On the 6th of May, we recieved a fascinating talk on metal detecting from Alistair GM7FPN, who brought along a large amount of very interesting objects that he had found metal detecting, from very old coins and neolithic flint knives to a lost brick phone.

He has a website which you can visit to see some better quality pictures than the ones I have here: https://morayhunter.yolasite.com

Thanks to Matthew – MM0KLQ

Present: Paul GM8HWZ, Ron GM4ILS, Dennis 2M0TAS, Graham GM0MEM, Johny GM7LSI, Stewart 2M0BZB (visitor)

Apologies: Ian GM0ONN, Ritchie MM0TQH.

1 It was agreed to make a donation to the Covesea Lighthouse trustees in respect of our use of the lighthouse and its facilities for ILLW 2023.

2 The corroded coax on the VHF/UHF colinear needs replaced, Ian MM1DVC has kindly offered the necessary cable. We will terminate this with an “N” plug so as to differentiate it from the HF cable.

3 The sale will now be publicised, Robbie MM6IXH is happy to do catering given 2 weeks’ notice. Pricing was agreed at £5 entry, £10 per seller’s table. Open 9am for sellers, 11am to the public. It is planned to hold a raffle, Dennis 2M0TAS to sort raffle tickets. Members to sort prizes.

4 The program of meetings was discussed, it was agreed to discontinue mid “on air” meetings due to lack of interest, but possibly have specific activities on air. GM8HWZ noted a number of suggestions for meetings and will collate these into the MFARS Diary.

5 The Xmas social was discussed, the reserve centre is likely closed, Stewart 2M0BZB offered an Elgin location in his church facilities, costs are confirmed at £20 per hour. Dennis 2M0TAS is to check availability of the upstairs room at the care home which was £25 last time we used. Possibly will be a video + Quiz night.

WSPR (pronounced “whisper”) is an acronym for Weak Signal Propagation Reporter. It is a protocol, implemented in a computer program, used for weak-signal radio communication between amateur radio operators. The protocol was designed, and a program written initially, by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The software code is now open source and is developed by a small team. The program is designed for sending and receiving low-power transmissions to test propagation paths on the MF and HF bands.

WSPR implements a protocol designed for probing potential propagation paths with low-power transmissions. Transmissions carry a station’s callsign, Maidenhead grid locator, and transmitter power in dBm. The program can decode signals with a signal-to-noise ratio as low as −28 dB in a 2500 Hz bandwidth.^[2] Stations with internet access can automatically upload their reception reports to a central database called WSPRnet, which includes a mapping facility.

Ritchie, MM0TQH kindly brought along his self contained WSPR transmitter:

ZachTek 80 to 10 Website =  https://www.zachtek.com/1012

We used the HF Dipole above the cabin with the ZachTek transmitter, the results can be seen in the table below: (note tx power is 0.2W!)

Map of stations receiving GM3TKV at 0.2W

You can see these in detail if you go to the link below and put in GM3TKV, all bands, and time frame (5 weeks max) WSPR Rocks website

There is also free software available for PC/Linux/RaspberryPI to run WSPR from any rig and computer. You just have to connect a CAT and Audio Interface cables. The software comes with plenty of help notes.

WSJT-X website

A screenshot of the software in action below shows FT8 which is another mode available in the same software.

I am pleased to announce the date for the MFARS Annual General Meeting 2023.

Date: Tuesday 4th April 2023

Time: 7pm for 7:30 start.

Location: Reserve Centre Cabin, Edgar Road Elgin. (club shack)

Tea and coffee will be available.

The AGM will be followed by teas/coffee etc.

Note: all committee members stand down at the AGM, though they may be nominated to stand again.

Nominations may be made by email, phone, or by post to:

ONLY paid up members are eligible to vote.

mfars.secretary@gmail.com 

Paul Furness

BrIach Farm

Dallas

Forres

IV36 2RW

Any member who is not able to physically attend may instruct the secretary how they would like any proxy vote cast, please contact the secretary for further information.

AGM Agenda

The agenda for the meeting shall be:

(a)    Notice calling meeting

(b)    Apologies for absence

(c)    Minutes of the previous AGM

(d)    President’s report

(e)    Secretary’s report

(f)     Treasurer’s report

(g)    Election of the new Committee

(h)    Motions made in advance of calling the meeting may be added here

(i)      Set the membership subscription for the following year

(j)      Any other competent business

Nominations for Society officers (Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer) should be made in writing to the Secretary no later than seven days prior to the AGM and will only be valid if confirmed by the nominee at the meeting or previously in writing. Where insufficient nominations have been received prior to the meeting nominations may be made at the AGM.

Nomination for other committee members may be made at the AGM.