South Coast PMR net report

Welcome to another episode of "Ray reviews the South Coast PMR net", held on the 8th of November

or did you know that on this day in history 

"Great Britain did a nuclear test on Christmas Island", now we know why Rudolf's nose glows red!

My location for the night was Radio Corner, Ashdown Forest, East Sussex. JObb01
The set up was my TYT TH9000D and Mr 187's beam on top of the Racal mast.
The weather was breezy, cloudy with some drizzle and by the time we packed up it was foggy and the temperature was 10 degrees.

Here is the list of stations that called in and were heard by the group.

CT 940--Richard--Reigate--Surrey
C V M--Nigel--Crowborough--East Sussex (1st location of the night)
CT 3466--Ray C5--Ide Hill--Kent (1st location of the night)
CT 1033--Chris--Tonbridge--Kent
The Hadlow Hustler (CT 4281)--Dick--Hadlow--Kent 
??????--Rob--Tunbridge Wells--Kent
TK 08--George-- Tonbridge--Kent
??????--Pete--Tonbridge--Kent
CT 2207--Neil--Crowborough--East Sussex
TE 032--Adam--Southend on Sea--Essex
TE 16--Stuart--Great Wakering--Essex
??????--Barry--Tonbridge--Kent
KP 441--Steve--Henfield--West Sussex
CT 2453--Picnic Chris--Bexhill--East Sussex
??????--Kevin--Sittingbourne--Kent
CT 3466--Ray C5--Crowhurst--Surrey (2nd location of the night)
C V M--Nigel--Ashdown Forest--East Sussex (2nd location of the night)
And me CT 2290--Ray--Ashdown Forest--East Sussex

Thank you to all who called in, to Mr 187 for the use of his mast & beam and to the 2    police cars    that visited us

Topics of conversation ranged from boats to pirate radio stations. Does anybody remember Kiss as a pirate station, Caroline, Lazar 558, Atlantic 252 and JB FM) Microwave oven repairs, model vehicles, the adult version of Tizwas called OTT. Reginal TV company's (LWT, Tyne Tees TV, Southern, Anglia TV etc), a night club on a boat? and Ray C5 converting an old 405 TV aerial to 446 beam.

That's it for this episode.
Like, dislike or even leave a comment.

TTFN
Ray
26 CT 2290

Always love reading your reports Ray and glad you all have such a great time.

I could've joined in on virtually every subject you mention there!

Two Police cars? Must've been a quiet night for them.


All the best,
Victor

Victor wrote:

Always love reading your reports Ray and glad you all have such a great time.

I could've joined in on virtually every subject you mention there!

Two Police cars? Must've been a quiet night for them.


All the best,
Victor

Thank you victor

As the Guv'nor, chairman or the bloke with the pen & paper. I'm lucky to have a great bunch of operators who call in. 

Thank you, to all of you.


When the police pop in for a chat, we have a way of moving THEM ON!

Hello all 

Yes it's that time again for another episode of "Ray reviews the South Coast PMR net".

or

"how long before I run out of other titles for my net reports? "

The net was held on Monday the 15th of November 2021 and started at about 20:00 hours or 8 o'clock.
It can be found on channel 14 or 446.16875MHz
My location and equipment were, Radio Corner, Ashdown Forest, East Sussex and the radio was a TYT TH9000D and the antenna was 187's beam up on the ex military mast.
The weather was cool, clear, with no breeze and a temperature of 11 degrees C

Here is the list of stations heard and worked by the group.
CamperVan Man--Nigel--Ashdown Forest--East Sussex
CT 1033--Chris--Tonbridge--Kent
______--Paul M--Vigo Village--Kent (fighting Covid)
CT 3466--Ray C5--Ashdown Forest--East Sussex (thank you for the tour of your camper)
The Hadlow Hustler or CT 4281--Dick--Hadlow--Kent 
OM 001--Graham--Burgess Hill--West Sussex
TK 08--George--Tonbridge--Kent
KP441--Ditchling Beacon--East Sussex (1st location of the night)
MD 26--Dave--Cooden--East Sussex
AMC 1966--Boris--Bexhill--East Sussex
187--Toby--Ashdown Forest--East Sussex (ultra rare contact!)
CT 1829--Dean--Edenbridge--Kent (get well soon)
CT 2207--Neil--Crowborough--East Sussex
GM 593--Graham--Near Rochester--Kent
CT 940--Richard--Reigate--Surrey
KP 441--Steve--Henfield--West Sussex (2nd location of the night)
And me CT 2290--Ray--Ashdown Forest--East Sussex

Thank you to all who called in and to 187 for the use of his beam and mast.
Sorry if I've missed any one of the list or got something wrong. If you do spot something, let me know and I will correct it.

Topics of conversation would have seemed a bit strange.
Who has eaten raw bacon or Palma ham and which is best raw meat or cooked meat.
Forklift/milk float batteries. What size battery are they, what size cells are they, what kind of volts were each cell and how were they grouped together?
Who can remember the 3 wheeled milk floats humming down the road with there chinking bottles of milk  ?
**DON'T READ THE NEXT BIT IF EASLY OFFENED**
Where to get beams for PMR

That's it for this episode
Like, dislike or leave a comment

TTFN
Ray
26 CT 2290

PS
Tigger's   are wonderful things

Hello all and welcome to another episode of "Ray reviews the South Coast PMR net" or

"Can I have a CTX callsign for still wearing shorts in this weather?"

The net was held on Monday night (as always), on the 22nd day, of the 11th month of the year 2021. 
The net can be heard on channel 14 (446.16875MHz) of the PMR band.

My location (can you guess where?) was Radio Corner, Ashdown Forest, East Sussex, shared with 4 deer      or was it Dasher, Dancer, Prancer & Vixen?
The set up was the TYT TH9000D and the £1 converted taxi mag mount antenna.

The weather was cold with a Waning Gibbous moon  in a clear sky. 
The temperature was 4 degrees C when the net started and when I packed everything away it was below 2 degrees C.

Before the net started, I had a flick around the channels (which doesn't take long  ) and heard chat (not children) on channels 1, 5 and 8. 
Now on with the list of stations that called in and were heard and worked by the group.

1) CT 2072--Steve T--Wrotham Hill--Kent
2) C V M--Nigel--Ashdown Forest--East Sussex
3) Paul M--Vigo Village--Kent
4) OM 001--Graham--Burgess Hill--West Sussex
5) CT 3466--Ray C5--Crowhurst--Surrey
6) TK 08--George--Tonbridge--Kent
7) CT 1829--Dean--Edenbridge--Kent
8 )T 187--Toby--Ditchling Beacon--East Sussex
9) CT 1033--Chris--Tonbridge--Kent
10) AMC 1966--Boris--Bexhill--East Sussex
11) MD 26--Dave--Bexhill--East Sussex
12) Ricky on the Ridge--Near Hastings--East Sussex
13) Hadlow Hustler (CT 4281)--Dick--Hadlow--Kent
14) CT 2236--Dan--Wrotham Hill--Kent (1st location of the night)
15) Rufus--Bluebell hill--Kent (welcome to the net  )
16) KP 441--Steve--Ditchling Beacon--East Sussex (replacing T 187)
17) CT 2236--Dan--Birling Hill--Kent (2nd location of the night)
18) CT 2207--Neil--Crowborough--East Sussex
19) Me CT 2290--Ray--Ashdown Forest--East Sussex

Thank you all who called in, sorry to those who we may have missed (please try again in the future).
If you see something wrong with my review, let me know and I will be happy to correct it.

Topics of conversation, what after market antennas work on PMR and then going on to test some after market handy antennas. Me in shorts!!. Where to get used taxi mag mount antennas, tunnels and the Seaford Museum, with it's collection of old radios, TV's, record plays and other stuff from a bygone age

That's it for this episode.
Leave a like   , dislike   or even a comment

TTFN & 73
Ray
26 CT 2290

PS
Winne the Pooh  likes honey

I may not be able to join in Ray but always love reading your net reports if only for the madness and humour!  

You definitely need much more than a CTX callsign for wearing shorts in such weather!!
(Maybe a Mothers scorn for going out dressed as such? )


Awesome stuff as always and again a big thanks for sharing with us all.

All the best,
Victor

Victor wrote:

I may not be able to join in Ray but always love reading your net reports if only for the madness and humour!  

You definitely need much more than a CTX callsign for wearing shorts in such weather!!
(Maybe a Mothers scorn for going out dressed as such? )


Awesome stuff as always and again a big thanks for sharing with us all.

All the best,
Victor

I know I've said it before, but they are a great bunch of operators. 
When it's busy with a lot of stations calling in or there is a lift on, they try to work as many stations as possible, when it's quiet the overs can be longer and conversations can evolve and go off in funny directions!

Maybe one day the radio gods    will grant us some tropospheric conditions that will allow you to hear or even be heard on a Monday night. 

I do get questioned about what I'm wearing. When I've answered the response is always "SHORTS!! In this weather!" or "are you CENSORED mad!"

I have sent you a PM, hope you enjoy the article.

Thank you Victor

Hello all and welcome to another episode of "Ray reviews the South Coast PMR net" or

NEWSFLASH
"finally mother nature has got me into long trouser   "

The net was held on Monday night, the 29th of November 2021.
The frequency was 446.16875MHz or channel 14 on the PMR band and it started close to 20:00 hrs or
8 o'clock

My location was Radio Corner, Ashdown Forest in the County of East Sussex and the equipment was
the TYT TH9000D and the £1 converted taxi mag mount.

The weather was cold, cloudy with some sleet in the air. The temperature was about 3 degrees but did feel colder in the wind.

So I called out at 8 o'clock (give or take 5 minutes) and the first 1 to reply was....

OM 001--Graham--Burgess Hill--West Sussex
Paul M--Vigo Village--Kent 
CamperVan Man--Nigel--Yet Another cap park on Ashdown Forest--East Sussex
TK 08--George--Tonbridge--Kent
CT 1033--Chris--Tonbridge--Kent
KP 441--Steve--Ditchling Beacon--East Sussex
Rufus--Bluebell Hill--Kent
CT 3466--Ray C5--Crowhurst--Surrey
DK 276--Ricky on the Ridge--Near Hastings--East Sussex
CT 1829--Dean--Edenbridge--Kent
And me CT 2290--Ray--Ashdown Forest--East Sussex

Thank you to all who called.
Sorry to those who may have tried and was missed (please try again in the future)
If you see something wrong or missed off my review, let me know and I will update it.

Topics of conversation, Graham tweaking his home base set up, and being heard further out and receiving more. Paul M building a kit ATU. Rufus comparing the standard antenna to a aftermarket one on a Baofeng 888, the results favoured the standard antenna!! The cold weather and that some operators were suffering in 22 degrees in there shacks. Thermal underwear. Sprint cycling. Beams & masts. The 2 candle heater that seems to be the thing on YouTube.

That's it for this episode
Leave a like   , dislike   or even comment

TTFN & 73
Ray
CT 2290

Trousers? Must've been cold!     

Well done to all involved in the Net. 

Hello all and welcome to another episode of Ray reviews the PMR net 

or

"The Quatermass Experiments but with antennas"

The net was held on Monday night, the 6th of December 2021
The equipment used was the TYT TH9000D and the £1 mag mount. Yes it did cost me £1 from the CATS radio rally and it was an ex taxi mag mount cut down for PMR use.
My location was Radio Corner, Ashdown Forest, East Sussex and the weather cold with a clear sky and a temperature that stayed below 4 degrees all night.

I arrived early to find a car parked up with a beam mounted on a pole. I was to find out that this was Dean CT 1829 who was experimenting with his new £35 Ebay beam.
 
I set up my station and listened to Dean talking to Chris CT 1033 and Steve T CT 2072, both in Tonbridge, and Nigel CVM in Crowborough. Steve T was experimenting with his handy and making comparisons to his home radio, with Nigel and Dean giving him audio/signal reports.

Ray C5 CT 3466 drove in and  parked up. He was then seen at the back of his camper waving his torch about. This got Dean out of his car, who helped Ray C5 erect his new mast and antenna, which (can you guess?) he wanted to experiment with.

While the erecting was going on, George TK 08 from Tonbridge called in followed quickly by Graham OM 001 from Burgess Hill. I did question Graham as to his true location as there was a big improvement to the previous week (it was like he was somewhere on the forest).

KP 441 called in and was duly added to the log.

Chris reported bad audio and signal from Ray C5, so I hopped out and checked the antenna with a SWR meter. Ray said that he had checked the coax for continuity and all was well. I checked with the SWR meter and found that it was reading off the scale for reflective power A quick fiddle with the coax and the SWR dropped to zero and everybody reported clear audio and a strong signal. we all suggested to Ray that he re-solders the plug on the coax.
0
There was some passing around of stations, when Paul M called in from Wrotham Hill.

Then there was a quick invasion from Essex.

Now be a good time to put the kettle before I start on with the rest of my review


Adam TE 32 and Stuart TE 16 called and they were worked by Paul M, Nigel and Dean, who was enjoying his new beam.
9
Graham reported that George was a strong R5 and tried to make a contact, sadly it was only a one way, but who knows what could happen in the future.

Steve R called in from near Rochester and was past round the group then Rufus from Bluebell Hill, entered the conversation and did some experimenting with 2 BF888 radios but with 2 different antennas. 

Chris than called out on his handy and made contact with Nigel also on a Handy, Dean, Ray C5, Rufus, Paul M and myself

Dean went home with a big smile    on his face because his £35 ebay beam worked a treat.

As the night was coming to and end a Juliet Charlie station was heard calling for Nigel.

I then received a message from Richard CT 940 who had been SWLing   to the net from his secret bunker somewhere in area 49.

Phew! That concludes my review

Topics of conversation were antennas, Paul M's ATU build, the salt n sand lorry going up and down the road and did I mention antennas.

Thank you all who called in or listened  
Sorry if you tried to call in and we missed you.
If you see anything wrong, a mistake or I have forgotten something, let me know and I can correct it.

That's it for this episode. See you next time
This is the host with the most waffle   saying
Like  , dislike   or leave a comment

TTFN & 73
Ray
CT 2290

Hello all and welcome to another episode of Ray reviews the Monday night PMR net

or

"To reclaim, repurpose or recycle, that is the the question"

The net was held on Monday 13th of December 2021.
My location was Radio Corner, Ashdown Forest, East Sussex.
Equipment used on the night, Baofeng UV5R, TYT TH9000D and the £1 mag mount.

I arrived just before the start and was meet with a plethora of antennas & masts. 
It looked as if GCHQ had relocated to Ashdown Forest, and while looking at the new GCHQ a Chinook   flew past.

Dean CT 1829 had reclaimed the base of a babies high chair and repurposed it as the base to his mast. The mast was a combination of recycled metal poles from a rotary clothes drier with the last sections being an old fishing pole which kept the beam clear of any metal.

Ray C5 CT 3466 had also recycled a rotary clothes drier and made a mast for his Diamond X50 style white stick. The mast was anchored to the side of his vehicle repurposing 2 Suction cup glass lifters as mounts.

Nigel CVM had his mast up with the beam and a co-linear attached.

So after chatting and looking at these ingenious solutions to mounting and erecting antenna's, with the cost effective recycling of different things, I thought it was time to jump on the net and say hello.

Here is my list of stations heard and worked by the net.

C V M--Nigel--East Sussex
CT 1829--Dean--East Sussex
CT 3466--Ray C5--East Sussex
TE 32--Adam--Essex
KP 441--East Sussex
The Hadlow Hustler--Dick--Kent
TK 08--George--Kent
TE 16--Stuart--Essex
J C--Jill--East Sussex
CT 940 & DS 01--Richard & Pru--Surrey
OM 001--Graham--West Sussex
CT 1033--Chris--Kent
Steve R--Kent
And me CT 2290--Ray--Ashdown Forest--East Sussex

As always, thank you to all who called in. Sorry if you tried and we missed you
If you see a spelling mistake or I have something wrong, let me know and I will correct it.

Topics of conversation
My 8 week old cough, biscuits, 7 and 9 pin valve identification, Nigel turning his power down 25% and only using 750 watts, Steve R using his tape measure beam, bacon sandwiches, a possible PMR meet up in 2022 and Ice Cream. Not the modern Ben & Jerrys stuff, but old school Rum & Raisin, Vanilla, Neapolitan and not forgetting Viennetta Ice Cream (we did forget about Mint Choc Chip Ice Cream)

That about wraps it

Don't forget you can like  , dislike    and even leave a comment if you want.

TTFN
Ray
CT 2290

Thanks Ray, some very thrifty and ingenious things going on down there mate, 73.

Well done to you and all involved Ray. Glad to hear of the team spirit and meet.   

Another favourite topic.....using whatever junk you have laying around!

Paddy wrote:

Thanks Ray, some very thrifty and ingenious things going on down there mate, 73.

Cheers Paddy

It does seem to be a thing with the regulars of the net  

Victor wrote:

Well done to you and all involved Ray. Glad to hear of the team spirit and meet.   

Another favourite topic.....using whatever junk you have laying around!

Cheers Victor

The net has a good bunch of operators

Roll on next summer and want it may bring 

I don't think anything is safe around the guys, I have heard talk of 3D printing clips and radio cases to rebuilding and modifying mics

Hello all 

Welcome to another of Ray reviews the Monday Night PMR on channel 14

or

this episode is brought to you by the words "sweet  " and "spot  "

The net was held on the 20th of December 2021, on channel 14 or 446.16875MHz
My location was Radio Corner, Ashdown Forest, East Sussex and the set was my 8 element beam and the TYT TH9000D.

The weather cold, cloudy and with a light breeze. The temperature at the start of the net was just over 6 degrees C and at the end it was below 3 degrees C

I arrived early with the idea of setting up and putting out a few calls to see if there was any tropo about. 
While setting up, I noticed that 1 of the elements on my beam was loose, so out came the crosshead screw driver to fix it. I touched the screw and yes it fell out , as did the element.
So there I was, torch    in hand, looking for a screw in a dirt & gravel car park with time ticking away to the start of the net.
Well against all the odds, I did fine the screw and fix the beam.
I did put some calls out, on channel 8, and got one response, a child keying up so I could listen to his/hers various roger tunes   
On with the net
Back on channel 14 there was already a conversation about how 2 people on the net were bidding against each other for a rotator on eBay, and that at the last minute someone else beat them to it.
This mystery bidder has now been identified as yet another person from the net  .

So I QSKed in and the net was up and running.
Ray CT3466 pulled into the car park, and in the absence of Nigel CVM took his spot.
I called out to George TK08 in Tonbridge and spoke to him, and while chatting, Graham OM001 in Burgess Hill called in. Graham reported hearing George but it was just a one way contact , Ray CT3466 called in and was passed to George & Graham. 
Then it was over to Dick The Hadlow Hustler in Hadlow and Chris CT 1033 in Tonbridge. Ray CT3466 was getting good audio/signal reports and it was commented that he had found a sweet spot to transmit from. 
Rufus from Bluebell Hill called in with his 2 handhelds and made contact with most of who was on.
Steve KP441 called in from Ditchling Beacon and was passed around. 
While talking, Rufus was in and out of his car trying to find a sweet spot to hear and talk to Steve KP441. 
Dan CT2236 called in from yet another hill, this one being Birling Hill and Rufus was then looking for yet another sweet spot. 
Ray CT3466 was receiving good reports so he had found his sweet spot.
Steve R called in from Rochester using his tape measure beam, followed by his brother Jason CM01 on Shooters Hill. Jason was moving his car backwards & forwards finding different sweet spots to work different stations.
Near the end of the net, Dean CT1829 from Edenbridge called after just getting back from Ireland 

That's it for my report
Thank you all who called in and sorry if you tried and we missed.
If you see a mistake or I have forgotten something, let me know and I will be happy to correct it.

The main or reoccurring topics of conversation was the bidding on the rotator and the hunt by various people to find the best/sweet spot to work each other.

That wraps it so don't forget to like  . dislike    or even leave a comment if you want.

So from all on the Monday Night Net

   MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR


TTFN & 73
Ray
CT2290

Hello all and welcome to the last episode for 2021, of Ray reviews the last South Coast PMR net.

or

"Carry on Innuendo "

The net was held on a wet and rainy  27th of December 2021
My location was Radio Corner, Ashdown Forest, East Sussex
The set up was the TYT TH9000D and my £1 mag mount.
The weather was wet, windy and it was raining cats   & dogs  

Here is the list of stations that called in or was heard by the group.

Paul M--Vigo Village--Kent
CT 1829--Dean--Ashdown Forest--East Sussex
CT 3466--Ray C5--Ashdown Forest--East Sussex
OM 001--Graham--Burgess Hill--West Sussex
C V M--Nigel--Ashdown Forest--East Sussex
TK 08--George--Tonbridge--Kent
T 187--Toby--Ashdown Forest--East Sussex
J C--Jill--Ashdown Forest--East Sussex
CT 2072--Steve T--Tonbridge--Kent
Neil--Ashdown Forest--East Sussex
KP 441--Steve--Henfield--West Sussex--(Mobile)
Russell--Tonbridge--Kent
Whiskey Oscar Oscar Foxtrot (WOOF)--John the Dog--Ashdown Forest--East Sussex
And me, CT 2290--Ray--Ashdown Forest--East Sussex

During the 2 hours of the net, we had a non scientific test between a Retevis and Baofeng hand held, which ended in a draw. 
Helped Dean with the wiring for his PMR light weight rotator. 
Asked if a counterpoise on a handy would help with both TX & RX. I can see another night of experiments.
And there was talk of the ERECTION of masts, WHIP sizes for mag mounts is 9 INCHES better than 7 INCHES? And how MOIST we got in the rain.  

Thank you all who called in
That wraps up this report, don't forget to like  , dislike  or even leave a comment.

From all on the net

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND ALL THE BEST FOR 2022


TTFN & 73
Ray
CT 2290

A huge population explosion at Ashdown Forest by the looks of things

morris wrote:

A huge population explosion at Ashdown Forest by the looks of things

You are not wrong.

 I'm thinking of charging rent     or finding another spot

I tried to call into this net the week before last, with everyone beaming and rotating i could not be heard 

"You might all think you're gentlemen, but I personally have sore misgivings!"




...wait for it...

"Best go put some talc on them then"



Thought someone would get that but didn't want to keep you in suspenders any longer.


Always good to hear about your nets Ray.  

morris wrote:

I tried to call into this net the week before last, with everyone beaming and rotating i could not be heard 

Sorry we missed you. Hopefully you will be in the first log for 2022

Victor wrote:

"You might all think you're gentlemen, but I personally have sore misgivings!"




...wait for it...

Victor wrote:

"Best go put some talc on them then"



Thought someone would get that but didn't want to keep you in suspenders any longer.


Always good to hear about your nets Ray.  

Hi Victor

Glad to see your keeping the innuendo part of the net going  

Hello all and welcome to the 1st  Monday Night PMR net of 2022
or the South Coast PMR net as the title reads

Now on with the report

My location was a busy Radio Corner, Ashdown Forest in the county of East Sussex.
My working conditions, were the TYT TH9000D, my 8 element beam and a Thermos of hot water.

The weather was cloudy   with a cold wind and an average temperature of 9 degrees.

Here is my list of stations that called in and were worked of heard by the group.

CT 3466--Ray C5--Ashdown Forest--East Sussex
CT 1829--Dean--Ashdown Forest--East Sussex (more about Dean later)
TK 08--George--Tonbridge--Kent
CT 1033--Chris--Tonbridge--Kent
CT 2146--Darren--Near Petersfield--Hampshire
OM 001--Graham--Burgess Hill--West Sussex
CT 2072--Steve T--Somewhere out there on a hill in Kent
TE 16--Stewart--Great Wakering--Essex
TE 968--Denis--South Woodham Ferrers--Essex
TE 032--Adam--Southend on Sea--Essex
??????--Rufus--Bluebell Hill--Kent
CT 2236--Dan--Wrotham Hill--Kent
TG 25--Keith--Canvey Island--Essex (on a boat  )
KP 441--Steve--Ditchling Beacon--East Sussex (mobile  )
CT 940 & DS 01--Richard & Pru--Reigate--Surrey
C V M--Nigel--Tunbridge Wells--Kent
And me, CT 2290--Ashdown Forest--East Sussex (the one with the pen   and paper  )

That I think, concludes the net list.

Now as hinted earlier, back to Dean CT 1829.
Dean was showing off his mast, the beam, the working rotator and the red light to alert low flying aircraft    . 
What is special about a beam & rotator, I hear you ask?
Well Dean has found a way to set up a static mobile station with a cheap, light weight, beam and rotator.
He has modified (something like the attached in this link  360Degree Digital Outdoor Tv Antenna High Gain Strong Signal Outdoor TV Signal Booster For Full Hd720p 1080p 1080i 4k Television|TV Antenna| - AliExpress  )
In fact, it worked so well that other members of the group are think of deploying something like this at there home QTH's for PMR/70cm's.

Thank you to all who called and sorry if you tried and we didn't hear you
If I have left something out or you see a mistake, let me know and I will be happy to correct it.

Don't forget to like  , dislike   or even leave a comment (if you want)

TTFN
Ray
CT 2290

PS
What do you think to not using any emoji's?

Hi Ray,

Thanks again for sharing your report of a fabulous net.  


I had seen the TV antennas you mentioned and looked at the possibility of using one for radio experimentation but unfortunately myself ruled it out. You get pretty much what you pay for and this unit is made for a rock bottom price with a straight forward motor and plastic gearing assembly. I can't see it lasting very long and sure enough a lot of the USA reviews don't rate it well for longevity. The antenna design is dubious, (Chinese 'magic'), there's no feedback on where the antenna is pointing unless you look at it, the frequency range seems to point at the wideband RF amp than anything else and I'd be more worried about the RF noise the whole thing kicked out than received(!)

But then it is cheap enough to have a play with and your Dean seems to be getting somewhere with one so who am I to argue.

(A lot of the video reviews were a struggle with long intros, little information and I can't quite get my head around our American cousins who use the long 'and'.....Aaaaannd I used to play in a baaaaaand, til I injured ma haaaaand.  )



Emojis? 

Love them myself enabling you to put some emotional context into an otherwise oft misunderstood textual output.
(OK, sometimes I might over do them but great for a banter type text conversation.)

Emojis or not another great report there Ray and always love reading them.

All the best,
Victor

Victor wrote:

Hi Ray,

Thanks again for sharing your report of a fabulous net.  


I had seen the TV antennas you mentioned and looked at the possibility of using one for radio experimentation but unfortunately myself ruled it out. You get pretty much what you pay for and this unit is made for a rock bottom price with a straight forward motor and plastic gearing assembly. I can't see it lasting very long and sure enough a lot of the USA reviews don't rate it well for longevity. The antenna design is dubious, (Chinese 'magic'), there's no feedback on where the antenna is pointing unless you look at it, the frequency range seems to point at the wideband RF amp than anything else and I'd be more worried about the RF noise the whole thing kicked out than received(!)

But then it is cheap enough to have a play with and your Dean seems to be getting somewhere with one so who am I to argue.

(A lot of the video reviews were a struggle with long intros, little information and I can't quite get my head around our American cousins who use the long 'and'.....Aaaaannd I used to play in a baaaaaand, til I injured ma haaaaand.  )



Emojis? 

Love them myself enabling you to put some emotional context into an otherwise oft misunderstood textual output.
(OK, sometimes I might over do them but great for a banter type text conversation.)

Emojis or not another great report there Ray and always love reading them.

All the best,
Victor

Hi Victor

I don't fink I explained myself very well.

Because the antenna is a DIY build, Dean has trimmed off some of the surplus plastic and replaced the TV antenna part with his £35 PMR beam. 
As to were it's pointing, Dean just looks out of his vehicle window   
The SWR is under 1.5 and for the moment it seems to be doing the business. But of course only time will tell.

Looking back at the net review. It does seem bland without the odd emoji so I think I will go back and add a bit of bounce  and fun  and this one , which has now become my favourite as I have just found out it's called RAZZ!!!!!

All the best & 73

Ray