INDEX AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ISSUE No.21 JUNE 1987 Page 1................Index Page 2................From the Chair Page 3................ Page 4................Spring '87 Picnic Page 5................ Page 6................VSWR Page 7................ Page 8................Picnic update Page 9................USSR Call signs Page 10...............Events '87 Page 11/12/13.........Club Constitution Page 14...............EGM Proposal Final date for articles etc for August..July 19th. Editor................Dave Chislett G4XDU Technical Editor......Dave Lomas G4XOW Printer...............Dave Ayres G6GBC Computer Editor.......Mike Brown G4RAA **************************************************************** B.B.R.C. COMMITTEE Chair.................Dave Chislett G4XDU Secretary.............John Pumfrey G8SNH Treasurer.............David Ayres G6GBC Members...............Dave Lomas G4XOW ...............Paul Shayler G6TSF Others....... Publicity.............Eileen Chislett G6EIL Library...............Richard G6RTM Equipment.............John G1LMI Licences..............Peter G4XGD Meetings: 1st and 3rd Monday in the month at 8.00pm in Room 48 Haymill Youth & Community Centre 112 Burnham Lane Slough SL1 6LZ From the Chair.... During the next month we shall be having an EGM to discuss the Club Constitution. The last committee meeting was taken up mostly with the constitution and how the committee thought it should be altered to better reflect the club. The old constitution is now many years old and has been amended several times. The RSGB has also issued a draft constitution and the draft constitution which will be set before you will reflect this very much, with what we, the committee, think are sensible amendments. A copy of this draft proposal is available for your perusal on page 11. Should you have any ammendments to add to this draft you should give these in writing to the secretary (G8SNH) as early as possible and no later than June 23rd. Just recently several members of the club have been experiencing failures with their rigs. We tend to think that the modern rigs will go on for ever. When most of the equipment contained valves we expected to replace them frequently and wouldn't be surprised if resistors and capacitors (condensers) failed. However, when you look at the abuse some rigs get it isn't surprising that they give up the ghost! My own wonder has been well used not at home but at club events. It has suffered reverse volts infinite VSWR being bumped up and down hills, and the final insult modification and yet has only just given up with a sagging PA transistor. I often wonder how much of the earlier valved equipment would still be going strong, given this abuse. I think few of us would want valved gear back except the Hi-Fi buffs, but will the very latest generation of equipment be around as long as the KW2000. Who will repair them when eventually they fail? Not, I think the manufacturer. Having some experience with modern surface mounted component equipment repair I think the very latest rigs, will, when they go wrong be thrown on the rubbish dump. Not a very good investment. Perhaps they will mourn the old faithful FT101 then! Fastext, teletext comes of age. Heralded as a leap forward we computer buffs have been enjoying fastext for a long time, but more importantly telesoftware. Just recently I acquired a teletext decoder to use with the trusty "Beeb" Although the IBA has computer pages and some software for downloading (telesoftware) it has been the BBC who have led the way. Every week you can download many programmes or programme notes. All programmes come with notes on how to use them, and the quality of programmes is very good. To give a recent example a full macro assembler for 6502/65C02 assembly programming was downloaded. The code was for use in the sideways area of the BBC micro series and could be blown into eprom. Along with the rom software came the manual 128K bytes of it some 80 pages A4. The promise of software from the ITV for other machines than the BBC seems to open up a new avenue for good software. While on the subject of software at the talk on Forth, Duncan donated a Fig forth language programme for the BBC computer anyone wishing a copy should contact me. LATE NEWS: The editor of Beechlog Jim G3PBA has recently suffered a bereavement in his family, his daughter who was only in her twenties. The club extends its sympathies to Jim and his family at this difficult time. If there is anything we can do Jim please let us know. We hope to see you back amongst us soon. LATE LATE NEWS: It seems that Class 'B' operators have been given both the 50 Mhz and 70 Mhz bands plus it seems we have had added an extra 1 Mhz to the 50 Mhz band. Dave G4XDU Chair BBRC Area Rep RSGB Windsor, Maidenhead & Slough The Spring '87 BBRC DX Picnic The usual venue for the DX picnic was used. That is to say the Chairs farmer friend Robin, once again agreed for us to use his field on Kop Hill at Princes Risborough, IO91OR. The weather had worsened from the previous glorious weekend but good enough for us we thought. Saturday morning saw a build up of members arriving on site and gently and sometimes chaotically things were unloaded from cars and put up. First was the clubs extending mast with the Chairs rotator and the club 2Mtr 10 element vertical plus 10 element horizontal aerial. This was followed by Paul's portable mast with my homemade 2Mtr slim jim aerial. Bobs (G0BTY) H.F. folded square multi-band thingy on a long pole went up next and a H.F. inverted 'V' was pulled up onto it also. The Chairs H.F. vertical and 70cms beam on a lightweight mast then was followed finally by a 10Mtr vertical. A proper aerial farm! While all this was going on, Dave (G4XOW) was putting up the operating tent and equipment was being put in. Lunch of whatever kind was snatched during this melee, some with salads, some with sandwiches, others with doughnuts. Odd (wrong word) personal tents went up and a place was found for the generator. This is slightly tricky as it cannot go more than 12Mtrs away from the equipment but must be as far downwind as possible in order that the operator(s) can hear the radio more than the generator. The tents, also sheltering downwind needed to be where both the barbeque and the generator also needed to be. This caused some QRNancy to be generated which then became the accepted mode for the whole dxposition, everyone having little digs at everybody else in a good humoured way. The wind on the hill meanwhile was getting a little mean and pegs were knocked in a little further to show we meant to stay regardless. The afternoon was taken up getting the equipment tweaked up, tuned in, connected up,( do you mean Tune in, turn on, drop out really! :Ed) and apart from packet and Bobs square thingy all the stuff worked. So H.F., 2 and 70cms and 10mtrs were usable with FM SSB RTTY AMTOR and PHONE. The packet problem was solved next day with another computer terminal, it not being known why the first one would not do Packet as it was happy with RTTY and AMTOR. Must have been an old fashioned one I guess. Hi. There was a Barbeque both evenings using our own food but cooking on the club fire. It was very enjoyable sitting round an open fire poking ones banger or burger and chatting with ones clubmates and XYLs and even some harmonics. Don't they grow fast on those burnt bangers. The warmth of the fire was very welcome in the cold wind. A shower did not quite put the fire out and the food was steamed as well as barbequed. I could not taste any difference! Throughout the Bank Holiday the steady stream of operators had a go at all bands and all modes. Hopefully elsewhere in Beechlog is the QSO list. We hope Peter our logbook man will QSL them all. A fine time was had by all and the picnics radio contacts were more numerous than on previous occasions, this being mainly due to more hours available over the three days. I noted at least two possibly three people getting hooked on packet with this hands on experience. It is my main mode now but I worked it little as I was busy with my hands on HF that I can't normally work. I particulary enjoyed logging for Bob when he joined 'the family hour DX network' and picked up a country he needed. Really good experience for the likes of me who are still at the bottom of the learning curve. Why not join us next time. (September 12/13) You do not have to camp. Its not too far to come just for the day but you will miss the late night mike in one hand, beer in the other session(s). This is Gulp Free Whisky Iccup Radio/portable going QRT. John G1LMI. V.S.W.R This is a subject that seems to generate an endless number of articles and letters in the various electronic magazines. These try to explain but usually end up confusing most people. It is also quite interesting to listen to conversations on the air that sometimes include some dubious ideas. Some operators (particularly on CB), seem obsessed with getting the ultimate 1:1 VSWR. They also think that 12 watts of output power is going to make a real difference compared with 10 watts. There are good reasons for having a matched system, it prevents the cable acting as an aerial and prevents additional attenuation due to mismatch in long cables. Also it will ensure the transmitter is operating into the impedance it was designed for. In practice 1.5:1 is going to cause little problems. At the DX Picnics, we have been running on HF the FT7 on most of the bands into both a G5RV and a trapped vertical without an ATU. From the transmitter point of view, if the mismatch is too high, then output power and efficiency will change and if protection is fitted will result in a reduction of power. If there is no protection then damage to the output devices can result. If a mismatch is measured at the transmitter in a 50 ohm system of 2:1, then changing the cable length will not change the amount of mismatch. It will vary between multiples of a half-wavelength from the resistive extremes of 25 ohms to 100 ohms with other complex values inbetween. Two factors can change this: 1) If the cable is not exactly 50 ohms then the result of two mismatches occurs, Fig 1 shows the extremes of what will result. 2) If the loss in the cable is increased, then the mismatch will magically improve. Fig 2 shows this effect. Any other effects are probably because the measuring device is not accurately measuring a 50 ohm system. Dave G4XOW Picnic Update. All those of you who attended the DX picnic will be aware of the radio contacts that were made during the weekend. Elsewhere in this magazine there should be details of the general goings on, but I thought I would take the opportunity to update you on the radio side. This picnic we had HF as usual but with additional power 50watts. On 2Mtrs we only had 10 watts but a larger aerial. 70cms had 10Watts and a 19 ele beam. 10Mtrs 20watts max into a half wave vertical. Packet, RTTY and Amtor were available. Conditions on 2Mtrs were very flat but as usual there was a contest on so we managed a contact with France F6TNB one other station contacted was in Staffs G4UVM not bad given the poor conditions and the low power. After a poor start packet got going well with loads of stations heard and worked, reaching as far as Plymouth via other stations digipeating. On HF the wind took its toll of the Quad aerial, it took a while to work out that the ATU did a great job loading up the feeder. The HF5V trapped vertical was pressed into service and TA2G, KF4BU and VE3DJG were worked on 20Mtrs. The only Amtor contact was on 80Mtrs G4IBA we failed to work in ARQ mode due to the untried equipment but had a good chat in FEC mode. RTTY little activity but on 20Mtrs SP9AMH was worked. 10Mtrs FM was quite interesting EA5CHT was our best DX. Our best DX must have been a 20Mtr contact the station was in Princes Risborough we like to think it was by the long path!!! Considering the problems with aerials, no one noticed the 2Mtr beam had turned through 180 degrees, and the lack of a really effective HF aerial I think we did very well. Dave G4XDU During the event it seems that one member who was there for the first time, and therefore not used to the weather, threatened to 'string the Chair up in the woods'. He didn't have his wish however, but his LandRover took its revenge and connected with the Chairs head. He was taken to Hospital and received three stitches and went home to sleep in a comfortable bed on the Sunday night. I can report that yours truly is non the worse for the cut head and some may say there is a slight improvement, it has knocked some sense into him!!! Ed's Ed note: Really??! BBRC Club Events 1987 EGM 6th JULY June 1st............Natter Nite + Films, Airport Radio 15th...........Visit to Gatwick Control Centre July 6th............EGM +Getting ready for the rally. 19th...........McMichael'87 Mobile Rally 20th...........Radio Control. Demonstration August 3rd............Foxhunt 17th...........Design of a Digital Sound Desk. G4XDU September 7th............Packet Demonstration and natter nite 12/13th........Autumn DX Picnic 21st...........S.S.T.V. October 5th............Junk Sale 19th...........Pascal Computer Language. Tony Watson November 2nd............Natter Nite 16th...........HF Transceiver. From bits to cream box. G4XOW December 7th............Christmas Dinner 21st...........Natter Nite Please note that before all meetings held at the club HQ there will be a morse class. This is open to all members of the club 'A' licencees as well! During all meetings coffee and tea is available at 15p. If you can please bring a mug with you. If you have any plastic cups the club would be pleased to accept them. I would like to thank Dave G4XOW and Anne for the donation of a kettle. Club Constitution. The following is a draft copy of the proposed new club constitution. If you feel that there should be any additions or changes will you let the Secretary John G8SNH know in writing by June 23rd latest. The EGM will be held on the 6th July at 8.00pm. Please be prompt and do come as we need a quorum in order to pass the new constitution. The EGM will close as soon as possible and the club meeting 'Getting ready for the Rally' will then take place. Remember that before the EGM there will be the morse classes as usual. Burnham Beeches Radio Club Constitution 1.The Club shall be known as Burnham Beeches Radio Club. or the BBRC in abbreviated form. 2.The aims of the club shall be to further the interests of its members in all aspects of Amateur radio and directly associated activities. 3.Membership. Membership shall be open, subject to the discretion of the committee, to all persons interested in the aims of the club. Categories of Membership: a) Full Member. b) Student Member. A student being someone in full time education. c) Senior Citizen Member. d) Family Membership. e) Visitor. Visitors are those who attend three times or less in one membership year who are not an invited guest from another club. In (b) and (c) above subscriptions shall usually be at half the normal rate. In (d) above family means e.g Co habitors / father and son etc, at the discretion of the committee the subscription shall be one and a half the normal rate. 4.Subscriptions. a) The annual subscription for membership shall be set by the committee. b) All subscriptions shall be due and payable at the beginning of January. Members in arrears have no voting rights. c) A member shall have deemed to have resigned from the club if, by the first meeting in March subscriptions have not been paid. €PE d) The committee shall have the right to waive or reduce subscriptions in special circumstances for a period not exceeding one year. 5.Finance. All money received by the club shall be promptly deposited in the club's bank account. Withdrawals require the signature of the treasurer or chair and one other nominated officer of the club. 6.Committee. The club's affairs shall be administered by a committee elected at the Annual General Meeting. The committee, in whom the club's property shall be vested, shall consist of: a) Chair: who will preside at all meetings at which he/she is present. No member may hold this position for more than three consecutive years. He/she may be re-elected after a break of one year. b) Secretary: who will take minutes of all meetings of the committee, and at EGM's. c) Treasurer: who will be responsible for: i) keeping the clubs accounts. ii) advising the committee on all financial matters. iii) preparing the accounts for audit and presenting them at the AGM. d) Two ordinary members. e) Co-opted members who do not have voting rights on the committee. 7.Committee Standing Orders. a) The quorum for the committee shall be three members. In the absence of a quorum, business may be dealt with but any decisions taken only become valid after ratification at the next meeting at which a quorum exists. b) Committee meetings may be called by the Chair, the secretary or any three full members of the committee. c) The Chair may vote. In the event of a tie, he/she has a second casting vote. 8.Annual General meeting. a) The AGM will be held at the first meeting in March each year. At least 21 days notice shall be given either by letter or in the club's magazine. b) The quorum for the meeting shall be 51% of current membership. c) The agenda of the meeting shall be: i) Apologies for absence. ii) Minutes of previous AGM. iii) Chair's report. iv) Secretary's report. v) Treasurer's report. vi) Election of the new officers. vii) Election of auditors. viii) A.O.B. d) items (i) to (v) shall be chaired by outgoing Chair. Item (vi) by an elected Chair; all other business by the newly elected Chair. e) Nominations for committee shall only be valid if confirmed by the nominee at the meeting or previously in writing. f) Items for inclusion in AOB to be notified in writing to the Secretary by the last meeting in February. 9.Extraordinary General Meeting. a) EGM may be called by the committee or not less than seven members of the club. The date of the meeting being the earliest convenient as decided by the committee.At least 28 days notice in writing or in the club's magazine must be given by the Secretary. b) The quorum for the EGM shall be 51% of the current membership. 10.Amendments to the Constitution. The constitution may be amended only at an EGM called for that purpose. 11.Winding up the Club. a) The decision to wind up the club may only be taken at an EGM. b) In the absence of a quorum at such a meeting, a motion signed by 7 members shall constitute the same decision. c) The funds of the club, after sale of all assets and the payment of all outstanding debts, shall be deposited with the Radio Society of Great Britain, to be used for Amateur Radio in the area. Burnham Beeches Radio Club. NOTICE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that an EGM has been called on Monday 6th July 1987 at 8.00pm in Room 48 Haymill Youth & Community Centre 112 Burnham Lane Slough The following resolution has been agreed by the committee: That the members of the Burnham Beeches Radio Club accept the draft constitution as detailed on Pages 11/13 of Issue 21 of Beechlog, being a replacement for the existing constitution. Proposed by: Dave Chislett G4XDU Chair. Seconded by: Eileen Chislett G6EIL.