September 2024 – Strategic priorities update

RSGB Legacy Fund

The RSGB Legacy Fund, thanks to the generosity of donors, has resources available to encourage and develop amateur radio. These funds are managed by a Legacy Committee who meet to consider applications and then make funding recommendations to the RSGB Board.

The success of the Legacy Fund depends entirely on good quality proposals being submitted and approved for funding.

Any exciting ideas to take amateur radio forward and enhance the service for the enthusiasts of today and tomorrow are welcomed. Proposals which show innovation and development are particularly welcome – together with evidence of ability to complete projects successfully. The Committee is particularly interested in the following:

• Innovation and development of new ideas. This is a wide field and may include beacon projects, digital modes, remote access projects etc.

• Projects that promote amateur radio to the wider community and help grow the amateur radio population

The Committee also considers the experience and expertise of applicants in delivering their proposal.

Recent projects

Recent examples of successful Legacy Fund applications include:

1. Solar PV array for GB3MCB

The Mid Cornwall Beacon and Repeater Group has over many years developed, built, promoted, funded and supported the Repeaters GB3NC, GB3HB and GB3NQ (ATV) plus the 9 Band Beacon Cluster GB3MCB on 28Mhz, 40MHz, 50MHz (SBP), 60MHz, 70MHz, 144MHz, 432MHz, 1296MHz and 10368MHz.

In the past some grant funding has been received from UKSMG, BATC and the IRTS. The new low VHF cluster at 28/40/50/60/70Mhz will enable invaluable propagation monitoring and analysis as the MUF rises.

The Legacy Committee approved an application to fund a solar PV array on the roof of the existing GB3MCB concrete communications building in a secure compound. Its aim is to help reduce the high electricity costs associated with the installation and thus decrease significantly the running costs of the equipment. This will enable its long-term future.

The cluster website shows the current state of the battery charge and the wattage being produced by the solar panels.

2. Royal Signals amateur radio trailer power

The Royal Signals have an amateur radio trailer which is used to promote our hobby and electronics to young people when attending the Royal Signals Museum or its STEM outreach events. It is also used when attending events open to the general public to raise the profile of amateur radio.

The Legacy Committee approved an application to fund an LPG generator so that the trailer can be used independently to mains power, thus enabling more flexibility over events that can be attended. This allows the Royal Signals to attend more events thus bringing the role of amateur radio to a wider audience.

3. Online Amateur Radio Community national packet network extension

The Online Amateur Radio Community (OARC) was formed in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic and currently has over 1,900 members. The community acts in the interests of its members and aims to further the amateur radio hobby as a whole.

The OARC launched a National Packet Network initiative, and the Legacy Committee approved an application to fund the adding of a UHF port to the existing 2m packet node MB8NKL to enable the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh to be linked and join a nationwide packet network.

4. Marquee Hire for SES to support the Coronation

The Legacy Committee approved an application to support a special event station (SES) being run at the Old Royal Navy College in Greenwich to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III.

The event was run and organised by the Cray Valley Radio Society and was located on a site that overlooked the Cutty Sark.

The funding supported the event that ran between 3-9 May 2023 and allowed a large number of individuals to pass greeting messages to contacts made on the air.

5. The UK Meteor Beacon project

This is now in its second phase, and both phases have been supported by the RSGB Legacy Fund. The second phase of the project is to develop a network of receivers streaming their data via a central server for detailed study of individual meteor events. This is a co-operation between the ‘worlds’ of amateur radio and astronomy.

Brian Coleman, G4NNS will give a live update on this project in the RSGB’s Tonight@8 webinar on Monday 2 September. You can find out more on the RSGB website

Supporting the RSGB’s Strategy

Whilst the Legacy Fund and Committee retains independence from the RSGB Board and Society as a whole, projects that support the Society’s strategic objectives may also fit well within the remit of the Legacy Fund and therefore qualify for funding.

• Do you have any ideas for projects within your club or local area that would promote the hobby to the general public?

• Can you devise activities that would attract newcomers to the hobby?

• Do you have ideas that would expand our technical diversity?

• Do you have a research project you are keen to get off the ground?

Applications for Legacy Funding are welcomed from individuals and clubs and the committee would be pleased to consider your project for funding. Guidelines on the application process and criteria can be found on the RSGB website

The RSGB Strategy is designed to encompass a wide variety of activities and is not internal to the Society – it needs to be broad reaching and support the membership and their clubs too.

 

Mark Jones, G0MGX
Board Director
strategy@rsgb.org.uk

• You can also find this update in the September 2024 RadCom

Category: RSGB Notices, RSGB Strategic Priorities