RadCom December 2014, Vol. 90, No. 12
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News and Reports
6 RSGB Matters
Season’s Greetings, RadCom Plus to launch, towards a new RAYNET, IARU Region 1 news, changes to RSGB Bylaws, new 13cm segment via NoV, QSL Matters and Congratulations
14 New Products
Exciting new products we’ve heard about this month
66 Index 2014
Our regular roundup of club diaries and news
90 Around Your Region
Club news and planned events around the country
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Features
16 GA 14GC , Glasgow Commonwealth Games
The story of GA14CG, the special event station that celebrated the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, described by Adam Hutchison, MM0KFX
24 2m extension to 146-147MHz
John Regnault, G4SWX explains the ins and outs of the new temporary allocation available via NoV to Full licensees and considers how it might be used to develop new modes and techniques
26 Getting started in… Radio Astronomy, part 2
Paul Hyde, G4CSD looks at studying galactic radio emissions from your own back garden
42 2SZ at Mill Hill School
Martin Rast, M0MDR and Dave Lawley, G4BUO describe celebrations to mark 90 years since the first amateur radio contact from the UK to New Zealand
50 RSGB Convention report
A full round-up of what happened at the 2014 Convention by Elaine Richards, G4LFM
59 Insurance Clinic
Julian Dent, MD of South West Broking Ltd examines the implications for clubs that lend or borrow equipment
102 RCF strategy
How the Radio Communications Foundation plans to move forward
Reviews
38 Whizz Whip
Mike Richards, G4WNC is favourably impressed by this portable QRP HF/VHF/UHF antenna
61 TMRF-2000 multiband antenna
A compact “quarter-size G5RV” from Taylor Made RF Ltd examined by Steve Nichols, G0KYA
68 DJI Quadcopter
Great fun and easy to fly says Mark Allgar, M1MPA
78 Book Review
Giles Read, G1MFG reviews four great books
Technical Features
18 Homebrew
Eamon Skelton, EI9GQ builds an SWR/power meter and shares some chassis-bashing tips
23 Moving On
The semiconductor diode explained by John Welsh, G0NVZ
34 Vertical dipole arrays
David Aslin, G3WGN and Chris Duckling, G3SVL explain how vertical dipole arrays can bring significant advantages for DX
44 3D Printing
One small device that can build anything you want? Dr Jonathan Hare, G1EXG explores the possibilities of this relatively new fabrication technique
52 Data
Beware fake chips, counsels Andy Talbot, G4JNT
80 EMC
Dr David Lauder, G0SNO looks at EMC issues with solar panel installations, plasma TVs, electronic dog fences and more
88 Design Notes
A Class E power amplifier for Top Band by Andy Talbot, G4JNT
Regulars
99 Advertisers’ index
62 Antennas, Peter Dodd, G3LDO
76 GHz, Dr John Worsnop, G4BAO
72 HF, Martin Atherton, G3ZAY
71 LF, Dave Pick, G3YXM
103 Propagation, Gwyn Williams, G4KFH
48 QRP, Rev. George Dobbs, G3RJV
100 Members’ Ads, Rallies and Events, Silent Keys and Special Event stations
82 Sport Radio, Steve White, G3ZVW
104 The Last Word
66 VHF/UHF, Richard Staples, G4HG
Category: RadCom
