Broadcast - 27 March 2022
It has been a busy week, so I will pass you over to Peter VK7PD to start the update.
“John Moyle Weekend
What a weekend it was too! March 19 and 20 saw at least 3 things of significance happen to VK7s: The John Moyle Memorial Field Day (JMMFD), The Meet the Voice (MTV) picnic at Ross and the Kentish Equine Endurance event.
For the JMMFD, NTARC had 2 member groups operating portable stations of which the writer is aware:
One at the ‘new’ site of ‘Drivers Run’ above Waverley on Saturday only, and the other, an all-weekend event, at the Ross Caravan Park, site of the MTV picnic.
The Drivers Run operators were Andrew VK7DW and James VK7JAM with VK7PD acting as ‘roadie’. A photo of this station has been posted on the VK7 Amateur Radio Facebook page.
Andrew and James were QRV on 5 HF bands plus 7 VHF/UHF/microwave bands. HF contacts were made to interstate and ZL. VHF/UHF/microwave contacts were made to VK7ZBX and VK7ZMS on Mt Wellington and VK7MO at Tolmans Hill. Local contacts were also made on some of the above bands.
Meanwhile Peter VK7KPC was using his station at the Ross Caravan Park adjacent to Dick VK7DIK from Ulverstone. Peter’s lineup of gear included some ex-military equipment; he was heard making contacts on VHF/UHF to the Mt Wellington pair and HF contacts much wider afield.
In all the JMMFD participation was successful despite the small number of field stations. The weather was kind to all and the Drivers Run site appears to be worth a future visit (VK7DW had close to 80 contacts). Thanks go out to all those home stations around VK7 who participated and gave out numbers for the contest. We hope that they too will submit logs.
73,
Peter VK7PD”
Thanks Peter for the John Moyle Memorial Field Day update. I must also agree that Peter VK7KPC did indeed have a very respectable setup, operating from the back of his vehicle, encompassing modern amateur to ex-military equipment, rumor has it that he also made about a dozen CW contacts from this location.
Well done Peter, obviously the Morse Code practice nights have paid off. HiHi
The NTARC Safety Communications Team that helped at the Kentish Endurance ride also had an enjoyable time, if not an early Saturday morning start at six am on site at Sheffield. From both providing safety communications for the Equine event point of view and meeting up with the North West crew headed by David VK7DC it was a good days outing. It allowed some of us to finally put faces to call signs and have a chat. Thank you to our crew, Roger VK7ARN, Peter VK7SP, Idris VK7ZIR, Andre’ VK7ZAB and Stefan VK7ZSB for lending a helping hand. Even after a long Saturday over half our crew made it to Ross and along with other NTARC members once again had an enjoyable day renewing acquaintances from all over the state, a very fitting end to the weekend.
Once again it was a club Tech night this week, so over to Idris for another update.
“Tech Session Report for Wednesday 23rd March 2022
Tonight we had a plethora of displays which ignited much discussion and many covers were removed!
Ross VK7ALH arrived with a like new Yaesu FT 101EX. It was actually a New Old Stock 1970s item which still had the protective plastic film on the front panel. The FT-101EX was the Extreme Economy FT-101E type which had all FT-101E specifications without speech processor, DC converter for mobile use, microphone, DC cord, fan or 160m crystal. Ross had scoured his online sources for the available options and installed them all, except the DC converter, the result being a near fully specified working radio. An immaculate job. Thanks Ross.
Peter VK7KPC had recently acquired a British Army Larkspur wireless set B47 FM VHF transceiver, 39 to 56 MHz powered by 24 Volt. These were made by Plessey in the 1950s and used for communications between armoured fighting vehicles and infantry. Peter’s example was in immaculate condition and included headphones, microphone and remote gain control. We were treated to a peek under the covers revealing the amazing rugged layout in these radios. Definitely built for the battlefield. Thanks Peter.
At this point I would like to say a huge thank you to our members with amazing collections of radio equipment who bring us interesting examples for display and discussion at Tech Nights. This also goes for all our members who enjoy the Tech nights and bring along the many and varied items of interest and projects for us to enjoy. That’s what it’s all about, getting maximum enjoyment and learning from our great hobby.
Also on the menu was a Codan marine transceiver from Idris VK7ZIR, really only suitable for spares but an interesting example of an Australian made radio nonetheless. Quickly snapped up!
Stuart VK7FEAT had a very intriguing item which looked very much like an aircraft remote head for direction finding equipment, vintage unknown. It had a large frequency dial marked in kilocycles and controls for antenna direction and range. With a tuning meter, this item was made by Marconi and labeled Receiver Controller. There was some head scratching and inspired guesses from observers. Thanks Stuart, maybe someone will have more of a clue next time,
To round off the line-up, Lionel VK7LB had a more modern exhibit for us in the form of a computer bulk data storage drive using DDS tape cartridges. Non-operational, but the entire mechanism could be examined in all its amazing miniaturisation and precision.
Another stimulating and enjoyable evening.
73 de Idris VK7ZIR“
Thank you for the update Idris. It was indeed a very full evening and midnight approached all too rapidly!
By the time this goes to air, hopefully Bernie VK7BR will be out of hospital and recovering at home from a non Covid 19 related problem. We are all concerned and wish you a speedy recovery.
UPCOMING EVENTS
TestNet and TechNet – Wednesday 30th 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 6th April. 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.
Again a reminder that masks are encouraged but optional to be worn at these sessions.
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.
That’s all folks from,
Stefan, VK7ZSB, Secretary NTARC inc.
