December 2009

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="015285a1erlcgo.png"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>Bob F Burns G3OOU</B></FONT><B>     |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Bob F Burns G3OOU"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> back to  <A HREF="id60.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Newsletters"><U><B>Newsletters</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=150 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="013d4c00dkelyh.png"> <div> <A HREF="id43.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="October 2009"><U>October 2009</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id70.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="November 2009"><U>November 2009</U></A></div> <div> <B>December 2009</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id50.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="January 2010 "><U>January 2010 </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id67.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="February 2010 "><U>February 2010 </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="March 2010"><U>March 2010</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="April 2010"><U>April 2010</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="May 2010"><U>May 2010</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="June 2010"><U>June 2010</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="July 2010"><U>July 2010</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="August 2010"><U>August 2010</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="September 2010"><U>September 2010</U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>December 2009</I></div> <div> <B>In This Issue</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Meeting Program</B></div> <div> <B>Club News</B></div> <div> <B>Future Meetings & Events</B></div> <div> <B>Members News</B></div> <div> <B>Computer Corner</B></div> <div> <B>Technical Snippetts</B></div> <div> <B>Miscellaneous</B></div> <div> <B>Noticeboard - Wanted and For Sale</B></div> <div> <B>News from other Clubs</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Meeting and Event Diary:</B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="657" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> 04 Dec 09</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="17"><div> M</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="225"><div> Christmas Social</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="64"><div> 05 Feb</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="17"><div> M</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="225"><div> AGM</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 77 ><NOBR><div> 8 Jan 10</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="17"><div> M</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="225"><div> EGM followed by part 2 of "A History of Power Supplies" - <B>Date confirmed as second Friday for this meeting only</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> 05 Mar</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="17"><div> M</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="225"><div> TBA</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> E = External event, M = club meeting, R = Rally</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Recent Event News</U></B></div> <div> <B>6</B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>th</B></FONT><B> November - Presentation on Radio Clubs by Dr Alison Johnston G8ROG followed by "A History of Power Supplies"</B></div> <div> a) We were very pleased to welcome Alison who is the RSGB Region 9 Manager. Alison travelled up from Reading and presented a talk on the future of amateur radio clubs and her views on the activities that amateur radio clubs should be undertaking. These include:</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">If meetings are held on church property approach the congregation via the vicar to promote the club and its activities</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Inform the local scouts, guides, sea cadets etc and see if their parents will come along as well</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Run promotional activities for visitors to try out for themselves - simple construction tasks like a crystal set as well as working demonstrations of amateur radio. Make sure the operator faces the visitors while operating. Try `across the room' communications using low power transceivers with light bulbs for loads - users can "see" the RF energy. Greeting message passing to other stations (using the special GX club call).</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Advertise events locally including the library and church as well as the RSGB</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Training courses have attracted new members for other poorly attended clubs. A minimum of three authorised trainers are required to run a course.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Offer to talk to local clubs and societies not involved in amateur radio</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Attend local public events and open days as a club</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">RSGB can provide publicity material including:</div> <div> amateur radio information handouts with space for the club contact details</div> <div> wall posters</div> <div> pens and sweets etc (for free) with adequate notice.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Club members <U>must</U> take a part in running the club and its activities</div> <div> b) Victor G1PKS reviewed sources of power in the pre-electrcity times going back several hundred years including the Leclanche Cell and demonstrated a Leyden Jar capacitor and a lemon battery using copper and steel inserts which generated about one volt at a few microamps.</div> <div> c) Your scribe then reviewed some of the batteries from the 1940s to the current day and a torch using a small hand cranked generator and rechargeable battery. A lot of the early batteries developed for valve radios are no longer available and photos of them proved difficult to find.</div> <div> As we ran out of time and could not complete the second half of the talk, there is a short article later in this newsletter showing the structure of some of the batteries that were discussed.</div> <div> <B>15</B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>th</B></FONT><B> November - CATS Annual Bazaar</B></div> <div> This was an extremely well attended event with all of the sellers tables occupied and almost no room to move in the corridors between tables immediately after opening time.</div> <div> Victor G1PKS and your scribe manned a table and sold a significant number of items as well as advertising the club and its activities. A small contribution was made to our club funds.</div> <div> <B><U>Future Club Meetings and Events</U></B></div> <div> <B>4</B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>th</B></FONT><B> December - Christmas Social</B></div> <div> Members and their partners are invited to our Christmas Social. Please bring a contribution of food <U>just sufficient</U> for the number of people in your party. Members who are in touch outside of meetings might like to coordinate their contributions so that there is a good variety on offer. Tea, coffee and fruit juice will be provided by the club.</div> <div> <B>8</B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>th </B></FONT><B> January 2010 * - EGM + a short talk</B></div> <div> The meeting will commence with an EGM to decide on the future of the club. The second part of this meeting will be the remainder of "A History of Power Supplies" by Bob G3OOU. The EGM results will be reported in the February 2010 newsletter. Please come along and add your ideas to the meeting.</div> <div> * <U>Date confirmed</U></div> <div> <B><U>Members News</U></B></div> <div> a) Three club members have been conducting tests on the four meter band with some reasonable success. Aerials range from a dual band 50/70MHz single boom yagi, Moxon Square and a quarter wave vertical so some polarisation losses were to be expected.</div> <div> b) Your scribe recently sold his Kenwood/Trio TS940 HF transceiver and part exchanged his TS930 for a Yaesu FT450 HF/6m multi-mode transceiver which is working well. The lower cost FT450 is not in the same league as the Kenwoods but is perfectly adequate as a standby rig and for mobile/holiday activities. Spares for the 20+ year old Kenwoods were proving very difficult to obtain.</div> <div> The FT450 has a general coverage 30KHz - 56MHz receiver and amateur bands only transmitter and the first contact was across the pond on 7MHz with a W2 station. A number of rear panel interfaces are provided for data modes, connection to a computer and an external linear amplifier. An internal automatic ATU is another option at extra cost.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="33f5b930.jpg" border=0 width="347" height="147" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> A simple bidirectional interface box has been constructed to convert from ¼" to 3.5mm jack connectors and includes a switchable audio filter to attenuate low audio frequencies when using both low and high impedance HiFi headphones where their enhanced bass response accentuates the LF pops and thumps.</div> <div> <B><U>Technical Snippets</U></B></div> <div> The following notes on batteries were made for the talk on The History of Power Supplies</div> <div> <B><U>1. Zinc Carbon Battery (1.5V)</U></B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="34130a40.png" border=0 width="304" height="164" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B><U>2. Alkaline Manganese Battery (1.5V)</U></B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="343349d0.png" border=0 width="308" height="157" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>3. Nickel Primary Battery (1.5V)</U></B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="345099d0.png" border=0 width="265" height="157" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B><U>4. Lithium Primary Battery (3.0V)</U></B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="347167c0.png" border=0 width="278" height="124" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B><U>5. Silver Oxide Zinc Battery (1.55V)</U></B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="349f98a0.png" border=0 width="249" height="138" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B><U>6. Zinc Air Battery (1.4V)</U></B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="34b04b20.png" border=0 width="260" height="178" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B><U>7. Ni-Cd Battery (1.2V)</U></B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="34ddc9e0.png" border=0 width="220" height="158" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B><U>8. Ni-MH Battery (1.4V)</U></B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="34f20d60.png" border=0 width="288" height="214" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B><U>9. Lithium Ion Battery (3.7V)</U></B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="35139aa0.png" border=0 width="313" height="170" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B><U>10. Lead Acid Battery (12V)</U></B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="353268f0.png" border=0 width="294" height="143" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B><U>Computer Corner</U></B></div> <div> Blue Ray drives are now available for installation in PCs and offer the same facilities as CD and DVD drives except that the capacity for a single layer media is 25GB and double that for dual layer. Packet writing software is available to use with the RW media to give read write facilities for archiving and backup.</div> <div> <B><U>Miscellaneous</U></B></div> <div> <B>Christmas Ideas:</B> RSGB Deluxe Logbook and 2010 Diary £4.00 (£4.24 members), Deluxe Logbook Cover £9.99 (£8.49 members).</div> <div> <B>RSGB: </B>The 2009 elections are now in progress and all corporate members should cast their votes by 10<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> December, either using the ballot paper provided with your copy of RadCom or online via the RSGB website at <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.rsgb.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.rsgb.org"><U><U>http://www.rsgb.org</U></U></A></FONT>.</div> <div> <B><U>Notice Board - Wanted and For Sale</U></B></div> <div> The Notice Board is for all club members to use so if you have one or more items that you wish to buy or sell then please send in the details. The current list of items may be viewed at: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.g3oou.co.uk/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.g3oou.co.uk/"><U><U>http://www.g3oou.co.uk/</U></U></A></FONT> </div> <div> in the "Notice Board - Wanted and For Sale" section.</div> <div> Wanted:</div> <div> <B>SWL club member </B>looking for a VHF multimode receiver covering at least 144-146MHz. Contact Victor on 020 8653 2946 or Bob on 01737 552170.</div> <div> <B><U>For Sale:</U></B></div> <div> <B>Ken G3DJK </B>has a PCI Firewire Card 1349A, Maplin Code A49HH (new and unused).  Best offer secures. Contact Ken on 020 8679 2717</div> <div> <B>Mode Components</B> has a website at <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.modecomponents.co.uk/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.modecomponents.co.uk/"><U><U>http://www.modecomponents.co.uk/</U></U></A></FONT> and can be contacted on 0121 554 5157 or 07984 071369.</div> <div> Email at <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="mailto:sales@modecomponents.co.uk" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:sales@modecomponents.co.uk"><U><U>sales@modecomponents.co.uk</U></U></A></FONT> or</div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:modecomponents@yahoo.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:modecomponents@yahoo.com"><U><U>modecomponents@yahoo.com</U></U></A></div> <div> <B>Sycom</B> run by Robin G3NFV supplies a range of electronic components & new/second hand equipment. The web site can be found at: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.sycomcomp.co.uk/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.sycomcomp.co.uk/"><U><U>http://www.sycomcomp.co.uk/</U></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <B>JAB Electronic Components, </B>PO Box 5774, Birmingham, B44 8PJ supply a wide range of electronic components and can be contacted on 0121-682-7045 or by email at: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="mailto:jabdog@blueyonder.co.uk" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:jabdog@blueyonder.co.uk"><U><U>jabdog@blueyonder.co.uk</U></U></A></FONT></div> <div> 73</div> <div> <IMG SRC="35535330.jpg" border=0 width="53" height="51" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">G3OOU</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="510" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="500"><div> <B>Diary of External Events</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="500"><div> No Rallies have been advised in December</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 ><NOBR><div> <B>17 JAN 2010 - DOVER AMATEUR RADIO CLUB RALLY</B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 38 WIDTH="500"><div> Whitfield Village Hall, Dover CT16 3LY. Talk In via GB3KS. Details at www.DARC.org.uk <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://"><U><U>www.DARC.org.uk</U></U></A></FONT></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 39 WIDTH="500"><div> <B>A full list of rallies and events may be found at </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.rsgb.org/events/index.php" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.rsgb.org/events/index.php"><U><B><U>http://www.rsgb.org/events/index.php</U></B></U></A></FONT><B> </B></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <B>News from other Clubs</B></div> <div> <B>Club Secretaries</B> - please send your meeting programs to Bob G3OOU. Our newsletter is now published during the third week of each month and closes for editorial input at the end of the second week. Due to differing publication dates and short lead times it is sometimes difficult to include other clubs' specific events although we will endeavour to do so if advised in time.</div> <div> <B>Chelmsford Amateur Rado Society (CARS)</B></div> <div> Secretary Martyn Medcalf G1EFL Tel: 01245-469008. First Tuesday of each month at MASC, Beehive Lane, Great Baddow, Chelmsford, CM2 9RX. Essex. UK. Web: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.g0mwt.org.uk" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.g0mwt.org.uk"><U><U>www.g0mwt.org.uk</U></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <B>Coulsdon (CATS) </B>2<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >nd</FONT> Monday every month, 8pm at St Swithun's Church Hall, Grovelands Road, Purley. Contact: Andy Jackson G8JAC, 020 8651 2727, <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="mailto:G8JAC@champ1,freeserve.co.uk" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:G8JAC@champ1,freeserve.co.uk"><U><U>G8JAC@btinternet.com</U></U></A></FONT></div> <div> 14 Dec - AGM</div> <div> <B>Echelford Amateur Radio Society</B></div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:patrick@yarg.demon.co.uk" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:patrick@yarg.demon.co.uk"><U>Secretary Tony Collier 2E1IDK, 01932 564099 email: </U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="mailto:anthony991collier@btinternet.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:anthony991collier@btinternet.com"><U><U>anthony991collier@btinternet.com</U></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:anthony991collier@btinternet.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:anthony991collier@btinternet.com"><U>Web site: http://beam.to/ears</U></A></div> <div> Meets on 2<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >nd</FONT> and 4<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> Thursday of each month.</div> <div> Phone for details.</div> <div> <B>Mitcham & District Amateur Radio Society</B></div> <div> Secretary: Mike Knott G0WCR, 76 New Barnes Avenue, Mitcham, Surrey, CR4 1LF.</div> <div> Tel: 020 8764 4716</div> <div> Phone for details</div> <div> <B>Reigate Amateur Transmitting Society</B></div> <div> Secretary: Tim Trew G8JXV</div> <div> Tel: 01293 775278. Email <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="mailto:rats@qsl.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:rats@qsl.net"><U><U>rats@qsl.net</U></U></A></FONT></div> <div> Please note the change of meeting day to the 3rd Thursday, 7:30pm at RNIB Redhill College, Philanthrophic Road, Redhill</div> <div> <B>Surrey Radio Contact Club (SRCC)</B> 1<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >st</FONT> and 3<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >rd</FONT> Monday every month, 8pm at Trinity School, South Croydon. Contact: Ray Howells G4FFY on 020 8644 7589 or <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="mailto:secretary@g3src.org.uk" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:secretary@g3src.org.uk"><U><U>secretary@g3src.org.uk</U></U></A> </FONT>for more details.</div> <div> <B>Sutton & Cheam RS.</B> 3<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >rd</FONT> Thursday every month, 8pm at Sutton United FC, The Borough Sports Ground, Gander Green Lane, Sutton. Contact John Puttock G0BWV on 020 8644 9945</div> <div> 10 Dec - Christmas Junk Sale</div> <div> 21 Jan - 'D-Star' by Chris Howard M6HUD</div> <div> 18 Feb - 'An Introduction to Military Communications' by Mike O'Beirne G8MOB</div> <div> <B>Wimbledon. </B>2<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >nd</FONT> and last Friday every month, 8pm at Martin Way Methodist Church, Buckleigh Avenue, Merton Park, SW19 9JZ. Contact Jim Bell, M0CON on 020 8874 7456</div> <div> 11 Dec - Christmas Social</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>