Broadcast - 6 June
We begin this week with a report on how things went last Saturday at Wattlewood Park, Sassafras, in regards to the Equine Endurance event, so it is over to Norm VK7KTN, NTARC’s Safety Comms Coordinator.
“This is our second ride held at Wattlewood Park, Sassafras, recognisable by the tractor on the pole. The Perry property was the site of past tractor-pulls, vintage machinery rallies, military vehicle outings and a miniature railway track.
The advance party arrived Friday morning and set up the Communication trailer next to the only permanent structure, a big green shed. Again there was no mains power infrastructure, so the trailer ran on the 12V battery system, recharged by our trusty Honda generator.
There were 3 rides held, an 80km event which started at 07:00 hours with 32 riders, a 40Km event followed at 07:30 hours with 22 riders and finally a 20Km event starting at civilised 09:00 hours with 6 riders.
Saturday was a cold start, minus 2 degrees. When we arrived, the canteen was in darkness, the volunteers initially being unable to start the generator.
Stefan was on the first checkpoint and had to head out without any breakfast. After testing his equipment Roger VK7ARN headed out to his checkpoint. Idris and Bernie VK7BR were on a checkpoint on the leg 2 of the 80 km ride. They weren't needed for a while and took pity on Stefan so they did an “Uber eats” breakfast delivery to him which was much appreciated.
After all the 20 Km riders had passed by Stefan, he relocated to Roger’s checkpoint. This allowed Roger to concentrate on his photography. Roger was well organized with a 2nd camera on a tripod which was remotely controlled from the communication table.
The last pair of rider finished the day at 16:02 hours and as it was approaching sunset, we decided to collect the trailer and repeaters on Sunday.
My thanks to: checkpoint crews Idris VK7ZIR, Bernie VK7BR, Roger VK7ARN and Stefan VK7ZSB. At base, André VK7ZAB and Lorraine with software support from Peter VK7SP in far-off Switzerland. Also thanks to the Perry family for their hospitality.
The next endurance commitment is 28th of August at Santarena Park, Scottsdale.
Cheers, Norm Thorley VK7KTN, NTARC Safety Comms Coordinator”
We follow up on this event with a an update from Idris VK7ZIR on the happenings of last Wednesday Tech Night at the club rooms; “Once again we arrived at the Clubrooms to find Peter VK7KPC already hard at work in the Radio Shack, copying Morse code from Nic VK7WW’s Slow Morse School. He had set the wood heater going and fired up the urns ready for the evening, so we quietly left him to his code practice. Good work Peter.
As people were coming in from the cold, the usual practice was a quick warm up by the heater, then start a discussion or head off to the big hall for another shopping expedition. I must say that things are looking rather sparse down there, which is very good as it means that items are being reused rather than going to e-waste or landfill.
Peter reappeared after completing his Morseing, and showed us an antenna from his military communications collection. This is a VHF Army Field Antenna, meant to be mounted on a telescopic mast at a radio field unit. Peter intends to use it with his Larkspur transceiver set, having added a non-military steel bracket enabling it to be mounted on his caravan. Ruggedly built with a steel main section, there are two telescopic vertical elements which are adjustable over the range 36 to 60 Mhz and marked in 1 MHz increments. The three supporting guy ropes also incorporate drooping counterpoise elements. A very interesting aspect of this antenna was the connector at the base. It was of a type we hadn’t seen before, and Peter informed us that it was a Burndept connector, common in military equipment from various Commonwealth countries. It resembled a reverse SO239 socket, but with a centre pin instead. Apparently they are still available as a part. Our resident “boat anchor” Racal RA-17 receiver proved to have two of them on the rear panel with another having been converted to SO239. Thankyou Peter for an interesting display.
Speaking of interesting displays, next Tech Session on the 16th of June, there will be a presentation by an engine modeller of his build of a 9 cylinder rotary engine. Each piston is 25mm diameter, which gives an indication of scale. Not to be missed.
The rest of the evening was going gangbusters with technical discussions over coffee, and a few fruity stories from our entertainment officer Ebenezer VK7AT. All good fun.
73, Idris VK7ZIR”
UPCOMING EVENTS
SLOW MORSE COURSE – Wednesday 9th June. Your host and teacher is Nic VK7WW. Frequencies and times are the same as were used by Nic for the previous TestNet and TechNet. And if you have forgotten what they were, here they are, 1900 hrs to 1930 hrs on 3.580 MHz and then at 1930hours through to about 2030 on 3.567MHz.
So why not tune in and give it a try. By the end of each week, between Morse Course Sessions, participants may have learned 12 characters. Then it’s time to practice them on air.
Nic will be explaining “how to have a contact” and the procedures and protocols. For those who may want some extra help, this website is reported as being very good. www.morsecodeclassnet.com
JUNE GENERAL MEETING - Saturday 12th June, this is your final reminder. I am aware that Monday the 14th is a public holiday for the Queen’s Birthday but hopefully many of you won’t be escaping city life for the weekend, so why not pop in and catch up with what has been happening. Meeting commences at 14:00 (2:00 pm). At this point it will be the standard agenda. If you have any item you would like added to the agenda please email the secretary at: ntarc.emails@gmail.com no later than Wednesday 9th June. The meeting will be followed by afternoon tea and donations of cakes, slices etc would be appreciated. As always a gold coin or note donation is welcomed to assist in our ongoing costs of running the club.
TECH NIGHT – Wednesday 16th June at the NTARC Club rooms, 19:30 hours until whenever. Highlight of the evening will be a presentation by an engine modeller of his build of a 9 cylinder rotary engine. Each piston is 25mm diameter, which gives an indication of scale. Not to be missed.
Continuous tea and coffee will be available, although again, a gold coin donation for the evening would be appreciated.
FUTURE EVENTS – Saturday 28 August, Equine Endurance ride, Santarena Park, Scottsdale. Plenty of warning to help out on this ride. Further information as it comes to hand.
COFFEE MORNINGS – currently held every Friday in the NTARC Club rooms. Catch up time is from 10.00 am to noon and we look forward to seeing you all.
These coffee events in the past have been normally a good opportunity to collect your QSL cards. We have a large quantity of QSL cards at the Clubrooms for several members, notably VK7BO.
Andrew VK7DW, our QSL manager will arrange to have them delivered if not collected soon. He can be contacted at qsl@ntarc.net for any queries.
Please demonstrate your appreciation of all the effort that goes into operating the club and its facilities and other services we provide by joining us at these sessions, enjoying the company, coffee and the cake and leaving a gold coin or two, or even a small bank note, in the jar to assist in our on-going operations. I don’t know of any other venue in Launceston where you can get endless coffee, tea and eats for a donation of this miniscule amount.
FINALLY – A reminder to all members that if you have any items of news you would like added to our weekly roundup, no matter how trivial, then please email me at the following address ntarc.emails@gmail.com, all items to be received no later than 17:00 on the Friday prior to the Broadcast.
Your continued cooperation in this regard will be greatly appreciated.
We will bring you all such contributions next Sunday morning.
73, Yvonne VK7FYMX, Secretary NTARC Inc
