The first Scottish Microwave Round Table – GMRT – organized by a team chaired by Ray James GM4CXM and including Colin Wright GM4HWO (venue), Ian White GM3SEK (papers programme) and Brian Flynn GM8BJF & David Stockton (measurements) was held on 5th November 2011 at the Museum of Communication, Burntisland. There were about 45 participants from GM, G, GI & GW. Well-known RSGB RadCom writers Sam Jewell G4DDK of “GHz Bands” and Ian White GM3SEK of “In Practice” were active in the event. From the Lothians Radio Society, Dave GM4ZNX & Brian GM8BJF were speakers in a very interesting programme.
Lecture programme:
* Noise Figure Measurement – David Stockton GM4ZNX
* Very Low-Noise Amplifiers – Sam Jewell G4DDK
* Cost-Effective Narrow-band 3cm Receive Converters Using Unmodified Satellite LNBs – Bernie Wright G4HJW
* Aircraft Reflection – Ray James GM4CXM
* Adventures in Optical Communications – Stuart Wisher G8CYW
* The New GB3EDN 23cm Beacon – Brian Flynn GM8BJF
Other LRS members attending were Alan GM3PSP, Pete GM4BYF, Chris GM4YLN, Andy MM0FMF, John GM8OTI & Bill GM8SQM. In addition to the lecture programme, measurement facilities were provided in the MOC museum area and there were several sales tables for strictly microwave-related equipment. A dinner and auction were held afterwards at the Burntisland Sands Hotel. The day was declared a big success by all attending, with the expectation that it will be repeated next year.
GMRT website: http://www.rayjames.biz/microwavert/index.html
Ray James GM4CXM welcomed the attendees along with Colin Wright GM4HWO of the LRS.
Ian White GM3SEK added his welcome.
LRS member David Stockton GM4ZNX gave the first talk “Noise Figure Measurement”
drawing upon his long experience in electronic instrument design.
RadCom writer Sam Jewell G4DDK talked about “Low Noise Amplifiers” for VHF,
UHF and microwave use.
Bernie Wright G4HJW from Cambridge talked about “Cost-Effective Narrow-
Band 3cm Receive Converters Using Unmodified Satellite LNBs”.
Ray James GM4CXM gave an updated version of his talk “Aircraft Reflection”
that he had presented to the LRS recently.
Stuart Wisher G8CYW talked about “Adventures in Optical Communications”
including the use of SSB. Some amazing DX has been worked using this mode – 80km.
See also his articles in RSGB RadCom of March, April & May 2011.
Brian Flynn GM8BJF of the LRS described “The New GB3EDN 23cm Beacon”
which he has built and installed at Kings Buildings in Edinburgh. This was a
talk he had previously given to the LRS.
In the museum area the activities included the provision of measurement
facilities by Brian GM8BJF, here watched by LRS member Chris GM4YLN.
Dave Nugent of Agilent and David Stockton GM4ZNX provided a noise measurement service.
Chris Grierson GM4YLN and Ed Murphy GM3SBC from Edinburgh.
Sam Jewell G4DDK and LRS Secretary Andy Sinclair MM0FMF.
Ian White GM3SEK and Brian Flynn GM8BJF.
Colin Wright GM4HWO and David Stockton GM4ZNX.
After the Round Table a very pleasant dinner was held at the Burntisland Sands Hotel.
L-R: Colin GM4HWO, Jack GM4COX, Anne GM4UXX / XYL-GM4COX, Sandra XYL-GM4CXM,
Ray GM4CXM. Not in photo / behind camera: Alan GM3PSP.
L-R: Bill GM8SQM, Martin GM8IEM, Aileen XYL-GM8IEM,
Kevin G3AAF (UKuG Microwave Beacons), Pete GM4BYF, Nick G4KUX.
L-R: David GM6BIG (GB3CSB Beacon Keeper), Brian GM8BJF. Mark GM4ISM, Jim GI1CET.
L-R: Roger, Bernie G4HJW, Andy MM0FMF, John GM8OTI, Roger Hill, Peter GM8GAX.
L-R: Ian GM3SEK (RSGB In Practice columnist), Graham G4FSG (UKuG Treasurer),
Sam G4DDK (UKuG Committee & RSGB GHz columnist), Roger GM4PMK (Dubus
Representative – UK), Sarah XYL-GM4PMK, Nadine MM0WNW / XYL-GM3SEK.
After the dinner there was an auction of microwave-related items. (Ian GM3SEK).
Our host Ray GM4CXM closed the day by thanking everyone for attending and declaring it a big success, with a high likelihood that it would be repeated in 2012.
And many thanks to you, Ray and your committee of Ian GM3SEK & Colin GM4HWO, for all your hard work in making it happen! Also thanks to Tom Stevenson of the MOC for providing the location and Dorothy Brankin of the MOC for personally preparing the buffet lunch which was much enjoyed by all the participants.