1

CCOOUULLSSDDOONN AAMMAATTEEUURR TTRRAANNSSMMIITTTTIINNGG SSOOCCIIEETTYY

G4FUR

M1FUR

CCAATTSS WWHHIISSPPEERRSS

June 2012

Affiliated to the RSGB

CCAATTSS CCoommmmiitttteeee

Chairman: Glenn Rankin, G4FVL Secretary: Steve Beal, G3WZK Treasurer: Steve Conway, G7SYO Members: Stuart Barber, G6CJR Frank Emery, G3ZMF Dennis Noe, M0NDJ James Flint, G0SDB

CATS Whispers Editor: Steve Beal, G3WZK

email address for contributions: newsletter@catsradio.org

RReegguullaarr SSoocciieettyy MMeeeettiinnggss These are held on the second Monday of each month at: St. Swithun's Church Hall, Grovelands Road, Purley, Surrey, CR8 4LA at 20:00 to 22:00

SSoocciieettyy NNeettss

1st Saturday of month - 17:15 - Crescenta Valley / CATS Net on Echolink/ GB3NS Sunday mornings - 11:00 - Call on 145.400 MHz ± QRM Sunday evenings - 17:00 - Call on 3.700 MHz ± QRM

Wednesday evenings - 21:00 - Call on 70.425 MHz

CCAATTSS WWeebbssiittee www.catsradio.org EEmmaaiill enquiries@catsradio.org

FFoorrtthhccoommiinngg MMeeeettiinnggss

Monday Jun 11th Micro DF Hunt by Dennis M0NDJ

Monday Jul 9th Natter Night Monday Aug 13th CATS Barbecue at G4RWW QTH

CATS is twinned with the Crescenta Valley Radio Club Glendale California USA www.qsl.net/cvrc

2

CCAATTSS MMaayy MMeeeettiinngg On May14th, CATS member Terry G4CDY gave other members a fascinating talk about Direction Finding (DF), ranging from its earliest military use to present-day practice, where it has in many places become more of a family activity than any other aspect of amateur radio. Development of DF first began around 1900 and during WW1 it played a decisive part in British Royal Navy’s success at the Battle Of Jutland. Between the wars it was also developed as a navigational aid for both aircraft and ships, mainly using LF or MF. In WW2 the Huff-Duff system proved to be extremely successful in the Allied campaign against U-boats. It enabled a bearing to be obtained almost instantaneously. Amateur DF began in the 1930s. Antennas in use include directional systems such as ferrite rods and the well-known tape measure yagi; homing methods such as the “Singing Antenna” – basically two side-by-side vertical dipoles with rapid electronic switching between them at a 1 kHz rate; or Doppler systems using 4 or more aerials with synthesised rotation – often at a rate of 10,000 revolutions per second. Visit the following site for more information: www.utaharc.org/rptr/ark_df_desc.html The modern sport of ARDF (Amateur Radio Direction Finding) has three main areas: National and International DF competitions may last as long as two or three days and involve 3 or more foxes. These tend to take place mainly on 2m or 80 m and competitors receivers are quarantined before the start, to prevent cheating. Competitors start at intervals and only received their own receiver at the pre-allotted time. Fox ORing is basically orienteering with radio DF. Competitors have to use map-reading skills to get within range of the Fox. Transmitters are very low power and can generally only be received up to about 100 metres away. Club DF Hunts employ a protocol where the Fox – often located in the car park of a pub - typically transmits for a period of 30 seconds every 5 minutes. There is a set time limit to find the Fox – after which everyone goes back to

the pub for refreshments. Basic methods can include:

• taking bearings and plotting them on a map,

• heading off in the direction of the strongest signal, or

• following last year’s winner! The general technique is to get three good bearings and plot them on a map. In a perfect world, the three plots would intersect at a point, but in practice they will form what is known in DF circles as a “cocked hat” – smallish triangular area. Equipment required will include a simple handheld radio - although modern types are likely to be housed in a plastic case, as the lack of RF screening will cause overload problems when operating close to the Fox. Also required will be an attenuator; map, compass, ruler and pencil; and a directional aerial such as a yagi, simple loop (perhaps with an added “sense” aerial), or tape measure antenna. Terry then demonstrated a DF receiver he is currently developing. It is based around a chip that has an operating range of between 80 and 900 MHz, making it ideal for use on both the 2m and the 70 cm amateur bands. Sensitivity is -122dBm and the output is an audio tone than varies with signal strength, although Terry plans to add a bar graph indicator for crude signal strength indication. The device also includes a 10mW transmitter, making it ideal for additional use as a Fox.

The G4CDY prototype DF receiver (G7SYO photo)

After a break, everyone was invited to take part in a mock table-top DF hunt. Bearings were supplied and had to be plotted on an Ordnance Survey map. Modesty forbids CATS Whispers

3

from reporting who found the hypothetical Fox first – but it was located at Redhill aerodrome! See image below.

G3WZK’s plots – showing the hypothetical Fox to be on or

near Redhill aerodrome

Overall this was a most entertaining and informative evening for all the CATS members who turned up. Thank you Terry!

GG00KKZZTT RRaaddiioo PPllaayy DDaayy TThhee iiddeeaa ffoorr tthhiiss eevveenntt wwaass ccoonncceeiivveedd bbyy AAnnddyy GG00KKZZTT aatt tthhee bbeeggiinnnniinngg ooff 22001122 aass aa ffuunn wweeeekkeenndd dduurriinngg wwhhiicchh mmeemmbbeerrss –– aanndd gguueessttss ffrroomm ootthheerr cclluubbss –– ccoouulldd hhaavvee ffuunn wwiitthh aammaatteeuurr rraaddiioo.. IItt wwaass hhooppeedd tthhaatt tthhee mmoorree rreellaaxxeedd ppaaccee –– ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ccoonntteessttiinngg –– wwoouulldd eennccoouurraaggee nnoonn--ccoonntteesstteerrss ttoo ccoommee aalloonngg aanndd jjooiinn iinn wwiitthh wwhhaatteevveerr aassppeeccttss ooff tthhee hhoobbbbyy tthheeyy eennjjooyy.. TThhee llooccaattiioonn –– aa nneeww oonnee ffoorr CCAATTSS –– wwaass oonn aa hhiillllttoopp iinn PPaaddddoocckk BBaarrnn FFaarrmm,, jjuusstt ooffff tthhee AA2222 nneeaarr CCaatteerrhhaamm.. UUssee ooff tthhee ssiittee ccaammee aabboouutt tthhaannkkss ttoo aa ssuuggggeessttiioonn ffrroomm CCAATTSS mmeemmbbeerr DDeenniiss MM66XXLLSS,, wwhhoo iiss ffrriieennddss wwiitthh tthhee oowwnneerr ooff tthhee ssiittee.. FFiinnggeerrss wweerree ccrroosssseedd aass tthhee pprrooppoosseedd wweeeekkeenndd ffoorr tthhee eevveenntt ddrreeww nneeaarr.. AApprriill wwaass tthhee wweetttteesstt oonn rreeccoorrdd aanndd tthhiinnggss wweerree llooookkiinngg ddoouubbttffuull uunnttiill tthhee TTuueessddaayy bbeeffoorree tthhee eevveenntt wwhheenn tteemmppeerraattuurreess ssttaarrtteedd ttoo rriissee …… aanndd jjuusstt kkeepptt oonn rriissiinngg.. AAss tthhee FFrriiddaayy ddaawwnneedd tthheerree wwaass aa cclleeaarr bblluuee sskkyy aanndd aa ddaayyttiimmee mmaaxx ooff 2244CC.. TThhiinnggss wweerree llooookkiinngg ggoooodd!! BBuutt tthheenn,, jjuusstt bbeeffoorree lleeaavviinngg hhoommee,, GGlleennnn GG44FFVVLL ddiissccoovveerreedd tthhaatt tthhee ggeenneerraattoorr hhaadd aa

ffuueell lleeaakk!! TThhiiss ccoouulldd hhaavvee ssppeelllleedd ddiissaasstteerr,, bbuutt ffoorrttuunnaatteellyy hhee wwaass aabbllee ttoo mmaakkee qquuiicckk aanndd eeffffeeccttiivvee rreeppaaiirrss aanndd ddeelliivveerr tthhee ““ggeennnnyy”” ttoo ssiittee oonn sscchheedduullee..

The CATS generator undergoing emergency repairs at the QTH of Glenn G4FVL (G4FVL photo)

SSeett--uupp bbeeggaann aarroouunndd mmiiddddaayy aanndd bbeeffoorree lloonngg tthhrreeee mmaassttss hhaadd bbeeeenn eerreecctteedd aalloonngg wwiitthh tteennttss,, tthhee nnooww ffuullllyy--ffuunnccttiioonniinngg ggeenneerraattoorr aanndd ootthheerr AAmmaatteeuurr rraaddiioo eesssseennttiiaallss,, iinncclluuddiinngg aa bbaarrrreell ooff hhoommeebbrreeww bbeeeerr kkiinnddllyy pprroovviiddeedd bbyy CCAATTSS CChhaaiirrmmaann GGlleennnn GG44FFVVLL aanndd cchhrriisstteenneedd ““TThhee CChhaaiirrmmaann’’ss BBrreeww..”” Aerial wise, we had a good number of aerials to play with including two HF verticals, two Windoms, the club’s 17 element Tonna for 2 metres and the 19 element Tonna for 70cm, collinears covering 4m, 2m, 70 cm, and a 3 element beam for 6 metres. CATS member Frank G3ZMF also had a small beam on 23cm and used a TS2000 kindly loaned by Terry G4CDY as his own TS2000 was faulty.

AAnnddyy GG00KKZZTT bbeeggiinnss aasssseemmbbllyy ooff tthhee CCAATTSS 1177 eelleemmeenntt yyaaggii ffoorr 22 mmeettrreess

4

LL--RR:: AAddaamm GG77CCRRQQ aanndd AAnnddyy GG00KKZZTT wwiitthh yyaaggii aanntteennnnaass ffoorr

22mm,, 7700 ccmm aanndd ccoolllliinneeaarr ffoorr 44mm,, pprriioorr ttoo mmaattiinngg wwiitthh tthhee mmaaiinn mmaasstt

LL--RR:: AAnnddyy GG00KKZZTT aanndd AAddaamm GG77CCRRQQ wwiitthh yyaaggii aanntteennnnaass ffoorr 22mm,, 7700 ccmm aanndd ccoolllliinneeaarr ffoorr 44mm mmaatteedd wwiitthh tthhee mmaaiinn mmaasstt

OOnn tthhee FFrriiddaayy eevveenniinngg II ooppeerraatteedd tthhee ssttaattiioonn ooff LLeenn GG00GGNNQQ wwhhiillee hhee lleefftt tthhee ssiittee ttoo ggeett aa ttaakkee--aawwaayy.. TThhee tteenn mmeettrree bbaanndd wwaass wwiiddee ooppeenn wwiitthh ssttaattiioonnss ccoommiinngg iinn ffrroomm sseevveerraall SSoouutthh AAmmeerriiccaann ccoouunnttrriieess iinncclluuddiinngg AArrggeennttiinnaa,, BBrraazziill aanndd CChhiillee.. OOnn tthhee SSaattuurrddaayy II ooppeerraatteedd mmaaiinnllyy oonn 22mm SSSSBB bbuutt aallssoo hhaadd mmyy ffiirrsstt eevveerr QQSSOO oonn 44mm,, ddeessppiittee hhaavviinngg bbeeeenn lliicceennsseedd ffoorr 4455 yyeeaarrss!! SSoo II cceerrttaaiinnllyy hhaadd aa lloott ooff ffuunn aanndd ddiidd ssoommeetthhiinngg nneeww,, ttoooo!!

CCAATTSS mmeemmbbeerrss wwhhoo aatttteennddeedd ttoo hheellpp sseett uupp ((aanndd ddiissmmaannttllee)) oorr ooppeerraattee iinncclluuddeedd AAnnddyy GG00KKZZTT,, AAnnddyy GG88JJAACC,, GGlleennnn GG44FFVVLL,, TTeerrrryy GG44CCDDYY,, SStteevvee GG77SSYYOO,, SStteevvee GG33WWZZKK,, LLeenn GG00GGNNQQ,, IIaann MM33IIGGPP,, FFrraannkk GG33ZZMMFF,, SSttuuaarrtt GG66CCJJRR aanndd DDeenniiss MM66XXLLSS.. VViissiittoorrss ffrroomm ootthheerr cclluubbss iinncclluuddeedd AAddaamm GG77CCRRQQ,, VViinnccee GG11HHRRDD,, AAlleexx 22EE00,, CCoolliinn GG44CCJJRR aanndd hhiiss ssoonn.. On-site facilities were good with plenty of space available for experimentation and, with Caterham town centre only 5 minutes away by car, it was easy to pop 0ut for a takeaway! Big thanks to Andy G0KZT and other members of the organising group. Also thanks to Denis M6XLS and his friend whose field it was. A selection of photos follows. More photos are available on the CATS page on Facebook.

OOtthheerr PPhhoottooss

TThhee ssiixx mmeettrree yyaaggii oonn iittss mmaasstt

AAnnddyy GG88JJAACC’’ss ooppeerraattiinngg ppoossiittiioonn oovveerrllooookkiinngg tthhee CCaatteerrhhaamm vvaalllleeyy –– tthhee vveehhiiccllee iiss aann AAuussttiinn CChhaammpp wwiitthh ttrraaiilleerr

5

AAnnddyy GG88JJAACC oonn tthhee SSaattuurrddaayy mmoorrnniinngg VVMMAARRSS nneett

The CATS antenna farm, early on the Sunday morning. The homebrew 20 m vertical of G3ZMF is nearest the camera,

next to his tent. (G7SYO photo)

LLeenn GG00GGNNQQ ooppeerraattiinngg oonn 2211 MMHHzz ffrroomm hhiiss tteenntt

GG33ZZMMFF CCoorrnneerr

FFrraannkk GG33ZZMMFF ppuuttss tthhee ffiinniisshhiinngg ttoouucchheess ttoo hhiiss eexxppeerriimmeennttaall hhoommee--mmaaddee vveerrttiiccaall ffoorr 2200 mmeettrreess

The G3ZMF antenna system for 23cm. Note the rotator lovingly strapped to a garden fork. What will “mad” Frank

think of next? (G4FVL photo)

The “shack” of Frank G3ZMF (G4FVL photo)

6

RReeffrreesshhmmeennttss

Len G0GNQ (G7SYO photo)

Andy G8JAC repressurises the tank of “Chairman’s Brew”

(G4FVL photo)

DDeerriiggggiinngg

Derigging the site. L-R: Len G0GNQ, Stuart G6CJR, Steve G3WZK, Ian M3IGP, (G7SYO photo)

CCAATTSS JJuunnee MMeeeettiinngg The CATS June meeting will again feature a Direction Finding (DF) hunt. The location will once more be in the vicinity of The Fox Public House but this time there will be two (radio) foxes to find within a small geographical area so that the event can easily be undertaken on foot. Each will be a very low power automatic transmitter that CATS member Dennis M0NDJ will have set up prior to the event. Dennis writes: “I will do the fox hunt from Coulsdon Common, meeting and finishing at the Fox Pub. Starting at 7.30 pm for briefing and set off for about 8.00 pm. “All equipment will be supplied. I will supply 10 receivers and antennas. However, members can bring their own equipment if preferred for 2m (144.625) AM/ Modulated CW. This can be a scanner and a Yagi - or a radio such as an FT817. “The transmitters will be hidden on a small route near to the pub.” Dennis advises that it should be possible to find both foxes and be back at the pub within an hour – so there will be plenty of time for “refreshments” both before and after the event. See you there!

CCAATTSS JJuullyy MMeeeettiinngg This will be a Natter Night, probably at The Woodman public house in Woodmansterne Lane.

CCAATTSS AAuugguusstt MMeeeettiinngg This will be the customary barbecue and again will be held at the QTH of CATS member Prue, G4RWW.

VVHHFF NNFFDD -- 77//88 JJuullyy 22001122 Andy G0KZT writes:

“I have received an email from John Simkins G8IYS regarding the contest weekend of VHF NFD and the continued entry of the North East Surrey Contest Group, of which CATS is still under that umbrella.

7

“The proposed site is Warren Barn Farm Woldingham although it is currently being reported by the farmer that the site is “a swamp” following all the rain we have been experiencing. There could therefore be a revised site at short notice if the field is unsuitable. “Entry will be on 6m, 4m, 2m and 70cms. John has been assured that while the Olympics are on, 70cms will be available. ”If anyone would like more information or to be put in touch with John, please contact me in the first instance and I will forward John's details to you.” 73 de Andy G0KZT

AAmmaatteeuurr RRaaddiioo && TThhee OOllyymmppiiccss bbyy AAnnddyy GG00KKZZTT The Games, taking place this summer will soon be upon us and restrictions will be put in place upon the 70cm, (431 - 432 MHz, 432 - 433 MHz paired with 436.25 - 437.25 MHz and 438 – 439 MHz) and on microwave frequencies (2.390 - 2.400 GHz and 3.41 - 3.44 GHz). There are a number of Amateur contests that fall within the period of the 2012 Games. Ofcom will accommodate these providing activity is kept to the dates of 6th - 8th and 10th July, 4th - 5th August and 14th August, 8th - 9th and 11th September. In its most simplified terms, the 70cms restriction are effectively the area within the M25 motorway, an area called Hadleigh Farm near Benfleet and Weymouth. This is known as Annex 'A' for 70cms and Annex 'B' for the Microwave bands (which also covers several large football stadiums around the country). Annex 'C' covers 70cm repeaters and the list includes several available in our area. GB3OK (Orpington, Kent) - 430.5125 MHz input / 439.5125 MHz output (permanent change from 430.9 MHz / 438.5 MHz which has already taken place.) GB3NS (Banstead, North Surrey) – 430.675 MHz / 439.675 MHz (temporary change from 430.925 MHz / 438.525 MHz for the period 28th June 2012 to 23rd September 2012.) Note the 9 MHz split.

GB3OY (East London, NGR: TQ 407 937) – 430.575 MHz / 439.575 MHz A temporary Olympics Repeater for the Games period (28th June 2012 to 23rd September 2012). ERP = 9.8dBW and transmission is 26m above ground level for the duration of the Games period. One footnote added by Ofcom was that it is your responsibility not to cause interference to The Games and you are reminded to check whether your signal could have the potential to interfere. If in doubt, don't transmit. I don't think Ofcom will show much leniency when they catch you! I hope that adds some clarity. Full details are available on : www.rsgb.org/olympics

CCAATTSS CCoonntteessttiinngg QQuueessttiioonnnnaaiirree –– RReessuullttss See the final page of this issue of Cats Whispers for G0KZT’s analysis of the responses he has received.

IIddeennttiiffyy tthhee TTrraannssmmiitttteerr

CATS member Tom G4DFA has passed on to CW an interesting and amusing link: www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=neHreW-PNtw Tom says that everyone should build one of these!

CCoonntteessttss CCoommiinngg SSoooonn

Jun 10: Second 144 MHz Backpackers Jun 16-17: 50 MHz Trophy Contest Jun 24: 70 MHz Cumulative #4 Jul 7-8: VHF NFD Jul 8: Third 144 MHz Backpackers Jul 22: 70 MHz Trophy Contest Jul 22: Low Power Contest Jul 28-29: IOTA Contest Aug 4: Fourth 144 MHz Backpackers Aug 4: 144 MHz Low Power Contest Aug 5: 432 MHz Low Power Contest Aug 5: RoPoCo CW Aug 12: 70 MHz Cumulative #5 Sep 1-2: 144 MHz Trophy Contest Sep 1-2: SSB Field Day

8

LLooccaall RRaalllliieess && EEvveennttss 17 June 2012 25

th Newbury Radio Rally & Boot Sale

Free prize draw for Yaesu handie Newbury Showground, M4 J13. The Rally takes place at Newbury Showground which is located right next to junction 13 of the M4 Motorway. Nearest Post Code: RG18 9BB Open 09:00. Free parking, trade stands, catering, disabled facilities. Contact rally@nadars.org.uk www.nadars.org.uk/ 22-24 June 2012 Hamtronic Show, Friedrichshafen Messe Friedrichshafen, Germany Open 09:00 each day

• 63rd DARC Lake Constance Meeting

• with lectures and meetings

• HAM RALLYE - Friday and Saturday

• HAM NIGHT - Saturday www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.de/ham-en/index.php

1 July 2012 East Suffolk Wireless Revival (NOTE REVISED DATE) The Ipswich Radio Rally Orwell Crossing Lorry Park, A14 Eastbound, Nacton Ipswich, Suffolk IP10 0DD Open 09:30 Car Boot Sale, Bring & Buy Sale, Special Interest Radio Groups, Local Radio Clubs, RSGB Bookstall, UK Microwave Group, Vintage & Military ARS Live Radio Demonstrations, Excellent Food and Facilities, Easy Parking, GB4SWR - HF Radio Station GB4SWR - Talk-in on 145.550MHz Contact Steve,M1ACB 07711-329624 www.eswr.org.uk

1 July 2012 Norfolk ARC Barford Radio Rally Barford Village Hall Barford 9 miles SW of Norwich close to A11 and A47 Open 09:00 (traders from 8am), CP, TI, CBS, B&B, C, TS, RSGB Bookstall, Demos. Contact: David G7URP 01953 457322 or radio@dcpmicro.com www.norfolkamateurradio.org

15 July 2012 McMichael Rally & Boot Sale Reading Rugby Club Holme Park Farm Lane, Sonning Lane (B4446), Sonning on Thames, Reading. RG4 6ST off A4 east of Reading Open 09:30. Parking, trade stands, catering. Contact: Pete G8FRC 01189 695 697 www.mcmichaelrally.org.uk 12 August 2012 Flight Refuelling Hamfest Cobham Sports and Social Club Ground, Merley, Nr. Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3AA Open 10:00 Further information: www.frars.org.uk hamfest@frars.org.uk

14-16 September 2012 Amsat Colloqium Holiday Inn Guildford GU2 7XZ Networking Speakers Gala dinner www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium/twelve/

26 August 2012 Milton Keynes 52

nd Amateur Radio Society Rally

Bletchley Park, Sherwood Drive, Bletchley MK3 6EB Open 09:30 trade stands, catering Entry £2. Contact: Steve 07866 673192 or www.mkars.org.uk

September 2012 PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED Gatwick Vintage Radio Weekend Vintage Operating Group (M0VOG) Hunters Moon, Reigate Rd (A217), Hookwood, RH6 0HU Plenty space for overnight stay, BBQ on Saturday Contact: Mike, M1CCF: 0208 654 2582 or m1ccf@talk.talk.net or Andy G8JAC www.radioclubs.net/m0vog/ 28/29 September 2012 National Hamfest George Stephenson Pavilion, Newark & Nottingham Showground, Lincoln Road, Winthorpe, Newark NG24 2NY. For the latest details and ticket information, visit: www.nationalhamfest.org.uk 12/14 October RSGB Convention Horwood House, Little Horwood, near Milton Keynes Convention and lectures www.rsgb.org/rsgbconvention 11 November 2012 West London Radio & Electronics Show Kempton Park Racecourse. Open 10:00. Parking, trade stands, catering, disabled facilities. Contact info@radiofairs.co.uk NOTE: CATS involvement in this event. The CATS bring and buy sale is a permanent feature of this rally. www.radiofairs.co.uk

25 November 2012 CATS 35th Annual Radio and Electronics Bazaar Provisional arrangements as follows: 1st Coulsdon Scout Group headquarters, Lion Green Road in Coulsdon, Surrey. Map Open 10:00 to 13:00 Parking, trade stands, bring and buy, refreshments Contact: enquiries@catsradio.org or www.catsradio.org

9

BROMLEY & DISTRICT ARS Website: www.bdars.org.uk/ Email: info@bdars.co.uk Meetings: 3rd Tuesday of every month at Victory Social Club, Kechill Gardens, Hayes, Kent, 19:30 for 20:00. 19 June - DF Hunt in the Local Area by Richard G8ITB 17 Jul - New Amateurs Operating by G8MNY & G8ITB 21 Aug - BBQ and Operating Evening 18 Sep - Digital Amateur TV by Justin G8YTZ

CPREC (CRYSTAL PALACE) Website: www.qsl.net/g3oou/ or http://www.g3oou.co.uk/ Club Net: Wednesdays 20:00 on 145.525 MHz Meetings: 1

st Friday at All Saints Church Parish Rooms,

Beulah Hill at 19:30 1 Jun - Inductors, Transformers and Tuned Circuits – Bob G3OOU 6 Jul - bhi DSP Noise Cancellation by Graham of bhi 3 Aug - Summer Social 7 Sep - TBA

CRAWLEY ARC Website: www.carc.org.uk Club Nets: Tuesdays 20:00 on 145.550 MHz and Fridays 19:00 on 1.970 MHz Meetings: Every Wednesday at Hut 18, Tilgate Forest Recreational Centre, Tilgate Forest, Crawley from 19:30, and Sundays, 10:30 to 13.00. 27 Jun - Fox Hunt 18 Jul - HARC/CARC Challenge.

CRAY VALLEY RS Website: www.cvrs.org Contact: Richard Perzyna, G8ITB (see website) Club Nets: Wednesdays 21:00 on 145.500/QSY and 22:00 on 3.720 ± QRM, and Sundays 11:00 on 3.720 ± QRM Meetings: 1

st and 3

rd Thursdays at Progress Hall,

Admiral Seymour Road, Eltham, SE9 1SL 7 Jun – Members “show and tell” 21 Jun – DF hunt 5 Jul – 2012L countdown by M0MCV

DORKING & DISTRICT Website: http://www.ddrs.org.uk Email: ddrs.secretary@yahoo.co.uk Contact: George Brind, G4CMU Club Nets: Sunday 08:15 on 3.770 MHz & Thursday 20:00 on 144.775 MHz Meetings: Friends Meeting House, Butterhill, South Street Dorking at 19:30. 26 Jun - The Victorian internet. Ken Tythacott M3CFC

24 Jul - Transmitting from the Devil's Dyke

28 Aug - The fish and chip supper 25 Sep - The Sun and HF radio propagation. Dr Colin Forsyth (MSSL)

HORSHAM ARC Website: www.harc.org.uk Club Nets: Saturdays 21:30 on 144.725MHz and Sundays 10:00 on 3.722 MHz Meetings: 1

st Thursday at The Guide Hall, Denne Road,

Horsham, Sussex 7 Jun - GB3VHF 5 Jul - Photo Quiz - G4LRP (provisional) 2 Aug – TBA 6 Sep - Frequency Standards by Tony G3NPF

MID SUSSEX ARS Website: www.msars.org.uk Club Nets: Sundays 08:00 on 3.740 MHz and at 11:00 on 145.350 MHz, Wednesdays 20:00 on 145.350 MHz and Daily 13:30 on 21.330 MHz Meetings: Every Friday at Cyprus Hall, Cyprus Road, Burgess Hill, West Sussex for 19:45 1 Jun - Surplus Equipment Sale 6 Jul – NFD Preparation 3 Aug - Radio Night and table top sale 7 Sep - Talk by Sussex Lowland Search and Rescue Team

REIGATE ATS Website: www.qsl.net/rats Email: rats@qsl.net Club Nets: Thursdays 20:00 on 145.500 MHz and Sundays 20:00 on 3.740 – 3.760 MHz Meetings: 3

rd Thursday at RNIB, Redhill College,

Philanthropic Road, Redhill for 19:30

SRCC Website: www.g3src.org.uk Contact: John Kennedy G3MCX, 020 8688 3322 Club Nets: Sunday 09:30 on 1905 kHz Daily natter channel – 144.215 MHz at 19.30. Meetings: 1

st & 3

rd Mondays at Trinity School, Shirley

Park, Croydon CR9 7AT 19:45 for 20:00 11 Jun - Construction Contest 25 Jun- History of Sound Recording with Alvin G6DTW 2 Jul - Barbecue 6 Aug - Talk (TBA) 3 Sep - Talk (TBA)

SUTTON & CHEAM RS Website: www.scrs.org.uk Contact: John Puttock G0/ BWV 020 8644 9945 Club Nets: Monday 20.00 on 145.500 MHz Saturday 11.00 on 145.500 MHz Meetings: 3

rd Thursday at Sutton United Football Club,

The Borough Sports Ground, Gander Green Lane, Sutton. 19:30 for 20:00 21 Jun - The RNLI & Thames Lifeboat Operations by Peter G7PWV 19 Jul – Early TV Receivers by Stephen Niechcial 16 Aug - TBA 20 Sep - TBA

WIMBLEDON & DISTRICT ARS Contact: Jim Bell M0CON 020 8874 7456 Club Net: Mondays 20:45 on 145.500 MHz Meetings: 2

nd & last Friday of each month at

Martin Way Methodist Church, Buckleigh Avenue, Merton 8 Jun - A History of Sound Recording - Alvin G6DTW 29 Jun - Pre-Summer Camp Meeting 13 Jul - On Air with Kenwood’s TS-870 27 Jul - Start of Summer Camp 3 Aug - Camp BBQ 5 Aug - Final Day of Summer Camp 14 Sep - Summer Camp Retrospective 28 Sep - Australian Radio Evening - Dick Shanahan

CATS Whispers is published monthly by S J Beal G3WZK on behalf of the

Coulsdon Amateur Transmitting Society. C.A.T.S. 2012

OOtthheerr CClluubb NNeewwss && CCoonnttaacctt IInnffoorrmmaattiioonn

10

CCAATTSS CCoonntteessttiinngg QQuueessttiioonnnnaaiirree –– RReessuullttss Members will recall back in the April edition that I both took on a non-executive role with respect

to contesting within the club and that I sent out a questionnaire for members to give me some

feedback and pointers of what they would like to do in this field of Amateur Radio. In total I

received only 7 replies, all via email and I would like to thank the following members for taking the

time to respond: Steve G3WZK, Mike M1CCF, Alan G8UHN, Mike G8AAI, Steve G7SYO, Glenn

G4FVL, and James G0SDB. While this only represents a small percentage of the members, it is

nonetheless a response. I can only either assume that either the balance of the membership either

don't have an opinion or else chose not to respond.

In answer to the set questions, these are a break down of the responses-:

Question Yes No No

Opinion

1: I have an interest in contesting IIII II I

2: If answer Yes to (1) – VHF/UHF Contests? III I

3: If answer Yes to (1) – HF Contests? IIII

4: If answer Yes to (1) – Microwave Contests? I III

5: If answer No to (1) – Non Operating role (e.g. setting up) I

6: With respect to a joint club effort : 24 hour duration I I II

7: : 12 hour duration II I II

8: : 6 hour duration III II II

9: Would you consider yourself to be a fine weather operator? IIIII I I

10: Have you ever thought of joining a dedicated contest group? IIIIIII

One thing that is resoundingly clear is that none of those surveyed had thought about joining a

dedicated contest group. Duration of contests was biased a little towards 6 hours with 2 on the

fence. The survey showed that more were in favour of fine weather!

With respect to contesting itself, most were in favour of doing something with a few more voting for

HF contests (which we don't do).

In answer to the free text section looking for information about what would deter or inspire an

individual, here are some of the comments-:

“No desire to spend the night in a cold tent when a warm bed is 10 minutes away.”

“VHF/UHF contests present a better chance to work non-UK stations than from home.”

“I enjoy being part of a group effort to do something such as contesting.”

“Microwave could be interesting but as I have never been active since obtaining my licence, I do

not fully understand what contesting is about.”

“Prefer closer to home rather than going for the most perfect spot.”

“Weather. Has to be decent to sit in a tent in a field!”

It is time now to liaise with the Committee and give some thought to what to do in the future. HF

and perhaps SSB Field Day in September, for example?

73 de Andy G0KZT (Contest Sec)