Slightly later than panned, due to a very heavy workload at the moment, here’s our report on the February 2017 Essex Skills Night, which took place on Monday the 20th of February 2017.
The evening was well attended, and was another busy night, with a mix of people from all licence-levels, including some currently on Foundation training courses in the area. We were also joined by no less than 9 visitors from across the water in Kent, which we believe is a record for the Essex Skills Night.
The rather busy evening consisted of the following demos and activities:
EchoLink:
Thanks to Jim 2E0RMI for laying on a demo of EchoLink, and being on-hand to explain how the system works. It’s acknowledged that top some hams, Echolink is not “proper radio”, but it continues to be a useful service allowing amateurs to talk to other amateurs around the world without the need for expensive HF rigs and antennas.
Testing, Testing:
Thanks to Mike G4NVT for bringing along his spectrum analyser once again to help with testing antennas and handhelds, VSWR measuring, and checking frequencies and filters.
Modelling:
Thanks to Steve G4GHO for bringing along his laptop loaded with various simulators to demonstrate several aspects of modelling, including linear or non-linear analogue, and RF antenna.
Broadcast Radio
A number of hams in Essex have a connection with broadcasting, and on a joint table, Jim 2E0RMI and Pete M0PSX demonstrated some broadcast radio software and tools. Jim demoed a broadcast playout system called PlayIt, which we used successfully for the recent Radio Emma Toc broadcasts, and Pete brought along a basic mixer, headphones, mic and the Radio DJ package to allow visitors to try some radio broadcasting.
Getting Started with Essex Ham:
On show at the Essex Ham table was the latest video, an update on the Essex Clubs Survey that we launched in January. Also on offer, the full set of Getting Started guides, a rolling demo of getting started with data modes, and the Raspberry Pi Zero video player.
Live link to the Monday Night Net
Rachel G6AMY had kindly agreed to run Essex Ham’s Monday Night Net, as many of the team and participants were in the Village Hall. We broke into the Monday Night Net to send Rachel a greeting, with around 50 particiants shouting a hello and their callsigns to Rachel. Great to make a live connection
Construction Corner:
Chris G0IPU and Alan M0IWZ were busy in the Hawkins Room, helping with soldering and other construction bits & bobs. Alan M0IWZ demonstrated his new Morse decoder, built using an Ardunio Nano
Essex CW Club:
Thanks to Dean G4WQI, Rob M0KCP and Oliver M0WAG from the Essex CW Club for operating a live HF CW station from the Village Hall. It seems that 40m was dead, but a few stations were audible, and the club was on hand to offer Morse advice to attendees
CARS Membership:
CARS membership secretary Ray 2E0GVE was on the CARS table, collecting membership subs.
G7TKK Randomness:
Andy G7TKK brought along a collection of bits and bobs, and was tuning in to ADBS aircraft signals on his laptop using a cardboard antenna
Kits and Meters:
Melvin 2E0DNS brought his latest addition, a Jarcar low-capacitance meter for use with a digital multi-meter.
Callsign Badges:
Skills Night regulars Jim 2E0JTW and Glynis 2E0CUQ were on hand with their engraver to create callsign badges on demand.
CARS Quiz:
This month’s quiz was hosted by CARS Training Manager Chris G0IPU – just for fun.
Logistics
As always, a huge personal thanks to Myra and David for their continued logistical support in the kitchen providing the free tea and coffee. Also, a big thanks to Ann (Mrs 2E0RMI) for the top quality home-made cakes, and of course, to Essex Ham’s Sarah M6PSK (the event’s “dedicated greeter”).
Thanks all, and 73,
Pete M0PSX
Event Photos
Related 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
