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Roger Baker VK3BKR (SK) Roger Baker VK3BKR (SK) Roger Baker  became a Silent Key on Tuesday 8 July 2025. He was a member of the EMDRC (Inc) for over 40 years and in that time had served many years on Committee, oversaw the implementation of the workshop at the Clubrooms, and provided a wealth of practical knowledge in running the facilities. Through Baker Radio, the members were beneficiaries of access to surplus 2 way radios, configured for the 2 m & 70 cm bands. Roger  was involved in a variety of off road activities that required 2 way radio and repeaters to support competitors’ safety. Nothing was too much trouble for him. We will miss Roger  on Thursday mornings and Friday night meetings. He will be fondly remembered for his contribution to Amateur Radio and the EMDRC. Vale Roger A Service to Celebrate the Life of Roger  Kingsley Baker will be held in the Tobin Brothers Threads of Life Chapel, 294 Burwood Hwy, East Burwood on Wednesday, 16 th  July 2025 at 2pm.Webcast live at 2.00pm AEST  LINK Thanks to EMDRC for the above information.

Hmmm... Many of us may not call this Amateur Radio. However we need to embrace new things, this is what our hobby is all about. MOVING FORWARD What would our hobby look like if we did not embrace AM, SSB, then FM and now Digital modes. This may not be for everyone but, give it a try.. It's not hard! No doubt you have heard of DStar, DMR, Fusion etc etc.. AllStar Although it does use the internet to connect to other users, hubs, repeaters etc, it is not classed as a digital mode as it uses FM to connect to a AllStar connected Repeater, or your personal Node running on a Raspberry Pi mini computer. Well.. here is another way to access the AllStar system. An Apple IOS App called RepeaterPhone . It allows your Apple iPhone to connect to the AllStar network and it's very simple to use. There is one thing you need to do, prior.. Register for an AllStar Node . Note: This app is for licensed Amateur Radio operators only . RepeaterPhone provides the ability to connect your mobile device to EchoLink or AllStarLink nodes , including repeaters and conferences. Push to talk today ! You will need an account with either the EchoLink or AllStarLink networks . Please see https://www.echolink.org or https://www.allstarlink.org , respectively, for more details - Push-to-talk interface - Browse or search the directory for available nodes - Mark favorites with a star for quick access - Supports various audio devices, including Bluetooth headsets - Fully integrated into your phone's recent call system - Includes a watch extension for dialling favourites and controlling push-to-talk - Sharing your device with a licensed family member? Switch accounts easily Turn your Apple iPhone into a Hand Held Radio.. You can chat to other Nodes and AllStar Connected Repeaters. It works and sounds great.

Hello Famparc Members, Due to the GGREC Hamfest  being held this coming Saturday, the normal Famparc Monthly Meeting which would have also been held on the same Saturday (5th July 2025), has now been changed to the Saturday 12th July 2025. This is to allow many members to attend the GGREC Hamfest. So please make a note: July Monthly Meeting new date: Saturday 12th July 2025 10:30am. There will be a lot to chat about, including: Updates to the Remote Station Updates to VK3RUV 2M Repeater Changes to our Club Constitution Usual General Club Discussion Usual Monthly Financial Reports

How To Select Feedline For A Repeater, By Todd, KY4TS APRIL 30, 2018 By Todd, KY4TS A common overlooked part of putting together a repeater system is the selection of proper feedline. "But, coax is coax, isn't it?" "I use LMR-400 for all my stations at home. That should be good enough for a repeater, right?" Well, not necessarily.   So, why is the selection of feedline so important? First, on many tower installs, if you or your club don’t own the tower, most all commercial sites will require a bonded, professional crew to climb the tower for any work that needs to be done. This gets expensive very quickly. Using a poor quality or incorrect type of feed line WILL cause a failure of your system. Hiring a crew (any professional climb will require at least 2 people) to replace a faulty feed line will wipe out any savings you made with your coax. Add to that, you end up buying the more expensive, correct feed line anyway. So what is incorrect feed line? The following is from Mike Morris, WA6ILQ and  repeater-builder.com  : “In duplex service you want to avoid any coax that has dissimilar metals rubbing against each other (such as Belden 9913) or any LMR-(any 3-digit or 4-digit number) cable since both use an aluminium foil shield rubbing against a copper braid (and they are not the only ones with that type of construction). In a coax cable, any dissimilar metals in contact with each other are bad news. Aluminum oxide is formed when raw aluminum is in contact with oxygen, and the chemical reaction that converts the top few molecules of the exposed surface of aluminum into aluminum oxide is almost instantaneous.   Aluminum oxide makes a dandy diode. All those millions of contact points between the copper braid and the aluminum oxide layer on the aluminum foil become millions of little tiny diodes. In the presence of high RF power levels all those little diodes cause RF noise. The amount of noise energy on any one frequency (such as on your repeater input frequency) is a low level, but when you have the noise source inside the same feedline that feeds a sensitive receiver it doesn’t take much level to be audible.  I repeat – any cable that has dissimilar metals pressed together, even inside a jacket, will sooner or later create wideband noise (sometimes called duplex grunge) when hit with RF power. Even something as simple as a 1-foot-long jumper between the feedline and the antenna at the top of the tower can cause major desense problems (and for a long time the major antenna manufacturers were shipping 9913 jumpers with their antennas). 9913 is usable in an indoor simplex environment, but you will find that 9913 or any dissimilar metals cable, especially LMR-(any 3-digit or 4-digit number), is a disaster just waiting to happen on a duplex system.” In that case, what is the correct type of feed line? Again, from WA6ILQ: “First of all, despite what you read elsewhere, “hardline” is not Heliax™ and Heliax™ is not “hardline”.  True hardline (sometimes called rigid feedline or rigid line) is most commonly used in broadcast (AM, FM and TV). It does not flex – it’s based on concentric pipe with an insulator between the inner and outer conductor. From the outside it looks like flanged pipe. Common sizes range from 3/4 inch to over 8 inches in diameter. It is much lower loss than coax or even Heliax." “On the other hand, RG-214 has two silver-plated braids and a silver-plated inner conductor. RG-393 is similar but has a Teflon® outer jacket. Both are the larger diameter (i.e. RG-8 / 213) size coax and RG-142 / RG-400 is the smaller diameter (RG-6 / RG-58 / RG-59) size. Please save yourself some grief and use real Mil-Spec RG-214 or RG-393 as the jumper between the feedline and the antenna. And please be a very annoying and nagging perfectionist about the installation and waterproofing of all feedline and jumper connectors outside the building.” "You will minimize your feedline problems if you stick to Superflex, RG-214, RG-393 or RG-400 on the radio side of the duplexer, and Superflex, Heliax and RG-214 or RG-393 on the antenna side of the duplexer. Use RG-214 or RG-393 as the jumper between the duplexer and the Heliax, and between the Heliax and the antenna. Note that RG-400 has more loss than the larger diameter cables – it’s spec’d at 9.6 dB of loss per 100 feet at 400 MHz. It’s short jumper material, not feedline material!   You will want to use all silver plated connectors and absolutely minimal adapters (and those need to be silver plated) in your connections from the transmitter or receiver to the duplexer, from the duplexer to the feedline and from the feedline to the antenna. NO nickel plated or chrome plated anything in the RF path anywhere! Nickel and chromium are ferrous metals and as such both are an intermod creator anywhere around RF. It ’s detectable at 10 meters and 6 meters and has proven to be a real problem at 2 meters, 220, 440, 900 and 1200 MHz. Mark Abrams WA6DPB said it well when he said “One nickel or chrome plated anything can really ruin your whole day”. Another rule is nothing but Teflon® insulated silver plated connectors and minimal adapters on anything above 30 MHz." Before you plan out or purchase anything for your system, go to  www.repeater-builder.com  and read everything you can. It will save you a huge amount of frustration! 73, Todd, KY4TS

Hello Members, On my 2025 Wish List is a club Repeater, and now it's here... There's still a lot of work to be done. Note: This is a year long project to learn and have this repeater running for our club. UPDATE 3RD JAN 2025 Today (Friday, January 3rd, 2025), a group of us went to the Moorabbin Club to pick up our Club Repeater and Cavities. We are thrilled to implement our own club Repeater, which is a fantastic project for everyone to learn not only how a repeater functions but also how it is assembled. A few items that are required are: Power Supply (Done - Sort of) Power Supply Cable (Done) Programming Cable (Done) I believe we have other required components at the club: Coax and Coax Connectors, Antenna. I will utilize this blog page to showcase the build project. Club Repeater Donated by Moorabbin & District Radio Club Inc Club 2Mtr Cavities / Duplexers More fun to come... Cheers.... Craig vk3ncr THANK YOU! On behalf of Famparc and its numerous members, I would like to express gratitude to the Moorabbin & District Radio Club Inc for their generous donation of the aforementioned hardware. https://mdrc.org.au UPDATE 6TH JAN 2025 After collecting the hardware, I dropped it off at the club rooms on Saturday 4th Jan 2025. Everyone looked to be very impressed by the hardware and are excited in this new club project. A while back I managed to find and download many PDF for the MX800 Repeater, as well as the Windows Software to program it. With the amazing knowledge of Rakshit VK3DHR, he managed to get the software running on a PC at the club rooms. On Saturday I emailed to companies that I understand offer asssitance and parts for the repeater. I sent a request for the Power Cable, as it is quite unique. I will also make enquires for the programming cable. That's about it at the moment. Issues we face: Most of us within the club have either none or little experience in setting up a VHF Repeater, that includes me. Issues : Procurer Power Cable (DONE) Procure or make Comms Cable to communicate with Repeater to setup. (DONE) Setup Repeater (DONE - SORT OF) Find a suitable set of frequencies Re-Tune Cavities once we work out how to setup Repeater Looking for a clear Duplex Repeater Frequency. The one I looked at was 147.950/147.350, however I was told by Ken from Moorabbin Club that these frequencies are close to 500 watt Pages which are near by. The Cavities that we have, have been tuned for the Moorabbin Clubs own local repeater. The new frequencies I am looking at are: 147.275 147.875 Which is used by Repeater VK3RMP Caveat North Central Vic. If we find these frequencies perhaps suitable, we then need to setup the Repeater, and also get the Cavity Filters tuned for those frequencies. Summary : Find a suitable Frequencies. UPDATE 7TH JAN 2025 I have received a quote for the Power Cable and Comms Cable and requested a invoice so we can pay for the items. The quote was approved by the Committee. The supplier is Spectra Engineering WA. I am researching available and perhaps potential Frequencies for our Repeater. So far... 146.875 146.275 No go! 146.775 146.175 Possibility 147.025 147.625 147.200 147.800 147.275 147.875 If you would like to suggest a frequency, or check the above, feel free.. Please Post below. UPDATE 10TH JAN 2025 The Repeater Power and Serial Comms Cable have arrived.. We will begin doing to testing on Saturday 11th Jan. Look out! there could be blue smoke escaping LOL UPDATE 11TH JAN 2025 A fun morning at the club rooms with both Colin and myself learning and playing around with the Repeater. Now that we have the new Power Cable and Serial Comms Cable, we plug it into power and to our surprise it fired up. I then installed the programming software on our old PC near the fridge, and managed to get the software to talk to the repeater. After a while searching for a password so we could properly log into the repeater, Rakshit turned up and got stuck in to getting the software to adjust frequencies etc. After lots of fun and learning, we managed to use our radios to test the operation of the repeater and to our relief it looks to be working ok. Lots more steps to go yet. Colin was also playing around with the cavities. These will need to be changed to another frequency group. I think the next step is to connect the repeater to the Cavities and continue testing and learning. UPDATE 15TH JAN 2025 During the Wednesday at the club rooms, I managed to find some cables and connectors to be able to connect the Cavities to the Repeater unit, After some frustration trying to find the parts, I connected the Cavities to the Repeater and Cavities to the Diamond X200 Antenna above the front door of the club. Did some testing using my hand held.. So far looks to be working fine. Rakshit did do an amazing job of programming the repeater last Saturday which not only included setting frequencies of the Repeater for the Cavities frequencies, but also setting the power output, 91.5 Hz CTCSS, and to my surprise the Repeater Ident. The next step is to make or procure some better coax patch leads between the Repeater, Cavities and Antenna. I believe based on the sockets on both the Repeater and Cavities, this is what leads we require. After further research concerning Coax, I received this reply from a fellow Repeater Builders. Update Concerning what Coax to use: "As the author of the Repeater Builder website - please don't use RG213, RG58 or LMR type cables in duplex service.  Use double-shielded - silver plated cables everywhere possible.  RG214, RG400, and RG142 are excellent choices.  Please don't be tempted to use LMR400 or similar tinned braid over aluminum foil construction cable.  These make noise in duplex service - as in a repeater." Update Concerning Connectors: Rg214 crimp N connectors, be careful with modern T connectors, some of the cheap units have a spring that makes the connection from the leg inner conductor to the cross (top of the T) inner conductor. At 2m and 70cm this spring can act as an inductor, this has been known to cause issues with the tuning of the system. The old T connectors have a straight soldered connection inside! Cheers Stu VK4SDD. Update Concerning Antenna's: Also don't use a dual band antenna, I tried using a diamond as a test antenna for a 2m repeater and the desense was huge, swapping to a 2m only antenna, the desense disappeared. Don't know why there was a problem, did not really want to waste time on it. I found the Diamond F23H Monoband antenna for 2M could be a solution for this. Strictly ham show them on his website. https://www.strictlyham.com.au/diamond-f23h Small update.. After some basic testing and reviewing the many Repeater Frequencies, I think setting the Repeater and Cavities to : 146.775 146.175 As the closest repeater at these freq.s is as above. A good distance away. Of course this all depends on the ACMA. UPDATE 17TH JAN 2025 After much research and help from fellow Famaprc Members, the 3 Repeater to Cavitiy Cables have been ordered from https://www.eyou.com.au These cables are built using RG400 Coax which was suggested as above. I could not get a cable made with N Type to SO239, so we need a Gender Changer which will be for the cable that connects the Cavity to Antenna. A Website for working out Line of Site for RF Propagation. RF Line-of-Sight The RF Line-of-Sight tool allows users to easily drag-and-drop locations and obtain point-to-point line-of-sight information anywhere using Google Maps. This map is useful in planning and troubleshooting cellular networks for IIoT / SCADA monitoring applications . SCADACore’s Industry 4.0 solutions include true 3D HMI / Digital Twin and Web HMI that works over the web. This free online tool takes antenna height and the topographical formations of the earth to calculate the line-of-sight of a radio path. Note that buildings and other obstructions is not taken into consideration when calculating line-of-sight using this tool. https://www.scadacore.com/tools/rf-path/rf-line-of-sight/ UPDATE 20TH JAN 2025 Our ordered Patch leads have arrived as of Monday Morning.. With amazing service from https://www.eyou.com.au I found a brilliant video from W6NBC on Youtube concerning Cavity / Duplex devices for repeaters. John talks about an article that he has produced which I have also created a link below. The Cavity Duplexer Book Anyone interested in our clubs 2M Repeater Project Build, I suggest you watch this excellent video by John W6NBC.. Our thanks to John Portune W6NBC for both the article and video. UPDATE 25TH feb 2025 Our Some of our very clever Famparc Members have been working on the Repeater duing February.. The Repeater itself looks to be working just fine, however we are facing issues with, we believe is the Cavities (Duplexers), having.a high SWR and lack of filtering. We are trying different Antenna' using one for receive and one for transmit to see if this helps.. However if the Cavities are not up to thr task, there are two options, give up on the project, or find another set of more suitable cavities. Perhaps even make some. The Repeater on the test bench and Cavities (Duplexers) connected. The Repeater is currently in test mode operating with very low power and with compromised antenna(s). Set your Radio to Receive on: 146.775 Set your Radio to Transmit on: 146.175 With a CTCSS Tone of 88.5 hz UPDATE 7TH APRIL 2025 It's been a while since an update... Colin vk3cr is the best person to update the project, however at the moment Colin is away so I will put my 5 cents worth. Colin and others have been doing much testing, and to our disappointment the Cavities that came with the Repeater just are not up to the task. Colin did come across a chap in W.A with a setup of Cavities, but after some testing, they were also not up to it. So.. although the repeater is working in test mode and very well I must say, and without any cavities, (Well done Colin).. The receive sensitivity is not the best, so any weak signals into the repeater are being drowned by the repeaters own output. So.. we need a good set of 2M Repeater Cavities (Duplexers).. Paperwork: Ian has the ACMA paperwork in hand working also corresponding with the WIA to procure a Repeater License. UPDATE 20th June 2025 We are all very please to announce that through the amazing help of the many members involved with the club Repeater Project, that it is now licensed and operational. However, due to hard limitation at the moment, the repeater has only very marginal coverage. We are researching more efficient Cavities, and antennas.. Yes we will ned to spend more money on this project.. So if anyone reading this, and know of some 2M Cavities and or Monoband Repeater Antennas etc.. please drop us a email. We are looking at some new 2M Cavities from a company ZCG down Gippsland way. If purchased these Cavity Filters will be tuned to the Repeaters input/output frequencies. However we do need a better array of antenna's. I have also been talking to Greg VK3FG in WA who is a Repeater Technician and has offered to assist with our build. Greg's Handy work.. not bad.. around 5 Repeaters from just a 30 member club. Repeater Details:   VK3RUV (The repeater's callsign dedicated to our late member Bruce VK3UV)   Callsign: VK3RUV: ​ Repeater Receive Freq.: 146.025 Mhz (Set this as your radios Transmit Freq.) ​ Repeater Transmit Freq.: 146.625 Mhz (Set this as your radios receive Freq.) ​ CTCSS Tone: 88.5 hz (This is needed to be able to open the repeater) Club Repeater Page So feel free to contact us via our new Repeater... I'm sure someone from the club will be listening. UPDATE 30th June 2025 We We have excellent progress on our clubs Repeater VK3RUV, with the recent help of both Greg in WA, and Gavin in Tyabb Vic.. As a club we must all thank Gavin and his wonderful help... Gerard dropped off our Cavities last Saturday 28th June, and to our amazement, he managed to re-tune our supplied set and also include more Cavites and Filters to further enhance the filtering. I understand that we now have around 80db of separation between the input and output freq.s. And with all this, he would not accept any payment. So thank you Gavin for your amazing effort. New Updated Cavities installed. Check out these bad boys! More to come.. That's it for now.. Cheers.. Craig. vk3ncr Any suggestions please make comment below.

Wyndham Amateur Radio Club WHEN: 12 Noon on 12 July 2025 WHERE: 25 Muirhead Cres Werribee, Victoria This auction is provided by WARC on behalf of the widow of a Silent Key. Geoff Robison VK3AFL There are 150 fantastic and useful lots to be sold. A flyer is available HERE There is no buyers commission on any of the lots offered. The price you bid is the price you pay. Several high value items have a Reserve. This value must be reached to complete the sale. A catalogue of the lots can be viewed HERE    UPDATED with additional items at 110 A down loadable copy of the catalogue, with pictures is available HERE. A catalogue without pictures is available HERE. If you are unable to attend in person, no worries, you can register for external bidding by completing and returning the external bidding form. The form is available HERE A person will make the bids on your behalf usually starting at a lower value than your maximum bid value. You may win the item with a lower bid. Once your maximum bid value is reached, no further bids will be placed on your behalf. Preferred payment method will be by card on the day or EFT for external bidders. Come along and support this event. Lot viewing and a $2 sausage sizzle will be available at 11 AM before the auction starts. LINKS: Catalogue Early Buyer Registration Form . External Bidding Form

Thanks to the hard work of many members, particularly Ian vk3ko, Colin vk3cr and Rakshit vk3dhr the Famparc Club Repeater has now been registered and approved by the ACMA and is operating.. Repeater Details: VK3RUV (The repeater's callsign is dedicated to our late member Bruce VK3UV) Callsign: VK3RUV Repeater Receive Freq.: 146.025 Mhz Repeater Transmit Freq.: 146.625 Mhz CTCSS Tone: 88.5 hz Dedicated Repeater Webpage Here.. Additional efforts are necessary to optimize the input and output of the repeater. The club is also exploring other locations to improve coverage. This is an exciting period for our club and its members, and having our own Repeater may enable members to stay in contact with one another. If you require help in setting up your Transcivers to access the clubs Repeater, please reach out to one our active members.

Yes it's on again.. Thanks to Stanley vk3bot.. Famparc Campout OCTOBER 2025. WHERE: Poplars Camp Ground The Poplars Follow Loch Valley Road from the town of Noojee, stay on the road and you will drive straight to the camp ground. WHEN: From Wednesday, October 22nd to Wednesday, October 29th, 2025. This period spans from Wednesday to Wednesday, enabling other members to camp over the weekend. If possible, try to arrive by Friday afternoon, as weekends tend to be busy. You can see further dates listed on the Clubs Calendar here . Stans setup with the Camp Kitchen The camp ground is called The Poplars which is around 10k from the tiny town of Noojee. It's an easy and enjoyable drive via Neerim South, Noojee FACILITIES: Not much, but there are drop toilets , small camp kitchen and stunning scenery. There are plenty of campsites, but no power or showers. This is a free camping area. There are plenty of trees for wire antennas, and the best part is there's almost no RF noise. The campsite is approximately 10 kilometers from Noojee, and the road is paved, making it suitable for any vehicle. Noojee features two pubs, the Noojee Hotel and The Toolshed, along with a café. There is no supermarket, but the café offers a limited selection of basic items. The campground is suitable for all types of camping, including caravans, camper trailers, motorhomes, tents, and swags. Fire pits are available. Dog's are allowed. Telstra service was limited, and we were unable to connect to any FM or DStar repeaters. However, by using a DStar hotspot, we were able to access the DStar system. Join us to spend some time with other Famparc Members, and remember to bring your radio gear..

Some of you may know and some may not.. Ron VK3AHR, the legend that has run the 7.100 Net every day for well over ten years is standing down. Ron has been battling Cancer for many years and now in his late 80's he has been given the words that we never want to hear. So Ron has now moved in with his darling wife which has been residing in a care facility for some time now. I was blessed to talk to Ron for the last time over the radio today 4:30pm 20th June 2025. it was an upsetting conversation to say the least. I have been a regular on Ron's 7100 net and I must say he will be greatly missed. Ron has logged over 40,000 contacts via his regular net!.. An amazing effort! Ron has begun the terrible task of dismantling is Ham Shack. I'm sure we would like to wish Ron and his wife the very best for what life remains. Good on You Ron VK3AHR

Mosy of you would be aware that my wife and I just returned from a trip away. We towed our Caravan around outback NSW and QLD, we had a great time, however our 4G was pretty poor, as our supplier uses the Wholesale Telstra Network, meaning most of the way we had no phone connection. What did help was... The free wifi available at the many Telstra Phone Boxes, not all, but many, for Telstra users only. We would simply pull up next to the phone box and connect for free.. Very Handy Other places to find free wifi are town library and visitor / information centers. However, the next time we will be looking into a Starlink Mini, as we found many travellers using them. Stan, vk3bot has one. Cheers. Craig vk3ncr

The world of amateur radio has always been synonymous with innovation, experimentation, and a deep-seated curiosity for how things work. From constructing antennas in the backyard to tinkering with the latest digital modes, radio enthusiasts are inherently makers. Now, a technology that embodies this same spirit of creation is becoming increasingly accessible and affordable. For radio clubs looking to expand their horizons, enhance their projects, and foster a new wave of engagement among members, 3D printing offers a universe of possibilities. This technology, which builds three-dimensional objects layer by layer from a digital design, has the potential to revolutionize how your radio club approaches its activities, from crafting custom parts to breathing new life into aging equipment. Why 3D Printing is a Game Changer for Radio Club Integrating 3D printing into your radio club can bring a multitude of benefits, enhancing both individual member projects and club-wide initiatives. One of the most significant advantages is the power of customization . 3D printing allows members to create parts and accessories tailored precisely to their needs, something that off-the-shelf products often cannot provide. Whether it's a unique mounting bracket for a specific transceiver in a vehicle, a custom enclosure for a homebrew project, or even personalized operating tools like CW paddles designed for individual comfort, 3D printing puts the power of creation directly into the hands of club members. This capability is particularly valuable in a hobby like amateur radio, where enthusiasts frequently encounter situations requiring specialized or hard-to-find components. Furthermore, 3D printing facilitates rapid prototyping . The ability to quickly transform an idea into a tangible object allows for immediate testing and refinement. Imagine designing a new antenna mount and being able to print a prototype within hours to assess its stability and fit before committing to a final design. This iterative process can significantly accelerate project development and allow for more creative exploration without the delays associated with traditional manufacturing methods. For clubs with a wealth of older or even discontinued equipment, 3D printing offers a lifeline through repair and replacement . Often, it's a small, non-critical plastic part that breaks, rendering an otherwise functional piece of equipment unusable. 3D printers can produce these replacement parts, from knobs and feet to brackets and gears, potentially saving valuable gear from the scrap heap. This not only saves money but also aligns with the resourceful nature of amateur radio enthusiasts. Finally, 3D printing can lead to significant cost savings . Producing custom parts in-house eliminates the often higher costs associated with purchasing specialized components or outsourcing small-batch manufacturing. For instance, printing a simple antenna insulator might cost only pennies in filament compared to several dollars for a commercially available one. Over time, these savings can accumulate, allowing the club to invest in other resources or activities. The ability to create replacement parts also prevents the need for costly replacements of entire units. Unleashing the Potential: Practical 3D Printing Applications in Amateur Radio The applications of 3D printing in amateur radio are as diverse as the interests of its practitioners. Here are just a few areas where your radio club can leverage this exciting technology: Antenna Innovations: 3D printing opens up a world of possibilities for antenna construction and experimentation. Insulators: Creating custom insulators for wire antennas, dipoles, and other configurations becomes straightforward with 3D printing. Members can design insulators tailored to specific wire gauges and mounting requirements, offering greater flexibility than standard options. For example, centre insulators for dipole antennas and egg insulators for strain relief can be easily printed. Formers and Winders:  Building efficient antennas often requires precisely wound coils. 3D printers can create custom coil forms for inductors, ensuring accurate inductance and physical dimensions. Additionally, winding tools for antenna wires can be printed, making the construction process more organized and consistent. Snippet showcases 3D printed spreaders for building 600 Ohm ladder lines, demonstrating another practical application for antenna construction. Mounts and Supports:  Raising antennas effectively often requires specialized mounts and supports. 3D printing allows for the design and creation of these components, whether it's a tripod mast support for portable operations or guy rings for securing masts. One club member even designed and printed a custom fixture to securely hold a mast to a tripod for Parks-on-the-Air activations. Specialized Antenna Designs:  While printing an entire high-performance antenna might be challenging, 3D printing enables the creation of key components for more complex designs. This includes parts for Moxon antennas , Yagi antenna elements, and even components for satellite antennas. One member reported working on a 3D-printed loading coil design for a hexbeam antenna, highlighting the potential for advanced projects. Enclosures and Protective Cases : Protecting valuable radio equipment is crucial, and 3D printing offers tailored solutions. Radio Housings:  Custom cases for handheld transceivers, QRP radios, and other devices can be designed and printed to provide better protection and ergonomics. One member even printed a faceplate for an IC-705 to protect the screen and knobs. Creating a custom fit ensures the radio is well-protected from bumps and scratches. Test Equipment Enclosures:  Mustimeters, antenna analyzers, and other essential test gear can benefit from custom-designed enclosures. These enclosures can offer protection during transport and storage, as well as provide a more professional look for homebrew test equipment. Project Boxes:  For those involved in building their own radio projects, 3D printing is invaluable for creating project boxes with precise dimensions and features. This includes enclosures for baluns, filters, and power distribution units. Ergonomics and Convenience : Enhancing the operating experience through thoughtful design. Radio Stands and Mounts:  3D printing allows for the creation of custom stands for desktop radios or mounts for mobile installations in vehicles. These can be designed for optimal viewing angles and accessibility. Cable Management Solutions: Keeping the radio shack tidy is essential for safety and efficiency. 3D printers can produce cable winders, clips, and organizers to manage the often-tangled web of wires. Headphone Hooks and Microphone Holders: Simple yet effective accessories like headphone hooks and microphone holders can be easily designed and printed for a more organized and user-friendly operating environment. Custom Knobs and Buttons:  Replacement or custom-designed knobs and buttons for radios and test equipment can be created, potentially improving the feel and usability of the equipment. Replacement Knobs, Feet, and Brackets:  When small plastic parts break on older equipment, finding replacements can be a challenge. 3D printing offers a solution by allowing members to create these parts, extending the lifespan of valuable gear.5 Adapters and Connectors :  Interfacing different pieces of radio equipment sometimes requires specialized adapters. 3D printing can be used to create these custom connectors, bridging compatibility gaps.     Types of 3D printers There are several types of 3D printers, each utilizing different technologies to build three-dimensional objects layer by layer. The choice of printer often depends on the desired part quality, materials, speed, and budget. The three most common and established types for plastic parts are Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), Stereolithography (SLA), and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS).   Here's an overview of the primary types of 3D printers: 1. Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) FDM, also known as Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), is the most widely used and accessible 3D printing technology, especially at the consumer level.   How it works:  FDM printers use a heated nozzle to extrude thermoplastic filaments, melting the material and depositing it layer by layer onto a build platform until the object is complete.   Pros: User-friendly and affordable:  Ideal for beginners due to its ease of use and lower initial cost. Budget FDM printers can start around $200.   Versatile materials:  Compatible with common thermoplastics like PLA, ABS, and PETG, as well as more advanced options like Nylon and TPU.   Cost-effective for prototyping:  Excellent for creating prototypes and functional parts at a low cost.   Cons: Lower accuracy and surface finish:  Often trades simplicity and affordability for part quality and performance. Parts may have visible layer lines and might not be watertight or isotropic.   Limited design freedom:  Can be challenging for highly intricate designs compared to resin-based printers.   Common Materials:  PLA (Polylactic Acid), ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol), Nylon, TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane), and various composites.   Applications: Prototyping, hobbyist projects, educational purposes, basic proof-of-concept models, functional parts, and manufacturing aids.   Popular Brands:  Bambu Lab, Prusa Research, Creality, Raise3D, Ultimaker, Elegoo, Anycubic.   2. Stereolithography (SLA) SLA was the world's first 3D printing technology, invented in the 1980s, and remains popular for professional applications.   How it works:  SLA printers use a laser to cure (harden) liquid photopolymer resin layer by layer through a process called photopolymerization. The build platform lowers into a vat of resin, and a UV laser solidifies the resin onto the platform.   Pros: High accuracy and smooth surface finish:  Produces highly detailed, isotropic, and watertight prototypes with fine features and smooth surfaces.   Wide range of advanced materials:  Resin formulations offer diverse optical, mechanical, and thermal properties similar to standard, engineering, and industrial thermoplastics.   Fast printing speeds:  Can achieve faster print speeds for certain applications compared to FDM.   Cons: Messier post-processing:  Requires cleaning uncured resin, washing, and UV curing to strengthen the material.   Material handling:  Resin can be goopy, sticky, and may have an odor, requiring precautions in handling.   Material sensitivity:  Some materials are sensitive to prolonged UV light exposure.   Common Materials:  Various types of liquid resins, including standard, engineering (e.g., ABS-like, flexible, heat-resistant), castable, dental, medical (biocompatible), and pure silicone.   Applications: Highly detailed rapid prototyping, functional prototyping, concept modeling, short-run production, dental applications (e.g., models, surgical guides), jewelry prototyping and casting, anatomical models, and medical devices.   Popular Brands:  Formlabs, Elegoo (resin printers).   3. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) SLS is a powerful industrial 3D printing technology known for producing strong, functional parts.   How it works:  SLS printers use a high-power laser to sinter (fuse) small particles of polymer powder into a solid structure. The unfused powder acts as a natural support for the part during printing, eliminating the need for dedicated support structures.   Pros: Strong functional parts:  Parts are made from real thermoplastic material, making them durable and suitable for functional testing.   Design freedom:  No need for support structures allows for complex geometries and nesting multiple parts in a single build.   High accuracy and throughput:  Capable of high precision and efficient production, especially for larger batches.   Cons: Slightly rough surface finish:  Parts typically have a satin-like, slightly grainy matte finish.   Limited material options:  Primarily uses nylon-based polymer powders.   Post-processing: Requires post-processing for powder management and part cleaning.   Common Materials:  Engineering thermoplastics like Nylon 12, Nylon 11, glass or carbon-filled nylon composites, polypropylene, and TPU (elastomer).   Applications: Functional prototyping, end-use parts, short-run or custom manufacturing, durable manufacturing aids, medical devices, prosthetics, and orthotics.   Popular Brands:  Formlabs (Fuse Series), Raise3D (RMS220).   Other Notable 3D Printing Technologies: While FDM, SLA, and SLS are the most common, other technologies offer specialized capabilities: Digital Light Processing (DLP):  Similar to SLA, but uses a digital light projector to cure an entire layer of resin at once, resulting in faster build speeds.   Multi Jet Fusion (MJF):  Builds functional parts from nylon powder using an inkjet array to apply fusing agents and a heating element. Offers consistent mechanical properties, improved surface finish, and accelerated build times compared to SLS.   Material Jetting (MJT):  Builds objects droplet by droplet, similar to an inkjet printer, depositing liquid photopolymer resin that is immediately cured by UV light. Can mix resins in a single print.   Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) / Electron Beam Melting (EBM):  These are metal 3D printing processes that use lasers or electron beams to fuse metal powders, creating strong metal parts.   Binder Jetting (BJT):  Binds powdered materials (metal, sand, ceramics) with a liquid bonding agent. Known for high-volume production, speed, and low cost.   PolyJet: Can fabricate parts with multiple properties, colours, and materials within a single print, ideal for prototyping elastomeric or overmolded parts.     Some 3D printer projects       Antenna insulator Long wire antenna Insulator https://makerworld.com/en/models/791195-long-wire-antenna-insulator#profileId-729631 Antenna insulator VHF Antenna Insulator https://remoteqth.com/3d-vhf-ant-insulator.php Antenna insulator Labelled antenna insulators https://makerworld.com/en/models/1382997-labeled-antenna-insulator-for-wire-antennas#profileId-1431808 Antenna insulator Dipole centre insulator https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:175331 Antenna parts 440MHz / 70 cm Eggbeater Antenna https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4737130/files Stand Handheld radio stand https://www.printables.com/model/377410-btech-gmrs-pro-handheld-radio-stand Enclosers   https://www.chiefdelphi.com/t/3d-printed-case-for-open-mesh-radio-and-vividhosting-radio/447942 Enclosers   https://grabcad.com/library/frc-open-mesh-radio-mount-cage-1 Enclosers Meshtastic case https://www.printables.com/model/819973-meshtastic-ttgo-t-beam-case-scifi Enclosers HackRF case https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6869153 Enclosers Baofeng UV-5R PTT Cage https://www.printables.com/model/468823-baofeng-uv-5r-ptt-cage Morse key Single lever Morse paddle https://www.printables.com/model/345195-single-lever-morse-code-paddle-cw-cootie-key Morse key Two lever Morse Key https://www.printables.com/model/653813-iambic-cw-morse-code-paddle-by-km4cft Collection of print files Random https://www.yeggi.com/q/ham+radio+cages/ Icom ic 705 Multiple print files https://www.yeggi.com/q/icom+ic+705/ Icom 7300 Multiple print files https://www.yeggi.com/q/icom+7300/ Yeasu FT-991A Multiple print files https://www.yeggi.com/q/yeasu+ft991a/ Xeigu G-90 Multiple print files https://www.yeggi.com/q/xeigu+g90/ Handheld Radio Mounts Car cupholder mounts https://www.yeggi.com/q/handheld+radio+cupholder+mount/ Elecraft KX3 protective cover Elecraft KX3 protective cover https://www.printables.com/model/138337-elecraft-kx3-radio-protective-panels-and-cover

QTC June 2025 out now. Welcome to the June edition of QTC. This month in QTC we have another interesting set of updates and articles. In this Issue:     - RASA’s reponse to ACMA LCD Consultation     - HamCamption 2025 Honours Mike VK6MB (SK)     - Maidenhead Locaters explained     - Remoting From a Loft – N9EEE     - FreeDV 2.0.0 released     - This is Amateur Radio website Update     - The 2025 GGREC Hamfest in Longwarry, Victoria coming up on July 5 ​QTC is published by RASA, the Radio Amateur Society of Australia. Enquiries to info at vkradioamateurs.org You can download or view QTC  HERE in pdf form and don't forget that it is available as a screen based flip book HERE in the RASA library, ready for your portable device.