September - Highfields Amateur Radio Club

GW4LFOGW8NPg{x axãáÄxààxÜ Éy à{x [|z{y|xÄwá TÅtàxâÜ etw|É VÄâu? VtÜw|yyAView from the ChairMy postbag and e-mail havecertainly been under-whelmed witharticles, notices etc for thenewsletter and website this lastquarter, is there anybody outthere?It was suggested by a member that a trip toBletchley Park would be a welcome event, theCommittee agreed but unfortunately it never gotpast the planning stage because there was notenough interest from members and another localClub that I contacted to share in the experiencedidn’t even reply! I did get interest from an exClub member and a friend but it didn’t make upsufficient “bodies” to fill a bus.On a better note, the BBQ and On The Airnight at Paul’s went well with all the usualsuspects, sorry members, being in attendance. Iwould like, on behalf of the Club, to thank Paul,his wife Michelle and their family for their timeand effort, making us welcome and supplying thegoodies.The other major event booked to take place,the Summer Extravaganza at Porthkerry Park,didn’t go ahead due to the change in the weather.I felt that it would be better to call it off rather thaneverybody being blown all the way back to theClub house by the wind!To end with I have some advanced newsregarding the AGM and Christmas get-together.They will be held together on Tuesday 7 thDecember 2010, the AGM will start at 1900hrsfollowed by a buffet. Members and theirspouses will be welcome to come along for theevening but, obviously, non-members will notbe eligible to participate in the AGM.73 Brian, MW0GKXWebsite: highfields-arc.co.ukFT-847 UpdatePublished quarterlySeptember 2010Just so you all know, here is an update onthe status of the Yaesu FT-847 purchased bythe Club earlier in the year.The power switch has been replaced and aYaesu suggested modification was carried outto (try to) stop the switch burning out again (anarticle about this was posted on the Club websitesome while ago when it was done).The transmission coverage was also openedup to cover the portion of the 7Mhz segment thatwas not available for us to use at the time theradio was manufactured. As with the TS-570there is a card attached to the radio with all theinformation on to ensure that the operator cankeep within legal requirements without having tolearn the schedule to the licence by heart!The Piexx speech chip is still not availableas yet but there is a work-around for this: I havemade a CAT lead for the radio and, inconjunction with a laptop running Ham RadioDeluxe and a USB to Serial adaptor the radiocan speak the frequency, mode and other selectinformation via the computer. I posted the detailsof the lead and it’s use on the website and thissparked off a flurry of emails between a USoperator (“it doesn’t work, I’ve been trying forages”) and myself (“yes it does I’ve used / heardit”). I’m happy to say that between us, his endnow appears to be sorted.

Joy for Dr DanIt came to my attention, via Dr Dan’s post onFacebook, that he is now the proud father ofbaby Carys. I’ll reproduce the entry he postedon Friday so you all know as much as I do:After 5 days of exhausting labour and a nearemergency caesarean a little 5.5lb babyCarys was born, delivered by forceps. Mumand baby ok and will remain in hospital forthe next week. Dad is just about hanging inthere too.This entry was followed up on Monday witha photo:Club Meetings& Diary DatesFrom September to December 2010Meeting dates are bold text and, unlessotherwise noted, are at the usual meeting venue:Rhiwbina Recreation Club, Lon-Y-dail,Rhiwbina, CARDIFF. CF14 6EA.Any alterations will be notifiedat Club meetings and on the website:( http://highfields-arc.6te.net/club/activ.htm andhttp://www.brownbearsw.com/freecal/harc )Sept 7Natter NightSept 14 Committee Meeting Natter NightSept 21Sept 28Oct 5Natter NightNatter NightNatter NightOct 12 Committee Meeting Natter NightOct 17 Blackwood / Newport Rally(Sunday) Coleg GwentCrosskeys CampusRisca RoadCrosskeysGwent NP11 7ZAOct 19Oct 26Nov 2Natter NightNatter NightNatter NightNov 9 Committee Meeting Natter NightNov 16Nov 23Natter NightNatter NightI’m sure you will all join me in wishing bothparents and baby well.Newsletter / WebsiteArticlesNov 30Natter Night(Closing date for items for the next Newsletter)Dec 7AGM & Christmas Get-togetherDec 14 Next Newsletter* Natter Night* I’ve decided to hold back publication of thenext newsletter until after the AGM. Brian.Don’t forget I’m always on the look-out forarticles of news or interest for the Newsletterand the website.Don’t hesitate to contact me if you haveanything suitable. Brian, MW0GKX.