This event has now been running for several years and is enjoyed by a lot of members. Entrants will be asked to give a brief talk explaining their entries and this always breaks the ice and allows members to get to know one another better.

With the trend towards "Black Boxes", it is a pity that more constructing is not performed. Some pieces are not too difficult too build on the "kitchen table", like small items of test gear, SWR bridges, GDOs or FET Dip Oscillators, Direct Conversion receivers or even Digital Frequency Meters. Members are always willing to give a helping hand to those of a less technical ability.

The Dave Deacon Coronation Cup and the Basil Wardman tankard will be presented together with cash prizes. Members will vote for only one piece, and when deciding your vote please take into consideration the facilities available, the technical standing of the builder and obviously give more weight to the 14 year old over the professional engineer!

It will be decided on the evening if we should have a major and monor section depending on the entries we receive. There are few rules, the main one is that an entry must nor have won an SRCC contest before. Kits may be entered but we must be told this, and entries should have an amateur radio content.

This event aims to encourage members to build equipment, so, however small or large, bring it or them along and the prizes might help to defray some of the cost. I'm sure it will be an interesting evening.

It was pleasing to see over 20 members present and have an interest in directing the Club for another year. The minutes of the last AGM had already been circulated to members, and these were accepted with one correction.

The Chairman gave a review of the Club activities over the last 12 months, which included World War 2 German Radio, Digital Video, Hilton O'Heffernan G5BY talk, Remote Imaging, Top Band Kite Antennas. E-Mail and Internet, Histroy of Eddystone Receivers, two Surplus Equipment Sales, and a Construction Contest.

At the AGM we displayed the G5BY Best Amateur Station trophy which we have loaned to the RSGB for presenting to the VHF NFD Mix and Match Section winner. We won this section in entering last July's VHF NFD.

We put up a station at the May Open Day for the Model Engineering Club (lead by Maurice G4DDY) and worked 13 Mill stations. Shirley Windmill wasn't available due to re-furbishment.

On the Social side there was the trip to Le Blockhaus Eperlecques in June and the SRCC Club Dinner last March.

The Treasurer Maurice G4DDY, assisted as always by Prim G4CCY, presented the accounts for 1998/99 which, following the rule change, showed the position to end-January 1999. This distorted the true position but this will be corrected when the next accounts are presented at the end of a complete year.

The election of the new committee followed as is shown here, together with the extra offices the committee members are prepared to hold:

During any other business, several suggestions were made as to future talks and trips, including Duxford Museum, Block House @ Brentwood (Atomic Shelter) and Royal signals visit (Blandford, Dorset) and Tank Museum.

During AOB a special award was made to Bernie Wynn G8TB in the form of a specially engraved Decanter. This was displayed to best effect by Maurice G4DDY using an overhead projector shining light through the decanter base.

As previously mentioned, a trip has been organised to Bletchley Park, the home of WW2 code breakers. A coach has been hired and is now full. Please note that you will need to meet the coach at 9:15am SHARP on Sunday 16th May in Grovelands Road, Purley.

I have also been told that admission to BP is £3.50, with £2.50 for concessions.

Further details can be obtained direct from Bernie G8TB on 0181-660 7517.

I have received the following from Ron and Prue:

From 1st April, our telephone number will change from 0181-654 1406 to a new number 0181-654 6267. Please make a note of the new number as 1406 will no longer be available.

For those who have used our FAX line 0181-656 3631, please note that this is being discontinued and FAX messages can be sent to 654 6267 which is equipped with an automatic FAX switch.

654 6267 will also be used from incoming and outgoing e-mail messages (AOL.com).

Best wishes from Ron & Prue"

May I take this opportunity to wish you Ron the very best as I understand you are currently undergoing treatment at the Royal Marsden as a day patient.

I have to hand the following from Bernard G8TB:

"Now that I am no longer secretary, items I give to the new letter-writer will be as just another contributor, and I hope that you will help him by continuing to send him your copy.

On Sunday was held an 80th birthday luncheon to speed me on my way. I was told that Blanca and I were being taken to a restaurant for lunch in Gerry's Roller. This pretext was maintained until we arrived at the Whitgift Club House which did seem slightly peculiar for a restaurant but who was the birthday boy to argue?? On entering at about one o'clock I was dumfounded to find a group of some 70 people waiting to greet me. They were friends, relatives, members of the SRCC and neighbours. I received many presents from the club, from groups and from individuals for which I am deeply thankful and I will try to thank everyone later.

I also very much appreciate the huge effort that Victor and the others put in to make this a success. The hall was decorated with balloons, banners and a montage of photographs of my mis-spent youth with various relatives, a lot of work went into organising these without my knowledge. A magnificent cake was made by Pat, Helen's mother, in the shape of a radio complete with dials and knobs in different colours. The inside was very good too, and it seemed a pity to have to cut it. Many there came quite a distance and I also appreciate their attendance especially as some I had not seen for some time.

The preparations for the party took many weeks and Blanca and others, with whom I was in close contact, were hard pressed not to let the cat out of the bag, and it is only when looking back that I realise one or two things which might have made me suspicious. Stephen and Victor took me for a very interesting day at Duxford Museum the day before. This was very enjoyable (and well worth a visit) and I thought it was my birthday present: I now know that this was part of the devious plot to keep me out of sight.

A very memorable day and the weather was very good too, my only regret was that the large number present I was not able to spend time with everyone individually. What more can I say except thank you all very sincerely for a birthday party I will long remember. Bernard."

Bernard's luncheon party was held on 28th Mar 1999 at the Old Whitgiftian Club House, Croham Manor Road, South Croydon.

We understand from our roving reporter that Hazle (XYJ G3BFP) is concidering suing our recent secretary for all the speling mistakes he has inflicted on the membership during the last ten years. This has caused much distress, los of earnings and many sleepless knights, and she considers that she has a good cace for loss of earnings and the rift caused by the arguments in the home. The only truble is that she will have to find a judge who is sputid enough to consider this case!!

I have typed this as received !!

To all Members of the SRCC,

I wish to express my deepest thanks for all the cards, good wishes and the presents given to me on my 80th birthday and on my ceasing to be Secretary. After the party I imagined that we had finished so I was extra surprised by the presentation at the AGM. I am overwhelmed for I have only been doing a job that I enjoyed. My biggest satisfaction was that in the 10 years I have been doing it I did not miss one deadline.

I hope to continue to serve on the committee (assuming I am asked) for many years to come and I wish the new Secretary, and all members, all the very best of wishes.

Once again, very many many thanks to you all.

Very 73

Thank you Bernie for your letter and wishes, which I whole heartedly reciprocate on behalf of myself and the SRCC. Your deadline record is something I hope I can emulate!

At the AGM we had the pleasure of seeing both the new case made by Arthur G3YRB and the new trophy base made by Gareth G4XAT.

Gareth has informed us that the wood he used was English Walnut, blown over during the October 1987 hurricane. He salvaged the whole tree d had it planked in various thicknesses which he then air dried for several years. The wood has followed him around ever since then! Last summer he started using it up in earnest and has made various items of furniture all out of this beautiful wood.

Thank you both for your excellent work - it is greatly appreciated.

Gareth, G4XAT is taking part in the annual London to Brighton bike ride (58 miles) on Sunday June 20th. He is seeking sponsorship for the event which is organised by and directly supports the British Heart Foundation. Sponsorship / donations welcome! If he gets as far as making a mobile bike aerial for 80 metres he hopes to be /M on 80 SSB from 6.30 am on the day. Journey time last year was just under four hours but if operating it will probably take longer!

Gareth G4XAT can be contact on 0181-462 2837

The club has received notice from Waters and Stanton of their 9th annual Open Day. This event is now famous for being "the place" to get the best bargains of the year and from one of the longest established Amateur Radio suppliers in the country.

They plan the usual three marquees in their car park to accommodate all the firms they hope will attend, including Yaesu, Kenwood, Icom, RSGB, Ham Radio Today and PW/Short Wave Mag. There is no entrance fee, ample free parking and as usual free refreshments.

Address is Spa House, 22 Main Road, Hockley, Essex SS5 4QS. Tel: 01702-206835. Talk-in on S22. E-Mail: info@wsplc.demon.co.uk

WEB: www.waters-and-stanton.co.uk

Due to the fact that May 3rd and 31st are Bank Holidays, please note that the "A" meeting (Construction Contest) is one week later - on the 10th and that the "B" meeting will be on the 24th.

Bernie has passed to me a recent letter he had received from Alan G7ELG congratulating him on reaching the big 80.

".. There is not much to report from up on the Fens, the bands have been very quiet for the past few months.

Apart from the M/M the Challenger research ship in S'hampton water, and a special event station on the Isle of Wight all the contacts on 2-6-70 have all been local, and we are all complaining of the lack of activity.

The local Peterborough club did a fine job on T.D.O.T.A day and got some fine publicity, I will enclose some of the published reports.

.. We have managed a break this year having enjoyed a week in Portugal, some rain but a very pleasant trip apart from the very early and late visits to Gatwick.

I wish you well now you have given up the secretarial duties, but doubt if you will remain inactive as far as the club is concerned, speaking of the club, it is far more welcoming than the one up here .. apart from the friend who introduced me, I don't think anyone apart from the treasurer said a word to me, it's a closed shop, but a few of us outsiders are working to improve things. Betty and I send regards to your very artistic wife, and maybe we will see you in a little while.

All the best 73s and good DX, Alan"

Well that's my first newsletter and I am having to hold off items until next month BUT I would appreciate more contributions - address on front.

Best 73 and 88