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Being a Member of Famparc has its benefits.. Not only being a part of a great group of members, you can also save up to 70% off Many electrical items from Altronics. Altronics offer up to 70% off there many products, plus they have a good range of Coax and Connectors, so if you want to save big, visit the Altronics store in Springvale Vic. You will require our Famparc discount code... This is available at the club rooms for all members. Click the image below for more information and to visit the Altronics website.

13th May 2023 Foundation Exam Congratulations to our new Members to Famparc and especially to the new members below for sitting the Foundation Course and recently sitting the Foundation Exam. We wish them all success and hope to hear them on the air very soon. Congratulations: Robert Murphy Anthony Colussi Rakshit Dhar Michael Booth Geoff Guest Giles Gillison Harry Williams Roy Frattinger (Please excuse an spelling errors) Thank you also to Mani and the Famparc Team for the running of our first Foundation Course. And many thanks to our Assessors Tony vk3an, and Michael vk3uuu. Note: If unfortunately one of you did not make it through, don't worry, we can arrange another sitting of the exam. Well done to all !! This is what makes a great club.. People that put in and work for all.

70cm Moxon Beam Introduction. The 432MHz band used to be one of my favourites. In the early 1980s I owned one of the first FM321 70cms synthesised 4W FM transceivers (based on an Australian CB radio) and with this and an old Jaybeam 48el TV antenna mounted vertically on a pole and turned by hand on the side of the house I was able to work lots of local repeaters and some decent inter-G DX on FM simplex when there was "a bit of a lift on". 70cms has localised lifts every few days and that was part of the magic of the band: one day you could hear just locals and the next (in just one direction maybe) more distant repeaters or simplex stations could be heard or worked. Every day was different. Occasionally the band would be wide open and some super DX could be heard or worked. In those days I did not have any SSB transmitting gear on the band but I did listen in contests and at other times and well recall hearing an OZ station running 10W to an HB9CV antenna and being a true 59+ signal on a small indoor beam in the bedroom. The band is excellent for tropo DXing but it is much under-used nowadays. Fortunately there is still activity during contests and on Aug 3rd 2008 there was the RSGB 70cms low power contest restricted to stations running 25W or less. For a change I wanted to have a go /P but the problem was I had no beam antennas for the band just a the vertical colinear fixed on the side of the house. So, a check on the net showed up a design for a Moxon 2el yagi using a coat hanger! A quick search through my wife's wardrobe turned up a suitable metal one and 30 minutes of relaxing sawing, bending and straightening in the back of the garage resulted in a somewhat "Heath Robinson" 2 element antenna attached on the end of a 2m long plastic conduit tube. Connection between the coax and the feedpoint was via a small terminal block and the insulator between director and driven elements by a piece of PVC insulation grabbed from some 2 core cable. The whole antenna was supported on the pole using a support bracket made from a remaining piece of the coat hanger. The Moxon Antenna Design. The Moxon antenna was designed by Les Moxon G6XN and is an optimisation of an earlier Australian design for a compact 2el beam. Essentially it consists of two metal or wire elements: (1) a driven element with its ends bent back towards the reflector (2) which has its ends bent towards the driven element. The entire antenna therefore forms a rectangle but occupying a space much smaller than a corresponding unbent 2el beam such as the HB9CV. The antenna is broadband, has a broad (100 degrees) front lobe, a good front-to-back ratio and a useful amount of forward gain and presents a decent near 50 ohm match at resonance. On HF these properties allow a small, lightweight beam to be erected with excellent performance for the size. On VHF/UHF it allows a smaller alternative to the popular HB9CV antenna with almost as much gain. Testing. I have no test gear for 70cms other than my FT817 and a power meter so I had to check the antenna using these. The SWR meter on the FT817 suggested the match was not brilliant (2 bars, which is about 2:1?) but not bad. A quick test using the local repeater with the antenna mounted vertically was successful and suggested some directionality. So, the next stage was to get out on the Sunday morning with the antenna and the 5W FT817 and see how it performed. Results. A local highspot was chosen for the contest. Highspot is a relative term as there are few real hills in this part of the UK and this "bump" behind the town of Newmarket QTH JO02DD is only around 30m ASL! Fixing the antenna to the support "mast" and trapping the mast in the car door, it was time to plug in the FT817, turn on and see what could be heard and worked. The results were amazing. In a few hours of operating, much of it in the rain and with distinctly poor conditions a total of 10 stations in 8 locator squares all across the country were worked all with just 2.5W SSB apart from the best contact (which was on CW) with F8BRK who was 326kms away in France. The site chosen was screened towards France by trees and rising ground making this final contact all the more pleasing. The contact started out on SSB but he was struggling so I switched to CW so he could clearly get my details. Conclusions. Do give 432MHz SSB a go sometime and if you think you have no suitable antenna then turn to your wife or girlfriend's wardrobe and search out an old coat hanger. If you only come on for the odd contest you will be assured of some fun and who knows you might be persuaded to erect a more permanent beam and rotator and find out what the band is REALLY good for. Even if you can only run a few watts of SSB and a small beam the band has lots to offer especially in the smallest of lifts. Thanks to Stanley VK3BOT for showing me this antenna.. and also. G3XBM QRP WEBSITE Stanley has made one of these and recently brought it to the club. So if you are keen, reach out to Stanley for further information. Moxon-Beam for the 2-m-Band The elements of the 2-m-Moxon are made of Aluminium-welding-rods, here with 2,4 mm diameter. For other diameters see the table below. The 50-Ohm-coax-cable is connected at the other side of the clamp and wound to choke for a balanced feeding. The boom is made of a 25-mm-PVC-tube. The element ends are connected together with small insulated tubes for better mechanical stability. Below: Vertical Below: Horizontal Moxon Principles The Moxon-Beam was introduced by L. Moxon (G6XN) in his book "HF Antennas for all Locations" (RSGB- Publications, Great Britain 1993). This beam is a 2-Element-Yagi with radiator and reflector and reduced size to about 75% of a normal beam. The 2-Element-Yagi with reflector has normally a 0,2-lambda-boom and an impedance of 50 W. The Moxon-beam has a 0,18-lambda-boom and still 50 Ohm. This is a good impedance for wire- beams.The ends of the two elements are bended backward (radiator) or forward (reflector) and act as a capacitive load. That is much better than inductive loading with coils. So we have greater bandwidth and lower losses.Through the reduced size we get a 0,5-0,7 dB lower gain than with a fullsize beam. This type of a 2-Element-Yagi has an unbelievable F/B-ratio on the design frequency of >= 30 dB. That is higher than with any other 2-Element-Beam. The gain is higher on the beginning of the band and lower at the end. The bandwidth for a SWR < 1,5 is great enough for the range of 28,0-28,7 and 21,0-21,45 MHz if the beam is built up with aluminium tubes. Wire-beams of the Moxon-type have a smaller bandwidth. The design frequency should be for a frequency 1/3 from the beginning of the band, because the SWR raises more below the design frequency. For example look for the SWR of a tube-Moxon for the 15-m-band:

new UNUN Kits Available Hello All, We now have another round of Famparc EFHW UNUN Build Kits available. The Build Kits are available for $55.00 For more information see our Web Page. The UNUN Kits have been very popular and work very well as a End Fed Half Wave Antenna (around a 20M length of Wire) Instructions for the build is available on the page.

Found this old clip on Youtube.. Does explain things... Enjoy

Proposed changes to amateur access in the 50–52 MHz and 3.4–3.6 GHz frequency bands We want to give Standard amateurs access to the 50–52 MHz frequency band. We also want to remove access from Advanced amateurs in the 3.4–3.6 GHz frequency band in areas re-allocated for spectrum licensing.

OPERATORS AND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for our own Special Event VI3MILLS Mills-On-The-Air is happening. BAREC will take *Centre Stage* at Anderson Mill's first public festival in 3 years. A great weekend to Promote and Play Radio. Setup early on Saturday morning - teardown Sunday afternoon. Updated: May 8th. What is happening: Anderson's Mill Heritage Weekend at Smeaton. When: Saturday May 13th and Sunday May 14th, 10 am to 4 pm. Where: Anderson's Mill, Smeaton. Contact: Graeme, 0417 389 357. National Trust Anderson's Mill Heritage Weekend at Smeaton. Saturday May 14th and Sunday May 15th. Anderson's Mill Heritage weekend at Smeaton is happening once again, with historical displays, blacksmith at work, engines and machines, Buried Rivers of Gold display, arts and crafts, coffee, food vans and much more! Bendigo Amateur Radio & Electronics Club will have a display of vintage radio equipment, videos, posters, and an operating Amateur Radio station! Take a trip to Smeaton, enjoy the festival, and find out more about Amateur Radio, an interesting and educational pursuit that can also be used for alternative communications when other networks fail. It's all happening on Saturday May 14th and Sunday May 15th, 10 am to 4 pm at Anderson's Mill, Smeaton. Free entry! Access is via Elizabeth St with parking on the reserve.

Simple 2 Meter Ground Plane Project! If you are just getting experience in building antennas or you are an old pro, here is a simple and fun project! This antenna is perfect for those hams living in the primary coverage area of the repeater for 2 meter use. This antenna is nothing more than the old standby "Droopy Groundplane" and can be used on any band where it's physical size does not pose a problem. Remember that the vertical radiator is 1/4 wavelength long at your operating frequency. It has no gain but makes an excellent small antenna that can be mounted just about anywhere and with a little planning, can be used mobile on a short mast from the bumper!! Adding a small attachment loop at the tip of the radiator will enable it to be suspended from above for inside use. Build it! (See drawing below) The vertical element and radials can be made of #12 copper wire or welding rods, coat hanger, etc. The vertical radiator (A) should be soldered to the center connector of the SO239. The four base radials (B & C) and (D & E) can be soldered or bolted to the SO239 mounting holes using 4-40 hardware.The four base radials then should be bent downward to a 45 degree angle. The antenna can be mounted by clamping the PL259 to a mast or even passing the coax through a 3/4 ID PVC pipe and compression clamping the PL259. Either way let your creativity work for you. If you plan on mounting it outside, apply RTV or sealant around the center pin and PL259, and tape well, to keep water out of the coax. Make each radial a 1/4 wave of your desired xmit frequency. Sometimes it helps to add a little extra length to the radials and radiator. This will give you some adjusting room when you adjust the SWR. (If adjustment is needed, clip all radials equally about 1/8 inch at a time while checking SWR, USING LOW POWER). Center the lowest swr on your transmit operating frequency. Example Calculation: Freq (mhz) 146 A (inches) 19 5/16 (Note "A" length is to the SO-239 insulator but not critical) B THRU E (INCHES) 20 3/16 LENGTHS FROM FORMULA ( 234/FREQ MHZ) + 5 % LONGER FOR RADIALS TRY ONE ON 440 or other bands USING SAME FORMULA AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES! ENJOY AND EXPERIMENT! Thanks to : https://www.hamuniverse.com/2metergp.html

Slim Jim Antenna was designed by late Fred Judd. It uses a matching system similar to j-pole antenna. It is the most effective antenna when compared to other ground plane antennas. It has two electric poles charged positive and negative. Use this online slim jim antenna design calculator to find the actual wavelength, overall length, half wave radiator section, quarter wave radiation section, feed point, gap and spacing of Slim Jim antenna by providing the frequency and velocity factor. slim jim antenna design calculator Actual Wavelength = 300 / f Wavelength Considering Velocity Factor = 300 * v / f Overall Length = 22500 * v / f Half Wave Radiator Section = 30000 * (0.5 * v) / f Quarter Wave Matching Section = 30000 * (0.25 * v) /f 50Ω Feed Point = 30000 * (0.025 * v) / f Gap = 300 / f Spacing = 30000 * 0.02175 / f Where, v = Velocity Factor f = Frequency Example If the frequency and velocity factor is 30 MHz and 10 vf, then Actual Wavelength = 300 / 30 Actual Wavelength = 10 m Wavelength Considering Velocity Factor = (300x10) / 30 WCVF = 100 m Overall Length = 22500 x 10 / 30 OL = 7510 cm Half Wave Radiator Section = 30000 * (0.5 * 10) / 30 HWRS = 5000 cm Quarter Wave Matching Section = 30000 * (0.25 * v) / f QWMS = 2500 cm 50Ω Feed Point = 30000 * (0.025 * 10) / 30 50Ω FP = 250 cm Gap = 300 / 30 Gap = 10 cm Spacing = 30000 * 0.02175 / 30 Spacing = 21.75 cm Hope that is of help.. Craig vk3ncr

Hello, Mani has supplied the club with files appropriate for our Foundation Course. These files have been added to the "Foundation License" page. Click Here They are also available for download from our clubs "Famparc Files & Radio Manuals" page. Click Here These are for all and especially if you are planning to sit for your Foundation License.

Don’t put this 7300 on the ground you may never find it.. I want one 🤣🤣

ACMA: We are consulting on operational arrangements to support the proposed amateur class licence. We are also consulting on our proposal for a staged implementation of higher power authorisation. ACMA: Outcome We received 58 submissions to the consultation. You can access the submissions that were not sent on a confidential basis below. As outlined in our 29 March 2023 amateur radio update, we are considering how to best deliver arrangements under the class licence. This means the class licence will not commence on 1 July 2023 as previously indicated. We will provide an update on the commencement date for the class licence, as well as next steps for qualification and call sign services, later in 2023.