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RSSL Fox Hunt 2019

THE RADIO SOCIETY’S ANNUAL FOX HUNT IS ON AND THE RED LETTER DATE IS THE 20TH OF APRIL 2019.

For those who are not familiar with the FOX HUNT let us give some information.
The FOX is a hidden transmitter which sends out signals every 10 minutes for a period of one minute and competitors have to locate the hidden transmitter using their antennas and receivers. It is in other-words a Direction Finding exercise. This is open to all members of the RSSL. The team leader has to be a member of the RSSL but he/she is free to have friends join him.  Since participants are not transmitting the contest is open to non transmitting members. So join up with a group or have your own team with some friends.
The organizers will give you a map covering a 5 km radius from the starting point where the fox would be hidden.  It is an exciting event as teams take readings from different points within that 5km area to  see where the  lines cross and try to find the Fox before the other teams do. The first to find the Fox will be the winner and many exciting prizes are waiting to be won.
Date 20.04.2019
Time 0900 to 1230
Stating place  Millennium Dr, Malabe   The shady drive just before the bridge. The starting point will be about 200 metres  after the turn off from the New Kandy Road.
Fox freq 144.220 mhz
Fox hunt voice stand by freq 439.900 MHz UHF Rep
Fox will be 5km  radius of a circle  from stating point 
 
Please bring your antenna compass and radio. A Good Team would consist of a vehicle driver, navigator and one or two people who would take readings, and plot the direction on the map. .
 
At this point there are two teams and we are sure we will have many more.  It will not be an Off Road exercise so any vehicle or a team on two wheeler will be fine.  Walking might not be enough to cover the area and find the Fox within 3 and a half hours., 
 
i have two teams conformed. We need to know at least by the 18th so that we can prepare materials.
 
4s7vj and team 
4s6cpt and team
4S7VK and team (opeen for team members 🙂 )
 
More details contact Jaliya 4S7JL  077 237 8108 or 4S7VK Victor 0711 356 113
 
Victor 4S7VK
Hon y. Secrtary RSSL
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Monthly Meeting April 2019

THE GENERAL MEETING OF THE RADIO SOCIETY OF SRI LANKA will be held on the 10th  of April 2019, commencing sharp on time at 6PM in the Balcony Hall OTTER AQUATIC CLUB, BAUDHALOKA MAWATHA COLOMBO.

All present will be served with refreshments as usual.

Hope to see you all at Otters.

Further News:

ECHO LINK:  The Echolink which the RSSL introduced to Sri Lanka immediately after the Tsunami in 2004, was out of commission. Thanks to our Young-Turk 4S6LEO completed the project initiated by Amaranath 4S6ACN and funded by VP Nadika 4S6NCH and is linked to the Pidurutalagala repeater. Use it to be in touch with the world and you out there to be in touch with the RSSL and SL Hams.
Back to Yatiyantota and the antenna was relocated and the trusty old repeater running just 4.7watts was put back into service with staggering results in the Sabaragamuwa and Western Provinces, its intended coverage area.
The UHF REPEATER: 435.100 and 349.900 MHz FM  (Test basis)  This project was initiated 3 years ago when Ron 4S7RO/VK4NRO and Jaliya 4S7JL gived a beautiful Australia made UHF repeater.  However, it took quite a lot of time to get the project moving and 4 months ago the present administration took it upon itself to move in the matter and we are thankful to the TRCSL and MOD for approving the project and also clearance for our repeater to be got down from Australia. It was air freighted as we didn’t want to lose any more time and within two weeks the repeater was brought, import licenses secured, customs duty paid, programmed by our technical team of 4S5SC Jayantha and Singhe 4S6LEO and in no small way assisted from Australia by Ron 4S7RO. Ron has been a great help finding software, material with total dedication to the RSSL.
Three years ago one of our Duplexers was in very bad shape and thanks to Ron it was tuned to better than factory specifications and always assisted by Jayantha 4S5SC. Vasanth 4S7VG has always been a tower of strength to the RSSL, always willing to give his technical support and also plaacing at our disposal valuable test equipment.
The UHF Repeater is running on Test Basis awaiting its more permanent location.  In the meantime we are requesting the TRCSL to grant us the standard 5MHz separation and we are hopeful to receive it.

RSSL SPONSORED RADIO AMATEUR COURSE:  This started 3 weeks ago and consists of theory and practical CW/MORSE classes. Its completely free as a service to members. The Classes are held at the Software company WSO2 premises at Colpetty  Liberty Plaza Duplication Road junction. You cant miss the board.  Classes are held from 9 AM to 1.30 PM. Please contact 4S7VJ  Wijay on  0711514498  or Afkaz   077332 0919.

KIWI SDR in Colombo: A Service to all SWLs and radio Enthusiasts. This is an SDR with covers 1 kHz to 30 MHz and is a communications receiver on line.  You can tune AM, SSB(LSB USB) and is very user friendly. What do you need to use this?. Just an internet connection to access it. 4 users can use it at the same time and thus you need not worry about not having a suitable receiver. All you do is  search  http://colombo4s7vk.proxy.kiwisdr.com:8073/    or just  SDR.HU and you will go into the website of nearly 200 or more such receivers and select whatever location and listen on line. (This is with the complements of 4S7VK to the international Radio Community.)
73 and good DX
Victor Goonetilleke 4S7VK
Hony Secretary RSSL
Tel 0112614098/0711356113
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ANTENNA WORKSHOP FOR RSSL MEMBERS

On the 10th of March 2019 Vice President of the RSSSL Jaliya 4S7JL along with senior member 4S7VJ Wijay conducted a very successful VHF and 6 Metre antenna workshop at the Koratota sprawling residence of Jaliya. There were 26 members in attendance including the President of the RSSL, 4S7DF and Council members. 4S7DSB, 4S7VK, 4S7PA
The morning started with 4S7VJ explaining the theory of antennas, resonance, impedance, relationship to wavelength and also the art of using test equipment like Antenna analyzers and SWR Metres. This session was also aimed at the Radio Amateur Exam candidates sitting the examination later this year.

After the theory session the practical session of putting into practice what was learnt took place with seniors assisting the SWLs and new hams. Thee RSS is thankful to 4S7JL and 4S6MLM Hussain who bought materials in bulk at discounted rates and it was also, just come along and use Jaliya’s workshop, match your antennas and walk away with an antenna, just meeting the cost of the materials. What more could one ask one may say.

The RSSL provided refreshments and it was a very successful day of fellowship and strengthening bonds between friends and new friends.

The Picture gallery which will make you capture the mood of the occasion. Thanks everyone who helped and came along and our apologies to Jaliya’s xyl for messing up her house and beautiful garden.

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Amateur Radio Classes.

AMATEUR RADIO CLASSES – Commence March 10th Sunday

This course of classes will commence on the 10th of March and every Sunday thereafter with Wijay 4S7VJ doing theory classes and Kule 4S7KG doing Morse Classes. Wijay has been conducting classes for a number of years and is experienced in the field. Past Examination papers as well as theory per the Syllabai (syllabuses) will be discussed.

Kule will be doing the practical Morse/CW Classes. CW is mandatory for the Advanced class and that too at 5 Words Per Minute which is very slow compared to 12 and 20 WPM speeds for the General and Advance classes respectively, before the abolition of Morse for a General Class and reduction to 5WPM for Advanced. Even if not required for the Examination for General class, Morse Code (CW) is a fascinating language of its own. Using Q codes and standard formats it is the only way two radio operators who do not speak each others language can easily make valid contacts.

The classes will be free, with the only condition being that you are a member of the Radio Society. You can enroll on the days that the classes are held. This will not only be aimed at the exam but also as an extensive course with practical sessions from time to time.

While Kule and Wijay will be conducting the course experienced members will join from time to time to deal with various topics like Satellite, digital electronics, Disaster communications, operating procedures, antenna theory and radio wave propagation.

I might add these classes form a good base for strong friendships and group enjoyment of the amateur service.

Those interested in following these classes should call Wijay 4S7VJ on 0711514498,

Best regards
Victor 4S7VK
Honorary Secretary RSSL.

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General Meeting RSSL – 13th March 2019

Dear Members,

I trust some of you might wonder abut the Monthly meeting that we customarily hold on the last Wednesday of the month.  However, this month we have to take it across to early March for the following reasons.
PIDURUTALAGALA
The RSSL has been engaged in hectic work to get Pidurutalagala (145.050 +600) completed and we have installed the isolation transformer for lightning protection.  The standby power supply of a battery, a charger controller and charger to back up for power  outages are ready awaiting free transport within the next 10 days. We are trying to save money as much as possible on these projects.
YATIYANTOTA REPEATER: (145.625 -600 )
Our technical team went over to Yatiyantota and replaced the repeater and fine tuned the entire system. The reports we get are most encouraging. The fussy audio has changed to good quality audio and even the strength is up. This is something which was  more than 2 years overdue.  This action paid immedate dividends became there was a temporary failure at Piduru and Yati was able to take over.  It also provided good coverage for a Scouts Jamboree that he RSSL assisted in at Mathugama with Jaliya 4S7JL and Singhe 4S6LEO. Yaiyantota is a hard drive with nothing short of a 4 wheel drive trip. We thank Jaliya for organizing everything and he says at no cost to the RSSL. Thanks Jaliya..these are not cheap visits.

ANTENNA WORKSHOP- A very successful antenna workshop was held at Koratota, Jaliya’s residence with no less than 25 participants and 16 members walking off with completed VHF antennas. The results are evident from the signals from our members both transmitting and SWLs.  The workshop started with 4S7VJ explaining antenna theory, relationship between SWR, Resonant freq, impedance etc. This was followed by practical construction of the antenna itself. The enthusiasm of the participants made the whole operation and organising it worth the trouble and expense. Jaliya provided an antenna analizer and cutting tools to make the whole process easier for everyone.  (Photos) will appear in the website www.rssl.lk.

UHF REPEATER: Hold on a bit…its a case of wating for the repeater to arrive. This repeater was a gift to the RSSL by Ron 4S7RO and Jaliya 4S7JL. All papers have been received and with a little luck we will be on the air very soon.
We will give you more details when we are ready to come on the air. In the meantime get your antennas and UHF rigs.

AMATEUR RADIO EXAMINATION 2018/19

We informed our members and the general public about the examination application dates and also provided application forms for those interested and also guidance as to how to fill up.  The closing date was extended and soon they will start the process of scheduling the examination.  We do not want to start classes too soon but will do so well in time. In the meantime you are welcome to use the question and answer material on our website. This year the publicity we gave through our website, WhatsApp group and also Face book not to mention via email, has had a record number of applicants. We wish all of them a good time of preparation.
Best 73
Victor 4S7VK
Hony. Secretary RSSL.