Tim M0URX is awarded the “G5RP Trophy”……
Hf Convention report by G1VDP Chris (Thanks Chris for writing this report! I am so busy with QSL cards today)

A group of us went to this event for the 3rd year running – hopefully next year all of us will be there – and boy what a weekend! 

Group members who were there were Tim M0URX, Charles M0OXO, Oliver MW3SDO and Chris G1VDP. Along with these guys were some close friends and future guest operators Mack M0CUS and Nigel.

The weekend Started with Oli driving from his home on Friday night arriving at my house around 21:30. A bity of a natter and then we got settled down ready to be up and on road for 06:15 next morning. As it was the 3rd year it was my turn to drive, so we set off to pick Tim and Mack up. Arriving at the venue about 08:00.

It was then sign in and plan the day. Plenty of talks on Dxpeditions to attend, meet old friends, make new ones and have fun. 

The first talk we attended was about the ARRL LOTW (Logbook Of The World) and how to get the best use out of it.
 We then all checked the programme and went into the ones we fancied. I decided to have a mingle and chat with the CDXC guys, Martin Lynch and the guys from Icom UK. I also handed in my QSL cards for DXCC checking and managed to have a chat with a few people over cups of coffee and tea. Oli during the afternoon sat his intermediate exam, with the Advanced exam to be taken on Sunday, so by the time we go to CQWW this year Oli will be a M0*** at last. He passed the intermediate I am happy to report so time for us all to relax and enjoy the day.

Saturday went quickly and it was then time for the  meal and drinks. Showered and meet in the bar, a couple of cold ones, a chat and then in for the meal. It was during the evenings proceedings that we had a huge surprise. Colin the RSGB president stood up to do the usual Presidential address, and his first task was to announce that years winner of the RSGB G5RP plate for greatest progress in the DX field made by an RSGB member resident in the UK during the year.  Which is where the surprise came in. Tim M0URX was the winner. No one had told him, or any of us in our team. So Tim went up to cheers and applause to collect his silver platter. Congratulations Tim on this fantastic achievement. 

More trophies and it was then time to retire to the bar for a few more beers with friends old and new. Thankfully the bar at Wyboston lakes closes at 12:00 so we are then forced to go to bed. But while it was open the beer flowed, the socialising went on, tips were swapped, legs pulled and stories told. DXers are very much like fishermen where they both have stories of the ones that got away. Thanks to all the guys who were in the bar, for your excellent company, for the hints on how we can beat you all in the contests, and most of all thanks for the drinks! My head was pounding Sunday morning when I got up. 

When we got up on Sunday morning both Tim and I had hangovers, Mac and Oli were pretty clear headed. Tim stayed in his room a little longer than the rest of us who went and had a good hearty breakfast. Oli then went and sat his advanced exam, Mack sat chatting to some more new friends, Jerry LA0HK, and Charles and the boys from the night before. I went to get Tim for the lectures, where a simple but common mistake was made. I knocked on Tims door, and walked next door to my room, Tim came out of his door forgetting that it would shut and lock behind him! OOOPPSSS. A walk down to reception by me to get him the spare key and we got him back in there. A good job you were dressed Tim. I then went into my room and got the camera and ready for the lectures I wanted to visit that day.  

Oli came out of his exam, but no results. It is now a await for the marking to take place and then for him to get his advanced licence. We are all confident he has passed, but as everyone else Oli is unsure within himself. More chat over tea and coffeee then in to the lectures and the closing ceremony and raffle draw, before heading home.

The venue where all this takes place is Wyboston Lakes, Next to the A1 at St Neots. Easily accessible from all over the country. We will all be there next year, so do say hello if you are too and make yourself known – best way is in the bar and just say “Chris, what you drinking?”

Chris Colclough G1VDP

Max has the first draft of the CY2ZT/2 QSL Design. I hope you like it?

United Radio Bureau will manage the QSL cards for the SES station CY2ZT/2 150th Anniversary of British Columbia.Steve Toupin, VE2TKH will be active throughout October & November.

It is the RSGB HF Convention this weekend! 11th & 12th of October. With an excellent programme scheduled such as:

VP6DX Ducie Island Expedition, Eric Scace K3NA
Jan Mayen by Sail, Michael Wells G7VJR
V8 Brunei Darussalam, Ron Stuy PA3EWP

and so much more. I will be heading to Wyboston Lakes Conference Centre for the whole weekend arriving early on Saturday morning with a few car loads of Amateurs, so we are sure of a great social weekend. I will have my CDXC Badge on with my callsign M0URX, if you see me say hello!
I have been in touch with the RSGB Bureau and i am due to be picking up at the HFC, a parcel of QSL cards for M3SDE, M0URX and Via M5AAV as well as Bureau cards for teh G4D’s and G4R’s that I am Sub Bureau Manager for. More news on that early next week when i report back.

I will not be able to reply to emails this weekend so please be patient I will reply to QSL requests and enquiries on my return.

CX2CC Uruguay on 15m                                   Photo – CX2CC Cristian
Great to see 15m open this evening (Sunday) after a busy day i finally turned the radio on at 18:00z. Tuning through 15m i found CX2CC Christian calling CQ on 21.270 MHz one call and in the log. Thanks Christian a new band slot for me on 15m woohoooo….
 
This weekend was the RSGB 21 & 28 MHz contest, complete washout here, conditions very bad.

9M6XRO John was acive in contest but reports a power failure problem with his Yaesu FT-1000, John goes on to say “Even with the low output it is enough to drive the Quadra to around 250-300 watts. All the functions are otherwise OK, just a loss of output power. I will open the rig up during the coming week. I also worked Chris G1VDP, as well as some other UK stations on 40m SSB in the contest.

There has been no activity from Trygvi OY4TN for a couple of weeks now as he has been working in Chile and promises to be back home in the Faroe Islands soon.

As I type today’s report i hear CY2ZT/2 from Quebec City on 14.197. Thanks for the QSO Steve, nice to meet you on the air for the first time.

I hope you find my website helpful? You are welcome to drop me an email using the Contact M0URX page in the Main Menu. Any comments good or bad appreciated.

A25/DL7DF Botswana worked on 12m
Frustrating isn’t it when you see on the cluster “5/9+ worked first call”?
Well believe me this one was a tough one to work for me, small yagi minibeam and 200w. The team were in and out of my noise floor for about 2 hours today. So thank you guys for a new band slot on 12m!  
For more information on this expedition: http://www.dl7df.com/index.html 

United Radio Bureau will manage the QSL cards for the SES station CY2ZT/2 150th Anniversary of British Columbia.Steve Toupin, VE2TKH will be active throughout October & November.

I will let Steve tell you more about it….

“2008 marks a very special anniversary in British Columbia: 150 years of cultural diversity, community strength and widespread achievement since the founding of the Crown Colony of British Columbia in 1858. 

On November 19, 1858, the new colony’s governor, Sir James Douglas, read the official proclamation that cemented one of the most significant events in B.C.’s history. Arguably, if it hadn’t been for that moment, Canada may not have extended from coast to coast and B.C. might not be the strong, vibrant, united province that it is today.

There are many things to celebrate. From the contributions of Aboriginal peoples, to the stories of the pioneers who followed the gold rush and set down roots here, this is a time to honour the diversity and widespread achievements of the people who built this province, while also setting our sights on all of the opportunities that the future holds. As a proud Canadian ham and with great souvenirs from my trip to BC back in 2001, I decided to join the celebrations with that unique S.E.S. callsign. 73 de Steve.”

9M6DXX Steve “On Air”
After some very poor conditions Steve was workable from the UK this afternoon but only a 5/3 signal from my small antenna! Good to hear the signal coming through Steve!