On Tuesday, 26th of November we'll will be holding its final meeting for the year, starting at 8pm at the Mount Colah Community Centre.

Rob VK2DIO will be making a brief introduction to Meshtastic which is a mesh-type routing layer that runs of top of the LORA wireless telemetry protocol.

Walter VK2XWB will be presenting briefly about tuning and servicing some data radios that are used on trains.

Steve VK2AAV will be presenting on how to calculate path-loss between transmitters and receivers; there are some good and easy to use tools available online and Steve will demonstrate two examples: a coverage map for the VK2RNS 2m repeater and also how to make path-loss calculations between two member's stations.

If you'd like to have a go at doing some path-loss calculations for yourself, the online software is here.

HADARC's Christmas Luncheon for members and their partners is to be held at Magpies Club, Waitara on Saturday 7th December. Due to the time of year, seating is likely to be very limited so please RSVP ASAP to reserve a spot.

Saturday 23rd November at our usual location of Golden Jubilee Field.

We'll be operating on our usual bands of 6m, 2m, 70cm and hopefully will be on 23cm too for the first time

The contest starts at 12 noon, so we'll be looking to set up from 11am onward. Sausages and other sustenance will be provided.

Some pictures are here.

The team from HADARC had a very successful JOTA this year with many interested youngsters keen to have a try on HF radio.

We put them in contact with other JOTA stations in VK2 and VK4, on 40m and 20m.

There are some pictures from the day here.

The October main meeting of HADARC will have presentations by both Chris Williams VK2YMW and Rob Dolphin VK2DIO. See you on Tuesday at Mt. Colah Community Centre for an 8:00pm start and another great night. Order your Anderson Power Poles on the night.

Chris VK2YMW will present a short slide show some of the interesting technologies both new and old while on his cruise holiday this year with his XYL Helen. Rob VK2DIO will revisit some of the key principles of digital communications and talk about some the current Amateur digital modes.

Update: Fri 18 Oct 2024 10:39:32 AEDT

The working bee went well. Thanks to the half dozen or so who attended and helped out. The vegetation was much worse than expected but we got the bulk of it cleared. We may need to do a follow up visit in a months time or so.

There's a few photos of the event here.

On this coming Friday morning, 11th October, we'll be holding a working bee to clear some vegetation from the repeater site. (note that 18th October was mentioned at the September meeting, but we bring it forward a week as weneed to be doing JOTA preparation then).

The plan is to start meeting there from 8am for bacon and eggs breakfast on the public barbeque, then work the 40m net from 9am. Then, at 10am or so, spend some time chopping the vegetation. It shouldn't take long, so please come along if you are free.

Storey Park, 12 Old Berowra Rd, Hornsby NSW 2077

As discussed at the September meeting, the Club will be making a bulk purchase of Anderson Power-Pole Connections on behalf of members.

Pairs of red and black connectors are available in 15A, 30A and 45A capacities. Other colours are also available.

If you are interested in participating then please contact Steve VK2AAV with details of the numbers and capacities that you may require.

Pricing is yet to be finalised. We will notify the interested parties when it is known so that they can confirm their orders.

At the September held on, 24th September, HADARC special guest speaker Con Bugden gave a presentation on the James Webb Space Telescope.

At the August meeting, Tony VK2BTL did a short talk on his time working at HMAS Albatross Naval Airbase, as engineer in charge during the mid-1980s;

Steve VK2KHA made a presentation about touring on narrowboats in the UK, beginning with a history of the canal network from its origins right up to the latest technological innovations of today. This was followed by images of his tour of the Montgomery canal on the Welsh/English border.

HADARC will be participating in the Remembrance Day Contest coming up on Saturday, 17th August. Operating portable at our favourite location of Golden Jubilee Field in North Wahroonga, shelter will be provided if required and it is highly likely that sausages and other essential supplies will be available, so please come along for an enjoyable day or listen out for contacts with Club station VK2MA.

Rules and Regulations of the contest are here on the WIA website.

Update on Friday, 23rd

The day went well nice conditions. Eleven members in attendance. Contacts were made on 40m SSB and CW, 6m and 2m SSB and FM.

Some photos from the event.

Update on Friday, 16th

• Weather forecast looks promising but Walter XWB's excellent gazebo and cover shelter is available if required.

• Contest starts at 1300 with opening broadcast from WIA starting at 1245. We should look to arrive and starting setting up from 12 noon.

• BBQ with Sausages and at least one flagon of wine will be provided. Please bring other food and drinks as you might require.

• We'll have two radios operating that can cover HF, 6m, 2m, 70cm bands. Am not sure about HF antennas, so please bring your portable HF antennas for 40m and 20m just in case.

• We've folding tables organised, but please bring chairs for yourself and maybe a spare or two for others.

• We will look forward to seeing you all tomorrow. A good turnout and an enjoyable day is anticipated

-- Cheers, Steve VK2AAV