Biography

Vin Robinson, G4JTR a retired hydrogeologist by profession, first licenced in 1971 as G8EZJ. I gained the Advanced Licence and G4JTR in May 1980 having passed the 12wpm Morse test in April 1980. I was Chairman of The Reading & District Amateur Radio Club, RADARC, www.radarc.org until December 2015, after 11 years in this post. On behalf of RADARC, I also hold the callsign M0AAA, the first ever M callsign issued to a UK Amateur Radio Station, on 1st April 1996. RADARC uses this as its main Club Callsign, usually as MX0AAA, and is used in contests and for special events. M0DHO is currently the QSL Manager for M0AAA.
I've been a member of the RSGB since 1970 and RADARC since 1969 and I am currently active on HF, particularly 5MHz, VHF (50, 70, &145MHz), and UHF on the 433MHZ band and the Echolink Node GB3BN 70cm repeater. Also more recently on C4FM using the Fusion/WiresX system and UHF DMR, using Talk Groups on GB7BK as the local DMR repeater.
I also use Winlink 2000 HF e-mail system using Winlink Express program and the ARDOP Protocol. (see www.winlink.org email g4jtr@winlink.org check the web site for first time contact protocol)
My HF antennas are "non-resonant" wire doublets or similar, fed with open wire feeders, tuned with a choice of auto ATUs & baluns. Current equipment includes an Elecraft K3S & P3 Panadaptor , Yaesu FT-847, Yaesu FTM-7250D 2m/70cmFM/C4FM radio and ex PMR equipment for 70MHz, 145MHz 433MHz etc. My location, just NW of Reading in Caversham Heights, in the South Chiltern Hills is excellent for VHF/UHF operation . I have high gain collinears for these bands and use mainly FM.
I have researched the history of RADARC which was started in 1934 by Gerry Marcuse, G2NM. I have also researched the history of VI's "Secret Listeners" associated with the Club in the years 1939 - 1946. Several became intercept operators at Hanslope Park during WW2, as part of the Radio Security Service. Documents as pdfs on RADARC history and associated VIs can be obtained by an e-mail to me.
I have written an article in the RSGB Journal, RadCom, August 2012, entitled "Analysis of Received RF Noise" This looks at the sources of natural and man made noise in the HF spectrum, the expected levels of noise field strength and signal strength in -dBm and uV into 50ohms in a specfied band width. It also looks at the accurate IARU S meter Calibration Standard (6dB/S point, S9 = 50uV) without which, "quoted" noise levels are meaningless. Unfortunately, most Japanese transceivers ignore the IARU standard. This article can also be obtained from me by an e-mail request to me.
You will see from my pictures, I am an enthusiastic user of Photo Voltaic (PV) solar power. The 3kW DC/AC inverter and all wiring emit no HF noise at all, so don't be put off using PV Solar. It can be noise free but you need to be selective in the equipment chosen.

Equipment

Current equipment includes:-
Elecraft K3S & P3 Panadaptor.
Yaesu FT-847.
Yaesu FTM-7250D 2m/70cmFM/C4FM digital radio.
Tytera hand held DMR radios, UHF & VHF.
Lots of ex PMR mobile equipment for 70MHz, 145MHz 433MHz etc.