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.
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Members are reminded that the above event takes place tomorrow evening from 2000-2300 UTC. Individual members of SARS can and indeed, are encouraged to participate in these AFS events, mobile, portable or from their home QTH. Membership of the RSGB is not a requirement. SSB entries should use frequencies between 1892-1990 kHz.
Exchange is Serial, starting 001 then report plus “Club Member” and club identifier “SDWN” for Southdown. Full rules can be found on the RSGB website. See “Operating” and HF contests. This is one occasion when Top Band really comes alive and is at least worth a listen!
We’re pleased to announce the return of the club’s Annual Dinner, to be held on Saturday 20th January 2024 at the Langham Hotel in Eastbourne (19:00 for 19:30). We have again arranged this several months in advance to ensure a competitive rate of £32 per person (including tip). For further information and to confirm your choices and transfer of the appropriate amount, please use this online form:
https://sars.club/members/sars-annual-dinner-form/
Bank details and instructions can also be found on the above page.
Please note that the last day for RSVPs will be Saturday 2nd December so that the Langham can make the necessary arrangements.
We look forward to seeing you on the evening!
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 .