15th December Club members enjoyed laughter, gaiety, booze and dancing girls at Bills restaurant. This was the usual Christmas get-together to eat and drink heartily. We are hidden away upstairs at Bills to prevent complaints from other [downstairs] patrons regarding noise and food fights that invariably break out during this festive gathering.

( Not really, but maybe one day.......)

14th November Jason and Larry (M7SKA) took the foundation license exam and passed, Jason awaits his M7 callsign from Ofcom (UPDATE...He is now M7JOY). He is hoping to get M7ORG or M7PYL (But he didn't!). Ask him why when you talk to him....the website cannot possibly comment.

12th September Slade (M6SQB - at the time of writing!) is congratulated by Harry (M0IHT) and Jason (SWL) on passing his Radio Amateur Intermediate exam with flying diodes!!! He scored about 87%; gaining the license will now allow him to transmit at 50W maximum (up from 10W), as well as many other privileges and responsibilities. He is now looking forward to getting a 2E0 call with similar letters to his M6 call. "Where to now Slade?" I asked. "Why, the FULL license of course!"

N.B. No diodes actually flew in the exam room.....just colours.

8th September 2018 Exeter Raynet members were asked to provide radio comms for the Moor2sea cycling event, which saw cycling enthusiasts complete 3 routes around the South West. The area covered was quite large for reliable VHF/UHF comms, but on the day all computer predictions (based on distance, antenna height, power and terrain) were proved incorrect, as comms were 100% !
Pictures show operators Slade M6SQB and Keith G7NBU at Raynet control Exeter Racecourse, and shots from Heatree Activity Centre, near Manaton.

22nd August 2018 Jason (SWL) is experimenting with dipoles, and gleaning information in readiness for his foundation exam. Slade M6SQB is meanwhile gaining experience with circuits and components in readiness for his intermediate exam. See how they get on after their exams!

16th July 2018 John G8XQQ is finalising the replacement wiring & connections for GB3EX, aided & abbetted by Pete G3ZVI, Slade M6SQB and Keith G7NBU

23rd May 2018 The use of Fldigi software for Raynet operators was explained by Pete, G3ZVI and John, G8XQQ.

9th May 2018 Members met to discuss various hand-held radios that they owned. Dual band FM as well as D-Star, DMR and CFusion handies were shown. Keith G7NBU gave a presentation on Contest stations - how to build a efficient (but probably very costly) station, as well as things NOT to do.

29th April 2018 Another highly successful radio rally was held at America Hall. This was the rally that had to be postponed from the 4th March, thanks to " the beast from the east " !

11th April 2018 Harry M0IHT reported how a geo storm ruined propagation on HF recently, he also talked about a voacap software he runs to help with predictions. Nick 2E0NXB from silverton visited the club and wanted to know about DMR so the argument of DMR vs d star vs Fusion was discussed and John and Pete talked about plans regarding a DMR repeater for the Exeter area in the near future

28th March 2018 Harry M0IHT, gave a fascinating talk on the "stealth" aerials hidden away in his loft. One of our members who had seen the loft, remarked that it resembled an indoor aerial farm. The presentation (in pdf format) along with some website links, can be viewed here

14th March 2018 The Annual General Meeting was held at Sunnylands Room, America Hall.

28th February 2018 Slade M6SQB discussed data modes and gave a simple guide to getting started.

14th February 2018 Members with experiences of using magnetic loop antennae met to discuss ideas and to show any loops they had built.

24th January 2018 Contesting! Club members with experience of contesting gave their experiences and tips and tricks including software etc. There was a discussion about starting a contest group within the club.

3rd January 2018 Raspberry Pi Challenge launch - Slade M6SQB launched the Raspberry Pi Challenge for club members.