Broadcast - 2 Oct 2022
After last month’s run of certificate achievements for Nic VK7WW and Peter VK7KPC, I feel I should start of by announcing another certificate, but alas no, the run of good things, “coming in threes” has been exhausted, at least only for the moment, fingers crossed. This is going to be a bit of a general collection of items and information that have missed the previous month’s broadcasts.
Peter VK7KPC, has successfully been checking out the propagation of the new dipole with WSPR over the last couple of months with pleasing results considering it is multiband.
Andre’ VK7ZAB, has taken on the task of checking out the Hustler 5BTV multi-band vertical antenna. This time instead of using a PC controlling a HF rig Andre’ is using a SDR, that is a Software Defined Radio and in this case a self-contained model KiwiSDR.
On connecting the antenna we were greeted with patterns of interference across the HF spectrum and a very high spike from a Launceston AM broadcast transmitter. I remember it easily powering my crystal set when I was quite a bit younger.
At the Friday’s coffee session Lionel, VK7ZLB brought in his trusty portable Grundig Satellit 650 receiver to track down the radio interference we were experiencing. He started well away from the clubroom building only to find that it embarrassingly seemed to be coming from our own building! We turned all the power off to the building and found it was still there. The only thing left on was the UPS in the radio room running the KiwiSDR, PC and VKlink. Bypassing the UPS fixed the noise problem, it has now been removed from circuit. Next Lionel fitted a MW broadcast notch filter that dropped the level of 7TAB nearly 30dB, without losing many other stations, can still hear 936kHz ABC Hobart. Well tracked down Lionel, even if it was a bit embarrassing to us, hihi. It shows that superb craftsmanship and design in vintage equipment like the Grundig still give a good account of themselves. These type of receivers would also make an excellent and interesting presentation, hint hint Lionel.
We have now fitted a lightning suppressor to the antenna and we will soon be putting in extra protection with a MFJ-1708B-sdr, which can be controlled from the PTT line out of our transceivers.
WSPR has been running across five of the Amateur bands and with good results on most bands. The receive only decodes can be seen on the propagation map on the NTARC website under Blogs at Broadcast news for 2nd October. The link in the text version. https://www.ntarc.net/blogs .
There has been many interesting stations including a Russian R0AGL and KC4USV from Antarctica. KC4USV is at the McMurdo Station on Ross Island and is IOTA AN-011. The site is transmitting on 20 meters with 200mW and is at maidenhead grid location RB32id. From the WSPRnet.org ( https://www.wsprnet.org/drupal/ ) database for last 2 weeks there were only two other VK7 stations that have decoded this call-sign.
For more information on the station the link is in the text version.
https://dxnews.com/kc4usv_mcmurdo_antarctica/
One notable interest over the previous month has been in the NOAA weather satellites. More correctly trying to work out when and where the satellites will be RF visible above the horizon, then receive the RF down link and finally decoding the weather images from the audio. Phil VK7ZPD, Peter VK7KPC and Daryl VK3AWA, have been enthusiastically venturing in this direction, with much antenna experimentation and positioning happening. Like most things nowadays there is always the steep learning curve on the software implementation and usage that is required to decode the incoming audio. They certainly have had excellent success, with some very impressive images of Australia decoded from the downlink of the satellites. It certainly has come a long way from what I tried decoding using a Commodore 64!
As all three, NOAA 15, 18 and 19 are exhibiting loss or degradation of some on-board systems and considering the ages, NOAA 15 was launched last century in 1998 they are still going well but the next generation is in the planning and construction phase at the moment.
Do we take things for granted like decoding the downlinks, will we still be able to do the same on the next generation that replace them? These could be the last we can eavesdrop on!
Some decoded images are available on the NTARC website under Blogs at Broadcast news for 2nd October. The link in the text version. https://www.ntarc.net/blogs
Tassie Ham Expo in November - The club has decided to combine the Coffee Morning and Technical Night donations for the month of October. Our aim is to purchase some new items that can be donated to the Tassie Ham Conference / Expo in November, they will be added to the pool of raffle prizes. So next Coffee Morning or Tech Night feel free to bring along any old change or notes that you no longer have a use for and pass them on to a good amateur cause.
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
Last but certainly not least, good to have Nic, VK7WW back on deck and at the helm of the TestNet and TechNet sessions, with his usual accompanying reports of 20 over 9 into Melbourne! Top marks to Phil, VK7ZPD and Rick, VK7HBR for stepping into the rather large boots of Nic as Net controller and holding the fort together over the previous few weeks, thanks fellows.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Club Technical night - Wednesday 5th October. Held at the NTARC Club rooms, 7.30pm until late.
Club General Meeting – Wednesday 12th October. Held at the NTARC Club Room, Rocherlea Scout Hall, Archer Street, Rocherlea. Meeting commences at 7:30pm. For those not going to the meeting there is the:
TestNet and TechNet – Wednesday 12th October. 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 about 7.30pm. 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. We currently have QSL cards awaiting collection, so why not pop in, check the QSL box and join us for a cuppa and chat. Remember, door proceeds will go to the November Ham Expo!
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.
