Issue 41 June/July 2022

Issue 41

info@g8srs.co.uk

www.g8srs.co.uk

June/July 2022

QUAlite 73 de Tony M0SAV

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Written and compiled by SRS members, ‘QUA’ (Have you news of… ?) is your source of news, views and informed opinion on all matters relating to - and informed opinion on all matters relating to - and about - your hobby.

SRS “On Tour” 2022 Northern Amateur Radio Societies (NARSA) Rally, Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool.

Thank you to the following members who assisted with the SRS stand at NARSA 2022.

Neil M6NAE, Bill M0WBS, Simon M0TYY, Evan M0TJU & Nigel M0VNL. I hope you all enjoyed the day as much as I did, seeing and chatting to traders who would have been at our own rally, only for Covid.

Also, all the those who stopped by for a chat, showing great interest as to what SRS has to offer to its members. The RSGB President Stewart Bryant G3YSX and RSGB Board Director Len Paget GM0ONX also stopped by our stand and engaged in conversation with myself when I put a few questions.

Thank you to those club members to stopped by to say hello. A great stand set up and loads of positive comments from those who stopped by.

73’s Tony M0SAV (Chair SRS).

We must have been “Quackers”!

Our first outdoor trip of the year was to Bramhall Park for the duck race which was making a return to the calendar this year.

Organised by the Bramhall & Woodford Rotary Club the event attracted many

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traders and visitors, and with the weather being good a great day was had by all, including the ducks.

Arriving at the park early on the Sunday morning we soon had the marquee set up in the walled garden close to the cafe and facilities. During the day there were many visitors to the stand including some club members and some with links to the hobby through relatives or even lapsed licensees all interested in what we had to show.

A few of us took the opportunity to have a wander around the event and was pleased to see Walthew House’s Steel Band entertaining the crowds.

Thank you to Bob M6TMA, Roy G6RSU, Barrie G6GUT and Derek G8NRU for stopping by.

Also thank you to our team Tony M0SAV, Nigel M0VNL, Bill M0WBS, Neil M6NAE, Evan M0TJU and Nigel G0RXA.

Mini Dxpedition to Tory Island

The team operated as EJ6KP/P from the beach using a battery powered Yaesu FT897 running 100W into a VDA (Vertical Dipole Array) with a half size G5RV being used from their accommodation allowing operation on 40 & 80 Metres.

Now on their way home, via Dublin the team reports total QSO’s of 130 over the three days of operation.

A fuller report will be produced along with a presentation to SRS members later in the year, that is after a few more planning meetings.

Radio Amateurs Emergency Network (Raynet) Over the years many of our members have shared their time with Raynet which makes an important and valuable contribution to the community.

In their own words, RAYNET-UK is the UK’s national voluntary communications service provided for the community by licensed radio amateurs.

RAYNET was formed in 1953 following the severe East coast flooding, to provide a way of organising the valuable resource that Amateur Radio can provide to the community. Since then, it has grown into a very active organisation with around 2000 members, providing communication assistance on many hundreds of events each year.

After a year or two’s break our intrepid three, Pete M1PTR, Tom M0DCG and Kieron M5KJM/EI6KP have once again been on their travels by setting sail for Tory Island, Co Donegal.

The latest recruit to the Stockport branch of Raynet is Neil M6NAE who’s first call to action was a trip up into the Pennines. Neil now takes up the story.

A few months ago, I decided to join Raynet and on Friday the 3rd of June I was involved in the (LDW 100) long distance walkers 100-mile challenge.

The event would see 500 walkers cover 100 miles in 48 hours which would continue throughout the night.

Myself, Neil M6NAE along with Bernie G8YUP and Page | John G1CXE we're tasked with setting up a talk3 through relay post. We arrived at the flattest point of the A57 Snake Pass at around 7am and put up the marquee and setup antennas for 23cm, 70cm, 50mhz and 2 Metres and was all ready for around 9.30am.

checkpoint the job was done leaving us to just pack up and go home.

I must say that whilst this was my first Raynet outing I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the event. If you are looking to join Raynet the membership is £15 for 2 years membership with the local group meeting at the Kimberley Street.

Community Centre in Stockport (SK3 8EB) on the last Monday of each month from 7pm to 9pm, all are welcome.

Please remember Raynet members are all volunteers.

Many Thanks, Neil M6NAE (June 2022)

The 500 hundred runners had already started by this time from checkpoint 1 on the other side of Barnsley. Our checkpoint was named "the snake" and our task was to relay messages from Crowden to Glossop which went late into the night. All runners had GPS tags so they could be tracked, and any lost runners located.

Over the next few hours, news came in from checkpoint 1 that the number of runners starting the event was confirmed at 416. Over the course of the next 48 hours, we heard over the radio that some runners had retired at other checkpoints along the way to the finish. The retired runners were marked as a P and were given transport back to the starting post.

Our manned checkpoint was stood down around 6 am the following morning as news came over the air that the 1st place runner had finished with the finishing time of 22hrs and 56 minutes. So, for our

The national Raynet organisation has a very informative website which can be reached through https://www.raynet-uk.net/ Alternatively, the local contact is Bernie Stevens G8YUP who can be contacted through the Raynet website, or I am sure Neil will point you in the right direction.

Contest Group News The months of May and early June have seen our contesters active in two CW contests, the first being the CW leg of this year’s CQ WPX events. The second and an old favourite of ours the RSGB National Field Day an event in which we have had much success over the years.

However, firstly, news of a result from 2021 with the placings being announced for the CW leg of the CQ WW DX Contest, see certificate below.

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Cast you minds back to late November last year and you may recall Storm Arwen which caused havoc around the country. Well, it did too for our contesters up at the farm who had to be dug out of the snow. The certificate is reward for the team’s efforts over those difficult few days.

CQ WPX CW Contest: 28th & 29th May 2022 (48 Hours) This was the second of this year’s WPX events following the SSB event at the end of March. Once again, the team were greeted with favourable weather conditions for both the setup, operating and eventual tear down.

Equipment used included two Yaesu FTDX 5000s plus linear amplifiers allowing full legal power to be used. A range of antennas for all contest bands 160 through to 10 Metres including dipoles, loops, monoband and tri-band Yagis and 40 Metre foursquare helped the team to a credible score.

Manager for the event was Dave G0LZL assisted by Tom M0DCG with operators over the weekend, in no order G3SHF, G0LZL, M5KJM, M0TJU plus Dave and Tom. This event for the first time featured a tent as well as the usual caravan, something which would feature prominently the following weekend for NFD.

The G5O operating tent

Just before the plug was pulled early into the Monday morning the scores on the doors read: QSOs:

3,032

Points:

7,470

Score:

7,537,230

We await the results later this year.

National Field Day (NFD): 4th & 5th June 2022 (24 Hours) Equipment: • • • • • • • •

Radio: Yaesu FT1000 Antennas: Dipoles for 160, 80 & 40 Metres.

HyGain TH6: 20,15 & 10 Metres.

Software: N1MM Cluster: Skimmer + Internet Contest Manager: Dave G0LZL with assistance from Tom M0DCG. Operators: Dave G0LZL & Carsten G0SYP/DL1EFD

Timetable Friday 3rd June 2022: The contest rules do not allow construction to start more than 24 hours before kick-off at 15.00 UTC (4pm local time) the following day. So, as the clock struck 4 our working party was onsite and ready for action however, the host whose task it was to move our trailer into the

field was nowhere to be seen. The Gremlins were already starting to raise their heads which did not bode well for the weekend!!

In true “Thunderbirds” fashion and with afternoon Page | turning to evening Dave the tenant farmer arrived 5 on scene with his tractor and our trailer attached which in a blink of an eye was positioned and ready to be dressed, but only after the usual “where is north discussions” had taken place.

Even then those naughty little beasties were still having their fun as with those present celebrating a job well done it was soon realised the halyards for the dipole antennas were still well and truly attached to mother earth, “Doh” as Homer would say!! With light fading it was clearly time for home and one of Tom’s donuts but not before the call had gone out for “all hands-on deck” in the morning with a prompt start at 9.30am.

Even then, the Gremlins had not been banished as a phone call had come in from Evan M0TJU, the intended third operator to report a bout of sickness meaning operating duties would fall to Carsten G0SYP and Dave G0LZL. Saturday 4th: If to add insult to injury, the day dawned, and the weather had taken a turn for the worse with high winds affecting the hilltop site.

Nevertheless, the call to all hands had been answered and those present set to work rectifying Friday’s little mishap and continuing the construction. Kick-off was some hours away but there was a lot of work to do not least siting and erecting the operating tent, a difficult task considering the stormy conditions.

Sunday 5th: A productive overnight session for Dave meant Carsten’s Sunday would get underway with a good QSO total already in the bag. Just like the “Eveready Bunny” Carsten plugged away at the bands and when the final whistle blew a respectable total haul of around 1,150 QSOs were in the log.

With the contest over Carsten was joined by Tom M0DCG to liberate the essential pieces of equipment from the tent before the station was fully dismantled on Monday.

Monday 6th: With the team back on site, tear down of the station began in earnest, but not before the usual morning tea break to discuss the events of the previous few days and a discussion as to how to dismantle the tent, something which a child could apparently accomplish with ease.

Sadly, we didn’t have a child so Roy G6RSU and Tom M0DCG volunteered to fulfil the role.

By mid-afternoon everything had been stowed away and the trailer made ready to be moved off site.

Eventually, sited next to the dry-stone wall which offered some protection the tent was in place and from then the station steadily grew.

Another successful contest weekend had come to an end with all those present making plans for the next event on the horizon. The SSB leg of this year’s Field Day contests takes place over the first weekend in September and plans are afoot to enter a team using a similar setup and another airing for the tent.

Amazingly, with over an hour to go everything was ready for a prompt start at 4 and when the whistle blew Carsten G0SYP sprang into action operating late into the night until Dave arrived on scene to take over the baton.

Thank you to everyone involved with making the event a success, those being Dave G0LZL, Carsten G0SYP/DL1EFD, Tom M0DCG, Pete M1PTR, Kieron M5KJM, Roy G6RSU, Nigel G0RXA and not forgetting Dave the farmer.

Upcoming contests

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• • • •

IOTA Contest: 30th & 31st July RSGB SSB Field Day: 3rd & 4th September CQ WW SSB Contest: 29th & 30th October CQ WW CW Contest: 26th & 27th November

10th: Sunday at Walthew House, including 10 Metre Net and operation on HF (10.00am) 10th: 10 Metre Net 28.575MHz SSB (10.30am) 11th: Committee Meeting by Webex 12th: Club net via Zello (7.30pm)

Meeting Attendance Competition

13th: Teatime Morse Net on 3564KHz (4PM) 14th: Club Net via GB3MR (7.30PM) 16th: Teatime Morse Net on 3564KHz (4PM) 19th: Presentation at Walthew House "Going Portable with the Xeigu X6100 and the Alex Loop".

20th: Teatime Morse Net on 3564KHz (4PM)

The competition is running through the months of May, June and July and the current standings are as follows.

21st: Club Net via GB3MR (7.30PM) 23rd: Teatime Morse Net on 3564KHz (4PM) 23rd & 24th: TAS Aviation Fair, Runway Viewing Park, Manchester Airport.

July 2022 Programme 2nd: Teatime Morse Net on 3564KHz (4PM) 4th: SRS Contest Group Review Meeting (7.15PM) 5th: Webex: Introduction to IOTA Programme including Bouvet Island DXpedition update video

by Cezar VE3LYC. 6th: Teatime Morse Net on 3564KHz (4PM) 7th: Club Net via GB3MR (7.30PM) 9th: Teatime Morse Net on 3564KHz (4PM)

26th: Practical Evening at Walthew House featuring introduction to logging programs such as Logger32 + HF operating.

28th: Club Net via GB3MR (7.30PM) 30th & 31st: G5O enters the IOTA Contest

August 2022 Programme 2nd: Webex: Presentation, Digital Modes (Dstar, C4FM, DMR, etc) the basics with Neil M6NAE and Andrew M7USL. 3rd: Teatime Morse Net on 3564KHz (4PM)

4th: Club Net via GB3MR (7.30PM) 6th: Teatime Morse Net on 3564KHz (4PM) 7th: G5O Christmas Do (Tapas) Page | 8th: SRS Contest Group Review Meeting (7.15PM) 7

9th: Club net via Zello (7.30pm)

10th: Teatime Morse Net on 3564KHz (4PM) 11th: Club Net via GB3MR (7.30PM) 13th: Teatime Morse Net on 3564KHz (4PM) 13th & 14th: Avro Heritage Museum: Wings & Wheels Fair

At all Walthew House events, Morse code instruction and practice led by Evan M0TJU takes place from around 7pm.

Presentations We are always on the lookout for speakers who can deliver radio related presentations to the society either in person or through the Webex system.

If you are aware of anyone who may fit the bill or indeed if you would be happy to speak about a radio topic of interest to you and which may interest others, please contact Evan M0TJU at any meeting or by email to treasurer@g8srs.co.uk.

Alternatively, a message can be left using our telephone number 07598 892795.

Sunday Sessions: 2nd Sunday of each month 16th: Digital Evening at Walthew House: A practical and "hands on" demonstration of Digital Modes (Dstar, C4FM, DMR, etc).

Primarily aimed at those new to the hobby and in particular new licensees, our Sunday sessions provide opportunities to experience the practical side of the hobby.

17th: Teatime Morse Net on 3564KHz (4PM)

With experienced club members on hand, our fully equipped station covering most bands, HF, VHF and UHF and which has recently received major investment is available to “cut your teeth on”.

18th: Club Net via GB3MR (7.30PM) 20th: Teatime Morse Net on 3564KHz (4PM) 23rd: Digital Evening at Walthew House including HF Digital Modes (RTTY, etc).

24th: Teatime Morse Net on 3564KHz (4PM) 25th: Club Net via GB3MR (7.30PM) 27th: Teatime Morse Net on 3564KHz (4PM)

Since launching the sessions earlier this year they have proved popular with new licensees and existing members alike who appreciate being able to gain experience with the latest equipment on the market in a relaxed atmosphere.

Along with other activities our popular monthly 10 Metre net takes place early in the session allowing visitors to join in with an on the air activity.

30th: Wild Card Net (7.30PM) 31st: Teatime Morse Net on 3564KHz (4PM) Subject to change, please follow our website, Google Group mailing list and social media platforms for up-to-date details.

Elaine 2E1BVS dabbling with the 7610

The next session is on the 10th of July whilst the August session (14th August) will be transferring to the Avro Heritage Centre, Woodford where we are taking part in the annual “Wings & Wheels” event.

As we gain experience with the 7610, the more we will be able to comment on its traits and functions. There are certainly plenty of them. However, so far, so good.

73 Evan M0TJU

So, if you are new to the hobby and want to gain Page | some practical experience, or an old hand who’d 8 like to join in the sessions please come down to

Walthew House. There is no door fee, however, to help us cover the room hire fee we would appreciate participants consider making a donation to club funds.

(10th May 2022)

Webex Meetings

For further information please either email info@g8srs.co.uk or call 07598 892795.

Walthew House G3LX station report My Thoughts on the IC-7610…so far by Evan M0TJU Having only made use of it once, it is perhaps a little premature to write a substantial article about our new toy…radio. However, there are a couple of aspects which stands out for me, even at this early stage.

Most obvious is the ability to simply plug in an external monitor, enabling the action on the 7610’s screen to be visible to a ‘distant’ audience; selected mode, frequency, S-level and band scope activity can easily be made out by those standing several feet away from the transceiver. That’s ideal for a club station, where you’ll want members to see what’s going on while leaving the operators in peace. Such a feature could be passed off as superficial by someone who operates alone in a small shack, given that the rig’s own display packs a punch in terms of brightness and resolution. (Of course, using a plug-in monitor allows you to dim the in-built screen, prolonging its operational life. So, you may wish to ‘go big,’ anyway.)

Another feather in the 7610’s cap is its second antenna slot, something that’s pretty much standard on most dedicated HF/6m base-station transceivers, but conspicuously absent from its popular smaller brother, the IC-7300. As an owner of a 7300, and as someone who wants to make use of a separate, receive-only antenna – a Wellbrook active loop, that is low noise and does not require re-tuning when changing bands – I would rather avoid the hassle of plugging in an external switching box.

A familiar sight in recent years but one which has served many of us well allowing contact with fellow club members whether they be local or further afield particularly when personal face to face contact was not possible.

The facility has proved successful and continues to be so even though restrictions have now been eased. Online meetings will continue to feature in our programme, normally the first Tuesday of each month, and is available to groups such as the Teatime Morse net, Contest Group and Committee who regularly hold meetings by this method rather than the costly business of hiring a venue such as the JB Room at Walthew House.

Within the last few days, the committee has agreed to renew our package with Webex meaning the facility will continue for at least a further year.

As you will probably be aware, Tony M0SAV has taken on the responsibility of managing the meeting schedule and to streamline this process he has arranged for regular evening meetings to be placed into the Webex diary each Monday and Tuesday, and Wednesday and Saturday afternoons for the Teatime Morse nets.

The benefit to members of this arrangement is that permanent links to the meetings can be provided and for the time being the password will remain as has been used in the past. Any change will be advised through the Google Groups mailing Page | list.

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The meeting details including links are as follows.

Monday Evening Sessions Time: from 7.15pm Join from the meeting link: https://srs.my.webex.com/srs.my/j.php?MTID= m0f9d2da90153d416014f16bf56d8f5fa Join by meeting number: Meeting number (access code): 2375 140 8272 Tuesday Evening Social Time: from 7.15pm.

Join from the meeting link https://srs.my.webex.com/srs.my/j.php?MTID= mc00d1e1b3d0d196d1c6f3c3edb721e12 Join by meeting number Meeting number (access code): 2366 389 9589 Teatime Morse Sessions Time: from 3.45pm.

Join from the meeting link https://srs.my.webex.com/srs.my/j.php?MTID=m 78d0f475b93962b94d1f8d5fca68e0e2 Join by meeting number Meeting number (access code): 2376 969 1447 Any member not familiar accessing the system, or even if you are and would like a refresher, then we recommend viewing this video on YouTube.

At the outset we chose the package best suited to meeting the needs of our members and whilst this is not a free service the cost of the package has not been passed on to members.

However, in the same way members contribute when attending meetings at Walthew House, we

would like to ask those joining us through the Webex system consider making a donation to our funds to help meet the annual cost of the facility.

Should you choose to do so, then please transfer your contribution directly to the society’s bank account quoting a reference of “Webex” followed by your callsign, e.g. Webex G8SRS, this will help our Treasurer.

Bank: Barclays PLC. Sorting Code: 205377 Account number: 40346314 Account Name: Stockport Radio Society

Club Nets On air nets are an important feature of any radio society’s activities and we are no different.

To cater for members with different interests our nets take place on various bands and modes.

Presently arranged nets are as follows and there are a few changes this month.

Thursday Weekly at 7.30pm local: 70 CMs via GB3MR Repeater **2nd Tuesday of month at 7.30pm local: Zello Net. ** 2nd Sunday of month at 10.30am local: 10 Metres SSB (28.575MHz +/- QRM).

Teatime Morse at 4pm local (Wednesday & Saturday):80 Metres CW (3.564MHz +/-). **5Th Tuesday of Month at 7.30 local: “Wild Card Net”. See website, Google Groups, and social media platforms for details. ** Please visit our Zello webpage for more information about our Zello channel which includes a “how to” guide.

GB3MR Repeater The repeater is located to the south of Stockport on high ground close to Lyme Park, Disley, an area known locally as Bowstones.

Page | • Output Frequency: 433.350MHz 10 • Input Frequency: 434.950MHz • Locator: IO83XH • CTCSS Code: 82.5Hz

• • • • •

RSGB Morse Code pages: Click Here Jodrell Bank WebSDR: Click Here G4FPH WebSDR: Click Here PROPquest: Click Here Webex Meeting ID: 2376 969 1447 (Password: G8SRS)

Club Nets Participation

For more information about GB3MR, please visit https://www.ukfmgw.co.uk/tx/gb3mr/

Teatime Morse with Bernard & Tom Since moving away from daily sessions the numbers joining us have reduced, however we are still pleased to be joined regularly by Evan M0TJU at weekends and occasionally Geoff GW0ISE from Broughton, near Chester.

Conditions on 80 Metres in the afternoon have not been at their best with much QSB and noise being noted, however since our break for the CQ WPX CW and NFD contests the paths between the various participants have improved.

The WebSDR at Jodrell Bank is still a valuable resource, but it’s top of the charts is being challenged by the G4FPH WebSDR near Stafford which has been providing more regular service in terms of reception. Links to both facilities can be found below.

Also remember, during each session the participants use the Webex facility to provide a “talkback” arrangement. If you are interested in joining us maybe to dip your toes in the water, please come along, the meeting details are below.

Your comments and signal reports are very welcome either on air, via email to the dedicated address (see below), or a message can be left using the society’s dedicated phone line 07598 892795.

• • • • •

Days: Wednesday and Saturday specified.

Time: 4pm local time Frequency: 3.564 MHz +/- QRM Email: morse@g8srs.co.uk Teatime Morse Webpage: Click Here

unless

Club Net participation up to & including 16th June 2022 (not including our Zello or Teatime Morse Nets).

Stockport Radio Society H F Ladder

then upload your files from your logging programme throughout the year.

You can log in to club log to see the league table although a quick way to view the current HF & 6 DXCC ladder scores is via the link below.

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www.m1ptr.com/SRSDxccLadder.php This guide will help you to get started. HF Ladder Guide.

SRS Publication Library Launched in our previous issue, Neil has continued to expand our library of publications with the addition of some more titles.

Just in the last few days we have received PDF copies of the July edition of Practical Wireless plus a copy of the 2022 Raspberry Pi Handbook.

The continually expanding library in PDF format is available to members who can bring their own USB storage device to Walthew House and copy all, or the required publication(s).

Points are awarded for each different DXCC entity worked per band 160m through 6m. A worked DXCC is only counted once per band regardless of how many different modes are used to work the DXCC. Any mode can be used but contacts must be via RF propagation only.

The competition runs from 00:00 hours 1st January until 23:59hrs 31st December and the overall winner is the recipient of the Jim Barlow G3VOU trophy. Recognition and a separate trophy is also awarded for the leading Foundation entrant.

To include your log in the HF Ladder please sign up to Club Log then join the SRS club league. You can

Whilst there is no charge, members using the facility may wish to make a donation to society funds. Alternatively, a 16GB USB storage device, kindly donated by ICOM UK can be provided with a £5 deposit. If the device is not returned, the deposit will be used to secure a replacement.

For a full list of publications available, and/or if you have any publications in PDF format you would like to donate, please contact me either at a meeting or event, by email or calling the SRS batphone.

Neil M6NAE (Funding Manager / Social Media)

Membership News and Information A warm welcome to all our new members and thank you to everyone who has renewed their membership for another year.

Whether you are a new licensee or an old hand we hope you will find membership of one of the

oldest radio societies in the country beneficial to your own activities.

Our members possess a wealth of information which they will be all too happy to share at a club Page | meeting, on the air, through our Google Group 12 mailing list or via our social media platforms.

Failing that, a call to our telephone number or email to our info address will yield a response or pointer in the right direction.

Should you have a question about subscriptions, please do not hesitate to email our Treasurer whose address is treasurer@g8srs.co.uk.

News from our members.

Back in April Peter G8BCG, our Cornish correspondent took part in the annual Marconi celebrations from the Lizard Wireless Station, a National Trust monument.

Alan Kelly M1FHM “pootling around”.

From his Facebook page Peter reports:

I am sure many of you will know Alan who earlier this month (June) took delivery of a narrowboat named “Pootle”.

Fun day yesterday and good interest and results on the QO-100 Satellite.

• •

Total Contacts with other Amateurs "QSOs" 161.

Total Countries contacted "DXCC" 34.

The GB4LD “message” was exchanged far and wide! - From Svalbard to South Africa and from Indonesia to Brazil.

It would have been great to contact the hams on the German Antarctic Research Station for an Arctic/Antarctic double! Unfortunately, they had work to do so couldn't play ham radio.

Sadly, Alan’s attempt to join us on the SRS 10 Metre net wasn’t successful, however being equipped with an Yaesu FT897 hopes are high that’ll be rectified next time around.

Alan, we wish you pleasant journeys and look forward to following your adventures around the canal network.

International Marconi Day at Lizard Wireless Station GB4LD.

Since re-joining the society some years ago, Peter has joined us on a few occasions via the Webex link. Many of you will be familiar with Peter’s operating achievements which are extensive, and which now also include the QO-100 satellite.

Interested? Well, I would urge you to visit Peter’s website which records many of his achievements and is a very good insight into what you can do.

Peter Singleton M0PTB (update) Further to the comments in our last issue, following a very recent telephone conversation

Bernard is now able to update us as to Pete’s situation and recovery.

members wishing to join him for cakes, pies, and jelly etc being made available from 2.00pm.

I spoke to Pete yesterday and he answered my question "how are you" by saying he was Page | ‘relatively’ well. He was still under the care of the 13 Spinal Unit Action Group based near Southport but didn’t expect to remain there much longer.

The Spinal Unit Action Group address is 6 Weld Road, Southport, PR8 2AZ.

To support this, he said he had found a flat near Middleton geared up for ‘wheelchair’ users but there was still preparation work to be completed before he could be moved. His local GP (Middleton) would have to agree funding, a CARE package would have to be in place for him and a District Nurse found.

Pete we are all pleased to hear you are making progress and we look forward to welcoming you back to our Webex meetings, Zello net and our get togethers.

Pete was extensively using a 'manual' wheelchair to get about the Spinal Unit and was eagerly awaiting the arrival of a powered version to assist him getting around locally and through the standard size doorways in his new flat which promised to make short work of his knuckles as he negotiates himself around.

With all this talk about wheelchairs I asked Pete if he was able to get on his feet to which he said he could not, and it was unlikely he would be able to do so in the foreseeable future. His view was that he was now ‘functional’, if not fully functioning.

His hands were usable but felt as if he was always wearing thin gloves. He can use a knife and fork but turning the page of a book was very difficult.

While I’ve shared Pete’s comments it would be quite wrong to leave you thinking he was down or depressed. On the contrary, my call had interrupted his efforts to access Webex and then tackle Zello working with a new laptop he received for a recent birthday. Added to that he was also planning how he could get on the air from his new flat.

Finally, Pete was keen for me to mention to all SRS members that the Spinal Unit was holding a Summer Garden Party this coming Sunday 19th June and he would appreciate and welcome any

Pete’s phone 07500 583691 Thank you, Bernard.

Tony M0SAV having also spoken to Pete in the last few days mentions Pete’s new flat is in a complex which in a previous life was Tony’s old secondary school. No doubt there will be suitable “Mr Mainwaring woz ‘ere” scribbles around the building as well as some well chewed gum under a desk in the corner.

Sending best wishes Through these pages we would also like to send best wishes to a few our members who we’ve been made aware of currently suffering health issues.

Those members being John M0PEK, Mike 2E0MBV, and Dave G4MUL. We wish you all a speedy recovery and look forward to you joining us again at a meeting, event, or on the air soon.

Contributors to this issue Alan M1FHM, Neil M6NAE, Kieron M5KJM, Peter M1PTR, Peter G8BCG, Tony M0SAV, Bernard G3SHF.

Photo contributors Pete M1PTR, Neil M6NAE, Nigel G0RXA, Tony M0SAV. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this issue and/or provided photographs.

Contributions for future editions please send by email to our info email address.

2022 Interim Committee Page | 14

Chair:

Anthony Smithies M0SAV

Vice Chair:

Post Vacant

Treasurer:

Evan Duffield M0TJU

Secretary:

Nigel Roscoe G0RXA (Acting)

Committee Members: Bernard Naylor G3SHF Kieron Murphy M5KJM Nigel Smithies M0VNL On air Net Co-ordinator: Roy Anstee G6RSU

Contact emails: General Enquiries:

info@g8srs.co.uk

Treasurer:

treasurer@g8srs.co.uk

Membership:

membership@g8srs.co.uk

Contesting:

contesting@g8srs.co.uk

Teatime Morse:

morse@g8srs.co.uk

Postal Address

www.g8srs.co.uk

Stockport Radio Society Walthew House

@G8SRS @SRSContestGroup

112 Shaw Heath Stockport

StockportRadioSociety1920 SK2 6QS

StockportRadioSociety1920

Telephone: SRS “Batphone” 07598 892795

Stockport Radio Society is an affiliated member of the RSGB (Radio Society of Great Britain) and NARSA (Northern Amateur Radio Society Association)