QRM

1970sDocument1978QRM Vol 8

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AMATEUR

= QMR
&
RADIO
Bulletin issued by the North, North West and
Southern Branches of the Wireless Institute
of Australia, Tasmanian Division.
T

Registered for Posting
P.O. BOX 275
v as a Publication. LAUNCESTON
Category B. TAS. - 17250

November 1978
? O Q& P Price 40Cc
Jol. 8 Fo. 8
1 EM
T nAa
N
TRTT Iudu
Sl
—————

Nov 14 Northwest Branch - Lakins Hzll, Ulverstone - 8,00 Virit

Yov 10 Northern Brench - Clubrooms, 34 Bourke Street = 7.45
Nov 1 Southern Branch - SES Zooms, llelville Street - 8,0C far‘:!.

CCNTZENTS

b PAGE PL3E

'J QRM Comment 2 DX liotes L/?

C
Northern Notes 2 VHF Notes
Northwest Notes 3 80 Metres QRF 10/11/12
Topical Topics 4 Musings by the 3L Manager 12/1%
Southern Notes 5 Russian Satellite Data

sorthern Ladies Notes 6 ATV ~ Simple as ABC - FPart IV 15/16
The Listening Post &/7 Wicen and the State Disaster Flan 17

STCP PRESS HE ANMATEURS HAVE WON ON CHANNEL S4. STOP PRES
C /1

L
PLEASE DIRECT 4 LETTER CF THANKS TC
YCUR RESPECTIVE MFP.
Page 2 QR M November 1978

QRM COMMENT

Due to being on holidey QRM is running behind time - Ihope you will
excuse the delay. '

WICEN - Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network - a very worthwhile
part of our organisation, is the topic for this month. We hear from time to
time, moans about how this group and that group are making their communications
facilities available to serve the general public but the WIA never gets into the
act, Well, now is your big chance! e all should be ready to serve if necessary.
To do this we require to know certain facts - Andrew VK7AW explains fully in an
article entitled "Wicen and the State Disaster Plan". Remember if all of us give
a little time it makes the overall task easier. To help those who haven't suitable
equipment, part 1 of an 80 meter transceiver starts this month. Any volunteers to
prepare a board layout? Thanks.

The Russian Satellite is up at last = and higher than the rest - input
145.85 to 145.90 MHZ, Beacon 29.4 MEZ. Look for orbit data in the next issue of
QRM,

* FH R K H H X X

NORTHERN BRANCE NCTES

An enjoyable monthly meeting was held on 13th October at the Club Rooms -
an excellent turnout was recorded. The various officers reported on different
aspects of Club activities, and the Stores officer advised that BFT 66 are now
available at $4.50 each, These wideband RF devices are good 144-4%2 MHZ, A good
article in Ham Radio describes Pre—amps using these devices. Some aluminium
tubing is still available ex VK7JG's QTH.

At the conclusion of the business, the large attendance of Members enjoyed
a most interesting and absorbing talk from Col VK7LZ on the many and various
aspects of DX, which after all is really what our hobby is all about,

Some of the points raised by Col, whose operating experience alone covers
a span of 46 years were, "The Radic imateurs Code of Ethics", Uperational
Efficiency, and a thorough understanding of your "Rig" and its aerial system.

Other matters of equal importance were dealt with, such as a knowledge of
geography, Great Circle Bearings, Beam Headings, and Whether or Not Signals were
coming to you via the "LCNG or SEORT PATH", etc.

Col stressed the importance of a filing system, the keeping of permanent
tidy notes on seasonal and yearly propogation conditions on various bands.

The advantages of a clear and concise Q.S.L. card were pointed out as
approximately 8,000 cards had passed "Via the Bureau" in Northern Branch zlone
this year to date.

Further points made by Col were the use of Standard Phonetics on S.S.B.,
the advantages of C.W. operating, and the desirability of synchronising your
speed to that of the distant "contact" being worked when using Morse Code.
November 1978 QR M Page 3

The President thanked Col for his fine contribution to Amateur Radio and
echoed the hopes of all present when szying that he hoped Col would be able to
present part 2 of his talk on V.H.F. in the not too distant future.

Thank you Col.

Supper was served and this concluded the evening.

* Rk K ¥ X K ® K

NORTH WESTZIN BRANCH NOTES by Jim VK7NCW

The usual monthly meeting of the North West Branch was held on Tuesday
10th October, when we had another good turn up of members. We have been
averaging around 30 for most of the year.

Minutes: The Sec. Kirby VK7XZC, read the minutes of the last meeting which
were carried.

Visitors: Peter VK7PF and Bill VEK74K were welcomed,

Apologies: Were received from Stewart lMadigan and Graham VK7ZAQ. Graham has
an injured thumb and it has been whispered that this could have occurred whilst
"thumbing through" the piles of "DB" which could be coming his way since the
opening of his new Electronics Repair establishment,

Correspondence: No inwards.
Cutwards -~ The Sec. wrote to the Authorities seeking permis-
sion to relay the Sunday Broadcast on &6 metres.
Treasurer: Ivan VKTNOA/ZOA reported that, after all accounts had been paid,
the Branch had a satisfactory bank balance.

General: Bill VK7AK suggested that the proposed Personal Accident Insurance
scheme be reviewed, Perhaps a much larger cover for a few people over a
limited period would be advisable, This ma‘ter to be discussed.
Fees for Next Year - The Treasurer suggested that the levy for the
N.%. Branch for the year 1979 would be 52, Carried unanimously.

Syd VK7SF made a motion that a Committee be formed to make arrangements for
the Annual General Meeting. The Activities Committee will assist in this matter.

Activities: Mext month the NASA film cn "Weather Satellites" will be screened
by Jim VKTNOW,

J.C.T.A, Terry VKTTT asked for volunteers to man VHF and HF geat at the camp
site at Myalla. Terry, together with a number of Scouts, are camping at
Sheffield during the whole period.

VK7 Award: Fred, VK7NFR advised that this matter is being looked at by Council,

Guest Speaker: At the close of business, Bill VK74K gave an interesting and
educational talk on the important asvect of "Log Keeping'", as applied to
Amateur Radio. If log keeping was to be abolished it would tend to degrade the
Page 4 QR M November 1978

whole aspect of the hobby = apart from the fact that it would be hopeless to keep
track of QSL's etc., 3ill received 2 round of applause at the conclusion of his
talk.

T.4.R.C, 1978: Interest is being shown by many overseas stations regarding the
use by VK7 Amateurs during the weekend lovember 3 to 5 of the "AX7" prefix,

15 and 10 metres is providing plenty cf good openings and many exotic "calls"
7l

being worked by the ll.W. Ccast novices.

Well this about "wraps it up" for this month. 3See you further down the "curly cord".

HO H X K H A

WANTED: ARTICLES ¥CR ¢ R M

* % X R K ¥ ¥ *

"TCFICAL TCFICS" by Jim VK7NCW

I was most interested in the article by Winston VKTEZM on Page 8 of the
October issue of "QRM", excerpts from "The Boys '/ireless Book 1924".

I guess we 2ll thought it was a "scream" - but was it? Not at all,
because in 1924 "wireless" to most school boys (like myself) was a real "miracle”,
and articles such as this were a great help in helping us towards understanding
the basic principles of redio communication.

Referring to paragraph 3 regarding construction of horn type speakers,
this,is not so humorous as it sounds, because severzl leading makers of horn
speakers around 1924 did, in fact, spend a lot of time on researching the best
materials from which to make the horns, I have three superb examples of the
most popular horn speakers of the period. Each one is constructed of different
materials for the flare, and although each speaker uses the same "metal diaphragm"
type of driver unit for its operarion (around 2000 ohms impedance), the sound
quality is unmistakenly different in each case, when operated from the same
raiio. The "wooden flare'" amplion "AR=19" has a more "mellow" tone than the
"Audivox" metal flare speaker, or the "Sterling" composition (like bakelite)
flare.

Now let me take you back to the year 1608 for another "screamer".

I refer you to Page 10 of the Instruction Book for the Operation of the
(then) new 1908 "Edison Diamond Disc” Gramophone - the most advanced machine in
the world, at the time. I possess one and would gladly show it to anybody who
is interested. Look at some of the features it had - even back that far in
time:
Cueing Device, Automatic 5top, etc. PLUS 2 Diamond Stylus. Yes, that is
correct! Edison used diamond styli before the turn of the century and this
leads me up to three "screamers" under the heading of "Hints znd Tips":
November 1978 QRN Page

N0. 6. "The reco 0iled", To us, very humorous, but to people

o’
b

S
@
<
s

@
t
w

O
o
not used to the ratening” sound of e badly worn disc, this instruction could

D>
O
W
well aprly.

Yo. 7. "The diamond never needs oilins".

No. 8. "3e cereful of the diamond! It is not very delicate, but it isn't =
lump of iron either”.

we have indeed, come z 1 ong way = but have we? Just a couple of guick questions
(I will supplythe an swers next month .

‘uestion 1. ‘What year iid the first L.P. (microgroove) disc come into being?
Which company made them?

<cuestion 2, “hat yesr did "ounadraphenic sound” first aovpear? ‘hich company
introduced 1t7

Come on you electronic and hi fi buffe,

More for yourext month.

Jim VETINCW

N R v % A A K

OUJ-A-;-JU.‘R..\ B.RA.!L‘H NCT=S

4 good meeting at the Clubrcoms wzs held on 4 Cctober 1978 with 27
members present,

Jost of the item1S 'S volved around T.A.2.C. 78, Cther matters
o' @

were the pogcibility of 2 L0 meter re roadcast in the South., lNames were taken
for 2 1C meter rebroadea
ast

4 list of unknown callsigns that the 451 Rureau had cards for was
read. o one knew any of them and the list was passed, in full, on to the
amateur Advisory Committee., JCTL groups and operators were read out.

The idea of 2 special VX7 award was discussed and the meeting was in
favour - think about the requirements. Honorary Night Owl Garry 7GM passed on
rules of the A1l Night Award.

The meeting vassed onto Council that they were in favour of the
Division taking out insurance.

After the meeting VKTFT and ZaJ beczme mobile Fox's. They gave out
clues for the hunters to follow and find, or, for most, to lose.

good meeting and see you at the next.

Glad I saw you at T.A.R.C.

VKTZAd

¥o St ¥ % ¥ ¥ Kk
Page 6 QR M November 1978

NORTHERN LADIES PAGE

Christmas Barbecue

The Ladies Committee is presently organising a Christmas barbecue to be
held at the Kings Meadows High School sports centre on Gth December (Saturday).
It will be in the form of a Christmas party for the children and will begin at
3 p.m. Santa Claus has generously agreed to attend, despite his very hectic
schedule at this time of the year! Each parent is asked to buy a gift for their
children to the value of $2.00 only and leave it at Diane Yeoman's address - 10
Reid Street, Kings Meadows., Santa will present the gifts during the afternoon.
A Christmas tree will be there for the occasion at the sports centre,

At the centre, activities will include table tennis, badminton, indoor
bowls = to name a few. All equipment will be there at your disposal. It is
requested that those interested in taking part in these activities wear tennis
shoes or any soft soled shoes, please, to avoid marking floors.

Salads will be provided for the barbecue tea, but everyone is asked to
bring their own meat and drink. Perhaps at the November meeting, members could
advise of their intention to join in what should be a most enjoyable afternoon.

The next scheduled Ladies Meeting is for 2.,3C p.m. on Sunday 3rd December
at the home of Judith Henricks, 8 Clarendon Street, Youngtown. Anyone wishing to
help with this Christmas function is welcome to attend.

Diane Yeoman

¥ % H X ® H X ¥

"PHE LISTENING POST" by "Barwig"
It is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery; Radio Moscow
now calls its English Programmes as World Service, with programs such as Radio
Moscow Newsreel ("with reports from our correspondents"), Sports Scoreboard,
Press and Cpinion Round=-up, etc. A4lso they have increased the music content of
their broadcasts. But their propaganda has not altered one iota! It is on the
air during various times of the day and on many fregquencies., Listen for it at
about 0530 0700z on 15360 Khz. It has also been logged on the unusual channel
of 22140 at about 0540z at 454%4, but it is a third harmonic (7380) and its fund-
amental was not readable here in the Southern Hemisphere.

Take a listen on the higher frequencies these nights; plenty of DX is
starting to appear as the Sunspot Count decreases. For example, Radio France
International from Paris was logged on 25620 Khz on Tuesdays at 1115z, The
broadcastis in French and is for French personnel in Antarctica, This is the only
station heard broadcasting on the 171 meter broadcasting band here a2t the moment,
although it seems that Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is transmitting on the
channel of 25690 judging by the presence of the "jammers" at 1030z, Also on the
unusually high frequency of 30030 Khz, an Asian broadcasting station's harmonic
logged at 0730z with a program in Chinese; suspect is Radio Peking.

Between 26425-26625 Khz, numerous a.m. transmissions can be heard during
daylight hours here. These stations are z part of the New Zealand CRS and oper-
ate on these channels with power limited to 1 watt. Listen at about 0730z,

(Cont. P7)
November 1978 QR M Page 7

Radio Teheran, Iran, can be heard throughout the day on 15084 Khz with a
relay of the First Network in Farsi (Persian). The transmitter located at
Kamalabad, near Teheran, is rated at 250 KW. Its reading of 55445 is quite good
but there is some distortion on the modulation. Listen between 2300z=~0700z.

Now for some overseas loggings: Saudi Arabia has been logged on 11685
Khz between 1800=2100z with the "Holy Koran" program according to the BBC. Also
they report that they are hearing several Angolan stations in the 60 meter band
at 1900z in Portugese. Also is reported that Algeria was heard on 10195 Khz in
Arabic; the result of a mistuned transmitter, an often occurence of Algiers.
The CBC International Service from Montreal has a DX Digest at 0420z Mondays.
You can hear it on 11840 Khz at quite good strength - 45544. Incidentally, the
future of Radio Canada-International is in doubt as the Government has drastic-
ally slashed its budget, and it is rumoured that it will sell or lease its short
wave transmission facilities at Sackville, N.B. to either the BBC or Deutsche
Welle. Both now currently utilize Sackville for relaying their programs to the
Americas., As for the CBC itself, it is also rumoured that it will be abolished
and turned over to private enterprise. However this could be halted as the
political climate in Canada could change, as seen by recent events, and both
the CBC and its International Service could well continue,

According to The DX Guide, the station that has been heard broadcast-
ing in Standard Chinese at 1100z on 14330 Khz is Radio Tirana, Albania., Until
a few years ago, Albania was China's only ally and provided relay facilities
for the Chinese to broadcast to Europe, but the Chinese rapprochement with the
West and the general relaxation of tensions have not gone down well with the
Albanians., They have continued to espouse their own brand of doctrine and
relations are now somewhat cool between Peking and Tirana., Tirana is no
stranger to scheduling its transmissions on amateur radio frequencies as for
many years, it has continued to be heard on several frequencies in the 40
meter allocation, namely 7065/7090 with its programs to Zurope.

A new station brozdcasting in English logged here is the Spanish
Foreign Radio in Madrid. It is being heard on 9630 between 0515-0610z at
55445 with a program beamed to North America. It has also a DX program on
Mondays at about 0600z. For many years, we have heard the service in Spanish
to the Americas onapprox. 9360 Khz at 0400z in the winter months but it is
the first time that I have found Spain with English language broadcasts.

There is to be a world-wide change in medium wave frequencies on the
23rd of November. Most stations will be altering their frequencies between
1=4 Khz including the local stations, so if you have a world-wide broadcast
list, throw it out as it will not be much use after that date. We will
endeavour to obtain the exact frequency of your local station in the next
issue to help with your calibrations.

Please send your contributions and reports for this page C/- Box 275,
Launceston, 7250 to reach me by the 6th of November for inclusion in next
month's issue.

So 73's and good DX.

*O 4 K N H
Page 8 QR M November 1978

DX NOTES

On checking through my log for this period last year, it became apparent
that conditions have changed considerably, whereas last year most entries in the
log showed a frequency in the 14 m/hz band, this year 90% of stations worked
were on 21 m/hz.

28 m/hz produced openings intoc South America, Africa, Burope and the
Caribbean area as well as the JA's and W's but not with any consistency. With
the sunspot numbers steadily increasing next year should show 28 m/hz the glamour
band.

With the higher frequency bands producing so much of interest, it becomes
difficult to give the lower frequencies much listening time, however VK9ZR on
Mellish Reef was contacted by VK7's on 1.8 m/hz both on SSB and CW with good
signals.

Although propagation charts didn't give 7 m/hz any chance for long path
contacts with Europe; stations have been copied occasionally both on SSB and CW
whilst JA's and W's are easily 350'ed if one can get interested enough., Listen
late afternoon and evenings local time. The appearance of VK9ZR gave many DX'ers
a new one for this band.

14 m/hz is still full of interest if one can put up with the GRM and the
bad operating techniques of some amateurs - some of which are old enough to know
better.

A cross-=section of stations heard were:

SOUTH AFRICA: CT2CB, EASLO, EL2AV, TRSLE, TU2FH, ZS6AV, T7X2LS,
TXIMD, 5U74G, 5TSZR, 9G1GU, 9G1G1,
EUROPE: EA6DX, EL2CZ, GJ3PRA, GU5CI4, IX1JO, M1C, OX3BX,
YOSAP, YZ9MG, also DL, DM, G, F, EA, HA, SM, L4, OH,
UA & YU.
SOUTH AMERICA: PJ2MI, VP8HZ, VP8QJ, CE9AH (South Shetland), LU32Y
(South Sandwich), also CP, EC, HK, LU, 04, PY.

In Oceania VR80 (Tuvalu) is now using the T20 call-sign and several
Pacific Islands including Mellish and Kermadec kept interest high.

21 m/hz produced some really exciting DX, however, "QRM" is produced
by volunteers so the difficulty of typing strings of call-signs will be minie
mized by only listing the less common ones:

CP7GM, CX1CO, D68AD, DM2CPF, GM3FUT, HRIRMG, HP1XIW,
OA4ARX, PYSGA, PYSEG, (Trinidade Island) SV1iCS, TG9RB,
VK9ZR, YV1AB, 234MG/HS, ZS6BOK/H5, ZPS5RS, 3D6BP, T7TPBAF,
9H1EU, O9H4K, 9J2GJ, O9X5AL.

All continents including Antarctica were logged on several occasions.
It's rather difficult to give specific times, however, all the above were
logged between 0100 and 0800z and other stations report openings to Europe
much later than I have listened.

Contes P 9)
November 1978 QR M Page 9

We are indebted to David Simpson VK7-70152 for a very informative list
of stations he logged and these have been included in these notes - Many thanks
David.

NAVASSA ISLAND - for those interested in UW, Navassa will be on the
air during the CQ, Ww, DX contest CW section and will also be using SSB before
and after the event; they will be on the island from 26th November to 4th
December QSL to N&IG.

BOUVET ISLAND - A Norwegian Antarctic Expedition is expected to land on
Bouvet about mid December to install a2 meteorological station and hams in the
party hope to be active; they will be on the Island approx. three weeks.

SOUTH GEORGIA ~ The RSGB magarine advises that VPBPL should be active
by now on CWj watch for him 14.025, 21.025 m/hz.

LESOTHA - TP8AF has been heard on 21 m/hz around 0500z using SSB.

SAN FELIX - Was due to be activated during the CQ WW DX Contest SSB
section in October but it has been reported that the visit has been delayed.

QSL INFO:-
CESAH via 2ZPSCD PYSEG via PYS5AA
EL2AV via N6FL PYBGA via PYSAA
LU32Y via LU2CN PZ2AC via WB4RXX
VP8PJ via GM3ITN 9XSLL via SMSHEJ

FW/8AC Box 1% Wallis Island

VE3BJK/4U via WAZHUP

* ¥ A Rk ¥ H* * ¥

VHF NOTES Joe VK7JG

At last we have something to report. Last month I forgot to mention"
the aurora scatter contacts with VK30T and VK3ATN on the 28/9/78. Again on
29/9/78 David VKTDA first observed the aurora while observing CHFTV at 0500z.
At 0700z he worked Steve VK30T; it was good to see so many VK7's active
during the evening. Stations worked by myself, David VKTDA, Kevin VK7ZAH
and Col VKTLZ and includes VK3's OT, AQR, 3AZY/P running 25%W to a 3el beam,
BMV, VK1RK and EP., VK7's AZ, PH, MC, VK50K, KK and the VK2VWI beacon was also
there. Had there been some VK2's and 6's on we should also have worked them
as well, Unfortunately I did not have a two metre beam but Kevin worked
VK5KK on 2 as well as VK3's up to 5 + 9 reports being exchanged. On the
weekend of the 21st a large inversion across Bass Strait produced the usual
VK3 contacts via the repeater as well as stations on 144 SSB.

STOP PRESS * ¥ * On the evening of the 24th at 0800z six opened to Japan
with JA1, 2, %, 4, being worked by myself, Col VK7LZ, David VK7DA, Kevin
VK7ZAH., With the sunspot numbers increasing we should have a very good DX
season this year. 73 till next month.
HOF R % R ® ok %
age 10 .
5 Q November 1978
i§

=
x,
FOR SALE

16' aluminium parabolic dish = outer 4' segmented. 411 network for mount-
ing tower - %50 = VK7CCC

FOR SALE

Several 6UP converters %20.00 each., FRG7 receiver - excellent condition,
in original carton, clarifier fitted #260,00. 6 metwe transvertor (transmit
only) $30.00 - internal power supply - VK7JG - 443882,

EoEB R I

GELSTCN COMTUNICATIONS

Your local VICOM agent, also SCALAR antennae, R.L. DRAKE -
ELMEASCO - HANDIC - MARINE - CB, Contact Joe for a good deal.

Discone 50-5C0O MHZ antenna 340,00
432 VHZ Helix &5,00 - ideal for satellite work.,
6 metre 5 element yagi - ‘orked all states, including most
JA and ZL. $35.00.

*od o F R K K oW

80M_G.R.P.

This month we commence the first of a two part series from our N.W. friend
Winston, VK7EM. This compact little phasing rig should create a bit of interest,
so here is Winston's description:

When bushwalking in Tasmania, particularly in the south-west, there are
many reasons why a party can become overdue. The rapid rise of some rivers is an
important one.

4 small, lightweight H.F. SSB transceiver would be a very useful addition
to the rucksack on an extended trip. This design is not modern but is effective
and was built mainly from the "junk box"., Excellent reports and comments have
been received from many VK's and ZL's.

Features includes

- Low battery drain, Receive 20-30 mi, quiescent
Transmit 80-280 mi,
- Qutput power - 2.5 watts P.E.P.
- Press to talk operation without relays.
- Excellent frequency stability.
- Single dial transceiver operation (using miniature Japanese vernier
drive).
- Transistor and FET types not critical.
November 1978 QR M P;Ee 11

VKTEM
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To'“ 41

- - - - - - B:w; : _
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BcsaB IO qy oy
Bciee X Loy Ly

NOTES ON RECEIVER CIRCUIT:

#* Principle - direct conversion
* Receiver excluding VFO can be built on a piece of 0.1 inch veroboard 4" x 4"
* VFO, is built in airtight box 5% x 3 x 3% cm.
#* A1l capacitors in VFO must be STYRO or MICA for temperature stability. Rigid
construction is vital.
* Active filter used to reduce weight.
* A,F. output stage could use LM380 if higher quiescent current is not important.
*# Both 741's were fitted into one 16 pin D.I.L. socket.
* TM3900 could be used, with spare sections used in TX audio, s.meter etc.
* Careful layout is needed due to high gain audio amplifier.

Coil Data: L1 22T, 7mm Diam. slug tuned 28G.
L2, L3 40T, 7mm Diam. slug tuned 28G.

(Cont, P12)
Page 12 QR M November 1978

Alignment: L1 Will be adjusted when aligning transmitter,
L2 Peaked on 3500 Khz.
L3 Peaked on 3650 Khz.
L4 Number of turns and CX adjusted for suitable tuning range
3500=3700 Khz.

73's VKTEM

*O H K K ¥ R H

STATE NEWS by Reg Emmett VKT7KK

Welcome to the following new members:

John Hall, Grade B, Burnie
Len Stearnes, Student, Launceston

1979 Subscription

Council has suggested that the 1979 subscription should be as follows:

Federal component $15
Branch fee (all areas) 32
Division fee $3
Total subscription for all branches $20 (Grade A, B members)

The increase in Division component results from the amount needed to
cover the personal accident insurance fee.

No separate branch fee will now be needed for any branch,

P and T Liaison

As you are probably aware, Tasmaniz is one of the few States which have
an effective Amateur Advisory Committee. We are very fortunate in having good
relationships with P and T, however, Council has felt that there are matters
which could profitably be discussed in meetings with P and T personnel after
the style of the Joint Federal W.I.A. = P and T .meetings. The Superintendent
of P and T has agreed to such z meeting and a suitable time is under review,

One problem which we are concerned about is the need for inspection of
novice equipment prior to licencing. Methods of facilitating this are presently
being discussed.

¥R H OH H X K *

MUSINGS BY THE QSL MANAGER

S'pose I'd better get stuck into this pile of outward cards handed in at
the meeting. Must be 4/500. First log = no note of how many so will have to
count 'em. Later - make it 125. Time wasted. Wish they would put in a slip
showing the number and hope they don't put it down near the bottom of the pack
where I won't find it until I8ve nearly finished counting them! Now to put
November 1978 QR M Page 13

each in its right container in the file. Turn them over - call signs not on
back so will have to get it from front of card. This always takes longer,
or seems to, when the call is mised up with the other details. Would be nice
if everyone put the call on the back, but of course it can't be done with
double sided cards. One for 225XX., Know he has a QSL manager. Look in list
in Call Book but not there so it will go to the ZZ Bureau with much less chance
of getting a reply. More time wasted, Have another look at the card and see
"QSL viz XX2QQ" written over near the right hand side. No wonder I didn't
notice it. I don't look further than the Call Sign. If it isn't on the back,
at least it should be put near the Call where I have a chance of seeing it.

Now to the next lot. Slip says 93 cards and call signs on back. Fine.
This won't take long. First card is for PY then back to DL, then ZL, JA, DL
again and so on. Not sorted. Must have opened the DL file, among others, at
least half a dozen times, Much waste of time and most annoying. Surely it's
not asking too much to sort them into alphabetical order of prefixes, with
Australian and U.S.A. into Call Areas. All the various U.S.A., prefixes can
be mixed.

The above does not apply to our Worthy President who is the one person
using the Bureau who has a special exemption; the said exemption having nothing
to do with the fact that he is President, hi!

In sorting outward cards I notice that some of our Novices are showing
date and time in EST, some even using A.M. and P.M. instead of the 24 hour
system. It is most confusing to an overseas station to whom EST probably
doesn't mean a thing. If it is for a contest Q30, with a DX expedition or
even a busy station, he probably won't bother to look through several pages of
his log perhaps over two days to find the QSO, will put your card on one side
to be attended to later and there it will remain. By the way, don't expect
many cards for QSO's with stations such as these (except Japs) until they get
yours.,

It is strongly recommended that GMT (or UTC which is near enough to
the same) always be used. It is quite simple. Here in VK7 we are 10 hours
ahead of GMT, i.e. 2130 EST is 1130 GMT the same date, but remember that from
0000 to 1000 EST the date will show as the day previous to ours, i.e. 0815
EST May 24 is 2215 GMT on May 23, Get used to making all entries in your log
in GMT - even local ones - and of course use the 24 hour clock, A 24 hour
clock in the shack showing GMT is a big help, It will not be altered when
Daylight Saving Time is in force but remember that local time will then be
11 hours ahead.

As a matter of interest I checked on 100 foreign cards as I was
counting them on receipt and found that GMT was shown on 98, the two
exceptions being Japs.

W ORI
WO I * W
Page 14 QR M November 1978

RS (RUSSIAN SATELLITE) P.D. Frith

This was launched on 26 Cctober 1978 and first heard Saturday, 28th with
the translator used the night of 28th and morning 29th. It has been off since
but beacons still going.

Data from Moscow:

Average Height 1082 miles
Max, Range 2700 miles
Period 120.29431 minutes
Inclination 82.5587
Beacon 29,402, 435,103 mhz

Not reported by Moscow, but translator found to have 29,36 to 29,4 mhz
output for 145.86 to 145.9 mhz input.

The beacon is 20 wpm CW telemetry with mixed letter figure groups; the
meanings are unknown.

Track The tracking maps can be used by using track for OSCAR 7 but
reverse the direction of travel and change time scale to 60 minutes between
equator crossings. This will also change the equator start point to the other
side of the map.

Reference Orbits

1/11/Z8 orbit 69 at 0059z at 248° West, and increases by 12 orbits,
A®.54 min, -88" West per day and appears it will cycle to same times after 408
orbits, 34 days.

Data for 1/11/78

Orbit Timez % 408 108 Direction

69 0059 248 - - -
72 0700 338 0802 0824 NE - SE
73 0900 008 1002 1027 NNW - SSE
74 1100 038 1207 1229 W - S
77 1702 128 1832 1849 S -8
78 1902 158 2034 2057 S - NE
70 2102 188 2237 2259 S - North
80 2303 218 0042 0052 SW - NW

* R R * K H R
November 1978 Page 15

=
&£
o
ATV - SIMPLB AS ABC - PART IV

This month sees the last of my TV circuits (relief). The heart of most
successful systems is the synchronising signal generator. The type I used is
similar to one described in "VHF Comm", with some minor differences.

This generator will give adequate drive signals for preliminary systems;
the main downfall is lack of "equalising pulses or serrations"., This can give
rise to slight curvature at the top of the frame when viewing vertical transit-
ions. To incorporate these serrations requires a far more complex logic
assembly.

The output pulses in this design are set to the required duration by a
simple pot adjustment in the monostable., The first delay in the line labelled
"front porch" is to ensure that blanking has commenced before the synchronising
pulse arrives. The oscillator is straightforward; if trouble is encountered
with incorrect operation, the bias resistors may need changing.
The remainder are straightforward buffers and combine to give adequate
drive to the camera and processing amplifier.
To be continued, 73%'s Bob VK7ZRF.

A IK2 E£.SYwc.
H. SN, [bo us
Squs 1X BCin8
. 21 fL
680 630S\

H.5vnc. Mix svac. £.5YNC
To CAM. Ts PAbC, To CAM.

Mix BL. Mix BL.
4 To Cam. To PRoc. =

SYNC. & BLANKING BUFFERS
Page 16 QR M November 1978

SIMPLE SYNC. PULSE GENERATOR

LINE BLANKING

047 pf

SYNC.

OI8 uf

1700, P

2 x 7400 s

2opf

4 7400

SIMPLE 7400
MONOSTABLE IMHZ OSCILLATOR
November 1978 QR M Page 17

WICEN AND THE STATE DISASTER PLAN

The Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network (WICEN) is represented
on the State Disaster Communications Planning Committee by VK7AW. The Committee
held its first meeting on Thursday 12th October in Hobart. Made up of repres-
entatives from Government and semi=government agencies, and WICEN, the task of
the Committee is to prepare the Communications sub-plan of the State Disaster
Plan and it is hoped that this work can be substantially completed before the
end of 1978.

The Communications sub-plan is one of nine sub-plans included in the
State Disaster Plan. The others are: Police, Fire Services, Medical, Resource,
Welfare, Housing and Engineering, Transport and Electrical Power, The scope of
the Communications sub-plan (draft) is:

(a) To detail the existing major communications systems
and their capebilities;

(v) To detail the day-to-day functions of these systems;

(e) To detail the functions of these systems in an emergency/
disaster situation;

(a) To stete the method of co-ordination of all communications
facilities during an emergency/disaster;

(e) To outline the method of repair and maintenance of these
systems during an emergency/disaster.

So far as WICEN is concerned, the first task to tackle is the compiling
of a complete list of personnel and equipment available for WICEN use in an
emergency situation. The second task will be to ensure that everyone who
volunteers for WICEN duties receives a basic grounding in emergency operating
procedures, This will enable us to fulfil our prime function, i.e.

To provide a pool of licensed, trained operators, with equipment,
available for deployment to zid communications in an emergency.

Addressing ourselves to the first of these, attached you will find a
three-page questionnaire. If you are willing to volunteer yourself, and/or
your equipment, for WICEN use during an emergency, and are willing to attend
whatever training sessions are necessary and exercises as are organized,
would you please fill in a form. Note that the questions all refer to emerg-
ency situations, but please answer them on the assumption that you have not
been affected by whatever disaster may have occurred, i.e. your equipment is
not rendered unserviceable, and you and your family are out of danger.

It is essential that all information is accurate, so please be care-
ful with your answers. Don't volunteer someone else's eguipment which you
happen to be borrowing, nor any equipment which you think you might be getting
some time in the future. If it isn't 100% serviceable and reliable, better to
leave it out until it is repaired. Any future changes to your equipment can

(Cont. P 18)
Page 18 QR M November 1978

be notified to your Branch_WICEN co=ordinator, as soon as they occur.

The next meeting of the State Disaster Communications Planning Committee
is on Friday 10th November; consequently I am anxious to have as much information
as possible before that date. Would everyone who fills in forms please send them
directly to me - my address and some other notes will be found on the last page
of the questionnaire.

After extracting the information from the questionnaires, I will return
them to the respective Branch WICEN co-ordinators, who will be responsible for
maintaining a register for their Branch. DMeanwhile, if anyone has any comments
or queries regarding WICEN or the State Disaster Plan, they can contact me at
home (002) 285807, at work (002) 208290, or on Repeater 2 (sometimes).

Andrew Boon VKTAW

* N X R ¥ X

Fod Mool WICEN WEoRMmATIoN
VK7 WICEN REGISTRATION FORM

PERSONAL DATA

SUTNEME veeseeoseseevee First Name vevveeveeneesss Callsign (if any) VE7.vvuvennn

AQATeSS veierressrtrtectvtosssassssesnesssssssssesesssssasseses
POStcode soveunns

Telephone: Home (STD code ...ev) vevevvievees WOTK (STD cOde vvvve)/ vvvevennaes
A\

Do you have a phone (or phone socket) in your shack? ........

EMPlOYET ceuneecvocssrasnrnsorosnenscanssnneses CCCUPALION tiiviieeivevevennennonas

Usual work AddresSsS ceeeeeeeeretntorssssevosoncsacosssnsnosscasnnsse

Will your employer release you for WICEll activities in an emergency situation
(ask him) 2 ........

Normal hours of work ....oeoevvvecccns

AEE veeee200ee0e30ie0eel00evee50eeeeeb0eunss (Place x in appropriate range).

CW Speed Yil..eeo 5=10 Wwpm seeee 11=20 wom (vvee Over 20 wpm .....

AVAILABILITY

Are you available to proceed to any area in Tasmania? ....... cereee

How much notice would you require before proceeding to any area? ........ Hours

Do you have bush-walking/camping equipment (rucksack, tent, sleeping bag, etc.)
Give brief detailS eeceereesetessetososaesscasaceensnosoosnsosescscnsessssss e

For how long can you afford to be continually absent from: a) Home ........veee.
D) WOrK evevecvevenne

Do you have any objections to a relief operator using your equipment? ..........
If you have a fixed station only, will you be available as a relief operator for
another station? ...viieiiiiiiiiiieneccnnnannns

TRANSPORT
Do you own your own vehicle? ........ Or have guaranteed use of another vehicle?

ceeeeees If so, what type? (make, model, age, seating capacity) ........oceeeus

sesececsscsaccssessnsassssessss DO you have a current Driver's Licence? .......

Can y&u live in your vehicle for up to 24 hours? seees... Is it fitted with

radio equipment? ...¢.... BHF
(equipment & aerial types)
VHF
D

RADIO EQUIPMENT

List major items of equipment, (e.g. FT101E, IC22A, etc. If home-brew, list as
"HF SSB transceiver", etc.)

Available Frequencies: (enter output power in Watts under each relevant section).

BAND (MHz) FIXED _ MOBILE PORTABLE
AM [SSB|CW | FM||AM ISSB'CW VFM||AM { SSB|CW |FM||Freq. range

l---l—-l.-I-I-
ssoz0 L T T T
l----|_|=-..l-
IZECCETICC
I N N |PRN
I---I-_I--.l
28002900 |L 0} 14 )]
l---l-“l---l—
(a0, f [PP PP P
2m FM Fixed: Output power ...W Channels: R2 R3 R8 40 50 Other .eee.

Mobile: Output power ...W Channels: R2 R3 R8 40 50 Other .....

Hand=hela: Cutput power ...W Channels: R2 R3 R8 40 50 Other .....

(Circle available channels) 2m FM VFC or synthesised transceiver covering all
25 Khz channels 146-148 MHz? Yes/No. Any separate HF or VHF receivers? seeees

ANTENNAE

All details including towers, heights, rotators, power capacity if known, etc.

HF and VHF. Home skation:

Mobile:

Portable:

Power Equipment

Capacity (Watts) TFuel Fuel Capacity(1) 1/hr Weight(keg)

240 VAC generator

12 VDC generator

Other
Regulated Power Supply? ....... voltage range ......., max current .......

Battery Charger? .ee.cesv.. 12V 6V Capacity eeeeees Amps

Ni=Cad Battery Charger? ........ Capacity ..¢e.o.mh

Fully-charged Batteries available? (Yo, and capacity in Amp=hours) 12V .....
6V cenve
Nl-CadS ee v

Inverter 12VDC=240VAC? ....... Capacity ¢¢... Amps

Any other power equipment” (give brief 3etailS) seeeeeescecroreceannesacnnns

How long can you operate from your home station without 240 VAC mains?

HF vev.cese Nrs
VHF ..ccees hrs
CTHER EQUIPMENT

RTTY?
SSTV?
ATV? Portable?

Do you have, or have guaranteed access to, sufficient test equipment of reason-
able quality to enable you, or another competent person, to service faulty
equipment? ........ If so, give details including; HF or VHF, battery or mains
powered, normal location, etc.
4 9 0% 6000008 S 060G EETIII OSSOSO S S SO SD DG SN EOTVCEEEE OOV PTG TIENN SIS IEEE e

CTHER

Do you have any personal qualities or qualifications which you consider would
be of value during an emergency, e.g. are you a qualified radio technician?

@ 5 00 6 9 0 V0O 6 00 0O PO OO 90 EO LS P60 0 6T TG TG00 SO0 eI O eSO PSSP0 EOESEI0E06SeOSCS OGO

Could you employment or membership of any other organisation preclude your
participation in WICEN for any reason? (e.g. are you a member of S.E.S., or
a volunteer fire fighter?)
® 9 69 606 06 00 680088 56060 O P S C GOS0 L LSS E e 0 L0 E 8L O OO0 SO E V6O 0G0 00 CEISELEOEeOOS

Do you have any other comments you would like to mzke, or facilities or equip—v
ment which you would like to make available for possible WICEN use?
© 00 ¢ © 0 G000 EE 00 C S OE SO OOH PO SO O0 00 e YSO LSO LG OEE0OE8006EOGEOeEESOESOCO00LELEOOGOOES

NOTES ON FILLING. OUT FORIM:

1. Answer all questions as accurately as possible. Any changes should be
made xnown as soon as possible, to your Branch WICEN Co-ordinator.,
2. If you have any personal objections to supplying any of the information,
just put a dash in the appropriate section.

3. Do not put your equipment in the mobile or portable section unless you have
actually installed the equipment in your vehicle, and have the mounting
cradle, power leads, aerial mount and ignition suppression equipment instal-
led, Similarly, the fact that you have an FT101 does not mean that you have
a portable station. You must also have an A.T.U., a portable aerial,
batteries or suppressed generator, etc.

4. Send or give the form to your Branch WIC3EN Co-ordinator, or preferably post
it to: A, P, BOON (VK74W)
5 Flint Avenue, NEWTOWN. 7008
445000
64 Wentworth Street,

NEWSTEAD

Suppliers of Yaesu Amateur equipment Test Gear and all

Accessories. Antennae and Fittings. Novices check

us now for
a really good deal.

>bl
4 14

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DHeg& LSChillco
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AFTER HOURS 444434 or 318659 !

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