Broadcast - 5 July 2026
After the recent REAST forum on hotspots and code plugs, quite a few digital rigs have been dusted off and checked over, with some even making an appearance at the club rooms on technical night.
Colin VK7ZCF was among them. He discovered that his Retevis RT8 and RT90 were no longer accessing the repeater. A quick update of the code plugs brought both radios back to life and happily talking again.
Alongside them was his older dual-band MMDVM hotspot, originally bought from eBay a few years ago.
This one was a little less cooperative, reporting that its software was out of date. The update went through smoothly, and at first everything looked good. But results were mixed. Colin’s transmissions were appearing on the hotspot dashboard, yet his call sign wasn’t showing. Almost certainly just a small setting waiting to be tweaked, but time wasn’t on our side, so it’s now on the list for the next technical night to explore and sort out.
Eric VK7ZPE brought along something a little different.... not electronic, not radio related, but extremely handy for anyone who builds their own projects: a brand new nut-riveter set.
It’s sold under the Topex brand, model TX082. If you’re familiar with how a pop-rivet works, you’re already most of the way there. But instead of a mandrel that snaps, imagine a threaded section at the base of the rivet. You screw the appropriate mandrel into the nut insert, squeeze the handles, and the insert is pulled tight, expanding its tubular body and locking firmly into the sheet material.
Unlike a pop-rivet, this gives you a captive threaded nut that is perfect for situations where you want a bolt to go in cleanly without the nut spinning or wandering.
This set covers sizes M3, M4, M5, M6, M8, M10 and M12, with seven matching mandrels and a spanner for fitting them. It also includes 150 fluted nut inserts, the fluted type being far superior to smooth ones, as they grip better and resist turning under normal torque.
A very tidy kit, with easy change mandrels, all presented in a sturdy blow-moulded case.
Our mid-year Club get-together at the Iron Horse Bar and Grill is coming together beautifully. A big thankyou to everyone who booked early, it’s given the venue a solid guide for catering. The Iron Horse team know how clubs operate and have assured us they’re very flexible. So if you decide at the last moment that you’d like to join in, even on the night itself, they’ll be able to accommodate you without any fuss.
We’re looking forward to a relaxed, enjoyable evening together.
As usual pictures will be available on the NTARC Web site under “Blogs” for this broadcast. NTARC Blogs
UPCOMING EVENTS
CW course - Every Wednesday night, on 3.580 MHz from 7 to 7.30 pm. Your CW Coach for the evening is Nic, VK7WW.
On Air Test and Technical gathering - Wednesday nights, on 3.567 MHz from 7.30 pm.
Club Room Technical night - The next session will be Wednesday the 8th July and will commence at the usual time of 6.30 pm at the Club Room Archer Street, Rocherlea.
Mid-year Club get-together - Wednesday 15th July at Iron Horse Bar and Grill. 6pm for a 6:30 meal.
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.
