GMRT 2014

GMRT 2014 report

This is the report sent to “Scatterpoint” (the journal of the UK Microwave Group) and other places.

The fourth Scottish Microwave Round Table (GMRT) was held on Saturday 1 November 2014, at the Museum of Communication (MOC), Burntisland.

Participants started to arrive even before “doors open” at 9.30am, keen to see the traders’ tables and deposit odd lengths of cable, connectors and preamplifiers for test with the measurement facilities run by Brian Flynn GM8BJF and David Stockton GM4ZNX with Dave Nugent.

Attendees were welcomed to the meeting for the formal programme at 10.30am by John Cooke GM8OTI, UK Microwave Group (UKuG) GM representative, and Prof. Tom Stevenson who outlined the MOC facilities which included a plentiful supply of tea, coffee and biscuits throughout the day.

The first talk was given by Pete Bates GM4BYF on simple measurements at microwave frequencies. Pete gave us demonstrations of the use of the SDR# software with a USB dongle as spectrum analyser for use with several simple devices he had constructed.

After a short break Andy Sinclair MM0FMF described the new UKuG / SOTA (Summits on the Air) microwave awards. A number of people are already making contacts towards these awards.

This was followed by two reports on the setting up of personal beacons by Alan Dimmick GM0USI (the GM4CXM beacon on 10368.947MHz) and Brian Flynn GM8BJF (the GM3WOJ beacon on 10368.400MHz).

An addition to the programme was Ed Murphy GM3SBC who gave a short outline of a new software defined radio system for 1.6MHz to 1296MHz that he has been working on.

An excellent (as always) buffet lunch was provided by the MOC staff (included in the entrance fee), and the Museum “store” was opened over lunchtime for visitors to eye the amazing collection of communications equipment that cannot all be put on show.

The afternoon session was chaired by Andy Sinclair MM0FMF, the first talk being given by David Anderson GM6BIG who gave a fascinating account of the history, development and future of the GB3CSB beacon cluster.

After another break, the final talk was by the RSGB Chairman Graham Murchie G4FSG who spoke on “The RSGB and Microwaves”. He gave an interesting update on current changes to the bands as well as other current RSGB and Ofcom related matters, and some interesting open discussion followed.

The formal part of the meeting concluded with the award of the GM4LBV trophy for the GM Construction Competition, judged by Graham Murchie G4FSG and Ian White GM3SEK. As last year there were only two entries, this time from from GM8BJF and Chris Bartram GW4DGU. The trophy (a waveguide to croc clip transition) was won by Brian Flynn GM8BJF. Brian has been told in no uncertain terms (!) that this year he must definitely write up the entry for “Scatterpoint”; it will be taken forward to next year’s UK Microwave Group G3VVB Projects Trophy competition. GM microwavers please remember to submit something next year, to avoid a repeat of the Lothians RS monopoly! Built, modified, hardware or software.

In the evening, many attendees (and some YL/XYLs) moved on to the Kingswood Hotel for an excellent meal, followed by an auction of microwave related publications and some interesting bits and pieces which together with other donations raised over £220 for MOC funds. This was followed by musical entertainment provided by Chris Bartram GW4DGU, Ian White GM3SEK, Nadine White MM0WNW and John Cooke GM8OTI.

The “organising committee” (Pete Bates GM4BYF, Roger Blackwell GM4PMK, John Cooke GM8OTI, Brian Flynn GM8BJF, Ray James GM4CXM, David Stockton GM4ZNX, Ian White GM3SEK and Colin Wright GM4HWO) thanks the MOC Staff for all their efforts before and during the event, and Lothians RS members Peter Dick GM4DTH, Andy Sinclair MM0FMF and Alan Masson GM3PSP for local support.

GMRT 2014 photos

All photographs taken by Alan Masson GM3PSP (except for the one in which he appears!). Many thanks to Alan for providing these.

John Cooke GM8OTI welcomed participants to the 2014 GM Microwave Round Table
Pete Bates GM4BYF gave some practical demonstrations of simple measurements at microwave frequencies
Andy Sinclair MM0FMF explained the new UK Microwave Group / Summits on the Air award scheme
The UKuG / SOTA award scheme has a snazzy new certificate
A session on personal microwave beacons was started by Alan Dimmick GM0USI
Followed by Brian Flynn GM8BJF who talked about a special beacon GM3WOJ/B
GM3WOJ/B is designed to scatter its signal off the Cairngorm mountains, so that it can be received further south
An extra short item before lunch was presented by Ed Murphy GM3SBC who has a new software defined radio design almost completed
Ray James GM4CXM and Martin Hall GM8IEM inspecting the offerings from Chris Bartram GW4DGU
GM3LBV Project Competition entries from Brian Flynn GM8BJF and Chris Bartram GW4DGU
Ian White GM3SEK, Graham Murchie G4FSG, John Cooke GM8OTI
Discussions in the Museum over lunchtime. A World War I exhibition was still in place.
Competition entries complete with the GM3LBV trophy, which is a DC to waveguide transition. The paper flag says “V. Nice :-)”
Participants assembling for the afternoon session
The afternoon session was chaired by Andy Sinclair MM0FMF, President of Lothians Radio Society
David Anderson GM6BIG opened the afternoon session with a talk on “The History, Development and Future of GB3CSB”
David’s talk was a fascinating account of the GB3CSB beacon cluster, with lots of technical content
The final talk of the day was from Graham Murchie G4FSG, RSGB Chairman, who spoke on “The RSGB and Microwaves”
Some interesting discussions followed!
The Project competition was judged by Ian White GM3SEK and Graham Murchie G4FSG. Graham presented the GM3LBV trophy to the winner, Brian Flynn GM8BJF
Brian Flynn GM8BJF with the GM3LBV trophy
The entry that nearly won – Chris Bartram’s 24GHz antenna feed and T/R switch
The winning entry – a versatile VCO / PLL synth board designed by Brian Flynn GM8BJF
Brian Flynn GM8BJF in the Museum with some of the test gear available
Dave Nugent who was also manning the test gear stand
Trader’s table. Some people will go to any lengths to protect their property.
Finer detail of some power device boards and interesting bits of waveguide
Part of the table run by Kevin Avery G3AAF
Chris Bartram GW4DGU with his 10GHz system – several GM attendees are using these modules
Kevin Avery G3AAF
Pete Bates GM4BYF and Ray James GM4CXM
Sandra James, Ray James GM4CXM, Peter Howson GM8GAX, Mark Hughes GM4ISM, Anne Hood GM4UXX, Jack Hood GM4COX
Kevin Avery G3AAF, Barry Horning GM4TOE, Andy Sinclair MM0FMF, Alan Masson GM3PSP, David Stockton GM4ZNX, Dave Nugent
John Cooke GM8OTI, Peter Dick GM4DTH, Roger Hill, David Anderson GM6BIG, Bill Shanks GM8SQM, Nick Peckett G4KUX
Ian White GM3SEK, Chris Bartram GW4DGU, Annie Ferrari, Roger Blackwell GM4PMK, Sarah Blackwell, Nadine White MM0WNW
Briain Wilson GM8PKL, Colin Wright GM4HWO, Brian Flynn GM8BJF, Graham Murchie G4FSG, Peter Bates GM4BYF, Martin Hall GM8IEM, Aileen Hall
Roger Blackwell GM4PMK ran the auction which included some DUBUS items
Chris Bartram GW4DGU (fiddle) and John Cooke GM8OTI (nyckelharpa)
Ian White GM3SEK (melodeon), Nadine White MM0WNW (autoharp), Chris Bartram GW4DGU patiently wait whilst John Cooke GM8OTI explains what a nyckelharpa is
Chris Bartram GW4DGU tuning up
Ian White GM3SEK and Nadine White MM0WNW
Nadine White MM0WNW led the assembled company in “Auld Lang Syne” to the “old tune”
The Microwave Band. Ian White GM3SEK, Nadine White MM0WNW, Chris Bartram GW4DGU, John Cooke GM8OTI

GMRT 2014 programme

09.30 DOORS OPENCoffee, tea and biscuits available
10.30 WelcomeJohn Cooke GM8OTI (UK Microwave Group Scottish Representative)
10.4011.10TalkPeter Bates GM4BYF – “Simple Measurements at Microwave Frequencies”
11.1011.25Break
11.2511.30UpdateAndy Sinclair MM0FMF – “UKuG/SOTA microwave awards”
11.3012.00TalksAlan Dimmick GM0USI / Brian Flynn GM8BJF – “Personal Beacons”
12.0012.15Break
12.1512.40 In the museum: UK Microwave Group (GM round) – GM4LBV Projects Trophy
Bring along your entries for this UKuG trophy: built, modified, hardware or software.
12.4013.40LUNCH
13.4014.20TalkDavid Anderson GM6BIG – “The History, Development and Future of GB3CSB”
14.2014.35Break
14.3515.15TalkGraham Murchie G4FSG – “RSGB and Microwaves”
15.1515.30AwardConstruction Competition Conclusion and Award
15.3016.15BreakTea, Coffee and Biscuits. Social Time. Winding up of Measurement facilities.
17.00 EXITEnd of let
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