Practical Wireless May 2022

I actually managed to get away during March, to the Gambia principally for the RSGB Commonwealth Contest. This was my first trip outside the UK since I was last in the Gambia in November 2019. Very enjoyable and I was able to work about 1500 contacts outside the contest too, on CW and FT8. The Commonwealth Contest (or BERU – the British Empire Radio Union – as it used to be called) has a long and illustrious history but nowadays there are very few expats and other overseas residents who take part. So, the contest very much relies on UK amateurs travelling abroad for the occasion. This year’s travellers went to Uganda, Barbados, the Caymans, Malta and Belize, and there was activity from UK amateurs resident in Cyprus and Kenya…

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RSGB 2022 CONVENTION: The RSGB is planning a hybrid Convention in October this year that will combine the benefits of meeting in person with access to high-quality content online for those who can’t attend. The Society would like to hear your views to help shape this event and would welcome comments from all radio amateurs, whether an RSGB member or not. It is also looking for a Convention Chair to lead the team of people who create the 2022 Convention. The RSGB Convention web page has links to a short video, the brief survey and fuller information for the Convention Chair role: www.rsgb.org/convention PLATINUM JUBILEE: The RSGB is offering a wide variety of amateur radio activities to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. From special event stations to an innovation competition,…

The IC-705 has probably spawned more rig accessories than most radios in the last 20 years. ML&S think this one, the 705 Meter, is the most exciting though! Mode Filter settings Real-time display of operating frequency SWR, Real Power or S-Meter, in both text & a Needle on the usual radio-style scale. • For more information see: HamRadio.co.uk/705Meter The DigiRig Mobile is a tiny new digital modes interface that: combines audio codec, serial CAT interface and PTT switch supports full featured CAT interface: PTT, bands, tuning etc. (not just VOX based PTT) uses a single USB connection to computer minimising the cables mess serial computer aided transceiver (CAT) port can be configured for logic levels, RS-232, CI-V or TX-500 works with all major OS flavours: Windows, MacOS and Linux permanently…

24 April ANDOVER RADIO CLUB SPRING BOOT SALE: Wildhern Village Hall, SP11 0JE. (just north of Andover). Open for sellers at 9 am; buyers: 10 am. The cost is £8 per boot and £2 for buyers. Tables in the Hall £10. Organised by The Andover Radio Amateur Club: arac@arac.org.uk http://www.arac.org.uk 24 April CAMBRIDGE REPEATER GROUP RALLY: Foxton Village Hall, Hardman Road, Foxton, Cambridge, Cambs CB22 6RN; Doors open at 9.30 am for the public (7.30 am for traders). Admission is £3. (BB, CBS, CR, TI, TBS). Lawrence, M0LCM: 07941-972724 rally2022@cambridgerepeaters.net www.cambridgerepeaters.net 24 April NARSA (NORTHERN AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETIES ASSOCIATION) EXHIBITION: Norbreck Castle Exhibition Centre, Blackpool FY2 9AA Dave M0OBW: 01270 761 608 dwilson@btinternet.com www.narsa.org.uk 1 May THORPE CAMP VISITOR CENTRE, RADIO AMATEUR (HAMFEST) RALLY: Thorpe Camp, Tattershall, Thorpe, Lincolnshire, Open…

practicalwireless@warnersgroup.co.uk We’re getting quite modern now – the 70s! Our decade starts with the September 1972 issue, Fig. 1. We’re still seeing lots of advertisements, especially for broadcast receivers and hi-fi, with the occasional electronic organ kit (pretty ambitious for the time) and, as I mentioned last time, quite a number of ads offering training in electronics and related subjects. One advertisement was for sea-going radio officers – those were the days! And plenty of advertisements offering components, including, of course, both valves and transistors. Computer Design of ICs! But for those of you who think the 70s is actually ancient history, how about this from the editorial in that issue: We recently visited the Southampton plant of Mullard and saw how the integrated circuit designer, having determined the basic…