Broadcast - 24 Nov 2024
As mentioned a couple of broadcasts ago, in the Club Room Technical night session, Colin VK7ZCF brought along his new hand held Vector Network Analyser or VNA for short. It was brand new and literally just out of the box.
Since then he had been able to read the manual, acquaint himself with the menu structure plus some testing. Well this technical night Colin reappeared with the same VNA and conducted a mini training session that took us through some of its uses. Most importantly was the calibration of the unit via the menu before actual measurements were made. Not very hard, only requiring a reference 50 Ohm termination on the test port followed by an Open circuit and finally a Short circuit termination. You are then ready to go… Colin tested various antennas with the resultant VSWR and Smith Chart plots. The very clear 7 inch capacitive screen on this unit certainly helps with some of us more visually challenged on-lookers. For a refresh the VNA model is SV4401A, manufactured in China under the name SYSJOINT. A very versatile unit covering from 50kHz to 4.4GHz. Have fun experimenting with your new toy Colin.
A quick reminder that the end of year NTARC celebration is only just over a week away! To be specific it is Wednesday the 4th of December at the Iron Horse Bar and Grill located at 468 Westbury Rd, Prospect Vale, Launceston. It’s not too late to register if you are free and wish to attend. E-mail the secretary at: secretary@ntarc.net or jot your name and number of places required on the registration sheet next to the sign in book at the club rooms. Tables have been booked under the name of NTARC and the Menu is a-la-carte. We will be arriving at 6pm for a 6:30 meal. A link to the Iron Horse location and menu information is available in the text version of this broadcast. Iron Horse Bar & Grill
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.
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.
End of year NTARC celebration – locked in for Wednesday the 4th of December.
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.
