Broadcast - 1 June 2025
Firstly a carry-over from last Wednesday’s technical night, Ross VK7ALH brought in a very newly acquired FT-7 Transceiver. It was manufactured by Yaesu Musen of Japan, circa mid 1970’s and was still in surprisingly good condition. This solid state transceiver was considered very small for its time, it even has “slides” mounted on the side of its case for vehicle installation. But measuring in at 230 by 80 by 290 mm and weighing 5 kg it would nowadays be classed as a large very ruggedly constructed mobile.
It has five switchable HF amateur-bands namely: 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 Metre bands, all usable with SSB and CW. It is considered a low-power or QRP transceiver as its transmitting power is about 10 Watts PEP. Amplitude Modulation and a higher transmitting power didn’t come along until the later version the FT-7B which was released in1980.
With the cover removed, the internal condition was also found to be in excellent condition. With its multiple vertical plug in printed circuit board modules this certainly heralded in the newer solid state construction techniques.
Needless to say, because of its vintage, the visual interface was via a moving coil signal strength meter and an analogue frequency display with dial calibration achieved via a slider under the main tuning knob. However, Ross also had the later released YC-7B Digital Readout accessory from Yaesu with him. This is a seven segment, red, Light Emitting Diode, digital readout display which comes mounted in its own little enclosure and normally sits on top of the rig. It is connected via a multi pin connector to the rear panel of the FT-7. Thanks for the comparison of what we consider as mobile rigs Ross.
This a bit “last minute”, but there has been quite a bit of interest as to whether the NTARC club rooms would be opening up to watch the REAST “short presentation and Question and Answer session on Class Licenses”. Well the 4th of June doesn’t coincide with a normal Wednesday Club Room Technical Night, however this a very important subject to amateur radio operators. So doors will be open by 7:00 pm, mobile phones will be put on silent and we will cross to the live REAST YouTube channel by 7:30 pm. Hopefully it will be in the all new high definition, HiHi. Normal services will be resumed after the session and you might even get a drink and a piece of cake. So rather than sit at home watching, feel free to come along and watch this information session on a large screen TV, in a distraction and stress free environment. See you next Wednesday.
As always pictures will be available on the NTARC Web site under “Blogs” for this broadcast. NTARC Blogs
UPCOMING EVENTS
TestNet and TechNet session - Every Wednesday, TestNet/CW course on 3.580 MHz from 7 pm, then a TechNet on 3.567 MHz from 7.30 pm till 8.30 pm. Your host for the evening is Nic VK7WW.
Special Club Room night session- This Wednesday the 4th. June, live stream of REAST “Short presentation and Question and Answer session on Class Licenses”. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
Club Room Technical night presentation - By Trevor VK7TB and Eric on restoration of an R1155 communications receiver. Wednesday night the 11th. June at the Archer Street Club Rooms, Rocherlea.
Club General Meeting - Saturday 14th. June at 2:00 pm. Held at the NTARC Club Room, Rocherlea Scout Hall, Archer Street, Rocherlea. If you have items you would like added to the agenda please email the secretary at: secretary@ntarc.net no later than Friday the 13th June.
Coffee Morning - held every Friday in the NTARC Club rooms. Time is from 10 am to noon and we look forward to seeing you all there. So why not pop in check the QSL cards and join us for a cuppa, there is endless tea and coffee along with biscuits available for a donation.
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 5 pm on the Friday prior to the Broadcast.
That’s all folks,
73, Stefan VK7ZSB, Secretary NTARC Inc.
