Broadcast - 6 Oct 2024
You may have noticed a theme over the last six months, with club members purchasing battery powered T12 soldering iron stations. It all started with Peter VK7KPC, purchasing one of these units that has a 3D printed case. Each 3D printed case style is designed to suite a particular 18 Volt portable domestic power tool battery. Idris VK7ZIR, succumbed and has become another club member to avail himself of a different version of the battery powered soldering station. This time to accommodate his Makita battery preference. Idris demonstrated the versatility and ease of use of the unit at the last club technical night.
Like Peter, Idris also purchased his from “Cross Fire Power dot com”. They are an Australian supplier doing the 3D printed cases with the integrated battery connector and built around a T12 soldering station module.
It is in two parts, firstly the main 3D printed body which the battery clips into. This section also contains the electronics, temperature adjustment knob, digital temperature readout and holder for the soldering iron. The second part is the soldering iron which plugs in via its nice flexible cord. I must admit it still has the excellent OLED display and comprehensive menus to tailor the settings and operation to suite your particular style of working at that time. A very neat little package Idris.
Text version link to: crossfirepower.com
Now a very important quick word from Peter VK7KPC, club JOTA coordinator:
“JOTA is coming to NTARC.
The station at Rocherlea is planned to be operational for Scouts and Guides from noon on Saturday 19th of October and 10 am on the next day. Should have an hf station as well as vhf and uhf into repeaters on Mt Arthur and Mt Duncan. Echolink and DMR should also be on air. Some morse code activities planned as well as Skype and electronic kits. JOTI internet chat equipment will be staffed by Rovers with possible help from Venturer unit as per last year. Fox hunting should also be available.
Setup planned for Friday arvo 18th and Saturday morning. Help from any members or other local amateurs with setup or operation over the weekend will be appreciated.
We have heard that Paton Park on North Coast will again be operational.
More info available over the coming weeks.
Please register your interest with Peter VK7KPC at club meetings or via phone on 0408 805 086 or any other any other committee members.”
Thanks Peter, this event is getting close! ..... So check your calendars and see if you are available for any period of time over the two days, any assistance would be very much appreciated.
Now for something completely different. If you have an October edition of Silicon Chip at hand you may have noticed another item by a Tasmanian Amateur. If not have a look in the Mailbag section, on page 11, entitled “How much punishment can a laptop take?” Quite a bit of punishment for the club’s laptop as it turns out, Stephen VK7SVG has “Clocked up” a few items of interest for the magazine this year, keep up the good work Stephen.
Now for house-keeping. If you are listening to this broadcast on Sunday morning you probably remembered to put your clocks forward for the commencement of Daylight Savings. With this time change also comes the change of club meeting days from Saturday to Wednesday. So as a reminder this Wednesday the 9th of October will be a General Meeting, commencing at 7.30pm and not the usual Club Technical Night.
As always, pictures will be available on the NTARC Web site under “Blogs” for this broadcast. NTARC Blogs
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 8.30 pm. Your host for the evening is Nic VK7WW.
Club General Meeting - Wednesday 9th. October at 7.30pm. Held at the NTARC Club Room, Rocherlea Scout Hall, Archer Street, Rocherlea. If you have items you would like added to the agenda please email the secretary at: secretary@ntarc.net no later than tomorrow, Monday the 7th October.
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.
JOTA is coming to NTARC Clubrooms - Saturday and Sunday the 19th and 20th October. Help from any members or other local amateurs with setup or operation over the weekend will be appreciated. Please register your interest with Peter VK7KPC at club meetings or via phone on 0408 805 086 or any other any other committee members.
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.
