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# format auto-updated on access: Mon 27-Nov-2017 11:28:28 +01:00 CREG Journal 95 (0-24) This issue has a cover date of September 2016 and was published on 20 September 2016. Front Cover (1) Pete Allwright discusses features of the Nicola 3 radio with delegates during the EuroSpeleo 2016 cave electronics demonstration field trip. Photo: Mike Bedford. Contents (2) List of contents and masthead information. The Importance of Good Ground Connection in Cave Radio (3-4) Mike Bedford provides a timely reminder of the importance of using low-resistance ground connections with cave radio grounded wire antennas, paying particular attention to improving the performance of electrodes by soil conditioning. Wet & Dry (5) Ruggedisation, waterproofing & constructional techniques – a roundup by Tony Haigh. Design specifications for underground electronic devices. Utilising the relevant available standards. A Battery Power Switch for a Bosch UNEO Drill (6-8) Adam Pyka describes repairs and modifications to a Bosch UNEO drill that give it the ability to automatically switch to an external power source for sustained use. The use of an LTC4412 power path controller preserves the ability to operate from internal batteries for light use. Web Watch (8) Peter Ludwig has been scanning the internet. Here he presents some choice snippets ranging from photography via batteries to diving. We Hear... (9) News and events – Mike Bedford brings us the latest to impact the world of cave radio and electronics. Glue to Replace Solder?, The Promise of Neutrinos, Cave Radio in Space?, Red Pitaya, Amateur Operation at ULF. Cave and Mine Rescue Communications – the Early Days (10-11) Widespread appreciation of communications technology for cave rescue dates back only to the Molefone of the 1970s. As John Rabson reports, though, research into radio for mines rescue dates back to the 1920s and electronic communications in cave rescue has an equally long heritage. HF Dipole and Loop Antenna Orientation Trials (12-13) A further brief opportunity to look at optimum 7MHz antenna orientation gave some interesting results and also resulted in two-way communication between the underground station using a loop antenna and a surface station approximately 2km distant. The findings of this trial will inform more detailed tests to be conducted in the near future. Rob Gill reports. Diesel Cave Pollution Data Logging (14-16) Stuart France, the Cambrian Caving Council's Conservation & Access Officer since 2014, has been data logging hydrocarbon fume levels in a cave. This follows a series of pollution incidents spanning more than eight years at a remote site in the hills of South Wales. An appraisal of all the evidence, including Winter 2015 cave gas data, now points to these being deliberate nature crimes. Letters and Notes (16) Diary Dates, Autumn Field Meeting, Thanks, Cave Link at EuroSpeleo, References. Nicola 3: Introducing a New Rescue Cave Radio (17-19) Nicola 3, the much-anticipated cave radio for rescue purposes, has been launched. Graham Naylor and Pete Allwright, with contributions from Bill Whitehouse, introduce this new design, looking at its heritage, the features on offer and its possible future enhancements. Bat Detector Technology Review (20) Different approaches are available to make the ultrasonic calls of bats audible to the human ear. Rob Gill reviews a simple heterodyne detector, available as an electronic home-construction kit. EuroSpeleo 2016 (21-24) EuroSpeleo, Europe's fifth caving congress, came to the UK this year. The Editorial Team reviews this week-long event with particular reference to those presentations and field trips with specific technical content. The Adventures of GREG (24) Illustrations by Adrian Higgins with words by Mike Bedford.