If you’re keen to learn something new, pick up some ideas or get some advice on amateur radio, we’d encourage you to come along to this Monday’s Essex Skills Night. This coming Monday, the 18th of April, is the next Essex Skills Night in Danbury. The event is hosted by the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society Training Team.
The Essex Skills Nights continue to be one of the most popular gatherings of radio enthusiasts in the area. It’s 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.
| Where: | Danbury Village Hall, 2 Main Road, Danbury, Chelmsford Essex CM3 4NQ See: Danbury Village Hall Map & Directions |
| When: | Monday 18th April 2016 – 7pm to 9pm |
Here’s what’s planned for the April 2016 Skills Night :
Getting Started
- Echolink: Can’t get HF at home? Using Echolink, you can chat to amateurs around the world, with a little help from the Internet – Jim 2E0RMI will be on hand to give you a demo of Echolink in action
- Radio Programming: Charlie M0PZT will be available to programme Baofeng and Yaesu handhelds with local repeaters and any extra frequencies needed, for free of course. Mobile Yaesu rigs can also be done if you bring the DC cable (No need to bring a 12V PSU). Charlie can also help with programming and codeplugs for the TYT MD-380 DMR handie.
- Data Modes and logging: Advice on getting started with PSK31, JT65 and SSTV, plus help with Ham Radio Deluxe and logging software.
- Essex Ham: Getting Started advice and leaflets, the Raspberry Pi Zero, the RTL SDR dongle, other items of show-and-tell, plus a new video from the RSGB. We’re also providing the event’s wi-fi
- Working /P: Want to learn how to set up a station in the field? Get some tips from Charlie M0PZT, then a week later, join Charlie M0PZT and Essex Ham for a day in the field for St George’s Day (See: GB1STG 2016).
New This Month
- A part of the hobby that you may not have tried… SOTA. Find out more about Summits On The Air from Peter G1FOA
- Internet security – Not strictly amateur radio, but with your passwords floating around over wi-fi and NFC, just how safe are you? Nick M0NIB may just surprise you!
- The TYT TH-9800. Fancy a quad-band radio that can do 10m, 6m, 2m, and 70cm for under £200? Jim 2E0RMI will be demoing the TYT TH-9800 Pro Quad Band
- Using a Spectrum Analyser – Mike G4NVT will be bringing along his test kit and offering practical advice on how to use it – Plus advice on VSWR testing, filter testing and set up
Skills Night Regulars
- Morse and More: Meet the team from the Essex CW Club, and learn more about their mode of choice.
- Chelmsford ARS: Ray 2E0GVE will be manning the CARS membership table, and Steve G4GHO plans to bring along a couple of items including antennas and test gear
- Ham Goodies: A selection of Ham Goodies will be available on the night – typically items include the new RTL dongle and a selection of aerial adapters and handy /P accessories.
- Callsign Badges: Got a new callsign recently? Tell everyone who you are with a callsign badge engraved while-you-wait by Jim 2E0JTW and Glynis 2E0CUQ
- Quiz: Chris G0IPU challenges you to answer some ham radio questions, just for fun
As usual, representatives from Essex Ham, CARS, the Essex Repeater Group, the Essex CW Club, Essex RAYNET and Ham Goodies will be on hand to help with questions you may have.
The above list is subject to last-minute change.
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:
- Chelmsford ARS Skill Night page
- Essex Ham’s Skills Night Page – Videos, photos and interactive map
- Amateur Radio at Danbury Village Hall
- Essex Ham’s Summary of previous Skills Nights
