THE STORY OF THE SOUTH DORSET RADIO SOCIETY AS RECORDED BY ITS NEWSLETTER
(This material was published in booklet form in January 2002)
This booklet has been compiled almost entirely using extracts from Catswhiskers. Thanks must be extended to Mike Box, G3RZG for the loan of his comprehensive collection of 'Whiskers, to Ed Harland, G3VPF and Geoff Watts, G0EVW for some illustrations.
From its inception in 1961 to the present day, the total number of members who have joined the SDRS is about 350. Some joined as well-seasoned amateurs, but many progressed, with the positive encouragement of the Society, through a succession of calls to become top-notch A-licence operators. Haven't we done well! And our training initiatives will ensure that this flow won't falter.
John Rose, M0BQO 45 Ringstead Crescent Weymouth DT3 6PT
INTRODUCTION BY THE PRESIDENT - BILL BURDEN G3EAT
Little did I think when I attended a RSGB ORM at the Royal Hotel Weymouth that some 40 years later I would be writing a foreword to the history of the South Dorset Radio Society as depicted by ‘CATSWHISKER’.
Not too many clubs can boast of having been in existence for such a long period, which must say something for the fare that the Society has provided to a membership of all ages and from all walks of life, whose interest was amateur radio.
In those early days equipment was mainly home built, and used valves, the modes being either CW or AM with not a computer in sight; we have come a long way since then with slow and fast scan TV, packet and all the digital modes, and even using computers for logging. The 2 metre high racks housing the equipment of those days have now been replaced by hand held devices weighing a few grammes.
Having been one of the founder members means that I have many memories of the early days, unfortunately most of the early members are no longer with us, but I did recently have communication with Peter, G3FNT who was the first Chairman: he was pleased to know that the Society is still going.
It would be amiss of me if I did not thank John Rose who has given his time in getting together the old CATSWHISKERS, reading them and selecting the items that have been included. I must also thank those who over the years have given their time to serve as committee members, without them the Society could not have functioned. Also the Society would not even exist without its members, I hope those who read this will continue to find the meetings interesting so that it will exist to celebrate its 50th and 60th anniversaries, the recently announced changes to the licence structure should help to ensure this, but please note I may not be available to contribute to any rewrite of its history - Bill, G3EAT
1961 - SOUTH DORSET RADIO SOCIETY IS BORN
At a RSGB regional meeting held at the Royal Hotel Weymouth, some of the local amateurs discussed the possibility of forming a local club; as a result Charlie Biggs, G2TZ and Alf Barrett, G5UF made arrangements for an exploratory meeting.
No records exist of that preliminary meeting, except that the name South Dorset Radio Society must have come from it, and its officers chosen.
Also at that time a Constitution was formulated and the annual subscription was fixed at five shillings, plus one shilling per meeting attended. Meetings of the Society were agreed to be on the first Friday of each month, alternating between Weymouth and Dorchester.
The Dorset Evening Echo had been represented at this meeting. Alf Barrett told the ‘Echo’ reporter, ‘For some time several of the local radio amateurs have been of the opinion that it should be possible to form a local radio society which would fill the need for local personal contacts and discussions on matters connected with their hobby’, adding that there were 30 licensed amateurs in the area plus many others interested in radio and associated subjects. These were invited to join the new Society.
THE INAUGURAL MEETING - 21 people came to Buglers Cafe, Dorchester, on Friday 6th October 1961and it was here that the South Dorset Radio Society was officially launched. The earliest existing minutes are from this occasion.
It was a long evening, with discussion of the points previously agreed plus suggested venues and topics for talks. The latter would have a strong technical balance; they were certainly along the lines of a licencee’s first obligation: self help and mutual training, with Transistors, SSB operation and Aerials featuring strongly. At this meeting it was also decided to hold future meetings alternately at the Labour Rooms, Dorchester and the Waverley Hotel in Weymouth.
1962 - THE FIRST AGM was held in April, at which time Alf Barrett, G5UF said he would be unable to continue as Secretary. Charlie Biggs, G2TZ was elected in his place with Bill Burden, G3EAT filling the vacant position of Treasurer.
1963 - A SPECIAL EVENT STATION was held during the Weymouth Model Engineers Exhibition at Melcombe Regis School, Commercial Road in August. 'Many QSOs were made on 80M despite heavy QRN from electric trains.'
1967 - THE FIRST CATSWHISKER in March -The committee take pleasure in presenting this first edition of a newssheet which, we hope, will become another landmark in the history of the Club. If you find it interesting, perhaps you would like it to become a regular feature, and, if so, be prepared to support it by submitting short articles; either technical or humorous, with which to fill its pages.
Talking of landmarks, do you intend making 1967 the year during which you first participated in the delights and mysteries of D.F. Hunts, and, are we as a Club going to make it the year in which we win V.H.F. Field Day? With a lot of hard work and a measure of luck, it can be. Let us all make the effort.
Finally, why not come along to the A.G.M. on Friday 7th April and let your voice be heard in the running of your club - Bill Burden, G3EAT.
There were mostly technical articles useful to learners. There was not much ‘in touch’ news of members.’Catswhiskers’ came out occasionally, spirit duplicated on foolscap. Next was in December 1967.
During 1968 the venue was changed, with the society meeting at South Dorset Technical College.
1969 -‘BRIGHT 'N EARLY' - NOVEMBER - Very few amateurs are fortunate enough to have a good VHF QTH but no stretch of the imagination could possibly regard my home in Weymouth just 80 ft ASL as anything other than fair.
One morning back in June I managed to make contact with G8ABB, Geoff in Bletchley, Bucks. Reports of R5 and S6 were exchanged and I went off to work with the notion that conditions were ‘A bit above average’. After all even from the worst of sites it’s possible to work all kinds of DX when conditions permit. My best so far is DC8BZ near Flensburg on the Baltic coast.
My Tx runs only 25W input to a 3-20A with a 6/6 at 30 ft AGL. The receiver is usually a BF180 pre-amp into a nuvistor convertor and an EC10. Geoff Watts, G8BCH.
1970 - OUTDOOR MEETING - OCTOBER -The August meeting took place at Hardy’s Monument. About a dozen members attended and equipment was operating in Top Band, 4 and 2 metres and 70cms. No great DX was achieved but a number of QSOs were enjoyed by those participating. This year the WX was somewhat better than experienced in recent years and for those who were not operating the visibility was good and the view most enjoyable.
1970 - RAE COURSE - DECEMBER - As most of you know, the South Dorset Technical College are now running a course for the R.A.E. This is being held on Friday evenings and as the course has been put on for the benefit of the S.D.R.S. your Chairman has been talked into running it. I am, therefore, unable to attend Society meetings and it will be necessary for the Club to elect a new Chairman or someone to act for me during my absence - W. Burden, G3EAT.
1972 - SUBSCRIPTIONS - APRIL - With the A.G.M. behind us and another year of Amateur Radio to look forward to, let us hope that the increase in membership will continue. With an annual subscription of only 60p for club membership this must surely be one of the best bargains available in the area. Doug Harris, G3RYE.
1974 - THE CONSTRUCTORS CUP - APRIL - At the last meeting, a fine collection of home built equipment was entered for the SDRS construction contest. Mark Savage, G6SV who was kind enough to act as judge for us found it no easy task deciding the winner. However, after much deliberation, a cup, kindly donated by Ron Staniforth, G3EGV was awarded to John Nailer, G4CFY for his 70cms converter.
1974 -VHF NATIONAL FIELD DAY - SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER - I suppose that VHF NFD has had more effort put into the preparation this year than ever before. However, the weather was not kind. Really, the most important preparation work was by Tom in cadging a Land Rover. Without that vehicle, it would have been impossible for us to have got up Pilsden Pen. Despite the wind and rain and the poor conditions, and the poor activity on 70 and 23 cms we did not do too badly. The claimed scores for the three Dorset entries are as follows:
Bands: 4m 2m 70m 23m, Countries (C), and points.
SDRS - 68C 792, 157C 1071, 16C 288, 3C 271
WEST DORSET - (2m and 70cm only) 147C 956, 14C 288
WESSEX - 60C 517, 133C 851, 14C 241, 4C 312
1975 - AGM - REPEATER PROPOSAL - At the January club meeting a proposal that the SDRS should sponsor a repeater was discussed at length (some preferred a beacon). A letter was sent to the RSGB, but in reply no mention was made of the beacon proposal, though it gave enthusiastic support for a 70cm repeater.
A group of SDRS enthusiasts (who had for some time been interested in repeaters) noted the RSGB’s enthusiasm and so formed the South Dorset Repeater Group, to actively investigate the possibility of installing a repeater in the Weymouth district. www.gb3sd.radiouk.com
1976 - JANUARY - All repeater proposals have been sent to the Home Office by the RSGB. GB3SD, the proposed local 70cm repeater of the SDRG is scheduled to occupy Channel RB14.
1976 - APRIL - The licence for GB3SD has been granted, but there will be a short delay before it becomes operational.
The repeater was installed at the QTH of Mike, G3RZG in Connaught Road, Weymouth and came on the air during VHF NFD.
1976 - MARCH - ALDERNEY TRIP - Plans are in an advanced stage to establish the SDRS on Alderney with a four station entry this year!
I should stress at this early stage that nothing is finalised - it could all crumble around my ears - but, the boat is booked and early logistics are arranged. It is a Joint Expedition to take 25 people to the Island on Fleet Tender ‘CRICKLADE’, consisting of 25 personnel, mainly from my Division of men, for whom it is Adventure Training, plus 10 members of the RNARS affiliated SDRS.
The Station Heads are G3VPF (4m), G8HVY (2m), G4CNV (70cm) and G3EGV (23cm).
1976 - JULY -VHF NATIONAL FIELD DAY - At 5am all the members of the expedition were on board and the crossing to Alderney began. After an uneventful trip the ship was unloaded by mid-day and a quick lunch eaten before transporting the gear up to the transmitting site. During the afternoon there were a few worries due to the thunder and lightning around us. By the time the contest started all was well with the weather again. In the evening we were visited by the press and the police, a few photographs were taken and then it was back to the contest.
TOTAL SCORE: 24154 points.
GC3VPF/P 4 metres 4122 points, 116 QSOs. Max distance worked 674km.
GC3SDS/P 2 metres 4218 points, 379 QSOs. -----------------------------770 km
GC4CNV/P 70 cm 7572 points, 106 QSOs. -------------------------------- 994 km
GC3EGV/P 23 cm 8233 points, 24 QSOs. -----------------------------------758 km
Tom Biddlecombe, G3WAO
1977 - APRIL - CONSTRUCTORS CONTEST - Last month’s meeting was the judging of the Constructors contest. This year a vote was taken to decide the winning entry and the winner by a large margin was Don Ellicott, G8MSH. His entry was an all band transistorised receiver.
1977 - OCTOBER - CAR STICKERS - For Sale RSGB Car Window stickers, overprinted 'South Dorset Radio Society' from the treasurer Tony, G8JXG at 20p.
Catswhisker contained many crosswords and other puzzles - probably to fill space, as despite pleas for copy, little was sent in.
1978 - AUGUST 21st - 26th - THOMAS HARDY FESTIVAL - Special Event Station call-sign GB3TH. (Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the death of the Poet and Novelist Thomas Hardy.) Thanks to Mark, G6SV we have excellent allround facilities in Dorchester Museum, with a generous loan of a secondhand HF Bands Transceiver (Drake TR4) from SMC of Totton.
1978 - OCTOBER - GB3TH - We got four write-ups in the Echo alone - good publicity for the Club, and the general public were quite impressed judging by the interest shown over the course of a week. Fortunately we had enough logkeepers to be able to give valuable assistance to any questions asked. I only hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Richard Cridland, G3ZGP - Hon Sec.
1979 MARCH - CLUB CALLS - As most members will be aware we the SDRS have the call G3SDS but a bonus that will please 'G8' calls especially at contest time, is that we now also have the call G8SDS.
1979 - MARCH - PETER MARTINEZ - An excellent lecture was given by Peter Martinez, G3PLX (of RadCom fame) on Micro Processors, an evening enjoyed by all with an attendance of around 40 - other clubs were invited.
1980 - NEW MEETING PLACE - Royal Engineers Bridging Camp, Wyke Regis.
1980 - OCTOBER - The September meeting at the new venue brought an enormous turn-out and I haven't seen so many people at an SDRS meeting for a long time. Our new home is well suited to our needs. Certainly our ‘landlords’ are doing everything possible to make things go smoothly. They have readily agreed to our erecting on site a guyed mast and we are now looking for a quantity of two inch dia ally pole - Tony Emery, G3YWG.
1980 - THE GREAT CB DEBATE - The Government’s intention to reform CB caused confusion. This brewed through 1980 - 81. Here are some extracts from correspondence.
December 1980: ARE YOU MONITORING ‘27’?
‘One cannot help feeling uneasy at the explosion of activity on 27MHz, all of which is illegal, and much of which is antisocial, using secret codes, advertising police movements, referring to Amateurs in general and some in particular as a menace to ‘look out for’. Sadly this activity is aided and abetted by some of our own society members who are prepared to devalue the principles of ‘Amateur Radio’, some to make a quick profit, others with motives as yet unknown.
"The ‘CB’ press is making its readers aware that a relatively few Amateurs occupy a lot of band space compared to a vast number of CB operators who so far have only claimed ‘27’.
"Is our hobby in danger of being smothered by this activity? (You are already outnumbered in Weymouth). Our Society has already lost the support of a number of much respected and valued members, some of whom are of the opinion that the SDRS will degenerate into a CB association, a pessimistic forecast but perhaps with some justification.’ A concerned reader.
January 1981 ‘Obviously the ‘concerned member’ is unaware that one member of the SDRS committee is a paid up member of the local CB club, that two other committee members regularly listen on 27 MHz. (Is listening to it legal?). Furthermore, at least five other SDRS members are actively promoting CB radio in one way or another.
As a member of the local CB club ‘WD40’ I try to promote good feeling by the CBers towards the Radio Amateur movement and would encourage any interested person to go for the Amateur licence. Surely there is room in the spectrum for both activities which in no way are mutually exclusive. The concerned member talks from the point of a user with much spectrum at his disposal. It is questionable whether the first experiments in radio communication were ‘legal’ A concerned member of both groups. (Name and address supplied)
1981 - FEBRUARY - MOBILE GEAR - In recent weeks, several members have found themselves ‘helping police with their enquiries’ as a result of having mobile gear in their cars. The officer who stopped me asked to see my licence and he clearly knew what an amateur licence looks like. He pointed out that the licencee was required to keep the licence with the station and to produce it on demand to any officer acting under the authority of the Home Secretary - Tony Emery, G3YWG.
August 1981: One day last week my car was parked in the road. When I returned to it I found a police officer peering inside. ‘Is that a CB’? he inquired. ‘No, amateur radio’ I replied. ‘What can you hear on that then’? ‘Other amateurs. ‘ I switched on the rig on S20 and within seconds a station appeared ‘This is G3ZGP/M in Dorchester. To all mobiles in the Dorchester area, there is a speed trap on Bridport Rd.’ The officer ‘s face broke into a smile and he strolled off.
1982 - NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER - ALF BARRETT G5UF - SILENT KEY - It is with deep regret that I must report the death on November 6th of Alf Barrett. Alf was one of the founder members of SDRS and will be sadly missed by all his friends locally.
Before going into the GPO radio station at Bridport Rd. Dorchester in 1952, Alf worked for BTH as a cinema service engineer. He retired in 1975 after 23 years as a Technical officer repairing and servicing transmitters at the GPO overseas station at Dorchester - Richard, G3ZGP
1983 - APRIL - CHAIRMANS REPORT - I am pleased to be able to report another active and successful year for the society. The level of membership has remained steady at 54, with a steady influx of welcome new faces, and unfortunately, the loss of some familiar faces. Attendance at the regular monthly meetings has seemed to me to be higher than usual.
Our social events - the barbecue, the mobile picnic and the skittles evening were successful socially and remunerative for the society as well - Ken Heathfiled, G3SDO.
APRIL - 1983 - SET LISTENING PERIOD - There will be a Set Listening Period on Sunday July 3rd, one hour 1430 - 1530 local. Log as many stations, with time (local) and call, as you can on 14MHz SSB. Not more than 3 USA stations to be logged in sequence; not more than 21 US calls in all.
Bring your log book with you to the meeting on 5th July. Logs will be compared and the person hearing the most stations others did not hear will be the winner - John Ellis, G2FNK.
1983 - JULY - DF NEWS - Tony, G3YWG was the operator (or hider) on June 12th and was so expert that only one participant managed to locate the transmitter. So Geoff, G8BCH the successful winner can add more points toward the trophy. However the event was not without incident since the Chairman drove his car into a ditch and had to be rescued, whilst Geoff mislaid his attenuator cluster and had to arise at 6 am on the Monday morning and start a solo DF hunt for it! With success I should add - John, G2FNK.
1983 - DECEMBER - CHAIRMANS CHRISTMAS MESSAGE - To all Society members, their XYLs/YLs and families. My sincere good wishes for a happy Christmas and prosperous 1984.
May the coming year allow us continuing satisfaction in whatever individual aspect of radio our interest lies. I had always felt that a radio amateur was at heart a ‘loner’?, thinking out, making and/or assembling the component parts of his (or her, nowadays) station simply to strive for ‘best results’ - which, in the end, are proved nearly always by a QSO. So now I am sure that feeling of mine must have been wrong In fact, our hobby is dependent, probably more than any other, upon the willing, friendly co-operation of ALL radio amateurs everywhere.
Close to home, our own South Dorset Radio Society exists for us, its members, to help us all to make the most of our hobby. Our committee (God bless ‘em) serve mainly to co-ordinate our hobby’s activities, not to dish up pre-cooked entertainments just to amuse us. We owe them and a few others a very sincere thank you for making 1983 the success I am sure it has been - Mark Savage, G6SV.
1984 - MAY - WARMWELL COUNTRY FAIR - The Society will be putting on an exhibition station at this year‘s fair. We have applied for a suitable GB callsign and will be on HF, VHF and UHF. This event makes a very pleasant afternoon out for the family and if you feel like a spot of operating come along - Sunday July 29th.
1984 - DECEMBER - CW NEWS - It may be of interest to know that CW tapes at 5 and 10 wpm are already on their way to the Balearic Isles (EA6) and the money is in the Bank! I must comment however, that now tapes are available it seems to have dried up the demand - lack-a-day - we can but try.
As a reminder, tapes are now available for 5 - 10 - 12 - 18 - 21 wpm and very soon the gap from 5 to 10 wpm will be closed at 8 wpm.
We are indebted to Tony (your venerable Chairman) for copying the tapes and the accompanying script that goes with ‘em, and providing cassettes, employing what is known in sum circles as ‘The ways and means act’.
So, QRS or QRQ if it’s all the same TU, now QRX for Whisky (not forgetting Charlie of course).
Cuagn sn 73 de G4DLE. AR VA - George Gunnill.
1985 - JUNE - THANK YOU - Those who attended the last meeting will I am sure join me in thanking Geoff, G8BCH for a most enjoyable talk and demonstration. For one who states he is not convinced about Computers in the shack he certainly had me fooled (mind you that is quite easy). Andy Dixon-Smith, G4VBY.
1986 - APRIL - DECLINE OF CONTESTING - (Chairman’s report) This seems to have been a fairly successful year judging by the number which have turned up at our meetings and social events.
However, the emphasis of our hobby seems to be shifting with very little support for contest operations, most being content to confine their operations to their own environs, with a little mobile or portable operation as a supplement - Andy, G4VBY.
1986 - NOVEMBER - 25th ANNIVERSARY DINNER - The Streamside Hotel really did us proud. The meal was very good indeed with plenty of seconds being offered. The welcome punch (no pun intended) and the glass of port went down very well. I did not hear any complaints and a few with a much stronger constitution than I did take to the dance floor! There seemed to be a strong swell of opinion that we should have another. Perhaps someone will go ahead and start making arrangements - Andy, G4VBY.
1986 - DECEMBER - CHRISTMAS FAIR - This evening will be a nostalgia evening, when it is hoped that some of the older (and bolder) members will bring along some Radio Reminiscences of the last 25 years or so.
1987 - MAY - PENNSYLVANIA CASTLE - The major item of discussion at the AGM was the very kind offer of Rene, G1LHP to allow the club the use of a room at the Pennsylvania Castle, of which he is the manager. The committee together with G0FJO, G4FJO, G0EVW and G6ZBG saw the room and were very impressed. The room is large, comfortable and has a drinks bar in the corner. It should be relatively smoke-free as it has a large efficient extractor fan.
1987 - SEPTEMBER - NOTHE FORT - The club has been approached to reconstruct a radio room at the Nothe as it would have been during the second World War. This project would be a great benefit to the club, as the room could possibly be used as a club radio room. Help would be needed, both technical and in research to establish an authentic setting. Blandford Signals Museum have offered to help with equipment and information.
1987- SEPTEMBER - JAMBOREE ON THE AIR - Larry, G4JRN the Lighthouse Keeper has offered the use of the Portland Bill lighthouse and adjoining cottage for JOTA. The committee considers that this would make an excellent venue especially as the Cubs and Scouts would be able to make contacts with the USA easily.
1987 - NOVEMBER - HAM MARATHON - Les, G0FAJ finally managed this 24 hour event on Friday and Saturday 23rd and 24th October. Using G3SDS from his home QTH he worked about 100 stations on various bands. It was nice to hear the Club call on the air and considerable interest was shown in the event and SDRS activities. The event was run to aid the Maiden Castle Special School appeal fund.
1988 - JULY - SPANISH ARMADA BEACON - G8SDS/P will operate from Hardy’s Monument Beacon Site on July 19th. The beacon will be lit at 10.17pm as part of the chain of beacons stretching from the Lizard to the North of England as it did 400 years ago to warn of the Spanish Armada in 1588.
1989 - FEBRUARY - DF CONTEST - Geoff, G0EVW was well hidden on this event in the Puddletown Forest, even though Rob Mott, G0ECX and myself (Geoff, G4XSC) and with a little local knowledge managed to find him within 24 mins. 2nd came John G0HVA in 38 mins. 3rd was Gordon, G7ADH in 45 mins. Mike, G7BMI and XYL came in 4th in 59 mins. 5th was Bill, G1SYE and the club came 6th with a time of 103 mins. G4FJO, G3EAT, G0JLA and G1TGM retired.
1989 - MAY - AWARDS - Spirit of Amateur Radio Cup - Geoff Trim, G4XSC. DF Hunt Cup - Rob, G0ECX/Geoff, G4XSC tied with G7ADH. Constructors Cup - John, G4NTS for a QRP 20/40 mtrs CW rig. Marconi Morse Key - George, G4DLE for his efforts in morse tuition and testing. (A new trophy donated by the President, Mark Savage, G6SV.)
1989 -NEW VENUE - (Following the death of Rene, G1LHP the Pennsylvania Castle venue was priced out of use by the new management.)
1989 JUNE - Please note that the next meeting of the Club will be held in the Wessex Lounge, Weymouth Football Club Stadium, Radipole Lane at 8 pm on 6th June. Access to the Wessex Lounge is via the Directors entrance & up the stairs.
1989 - SEPTEMBER - MEMBERSHIP - The club membership continues to grow. This month we welcome some old friends, G4ZQA, Lionel from Portland and SW listeners Hazel Tolley and Joyce Warren. We hope that it will not be too long before Hazel and Joyce become licensed. The membership now stands at 56, a figure only beaten in 1980/81 (65).
1990 - APRIL - FREELOADERS! - 'The world is full of them. Including the world of Amateur Radio. What are they? WHO are they? They are the people who enjoy privilege without paying for it! They are the people who take without giving. They are the Radio Amateurs who don’t belong to their National Society. Locally they are the users of GB3SD and GB3DP who don’t support the local Repeater Group. They are usually the first to complain and the last to support.
If you are a FREELOADER then you should be ashamed of yourself. You probably borrow Radcom and Catswhisker to read each month and are very good at making excuses as to why you don’t pay your way. If you know a FREELOADER then send his name to the Editor - he might just publish a list.' - Supporter (name and address supplied)
1990 - SEPTEMBER (Editorial) Why have there been no more letters to the Editor? Well I did have one, it was a list of ‘freeloaders’ compiled by a non-SDRS member who borrows Catswhisker and Radcom each month. He has not included his own name on the list.
1990 -OCTOBER - GB0WNF (Weymouth Nothe Fort) - A whole year has passed since our last special event station GB0WNF was on the air. Last time we ran the station during August and at weekends; this proved a strain on Club resources and on volunteers too. This year, not so much ground work was required which made organising the event somewhat easier. Our station was run for three days over the August Bank Holiday.
Among our visitors to the shack were Ray, G1YRS and his XYL; G8WO from Bristol who belonged to the Weymouth Radio Club in 1932; Rob, G3MYM from Yeovil who helped run the station nearly all day on the Monday. It was good to see young and old alike sending greetings messages via the computer keyboard on Packet Radio - Brian, G7FBN.
1991 - JULY - GB5WH (Woodsford House School) - Sid Newton, G3OPD decided that the fete at his son’s school was the perfect opportunity to introduce the delights of ham radio to the pupils there. Robert and Juliet Mileham, principals of Woodsford House School near Dorchester were delighted with Sid’s proposal to set up a station at their fete. He was given the opportunity to introduce the subject to the children a couple of days beforehand. He found a receptive audience of both pupils and staff with some of the children showing an extremely keen interest and asking perceptive questions.
On the day itself, Sid took along his HF station, a Kenwood TS 830-S and a full size G5RV antenna. Dave Lee, G6LBZ installed a Packet station and Geoff Gwilliam, G4FJO assisted. Many successful contacts were made in Britain and in Holland, to the delight of the visitors to the fete.
1992 - MAY - AGM - Subscriptions were fixed at £10 for a full member. For those in full time education there is a reduction so that it is limited to £2.50. The Committee was empowered to consider a new subscription at a reduced level for families.
1993 - MARCH - PACKET RADIO - One morning last March I found a message in my ‘radio mailbox’ from a station in Florida asking for contact with any stations in Weymouth. Using the Packet Radio Network he had sent a CQ to the UK and this had been passed on to me by my local BBS operator in Blandford. I sent a reply the same day and the result was that Jack, KA4NCE of Merritt Island, Florida, who met his XYL here in Weymouth in 1944 is now able to exchange messages with me and other local Amateurs on a regular basis. I was able to convince Jack to get back on HF and we have been able to arrange skeds and make voice contact on 15m SSB. Having a regular sked with someone that far away using only modest stations at both ends is not easy but would have been impossible without Packet Radio. So even if you don’t have a class A licence but still want to ‘work the world’ why not give it a try? 73 - Geoff, G0EVW.
1993 - MAY - AGM - NEW PRESIDENT FOR SDRS - (Mark Savage, G6SV retired from long-held Presidency. Mark and Bill Burden, G3EAT were the longest serving members, Bill having been associated with the running of the Society for 23 years.) Now that Bill had just retired as Treasurer after another protracted stint, he (G6SV) felt it appropriate to propose that Bill G3EAT be appointed to the position of President in recognition of his dedicated and unstinting work for the furtherance of Amateur Radio and the South Dorset Radio Society in particular. The meeting accepted the proposal and Bill ,G3EAT was unanimously elected.
1994 - MARCH - PARTICIPATION - April and the AGM will soon be with us. I urge all members to think seriously now about the forthcoming year and prepare themselves properly for the annual election of officers. This is especially pertinent, as there are likely to be some vacancies on the committee for the ensuing year - Mike Lenzi, G7HNY.
YOUR CLUB IS IN TROUBLE - (1994 was a traumatic year: many disapproved of a revised constitution and the way it had been presented, and intra-club communications over various matters were particularly bad.)
1994 - MAY - The Annual General Meeting 5th April 1994 was a shambles. We now have the situation that there are only two members who have indicated that they might be willing to stand for election.
The club has had a very successful year but it now seems to be poised on the brink of EXTINCTION. The ONLY way to save the club is for some serious thought to be given to the problem during the next four weeks and for a record attendance at the reconvened meeting on 3rd May. Surely, out of a membership of 68 there must be sufficient members who are prepared to accept responsibility and are acceptable to the rest of the membership. Derek Naylor, G4JWA, Chairman.
At the May meeting, just 32 eligible members turned up, but by voting time one had departed. The Revised Constitution was accepted, 21 for and 10 against. Half the membership failed to renew.
Officers elected were: President Bill Burden, G3EAT, Vice-President Geoff Watts, G0EVW, Chairman Dave Lee, G0ROX (new), Treasurer John Rhodes, G7BRU, Committee Mike Carter, G0NEV, Nigel Stockwell, G0RIK, Jonathan Blamire, G1TGM, Andy Nicholl, G3VMZ and Graham Membury, G8DJW. (all new)
1994 - AUGUST - GB5OD (Force ‘O’ on ‘D’ Day) - The SDRS operated the Special Event Station GB5OD from the Nothe Fort as part of the local and national activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of D-Day. Visitors to the station included Jack Wisely, KA4NCE and his XYL Doris from Merritt Island, Florida. He was serving on USS Melville in Portland Harbour in the summer of 1944 and met his XYL in the Dorothy Café on Weymouth Esplanade. Also Doug Brown, KA8APD visited and operated GB5OD and was able to contact his son WD8PBG back home in Franklin, WV. Doug had landed on ‘easy red’ sector of Omaha Beach about 9.30 on D-Day. GB5OD worked well over 500 stations in its first three days; by the end of the event at 3 pm on 6th June a total of over 1000 QSOs had been made and it seemed as though we had seen at least as many visitors through the shack! - Geoff, G0EVW.
1994 - DECEMBER - SILENT KEY - G6SV - We regret to inform you that Mark Savage, G6SV passed away at Yeovil on October 17th. Mark, a BBC engineer who saw service at Rampisham, was involved in the radio scene since its early days. He was a founder member of SDRS and was made Hon President of the Society, a position he held for many years - Bill, G3EAT.
1996 - SEPTEMBER - From the Editor - I have several Buddleias in my garden, and there have been dozens of butterflies hovering over them. I have seen several species and they weren’t as shy as usual, and will even land on me! The environment can’t be as bad as the media would have us believe. I do hope they are here to stay. Speaking of shyness - are some of you (who are not shy on the air) too shy to write something for the magazine? Our articles are very few this month. Please help and put pen to paper. It doesn’t matter if you can’t spell, etc: we’ll sort that out - Joyce Warren, 2E1AHC.
1996 - OCTOBER - KNIGHTS TO THE KNIGHTS - Two Knights in Shining Armour galloped to our rescue at Knights in the Bottom. The appointed speaker pulled out (we only got to know this midday Sunday) leaving insufficient time either to notify the membership or arrange alternative entertainment. Fortunately, Bill Dean, G0NRQ and Geoff Watts, G0EVW kindly brought videos of past events, including the 1994 Special Event Station at the Nothe Fort and the recent barbecue.
1997 -APRIL - FOR IMMEDIATE OCCUPATION? - (The clubroom at Knights-in-the-Bottom was destroyed by a whirlwind.)
Detached spacious clubroom designed for healthy, expansive socialising. It affords scenic views in a location near Weymouth, permits extraordinarily easy access and may well suit a variety of interests: the list is astronomical. Seating is comfortable, refreshment facilities are close at hand with alfresco possibilities, and the site comes complete with its own skittle alley and fitted furniture in an open-plan style, the decor leaving everything to the imagination. There is parking space at hand. For overnight accommodation a roof is within walking distance. It is hoped that the user will adopt an open-door policy but there should be no problem in this respect.
1997 - JUNE - INTERNATIONAL MARCONI DAY - (On April 19 SDRS participated in International Marconi Day.)
IMD International Marconi Day is organised by the Cornish Amateur Radio Club. It was from Poldhu, on the Lizard Peninsula that Marconi first transmitted signals across the Atlantic Ocean in 1901. The site used by SDRS was at the New Barn Field Centre, Bradford Peverill. This is just north of Dorchester, at the edge of the great Dorchester Beam Station Dorchester Beam Station from which messages used to be transmitted by the Marconi company. Hence, the callsign used for the occasion was GB0MBS.
The accommodation was an environmentally-friendly hut made from old tyres, chalk fill and telegraph poles. All the equipment used had to be taken up the country track - aerial poles, generator, rigs, catering - the lot! And the driving force behind this effort was Mike, G0NEV who rallied together a willing band of over twenty helpers including G7JIM who secured the site for us. It was a most successful event, over 600 QSOs being recorded and on the social side we played host to an army of friends and visitors.
‘Conclusions’ This is the most satisfactory event I have been involved with to date. First and foremost because the New Barn Field Centre at Bradford Peverell made us so welcome. Nigel and Matthew, thank you. We have spread knowledge of the Centre throughout the world and will continue to do so. Secondly because of the friendly atmosphere from its conception in November 1996 right through. Last but not least the operating: eloquent, yes; erudite, yes; a real touch of Dorset, yes; and exemplary - always. To all - thanks. Your Station Manager - Mike, G0NEV.
1998 - APRIL - M1BTH SILENT KEY - It is with great sadness I write to inform you that Joyce Warren, M1BTH, Committee Member and Catswhisker Editor is Silent Key. The SDRS will miss the lady who was so sought after in 1994 and 1995 at the GB50D special event station at the Nothe Fort, and I will miss a friend whose enthusiasm over radio made her M1BTH JOYCE WARREN - Mike, G0NEV - Chairman SDRS.
1999 - FEBRUARY - JOYCE LIVES! - By far the best story I’ve hear this month involves the setting up of the Packet station for the Novice course, by Bill Burden and Neville Bridle. They used Joyce’s old equipment and apparently nobody thought about changing the documentation in the TNC. All evening long, unbeknown to them, it was transmitting Joyce’s ID - M1BTH.
What a determined lady - such SPIRIT! - John Rose, M0BQO.
1998 - APRIL - THE BATTLE OF PORTLAND - SDRS come a worthy second in skittles encounter. In the first fixture between Portland Amateur Radio Club and SDRS, held at the Clifton Hotel, Portland, the home side took full advantage of the run of the track and in a thrilling session managed to score a good victory. It was as if the big guns of the Boys in Blue were determined to show the Nation of Shopkeepers a thing or two - but we had them groggy at times.
It looked encouraging when Bill Burden served a glorious nine, but PARC had, in the person of Lawrence Tulk, a sharpshooter who delivered a barricade of artillery that helped his side to victory and himself to a personal top score for the night with 38. Gladys, Bill’s XYL, opened her account with two scintillating zeros - in fact when she scored a superb seven next time the cheering almost brought off the roof, so flushed with success she repeated it.
1998 - OCTOBER - ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF AMATEUR RADIO - In a talk at September's meeting, Robert Micklewright, G3MYM told us how Amateur Radio had started and developed over a period of one hundred years. He mentioned some landmarks in history: the world's first licensed Amateur, M.J.C. Dennis (1898) who later became vice-president of the RSGB; the 1912 law in USA which outlawed Amateurs to the supposedly useless short-wave part of the spectrum; a series of links made in the early 1920s to usher in truly world-wide radio; and in 1954, the world's first long-distance QSO made by a transistorised transmitter which involved his own Yeovil ARC, the operator being Frank, G3CFV who is still around and visited our SDRS Special Event Station last Carnival Day.
1998 - OCTOBER - Rob Mannion, G3XFD the Editor of Practical Wireless addressed SDRS.
1998 - NOVEMBER - WORMS A GO-GO ! - Rob was lucky to survive into adulthood: as a boy he had taken the wise precaution of flooring his garden shack (made of garage doors) with duckboards. When one day his mother came down to ask why all the earthworms were dancing on the lawn, he realised he had connected his power supply so that live went to earth, and they must have been feeling the tingle!
1998 - AUGUST - Weymouth Carnival Special Event Station GX3SDS.
1998 - SEPTEMBER - August the 19th was, weatherwise, such a perfect day. The temporary QTH was the forecourt of the old Lodmoor Filling Station; it afforded plenty of space, ideal for mounting the G5RV on the 40ft telescopic mast with room for the necessary vehicles and other facilities.
First operator was Bill Dean, G0NRQ who realising that 80m was a dead loss shifted to 40m, which gave a good morning’s series of contacts from stations keen to work an ‘X’ call and offer best wishes. In the afternoon conditions were poor due to interference but later Philip, 2E1FWP managed to work the States.
SEPTEMBER 1999 - While Mike, G7HNY was talking to a German operator on Carnival Day, some of his speaking was drowned out by the sound of an aircraft. Mike took the greatest pleasure in explaining to his contact that the offending aircraft was a Spitfire from WWII! Whether he was impressed by the irony of the situation doesn’t seem to have been recorded!
2000 - MARCH - SILENT KEY - BILL DEAN, G0NRQ - The callsign G0NRQ will always be in my heart and in my thoughts. Bill was a great guy, loved by everyone. We all hold different thoughts of Bill and should hold onto those fond memories. Words would not be enough for me to express, so all I have to say is this one thing:
The body might have gone but his spirit lives on. Cheers Bill for being part of all our lives one way or another - Pat, G1XJH.
February 2000 - Remember his words. ‘This is Gee Zero NRQ, November, Romeo, Quebec, transmitting from the village of Chick-err-ell in the Naples of England, I’ve got to go now I’m wanted' - Bye, Bill - Mike, G0NEV. G0NRQ RIP
2000 - MAY - SILENT KEY - GEORGE GUNNILL, G3AVV - George had been a member of the Society for many years, first with call G4DLE, then reverting to his old G3AVV. His main interest was in Morse Code. Since he was 18 years of age he had trained operators in the RAF and, later, for Amateur Radio purposes. G3AVV RIP
We will miss you George and I promise to keep sending BEST BENT WIRE /G with my very best emulation of your musical and ever so slightly mistimed version! - Geoff, G0EVW. Hear best bent wire/g in Morse Code
(George was a talented artist, as any visitor to his shack will testify. His sketch of a cat’s face has appeared in a few Catswhiskers; it is a fitting gesture that it adorns these pages as a background.)
2001 - FEBRUARY - HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP - The highlight of the Club Luncheon was the presentation to Bill Burden, G3EAT of a Certificate of Honorary Life Membership by the Guest of Honour, Phil Mayer, G0KKL.
Bill, who is the President of the Society was a founder member when it started 40 years ago. It was appropriate that the lunch to open the Society’s fortieth year also saw Bill’s involvement and loyalty recognised in this way.
Original booklet produced by John, M0BQO.
This document converted to HTML and edited by Geoff, G0EVW - January 2002
This edit by Geoff, G0EVW - January 2010
See also 'SDRS History'.
To see an (almost) complete list of the principle officers of the Society see 'SDRS Documents'.
To see a full archive of Catswhiskers from July1999 to the present day see 'SDRS Catswhisker Archive'