Broadcast - 30 June 2024
We start off this report with the announcement that the Ben Lomond repeater has now been reinstated and is operational with upgraded equipment and a slightly different callsign. To reflect the repeater location, the callsign has been changed from VK7RBH to VK7RBL. To give recognition to the repeater’s original owner, Barry Hill VK7BE, the voice identification has been recorded again by Barry with the new callsign. The original Philips FM828, which has given sterling service for many years has been retired and is replaced with a more modern Unilab KL450 with NHRC-2 controller. The cavity filters have been re-calibrated and all antenna connections checked. There is now a 7 MHz negative offset between output and input frequencies to alleviate possible LPID interference, so please check your radio programming. The solar power system was also checked and a fault was found with a fuse holder causing excessive voltage drop. After fixing, the battery voltage returned to specification. An improved MPPT charge controller is planned to enable more efficient battery charging. Whilst on site, the local CB repeater used by the Ski Patrol was checked and it was found that a small hole in the roof, made by falling ice, had allowed ingress of water around the cavities, the resulting rise in humidity causing them to go out of tune and thus the repeater had failed. Using Tony’s spectrum analyser with tracking generator, they were returned to correct tune and all was back in operation. Many thanks go to the maintenance team, Tony VK7YBG, Hayden VK7HH, Peter VK7ZPE and Colin VK7ZCF, who braved the icy conditions. Overall, the weather was as good as it could be. Special thanks to Hayden who prepared the new repeater and installed the controller. Other trips are planned towards spring and summer to install the new power controller and tidy up the power wiring, and to give the hut a spring clean.
Renovations of a different type have been going on at the NTARC Clubrooms. The damage caused by the recent break-in was assessed and the decision was made to brick up the wall including the window, which was unrepairable. So, a timber frame has been inserted where the window was, and cladding attached to the outside in preparation for the re-bricking of the wall. Thanks go to Andre VK7ZAB, Brendan VK7VIP, Stuart VK7FEAT and Idris VK7ZIR for their good work. The inside wall finishing is yet to be determined. New bricks have been purchased, and it was a surprise and relief to find that the original brick profiles are still available. We have obtained the services of a bricklayer to complete the job. A large piece of plywood on the inside will have to be a blackboard until the wall gets a new covering.
And now for something completely different, a LIVE presentation will be happening on Wednesday 3rd July commencing at 19:00 (7:00 pm) in the NTARC Clubrooms, which will open at 18:30 (6:30 pm).
Presenter will be Lionel VK7ZLB and his subject will be valve testers in general and the famous AVO type in particular.
And now for some breaking news. Our contest hound, Peter VK7KPC has received another certificate. He was awarded 3rd place in the VK Shires Contest in the VK Single Op 10W All Mode division. Congratulations Peter.
And also from Nic VK7WW:
Every week before the TECHNET on 3.567 MHz, Nic VK7WW runs a Slow Morse Course and TESTNET on 3.580 MHz at 7pm on Wednesday nights. What a surprise this week was!
Here is Nic’s report on the surprise, and he has entitled it “THE SUBLIME AND THE RIDICULOUS!”
Now over to Nic.
“Jordan VK3ACU tested a home brew, single transistor CW transmitter on 3.580 and had a contact with Nic VK7WW. Nic sent RST 467, Jordan sent 599
So what is so amazing about that!? Nic was running a RIDICULOUS 120 watts and Jordan A SUBLIME 5 Milliwatts ! That’s five thousandths of a watt. AND the distance between them is over 460kms! Jordan’s Morse Key is probably over 100 time the size of his transmitter… Oh and Jordan’s transmission was also heard by Peter VK7KPC. If you want to see the circuit and a video, jump on to the club’s DISCORD CHANNEL and have a look at this week’s entries. Oh, if you don’t have access to DISCORD, please send an email to Phil VK7ZPD. You’ll find his email on QRZ .com. By the way, you are welcome to test your home-brew CW rig, even if you don’t know CW. Come up and identify yourself on voice, then go back to your CW transmitter and send a series of Vs (di di di dah. - that’s Beethoven’s Fifth!) We'll tell you if we heard it! Perhaps we’ll see you on a Wednesday night? 73, Nick VK7WW”
Thanks Nic. That must have been quite a surprise! Just goes to show that small things can have big results.
As always, pictures will be available on the NTARC Web site under “Blogs” for this broadcast. NTARC Blogs
And now back to house-keeping:
Mid-year Club get-together and meal – The venue has been booked, locking in the date and time. It is to be held on the 10th of July, which is a Wednesday night, with the venue being the Iron Horse Bar and Grill located at 468 Westbury Rd, Prospect Vale, Launceston.
UPCOMING EVENTS
TestNet and TechNet session - Every Wednesday, TestNet/CW course on 3.580MHz from 7 pm till 7.30 pm, then a TechNet on 3.567MHz from 7.30 pm till about 8.30 pm. Your host for the evening will be Nic VK7WW.
Coffee Morning - held every Friday in the NTARC Club rooms. Time is from 10 am to noon and we look forward to seeing you all there. So why not pop in check the QSL cards and join us for a cuppa, there is endless tea and coffee along with biscuits available for a donation.
Club Room Technical night session - The next session will be on Wednesday the 3rd July and will commence at the usual time of 6.30 pm at the Club Room Archer Street, Rocherlea.
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 them to the Secretary at the following address news@ntarc.net all items to be received no later than 5 pm on the Friday prior to the Broadcast.
That’s all folks,
73, Stefan VK7ZSB, Secretary NTARC Inc.
