Broadcast - 18 Sept 2022
As mentioned in last week’s broadcast the Remembrance Day Contest results were published, well done to all the VK7s that contributed their time. NTARC would like to congratulate two members for their success in the QRP or low power sections. Peter VK7KPC, received 2nd place in the QRP Mixed mode section and Nic VK7WW, received 3rd place in the QRP CW section.
Peter competed using his ICOM IC-718 HF all band transceiver. This was coupled into an 80/40m trap dipole. For the 160m CW contacts he used an end fed 1/4 wave length antenna plus counterpoises with a PCM MTU 100 antenna tuner. This “tuner” is very similar to the Codan units of the 1960s and really should have been called an “antenna matcher” but it’s the manufacturer’s words. For the higher band contacts he used 2m and 70cm vertical antennas. Once again Peter showed his dedication and made many 160m CW contacts in, as he puts it, the “wee” small hours of the morning. For those who know Peter, the really strange thing was that at no time did he use a “military” CW key, he must have his reasons, because he certainly doesn’t have a shortage of military keys.
Nic went a little bit more “old school” and used a Whaddon MkIII Tx (transmitter) made in 1938. This model unit was used by the now famous Bletchley Park and Whaddon Hall - Diplomatic Wireless Service and for the first Agents into France at the start of WW2. Evidently it was in need of TLC and as Nic put it “ It was in very poor state; the tin chassis was completely rusted trough. The original paxolin front was broken in three pieces. A total rebuild! The transformer was shorted and burnt, I did use the original valves.... capacitors and coils... you will see the 807 (QRZ.com) is the original nomenclature as an ATS-25. I couldn’t get it working very well. Should have been 12 to 14w out. I could only get a max of just over 4w out on 80m, less on 160m - all xtal controlled. Originally covers 1.5 to 8Mc/s.”
The Receiver is a 1942 BC348 used in American Bombers as part of the AN/ARC-8 avionics system.
This is the same model as used in the Enola Gay, the B-29 Superfortress bomber that dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. Nic used three different ‘straight’ CW keys, all ex-military WW2. One was a “bathtub key”, another a brass pounder and a No 8 key from a Wireless Set No19. This combination was coupled to his much talked about antenna, a doublet (double extended zepp) cut for the 80m band.
Like Peter he must be dedicated to commit to the "graveyard shift", that period of time between 1am and 6am. Sitting on the 160m band, crystal locked to 1815 KHz, nowhere to go and operating QRP. As Nic succinctly put it, “was a struggle!”
Looking to the future, Nic is already mentally setting up his rig configuration and I quote “Who knows what I will use next year.... probably a 3BZ Tx and accompanying Rx Coast Watcher Radio WW2 made by AWA.”
Well done Peter and Nic, we will await next year’s configuration.
For an excellent set of pictures go to the NTARC extract from these VK7 broadcasts, under “Blogs” on the club web site.
Alternatively in the text edition of this broadcast use.
https://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/rdcontest/documents/RemembranceDayContestReport2022forWebSite.pdf and VK7WW - Callsign Lookup by QRZ Ham Radio
As a side, if you are really interested in going down interesting and convoluted “Rabbit Holes” try Googling information on the development of AN/ARC-8 avionics system in military aircraft, oh boy… Like anything to do with the military, “it is bigger than Ben Hur”.
Round up on Club Social Night dinner - Twenty eight members rocked up to the Mowbray Hotel in Launceston on Wednesday evening for the midyear-ish NTARC Club Social Night dinner. There was much laughter and cheerful banter going on as well as menu discussions. There was a large selection, something for everyone. Orders were taken and service was fast. The food was magnificent, everyone was happy. There was no disappointment in the desert area this year as there were ample stocks of Sticky Date Puddings in reserve, but the banana splits ran out this time, life is so hard. A great time was had by all. We all made our way back home thoroughly satisfied.
JOTA/JOTI for 2022 volunteers to assist are needed!
The Venue is the NTARC Club rooms, which is the Rocherlea Scout Hall, Archer St, Rocherlea.
The sessions will be on Saturday the 15th of October from noon to 6pm and Sunday the 16th October from 10am till 3pm. Groups are planned to arrive in two hour blocks, split up and rotate through four activities.
At the Club Rooms we will need volunteers to assistance with:
The operation of each of the transceivers set up for voice chat by the participants.
Assembly of Morse code trainer kits, (no soldering required only a screw driver).
Sending and receiving each other’s names by Morse code on the practice keys. (No, not live to air)
Plus external to the Club Rooms:
We need local contacts to chat with the kids in case we can’t link up to other Scout venues. If you are able to assist for any length of time over the two days please let Peter, VK7KPC or the club Secretary know of your availability by e-mailing secretary@ntarc.net
Tassie Ham Expo in November.
NTARC has booked a display table for the day of the Expo. A pre-loved equipment table will also be booked by the club, if there are any people interested in helping to stock it. Take this as an opportunity to seriously look at your shack equipment. If there is anything that is now superfluous to requirements why not turn it into cold cash. Then spend it at the Expo and help support the vendors that have ventured down to this end of the country by buying more equipment for your shack.
And now for late breaking news - Peter, VK7KPC has just received a certificate from the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) in the IOTA Contest for 2022. He achieved 8th Place in Non-UK Station Single Operator Section for NON-DXPEDITION / MIXED MODE / QRP. That’s a bit of a mouthful, but well done Peter, one more certificate to add to the achievement book.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Club Technical night - Wednesday 21st September. Held at the NTARC Club rooms, 7.30pm until late.
TestNet and TechNet – Wednesday 28th September. 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 be Nic VK7WW.
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’.
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.
