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Today we took the opportunity to visit the Welsh National Radio Rally at Llanwern High School in Newport Gwent. The rally is easily accessible and just 3 minutes or so from the M4.

We arrived in good time prior to doors opening at 10am and got chatting to some of the “regulars” outside after purchasing a cuppa from the well stocked Burger Van.

The rally is held in the sports hall, which is a large space that can cater for an event like this and whilst there were some vacant tables where some traders didn’t make it there were plenty of traders who did and lots of mainly pre loved equipment on offer. Good to see the Kelly’s, Luke busy looking for bargains and Kevin and Margaret with an array of fine items. Both Kevin and Margaret have been unwell and it was good to see them both today.

Derek Thom G3NKS had a well equipped table as did Club member and rally regular Steve M0ZZT with his usual tables full of goodies. There was even a raffle and a bring and buy, both of which dont tend to happen at rallies these days and both were being well supported. One trader had a wide range of Welsh made amateur antennas that had found their way on to the rally circuit after Sandpiper had sold up.

We managed to move on a significant amount of Rally Flyers for our November event and ensured our rally was “on the map” so to speak.

As is usual here are some photos of an enjoyable morning at the Welsh National rally.

In the queue and the excitement was building for sure…!

Main Hall looking in from the entrance

B = the entrance. It was £3 per person.

Derek G3NKS table – good to see Derek today.

Steve M0ZZT – Busy trading straight out of surgery too !!!!

A nice relaxing location for the “Bring and Buy”

Kevin Kelly taking it easy 🙂

LLanwern School Rally entrance and the Burger Van

We were there; we got the wristbands to prove it !!! 🙂

All in all a great morning out and we certainly enjoyed our trip to South Wales

Firstly a Shout Out to John 2E0GTQ – Get Well Soon John from all at the Club !!!!

Just a quick update this week. We had a really good session on HF testing the 20m Hawkins on a Drive On Mount. Despite the evenings drawing in plenty of contacts were made using the Club’s IC-7300. We also tested the SD card and recorded some auto CQ’s for future Ops.

Jenni M0HZT operated as GX3VRE on the 144 Mhz UKAC and had some interesting contacts in lifty conditions. Jenni held out and worked G4FZN/P in IO94 before heading home. Here’s a view of where she worked:

M0HZT as GX3VRE – 144 Mhz Sept 23 UKAC

Meanwhile there was lots of interesting chats with Brian 2E0FOW and Alan G6YCG discussing the virtues of Talk Groups on various DMR repeaters – always good to share knowledge and experiences. Here we see them deep in DMR discussion:

Brian and Alan talking DMR – Note the Bluetooth Speaker just to the left of Alan’s (as he sees it) Anytone AT-878. Quite an impressive sound !

Our last image this week shows Merfyn M0HWA and Phil 2E0CXH discussing HF Operating with the IC-7300 close by.

Until next time – best 73

Jon G0IUE submitted this picture of a Yaesu FTM-300D alongside the Anytone BT-01 DMR Bluetooth device.

Jon has mounted both main units (Anytone AT-578UV Pro and the Yaesu FTM300) out of sight with both sets independently being controlled by Bluetooth. The Yaesu being used with a Plantronics Voyager headset and the Anytone with the BT-01 remote head unit and the BTT Button supplied with the AT-578.

Both sets working well and no issues.