Regular Meeting 20 May - Conference Report & Canvas of latest transceivers

Arduino uno An Arduino is a small computer, primarily used in controller applications. Arduinos are now very cheap to buy (from about $9 each for a clone on Trademe) and their application to Ham Radio can be quite varied. Mike ZL1AXG gave a brief talk about the Arduino. Bernard ZL2BD and Mike ZL1AXG then assisted members with a "hands on" project involving passing CW from one end of a long table to the other on 433Mhz, using an Arduino. Members found that working with arduinos wasn't as difficult as they thought. The powerpoint presentation and information on the project can be found here. Information on other arduino projects can be found here.

Marconi Centre, Poldhu, Cornwall We heard tales of trips "home" to Cornwall from Bob Morris ZL2AVM. There was a pirate mentioned... just one as it happens, but Bob ZL2AVM took us on a fascinating illustrated communications romp through parts of Cornwall over several centuries. From coast-top beacons, flag signalling, telegraph experiments and undersea cables he lured us into his world as a lad growing up. His family links with the area helped set the scene for a discussion of Marconi’s activities (with special reference to Poldhu and Porthcurno, and to the impetus the development of railways gave to electrical signalling requirements. There was even a glimpse of Goonhilly (further west) which began as a satellite telecoms tracking station, only to change its nature as reliable undersea cables and “stationary orbit” satellites became dominant. The site of Bob’s first amateur station G3KYB was disclosed, and he asserted that while he had been tempted, he never did run an antenna from the shack up the adjacent church tower.

The third in a series of "nosh n natter nights" was a cold and blustery evening. However a dozen members turned out, complete with a plate. There was plenty of food. Excerpts from branch newsletters from the last 50 years were read out stimulating conversation. There was also a tape recording or two of silent keys talking about the "good old days" of amateur radio and the second district radio club (aka Branch 50). Most people were able to contribute something nostalgic - whether it was about their first crystal set, the amateur op who introduced them to amateur radio, or commentary on some strange electrical object that mystified the experts abroad (George's dielectric constant measuring device). The night went on until 9.30pm before the Chair thought he had better call an end to the meeting (after failing to stop the nostalgic contributions 20 minutes earlier. There were no boring tales, but maybe a porky or two (from Richard?)!