Broadcast - 21 November 2021
We begin this week with a report in relation to NTARCs involvement at the Equine Endurance ride held at Merseylea last weekend. The update is courtesy of Roger VK7ARN and he tells us;
NTARC provided safety and rider progress communications at the 2021 Tasmanian equine endurance State Championships, based at Merseylea near Railton in the North West. This was a multi-day support effort, with low resources. Preparatory work included gathering information on the tracks, checkpoint locations, timing and entries. From this, possible repeater sites were identified, equipment set up and made ready for transport and the deployment of scarce manpower planned. A second site visit, to transport the base trailer and equipment, also included setting up the repeaters, at the excellent site identified via software, followed by checks from each checkpoint to test communications.
The next visit was for the final set up and the event itself. André VK7ZAB, Stefan VK7ZSB and Peter VK7KPC arrived on site on the Friday afternoon and worked without a break for over twenty-four hours. André manned the Base and Stefan the second checkpoint, which was active until late in the day. Peter VK7KPC worked Checkpoint One overnight. Roger VK7ARN started early in the morning at the checkpoint on Leg 3 and Idris VK7ZIR at the checkpoint 5 kilometres out on the riders’ return to Base. Voice and data communications worked throughout, other than a short delay in getting up and running on Leg 3, which turned out to be due to a detached connector between the radio and TNC in the RF reader set, probably due to the rough access track to approach the checkpoint.
The fourth and final visit on the Sunday, by Idris, Andre’ and Stefan was to retrieve the repeaters, pack up and return the trailer and gear to Launceston.”
Thanks to Roger for ride report and radio survey work. Also we like to thank Ian VK7IG and Bernie VK7BR for volunteering but they couldn’t attend as their vehicles would have got bogged at the water logged ride base.
A fantastic effort by the NTARC Safety Communications crew to cover a long period of time monitoring horses and riders with a limited number of people on the ground.
We now hand over to Idris VK7ZIR to provide you with the happenings of Wednesday night at the Club;
“Our first show and tell this evening was from Peter VK7KPC’s military radio collection and it was a Pye Crystal Calibrator Number 10, which was designed primarily for setting up a British Army HF wireless set Number 62 accurately, on a required spot frequency. The Calibrator functions as a CW wavemeter with continuous coverage over a nominal frequency band of 1.5 MHz to 10 MHz. The calibrator is powered from the number 62 wireless set and is housed in a metal case with waterproof gaskets to permit the equipment to be used under extreme conditions. The item was in excellent condition and Peter removed the case so we could inspect the internals. He also brought in a field antenna base with accompanying antenna, which was telescopic with markings to indicate how far to extend for a specific frequency. Thanks Peter.
Next were items from Ross VK7ALH’s voluminous collection and he explained this item was found “under the bench”! It was a Ediswan transmitter triode, type E.S.G. 250, which Ross informed us indicated 250 Watts RF. Amazingly, this vacuum tube was still in its original timber transport frame and was huge, standing at least 500mm high. With no socket, the valve was designed to be hard wired in position as part of broadcasting equipment. Ross also had a vintage University RF Oscillator in top condition which he still uses for his servicing. Thanks Ross.
Stuart VK7ES came with his Loop Antenna automated matcher PCB which is his work in progress, pointing out various modifications he had made on the original PCB. This triggered a discussion with Trevor VK7TB and others on keeping RF energy and switching shielded from logic level computer interfacing to minimise interference.
Meanwhile Peter VK7PD was attempting to program a small Chinese hand held and was having troubles getting the correct driver installed on the computer. Lewis VK7IT stepped in and successfully found and installed the correct one. Onya Lewis. Peter then completed his task now that the programming software recognised the radio.
That’s all for now folks, lots of other discussions were happening making it a very enjoyable technical evening.
73, Idris VK7ZIR”
2022 Membership fees – yes with the year rapidly disappearing it is time to start reminding all that your 2021 Membership fee expires on 31 December. A letter advising of the fee payable for 2022 will be forwarded to all members in late November to the email address noted on our records.
We confirm that the 2022 membership fee will see a slight increase to $40 for each voting member with an additional unchanged $5 for each member of the family that the voting member wishes to add to his or her membership.
UPCOMING EVENTS
TestNet and TECHNET – Wednesday 24th November. TestNet/CW course on 3580 from 7pm till 7.30pm….and a TECHNET on 3567 from 7.30pm till about 8.30pm. Your host for the evening will again be Nic VK7WW.
TECH NIGHT – Wednesday 1st December at the NTARC Club rooms, 19:30 hours until whenever.
Christmas Dinner – Wednesday 15th December. Venue Mowbray Hotel, meet time is 6.00pm. Tables have been booked under the name of NTARC. Menu is a-la-carte and there is plenty of parking at the rear. Please RSVP the secretary at either of these email addresses news@ntarc.net or ypmaxwell@bigpond.com or jot your name down on the sheet next to the sign in register on a Wednesday night session or coffee morning. We will need to confirm final numbers with the Hotel on Tuesday 14th December, so please ensure you get your name on the list before that date. As of Friday we had 26 names listed and the Hotel has been advised to extend seating numbers to 30, so if you are planning to attend please advise so that your name can be added.
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
