Just to remind you, Monday the 16th of January is the first Essex Skills Night of the year.
Apologies for the slightly late posting, but it’s been a hectic few days due to Essex RAYNET’s activities in the Jaywick flood evacuation.
Essex Skills Nights continue to be one of the most popular gatherings of radio enthusiasts in the area. They take place at the Village Hall in Danbury, and are hosted by the CARS Training Team. The events are great for those new to the hobby keen to get some advice or ideas on the next steps. The events are informal, free to all, and everyone’s welcome – no need to be a member of any club to attend.
Here’s what’s planned for the January 2017 Skills Night:
- Logging – Visiting for the first time, Terry G4POP will be demonstrating LOG4OM. Terry is one of the team behind the development of this powerful logging app
- Radio Programming: Got a radio that you want programmed for the local repeaters? Charlie M0PZT can help with the MD-380/RT3 DMR (including the latest codeplug), most Baofeng/Yaesu FM handhelds. Charlie can also help with Yaesu 817/857/7800 programming, if you bring the rig’s DC cable.
- Testing, Testing: Using a Spectrum analyser for testing antennas and handhelds, VSWR testing measuring frequency and filters. Mike G4NVT will also be testing antennas and harmonics. If you have anything you’d like tested, please bring it along.
- Ham Goodies: Available on the night will be a collection essential items to buy in preparation for this year’s activities, including aerial/coax adapters, as well as the popular RTL SDR dongles and CAT/programming leads.
- Modelling: Transport permitting, Steve G4GHO will bring along his analyser and will have the laptop loaded with various simulators to demonstrate several aspects of modelling, including linear or non-linear analogue, or RF & antenna.
- Motor Speed Controller Challenge: Melvin 2E0DNS will bring along a full wave motor speed controller that has gone wrong, for the third time for the experts to mull over. Can you help?
- Essex RAYNET at Jaywick – A short overview on activities for the flood evacuation
- Getting Started: Advice and leaflets from Essex Ham, the Raspberry Pi Zero playing the latest videos, details on the online Foundation training course, plus the event’s wi-fi
- Data Modes Demo: Help and advice on getting started with PSK31, JT65 and SSTV. Visit the Essex Ham table if you want to find out about data modes
- Construction Help: Chris G0IPU and the CARS trainers will be on hand with access to soldering irons and help with construction projects
- Essex CW Club: Helping to promote and encourage the Morse mode, and offer advice on better CW results
- Callsign Badges: Got a new callsign recently? Tell everyone who you are with a callsign badge engraved while-you-wait, courtesy of Jim 2E0JTW and Glynis 2E0CUQ
- CARS Quiz: This month’s quiz, hosted by CARS Training Manager Chris G0IPU – Just for fun
- Refreshments: For those not on a New Year’s diet, home-made cakes from Ann (Mrs 2E0RMI), plus teas and coffees served by Myra M0MYR and David G3SVI
As usual, representatives from Essex Ham, CARS, the Essex Repeater Group, the Essex CW Club and Essex RAYNET will be on hand to help with questions you may have.
The above list is subject to last-minute change.
| Where: | Danbury Village Hall, 2 Main Road, Danbury, Chelmsford Essex CM3 4NQ See: Danbury Village Hall Map & Directions |
| When: | Monday 16th January 2017 – 7pm to 9pm |
More about Skills Night
If you’ve been along to a Skills Night before, you’ll know what to expect – the usual mix of demonstrations, show-and-tell, construction, plus the chance to chat, ask questions and swap ideas. If you’ve not visited a Skills Night before… why not? Come along! It’s a friendly event with free tea and coffee where you can come along and learn more about the hobby. All are welcome, there’s no charge, and you don’t need to have a licence, or be a member of any club to come along.
The Essex Skills Night is hosted by the CARS Training Team, and is supported by Essex Ham. The Essex Skills Nights are free to attend, with refreshments provided. The event is open to all regardless of licence level and club affiliation – If you know someone interested in coming along – please let them know and bring them along.
Skills Night Links:
- Essex Skills Night – Event information from Essex Ham
- Previous Skills Night Reports – Our reports on Skills Night Events
- skills”>Chelmsford ARS (CARS) Skills Night Page
- The Skills Night Formula – How to run your own Skills Night
