wythall radio club

What circles the earth 400km up and is as big as a football field? 

Yes, its the International Space Station! 

Communication via the ISS’s amateur radio installation has been a focus for Wythall Radio Club members in recent weeks.

The ISS’s ‘digipeater’ (digital repeater) receives messages send by radio amateurs and re-transmits them back to earth.  Using a hand-held digital radio (see picture) and a simple antenna, Wythall Club members Lee G0MTN and Chris G3YHF exchanged greetings over the 800km path to the ISS and back.  

Careful planning is needed, as the digipeater can only be accessed when the ISS is passing over central England.  This takes place once or twice a day, and each pass only lasts 10 minutes. 

The ISS’s Russian crew have also been transmitting pictures, and these have been received by Neil 2E0LUH. 

The ISS crew occasionally use voice transmissions to call schools and radio amateurs.  We’re hoping to catch one of these rare opportunities in the near future!

This is all part of the exciting ARISS (Amateur radio on the International Space Station)  project.

“How many different countries can you contact by radio?” That’s the challenge for Wythall Radio Club members!

Almost 700 amateur radio operators in 163 different countries have been contacted by Club members in the past month – and several of our operators have contacted 100 or more countries each. 

The map shows in green the countries one of our members has contacted.  Still a lot of countries in Africa and south east Asia to talk with!

Members are using voice, Morse code and digital transmissions in their quest to span the world! 

Some are having great success with simple antennas and low power – you don’t have to be high tech to work stations around the world!

Our Wythall Worldwide Awards competition runs for 6 months.  There are 339 different countries for amateur radio purposes so there are lots more opportunities for Wythall radio operators to reach around the world!

On Friday 17^th August, with other members of Wythall Radio Club, I attended the funeral service of long time member and former Treasurer David Dawkes G0ICJ. The service to celebrate the life of David was held in the Kingswood Meeting House Chapel in Packhorse Lane, Hollywood.

About 150 plus people were in attendance and the service had to be relayed onto a screen in the adjacent meeting room  as there was not enough space in the chapel to accommodate everyone. The Rev Ant Howe conducted the ceremony and I have to say it was a beautiful and moving affair, concentrating on David’s life, his family and his interests.

Mike G4VPD had the privilege of being a bearer of David coffin into the chapel. Several tributes were read out from David’s friends, former work colleagues and Wythall Radio Club members.

After the service the close family left for a private committal service at the Crematorium whilst the rest of us relocated to the Hollywood Golf Club for refreshments and were joined later by David’s family.

Whilst a sad event, the whole day was a true celebration of the life of a wonderful man, husband, father and grandfather. Jackie, Angela and Claire and their partners and children were very strong and thanked mourners for their presence and messages of sympathy.

Chris G0EYO

Heavy downpours at the weekend didn’t prevent the fun at Wythall Radio Club’s annual portable radio operation and bar-b-q!

Club members participated in the Islands on the Air (IOTA) competition, contacting over 800 other stations around the world – many also operating (like us) from an island. 

Lee G0MTN and team operated throughout the 24 hours of the contest with a portable radio station – the tents proved dry and warm despite the windy wet weather outside! 

And our top bar-b-q chefs Anita 2E0DUO and Mike G4VPD were on hand to deliver excellent food. 

More fun was had when our special ‘antenna team’ replaced the Club’s old HF beam with a new lightweight version – with thanks to antenna maestros Vinnie, Craig and James. 

It is with extreme sadness that Wythall Radio Club informs both its members and the amateur community at large of the passing, early this morning, of David G0ICJ.

David was a member of WRC for many years and served as a senior officer in the role of Treasurer for a long period too. A former member of the banking profession, he proved to be an excellent pair of hands when the finances of the club needed careful attention.

However, it will be as a person that David will be most remembered. David was a man for whom nothing and no-one was too much trouble.

He would often be the first person to welcome enquirers or visitors to the club; he was someone everyone in the club knew, respected and admired. He had time for everyone and a caring nature which he used to good effect, often sidling up to a member who looked a bit under the weather, whereupon he would encourage and inspire in equal amounts.

Naturally he was a stalwart at many club events, leading the Bring and Buy at the Hamfest, and helping out at many of our radio operating and social events. He was also known to newer members of the club through his work invigilating exams.

Sadly declining health in recent years meant he was unable to take part in club events quite as much as he used to, but nonetheless he was around and about even earlier this year.

David was also a member of the Radio Society of Great Britain for over 50 years and appeared in the Society’s journal RadCom, for his notably long membership of the RSGB.

All members of WRC send our thoughts to his wife Jackie and his family at this sad time. 

Rest in peace David G0ICJ SK.

Wythall Radio Club was in full swing ‘on the air’ last weekend!

Members braved the hot weather to operate all manner of portable radio equipment and antennas and contact other stations around Europe on Sunday morning.  Operating from the field near our Club HQ, this ‘Plug and Play’ event is one of many activities Wythall Radio Club offers to its members.

Cool drinks and a camping grill kept the group hydrated and energised!

At the same time, two Club members were contacting stations around the world in an international radio competition – making over 13,000 contacts in a 24 hour period!  

Lee G0MTN and Jamie M0SDV used powerful radios and antennas on 60 foot towers, as part of the UK national radio society’s ‘M6T’ team based in Suffolk.  

Nine happy students passed their Foundation exam at Wythall Radio Club.

Congratulations to Terry, Tim, Marcin, Mo, David, Darren, Andy S and Andy W, and Paul!  We hope to hear them on the air soon with their new M6 call signs.

The photos show them completing their practical assessments, and three of the successful candidates – Paul, Darren and Andy.

We expect that some will want to progress to the Intermediate course offered by Wythall Radio Club’s training team.  And some of the graduates from this course have recently signed-up to study for their Advanced amateur radio licence!

Perhaps there are more aspiring radio amateurs out there who would like to study our on-line courses? 

Further details are on the Wythall Radio Club web site or visit the Club which meets every Tuesday evening from 8pm at Wythall House, Silver Street, Wythall!

Runners and Wythall Radio Club members are getting ready for Sunday’s Wythall Fun Run 2018.

Over 20 members of the Radio Club will be providing communications and helping to marshal the event.

The Fun Run is a big draw for local runners and families.  Radio Club members always turn out in force, and use their skills and equipment to help ensure a successful and enjoyable day for all! 

Our local Scouts and Beavers discovered the joys of amateur radio when Wythall Radio Club visited them during June. 

The 1st. Tidbury Green Beavers – aged 6 to 8 years – tapped their names in Morse code and used the phonetic alphabet to send messages to each other over hand-held radios.   Lee G0MTN and Michael M0IEQ were on hand to run the activities, assisted by the Beaver leaders and parents. 

The keen Beavers soon got the hang of these communication skills!

Other members of the Club ran a special event station for 1st Tanworth Scouts‘ 60th anniversary fete.  This followed two evenings where the Scouts were introduced to amateur radio and passed greetings messages over air. 

Dave G3YXM showed his expertise at casting a fishing line, enabling the team to haul up an antenna between two tall trees. 

David G0HVN and Ian 2E0LQY helped young visitors to send their names using Morse code.  They also used voice and digital communications to contact stations around the UK and Europe more widely. We will be providing more radio experience for Scouts and Beavers during Jamboree on the Air later this year.

May is “Morse Code Appreciation” month at Wythall Radio Club – and some of our new members received special awards to mark their progress in learning the ‘dots and dashes’!

Harry M6NKW, Stuart M0SRZ, Ian 2E0LQY and Kim M6SSV were singled out for special praise.  Kim made his first ever Morse code contact – with a station in Germany – during one of the Club’s Friday morning ‘open shack’ sessions.

The overall winner of the Lew Williams Memorial Shield was Sue 2E0LUJ.  She not only learnt Morse code but also built a small transmitter/receiver.

The Club also recognised the contribution of members who teach and promote use of Morse Code, awarding certificates of commendation to John 2E0XET and John G4OJL.

So very well done to our members, and we look forward to hearing you try out your new skills on the air!