MONTHLY MEETINGS 1st and 3rd MONDAYS, 7.45 for 8 pm.

AT THE T.S. TERRA NOVA, 34 THE WALDRONS, S. CROYDON.

Dear Members,

An Indian Summer? As I commence to put this newsletter together, some three weeks before you will get it, it has started to pour with rain again. A typical English Summer. Anyway we should not have a hosepipe ban next year...or will we??

This meeting will be on the 5th October, when we hope for a good turn-out for the SALE, when members can dispose of unwanted pieces of gear, and also for donated items. We have quite an amount of donated gear and this provides the addition to club funds that keep the subs down. We have had a complaint that members are wary of bringing along good gear thinking that donated items will go fir t, so this year we have decided to let members have first go, but to do this you must be there well before 8 o'c, and no boxes of "rubbish" please. All members and visitors they have brought along must sign the attendance book and all must be conversant with the rules. Note that the club accepts no responsibility far goods sold at this private sale, and the purchasers buy on the understanding that they are capable of determining the usability, fitness for purpose and SA7ETY of goods obtained.

LAST MEETING. HILTON.L.O'HEFFERNAN G5BY

Most of our club talks are about something or some system, but this one was unusual in that it was about a person and a very talented one at that. George Bennett G5BZ came along to talk about the life of Hilton, both of whom were founder members of the SRCC. The meeting took a look into the general life of amateurs of earlier days. He started off describing his own introduction to amateur radio which really commenced when he heard an amateur on some 400 meters which was one of the first licenced amateur bands. He then went on to the main point of the evening and emphasised how Hilton was obsessed with being the first and/or the best in all he did. He was first class tennis and also a table-tennis player and had many trophies. In his amateur life he won many DX firsts and received the ARRL CUP FOR THE "best amateur station in the world". He held the record for the longest 5-meter contact and also pioneered mobile and airborne communications. He was determined to be the first to span the pond on 5-meters, and this he did in December 1936 when he worked W2HDX. His equipment was of really first class construction as can be seen in the photos in the scrapbooks he kept, that were shown to the members present.

These books themselves were very well made up and without them it would not have been possible to have this talk. His early life was in Croydon but he moved and lived mainly in South Devon. Later in life he turned his attention to the construction of model aircraft which in common with the rest of his life were themselves works of art. He travelled to South Africa and many parts of the world taking part in model aircraft contests and won many trophies in that field. A quite remarkable man.

George gave the talk clearly without the aid of notes, but was prompted by many questions, and some answers, from members. Everyone there thoroughly enjoyed it, and we are indebted to George for giving it. Thanks.

There seems to be some confusion by certain members regarding the year printed on the envelopes indicating if members are paid up. As soon as possible after receiving a renewal subscription the year is updated, so if you are paid up this year 1999 will appear. If 1998 is there you have not renewed. Now here is the rub... unfortunately due to the delays in printing the newsletter and the stickers for the envelopes it could be up to three months before this update appears, but members should know and not worry if they have renewed during that last three months period. I apologise for any previous confusion but I hope this is now clear.

The bad news is that the antenna shop in Whitehorse Road has closed. But the good news is that PJS the DIGITAL CENTRE is available far business at 275 Morland Road, Croydon CRO 6HE. They have a very wide range of antennas and are able to supply fittings and amateur antennas apart froth the usual TV, FM and Satellite installations. To find out more information for your particular needs why not visit the shop or ring them for advice on the Freephone number 0800 056 4019. We are indebted to Jim Farmer GOITR for this information.

FOR DISPOSAL. Charles G3JCL has a 25-foot sectional steel mast. 2" diameter and 3'6" sections. Free, gratis and for nothing, new owner collects. May need some sanding. G3JCL 647 7373.

Jim Fanner also informs us that Dickie Bird who is now F6IDC can be heard many mornings on 14 MHz, working him and Ted Honeywood. Many OTs will remember that Dickie used to be the GPO rep. who went round amateur stations in this area ensuring that one was operating correctly and also that we filled in our logs with all the necessary details.

The shack of your chairman Graham G3RJW is in the basement and recently he was foolish enough to fall down the steps. Fortunately apart from some bruises and a couple of broken toes he survived and is still able to get around, though perhaps a bit more slowly. Our commiserations Graham.

It's a pity more of you don't get on the Sunday morning net, because occasionally topics come up which are of special interest. For example it was brought up last Sunday how important it is to keep a "log" describing items one has knocked up. 1hese can be in use for many decades, and if one has to service it, or even to pass the circuit on to others it can be a lifesaver to have the details in print.

I have been "playing" with 4CX250s recently and I have thankfully been given several from Ron G30DY which seem to be OK. He also gave me some of the bases, but unfortunately not ones suitable for 432 MHz use, but 1 was amazed to notice that the spigot locator allows them to be inserted in two different ways. So beware!!!

Arthur, G3YRB, has had his 80th birthday and on Sunday and many gathered at Arthur's QTH to wish him many happy returns. Apart from members of his family there were neighbours, members of the SRCC and also of SMEE (the Sutton Model Engineering Club that Arthur belongs to) there. I did not take a head count, but I estimate that there were over 50 men, women and children there, which shows the affection that Arthur attracts.... Or was it the fine fare and the Swedish sandwiches that Britta provided?

And talking of anniversaries, Rex and Mary Morrison G3KGA, one of our country members, had their 50th wedding anniversary celebration recently. Hazel and John G3BFP and Daphne and Ted G3EUE were there. Our best wishes go to them both.

I know chat many of you are interested in model engineering as well as ham radio. Recently to celebrate the centenary of the Sutton Model Engineering club an exhibition was held at Brunel University, Uxbridge, over 4 days. There were some 500 models from the club, and from outside, and brought together such a large number of exhibits, the like of which is unlikely to be seen again in this country.

BARTAG rally at Sandal was also on Sunday and Tony G3GHI and I paid our usual visit. There was a lot more room to move around and examine the stands but this must indicate a falling off in numbers, which itself is a reflection in the falling off of amateurs who construct. Anyway it gave us the opportunity of meeting some of our friends and particularly the far flung ones. I made a few purchases from Robin Sykes and was very grateful for the packet of stamps he saves for me for the Diamond riding school.

Had a personal letter from Alan Scarisbrick G7ELG and he enclosed the following to the Editor: -

For my last wedding anniversary my wife ordered a dual band Co-linear aerial for me as a present that I would deem to be useful, it was ordered well in advance of the day and to be dispatched in time to arrive on the day.

On the day in question, there were numerous phone calls, with a request to speak to my wife, and all enquiries as to who was calling were skilfully avoided.

That evening we went out to dinner, during the meal my wife said "1 have not forgotten your present (which I knew nothing about), but it has got lost. All being well it should be here tomorrow". Sure enough on the Saturday morning there was the courier with a box about eight feet long, and a foot square.

Highly delighted I assembled a new triple band co-linear and soon had it up and running. This was followed by a phone call from Martin Lynch..."Had my present arrived?" "Yes thank you". Monday morning arrived along with the same courier with the words "I've another b....y long box for you. This one contained the original dual band aerial that had been ordered.

1 refused delivery and rang the store explaining what had happened, I also asked about the difference in price as the triple was now up in use. The company said he knew it was an anniversary present, it was ordered in good rime. When you wife rang to ask where was it, we knew the courier had lost it, so we dispatched the only other one in stock, the Triple, and we have charged the courier the difference in price for failing to deliver on time...Happy Anniversary. That's what I call service beyond the normal and is not often experienced these days.

I have no connection with the company, but I believe in giving credit when it is due.

Thanks Alan for that account and 1 am sure Martin Lynch will not lose by that kind thought.

All members of the SRCC and their ladies are invited to the Annual dinner of the 1hames Valley club which will be held at the Bear Hotel, Oxshott, on Thursday the 15th October 1998, 7 for 7.30 pm. Lounge suits. The total cost of the dinner is £12, which includes the usual gratuity to the staff. There is a more than adequate choice of menu and a member of staff will take members orders prior to the dinner during preprandial refreshments. The cost of wines etc are not included. There is adequate car parking at the rear of the premises. Those wishing to go please send your cheques to the Hon. Secretary. Dr. D.V. Foster, 56 Elmbridge Ave. Surbiton, Surrey KT5 9HA. 0181 399 lZB9 made payable to T.V.A.R.T.S prior to one week before this popular event.

In a recent copy of the TVARTS newsletter there was a mention of the use of coherers. These were one of the earliest forms of detectors and came before diodes or valves when the earliest amateurs were striving to find a sensitive means of detecting electromagnetic waves. This article reminded me of one of my earliest experiments with radio.

Over 50 years ago, as a young lad, I read an article in the "Boys Own Magazine' detailing the construction of a radio controlled boat. Just the job I thought so I got constructing. I required nickel filings so from a chemist in Croydon I obtained the only nickel he had in the form of small balls, so with dint of filing I managed to get enough filings for the coherer. This consisted of a glass tube, a metal plug at each end and filled with the filings. When an electromagnetic wave was presented to the coherer the resistance fell dramatically. A vibrator against the test tube loosened the filings after each transmission ready for the next. I can't remember much about the circuit but the mechanical controls of the boat were selected by an escape wheel with a sequential process, right, left, stop and start. Using a high-tension coil from a car and a spark gap formed the actual transmitter. I did not make the boat, that was to come later... I thought. I would point out that at that time in the 1 930s coherers had normally been replaced by better detectors and were generally out of use.

However, mounted on a baseboard the set-up worked quite well down the distance of our garden. Fine I thought, with visions of making the boat.

My father used to make our radios in those days and he had progressed to a three or four valve straight set. One day this was switched on when I was testing and the QRN produced quickly made me realise why spark transmitters were rapidly going out of fashion!! Needless to say I did not proceed with my radio control tests. But the exercise did show me, and the more so now in this day and age, the difficulties the early wireless pioneers had to undergo!!

Well, that's about all the space used up. Please make a point of coming clear to the SALE as we have a lot of equipment to clear, some RDF 450, speakers, small power supplies, boxes, cables etc so now is your chance to stock up for the winter to complete all those jobs you have intended to do. And do bring plenty of change. See you there,<

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