Highlights of RSGB Convention 2011

NEW - Partners Programme

For those who are not so interested in the radio side of the weekend we have a full programme of events they can join. On Saturday the coach leaves for a visit to the National Trust Stowe Landscape Gardens, one of the most remarkable creations of Georgian England, created by a family once so powerful they were richer than the king. The day will conclude with some retail therapy in Milton Keynes.

NEW - Demonstration Station

Throughout the Convention a Yaesu demonstration station will be running. A Yaesu FT-DX5000 will be available for visitors to use, please bring your licence with you. There will be a 3 element beam for 20, 15 and 10m and a wire dipole for 160, 80 and 40m.

NEW – Manufacturers Displays

This year, all three main manufacturers will be represented with VHF and HF equipment on display. Icom, Kenwood & Yaseu will have their latest radios for visitors to check out. All three companies will have their representatives on hand to answer any questions.

Trade and Special Interest Groups

Martin Lynch & Sons will have a wide range of radios and accessories available in the Traders area throughout the three days of the Convention. There will also be displays from the UK Microwave Group, ARDF Committee, AMSAT, CDXC, ARRL and an RSGB bookstall.

Exams at the Convention

Both UK and US exams are available during the Convention weekend. Candidates for the Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced UK exams book their examinations prior to the event and must provide evidence they have completed the required practical assessments.

The US exams will be available at the Convention on Sunday 9th. You can try all three exams Technician – General – Extra. As with the UK licence scheme candidates need to start with the Technician and move through each level to get the top one Extra. The session will be classed as a Walk in session so that anyone can turn up and take the exams if they so wish no need to pre book. Candidates will need some form of ID, photo ID is preferred, a USA postal address for the FCC to send your licence, the exam fee, which this year would be the Sterling equivalent of $15 and a pen but they usually have some available if necessary. For the self-study needed prior to the exam, there are many books available from the RSGB or on the internet. The important one being the FCC part 97, which is the equivalent of our Terms and conditions. Well worth a read as there are many differences in the US regulations to our own. Many websites will give you practise papers with answers and in fact the whole of the examination question poll is available in the public domain and can be down loaded. The ARRL website is a good place to start www.arrl.org.uk, which will give you access to the question pool and the Part 97 to read/download on line. There are many others just place the question in your favourite search engine for a wealth of information.