Radar.  What is it, how does it work?

This month the technical topic at the July 12th meeting will be a talk on Radar.  This lecture will be given by Mr. Richard Gilmartin a subject matter expert from the department of Defence.

Richard is the Officer in Charge of the Ground Radio section from HMAS Albatross.  He has an extensive background into marine, aviation, and land based Radar systems.

Meeting commences at 19:30 Hrs at the usual location, Industry World Visitors Centre,  Springhill Road, Coniston (Wollongong). Right near the entrance to Blue Scope Steel.

Members, Members guests, and visitors welcome.

Roger Harrison Solar Cycle 24 -How to maximise your fun over the coming solar maximum!

Roger Harrison has had a distinguished career in the Electronics Field.   For many years he was the face of Electronics Today International (ETI).  He has published many books and articles on electronics and radio communications.

This month, June 2011, Roger will present to the Illawarra Amateur Radio Society a technical paper on ‘Solar Cycle 24, How to maximise your fun over the coming maximum.’

This presentation is a fresh revision of a popular topic.  It is well suited to amateur operators of all licence classes.  It has valuable information for Foundation operators, as well as seasoned DX’ers.   This is a meeting not to miss.  Mark it on your calander.

 The meeting commences at 19:30 Hrs.  The meeting is planned for the 14th June 2001 at the usual location, the Visitors Centre, Industry world Centre, Springhill Road Coniston.  This is just a few minutes from the Wollongong CBD.  The location is easily assessable from the F6 Freeway for those travelling from Sydney or the Shoalhaven areas.    Members, members guests, and visitors are welcome.

The Dayton hamfest, reputed to be the biggest hamvention in the world has just concluded for 2011.

The Illawarra amateur radio society proposes to conduct a trip to Dayton  in May 2013.   Start saving your pennies now.   The trip will  be open to IARS members and partners.  It is proposed to spend about 2 weeks in the USA with the full 3 days at the hamfest. Alternative tours may be arranged for partners for these 3 days if they don’t fully understand the beauty of ham radio.  We will travel via mini bus to several tourist destinations along the way to Dayton.  It is possible that the tickets may be open ended to allow members to stay on and return at their leisure.

If your interested in attending, send an email to the secretary (see contact section of the site for details), or attend the club meetings to register your expression of interest.   If you would like to suggest a spot to visit then let us know asap while the itinerary is being planned.   By booking ahead we hope to take advantage of forward booking discounts and good US$ – AUD$ exchange rates.   There will be progressive payment requirements along the way.

There will be more details published as time progresses.  What you need to do NOW is register your expression of interest so we know the numbers likley to go.

Trip co-ordinators are Rob VK2XIC & Ross VK2VVV

This years Wireless Institute of Australia Annual General Meeting and conference will be held in Darwin Northern Territory.

For those traveling to the Territory for the event, the Illawarra Amateur Radio Society will will  monitor 145.375 MHz simplex as a liaison frequency for club members that wish  to meet up at the events.

Don’t forget to pack your name badge.  Promote your club.

Further information contact the Secretary VK2VVV via the contact information on this website.

The technical topic presentation for May will be a run down on WSPR by Barry VK2DLI.

The technical topic for this months meeting is WSPR (pronounced whisper).  WSPR stands for Weak Signal Propagation Reporter.   A signal is frequency shift keyed (FSK) with a very small shift and a very slow rate.   Receivers at amateur’s QTH’s around the world listen out for these week signals.   It occupies only about 6 Hz of bandwidth, so many stations can operate within the 200Hz WSPR window without interference.  Barry VK2DLI will be making this presentation and has already had confirmed contacts over 22000 KM using 500mW of power. Come along and find out what it’s all about.

Members, their guests and visitors are very welcome. Meeting starts @ 19:30 Hrs.   Directions and a map to the club house are available under the ‘club meeting’ heading in the right hand pane of this web page.

The Sydney Morsecodians Demonstration.

Who are the Morsecodians you may ask.?  They are a group of dedicated ex telegraphers that still practice the art of Morse Code, or as we radio amateurs refer to it C.W.

This Thursday morning the 5^th May at 10:00 Hrs the morsecodians will be conducting a display at the Illawarra Museum located at 11 Market Street Wollongong.  Fittingly this is the old Post and Telegraphy Building.

An invitation has been extended to the members and friend of the Illawarra Amateur Radio Society to attend this function.  According to the Illawarra Museum web site admission is $4 for Adults and $2 for concession holders.

For further information on the these organisations follow the links Illawarra Museum, and the Sydney Morsecodians.

Crystal Set Construction Competition 2011

 The Illawarra Amateur Radio Society currently has a construction competition running.   Entry is open to IARS club members and  other amateur radio operators within VK.   There  will be prizes awarded in both categories.

Entry is easy, just build a crystal set.   Judging will be based on some simple rules:-

• The crystal set must work ie receive a transmitted signal.
• The crystal set can receive either commercial, broadcast or amateur signals.
• No external power other than the received signal can be used.
• Additional points will be gained by utilizing recycled parts, or home made components.
• Additional points will be gained for Innovative design, and unique concepts.
• The finished article does not need to be ascetically pleasing.
• Testing will be carried out at Industry World Centre, Wollongong.
• The judges decision will be final.

The judging of the contest will be at the IARS November meeting.   The Crystal set will need to be bought to the meeting on this evening, alternatively they can be posted to the Secretary Illawarra amateur radio society, by the meeting date which is 8^th November 2011.  Correct postage and packaging cost must be included if you require the project to be returned after the competition.

Why not put together a club entry?

Old hands, why not take a newer member of the hobby under your wing and show then how construction was done when you first joined the hobby.

Results and awards will be presented at the December 2011 meeting.

PRIZES

There are two categories to enter. 

Cat 1:- Financial members of the IARS 

• First Prize :- 2 metre Handheld radio
• Second Prize:- Quality Screwdriver Set
• Third Prize:- Lightweight Headphone Set
• Numerous consulation prizes such as mouse mats, baseball caps

Cat 2:- All other VK Hams

• First Prize:- 2 metre Handheld Radio
• Second Prize:- Quality Screwdriver Set
• Third Prize:- Lightweight Headphone Set

Mark this day in your calendar now:

Saturday 10 September 2011

The IARS is planning a barbecue/picnic for club members, other interested amateurs, and their families at Blackbutt Forest Reserve in Shellharbour.  Further details will be provided soon.

Regards,
Your IARS Committee

Lecture by Tim, VK2ZTM – “Radio in NSW, Where it all began”

Members and guests, we have been extremely fortunate to secure Tim, VK2ZTM to share with us, his presentation titled “Radio in NSW, Where it all began”.

Anyone who has had the opportunity to listen to one of Tim’s well researched, in-depth talks, will testify to the accuracy and detail of the presentation.

Come along to the usual venue, The visitors Centre, Near the Bluescope Steel main gate, Springhill  Road, Coniston. (Wollongong).  Details and map of the location are available under the heading of ‘monthly meetings’ in the right hand panel of this web site.   Meeting starts 19:30 Hrs Tuesday 12th April 2011.  Visitors and guests welcome.   Bring along your neighbour or friend.

The Wyong Field day is on again this weekend,  Sunday 27th February 2011.

There are still some I.A.R.S. members and friends looking for a lift to the Wyong field day.  If you have spare seats available, or still looking for a lift, send an email to vk2vvv we will try and connect people with lifts.

VK2VVV

Secretary IARS