wythall radio club

The July 2015 edition of the Wythall Radio Club Newsletter is now online.

Just click here for the newsletter page and enjoy!

Wythall Radio Club are pleased to announce that we are running another on-line course for those seeking to gain their Foundation Amateur Radio licence. 

The course starts on the 20^th July and finishes on the 21^st August. This will be followed by a practical workshop on Sunday 23rd August and finally the exam itself on Sunday 6th September.

There are more details on our training page here or, for further information, you can contact Wythall Radio Club’s Training Co-ordinator, Chris G0EYO direct on g0eyo@blueyonder.co.uk

Temporary wireless direction-finding station on the cliffs of Hunstanton, Norfolk, c.1915

This week at Wythall Radio Club, we are taking a look back in history to the dawn of radio communications.

Although World War I was taking place this time a hundred years ago, such is the pace of technology that it is easy to forget that this was effectively the first conflict fought with radio being used as an element of warfare.

Stories are still coming to light about the role radio played in the “Great War” and this Tuesday, Wythall members will be taking time out to hear more about this fascinating subject.

Elaine Richards G4LFM, editor of the Radio Society of Great Britain’s magazine RadCom has put together a thought-provoking presentation which will be given by Chris G7DDN in the Club Shack this Tuesday. It follows on from the 4 previous historical presentations given last year.

Why not come along? Tuesday 16th June at 20:30 at Wythall House, Silver Street. B47 6LZ. You will be very welcome.

…as in Martin Lynch’s store in Staines!

Jamie 2E0SDV, David G7IBO, Chris G7DDN, Ian M0IDR, Martin Lynch G4HKS, Phil 2E0WTH, Roger M0GWM, Dave M6HPD & Dave G3YXM outside ML&S’s new store

Here are a few photos of Wythall Radio Club’s fun day out at the grand opening of Martin’s new Hamstore in Surrey.

Eight of us travelled down to the Greater London area today to celebrate with Mr. Lynch.

We were joined by special guests representing the whole of UK Hamdom, including our friends from Practical Wireless in the form of Don Field G3XTT. Also in attendance were representatives from Yaesu UK, Icom UK and Kenwood UK.

The RSGB were also a large presence and it was especially good to see its General Secretary and friend of the club, Graham Coomber G0NBI and his wife, Von.

As you can see from the photos, a great day out was had by all. Rumour has it that a few people bought some goodies too, but it would be rude to speculate on who got what!

Another day trip for Wythall Radio Club members beckons this weekend.

Recently, friend of the Club Martin Lynch G4HKS, moved his large Hamstore to new premises near to Heathrow Airport. 

We thought at first it was so he could go away to exotic holiday destinations more quickly(!) but apparently it is more to do with having extra space available for his successful Amateur Radio business.

This Saturday sees the official launch of the new shop with a typical Lynchie party – now when there are free Hot Dogs and Burgers around, you can bet Wythall folk want to be involved! Click on the poster (right) for more information.

So it is that a number of us will be spending some of our free time (and spare cash, no doubt) on a trip to London to visit Martin and his friendly staff this Saturday.

We can’t wait!

At Wythall Radio Club, we are fortunate to have in our possession a rather excellent 100ft tall Mobile Versatower.

Thanks to a good turnout of club members this morning, we were able to give it a good check over and clean-up before its use on the forthcoming VHF field day on July 4th & 5th.

After a few years of non-use, we were delighted to find no major problems like stuck brakes or flat tyres and the winches both worked OK.

Grease, oil, and WD40 were liberally applied to various parts before the whole thing was trundled across Wythall Park for a blast with a power washer.

It’s now no longer quite as green as it was(!) and we should be able to put out a nice big signal with our aerials high up this field day.

We would like to say thanks to all club members who turned up to help and to Phil 2E0WTH who bullied us into doing it!

Wythall Radio Club is proud to announce that both of our new D-STAR repeaters are now on the air. 

GB7SO (Solihull) went live Thursday evening, 28th May, after tests during the day from it’s location in Major’s Green. It has now been joined by GB7DG in Bromsgrove which went live today, Saturday 30th May, from the village of Dodford.

Reception reports are welcome of course and so far, coverage seems pretty much in line with the predictions on the coverage maps.

There is more information about GB7SO and GB7DG on their respective pages on this website, so why not pop along and find out more about the latest addition to our repeater family?

December 1958’s PW cover…

It’s the season for “big name” guests at Wythall Radio Club at the moment. Following last week’s thoroughly professional presentation from Don G3BJ, this Tuesday we welcome another Don, G3XTT, the editor of Practical Wireless magazine.

PW, as it is affectionately known, is the largest Amateur Radio magazine in the UK and has been around for many years – her editors have become household names in the hobby – many hams remember the F. J. Camm years, for example.

…and the June 2015 cover by comparison

PW has been undergoing a renaissance under new editor Don, following the recent retirement of Rob Mannion G3XFD, who was also a popular figurehead for the publication for many years.

The members of Wythall Radio Club are really looking forward to welcoming Don G3XTT, who is not only a magazine editor, but is also a book author, as well as a world-renowned DXer and Contester!

Why not pop along this Tuesday 26th May? We will be meeting in the Darts Room at Wythall House, Silver Street, Wythall. B47 6LZ. You will be very welcome (if there’s room!)

Click the QSL Card twice for a closer look. Funnily enough, next week’s Wythall RC visitor G3XTT is also in the picture – spooky…

Wythall Radio Club members are awaiting a Presidential visit this week. Not Mr Obama or M. Hollande, we should stress, but the President of Region 1 of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU).

Don Beattie G3BJ is that man  – but he is also one of the UK’s top DXpeditioners and Contesters in addition to playing a major role in our national society, the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB). We are honoured to have such an esteemed guest visiting us this week.

Don will be giving us an insight to one of the DXpeditions he undertook last year – this as part of the team activating TX6G to Raivavae Island in the Austral Islands group (we don’t know where it is either! Google Maps to the rescue…)

There is no doubt that Don’s talk will be rather special and a highlight of this year’s Wythall RC programme. Since we are likely to be very full on Tuesday, it is worth coming early for a good seat.

The venue is Wythall House, Silver Street, Wythall, B47 6LZ and the presentation starts at 20:30. We hope to see you there.

RTTY (or Radio Teletype) is one of the oldest data modes in radio, let alone Amateur Radio – and this Tuesday, the members of Wythall Radio Club are going to be getting some expert advice in how to get on the air with it.

Lee G0MTN is one of the world’s top RTTY contesters and better still, he is a member of our club! So we are lucky indeed to have him on hand to give us some expert tuition in taking our first steps into this data mode.

With plenty of practical tips and a live demonstration too, this is sure to be an inspiring evening.

Visitors are welcome of course – just make sure you are at Wythall House in time for the start at 20:30. Silver Street B47 6LZ is the address and you can find us in the club rooms in the basement.

Real ales are on tap too, so what’s not to like? See you there!