The Southdown Amateur Radio Society is a club for anybody interested in amateur radio, with members across the South Downs and even other countries.
We usually meet on a weekly basis at our Beachy Head radio site, as well as once a month in our Eastbourne-based club rooms.
We have members interested in everything from CW to modern data mode and participate in many contests each year – you can read more about what we get up to on the blog, or below.
Latest News
Three members will be exhibiting their vehicles at this event on the 8th of October. Ranging from early series One examples to Defender 110. There will be many exhibits that trace the history of these iconic vehicles.
For those not necessarily interested in vehicles, the Amberley Museum has a very good display of classic radios and Televisions. These range from early domestic to communications receivers and Transceivers. There is also a good display of heavy electrical power engineering and much more.
The first in the AFS series of contests starts this Sunday 17th September.
Running between 0900-1200 UTC members will be participating from our Beachy Head site. Our callsign will be G1KAR/P using the LFA beam and IC-7300
Just in case members have missed entries on our calendar and Forum, the FOT takes place this coming Bank Holiday weekend from Saturday to Monday inclusive. Whilst no longer an official SARS event, there will be five members present at the Land Rover and Military displays. Some of us will be running Special Event station GB3FOT on 51.70 MHz FM and other frequencies as posted.
Members can visit our station or call in and participate in this event. With your support, perhaps we can once again take this excellent opportunity to promote amateur radio. There will be a display of working Clansman radios, plus post WWII transceivers and Larkspur series sets.
As in previous years it is intended to participate in the 144 MHz (2m) VHF Low Power Contest from our Beachy Head radio site on Saturday 5th of August. Maximum output power is 25W. The contest starts at 1400 until 1800 UTC. This is followed by the 432 Mhz (70cm) event on Sunday, starting at 0800 and finishing 1200 UTC. There is normally some good activity and contacts, particularly on Two metres. Members present often have refreshments and cooked food towards the end of the Saturday event.
Several members will also be displaying their military vehicles at the Rural Past Times show at Horns Cross. Richard 2E0EOX will have his excellent example of an FV432 (Tracked Armored) fitted with Clansman radio equipment. Members will also be at the Festival Of Transport (FOT) in Hellingly over the Bank holiday weekend for which we have special event call GB3FOT.
This contest runs from 1400-2000 UTC and the usual SARS volunteers will be at our Beachy Head site to field an entry. We have a new Rotator which should be well capable of swinging our recently acquired LFA beam. This is quite a large array and should make a positive impact on received and transmitted signals. More details for members on our Forum.
There will be a regular meeting at Old Town Community Hall this Friday from 2000 local time.
SARS members Barry G8DXU and Andy 2E0GNE will be exhibiting some of their portable Clansman equipment on Saturday and Sunday at this show. They will also be displaying vehicular radios in a Land Rover Defender 110 Tithonus.
In order to mark Armed Forces Day we will also be on air using callsign GB1AF. We will be monitoring 51.70 MHz FM from 1000-1700 local time on Saturday and Sunday. Working frequencies of 28.320 (USB), 5.317 MHz (AM) and 1.976 MHz AM / USB will also be regularly monitored. It is also hoped to be active on HF bands such as 40m, 80m and 20m.
There will be many exhibits of Steam Traction Engines as well as trade stands and refreshments. The show is located at The Broyle, RINGMER. Barry and Andy will be pleased to welcome SARS members who may be able to visit or call us on air.
Following positive responses on our forum, it is proposed to resurrect these nets. The frequency will be 1976 kHz +/- QRM initially using USB to allow Clansman users to join in with unmodified radios. The first of these nets is now confirmed to be on Saturday 27th from 1400 local time. Non SARS members will be very welcome to join the net.
Control station will initially be G8DXU operating G1KAR/P from Beachy Head. Date and time is confirmed .
The Southdown Amateur Radio Society is moving closer to the South Downs!
SARS meetings will now take place on the evenings of the first Friday of each month, commencing on Friday 5th May 2023 at 8pm, at the Old Town Community Centre in Eastbourne.
Please download May’s edition of AirTime, which has now been published, to read all about the move, including further information on address and timings:
At this meeting there will be an introduction to Digital Modes by Tim M0THM and Bob G0UOI. Barry G8DXU will be bringing along some more surplus and silent key items, for sale to members only. This will include several complete VHF and HF transceivers, for spares or repair.
The society wishes to acknowledge the generosity of individuals and families for their donations of equipment. These have been very gratefully accepted and usually sold to members with 100% of the proceeds going to SARS funds.
Alternatively items have been allocated for the benefit of all users of our Beachy Head Radio Site or where serious repairs are required given to members at no charge. As a last resort electronic and electrical equipment is dismantled or recycled as required.
We normally send a letter of thanks to the families that have made donations but sometimes this may have been overlooked due to lack of contact details etc. For regularity the following individuals or families of, are thanked most sincerely for thinking of the society, when considering their donations. J. Gardiner, B. Garside / Jim M7DNW, Emily / B. Wood,