Recent Meetings
Tuesday 7 January 2025: Club meeting at Tangier. Construction Night.
Tuesday 3 December 2024: Club meeting at Tangier. "FT8 Night" introduced with a short talk by Dee (G7BEH) on FT8/4 and followed by a practical demonstration using a ground mounted loop and and a FT991, with a PC running weak signal software.
Tuesday 5 November 2024. Club meeting at Tangier. "Old & New". A collection of receivers going back through the years. A comparison of performance was made using a ground mounted loop antenna.
Tuesday 3 September 2024: Club meeting at Tangier. “Using a skyhook”…
Dee, G7BEH explained the use of kite aerials for portable operation on the HF bands. See latest RadCom (October, page 57) for further details and photos.
Tuesday 2 July 2024: Club meeting at Tangier. "A view over Taunton"
Norman G8PLL, Dee G7BEH and Mike M0CIE talked about the microwave bands. A variety of microwave components, old and new, were on display and historic use of WBFM was described. An analogue WBFM video link operating at 6 cm was demonstrated fed from a camera overlooking Taunton, this using inexpensive FPV (first person view) modules and 5 GHz Wi-Fi panel antennas.
Tuesday 4 June 2024: Club meeting at Tangier. "Making 1000 km+ VHF contacts with 5 watts"
Dee G7BEH explained how to make 1,000km+ contacts on VHF or UHF using the FM Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellites, with minimal equipment required. Dee brought along their current portable kit for LEO operation, a weather satellite receiving antenna and a portable QO-100 terminal (which is almost complete).
Saturday & Sunday, 18 + 19 May 2024 - https://www.wzlet.org/steamonthelevels
Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club provided an exhibition station at ‘Steam on the Levels’
Equipment and exhibits were as follows:
Kenwood TS590SG c/w RSP1A used as a panadaptor for SSB & CW – large 32” monitor connected for waterfall.
Yaesu FT991A for FT8 – additional 32” monitor connected for showing spots on PSK reporter.
Exhibition of home brewed equipment and also completed kits (Kanga etc)
Hands-on demonstrations of Doppler radar using a HB100 module feeding an oscilloscope and a short range CW radio link using two BBC Micro:bit computers (Microsoft MakeCode block code).
Traditional morse key with audio oscillator
On the second day there was also a demonstration of QO-100 reception displayed on a laptop
Over the weekend, several SSB & CW contacts were made on both 20m & 40m as well as FT8 contacts on 20m,10m and 6m.
Visitors to the station included several ‘lapsed’ amateurs (we hope that we re-kindled their interest!), people familiar with CB but not amateur radio and members of the public who were just curious (possibly attracted by the monitors and audio). At times we were very busy.
It was also interesting to note the interest in CW from people of all ages
Tuesday 7 May 2024: "Building Arduino VFOs". Daimon, G4USI, talked about how to construct variable frequency oscillators using the Arduino. He brought along several pieces of radio hardware that he has produced, which also included some bespoke PCBs.
Tuesday 5 March 2024: Ian G4ELW went through a wide range of useful on-line resources to help maximise the opportunities of benefiting from improved propagation. He explained how such tools can make best use of a limited capability station to achieve DX contacts.
Tuesday 6 February 2024: David G7BEH explained and demonstrated how to use a NanoVNA (Vector Network Analyser) for more than measuring SWR. This included setting up the NanoVNA, exploring its functionality, and filter measurement.
Tuesday 5 December 2023: Christmas natter night with mince pies. Ian G4ELW and Daimon G4USI experimented using a 'Loop on the Ground' antenna to see if it would mitigate the effects of high noise levels on HF at Tangier. Results were favourable when the loop was placed on the adjacent park land. Details of the concept can be found at: https://www.kk5jy.net/LoG/
Tuesday 14 November 2023: Several members participated in the UKAC 70cm contest up on the hill at Pilsdon Pen. Best dx was M1MLM/P in IO93ND, at 293km. See the gallery for photos.
Tuesday 7 November 2023: Club meeting at Tangier. Talk by Andy G1BED entitled 'Radio Anarchy, local radio in Ireland during 1980s'. An illustrated presentation on the many unregulated radio broadcast stations and TV relay stations.
Tuesday 3 October 2023.
AGM
Sunday 24th September 2023.
Club participation in the Practical Wireless 4 m VHF contest, at the Barleymow's camp site near Chard.
This was the club's first attempt at contesting in many years and was also a new band for many.
The club looks forward to participating in other contests.
Tuesday 5th September 2023.
Talk by Dave G4XUR on Taunton Raynet. An informative presentation on the history and current operations of Taunton Raynet. This also included information on their trials comparing analogue and digital communications on 2m and 70cm. Trials on the use of DMR are continuing, including the recent appearance of GB7EQ, located at Ashill, Somerset.
Tuesday 1st August 2023.
A beautiful earlier start (15:45 hrs for some) at Barleymows Farm Shop, just outside of Chard, in glorious sunshine, but we knew it was soon going to change! 1st August was changeable, and undertaking our first RSGB 2m competition we planned ahead and Andrew (M0LHC) bought a gazebo, table, lights, ground sheet (kitchen sink!) to add to our comfort. It was soon set up, and we awaited the other members to arrive. Unfortunately, the farm shop closes it's metal gates upon finishing and places the metal padlock in such a way as to fool would-be thieves from entering. Sadly, this also had the same effect for some club members, and despite driving from Taunton they were unable to get in, being under the impression the intended site was somewhere else! Hotdogs and hot drinks were the order of the day, and Ian's (M0KFH) canine dog certainly did well out of him cooking. But not so Andy (G1BED) who had to chew through the plastic sheath on the Bockwurst that Ian was unaware had to be removed! The competition itself was a success, despite the pouring rain and over forty QSOs were made, but more than that, the club had a fantastic team building exercise, and social event. It was great to meet new members, and to re-acquaint with members who had been away at university. Roll on the next club meet! Thanks to everyone who contributed time, antennae, radios, commitment and conversation.
19:30 hrs Tuesday 4th July 2023 saw a good sized gathering of members for David's (G7BEH) talk on "Checking Frequency Response Curves With An Oscillator". David is an accomplished and experienced operator, and the talk illustrated how useful electronic measuring devices are to the successful operation of a station. There was some interest in the smallest and cheapest device, which was also the most expansive! It was the Nano Vector Network Analyser. A warm, friendly and welcoming environment was encountered by those partaking in tea and biscuits, prior to the talk.
Tuesday 6th June, 2023 saw a good turnout during the afternoon and evening at the QTH of Andrew (M0LHC). Operating and refreshments were enjoyed by those who attended, whilst considering and engaging in much radio conversation.
Tuesday 2nd May 2023 was "Morse Code (CW) and Starting Out". Daimon (G4USI) gave an overview on using CW and then facilitated a discussion with members sharing their experience of using it. Members brought along various morse keys and associated items. there was interest shown in having club organised CW practice sessions. It was suggested that a practice session could be held before the Wednesday 19:30 hrs 2m club net, probably using Zoom, as there is currently no mode/band jointly available for all those who showed interest.