This coming Monday, the 19th of October 2015, will be the next Danbury Skills Night, hosted by the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society Training Team.
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 be a member of any club to come along.
Here’s what’s in store for the October 2015 Skills Night:
- Construction: Construction: Peter M0PSD and Steve G4GHO will be offering 2m and 70cm Slim Jim antenna and 2 metre dipole construction and adjustment. Also, patch lead construction, and access to equipment, tools and soldering irons.
- “/P the G0DZB Way”: Want to make the most of working portable in the field? Get some excellent practical advice from Peter G0DZB.
- D-Star & Satellites: Steve M0SHQ will bring along his satellite kit (ask about the FOX-1A), as well as his D-Star hotspot
- Radio Programming & Data Modes: Charlie M0PZT will be available to set up your handheld – never an easy task! Baofengs (and other Chinese handies) are his speciality. He can also program a number of Yaesu handhelds (the FT-60 and VX-7), plus rigs such as the Yaesu, FT-817, FT-857 and FT-897. Please bring along the radio’s power cable. Charlie will can also help with data mode questions (PSK31, JT65, etc), as well as logging using apps such as PZTLog.
- Antenna Design: Andy G7TKK will bring along his latest creations (powered by Slinkies?) – come along and get some creative ideas
- Essex Ham: More Getting Started Advice, screenings of the latest RSGB “21st Century Hobby” video, a selection of getting started guides, as well as the event’s wi-fi
- Morse and More: Meet the team from the Essex CW Club and learn more about their mode of choice.
- Chelmsford ARS: Chris 2E0CUU will be on the CARS table where you can renew your membership and browse through the available society merchandise and leaflets
- Callsign Badges: Tell everyone who you are with a callsign badge engraved while-you-wait by Jim 2E0JTW – Handy for our new batch of M6s
- Quiz: Chris G0IPU challenges you to answer some ham radio questions, just for fun
As ever, 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 19th October 2015 – 7pm to 9pm |
Each Skills Night is different, and the events always get a good mix of attendees, some travelling from outside the Essex area to chat and mingle. Suggestions for topics are very welcome, and if you fancy putting on a show-and-tell as a future event, let one of the CARS training team know.
The Skills Night is an initiative from the CARS Training Team, and is supported by Essex Ham. The Skills Night is 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 pass this message along.
Skills Night Links:
- Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society’s 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
