VK4VCC as at 20 Aug 2011

Whats happened since my last post:

• Picked up the Icom IC-706MKIIG from my brothers place
• Cleaned up shack
• Setup old laptop and N3FJP and N1MM logging software in shack
• Reconnected shack to SteppIR BigIR (coax and controller cable)
• Sold the tower
• Sold the Array Solutions Powermaster
• Sale pending on Yaesu FT-950 and Heil Pro-Set Plus headsets
• Sent IC-706MKIIG off as trade-in on a Kenwood TS-480HX (box no longer required)
• Commenced artwork on new QSL cards in GlobalQSL

My biggest problem is laying down radials. I went out today with shovel to start digging but the ground is so hard it would take me a decade of Sundays to finish. Need to come up with a simple solution (suggestions anyone). I wish I could lay my hands on one of these - EZ-Trench Wire/Cable Installer

Needed - Empty Icom IC-706MKIIG Box

I have been searching everywhere for my Icom IC-706MKIIG box and for the life of me, can't find it anywhere. It's not like me to throw away a transceiver box. Inside is the box the hand mic came in and also the user manual.

If anyone has, or knows where I can get one, I would be greatly appreciated. I am more than happy to pay for the box, manual and postage.

I have emailed Icom Australia and will wait for a reply.

Edit: No luck from Icom Australia. At least they replied promptly.

Change of Heart

Ok, a change of heart, I don't think I can give up everything so this is what I have decided to do.

What do I have left in the way of HF? I've sold the tower, FT-950, Array Solutions Powermaster and the 2 Heil headsets. Whats left is the SteppIR BigIR MKIII with 80m loading coil, 3 power supplies and an ICOM IC-706MKIIG (plus Heil Traveler headset).

The SteppIR BigIR will remain as my sole antenna and covers everything from 80m to 6m. What I need to do is lay down and bury a whole heap of radials. I have cleaned everything up and connected the coax and controller cable.

With regards to the 706MKIIG, I am going to trade it in for a Kenwood TS-480HX. That's if I get a descent price for the 706. (Still need to find the box). I obviously have enough power supplies to run at full power.

I'll probably also pick myself up a Heil Proset headset later down the track.

Whats for Sale

Ok, just going through the shack to see what is up for sale.

• One Man Tower - 12.5M midi tower, missing mast at top, requires 40NB (nominal bore) 3mm wall galvanised (blue end) of 3.25m, comes with hand winch, pad footing and OzSpid RAK rotator - sell $3000 (pick up only) **SOLD**
• Yaesu FT-950 (boxed), slight scuffing on top - $1450 (delivered anywhere in Australia) **SOLD**
• Heil ProSet Plus Headsets (for Yaesu) x 2 - $120 each **SOLD**
• Array Solutions Powermaster with HF-6m 3kW coupler SO239 connector - $350 **SOLD**

All items have now been sold.

Leaving the Amateur Radio World

I'm afraid I have lost the interest in amateur radio. I haven't been active on HF since mid 2009 and to be honest, I can't say that I have missed it. I am at the stage where I don't want to put anymore money into it and I do have other interests now.

I will keep my licence valid and the FTM-350R will remain in the car.

Other than that, I will be putting my gear up for sale. This will include things such as a 12.5M midi "One Man Tower" with OzSpid rotator (currently no 2.5M mast for it), a Yaesu FT-950, SteppIR BigIR MKIII, power supplies, Array Solutions PowerMaster, HEIL headphones, etc. I will need to do a full stocktake before listing the items.

Feel free to contact me at laurie(at)vk4vcc.com if you want to jump the queue before I list the items.

Once all items are sold, this site will go offline. My other interest is HDR photography and you will find me active at www.laurieporterphotography.net

73

Laurie

VK4VCC Update as at 25 April 2011

Jeez, I have just looked at my last post and it was 13months ago.......not good. So I think it is about time I did an update here. So what's been happening?

Firstly, we have had a shed built in our backyard and I have decided to setup the station there. Why, mainly for shorter cable runs and also the wife won't be complaining that she can hear the radio from inside the house.

I have also purchased a Yaesu FTM-350R which has been professionally installed in my new Kia Sportage. It was installed by AutoXtreme in Acacia Ridge who did a great job at a reasonable price. (Excuse the dust, fingerprints, dirt in the car).

In regards to the tower, well, what I think I will be doing is installing first and then worry about Council. I'm pretty much fed up with Council as depending on who you speak with, you get a different answer. Still haven't purchased a tri-bander for the tower as yet but I am seriously considering the Bencher Skyhawk. I have yet to read any bad reviews of this antenna as yet.

From 2012, I am getting back into some serious photography. I will again be looking at photographing amateur radio events such as contest stations, hamfests, JOTA, field days, etc. All pictures will be uploaded to my website at http://www.laurieporterphotography.net

Tower - A Reply from the Dept of Infrastructure and Planning QLD

Today I received a reply from the Senior Town Planner at the Dept of Infrastructure and Planning Queensland. I requested some information regarding installing a 12.5m antenna mast on my property for amateur radio use (hobby not commercial). The reply reads as follows;

"Thank you for your email dated 23 February 2010 regarding the required approval process for an antenna mast on your property. I apologise about the delay.

Based on the information provided by you, an antenna/mast/aerial of this height is assessable building work under the Building Act (see schedule 1 - item 2 of the bldg regulation 2006). As this is a 10b Structure as defined under the Building Codes of Australia, Schedule 4 would apply in this instance. You would therefore require a Building Approval which can be obtained from either a Private Certifier or a Building Certifier at Logan City Council.

I trust this information is of assistance."

Apple iPad Ad

Ok, a little off topic but you never know, there are already quite a few amateur radio apps for the iPhone. I bet there are some hams out there now already thinking about apps and the new iPad.

Available in Australia at the end of April. Pricing yet to be confirmed. Thinking I might get myself a 16G Wifi version.

NZ TV Commercial about Amateur Radio

Television ad broadcast in New Zealand to promote Amateur Radio. Google ZL3SV for more info.

RadioScope - HF Propogation Study Through Multiple Sites

Welcome All interested in the further study of HF propagation

This new website is to generate interest in the extension of recent studies of backscatter radar and propagation on 50 Mhz by VK3OE and VK3AUU into the HF realm..

How could it work ?

The proposed concept is to create an aggregation of amateur radio stations around Australia to study the effects of propagation over the LF and HF spectrum; through a nationwide grid system of stations linked via broadband internet for real time analysis...

The proposed stations:

• will have remote rural locations for low interference reception
• exhibit high gain antennas for a variety of bands
• have broadband internet access for real time information aggregation
• ability to operate high power if needed for the conducting of tests

MEMBERSHIP IS OPEN TO ANY INTERESTED IN PROPAGATION

Link can be found here.

My SteppIR BigIR No Longer For Sale

I was considering selling my SteppIR BigIR MKIII with 80m loading coil. I put a few feelers out there but have now decided to keep it. There was a bit of interest as they are great antennas.

I had it pulled down but have now done some maintenance and she is back in the air. I still need to wire it up and lay the radials again. This time the install looks much tidier and I won't be getting grass and weeds growing up through the radial plate.

Inverted V for 20M

My brother Steve VK4VSP came over today to pick up the Icom IC-706MKIIG. Steve is a full time student and has to attend residential school a couple of times a year. He has made up an excellent portable station of which I am hoping that he will blog about it shortly. He intends to take the gear with him on his trips to Armidale, NSW.

We had a look around the shack to see if we could make one up from my bits and pieces. The end result is an Inverted V which is resonant at 14.175MHz. The pole is not mine and I have ordered a 7m heavy duty one from Haverford.

Cubex Quad Freight Charges

I've just received the freight charges from Cubex to deliver a Cubex Quad MKII (3 band) to my door. I'm afraid that the costs have completely put me off. Essentially, door to door the charges are more than the cost of the antenna itself.

Time to look for an Australian sourced antenna.

Bummer

ZL4TY - Stewart Island (OC-203) - March 12 -22, 2010

Respected DXer and friend Ray Crawford VK4DXA (ex VK4HDX) will be operating from Stewart Island, New Zealand (OC-203) from March 12th to March 22nd, 2010. Ray will be there with Paul ZL4PA and Paul ZL4M (ZL4PW). Ray will be using the callsign ZL4TY.

It is the first dxpediton for all of them and hopefully the first of many. It will be a 2-station operation using Spiderbeam-pole verticals for 160 - 30m and a Spiderbeam for 20 - 10m borrowed from Holger ZL3IO (ex-DL7IO). They intend running barefoot unless they can obtain a solid-state amplifier.

Grid locator: RE43bc

CQ Zone: 32
ITU zone: 60

160M - 1820 CW, 1845 SSB
80M - 3525 CW, 3580 RTTY, 3785 SSB
40M - 7025 CW, 7038 RTTY, 7165 SSB
30M - 10115 CW, 10145 RTTY
20M - 14025 CW, 14085 RTTY, 14260 SSB
17M - 18080 CW, 18105 RTTY, 18145 SSB
15M - 21025 CW, 21085 RTTY, 21295 SSB

12M - 24895 CW, 24920 RTTY, 24945 SSB
10M - 28025 CW, 28085 RTTY, 28475 SSB

We need a minimum of US$2 or 1 x IRC (please, 2010 issue) for a direct reply.
Any donation sent with your QSL request will be greatly appreciated.
Cards with insufficient funds or invalid IRCs will be sent via the buro.
All logs will be uploaded to LOTW following the DXpedition.

ZL4TY QSL Manager
Via VK4 buro or direct to:VK4DXA
Ray Crawford
53 Moore Street
Kingaroy, QLD 4610
Australia

Haverford Squid Poles

There was an article in the latest Australian Amateur Radio magazine by Ernie Walls VK3FM regarding fibreglass telescopic poles.

They are made by Haverford who are based in Sydney. Poles range from 3m to 10m with some available with a heavy duty tip (8mm).

Heavy duty version available in 3, 5, 6 & 7m lengths

Heavy duty version, 8mm tip ends, black or white

Standard version, light weight, black or white, available up to 10m, 2mm tip

Pole Holder, hold up to 7m pole, 80cm in length

3m Standard in black or white - $8

3m Heavy Duty in black only - $11

5m Standard in black or white - $16

5m Heavy Duty in black or white - $19

6m Standard in black or white - $20

6m Heavy Duty in black or white - $23

7m Heavy Duty in black or white - $29

9m Standard in black only - $37

10m Standard in black only - $49

Pole Holder - $8

Prices in $AUD, freight extra.

Link here.

2010 Contests and Availability

I've gone through this year's contests that I am interested in and checked them against my work roster. Available means that I am interested in competing either at home or as part of a multi-op station. Not Available unfortunately means I am rostered to work that weekend but may have a few hours before and after work to get a few contacts in.

March 2010:

ARRL Int'l DX Contest SSB (Mar 6-7) - Available

Commonwealth Contest (BERU) (Mar 13-14) - Available

John Moyle Memorial Field Day (Mar 20-21) - Not Available

CQ WW WPX Contest SSB (Mar 27-28) - Not Available

June 2010:

VK Shires Contest (Jun 5-6) - Not Available

July 2010:

IARU HF World Championship (Jul 10-11) - Not Available

RSGB IOTA Contest (July 24-25) - Available

Sept 2010:

All Asian DX Contest SSB (Sep 4-5) - Available

WAE DX Contest SSB (Sep 11-12) - Not Available

Oct 2010:

Oceania DX Contest SSB (Oct 2-3) - Available

CQ WW DX Contest SSB (Oct 30-31) - Available

Nov 2010:

JIDX Phone Contest (Nov 13-14) - Available

Dec 2010:

ARRL 10M Contest (Dec 11-12) - Available

Tower - Town Planning

I called the Logan City Council again yesterday to clarify a few things. There is some confusion with regards to the maximum height of a mast before approval is required.

As I live in the old Beaudesert Shire Council, I fall under the Beaudesert Building Code which has a maximum height of 8.5m before approval is required. For others living in the Logan City Council, the maximum height is 10m.

I am considering only putting up 3 sections of the mast to begin with (7.5m) and then eventually get around to applying through council to extend the height. From what I gathered from the conversation yesterday, Logan City Council later this year may bring all building codes into line.

What I have learned so far;

• Do not refer to the tower as a tower, it is a mast.
• I will need a building certifier, no matter what
• Max height is 8.5m before I need approval
• Must be erected within the building envelope
• My property is zoned as Rural Residential B

Thanks to the following for their input so far;

VK4TI, VK4KKD, VK4JD, VK4FEAT, VK7ZE

Tony Spies VK4HO has a great website showing the process (with pics) of installing a One Man Tower.

Any building certifiers in the area who are hams, I would love to hear from you.

Tower and Department of Infrastructure and Planning

Thanks Trent VK4TI for sharing this info.

Qplan is Queensland’s new planning, development and building system. As stated in this document I gathered the following information;

This fact sheet outlines when development in a residential zone does not require a development permit for a material change of use.

A material change of use of premises for certain buildings and structures, defined in the Building Code of Australia, is now prescribed in schedule 4 of SPR as being exempt from assessment against a planning scheme in certain circumstances. This means that development permits from local governments will no longer be required for these types of development.

Building classifications that will now be exempt are:

Class 1(a)(i)—detached houses;

Class 1(a)(ii)—attached dwellings, comprising of no more than two dwellings (for example,duplexes); and

Class 10—non-habitable buildings or structures such as a private garage, carport, shed, fence, mast, antenna, retaining or free standing wall, swimming pool or the like.

More to follow as I find more info.