QRM
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Newsletter of the Tasmanian Division
of the
Wireless Institute of Australia
(Insert in ‘A.R.")
@
R.
DIVISIONAL DIRECTORY.
Postal Addresses:
Tasmanian Division: P.0.Box 1010, Launceston, 7250,
Southern Branch: P.0.Box 123, Sandy Bay, 7005,
Northern Branch: P.0.Box 275, Launceston, 7250,
Northwest Branch: P.0.Box 194, Penguin, 7316.
Divisional Officers 1986/7:
President: Peter Frith, VK7PF.
Secretary: Barry Riseley, VK7RS.
Treasurer: Frank Beech, VK7BC. A
Asst. Sec.: Robin Harwood, VK7RH (Also Minuting Sec.).
Federal Council: Joe Gelston, VK7JG.
Council Member:: Byron Dilworth, VK7BD.
Vice- Pres. Arthur Tregaskis, VK7SE.
Vice- Pres. Russ Pitman, VK7 ZRP.,
Branch Notices:
NORTHERN BRANCH MEETS AT 8 P.M., ON THE SECOND FRIDAY of each
month (except January) in Room G25, Swanson
Building, Australian Maritime College, Newnham, Launceston.
Next two meetings: Juyly 11th, August 8th,
NORTHWEST. BRANCH MEETS AT 8 P.M. ON THE SECOND TUESDAY of each
month at the Penguin High School.
Next two meetings: July 8th, August 12th.
SOUTHERN BRANCH MEETS AT 8.15 P.M. ON THE FIRST WEDNESDAY of
the month, at The Activity Centre, 105, Newtown
Road, Hobart.
Next two meetings: August 6th, September 3rd.
Broadcast Officers:
Divisional Co-ordinator: Arthur, VK7GH, 34, Ashbolt Crescent,
Lutana, 7009,
’ Tel: (H) 002.284963. (B) 002.305600.
Northern Branch Officer: VK7AV Bill,
Northwest Branch Officer: VK7ZFH Frank.
Southern Branch Officer: VK7GH Arthur,
Broadcasts commence 09.00Z every Sunday, normally originated on
2m., with relays on 80m., 40m., 144.1 MHz (SSB) dnd’ATV.
d.
Letter from the President.
This letter for "QRM" is a result of the last Council
Meeting, when membership figures became available:
"The Older Amateur". ‘
You would all have seen statistics relating to the increasing
average age of amateur operators. Some discussion papers have
been published recently with ideas to encowrage younger members
of the community to join amateur radio.
At the last Federal Convention it was agreed that young people
are generally too occupied with other activities until they
settle down. This could be the best time to recruit new
operators and members. Indéed, some do not have time for the
hobby until they retire. We have members jeining straight into
Pensioner Grade, rather than be regraded from other grades on
retirement., With this increasing age of members, we have to
address the effect on the Institute.
The following is put forward for comment only for possible
change in policy. The policy for this Division is to allow
concessional membership to Students and Pensioners. What does
this mean? It means that their subscription goes only to pay
for "A.R." and Federal dues. The Division and Branches receive
nothing. The idea originally behind the concession was to make
it easier for Students, not yet earning money, and as a reward
for age pensioners after years of membership. A student 1is
required to be a full time student, and a Pensioner qualified
to hold a Medical Card.
Some of the problems with this system are:
1. How long do students remain students?
2. What about Pensioners without a Medical Card?
3. What about those on Superannuation?
It would seem to be time to equalize the costs of the
Division and Branches,over all its members.
The following figures will be of interest to help explain
the problem. We have 41 Pensioner/student members and 275 other
grades. This year the 275 paid 87 each towards Division and
Branch expenses. If every member paid the same we would need only
$5.20. My personal solution would be obvious - we have nothing
to lose. I see the Medical profession have a similar problem
in dealing with pensioners,
Peter Frith, VK7PF, President.
End-of-page Brief.
Heard during the recent Halley's Comet affair: "It's not very
bright. D'you think I'd get a better picture with electronic flash?
be
Letter to the Editor.
From Chas, Harrisson at the QSL Bureau: Unclaimed cards are
held at the Bureau for the Following members:
VK7BA. BG. BP. DL. DN, DT. ES. FR. FT. GD.
GM. HV. HW. JZ. KX. KZ. LS. MH. ocC. PL. SG.
TD. KAF. KDV. KTC. KXA. NBE. NET. NIK. NIM. NJO.
NPT. NRV. ZAJ. ZAY. ZBG,
Some of these cards have been on hand for up.to two years and
will be destroyed at the end of July unless claimed.
There are also a number of cards for non-members which will be
similarly dealt with.
If you want yours please contact me at 95, Wentworth Street,
Bellerive, 7018, telephone number 002,442854.
Congtatulations on the latest version of "QRM", I was very pleased
to see more Branch News as I believe a Bulletin such as this
should be used to keep members in touch with what's going on in
the Division,
As a personal aside, it may interest you to know that the first
VK7JK was Jack Heine who is now VK3JF. Jack and I were the
only ones to sit for the exam in May 1927. We both passed,
bringing the total licencees in the State to about 25, I reckon.
73's from g%
Tasmanian Devil Net.
Andy, JH1QYT, requires another three VK7 contacts to qualify
for the award.. When he qualifies, he will be the second
Japanese station to do so. Andy speaks good English, and is
working in his father's pharmacy some miles outside Tokyo.
He may be heard most weekdays on 21175 to 21185 from 0530Z,
He hopes to visit Tasmania next year and would be glad to hear
those three VK7's as soon as possible, Some new VK7's would
be welcome on Tuesday nights on 3590 MHz from 1000Z - even if
you can spare only half an hour (or stand it), our regular ZL's
and mainlanders will love you.
From VK/NBF Bob.
WOULD ALL ASPIRING CONTRIBUTORS TO "QRM" PLEASE NOTE THAT
THE EDITOR'S CLOSING DATE FOR THE AUGUST EDITION WILL BE
19th., JULY.
5.
WICEN {Southern Branch)
4
With your copy of GRM this month you should +find a WICEN
(Southern Branch) registration form as an enclosure.
The form has been designed with two main
abjectives, firstly to bring up to date the record of Radio
Amateur resources available in the event of a natural
disaster and secondly to make it possible to classify and
deploy the range of equipment and talent available in the
most effective wavy.
The deployment of equipment will be self evident
but it is important that the organizers have sufficient
information to direct voluntesrs to tasks within the range
of their interest and capabilities.
Whatever the +final understanding we have with
S.E.5. we will be forming a team where every member
understands his rocle and will have the opportunity to
exercise and develop his skills.
' Some examples of the anticipated roles are as
follows.
1. V.H.F. operators to handle traffic between 5.E.S5.Hg. and
a WICEN central base.
2. V.H.F. and H.F. opperators to handle traffic between the
WICEN central base and a WICEN portable base anywhere in
the State by means of phone and C/W.
- 3. V.H.F. f(handheld) operators with bushwalking capability
to supply a 1link between S.E.S5. field parties and a WICEN
portable base.
4. Reserve operators who could be called upon in case of an
extended emergency but who do not have sufficient time
available to attend all esxercises.
S. Members with organizing ability to operate backup rosters
in an emergency.
6. Members with particular technical skills to design the
small pieces of squipment required to give the team the
special capability it needs {(e.g. the V.H.F. mini repeater
already in uss).
7. New recruits to f@mateur Radio who will be attached to
experienced operators for experience and who will be the
guarantee of future WICEN manpower.
Completing the HRegistration Form will indicate your
willingness to participate but will not commit vyou to
dedicate time you can not afford to the movement. Where
possible exercises will be repeated to give members a second
chance to take part.
Please send your completed form to the address
below or hand it to me at the next mesting.
' WICEN Southern Branch Co-Ordinator
Alan Widdowson VK7CI,
29 Kingston Heights
Kingston Beach, 7151
6.
ém, RTTY Beacon EroEos for Hobart!
ed
Preamble: It has been noted that there are severa' amateur
beacons that exist and used to conduct slow morse broadcasts in
Australia,
There are many amateur stations equipped with existing 6m.
gear, and the ém., band is easily accessed on a receive only
basis, at very low cost, through the facilities of the W.I.A.
Activity Centre,
Teleprinter equipment has also become available to many
amateurs and there are low-cost computer systems with RTTY
programmes, Both systems, however, require a RTTY signal for
tuning and alignment.
We are fortunate in Tasmania to have some of the leading
programmers in the RTTY mode and there has been a great deal of
development in this area in the last few months.
Proposal: To establish a RTTY beacon in Hobart for the following
purposes:
1. To provide a notice board for the Southern Branch
of the W.I.A,
2, For the alignment of RTTY demodulators and teletype
equipment,
3. To revitalise the use of the ém. band.
Equipment: VIC20 Computer and data set.
Dedicated RTTY software,
RTTY modulator for 170 Hz shift and 45 and 110 Baud
transmission,
Crystal controlled 25w, F.M. transmitter equipped
with timer and time-out facilities, to be operated
in the 6ém., amateur band at a suggested frequency
of 52,540 MHz.
+ wave vertical antenna with 50 ohm coax feed to the
transmitter. '
Location: Activity Centre, W.I.A. Southern Branch,
105, Newtown Road, HOBART.
Operation: It is planned to provide on the hour and at 15-minute
intervals, one or two pages of non-commercial
information, This broadcast will consist of the
station identification, message, and will end with
a repeat of station identification,
The transmitter will be controlled by a clock, battery
operated and interfaced to a second timer, connected
as a time-out safeguard and protected by a fault
detect system.
oL
The computer will be operated from 12 volts D.C.
to protect the programme during power failure, and
it is planned to update the information used in the
RTTY broadcast on a weekly basis or as necessary,
Access to the transmitter and control equipment will
be restricted to licensed members of the W.I.A. and
the area will be locked when unattended.
These specifications have been attached to a letter sent to
the State Manager, Radio Frequency Management, D.o.C., also
stating that the proposal had been discussed at the last meeting
of the W.I.A. in Hobart. The Southern Branch supports the
application,
John Hewson,
RTTY Co-ordinator,
Members are invited to register any amateur-related gear
with the Southern Branch Activity Centre Management.
Transceivers, receivers, transverters, converters, amateur-
related computer equipment, printed VDU programmes, mobile and
handheld rigs, antenna tuners, antennas, rotators, masts or
towers - in fact, anything that you find is excess to your
requirements,
If you are considering buying new equipment, or interested in
swopping something, then register your equipment first., The
concept of the register is to help old hands and newcomers alike
to keep abreast of the equipment available on the local market.
This will be of particular benefit to newly-licensed amateurs
who would not be too sure about what they may need, its suitability,
or technical condition. Preferably the actual transaction would
be directly between the buyer and the seller, using the services
of the Equipment Register for the initial contact.
The Activity Centre Test Bench facilities could be used to
evaluate equipment before settlement, if any doubts exist.
The contents of the Register would be printed in "QRM" while
additions and subtractions would be announced on the weekly broad-
cast, and possibly listed on the proposed ém. RTTY Noticeboard.
All enquiries should be directed to the W.I.A. Southern
Branch Activity Centre, 105, Newtown Road, Hobart, or you could
call personally at that address on any Tuesday evening from
7.30 p.m. On the same evening, you could also call VK7SB on
Repeater 2, 2m. This station is monitoring regularly on Tuesdays
“during our activity period, say between 7.30 and 10.30 p.m.
from VK7VV, Rai.
Q.
The "Tas Devil Rig".
Some further fault-finding tips from Ian VK7IJ,
Q5 overheating No heatsink fitted Fit heatsink
(this essential)
Output appears to be L3/base Q5
frequency doubled incorrectly terminated Remove R14 &
replace with
link, Connect
res. 47-100.0.
from link to E.
This mod. is recommended!
VFO not oscillating Q! high g , reducing Reduce R2
(no other faults) supply voTtdge via R2. to 100q.
Mute circuit ineffective Q6 = emitter follower, Replace Q6 with
due to low voltage output = 5-0.6=4.4v. PNP type, emitter
on IC3-1, to 12 v,
Disconnect R15 from
IC2 & connect to wiper
of VR5 leaving IC2 o/p
floating.
Side tone generator Q12 faulty. Check.
not working.
NOTE: SOME MAY TRY TO ACHIEVE GREATER POWER - THIS IS NOT
PRACTICAL, HOWEVER, WITHOUT A MAJOR REDESIGN, Viz. with
a 12v. supEly and 5011 filter, output =
- 144 _ 1.44 watts so save those
2z 700 -~ output transistors!
I wish to express my appreciation to all who have helped compile
this list, and for all the encouraging reports about the design
so far,
Ian, VK7IJ.
SO _YOU WANT TO CONTACT THE EDITOR?
His name is John Rogers. His callsign is VK7JK. His telephone
number is 002,293402. His address is:
1,
Darville Court,
Blackman's Bay,
Hobart, 7152.
And when you lose your copy of QRM, remember he's QTHR. When
he is at home, the 2m rig is normally running and listening to
Repeater 2.
9.
Radiotorial.
In the ‘last couple of months, your Editor has brought to
your notice the idea of a 6ém. RTTY station in Hobart, an article
on a Public Digital Radio Service and comments on our need to be
informed in good time of items on the Federal agenda,
This month we print John's notes on the RTTY station and Rai's
ideas on an Equipment Exchange. On all these subjects, however,
we have been overwhelmed by the deafening silence generated by the
readers of "QRM", It's no wonder we find all sorts of moves are
taking place that in retrospect we disapprove of. We have now
acquired a copy of a Discussion Paper on the Possible Restructuring
of the Amateur Radio Service in Canada, and it contains a great
deal of 'meaty' comment, much of which applies here in Australia,
I¥'s much too long to print in "QRM" but the full text is held
at the Activity Centre in Hobart. For those in the north and north-
west of the State, photocopies can be supplied on request.
We suggest it should be read and digested before the next
meetings of the Branches. There might then be a more deafening
response to the changes that are looming over our hobby.
VK7 JK.
New Members this month.
We welcome to the W.I.A. Mr., G. Cox, VK7/GC of Launceston,
andMr. G.E.Gill, assocjiate, of Devonport.
W.I.,A, Broadcast Roster for 1986.
Branch responsible,
29 June, 6, 13, 20 July Northwestern,
27 July, 3, 10, 17, 24 August Southern,
31 August, 7, 14 September Northern.
21, 28 September, 5, 12 October Northwestern,
19, 26 October, 2, 9, 16 November Southern.
23, 30 November, 7 December Northern.
14, 21, 28 December, 4 January '87 Northwestern.
Broadcast Originating Stations, July 1986.
29 June... ... VK7SE 7 JUly... e o 0 VK7WP
13 July... ... VK7XL 20 JUly... o0 o VK7RN
27 July. e o e o o VK7GH
WIRELESS INSTITUTE STORE (STOCK)
VK 7ZBW (MIKE) STORES & EQUIFMENT OFFICER
PHONE (@02)-28 7010 (QTHR)
NOTE ! FRICE INCREASE FROM B1/706/86
UNDERSTANDING AMATEUR RADIO WORL.LD FRESS SERVICE FRE®'S IN STOCK
RADIO AMATEUR LICENCE MANUAL AMATEUR OFERATORS H/BOOK P & T UFDATE OCT
OFERATING MANUAL (2ND EDIT.) W.I.A. BOCK VOLUME 1 IN STOCK
ARRL HANDROOK 1986 W.I.A. CALLEROOE 1985/86 IN STOCK
HINTS % KINKS FOR RADIO AMAT. W.I.A. CALLEDOOK 1934/85 IN STOCK
@sD NOVICE QUESTIONS % ANSWERS IN STOCK LOG SHEETS (FER 10@)
WEEKEND FROJECTS W.I.A. LOGEOOK IN STOCK
a7 ARRL ANTENNA ROOK IN STOCK THE RADIO AMATEURS WORLD ATLAS IN STOCK
28 FM & REFEATERS FOR RADIO AMAT. IN STOCK STICKFIN TRADITIONAL AUST. IN STOCK
29 SATELLITE EXFERIMENTERS H/BQOK 1 ON ORDER =0 STICEFIN INTERNAT.DIAMOND IN STOCK
10 RAD1IO AMAT. EXAM MANUAL RSGE > =
~d STICKFIN INTERNAT(CALLSIGN) IN STOCK
11 RADIO AMAT.OFERATING MANUAL 52 W.I.A. STICKERS (CAR WINDOCW)
-
IN STOCK
RADIO COMMUNICATIONS H/ROOK 1 ON ORDER 53 W.I.A. MINI LLOGO (SHEET OF 1@)
R
12D AMATEUR RADIO AWARDS RSGR IN STCC 54 W.I1.A. TIES IN STOCK
AMATEUR RADIO TECHNINUES 55 W.I.A. KEYRING
41 IN STOCK
TEST EQUIFMIENT FOR RADIO AMAT. =
o] W.1.A. FENNANTS (FELT) IN STOCK
=
o Ll LOCATIONS S6A W.T.A. PENNANTS (SATIN) IN STOCK
16 VHF /7UHF MANUAL
HHRAR VBB AEERHE
S7 T-SHIRT (75TH ANNIVERSARY)
17 CALLEROOK 1985 RSOBE 58 LEISURE SHIRT (LOGO ON FOCKET) S
18 UHF COMFENDIUM PARTS 1 & 2 59 WINDCHEATER (W.I.A. LOGO)
18A RAD/DATA REF. EOOR
1O.
&HB W.I.A. CLOTH HADGES STOCK
18R A/R SOFTWARE 6H1 SOUNDS OF A/R
19 SATELLITE TRACKING SOFTWARE IN STOCHK CAl BELDIN COAX (RGZ213)/METRE
20 INTERFERENCE HANDEQOK IN STOCKE caz BELDIN COAX (RGS8U) /METRE
21 WIRE ANTENNA®S FOR RADIO AMAT. IN CAZ BENELEC COAX (RG213) /METRE STOCK
RADIO AMATEUR ANTENNA H/BOOK IN CA4 BENELEC COAX (RGSBC/U) /METRE STOCK
BEAM ANTENNA HANDROOK (NEW ED.) IN CAS ANDREWS HELIAX (LDF450)
24 ALLL ABOUT CURICAL QUAD ANTENNA IN chs
ABRB
e N-TYFE ACHME CONNECTOR(C39-19)
o CARE % FEEDING FOWER GRID TURE DIt VERBATIM FLOFFY DISES/1@
VHF H/BOOK FOR RADIO AMATEURS IN STOCE D12 CTRL..DATA FLOFFY DISKS/10
MICROCOMFUTERS IN AMAT. RADIO 1 ONLY 501 MAGNA SOLDER % FLUX (PER FOOT) STOCK,
HAM NOTEDROOE VOLUME 1 NOT AVAIL.
HRH o BRAGH BR,
Wl ENAMELLED WIRE 14 GAUGE FER/LE STOCK,
HAM NOTEROGH VOLUME 2 NOT AVATIL. WIZ2 ENAMELLED WIRE 16 GAUGE FER/LE STOCK,
AMATEUR TELEVISION H/BOOK VOL2 IN STOCK 4,60
AMATEUR TELEVISION H/BOOK VOLT IN 4.60
TV FOR AMATEURS IN -FllLI fl,m
MICRO %2 TV FROJECTS 8.00
FORIEGN CALLROCE 1986 I2.00
IEA CALLEOOE 1986 33.00
DX GUIDE 5.60
I RADIO AMATEUR WORLD ATLAS 5.60
R.A. FREFIX MAF 0OF WORLD 4.10
36 LROAND ELECTRONIC STUDY GUIDE 14.50
EASIC TRAINING MANUAL NZART
40 CALLBOOK 1985 NZART 6. 00
41 RTTY TODAY UN.ELEC. STOCK
S B @ # BB RERR
SGRS
15.00
WICEN
SOUTHERN TASMANIAN BRAMNCH
REGISTRATION FORM
NAME. « i i e i it ieinnnenn CALLSIGN. .. ...... .
ADDRESS. . i i i i i i i i e i st i i e FPHONE (H).........
TIME AVAILABLE FOR EXERCISES (Tick one or more)
Some eveningS....... Some weekends...... Overnight.......
Most days or eveningS.......
COULD YOU BE RELEASED FROM WORK IN AN EMERGENCY 7 (Y)..(N)..
IN WHICH BRANCH OF THE SERVICE WOULD YOU FREFER TO ACT 72
{Number in order of preference)}
Vehicular units..... Field units(S % R).....Point to point
operating...... Technical development......
PREVIDUS WICEN EXFERIENCE (Courses, exercises etc.)
EQUIFPMENT AVAILABLE{(Tick one or more and indicate power and
battery endurance!}
MOBILE FORTARBLE HOME BASED
MF 160M = i iceieicces emaemcasas emmssasea=
HF 40M BOM . ...c.iciciie ceeceecnsasnes sasssess=a
VHF 2M = i hieieeicae aasemenses ememsssass
R o
UHF = i cieiiee aieeasesse smsemaseaa
ADDITIONAL EQUIFPMENT
Portable mast and antenna.......... Repeater patch.........
Vox patch....... ae RTITY(FAX) e eeenann 240V generator...ac.eeaaa.
Scanner.....ccceea. 476/77mhz Tranceiver..... caeas
TRANSPORT AND ACCOMMODATION
Careeeacenns Stationwagon..... cesama Campervan....... 4WD.
. ...
Tent........Caravan.sceaeeeeacna