GMRT 2016

GMRT 2016 report

This is the report of the 2016 GMRT that was distributed to “Scatterpoint” and other places.

The sixth Scottish Microwave Round Table (GMRT) was held on Saturday 12 November 2016 at the Museum of Communication (MOC), Burntisland. Over 40 participants attended the event during the day.

The programme was scheduled to start half an hour later than usual, when Professor Tom Stevenson from the MOC welcomed us to the venue. The museum staff kept us well supplied with tea, coffee, biscuits and scones (plain and jam!) throughout the day.

Test and measurement facilities were set up by Brian Flynn GM8BJF and David Stockton GM4ZNX, although there appeared to be less demand for these than in previous years. They were in the museum display area as usual, along with the tables occupied by traders. By request, over the years, the programme was organised with longer breaks than previously, allowing even more time for socialising.

The morning session of the formal programme was chaired by John Cooke GM8OTI, UK Microwave Group (UKuG) GM representative, who asked the participants to consider taking over that role as he wished to step down.

The programme opened with a talk given by John Worsnop G4BAO about the 2300MHz Licence Notice of Variation (NoV). The amateur community has been given this option but take-up could be greater, and it seems that use of this part of the spectrum is slow to take off. John made suggestions as to how to go about making equipment changes which would enable use of the new frequencies.

After a break Stuart Wisher G8CYW gave a talk covering “From 1.3GHz to Ultra Violet”, which began with an update on experiments at optical frequencies, from infrared to ultraviolet, using new LED devices. He then described a number of experiments with power devices and boards on the microwave bands.

Whilst lunch was being set up in the conference room, attendees assembled in the museum where the entries for the GM4LBV Projects Trophy were displayed. The usual excellent buffet lunch (included in the entrance fee) was provided by the MOC staff.

The afternoon session was chaired by Lothians RS President Andy Sinclair MM0FMF, the first talk being given by Sam Jewell G4DDK, who described the latest development of his 144/28MHz transverter, the “Anglian 3”. Sam provided some detail of the design and specifications, together with constructional details.

The final talk was by Peter Bates GM4BYF who described a programmable Tx/Rx sequencer control unit built for under £20 using Arduino components. He also talked about use of cheap components for the microwave bands, including the well known Franco Rota “3 Euro board”.

The formal part of the meeting concluded with the award of the GM4LBV trophy for the GM Construction Competition, judged by David Stockton GM4ZNX. The award was made to Mark Hughes GM4ISM for his 10MHz “Rover” frequency standard. Mark will be expected to write up the entry for “Scatterpoint”, and it will be taken forward to next year’s UK Microwave Group G3VVB Projects Trophy competition. GM (and around) microwavers please remember to submit something next year: built, modified, hardware or software.

Many attendees (and some YL/XYLs) moved on to the Kingswood Hotel in the evening for further chat and an excellent meal, followed by an auction of microwave related publications and some very interesting bits and pieces which raised money for MOC funds. This was followed by musical entertainment provided by the under-strength “Microwave Band” (Chris Bartram GW4DGU being away this year) of Ian White GM3SEK, Nadine White MM0WNW and John Cooke GM8OTI.

The “organising committee” (Roger Blackwell GM4PMK, John Cooke GM8OTI, Brian Flynn GM8BJF, 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, Alan Masson GM3PSP and Pete Bates GM4BYF for local support.

GMRT 2016 photos

Photos of the 2016 GM microwave round table taken by Alan Masson GM4PSP. Many thanks to Alan for a fine set of photos, as always. He takes photographs of anything that moves!

Professor Tom Stevenson of the Museum of Communication opened the event with the usual housekeeping information.
John Cooke GM8OTI (GM UK microwave group representative) chaired the morning session.
The speakers for the event: Stuart Wisher G8CYW, John Worsnop G4BAO, Peter Bates GM4BYF, John Cooke GM8OTI (morning chairman), Sam Jewell G4DDK. Andy Sinclair (afternoon chairman) not in this photo.
John Worsnop G4BAO talked about the importance of the 2300MHz NoV for future use of the 13cm band.
John Worsnop
Stuart Wisher G8CYW first gave an update on optical communications done by radio amateurs in the north east of England.
Stuart brought a number of interesting demonstrations.
Stuart Wisher
Before lunch attendees gathered in the museum to chat and browse the tables for goodies on offer.
The test and measurement setup was run by David Stockton GM4ZNX with Brian Flynn GM8BJF.
Kevin Avery G3AAF is a regular participant and brings his interesting stall.
John Cooke GM8OTI was actually explaining the details of kontrabas nyckelharpa construction to Roger Hill.
Peter Bates GM4BYF had some interesting items for sale, including a spectacularly heavy spectrum analyser.
Peter Bates GM4BYF inspecting the Anglian transverter brought by Sam Jewell G4DDK – it look as though a sale may be made!
A general view of the museum area.
Jack Hood GM4COX and Andy Sinclair MM0FMF inspect some of the entries for the GM4LBV projects trophy.
Another view of some of the project competition entries, together with the rather fine GM4LBV trophy itself!
Further discussion of the merits of the competition entries between David Stockton GM4ZNX and Roger Blackwell GM4PMK – or maybe it was about what to choose for the evening meal!
Brian Flynn GM8BJF (right) talks about his project competition entry.
The afternoon session was chaired by Andy Sinclair MM0FMF, President of the Lothians Radio Society.
Sam Jewell G4DDK (UK Microwave Group Chairman) gave a detailed talk about his Anglian 3 144MHz transverter, designed with microwave transverter use in mind.
Peter Bates GM4BYF spoke about inexpensive microwave projects.
Peter Bates
After the afternoon talks session, David Stockton GM4ZNX announced the results of the GM4LBV projects trophy competition.
Mark Hughes GM4ISM was the winner of the GM4LBV trophy.
The winning entry for the GM4LBV project trophy.
Mark Hughes GM4ISM, winner of the GM4LBV projects trophy, with his winning entry and the trophy (a DC to microwave interface).
Andy Sinclair MM0FMF closed the afternoon session with thanks to the Museum of Communications staff, and to the event organisers.
There was a general discussion about when to hold the next GMRT – it will remain an annual event.
Another view of participants.
Participants
View from the back of the conference room.
Mark Hughes GM4ISM, Bill Shanks GM8SQM, David Anderson GM6BIG, Geoffrey Pike GI0GDP and Peter Howson GM8GAX.
John Cooke GM8OTI, John Worsnop G4BAO, Sam Jewell G4DDK, Kevin Avery G3AAF, James Gentles GM4WZP and Colin Wright GM4HWO.
Ian White GM3SEK, Sarah Blackwell, Nadine White MM0WNW, Aileen Hall, Martin Hall GM8IEM and Roger Blackwell GM4PMK.
David Stockton GM4ZNX, Jack Hood GM4COX, Anne Hood GM4UXX, Sandra James and Ray James GM4CXM.
Brian Flynn GM8BJF, Peter Bates GM4BYF, Nick Peckett G4KUX, Andy Sinclair MM0FMF, Kay Bates GM6KAY and Alan Masson GM3PSP.
After dinner the raffle to raise funds for the Museum of Communication was as usual chaired by auctioneer Roger Blackwell GM4PMK, who (as DUBUS representative) had several good DUBUS items for the raffle.
Another interesting raffle item.
Roger doesn’t look impressed by John as a potential buyer.
After the raffle the Microwave Band (depleted to 75% of its usual membership) entertained the other dinner guests. John Cooke GM8OTI on nyckelharpa, Nadine White MM0WNW on autoharp (and voice) and Ian White GM3SEK ready with the melodeon.
John and Nadine performed the first item.
Ian introducing Nadine’s song.
Nadine on autoharp, and voice.
John on nyckelharpa.
Post dinner chat: Martin Hall GM8IEM, Bill Shanks GM8SQM and Nick Peckett G4KUX.

GMRT 2016 programme

09.30 DOORS OPENCoffee, tea and biscuits available
10.30 WelcomeJohn Cooke GM8OTI (UK Microwave Group Scottish Representative)
10.3511.15TalkJohn Worsnop G4BAO – “Using your 2300MHz NoV – Options and Ideas”
11.1511.30Break
11.3012.10TalkStuart Wisher G8CYW – “From 1.3GHz to Ultra Violet”
12.1012.30BreakIn the museum: Bring along your entries for the GM4LBV Projects Trophy: built, modified, hardware or software, anything with some added value associated with microwaves.
The winner goes forward for the UK Microwave Group G3VVB trophy competition.
12.3013.45LUNCH
13.4514.25TalkSam Jewell G4DDK – “Anglian 3, a high performance 144/28MHz transverter”
14.2514.50Break
14.5015.30TalkPeter Bates GM4BYF – “A Programmable Tx/Rx Sequencer/Control Unit for £20”
15.3015.40AwardConstruction Competition Conclusion and Award
15.4016.15BreakTea, Coffee and Biscuits. Breakout discussion group on 5.7 GHz PAs led by GI0GDP. Social Time. Winding up of Measurement facilities.
17.00 EXITEnd of let
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