Broadcast - 3 October 2021
Wow, October is with us and that means there are only 83 days from today until 25 December. Frightening isn’t it, where has the year gone?
Now that I have shocked you with that bit of news we will give you a report on our social night outing, held last Wednesday 29th. Considering the short notice given in relation to this event we had a tremendous roll up, in fact we filled three big tables. It was great catching up with members we hadn’t seen for some time and in particular Kevin VK7HKN and xyl Lyn VK7FROG, John VK7JFD and Ann VK7ANN xyl of Tony VK7YBG. Just as well I checked the membership register as Ann has changed her call sign. It would have been embarrassing if I had noted her under her old call sign. Also, it was great to see that Stephen VK7SVG had brought along his xyl Linda and Ian VK7IG also brought his xyl Shirley.
As predicted the food was first class and the prices very reasonable. Service was also excellent considering the dining rooms both inside and outside were full. The last time we attended the Commercial Hotel was 11th December 2019 so definitely a long time between drinks at that venue. It had also been our last social night out due to many factors including COVID. Amazingly the prices hadn’t increased so that was a bonus for all but especially for one member who was feeling extremely hungry and ordered a serving of shanks and vegetables. As that apparently only filled his right leg he then ordered a second serving and that filled his left leg. This was then followed up after a rest period by dessert, a very large serving of banana split. As we said to him at the time, that surely would have filled the tummy. I must admit the desserts looked good and many followed up their main meal with one. Overall, an extremely enjoyable evening out. Hopefully we will be able to organise an event in mid-December for a Christmas break up, but need to find a venue that offers a-la-carte menu, good parking, and central to all, so if you have any ideas please let us know.
Now as this was happening our Morse code instructor Nic VK7WW was hosting his last session of the slow Morse course and he tells us; “I’ve taught them all they need to know. However, I will be back and will be recommencing the TestNet/CW course on 3580 from 7pm till 7.30pm….and a TECHNET on 3567 from 7.30pm till about 8.30pm. Nic advises that he will only be hosting these sessions on the Wednesday night when there is no Technical Night at the Club. So these sessions will take place every two weeks with the first nets to begin on Wednesday 13th of October.”
On behalf of the NTARC Committee and members we thank Nic for all his hard work over the many weeks he has hosted the slow Morse code course and we look forward to him being back on air hosting the TestNet/CW course and the TECHNET session. So please all note your dairies for the 13th of October.
The following item is courtesy of Peter VK7KPC and he says; “While you are listening to this broadcast on Sunday morning, Peter VK7KPC should have finished a leisurely breakfast somewhere in Richmond and be about to head to the Domain with Kay and furbaby Bijou. The Dmax will be loaded, not quite to the gunwales, with a number of military radios, antennas etc.
Plan is to get to REAST clubrooms shortly after 10am and commence setting up the 5.4m clansman mast and vertical wire antenna, ready for PRC-320 hf radio demo later in the afternoon. Also to be demonstrated is an FSE-58 transceiver, on 6 metres, that was used as a low power intra troop radio.
Its country of origin was Germany and comes with an interesting helmet mounted antenna.
Next in the spotlight (or knowing REAST a camera) will be a PRC-351 man pack lowband VHF transceiver. This also comes with a 20W amplifier, handcrank generator to recharge battery and various antenna types. This is part of the British Clansman series of equipment.
Peter will be finishing off his presentation by firing up the PRC-320 on the aforementioned antenna, and maybe getting a contact or 2 on the Oceania contest.
Kim VK7KB will also be presenting some of his collection, but you will probably need to be there to find out what.”
Thankyou Peter for that update should be an interesting session. Peter is a busy man this month as he will have to quickly or otherwise change hats to get ready for JOTA in two weeks.
UPCOMING EVENTS
TECH NIGHT – Wednesday 6th October at the NTARC Club rooms, 19:30 hours until whenever.
October General meeting - Saturday 9th October. Meeting to commence at 14:00 hours (2.00pm).
TestNet and TECHNET – Wednesday 13th October. TestNet/CW course on 3580 from 7pm till 7.30pm….and a TECHNET on 3567 from 7.30pm till about 8.30pm
JOTA/JOTI 2021 – takes place from 15th to 17th October. Setting up will happen after coffee session Friday 15th. , Peter has lined up a number of events that will be taking place at the Rocherlea Scout Hall, commencing on Saturday 16th at noon and will run through until 8.00pm with the possibility of the Venturers attending after 8.00pm. Sunday 17th October will see groups arriving from 10.00am up to 3.00pm. Plan is they will visit for about 2 hours and the breakdown will see them spend half an hour utilising radio, this will be followed by half an hour on the Internet and a further half an hour outside locating those elusive foxes. Some Skype and JOTI TV will be thrown into the mix, plus 10 minutes being allowed for cleaning up between activities. Also on offer will be how to make a morse code trainer and this activity doesn’t require any soldering, so hopefully the first aid kit won’t need to be opened.
If anyone can assist on Saturday and Sunday, Peter would love to hear from you. He can be contacted by email; dodd.pc@bigpond.com or mobile 0408 805 086.
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 represent a good opportunity to collect your QSL cards. We currently have cards awaiting collection, so why not pop in and check the QSL box and join us for a cuppa and chat.
Just a friendly reminder, please demonstrate your appreciation of all the effort that goes into operating the club, its facilities and the other services we provide, especially in these abnormal and very trying times, enjoying the company, coffee, biscuits and cake, by leaving a gold coin or two, or even a small bank note, in the jar to assist in our on-going operations.
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 news@ntarc.net 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
