The Bromley and District Amateur Radio Society


by Richard G8ITB

RSGB HF & IOTA Convention 2007

This years’ Radio Society of Great Britain’s HF & IOTA Convention was held at Wyboston Lakes convention centre near St. Neots. It is an easy venue to get to being just off the A1. It certainly was a luxurious place to hold this prestigious event. Held over the weekend of the 12th to the 14th October 2007 it was the scene for many old friendships to be cemented in the flesh – or in the Bar – and new ones made!

Wyboston Lakes is a commercial convention and conference centre, boasting all the requirements needed for any company or organisation to engage in training or using the modern euphemism “team building”. Not only are there a large number of fully equipped conference rooms and communal relaxation areas but, there is a health centre and a full size golf course! The Restaurant and Bar areas both served excellent food and liquid refreshment, and the bedrooms were quite luxurious and spacious.

One side of this event is dedicated to various forums and lectures on subjects concerned with HF and IOTA operating. These ranged from reports and video films on DXpeditions launched during the past year; from such grand affairs as The Scarborough Reef DXpedition to more modest – though just as worthwhile, and probably as dangerous – events as an IOTA DXpedition to a rather small island off the North West coast of Scotland which seemed to be inhabited only by “feral sheep”. These lectures and forums were presented by the actual adventurers themselves and certainly made for interesting listening. But this is the ‘top’ end of the spectrum; the newcomer to HF operating and contesting was not ignored – there were lectures on ‘HF Operating for Newcomers’ and ‘Contesting for Novices’ and certainly there was advice for all levels of proficiency; not only from experts in the UK but from France, Norway, Croatia, Germany, the USA and Japan.

A very welcome offshoot is the fact that the UK Amateur Radio Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced Examinations were available during the weekend. With such notables as Brian Reay and Alan Betts being on hand it was only logical that such a facility existed. However, Paul Steed should not be forgotten. (Who?) Paul is an accredited Volunteer Examiner for the US FCC Amateur Radio Examinations - at all levels! With two other VE’s (As the Americans call them) he ran authorised FCC examinations during the convention. (I took the next level and passed; just waiting for my new US 9th district call sign from the FCC) The ability to take UK and/or US examinations and receive a result – except for the UK Advanced Examination – on the same day is a bonus for many Radio Amateurs, especially as there are only two VE teams in the UK.

But for many attendees the presentation of the various awards; both HF and VHF, is the main attraction of the weekend – it certainly makes for the single most attended part of the convention (Outside of the Bar and Restaurant during the evenings!) Many clubs and groups, large and small, have made tremendous efforts during the year in both HF and VHF competitions and entered the IOTA competition from remote places. These efforts did not go either unrecognised or unrewarded. There was certainly some “silverware” handed out.
The Society was represented by Alan Betts, Alan Messenger and Richard Perzyna (The 2 Alan's, shown in the picture above).

All in all this was an excellent weekend away – less than 90 miles from the Dartford Tunnel – with great company, excellent accommodation, marvellous food and drink and the ability to learn a bit about other parts of the hobby. I’m glad I went and I certainly intend to go next year – especially if the same location is chosen for the event. I can recommend it for one and all!