News
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- Written by: Chris G4ZCS
- Category: News
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Following on from last month’s effort, I finally reached my 100 target just a couple of days late, and several more besides.
Conditions have been variable to say the least, however any of you 'new' licensees who have yet to experience a sunspot peak that comes about each 11 years will be in for a treat for a couple of years.
At the beginning of the month there were some good openings to North America, and Canada in particular. I worked a handful of western provinces Including north Alberta and greater Vancouver as well as a long rag chew with a Calgary station. A couple of Alaska stations rounded off a good couple of days. To the east, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Azerbaijan were worked many times and one bonus for me was 9N7AA in Kathmandu, Nepal for an ATNO (All Time New One).
Further east a number of Chinese stations were heard but not worked, but the Isle of Bali seemed easy with 3 stations in quick succession on 15M SSB. Africa has been a bit light with several expedition stations worked CW for a quick “599 Thanks”. Again, one 10M opening allowed a rag chew with Mark V51MA in Namibia talking about his project to build a full length 160M dipole in his 'garden'.
On the 18th and 19th, the American CW contest was on. Using 200W and my wire delta loop I worked not all, but 32 of the 'lower 48' together with 6 Canadian provinces. Now I know why Montana has the abbreviation “MT” as that is what it is - Empty. I think there was only one operator there the whole weekend! I missed several of the states that I had worked earlier in the month and that was frustrating.
Ken’s 15M lunchtime net has had several visitors, including one from Iceland and one from Rimini.
Even Bob N4XAT has popped up fully audible from his small loop antenna in New Jersey!
Next month I’ll do an update on IOTA for those that might be interested.
73s & good DX
Chris, G4ZCS
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- Written by: Merv M0WVE
- Category: News
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A bit of a hectic schedule here in Melbourne but I have managed to find time to make up the QRP-LABS QDX 80/40/30/20m Digital Transceiver Kit I brought with me. Having found a big reel of surplus LAN cable in my Son’s garage, I stripped a length off it to make up a dipole antenna laying about 2 feet off the ground and fed straight into the BNC socket.
The result was that I got a couple of WSPR contacts on 40m in the US > 8K miles, not bad for somewhere between 3 & 5W output. Nothing on FT8 though. For digital I am using my UK callsign M0WVE and the Maidenhead locator for Melbourne QF21mr.
Merv M0WVE
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- Written by: Maintenance Guy
- Category: News
- Hits: 352
With just a few hours to go (sorry, this is already sounding like one of Peter Snow's election night specials) MSARS has 44 members for the coming year (from what I can see) though there may be one or two more that creep over the line, just like on football transfer deadline day.
A big thanks to all those members who filled in the online membership form - it saves me a lot of time typing it in for you.
A very warm welcome to all the new members this year - I've met most of you now, and the society is grateful for your support. We look forward to getting to know you all better and drawing on your experience and knowledge. Please consider contributing a snippet or two for the website, even if it's just a little intro or some feedback. I'd desperately like to have some additional and more diverse input.
I can't believe I just wasted 15 minutes Photoshopping that stupid infographic.
Berni M0XYF
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- Written by: Maintenance Guy
- Category: News
- Hits: 606
A new version of the Windows client software SmartSDR, which is required to operate the club's Flex radio remotely (unless you've purchased the Mac/iOS version) is now available to download.
The current version is V3.3.33, whilst the new version is V3.4.21
You can download it directly from the FlexRadio website here: https://www.flexradio.com/software/smartsdr-v3-4-21
Version numbers for SmartSDR for Windows and the software on the actual radio have to match exactly. The radio will be updated on Friday evening, so you'll need to use V3.3.33 until Friday, and V3.4.21 thereafter.
You can actually have both installed on your computer at the same time without any apparent conflict, but you should probably just wait until Friday to get the new version.
MacOS and iOS software is not affected.
73's
Berni M0XYF
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- Written by: Maintenance Guy
- Category: News
- Hits: 357
Dear loyal MSARS flock.
This is just a gentle reminder that although 2022 memberships officially expired on 31st December last year, the club does allow a grace period of two calendar months for those members who might find that time of year to stump up club renewal fees a tough ask.
However, there are quite a few members from last year that haven't yet rejoined for 2023, and we ask that those members give some thought to getting around to that.
Even if you don't attend the club every meeting, or come along to any of the many outside events that we hold throughout the year, consider it as supporting the hobby that has given you so much enjoyment over the years at a time when most small clubs are struggling to keep their heads above water - not just in financial terms, but in terms of overall membership numbers.
You will be directly investing in the future of amateur radio, to bringing in the next generation, and to boosting the local scientific, technical, experimental and recreational communities. I genuinely and passionately believe that individually we can make a difference.
And all for the price of an MSARS membership.
Think about it. You have ten days.
Berni M0XYF.
