Radio exercise this Sunday

Posted on August 24, 2022August 24, 2022 by Editor

Hi to all central Victorian based radio amateurs (and all others who may be taking an interest in our setting up of a “Radio Watch” in our shire).Our Castlemaine coffee morning will take place as usual on the last Sunday of the month - 28 August 2022. Then, from 2 pm to 4 pm, we will have an “activity day” which is a radio event where the object is to contact as many other radio stations as possible. We will use the VK3RCV repeater and 146.550MHz simplex (moving off if you want to chat lo...

Well attended AGM

Posted on August 20, 2022August 27, 2022 by Editor

It was a cold drizzly day but 20 members and 2 visitors attended and enjoyed a warm venue. Result of the elections: Office bearers: President Joe and Secretary Graeme start the AGM President, Joe VK3MABV/President, Graeme VK3CDOSecretary, Graeme VK3NETreasurer, Barry VK3BRT Ordinary committee members:Peter VK3PRCPeter VK3TPM (Webmaster)Hugo VK3HUGStephen VK3QD(Stephen has since resigned from the committee for personal reasons. We thank Stephen for his previous 3 years on committe...

New SDR radio with Pi inside: sBitx

Posted on August 10, 2022August 20, 2022 by Editor

Club member Peter, VK3TPM, has just received a new SDR radio with a Raspberry Pi as the brains of the box. There will be a presentation about it at the next meeting but, in classic YouTube tradition, here's an unboxing video and a first contact. https://youtu.be/YU5kGLm2_Yg More info on this interesting new radio here.

Coffee Morning & Net 3-Aug-22

Posted on August 2, 2022August 2, 2022 by Editor

Hi Everyone, Here some entries for your diaries: Wednesday 3 Aug 22.Coffee morning. 1000 hrs at the Gisborne CFA.VHF Net, 2000hrs on VK3RMMHF Net, 2030 hrs on 80M, 3.685Mhz. Saturday 20 Aug 22.The club AGM is this month. There will be a light luncheon provided after the meeting. Graeme will put out the official notice for the meeting soon. Regards,Graeme VK3NE.

New station: “Shortwave Australia”

Posted on July 18, 2022August 20, 2022 by Editor

In the afternoons and evenings, listen out for a new shortwave broadcast station calling itself "Shortwave Australia". Transmitting from a site north of Bendigo, the station can be heard on 2310khz and 4835khz. 4835kHz Good reception here at Drummond, particularly on 4835. Chief Engineer, Dave, notes that reception is quite variable and often 4835 dies at dusk when 2310 might be better. Good reception is often available via the excellent KiwiSDR at Ironstone Range in South Australia...

16th July Meeting – Starlink

Posted on July 13, 2022July 18, 2022 by Editor

Richard VK3JFK gave a practical demonstration of Starlink. Richard VK3JFK Richard said he is an early adopter of technology. He had NBN fibre to node, with rain for six months he had major disruptions. During lockdown this had a major impact on his daily Zoom meetings. Richard bought along his version 1 (round dish) and placed it on the ground behind the RSL. Members inspected the apparatus briefly, as the cold winds drove us back indoors. Richard has wide experience with...

Gisborne coffee meeting

Posted on June 30, 2022July 6, 2022 by Editor

A coffee morning is held on the 1st Wednesday of every month. Venue : Gisborne CFA meeting room.Time : 1000 Hrs. In the event CFA facilities are unavailable, will make other arrangements on the morning. All invited. The meeting on 6-July-2022 was well attended and an entertaining conversation was conducted. A terrific turnout at the CFA

Aerial Construction techniques

Posted on June 27, 2022August 20, 2022 by Editor

Graeme VK3NE. From the archives: At the April 2011 meeting, Joe VK3GFA and Graeme VK3NE discussed and answered questions about construction techniques for both VHF and HF antennas. They displayed a range of examples. Some of members present, were aware of the so called “Plumbers Delight” construction, which made use of soldered copper water pipe to make VHF aerials. Joe took this approach one step further and demonstrated his “Electrician’s Delight” which made use of plastic electrical co...

Woodend RSL Presentation

Posted on June 27, 2022August 20, 2022 by Editor

From the archive: At the December 2018 meeting our club President Joe VK3MAB, presented a copy of the Wireless Men and Women at War book to Peter Whitelaw, President of the Woodend RSL who respectfully and gratefully, accepted the book on behalf of the RSL. Joe VK3MAB & Peter Whitelaw. Photo: Pam VK3NK This book was published by the WIA at the time of the ANZAC Centenary and in recognition of the many amateur radio operators who volunteered their services during the World Wars and oth...

Monthly meeting well attended

Posted on June 11, 2022June 30, 2022 by Editor

The Saturday 18 June monthly club meeting was most entertaining. Club member Graeme VK3CDO has had a problem with Indian Myna Birds. He explained how he traps them using clever wire cage traps. Peter, VK3TPM, brought along the QRP-Labs QDX transceiver and demonstrated a little reception in the room (but no one heard the transmission). A topic which came up on the net this week was measuring small inductors. Here's a popular LCR meter that works well: Peter, VK3RV, br...