 flight over the Indian Ocean.

In addition to ten attendees at the BHH, this talk was also received by six members via Zoom. 

AND - click to view the Zoom recording of the lecture (available for 365 days).

Colin Murray GM4EAU

This was the first Lothians Radio Society Surplus Sale since October 2019. As usual it was held in St. Fillan's Church in Buckstone where a number of Covid-19 Safety Procedures were required by the church. After a 2-year gap there were lots of items for (auction) sale, mostly small items including Silent Key items from Jack McVicar GM8GEC-SK (a former LRS auctioneer) and André Saunders GM3VLB-SK. About 20 people attended and the sale ran for just over 2 hours, making over £150 for club funds.

 

On arrival we had to use hand-sanitizer and sign a Track-&-Trace register which was retained by the church. 

Andy MM0FMF & James GM4WZP.

Wednesday 20th October is the first Lothians Radio Society Surplus sale since October 2019. As usual it is being held in St. Fillans Church, 8 Buckstone Dr, Edinburgh EH10 6PD

There are number of additional requirements being imposed on us by the Church.

We will be taking a register for track and trace purposes. You will need to provide your name and phone number. This will be kept by the church.

Hand sanitising will take place on entry to the church. Sanitiser will be provided.

You will need to wear a mask when moving around the building. The mask can be removed when you are seated. If you are exempt from wearing a mask you will need to bring your exemption proof.

Seats will be spaced 1m apart.

We request that everyone is double vaccinated unless medically exempt. 


Cash will be collected on a tray to minimise hand to hand contact.

The LRS will have some change as usual and this next item may be obvious but you will need to bring cash, both notes and coins. Many of us have been using only card payment methods for such a long time since the first lockdown that many of us may not actually have any cash on us. Don't forget to bring some with you.

We would like to know how many possible sellers and buyers there will be to help our planning. Please reply to this email saying either SELL or BUY along with your name and call sign.

The doors will be open from 7.15pm and the sale will begin at 8.00pm sharp.

Club website at  <http://www.lothiansradiosociety.com>

73
Andy, MM0FMF

Secretary Lothians Radio Society.
http://www.lothiansradiosociety.com

Brian GM8BJF & Pete GM4BYF

At the LRS meeting at the BHH on 6th October 2021 Pete GM4BYF, assisted by Brian GM8BJF, described how they implemented VK3CV duplex FM transverters for the extreme microwave band 122GHz (2.5mm wavelength) and achieved the first QSOs on this band between 2 stations in GM and between G & GM in July 2020. During the meeting they provided a live demonstration of the equipment in action. The presentation was also viewed remotely by four members via Zoom.

Viral Net #76 on 29 Sept 2021.

Colin GM4HWO (controller), Peter GM4DTH, Mike GM8KCS, Pete GM4BYF, Briain GM8PKL, Melvyn GM4HYR.  Report & audio recording tnx Peter GM4DTH:

Peter reported that he had acquired a new television camera to replace his tape based camera. Its main advantage was that it could use the same lenses as his SLR camera. To complete it he had just received a microphone bought on ebay and attached to the camera. On the radio front he, along with others, have been receiving aeronautical beacons above 300kHz. He reported that Toby managed to receive some dx beacons during a dip in QRM at his QTH in the west.

Mike has been helping his son move back to Edinburgh from Durham. This has involved a number of trips when he operated mobile on HF. On a recent trip he worked a special event station in Gleneagles which had a high quality signal. This demonstrated how well HF mobile could be. To complement the Lothians last talk which was about building a replica Sopwith aircraft. He recalled how his father was an RAF airframe mechanic who had chatted with another group working on old bi-plane aircraft. He has also an interest in the beacons and has been using his 'Nova Pal' DF receiver. On the subject of receiving he has also been following a net that specialises in military equipment.

Pete commented that his reception of the Zoom stream of the last talk about replica aircraft was rather flakily. He made a few constructive suggestions on how to improve the zoom delivery for future talks. He then remembered that he will be presenting the next talk! He had been away from home in Greece. When he got home he meet with his family. They had gone hill- and coastal walking. Whilst in the area he met Chris GM3WOJ. He noted that the junk sale will need to comply with the same health restrictions as the church.

Briain has been working on his radio transmit audio. He has a new Lewitt microphone connected to a DBX286S with which he can tailor the audio for best quality. This combination was in service for this net and it does sound good.

Melvyn has been away from home and had missed our meeting. He commented how he found Zoom presentations tend to be easily corrupted. He had been spending time repairing his car replacing the alternator. On the subject of e-mails he said that he does not receive any Lothians e-mails and hopes that the problem can be resolved.

Colin commented about the Lothians last talk which was about building a replica Sopwith aircraft. He had taken a break from work and spent a few days in the Peebles area where he met up with Brian GM8BJF. He is now counting down he days until he retires.

And finally after the net closed a number of stations said hello to George DU1GM / GM4COK who listens to the net recordings from the Philippines.

 

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