Broadcast - 24 July 2022
This week it was nice to see one of our NTARC club members being successful in the VK Shires Contest. The objectives of this contest are for amateurs around the world to contact as many VK shires as possible in the contest period. VK amateurs are to work the world including VK, whilst the rest of the world can only work VK contacts.
Peter VK7KPC has taken out First Place for VK Single Operator, 10 Watt, All Band, All Mode category of the competition. The text on the certificate is set against a rather stunning rustic outback sunset complete with water, windmill and silhouetted horse with rider. The certificate would make an excellent image in next week’s SSTV net. Hint, hint. Well done Peter.
While we are on the subject of SSTV, I have a correction from last week’s broadcast, about a transceiver interface being used for SSTV which was built into a little cough lozenge box or Altoids tin as it is commonly known. The soldering and construction being of such a high standard I assumed that Peter VK7KPC had constructed it, but no, he was merely the last appreciative holder of the unit. Full credit goes to Wayne VK7XGW for its construction. Thanks for the clarification Peter and a very nicely constructed little unit to Wayne.
From the latest edition of Amateur Radio, in their “Outdoor Adventures” themed edition, there is an article by Denis Johnstone VK4AE, Contest Manager for the John Moyle Memorial National Field Day Contest for 2022. He is giving special tribute to the Amateurs that make the extra effort to venture outside home base and go portable for contests. Denis said “All of the portable stations that went to the effort to send in a log will receive a certificate. The WIA believes that those who go to the effort to set up and operate a portable station should be acknowledged.”
I know the following amateurs were mentioned in a previous broadcast but it seems fitting to been mentioned again after this article highlighted their efforts. I believe that all three NTARC club members have received their individual achievement award certificates now.
Peter VK7KPC came First in the 24 Hour, Portable, Single operator, All mode, All band category.
Andrew VK7DW came First in the 6 Hour, Portable, Single operator, Phone mode, All band category with James VK7JAM taking out Second place in the same 6 Hour, Portable section as well. Its nice for you to be recognised for your achievement and in this case your extra effort.
Next club room Tech Night will see a presentation by Lionel VK7ZLB on batteries. Most people assume that once you have the battery model number and voltage, you are good to go, somewhere in the world there is a matching battery. You generally don’t give the matter much more thought, however it appears that the same battery model number can have variations depending on which country or continent you reside in. This can be anything from internal construction of the battery or far worse, variations in external contacts and connectors. For example a PP8 or as it is commonly called the “Fencer”, looks like a standard PP3 or 216 nine Volt transistor radio battery on steroids. It is 200mm tall, not 45mm, and it is 6 Volt not 9 Volt. It has the same two snap on connectors…. generally, but there are three other versions of connectors available somewhere in the world as well. Also one is made by “Ever Ready”, two words, and the other by “Eveready”, one word! Confused? So am I. Hopefully Lionel will at least inform us that the common old “AA” or “D” cell is the same the world over? Let Lionel walk us through the maze of battery anomalies and if all goes well he will also reveal the true identity of the mystery item from the previous tech night. It was like a valve but the only marking on it is the word “Vibron”, come and hear for yourself.
As discussed at the last club general meeting the Social Night will be held on Wednesday evening the 14th of September at the family friendly Mowbray Hotel. Those who wish to attend please register the number of places required to the Secretary or on the registration sheet at the club rooms.
We would like to say a special thank you to Hermon VK7HW for his ongoing work of processing QSL cards for the state and his delivery of cards to NTARC club rooms when he ventures North, it is appreciated. After his most recent delivery we are down to the following lonely cards left waiting for their owners to collect, VK7s AU, CH, DON, IG and WX.
Mug Order – They are now available at the NTARC club rooms. If you have ordered one but can’t get in to pick it up drop a note to the Secretary and we will see what we can arrange. Because of the large order, we received a very favourable discount this time. Your final price is only ten dollars.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Club Technical night – Wednesday 27th July. Held at the NTARC Club rooms, 7.30pm until whenever. This will include a presentation by Lionel VK7ZLB on batteries.
SSTV Net - held every Thursday night on the 70cm repeater, VK7RJG and linked to the South via repeater VK7RAF. Conducted from 7.30pm till about 9.30pm, at the moment. These SSTV images will be available on the NTARC website under ‘Blogs’.
Club Working Bee - Saturday 30th July. This is next weekend, everybody and their tools are welcome. Needless to say tea and coffee will be provided and the urn will be ready at 10am for the first cuppa. Remember to BYO lunch.
TestNet and TechNet – Wednesday 3rd August. 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 General Meeting – Saturday 13th August. Held at the NTARC Club Room, Rocherlea Scout Hall, Archer Street, Rocherlea. Meeting commences at 2pm.
Coffee Morning – held every Friday in the NTARC Club rooms. Get warm while you 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 and recently delivered mugs. 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 from Stefan, VK7ZSB, Secretary NTARC.
