UK Radio Rallies - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2022, 11:08:58 am
content: Radio Rallies in the UK are a great place to acquire parts for projects, test gear and even many radios and related items. They're also a great place to see familiar faces and chat to people about all things radio/electronics or just talk about how you've no idea how you're going to fit that boot load of gear into your house!There's been a few this year already and more to come. So which ones this year are you planning on going to? I hope this thread can help people in the UK find a local event or even plan on meeting up with people at such events.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2022, 11:17:09 am
content: Oh, I created this to split away from the other which was created for Dunstable downs which we kind of jumped onto.Flight Refuelling tomorrow, I can't make it tomorrow, but would like to one day.Rugby is coming up, really wanted to go, but can't make it, but the one in Milton Keynes coming up I can do

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2022, 11:19:42 am
content: Canonical list is here:https://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/I will be at FRARS tomorrow. Possibly Rugby next Sunday. Definitely MKARS on the 28th.After that I will probably have enough projects to see me through winterI will see if I can get some pictures at events I attend.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2022, 11:23:28 am
content: I do use that list, but it's not always up to date with postponements or cancellations.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2022, 11:32:31 am
content: Quote from: Squarewave on August 13, 2022, 11:23:28 amIt is the best starting point, but obviously check with the actual organisers.Thanks for starting this thread. There's been some chatter about rallies in the TEA thread, but this thread is more likely to attract people's attention.To grossly simplify therecentchatter there: FRARS good (unless continuous rain), Rugby good, MK and DDARC near TNMoC so the journey costs can be amortised. That implies nothing about other hamfests.I'd like to know whether the national rally in Newark is any good, and if so which days. I'm unlikely to flog up there without a good reason.

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2022, 11:35:37 am
content: FRARS, Rugby, MK or Torbay (probably MK), Telford (probably), Andover, Weston-super-Mud (because it's close), Newport, Hack Green, (probably, it's been highly recommended as worth going to although it's a long way), maybe Holsworthy, Chippenham. Possibly CATS, although I'll wait for opinions on that. If it's a W-s-M micro rally I won't do it.I live in the Bristol area, so a couple of hours drive each way is just about the limit. Things on the limit have to have some promise. There are some in the North of England and East Anglia, but they are much too far away.https://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2022, 11:43:39 am
content: Quote from: Zenith on August 13, 2022, 11:35:37 amWeston-super-Mud rally is small, about the size of the rally in Sully near Penarth. I wouldn't bother to go, but it is so close I could consider going by bus. ("Consider" because it would be a First Bus a.k.a. Stagecoach).Newport over-the-bridge is reasonable, but not on this year.

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2022, 11:49:08 am
content: Are you sure about Newport? It seems to be on according to the website.https://www.gw6gw.co.uk/visitors.html

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2022, 11:54:14 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on August 13, 2022, 11:32:31 amNewark aviation museum is good, so there's something additional which you could do in the same day if the rally isn't what you expected.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2022, 11:58:47 am
content: Regarding CATS it’s a 50/50. I only go because it’s not far from me. I wouldn’t bother if you’re more than about 20 miles away. I’ve left empty handed twice.

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2022, 12:05:36 pm
content: Sounds like CATS is about the same as W-s-M then. Not worth a serious trip.There was one in Laugharne, near Carmarthen, Dylan Thomas' old haunt. Too far for what was probably a W-s-M type do.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2022, 01:01:55 pm
content: Quote from: Zenith on August 13, 2022, 11:49:08 amI'm sure. But wrong

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2022, 01:16:54 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on August 13, 2022, 11:58:47 amI've left two this year empty handed, but not because there wasn't anything there, I just had some restraint which I've not had before. I just wanted to go and have a mooch about.McMichael this year though, boot full, back seats full.......

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2022, 01:34:02 pm
content: As well as the RSGB list, there are a couple of others.http://southgatearc.org/rallies/rally-list.htmhttp://g4rga.org.uk/All.htmlThey are usually the same, but sometimes there's information or even an event, covered by one but not the others.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2022, 01:52:01 pm
content: Quote from: Zenith on August 13, 2022, 12:05:36 pmWithout evidence, I would presume it was Sully2; the BarryARS hamfest location is delightful and near sproglet, and the denizens are friendly. That's not enough to make me go again.

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2022, 02:19:49 pm
content: I'm familiar with Sully, Sully Island at least, and a little familiar with Laugharne from 20 plus years back. They are 70 miles apart.I'd never heard there was a rally in Sully and was a little surprised when you mentioned it. There used to be a rally in Bridgend I went to a couple of times, which was about twice the size of W-s-M and was OK.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2022, 02:55:36 pm
content: Quote from: Zenith on August 13, 2022, 02:19:49 pmIt was surprisingly difficult to find links to it, which may be part of the reason it was "locals only". There was a dealer that came from Devon; I doubt he made his petrol money.

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2022, 06:48:17 pm
content: Found it by searching on the WWW. If it comes up again next year, I might nip over there - more attractive without bridge charges. I can always go for a pint in The Captain's Wife near Sully Island and mull over a few old memories.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2022, 05:49:24 pm
content: So any radio rally fun today?

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2022, 05:57:28 pm
content: It was reasonable. I saw bd and zenith, and flogged more than I expected.My ferengi-fu deserted me. I prepared the way for bd to pick up an hp oscillator by declining it at a higher price. I felt guilty about overcharging zenith for a mule 465, and returned some money to him.The most interesting thing there was an HP9100 calculator. I would have thought about buying it, but it was too big and I have too much on ATM. I'll remember it in the same way as the Fluke calbrator I didn't bid on because I wasn't a voltnut, doh.I'll probably go to RATS next Sunday, especially if I can have mains available.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2022, 06:09:57 pm
content: Which Fluke calibrator was it?Gutted I can't make RATS, must have been 2019 since I last went I suppose. Always enjoy it up there, but MK I'm going, just for the fun of it.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2022, 06:27:45 pm
content: I may do RATS.FRARS Duplicated here for the sake of completeness:HP 204D £10 - working fine needs cleaning.Farnell TM6 £15 - sort of working. Needs minor repair.ARRL books £3 for both - selling on ebayParts £5 - all good.tggzzz: I did consider that 465 mule. If I'd moved I'd have had it off you but I was looking for small thingsI nearly walked away with a 141T but the RF module was too high a frequency for my interests.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2022, 07:05:33 pm
content: Quote from: Squarewave on August 14, 2022, 06:09:57 pmCan't remember, but in the same auction I bought a Solartron 7081 and a transportable zener-based 10V volt reference. So, in retrospect it was sufficiently good that I should have snapped it up. Oh well.I currently have a Fluke 515A to flog, but that's not in the same class by a long way!

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2022, 07:08:35 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on August 14, 2022, 06:27:45 pmOh. That's not the HP oscillator I had in mind. I saw a 3310A

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2022, 07:24:27 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on August 14, 2022, 07:08:35 pmOh ok didn’t see that. I’d have had that for £30

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2022, 12:16:49 pm
content: Well, the weather isn't looking too chirpy for Sunday over in Ruggers! I wonder what the turn out will be like?

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2022, 12:38:22 pm
content: I don't believe the weather will be boiling hot, like at McMichael and FRARS, which brings it's own problems. My guess is it will be a pleasant enough day, "Sunny periods with occasional showers". But that's no more than a guess. I'll have to find out and feel my bit of seaweed to give a more evidence based prediction.The turnout will be at least 3; bd139, tggzzz, and me. Shame you can't make it. When I've been there before, it's always been well attended. I assume that with a couple of years of missed events, it will have a lot of visitors who have some rallying to catch up on.

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2022, 12:55:56 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on August 14, 2022, 06:27:45 pmActually I was looking for a 475 mule and became tempted by the 465 mule. I thought I'd bought a 475 mule a time back, but when I looked at it there was so little wrong with it; a missing heatsink on a hybrid and the delay sweep has had a biff, that I'm now looking for a proper 475 mule. Or at least the heatsink, since the 465 mule would probably provide the delay sweep stuff - mainly a shaft that can't be straightened easily. Anyway, I'm certain I'll be tempted by a 465 that needs a mule.I saw a 141T just along from tggzzz's stall, but they are huge things, and I haven't looked into them enough to put one on the shopping list, knowing what the plugins are and all the rest. He said he wanted £150 for it. All worth noting. Probably he'd have come down a lot from that because I can imagine he wouldn't want to take it home. OTOH, getting to the car would not have been fun. I doubt you would have walked off with it.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2022, 01:11:38 pm
content: Quote from: Zenith on August 16, 2022, 12:38:22 pmThe best guide to the weather is to look upwind out the windowBoiling hot means more people go to the beach or somewhere special, rather than to a local fair.Traders at FRARS reckoned that, so does my daughter - it means there are fewer people to buy ice creams at her local farmers' market. OTOH, hot is excellent at cricket matches

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2022, 01:27:39 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on August 16, 2022, 01:11:38 pmNow, that's what I think of when people say Hamfest, a farmers market, a farmers fest, where there's ham and other pig related meat.

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2022, 01:50:07 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on August 16, 2022, 01:11:38 pmI knew someone who worked for Lyons in the early 60s, in their Organisation & Methods department. Lyons was a very forward looking company - LEO and automated form reading and such.An important part of their business was ice cream sales, and it would have been extremely valuable to have accurate weather forecasts even a day ahead. So they looked into it and evaluated all sorts of ways of forecasting the weather, including custom Met Office forecasts and all sorts of folk lore. Nothing was off limits.They came to the conclusion that the best predictor of what the weather would be tomorrow and the day after, was what the weather was today.Past a certain temperature, I think a lot of people would rather just stay at home and laze around in the garden. Cricket is a different thing.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2022, 01:58:53 pm
content: Can confirm the beach hypothesis. The little walk we did after FRARS along the coast was crawling with people who had no idea what contour lines are and were slowly dying

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2022, 02:31:08 pm
content: Quote from: Zenith on August 16, 2022, 01:50:07 pmYes, that rule of thumb is oft-quoted, and (in the absence of better information) you won't get a better estimate.Merkins, in particular, tend to disbelieve that the first business use of computer in the world (the Lyons Electronic Office 1) was in effectventure capital fundedby a "tea and cake" shop.Quote from:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LEO_(computer)

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2022, 07:15:44 pm
content: All set for Ruggers tomorrow then, chaps?

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2022, 07:25:01 pm
content: Not going to this one. Too busy moving house and stuff. Will do MKARS next week.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2022, 09:28:18 pm
content: Quote from: Squarewave on August 20, 2022, 07:15:44 pmYes. Unless I forget to wake up.

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2022, 09:41:44 pm
content: Yes, all being well.Accuweather says "19C Intervals of clouds and sunshine" - they are usually fairly accurate 24 hours ahead.Should be a pleasant day.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2022, 11:08:52 am
content: I can't go today, but hope it's a good one. It's been years since I went. The Rugby rally is where my Marconi TF144H/4S came from. I rebuilt the power supply as a part of its restoration and since, it's been my main vintage signal generator in my lab.

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2022, 03:55:12 pm
content: I'd say, not up to expectations. Nowhere near as much tempting junk as at McMichael or FRARS, and certainly not to be compared with Newbury. I recall it was better in previous years, and better attended. The weather was very pleasant.There were the obligatory tatty AR88 and codged R1155, without which no rally could call itself a rally. There was a Philips Electronics Engineer kit for £25. I had one as a kid, but I have no hankering for one - but still nice to see. There was an HP AF spectrum analyser, but no other SAs. There were a few scopes I had no particular interest in.I came away with a couple of valves, some components and bits and pieces, some SMC leads and a BNC/SMC adapter. I also scored a Racal 5MHz OXCO for £3.50 which I was assured was brand new, but judging from the solder on the pins, is previously enjoyed.tggzzz was there and had a better day from the point of view of acquisitions.There was nothing on my shopping list and no £5/£10 bargain bit of TE for another winter project. I'm glad I didn't miss it, and it was a pleasant day out, but if you wanted to go and couldn't, don't reproach yourself too much.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2022, 04:05:13 pm
content: Thanks for the review. Glad I didn’t bother if I’m honest.Good luck with the racal OCXO. I gave up on one herehttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/repairing-off-frequency-racal-9442-ocxo/

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2022, 04:17:28 pm
content: Had you been there, you might have spotted things I didn't - but my general opinion is that it was a bit flat. Since you are in the middle of a house move, I'd say it wouldn't have been worth the trip for you.As for the OCXO, it was £3.50 and the seller had an honest face - they're always the worst. It's soldered in its can. I'll see what it can do when I get round to looking at it.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2022, 05:35:54 pm
content: I've not been to Rugby hamfest before, so can't compare.The footfall wasn't very high. I lost money, even excluding petrol.But then that wasn't the reason I went.For £90 I came away withHP654A oscillator. Works but could do with a little tweakingPicoscope differential probe 25MHz, /10 /100. I already have a /20 /200 diff probe, but this requires fewer brain cells. Works on internal batteriesAdvance OFS2B off-air receiver. Looks like it receives and locks, but no output. I'll assume its guts are similar to my other receiver, and hack itTek 468, which looks like a 456B with a wart glued on. Wart contains a 40MS/s digitiser plus voltage and time cursors. Works, but guess what needs cleaning. Weighs >30lbsEventually I'll put pictures on That Other Thread.

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2022, 05:39:10 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on August 21, 2022, 04:05:13 pmThis one is 9 Hz down at the upper limit of adjustment.I wonder how you desolder these things.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2022, 05:51:11 pm
content: Can opener

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2022, 07:01:53 pm
content: Unlike corned beef, they don't come with a key.As this thing cost about the price of a pint in a pub, and the innards are used to being cooked to 70C, and picking up the odd dud is all part of life's rich pageant. I think I'll try making up a thing to pull the innards out using the mounting screw holes, fixing it in a vice, and then going round it cautiously with a blowlamp.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2022, 07:03:11 pm
content: Sounds sensible. Interested to see the results and contents.Not sure where you live but pints cost twice that here

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2022, 07:43:09 pm
content: Quote from: Zenith on August 21, 2022, 05:39:10 pmObvious question: compared with what?

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2022, 08:58:56 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on August 21, 2022, 07:43:09 pm5MHz as shown on a couple of Racal frequency counters which show 10MHz to about 1 digit when connected to a GPSDO.I connected a 10 turn 10k preset pot across the 12V supply with the wiper connected to the VCO pin, and the adjustment range is about 7 Hz from 9.999984MHz to 9.999991MHz. I assumed that would be the voltage range the VCO was designed for. I couldn't find anything on the WWW about this particular Racal OCXO.It takes more current when the oven is cold, and the unit gets warm to the touch, so I assume the oven is OK. I suppose it might be under temperature for some reason.I'd guess the crystal has aged out of range. It could be a trimming capacitor which has changed value.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2022, 09:07:24 pm
content: Possible. Might be possible to shift it up a bit but it would involve replacing a capacitor and reducing overall capacitance in the network. Was hoping in my original one that I could tack a couple of pF on the bottom of the board. That was until I realised it'd go the wrong wayStill arguing with my Farnell TM6 here...

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2022, 09:13:23 pm
content: Sounds like an OK day though. When I went to the Rugby rally last time, I don't think I bought much apart from that Marconi signal generator and also a Marconi chewb volt meter.MK next week then chaps, nothing in particular on my shopping list, just want to have a browse around and see what takes my fancy if anything at all.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2022, 09:30:56 pm
content: I’ve got addicted to the Marconi crack now.MKARS has been a good one for me. It’s not huge but has been good. There’s a bit in a field and a bit inside. There’s usually a table at the end of the inside with all the interesting stuff on it. Plus one or two really good stands from locals. The rest is mostly the usual stuff.

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 03:49:20 am
content: Quote from: Squarewave on August 21, 2022, 09:13:23 pmAn OK day, but not an unmissable one. I was really glad I went to FRARS and wish I'd gone beforeWhether a rally is any good or not depends on your luck, what you are looking for, how sharp eyed you are, and the amount and type of stuff that happens to be there. The bigger ones have more stuff, so more chance of seeing something interesting. However, the small ones, like Chippenham, could just throw up a couple of items you've been looking for for years.MKARS or Torbay next - they clash. I haven't been to either before, but I have the impression MKARS is better.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 07:09:03 am
content: Quote from: Zenith on August 22, 2022, 03:49:20 amI haven't been to either, but I'll note Torbay is a costa geriatica. Whether that increases or decreases chances (of modern/old or silent keys) is left as an exercise for the reader.

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 09:17:24 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on August 22, 2022, 07:09:03 amTorbay is a half hour less travel time and a more straightforward drive. The rally has a 10am start rather than a 9am start, which is good. Both sound about like Chippenham scale events, maybe 30 stalls.Costa Geriatrica eh? Endless Morse keys and Yaesu transceivers, with computer junk and the odd bit of Heathkit thrown in, or a Collins R390A or an AR88 new in its transit case, plus the "acquisitions" of a deceased Tektronix salesman.Torbay it is.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 09:57:55 am
content: Morse keys are good money on eBay especially paddles

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 10:39:33 am
content: I haven't gone to these things with an eye on the ebay potential. Maybe I should, and Morse keys, a thing I've taken no interest in whatsoever, would repay some attention.It does occur that anything small and neat, such as little audio oscillators, or those plastic cased RF sig gens rebadged as TenMa, Rapid etc, fetch an obscene amount on fleabay. If they don't work, they usually don't take much to get them working and it's fun. You can calibrate them to within their spec if you have halfway reasonable test gear. Clean them up, and a nice photo... I'd rather sell working stuff.Then there are valves. There must be all sorts of things.Transistors. Imagine hitting paydirt with a bag of 100 fabulous TI BC183Ls for a couple of quid.Yes, I must get in touch with my inner Ferengi and see rallies in that light.I'm beginning to feel I must have left RATS with treasure unlifted.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 11:02:53 am
content: Yeah bounced a few of those generators myselfI make a habit of making the hobby pay for itself. That’s all really.

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 11:15:07 am
content: Quite so. It wouldn't be much of a career.However, there's no shame in turning an honest quid - it beats picking pockets every time. You also enable someone to find the very thing they want on ebay, without having to go out and look for it. Regard it as a service to society.

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 02:48:04 pm
content: I promised myself that I'd get to a rally or two this year. Fed up of hearing from the rest of you about your bargain acquisitions. The barrier for me is getting up early enough to make the trip worthwhile and not arrive after all the good stuff has gone.I'm pondering MK but haven't made my mind up.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 03:03:27 pm
content: Do it do it do it

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 03:31:33 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on August 22, 2022, 03:03:27 pmYou're confusing this thread with another

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 03:44:18 pm
content: @CerebusI have the impression you live in the London area.https://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/Not that many good ones within striking distance left this year. There a few that might be OK in the North of England or East Anglia. Too far for me.There's Andover, Chippenham and Croydon, but I don't believe they are top notch. Chippenham, Newport and Weston-super-Mare are fairly local for me, but I wouldn't recommend any one to travel a long way to them.Go to MK. Make the special effort to get up. You know you'll feel better for it.I shan't go to MK because I'll check out Torbay instead.

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 04:08:19 pm
content: Quote from: Zenith on August 22, 2022, 03:44:18 pmCorrect.EastLondon. North of the river. Can add a fair chunk of time to get out and/or across London for some destinations.QuoteAndover and Chippenham are quite a drag, further than I'd want to go purely because they'd involve getting up at sparrow fart for a same day trip with the obligatory 9ish arrival. About 6:30 and 6:00 departure time respectively. Croydon although relatively close is, of course, Morlock territory.MK's probably a 1 1/2 hour drive, yielding a tolerable 'get up and go' time. I'd be prepared to go much further afield if things started at more relaxed times

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 04:39:07 pm
content: I don't dig early morning rising either. I agree they should start these thing at about 3pm, but they don't. That's one of the reason's for Torbay rather than MK.Coming from East London and going around the bleeding M25 which never seems to end........I'd say Newbury and McMichael (now done for this year) might be worth the trip, with a blast down the M4. Chippenham isn't. Dunstable Downs (Luton) should be one for you.You need to consult the list at the start of the year and plan your rallying earlier.Sometimes new rallies start up, and there might be one conveniently close to you.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 04:41:07 pm
content: Missing Kempton at the moment. That was ten mins from me

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 04:42:18 pm
content: From East London, IMO Dunstable Downs is the only one worth going to

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 04:48:24 pm
content: Quote from: Zenith on August 22, 2022, 03:44:18 pmW-s-M, Chippenham, Newport: agreed. It will be Chippenham'ssecondhamfest this year, so not sure how many goodies will be available.Ask bd about Croydon.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 04:51:39 pm
content: Croydon sucks.I only go because I've got sod all else to do and it's only about 30 minutes away.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 05:13:10 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on August 22, 2022, 04:51:39 pmSo I've heard. But what about the nearby hamfest?Croydon wasn't bad the last time I went there, in the 60s and 70s.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 05:19:07 pm
content: Only bit of Croydon I have suffered through recently is ikea because they were the only store with the TV unit fronts I needed left. That sucked too. I also knew someone who loved it so much she moved to Peacehaven which is like an atomic wasteland.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 05:29:27 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on August 22, 2022, 05:19:07 pmI presume Peacehaven is a an up-market Torquay. Much like the place in "The Good Place" comedy, not least that you think it is a good place and you go there before you die.I have, IIRC, got a piece of Tek TE from between Torquay and Brixham; it didn't work.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 05:42:37 pm
content: Worse. Peacehaven is so nice it's trying to throw itself in the sea so no one else has to suffer it....

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 05:45:56 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on August 22, 2022, 05:19:07 pmBy coincidence when SWMBO and I went to Dungeness for a walk and then on to Brighton for a fish supper the other week we stopped off in Peacehaven for a piss break. Followed signs to the shopping centre and found a mini-mall that had obviously been built around a Co-Op supermarket as an "anchor store".The place was so deserted looking from the car park that we thought everything was shut and abandoned or we'd driven to the back of a disused 1970s community centre instead. The Co-Opwasopen, although you had to push the door to be certain because it was so empty and underlit. Every other store in the mini-mall was conspicuously abandoned. If they had tumbleweeds in South East England they would have been rolling aboutindoors.Edit: On reflection, Peacehaven is probably best described as "Suitable for people who find the racy pace and hustle of Bexhill a little too exciting for their tastes."

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 06:27:32 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on August 22, 2022, 04:48:24 pmChippenham's second Rally is cancelled isn't it?

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 06:43:21 pm
content: Quote from: Squarewave on August 22, 2022, 06:27:32 pmNot according to any of the lists I've seen. Of course, before going to a rally it's wise to make sure it's still on. There are a couple of phone numbers for booking tables and an email address, so closer the day, 19th November, it will be worth checking, unless the lists say it's cancelled.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 07:14:35 pm
content: At the bottom of the list on the rsgb website, the November rally is listed under cancelled events.

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 07:36:31 pm
content: Not according to the two browsers I've tried.As I say, it's worth checking before travelling."To reserve tables contact rally@chippenhamradio.club for more information."

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 07:57:09 pm
content: Quote from: Squarewave on August 22, 2022, 06:27:32 pmHorse's mouth...https://wiltshirespc.org/wp/g3vre/rally/Hopefully horse doesn't have a serpent's forked tongue.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 08:29:29 pm
content: That's interesting. Wonder where the rsgb got that from then. I may go in that case but it'll probably be very small if it's indoors at the same site?

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 08:38:00 pm
content: RSGB have a reputation of not being able to organise a piss up in a brewery. Took me a week for them to unfuck buying a book from them about 3 years ago.

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 08:48:02 pm
content: The pictures on the website tggzzz found look as if they were taken by an estate agent. "This rally in a bijou but deceptively spacious hall in a sought after location, is bound to attract a lot of interest among discerning clients".I suppose mid November isn't too late in the year for outside stalls, if the weather is kind.I assume it's on, but I'll check closer the day, and if so I'll go because it's an easy half hour drive.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 10:17:52 pm
content: Quote from: Zenith on August 22, 2022, 08:48:02 pmThere is, apparently, another indoor room available as well. I presume it will be smaller than the "cozy" main hall.Sun or fog would be OK outside; rain wouldn't. It rained at their event earlier in the year. I took some treasures, but didn't bother to open the car boot.I did find an ESI DekaPot there for £10, but otherwise it is merely bits and pieces.

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2022, 11:16:15 pm
content: If I lived in your part of the Bristol area I'd think the Chippenham November rally was a marginal one, certainly for what might be a wholly indoor event. For me it's a shortish run down the M4.Who knows what's going to turn up at these things? At the smaller ones there's less chance of coming across interesting junk people are trying to get rid of, but haven't the heart to take down the dump.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2022, 01:02:20 pm
content: Anyone going to St. Neots also?

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2022, 02:16:26 pm
content: I'd have to be convinced it was on a par with Newbury or better. It's a three hour drive for me. That's a 6am start.MK would have been on the limit.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2022, 03:02:57 pm
content: Yeah, a three hour drive isn't worth it at all really. I limit it to an hour, maybe a little more if there's other things in the area.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2022, 03:36:02 pm
content: I need to make sure my shopping list is up to date, I've a few projects and a rally is a good place to get some items.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2022, 03:20:31 pm
content: Was at the MK Rally today, was smallish, as it always has been, but picked up a few goodies.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2022, 12:13:47 pm
content: Just got back from the Huntingdon rally, a good turn out with a few goodies

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2022, 10:42:31 am
content: From the website, Telford looks like it might be good, but...It is a 2+2hr flog for me.I'm knackered.Rain is forecast.Doubtful I'll bother

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2022, 11:13:09 am
content: Yep, Telford is too far for me too really. Might, just might go to Andover tomorrow, still not sure yet, it's been a busy weekend so far and I'm quite tired. BBQ and too much drink already......

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2022, 12:06:21 pm
content: Anybody going to Hackgreen Hangar Sale in Cheshire tomorrow 30th?https://www.hackgreen.co.uk/events/hangar-sale-autumnAt least we get an extra hour in bed tonight.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2022, 06:56:11 pm
content: I went to the HackGreen hamfest today.Small, in an MoD "farm shed", the usual traders I see were absent (probably too far for them). Not much new stuff, lots of old stuff, so relatively interesting.I picked up three Philips ZM1050 decatron-like indicatorsand an APC UPS, shown with a working front panel .The adjacent "Secret Bunker" museum was well worth a visit. It would have been one of the regional centres of government if WW3 had started. Now it contains some interesting exhibits I haven't seen elsewhere e.g. Russian equipment, missile warheads and payloads and a WE177 400kt bomb. The WE177 and payloads were both surprisingly small, and I can see how the concept of a man-portable nuke-in-a-backpack is technically feasible.

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2022, 07:21:09 pm
content: Nice acquisition !I didn't know you could get them with numeric-shaped electrodes, mine are all just pins.I've only been to Hack Green once but it was a lot of fun - i stayed overnight in my tent and enjoyed a late night whisky-fueled chat. Don't know if they still do that but yeah, the site is interesting even though the rally is quite small.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2022, 10:23:38 pm
content: Hack Green is too far for me, but because of how far away it is, I use their web SDR for testing purposes.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2023, 08:46:29 am
content: Was at Newbury on Sunday, forgot to post here to see who'll be there. Was a good day, restraint in my buying things to hoard.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2023, 09:02:21 am
content: Quote from: Squarewave on June 28, 2023, 08:46:29 amNot so "good" on my part, nor on Zenith's. I gotanotherTek1502, this one working apart from the expected hazardous waste zone, a Tinsley galvanometer (bust), an HP5300A multimeter with the delightful dotted 7 segment displays (bust), a Tek 2465 operators manual which I'll keep, Sony/Tek 323 service manual which I'll flip.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2023, 10:26:24 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on June 28, 2023, 09:02:21 amThe only thing I bought was a power factor and wattage unit for the Avometer. I don't expect it'll work and will never probably use it either, but for the price I thought why not.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2025, 07:09:00 pm
content: McMichael today in Bracknell was good, the new venue was much better than the last place, was very well attended.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2025, 08:34:02 pm
content: Quote from: Squarewave on July 13, 2025, 07:09:00 pmExcept the field was dangerous to the extent that I pointedly asked a couple of officials how many knee and ankle injuries there had been. I've heard one person "went down", and I chatted with a wheelchair who was h aving severe problems with collapsed burrows and other ruts and holes.I wouldn't want to go back to that field until it had been made safer by ploughing it all up.Shame, because some of the stuff was more interesting than typical rallies.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2025, 10:15:18 pm
content: Yeah there were a few holes and bumps, I didn't think it was a terrible issue, but I guess you need a well flattened field for wheelchairs.There was some interesting gear, I didn't actually buy anything, I just fancied a morning out. I had my eye on one or two bits, but one of them I wouldn't have even been able to lift into the car as it was so heavy!

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 09:26:06 am
content: Wheelchairs aren't bad on most bits of grass, but they can't cope with random 9" diameter/deep holes, 6"*12"*9" ruts. It was probably a clay soil there, which would have added other "chasms" due to the dry weather.As for heavy equipment... Fortunately I've never been interested in military receiversBut I have been interested in metrology calibrators, and been put off by the weightOverall my house isfull. That means if I buy something I have to throw something else out, and I'm a hoarder by nature. The only benefit is that it means I don't spend much money on stuff

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 10:18:14 am
content: That's the stage I've got to, it's some kind of mental disorder I think, respectfully, as I have it too. Hoarding they call it. The problem is, in a spare bedroom which can no longer be used as a bedroom, it's full of stuff, some useful, some I'll never use. The garage has some stuff too, though not too bad but it's pretty full. I just need to actually be rational.Those stacks of signal generators, do I really need them?Those old Marconi spectrum analysers, do I really need them?The boxes full of 'just in case', well, do I really need them?I was very restrained yesterday, seeing the heavy receivers, there was a ground power supply for the 1155 which to be honest I could lift off the floor past a few inches, so I'd never have got it in the car.I got a stern look from my Mrs when I jokingly asked, 'can you help me with a heavy lift from the car?' She was releived when I said only kidding! As I didn't buy a thing.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 10:46:19 am
content: Quote from: Squarewave on July 14, 2025, 10:18:14 amYou have more discipline (internal and/or external!) than I have.I came away with a couple Muirhead and Cambridge Instruments inductors, one of thesehttps://www.eevblog.com/projects/ucurrent/and a strange Si5351 kit. Total spend ~£10, total volume less than a shoebox

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2025, 03:33:42 pm
content: Did anyone here get to the Chippenham Radio Rally?

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2025, 03:42:22 pm
content: Quote from: Squarewave on July 28, 2025, 03:33:42 pmA couple of us did; seehttps://teanonymous.com/f1/viewtopic.php?t=416Were you there?

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2025, 03:48:35 pm
content: No, I really wanted to go, so just thought I'd see what people were up to! My second daughter was born on the Friday, so it wouldn't have gone down very well me going to the rally! I really hope I can make the next one, I need to check the rally calendar.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2025, 03:54:20 pm
content: Second daughter? See you in 20 years (ifI'mlucky)Anyway, congrats: they are fun. I'll bet you'll have them climbing trees soon.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2025, 04:09:17 pm
content: Yeah they are fun, it's a busy mad house and we're running on very little sleepThis one sleeps better than the first one did!I'm powering through the day on strong coffee and not sitting down for too long whilst the Mrs catches up on sleep, so as we speak I'm doing the dinners for the rest of the house hold

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2025, 07:28:32 am
content: FRARS tomorrow anyone?Zenith and I expect to be there.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2025, 09:23:24 pm
content: Sorry, late back to the thread. I've not been able to make any more rallies since and I suspect the remaining this year I won't be able to get to, they just clash with everything else going on. Shame really but there you go, so I'm missing out a bit!

author: EC8010
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2025, 09:31:53 pm
content: I went to the McMichael rally this year at its new venue. My gripe would be that it was much harder to find (my satnag seemed to be almost as ignorant of geography around there as me). Yes, I found the holes in the field. I also found some die-cast boxes, some valves, and a few other odds and ends that all fitted in tank bag. Didn't make up for the (excellent) Newbury rally being cancelled this year, though. How does the Newark rally compare to Newbury? Does anyone know?

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2025, 10:16:07 pm
content: There are some opinions about various rallies athttps://teanonymous.com/f1/viewforum.php?f=10but finding recall an answer to that specific question.

author: factory
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 06:33:15 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on September 05, 2025, 10:16:07 pmQuote

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 06:43:29 pm
content: Quote from: factory on September 06, 2025, 06:33:15 pmApologies; I forget which bits are visible.But the atmosphere over there is more friendly than here

author: factory
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 06:54:52 pm
content: I'd have to agree with the second point (from what I've read as a guest), some of the threads on here are an agro filled mess.David

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 07:32:42 pm
content: Quote from: factory on September 06, 2025, 06:54:52 pmIt is becoming more like usenet, without the ability to remove posters from your sight.Still better than other forums.

author: EC8010
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2025, 09:43:10 am
content: I realise this is going to make me look an idiot, but when I went to Test Equipment Anonymous, I couldn't see how to register!

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2025, 09:54:23 am
content: Quote from: EC8010 on September 07, 2025, 09:43:10 amBollocks; itdoesn'tmake you look like an idiotIt was getting DDoSed by spambots trying to sign up.I will send you a PM