We’re one week away from the April 2017 Essex Skills Night, and over the next few days, I’ll be putting together the agenda for the evening.
As many of you will be aware, we ran an Essex Skills Night survey in March, which highlighted some interesting findings. One of the questions asked, was “what activities would you like to see at future events?”. Here’s a summary of some of the answers. Are you able to help with any of these?
Essex Skills Night Requests…
Here are some of the suggestions for topics & demos:
- Digital Voice: DMR, D-star, Fusion (plus the latest dongle/hot spot technology)
- We haven’t had a High Altitude Balloon or Drone table for a while
- More hands on demos for newcomers
- More people presenting different areas of the hobby.
- Might be nice to see a RAYNET display
- A DF hunt
- A “build it and prove it” session – several junk boxes with some transistors/crystals/Rs and Cs and copperclad or veroboard, maybe a meter, etc.
- More focus on “getting started” and encouraging those who have (or are in the process of) taking their Foundation/Intermediate regardless of club
- Introduction to digital modes
- An ATV demo
- I have never seen a RTTY demo, and I really want to understand this mode.
- Arduino/Raspberry Pi
- A niche interest is Microwaves
- Amateur Radio Direction Finding ARDF
- More guided activity tables and skill sharing for beginners please.
- I would like to see more of people’s construction projects. I know not very many people still do construction, but I do and I find it to be a very interesting aspect of the hobby. It would be nice to see what people are building if anything
- Some more advanced show and tell. I understand it’s targeted at M3/M6, but something for the ‘modern’ advanced licence would be welcome.
If you think you could contribute or help with any of the above topics, please let me know. The agenda and table layout is normally planned on Thursday, so please let me know by midday Thursday if you’d like a table or fancy helping out. (Contact Pete M0PSX)
Thanks to everyone who supports the Essex Skills Night, and hope to see you next Monday.
Any suggestions missed? Please add them below…
Pete M0PSX
What is the Essex Skills Night?
The Skills Night is an informal monthly get-together in central Essex, where anyone with an interest in radio can come along, try something new, share ideas, get help and advice, and socialise with others interested in the hobby.
Here are some of the pictures from the March 2017 event:
Skills Night Links:
- Essex Skills Night – Event information from Essex Ham
- Previous Skills Night Reports – Our reports on Skills Night Events
- skills”>Chelmsford ARS (CARS) Skills Night Page
- The Skills Night Formula – How to run your own Skills Night
I’m returning to the airwaves after a gap of 30 years, so I hope to get some advice on equipment for 2m and 70cm – as all my gear seems to be obsolete; at least for Transmit. Tips on best handheld, mobile, plus fixed and mobile antennas.
There’ll be several people there next Monday that will be able to help. Make yourself known when you sign in, and one of the team will be happy to point you in the right direction.
Thanks Pete.
Steve
Hello is there a chance of a copy of the survey questions you put out? I would like to try it here at our club in Palmerston North. Thanks Pete zl2aub/g3tuw
Hi there,
No problem. Here’s what we asked:
Roughly how many Essex Skills Nights have you attended? List (radio)
What is your nearest town? Short free text
Which clubs are you a member of? Multiple choice
How do you rate the Skills Night? List (radio)
What level of licence do you hold? List (radio)
Your Age (Optional) List (radio)
Have you helped out at a Skills Night in the last 6 months? Yes/No
Please indicate what you enjoy, and what you don’t enjoy, from the following list… Array
How do you like to stay up-to-date with upcoming Skills Night events and information? Multiple choice
What is missing from Skills, or what activities would you like to see? Long free text
Finally, if you have any comments, suggestions or other feedback, please add it below. You can add your name and/or callsign if you wish (optional) Feel free to let us know what you’d like to see at a Skills Night, what you’d like changed. Also, feel free to tell us what bands/modes you operate, so we can try to tailor activities more accurately. Long free text
Any help?
Pete
Thanks I will pass on to the committee hi 73 de Pete