Antenna Shootout 2021 – Bob (G4PVB)

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My antenna is a 2m folded dipole designed by Dave Kimber, G8HQP. I followed his instructions like this:  2m Folded Dipole – a loft-mounted vertical folded dipole for the 144 – 146MHz band. Theory: A vertical antenna most appropriate for 2m. A fat dipole (therefore wideband) will have a lower feed impedance at resonance than a thin dipole … Read more

The 2021 VARC Antenna Shootout

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The annual VARC Antenna Shootout starts today and runs until the end of June. The theme for this year is ‘2-metre activity’ meaning that it can be any mode, any polarisation, and any power (within applicable licence restrictions of course). You can operate from any location but must use your own callsign and not the … Read more

Remote Radio On Air

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Verulam Amateur Radio Club now has it’s remote station running from it’s site near Dunstable. This is running most HF bands and proving to be very successful. It is operating using the RemoteHams software, which is a free download from the Remote Hams website. Once downloaded you can search for VARC and access the radio. … Read more

RSGB Virtual Visit

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In January, Ron White G6LTT, the club’s district representative spoke at the club’s virtual meeting. He was joined by Terry Baldwin G4UEM, also a representative. Ron described the changes now taking place, particularly with training and examinations which have moved online, including invigilation of exams, all of which can be booked and paid in the … Read more

Antenna Shootout 2020 – Roger (M0RBK)

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The antenna consists of: 1:1 Balun Lengths of copper brake pipe approximately 1m long pipe and secured into grooves in a length of wood. “Stingers” which can be moved to adjust the length and secured with grub screws. It is secured to the mast with a stainless steel clamp.

Antenna Shootout 2020

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Every year Verulam Amateur Radio Club holds an Antenna ‘Shootout’ Contest. The idea is to get as many club members as possible building their own antennas and then competing against others to see who’s antenna performs the best. Over the years we have had loads of really interesting submissions, from massive quads to tin-foil and … Read more

Antenna Shootout 2020 – Peter (G3UHN)

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The VARC Lockdown Challenge was to make a 6m antenna from materials found at the home QTH.  No sneaking off to local suppliers or mail ordering!  A rummage through my garage found the following: Plastic rectangular-section conduit, two telescopic Band 1 TV antennas, SO239 socket, ‘U’ bolts and miscellaneous bits of wood. Unfortunately, no useful … Read more

The ‘Q’ of a Tuned Circuit

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Back In “radio science”, ‘Q’ stands for Quality factor. In a simple resonant or tuned circuit, (and indeed also in a single inductor or capacitor), Q is conveniently summarised as “the component’s reactance divided by the component’s resistance”. The higher the Q, the lower the loss in the component’s resistance. (In most tuned circuits it … Read more

Our March Meeting

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Hello everyone, I am sure, like me, you have been following the news and government reports surrounding the coronavirus.  While the risk to the general population is still perceived to be low, we need to consider the safety of our members, especially as some of us are likely to be in a high-risk category. Over … Read more

Thoughts On The Moon

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AB INITIO Back Puzzling facts As we approach the festive season of Christmas crackers, games and puzzles, it was thought once again that it would be appropriate to divert to something “Scientific” rather than strictly “Amateur Radio”. Everybody knows that the tides on the sea are due to the “pull of the moon”, but a … Read more

Operating From A Small Plot

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At our July 2019 meeting, club member, Dr Roger Bleaney (M0RBK), gave an illustrated talk about the problems faced by the newly licensed, particularly, when having to operate from a small plot. He explained the benefits of using a simple dipole where there is sufficient space and the advantage of the newcomer using commercially made … Read more

Ralph Nash (G1BSZ) – SK

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Verulam Amateur Radio Club are saddened to report that Ralph Nash (G1BSZ) passed away peacefully on Friday. He was aged 96. Ralph had been a member of VARC for several decades and we are working with his family to create an obituary which will be published here when it is ready. We all have fond … Read more

Upcoming Event: Operating Away From Home

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Our VARC April meeting on Tuesday will have a short session on the 2019-20 Club Committee plus a talk/discussion/brainstorm on ‘Operating Away from Home’. Peter Baker (G4HSO) says ‘I have tried and failed at operating locations worldwide (including /mm from the mid Atlantic), spent hours preparing but little success, however the occasional MAGIC success keeps … Read more

RSGB Representatives visit Verulam Amateur Radio Club

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Tom O’Reilly (G0NSY) (pictured left), the RSGB’s Regional Representative for Region 9 and Ron White (G6LTT), the District Representative for Hertfordshire and North and East London, attended the club’s monthly meeting in March. There was a wide ranging discussion with club members covering ideas for recruiting youngsters into the hobby and increasing attendance by club … Read more

2018 Contest Report

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2018 was another step up in Verulam Club contesting with some very good results. The three main entries were made in the RSGB Club Championships, The Autumn Series and also our annual entry CQ WW CW. I know personally, and also from others I talk to that this year has seen a distinct improvement in … Read more

Amateur Radio in WW2

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Stan Ames (G4OAV) gave a talk at the July meeting on the role of Amateur Radio in WW2. Stan explained, nothing public was known of radio intercepts and the role of Bletchley Park until an article appeared in May 1976, in the ‘Time Out’ magazine. The first time radio hams had even been involved was … Read more

Antenna Shootout – Wet String

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In June the Club held its annual ‘antenna shoot out’. Poor antennas are sometimes referred to as comparable with ‘wet string’.  Peter (G4HSO) took the opportunity to try such an antenna in real life. Brine soaked length of strings acted as a vertical and counterpoise.  Connection to the feeder coax was made via buckets of … Read more

Jean Faithfull (G0DCU) – Silent Key

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Verulam Amateur Radio Club are saddened to hear that long-term member Jean Faithfull (G0DCU) passed away on June 15th 2018 at Addenbrookes Hospital. Although not active on the amateur bands in recent years, amateur radio was something Jean enjoyed very much and gave her many years of pleasure throughout her life.  Verulam Amateur Radio Club … Read more

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