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APC NEWS
Inside this issue:
Left: Colin VK3UDC and
John VK3HCT at the Christmas Party. More pictures
inside.
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 1 of 26
Left: The VK3AFW antenna system is
back in operation. Not quite all bands
but there is a 40/80 m trap dipole – one
trap can be see as the white cylinder at
bottom left—a triband 4 element 20/15/10
m beam, a 5 element 6 m beam, a 15 element 2 m beam, a 16 element 70 cm
beam and a 33 element 1296 MHz Beam.
A 2/70 vertical sits atop of the mast.
The tower is in its lowered condition and
only gets cranked up to the full 12 m in
calm weather.
Read more about it in the article on page
12
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 2 of 26
CONTENTS
Item
Page
Aerials and Stuff
Antenna Rebuild
Christmas Party Pictures
Club Award
Club Nets
Club Meetings
`
Club Repeaters Status
Committee Members
EU Visitor
Join the M&DRC
Meetings, Activities and Speakers
Payment Method
SOTA Conference
SOTA Ladder
The Editor’s Desk
The President’s Piece
Trade Discounts
14
12
6
22
24
25
19
26
11
21
17
20
18
16
4
5
23
January February 2015
BEEN SOMEWHERE?
Done something
Interesting?
Tell the Editor. He needs material for the next issue of APC News.
Please include pictures too.
Email: vk3apc@wia.org.au
© All material in this magazine is subject to Australian Copyright Laws.
Contact the editor if you wish to reproduce any of the contents.
APC NEWS Number 237
BUILT SOMETHING?
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 3 of 26
THE EDITORS DESK - Ron VK3AFW
Welcome to 2015.
I have had a number of significant distractions that
have kept me off the bands for a month, not just because the antennas
were under rebuild.
I hope Christmas New Year was good for you. One member seems to
have acquired a new rig, I wonder if any of the rest of you got something
special too. Why not tell us about it?
I’m always looking for photos of club members and stories on your activities. Your help will be appreciated.
Congratulations to Kaye Wright VK3FKDW who has volunteered to take
on the role of Secretary for the AR publication Committee.
She and Noel VK3BMJ our publicity officer will publicize the Club IF you can give them some
input. I can’t emphasize enough how important this is. Without publicity we will not grow.
I look forward to receiving some interesting material in the coming year from you the Club member. And remember if something is too small on your screen use the zoom control.
73,
Ron, VK3AFW
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 4 of 26
THE PRESIDENT’S PIECE
Ian is indisposed but will be back for the next issue.
He is on the mend
and we wish him a speedy and full recovery.
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 5 of 26
CHRISTMAS PARTY 2014
This year we had a change in the menu and judging by the reaction of the hungry hordes it was
well appreciated. The photos are not quite up to standard—a mobile phone does not perform
well when hand held under low light. Can you name everybody in the pics?
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 6 of 26
CHRISTMAS PARTY 2014
CONT’D
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 7 of 26
CHRISTMAS PARTY 2014 CONT’D
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 8 of 26
CHRISTMAS PARTY 2014 CONT’D
What is Brian VK3MCD (above right) doing? Playing a type of flute? No he
is assembling his Buddy Pole field ops antenna.
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 9 of 26
CHRISTMAS PARTY 2014 CONT’D
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 10 of 26
EU VISITOR
Peter DL8FBT (left) has visited the Club several
times in January. He travelled to Australia on a
cargo ship and is staying with a friend In NarreWarren South. His home QTH is North East of
Frankfurt. His preferred mode is CW but he did
come with a hand held dual band FM radio.
Welcome Peter.
.
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 11 of 26
ANTENNA REBUILD
Following damage to the antenna array Ron VK3AFW has rebuilt and refurbished it over the
NY period. Above is the bent 40 mm mast that was replaced with a 50 mm mast. The replacement is the same length—above is the offcut from the 6.5 m length purchased from Robot Trading.in Clayton.
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 12 of 26
ANTENNA REBUILD CONT’D
The rebuild included:

Replacement stronger mast.

New coax for all antennas, including heliax for 1,296 MHz and foam dielectric for 2 m and
70 cm.

New dipole and reflector for 2 m beam—aluminium instead of copper.

New baluns for 2 m and 70 cm beams—see the 70 cm one under construction below.

Stainless steel hardware where possible, rust resistant paint on plated components.
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 13 of 26
AERIALS AND STUFF
PORTABLE TRANSMITTING LOOP
Left we see Brian VK3MCD with his home brew HF
transmitting loop. As is done with most of these a
standard 2 gang capacitor is used to resonate the
RG213 coax loop. The difference here is that a second variable capacitor is used to match to 50 ohms.
The loop is supported by electrical conduit as the loop
is not self supporting.
It is easily disassembled for putting in a pack. 40 m
tuners well on this one. The outer screen of the coax
forms the loop conductor.
While not as effective as a dipole it is quick to deploy
and occupies a much smaller space than the wire on a
squid pole so common these days.
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 14 of 26
AERIALS AND STUFF CONT’D
The basic schematic is shown on the
right. For QRP levels standard broadcast receiver two gang capacitors can be
used—250 to 300 pF max is enough.
Different sized loops can be used for different frequency ranges but a 2:1 range
is probably the limit to achieve reasonable efficiency.
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 15 of 26
SOTA LADDERS
While SOTA is not a competition, most involved like to see how they are
progressing toward their goals and how others are going. The Club has
four active SOTA enthusiasts at present.
Congratulations to Tony VK3CAT who has achieved Super Sloth Status as a Chaser.
All four activators have progressed with Brian nearly a Mountain Goat.
The points can change daily so check SOTAWATCH for the current listings.
ACTIVATOR LADDER
CHASER LADDER
Brian VK3MCD
900 pts
Tony VK3CAT
10,214 pts
Tony VK3CAT
422pts
Ron VK3AFW
7,209 pts
Ron VK3AFW
186 pts
Brian VK3MCD
2,678pts
Ian VK3IFM
3 pts
Ian VK3IFM
307 pts.
Brian is #4 activator in VK3 and Tony is #3 chaser in VK3
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 16 of 26
M&DRC MEETINGS, ACTIVITIES AND
SPEAKER SCHEDULE
MONTH
January
2015
February
2014
March 2015
DATE
SPEAKER
DATE
No Friday meeting
7th
th
SOTA Annual Conference
ACTIVITY
Tuesday coffee meetings
27th
Informal meeting. Room and garage
clean up and natter
13
Useful Field Antennas for
HF: Ron VK3AFW
13th
Remote Rig operation. TBA
21st
Informal meeting. Room and garage
clean up and natter
John Moyle Field Day
TBA
21st 22nd
18th
th
April 2015
10
Informal meeting. Room and garage
clean up and natter
May 2015
8th
8th
Annual Club Hamfest
8th, 9th
8th, 9th
WIA AGM, Canberra
there or
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 17 of 26
Below: The Xiegu X108, one of the two Chinese
HF transceivers to be described in the conference
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 18 of 26
CLUB REPEATERS STATUS
VK3RMC Frequencies & Operating Status
Analogue
O/P
2m
I/P
147.325 MHz
50 watt
Running.
25 watt
25 watt
Running (Analog/digital)
Running (IRLP enabled)
TBA
In limbo
439.375 MHz
439.875 MHz
434.375 MHz
434.875 MHz
23 cm
1,273.600 MHz
1,293.600 MHz
O/P
Status
147.925 MHz
70 cm
D-star Digital
Pwr
I/P
Pwr
Status
2m
146.7625 MHz
146.1625 MHz
25 watts
Running (Gateway enabled)
70 cm
438.120 MHz
432.725 MHz
25 watt
Running (Gateway enabled)
23 cm
1,273.950 MHz
1,293.950 MHz
10 watt
Running (Gateway enabled)
23 cm
1,298.100 MHz
1,298.100 MHz
10 watt
Future upgrade 128K data
All repeaters are located near Berwick. Information supplied by Graeme VK3GL.
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 19 of 26
PAYING SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THE M&DRC
. Paying by computer.
Go to Internet Banking on your computer and select the account from which you want to make the funds transfer. Do not select a Credit Card Account. In the “Transfer Money” screen enter the following.
1
2
3
4
5
In the ACCOUNT NAME box to which the funds are to be transferred,
enter MOORABBIN AND DISTRICT RADIO CLUB INC
In the BSB box enter the number 033-385
In the ACCOUNT NUMBER box enter the number 77-4955
In the TRANSACTION DETAILS or ACCOUNT DESCRIPTION box enter your name or Call sign in uppercase.
Email the treasurer to advise of your payment.
Paying by cash over the counter at the bank
Go to a Westpac bank and fill out a deposit slip as below. Take this plus the necessary cash to the teller.
1
2
3
4
5
In the FOR CREDIT OF box enter MOORABBIN AND DISTRICT RADIO CLUB INC
In the BSB box enter the number 033-385
In the ACCOUNT NUMBER box enter the number 77-4955
In the TRANSACTION DETAILS or ACCOUNT DESCRIPTION box enter your name or Call sign in uppercase.
Collect the receipt and email the treasurer to confirm payment.
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 20 of 26
LIKE TO JOIN US AT THE M&DRC?
1
Pick a category from the table.
Schedule of Fees (Annual)
Amount
Joining Fee
Nil
Annual Membership Fee, standard
$45.00
Student, Retiree, Pensioner Annual Membership Fee
$40.00
Family Membership Fee
$60.00
Honorary and Life Members Membership Fee
Nil
EFT Payments can now be made
Updated July 2014
Send your application with cheque† to:
The Secretary M&DRC
Box 58,
Highett,
Victoria
Australia 3190.
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
Or send your membership
fee by EFT and apply by
email to :
vk3apc@wia.org.au
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 21 of 26
CLUB AWARD
The award is gained by working / logging the required number of stations on air. An excellent
opportunity is provided by our during our weekly club nets.
The club station VK3APC
5 points
Club members
1 point
Life members
3 points
To qualify:
VK amateurs have to collect 15 points,
non VK amateurs 5 points and
shortwave listeners 7 points.
Send your log entries to:
The Awards Manager,
PO Box 58,
Highett,
Australia., 3190
We do ask for a small fee of $3 to cover postage and processing;
non VK residents can send 2 IRCs in lieu.
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 22 of 26
TRADE DISCOUNTS
FOR CLUB MEMBERS at ALTRONICS and JAYCAR.
Moorabbin and District Radio Club Inc. members can now buy over the counter at Trade prices
from both Altronics and Jaycar. When making a purchase ask for Trade Discount and for Altronics quote the Club's Trade account number 32323 and your call sign or for Jaycar quote
FK000921. This is NOT a charge account so you use your money.
Note: Minimum purchase of $20 may apply.
Check out these companies at their websites.
Get your photo ID discount
card from Ian VK3IFM
NOW
http://www.altronics.com.au
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 23 of 26
CLUB NETS
VHF net.
Wednesdays: 146.550 MHz FM
Starts at 20:00 (local)
HF net
Wednesdays: 3.566 MHz (± QRM) LSB.
Starts at 20:30 (local).
D- STAR repeaters are now
operational.
Drive Time net
For
more
information
about D-STAR go to the
Club’s web page
Week days:
146.550 MHz FM
Starts at about 16:40 (local)
www.mdrc.org.au
Please drop in and join the Nets and catch up on the
latest happenings around the Club.
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
click on the link to
Susan VK3ANZ’s
Newbies Guide to
Using D-STAR
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 24 of 26
CLUB MEETINGS
Formal Meeting.
Second Friday night of the
month, 8:00 PM and
Coffee Group.
Informal Meeting.
Fourth Saturday morning of the
month 10:00 AM
Check the web site and the
weekly Club nets for the latest
doings.
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
Every Tuesday morning 10:00 AM to 11 AM.
Retired? Come along, swap
yarns, bits of gear and info or
get helpful advice all with a biscuit and a cuppa.
Visitors are always
welcome.
Free disposal items for
financial members at most
meetings
www.mdrc.org.au
Page 25 of 26
COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND OFFICE BEARERS
President:
Vice President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Committee members:
Ian VK3IFM
Lee VK3GK
Ken VK3KIM
Brian VK3MCD
Gerard VK3GER
Graeme VK3GL
Publicity Officer
Repeaters
Webmaster:
Museum Officer
Speaker schedule
Education and Training
Station Officer:
QSL Cards
Librarian:
Magazine Editor:
Noel VK3BMU
Graeme VK3GL
Ian VK3IFM
Colin VK3UDC
Gerard VK3GER & Ron VK3AFW
Graeme VK3GL
Tony VK3CAT
Denis VK3BGS
Alistair VK3KAD
Ron VK3AFW vk3afw@optusnet.com.au
APC NEWS Number 237
January February 2015
www.mdrc.org.au
vk3ifm@gmail.com
millisk@hotmail.com
bmcderm@tpg.com.au
Page 26 of 26