RadCom April 2024, Vol. 100, No. 4

Around Your Region radcom@rsgb.org.uk 80 April 2024 REGION 1: SCOTLAND SOUTH & WESTERN ISLES On 15 February Glasgow University WS, met at the CCA on Sauchiehall Street for an evening of antenna building. The antenna of choice was a Slim Jim made from 450Ω ladder line. Tom, Torin, Yinan and Ross each built a Slim Jim for the 2m band, with the aim of improving access to their 2m band nets. REGION 3: NORTH WEST The new year for Stockport RS , despite the cold and soggy weather, has been busy with a full programme of activities. Presentations both at HQ and online have included a Yaesu FT-710 AESS demonstration by Neil, M6NAE; a Mesh networking introduction by Stephen, M0RDN; plus an insight into the Ukraine Relief Amateur Radio Project by Richard, G4HGI from Bolton Wireless Club – an example of local club cooperation. The latter drew an attentive audience who were all eager to help. A portable generator was donated by Elaine, 2E1BVS. Pictured here are Evan, M0TJU and Keith, M0JYP putting the Society’s 7610 through its paces. REGION 4: NORTH EAST The recent talk at the Halifax and District ARS , presented by Richard Constantine, G3UGF, provided valuable insights into the use of antenna switches (pictured), with a focus on the potential risks associated with using inexpensive switches to connect two radios to a single antenna. Richard shared a personal experience where one of his radios was destroyed due to RF feedback, even though the switch was supposedly in the correct position for the radio in use. This incident highlighted the dangers of relying on budget switches for such critical connections. To illustrate the issue, Hardy Boocock, G5HWB set up a VNA device and conducted tests, demonstrating how much RF was fed back towards the unswitched position when using budget switches. A comparison with Alpha Delta switches, which are more expensive, demonstrated a significant improvement in build quality and performance and emphasised the importance of investing in higher-quality equipment to protect valuable radios. The speaker raised a thought-provoking question about the trade-off between the cost of switches and the value of the radios they are meant to safeguard. While Alpha Delta switches may be more expensive, the argument is made that the investment is justified when considering the high cost of the radios they are intended to protect. Overall, the talk served as an eye-opener for members, prompting them to reconsider the importance of investing in quality switches to safeguard their expensive radio equipment. The real-world example provided by Richard Constantine, G3UGF underscored the potential consequences of relying on cheaper alternatives in a hobby where equipment reliability is crucial. The formation of the Halifax and District Amateur Wireless Association in 1914 marked the beginning of a rich history in amateur radio, with Frank and James Clay, Louis Wood, and others laying the foundation for a legacy that would extend over a century. The club received the callsign 2GU, among the first issued after the First World War. Fast forward to 2024, an impressive 110 years later, and the descendants of these pioneers, Martin and Thomas Clay, have not only embraced their forebears’ passion for amateur radio but have also earned their Foundation licences. Little could the founding members have foreseen that their legacy would live on through the enthusiasm and commitment of the next generation. Martin and Thomas Clay recently discovered the Halifax and District Amateur Radio Society through its website, providing a link between the past and the present. Intrigued by their family’s history in the club, they decided to visit and, after witnessing the club’s current activities and spirit, they have made the delightful choice to become members.