CCARC NEWS 14-40
THE PERIODIC NEWSLETTER OF THE CENTRAL COAST AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
ISSUE No 14-40 21st November 2014
In this Issue:
- Upcoming Meeting
- GlobalSET tests our emergency communications
- Increase Yaesu FT817 output to (around) 10w
- Get ready for ‘Frequency’ – the series
- Spring VHF-UHF Field Day 2014
- History This Week
- Broke & fixed
- Reminders
1. Upcoming Meeting
There will be a monthly business meeting on Saturday 6th December 2014 starting at 1300 hrs.
2. GlobalSET tests our emergency communications
On Sunday November the 23rd those trained and prepared for disaster when it strikes will be on air for a special training exercise.
IARU Region 1 invites all IARU member societies and Emergency Communications Groups, to participate in its latest Global Simulated Emergency Test.
Emergency Centre-of-Activity frequencies on 80, 40, 20, 17 and 15 metres plus or minus QRM, will have registered stations calling CQ GlobalSET.
The event is to increase common interest in emergency communications, test how usable the frequencies are across ITU regions, prepare for international emergencies and the relaying of messages.
GlobalSET 2014 which runs from 11am to 3pm local time on November the 23rd, has its rules on the IARU Region 1 website, and includes registration with the relevant IARU regional coordinator.
Author : Jim Linton – VK3PC
http://www.wia.org.au/newsevents/news/2014/20141119-1/index.php
3. Increase Yaesu FT817 output to (around) 10w
I decided to take the plunge and look at increasing the output of my FT817, so that on summits where I wish to take the minimum amount of equipment, I can run a little more power from the 817 without needing to take the Ramsey amp, cables battery and inverter box (to give me 13.8v from the 11v LIPOs).
The modifications are all done through the hidden settings menu, no soldering or component changes required. These changes do invalidate the warranty but as the warranty on my 817 has expired in any case, this is not relevant. It is not recommended to run the rig at this higher power on the higher usage cycle modes such as RTTY, PSK or FM but usage on SSB when a little extra power is required “should be” OK as it still runs within the final transistor pair ratings (2 x 8w). It is still possible to turn the output down to 5w (or in my case 4w) with the front panel buttons, so that the extra power (10w on 40 & 30m and 8w on all other HF bands) can be switched in on an “as required” basis. The over-current and bad SWR protection will still automatically reduce the power if required.
Why did Yaesu not supply the FT817 as a 10w rig?
1. Battery drain – I would not try this with the standard Yaesu rechargeable or AA battery pack but I now have two 2.5Ah Lipo cells that I can switch around if I come close to draining one.
2. Heat Sink – If the rig was rated at 10w output someone would run it at this level on FM and a larger heat sink would be required. I am keeping an eye (or hand) on how warm the back of the case gets.
3. Component differences – by having the ability to turn up the output from some less than perfect components they can always set the output to 10w through these menu settings rather than QA failing a built transceiver. In my case on 20m and above, the best I can get is 8W output – others get 12 or more, so the components in my rig may not be the top specification, but with the possibility of turning up the gain, Yaesu meet the 5W specification on my rig despite the components not being the best.
Should you also try the changes with your FT817 – there is the risk that you could damage the rig, do you really need the extra 4 or 5 watts – if not, unless you are like me and enjoy experimenting, don’t do the change.
If despite this advice, you want to go ahead and modify your FT817 – this is where I found the instructions:
pd7bz.com/radioprogs/FT817/FT817.htm#2503
From Ed – DD5LP
4. Get ready for ‘Frequency’ – the series
Get ready to share the airwaves Tim Allen. The neighbors are buying a ham radio!
Tim Allen plays Mike Baxter, the lead character on the ABC sitcom “Last Man Standing”. In the series Baxter is portrayed as having amateur radio as his hobby.
Although ham radio has only been briefly interjected into a few episodes it has been enough to endear the show to amateur operators everywhere. The ARRL supplied amateur radio certificates and other assistance in dressing the set. Tim Allen recently earned a Technician class license in real life.
Now it appears that ABC might be sharing the admiration of the amateur radio community with a neighboring network.
A just published article in The Hollywood Reporter has stated that NBC is looking to create a television series based on the 2000 New Line Cinema action – thriller movie “Frequency” .
While amateur radio has only briefly been presented on “Last Man Standing” , it would almost certainly figure prominently into all of the scripts of “Frequency”.
The original movie featured Jim Caviezel stumbling onto his late father’s (Dennis Quaid) 60’s era Heathkit transceiver and thru a quirk of nature associated with the aurora borealis is able to communicate 30 years back in time to his dead father.
It is reported that NBC has already issued a ‘script plus penalty’ commitment for the series. Jeremy Carver is writing the script for Warner Brothers Television and will also be the Executive Producer of the series. Toby Emmerich who wrote the movie will be a co-producer.
John N7UR (via Southgate ARC)
original story at www.nevadahamradio.com
5. Spring VHF-UHF Field Day 2014
The Spring VHF-UHF Field Day 2014 is on 22/23 November
The VHF-UHF Field Days provide VHF-UHF operators with the opportunity to “head for the hills” and see how far they can work.
The Field Days have separate sections for single and multiple operator stations. The duration of the Field Day is 24 hours, but there are also 8 hour sections for operators who may not be able to camp overnight. Most club stations prefer to operate for the full 24 hours.
The Field Days also generate plenty of activity from home stations, so there is also a separate Home Station section.
All contacts must be simplex: contacts through repeaters or satellites are not allowed. There is plenty of FM activity, but one feature of the Field Days is a high level of SSB activity.
It is possible to do very well with only modest antennas if you pick a good hilltop. Another option, if your station is easily transportable, is to operate from more than one location during the contest period.
Aim Of The Contest
The overriding aim is to get away for the weekend and have fun! But next after that, the aims are:
to encourage more activity on VHF and microwave bands;
to encourage people to work greater distances than usual by operating portable, and
to provide opportunities for people to activate or work into new grid squares.
http://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/vhfuhf/
6. History This Week
A look back at events that made history this week – compiled by the Summerland Amateur Radio Club of Lismore, NSW
Monday, 17 November, 2014
1783 The first men make a free flight from a hot-air balloon in the Bois de Boulogne, Paris.
1869 Suez Canal opens (Egypt).
1883 Standard time zones established by railroads in US & Canada.
1866 the first U.S. patent for a yoyo was issued to J. L. Haven and C. Hittrick of Cincinnati, Ohio.
1888 William Bundy patents the timecard clock.
1904 The first electron tube, a diode thermionic valve, was invented by John Ambrose Fleming.
1906 A U.S. patent was issued for the crystal detector to G Pickard.
1906 International Radio Telecommunications Com adopts “SOS” as new call for help.
1931 Commercial teletype service begins.
1947 200″ mirror arrives at Mt Palomar Observatory.
BROKE & FIXED
No items for Broke & Fixed this week – all CCARC infrastructure is operational.
REMINDERS
This section lists important announcements and possibly items from previous CCARC NEWS editions that are still current and may need your input:
If you experience any problems with any of the repeaters not working, please report to Repeater Chairman, Don VK2ZCZ. Do not assume that he already knows about it. As soon as problems are brought to Don’s attention, they will be fixed ASAP.
Jaycar Tuggerah & Erina will give CCARC members a trade discount – approx 10% on purchases over $25. Make sure you ask for it. Thanks Rod VK2LAX and Col VK2ZCO.
Anyone reading this on the website who is not yet a member of the CCARC, please consider joining by emailing ccarc at ccarc dot org dot au for full details.
For submissions to this newsletter from CCARC club members please email the editor news-editor at ccarc dot org dot au
For what’s coming up in the next few months at the CCARC, please check the club calendar, accessible from the header on any page on the website.
Dave VK2DLS … News & Publicity Officer …
