At HADARC's July monthly meeting on this Tuesday, 23rd, Rod VK2DAY will present 'A Practical Guide for the use of a VNA for today’s Amateur Radio Operator.'

Rod's talk will cover what a VNA is and why it is the Swiss Army Knife of test gear for amateurs, the various types including some popular VNA’s from last century to now; plus, the good, the bad and the ugly of each, and how each one still has its own place in the shack today. Also covered will be calibration and how to improve the test sweeps of the popular NanoVNA and some practical uses in and around the shack.

As discussed at the June meeting, HADARC is trialing the element/matrix messaging system for communications amongst members. Initial indications suggest that it will be a worthwhile thing.

To get access to HADARC Members room:

• Browse to app.element.io, select Create Account and follow the bouncing ball.

• Probably best to use your callsign as the username.

• Then, tell us your user name and we will invite you to the room. You will then receive an email with a link to HADARC Members room.

• You can tell us you username by sending email to the committee or via online form here

Update: Monday, 24th June

Eight hardy folk from HADARC braved the appallingly cold and wet conditions to take part in the field day.

Twelve contacts were logged on the 6m, 2m and 70cm bands.

Thanks to VK2XWB for providing some excellent shelter.

A good time was had by all.

Some photos of the event are here

Saturday 9am update

We will be operating regardless of the miserable weather

The radio setups and cooking will be undercover, plus our cars can be parked right alongside, so we can operate from their heated comfort if need be.

Rugging up will be necessary though.

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HADARC will be fielding a contingent in this year's Winter Field Day:

VHF/UHF Winter Field Day Golden Jubilee Field\nEsk St, North Wahroonga NSW 2076 Saturday 22nd June From 11am.

We'll look to set up on the grass verge on the left, adjacent to the oval as you enter the field.

We are expecting a decent turn out, especially if the weather is good. Forecast is for some showers with top of 17, so be prepared.

The rules for the contest are on WIA website here.. Stations need to exchange their 6-digit maidenhead locator which, for Golden Jubilee, is QF56NH

For home stations looking to make contact, you can find your locator at this website.

We'll be operating on or near the designated call frequencies, namely:

| band | mode |     MHz |
|------|------|--------:|
| 6m   | FM   |  52.525 |
| 6m   | USB  |  50.200 |
| 2m   | FM   | 146.500 |
| 2m   | USB  | 144.200 |
| 70cm | FM   | 439.000 |
| 70cm | USB  | 432.200 |
|      |      |         |

And, of course, we'll be monitoring the VK2RNS 2m repeater.

Please let others know and bring your antennas, radios and portable gear.

The second annual Christmas in July with HADARC at Magpies luncheon will be held at Magpies Waitara club on Sunday, 14th July starting at 12 noon.

Please make a note in your diaries.

This month Mick Price VK2CMP is going to present part II of his EME (moonbounce) and working satellites presentation. Part I was presented last year and was received extremely well by members attending.

Mick has been very involved in this area of expertise for many years and we are glad to have him come along this month to present part II to members and guests. Be there, so you won’t miss another great presentation!

In 1918, Guglielmo Marconi and Sir Ernest Fisk made the first wireless communication experiments. Fisk established the Australian end of the experiment at his home in Wahroonga NSW. Each year, HADARC activates the VK2IMD call sign to celebrate this landmark event. This year, International Marconi Day falls on the 27th of April. For more information, see our IMD page. We hope you have a chance to engage in this unique and special global event!

This week on Tuesday 10th October, HADARC will hold its mid-monthly meeting at the Rifle Club. At this meeting we will look at square waves and whether they are really square or not. Please bring a signal generator and any other item of interest.

So this week be there or be square ! Yes, that was the best amateur humour I could russle up.

And if you have recently been on 20 meters you would have seen some of the best DX for many months. Yes, places like Cologne or Rome were 5/9. So turn your radio on, build an antenna and join in the DX fun.

73’s for now.

Matt / VK2BAI.

Last week HADARC met at the Hornsby Rifle Club rooms and enjoyed a great night of history and tech. On the history front, Errol VK2BET brought his 1959 log books and showed some great station listening logs. He also displayed a diode in a glass bulb like never seen before. And the fun didn’t stop there. Walter VK2XWB brought bags of parts from the power supply construction and repair that were surplus. There was a feeding frenzy with Steve VK2AAV winning the deep dive award.

Since HADARC’s next meeting is after the ARNSW Trash and Treasure on the 24th of September, it was decided that those that ‘actually’ found real treasure are to bring it along to show it off. I might add there was plenty of treasure this time around. For those that didn’t, or simply missed out, please bring along your latest project and show that off.  

See you there at 8pm in the Mt Colah Community Centre for the main meeting on Tuesday the 26th of September for a great night with fellow amateurs; be they members or not as all amateurs are always more than welcome.

Finally did you know, this Summer is due to be indeed very hot. Prepare your batteries, hand-held radios and potable gear in case we get blackouts or fires. And with hot weather, it’s always nice to head to the beach with a portable setup. How about making plans now and get some friends together in the coming months.

73’s for now

Let’s keep radio active.

Matt / VK2BAI

Next Tuesday, Aug 22nd is HADARC’s main Monthly meeting at Mount Colah. The August meeting is going to be a presentation from our Fox Hunting expert Chris Williams VK2YMW. Chris has been doing radio Fox Hunting for years, especially up at Port Macquarie but elsewhere as well over that time. He has quite often been in the top two spots in this field of endeavour. So come and find out what it’s all about this coming August main meeting at Mt Colah.

Did you know that there are some 14 lighthouses in and around Sydney and wider NSW? Let’s hope this weekend you have managed to fire up your radio and speak to a few of those keen operators out there activating these sites for the International Lighthouse and Lightship weekend.

73’s for now.

Lets keep radio-active!

Matt / VK2BAI