Broadcast - 2 November 2025
The first item is a quick update on NTARC being requested to provide safety communications and rider tracking at an Equine Endurance ride held at Springfield last weekend. Springfield is a new location for us and is located on the sideling side of Scottsdale. The communications trailer was delivered Wednesday morning and temporarily set up in a spare hay paddock as the main grounds needed mowing. As this was a new track layout Ride Base and all the check points had to be located and tested for voice communications. Unfortunately that was the day a storm hit the area which made everything that much wetter to do, but as they say “it’s only water!” We returned Friday and were able to relocate the communications trailer to the new area, which was now freshly mown and available. No electronic tracking was employed so everything relied on 2 Metre voice communications.
All the contingent had returned, or arrived for the first time, by 6 am Saturday morning and headed out to the checkpoints for the start of the 80 kilometre event at 7 am. Ride Base was manned by Andre’ VK7ZAB, with VK7s Idris ZIR, Stefan ZSB and Pete from the Ulverstone Radio Operators Club, operating the ride Check Points. The weather was indeed good to us with no rain and only a very gentle breeze. Unfortunately the sun only penetrated down to the floor of the tree plantation occasionally, but it did bring with it a delicious warmth. Operationally the day went smoothly without any horse or rider mishaps. Thanks to all for the assistance given.
Last club room technical night Colin VK7ZCF, brought in a project kit from his younger days. In Colin’s words “It was one of my first projects in the Amateur Radio hobby”. It was based on an article in Electronics Australia, January 1972, of an RF converter design described by Ian McKenzie, VK2ZIM, in the monthly news-letter published by the VHF and TV Group, WIA NSW division.
An RF receiving converter for the 432 MHz Amateur Television (ATV) transmission band, with an output that was ideal for use with a normal, at the time, analogue TV with 4-by-3 aspect ratio receiver. Colin didn’t purchase or assembled his unit until about ten years later. The converter consists of two RF amplifier stages, a mixer stage and a free running local oscillator all using BF180 bipolar transistors. This design and kit was very popular as there was no cheap ATV equipment on the market at the time, if you needed something then you built it.
Colin should be very proud of the construction and workmanship as it certainly has withstood the test of time and explains why his construction projects nowadays are so precise. However the beautifully shiny tin plate RF sections that you once soldered together certainly have tarnished over the years. HiHi
Colin built this kit into a timber enclosure, one wonders if forty five years ago he could have conceived of printing an enclosure from a plastic filament, like he routinely does now?
I know I am always asking for any items for the broadcast, but sometimes what I receive should not have had cause to be written in the first place. And I quote, “Northern repeater inappropriate behaviour seems to have surfaced again. We would like to see this cease and desist immediately. As you must realise this contravenes the Licence Conditions Determination Act for repeater usage.” End quote.
Thank you to Al for having to bringing some non-club member repeater conduct to our attention. Remember access to any Amateur repeater should be considered a privilege and not a right!
On a lighter note it may seem early but the end of year NTARC Christmas dinner is getting closer and has now been locked in, it will be on Thursday the 4th of December. As we have received a number of requests we are trialling a change from the usual Wednesday to a Thursday evening as this may be more manageable for members. Due to popular requests it will be held at the Iron Horse Bar and Grill located at 468 Westbury Rd, Prospect Vale. Check your calendar! If you are free and wish to attend, now is the time to mark the date.
As always pictures will be available on the NTARC Web site under “Blogs” for this broadcast. NTARC Blogs
UPCOMING EVENTS
On Air Test and Technical Net session - Every Wednesday, Test-Net and CW course on 3.580 MHz from 7 pm, then a Technical Net on 3.567 MHz from 7.30 pm till 8.30 pm. Your host for the evening is Nic VK7WW.
Club Room Technical night - The next session will be this Wednesday the 12th of November and will commence at the usual time of 6.30 pm at the Club Room Archer Street, Rocherlea.
Coffee Morning - Held every Friday in the NTARC Club rooms. Time is from 10 am to noon.
Finally – If you have any items of news please email them to the Secretary at the following address news@ntarc.net all items to be received no later than 5 pm on the Friday prior to the Broadcast.
That’s all folks,
73, Stefan VK7ZSB.
