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Buddipole vs Superantennas |
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Written by M0HAK
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Wednesday, 24 February 2010 14:35 |
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At the last meeting of the Hog's Back ARC we did a brief comparison of the Buddipole and Superantennas MP-1 dipole. Nothing scientific, but a few things from working side by side: - Setup times similar for both.
- MP-1 is a little larger when packed and heavier, but not enough to be a problem on most /p operations.
- Buddipole seemed to tune quicker, but more fiddly to set tuning with clips on coil.
- When assembled the MP-1 was significantly larger.
- Received Signals were about 10-15dB higher on the MP-1 on 40m. (S9 vs almost S9+20)
- Transmitted signals didn't seem to be getting out well on either antenna, but this matched our expectation that they would perform best on 20m and up.
Both of us went away happy with our respective purchases.... |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 24 February 2010 14:44 )
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Written by M0HAK
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Tuesday, 22 December 2009 13:22 |
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About 3:45 yesterday I started chatting to 2E0ZIP/M in Reading via the GB3RD 2m repeater in Reading, while I was stuck in traffic in Bracknell. The snow had just started to accumulate, and traffic was bad as people left early. We had no idea just how bad. The net kept on going until midnight, when we'd had 29 different callsigns on the net, with Jonathan M3VJO, an active RAYNET member doing sterling service as Net Controller assisted by Mike M1ELK and Dave G0TKV. I think we had as good a traffic information service going as the commercial radio stations, as well as providing advice, updates from traffic web sites, and generally making people feel better about the whole thing. There was even a suggestion of giving out our frequency on BBC Berkshire at one point for anyone who was interested in listening, but I don't know if it was acted on. It was really gratifying to see people pull together like this to mutual benefit. Well done to all who assisted those of us who were trying to get somewhere! |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 22 December 2009 13:36 )
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Written by M0HAK
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Sunday, 21 February 2010 17:58 |
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20th and 21st Feb 2010 was the 25th anniversary of Thinking Day on the Air, and since 2010 is the 100th anniversary of Girl Guiding in the UK, Ofcom had allocated a special GG100 prefix for stations related to guiding in the UK. When Bracknell ARC was approached with a fairly last minute request to help with a station for a local group, I stuck my hand up, hastily filled in an application for the NoV, and disappeared on holiday for two weeks. When I got back, the NoV for GG100SGS was in the post, and after some fairly quick planning we decided to have a go on 80m, 20m and 2m. Of course, things never quite go to plan, both logistically and technically. Logistics went to pot when the guide event that we were supporting got cancelled, so visitors were pretty sparse, but I wasn't worried about that as the whole day was a good excuse to mess around with radios and get people interested in the hobby. Guest operator Phil G1LKJ did a great stint on 2m working a load of local GG100 stations. 2m surprised us with lots of local activity and was easily "Band of the Day". Trying the other bands meant stringing up my doublet, and then solving the problems with the tuner! Then it turned out that 80m was a complete washout with S9+ noise across the entire band. 40m had it's own surprises with very short intra-G skip and we worked Chippenham and Northampton on 40m, and 10m was reputed to be open but we were getting EMC issues with the sound system in the hall we were using so that didn't get a go either! Conditions on 20m were good with S7/S9 signals from across the pond in the afternoon, but by then the lack of visitors meant we were getting rather bored - Helen as VE1YL in Nova Scotia was working a huge pileup very slowly, and we ran out of patience waiting to get her in the log. All in all, a good effort, and a fun day out. With more preparation next year this had the makings of a nice little regular event station, though we'll have to think of a new prefix for next year as GG100SGS won't be an option! |
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 21 February 2010 18:20 )
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Written by M0HAK
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Friday, 18 December 2009 10:37 |
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At Bracknell ARC, we cover the course material in a single day - generally a Saturday, and the following week will be devoted to a revision session, the practical assessments, and the exam. The concepts are: - Introduction to Amateur Radio
- Licence conditions
- Technical basics
- Transmitters and Receivers
- Antennas and Feeders
- Propagation
- Electromagnetic Compatibility (avoiding interference)
- Operating Practices and Procedures
- Safety
The practical assessment covers the following exercises: - A familiarisation exercise on Morse Code. You don't need to learn morse code, just be able to recognise the pattern of dits and dahs.
- Connecting up a modern transceiver and making a contact with another station on VHF.
- Making a contact with another station on HF.
- Adjusting a dipole antenna for minimum SWR.
Finally, the exam is 25 multiple choice questions, which you have 45 minutes to complete. The exam is marked immediately and you will be given your results straight away. We recommend that you register with Ofcom before sitting the exam. Within a few days of the exam, you will be able to return to their website and get your foundation callsign and be on the air. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 18 December 2009 10:41 )
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