Broadcast - 16 January 2022
Last Wednesday was club tech night and so we hand over first to President Idris VK7ZIR to give you a run-down of the night’s happenings;
“There were doubts whether we would have any starters for the first Tech Session for the year given the latest COVID situation, as most people seem anxious about venturing out. But a goodly few hardy, masked souls rolled up, and we made ourselves comfortable with the regulation social distancing. There was no restriction however to the flow of discussion and banter, lubricated with the ubiquitous cups of NTARC coffee.
Pleasantries aside, a laptop was produced by Bill VK7MX which was in a recalcitrant state, as the Windows password had been lost in the mists of time, having seemingly been reset at some point by a well-meaning and much loved grand-daughter. Some brainstorming ensued, but alas it defeated us, so it was passed to André VK7ZAB, who thought he might have suitable re-imaging software to bring it back to a useful state.
Meanwhile Stuart VK7FEAT had brought in a selection of toroids which caused some discussion over their composition and potential use. We progressed through other topics of a technical and non-technical nature, including storm water drainage and less than welcome inclusions, before deciding to finish the night slightly earlier than usual. An enjoyable evening though with our cosy bunch of participants.
That’s your lot for now, Happy New Year and 73 from Idris VK7ZIR.”
Thanks Idris. We followed that night up with our second week of Friday morning coffee sessions. We had a much bigger roll-up of members for the morning than last week, clearly indicating that despite the trying and worrying times, our members are keen to get back into the swing of things after the festive season.
We had a bit of a follow-on of Wednesday night’s technical topics, as the Friday morning tea produced a good result for Bill’s laptop. The re-imaging was successful so a happy Bill now has another computer to use or maybe abuse. We also had Trevor VK7TB give us a report on a modification to his Russian Tetrode Power Amplifier project in the form of an ultra-high speed crowbar protection circuit he has designed in case the 2,700 volt high tension applied to the tube decides to misbehave. A very interesting stage of the project. He tells us that the HT supply also represents a very capable welder, hence his desire to keep it tame. Trevor also showed us a military grade WW2 Radar Klystron type CV1795 operating in the 10GHz area, the exciter for the following magnetron stages of the radar transmitter. This was an amazing reintroduction to a component Trevor has first encountered in his earliest days of microwave experimentation. Equally amazingly, Trevor explained that to bring the operating frequency into the appropriate Amateur Band, some judicious but very accurate grinding of the welding on the case was required. Thanks go to Ross VK7ALH, who apparently rolled up with a pocket full of these venerable devices.
Another very pleasant surprise of the morning was the arrival of our Life Member Brian VK7RR, even if many were slow to recognise the face behind the mask. It was great to see you again Brian.
On top of all that, there was plenty of morning tea for all to enjoy. Let’s hope these mornings can continue, without further lockdowns or restrictions being required.
As mentioned last week, the club held its first meeting of the year on Saturday 8th January and again it was great to see so many in attendance. The meeting opened at 14:02 hours and as has become the norm for these events, the agenda was worked through in a timely manner. The Treasurer was very busy as he had three financial reports to table. He did well though and was well able to answer all questions in relation to the Club’s finances. There were few reports tabled, due to the absence of a number of our activity coordinators. There was some discussion concerning the conduct of the forthcoming AGM due to COVID-related concern about possible attendance numbers etc, including consideration of advice received on the subject from the registrar’s office in Hobart. The conclusion reached was that the Club is obliged to comply with its rules and hold the meeting within two months of the commencement of its financial year on 1 January 2022, unless that becomes impossible due to fresh Tasmanian Public Health Directives. It was therefore resolved that we continue with the intention to hold the AGM on the evening of Wednesday 9th February 2022, as promulgated. There was no further business raised. The minutes will be written up in coming days and hopefully a draft set will be placed on the website. Needless to say, afternoon tea followed.
Talking about the website, our Webmaster has been busy loading up pictures and minutes of the meetings held in 2021 and a Draft copy of the 2021 AGM minutes has also been uploaded. This information can be found in the Members section of the site.
2022 Membership fees – the Treasurer has been kept busy with renewals and we thank all those members who have paid their renewals. Just a reminder though it would be appreciated if you could also fill-in the renewal form at our NTARC website so that we can update our records and start compiling a members’ shared contact register. Access to the website can be had by
following the instructions emailed out last year.
If you haven’t received this letter please email the secretary@ntarc.net with your current details.
To all those members who have not yet paid their 2022 subs, a reminder that you officially became listed as unfinancial on the register on the 1st January.
UPCOMING EVENTS
TestNet and TECHNET – Wednesday 19th January. 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.
Club Tech night – Our next club tech night was due to happen on Wednesday 26th January but as that is Australia Day and a public holiday it will not be happening. Looking at the calender the next session would ordinarily be Wednesday 9th February but that is our AGM night so again, a Tech night off. We must therefore fast forward to Wednesday 23rd February. So folks, you will need to note your diary for Club Tech night for 23rd February. Still, that gives you plenty of time to dig out some interesting curios, circuits, gear etc and any other goodies to bring along.
FUTURE EVENTS - 2022
Annual General meeting – the Annual General Meeting of NTARC will take place on Wednesday 9th February 2022 at the NTARC Club Rooms, Rocherlea Scout Hall, Archer Street Rocherlea commencing at 19:30 hours (7.30 pm).
Business at the AGM will consist of confirmation of the Minutes of the 2021 AGM, then reception and consideration of reports from the Committee, including the Treasurer’s report and reports from our various managers and coordinators. This will be followed by the election of officer bearers and committee person for 2022. The meeting will then consider any item of special business for which the requisite notice has been received by the closing date of Friday 4th February.
All current office holder and committee positions fall vacant at the AGM. Nominations for each office bearer and the Committee member are invited and should be made in writing to the Secretary, along with the signatures of the Nominator, Seconder and that of the member nominated. Appointments will also be required to the positions of Internal Auditor and Public Officer.
Please note that for your convenience a nomination form is available from the NTARC club room as well as our website, again in the members section. Nominations close off at COB Friday 4th February.
Members are reminded that they will need to have paid their 2022 renewal subscription before the meeting commences at 19:30 hours (7.30 pm) to be able to vote at the Annual General meeting. Similarly, they will need to have paid their 2022 subscription before they can be nominated or nominate or second someone for office, as only financial members can exercise those privileges.
The AGM will be followed by the February General meeting.
The February AGM will be held in the main hall due to it being a larger and more open area, better able to accommodate the required spacing. Entrance on the night will be by the main hall door, please remember to QR code in and sign the meeting register. Hand sanitizer will be provided and masks must be worn during the meeting.
COFFEE MORNINGS – now again being 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 there.
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.
Again a reminder that masks be worn at these sessions but you will be able to remove your mask whilst eating and drinking but it does need to be put back on when finished. A sign has been placed on the screen door reminding all of this requirement.
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
