CCARC ALE Lecture and Show and Tell – 30 September 2023
Last Saturday we had a big roll-up for a combined lecture and show and tell event at the clubhouse.
Michael VK2HFN gave us a very informative lecture about Automatic Link Establishment (ALE).
He covered it’s purpose, origin, workings and how to use it with Amateur HF radios. Michael deftly handled the questions from the audience so all ended up with a good understanding.
ALE uses a mixture of digital and analog techniques under computer control to select the optimum frequency from a pool of channels to make point to point or point to multipoint links for either digital messages or voice communications. It also adapts to varying propagation conditions.
Thanks for a very informative lecture Michael.
Next up was a Show and Tell segment that had some very interesting items.
Col VK2ZCO had a device he made for monitoring power consumption and cost of mains connected items. He demonstrated it with devices as small as 400mW up to 1.4KW. Thanks Col.
Glenn showed us some of his portable radio that have been packaged in very interesting ways to make them grab and go for WICEN or other events. Twin FT817s were set up in a pack frame complete with external speakers, microphone mounts, antennas etc. The two radios enable HF or VHF/UHF to be monitored at the same time. These radios were carried in a backpack that had a built in chair and battery – perfect for operating portable. Glenn also showed us a very neat Motorola radio setup. Thanks Glenn
Graham showed us a couple of recent projects. First was a cardboard sound deflector he made for use with a radio and top mounted speaker. This idea came from telegraph sounders used in post offices when morse code was used to send telegrams. The second item was an amplified speaker adapted from a damaged computer sound system. This gives a front facing speaker when a radio is stacked on a bench. Last item was an Army whip antenna he repaired. It uses a center fed sleeve dipole and broadband matching network in the base and will be used on 6 meters.
The CCARC clubrooms are open to visitors and members from 10:30AM each Saturday at 4 Dandaloo St, Kariong. See our website or social media for more information.
