Broadcast - 5 October 2025
Firstly, some important information that has just come to hand and the subsequent decision. Peter VK5KDO, or as you probably know him VK7KPC, informed us that there will be an “In Loving Memory” service for Kay (SK), live streamed from Victor Harbour in South Australia this Wednesday afternoon the 8th of October. Therefore the NTARC club rooms will be opening, with a warm invite to members and friends who wish to attend and watch the live streamed service, “In Loving Memory”, in a group setting. The streaming will commence at 2:30 pm (14:30) Tasmanian Daylight Savings Time. After the service there will be ample time for a drink or two and plenty of reminiscing.
For anyone not attending but wishing to watch, there is a link included in the text version of this broadcast or on the NTARC website under “Notices”. Kay - In Loving Memory - link
Idris VK7ZIR had an interesting new but very old toy with him at the last technical night. It was a Tungar branded battery charger made by the General Electric Company in America. It’s probably not a battery charger brand you may have heard of. It’s not really one of these “new-fangled” devices that can charge a multitude of new battery formulations. GEC started manufacturing these chargers circa 1900s, making this particular unit 100 years old and still going strong. Well not really sure about the “strong” part though. It uses standard 230 volt ac input and by the look of it was still using the original Bakelite plug and figure eight mains cable, but we won’t go there. Output charge voltage is quoted as 7.5 or 15 volts DC output at probably a couple of amps. Its enclosure is similar in size and lid opening to a small machine-gun ammo style container. Its claim to fame is the use of a tungsten argon mercury vapour rectifier vacuum tube, which is quite a substantial bottle. Probably a good thing it is constructed within a steel enclosure as it evidently emits X-Rays as a by-product of charging your battery! All we needed was a fluorescent viewing screen and we could have seen how well our shoes fitted, Hi-Hi
NTARC General Meeting reminder – This Wednesday the 8th of October at 7:30 pm. Held at 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 Tuesday the 7th October.
Mug Order - yes, we are talking about the white mugs for drinking out of, those that have our club logo on one side, personalised with your name and call sign on the other. We are placing another order so if you would like one then please email secretary@ntarc.net to place an order. Please specify what name is to be printed above the call sign. The final price will be about $12 depending on eventual quantity ordered.
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.
“In Loving Memory” service - This Wednesday the 8th October at 2:30 pm, NTARC club rooms.
NTARC General Meeting - This Wednesday the 8th October at 7:30 pm, NTARC club rooms.
Club Room Technical night - The next session will be on Wednesday the 15th of October 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.
