This coming Monday, the 21st of September 2015, will be the next Danbury Skills Night, hosted by the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society Training Team.
If youโve been along to a Skills Night before, youโll know what to expect โ the usual mix of demonstrations, show-and-tell, construction, plus the chance to chat, ask questions and swap ideas. If youโve not visited a Skills Night beforeโฆ why not? Come along! Itโs a friendly event with free tea and coffee where you can come along and learn more about the hobby. All are welcome, thereโs no charge, and you donโt need to be a member of any club to come along.

Hereโs whatโs in store for the September 2015 Skills Night:
- Construction: Peter M0PSD and Chris 2E0CUU will be there to help you make your first 2m or 70cm Slim Jim antenna or 2 metre dipole. Also on offer โ patch lead construction, plus help, advice and access to tools and soldering irons. Come along and get making.
- Raspberry Pi: โ Fresh from his Raspberry Pi talk at Thurrock Acorns this week, Peter G0DZB will be bringing along a selection of Raspberry Pi projects and accessories. Want to learn more? Come and chat to Peter about these powerful, low-cost computers
- Radio Programming & Accessories: Charlie M0PZT will be available to set up your handheld โ 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 radioโs power cable. Charlie will also have a selection of Ham Goodies, such as RTL dongles, datamode kits, aerial and coax adapters, plus snap-on ferrites.
- Drone: Dean M6NSX plans to bring along his impressive drone, complete with heads-up display. No flight planned, but a good chance to look and play with a serious drone โ Deanโs footage was used in the recent TX Factor special
- Essex Ham: As our sixth Foundation Online training course gets rolling โ another chance to try the course out, and test your luck with a mock. Plus Getting Started Guides, tablets, and our free wi-fi connection
- Morse and More: Meet the team from the Essex CW Club and learn more about their mode of choice, and possibly try your hand at making a Morse contact.
- Chelmsford ARS: Renew your CARS membership ahead of Octoberโs AGM, plus, the chance to discuss what youโd like from CARS over the next 12 months
- Quiz: Due the sad passing of Clive G1EUC, this monthโs quiz will be hosted by Chris G0IPU
- Callsign Badges: Tell everyone who you are with a callsign badge made while-you-wait by Jim 2E0JTW
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 21st September 2015 โ 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 โ If you know someone interested in coming along โ please pass this message along.
Skills Night Links:
- Chelmsford Amateur Radio Societyโs Skill Night page
- Essex Hamโs Skills Night Page โ Videos, photos and interactive map
- Amateur Radio at Danbury Village Hall
- Essex Hamโs Summary of previous Skills Nights