RadCom September 2015, Vol. 91, No. 9
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News and Reports
6 RSGB Matters
Including news on a new look for RadCom, the 60th anniversary of GB2RS, the G5RP Trophy, Volunteer Spotlight, Construction Competition, exam changes, President’s review of contesting, QSL Matters, congratulations and welcome
12 News
All the amateur radio news
14 New Products
The latest news from the amateur and technical market
80 Around Your Region
Our regular round-up of club diaries and news reports
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Reviews
30 Airspy SDR
Andy Talbot, G4JNT is very impressed by the 12-bit performance, giving 24dB more dynamic range than ‘RTL’ dongles
33 Book review
The 2016 RSGB Yearbook, Callseeker Plus 2016 and the Deluxe Logbook & Diary 2016 are examined by Giles Read, G1MFG
Features
16 Commonwealth Contest 2015
All the fun of the 78th BERU Contest summarised by Mike Franklin, G3VYI
36 GB75MQ
Kevin Richardson, G0PEK describes the special event station aboard Medway Queen on the 75th anniversary of her role in the Dunkirk ‘little ships’ WWII rescue
38 National Hamfest
Ian Shepherd, G4EVK invites you to make a date in your diary on 25 and 26 September for the UK’s biggest amateur radio show
42 HF noise measurement campaign
An update as the project reaches the half-way stage, by Gwyn Williams, G4FKH
46 RSGB Convention
Elaine Richards, G4LFM reveals the latest news on the lectures, demonstrations and social activities at this year’s premier event
70 QSLing
Tom Wylie, GM4FDM looks at the final courtesy of a QSO from the point of view of a QSL Bureau volunteer
Technical Features
20 In-car loop antenna
Ian Simpson, GM0SIM explains how you can still receive something on HF mobile despite extreme antenna restrictions
25 Homebrew
Hybrid PLL/DDS local oscillator for the 10m transceiver project by Eamon Skelton, EI9GQ
34 Moving On
A look at transmitter output impedance with John Welsh, G0NVZ
40 Transworld antenna modification
Nigel Brown, G0GDA explains how he modified his TW2010L Backpackers vertical dipole aerial for 40m
44 RF exposure safety with HF antennas
A straightforward guide to a complicated subject by Peter DeNeef, AE7PD
54 Pushbutton controller for FT-817
Jonathan Hare, G1EXG uses a PIC to provide easy presets for his most frequently used frequencies and modes
58 Virtual test gear
Sometimes all you need is your PC and the right software, explains Geoff Theasby, G8BMI
76 Design Notes
Andy Talbot, G4JNT explains how to use SMD parts in breadboard circuits and on your own PCBs
Regulars
91 Advertisers’ index
68 Antennas, Peter Dodd, G3LDO
74 ARDF, John Marriott, M6OJM
24 ATV, Dave Mann, G8ADM
66 GHz bands, Dr John Worsnop, G4BAO
60 HF, Martin Atherton, G3ZAY
93 Members’ ads, Rallies and events, Silent Keys, Special event stations
92 Propagation, Gwyn Williams, G4KFH
72 Sport radio, Steve White, G3ZVW
96 The Last Word
64 VHF/UHF, Richard Staples, G4HGI
Category: Front Page News, RadCom, RSGB Notices
