Monday 23/01/2012

Andy and Mick set up a Kenwood TS-2000e for us to have a play with. Most members present agree that this is the best all round rig for training and club use that our budget could stretch too.  I will work with Derek to purchase one of these and a power supply this week. We should then have a station on Monday nights.

I put my old valve receiver on the big antenna at the scout hall and was happy with the results. Lots more stations were received and much stronger signals. I must get a better antenna at home.

Chris lent me his DVAP Dstar access point for a week and he showed me how to set it up.

On our way home Chris, Martin and I normally chat on GB3NS if it’s not busy. If it’s busy look out for us on GB3LW or GB3AU around 23:00

Monday 16/01/2012

The Monday night radio play session was well attended.

We tested a couple of ATU’s for Colin. The MFJ unit worked fine however we did open it and check all the screw were tight. We found the inductor switch needed tightening but apart from this all works well.

The second ATU was a Yaesu FC-707 which had metering problems. The two diodes in the metering circuit go leaky and need replacing.  I could not remember the replacement value so  told Colin he would need to contact Robin at Sycom for the correct replacements.

We did try and do some HF operating but the bands were dead. Our best contact was Reading, only 50 miles away.

That the end of the night we ended up having a discussion on computer problems and there fixes.

Next Monday Andy is bringing his Kenwood TS-2000 for us to have a play with.

Monday 09/01/2012

Our first radio play session of 2012 in the Banstead scout hut. A lot has happened over the Christmas period and it was great to catch up with friends.   

Stuart turned up with a Racal 1772 receiver which was not working. This got some of us in fault finding mode.

Steve showed us his new Kenwood TS-590. This is a great bit of kit and it was the first time I was able to sit and play with one. This is one radio which is on my wish list.

Steve also has some Sealed Lead Acid Battery chargers he had purchased in the pound shop in Croydon. These 

were on offer at cost price and a number of us took up the offer.

Chris was playing with a large 2 metre antenna which he purchased at CATS.

All in all a very pleasurable night.