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= Al QLR MR
BULLETIN ISSUED BY THE NORTHERN ; P.0. BOX 1010
BRANCH OF THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE LAUNCESTON
OF AUSTRALIA, TAS, DIVISION ‘ TAS, 7250
January. 1976
VoL, £ NO. 12
REGISTERED AT GPO HOBART
for transmission by post PRICE 40¢
as a periodical, CATEGORY B.
This issue as you can see is a bit different due to circumstances beyond our
contreol, Anyhow the main thing is that you get your copy with the news,
A very important feature this months meeting (February) is the decision to keep
GRM or not, Don't forget to give it lots of thought and present your su@gestions
and comments at this meeting,.
The February meeting as will be seen is to be held at the State Emergency Services
building, Charles Street, All members are asked to bring a cup for their tea or
coffee, which can be left.
As the Ham said when caught in a delema "things can go ether wave",
73
Ed - itor
VK 7 HE
e E T I NS
Northern Branch - Friday 13 February - 2000 hrs, SES building Charles Street,
This will be an equipment display evening.
Meetings of the Northern Branch will until further notice be held at the
State Emergency Services building Charles Street,
YRCS ~ The first meeting of the year will be held on Saturday 28 Februaryj Kings
Meadow High School at 1000 hrs. Bring your friends and start the year with a
good roll-up, I reckon that the same date will apply for the North West Branch
at Lakins Hall Ulverstone commencing at 14ooc hrs., (SEE BRANCH NOTES)
North West Branch ~ Tuesday 10th February, Lakins Hall, Ulverstone, 2000 hrs,
NOTES
‘North West Branch -« the branch has been quiet due to most people being on holidays
this time of the year. However a bit of DX has made up for this and the locals
have still been active, Work is still progressing on our repeater. UWe were held
up for a week or so for a couple of parts and by the fact that my Ham Shack was
being remodeled. It is still proposed to have it ready for testing as a manned
repeater from my QTH in about 2 weeks.
Just a note about our YRCS Classes. Due to problems with Hall bookings the next
two meetings will be on Jan 31st and Feb 21st, then we will be gettings back to
the once every two weeks routine. ;
73 UK 7 ZAQ Graeme Rand
P.S, Rumour has it that VUK 7 ZIE and XYL are expecting first harmonic some time
this year. Congratulations to Ian and Lyn., Nouw we know what Ian was up to when
he had TVI prchblems, I think I got your notes put in properly Graeme,
ILMPUNMITAN T unico S —
WINE AND CHEESE EVENING is set for Saturday 28th February at Reg's VK 7 KK QTH
New World Avenue, This will cost about $2,00 a head which covers everything.
All those attending arse asked to advise Reg ASAP,
March Meeting is also the Annuél'Branch Meeting.-Notices of Motion are to be
in the hands of the Secretary by the 218t ©f February.
Present Officers President Brian Yeoman VK 7 ZBY
© * Vice=Presidents Lindsay Dowl VK 7 ZLD
Reg Emmett VK 7 KK
Secretary Ed Hewens VK 7 HE
Treasurer Peter Dowd VK 7 PD
Equipment Store Danial Apted VK 7 ZDA
QRM Editor Graeme Reacrdon VK 7 ZGG
Lecture Officer Wally Murphett VK 7 ZwX
QSL Manager Col Wright M Z
Publicity Officer Bob Grant VK 7 ZRF
Refreshment Officer Reg Emmett VK 7 KK
Auditor Carl Waldron
Mini « Hamfest is set for March 14th and more details will follow,
AGM will be held on 3rd April, Tentative venue is - meeting is to be held at the
residence of Jim Davis, Latrobe and Dinner at the Elamata, Devonport, This will
be confirmed by the host branch which is the North West Branch. ' Notices of Motion
are to be in the hands of the Divisional Secretary, P.0. Box 1010 Launceston
by 13th March.
EQUIPMENTSTORE
Double sided printed circuit board now in stock., $3,00 square foot.
FOR SALE
For Sale National NCX 3 S.S.B. Transceiver B0-40-20 180 watts PEP,
Good condition, Home made power supply. $150,00 AS IS WHERE IS
Norm VK 7 NR
NOTE
From the SERG November Newsletter,
The PMG has approved the clubs application for a special call sign for the
Back to Mt Gambier celebrations - VK § BMG
FOR_SALE
Shack clearance sale - AGAIN! ~ at Joe's VK & ZGJ Ph 443882 or 40 pavender Grove,.
'Creed 78 Teleprinter $40 Three 2M converters, Nuvistor 6mhz IF $10, 3ABP Valve
7mhz IF $5, Transistor $4. 6' dish 24db gain at 1296mhz $45., Pair 16 el 432mh:
yagis with horizontal stacking array $10, Pair book shelf speaker encloser $45.
Various other items = transformers - TV chassis - Meters etc
NOTE
North West Branch - List of Officiers
President Ian Ellings VK ZIE
7
Secretary Graeme Rand VK ZAQ
7
Treasurer Max Ives VK MX
7
Equipment Store Adrian Sherrif VK ZAT
7
Zone Correspondence Graeme Rand VK 7 ZAQ
. WICEN R Groome VK 7 ZGR
Wine & Cheese Evening -~ PLEASE ADVISE REG BY NEXT MEETING OF YOUR INTENTION,
Due to lack of facilities this evening is suggested as an Adult Evening., Give
Buary 1976 2 Vol 6 No 1 g
'FLONG AMATEUR RADIO T.,V, CLUB NEWSLETTER DECEMBER = JANUARY 13975-6
SUGGEST;Q 144Mc BAND PLAN (FOR TUNEABLE SECTION 144,0 - 145,0)
144,0 * .? *HF L2 3 o4 14&.5 ob . .8 o9 145,0
[ ; i [ =D ¥ ' 5 = §o0 8 ) ' i £ :
DX DX | ssB AM CuW SSB BEACONS ! NBFM CW AM SSB
CW 'SSB :
144,00 - 144,05 DX Cu
144,05 - 144,10 ° Serious SS5B DX
144,10 = 144,20 558
144,20 = 144,50 S5B, AM, Rag Chews, Nets etc
144,50 = 144,70 Beacons
144,70 - 145,00 Narrow Band FM, AM, CW, SSB
* 144,10 National Calling Frequency
144,05 = 144,15 Secondary Calling Frequency
##* Beacons
144,50 -« 144,70 Ege 144.51 VK1 Beacon
144,52 VK2 Beacon
144,53 VK3 Beacon
sssesctc
Similarly for secondary beacons in each State an exact
replica of the 144,50 - 144,60 could be set up between
144,60 - 144,70,
*%% 558 DX
144,05 - 144,1 Serious DX QSC's, country and interstate ( and hopefully
overseas) DX,
With the ever increasing use of the 2 metre amateur band, due to the ready
availability of ready to go equipment currently on the market, it has been
decided to present a suggested “band plan" for the tuneable part of the band.
The "band plan® shown above is in fact a black and white representation of what
could be called a "gentleman's" agreement, which has been developed over the
years, and has been successful in avaoiding large scale anarchy.
Comments by users of this band would be very wslcome, and we would like to
remind you that this is not presented as the end-all of band lay-outs, but as an
848 Yo BBy SONEIS L0 WS DEUNS Besyl 5t J6hn UKZAGR Carlo bhescoarini WiOZ8G
6-9V STABILISED SUPPLY
This inexpensive unit will enable cassette recorders, portable radios, portable
record players and the like requiring 6 to 9V to be run from a 12V car battery,
in or out of the car, This not only saves their internal batteries but ensures
that they run at peak efficiency.,
CIRCUIT, In the basic circuit, Fige 1, the reference voltage is determined by a
zener diode ZD which controls the output voltage. Tri1, a power transistor, takes
a small current from ZD, amplifies it, and feeds the resulting current to the
output circuit., With the output circuit left open Tr1 remains off, but as soon
as a load is connected the current will increase until the voltage at the output
is a little less than that of ZD, If for any reason the output voltage increases
the voltage across Tri's base-emitter decreases causing the collector current to
drop. Conversely, if the - output voltage decreases the base-emitter voltage will
increase, raising the collector current., The overall effect being that the output
voltage will remain constant despite varying load currents,
OVERLOAD: Although the basic circuit will work quite satisfactary, if the
output leads are accidentally shorted together a heavy current will flow which
may damage the transistor before the fuse can blow., To insure against this the
circuit can be modified to the form shown in Fig.2, Here, no matter what the
DX DX | SSB AM CU SSB BEACONS NBFM CW AM SSB
Cu 'ssB :
144,00 - 144,05 - DX cuw
144,05 = 144,10 ° Serious SSB DX
144,10 = 144,20 558
144,20 - 144,50 ssB, AM, Rag Chews, Nets etc
144,50 = 144,70 Beacons
144,70 - 145,00 Narrow Band FM, AM, CW, SSB
#* 144,10 National Calling Frequency
144,05 = 144,15 Secondary Calling Frequency
## Beacons
144,50 « 144,70 Ege 144,51 VK1 Beacon
144,52 VK2 Beacon
144,53 VK3 Beacon
..OOOEtC
Similarly for secondary beacons in each State an exact
replica of the 144,50 - 144,60 could be set up between
144,60 - 144,70,
*%%558 DX
144,05 = 144,1 Serious DX QS0's, country and interstate ( and hopefully
overseas) DX,
With the ever increasing use of the 2 metre amateur band, due to the ready
availability of ready to go equipment currently on the market, it has been
decided to present a suggested “band plan" for the tuneable part of the band,
The "band plan® shown above is in fact a black and white representation of what
could be called a "gentleman's" agreement, which has been developed over the
years, and has been successful in avaoiding large scale anarchy.
Comments by users of this band would be very welcome, and we would like to
remind you that this is not presented as the end-all of band lay-outs, but as an
Bl b fwe smens Lo WUs DEIs Gesul 9t b VKCAGH Cailo Lhacceetni Uaree
6-9V STABILISED SUPPLY
This inexpensive unit will enable casssette recorders, portable radios, portable
record players and the like requiring 6 to 9V to be run from a 12V car battery,
in or out of the car, This not only saves their internal batteries but ensures
that they run at peak efficiency.
CIRCUIT, In the basic circuity, Fig. 1, the reference voltage is determined by a
zener diode ZD which controls the ocutput voltage, Tr1, a power transistor, takes
a small current from ZD, amplifies it, and feeds the resulting current to the
output circuit, With the output circuit left open Tr1 remains off, but as soon
as a load is connected the current will increase until the voltage at the output
is a little less than that of ZD, 1If for any reason the output voltage increases
the voltage across Tri1's base-emitter decreases causing the collector current to
drop. Conversely, if the - output voltage decreases the base-~emitter voltage will
increase, raising the collector current. The overall effect being that the output
voltage will remain constant despite varying load currents,
OVERLOAD: Although the basic circuit will work quite satisfactary, if the
output leads are accidentally shorted together a heavy current will flow which
may damage the transistor before the fuse can blow., To insure against this the
circuit can be modified to the form shown in Fig.2, Here, no matter what the
load, even a short circuit, no more than 33omA will flow, Under normal loads
the voltage across R2 will be less than the 500mV or so required to start Tr2
conducting, so the circuit will work as in Fig.1.
Howeuer when the current exceeds 280mA this will no longer obt%,‘r,fi
start to draw current from Z0, At first this will have no effect,
voltage across R2 increases further Tr2 will draw more and more current untll
finally the zener will. stop conducting, thus enabl;ngthe output voltage to fall
to a level where no more than 330mA flows.,
QUTPUT VOLTAGE 0 (400mu) R1 (1/8m)
6Y 6.2V 680 ohms
T3y 7.5V 390 ®
9V 9,1V 220 @
CONSTRUCTIONs The unit is built into an aluminium box approx. 3x2x2in, the power
transistor being bolted to the box after applying silicone grease., The few
components are connected directly to the pins of the power transistor., Since the
quiescent current is only about 13mA no on-off switch is required.
Presented in PW Experimenters Corner by J, Rowley,.
g AD 161
Tr1/f\%’j_gz e L_.__}_— g
RER O e |
I oUTPUT Ly S ke
pva . ?5
4
w12
‘h 2\/.__!5". ’i e ”M;fi e s
500mA fuse . 500mA fuse
Fige1. Basic stabilising circuits for a) neg and b) pos earth
TE R@4 _r"fiQT¥%1 1.8% W
162 1 =TT
= §E§}4L\ 3 Gi?ylj
it _fi@fii; i T OUTPUT
; Tr2 L 7D PN 108
7
Z,70 BC 258 i
12y f'
* Ne e
s
500 mA fuse
b
SOO mA fuse
Fige2., Protected circuits for neg or pes earth
VeHo.F. NOTES
The Ross Hull contest is over with some very high scores achieved., Kevin VK 7 ZAH
and Kerry VK 5 SU both had in excess of 600 contacts, All States with the excep °
tion of Vk 0 were worked on 6M, I had only one contact with a ZL, although ZL TV
was watchable on many occassions., New Guinea now P29 has only 6 amateurs actlve
on 6 metres and have been worked by Kevin during the month,
New Years day would have been the most active day when 9 VK 6's uere worked alaong
with most other States, In the evening 2 metres opened up to VK 3, Kevin and I
worked about 12 stations in Vic, The 3rd of January was another good day on 2
metres with about two dozen VK 3's being worked, Kevin also worked Ron VK 3 AKC
on 432 and 1296 twice during the day,
Openings during the month are too numerous to list. I only hope that next year
wE will have more active VHF operators to enjoy the activity. Please, now that
the Ross Hull contest is finished, don't go QRT. How about a call some time =
most VHF and some HF operators monitor 52,050 and 144.1 mhz,
73
Joe
ATUAL REPORT 1975 — 76
The average meeting attendance for the year 1975-76 was a little dowm
on the previous year, but still good at 31 members. Activity throughout-
the Branch meetings continued to be at a high level, with subjects spoken
on at meetings ranging from Stocks and Sharés, The History of Malse Teeth
to practical hints for the home constructor, as well as the usual auction
and equipment display. Also this year saw seven associate menbers join
the Branch.
On the social side, functions were well supported by members and their
families, These events ranged fron a fanily film afternoon to barbecues
and other Mew Year's Eve function. (Seems this may become a regular event),
Many thanks to those people who made their homes available for these
functions.
The equipment store has again been very successful this year, nainly
due to the efforts of Kevin Henricks and later on in the year, Danny Apted.
One has only to tally up the sales figures to see just how successful the
equipment store has been, and it is this support by you, the members, that
helps to make it that way.
On the public relations scene, one event stands head and shoulders
above the rest. I refer to, of course, the amateur radio display at the
Northern Regional Library. My thanks go to the organisers of this event
and to the nembers who helped man this display.
The repeater VK7TRAL, is doing its bit in creating a close, fanily-
type atmosphere in the Branch, being used for just rag-chewing, working DX,
or helping interstate visitors feel at home. The repeater has also been
used for originating and re-broadcasting the official Sunday norning news
broadcasts, While on the subject of broadcasts, this Branch has been well
represented in the area of originating with ample stations being
available, but the 80 meter re=broadcast situation still seens to be the
problen area.
During 1975 the old Rule Bock that carried the Northern Branch since
its conception was replaced with an updated set of by-laws,
On the Clubroom scene, most of 1975 has been taken up with awaiting
replies from the Launceston City Council on the Bourke Street Rooms, Some
difference of opinion still seems prevalent on vhat form our Clubroom should
take; whether it is to be a full-sized Clubhouse or just a place to hold
regular neetings and special events. Whatever, members will have to decide
one way or the other, so this area of the Northern Branch's activities can
be dealt with promptly and properly.
"Q.RJM." continued this year with a new Editor. The standard of Q.R.M.
continues to be high, but despite calls for Technical articles, none seem
to be forthcoming. The future of Q.R.lII. will also have to be decided this
year, due to increased production and postage costs.
It was heartening to see a good roll-up fron the Northern Branch at
the Divisional Hamfest held at Richmond, and it is hoped that the lorthern
Branch will be well represented at the usual North-Northwest Mini-Hamfest
and Annmual CGeneral Meeting and Dinner in the North-ilest Branch later this
year.
Individual members have kept the Horthern Branch well represented in
both the HF and VHF sections of our bands, with activity ranging from
working exotic stations in the HF bands to striving for that new station
via Oscar 6 or 7. Activity in other areas such as ATV, RTTY, and meteor
scatter etc, continues to be high.
ANJTUAL REPORT (Contd.)
As last year, regular neetings have been held throughout the year.
These meetings have been useful in planning such things as Branch neetings,
special events, etc, and ensuring that these events go off smoothly. I
would like to thank all the Executive members for their support and
enthusiasn shown during the year, as it is never an easy job to work for
a group without such support.
Concluding this report, one can only say that while this year!s
meetings have been reasonably well attended the nunbers are down a little
as well as total membership in the Branch., The reasons for this drop in
active members is unknown; they are nany and varied, but if anyone has the
answers to improving the menmbership of the Northern Branch, and hence
meeting attendances, I am sure any menber of the future Executive will be
only too pleased to hear from you. Perhaps nore Branch involvement in
areas such as Clubrooms, S.E.S., etc. mey help.
o matter what the reasons, all of us should strive to makeé su?e
the Northern Branch continues to grow and develop into a strong, united
Branch. Remenber this Branch cennot flourish unless we are all prepared
to do our fair share of the work,
Brian Yeoman VK7ZBY
1717706,
HF NOTES
Conditions have been generally poor during the month, more so on the three higher
bands with some openings on most days on 10 and 15 metres for short periods mainly
to the north. For three days during mid January the JA stations were heard working-
into Europe on 15 metres and giving out some very good reports, The 20 Metre band
has varied between very strong short skip conditions to very gquiet wide open on
most days with the best DX being heard after 0900Z,
Some good signals have been heard on the 40 and 80 metre bands from 0600Z onwards
with VR8B and ZL3LN/C generating a lot of activity from European stations, The
160 metre band has not been tuned this month though VR4AA Jim at Honiara is
looking for VK's,
Some of the latest HF antennas to grace the Northern Branch skyline this summer
are 7HE's X-beam, 7NR's THE6 and 7BC's Quad - all working well,
With the U.S. Bicentennial celebrations this year some of the prefix's to be heard
from the islands arej; K36 Johnston Is, now AJ7, KP4 Puerto Rico, now AJ4, KV4
Virgin Is, now AJ3, KC4 Novassa Is, Now AL4, KL?7 Alaska, now AL7, KS6 American
Samoa, now AH3 and KH6 Hawiian Is, now AHE,
A few QSL routes; KB6CU Box 1158 Canton Is, 96736, VR4AA c/o GPO Honiara, Brit
Solomon Islands, 9M8HB HBS Bureau, AH3FF Box 182 Lapuente, Calif 91747, VRBB
Yasme Foundation, Box 2025, Castro Valley, Calif 94546, WB9AJF/6Y5, Box 38
Kingston 4, Jamaica, KC6AQ via WABAHF, CR9AJ Box 798 Macao, C9MJC via WBCNL,
VP1BH via VE2AKZ, O9K2DR Box 2 Kuwait and A4XFE Box 248 Muscat,
Some band times/heard listings for this month SSB., 20 Metres 0100/0600Z
VK9RH KS6CC LZ1VUD HP1YY KZ5TS DJISMS SV1GP BV2B 0600/0900Z KBG6CU AHG6HSN VR8B
ZL3LM/C K4AEA COMI0O VSS5DB G2SB HZA1TA VRGTC G2AMV YVSETD 0900/1200Z
VPBHZ SM20MU UK2GKW VUSBAF KC6AQ ZSIMI AH3FF ON4NV KGB63AR VR4AA UD6HB
CROAJ EI2CN CE4PM ZK1CV CP5DT 9Y4CR LUSEIO 9MEMU 1200/1500Z G6Z0 IT9TIA
VU7ANI VU2D0K WB9AJF/6Y5 OQE7KPI HIBXFD GW4AYJ UL70E FBDC 4S7PD HSSUD ASXBD
9K2DR A4XFE
CW between 1100/1300Z gave UP2DK SP2AJ0 SMSGFK GI30L3 UA1=@ PAgIMH 0Z6XT
HBOAQA DL7TA FGEDEV YZ5CCJ 40 metres 0600/0900Z AH3FF VURBB 0Z5KF 0Z4MQ
VR1AA VS5DB JA'S and W'S 80 metres 0600/080CZ P29 ZL VK6 VK8 JA ZK1,.
CHOCOLATE _RUM CAKE
Ingredientss 4 oz Butter 1 tablespoon boiling water
scant 3/4 cup castar sugar 2 eqgs
pich salt 1 tablespoon rum
2 cups plain flour 2 teaspoons cream of tarter
5 tablespoons drinking chocolate 1 teaspoon carb soda
3/4 cup milk
Mixings Cream butter and sugar with boiling water until white and fluffy,
add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addittion. Add rum., Fold in
sifted dry ingreients alternately with milk, Place mixture into two well
greased seven inch tins and bake in moderate oven 25 to 30 minutes, When cold
fill, and top with fluffy chocolate frosting,.
Frosting FROSTING
Ingreients: 2 oz butter 1% cups sifted icing sugar
2 oz drinking chocolate 1 teaspoon rum
1 egg uwhite
Mixings Cream butter, gradually add one cup sugar, drinking chocolate and
rum, Beat egg whites stiffly, gradually add remaining icing sugar, fold into
chocolate mixture, Spread between layers of cake and over top., Decorate with
almonds and crystallised cherries,
We may live without poetry, music, and art,
We may live without conscience, and live without hearts
We may live without friends, we may live without books,
But civilised man cannot live without cooks!
He may live without bookss what is knowledge but grieving?
He may live without hopej what is hope but deceivinh?
He may live without love; what is passing but pining?
But where is the man that can live.uwithout dining?
Noeleen
XYL ot Ed-VK 7 BE
T GENNFP T Y LR
50 Brisbane Street, Launceston
Telephone 2 2251
DOMESTIC & BUILDERS HARDWARE
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