Category: Posts

The big move to another location on The Bluff was completed on 23/3/25.

A great turn out of helpers attended, all contributing in some way.

The new location is now running entirely on solar power. This will save nearly $1000/year in power costs. We have a wonderful new sponsor in the form of LimeFM, they’ve provided the space on the tower and the use of their battery room for our equipment in exchange for the maintenance of their equipment and solar system. We both benefit, we’re both winners.

A few small matters to tidy up e.g. improved DC distribution in the hands of Norbert VK5MQ and some antenna cable work by Peter VK5BE will be done over the next week or so. At present the 70cm link to Naracoorte is disconnected due to some work to be done on the connector and shortening of the heliax.

It’s a great result and due to some shortening of cables we seem to have also improved the coverage a little – a great bonus.

On Friday 21 Feb Peter VK5BE and Nick VK5NJS installed the UHF/C4FM (439.825MHz out) repeater in the newly approved home for our repeaters at The Bluff. The repeater can be used as either an FM repeater or as a C4FM device depending on your transmit setting. No 91.5Hz tone is required.

We’re off grid and our 4 of 190W solar panels are doing their job through the club’s MMPT controller. The condition of charge, voltages from the PV, the battery and the load and their respective currents are capable of being monitored remotely and those monitoring can see the condition of the systems from the comfort of our arm chairs. Well done to all those involved in the project to date.

The next step, not too far into the future, will involve the transfer of the two remaining UHF link antennas from the old tower and then the 2M gear can be transferred to the new, more spacious building. We can hardly wait.

The photos below were taken by Nick on a trip to The Bluff on Sunday morning 23/2/25.

The door project is complete

A huge “Thank you” to Greg and Owen who did most of the work. A big “thank you” also must go to Andrew VK5VKC, for driving the forklift to the Reidy Park Centre from the yard on Penola Road and back and to Coates Hire for lending the forklift to us free of charge.

A big “Thank you” also to Nick VK5NJS, for welding in the new sections of the door guide and to Jack VK5EBA, Leith VK5FLAR, Maxwell VK5AC and John VK5JOB, for assisting when required.

On Sunday 17th November Maxwell VK5AC and John VK5DJ restored the beacons to their home at Mt Graham.

Maxwell had conducted considerable work on the beacons. This involved preventing some instability on 1296.550 MHz and a failed amplifier module on 432.55MHz. The fans had also seized. The DTMF control was checked.

At the site Maxwell installed an adapter that allowed audio to be extracted from the 146.2MHz receiver and conveyed to the DTMF chip in the beacon box.

Some re-arrangement of the boxes was also made while on site. The repeater and link system is now on top and the beacons below. This permits easier access to all the equipment.

From the top:
Link System on 430.475 with antenna to The Bluff (VK5RMG). Link system on 440.025 with antenna to Mt Benson (VK5RKN)
Repeater 146.2 in/146.8 out. this repeater is running on temporary antennas at present but providing reasonable coverage.
Controller for Beacons on 144.550, 432.550 and 1296.550MHz
Amplifier stages for beacons

Note 1296MHz is currently off due to antenna failure.

THE SERG PORTABLE BROADCAST HUT.

As most of you will never see this I thought that I might give you a glimpse.
A number of members have put a great deal of work into this project, particularly Peter, VK5BE and Nick, VK5NJS.


The cable shelving, (built by Greg, VK5ZGY), at the rear on the left hand wall. The steel cabinets for sundry items. The air conditioner will be removed as it is too big. The hooks for sundry items on the back wall made by Nick, VK5NJS.

The operating desk made by Owen, VK5HOS, and Andrew, VK5MAS. (Note the clever recessing of the console to allow the operators wrist and hand to remain on the desk).

There is still a lot to do but we appear to be well on track for its first outing at the Legend of The Lakes Hillclimb in November.

President Peter

The portable-antennas.com site is a must have when you want to build a wire antenna. It takes into account all the factors that affect the lengths of the wire for many common wire antennas e.g. height of each attachment point, soil type, diameter of wire and its insulation, feed point, distance from end poles and much more. It is all in metric so no need to convert to feet and inches. Very impressive.

Types covered include normal or linked dipoles, off centre fed, end fed, vertical, delta loop, half square, Moxon and a general section.

It’s well worth a look. I’ve put a permanent link to the site in the Links page too as posts gradually disappear into the archives.

Sad news, we have been advised by Bevin’s son Wayne, that Bevin had a serious heart attack last Sunday 1/9/24. He passed a couple of days ago.

The club has lost one of its great friends. His cheery voice, his trumpet announcing his arrival for the convention will be fondly remembered as was his determination to win a foxhunt with a minimum of equipment.

Bevin’s Funeral will be held on Monday 23/9/2024. It will be available by live stream from 12:45PM.  Here is the link.

If anyone wishes to attend in person it will be held at Partridge House, 38 Partridge St, Glenelg.

President Peter

Solar panels up, Nick and Peter have been busy. Here’s the solar array up on the stand. Next comes the wiring and the installation of the solar controller.