History and CW in Essex
28 January 2025
Colin Berry M0GXV recounted a 2 day expedition to Essex, visiting the Secret Nuclear Bunker at Kelvedon Hatch, also the home of the GB0SNB web sdr, then on the following day the CW Boot Camp organised by the Essex CW Amateur Radio Club. The bunker presentation included material from the bunker and GB0SNB websites and Colin's own outside photos. The boot camp presentation explained the day's aims and activities, and there was a demonstration of the multi-user CW technology used.
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Myths and factual facts about data modes
25 February 2025
Karl Read M5DND gave a presentation over Zoom covering WSPR, FT8 and other data modes, their history and the software used to operate with them. Karl demonstrated how far such modes can reach with relatively little power, and explained their usefulness in detecting and measuring open propagation paths.
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The RSGB
25 March 2025
Alun Cross G4WGE, the representative for region 101 (South London and Surrey) explained the aims and internal structure of the Radio Society of Great Britain. The extensive functions it performs in administering and representing Amateur Radio in the UK were covered, and its work in managing examinations, contests, amateur radio spectrum, liaison with Ofcom and IARU, and advising radio amateurs and clubs. We learned about its range of publications, youth engagement, the national radio centre and support of rallies and conventions, and many other activities.
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Lightning Talks
22 April 2025
The evening consisted of a series of short presentations by members of the club. Jon Weller G0GNA demonstrated his collection of morse keys; David Browning M0LMF gave a presentation about improving portable VHF operation; Colin Berry M0GXV talked about organ pipes and their analogy with resonant antennas; and David Smith M0SXD exhibited his work as an artist. Each part was informal with questions and discussion, and provided an opportunity to learn more about some club members outside the context of amateur radio.
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Antennas and Modelling
27th May 2025
This was planned as an outside operating event but due to inclement weather, the club went online to watch and discuss an episode of the RSGB's "Tonight at 8" video presentation: Basic modelling and antennas for portable HF by Tim Hier, G5TM. The operating event will now be in June when we hope the weather will be more suitable.
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Operating at Headley Heath
24th June 2025
On a fine warm evening, several portable stations were set up operating on different bands, and enjoyed some success with ssb and cw contacts into Europe. Alongside the active stations, refreshments were served, we welcomed visitors from other clubs, and passers-by took an interest and we explained what we were doing.
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Expedition to Devil's Dyke
22nd July 2025
Members of the club travelled down in the afternoon to the Devil's Dyke, on the South Downs near Brighton, for an operating evening in a high picturesque location. Contacts were made on various bands, and we enjoyed explaining our hobby and equipment to various intrigued members of the public, including a member of another radio club. Afterwards, we joined for a pub meal at Poynings.
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Summer Social
26th August 2025
Members and families enjoyed an outdoor social evening with fish and chips, hosted at the home of a member of the committee.
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CHOTA Special Event Station
13th September 2025
Club members set up and operated a temporary station at Christ Church, Epsom Common, in support of the national "Churches and Chapels on the Air" annual event. The special callsign GB4CEC was arranged for the day. The HF antenna was a dipole strung between the top of the church tower and a tree. After joining the club's Saturday morning 2m net, we made many SSB contacts with other CHOTA event stations, and also some CW contacts.
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Station Focus
25th September 2025
Mike 2E0ESU gave a presentation focussing on his own radio station, covering rigs, antennas and CW assistance technology. We discussed the relative merits of transceiver human interface design, contrasting the minimal front panel approach with most functions in menus, versus the "button for everything" design, noting that even that may have much more in menus to be discovered. The role of morse readers and generators in aiding training and operating was also explored.
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Radio on the Titanic
23rd October 2025
Colin M0GXV gave an illustrated presentation on the radio station aboard the RMS Titanic, which was ultimately successful in arranging a rescue, saving many lives. The "Marconi T" antenna, main and backup spark transmitters, and two generations of receiver (using the mature Magnetic Detector and new diode valve) were explained. Colin had recently visited the Chelmsford Museum which has a reproduction of a Marconi radio room, and showed original photos of the exhibits there. An NEC model of the Titanic antenna was also demonstrated, leading to some insights into its characteristics and how the receiver audio might have sounded.
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Annual General Meeting
27 November 2025
The club held its AGM, including presentation of reports from the chairman and treasurer, and election of officers and committee members. It was agreed that we would continue meeting on the 4th Thursday of the month at the Dorking Friends Meeting House.
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Christmas Social
11 December 2025
Members of the club and their families gathered for an enjoyable meal together (this year in the main restaurant) at the Stepping Stones pub at Westhumble.
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