December 2006

Message from the Chairman

Hi Everyone

Time goes by so quickly, that I cannot believe that it is Christmas time already (rather getting ready for it). I would like everyone to re-think the idea of breaking down the Club into smaller, manageable areas as I find myself isolated from the rest of you. We are in a bad area for getting out, but we hear hams from far and wide. If the Club is split up into groups it would mean that many members would be able to contact each other more easily. It would a least be worth a try, say over a set period of time (say 1 year). It will not cost the Club anything to run, as for the trial period; I would do all the necessary work to let every one know of the clubs around them.
Anyway, please do have another think about it.

I would like to say a very big thank you to my Secretary & Membership Secretary, Jackie Head M0CUR, Treasurer: Anne Mourant MJ0BJU, Committee Members: Kay Ayres G0KTC, Sheila Gabriel G3HCQ, and Irene Birkett GM0FTX. Overseas Membership: Mabel Tremlett GJ8SXN, Promotional Items: Jackie Head M0CUR, and QSL Manager: Maureen Ritson G0VRT.

My thanks go to the Editor: Daphne Neal G7ENA and Maureen Fellows G8GKR who without theses two ladies work this magazine would not be possible. Please keep up the good work ladies.

I hope you enjoy my contribution to the December BYLARA and I hope that more of our Members out there will help with articles next year.
My OM and myself, would like to wish you all (ladies & OM's) a VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR 2006. May we move forward into 2007 with a positive attitude and regard for our fellow amateurs.
Look forward to being in touch with you all again next year.

de Carol 2E1RBH Chairman

GB2SLH Mini DX to Shetland by Tony G0GFL & Nicky M5YLO

This trip was planned well in advance to combine a summer holiday trip, a double birthday treat, island operation and a Lighthouse activation on lighthouse weekend.

The holiday was started by driving all night to within a few miles of Aberdeen from were our ferry was to depart. This gave use a day INHAND during which time we visited Montrose air museum and radio station (Tnx to Brian Murray GM3KC). Contact was also made with the Aberdeen 2mtr NET, some of whom were also able to work us later at the Lighthouse

This sea crossing meant another overnight trip, docking at Lerwick at 7:30am Saturday morning. Arrival at Sumburgh Lighthouse was about 9:00 am. This revealed an elevated complex of keepers’ accommodation, workshops, RSPB offices, a GPS reference station and the automatic Light house tower, all perched 80 feet up on a rocky headland.

Within the first two days we managed to erect a shortened windom special on a tripod based mast, with shorter aluminium poles either end of the antenna. All poles and masts were strongly guyed against the very strong and continuous wind. A Qtec penetrator vertical was also erected for standby use.

Two all band all mode stations on 50W and one 100W based around the Yeasu FT-847 and FT-817 with MFJ ATUs.
A later addition was the “Islander” by Andre’ GM3VLB. This was erected by Nicky and her first contact was with Vic G3KEE who was working QRP 5W from Exeter!

We travelled as much as time permitted to get the flavour of the island but we were made so welcome by the local amateurs that the remaining time soon vanished.
The GB2SLH was visited nearly each day by these amateurs and by some of the tourist who came to “OUR” lighthouse to spot the many sea birds in the area.

Highlights of our trip included a site visit to GB2LU and the TV/Radio transmitters on Bressay.

Eshaness Lighthouse was activated on the lighthouse weekend by the Lerwick ARS and we paid them a visit as they were setting up.

Local VHF repeater contact ensured we were all kept in touch throughout our stay.

During our stay we made 300 contacts with both Nicky and I working our first pileups! After being posted on the dx clusters. Furthest contact was to New Zealand (twice). Most skeds to club members and friends were managed with the later week being suppressed due to the local aura.

After a sad farewell to our new friends we departed for a smooth homeward journey. We have compiled a PowerPoint slideshow and a video to also show some of the holiday described neither will ever be as good as it was actually being their.

If you ever get the chance to visit the islands and meet the folk TAKE IT!

A few odd details: - Car mileage 1700: Lighthouse was rented from the Shetland amenity trust 4 bedrooms and could sleep 7 (£600): Northlink ferry 2 adults, cabin & car both ways £516: Holiday insurance £44: Island petrol £1.08/ltr (mainland was about 98p/ltr).

Selected Articles from December 2006