Broadcast - 15 May 2022
We start this week with a couple of observations from Nic, VK7WhiskeyWhiskey.
‘I was just listening to a Spanish station on about 7.128 kHz lower side band. A VK3 kept trying to break in... for about 15 minutes. I thought WOW conditions are good! This was at 3:35 pm.
Then a G4AIR called him to go to 7.138...but he didn’t...but I did!
So I called him on 7.138...chatted for a good 20mins! 5/9.
But, the thing is, G4AIR, with a very English sounding French and Dutch station, have been having a regular net for some considerable time. (As conditions change the other stations come up in signal strength.)
The net runs every work day, not weekends and they were “over the moon” to hear VK....’
Thanks for the heads up Nic, so if you would like to try for a Net with a European flavour then check out 7.138 kHz lower side band at about 15:30 but remember, this Net is only operating on week days and not the weekend.
Nic also reported that 7.125 kHz AM is very much alive. He has had QSOs with over 30 VK stations in the last 10 days. Between this, building QRP test transmitters and the TestNet / TechNet on Wednesday nights we wonder where he finds the time for everything.
ALSO... This weekend there is a VERY slow Morse “competition” hosted by the St George Amateur Radio Society. The intention of the Don Edwards Memorial Slow Morse Contest is to remember Don Edwards VK2NV (SK), a long time member of the St. George Amateur Radio Society and keen Morse operator.
A further intention of the contest is to encourage amateurs who rarely or never use Morse code to give it a try. The 80 Metre section was held yesterday, so we can forget that part, but the 40 metre section will be held today, Sunday between 1pm and 4pm Eastern Standard Time (0300 - 0600 Hrs UTC) on 40 metres. The contest is open to all VK and ZL amateurs. Many amateurs have rarely or never used Morse code since they passed their exam or never needed to learn Morse code for their licences. This contest is to encourage inexperienced or rusty operators to try their “hand” or “fist” at Morse. For this reason, the contest will be a "Slow Morse contest" with a speed limit of 10 words per minute, no keyboards or screens - all sent by hand and received by ear.
I was wondering if this was “Homework” for the TestNet/CW course that Nic conducts on a Wednesday night, Hi Hi. Good luck to all those who enter have a go.
Specific contest informational link can be found in the text version or go to the link on the email edition of this broadcast for their club site.
Mug Order - yes, we are talking about the white mugs for drinking out of, those that have our club logo on one side, personalised with your name and call sign on the other. We are placing another order so if you would like one then please see André at coffee mornings or at the technical night. Those members who have already requested a mug, please email secretary@ntarc.net to confirm the order, and anyone else who wants one please specify what name is to be printed above the call sign.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Club Tech night – Wednesday 18th May. Held at the NTARC Club rooms, 7.30pm until whenever.
TestNet and TechNet – Wednesday 25th May. 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.
Malcolm White Presentation – 15th June about 20:00 Apart from being a licensed amateur at an early age, and a CW aficionado, the major topic is to be his association with Ray Naughton VK3ATN at the time of Ray’s pioneering Earth Moon Earth (EME) achievements in the 1960s on the 2 metre band.
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.
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,
73’s from Stefan, VK7ZSB, Secretary NTARC inc.
