"Seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times". The method of the best presentation of amateur radio to the lay public is well-known: demonstrate a radio amateur connection - or even better - let each visitor make his own! Realization of such a presentation is usually quite difficult. In addition to human potential, it is necessary to acquire (borrow) several devices. Then connect them, disconnect them, build antennas,...
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The origin of the idea
The idea to build a mobile radio station arose at the end of 1999 during a series of negotiations between the general manager of the RSGB (Radio Society of Great Britain) Peter Kirby G0TWW and the chief executive of the RA (Radiocommunications Agency) David Hendon. A few months later, the RA began to consider releasing one of the monitoring cars. The RSGB received the keys to a six-volt Mercedes with its own generator, pneumatic mast, and heating during a ceremony in Baldock in 2001. At that time, neither the RA nor the RSGB had any idea what kind of amateur radio fever they would start....
Design and equipment
Vzhľad vozidla však vyvolal vo vedení RSGB rozpaky: „Vyzerá ako voz na prepravu väzňov“. Skutočne. Anonymný skriňový Mercedes sa výzorom aj farbou podobal na takéto vozy. Vďaka ďalšiemu zo sponzorov (HSBC) sa voz prestriekal na bielo. Bob Ryan, grafik klubového časopisu RadCom, je autorom loga a textov. Rozmerný pneumatický stožiar musel však von aby sa získalo miesto. From generátora boli natiahnuté nové rozvody určite na viac ako tridsiatku zásuviek. Steny volali po osviežení, s čím pomohli samolepiace tapety.
However, the car itself does not mean anything. Another sponsor was the company Waters&Stanton, which not only offered the equipment, but also did its assembly. The soul of GB4FUN is a 400W KV station, small tranceivers from 6m to 70 cm and one KV receiver. On the roof, a 40m mobile whip, a multi-band vertical R-6000 on a 7.6m high Tennamast mast has perfectly settled in. Collinear and mobile antennas are available for 2m/70cm. Each device is screwed to the work surface for two reasons: so that it does not fall and so that no one can take it unnoticed. With a little experience, in thirty minutes the car is ready to receive the first people interested in the "secret of the ether".
First presentation of GB4FUN to the public
On the first outings, the most important thing was to test everything in order to reveal hidden bugs. For the first time, GB4FUN was introduced to the public at Bedford Steam&Country. Then the journey took GB4FUN to a meeting in Leicester. The excellent location right at the entrance and the signs "RSGB" and "GB for fun" attracted many RadCom readers. Great interest from passers-by proved that a good thing was done.
Minor bugs and improvement plans
Although the car was in relatively good condition, we had two more serious breakdowns. After returning from Leicester, the unused compressor broke down. In short, it could not be turned off. The plan was a presentation at the open day of Waters&Stanton. In the end, we completely dismantled the compressor and managed to do everything. However, it turned out that there is always room for improvement. Stairs are easy for adults - but not for small children and wheelchair users. This will require improvement.
The dream is also to equip GB4FUN with other devices such as a computer, tape recorder, micro soldering iron and many other small things. AMSAT-UK would like to extend the presentation with connections via AO-40….
GB4FUN brings amateur radio closer to the public
GB4FUN works according to two scenarios. The first one is intended for schools: come early in the morning, briefly talk about amateur radio in the classrooms, and then take the students to the car in small groups. The second is intended for public demonstrations during various technology anniversaries, aviation days, etc. In that case, visitors enter the interior smoothly according to the car's capabilities. At the beginning, the lecturer shows them posters and talks about radio amateurs, then they proceed to the next one, which directly demonstrates the work on amateur bands.
It doesn't matter what action it is. The main goal is to bring amateur radio closer to the widest possible public. RSGB members working in education or youth organizations show interest in the presentation. A visit to GB4FUN can be arranged in advance.
Even though most of it is behind us, it's not over yet. RSGB invites potential contributors - either anonymous or non-anonymous. Their list will be published in RadCom and on the RSGB website. With your help, it will be possible to fulfill the goal we set ourselves for a decade: to be active in the search for new, especially young, radio amateurs.