The Pune Hams VU2RCP Monthly Eyeball QSO Meet was held on Sunday, 8th February 2026.
The meeting began at 10:30 AM and was attended by more than 30 Hams and SWLs.
Mini Field Day at ARAI Hill
A group of Pune Hams VU2RCP visited ARAI Hill around 7:30 AM for a mini Field Day. They set up a portable QRP amateur radio station and made contacts from the hilltop under the leadership of OM Kunal (VU3YEK).
- It was an exciting event for SWLs.
- Due to short skip conditions, they managed a QSO with Manju (VU2SMS) in Belgaum but could not contact local hams.
- The team was QRV on VHF and UHF until 9:30 AM, after which they joined the networking session at Padmashree (Club premises) over High Tea, sponsored by OM Omkar Kelkar (VU32OK).
Technical Talk – Radio Astronomy
SWL Sougata Chatterjee from the Radio Physics Lab, NCRA, delivered a talk on Radio Astronomy Receiving Systems – Past & Future.
- Radio astronomy systems have evolved from simple backyard antennas into massive, automated, computer-driven interferometric arrays.
- The future lies in software-defined, electronically steered receivers capable of handling unprecedented amounts of data to survey the universe.
His presentation (PPT) is enclosed for more details.
Announcements
- Radio Day Celebrations – IAT Pune, Friday, 23rd February 2026 at 3:30 PM
- National Science Day – GMRT Khodad, 28th Feb & 1st March 2026
- Mumbai Ham Eyeball Meet – Sunday, 15th March 2026
Visit: www.vu2rcp.in
Highlights
- This Eyeball Meet was open to all Hams and SWLs.
- Visiting Ham OM Jayesh (VU2IVV) was warmly welcomed.
- Daily networking continues on the VU2DYQ UHF Repeater at 9:15 PM, connected to Echolink and Wire-X.
- OM Aniruddha (VU3FML) and Prateek (VU22PJ) explained how the UHF repeater is integrated with Echolink and Wire-X.
VU2DYQ UHF Repeater Details:
- Rx: 434.100 MHz
- Tx: 435.700 MHz
Upcoming Events
- ASOC Exam – Ajeenkya DY Patil University (VU2DYP), Friday, 13th February 2026. More than 40 students and faculty will appear.
- Next Eyeball QSO Meet – Sunday, 8th March 2026 at 10:30 AM.
73’s,
Vilas Rabde Pune Hams VU2RCP 9822502078