The club was delighted to welcome so many visitors to our recent rally! A special thanks to the traders who helped to make the day such a success.

We’re looking forward to our next rally which will be held on 16th May 2026.

We’re looking forward to seeing traders and visitors at our rally in a few days time at Beckingham Village Hall, Beckingham, near Gainsborough!

The following exhibitors (listed in alphabetical order) have indicated in advance that they will be present:

• Alan Clegg
• Chris and Kim Woodward
• Dave Longstaff
• Ian Whittaker
• ITregeneration
• Ludatronics
• MA Components
• Mickey’s Electronics
• Peter Johnson
• Phil Johnson
• Richard Crossley
• Len Thompson
• TK Electronics

There will also be an RSGB stand, manned by Bob Hambly, RR13, and a Lincolnshire RAYNET stand.

We know from experience that others will appear on the day, and have made appropriate arrangements to accommodate them!

Although this is first and foremost a radio and electronics event, don’t forget that it is possible to camp on site the night before the rally, should you be making a long journey to reach us, as some club members intend to camp on site overnight.

Members of the group have interests beyond amateur radio, one of these being the amazing electro-mechanical Alexanderson transmitter SAQ, located at Grimeton near Varberg in Sweden. Maintained and operated occasionally by members of the Alexander Association, the transmitter made 2 scheduled Morse code transmissions on 2nd July, celebrating 100 years exactly since its inauguration by the then King of Sweden, Gustav V.

SAQ is very easy to receive here with a simple E-field probe connected directly to an audio pre-amp, whose output is then connected to a PC external soundcard, with the digital signal then being processed by the very capable software program SAQrx, written by Johan Bodin, SM6LKM. You can see pictures of the antenna (concept by Ann, G1PRM using “junk box” items; expert carpentry and assembly by Phil, G8KLC) and a screenshot from SAQrx during the SAQ transmission in our gallery.

The 460 Squadron RAAF Website describes events at Binbrook following VJ day as follows:

“Most of you would be aware that following the end of hostilities in Europe, the Squadron moved on the East Kirkby for “Tiger Force” training. Perhaps what we did not know was that 12 Squadron moved to Binbrook in September 1945 (from RAF Station Wickenby),

The Editor of the Wickenby Register Newsletter had the following to say about the transfer:

Binbrook - 1945

After saying appropriate good-byes to Wickenby we flew in formation to Binbrook on a beautiful September day - a shakedown trip for the new No. 12 Squadron on its first post war peacetime stint, Nine Lancs, a new C/O. (Wing. Cdr. Stafford Pollein Coulson, DSO, DFC) and a new Flight Commander (Sqdn. Ldr. ‘Paddy’ Flynn).

The Station was deserted and empty except for an enormous amount of junk left behind by No. 460 Squadron - bikes by the dozen, old cars on every corner. Dustbins full of uniforms and silent radios on every shelf and window ledge. Needless to say, quite a lot of it was successfully salvaged. But there was something else.

Not exactly a ghostly feeling but certainly a noticeable tension, as if the operational tradition of the place, established with such valour and at such cost by the Australians, was tangibly at odds with we ‘invaders’.

In due course we explored this grand and lordly place. Behind the Mess (and built onto it with considerable skill) was the ‘Village Inn’. The interior of this ‘encroachment’, as the Clerk of Works called it, was beautifully done out in brickwork and old oak timbers with oak furniture to suit. It had a magnificent oak bar opposite which was a fireplace fit to grade any Tudor mansion. Poignant to recall now, in pride of place in the corner of the bar stood a splendid oak chair into the back of which was carved the name of Group Captain Hughie Edwards, V.C.

In the Control Tower the Aussies had left another legacy. The walls of the Flying Control room had been done out in a pale blue colour. The rear and side walls bore a frieze of roman lettering about eight inches high in gold - again expertly done.”

The third management meeting was held on the 29th May at the Faun Cafe and was attended by the complete committee, after completing the standard agenda,(Present, Apologies for absence, Minutes, and matters arising) the committee went into a long and detailed discussion concerning the up and coming East Midlands Ham and Electronics Rally

The Key point were:

• The club accounts, Although the Rally made a small profit the overall account will have dipped due to the purchase of a tent and improved hold down accessorises. (WM Note was very usfull for VE day and as extra cover for the rallies).
• Feed back from the last rally regarding disabled access and parking.
• Power wiring into the tent was discussed and a better route to be investigated.
• Parking of Caravans and RV, discussed with a solution agreed on.
• Bar pricing agreed on after some detailed discussion.
• Catering portions size and quality arrangements discussed.
• Improved external signs and produce more on-site signage regarding disable parking and general car parking.
• Date for the next rally set 20th September 2025.

Other business

• The meeting agreed that the group should run a regular radio net on 144.600 at 19:30 on Mondays.
• Operation of a Special Event Station during June was agreed in principal.
• Helping at the National Hamfest this year showed no great interest.

So a very busy meeting. Full minutes have been distributed to all EMERG members.