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
We have now started another sale of surplus radio equipment and associated items. Currently the sale is for Members ONLY but will be opened to non-members if the listed items do not sell fairly quickly!
Please use the Search Bar in the Top right-hand corner of this page to locate the sale. Search “Sale” or “S/Key” Further details can be found on the members Forum.
This excellent Steam, Agricultural, Commercial and Military Vehicle show will be running over the Bank Holiday Weekend from 27th-29th of August. It is located at Broad Farm near Hellingly and has many Trade stands, static exhibits plus on-site Catering, Refreshments and a Fun Fair.
Whilst again, not an official entry from the society, several members will be exhibiting their Commercial and Military Vehicles. There will be early Series One Land Rovers from 2E0JXU and M0JAO with a working Larkspur, Station Radio C12 from 1955. The Defender 110 Tithonus FFR from G8DXU a full compliment of Clansman radio equipment and a separate static display of Manpacks, as used in the Falklands conflict 40 years ago.
We will probably also display some radio equipment from the WWII era.
Callsign GB2FT has been obtained for working demonstrations of the radio equipment. Please see Calendar for further details. At 1400 (Local) on Saturday and Sunday we will put out calls on the following frequencies. 1976 kHz AM, 28.320 MHz USB and 51.70 MHz FM,
Whilst not an official SARS entry, several members will be exhibiting vehicles and equipment at this show.
In previous years, RPT ran at the Pestalozzi village, until its closure. And after two years, has now moved to a new site at Monkings Farm, Horns Cross. This mainly agricultural show also features, Commercial and Military displays plus many trade stalls, Bar and entertainments.
Our own Richard 2E0EOX is the organizer for the military exhibits and will be displaying his FV432 being an excellent example of these Tracked Armored vehicles. This is fitted with working Clansman radio equipment. Barry G8DXU and Andy 2E0GNE will be exhibiting a Defender 110 Tithonus FFR, which is fully fitted with Clansman radio kit VRC353, VRC321 / 322. There will be a separate display of Clansman manpack sets PRC320, PRC349, PRC350, PRC351 as used in the Falklands conflict 40 years ago.
We have call GB2RP which will be used during the show for working demonstrations. Some of the frequencies used being 1976 kHz AM/LSB and USB, 28.320 MHz USB and 51.70 FM. Listen out around 1400 (local) on Saturday and Sunday.
We are very pleased to announce that there will be a presentation at our meeting by Rael Paster M0RTP on
Magnetic Loop Antennas.
Real has much experience in the design and construction of these aerials which are physically small when compared to more conventional systems. When used for transmitting the voltages and circulating currents can be high, which poses an interesting set of considerations. Construction requires some plumbing skills and the use of special capacitors such as vacuum variable types.
Doors open 1930 local time for 2000 start . Tea, Coffee and biscuits will be available as usual.
There will be a regular meeting at ESSC on Monday 4th July. Doors open 1930 for 2000 start.
This meeting will include a presentation on 999 Emergency Systems by Steve Shorey G3ZPS.
Three SARS members attended this event, Barry G8DXU, Tim M0THM and David M7BDP looking after the sale of selected items and Transceivers from BHRS . Items that were not sold will probably be offered to members at very attractive prices. (Pending committee approval)
It was also good to see other SARS members attending the show and enjoying the perfect sunny weather. These included John G3SGR, Peter M1BCV and other VMARS members.
The society will have another regular meeting at Eastbourne Sovereign Saling Club on Monday. Doors open 1930 for the meeting at 2000-2200.
Steve G8NFZ The RAYNET controller for this area, will be giving a presentation on The Radio Amateurs Emergancy Network.
Afterwards there will be an auction of some surplus items from BHRS. This includes a quantity of HF SWR meters, Sealine Handheld Marine VHFTransceiver, Handheld CB radio etc, for sale to members only.
Members have expressed interest for participating in the 432 MHz Trophy contest on the 7th May at our Beachy Head radio site. Please see the Forum for further details and to register your offers of assistance in Operating or Logging. Members are very welcome to visit the site during the competition.
We will be entering future events which should be posted on the website calendar. Please be prepared for some disruption to our usual equipment set-up at BHRS as we prepare to rearrange the station operating benches, aerials and power connections.
The society is pleased to announce that Jane 2E1PJJ has been unamiously elected as our Chairwoman for another year.
Committee positions were otherwise unopposed, with the addition of Tim M0THM coming forward to offer his expertise as Training Secretary. We are still looking for another editor to our magazine “AirTime” with Barry G8DXU agreeing to assist with publication in the interim period.
Each year the RSGB runs a series of contests over the Christmas period. These are all short events which last for a maximum of two hours between 1400-1600 each day.
The events are on the dates below, with the cumulative scores on each band contributing to an overall position. The results for single band entries also qualify for certificates, with SARS having been placed 2nd in the 50 MHz section and overall Runner-Up in 2016. 26th 50 MHz, 27th 70 MHz, 28th 144 MHz and 29th 432 MHz.
Tim M0THM will be running the 50 Mhz event on Boxing Day from Beachy Head, using the society’s ICOM IC-7300, Five Element Yagi and 400W Linear Amplifier loaned by G8DXU. Tim intends to operate on all of the other bands and contest days as indicated above.
Other members will operate and assist on 70-144 & 432 MHz depending upon their availability, with all being welcome to attend BHRS during these events. Members are warmly invited to make contact with Tim and others oprerating in this series of contests. Contest calls from members and local amateurs to the club station G1KAR/P will be most welcome.
