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AMATEUR
s»9u! s
RADIO
Bulletin issued by the North, North West and
Southern Branches of the Wireless Institute
of Australia, Tasmanian Division.
Registered tor Posting
as a Publication, P.O. BOX 275
Category B.
LAUNCESTON
TAS. - 7250
FEBRUARY 1979
VOi... 8 N0.9 Price 40£
rr1EETINGS
Feb 7 Southern Branch - SES Rooms Melville Street, - 8.00 p.m.
Feb 9 Northern Branch - Clubrooms, 34 Bourke St.,
Feb 13
- 7.45 p.m.
Northwest Branch Lakin's Hall, Uluerstone,
- 8.00 p.m.
C O N T E N T S
QRm Comment Page 2 Night Before Christmas Page 7
John floyle Field Day 2 Wanted to Buy 7
"Scene and Heard" 3 Topical Topics
,,,--..._
8
map for A.G.m. 4 N.W. Dec. Notes 9
A.G.m.Details 5 VHF Notes 10
Topical Topics 6 Northern Notes 10
N.II. Jan Notes 12
Athol Johnson Field Day 13
Souther Branch Notes 14
State President's Report 15/18
DX Notes 18/19
555 Circuits 20
February 1979
Q R
Page 2
QRIYl Comment
It's that time again ! The selection of Office Bearers for all three
branches. This is when you as members exercise your democratic right to
vote for someone to represent your interests within the club, and at the
same time try and avoid being selected yourself Or at least that's the
way it would appear with regard to a lot of members.
In a fashion I'ue been canvassing potential candidates for the ilorth-
ern Branch and I'ue heard just about every excuse; and probably a lot of
them are genuine - it's all a case of priorities; just how much do you
value your hobby?
It might be necessary to re-arrange your priorities - or maybe, if
Amateur Radio isn't too high on the list to give it away altogether.
Perhaps the one or two nights you give up for a club position could be
deducted from your operating time - at least for the twelve month period
you will be in office. That's what I had to do.
We need new faces, with new ideas for arguement and discussion, or the
Club will become stale. This year is very important to radio and to the
future Amateurs. Ille need neu members, a united front and people to run
the Club, from Novices upwards.
All the positions in the Northern Branch are open for re-assignment,
as are in the South and North lest. Let's not have the same old faces,
having to coerse members into positions - and don't stay away because it's
voting night. Let's see if we can get a major turnout for the February
meetings at all branches just to show we really do care for our hobby of
Amateur Radio. And remember, even thpugh you are shy, or might not have
held a position like this before, all the outgoing members will be only
too keen to assist I mean, that's uuhat being in a club is all about.
NATIONAL FIE_Ay- gbpruery1_-11,ug7g.
John \Yloyle memorial Field Day
Contest
period from 0400Z February 10 to 0600Z February 11·
The operators of portable field stations or mobile stations within
the VK and P29 call areas will endeavour to contact other portable,
mobile or fixed stations in VK, P29, ZL and foreign call areas on
all bands.
more details are available in January A.R. Page 29.
¥¥k
The Northern Branch will be operating a Field Day station from Qth of VK7CCC.
3 stations will be in operation, 2 on HF and one on VHF. Committee members
handling it are $am UK7IC, lac WK7CCC, Malcolm VK7Zm and Russell UK7NR3. If
you would like to take part, please contact any of the above. Remember the
date FEBRUARY 10 and 11.
Page 3
Q R m
February 1979
"Scene and Heard"
By Earwig
Portugal is a new station logged this month; listen for "Radifusao
Portigesa" uuith a language broadcast to North America. It is on the air
daily at 0500 GIT and has been logged on 11935 KHz with fair signals from
its 100 Ku transmitters at Sao Gabriel.
The Israeli Radio in Jerusalem on 11650 KHz at 0500Z is putting in an
excellent signal into Australia with its News/ Press review programme in
English. Sinpo 55545 and from 0515Z and identical programme in French is
aired
1
1Yloscow s World Service in English is putting in an excellent signal
on 17795 peaking around 07 - 0900Z Sinpo 55345. There is slight interference
from Radio Peking with its Russioan language programme on the same frequency
from about 1000Z.
Since the Americans have established full diplomatic relations with
Peking, there appears to be only slight changes in programme format .• For
instance Friendship Radio, KGEI in San Franscico operated by the Far
Eastern Broadcasting Coo has various religious programme in Standard Chinese.
In the past, there has been severe jamming of these programmes, but now the
frequency is clear Listen for it on 5980KHz around 103DZ.
However Peking is not letting up on their programme of propaganda to
Taian and I presume, rubbing it in about the American regnition of Peking.
Listen for Peking's transmissions to Taiwan on 6790 KHz with broadcasts in
various Chinese dialects at 1000Z.
Also note that 8000KHz seems to becoming another standard frequency JJY,
the Japanese Time Station has been observed for some time in the evening hours,
and a lot of QRIYl that was on the channel has gone, leaving it clear to enable
another as yet unidentified station to be heard. Listen around 11007
I alsonnote that the 11 meter broadcasting band of 25600-26100 KHz is being
utilized by more stations every montho The Voice of America has been logged
in the late morning and early afternoons daily with the Breakfast Show. It has
been heard up to 2300Z on 26100KHz when it signs off to reappear almost
immediately on 25995 up until 0300Z2 with quite good signals.
The BBC World Club, a programme for Hams and DXers from London has now
been re-scheduled from midweek to weekends. These are the current broadcast
times: Sunday 0745 londays 115 Tuesdays 2100 lednesdays 2315,
On the African front, Djibouti on the horn of Africa was logged early in
the New Year in the Amateur Bands. J28Ag was heard working a UK7 and some
JA48's on 14.06 i/cs at about 1315Z uith a 579 signal.
Well that is all for this month. Please send any tit-bits you hear to me
either direct to P.0.Box 1016 Launceston or via QR P.0.Box 275, Launceston,
before February 10th.
73 DE the Earuig
Page 4
........._,
Page 7 QR m
February 1979
The following is a copy of a poem sent to Jim UK7NO by Bobbie (XYL) B 7NUU.
Bobbie is a very clever amatuer and well-known to UK7's.
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
"tuuas the night before Christmas and all through the shack,
The rig was turned off and the mic cord lay slack.
The antenna rotor had made its last turn,
The tubes in the linear had long ceased to burn.
I sat there relaxing and took of mny specs,
Preparing to daydream of armchair DX.
When suddenly outside I heard a loud sound,
I pushed back my chair and lapedto my feet,
I dashed out the door and intothe street.
The moon shone down brightly and lighted the night,
For sure, propagation for low bands was just right.
I peered toward the roof where I heard all the racket,
And there was some gentleman in a red fur-trimmed jacket.
I stood there perplexed, in a manner quite giddy,
Just uuhouuas this stranger - di di dah dah di di.
He looked very much like an FCC guy
Who1d come to check up on some bad TVI.
I shouted quite loudly - "OM, QRZ ? •
Hey you by the chimney all dressed up in red."
I suddenlykneuw uuhen I heard the sleigh bells jingle,
The guy on the rooftop was jolly Kris Kringle.
He had a big sack that uuas full of ham gear,--.
Which made a big load for the prancing reindeer.
Transmitters, receivers for cabinets and racks,
Some meters and scopes and a lot of coax.
He said not a uuord ' cause he'd finished his uuork,
He picked up his sack, and then turned with a jerk.
He leapt in his sleigh and he shouted with glee,
And I knew in a moment he'd be QRT.
I heard him exclaim as he fleuu o'erthe trees,
"HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO· ALL, and to all SEVEN THREES ! "
Happy Holiday Season to you and yours
WB7NUU - Bobbie.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
WANT ED TO BUY KEN KP202 Contact Ivan UK7ZO/NOA Ulverstone 25 3332
February 1979
Q R IYl
Page 8
TOPICAL TOPICS by Jim yr_ztygy
This is Part 1 of about 12 articles dealing with the very earliest, in fact,
the beginning of Radio in USA.
These articles are compiled from Bulletins issued by the ''Antique Wireless
Aassociation of Holcomb, New York" Jim is a member of this association and
the author of them was Elliot N. Sivowitch,K3RJA, of the Smithsonian Institute.
This group of Articles will be called, "A Technological Survey of Broadcastings
Pre-History 1876 - 1920 "
In the period prior to 1876, the telegraph, in its various forms,
was the priciple rapid news conveyor throughout the world. The transmission
of information in this manner can be construed as" broadcasting" only if one
interprets the usual definition ("the dissemination of radio communications
intended to be received by the public, directly or by the intermediary of
relay stations") in the sense of "uide dissemination of information, not
necessarily at the same point in time." For the purposes of this paper, we will
use a very broad definition and will include experiements that might more
properly be related to point-to-point communication than to current definitions
of broadcasting
Wired Broadcasting
The telephone introduction in 1876 forced a revolution in communication
capability with uide rangeing social and economic implications. Not only
could more words per minute be transmitted, in both directions, but anybody could use
the telephone without special training in code. This magic of voice transmission
over wire led 19th century innovators to serious thoughts concerning the
transmission of news and entertainment simultaneously and instantaneously to
multiple receiving points. Although broadcasting by wire was hampered by
equipment limitations with regard to fidelity and amplification, the idea
was sufficiently intriguing to be explored by engineers both in this country
and in Europe. Commercial development, however, was considerably greater
abroad, here sound "rediffusion" (analagous in many uuays to CATV) still
exists in many places.
The beginnings of wired broadcasting can be traced to a "pre-telephone"
transition period after 1860, uuhen a number of experiementers uuere developing
methods for transmitting musical tones over telegraph wire lines. These
activities may have culminated in the ouurk of Elisha Gray, who conducted
several tests of "electroharmonic" broadcasting to audiences in 1874 and 1875
Following a successful demonstration by Alexander Graham Bell of the speaking
telephone at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, the possibilities
of using it as a broadcast instrument were apparent. In the Fall f 1876,
experiemnetal concerts were transmitted over wire line by Bell from Paris to
rantford, 0nario, utilizing a "triple mouthpiece" telephone transmitter to
accomodate several solists. From 1876 through 1880 a variety of transmissions
were conducted, both in this country and in Europe. The carbon transmitter,
co-invented during this period by Edison, David Hughes and Emile Berliner,
enormously increased thepouer output of the telephone In 1881, Clement Ader
in France, conducted intensive investigations of wired stereophonic
broadcasting at the Paris Electrical Exposition, and by 1895 various
European Opera Houses were equipped with either stereo or monophonic telephone
systems. In 1693 a commercial broadcasting system called the Telefn-Hirmondo
Q R IYl February 1979
(Telephonic Newseller) began operation in Budapest, Hungary, and shortly
afteruard the Electrphone Company started service in London. The Budapest
operation was a highly sphisticated system that peovided regular news and
music programming up to 12 hours per day. Although European activities
were reasonably successful, the United States did not see similar developments
until the Cahill Telharmonium broadcasts more than a decade later. However,
the frequent occasions here of subscribers being "wired up" for specific
church service broadcasts or special events. Of more than usual significance
were the broadcasting of Congressional and local election returns by the
Chicago Telephone Company on Nov.6,1894. It was estimated that more than
15,000 persons were reached by this novel transmission method.
Watch out for Part 2 in this historical series. Jim UK7NO.
NORTH WEST BRANCH NOTES December 1978
The final meeting of thgranchas held at the Qth of Jim UK7NO! uuith around
4 in atendance
IYlinutes of the previous meeting were read by the Cecretary and confirmed
rgasgrgr'egport Iuan UK7NO/Z0 reported that we had little expenditure
for the month. Some small accounts passed for payment.
WICEN Peter VK7ZFP and Ian UK7ZIE elected as IICEN Officers for North West.
A.G.I. North West Branch are hosts this year and arrangements for the meeting
and social gettogether are in hand.
Council Paul VK7ZPB reported on activities and also mentioned that
amendments are eoing made to the "Amateur Operators' Handbook".
Paul also mentioned that Federal Council has to be elected by
Feb 1979 - Divisional nominations in December QRI,
Official_Qberuerg Brian UK7ZL and lax /K7X are to continue as observers
for N.J. Coast.
Activities At the January meeting, we will have another interesting lecture
by Bob VK7BY.
General Business It was advised that 9 Coastal enthusiasts passed the recent
N.D.A.P.C. - most of these being mebers
flax UK7RIX put a motion to the meeting, that "A.R. be put on the same
footing as Amateur Radio Action - to be put on the nestands for
sale to the general public." It as decided to put this matter to
Council for thier thoughts on the matter. Themotion was passed that
this matter be looked into.
New IYlembers Several proposals for new membership were dealt with.
Paul UK7ZPB suggested that anme tags be obtained for members. It was
suggested alsothat Paul investigate the possibility of business
firms supply the tags. Jim VK7NOW also advised he would contact
a mainland firm in this regard.
February 1979
I) R IYl
Page 10
North West Branch Notes cont,o••
In closing the meeting, the Chairman wished all members and their families
the Season Greetingso
Following supper, members were entertained to some early sound movieso One
very historic film was called 11The Ghosts of Port Arthur
1
" the only
privately-owned copy in Australia and one of Cinesound s first sound films.
The director was Ken G. Hall, Cameraman was Bert Cross and the commentary
by none other than 'Da" - Bert Bailey.
Two reels of a musical production were shown. These showed up the superb
quality of the Huge 1927 Western Electric "Talkie" speakers. The evening
was voted a success and thanks were passed on to Jim's uife and
daughter for the grans supply of coffee,
UY 73, Jim UK7NO
by Joe VK7JG
VHF Notes
It is hard to know where to begin as two months have elapsed since last
QR There have been many openings un 6 metres, the msot notable contacts
being ith FK8AX by John UK7J/ and OL UK7LZ. Daniel UK7DA heard TIZNA beacon
in San Jose on 50.085 just prior to Christmas Graeme exUK2ZZU nouu YJ8ZV
several weeks ago delivered a beacon to Ken Y08KM operating on 51.999 call
sign YJBPV running 15 watts to a vertical ]-pole antenna. This has been
heard many times during the past weeks resulting in several contacts with
Y08Z/ and YJ8KM KHEQI on 50104 has also been heard during a DX opening
to JA areas. JA openings have been scarce lately, but during December they
occurred more often than 11E" openings to other VK areaso ZL has been worked
during the past week as ell as all other UK call areas with six openings to
UK2 and UK4 almost every day
Two metres has also been active with several large "Highs" keeping 2
open almost continuously for the past uueeks
December 1978 by Iiaurice UK7JU
NORTHERN BRANCH NOTES
The December meeting opened at 8 porn, with a fair turnout. An application
for membership was received from • Pickersgil, this was forwarded to Division
for processing,
Our Treasurer Tony \UK7TP gave the following monthly report.
Sales $ 90.07
Purchases 54.84
Income 26.62
Expenses 165.71
Bank Balance $ 1435.09
The Club Rooms account stands at $ 2018.50
February 1979
Q R m
Page 11
NORTHERN BRANCH NOTES cont ..•
Peter VK&PF gave an up-to-date report on the Russian Satellites now
in orbit - this was followed by an interesting question and answer session
on same.
A report on the advertising rates in QRM was given by Mac VK?CCC.
This $40 annually for! page, $50 annually for ±
page and $70 annually
for complete page, extra if advertisement is artworked by QRM.
Joe VK7JG, our President, gave a report on the WICEN exercise which
was arranged at very short notice for the Light Car Club of Tasmania.
Ian VK7IC also took part.
Bob Grant VK7ZRF as you all know won the Kenwood Clock for Home Brew
Gear. T is prize is to be presented annually at TARC and is awarded by
courtesy of Advanced Electronics in Launcestion and Kenwood Trio. The
prize is well worth winning and Bob gave a bit of a talk on home gear in
general.
The New Year's Eve partyuent of/ell at the Qth of UK7C - at least
all the boozewas finished - the cold wind to some extent dampered the
activities,
Remeb er uue want as many volunteers as possible for the National Field
Day on February 10-110 If you are interested tell one of the Committee,
UK7I, UK7CCC, VK7NRJ, VK7I.
YOUR LOCAL VICU AGENT IS
GELSTCN C0IYllYlUNICATI0NS AT
40 Lavender Grove, Launceston, 7250
P.0.80x 1311, Launceston, 7250.
Telephone: (003) 443882
We are also dealers for EI0NA - ELIEASC0 - KENLOD.
uhen buying your De¥
piece of amateur gear, see us for a reasonable deal.
IN STOCK Ringo Ranger 2 m Arial
$ 48.00 each
Scalar 21Yl ¼wave n1obile Whip with base $ 8.50 It
One (1) 2m 10x/Y 3aybeam $ 85.00
Valves: 6JS6, 6146, QQE03/12
Coax Cable RG213, RG58C/U and fittings arriving approxo
April
One (1) Com IC511 6m Multi lode Transceiver.
Joe Gelston UK7JG.
February 1979
Page 12
NORTH WEST BRANCH NOTES January 1979
The first meeting for the New Year was held in Lakin's Hall, Uluerstone and
was uuell attended. It was good tc see an influx of new licence holderso
It was held at
of the previous meeting were read and confirmed
ii.nutes
the Qth of Jim VK7NOW.
Correspondence A Christmas card was received from !Ylr. Lakin and a card was
sent to him from the Branch.
A vote of congratu ations uuas sent to Kirby UK7KC on the birth of
his daughter recently.
Treasurer's Report Ivan JK7Z0A/N0 reported expenditure, receipts etc also
on the Investment A/c. It was resolved that interest be left to
accrue.
Council Paul UK7ZPB reported that a joint P & T - .I.A. meeting was heldon
December 15th. It was resolved that NEW NOVICES must have their
gear checked before going onaair if they intended using rigs like
FT101E, TS-52DS, TS-82DS etc; rigs like FT-7 or new Kenwood TS-120V
are D.K. If "home brew" gear is used, p & T must be informed of
the type f tube/tubes used in final.
Re - A.R.lagazine - it was stated that any suggestions to improve
A,R. will be passed on to Federal.
Paul also advised that a rep of p & T Dept. would be attending a meeting
in the near future.
(I am sure that I speak for all members when I say that the officer
would receive a cordial welcome)
Activities At the Feb. meeting, seeing there are now many New Novices on
air and involved at meetings, it was decided to have an experienced
Full Call spea on the subject 'DO'S AND DONT'S ' for a new amateur.
flax UK7RIX has decided topass on the wealth of experience he has
gained ouerthe years
(Note:- Some novices who have done a splendid job in "upgrading" from
CB ranks, have carried some of their procedures into Amateur Radio.
eg,"I've got you at Sevens" instead of"I read you S by 7"or"You are
Q5 S7! also saying"ule're gone"instead F"UK7XYZ is nouu clear and going-
QRT.'' It's not only VK71s of course and I1rn sure !Ylax will iron this
one out.)
Apologies Received from Peter VK7ZFP and XYL Joan.
The Annual General meeting and Elections of Officers will be held at
2pm in Lain'e Hall uluerstone on Saturday /larch 17th, 1979
A Social evening will be held in the evening at the Ulverstone Rest
Rooms, King Edward ST., Ulverstone, commencing with pre-dinner drinks
at 6.30 pm. and followed around 7 pm with a Smorgasboard Dinner.
It will be a B.Y.0. night, Cost $ 8.00 per head.
Note:- See registration form for dinner on Page of this issue of
Q.R.!Yl. Take note of closing date. Don1t miss out.
General Business The following Amateurs were welcomed.
Vince Henderson VK7NVH Ge°£ 2larse JK7NG
Bru□e Dykstra VK7NDY C.Charles VK?NBS
David Bligh VK7NBT Noel Stutad 4K75
John Hall VK7NJH
February 1979 Q R IYI
Page 13
tlorthyegt Branch Notes onto·
General Business
Name Tags:- Paul Uk7ZPB reported that K.G.Luke quoted $1 each for
engraved metal. Jim VK7NOW has had no reply from VICOIYI re tags
but has written to them again.
Field Day John IY!oyle memorial Field Day Contest Feb 10 -11 1979
The Secretary asked as manny members as possible to form a group to
take part. Try to make it a Branch function. Bob VK7BY offered
his property at Sisters Hills. Plenty of room for your portable
Rhombics Hi.
gmbgrship
application_ Received from Ron Evans and Bruce Dykstrao
Ken VK7KH reported that at approx 0600Z on Jan 1 1979 a Telecom
"Test message" was heard on 14140//Hz Lrtuder latch - take note Hi!
Lecture Bob VK7BY gave another of his technical and colorful lectures This
time his subject uuas Intereference caused by Channel 5A. By means
of illustrations he also showed how stray RF from an HF rig operating on
10 metres can get into colour TU sets through the IF circuitry L,I,A,
should take up the matter with TV designers to improve the IF circuitry
to eliminate this problem.
At the conclusion of the lecture a bountious supper uas served by David UK7SI
and his willing helpers.
This then wraps it up for another month. GUO DX for 1979.
VY 73, Jim VK7NOW
%)}##}}}%)k
TASMANIAN FIELD DAY larch_ 3rd gag 4th,lg7g
THE ATHUL JOHNSON MERO RIAL CONTEST 1979
,,.---..
To promote VHF Activity in Tasmania.
Date and Duration: Commences 1800 Hrs Local 3rd larch and finishes 1759 Hrs
local on 4th march.
There is only ONE (1) SECTION i.e. OPEN
Amateurs must operate under the terms of their licences in all VHF and UHF bands.
Cross band contacts are invalid but Cross mode contacts are allowed.
A scoring contact can be made with the same station providing that 2 hours elapse
between contacts.
R.S.T.exchange is by serial number starting at signal-report follollid by 001, etc.
SCORING: One point per Repeater contact; Two points for all other contacts per
band.
Front sheet to state: Name, Callsign, Address, Score Claimed
A Declaration as to your honesty and spirit in the contest and logs must be
returned to the VHF Officer by APRIL,L,1979.
Joe, VK7JG.
February 1979
Converted Gemtronios with full W.Z.A, Bend Plen - Phone Ian Clements -
VK7IC - 44 6588.
The last general meeting of the year was held on December 6, 1978 at
the SES Clubroom and attended wy 37.
The JOTA was discussed and it appears this years was the best to
date, largely due to the efforts of Colin Walker - letters have been
written to the Scout Assoc. and Colin Walker
An application for membership from Graeme Floyd was accepted by
the branch and passed onto Co1mcil. Listen for the 6Mi beacon early next
yeer 52.70 MHZ, The eeting moved a special vote of thanks to Greg
7FT for his work to T.A.R.C. '78. Dave Cooper 7ZDC is to go to VK1 -
good luck David and congratulations on the promotion. Greg VK7FT
presented $88,00 to the branch's general account from a raffle he ran
at T.A.R.C. - thanks again Greg. Bill Reid now has an official title
s.B. Q$L Officer. On the 17th December a BBQ was to be held as a
Christmas function. The meeting closed at 21'to after which tapes of
two ARRL film were shown and Harvey THR gave a demo of SST\T.
Nl3 Don't forget - Branch election in February - work out nominations
soon,
February 1979 RM
Page 15
SHACK Cl,EA.ROUT - VK.7!C
RTTY MODEL 15, Paper Tape Reader, perforator - $100 the lot
All good condition.
MR6 Carphone - easily modified to 6M-FM - $20
Trio 9R59DSo Communication Receiver $70
Barlow Wadley Receiver
$220
- FIV650 • 6M Transverter
6M-6e1 Beam 20ft. Boom
AR'7 Receiver - All Coil Boxes
$200
$100
$50
Will take offers on any items - all mast go.
Phone Mike VK7MC - 306175 during working hours of P.O. Box 52, SORELL.
7172.
Transport of any item to Launceston can be arranged.
9ttttit ttttt4
STATE PnL3IDES Ro@ 1g78-7g
Council this pa.at year has been most fortunate in having represen-
tatives from each Branch of the Division serving on it. We hope, by
this representation, that you as an individual member of the Division
have been able to get matters through to Council without feeling that
Council is distant and removed. It is only right, and indeed necessary,
that each Branch have representation on Council.
I personally would like to place on record my appreciation for all
Councillors who have given so freely of their time, energy and skills
to the service of their fellow Radio Amateurs. In all cases, a
calculable financial sacrd,!'ice has been given as well.
Some of the successes of Council in the past year have been as
follows
February 1979
Po prospective Radio Amateurs, surely the most important success
has been the securing of the rignt to sit for Radio Amateur examinations
in :.;entree other than Hobart" In may cases, these examination candidates
at the time of sitting are not Institute members, but I feel sure that
I am right in saying that most successful candidates do in fact subsequently
the Instituteo
Next; the icrease of metubership has meant that costs have been cone-
tained, both Federally and State, A successful drive for membership
wL.. l continue to spread the inevitable costs amongst more people I
urge each of you to encou.rae,--..e current non-members to join the
to have their rightf1.ll say, secondly to spread. costs, and
to make our voice more effective in these days of upheaval.
Next; The decision to make QRM a voice for the Division to my mind
has been a great success, The increase in circulation has meant a great
of work for the Northern Branch Committee undertaking this work.
each and every helper :for their efforts for this job well done ..
Incidentally, by increasing the circulated numbers, this publication has
becomae more attractive to advertisers, and consequently has helped all
0f us»
in the past year. VK7RR and VK7A
to assess our status in the event
of a disaster. Orga
nis@i0nail, Branches are progressing in this field
•• currently under development, a.nd I
undertaken to place all concerned Radio
do in the event of an emergency.
but I am sure that progress
include training courses •
--..__/
NaAt; The Sunday morning broadcast has continued to keep members
This is a labour of love by many licencees5 In most cases,
,;c,me form of ancillary equipment has had to be devised by each broad-
the listeners to hear the broadcast. The
Roster organiser has kept the P. and 1l1e Department informed of those
nominated to do this job, as to originating and re-broadcast stations,
and Brar.eh Broadcast Officers have done well to see that the broadcast
all its aspects continues to take the air eech Sunday in their areas-
I thank them for the detailed and careful work in this matter. Council,
douse, i cevairiy aware that conditions between Branches have not
a.lays aade listening to tne broadcast colll.forta·o1e. Council has no
+ work is underway to get around this problem,
of this work in the coming year may very
transmissions every Sunday, irrespective of
.--
February 1979 GR M Page 17
I wish to publicly congratulate the Southern Branch on the success
of the Tasmanian Amateur Radio Convention held last November. Much
work by the Committee, plus much work by many others, including the
Ladies from the South, and even non-members, substantially assisted
towards malting this event the success it undoubtedly was. Apart from
the fact that members from all Branches had the opportunity to get to
know each other much better, the public image presented was most welcome.
An estimated attendance of 800 at the public session will without doubt
bring Amateur Radio before the public, and will result in a further
increase in Amateur numbers in VK7,
Progress is being made with the preparation of a Tasmanian Award
which can be obtained by those within Tasmania, with Australia, and
Overseas. Finality of all the details of this Award should be reached
in the course of the coming year.
Ihe QSL Bureau has been most active during the past year, and our
thanks as users go to Charles VX7CH for his mammoth efforts in receiving
and despatching cards in and out of the State. This great increase in
sending of cards in and out reflects the increase in activity with VK7
both on H.F. and V.H.F, bands. It is true to say that all licensed
modes of transmission have shown increased utilisation in the past year
The three Branch Repeaters continue to provide a helpful service
to those entitled to use them, Maintenance of these Repeaters con-
inues to keep their respective Committees busy from time to time. As
far as the Southern Branch 6 meter beacon is concerned, this device
should be soon on the air and be another step in revealing openings on
this band VK7RNT performs a very useful job in this regard.
The Amateur Advisory Committee has continued to function through-
out the year under review. As President, I thank all Committee members
for their assistance in keeping our bands clean. I am sure that I
reflect the views of all the Committee in thanking those Members and
observers outside the Hobart area for their assistance over the past
year. This whole Committee is a continuing job, and commend it to you
to consider taking your place on the Committee at sometime in the
future.
I am pleased to report that relationships between this VX Division
and the P and T. Department are on an excellent basis. This relation-
ship resulted in an excellent meeting between some of Council and a
representative of the P. and T~ Department in Hobart last December.
The Councillors able to attendhave become better informed, and the
personal relationships cemented as a result, The new Handbook for the
Guidance of Members of the Amateur Radio Service will soon be avail-
able. One of the Regulations requires that each Licencee should have
a current copy of this Handbook, so I urge each and everyone of you
to get a copy.
Council in the past yeas he strenuously opposed the introduction
of Ch[:ll'llle.l 5A. Te.Levis ....Ji:1 ee.i..--vJ..:,,.,_, r.,itt.ir~ thi;; Sta.'te. A large measure
of suece1rn has atte1ided these ail )'l'.'i,!d wi-th your help. Two further
efforts ara needed in this field, the removal of Channel O eenices
wi i;r .•.1.n -: .he 2 ta.ta, a.nd the transfer of all television services to the
TJ ,H.F. spectrum alreao.y a1lom1tt:,•i;, Pleat!e keep on 1-.::,bbying those in
power l.ll both these topics.
One great success in the pass year has been that the Al terna.te
Feds ..~al Co .ncillo:r needed a.t the .l'l.11:nua.l Council meeting Federally is
now paid for by he Federal oody Iris is a substantial help to this
Division, and therefore you
.!i. re;;o,f.jona.ble a.1:mw.1t d ....iub _i0.l tJ 1££.te1:ial has also been assembled
during tr.o yeax under review " 1..s material is being retained, and is
availa.blt, fo).'. a.ra or a.11 future ,'J.., aplays,. This material includes video
tape serial, uhicn could prove ussfal.
;)rU' ./-,der:al Councillor ani ,,. .L terna.ts Federal Councillor attended
'th& Ff:1d.a:ca.1 Convention in Melbourne durin late April, 1978 on our
behalf. I now how dsmanlir.g- suc'..l a Convention ls, both in preparing
for i, in the physical dear4s nosed on those attending, a.nd in
reporting bacK after.Ja.rds~ 1 i!.l.! bUre you would wish me to thank them
both for rspresenting •
Ln completing t his report, I would like to say tna.t I, a.nd all
in the future will retain this as their primary aim.
the following 0ouncillors for their great support,
;o--o:i;,,-,, .jt~\Jn, a.nd attention to dii'.:',.>virited duties over the past year,
anc. thei,.,e names are not J.n F1.~:; ;,;s.r:. ~i~-:ula:t.' order.. Paul VK7ZPD, Peter
VKTF.-V, Re , VK:7IC..{, Brian VK.7ZBl i ,tike \TK7MC, and Graham VK7GD.
Ian A. Nichols mzz,
D!.vision President for the
year 1978-79
1:roro nomme:nvs hP.!ardr co.1d.i ·2.0:ns have generally been rather poor
howt.::Vs:i- •1 ,1 5.s t<) tf! <>.Xp11cted ,:,•jar the December/January period and
better imes should he just around the corner A check on the P29J
net gave ms the impression tiet conditions are on the way up, Worth and
'...fri:ati,8 wer-e a couple of-. points up on what they were the first
'Weeit. ,,f ., a.noar. 6wD and DAG were both S5 and a ST5, 7X2 a..11d a CN8
J
page 21 Q rt
The following ere admitted as ne embers in December
and January. V,elcome to new and re joining member
Ted Cruise VK7EJ Bicheno
John Pickersuill Newnham
Vir.cent Hendersor. VA7NVH : .::act Devonport
Geof?re Walpole VK7NGW Devonport
Robin Powell Devm1port
Graeme Flayed
Ronald Evans Ulverstone
Bruce Dykstra VK7NDY Ulverstone
SECRETA-"RY
At Januar-y' s C01..mcil meeting, the resignation of Mike
Hennessey, VK7MC, was received and regretfully accepted Thanks for
your help iike.
For the remaiLing few months of this session, secretarie.l
tasks will be shared by Ian, VK7ZZ and Reg Ernmett, VK7K.:.C,
Postal address is PO Box 1010, Iaunceston 7250.
COUNCIL NOMINATIONS
As insufficient nominations have been received. the
closing date has been extended to 2 pm on i7 February. If you are
willing to help, speak up! A Novice position i.s available.,
0OUNOIL MEETING, 17 February, 1979; at B.Yeoman's 4TH 1O4 Hardwick St
EXAMINATION RESULTS
It see.r.1s we have the fastest issuing of P.&T. exam
results in Australiar Please don't harass P.& T by asking how their
marking is progressing by telephone. Youtll be advised as soon as
possible
FEDERAL COUNCILLOR
Federal Councillor· for 1979 is Reg Emn1ett, VK7fJC
Al ter·na te Fede ra l Councillor is Peter Frith, VT7P
Notice is given that this will be held at Lakins Hall, Ulverstone
on 17 March, 1979 commencing at 2 pm.
Agenda; 1Presentation & Adoption of Reports & Balance sheet2.
2. Election of office bearers"
3" Other business as received
Opportunity is usually ta.cen to discuss matters as general business.
INSURANCE
Arrangements he.ve now been completed Lor these policies. A
copy of the full conditions will be forwar(~Ldd to Branches however every
Institute member between 16-65 yeas is no covered by 2. ;,ersonal
accident policy offer•ing death/disability meaical benefits including
)20 000 for permanent disablement or an income of $80 E. w., for
tern.porar;y disablement" All Institute activities are covered including
Branch meetings, WIGEN ac ti vi. ties, Field DaJs, .:-epea ter maintens.nce etc ,,
A public rissolicy is also hell uganises of functions
should, perhapE, checK to see if extensions are needed for particular
events., Policies are ith the A.Ml.P. So0 in I-Iobar·t.
February 1979
page 22
'----"
g PB, Apo?og; 72BY
++ +-y '' +
Present; VK7' s ZZ, GD, KK., PS', ii->y re 'A..' magazine;
Gor:re spondence, in: J:Pl 3r2nc Questioneer State Library
P & T New call lists; Membership q_ueries (2)
Telecom re. indemit; NW Branch minutes
P & T re use 50-52 LHz;
• .ilkinson av:ard
TCA.E Hobart re 6m beacon
Sth Br re 10 m B'cast; Groom & Burr MHR re D' port
P & T re \'!IC,:.,::.; exercise;
1. Constitution update & reprint being arranged.
Business: 2. Branch By-Law update being examined.
3. QSL Bureau costs examinedo Cost of' card transfer to
BrancheB left as is
4a A.A.C. nomineesu
5. QRM costing examined, contr·ibut ion paid.,
6. Federal; Handbook revision, Ch ~ changes, pre-licensing
inspections & illegal VK4 docwnent discussedc
After· an approach f:.·om Divisional
._,c,:. ::.ncil a. rr:ee tirc.g was helj_ ;::etv:een Council members s.nd the P !..c T De-;::+:
oz. December 14. Present ere Ian Nichols, Peter Brith, Paul le, Ko
.r:;_,,,..ett and P 3 ! Superintendent r, Dave, Thorne.
One of the major :points discussed v1as tLe
sorted requirement by s T to inspect Novice equipment prior to
issuiLg licenses~ It seems P & T are concerned about the over power-lirr-5.T,
operation by Novices and are keen to establish, at the time of
licencing, that conrect rnod.ifications have be.en mad-e to eq_uipment. Ho
restriction is mad.e on the use of home-built equipment and provided the
fLll details of such eg_uipi:1ent is given a licence will not be delayed,'----,/
Then applying for a licence, the applicant should. certify that
1',',I'ticula:.:· 'TDdi±:'ications :'.:'.J.'te 1:Jeen made er:, alter:nativelly, tr::.e
person making the modifications should provide such a statement~ There
s,:;(-_m1s no likelyhood that aprlic2tions would. be held up pending
ins}:"'ectionsv Co@cil woi.:.ld be keen to hear of' any such instance.
Other matters o.iscussed. included. the
operation of the AoA.Co and P.& T. 's role in this committee~ Problems
in its operation ere discussed and, despite frustration over lack of
action on problems end opts of finance, is sees E re 6@
to ensure the corrti.nued oper·ation of this cornrr..i tteev
Cog.cil spreeited the opportunity to discuss matters of
concern and would like to than iir. Thorne for giving ?his time for thi
teetin
i..;,i:..1ce curI'ent propoga tion conditions are
ma.!:Cing rece_::Jtic:'.'i cf 80 meter- signals tr..roughout the state a problem,
i is proposed to make i,0 metes tie prime±y channel This ill be
ciiscussed with b:r·oadcas t '.:.'.:.erstors and be ir...corror•ated i:n the new
rostePo
L
5A THE QUADRANT, LAUNCESTON, TASMANIAN, 7250 - P.O. BOX 328 -- PHONE: 31 7075
OF'
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7go++
2C
V K ELECTRONICS
57 WEST PARK GROVE BURNIE 7320
CQ CQ Calling all North West Coast amateurs and hobbyists.
V.K. ELECTRONICS can now supply a wide range of commercial amateur
gear including test equipment, kitsets and pre-packaged components.
you are invited to call, write or phone for information on all prodncvs.
DAIWA YAESU
!COM KENWOOD
HY-GAIN AMTENNA
RAK
HUSTLER - JAYBEAM
EMOTATOR CUSHCRAFT
Discounts to all WIA members.
Novice mods free (new sales).
Warranty on all transceivers -- full service facilities provided.
Authorised Vicom dealer.
Information and advice freely given.
Phone 31-1708 or 35-1I59.
J. D. ELECTRONICS
x '-'
64 Wentworth Street, \
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NEWS T·E AD
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Suppliers of Yaesu Amateur equipment, Test Gear and all '
Novices check
Accessories. Antennae and Fittings.
us now for a real ly good dea I.
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• ..i