Whitton Amateur Radio Group

Friday 25th February 2005 – Sat 26th February 2005

The Antenna Team:- Colin MØDMJ and David GØMRF
The Volunteers:-Ted GØJQQ, Michael MØMDC & Matthew M3ESQ our, (not so little) Goffer.

Well for some months now we, at the Whitton ARG, have been slowly constructing and putting together an az/elevation rotator, the az/elv control box, antenna boom, a 2M X Yagi and a 70cms horizontal antenna for our Satellite station. The rotator plus control box were made by Colin MØDMJ at the club over several Fridays from (“in the true spirit of homebrew, bits and pieces of other things”). All this came together on Friday 24 Feb when A good few members of the club helped to assemble both antennas.

Our thank to Albert G4VBH for taking the Friday night photos, so now we where ready to put them up on Saturday afternoon weather permitting. Saturday, we all arrived at 12:30 give or take a few mins, the weather as you may or may not know was cold and damp turning to wet, but hey thats how it goes when your erecting antennas, but that was’nt going to stop us, “no way pedro”. Colin is our resident aerial rigger, and Michael was the aerial rigger’s mate, up on the roof.

David, Ted and Matthew where ground crew VSWRing the 2m X Yagi and re positioning the coaxes, so hopefully all will be fine for next Friday night, Satellite on the air Ted took some good photos of the aerial rigging from begining to end, and we all got wet…. 73…[Ed]

see Alberts Friday night photos

see Teds aerial rigging photos

The Net started at 8pm clock time on S20 then we, Mike G1WIA and I GØJQQ QSY’ed to S18 and were joined by Albert G4VBH then Gerry GØRTN joined followed by JJ G6VZM then David GØMRF, with JJ Jnr M3PFX listening on the side. We were then joined by Ian GØOFN but alas we could not here him, but he was able to here most of us….more whiskies on the rig next week ah Ian?

Well it certainly went with a bang all stations were a thumpin 59+20 or+60 db some of us even turned the wick down, “just to be polite”, the net went on for, just over a hour with many and verid topics from email spams ” what no corned beef” to the setting up of the Satillite antennas at the weekend. and checking out radios. Well It looks like the Whitton ARG are back on the air after a very long absents. So same place and time on the dial next week, hope to see more members on the Whitton ARG CLUB NET. 73 [Ed]

Congratulations to Richard Gooch M3HZK, Dave Poole M3PXD and John Johnson (jr) M3PSX who all passed their Intermediate exam tonight with exceptionally good results. All three are now planning to take their Advanced test as soon as possible.

See the fun Photos

The group was asked to man a demo Stn CW/SSB, we used the FT 1000 MP V5 (the base Stn version) and a talk in station on 2m & 70cms, we also supplied a bit of marshalling as well. When we got there the car parks were full and the marshal (Colin M0DMJ) were redirecting the customers to other car parks, the boot sale and the Hog roast were in full swing, in the shop it was shoulder to shoulder, see Photos.

The Whitton Corner

Well once again we have had a very very successful rally, which featured for the first time “The Whitton Corner”, the layout was as follows (were the band use to be).

We, as every year manned the Talk-in Station manned by Tony G4KLR and JJ G6VZN, we also put on the Kempton Demo Stn, with our club Equipment, QRV on 80 -30 plus BPSK31. The station was manned, by Sarah M3SCT, Alex M3ENT, Garo GØPZA, Gerry GØRTN and Colin demonstrating the BPSK31 and RTTY, which drew a considerable amount of interest from the visitors this year.

For the first time this year we put on our own Bring-n-Buy stall which was ably manned by Ted GØJQQ, Michael, and Matthew M3ESQ (Blutack), we started of with 1 table but as the members arrived with their bits & bobs, it was quite clear that 1, nay, forsooth! not even 3 were going to be enough. We ended up with 4 in all and sill stuff on the floor. The sale went very well, we even tried to sell the chairman of the rally Paul MØCJX for £20 ono, as the Photo’s will testify. Even had an offer made, as you can see, the buyer is asking a lot of questions Hi Hi. We had a very rare DX Stn from Pakistan, visiting the stall Dr K Hussain AP2DKH qsl card recived, nice to have seen you Khalid.

Well the radios were all tested and ready for the off by 9am, before the visitors got a look in, our stall was off and running with 4 sales before 10am, the new Whitton ARG banner was well received by all that new our group and by a lot that didn’t, the spotlight also helped “that was a touch of the Serendipity’s when Ted put it up, there just happen to be this ere spotlight in the ceiling.

Some photo’s are up, thank’s to those who have already sent them in, if you have pic’s of the rally you’d like to share with us on the web, we look forward to them, at g0jqq@btopenworld.com please leave your pics full size, I will if needed resize them.

Back Row left -right: Albert G4VBH, Mraian MØMJL, RSGB President Jeff Smith MIØAEX Paul G3WYW -YAESU -, Paul Berkeley MØCJX, Martin, Brian and David GØMRF:
Front Row L-R Sarah M3SCT, Matthew M3ESQ, Alex M3ENT, and Paul MØLHR all having a great time.

Back Row left -right: Ian GØOFN, Garo GØPZA, Tony G4KLF, RSGB President Jeff Smith MIØAEX, Martin
:Front Row left -right Marian MØMJL, Alex M3ENT, Sarah M3SCT and Paul MØLHR all having a great time.

Back Row left -right: Tony G4KLF, Albert G4VBH, Mraian MØMJL, RSGB President Jeff Smith MIØAEX, Paul G3WYW -YAESU – Paul Berkeley MØCJX, Martin, Brian and David GØMRF:
Front Row L -R Sarah M3SCT, Matthew M3ESQ, Alex M3ENT, and Paul MØLHR all having a great time.

Back Row left -right: GØPZA, Mraian MØMJL, RSGB President Jeff Smith MIØAEX, Paul MØLHR, Martin:
Front Row left -right Alex M3ENT and Sarha M3SCT, still having a great time.

Martin G4FKK, Ken McIntosh MØCOR and Paul MØCJX. It was nice to see Ken again with his band.

David GØMRF, operating one of the three Demo stations supplied by, YAESU, ICOM and KENWOOD. So thats were they put the boxes Eh!

Ian GØOFN & Garo GØPZA Having a Good time

Our Ian GØOFN with Barry GØBKD down from Doncaster

The home brew 40 and 80m the club made on friday and saturday B4 the Rally, it worked a treat

This is the occasion of the 90th birthday of the RSGB and promptly renamed by the tribe of WARG as “THE LARK IN THE PARK”. The tribe was asked to host the part at their venue of The Whitton Community Center. A meeting of the Elders was promptly called and it was decided it was too good a chance to miss even though we had only about three weeks notice.

The RSGB loaded us with all sorts of goodies for the show and plans were made as to what we could do ….ambition was the word whispered amongst the tribe and ambition it was going to be and the following stories from the many members is proof enough.

Two HF stations, one two metre, a satellite station and an Echolink output and what looked like an antenna farm 80m and 40m long wires, invertedV, four element 2mtr, a multi-array for satellite working and a talking point for linking into G4SNT-L echolink. Plus a pumped up 80 foot mast, complete with buntings supplied by our latest member Ted – G0JQQ.

Party In The Park stories

From our Chairman Garo G0PZA:
The WARG was the only London club with an event, although there were twenty-four special event stations throughout the UK, using the special RSGB Call Sign series during the 26 & 27 July 2003. We managed to put together and operate no less than 5 stations as follows: HF (10,15,20M) IC756PRO 400W with 80ft tower and 3el beam, (Thanks to JJ G6VZM) ,LF (40,80M) IC746PRO 400W with Long wire and G5RV, VHF (2m) FT817 with vertical 60ft up, Echcolink (VHF link to G4SNT) , and Oscar 40, FT756 with 50W into 19 el plus 60cm dish with 10M converter.

Band conditions on HF were quite poor, and the IOTA contest was on, but despite this we made over 300 QSO’s on the day, using GB90RSGB/91, (what a mouthful, pant pant tongue hanging out), (GET THE RSGB BREW PDQ). Our request for the 100th anniversary is a shorter callsign!! Our visitors ranged from Hampshire to Croatia and Spain. Pancakes, tea and coffee complemented the day, and Albert’s (G4VBH) interview given to the RSGB camera crew, will I am sure be a memorable one. Finally, Paul Berkeley’s (RSGB Regional Manager) demonstration of Operating procedure on HF was particularly inspiring! I enjoyed my first Oscar 40 contact, thanks to Dave Bowman, G0MRF.” Garo, G0PZA.

There was also an abundance of photos being taken at the Party In The Park, both in the old film and digital image format, and we’ve got quite a goodly number of them. However, if there are any others of this event floating around that we aint not got (or that we’ve not got no knowledge of) then let us have them.

& 29 June 2003

Marble Hill Park Twickenham ‘GB4WRG’

Richmond Scouts Twickeree

When our radio club was asked if we were prepared to set up an Amateur Radio Station there was no hesitation, the vote was yes, it was a wonderful opportunity to “advertise” Amateur Radio and said we could set up two HF stations and an Echolink Internet Station. This later being something new and is proving very popular amongst the amateurs who are registered to use it.

The weather for both days turned out to be extremely hot and sunny which was excellent, particularly as most of the scouts and brownies were under canvas, the Group itself had a large marquee to house the station where radio contacts in both morse and voice could be used to pass messages of greetings, not only throughout the UK but overseas. Once each contact had been confirmed and entered in our log a Well Done Award was given to each, this being the requirement towards their Communication Badge’. During the weekend, we were pleased to find a number of Scouts and Brownies at the event already had a UK amateur radio license.

What is this Amateur Radio and how can I have a go myself.

The whole aim was to show those interested that they could contact the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) web site and turn to the ‘Beginners’ page. There were opportunities for them to ask questions and telling them that, the RSGB is the national organisation for ‘Amateur Radio’ enthusiasts. The society was founded in 1913. Our patron is HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, KG,KT. There are approximately 55,000 licensed Radio Amateurs in the UK and language was no barrier.

Richmond Mayor’s office During the morning of the first day distinguished visitor, the Mayor of Richmond Clr Nicola Urquhart and it was at that moment we were using this newest form of communication Echolink,we had our first talking to VK5SX Rod and his wife Jean in Adelaide South Australia. While explaining to her what was going on, she told us that she was brought up in the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch, New Zealand (within easy reach of Echolink). For those interested there is more information to be found on the Echolink web site.

Our second visitor was Doctor Vicent Cable who our Member of Parliament Rt Hon. Vincent Cable being the representative for the Twickenham Constituency. He, having past experience of radio within aircraft, he took readily to our Amateur Radio equipment transmitting on UHF band. With the radio transmitter connected to the internet a few miles away by Ron’s G4SNT station in Central Twickenham, without any hesitation Dr Vincent Cable was soon in a chatting mood with Rod VK5SX in Adelaide South Australia, you would have though that they were old friends to listen to them, this gave us hope that we may have found a new supporter in Parliament for our cause.

Later in the afternoon further contacts were made via Scott, WB2UZR in West Babylon, Long Island, New York both Rod and Scott being regular contacts with the Group. A message of goodwill (good old will) was relayed live via Echolink over the PA system by Rod to all the scouts and brownies assembled in the arena.

We thank all of the Scouts and parents, who made radio contacts and even ask questions, all of them who made the called on GB4WRG will eventually receive a ‘QSL’ card via the RSGB Bureau.

Finally, a special ‘thank you’ to those who spent a considerable amount of their time over the weekend providing the radio links into New York and Adelaide. What a great weekend to be remembered by all young and old, the ingenuity of the scouts and brownies in building Scout City was something to admire as you will see from the photo’s.

Photo’s of the event were taken by various members of the Whitton Amateur Radio Group, there was also a film made by one of our members of the Group for our archives.

Our operators

Garo G0PZA – Harry G0MMQ – Ray G0CVG – Ralph G1OVO

Mathew 2E0MAT – Michael G1WIA / M3TEX – Albert G4VBH – Paul M3LHR

John G6VZM / M3VZM – Paul M3LHR and Ian G0OFN.

Equipment used

Club radio Icom IC-756PRO & Icom IC-746PRO with matching 500W amplifiers.

Icom mobile dual band 70 & 2m.

Cushcraft R5 Vertical 6m above ground

Trapped dipole for 80m and top band.

Dual band vertical for 2m & 70cm

Echolink station details

Thank you

· The Richmond-upon-Thames District Scout.

· Council Robin Corti District Commissioner, for Richmond Upon Thames District & Steve Miles Assistant Commissioner.

· Paul G0CJX RRM9 RSGB Area Manager.

· Radiocommunications Agency – Now OfCom

by Albert Fisher G4VBH

The story concerns the Tribe known as WARG and how good fortune smiled down on them, if you do not believe in the strange incidents of coincidence this maybe disturbing to your belief.

The tribe of WARG had been happily extending its good wishes to the known World in various ways, of Morse and single side band and even using the Frequency modulation at times. A later attempt has been made via infrared beam with equal success, however many tribes are not familiar with this later system.

Times had changed and efforts at exchanging goodwill was now becoming costly, so, a gathering of the tribe was called to see what methods they could take to save on their efforts to continue. It has been the practice of other tribes to hold tribal gatherings these are now what has become known as rallies this being the practice of selling and buying the various means to enable them to pass on the friendship that exists between tribes Not being well versed in this practice various elder were asked to talk around for information, and it came to pass that by coincidence one of the elder was at that moment in close contact with a member of another tribe who was known to have such experience of gatherings and as luck perhaps coincidence which ever you wish to call it was at that very moment organizing one such gathering and looking for assistance.

Much talking in the WARG tribe took place and finally they asked if they could be of help, and this was readily accepted and terms were arranged. Much was to be learned beforehand regarding rules and regulations, finally with a visit to the place appointed to get familiar with the space and exits with special attention to fire equipment points. Various members of the WARG tribe were allocated tasks and suitably attired for ease of recognition by the many tribes who would be attending the gathering and may require help. The appointed place being Kempton Park well known for the meeting of many tribes to compete against each other on horses. The gathering was timed at 10.00 for supporters but those that had equipment to offer were hard at work as early as 07.00. Tables had already been supplied and all power cabling for those who required was hidden overhead, it seems here was much to be learned about the organizing of such gatherings The day closed at about 17.00 but not so for the WARG tribe, all the cabling had to be dismantled as it belonged to the organizers, this was a lesson in itself.

The gathering itself was a complete success and much bargaining of goods were made to the satisfaction of the various tribes attending, but to WARG it was a great experience and much to be learned and hopes that one day it will be repeated. The coffers of the tribe benefited and the practice of extending greeting to distant tribes will be made more easily with newer up to date equipment to be purchased.

Finally the weary tribe of WARG made their way to their homes much wiser and happier that their effort had been worthwhile. Was it just coincidence? we shall perhaps never know. There were great jubilations at the village of WARG and talks of a tribal feasting.

Gallery