The following is just a short report on the activities at BHRS for Saturday 5th July 2014.
Andy M6GND opened up the site at midday and set up the Clansman RT353 to monitor 51.60MHz.our usual calling channel. He then connected the Ground Mounted Monopole antenna which is not only very quickly deployed but has proven to give very consistent results on both six and four metres.
Whilst still at my workshop I put out a call for M6GND on the above channel at 1315 from my Land Rover FFR using one of the RT353s. Andy replied immediately with a strong signal from the RT353 running on the 1 Watt setting.
After leaving the works QTH I called to collect Steve but regrettably he was unable to attend BHRS on this occasion due to family business. I subsequently made my way up to Beachy Head keeping in regular mobile contact with Andy who had already got the tea brewing!
Bacon and eggs were quickly cooked and sandwiches prepared with lettuce tomato and lashings of brown sauce! Suitably fed, we settled down to the afternoons business and decided to carry out a few tests on 3.615MHz using a pair of Clansman PRC320 portables. Before one of us had departed the site to some remote location, Dave G4XXM paid us a flying visit and offered to give us a call when back at his home location.
About half an hour later we called Dave on 51.60MHz and arranged to make mobile contact with Andy using 10 metres SSB. We had a short three-way net with Andy going pedestrian mobile in tactical mode using his PRC320 on the low power 6W pep setting. Andy and Dave changed to AM mode and continued the contact.
Slightly later I caught up again with Dave on 51.60 using his PRC351 & battle whip. The PRC351 has about 4 Watts output whilst my RT353 in the FFR was set at 15W however 1W proved sufficient from my end with a slight increase in noise.We talked for some while and during the exchange Dave reminded me that it was National Field Day. Whilst it was now late afternoon this was sufficient excuse for Andy and I to erect the ten element for 2 Metres and check the system performance. I had already replaced the aerial feeder and changed the N Type connectors for superior stock. When last checked the VSWR was 1.15:1 on 144.30MHz the new measurements proved that the work was worthwhile with VWSR now being an almost perfect 1.05:1
There was plenty of activity on 2 Metres and we called a number of stations quickly making ten contacts. Beaming East ON4WY at 119 miles distant was putting out a good 59 signal, with our best dx being G5TO/P near Matlock at 186 miles. With only 25 Watts RF output and no attempt to call the weaker stations it appeared that our equipment was operating as expected.
We intend to enter the 2 Metre Low Power contest on the 2nd of August. If you are interested in operating, logging making the tea or just observing, all club members are cordially invited to join us. It does not matter if you know nothing about contests, nor do we, just come along and have some fun. No one will shout at you or criticize if you make a mistake. Amateur radio should be an enjoyable hobby!
Barry G8DXU