The James Clerk Maxwell Radio Society

06/09/2026

Are you aware of the GB0PSC Baldock space weather station?
The RSGB Propagation Studies Committee recently installed a HamSCI HFRx at Ofcom’s spectrum monitoring site at Baldock. The station is part of HF propagation studies that will allow the Committee to learn more about and its effects including radio blackouts, Doppler flashes and travelling ionospheric disturbances.

Find out how the Committee is progressing with its studies by joining Gwyn Griffiths, G3ZIL on Saturday 10 October at the . Secure your place via rsgb.org/convention

06/09/2026

06/09/2026

Hi All

Our meeting on Saturday was somewhat depleted but enjoyed by those that attended. Unfortunately the meeting clashed with a RAYNET event. Six attendees and five apologies. It would be nice to also see some of the others to which this email is circulated.

We discussed some of the proposals about developments at Parton Church see also attached link

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/savepartonkirk?utm_source=chatgpt.com

We had a discussion re amateur radio topics and realised that there are a few topics that need discussing for newly licensed and those returning to the hobby after a few years break. Discussion was also had about future topics for meetings and there were some offers. Offers and suggestions should be forwarded to Clive or Ralph. A short presentation was given by Clive about the Burma Railway and the Bridge over the River Kwai.

We had an enjoyable meeting. Our next meeting should be an operating session so for those that want to learn about operation make sure you attend.

73s Clive GM4FZH

Iʼm raising money to Save Parton Kirk. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.

03/09/2026

Hi all we need to spread this link far and wide.

LET THE LEGACY LIVE ON!
Please share in our passion for James Clerk Maxwell and Parton Kirk

Parton Kirk, burial place of the world-famous physicist James Clerk Maxwell is being sold by the Church of Scotland.

We, (the community of Parton), have been offered exclusive right to buy the Kirk with the idea of developing a James Clerk Maxwell Science and Community Centre to celebrate the life and work of this great mind, a scientist who laid the foundations of our modern society, yet remains relatively unknown outside the world of science and engineering.

In 2023 we carried out feasibility studies that will form the foundation of our plans (see link at Glenkens Hub - Parton Kirk Reports).

BUT we only have until 1st November 2026 to raise the money necessary to secure the building and take the next step towards realising the vision.

We need to raise a minimum of £70,000 to secure the building for the community while develop our plans. This figure is made up as follows:

- £50,000 Purchase Price

- £20,000 Immediate costs to insure and secure the building in a wind and watertight condition while we move to the next phase.

Clerk Maxwell is known as the ‘Father of Modern Science’ and his classical theory of electromagnetic radiation, (the first theory to describe electricity, magnetism and light as different manifestations of the same phenomenon), is the basis of all our modern communication.

This places him between Newton and Einstein in the chronology of scientific discovery that shapes our understanding of the physical world, and yet he still remains relatively unknown in his own country!

Please will you help Parton secure the Kirk for our community, and to celebrate the life and achievements of this giant of science?

Thank you!

Parton Community Council

Iʼm raising money to Save Parton Kirk. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.

30/08/2026

Hi All
Our next meeting is ......

Saturday 5th September 2026 from 11:00 to 15:00

**** PLEASE do your best to attend this meeting, your support is needed ****

The meeting is at Springholm Memorial Hall which is situated in Springholm on the A75 where the road for Kirkpatrick Durham turns off. Postcode is DG7 3LP. Beware of 20mph speed restriction through village.

Unfortunately Ralph has a just been given a hospital appointment in Glasgow on the same date as our next meet so his talk will have to be postponed.
Anyone willing to provide a short talk or entertain us for an hour? Any questions on what does what or how to do this. However, we do need to discuss a programme for next year, so please come along with ideas.

It is unlikely that tea, coffee, milk and sugar will be available as Ralph normally brings the ingredients.. Please bring your own lunch.

Forthcoming Events

Hopefully you have all received the email about the proposed good news for the future of Parton Church. How can we help?

5th September: Discussion on programme for 2027

Ad hoc entertainment

3rd October: Radio operating session.

7th November: A Journey into Cyberspace, Richard Meal GM3RIG

5th December: Christmas Event, Quiz etc

2027

2nd January: Suggest no meeting.

6th February: Possible Ralph's talk.

6th March:

3rd April:

********************************************************

We still need some suggestions for indoor meets. Maybe two or three short topics per meeting is an option. Do you have a topic you would like to hear about? Maybe we can find a speaker or video. If you would like help in preparing a talk please ask.

As the talks and discussions do not occupy the whole meet time, please feel free to organise a radio operating session for part of the time and / or bring equipment along to demonstrate or discuss.

You are welcome to join a VHF net on GB3DG every Thursday at 19:15hrs (local). This is for all radio amateurs, so please join us if you can. This will also go out on Cumbria CQ.

However, we should not forget that HF bands are still available to us and we welcome any activity whatever mode is chosen.

73s Clive GM4FZH and Ralph 2M0RHT

29/08/2026

Hi all,

I attended a meeting on Friday 28th August at Parton Kirk, hosted by members of the Parton Community Council. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the proposed purchase of the Kirk and to vote on whether to proceed with the initial plans.

The vision is to create the James Clerk Maxwell Science and Technology Centre, alongside a community hub that will provide facilities and opportunities for the benefit of both the local and wider community.

A vote was taken, and it was agreed to move forward with the initial plan to purchase the property.

The first stage of the fundraising will require £50,000, which will be funded in part through contributions from local businesses and residents, alongside a crowdfunding campaign.

On behalf of our group, I have offered whatever support we are able to give, and we will actively participate in any fundraising events they organise.

As soon as I have the crowdfunding page link, I will post it here. I hope all our followers will get behind this fantastic project, share the link far and wide, and help us raise the funds needed to make this vision a reality.

Let’s make it happen, folks! 🙌

Cheers Richard MM1BHO

22/08/2026

22/08/2026

📣We've just released the full draft programme for our Convention! Which presentations are your must-sees?
Newly announced are:
▶️John Carter, N6YU – The spec is the new schematic: Reproducible station software with spec-driven development
▶️Paul Marks, G8FVK – A modular approach to construction
▶️Dr Tom Cheetham – The Fox shall not escape: The RSGB and signals interception during WWII
▶️Matthew Phillips, G6WPJ – FreeDV RADE - the HF voice revolution
Join us 9-11 October at Kents Hill Park Conference Centre in Milton Keynes. View the programme and buy your ticket at rsgb.org/convention

22/08/2026

Larry, AD6W — High school, 1967. ARC W6HKV, a dozen members, and we had a great time. Charlie, WB6GJG, was the trustee. Me, WB6YMO, in front; Bob, WB6PPT, and Rick, WB6WKR, in the back. Galaxy V, GSB-100, HQ-180, rack-mounted KW, tower, and antennas donated by the widow of Harold Strand, the original W6HKV, SK in 1965.