NEW FACE AT THE CLUB!

May I take this opportunity to welcome a new face to club, its been a long time im coming so please put your "Hands" together and welcome the new "Club Clock". Many thanks to Baz - 2W0PTT for his hard work. Please no jokes regarding this as we feel the timing is not right.

International Lighthouse Weekend - August 21st/22nd

The INTERNATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE/LIGHTSHIP WEEKEND will take place over the weekend 21st-22nd AUGUST 2010. The club will be activating Nash Point Lighthouse which is situated in the Vale Of Glamorgan.

We will be using the callsign GB4NPL and further details can be found on www.qrz.com. QSL Manager is 2W0XTP or MW0TTR

Nash Point Lighthouse was the last manned lighthouse in Wales. Since 1998 it has been automatically operated and is monitored by Trinity House's Control Centre at Harwich.

MC0TTR/P

Several Club members took advantage of the beautiful weather this morning and took the opportunity to set up a Portable Station for a few hours. Please click on images for larger versions.

Examination Centre

After a recent inspection by the RSGB I am pleased to announce that the premises we currently use at Hirwaun YMCA have been granted Examination Centre status. We fulfilled all the requirements necessary and examinations for all levels of the Amateur Radio Licence can now be taken at the venue. The Examination Centre number is  MG462/B. Our previous premises at 254 Squadron ATC also retains its licence and is MG462/A. 

Bunker Hunting

Slightly off topic but after a discussion regarding "The Battle Of Britain"the other evening we got a bid sidetracked and we eventually ended up discussing Royal Observer Corps Bunkers that were used in the  1950/60's.in anticipation of the "Cold War"
To cut a story a short we found out that were quite a few in the locality and we ended up visiting the location of one in Hirwaun and one in Mountain Ash. Pictured (left) is Paul - GW0JTY at the one we located high above Mountain Ash. The one in Hirwaun is located behind the old Mount Pleasant pub which is now being converted into a house.The picture below is how the Bunker looks inside with some of the original   
maps and desk intact.

International Lighthouse Weekend - August 21st/22nd

THE AYR AMATEUR RADIO GROUP, SCOTLAND, PRESENTS THE
11th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE/LIGHTSHIP WEEKEND
 0001 UTC 21st AUGUST TO 2359 UTC 22nd AUGUST 2010.

We have now received confirmation from Ofcom for the callsign for this activation.
We will use GB4NPL - Nash Point Lighthouse..Further information can be found by CLICK HERE

New Arrivals!

We have had two new arrivals recently  to add to the ever growing list of club equipment, Today an Auto ATU arrived, the LDG Z-11 Pro(photo left) which is primarily for use with the Yaesu FT-897.The spec is below.

Also recently arrived is a new club laser printer, a Samsung ML-1640.

Auto ATU Specification

0.1 to 125 watt power range (SSB and CW), 100W on 6M.
8000 3-D memories for instantaneous band changing.
Tuning time: 0.1 to 6 seconds full tune, 0.1 seconds memory tune.
Selectable user parameters: Auto/Semi, threshold, and more.
1.8 to 54.0 MHz coverage. Built-in frequency sensor.
Tunes 6 to 1000 ohm loads (16 to 150 on 6M), 6 to 4000 ohms with optional 4:1 Balun.
For Dipoles, Verticals, Vs, Beams or and Coax Fed Antenna.
Optional external Balun allows tuning of random length, long wire or ladder line fed antennas.