INDEX and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS JUNE 1984 1................Index 2................From the Chair 3................News & Views BBRC 1967 4................Absorption Wavemeter 5................Mr Baudot 6................Tech Eds Notes Library/Club Equipment 7................Radio 210 8................Talk-in Station 9................Foxhunt April ' 84 12...............Diary of Events 13...............Membership List 14...............Membership Form Editor................Dave Chislett G4XDW Technical Editor......Gerry Thorn G8VNA Printer...............Dave Ayres G6GBC ***************************************************************** B.B.R.C. Committee Chairman..............Dave Bentley G6LKZ Secretary.............Diana Betts G4MVV Treasurer.............Lynas Newton G6LYN Member................Mike Brown G4RAA Member................Martin Heaver G4WSW Library...............Dave Bentley G6LKZ Club Equipment........Dave Bentley G6LKZ **************************************************************** FROM THE CHAIR Once again it falls upon the new chairman to write his first "From the chair" for Beechlog, and I find it a pleasure to do so. Could I first thank all the members old and new for your continued support, as without it the club would not survive. I am sure the previous years members will join with me in thanking Dave Chislett, Peter Harman, Tony Alderman and David Ayers for the work they did for the club. They will be a hard act to follow. As last year, the club is again involved in organising the Home Counties McMichaels Mobile Rally on the 22nd July, and some of you have already volunteered for various tasks. Last years organisation of the talk-in station, signs and tent worked very well. However let us not rest too much on our laurels there is still much to do in order to put on just as good a show as last year. As I put pen to paper there are various events being planned for the summer including the visit to the IBA exhibition, and the special events station being run for the scouts in Langley Park, also the committee is exploring the possibilities of the club having a stand at the Slough Day Show in late August. It appears this year the content of the club has undergone a dramatic change as regards licencees. I remember a discussion in the club not so long ago to the effect that could we find enough G4's to run HF gear at a special event station, now we find that 'B' class licencees are in a minority in the club! I'm sure the 10 or so new G4's ( see news and views for call-sign details ED ) will agree with me when I say thank you to John & Diana Betts, Kevin Hadley and all the others who took part in the task of tutoring. Another thing that is in the wind is the possibility of the club moving to the new community centre at Haymill School. What! I hear you say I've heard this one before! well you are right. But we have had a letter from the people organising the project which is less non-committal than usual. Anyway enough for now and I hope that we can make the BBRC an active and popular club for everyone. €CE73's Dave G6LKZ €PE €HT2 130 NEWS AND VIEWS €HT2 129 A large number of the club members have changed callsigns recently. These are Dave G4XOW(8UJT) Greame G4XOF(noisey queen) Ted G4XOE(8ZBL) Peter G4XGD(8TBA) John G4XJN(6TXG) Dave G4XDW(8XCK) Martin G4WSW(6HTF). We wish them the best of luck on the new H.F bands. STOP PRESS:G4XPR (G6TXI) George. Just lately some of the old records of the club have come to light see article by Eileen. One item of interest is that the club became affiliated to the RSGB on the 17th March 1969. However it was agreed to apply at a meeting on the 10.12.67! The Fox-Hunt on the 8th April (a Sunday ) was poorly attended. After a bad start the Fox couldn't be heard until a new aerial was used, the Hunt ended with all contestants coming in within a few minutes of each other with no clues being given. The winner by 1 minute was G6EIL ably helped by G8XCK. Although G6DRP came in first he started 2mins before the winning team so was placed second. The Talk-in station for the Home Counties Mobile Rally will be at the QTH of G4WVX 3A Lincoln Hatch Lane, Burnham. Tele. Burnham 64415. A map and a list of people who are to operate the same are given elsewhere in this issue. €HT2 130 OUT AND ABOUT IN 1967 €HT2 129 The BBRC were very busy in the latter part of 1967. Two VHF contests were entered on 23rd July and 2nd/3rd September. In the July contest, 49 stations were worked despite the 4m beam having to be mended twice. It was replaced before the September contest! The club was also involved in Jamboree on the Air, as indeed it was in 1966, using the call sign GB2CS. Involvement with the scouts continued: on October 7th the BBRC ran a station at the Hedgerley Scout Troop Sale of Work on 80m using the club's G5RV (whatever happened to that, I wonder?). Later in the month, a demonstration station was run in Wilton Park for the Beaconsfield Scouts. So it was a busy and active year for BBRC: the end of year balance was #9.15s.7d. More history next time. Eileen G6EIL A WAVEMETER FOR 144MHz The principle of the absorption wavemeter is very simple. When a tuned circuit is placed in an RF field, maximum circulating current is induced when the circuit is tuned to resonance at the frequency of the RF field. This circulating current produces a voltage across the coil, part of which is tapped off and rectified to produce a current to operate a meter indicator. By tapping off only a small portion of the voltage across the coil the damping effect on the tuned circuit is quite small. The tuning of the wavemeter is quite sharp and certainly good enough to ensure selection of the correct harmonic of any crystal oscillator likely to be found in a 2mtr transmitter. Construction The variable capacitor C1 should be positioned as close to the inside edge of a plastic box as possible and the coil located adjacent to this side. This keeps the stray capacity to a minimum and ensures that the required range is covered. The coil is wound with 1.5mm diameter bare copper wire on a smooth rod former 9mm in diameter. With so few turns on the coil and by drilling only small holes to suit the wire gauge, the coil will be firm enough not to require any further fixing. A third hole is drilled through the case wall to allow connection of the detector diode. Calibration This can be carried out using a Dip oscillator or reliable signal generator to establish the coverage of the wavemeter. Care should be taken not to place the wavemeter too close to a dip oscillator coil if used as the frequency of the oscillator can easily be "pulled". Suitable calibration points can be marked onto the case using lettraset and protected using a light coat of varnish. GERRY G8VNA ************************************************************************** Mr Baudot.......... Or How Fast is your Morse Most of us as amateurs have come across the term Baud usually in respect of RTTY i.e 45.45 Baud. However some would be surprised to know that the term is really misused these days and has more to do with morse than computers. Did you know that you took the Post Office Morse test at 1 Baud? The dictionary states that the BAUD is The unit of telegraph signalling speed and is based on the duration of the shortest pulse of the code. Unit speed is 1 Baud or 1 pulse per second. Thus speed in Bauds S= n/60 where n= the number of elements per word. The morse speed of 100wpm = 80 Baud. The Baud was named after Baudot who was a pioneer of telegraphic Signalling. The term is these days misused and is used as the synonym for Bits per Second in computer jargon. Dave G4XDW. This issue of Beechlog apart from the front cover has been processed on a BBC computer. ED. TECH EDs NOTES Not very much to say about radio this month, but quite a lot on the building of an extension. The only major snag so far has been the drains. Any new work to drains requires an inspection when the job is complete, so to avoid trouble later on we ran a test on our drainage system. After about half an hour of filling the toilet pan (with the outlet in the manhole blocked) we thought that there had to be a leak somewhere. The next step was to dig up the garden to try and find the leak. After a few hours of digging and breaking concrete the leak could still not be found. Only one place left, the neighbour's garden. Just as well we're on good terms as we would have to dig under her brick built coalhouse and shed to replace the pipes. Just the thought of several hours trying to break up concrete 6 inches thick made me shudder. To make life easier we hired a KANGO to break up the concrete. In about half an hour the concrete had been removed. Luckily the pipes were only about 2 feet down. The break in the pipe was located just outside and under the neighbour's back door. Carroll soon knew when I had found the leak when I emerged from the hole green in the face and smelling disgusting. The difficult part now over all that was left was to replace the old pipes with new plastic ones and fill in the hole. Looking back I would say to anyone faced with a similar problem to have a go themselves as it really can be fun (I think). The extension is progressing quite well with all the drains and footings passed by the building inspector. Many thanks to Dave now G4XOW for the loan of his pond pump to drain the water from the trenches. P.S. Congrats to all with new G4 calls GERRY G8VNA. CLUB LIBRARY HF Antennas for all Locations Moxon 1981 Call Book RSGB Radio communications Handbook RSGB R.S Components Cataloque Confidential Frequency List + Supplement CLUB EQUIPMENT 1. 25ft Telescopic Mast/base/guys & pegs (G8TBA) 2. J-Beam 2mtr+70cms Beam/cables (G8TBA) 3. 4x23 ele JVL 23cms Beams (G8XCK) 4. Tent+Awning pegs (G8UJT) 5. G5RV HF Aerial/cable (G8TBA) 6. AM. HF Transceiver 'valves req' (G8XCK) RADIO 210 Due to the not inconsiderable efforts of Mike G4RAA, some of the members of the club made a visit to Radio 210 the independent local radio station for the Reading area on April 30th. I would just like to pass on some personal impressions of the visit. The actual station is hidden behind a large house up a country lane and the first impression I got of the place was it's size or lack of it. I must admit I expected a larger setup with aerials sprouting everywhere, but instead it was about the size of the club QTH. Having all assembled outside in the car-park, we advanced on reception where we were met by one of the engineers who also happened to be an Amateur and after signing the visitors book he started to show us around. In the reception area was a large Reel to Reel tape recorder which logs the whole of the transmission output. After entering the main building we were shown into the news room, which our guide assured us was like any other news room. On one of the desks was a teletype machine similar to my own which I use for RTTY. Also there was a terminal which received the output of independent news, this was used for composing news items. After the news room we were shown around the engineer's workshop which was an Aladdin's cave of equipment, and rather cosy to say the least. One particular gadget that caught my eye was a thing called a profanity delay, giving a 7 second delay to all incoming phone calls put out on air. The delay gave the engineers time to switch away in case of swearing etc. Just what we need on "SL". Other items shown were the hand held tranceivers used on outside broadcasts. Next port of call was a empty studio this was the business end of broadcasting. The D.J's control desk was a mass of switches and faders, it looked like an expensive piece of equipment but we were told it was one of the cheap ones. Following on from this we were taken into a studio which was in use. After a little talk by the D.J. we were asked to shout hello on the air. Instant fame! To sum it all up a very enjoyable time was had by all. The set up seemed to run very well despite being run on a shoestring budget. I must admit local radio appears less of a lavish setup than I imagined it to be. Dave G6LKZ. TALK-IN STATION DETAILS The following list is of members who promised help at the talk-in station for the Home Counties Mobile Rally 22nd July. Bruce Gilson G4WVX David Ayers G6GBC Brian Page G1BAP Richard Ashberry G6RTM Diana Betts G4MVV Paul Robinson G6DVC Paul Shayler G6TSF John Williamson G4XJN ****************************************************************** Map of QTH of G4WVX used for the Talk-in Station FOXHUNT-APRIL ' 84 G6DVC arrives at G4WSW's QTH with rig, DF loop and a bent Metro. Half an hour later G6DVC and G4WSW arrive at Upton Park. G4XDW + Co already there. G6DRP + Co arrive later - but we can't hear the Fox.(G8UJT) Eventually we receive a very weak signal from the fox, and take our first bearings. Windsor Great Park DF loops are good but you do need a rig as well Paul! or I didn't know that Concorde was a radio amateur. After going 3 miles the wrong way we noticed that the signal had got weaker! Sometime later we arrived at the wrong Pub. After taking another bearing we were on our way again. The 3 teams found the fox without being given any Clues! and we all arrived within 5 mins of each other. 1st G6EIL + G4XDW. 2nd G6DRP + Co. 3rd G6DVC + G4WSW. Contestants and fox enjoy a jar after the fun. G6TSF joins the festivities. Martin G4WSW B.B.R.C. Diary of Events 16th Jan G4HNL. Worked all Britain Award 6th Feb G8JMP. Airport Radio 20th Feb Surplus Equipment Sale 5th Mar A.G.M. 19th Mar Computer Forum 24th Mar VHF Convention (Sandown Park) 2nd Apr 23cms ATV G8LES 8th Apr(Sunday) FoxHunt 16th Apr Rally Discussion 28/29th Apr RSGB Exhibition (Birmingham) 30th Apr Visit to Radio 210(12 people max) 7th May Natter Nite 21st May Amtor/RTTY G3NRW (Ian Wade) 4th Jun FoxHunt (G4XDW Fox) 18th Jun St John Ambulance 24th Jun Mobile Rally (Longleat) 25th Jun Tour of IBA Exibition 2nd Jul 8th Jul(Sunday) Treasure Hunt 14/15th Jul Scouts Demostration Station 16th Jul 22nd Jul McMicheal (Home Counties Rally) 6th Aug FoxHunt 12th Aug(Sunday) Club Contest 20th Aug 3rd Sep Surplus Equipment Sale 8/9th Sep(W/END) DX Picnic(Field Day) 17th Sep 1st Oct 6th Oct(Saturday) Open Day (Confirmed) 15th Oct 28th Oct(Sunday) FoxHunt 5th Nov 19th Nov 3rd Dec 17th Dec ******************************************************* MEMBERSHIP LIST 001 Eileen Chislett G6EIL Sl.21896 002 Dave Chislett G4XDW Sl.21896 003 Tony Alderman G4LQD Fc.3286 004 David Ayres G6GBC Md.28108 006 Paul Shayler G6TSF Sl.41396 007 Bill Perkins SWL Sl.32171 008 Lynas Newton G6LYN Sl.75247 009 Mike Brown G4RAA Bn.4262 010 John Duel G6CHO GX.84366 011 Dave Lomas G4XOW Lt.Grn.2847 012 Ann Lomas SWL Lt.Grn.2847 015 John Betts G4HMG Iver.651652 016 Diana Betts G4MVV Iver.651652 017 Gerry Thorn G8VNA Wey.52775 018 Carroll Thorn SWL Wey.52775 021 Peter Harman G4XGD Sl.28826 022 David Tanswell G6LAU Iver 652412 024 Brian Page G1BAP Coln.5029 025 Dave Bentley G6LKZ Sl.25101 026 Kevin Hadley G4HDK 0734-731026 027 Graeme Platts G4XOF Sl.78495 029 Graham Stewart G6HEJ Fc.5897 030 Richard Ashberry G6RTM Sl.46012 031 Ted Swaby G4XOE Sl.75099 033 Dave Hemmins G6DRP Bn.64436 034 John Williamson G4XJN Sl.24008 035 George Wall G4XPR Fc.5954 038 Paul Robinson G6DVC Rslp.72125 041 Martin Heaver G4WSW ******** 042 Ron Howlett G1BSQ 0895-445006 043 Bruce Gilson G4WVX Bn.64415 044 Mike Thomson G6WNU ******** 045 Peter Phelps ***** ******** 046 Janette Phelps ***** ******** ************************************************************ Please note if your details are not correct please fill in the form on the back of the magazine and hand to a committee member. This will help us to keep the records up to date. ************************************************************ CHAIRMAN.............G6LKZ DAVE SECRETARY............G4MVV DIANA TREASURER............G6LYN LYNAS ORD'MEMBER...........G4RAA MIKE ORD'MEMBER...........G4WSW MARTIN THE BURNHAM BEECHES RADIO CLUB G3WIR G6WIR The Burnham Beeches Radio Club, affiliated to the Radio Society of Great Britain, serves the Slough/Windsor area, although it got its name from its original meeting place - or that vicinity. We meet twice a month, and our activities cover a wide range of topics related to radio communications, such as lectures, demonstrations, and club operating nights; there is also a keen interest in home computing among our members. We welcome members of any age and sex, who have an interest in Amateur Radio, whether they be licenced amateurs or 'Short Wave Listeners'. Meetings: 1st & 3rd Mondays of each Month at 8.00pm StJohn Ambulance Brigade HQ Burlington Road Slough. Secretary: Diana Betts G4MVV. Telephone. Iver 651652 ******************************************************************* MEMBERSHIP DATA FILE NAME:.................................... CALLSIGN:................ ADDRESS:................................. DATE:.................... ................................. TELEPHONE:............... ................................. POSTCODE:................ BANDS WORKED: HF( ) VHF( ) UHF( ) MODES USED: CW[ ] SSB[ ] FM[ ] RTTY[ ] ATV[ ] MAIN INTERESTS: (Building, contests, ATV, RTTY etc;) .................................................................. .................................................................. .................................................................. SUGGESTIONS FOR CLUB ACTIVITIES: .................................................................. .................................................................. .................................................................. COMPUTER INTEREST:........... MODEL:............................. [All details held in confidence by the committee] ******************************************************************