Welcome!

Welcome to the website of the Finningley Amateur Radio Society!

Located in Sandtoft, North Lincolnshire, we are a group of radio amateurs with interests in every part of the hobby.

With our own club building, which contains separate HF, VHF and microwave shacks, a workshop and conference room, we are well-equipped to assist anyone in furthering their interest in amateur radio.

 FARS, April 2009

News Articles Projects Museum Special Events

Latest news from FARS...

The Queen's Jubilee and XH558 - The Last Flying Vulcan
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 - 19:55

Finningley Amateur Radio Society (FARS) is proud to announce that we will be taking part in operating from Robin Hood Airport, under the callsign GB60VUL. This is in collaboration with the Newbury And District Amateur Radio Society (NADARS) and will be operating for one week in May.

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2nd FARS Measurement and Test Day
Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - 21:39

Following the success of the first FARS Measurement and Test day, we will be holding a second one this weekend. Full details from Kevin:-

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Advanced Exam next Tuesday
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 - 20:38

FARS will be holding an Advanced Exam sitting next Tuesday (31st January), which co-incides with our normal club night. Good luck to the candidates!

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CQWW DX SSB contest
Tuesday, October 25, 2011 - 12:59

The CQWW DX SSB contest, arguably one of the major contests of the year, is almost upon on us. We'll be active as M4F, so if you hear us, give us a shout!

We're still looking for volunteers for the contest, so if you're a current member of FARS and fancy a go, pop down on Saturday or Sunday (or let Andy M0VKG know) and join in!

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Intermediate passes for FARS members!
Thursday, September 29, 2011 - 21:02

Three of our newest members, who just months ago took their Foundation exams have now passed their Intermediate exams at the first attempt!

Pictured above are Steve M6SCH, Dan M6AXC and Steve M6AXD with their pass certificates, and are now waiting for their 2E callsigns.

Well done chaps!

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Amateur Radio News

EGM on the future of the RSGB
Tuesday, October 25, 2011 - 12:55

As many of you are already aware, the RSGB has called an EGM for the 19th November 2011 to discuss the proposed changes to the constitution that are detailed here (PDF file).

Regardless of your opinions either way, please do vote so that you can have your say on the future of the RSGB.

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RSGB responds to Ofcom PLT statement
Friday, May 27, 2011 - 16:05

From the article:-

 
The Society recently published a statement commenting on the release by Ofcom of a test report commissioned by them in 2008 on certain Power Line Adapters (PLAs). The report by ERA was initially withheld from release by Ofcom after a Freedom of Information Act request. However on appeal the Information Commissioner forced Ofcom to release it.
 
Ofcom has now made a further statement on this matter which is in full at http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/enforcement/spectrum‐enforcement/plt/.
 
The Society is once again so very concerned at the content of the Ofcom statement that we feel we must respond publicly to correct what we see as several misleading and inaccurate points.  The relevant parts of Ofcom’s statement are set out below followed by the Society’s response.
 

Read the full response from the RSGB here.

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Special temporary call signs for Royal Wedding
Tuesday, April 12, 2011 - 15:17

RSGB has agreed with Ofcom arrangements for all UK Radio Amateurs to opt to use special callsigns for a period of eleven days beginning on the date of the marriage of H.R.H. Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton, 29th April 2011. 

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Peter Kirby leaves role as RSGB General Manager
Thursday, March 31, 2011 - 00:22

The RSGB has released a statement this week stating:-

Peter Kirby, RSGB General Manager, has left the Society’s employment after the discovery of financial irregularities on his part.

For the time being, RSGB Director Don Beattie, G3BJ, will act as General Manager.

At this difficult time for the Society can I ask that everyone supports Don in his role. He may be contacted at Don.Beattie@rsgb.org.uk or 01234 832 701/07802 922 219.

Dave Wilson
President
28 March 2011

No more information has been given at the time of writing, however this is presumably the reason for the RSGB AGM being delayed until the 14th May.

More as we get it...

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Yaesu temporarily suspends production after earthquake
Thursday, March 17, 2011 - 12:22

(from the CQ Newsroom...)

Production of Yaesu radios at Vertex Standard's factory in Fukushima, Japan, has
been temporarily halted due to earthquake damage.  All Vertex Standard employees
and their families are said to be safe.

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Changes for GB3YR
Monday, November 8, 2010 - 15:04

The VHF repeater GB3YR, run by the South Yorkshire Repeater Group and located near Maltby, may soon have a new home.

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GB2RS News - Sunday 7th November 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010 - 15:03
  • Ofcom to automatically renew Short Contest Callsigns
  • RSGB Museum Surplus Equipment
  • 4th Bath Buildathon announced

At the Ofcom and RSGB Forum on 19 October it was agreed that, exceptionally, holders of individual Short
this year. The assessment at the end of the year would also not be applied to clubs holding SCCs. Instead
Ofcom will automatically renew all SCCs for a further 3 years. Any individuals or clubs holding SCCs that

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RAYNET in Doncaster
Monday, November 8, 2010 - 14:56

Are you interested in helping restart the Doncaster RAYNET group? Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council is interested in hearing from local radio amateurs to add to the help it already receives from the Sheffield and Rotherham RAYNET groups.

If you think you could help, please e-mail drm44@rsgb.org.uk.

Read more >>

Articles

Four Metres is Dead! by Dave G3VZE

I some times hear people saying, “four metres is dead” or, “there’s nobody on four”, or, after calling CQ asking “Isn’t there anybody out there?”

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A Soldering Aid for Surface Mount Components, by Dave G3VZE

Anyone who has tried to construct equipment using SMDs (surface mount devices) will know the difficulties and frustrations experienced in handling these tiny components. If you attempt to pick up the device with tweezers, it will often squirt out of the jaws travelling at high speed, never to be seen again!  If you do manage to manoeuvre the pesky little thing into position, the chances are that as you apply solder to the first pad, surface tension in the pool of molten solder, will cause the chip capacitor, or resister to stand up on its end like a miniature tombstone. To prevent this amusing little antic, the device needs to be pinned down during the soldering process.

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SMD Soldering Basics, by Kevin G3AAF

Kevin G3AAF has put together a slide pack with some hints and tips around soldering surface-mount devices, following on from his popular course at the Microwave Roundtable earlier this year.

Click here for the slides.

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Calendar

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Finningley SDR

If you've come here to find more details on the Finningley SDR, demonstrated at the Yorkshire Microwave Roundtable 2010 and now being produced by Kanga Products, here's a few bits and pieces you may find useful:-

Photos


Howard G4CCH at the 2010 Microwave Roundtable


Hurst Communications Centre, Winter 2010

Click here for the photo gallery

Where are we?

The name of our club reflects our origins as RAF Finningley's amateur radio society as opposed to our location, which sometimes causes confusion! We're actually located on Belton Road, in the village of Sandtoft, North Lincolnshire. The nearest postcode if you're using sat-nav to find us is DN8 5SX.

From most directions the easiest way to get to us is to take the M18 motorway, and then join the M180 motorway at J5. Almost immediately, leave the M180 at J1, and cross the roundabout at the end of the slip road and follow the A18 for about 3 miles. Turn right onto High Levels Bank, and cross the bridge over the M180 motorway. At the end of the road at the mini-roundabout, you should see The Reindeer pub to your right - take the first left, go straight on for a few hundred metres and you'll see the club on your left hand side.

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