Broadcast - 31 May 2026
The first item is a quick update for NTARC. We are providing safety communications and rider tracking at
an Equine Endurance ride held at Springfield this week end.
Springfield rides are not new to us, but this year, Ride Base has been moved to a new un-proven location. As
it is Friday when I pen this, earlier today we went out on site to reconfirm all locations and access. So when
you hear this broadcast we all hope that yesterday was better weather than Friday, and that things went
smoothly, with no technical problems and no rider or horse incidents.
No electronic tracking will be deployed so everything will rely on 2 Metre voice communications, and good
old paper. It is intended for all the communications contingency to have arrived by 6 am Saturday morning
and headed out to the checkpoints for the start of the 80 kilometre event at 6:30 am.
Thanks to all for the assistance given, especially to two REAST members that hopefully travelled up from
Hobart on Friday. If the heavens did open up, as predicted, and we all do get wet…. as they say “it’s only
water!”
Many of us can remember the many Heathkit HF and 6 meter radios and transceivers that were once
manufactured and available. But how many remember the PS-23 work horse power supply?
At our recent clubroom technical night, Ross VK7ALH brought along not one but three PS-23 units, a first
release and a version B and C. Although marketed as the same model and identical externally, once Ross
had whipped the covers off, a look inside showed subtle physical and circuit differences.
Introduced in the 1960s and produced right through to the early 1980s it was a Heathkit work-horse. Two of
the units Ross had were even “as new”, and still in original boxes, a rare sight six decades on. They certainly
were not cheap units to purchase and we definitely won’t mention when you add freight from America for
three beefy iron cored transformers, however they were needed and have completed a couple of transceiver
pairs.
The transceiver and power-supply are interconnected via a cord fitted with a valve base circular type 11-pin
connector. The connector delivers: 12.6 V AC for filaments, negative 130 V DC bias, 275 or 350 V DC high
voltage, and even a higher 820 V DC. They could also be strapped for 110 or 240 V AC, making them
suitable for operators around the world. All up they are a reminder of the rugged engineering of the valve
era, it was built to last and still repairable now days. Thanks Ross
As usual 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 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.
Club Room Technical night - The next session will be Wednesday the 10th June 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.
