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- Written by: Maintenance Guy
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MSARS Training Academy is an ongoing and long-term project.
In the absence of in-person training opportunities, I feel that it provides an accessible learning platform - and that right now, it's the best that can be achieved. Whilst it may not float everyone's boat, the advantage it unquestionably does have is reach, and therefore this summer I'll be promoting it nationally.
Of course, a training academy is only as good as the courses and learning material that it offers, and crafting that is a time consuming business. I've found it difficult at every stage - trialling and selecting the correct educational platform, installing and configuring that software, working out how to use and maintain it, and figuring out how best to load training content onto it. I know it's taken a long time; I knew it would, but if it inspires just one person to learn more about radio technology and have fun whilst doing so, then I'll call it a win.
I personally wanted to fulfil an ambition which I shared with MSARS members last year, but also whilst making a case for our council-awarded grant last October. I really wasn't joking when I said I wanted to be able to offer free training to every single person in Burgess Hill, Mid Sussex, and the entire UK.
But let's not get carried away. It is, as I said, limited by the content which can be made available.
Like most amateurs I'm really interested in just a subset of everything that's on offer as part of the greater amateur radio community. Therefore, I've focused on getting some modern and cutting-edge technology based material loaded up. That doesn't mean that as a club we can't add more traditional offerings at a later stage, but that's not my focus. Other clubs and societies already have much of that covered in my opinion, and I for one will not be wasting time duplicating that effort when they have already done such a good job.
The academy currently has one main course available. It's entitled 'Understanding Radio Communications Using Software Defined Radio'. This was kindly donated to the society in its entirety by UK company SDRplay, and that is why they are identified as a sponsor on our website.
Now I'll be honest, I haven't completed the full course myself. I just haven't been able to find the time, but I've seen most of it, and have used all the tools it employs on previous projects and training courses. There are also a lot of hands-on practical exercises included, and you will ideally require an SDRplay RSP1a SDR receiver to complete those. Chances are that if you have an interest in SDR technology, you have one of these fantastic little boxes anyway. I also have two available for club members to borrow if not.
For more information, you can get an overview of the course on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sdrplayeducators4304
MSARS members may request access using the regular website registration form.
You may then access the MSARS Training Academy itself from the Training Menu above, or directly: https://msarsacademy.org.uk
Please feed back if you find any errors or encounter any problems etc. There is a discussion forum available as part of the course platform for this purpose.
The course is designed to be given by a 'teacher', but I'll just have to try and provide support on a best-efforts basis. The latter part of the course requires an Arduino-based transmitter module. I have made one, and can make it available at club nights if required, or you can make your own. It's actually a bit of fun, and instructions are included in the teachers notes. If you need help, then just ask in the forum. There are quizzes and additional activities available, and it's up to you whether you choose to submit these for assessment. There is no requirement and I promise not to fail you!
Take your time, and enjoy the course.
Berni M0XYF
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A great turnout for the setup of our HF Mills Station on Saturday. Loads of members there, and thanks to everyone who pitched in. Particular thanks to Alan and Stella for dragging the trailer up the hill, to Kim for the loan of the Honda generator and Phil for the loan and setup of his vertical antenna and SGC Smartuner.
Everything was conducted in fabulous sunshine, with a gentle cooling breeze to keep the workcrew fresh. Everything worked perfectly right off the bat.
Apart from the radio.
The club shack's Yaesu FT-847 appeared to be working when tested on AM, but when switched to SSB, there was nothing more than a carrier. That's going to need looking at to see if it can be saved from the 'spares or repair' section of eBay.
Luckily, Alan had also bought along his Icom IC-7100 as backup, and it was quickly pressed into service. It performed well all day, the antenna tuned on every frequency we requested from it (we tried virtually all bands, but quickly settled on 40m and stayed there pretty much all day) and the generator kept up with the demand from the trailer without issue.
The bands weren't really playing ball though. First contact was to Ken G3WYN for a quick test, followed by a good handful of G stations including a sprinkling of MOTA participants.
Things seemed to die-off in the middle of the day, and I'm not sure how the afternoon panned out, as I popped home for lunch before making my way over to Chailey to see how the chaps were getting on over there.
Chailey Heritage Windmill is in a beautiful location up on Red House Common and looked stunning in the afternoon sunshine. If you've never been, make sure you get over there next year. Myself, Merv and Steve all popped in to see Chris, Kevin and Gavin doing well despite the state of the bands (again 40m being the most fruitful) and the delta-loop antenna seemingly reluctant to match particularly well to the radio. That was later traced to a slightly misleading tuner configuration, which just need an inductor adjustment.
GB0CHW achieved a respectable number of QSO's, again with a good few mills in the log, including a few Dutch callsigns.
Thanks again to all the MSARS members that participated, and to the Downland Radio Group for the invite over to Chailey.
Looking forward to next year already, although there are a range of other celebratory xOTA activations going on throughout the summer. Watch this space.
73
Berni M0XYF
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I've just received the photos from this year's Construction Contest, so thought I would share them with you.
First up, the 'Section 1' winner Phil G4UDU with a very tidy looking multi-band filter.
The 'Section 2' award went to Peter G4AKG. His 2m valve linear amplifier was a worthy winner.
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After the chaos caused by the PAT testing carried out at the club shack, (Alan and Stella did a great job of pulling it all out at short notice and dealing with the PAT testing police by the way) Friday night saw everything re-installed, fired up and tested with negligible issues thankfully. This saved the club some money, as we effectively got a discounted rate because we had our stuff done at the same time as the rest of Cyprus Hall.
The trailer was also straightened out and loaded with the requisite hardware to undertake Mills tomorrow, so we should be good to go.
Thanks to everyone who turned up and helped out. Many hands and all that. Nice to see so many people doing their bit.
Enjoy your weekend, whatever you're up to.
73's
Berni M0XYF
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As well as our own Mills On The Air Special Event Station GB0JAJ this Saturday, the Downland Radio Group are at Chailey Heritage Windmill - also on the Saturday, so if that suits you better, then MSARS members have been invited to go along and take a look. It's possible to operate inside the mill itself at Chailey, and Gavin, Chris and Kevin will be operating the GB0CHW station from around 10:00am until 4:00pm.
Much like up at the Jack and Jill, apparently it can get a bit chilly there, so go prepared. Honestly, I don't understand why they have to put windmills in such awfully draughty places.
If none of that takes your fancy, then Worthing and District ARC are running GB0HSM out of High Salvington Mill, a beautifully restored post mill not dissimilar in appearance to Jill Mill on the Sunday only.
So you have no excuse for not getting involved in the various MOTA activities this weekend. The weather does genuinely look pretty good for both days, so get outside and propagate some RF.
