G0MWT, GX0MWT, GB5HF, GB5SM, GB100MWT & M2T
Skills Night - Jan-2017 |
Monday evening, 7pm January 16th, was the first 2017 Essex Skills Night. Despite a busy week that included an Essex Raynet callout for a flood alert, Skills Coordinator Pete M0PSX had prepared quite a variety for the start of the fourth(!) year of this popular event.Pictured right, the introduction to every Skills Night includes forthcoming events around Essex, as well as an overview of the evenings offerings.
Skills is a great opportunity to get "hands-on" with aerials, datamodes, construction, our famous Quiz and more. A variety of "show and tell" tables with something for the new and experienced Ham alike.
This is a FREE event and open to members, non-members and visitors - all are welcome and there's tea/coffee, too!
Activities included:-
- Logging: Visiting for the first time, Terry G4POP had a demonstration of LOG4OM. Terry is one of the team behind the development of this powerful logging app
Log4OM Software in action- Testing-1: Mike G4NVT brought his Spectrum analyser for testing antennas and handhelds, VSWR testing measuring frequency and filters. If you have anything you’d like tested, bring it along.
- Testing-2: CARS Editor Steve G4GHO brought along his network analyser and a laptop loaded with various modelling software, including linear or non-linear analogue, or RF & antenna.
- Help Corner: Melvin 2E0DNS brought along a full wave motor speed controller that had gone wrong for the third time, for the experts to mull over. Discussions include fully rating components for the real peak votages that might occur
Melvin's errant drill controller
- Radio Programming: Charlie M0PZT offered help with the MD-380/RT3 DMR (including the latest codeplug), most Baofeng/Yaesu FM handhelds. Dont worry if you missed this, Charlie (and Ham Goodies below) is a regular and he can also help with Yaesu 817/857/7800 programming, if you bring the rig’s DC cable.
- Essex RAYNET: A short overview on activities at Jaywick for the flood evacuation was given by Peter M0PSX who is an Essex Raynet member inc on comsm coordination and a map of key areas.
Essex Raynet Flood Alert map
- Ham Goodies: Available on the night from Charlie M0PZT were a collection of essential items to buy in preparation for this year’s activities, including aerial/coax adapters, as well as the popular RTL SDR dongles and CAT/programming leads.
- Help and Demos: The Essex Ham table had help, videos and advice on getting started, online Foundation, PSK31, JT65 and SSTV.
Essex Ham Table and fans!
- Construction: The CARS trainers (inc Alan M0IWZ and Andy G7TKK) were busy in the Hawkins Room with a wide variety of hands-on and pre-built demos with access to soldering irons, as well as antenna modelling
Construction advice and projects on offer in the Hawkins Room
- Essex CW: Helping to promote and encourage the Morse mode, are also a Skills Regular. They had a small station setup for a live demo and offered advice on better CW results.
- Badges: Callsign badges were engraved while-you-wait, courtesy of Jim 2E0JTW and Glynis 2E0CUQ
The Badge Engraver
- CARS Quiz: The quiz, hosted by CARS Training Manager Chris G0IPU – had more intriguing questions set by Murray, including Q10: Anagram - 'Our Ancient Rigs' ?
- Refreshments: For those not on a New Year’s diet, home-made cakes were kindly provided by Ann (Mrs 2E0RMI), plus teas and coffees served by Myra M0MYR and David G3SVI - our thanks
As always, various members of CARS, Essex RAYNET, Essex Repeater Group, Essex CW Club and Essex Ham will be on hand to help with questions as well as volunteers in the kitchen doing the tea/coffee and nibbles.
Next Event: Monday 20-Feb-2017
Venue: Danbury Village Hall, CM3 4NQ
Skills Night takes place at the Danbury Village Hall – Entrance is free, and the event is open to all. Tea/coffee is also available.
Want to be notified of future events?
- subscribe to the free CARS Skills mailing list
See Also:-
Skills Night Main Page Training Main Page CARS Home Page