Galashiels and District Amateur Radio Society (GDARS) GM4YEQ

Wednesday Nights

Posted by gdars on May 6, 2023 No comments

Here are a few photos of some Wednesday night meetings’ technical goings-on. Not the same night, but several nights at the start of 2023.

Looking at several magnetic loop antennas on the table and on tripod

We had a “magnetic loop” antenna night when several members brought their various magnetic loop antennas to look at. Bob GM4CID tested them for frequency and efficiency using a MiniVNA analyser.

Also Colin MM1APS was looking inside a Kenwood TK-705 mobile set to fault find problems with it.

Opening up a vintage Cambridge Pye shortwave radio.

Old valve (vacuum tube) tester and Colin

Colin brought in an old valve tester to test some vacuum tubes for another piece of equipment.

Icom IC-756 Pro II and Icom IC-706 radios on table, 756 with case off

Colin fixing a member’s Icom IC-756 Pro-II radio. Spot the destroyed component he’s trying to replace.

Icom IC-706 radio with ATU-100 EXT tuner and portable battery pack

Frequency standard receiver and frequency counter

Mike MM3NTX brought in his Icom IC-706 radio to be frequency-calibrated because he was told it was “very slightly off” when he bought it second-hand. Colin brought in his frequency standard (receiving the 60kHz MSF signal from Anthorn) to calibrate the club’s frequency counter, and then in-turn used that to adjust the Icom. The radio was 400Hz out at about 145MHz, adjusted to within about 5Hz of frequency which is pretty good.

Old 486 PC running MS-DOS being used to program a some old Philips FM1000 radios.

John GM7MUN brought in his old 486 PC running MS-DOS as it had the hardware and software to program his Philips FM 1000 mobile sets. Bob helped him with the programming.

PW 144Mhz QRP Contest 2022 Certificate

Posted by gdars on February 4, 2023 No comments

We received the certificate from last year’s PW QRP contest in June 2022 where myself (Mike MM3NTX), George GM1OPO, Brian MM7OYD and Nigel GM7GRH helped to get a station on-air in the back of Brian’s van and win top station in Scotland (admittedly out of 2 entrants) and top (only!) station in the IO85 square.

Thanks to the guys for helping to get us an entry for 2022.

2022 Rally – 30th October 2022

Posted by gdars on November 7, 2022 No comments

The Galashiels and District Amateur Radio Society Rally and Open Day was held on Sunday 30th October 2022 at the Volunteer Hall, St John Street, Galashiels.

A successful day, over 200 visitors through the doors, 17 traders taking tables, and many items sold through the Bring & Buy.

Welcome back to the many familiar faces seen once again after the last few years of COVID restrictions, and some new faces too.

Thankfully the weather stayed dry during the unloading of traders vehicles and setting up, with some heavy showers just after lunchtime.

Traders attended:
Alan Clegg
Mirfield Electronics
Canny Components
Bob GM4CID
Scottish Borders Repeater Group
G-QRP Club
Mick Hunter
Perth Repeater Group
Tony Kruszelnicki from Lincoln
Pete GM4BYF
Gerald Prior
Ken GM4NTX
Michael Wills G0TNF
Dave Bagshaw
RSGB
Dundee ARC
Fraser Williamson MM0HCD

Dave GM0KCN setting up set of stage steps on the stage for use as shelving for Bring & Buy items — Dave KCN setting the stage display

View across the hall from the stage, with traders stalls set up. Dave MM0HTL and John GM7NVA booking in early Bring and Buy items. — Dave KCN setting the stage display

Traders stalls as seen from entrance to hall

Heavy rain shower just around lunchtime. Thankfully not at the start when we had queues of people waiting outside, or while traders were trying to load/unload their stuff.

Empty hall with just some boxes left on the floor waiting to be loaded onto vehicles and taken back home.

And then it’s all over! Tables emptied, visitors and traders heading back home.

Many thanks to all club members who came along to help setting up and to help out while others had a look around the hall. Thanks to the traders for setting up a display of products for everyone to come to, the caterers for food and drinks, and thanks to all those who came from far and wide to see our rally and again making it a successful day.

Hope to see you all next year!

2022 Rally and Open Day – Sunday 30th October – Volunteer Hall Galashiels

Posted by gdars on October 8, 2022 2 comments

The Galashiels and District Amateur Radio Society Rally and Open Day will take place on Sunday 30th October 2022 at the Volunteer Hall, St John Street, Galashiels.

Railways On The Air – Whitrope Sat 24th/Sun 25th September 2022 – GB0WRH

Posted by gdars on September 18, 2022 No comments

Members of the club again operated a station in the Railways On the Air (https://rota.barac.org.uk/about) event from the carpark of the Whitrope Heritage Centre (Whitrope Siding) near Hawick on the weekend of 24/25th September.

The callsign used on-air was GB0WRH (we got our usual callsign back this year) operated through the HF bands on Saturday and Sunday. Dave S GM0KCN and Dave H MM0HTL started setting up on the Friday night and operated on the Saturday. Dave S had to return home on Saturday evening so Dave H operated on Saturday evening and the Sunday (assisted by Buster the dog).

They had a little trouble on Saturday morning with the 230V generator cutting out at higher power use, cutting out when operating the electric kettle or the linear amp. Previously it used to cope fine with those, so clearly a problem with the generator.

George GM1OPO and Mike MM3NTX visited on the Saturday, and had a play with their Hy-gain 14AVQ antenna and Xiegu G90 during breaks in the main station operation.

The Whitrope Heritage Centre is run by the Waverley Route Heritage Association who have restored a length of track and sidings on the old Waverley line (1849-1969) between Hawick and Carlisle. Further details here: https://wrha.org.uk/about/

Location:
Whitrope Heritage Centre, Whitrope, Hawick, Roxburghshire TD9 9TY
Location: 11 miles south of Hawick on B6399 (Hawick to Newcastleton road).