wythall radio club

More sunny Tuesday evenings extended Wythall Radio Club’s portable operation from the lawn outside our base.

On our third week of activity, we had three stations operational. 

The Club call GX4WAC/P was activated using Neil G1TZC’s portable satellite gear. 

This resulted in an impromptu net through the geostationary satellite QO-100 with DJ4FF (Robert), HB9FIY (Chris) and our new Club member Garry ZD7GWM.

The station was the usual ground-station with the 60cm folding dish. The Goonhilly webSDR was used on receive because the satellite was partially obscured by a tree, but the up-link signal into QO-100 was enough to be given a 58 signal report from receiving stations.

Martin 2E0XFI/P set up on another part of the lawn and was delighted with the results using his IC705 and 17 foot-long telescopic vertical, achieving 5 watt FT8 QSOs with Indonesia and 3W9A Vietnam. 

To complete the trio of stations, Chris G3YHF/P brought a home-made 20m delta loop on an 8m pole. 

With Ian, M0LQY, he worked around Europe on the key and had a very pleasant chat with Torgen SA5TBE on SSB – 59 both ways. 

Finally, the light faded, the midges came out and the lawn was emptied of kit and activity.

But that’s not the end of the story!

Our portable lightweight antennas inspired Ian M0LQY to search the SOTABEAMS web-site, where he found a design for a multi-band doublet. 

Quickly purchasing some lightweight SOTABEAMS cable and spaces, he had one constructed within an hour. 

For the doublet centre, he crafted a small piece of plastic tube with two holes drilled in it and a cable tie to fit the top of a telescopic mast.

The following week the doublet was quickly raised on Chris G3YHF’s 8m telescopic mast. 

The mast survived some bending as the two doublet legs were untangled – as the photo shows!  But within a few minutes we were on the air.

Using an FT817 and small auto-atu, a very low SWR achieved on the higher HF bands and 5 watts of FT8 gave PSK-Reporter spots across Europe.

Even as dusk turned to night, members – and visiting RSGB District Representative Martin M0JZT – could be seen discussing the results of Ian’s experiments.

Members went home for an early night or retired inside the Wythall clubhouse for refreshment, and to continue sharing experiences and ideas.

Very pleasant evenings! 

Our Club meets every Tuesday evening and visitors are always welcome there and at our special events, the programme for which is on our web site.

Our next big event will be ‘Plug and Play’ on Sunday 8th September on the rugby pitch behind the Wythall House complex. 

Members will be bringing along their own equipment to operate, using power kindly provided by Martin G8VXX’s generator.  Come and visit!

Neil G1TZC  describes yet another successful Tuesday Evening Activity at Wythall Radio Club

” This evening we had an outdoor activity to demonstrate the use of the nano VNA tool. The aim of the evening was to demonstrate how we can see what our antenna is actually doing rather than what you think it is doing.

Several members brought along an array of interesting antennas for testing

                                               The test station ready for use

The test equipment was the VNA with the N type connectors. This was my preferred choice only because I find the N type more durable than the SMA. The VNA was connected to a Fusion 5 tablet with a clip on keyboard, running Windows 11. My reasoning is that I find the software easier to use than using the touch screen.

An important thing that many people don’t understand is how to set the unit up for use. Until recently this included me. This next bit is vital!

Once you have selected the device you must set the sweep parameters BEFORE you run the calibrate sequence.

The sweep parameters will give you the lowest hand highest frequency that you are interested in. For the first round of tests we used 1MHz to 31MHz so that it showed the full HF band for people who thought they might have multi band antennas.

Neil (foreground) demonstrates to R-L Mike, Peter and Martin. Phil and Dave G7IBO in earnest conversation in the background

Next is the calibration sequence. Connect the short / open / load adaptors to the port you are using (we used 0). After connecting each adaptor click on the button on screen. There will be a short pause as that calibration is done. This is repeated three times. Then apply the calibrations.

We were looking at SWR so we set both the SWR11 and SWR21, from the dropdowns, as what we were looking at in this instance. As soon as the antenna is connected you get to see the SWR for the entire sweep that you set. The SOTA vertical was resonant at around 6.6MHz and with a quick shortening of the antenna it was retuned to 7.1MHz.

                                        Phil’s mystery military vertical

The military antenna was attached as Phil didn’t know what it was. Instantly on connection it was showing that the it was a 28MHz antenna. We recalibrated the VNA to sweep 25MHz to 55MHz and Phil removed a couple of the lengths that made the whip and moved it down to 51MHz, so he now has two bands on the old bit of military kit.

Martin and Pete also came along with compact HF antennas designed for portable working. Martin left understanding much more about the way his antenna does what it does. Pete liked the confirmation that his antenna really did work as it said on the packet.

Chris works on his impressive 40m vertical.. with a shortening of the vertical wire an impressive SWR achieved for CW operation at the lower end of the band.

It was a very productive evening and already people are asking for a re-run focussing    on seeing how portable VHF, UHF and SHF antennas work.

If you live in the south Birmingham area, please pop along to the Tuesday club night. Sometimes we are doing stuff, other times it is a pint and a chat. “

                               TUESDAY  6TH AUGUST   8.00 ONWARDS ON THE ‘LAWN’ WYTHALL HOUSE.

RADIO ACTIVATION  AS WE TRY THE RECENTLY DONATED  HUSTLER VERTICAL (THANK TOU CHRIS EYO) WITH THE FT857

Do want to know how to use cheap drone transmitter/receivers to get on 5.7GHz? – the photo shows one in operation at Broadway Tower.

Or build a J-pole antenna for bicycle mobile operation? 

Or with more activity on the HF bands as we approach the solar cycle peak, perhaps you’d like to build a small profile ‘C’-beam for 20m using easily available plastic conduit?

It’s shown in the photo left.

It’s all there – and more – in the Wythall Radio Club newsletter archive!  Click here to find the index to articles.

Or brouse the issues by clicking here.

You’ll find lots of invaluable advice, projects and ideas.

We don’t publish a newsletter these days, but try to keep the world informed on this web site.

Or come along to the Club any Tuesday evening or to one of the special events. 

Our location and contact details are on this web site.

COMING SOON .. A REPORT ON OUR RECENT EVENING SPENT ON THE LAWN OF WYTHALL HOUSE WITH OUR VERTICALS AND THE VECTOR NETWORK ANALYSER (VNA)

Tiny VNAs can now be bought cheaply.

Here’s one Lee G0MTN used to test his rebuilt band-pass filters.

But how can we use them to analyse our antenna systems and improve their performance?

Wythall Radio Club members will be gathering next Tuesday 23rd. July for a practical workshop. 

We’ll be using a VNA to analyse some portable antennas.

We will plot SWR over a given frequency range and display this as a line graph.  And see what else the VNA will tell us!

As usual, 8pm at Wythall House (in the garden if the weather is ok).

Visitors always welcome – bring an antenna!

Whilst the nation dozed in front of their football screens on Tuesday night a very different and dynamic team (11 players ) assembled in Wythall Park for their much trailed Foxhunt organised by Neil G1TZC. The evening was warm and the almost deserted Park looked lovely in the midsummer light.

Wythall Park in the late evening sunshine

Their mission: to find a needle in a haystack or more specifically the location of a very small transmitter putting out milliwatts (see picture).

The Fox!!

There it is!! the ‘needle in the haystack’

But first 70cm tape measure antennas had to be built from  individual kits provided by Neil.. these to be attached to our hand -held radios via a length of coax before venturing out into the wilderness in search of the ‘fox’.

The individually assembled ‘tape measure antennas’ and kits ready for distribution at the start of the Foxhunt

Dogs and dog walkers alike quickly sought cover at the sight of 11 members of Wythall Radio Club , antennas held aloft  combing the wide-open spaces of Wythall Park.

In the end the ‘fox’ was discovered at the foot of a tree by Derek G1INC who returned to base triumphantly holding the trophy aloft:

A triumphant Derek (centre) returns to base with his trophy

Phil and Lee have slightly different ideas on the direction to take

Mike and Pete have just heard the England score

The assembly .. Gary in the foreground gets to grips with the screwdriver

A great evening’s entertainment superbly organised by Neil and Debra and we were able to return to the long faces in the bar with smiles on our faces and a spring in our steps.

“It was good fun – I was definitely out of practice working out what was a reflection and how strong signals should be a particular distance from a very low power transmitter. Great mid- summer evening entertainment.” Lee G0MTN

A Midsummer Night’s Team

The team on the night: Neil G1TZC, Winston 2E0EGP, Derek G1INC, Gary G5RGS, Pete M5DUO, Phil M6PCN (2E0WTH), John M6KET, Mike G4VPD, Lee G0MTN, Ian M0LQY, Martin M7XFD.

NEXT EVENT TUESDAY 2^ND JULY.

G4WAC ACTIVE IN THE DARTS ROOM . COME ALONG AND USE THE CLUB EQUIPMENT AND THE 240’ DOUBLET AND SEE WHAT YOU CAN WORK

Visitors welcome to join members next Tuesday 25th 8pm – 9pm at Wythall House ……

…. to build a 70cm tape measure antenna from the kits made up by Neil G1TZC and Debra, and use it to find a hidden transmitter in Wythall Park.

The tower was used for amateur radio competitions and special event stations.  We festooned it with HF and VHF/UHF beams.

“Let’s do this again” some idiot said as we tidied away  in 2023 in the balmy conditions of a mid- June Saturday at The Wythall Transport Museum Activation.. it seemed a good idea at the time (and still does ) but we hadn’t reckoned on the jet stream and  some rather unseasonable weather..

            WHAT IT WAS ALL ABOUT

A sense of what’s to come .. storm clouds over the local cricket ground?

THE FRIDAY BEFORE

We had been well prepared as always with a briefing from Chairman the previous Tuesday involving a few paper clips and a piece of cardboard so the antennas went up effortlessly .. (the misnamed ‘Easy-Ups less so on the next day). Many thanks to Richard who turned up to help and of course we relied heavily on Dave with his catapult and fishing reel – always a good watch.

The Tuesday briefing before the mast rehearsal.. the team poised like a spring for action.

Roger’s cavernous Range Rover  proved invaluable as ever .. it’s like a Tardis- much bigger in the inside and we kept shoving stuff in there at Wythall House: luckily Ian M0LQY had a clipboard so were all right there and no doubting who was in charge.

THE SATURDAY:

A grim damp morning with thunder to follow but the visitors to the Transport Museum duly arrived as did our crack team of: Dave G3YXM, John M6KET, Phil 2E0WTH, Ian M0LQY, Neil G1TZC, Clive M0KNP and  Roger M0GWM

Dog showing no interest in digital.. Derek G1INC and Gary G5RGS with Ian M0LQY: Clive M0KNP looks impressed.

Neil’s impressive satellite log: to include OH5 and PY2 (CW) and ZD7 and 3B8 (SSB)

The day seemed to pass in a blur (!).. with red buses .. the problems  of digital and CW/SSB stations side by side.. (aerials or equipment?).. a VHF QSO with Simon G4VTR speaking in half sentences..Neil’s impressive satellite QSO’s with many stations including ZD7  St. Helena.. Phils antenna problems resolved by a good team effort.. the welcome visitors.. M6KET’s radio- friendly neighbour John, G4JSV , Gary G5RGS and Derek G1INC with a very obedient dog …M0LQY’s 36 digi contacts..the rare glimpse of M6KET on SSB … the longest wait for two bacon rolls .. chocolate bars and coffee throughout the day… and then the striking of camp.. the Easy-Ups no more compliant in Easy–Down mode and the organised  retreat to base and  much cursing of the spiral staircase in Wythall House as we returned the equipment to the basement..  ultimately everything packed away neatly(?) by 5.00 pm.

Would we do it again? Of course we would: a  great team club event , many good contacts made in CW/SSB/Digital and Satellite.

Many thanks to the team.. the unfailing good humour in  the face of some climate challenges, and of course to our Hosts Wythall Transport Museum

THE NEXT EVENT. TUESDAY 25TH JUNE ; FOXHUNT IN WYTHALL PARK WITH SELF- MADE ANTENNAS;

MEET 7.00 PM

ALL WELCOME- MEMBERS AND VISITORS ALIKE

 LONDON BUSES COME TO WYTHALL TRANSPORT MUSEUM WEEKEND

As part of the The Wythall Transport Museum Special  Weekend on June 15^th and 16^th Wythall Radio Club will be activating the site on the Saturday 15^th July with the special call sign GB0BUS.

This is also part of the International Museums weekend 2024 and like last year we shall be showcasing our Club and its many styles of operation.

As well as SSB, Digital and of course CW one expected attraction will be the satellite station operated by Neil G1TZC

Neil writes:

Neil’s satellite dish in rehearsal

Chris explains a few basic facts to the usual sceptical audience ..

“My plan is to use to use the FT-991 on data modes, including an SSTV station. That will be transmit and receive via RF and have a tablet attached to run the software.

The FT-817 is for voice and will be a hybrid station using RF up and webSDR for the downlink.”

In preparation for the event Club volunteers met last week to rehearse the erection of the mast for the event and were well drilled in the process by Club Chairman who had even prepared a model involving paper clips and cardboard  for ease of understanding. 

THE CLUB WOULD WELCOME ANY VISITORS TO THIS SPECIAL EVENT FROM 10.00A.M. ON THE DAY..AMATEURS RADIO ENTHUSIASTS  AND  INTERESTED SPECTATORS ALIKE, SO PLEASE COME ALONG AND SAY HELLO AND SEE WHAT THE HOBBY HAS TO OFFER; YOU WILL BE MADE VERY WELCOME.

QUESTION TIME AT WYTHALL RADIO CLUB TUESDAY 7TH MAY

and in answer to many questions:

 A SUNSPOT CYCLE PEAK FORECAST BY TIM BEAUMONT

Transformers.. overheating baluns.. indoor antennas… the intricacies of FT8 foxhunting …safety and mobile car operation.. receiver sensitivity and the wise use of the filters.. 30m noise levels…DSP v analogue filters…solar panels and EMI emissions.. content and lay-out of the ideal shack.. current propagation and 10 metre pop-up surprises..G0KYA band forecasts and Tim’s M0URX very own Mystic Meg forecast for the coming year????

15 of the  great and the good (see picture right) gathered for a meeting of the Wythall Radio Club recently to share their collective knowledge on a variety of subjects and within the hour provided a pretty exhaustive unpacking of the issues above. One shared ‘question’ was over the impact of the current solar sunspot peak 2024/2025 and we were lucky to have our very own Tim Beaumont to send us his thoughts reproduced below

We could have gone on (!) but the bar beckoned and enough questions been made to tax the little grey matter..

Tim’s propagation thoughts for the coming year are reproduced below (with kind permission of the author) and should whet the appetite for those with HF in mind.

(At the time of writing the sunspot counts stands at well over 227)

“Certainly this summer will be full of easy Sporadic E propagation not just single hop 1,500 to 2,000 miles but also watch out for multi-hop multi path Es which will happen- but I am not a mystic Meg to say when. 

So 6m and 10m is a must this summer.  If sunspots are consistently high listen out at night time on all bands: you may be surprised.  

Also with Sporadic E there will be very short hop propagation- as little as 100 miles.  This is great for catching DX in your dead zone, like Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man and Scotland: this can be great fun to catch the short hop Es. 

Short hop summer  Es will also help work stations from many parts of England.  Many say this is “unusual conditions” but it isn’t just normal and happens every summer.   

There will be plenty of F layer propagation especially In the sunrise and sunset plus and minus an hour or two and should filter up to the higher bands too.  But this will be best around the autumnal equinox. 

 The Autumn of 2024 will definitely be a good one for DX.

Just tune around and watch the clusters. There will be times of band disturbances too.  Make advantage of these. You will often hear pre-geomagnetic enhancements where the bands just explode with great conditions just before a solar storm hits earth.  This can also cause excellent Aurora conditions especially on the higher bands listen for that distinctive rasping sounds of the aurora to the voice or CW tones.

So without doubt Autumn 2024 will provide some incredible conditions. 

 It is beyond my understanding whether we will get a double peak on this cycle like we have done in the previous cycles.  But if we do my guess either this Autumn 2024 or Spring 25. 

 In Winter 2024, of course head down to the low bands but keep a watch on all bands at sunrise and sunset for the DX.”

COMING SOON AT WYTHALL RADIO CLUB…..  

1.TUESDAY 4TH JUNE-MAST ERECTION REHEARSAL FOR GB0BUS!

2.FRIDAY14TH JUNE SET UP FOR GB0BUS AT WYTHALL TRANSPORT MUSEUM

3.SATURDAY 15TH JUNE GB0BUS ACTIVATION

4.TUESDAY 18TH JUNE DIY 70CM ANTENNA BUILD AND FOXHUNT

DETAILS AND TIMES TO FOLLOW.