Getting into running and need some motivation, any constructive help is most welcome. I will run, I am a runner!

Am working on a positive approach to motivating myself to run. Relying on being chased by a pack of wild dogs in order to run isn’t a great plan long term, so I’ve got to face up to getting motivated to get out and run.

I’ve struggled to manage a run even on the nicest of days when I have nothing else to do. So when the weather is cold and damp it’s difficult to get out of bed in a morning and actually go for a run. I have the luxury of also owning a treadmill at home and paying for a gym membership, yet still I’ve struggled to get going.

I looked at the options available to me for the times when I can run.

Early morning before work

I normally wake up early anyway so I’d have expected mornings to be easy to deal with.

Evenings after work

After a day at work then the walk home there just doesn’t seem time to fit in a run, evening meal and relaxing.

Weekends

Weekends are only part of the week, I need to run at the same time on a weekend as I do in the week.

Conclusion

For me an early morning works, I normally wake on or before my alarm clock so that makes getting out of bed that bit easier. Actually doing the run takes a bit more effort. The decision, do I train at the gym, run on the road or just jump on the treadmill here at home? The deciding factor here is the weather… but then running in the rain is nice (strong wind and ice however is not!).

I think every runner is different, we have different reasons for running, some people are morning people other are not (like an angry bear). The best advice I’ve received so far is that is just one run, that’s it, you nearly always feel good afterwards and it’s getting you fit. Adding that into any internal conversation when trying to motivate myself to run will normally swing it in favour of a run.

A tip, if your really really really don’t feel like training then don’t! Listen to your body, sometimes it just needs a break!

My own motivation “I will run, I am a runner!”

If you’ve read this and have any comments or suggestions please get in touch, or leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you. Stewart

Antenna Workshop

I joined Bolton Wireless Club, “a forward-thinking group, with members ranging from G2 to M6 licensees and SWLs, the perfect place to nurture your enthusiasm for all aspects of this fascinating hobby.” As well as having biweekly meetings with regular guest speakers, BWC also runs a range of Wednesday workshops covering all aspects of amateur radio such as; Doppler DF project, Digital-ATV techniques, Amateur television on the microwave bands, Software-defined radio, Build your own VHF antennas to name but a few. You can find out more on the Bolton Wireless Club website.

Passed the Foundation Licence Exam

"Stewart, Gregg, Bob, David, plus tutors Glenn, G6HFF, Ian, G0CTO and chairman Mick, M0ICK" from RADCOM Newsletter Aug 2011

Following a BWC course run by Glenn and Ian, which involved mainly classroom sessions plus a practical assessment where we made contact with other radio amateurs (whilst using the club callsign under supervision). I sat the foundation level exam this was 45 multiple choice questions.

Chosen Foundation Callsigns:

• Stewart Culshaw M6CRC
• Gregg Nolan M6GMN
• Bob Walsh M6AVX
• David Aldred M6KFC

Passed the Intermediate Licence Exam

"Left to right you can see Phil, 2E0UDX, Bob, 2E0RSA, Stewart, 2E0SCU, Geoff, 2E0CHY and David, 2E0LCA, tutors Ian, G0CTO & Glenn, G6HFF are also pictured" from RADCOM Newsletter Dec 2011

Following on from passing the Foundation exam I immediately enrolled onto the Intermediate course. This is a more technical course that also requires you to assemble a “radio related kit”

Chosen Intermediate Callsigns:

• Phil Humphries 2E0UDX
• Bob Walsh 2E0RSA
• Stewart Culshaw 2E0SCU
• Geoff Lyon 2E0CHY
• David Aldred 2E0LCA

The next step…

Learn and pass the advanced licence. I’ve enrolled on the Bath-Based Distance Learning Course led by Steve Hartley, G0FUW. I’ll be back in here to comment when the course starts in a couple of weeks.

Useful Resources

• Bolton Wireless Club (http://www.boltonwireless.org.uk)
• Southgate Amateur Radio Club (http://www.southgatearc.org/news…distance_learning_for_advanced_exam.htm)
• RSGB_Newsletter_December_2011
• RSGB_Newsletter_August_2011

Multi-band (HF+6m+2m+70cm) mobile transceiver

The IC-706MKIIG HF/VHF/UHF mobile transceiver takes radio technology a step further by incorporating an expanded frequency range which now includes 430MHz. This provides access to the 70cm band in addition to HF, 6m and 2m bands. The operating possibilities are therefore much wider for local or DX operation whether as a base station, mobile transceiver, or in the field using only one rig.

Specification:

• 107 memory channels with alphanumeric name capability.
• Up to 3 selectable passband widths
• Built in electronic keyer
• CW reverse function
• Adjustable CW pitch
• Continuous adjustable RF output
• VOX
• AF speech compressor
• RF gain control
• Adjustable SSB carrier point
• 4 scan types
• Noise blanker
• Receiver protection circuit
• RIT
• Selectable AGC time constant
• Optional voice synthesiser
• CI-V capabilityDigital, multi-function S/RF meter
• 167 (w) x 58(H) x 200 (D) mm
• 2.45 kg

The IC-706MKIIG makes the use of power MOS-FETs in all PA sections, resulting in a considerable increase in the level of output power. The 2m band has been increased to 50W, with 20W on 70cm and 100W for the HF and 6m bands. A tone squelch system has also been built in as standard, with an added tone scan function in order to find a repeater’s tone frequency simply and quickly.

The IC-706MKIIG is very well designed. The compact body now has a carrying handle and the detachable front panel features many illuminated keys for operation in low light conditions. Developed for simple operation, the radio features an individual band change key and a sub dial to facilitate mobile and memory operation which when combined with 107 memory channels, proves extremely user-friendly. A user-programmable automatic repeater function has also been installed, and repeater frequencies can be programmed by the customer via a special operation eliminating the need for repeater settings for 6m, 2m or 70cm repeater operation.

Other outstanding characteristics include an IF shift to reduce adjacent frequency interference, dedicated socket for 9.6kbs data, narrow-FM capability (including the 2m band), and a wide range of options including DSP capabilities, three step-selectable passband widths and several automatic antenna tuners.

Show Kefalonia on a map

We stayed about 5km from the Airport in Lassi, at the Dionysos Village Resort (website). If you’re here cause you were searching for information about the resort, I’ll guess you’re read that it’s on a hill… Yes it’s up a hill, a bit of a walk, but if your able to walk, then you can manage to walk off your evening meal (recommendations below) on you way back ‘home’, if you cant manage the walk, shop at the ‘Supermarket Lassi’ opposite the end of the road, ask them for a lift.Alternative is the ‘hovering’ taxi that seems to always be around waiting to ferry you up the hill. There is an advantage to being on a hill…. the view…

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Lassi

Lassi in September is quite quiet, pretty much a single strip with a few bars and a good selection of restaurants. You’ll also find car hire, jewellery, souvenirs, a couple of ‘supermarkets’ (local) plus agents where you can book day tours.

Lassi is in a great location close to the airport (6km so no problems from plane noise). You can pickup a taxi from outside the doors of the airport. Car hire is also available from the airport, we hired a Nissan Micra from Avis, picked up and dropped off at the airport. This made our week in Greece. Public transport isn’t that accessible, we tried to make sense of the timetables before we visited but the local bus times seem to favour people visiting Argostoli(2km away) for the day from other places on the island. This means you can get busses to places, so long as you don’t want to get back on the same day!

Food in Lassi

Lamb Kleftico at Phaedra

You’ll find a good selection of restaurants on the main strip in Lassi, you could pick a new place each night if you wanted to. A favourite place to eat in Lassi is Phaedra. you get a personal welcome from the owner upon arrival, friendly service and great food. The lamb kleftico is fantastic.

Sirtaki make a really tasty pizza, great for a cheaper meal when the holiday spending money is running low. We ate at Zorbas but on a quiet night so didn’t get to experience the famous dancing that we’d seen when walking past on other nights.

The food across Kefalonia was brilliant, fresh, tasty and decent portions. Even a ‘basic’ Greek salad is a must.

Beaches

Theres a good selection of sandy beaches all within a short walk. A lazy afternoon on the Platis Yialos beach watching the locals play volleyball and a really noisy version of tennis with solid bats. Kalamia Beach is the most northerly beach, there’s a small bar and sun beds, the water is shallow and great for swimming and snorkelling.

Places we visited while in Kefalonia

• Argostoli
• Asos
• Fiscardo
• Myrtos Beach
• Antisamos Beach
• Ithaca (Vathy, Kioni)

I’m going add more, plus hopefully post a blog entry for each one of these, please be patient

Views

Up to now my video has been viewed 48,810 times. Hopefully it’ll soon get up to 50,000 views

The Video

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

p.s. I make no attempt to say I’m a good guitarist, I enjoy playing and need to practice a LOT more to improve.

Thanks for dropping in to my site. I’d better get started on some posts

Catch ya soon,
Stewart.