Author Archives: Paul M0ZMB

Jamboree on The Air (JOTA)

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This weekend just past (16th – 18th October) saw TSGARC members establishing a JOTA station for Olveston 1st Scout Group.

John, Garry,Paul, John, Richard, Andy, Rob, Susan, Peter, Peter, Rex, Mike and others attended the 1st Olveston Scout hall from Friday through to Sunday providing many activities and radio stations for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts of the group. Activities included VHF, HF, CW, SDR radio, RepRap and simple Telephony devices. Also we provided a CCTV system.

We were issued with the callsign GB1OSG for the weekend by OFCOM using which a number of contacts were made.

There now follows the obligatory silly picture. Which was taken by Garry’s Raspberry Pi, then streamed to the CCTV PC, projected to a rear projection screen and photographed by my phone. The subject includes John, Garry, Peter and myself alongside a further back projection of the live ISS HD camera downlink provided by Peter and NASA specifically for our event (a little bit of liberty there). Does this qualify for the most exotic selfie?

Silly Picture

The following photos show the room layout and a glorious sunset.Room ViewISS

The Scout that attended enjoyed the experience and viewed the SDR setup provided by Peter, spoke and transmitted CW to Rex at Woodhouse Park. The Scout that attended can be seen below engaged in communication with Rex.

Edward

All in all a good weekend was had by all who attended however the number of Cubs, Beavers and Scouts was severely reduced from those in previous years.

Paul
M0ZMB

 

 

 

Club Christmas meal @ the Masons Arms

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A Club Christmas meal is being planned for approx. 7:30pm Wednesday 9th December at the Masons Arms on the A38 at Rudgeway. Partners are welcome two.

Would all those who wish to attend please add your name and menu choices to the list and ensure that your payment of £8.79 is forwarded to the Chairman prior to Saturday 10th October.

Please choose from the menu below:

STARTERS

HONEY ROAST PARSNIP SOUP
Served with bread & butter

CRUNCHY BUTTON MUSHROOMS
With garlic mayonnaise dip

PRAWN COCKTAIL
Prawns, crisp baby gem lettuce and seafood sauce with bread & butter

MAINS

YOUR CHOICE FROM OUR CARVING DECK

OR

SUN BLUSH TOMATO & SQUASH KIEV
Sun blush tomato, butternut squash, chickpeas and red peppers mixed with a hint of garlic and encased in breadcrumbs

HELP YOURSELF TO FRESHLY STEAMED OR ROASTED VEG, POTATOES, STUFFING AND GRAVY

PUDDINGS

DAIRY ICE CREAM
Help yourself to all you can eat ice cream and sauces then add your choice of topping

CHRISTMAS PUDDING*
Served with brandy sauce or custard

KENTISH BRAMLEY APPLE PIE
Served with a choice of custard or ice cream

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE YULE LOG
Served with fluffy cream

PROFITEROLES
With Belgian chocolate sauce

Paul
M0ZMB

Royal Signals Visit

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On Saturday 29th September the Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio Club visited the Royal Signals museum at Blandford Forum. The visit was instigated by Rex, Peter and John who provided CW coaching to the general public at the 2014 Bristol International Balloon Fiesta as part of a BBC World War one exhibit.

Royal_Sigs_Mus

A good day was had with many exhibits to be viewed from the early semaphore systems and the reasons why to modern day encrypted systems as used in Afghanistan.

The on-site Cafe served us very well with mid-morning snacks and an excellent three course lunch hihi.

In addition to the museum a well stocked gift shop allowed members to purchase gift items and also some equipment as used by the services today. Some members also visited the Camp shop where more equipment was available.

Royal_Sigs_Group

Four vehicles travelled to Blandford as a single vehicle and a loose format convoy carrying 12 people. My thanks to the drivers.

M0ZMB
Paul

 

Pizza’s at Paulos

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All members, their partner’s and children are cordially invited to an afternoon and evening of Pizzas produced in my Wood-fired Pizza Oven.

The usual toppings will be provided along with standard and Gluten free bases but please bring any special toppings you like along with your favourite drink.

The  afternoon is planned with your arrival around 3pm Sunday 16th August however if you would like to be present for the lighting please arrive just prior to 1pm (however you will need to entertain yourselves whilst I then finish preparation).

Please RSVP to myself with numbers by Thursday PM.

My address can be obtained within the members area or by sending me an email.

 

Paul
M0ZMB

 

 

Bristol Model Flying Club display and BBQ 25th July @ 3pm

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The TSGARC has been invited to the Bristol Model Flying Club’s annual display and BBQ.

The event is to be held this Saturday 25th July and starts around 3pm. A suitable donation is requested from visitors.

Below is a link to google maps showing the exact position.

 Directions

Go down to the bottom of Thornbury high street and around to the roundabout. Take the 1st exit on to the Gloucester road B4061 .

With the Anchor Inn on the left take the next turn (not just after the pub) on the left 1/4 miles past the pub called Butt Lane, take the right fork into Morton Street then the left fork into Duckhole.

 The co- ordinates are :-

51°38’26.0″N 2°31’24.6″W

51.640552, -2.523498

 

On the way down the track (called “Duckhole”) the track divides stay on the right hand track. If you are on the right track you will get there eventually.

Hopefully we will see you there.

Visit to Royal Signals Museum at Blandford Forum

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Rex is planning a visit to the Royal Signals Museum at Blandford Forum. The current date for this visit is the 29th August.

If you would like to attend please contact Rex or Myself such that the appropriate paperwork can be completed.

To visit you will need Photo ID (e.g. Passport or Photocard Drivers licence).

As usual your driver should be reimbursed for any fuel used.

At present I have a list as follows (please confirm you are still available);

Andrew G.
Rex
John L.
Graham
David (Graham’s Friend)
Mike D.
Paul

 

 

HAM RADIO FRIEDRICHSHAFEN JUNE 2016

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The 2016 Ham Radio trade fair takes place in Friedrichshafen, Germany on 24-26 June 2016. This is Europe’s biggest amateur radio event, occupying three halls of the trade fair site.  Friedrichshafen is located on the shores of Lake Constance in South Germany. From Bristol, under normal conditions the car journey takes two days.

 

Graham G0MGC will be travelling to this event by car, and has two spare seats free on a cost-sharing basis. First come first served. A rough cost estimate for the trip including basic quality accommodation would be £200, including fuel, shared accommodation, food and entrance fees to the fair.

 

The road route would be via Germany to avoid French motorway tolls, and to take advantage of the quality German Youth Hostel Accommodation.

 

Accommodation in Friedrichshafen gets reserved well in advance of the fair and hotels are more expensive during trade fairs. However, youth hostel quality accommodation in Friedrichshafen can be reserved now, and cancelled up to 24 hours prior to Ham Radio at no charge.

 

Graham is very happy to share his planning knowledge with any member of the club wishing to travel independently, or with others.

 

Graham has not previously attended this event, but is advised by a German amateur who is a regular visitor, that two days at the fair would be sufficient.

 

Graham plans to leave on June 22 and return to Bristol on June 27, but these dates could be flexible either side, should those travelling with him agree on any intermediate stops at places of mutual interest.

 

Anyone wishing to travel with Graham should contact him  by July 31.
Should there be more than two people wishing to go I am prepared to put on another vehicle following Graham’s.

Paul
M0ZMB

Museums on the Air

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Over the last two weeks the TSGARC has provided Equipment and personnel to put the Thornbury and District Museum on the Air.

The event was widely supported by Members, the Museum and even the Press.

The Log Sheets can be viewed by clicking Here.

Two main stations were used both using the Callsign GB4TDM. The majority of contacts were made using VHF 2M with a number of CW and a single SSB contact being made with HF.

Mobile Foxhunt

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Gentlemen start your engines!!

Our annual Mobile Fox Hunt will be next Wednesday 20th May.

I have this evening chosen the Fox’s location after a lengthy search.

Start time for the hunt will be 7:30pm with a CQ call on 145.500, I will then move of to 145.450 assuming the frequency is clear.

Hints and tips;

  • Start off somewhere high.
  • Check for bearings at locations without power lines or metal buildings.
  • Use a directional antenna or the body shield method.
  • Take multiple bearings and go for the crossing point.

Paul
M0ZMB