Broadcast - 13 Mar 2022
Last Wednesday was a club tech night, so over to Idris, VK7ZIR for a brief rundown of the happenings;
“Slightly chilly tonight reminding us that it’s autumn and winter is just around the corner.
Ross VK7ALH exhibited a KW Electronics valve transceiver, part of the five KW items in his collection. They must all look very nice in a line-up Ross. He also had built a Field voltage regulator for a GM 50kW generator set which he set up on the bench to demonstrate its operation for us. Done as an urgent job where overseas replacement was too expensive and took too long. Thanks Ross.
Idris VK7ZIR brought along a Tracker Communications Scout marine HF 100W SSB transceiver. Made in Australia and going into Ross’s collection.
Lewis VK7IT has been busy with 3D printing. He showed us a nifty hand held stand and a very clever “third hand” vice for soldering plugs and sockets. Thanks Lewis.
Peter VK7PD had partially completed one of the Club’s 23cm Yagi kits and showed us his progress. Also on the subject of 23cm, we tested a 23cm ring Yagi found stored in our workshop with Andre’ VK7ZAB’s RigExpert antenna analyser. The graphical results indicated very favourable SWR dips in the band. These analysers are excellent instruments and are manufactured in Ukraine, so one wonders about their future availability considering current circumstances in that country.
Ross also brought in a selection of shack items from the estate of VK7ME (SK) which created a lot of interest and most disappeared very quickly. Thanks Ross.
Our new member Rob, with companion dog Mr. J, showed us a very interesting phone app for the sight impaired which, using the camera, recognised banknotes, speaking their value. He also brought to our attention small bumps on the lower edge of said notes, which, while not Braille, indicated the note’s value in a numerical sequence for rising note value. So, one bump for five dollars, two bumps for ten dollars and so on. It’s quite amazing the aids that are available in this area.
Meanwhile, while all this was going on, Andrew VK7DW, the NTARC QSL Manager had his head down busily updating his eQSL listings from the Radio Shack log book, to try and find corresponding QSOs so he could send replies to some past eQSL senders. Apparently he had quite some successes. Good work Andrew.
That’s all until next time, 73 de Idris VK7ZIR”
Thanks Idris for the update, it was indeed a very enjoyable evening, always something new to learn. I just wish I had some spare bank notes with five identification bumps on them. HiHi.
An update from the Friday coffee morning, Ross, VK7ALH has since installed and calibrated the Field Winding control regulator in the 50kW GM generator set, everything worked beautifully. One happy Ross.
UPCOMING EVENT
TestNet and TechNet – Wednesday 16th of March. TestNet/CW course on 3.580MHz from 7pm till 7.30pm….and a TechNet on 3.567MHz from 7.30pm till about 8.30pm. Your host for the evening will again be Nic VK7WW.
Club Tech night – Wednesday 23rd of March. Held at the NTARC Club rooms, 7.30pm until whenever.
Coffee Morning – held every Friday in the NTARC Club rooms. Catch up time is from 10am 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.
As it is no longer a government mandate and Covid regulations have been watered down it is now your personal choice to wear a face mask at morning teas.
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 5pm on the Friday prior to the Broadcast.
73, Stefan VK7ZSB, Secretary NTARC Inc
