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Encouraging Amateur Radio Operators

All   around   the   world,   governments   have   allocated portions   of   the   radio   frequency   spectrum   for   use by     licensed     amateur     radio     operators.          These operators,   sometimes   known   by   their   nickname   of ‘Ham   Radio’   operators,   explore,   experiment   with, and    enjoy    the    ability    of    radio    waves    of    varying wavelengths,     to     permit     communication     across distances without wires. Port   Stephens   Amateur   Radio   Club   exists   for   the purpose   of   encouraging      amateur   radio   operators within    its    region    to    enjoy    their    hobby,    and    to advance   through   the   various   levels   of   licensing   in order   to   develop   a   greater   knowledge   and   ability. Meetings    alternate    between    business    meetings and     practical     meetings,     but     a     great     deal     of knowledge    is    exchanged    through    the    informal conversations    over    a    ‘cuppa’    around    the    tables after every meeting.

Would you like to become an

amateur radio operator?

If   you   would   like   to   explore   amateur radio   as   a   hobby,   you   are   welcome   to come   to   the   meetings   and   let   people know   of   your   interest.   Before   you   can key   your   first   transmission,   you   must obtain    a    licence    from    the    Australian Communications   and   Media   Authority (ACMA).      To   receive   a   license   you   must pass   an   exam,   but   this   is   not   nearly   so hard     as     it     might     seem.     There     are three   levels   of   licence,   and   the   entry level is relatively easy. Port    Stephens    Amateur    Radio    Club has   amongst   its   members   those   who are   qualified   to   supervise   exams   at   all three   levels.   So   when   you   feel   ready, you   can   sit   for   an   exam   at   the   club meeting site.         For        more        information        about licensing,     click     on     the     “More     Info” button     below     to     take     you     to     the website    of    the    Wireless    Institute    of Australia.    (Simply    close    that    window to return here.)

About Radio

Waves

The electromagnetic

spectrum

From     the     16th     through     to     the     19th     century, European     researchers     explored     the     relationship between   electricity   and   magnetism.   This   culminated in     the     work     of     Scottish     physicist     James     Clerk Maxwell,       who       proposed       the       existence       of electromagnetic   radiation   across   a   continuum   from radio   waves   at   the   lower   end   of   the   spectrum,   to light   waves,   and   then   upward   to   ultraviolet,   x-ray and    gamma    waves    at    the    higher    frequency    end. Maxwell’s   theory   about   radio   waves   was   confirmed by   the   work   of   German   professor,   Heinrich   Hertz, and    Italian    researcher,    Guglielmo    Marconi,    who developed    proof    of    concept    and    practical    radio transmitters   and   receivers.   It   was   within   that   range of   electromagnetic   radiation   known   as   radio   waves that     amateur     operators     found     their     field     of exploration.    This    covers    a    rather    large    field    of frequencies and their associated wavelengths.

Transceivers and Antennas

Nowadays, radio transmitters and receivers are generally combined into a single “transceiver”; and the point at which electrical fields either leap out into the world as electromagnetic waves, or where those waves are converted back into electrical current,  is known as the antenna. Much work is done exploring sophisticated transceivers and the many different types of antenna that can be constructed.

Propagation of Radio

Waves

Radio waves are able to travel beyond line-of-sight by being refracted by a layer of the atmosphere known as the “ionisphere”. At the centre of our Solar System we have a star known as the Sun. The Sun consists of matter, compressed by its own gravity, to the point where nuclear fusion takes place. One consequence of this is that vast loops of magnetically charged matter leap up from the surface of the Sun and sometimes break free as Coronal Mass Ejections. These charged particles collide with the Earth’s atmosphere and create the ionisphere. Experience has shown that the Sun follows an eleven year cycle with respect to this process, so that the ability of radio waves to be refracted by the ionisphere varies with this Solar Cycle.

Behaviour of Radio Waves

at Different Frequencies

Radio waves behave differently at different frequencies. High Frequency waves (HF) can be refracted by the ionisphere. Very High Frequency waves (VHF) may bend to some extent over small obstacles. Ultra High Frequency waves (UHF) are usually limited to line-of-sight, unless  relayed by repeaters and other man-made devices, or through unusual atmospheric conditions. Electrical and Magnetic waves are generated perpendicular to each other.

Projects

Setup and running of a

repeater in the UHF

amateur radio band

A   project   is   underway   to   upgrade   and   relocate   the   Port Stephens    Amateur    Radio    Club    (PSARC)    70cm    repeater VK2ROJ.   VK2ROJ Output: 439.700MHz Input: 434.700MHz A CTCSS tone of 91.5Hz will be required to access it. The    repeater    will    be    upgraded    with    2    UNILAB    KL-450 commercial   repeaters.   The   second   unit   will   be   retained   as a   spare   in   case   of   the   primary   system   failing.   The   repeater controller   is   based   on   a   design   by   John   Drew   VK5DJ   which has    been    successfully    implemented    in    sites    around    the world - a true Australian success story.

Membership

Holding on to a passion

There is an old story about a man who was watching his camp fire one night. The fire was burning well, but every now and then an ember would be expelled from the fire with a crackling sound. The man watched the expelled ember, and soon saw it lose its heat. But the remaining embers remained in the fire and helped to inflame each other so that the fire kept burning. A similar things occurs with our passion for our hobbies. On our own, we can soon lose our enthusiasm. In the company of other amateurs we bounce off each other and keep the passion alive.

Port Stephens Amateur Radio Club

Port Stephens Amateur Radio Club exists to create the second experience described above. We meet together on the first Sunday of every month at 10 am, and also make on-air contact in the intervals between those dates. We learn from each other, and our on-air routines, once an occasion for anxietty, become second-nature. 

Joining the Club

If you feel that you would like to become a member of Port Stephens Amateur Radio Club, simply ask for an application form. There is an annual membership fee of $25 per year. Once you have completed the form, hand it in with the fee to one of our office bearers and your application will be put before the next business meeting.   

Secretary’s Blog

Keeping you up-to-date

with Club events

Thursday 12th-13th

August, 2018

Remembrance Day Contest

Stay tuned for an update on these and other events.

Calendar for 2018

May meeting report on UHF Repeater Project

The next meeting of the Port Stephens Amateur Radio Club will be on Sunday June 3, 2018 at 10 am in the Marine Rescue HQ at Lemon Tree Passage.

Rogues Gallery

Our Executive Officers …

Our   club   president   is   Richard Osborne.   Richard   is   well-know for      his      community      service which   has   been   recognised   by the    bestowal    of    an    Order    of Australia Medal. Our   new   club   Secretary   is   John Proctor.   By   way   of   introduction to   Club   members   and   the   wider community,   …   John   was   raised   in Canada.   In   school   he   developed a    keen    interest    in    electronics and    ham    radio    and    pursued    a career    in    electrical    engineering. (B.Sc.   E.E.   Queens   University).   Beginning   with   his work   in   R   &   D   with   Bell   Northern   Research   Digital Equipment    Corporation,    John    worked    with    many companies     in     Technical,     Sales,     Marketing     and Corporate   Management.   He   retired   as   Managing Director   of   Black   Box   Network   Services   in   2004,   but continues    to    work    in    retirement,    contracting    in marine   radio   and   on-site   computer   support.   John migrated   to   Australia   in   1977   to   escape   the   snow and    ice    of    Canada.    He    worked    his    way    up    the amateur   radio   license   levels   to   become   “Full   Call” in   1979.   John   also   developed   an   interest   in   sailing in   his   time   with   the   Royal   Canadian   Navy   Reserve, and   has   passed   his   Certificate   III   Master   IV   (Master of a vessel <35M). Our club treasurer is Leigh Aanensen. Leigh has served admirably as club Secretary for many years and has now accepted election as Club Treasurer.

… and Committee

Members

W.I.A. Learning and

Licensing

… and the rest of the crew

Garry VK2PE

Mark VK2CMS

Harry VK2HJG

Allan VK2FLTP

Keith VK2KAF

Peter VK2FPET

Greg VK2JCT

Jim VK3ERH

Ted VK2UI

John VK4FAJP

Greg VK2FGBZ

Contact

The Secretary, Port Stephens Amateur

Radio Club

PO Box 3O13  Lemon Tree  Passage NSW 2319 Email: psarc.secretary@gmail.com

Directions

The meeting venue of the Port Stephens Amateur Radio Club is the Marine Rescue radio base at the top of 154 Whitbread Drive, Lemon Tree Passage, NSW. See the following map:

Notes on driving there

As one comes to the end of Whitbread Drive, the road becomes narrow and at places has drainage gutters across it, both of which reward driving at low speed. The end of Whitbread drive rises to the Marine Rescue radio base.