100th Anniversary of
WIA
The WIA celebrates 100 years in 2010 and is inviting clubs
to take part in the celebrations. Ideas include special call signs, field days,
displays, radio shows, media events, special dinners to name a few. So get your
thinking caps on and we will discuss this at our next group meeting to be held
in July at South West Rocks.
Antenna Analyzer for group
members to use
The antenna analyzer is nearing completion and
will be available for all members to borrow to get your HF antenna just right.
Thanks to Steve VK2SJJ for constructing
this for the club. The Kit was purchased from a South Australian Club to does
similar things to our group by providing kits for the amateur community and fund
raising at the same time. If you want to book to use of the analyzer let us know
at the next group meeting.
Kit Construction and
Sales
The kits are buzzing out the door at the moment
and Peter VK2EVB and Steve VK2SJJ are busy putting
these together for dispatch to amateurs. I am kept busy looking after the
purchasing and delivery of parts. All the kits are doing well and more units are
been made for stock as I write this news.
Remember as a MNCARG member you are entitled to
a discount on the purchase price of any of the kits. One of the Kits has been
built by Steve VK2ZVG and is been used at
Mc Lean High School . Steve has been active showing the benefits of Amateur
Radio to the High School Students and this continues with this recent HF antenna
Kit purchase.
High School FM Radio
Station
I have been involved in the establishment of a High School
in House FM radio station at St Columba High School in Port Macquarie. The
project is in the initial phase and will when finished allow students to learn
studio operation, production, basic journalism and reporting. Technically the
system will consist of a Narrow Cast FM allocation in the FM band between
87.5Mhz and 88 Mhz. The license type is know as LPON. Output power is
limited to 1.0 watt but will allow coverage over the entire campus and car park
area. The transmission is in mono.
A side mounted dipole
will be used for the antenna mounted above the Admin
Building.
This project will not only involve the students but also
teachers and the broader parent community. An excellent way to involve students
in radio.
St Columba High School in Port Macquarie
New 6 Element 70cm
antenna under development
Following on from our 2
Mtr Junior antenna a new 70cm antenna is under development. The antenna will use
the similar style of construction and be very robust and easy to
construct.
The engineering prototype in a 3 element
configuration.
Members overseas - On
holidays
At this time of the year Europe is very appealing. Three of
our members are currently in Europe and enjoying their summer.
Excellent.
We look forward to a report from Kit VK2KCG about his ham radio festival visit in Germany.
It has been reported Les
VK2CPC have been using the IRLP and Echo link facility via our 2 mtr
repeater in Coffs City while he is on holidays in England.
Special Member Prices for HVT
- 400 Multiband whip antenna
Another benefit for members is the regular
offers of Ham accessories and Equipment at discounted prices. Four (4) Only of
this popular antenna are available for sale at the special price of $69.00. If
you want one of these give Gary VK2ZKT a
call via e-mail. Limited offer.
Advertising for Radio Expo
2010
I have started the advertising for our Radio Expo for
January 2010. The first adverts started 4 weeks ago via the WIA NSW Sunday
Broadcasts.
The list of exhibitors is looking as big as ever and we
should once again have a very successful day. Adverts on VK Ham and other media
will be starting this coming week. Experience has shown that it pays to
advertise and advertise regularly. Now is the time to mark your diaries and set
aside this important day in our calendar. As always we will need helpers to look
after important areas.
Jobs include Talk
In operator (1), Canteen Helpers (3) Security officer (1) PA Operator (1) Front
counter helpers (2). Plus helpers to prep the hall on the Saturday afternoon and
help with the clean up on Sunday.
Foundation License Handbooks
and Call Books
If you would like one of these for your
technical library or you know someone that wants to gain their license please
let Carol VK2FCSR know via e-mail and we
will do a bulk order to the WIA National office. The Foundation Handbook is very
good even for the experienced operator and makes good reading, now in its second
edition format with more info and updated data.
Telescopic Poles for Amateur
Use
Currently doing the rounds of the shopping centers are a
number of companies displaying garden tools and cutters for high tree work. They
sell a telescopic pole that extends to 5 Mtrs and is very robust, made from
extruded aluminum and available either as plain aluminum or coated aluminum with
a layer of fiberglass in orange colour. The poles are very well made, come with
replacement warranty and easily store in a compact car. They interlock
easily and also feature a numbers of holes at the top to allow guying. Sell
price is approx $60.00.
Carol
VK2FCSR picked one up at Settlement City Shopping Centre in Port
Macquarie last weekend including a free pair of robust garden gloves for
$60.00 cash. These poles are ideal for dipoles, small yagis and verticals for
VHF and UHF. Well worth the look and you are supporting local business as
well.
Center Dipole adapter for HVT
- 400 Vertical antennas
Gary VK2ZKT
has built a centre mount assy to allow two (2) of these popular antennas to be
set up as a rotatable dipole. The assy is made from aluminum dicast box, plate
and galvanized U bolts. The mount is secured to a piece of polly pipe that is
then slid over a supporting pole, either metal, wood or
fiberglass.
The adapter is very robust and will withstand
the most demanding environments. It is also waterproof. If you like there is
room in the box for a 1:1 Balun if you so desire. More info contact Gary VK2ZKT via e-mail.
WEB Site
The Groups web site is looking better by the
day, thanks to Jack VK2CJC he always keeps
the site fresh and up to date. I invite everyone to enjoy the many movies on the
site and takes advantage of the excellent radio prediction service available on
the front page.
As always Jack is always looking for members contributions
of recent project photos, special projects of interest and technical articles.
Please sent your contributions to Jack and he will place them on the web site.
If you have a movies this can also be accommodated and welcomed.
Special VIP to officially open
our Radio Expo for 2010
As we are celebrating 100 Years of the WIA and
we are the first Radio Expo /Field Day in Australia for
2010 we decided at our last meeting to have a VIP open the show on the Sunday at
9.00am. Carol VK2FCSR is currently in the process of
contacting a number of potential persons and will bring us up to date at our
meeting at South West Rocks in July.
That's all the news for the moment...more as it comes to
hand.
Regards,
Gary VK2ZKT
President MNCARG Inc
PH:- 66552990
Mob:- 0422 216773