WELCOME TO SARC
Serving the Northern Rivers of NSW
Reg Robinson VK2MNM (SK)
Very sad notice received by Andrew VK2XI about Reg Robinson VK2MNM (SK). We can only add our feelings of loss at his passing.
SPRING FIELD DAY 2025
The Field Day has now finished, just a reminder to submit your logs. The rules for submission of logs in the new N1MM logger are here, so click on the link below to read up the rules, there is quite a bit of good information on the WIA page dealing with the Field Day:
https://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/vhfuhf
If you still do a paper log like me, you can either try the new N1MM Logger or use the old VKCL4 one that we have always used. Once the log is entered, just export it as a Cabrillo format file. This then is opened up in the VKCL Log Converter, download from here:
https://www.vk4sn.com/Contests/Contesting
You need to download the VKCL Logger Cabrillo Converter, listed on the website, open the converter and open the VKCL4 Cabrillo file, fill in the operator’s station details needed and then save the file. this process updates the VKCL4 Cabrillo file to version 3.0 which the VK Log Checker needs. The Log Checker, the final step is here:
https://www.vklogchecker.com
Click on the appropriate image (VHF-UHF, for example) and the log can be either pasted into the box provided, or, perhaps a better bet, uploaded. In that way you can be sure that the updated Cabrillo file you saved is the one that is uploaded.
de Paul VK2AMT
2026 VHF-UHF CONTEST DATES
Summer: 1st full weekend of January.
Times: 0100 UTC Saturday through 0059 UTC Sunday (0400 / 0359 in VK6).
Winter: 3rd weekend of June
Times: 0100 UTC Saturday through 0059 UTC Sunday (0300 / 0259 in VK6).
Spring: 3rd weekend of September
Times: 0100 UTC Saturday through 0059 UTC Sunday (0400 / 0359 in VK6).
The excellent Aurora image above was taken by Andrew VK2ZAG, son of Barry VK2VBG. Andrew has an impressive website displaying his photographic prowess: https://bfvmedia.com.au/ The Aurora image is under the Skywatching tab. Andrew said that the Aurora appeared as a mist on the horizon. The red colour was only apparent when photographed. Human eyesight is fairly poor at the red end, compared with yellow and green. Have a look, you will be quite impressed. Thanks to Andrew for giving approval to place it here.
Club Christmas Party
The date for the club Christmas Party has been set: it is on December 14th, commencing at 10am at the Clubrooms, 412 Richmond Hill Road, Richmond Hill. There will be platters of chicken and ham with salad. More details will be added as they are available. Please advise attendance numbers if possible to: , to help with catering
New equipment cabinet
The new equipment cabinet being set up, Ross, John VK2YLO, Duncan and Paul were there with Ross and John doing most of the wiring work.
Andrew VK2XI set up at St Helena on 26-10-2025, working 23cm with the new yagi and also microwave, 2.4GHz
Today I packed the Prado and travelled down the highway to St Helena in the hills above Byron Bay to take part in the Microwave Activation Day or MAD organised by the Brisbane VHF Group. The objective was simply to test out my new, to me, 1.2, 2.4 & 3.4Ghz transverters and new 1.2Ghz 36 element Yagi. The location is well known for its clear path North to the Gold Coast and Brisbane as well as South to the Northern Rivers and importantly to Vista Point. The setup was right on the edge of the road and took longer than expected to erect as it was all uncharted waters. With the 1.2Ghz Yagi beaming South I quickly made contact with Grahame VK2QJ at Vista Point and we received 10 to 20dB over 9 signals each way, this was a very pleasing result from the new Yagi with 30W. I then swapped over to the 2.4Ghz 25W Transverter fed into 24dBi Gridpack and again made contact with Grahame with received signals around S3, another pleasing result. Unfortunately attempts to make contact on 3.4Ghz were not successful so I have some work to do there before next outing to work out why.
The expected contacts into VK4 did not eventuate either due to a poor turnout and those that did operate were working higher bands. This was disappointing but the location excites me as I will take the full station and caravan there for the Spring VHF Field Day in 4 weeks time. I hope to hear you calling CQ Field Day soon.
de Andrew VK2XI
2025 Winter VHF-UHF Field Day Results
The results are in for the VHF-UHF Winter Field Day, click on the link below. Outstanding performance from the SARC Club Station and individual club members. We really do show the way when it comes to commitment and support for the club station. The results are on the vklog checker website.
https://www.vklogchecker.com/Contests/Results/e29898ae-603c-4ce0-bf5f-a453d3c22198
The painter has been!
A few photos of what he has done, the place is looking great. Showing the southern wall, the ceiling in the main area and the ceiling in the kitchen. The blue colours on the doors and frames pick up the main colours used in the club logo and the club metal sign, currently in the store room. The closeup shows the carpet sample there to give an idea of what a difference it makes.
LATEST TOWER WORK
On Sunday morning the 12th, before the Committee Meeting, one job on the list was getting the tower ready for raising by the crane on Wednesday. Quite a few of us put some time in getting the three runs of coax cable terminated where necessary and the new cable clamps installed in the cable tray. Tony VK2RI, Duncan, Ross, Jim and Paul all put in some time helping to get the tower ready. Thanks to all.
IT’S UP! the tower is back on its slab, the next job is to fit the antennas and complete the coax cable connections.
NET REPORTS FOR WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 2025
Dawn Patrol numbers for the week were 26.
Just a reminder, the Dawn Patrol commences at 7.00am NSW time and 6.00am Qld time soon. The time and frequency changes from 3.604 MHz to 7.115 MHz on Monday 6th October.
MONDAY November 24, 2025 – Logging in with Paul VK2AMT as VK2SRC were Barry VK2VBG and Andrew VK2XI. Topics discussed were the recently comleted VHF UHF Field Day and the storms we have been having most days.
Tuesday November 25, 2025. – The Diginet
This evening, logging in on 2 metres Parrots Nest with Paul VK2AMT as VK2SRC was Barry VK2VBG, Duncan VK2DLR and Dave VK2ATG. We had our normal couple of short overs on 2 metres Parrots Nest, then Duncan, Dave and I QSY’d to our 80 metre frequency of 3.590 USB for another Olivia session.
I was joined on 80m by Jeff VK2NU. Rather than show yet another Fldigi screen, instead is a screenshot from BOM showing the local storms we were battling. Not surprising, the band noise was over S9 instead of the S2 it normally is. It was a night of low signal-to-noise figures. Fraser VK4FRZ did put in a brief call but only Dave decoded it first up. He did reappear near the end of the net and the signals were a bit better then. Duncan’s signal was quite low and decode was only scattered (audio levels perhaps?). Dave’s first couple of overs were a bit poor but improved, perhaps he increased TX power. Modes like the ones in Fldigi depend largely on signal-to-noise ratio figures. Olivia mode will work up to about -10-11 dB S/N and struggle after that. In those conditions increasing TX power is quite often all you can do. Get your signal above the noise! So, it was an interesting and sometimes challenging net, battling mother nature’s big sparks. Thanks to all who took part.
Cheers from Paul VK2AMT
Wednesday November 26, 2025 – Parrots Nest 70cm.
3 stations joined the Net, Paul 2AMT, Barry 2VBG and myself 2XI. We discussed the wild electrical storm that swooped over the Northern Rivers on Tuesday night and the ability of the Digi Net to continue with the enormous amount of static crashes raged on. Why not join us next Wednesday at 8PM EDST on Parrots Nest 70cm and tell us what you think about anything you like. Everyone is welcome.
de Andrew VK2XI.
Thursday November 27, 2025 – Woodburn 2 metres – joining Paul VK2AMT as VK2SRC was Barry VK2VBG, Dave VK2ZDR and Shane VK2KVM (yes, Shano was on the air!). Topics included the disappearance of the NBN at Dave’s place for a few hours, the unpleasant hot weather and what the letters ADSL mean, thanks to Shane.
Friday November 28, 2025. The After Dark Net.
Dave VK2ZDR was the net controller (2SRC) & was joined by Danny 4SD, Jeff 2WSR, Andrew 2XI, Jim 2YHP, Ralf 4GCR & Peter 4PI. We had another station Rob, a VK4, at the very start but didn’t hang around when it was log in time. We did start on 7.115 but had too much QRN & QRM to stay put. After dialing around for a cleaner freq: we ‘snuck’ up to 7.120 for the remainder of the net. After an hour or so, we ended the net at 21:08 (NSW time)
Dave, VK2ZDR, the ZuluDoctoR
A trip to the western division
Ross VK2ARD, Lachlan VK2FOOD, Duncan VK2DLR and Paul VK2AMT paid a visit to Julie and Jeff VK2WSR at Coonabarabran. We were all given a wonderful warm welcome by Julie and Jeff. On behalf of all of us I thank them for their hospitality. These visits are normally planned to coincide with the Open Day at the Siding Spring astronomy site. The Open Days are strongly recommended for anyone with half an interest in the night sky. Quite a number of the numerous observatories on Siding Spring Mountain are open to inspection. The site is now managed by the Australian National University in Canberra and there were quite a few ANU students on hand to explain what is happening. We also attended a lecture at the Coonabarabran Golf Club on Friday night called Science in the Pub. Four young scientists explained their fields of research to the enthralled audience. Their youthful enthusiasm for their fields of study was wonderful and they all conveyed a summary of their work in such a way that a person with average intelligence could understand their work.
On Saturday we drove up to Siding Spring and spent some hours exploring the observatories there. The instruments are normally not available to the public and it is marvellous to get up close to them and get a summary of the work done.
The image above shows just one of the great views from Siding Spring. The astronomy site is surrounded by the volcanic peaks of the Warrambungle National Park. I strongly recommend doing some of the walks into the Warrumbungles if you can. There are quite a few to chooose from. The whole region contains much to explore. Other areas of interest in the area include Mount Kaputar National Park and the radio telescope site near Narrabri named the Australia Telescope Compact Array. There are more details here:
https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/mount-kaputar-national-park
https://www.narrabri.atnf.csiro.au
I can only recommend a visit to the region. It is an easy day’s drive from the Lismore area. Sincere thanks to Julie and Jeff for their hospitality.
de Paul VK2AMT
RADIO EQUIPMENT SALE
| Item | Description | Price | |
| Yaesu FTDX3000 | HF/6m Transceiver | 1500 | |
| Yaesu FT450D | HF/6m Transceiver | 550 | |
| Yaesu MD-90D | Microphone | 125 | |
| Yaesu FT-7900 | 2m/70cm Mobile | 150 | |
| Realistic Pro-2035 | Scanner | 75 | |
| Radio Shack DX-394 | Scanner | 75 | |
| Kydera CDR-300 | 2m/70cm Mobile DMR | 125 | |
| Uniden UBC355XLT | Scanner | 50 | |
| Alinco DR MD-500 | 2m/70cm Mobile DMR | 250 | |
| TYT TH-9800 | Quad band FM Mobile | 150 | |
| Sawtron 999 | UHF CB | 100 | |
| BJ BJ300 Plus Amplifier | HF Amplifier | 50 | |
| TYT MD-380 | UHF DMR Handheld | 100 | |
| QJE QJ1928SW PSU | Power Supply 50A | 100 | |
| Avair AV-600 | SWR Meter | 100 | |
| QLS 2800s DDS Sig gen | 5mhz Function Generator | 50 | |
| Yaesu ATAS-100 Antenna | HF Antenna | 120 | |
| Protec 430-450 Yagi | 70cm Yagi | 40 | |
| Cobra 139XLRA | HF CB Base | 150 | |
| Electrophone TX-840 | HF CB | 10 | |
| DSE Comms Receiver | Receiver | 10 | |
| Realistic 40 channel hh | HF CB Handheld | 20 | |
| MFJ-260C Dummy Load | Dummy Load | 50 |
All proceeds of equipment sales go to XYL of recent SK Bryan VK2BT.
Equipment is believed to be in good working condition but is sold “as is”.
Prices are firm, no offers please.
All inquiries and further information via email to Tony at
There will be a number of smaller items available at the upcoming car boot sale on 9th August.
SOLDERING CIRCLE – RF PROBE
The SARC Soldering Circle came together on Sunday 17th August with the idea of making some RF Probes. As normal, A lot of time was spent on general techno-centric conversations.
At some stage we turned to working on the RF probes. What’s an RF Probe? It’s a very small gadget that takes an RF signal that your multi-metre can’t measure and turn it into a DC signal that it can. Why bother measuring an RF voltage? If you can measure an RF voltage then you can calculate power levels and power losses.
Who designed this? The N5ESE design and many similar variations that have been around for years. There are some references listed below. Is it accurate? It’s good enough for day to day Amateur radio use. If you’re in a battle with experts and laboratory certified measurements then you’ll be down in the “better than nothing” category. A Fluke 85RF probe will set you back about $600. This one is made for less than $10 junk box parts.
References:
https://www.qsl.net/g3oou/simplerfdetectors.html
https://www.n5ese.com/rfprobe1.htm
https://www.n5ese.com/rfprobe2.htm
http://qrpkits.com/files/RF_Probe_How_To.pdf
https://ftp.elecraft.com/K2/Manuals Downloads/E740001_K2 Owner’s Manual Rev I.pdf
de VK2DLR
SARC PLANNING MEETING
On Sunday 13 July at 10am a number of SARC members gathered at the clubrooms to discuss improvements and upgrades at the club building, tower and grounds. The summary below is a dot point explanation of the result of the meeting.
Tower:
Work to proceed as planned this Tuesday.
Agreement on antennas going back on the rotator will be as follows:
6 metres. 2 metres & 70cm with a multiband vertical on the top of the new pole.
New cable tray to be fitted, 300mm wide tray similar to that used at Parrots Nest site.
2 HF dipoles to be raised on new rigging.
All tower hardware to be stainless steel fittings unless otherwise specified.
Radio Room:
Re-sheet eastern wall as discussed onsite.
Frame out the northern wall ready for sheeting.
Re-locate power outlets to suit the new set up.
Re-locate the solar inverter onto the western wall along with isolators.
DB to be brought out onto the new wall once sheeted.
Remove several bricks to allow for a bulkhead plate to be fitted.
Radios:
Retain the current IC-9700 and IC-7300, add a second IC-7300 to the system as discussed.
Club Main room & associated rooms:
Remove toilet cistern & hand basin, line 2 walls with villaboard & re-fit toilet & handbasin, fit new architrave around door & paint.
Plaster works in the main room to go ahead with new cornice fitted all the way around, all vertical joints to be plastered up ready for painting.
Quote for internal ceiling access and 3 quotes for the new front doors into our clubrooms.
Grounds:
New frame to be constructed for our club sign as discussed onsite, this will be a galvanised frame for strength & longevity, to be constructed by club members inline with our current builder.
Start earthworks on the southern side of the main building to allow for a block retaining wall.
The Wednesday night net previously run on Mt Nardi 70cm is currently being run on Parrots Nest 70cm, 439.950. The net will return to Mt Nardi 70cm when that repeater is on-air again.
MADness at Vista Point
On Sunday 6th April, Graeme VK2QJ and Graeme VK2BWC headed to the hills 70Km west of Woolgoolga to take part in the Brisbane VHF Group’s April MAD (Microwave Activation Day) Vista Point. They regularly use this location for the John Moyle and VHF/UHF Field days, I met the two Graeme’s here just after they had setup. Graeme QJ’s Ute tray mounted station. They were preparing to make contacts with the other portable and home stations taking part in the MAD. Other stations were active from. Apologies to those I may have missed.
- Hummock Lookout Bundaberg – Kevin VK4UH and Colin VK4UV using VK4IF/p
- Kamarun Lookout Lamington National Park – Scott VK4CZ – observing were Ralf VK4GCR, Eddy VK4TJE, Scott VK4MGL, Dennis VK4DWN and AdamVK4GHZ
- Toowoomba – Martin VK4HMD
Vista Point is a wonderful take off point at 1310 meters ASL and is a perfect location for one end of the record attempt planned for today. 587.2 Km North, just out of Bundaberg at Hummock Lookout Kevin and Colin were setting up their impressive station with the aim of jointly setting new distance records.
The path from Vista Point to Hummock Lookout
I was fortunate to see firsthand Graeme’s skilfully engineered slide-on slide-off Ute mounted station consisting of a self-designed and built 4.2-meter tilt-over, extendable and rotatable tower. Both the tilt and extension are achieved with 12v actuators via a wireless pendant. The rotator is a Create RC5-1 and can achieve bearing adjustments down to 0.5 degrees. Aluminium toolboxes are mounted on either side of the tray, storage on the driver’s side and the station equipment on the passenger side. The station that covers all microwave band from 23cm to 3cm has been custom built by Graeme and consists of 2 x IC-905 and an IC-705 with automatic amplifier switching, this also incorporates temperature, current and reflected power monitoring.
Graeme’s efforts were well rewarded with a series of awesome contacts that set one personal record, one New NSW WIA record and New WIA National record as listed below.
- 23cm voice to VK4IF at Hummock Lookout Bundaberg 587.2km (personal best 23cm contact).
- 23cm digital to VK4HMD at Toowoomba 291km
- 13cm digital to VK4IF at Hummock Lookout Bundaberg 587.2km (New WIA NSW 13cm digital record)
- 9cm digital to VK4IF at Hummock Lookout Bundaberg 587.2km (New WIA National 9cm digital record)
- 6cm no contacts
- 3cm CW contact to VK4VU Brisbane 300km, one-way contact as Rod had RX only. It is hard to believe that this very impressive configuration was completed less than 18 hours prior to this event. The full list of equipment comprises.
Station setup
4.2m high Ute mounted rotatable tower,
1.2GHz-23cm
IC905 #1
|Mast mounted 180w amplifier & 20dBm preamp
|2 x 35 element M2 Yagi’s
2.4GHz-13 cm
IC905 #2
Mast mounted 120w amplifier & 20dBm preamp
1 x 900mm Gridpak
3.4GHz-9cm
I C905 #2
Mast mounted SGLabs transverter, 100w amplifier & 18dBm preamp
1 x 900mm Gridpak
5.7GHz-6cm
IC905 #1
Mast mounted 50w amplifier & 28dBm preamp
1 x 600mm prime focus dish
10GHz-3cm
IC705
Mast mounted Kuhne G5 transverter, 20w amplifier & 24dBm preamp
1 x 600mm prime focus dish
587.2km North at Hummock Lookout Bundaberg VK4IF/p the station comprised
1.2GHz-23cm
Antenna 1.2m prime focus mesh dish. Multiband feed
|ICOM IC9700 + SSPA [120W]
Battery supply 12v
2.4GHz-13 cm, 3.4GHz-9cm and 5.7GHz-6cm
Antenna 1.2m prime focus mesh dish. Multiband feed
Separate transverters on each band Kuhne Electronics modules and PAs
Power 2.4GHz = 25 watts, 3.4GHz 120 watts, 5.7 GHz 100 watts
IF transceiver ICOM IC705. Battery supply 12v (and 240AC from 12v inverter on 5.7GHz)
10GHz-3cm
Antenna 600mm prime focus solid dish, Shepards Crook feed
Transverter, PA and receive preamplifier – Kuhne Electronics modules constructed entirely in wave-guide. 60 watts output.
IF transceiver ICOM IC705. Battery supply 12v
At Kamarun Lookout Lamington National Park – Scott VK4CZ station comprised
1.2GHz-23cm
ICOM IC-910H + PE1RKI 150w amp
45el DL6WU Yagi (and 240AC from 12v inverter)
2.4GHz-13 cm
SG-Labs tvtr + Spectrian PA [30W]
24dbd Gridpack
IF transceiver ICOM IC705. Battery supply 12v
3.4GHz-9cm
GARC panel + Stealth amp [30W]
900mm offset dish with
IF transceiver ICOM IC705. Battery supply 12v
10GHz-3cm
Kuhne G3 transverter + DEMI amp [4W]
600mm dish
IF transceiver ICOM IC705. Battery supply 12v
VK4IF/p log was as follows
I was very fortunate to be there and see the records set and record this piece of history and be able to report on this MAD. Thanks to the two Graeme’s for allowing me to be part of the day.
73 Andrew VK2XI
The 2 metre repeater at Parrots Nest is available and the 70cm repeater is available too but the signal is a bit low. The 6 metre repeater is not available at present.
Flu precautions : update 1 August
Please stay away if you have a cold or flu-like symptoms.
We are still asking people to sign in as they arrive, using the book on the table at the door. Use of hand sanitiser and social distancing are still sensible things to do.