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@ M5 Communications
Moto Services Area, Junction 30 M5 South
Exeter EX2 7HF. Tel: 01392 367097
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What's On?
Monday 28th May 2012 HF DX operations. Club members will taking turns to do HF DX QSOs with international contacts, using the club's long-wire antenna.
Sunday 3rd - Friday 8th June 2012 New EARS member Tony M0THJ will be mobile in France from mid-morning to midnight on 14.250 to 14.260 MHz and 7.140 MHz. Listen out for F/M0THJ/M and try a QSO with him.
Monday 11 June 2012 "Construction for under-a-fiver night". Bring along an amateur radio gadget that you have built for under £5 and show the club.
Tuesday 19th June 2012 There will be an EARS breakfast at Fresha's Cafe in Sowton at 09:30.
Monday 25 June 2012 Amateur radio test equipment night. Bring along any amateur radio test equipment that you have so that club members can see it in action.
What has been on?
| Monday 14th May 2012 Aerial design and construction. Keith G7NBU brought in a variety of whip aerials looking for a good home. | ||
| Allan G4TKV brought assembled his show-stopper multiband HF aerial. John G8XQQ gave practical talk on aircraft VHF and HF aerials. | ||
| Nick 2E0NRJ brought in a refurbished PC (thanks to Mid Devon District Council) and with a screen donated by Ivor G6ATJ, the whole club moved a bookcase and computer desk to offer an integrated audio and data operations area. |
Monday 23rd April 2012 CW Operations Night. Members brought their keys and oscillators. Alan G4TKV gave a talk about his experiences of learning Morse code and building up to 20 wpm. He offered welcome advice on direct tone-to-character learning without the use of mnemonics. His insights into shorthand, abbreviations, punctuation and operational speed-ups was very valuable. A few club members are now fired up to do their first CW QSO this summer.
Geoff M0UWD has a set of CDs containing morse lessons at various speeds, which club members are welcome to borrow. "Just Learn Morse Code" was mentioned as a useful software program for self-learning. It run under Windows or under Linux with Wine.
Nick 2E0NRJ showed video of his visit to the National Radio Centre and their luxurious "shack".
Tuesday 10th April 2012 At 09:30 a.m. there was an EARS Breakfast at the Fresha Cafe in Sowton.
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Monday 26th March 2012 At 7 p.m. a club meeting was held in the Moose Centre to plan the club's participation in the WAB Olympic Torch event when it passes through Exeter on 20th May. It was decided that due to the last minute change of dates, that EARS would not have the resources to participate. The pictures and commentary of the meeting (seen below) are from Ivor G6ATJ.
Thursday 15th March 2012 Exeter Raynet participated in South West Raynet's biggest ever Inter County Exercise after 7 p.m. on Haldon Hill. Using Exeter Raynet's now famous "Hub" a network backbone of talk-through transmitter sites from Cornwall and the Channel Islands to Gloucestershire enabled operators at each County Hall to send voice and data messages.
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At Exeter County Hall, Tony M0THJ sent simulated emergency messages with voice and data to the Mendip Control Centre via Haldon Hill and Purbeck. Sixteen communication posts had been set up in the preceding hours, which resulted in verifying that using computer data to send emergency messages was more accurate and efficient than voice traffic.
Monday 12th March 2012 The club held its Annual General Meeting in the Moose Centre. All the club officers were re-elected unopposed to their current positions.
Chairman: Keith G7NBU
Secretary: Geoff M0UWD
Treasurer: John G4AP
Newsletter: Alan G4TKV
Committee: Keith G6FXH, John G8XQQ
Publicity: Nick 2E0NRJ
Raynet members set up and verified their radios and computers for the SW Raynet ICE-10 Exercise on Thursday evening.
Sunday 4th March 2012 The Exeter Radio and Electronics Rally was held in America Hall, Pinhoe, Exeter. As usual a very full attendance and brisk trade in the Bring and Buy section. Thanks to Ivor G6ATJ for capturing the moment with these pictures. |
Monday 27th February 2012 A club meeting was held in the Moose Centre, where members talked about plans for the Olympics Torch relay, the SW Raynet ICE-10 exercise, Arduino and Xbee. |
Monday 13th February 2012 A second Film Evening was held in the Moose Centre. It featured the second part of the crystal oscillator engineering and comparing it to ring oscillators. Thanks to Ivor G6ATJ for organizing this event.
Monday 23rd January 2012 A Film Night will be held in the Moose Centre. "VHF" made by Pye Telecoms in 1955 for the company's sales force was shown. Ivor G6ATJ also showed many other films about the manufacture of Mullard CRTs, early transistor radios and Cambridge in the 1960s. Thanks to Ivor and Phil 2E0PCJ for the loan and use of their video projection equipment.
Tuesday 17th January 2012 There was an EARS Breakfast at the Fresha Cafe on the Sowton Industrial Estate. |
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Sunday 15th January 2012 There was a very successful Raynet Data Working Group Devon-Dorset Test on Haldon Hill at 10 am in the Haldon Diner car park. Data was successfully transmitted from Kit Hill, Callington to West Creech Hill, Dorset on VHF/UHF using our Raynet repeater. BPSK500 was found to operate perfectly.
Monday 9th January 2012 There was a club meeting at the Moose Centre. Technical aspects of the Raynet Data Working Group Devon Dorset Test on Sunday were discussed.
Tuesday 20th December 2011 The pre-Christmas EARS Breakfast at Freshas Cafe on the Sowton Industrial Estate. |
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Wednesday 14th December 2011 The club held its annual Christmas Party and Skittles Night at the Moose Centre. |
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Keith G6FXH won the highest skittles score of the evening. Theo G3EQM's team trounced Ivor G6ATJ's by one point! |
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Monday 28th November 2011 Discussion evening where John G8XQQ referred to an extremely useful Icom Cloning Interface design that can be used to program every Icom product from a computer. John built the circuit, mounted it in a box with cables running to a DB9 RS232 interface on the computer, a battery and a 3.5mm phono plug and RJ-45 plug. Costing only a couple pounds it does the work of the advertised Icom product that costs 20 times as much.
Matt M6GLP was looking for antenna solutions and John G8XQQ recommended a Bazooka antenna as a low cost, easy-to-build VHF antenna that could get him wider coverage quickly. Several design options were discussed, but the Emergency Bazooka was seen to be the best solution.
Geoff M0UWD also introduced advanced planning Exeter Amateur Radio Society's participation in the May 2012 Worked All Britain award special event station that is part of the 2012 Olympics Torch Relay. On the 20th May, EARS plans to operate on 40m, 80m and 2m.
Sunday 27th November 2011Raynet members on Woodbury Common participate successfully in the Raynet Inter County Exercise 9. This exercise linked computers across the region so that emergency information could be passed between Plymouth, Jersey, Guernsey, Exeter, Dorchester, Westbury and the the Mendips. |
Monday 14th November 2011 Club night at the Moose Centre where John G8XQQ configured PMR receivers and we evaluated the performance of a Clansman radio. |
Tuesday 25th October 2011 09:30 EARS Breakfast (short video) at Terry's Restaurant , Sidwell Street, Exeter EX4 6NN.
Monday 24th October 2011 Club night at the Moose Centre with Nick 2E0NRJ presenting a short talk on data modes then showing how to install and configure Fldigi and the G4ZLP Digimaster Pro+ interface unit. Using the information on the CDs distributed by John G8XQQ members were able to start using the most popular modes BPSK31 and BPSK125. He recommended a useful reference for recognising different data modes by their display and sound. 70% of club members are now installing interface units and learning to use the modes.
Monday 10th October 2011 Exeter ARS successfully transmitted and received its first colour images on VHF using the Fldigi MFSK-64 Picture mode. In a scene reminiscent of Raymond Baxter's famous 1962 Goonhilly reception of the first Telstar images, Exeter club members gathered to watch the line-by-line appearance of a picture of a club member's grandchild appear on a computer. Ivor G6ATJ was delighted to have initiated the first successful transmission. |
Ivor G6ATJ configures his Kenwood handy and laptop running Fldigi, while on the other side of the club John G8XQQ makes sure all the controls are correctly set. A combination of data speeds, colour and monochrome images were tried. Using MFSK-64, a 80 Kbytes (200 x 400 pixels) image takes less than a minute to receive. A colour version takes about two minutes. MFSK-16 transmission times are four times longer. |
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On completion of the reception of the image the audio modulation sounds like an alarm to indicate to the receiving operator that the image is ready for saving. The centre audio frequency (1500 Hz) must be correctly set at each end otherwise Fldigi will not correctly decode the image header and trigger the image handling program. |
Monday 26 September 2011 Club night at Moose Centre where members evaluated many data modes on 2m FM between three computers and transceivers. John G8XQQ, Ivor G6ATJ and Nick 2E0NRJ used PSK31, Domino, Feld-hell, RTTY, Throb, PSK250, PSK500 enabling them to learn how to use Fldigi software with base stations and a handy. |
Data mode trials between Exeter, Cullompton and Crediton occurred on the following evening on 2m. A selection of interfaces were used: homebrew, Digimaster Pro+ and a straight connection.
Ian M1FHU from the Burnham Beeches Radio Club visited and is intending to join EARS. Welcome to Ian!
Monday 12 September 2011 Club night at Moose Centre reviewing yesterday Raynet participation at the NSPCC Hack at Dawlish Warren. Also planning a data mode demonstration and participation with other amateur groups. Congratulations to Andy 2E0KMP and Nick 2E0NRJ on passing their recent Intermediate Licence examination.
Monday 22 August 2011 Club night at Moose Centre where Nick M6NRJ demonstrated his home-brew 3.5 MHz VFO and everyone assisted in determining how to improve its operation.
Monday 8 August 2011 Club night at Moose Centre. Examination of an unidentified ex-PMR VHF radio and reconstructing its use by analyzing the circuitry.
Monday 25 July 2011 Club night at Moose Centre where Keith VK50Q gave a short talk about amateur radio in Australia, especially at his local club, the Elizabeth Amateur Radio Club in North Adelaide. He told our EARS meeting about the Wireless Institute of Australia, club activities, his shack and the WIA Emergency Communications network. Of special interest were his observations of working on 3.4, 5.7 and 10 GHz. He also described the evolution of the very popular VK5JST antenna analyzer, which has received many positive reviews for its design and cost. Many thanks to Keith for such an interesting talk at short notice. Have a great trip back home.
Monday 11 July 2011 Club night at Moose Centre.
Monday 26 June 2011 Video night at Moose Centre with the showing of:
- Space Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment in July 1985 by US ham/astronaut Tony England W0ORE
- The Secret Life of the Radio by engineer/cartoonist Tim Hunkin (1989)
| Monday 13 June 2011 Club night at Moose Centre where Alan G4TKV demonstrated his home-brew 10 MHz CW transceiver. Featuring a 7 watt output it is a miracle of compact design and engineering. | ||
The club also contacted Dave G6XUV, Peter G3ZVI and Peter 2E0DYM using the new GB3SW repeater which has moved from Honiton to the Norman Lockyer Observatory near Sidmouth . Finally, congratulations to Andy M6AZA on obtaining his licence! |
Monday 23 May 2011 Showing of two films illustrating the manufacture of radio valves. The first showed the detailed construction of a Mullard EF80 from its beginnings in a titanium ore crusher through to glass welding the final product, sometime in the 1950s. The second featured testing of 1920s Osram valves such as the VMS46(?), A fascinating look at industrial Britain generations ago.
Monday 9 May 2011 Club night at the Moose Centre, with Nick M6NRJ giving a talk (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) about "Software Defined/Designed Radio - user experiences". Specific links are: |
Monday 11 April 2011 Club night at the Moose Centre featuring Keith G7NBU's recent assembly of his Small Wonder Labs 30m CW transceiver kit. Keith G6FXH brought in his PSU to find the intermittent fault on it. Alan G4TKV showed his home-brewed 1296 MHz interdigital filter for the 23 cms band and noted that at these frequencies prototyping means production. And everyone lamented the impending closure of QSL communications in Western Super Mare as it is the club's closest ham shop. Southgate ARC report that they close on April 21but open between May 10 and 31 to sell off the last items.
Saturday 9 April 2011 Exeter Raynet provide communication services for the Exeter Night Walk in aid of the Macmillan Cancer Support and Exeter Leukemia Fund. Picture Gallery
| Monday 28 March 2011 Exploring QRP beacons on HF, Raynet planning for the 2011 Macmillan Ladies Night Walk, SHF experiments and planning future talks. |
Monday 14 March 2011 AGM at the Moose Centre. The following officers have been unanimously re-elected:
Chairman: Keith G7NBU
Secretary: Geoff M0UWD
Treasurer: John G4AP
Newsletter: Alan G4TKV
Committee: Keith G6FXH, John G8XQQ
Publicity: Nick M6NRJ
Monday 28 February 2011 Club night discussing 4m antenna designs and Echolink at the Moose Centre.
Monday 14 February, 2011 John G8XQQ shows how to test an Ascom 70 MHz transceiver using a fully automated Marconi test test. |
Saturday 12 February, 2011 Nick M6NRJ tries his first SOTA expedition to High Willhays on Dartmoor. |
Monday 24 January 2011 Club night at the Moose Centre. Theo G3EQM conducted CW practice from his QTH to the club.
Monday 10 January 2011 Club night at the Moose Centre. Dean G0UIL and Steve M0ZZT talked about the progress with their Easysat venture.
Monday 13 December, 2010 Christmas Skittles Night at the Moose Centre and the presentation of the Exeter Amateur Radio Society Lifetime Membership Award to Theo G3EQM (John Theobald). Theo has been a member of the EARS for 46 years. He is an encouragement to us all because of his enthusiasm, professionalism, thoroughness, patience, reliability and cheerfulness. |
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Keith G7NBU, Chairman of EARS makes the surprise speech to Theo and presents him with a plaque.Theo can barely believe he is the centre of attention and is genuinely astonished. |
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The food is spread out and everyone peers deeply into the plates to select the most tasty bits. In the background the bar does a roaring trade and festive oldies play on the P/A! |
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Time for some serious skittles and another devastating down-the-edge ball from our Chairman makes sure that his side wins. |
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Monday 21th November, 2010. Welcome back to Tony for the first time since April! |
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Dean G0UIL and Steve M0ZZT came along to tell us about the progress with their Easysat system since their demonstration to us in July. |
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Monday 8th November, 2010. Foundation Exam practical tests for Dave with Theo G3EQM. Antenna design discussions and review of the club's (Theo's) MHJ antenna analyzer. Review of Raynet participation at the Exeter Round Table Fireworks Display. |
| Monday 25th October, 2010. Foundation practical exam night at the Moose Centre for Dave. Testing VHF handies and learning CW. |   Matt M6ULP gets ready to try some CW. |
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Monday 11th October, 2010. CW Net Night at the Moose Centre, with Theo G3EQM hosting Morse training sessions from his QTH to club members. Geoff M0UWD demonstrated his recently constructed Cumbria Designs Morse Code Reader kit. |
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Phil 2E0PCJ told us all about his gigantic marrow. Nick M6NRJ put the most interesting parts of the RSGB 2011 Yearbook on line in the Members Only Section. |
Monday 27th September, 2010. Club night at the Moose Centre.
Monday 13th September, 2010. Club night at the Moose Centre to review the successful Raynet support of the NSPCC Hack at Bicton on the previous day and to plan future capability expansion..
Sunday 12th September, 2010. Exeter Raynet team assist with the 25 mile NSPCC Hack around Bicton in East Devon. |
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| Monday 23th August, 2010. Club night at the Moose Centre with the team helping fault-find a Yaesu-897D intermittent audio/squelch problem. |   Alan G4TKV, Geoff M0UWD, John G8XQQ and Keith G7NBU study the troublesome transceiver. |
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Monday 9th August, 2010. Club night at the Moose Centre, reflecting on all the bargains from the Flight Refueling ARS Hamfest.
| Monday 26th July, 2010. Club night at the Moose Centre with Dean G0UIL and Steve M0ZZT demonstrating Dean's Easysat satellite tracking system. |   Dean G0UIL and Steve M0ZZT almost ready to demonstrate EasySat to the club. |
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Monday 12th July, 2010. Club BBQ at Keith's (G7NBU) QTH.
| Monday 28th June, 2010. Club night at the Moose Centre rebuilding and sorting the library. |   John G8XQQ, Geoff M0UWD and John G4AP rebuild the EARS library. |
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| Monday 14th June, 2010. Club night at the Moose Centre, with Nick M6NRJ demonstrating his Elektor Software Defined Radio running with G8JCFSDR software and DREAM Digital Radio Mondial software. He also showed how to use a shortwave receiver and a laptop PC running FLDIGI to monitor many types of modulated signals. | ||
| Monday 24th May, 2010. Club night at the Moose Centre with Nick M6NRJ testing G8JCFSDR and DREAM using the Elektor SDR board. |   Matt M6ULP using the Elektor SDR and G8JCFSDR program |
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| Monday 10th April, 2010. Club night at the Moose Centre. Alan G4TKV demonstrated his Pixie QRP CW transceiver. |   Alan G4TKV homebrew Pixie transceiver |
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| Monday 24th April, 2010. Club night at the Moose Centre. Cabling and assembling GX4ARE. |   Keith G6FXH operating GX4ARE |
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Monday 12th April, 2010. Club night at the Moose Centre. Working HF stations to correctly identify the antenna cables from the roof.
Monday 22nd March, 2010. Club night at the Moose Centre. A trip down memory lane where Alan G4TKV demonstrated his beautifully crafted crystal set and we all listened to BBC Radio Devon!
Monday 8th March, 2010. Club night at the Moose Centre.
Sunday 7th March Exeter Radio and Electronics Rally, America Hall, de la Rue Way, Pinhoe Exeter. From 10:30 to 15:30
Monday 1st March, 2010. Annual AGM at the Moose Centre. Agenda in the Members Only section. The following officers have been elected:
Chairman: Keith G7NBU
Secretary: Geoff M0UWD
Treasurer: John G4AP
Newsletter: Alan G4TKV
Committee: Keith G6FXH, Paul M0GMO, John G8XQQ
Publicity: Nick M6NRJ
Club Meeting Themes 2012
| 28 May: HF DX operations 11 June: Construction for under-a-fiver 25 June: Amateur radio test equipment 9 July: 4m ex-PMR operations 23 July: Limited space dipoles 13 Aug: Fldigi Tutorial 27 Aug: No meeting 10 Sept: Video night 24 Sept: Designing "My dream shack" 8 Oct: Crystal sets, valve and vintage radios 22 Oct: CW practice and operations 12 Nov: HF DX operations 26 Nov: PC Clinic 10 Dec: Bring Something Interesting 19 Dec: Skittles Night |
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