Broadcast - 11 January 2026
A reminder to all users of VK7RAA, 2 Metre repeater on Mount Arthur. Don’t forget that due to the ongoing problem with the squelch opening, it was decided last year to implement tone access. This will require your transceiver to send a CTCSS sub-tone of 123.0 Hz on your transmissions. This change will be implemented in the near future, depending on weather and site visits. It will stay in effect until we can resolve the interference problem.
With the beginning of the New Year out of the way, it was time to start settling into the year with club activities.
Last Wednesday night saw Nic VK7WW back at the helm of the TestNet and TechNet session, after a very short break over the Christmas New Year period. It was excellent to hear local and mainland call signs on air for the session again. There were plenty of “Happy New Year” and festive season updates along with the usual net chatter. Once again there was a Discord channel made available for text and picture information to be posted. Concurrently, there was an off-air audio feed, provided by Phil VK7ZPD, for those of us unable to hear all stations partaking of the on air chatter. Keep up the good work fellows.
Friday saw the first coffee morning for the year, with a much more than expected turn-out, almost standing room only. Thanks to Roslyn for once again opening up and organising the club room in readiness for the start of the weekly get-togethers. As expected, the New Year break was the initial topic of conversation, covering happenings and some new amateur radio component additions, which will no doubt surface in the ensuing Technical nights. The normal mid-day cessation certainly didn’t hold, as the front door wasn’t shut and locked until much closer to 1 pm after the last of the members departed. The morning was a pleasant and relaxing start to the New Year Friday sessions.
A big thank you to all those members who have paid their 2026 subs. Our Treasurer has been very busy writing up receipts. In case you have forgotten, NTARC’s 2026 membership fees are still just $45.00 for a full voting member and $5 additional for each family member that the voting member wishes to add to his or her primary membership. If club membership is not your cup of tea, we fully understand, and we thank those people who made direct donations to the club. If you are a repeater user or would just like to support its funding, we would also be happy to receive your contribution towards ongoing repeater maintenance. Donations can be made either in person at a club meeting or coffee morning, or by post to PO BOX 275, Launceston 7250. Any donation will be gladly accepted and officially receipted.
The Annual General Meeting of NTARC will take place on Wednesday, 11th February 2026 at the NTARC Club Rooms, Rocherlea Scout Hall, Archer Street Rocherlea, commencing at 19:30 hours (7.30 pm). Please start thinking about who you would like to see nominated for the new 2026 committee. Club members are reminded that they will need to be 2026 financially current to be able to nominate or vote at the Annual General Meeting. Nomination forms are available from the NTARC website in the members’ area for download. For your convenience, the forms are also available from the NTARC club room at the Coffee mornings and up-coming Club Room Technical Nights.
UPCOMING EVENTS
On Air Test and Technical Net session - Every Wednesday night, 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.
Coffee Morning - Held every Friday in the NTARC Club rooms. Time is from 10 am to noon.
Club Room Technical night - is in recess until Wednesday the 21st January.
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.
