What do modes sound like?

Someone on the Cambridge Club (CDARC) email list posted this useful link.

See https://www.sigidwiki.com/wiki/Category:Amateur_Radio .

Cambridge Radio Club (CDARC) talk

About a year ago, I gave a talk at CDARC. Because of my poor voice these days actually I produced the slides and someone else did the talking!  Ovearll, it was quite successful.

See https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/16QLftIhUmeL-0y6VytIvgnhbiM9GX2Nz/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=104978760719971510470&rtpof=true&sd=true.

Coax plug on V2000 vertical fixed

 Following Paul's suggestion, I ordered a PL259 plug and BNC adaptor. This seems to have been correctly fitted with a very low SWR on 6m, 2m and 70cm. All being well, I shall be on the CDARC 2m FM net on Wednesday evening at 8pm.

CDARC Wednesday Net

At 1900z on Wednesday evenings, the Cambridge and district amateur radio club (CDARC) holds a very informal net on 145.55 MHz FM. Anyone in range is welcome whether a club member or not. Usually there are between 3 and 7 members on. Polarisation is vertical and there is a web SDR if you are having difficulties receiving. I thought the link for this SDR was on the CDARC website, but cannot find it. 

Most people on the net are in the greater Cambridge area (surrounding villages). The net usually lasts for 20-60 minutes, but people come and go as they want. It is rarely technical!

See cdarcvhfrx.hopto.org:8073 for the webSDR.

CDARC Zoom talks

As I am unable to drive at night, I have really enjoyed the Cambridge  Radio Club lectures via Zoom. They are trying to arrange "hybrid" meetings with personal contact in Cambridge and Zoom lectures for those that cannot get in. In my view, the Zoom lectures have been excellent.

My personal view is that all lectures should be on Zoom only, with a social gathering somewhere else once a month. This would mean no room hire, reduced annual fees, people could watch or talk from anywhere on the planet and people could watch the Zoom talks with others in their homes if they do not have Zoom. I would expect most people have Zoom.

Imagine if CDARC became a worldwide radio club!

The image is from the CDARC website. I wanted to link to this image, but could not see how to do this. Instead, I took a screenshot. If copyright infringement is an issue, it will be removed.

See https://www.cdarc.org.uk/ .

CDARC talk on my website

I think this file is now shared. If you have problems getting it, please discuss with me. I created it in (free) Open Office and saved it in Powerpoint. 

Open Office is totally free and every bit as good as Microsoft equivalents in my view.

There is a link on this page below.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/cdarc-talk-march-2023 .

Talk tonight

For the first time since before my stroke in 2013, I am giving a talk to the Cambridge Radio Club (CDARC). The talk is by Zoom only in view of the bad weather. I have prepared the slides and someone else is voicing my notes. 

It is a bit of an experiment. Zoom details are (I think) on the CDARC website.  All being well, I shall try to answer questions verbally, but I may have to resort to Zoom chat.

The talk is entitled" Fun With Amateur Radio". It is quite wide ranging. I am pretty sure visitors to the Zoom talk would be welcomed. Talks usually start at 2000z.

The usual style is people mute (apart from the speaker) and unmute if they have questions, or use the Zoom chat facility.

Most club talks are also via Zoom, so you could join CDARC even if you live in Australia! Annual subscriptions are very reasonable. In the past we have had speakers and viewers from many parts of the planet.

See https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86735471090 .

Talk ....without the talking

 Next Friday, I am giving a "talk" at the Cambridge Radio Club (CDARC). This is a bit of an experiment as I have prepared the slides and someone else is doing the talking. These days, my voice is pathetic!!

CDARC is experimenting with hybrid talks so those of us unable to attend can watch on Zoom. Let's hope there are not too many questions! The talk is entitled, " Fun in Amateur Radio". I have been blessed with over 60 years of fun in the hobby and my greatest wish is that others can have as much fun. We all enjoy our hobby in different ways and that is one of the things that make it great.

AGMs and Zoom

Just now, I attended the Cambridge Radio Club (CDARC) AGM by Zoom. This was a hybrid meeting with some there in person and some remotely via Zoom. I no longer (if I can avoid it) drive at night.

As for previous lectures, the Zoom worked really well, including voting by putting a hand up.

This hybrid format really suits me as I can take an active part in club activities even though unable to get in. In the past we have had speakers and listeners across oceans.

The future of radio clubs

For several years radio clubs have been unable to meet because of Covid-19. Some turned to Zoom and found it far better than many expected. I have been very impressed how good these meetings have been. With Zoom all participants can chat and see each other if they wish.

The Cambridge Club has started meeting again in person, but has held "virtual" meetings, so that people at home can still see the talks and take part. As I am really unable to drive far by car at night, I have joined the last 2 meetings by Zoom.

Last night there were far more people on Zoom than in person! I just wonder if this is the future of radio clubs? The advantage of Zoom is speakers and listeners can be anywhere in the world. In the past, CDARC has had people give talks from Canada. With screen sharing this has been really good. We have had viewers from all sorts of places, from where they would be totally unable to attend in person.

What I wonder is should clubs do talks via Zoom with "in person" meet ups, say, once a month? No need to hire rooms, members could be from across the world, they could have lower fees. For those without PCs, people could get together in each other's homes. Social meetings could be in a pub or someone's home.

Cambridge Club - virtually

For the last few days I have been in Amsterdam. 

The Cambridge radio club (CDARC) held its first face-to-face meeting since the pandemic began (a builder's evening). As an experiment they ran a hybrid meeting with people attending in person as well as others by Zoom. 

I attended the whole thing from Amsterdam on my phone! The hybrid meeting was, in my opinion, a great success.

Cambridge Net

Every Wednesday at 8pm local time (1900z) there is a net on 145.55 MHz FM. Although mainly for members of the Cambridge Radio Club (CDARC), it is open to all in the area. Although pencilled in for an hour, people often leave by 8.30pm (1930z). 

Most participants are in the south and east Cambridgeshire areas. Everyone is welcomed. There is a club SDR to help reception.

Zoom meetings

In the last few years, we have all got used to Zoom video meetings. 

Speaking personally, I have been very impressed with Zoom meetings. I cannot really drive at night - well I certainly do not like it - and Zoom meetings suit me well. When screens are shared it is like being in the same room.

Every two weeks, the Cambridge Radio Club (CDARC) arrranges a Zoom talk. Tonight's talk was watched from a campsite in Scotland and a few weeks ago we had someone in Canada watching.  A few months ago he gave the talk!

I hope the CDARC continues with Zoom meetings after they return to meetings in person.

Sunspots Zoom lecture

 Last night the Cambridge Radio Club (CDARC) has another very successful Zoom talk. This time it was about sunspots and given by Martin G3ZAY who has written the HF column in RadCom for some years. Being on Zoom we were joined by a member in Canada. I am a great fan of Zoom lectures, which are far better than I ever expected.

Zoom success

Last evening the Cambridge club (CDARC) had another Zoom talk.  This time it was by Martin G3ZAY, who writes the HF column in RadCom, on the activation of rare Scottish islands for SOTA. 

It was again excellent. By sharing the speaker's screen you can see slides perfectly.  I am totally impressed by how good these virtual talks are. It is good as speakers and viewers can be anywhere without the need to travel. Potentially members could be in New Zealand or China, or anywhere.

Personally I would be happy for these talks to continue on Zoom, for membership fees to be reduced, and a social gathering in a pub or cafe say every month.

Cambs Net Wednesday 2m FM 1900z

Every Wednesday evening the Cambridge Radio Club (CDARC) has a net on 145.55MHz FM at 1900z. It usually lasts just over 30 minutes. We recently combined this with the East Cambs Net that used to meet on Mondays. The same people were largely on.

With my poor voice, this is quite a challenge, but I try to come on if I can. It helps when there are several people on so I don't have to speak that often, HI.

Usually I run 10W to my V2000 vertical omni. Last time I forgot to connect the PSU, so was running 5W from the battery on the IC-705.

Anyone is warmly welcomed. You do not have to be a CDARC member.

Zoom advantages?

Since the start of the pandemic our local Cambridge Radio Club (CDARC) has been holding regular lectures via Zoom. We usually get between 20-30 people attending. 

The advantage is those watching and speaking can be anywhere in the world.  Last night the speaker was in Canada. It felt as if he was next door!

As I am unable to drive in the dark, these talks suit me fine.

CDARC (Cambridge) Zoom talks

Every few weeks, the Cambridge club has Zoom talks. I think I have watched every one. This week the talk is about the remote station that the club has available of those with suitable licences. All talks have been excellent. 

One advantage of Zoom is both the speakers and viewers can be anywhere on the planet. A few weeks ago we had a talk from Canada.

Although clearly aimed at club members, I think others are able to watch. Who knows, you may want to join as a country member!

This week's talk is at 1900z and is by G4AWP. The link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86735471090 .

CDARC 80m net

As an experiment I tried to join the CDARC (Cambridge club) 80m net this morning with my 2.5W and the earth-electrode antenna. Although I had no problem hearing people, I could not be heard. My noise level is very low on this antenna, but I needed more power to overcome noise others were probably suffering. 

The SWR is too high for the auto-ATU on my FT991A. It just says "High VSWR" and gives up. On the FT817ND it works fine.

Cambridge Radio Club Zoom talk

Last evening, CDARC had another excellent Zoom talk. 

Being on Zoom, speakers can be anywhere and this time the speaker was in Canada! 

I like Zoom talks as these can be seen all over the world. As well as the speaker, there was someone else in Canada taking part I believe.

Zoom has surprised me. By sharing the screen, slides can be seen as easily as in a room. Also, all taking part can chat, by video or just mic if they prefer to wear their bedclothes!