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daryl.cheshire

11 days ago

Ground Spike

I use an Alpha match coil screwed into a truck mirror mount and I used the small spike provided by another antenna kit the JPC-12, but the 17’ telescopic antenna is a but much in the wind so I decided to use a longer tent peg.

I took advice from Roy VK3GB who pounds a long screwdriver to first make a hole to insert the tent peg.

All this pounding is tiring and I’m not adverse to labour saving devices so I obtained from Bunnings this auger.

This was successful but with caveats.

17 Views

Craig vk3ncr

Oct 12

•

Well done ! Looks good mate did you make any contacts ?

Phillip VK3LRO

12 days ago

Little green boat

Many of you will have seen the little green boat near the new 3D printer. You probably thought it was quite cute but......

It is in fact a file that tests and calibrates a 3D printer. Here is a link to an interesting article on "3DBenchy" which is the name of the boat.

https://www.instructables.com/3DBenchy-The-tool-to-calibrate-and-test-your-3D-pr/

As you will read there is more to 3DBenchy than just a simple boat structure.

I gave the article to my wife Jill to read and she was impressed as to just what can be done on a 3D printer. She's not a tech freak so was interesting to hear her comments.

29 Views

Phillip VK3LRO

September 18, 2025

NanoVNA

As you are aware we were generously gifted a NanoVAN analyser. This is quite an impressive piece of gear, but it does require some learning of new skills.

I belong to a FaceBook group that shares tips and ideas for this device. Here is a link, if you want to join (which I would recommend).

www.facebook.com

See posts, photos and more on Facebook.

31 Views

daryl.cheshire

Oct 12

Thanks Phil, I have this long RG213 cable I had for around 25 years and the connections were all tarnished and I wondered if the cable is still ok. I used the VNA with the second connector to make a circuit and it will tell you how long the cable is and any losses. My cable was ok to use. So the VNA is not just a fancy SWR meter.

Daryl VK3HBP.

Phillip VK3LRO

September 10, 2025

Names and Callsigns

All my life I have struggled with the problem of remembering peoples names, and over the years have tried various strategies to assist in this matter. As Australians we're lucky because we can call everyone "Mate".

As I've become involved with amateur radio and Famparc I have now faced the additional problem of remembering names and callsigns. To help me I carry a spreadsheet and numbers file, where I'm recording peoples names and callsigns as I'm going along. I have this sorted by callsigns for easy access to the names.

As the club continues to grow, we have many new members with new names and callsigns. I would like to put forward the suggestion, which we can discuss at the next general meeting, that Craig makes a copy of the membership list into a file with the following information and here is an example using Craig and my name:

Name Surname…

48 Views

Craig vk3ncr

Sep 10

•

Hello Phillip,

You are not alone in your struggles to remember peoples names and callsigns.

We all do!

I also struggled in remembering names and callsigns.. However many many years ago I was told that the best way to remember, is like everything we do, practise practise, practise.

I found after speaking to dozens if not hundred's of hams since getting my license many years ago, that they were spot-on... After speaking to other hams over the air every day, over and over and over, I found that this amazingly helped..

I still struggle with new members, however after time and making many contacts over the air with them, I find that I begin to remember their name and callsign.

As well as that I suggest you use a Electronic Log Book System (Software), which also shares its logs with your phone.. I have a Mac and iPhone app that talk to each other. I can then look up instantly on my iPhone or mac the persons callsign and see their details plus other information too.

This topic has already been tabled at the club a year or so ago, and was voted that this information is NOT stored on the website even behind a password locked page.

No one and I repeat no one wanted to have their information shared in anyway.

Let me make that perfectly clear!

So.. to help you in remembering names and. callsigns, I suggest you simply make contact with the person(s), add them to your own electronic log book, so you have them on hand all the time.

To make it further clear, the constitution is not all encompassing and although you are allowed to view (View only) our club members registry, it is for your pursual only at the club rooms.. We cannot share this information any part or in full.

So.. get busy and start making contacts and logging them so you can quick and easy access to your own stored data.

Cheers.

Craig

Edited