wythall radio club

Stu M0NYP & Ian M0IDR on duty at a checkpoint today

The members of Wythall Radio Club were out in force today for the annual Wythall Fun Run – not running, you understand(!) but, as you might expect, providing communications for the event.

Around 15 members handled two-way radio comms for all the control point marshals and for race control itself.

This is the third year we have done this and, as you might expect, we are getting better at it each time.

All involved reported that they had had great fun while helping the early morning event to go off as smoothly as possible.

GB3WL, our UHF repeater station, was pressed into service and performed admirably with talkback employed on 145.225 if required.

What great fun with RF and helping our local community to stay safe at the same time!

Adjudicator Lee G0MTN presents Kev G4XLO with the Lew Williams Shield

A very special presentation  took place last night at Wythall Radio Club. The results of the Morse Activity Month were revealed – and several members were commended.

May is designated our special “Morse Appreciation” month at Wythall Radio Club – at the end of the month our band of intrepid adjudicators selects the people they feel have shown the greatest progression in either learning or improving in the mode for special recognition.

This year, Dave M0IFT, John M1JSS and Jamie 2E0SDV were singled out for special praise but the overall winner (and winner of the Lew Williams Memorial Shield) was judged to be Kev G4XLO.

Kev’s interest in Morse has blossomed from re-learning the code to being on air between 12-15 words per minute in what seems a very short space of time. He is now at the forefront of efforts in the club to get a CW net going!

So it’s a very well done to all our “commendees” but especially to Kev and we all look forward to working him on the key very soon.

A few Wythall Radio Club members are off to London this Saturday for a birthday party with a difference!

Martin Lynch, long-standing Ham Radio retailer, celebrates his 60th birthday this weekend with a party at his shop in Staines. But instead of inviting close friends (like most sensible people), he’s invited everyone in Ham Radio!!

Wythallians don’t need a second chance at an invite for free food, drink and entertainment, so a party of members will be on its way to Lynchies this Saturday morning (early!) to celebrate with the man himself (and of course have a good old gander at the latest technological radio goodies that will be on demo in the shop!)

It is rare that the cars come back from Lynchies with the same weight in them as when we go down there, so watch this space – there may be further news on purchases made on the Wythall grapevine in the future…

Back: Terry M6KKO, Rob M6FRF, Stuart M6GYF & Michael M6GWQ Front: Peter G4LWF & David M6KND

It’s all go for the current batch of Intermediate exam students at Wythall Radio Club. Yesterday saw them doing their practical assessments for the whole morning!

Amongst other things, they had to make up DC circuits, take measurements and do some calculations using Ohm’s Law. They also wired up a 13 Amp plug and put a PL259 connector onto a piece of RG58 Coaxial Cable. The grand finale involved calibrating a VFO.

A lot of fun was had by all, even though the principal tutor’s patience was sorely tried at times!

Despite his visual handicaps, Dave M6KND (the subject of earlier posts on this website) was able to do most of the practical work being assisted by tutor Peter G4LWF, who wielded the soldering iron.

There is still a long way to go, as the exam is not for another 4 weeks, but Wythall Radio Club tutors are sure that all will manage the much longed-for pass certificate!