If you’re looking 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 in Danbury. The event takes place from 7pm on Monday the 16th of May 2016, and 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 16th May 2016 – 7pm to 9pm |
Here’s what’s planned for the May 2016 Skills Night :
Getting Started
- “Essential Skills”: – A few feature for the Essex Skills Night, this is aimed at Foundation/Intermediate level. Charlie M0PZT will be on-hand to offer advice on Bandplans, improving your operating confidence and dealing with aerials in small gardens. This will include 10-15 minute “mini-workshops” for a small group. Whether you want to practice your QSO technique, find out the best place to call “CQ” or simply have a question about radios, this is the opportunity. NEW
- Budget SDR dongles – Following on from this week’s talk at the South Essex ARS (SEARS), Paul 2E0DNQ will be demonstrating how to get up and running with the £10 RTL SDR dongle. What software does Paul recommend? How do you complete the occasionally tricky setup? Come along and ask Paul
- Essex Ham: Getting Started advice and leaflets, the Raspberry Pi Zero, a demo of a popular data mode, details on the popular online training course, plus the latest video from the RSGB. We’re also providing the event’s wi-fi
- Radio Programming: Time permitting, Charlie M0PZT will be available to programme Baofeng and Yaesu handhelds with local repeaters and any extra frequencies needed, for free of course. Charlie can also help with programming and codeplugs for the TYT MD-380 DMR handie.
Other Demos and Activities
- 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 - Intermediate/Advanced – Peter G0DZB will hopefully be on hand to help those looking to looking to progress from Intermediate to Full
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 and merchandise table, hopefully with a laptop running an SDR dongle
- 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
