Broadcast - 21 August 2022
We will begin this week with an update on the last Wednesdays Tech Night. These nights usually start with at least one item for show and tell and tonight was no exception.
Ross VK7ALH yet again delved deep into his collection and brought in an excellent example of a KW108 Monitorscope. These units were sold as matching accessory for the range of KW2000 vintage HF valve transceivers, made by K.W. Electronics of Dartford, Kent, England and were manufactured in the 1960s. Its purpose was to monitor your transmitted "Waveform" in the10 to160 metre bands and connected permanently in the antenna feed. It was suitable for use with 50 or 75 ohms output transmitters. The unit incorporated a Two-tone generator to ensure “optimum linearity for SSB” and could display SSB, AM and CW "Waveforms." The waveform display was a 75mm diameter single colour Cathode Ray Tube.
K. W. Electronics was yet another example of an amateur, in this case the late Rowley Shears G8KW, needing amateur radio equipment. Couldn’t get what he wanted or thought he could do better, so he started his own company, manufacturing amateur radio equipment. So K.W. Electronics came into existence in the mid-1950s. It was based in Dartford, Kent, and manufactured a wide range of high frequency band receivers, transmitters and accessory equipment. The company was taken over by DECCA and subsequently ceased production during the late 1970s. It’s a shame to see so many of these companies closing down.
Andre’ VK7ZAB, with a few helpers was busy setting up a newer PC in the radio room for amateur radio software. The priority was to load the WSJT-X digital suite by Joe Taylor K1JT, with the intent to run whisper, spelt as WSPR, short for Weak Signal Propagation Reporter programme. This will allow us to check the range and pattern characteristics of the newly installed HF antenna from the last working bee. Andre’ loaded the USB drivers which then provide a serial port and USB sound card for the HF rig but couldn’t get CAT control working, further work needed.
Ross also brought in a repaired Kenwood PS-30, 13.8 Volt 30 Amp power supply that he had just finished working on. When originally brought in to the club rooms its symptoms were fairly obvious, when plugged in and turned on it was electrically arcing over internally and the dreaded smoke was emanating from its case. This in itself was a pretty strong indication that their might be a problem with it! On taking it home and opening it up on his work bench, Ross ascertained that it had been previous modified for remote control. Something had failed in the extra circuitry that had been added causing a dangerous fault situation. As the current owner had no use for the additional remote control Ross took it back to original factory wiring and the unit is now working perfectly, plus one happy owner.
This was once again an excellent night, well worth venturing out into the cold.
This is a timely warning that any equipment that has been modified may not always be safe, if it’s a transceiver usually the smoke just escapes and hopefully a fuse blows, but if 240 Volt is included in the mix it could be a lot more dangerous to life and limb, compared to a puff of smoke! A good reminder for definitely including equipment fuses and preferably the 240 volt power circuit that feeds the shack to include a Residual Current Detector or as it is commonly known RCD for a bit more protection.
At the Friday morning tea Peter VK7KPC, continued with setting up and getting the PC in the radio room to work with the HF rig. Peter did a few successful test transmissions then left WSPR running over night in receive only mode and uploading to the WSPR database.
The August general meeting held on Saturday, 13th had a good roll up of members, considering it was the RD contest weekend. The meeting didn’t start until an hour after the official RD contest introduction, this gave time for the Radio Room to be utilized. Many members arrived well before meeting kick-off time, claiming their seats and refreshing their memories by reading the minutes of the previous meeting held in
June. Correspondence and reports from the relevant coordinators were worked through.
General business covered some new equipment for the Radio Room and club amenities.
One of the main items was the upcoming “VK7 - Tassie Ham Radio Conference and Expo” and the need for ideas for possible stalls, displays and anyone wishing to volunteer for the event. Get your thinking caps on!
The rest of the agenda was quickly worked through in a timely manner. Close of business was called at 14:40. Members were advised that the next general meeting will be held on Wednesday evening the 12th of October.
After the meeting Peter VK7KPC displayed on the large monitor a world map showing the propagation paths of the new HF antenna over the last 24 hours. This was accessed at the web site WSPRnet.org. These plots confirmed the new antenna is working very well. You can see the latest result by selecting the club call sign of VK7TAZ on the map tab. If you haven’t checked your own HF antenna’s propagation, give this software ago!
Members then adjourned to what we do best, afternoon tea and what a feast of goodies it was. We thank all those members that donated food and especially to Ros for setting up the room which included the important task of lighting the fire to remove the chill.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Club Technical night – Wednesday 24th August. Held at the NTARC Club rooms, 7.30pm until late.
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’.
TestNet and TechNet – Wednesday 31st 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 Social Night - Wednesday evening the 14th of September. To be held 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.
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. We currently have cards awaiting collection, so why not pop in and check the QSL box and join us for a cuppa and chat.
The club is following the Covid 19 recommendation to continue wearing face masks when gathering.
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.
