John Cooke GM8OTI opening GMRT-2013, welcoming those present
The third Scottish Microwave Round Table (GMRT) was held on Saturday 2nd November 2013 at the Museum of Communication, Burntisland, followed by a dinner with entertainment at the Kingswood Hotel. Several LRS members were very involved with the organization of this event – John GM8OTI, Andy MM0FMF, Peter GM4DTH, Colin GM4HWO & Brian GM8BJF – preparing, collecting fees, presenting talks, providing test facilities, taking part in the construction competition, and even playing the fiddle at the after-dinner entertainment. Other LRS attendees were Chris GM4YLN, Alan GM3PSP, Peter GM4BYF, Briain GM8PKL & Bill GM8SQM. Here is a selection of photos of LRS participants. For the complete report (written by John GM8OTI) and videos by Ray GM3CXM of the Microwave Quartet playing, please go to the official GMRT website.
Brian Flynn GM8BJF gave the first talk, on Noise Figure Measurement,
using (free) ground noise and solar noise sources.
LRS Chairman Andy Sinclair MM0FMF introduced the speakers
Ray James GM4CXM (“Mr GMRT”) gave an update on aircraft scatter operations.
By profession an actor, he showed a recent photo of himself with his co-star, Nicole Kidman.
Brian GM8BJF brought a ton of test gear to provide measurements on participants’ equipment.
David Stockton GM4ZNX provided Noise Factor measurements.
L-R: ?, Briain GM8PKL. Peter GM4DTH, Ed GM3SBC & Kevin G3AAF
There were only two entries for the GMRT GM4LBV Constructor’s Trophy,
both LRS members – John GM8OTI & Brian GM8BJF
John’s entry was a beautifully-built “Versatile PLL Local Oscillator”
Brian’s entry was transverter for the 5760 MHz (6cm) band, based on the W1GHZ “pipecap” transverter board from Downeast Microwave and a surplus PA unit to give an output power of about 5W. It is built into the case of an old bootmount Pye Cambridge to make it showerproof!
Brian GM8BJF was the winner and received the GM4LBV trophy from Andy MM0FMF.
Pete GM4BYF (on left) brought a selection of microwave goodies for the junk sale.
After the dinner in the Kingswood Hotel we were entertained by the world-famous Microwave Quartet.
L-R: Chris Bartram GW4DGU, Ian White GM3SEK, Nadine White MM0MNW & John Cooke GM8OTI.
Go to the GMRT website for video of this entertainment by Ray GM4CXM.
John Cooke GM8OTI on his fiddle.
Conclusion – yet another excellent event – interesting lectures, testing facilities, lunch catering by Dorothy Brankin and her colleagues from the MoC, and a great dinner with entertainment to follow, and plenty of time for networking with the other participants. Rumour has it that planning for next year has already started!