Amateur radio in West Sussex - Training, Exams, Contests and Special Event Stations

Weekly Bulletin – April 19 2020

THE PAST WEEK

Last week Graham, G4FNL was asking for shack photos and articles. Although more would still be welcome, Roger, G4TNT now has sufficient material for a new edition of Ragchew. Many thanks to those who have contributed and to those who intend to contribute further.

FWIW I now know why Elecraft products are so popular. I certainly don’t regret buying my lineup, even if some is being superseded. I recently had an issue which involved my HF linear, tuner and antenna. One of the Elecraft support team asked me to submit a fault log from the amplifier, which he analysed and sent me a very detailed report with recommendations, which is nothing short of a well researched essay.  Despite my problem almost certainly being with the antenna, the report was given free of charge.

I also want to thank GWhip antennas for their prompt attention. I don’t have the parts in stock to make a new high-power balun and they have agreed to sell me one of theirs, without the rest of the antenna. This will be a 1500W version so that my 400W won’t drive it close to its upper power limit. This is due to arrive tomorrow – the Post Office willing.

Thanks to all of you who are joining in on the club nets. It’s a really good way of keeping in touch with each other and helps to promote WADARC activities.

Meanwhile, I expect that most folks are getting a bit jaded with all of the Covid 19 reports, government and media briefings etc., so all I will ask right now is that if you know of anyone who’s alone and isolated, whether or not they’re a club member, if you think that WADARC can help, please let one of the Committee know.

Stay home – stay safe……………….

CLUB MEETINGS AND EVENTS – All suspended for the time being and replaced by nets.

  • Net on GB3WO – Tuesday 21st April – 8.00pm-10.00pm
  • Net each evening (Mon-Thurs) on 3.712MHz – 6.00pm onwards
  • Net on GB3WO – Tuesday 21st April – 8.00pm-10.00pm
  • Net on GB3WO – Tuesday 28th April – 8.00pm-10.00pm

For further information as it occurs, please visit the WADARC website: http://www.wadarc.org.uk

NETS

Monday – 2 metres 145.425 MHz, FM, 7.30pm (local)

Tuesday – 70cms on GB3WO, FM, 8.00pm (local)

Thursday – 40 metres 7.106 MHz +- QRM, SSB, 11.00am (local)

Saturday – 70cms on GB3WO, 7.00pm (local)

Sunday – 80 metres 3.712 MHz +- QRM, SSB, 7.30am – 8.00am (local)

Weekday evenings – 80 metres 3.712 MHz +- QRM, SSB, 6.00pm (local)

RALLIES

Local, national and some international rallies can be found by visiting this excellent website: http://www.g4rga.org.uk/All.html

RAGCHEW

Winter 2019/2020 edition published – http://www.wadarc.org.uk/ragchew/winter-2019-2020

PROPAGATION

HF and VHF

RSGB propagation information can be found by following this link: https://rsgb.org/main/blog/news/gb2rs/propagation-news/2020/04/17/propagation-news-19-april-2020/

BEACONS

VHF:

GB3WSX – IO80QW – 70.007 MHz

GB3BAA – IO91PS – 70.016 MHz

F1ZXK – JN18KF – 144.438 MHz

F5ZSF – IN88GS – 144.409 MHz

GB3VHF – JO01EH – 144.430 MHz

ON0VHF – JO20HP – 144.418 MHz

UHF:

F5XBA – JN18KF – 432.830 MHz

GB3UHF – JO01EH – 432.430 MHz

ON0UHF – JO20ET – 432.567 MHz

DX NEWS

HF:

WADARC members (and others) can subscribe to the DX News service without joining ARRL.
Send an email to this address: w1aw-list-request@arrl.org
In the subject line put the word Subscribe followed by your email address
ARRL will send an acknowledgement and you will receive the weekly DX News as an email, usually on a Friday

VHF/UHF:

The RSGB VHF/UHF Contest and Activity calendar is available via this link: https://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/readcal.pl?year=2020

FINALÉ

I thought I’d end up this time by joining with the Queen and with Vera Lynn during this time of lockdown by quoting some of “The Eskimo Song”:
Whale meat again, don’t know where don’t know when………….. <groan>

Vy 73,

Alan. G4GNX