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CQ QRS
What happened

last Tuesday,

e Another

Excellent Net

SKCC

Oceania

KPH

Historic Station

e The second
e

QRS

40m

and a reminder for the next net.

Saunter this Saturday
- crypto transmission

this Sunday

Prelude

Noise canceller experiments

e A RagChew

editorial team?

How

learn CW?

Peel Amateur

did you

Radio Group

raffle

Noise

e This Week’s
e

RagChew

Reminder

Brain Teaser

for 23Jan24

CQ QRS

Last Tuesday’s CQ QRS Practice CW QSO
beauty;

Exchange

net was another

we didn’t quite make the previous week’s record of 37 stations

known to be on or listening, but | know the 32 known

participants had fun

anyway.
| was kept on my toes all night working

15 stations from VK2, so much

that | could do little more in WA than watch the waterfall display on the
VK6QS

Brookton SDR without having time to listen for callsigns.

could see that the static crashes in WA

However,

part-way through the evening

had

driven most of the Sandgropers under the blankets - things went pretty
noisy but quiet over there until Gary VK6GAL came up from Melbourne
Florida again via the VK6SR
remaining

Remote at Bedfordale to say g’day to the few

brave soles who still had hearing after the crashes and bangs

from the lightning.
It was also good to hear Phillip VK6DEV experimenting with his QRM
Eliminator (noise canceller) inspired by our articles on noise cancelling in
the last four or so RagChews - terrific.
WhatsApp

| could see from our CQ QRS

message group that he and Richard VK6PZT were comparing

notes on what they could and couldn’t hear - great stuff.

Hopefully, when

Phillip finished building AllStar devices, he'll tell us about his experiments
for the newsletter.
And speaking of AllStar - great to see the growing
Post Morseum

on AllStar on Wednesday

number of people on the

mornings from 2200z - we had six

this week, thanks to the efforts of our coordinator, Richard VK6HRC.
Welcome

to two

new team

members

this week;

Brendan

VK3BAP

Truganina and Tim VK3TBR at Horsham - nice to see our Eastern States

RSS

team growing at last.
Also great to see an increasing number of people exchanging

messages

about the net and other QRS opportunities in the CQ QRS WhatsApp group it works well and is helping many operators advise of or find QRS
opportunities.

Scroll all the way to the end of this newsletter to see the

interesting conversations from Tuesdays’

net and other days;

in fact, if

everyone was in that group, | would save myself a bunch of days compiling
the RagChew - HI!

Let me know if you'd like to be added

mark.bosma@icloud.com
There’s been only a few comment sabout adding a 40m
either in the hour before or on another night.
Tuesday segment

period to the net;

However, the earlier

is proving very popular - and we’re now getting the

operators who haven’t been able to use 80m joining in - excellent.

So for

the time being, we’ll continue the current arrangement with the 40m
prelude:
e 40m
e

0800z to 0900z 7030 to 7040kHz

80m 0900z to 1300z 3540 to 3570kHz

See comments
bands.

below about establishing a team calling frequency on both

Another option to consider in the future is one hour on 40m, one

hour on 40m

and 80m, then three hours on 80m.

Oh, and by the way, | know that the RagChew

Thoughts?

newsletter is far too long for

most people to wade through - the last thing we need is another long
email!
e

I’m interested in comments

about:

opportunities to reduce the length (ie what bits are you skimming

ignoring?)
e what bits you do you actually read and enjoy?
Anyway,

back to Tuesday’s get-together;

here’s this week’s list of stations

heard:
16Jan24 CQ QRS Net
Total active stations this week:
Total 503s (note that this figure wan't be correct -OSCsmaybecounte
Instructions:

32
91

Existing Users:

eit hand column or drop-down list,cc
ie spreadsheet has hidden formulas that need to be copy/pasted).

If the spreadsheet fs too confusing, send the list of your contacts and heard stations to Stuart or Mark to update the spreadsheet (to make it easy, you could take a phate of your log and send that}.
Contact Stuart or Mark {click on email address above) and ask for your callsign {ar name if unlicensed) to be added.
Include a list of callsigns heard or worked, and we'll add the QSOs,

MY CALL
+

VKIHE/p
VKIKVS
VK1TE/m
VK1ZDJ

ling q Qso1
Ustening if raQ80}

aso2

Qso3

Qs04

Qsos

Qs06

Qso7

Qso8

Qso9 | Q5010 | Q5011 | Q5012 | Q5013 | QS014 | Qs015 | Qs016

VK2KI | vK7WW | VK2NAP | VK3BTV

VK2A0E

VK28HO
VK2BHO
VK2DLF
VK2GAZ
VK2IK
VK2KI
VK2NAP
VK2NV
VK2TER
VK2WEO
VK3ACU
VK3ADX
VK3BAP
VK3BTV
VK3BU
VK3BYD

VK3CLD/p

VK2TER
VK2TER | VK7WW | VK2NAP |

VK2KI

VK3KLE

VK2KI
VE2KI

WKSCZ

and

MKSET

VK3ADX

VK2KI

VK3TBR | VK2NAP |

VK7KPC

VKSFA

VKSFD
WKSIP

VKSPH
VKSPL
VK6ATB

VK6DEV

VK6GAL

VK6KHZ | VE6GAL

VKGIR

VK6IK

VKGHRC
VESACU
VKG6HRC

VEGXU

VKEKQ

VKEMU
VKGHRC
VKENW

VK6BEK | VK6DEV
VKGHRC | VK6NT

WKETY

VEG6KD

VICLHF,
VK3ACU
VETWW | VE LHF,

VKFKPC | VESADX
VK2KI

Reports

& Comments

So here’s this week’s
From

George

VK2DLF

reports.

at St Marys:

There might be storms tonight, if so | might not be on the net.
George VK2DLF.
[Glad you did make it to the net on Tuesday George!

Trust the new

transceiver is getting sorted out].
From

VK1HF/p

near Mt Stromlo:

What a good evening that was on Tuesday!
LOG

BEGAN

7PM 16

7.06 7035

JAN:

RX VK2TER

e **7032 QSO VK1HF

DE VK2KI. RX ONLY

DE VK3BAP

BRENDAN

579.

e ** QSO 7041KHZ

7.27K DE VK7WW

589. Name

NIC.

e ** QSO 7041KHZ

7.41K VK3AD

him 599.

BUT NOT COMPLETE

EXCHANGE.

Seemed

e ** QSO 7041KHZ

QSO

to drop off, maybe

7.44PM VK1HF

HIM. NAME TIM. QTH

DE VK3TBR VK3TBR

Rx 579.

e ** QSO 3550KHZ 8.22K VK2KI. GOOD
DROPPING

FRQ. MAYBE

e ** QSO

SIGNAL BUT SOMEONE

CARRIER OVER TOP. MARK QUIT QSO.
3550KHZ

TO MY RETURN,
e **CONTACT

K 559NFROM

HORSHAM

e **QSO 8PM 7041khz VK1TE/M

e ** CONTACT

phone call his end.

8.31K VK5PS

QSB MAYBE.

BAND

RX HIM 599+

NOT IN FULL SWING.

3550KHZ 8.35K SOMEONE
ZL OR VK5. UNABLE.

3550KHZ

8.30K VK2KI

RX RST 599. HIM 599 ALSO.
ASKED

FOR MY QTH.

e **8.47

DE VK7WW

VK7WW .

BUT NO RESPONSE

STRONG

BUT SOUNDED

OFF

e ** QSO 3547KHZ
VK7WW.

8.56K

RX 599 HIM 599 ALSO.

From James VK2TER

at Terrigal:

Hi Mark,

Thank you for organising the 40m
contacts in total: VK2KI, VK2DLF
participating in another 40m
well for 40m

net and for the QSO.
and VK2GAZ.

net.

- it is good having 40m

| made three

| look forward to

| think the current arrangements work
and 80m

on the same

night, so that

people can operate on one or both as band conditions suit.
Regards
James (VK2TER)
[Hi James - great to hook up again - sorry it was so disjointed - | was trying
to log stations in WA and over here on two SDRs at the same time, and
send WhatsApp alerts... brain too small;

so thanks for your patience mate.

Looks like 40m Is here to stay - so there should be /ots of opportunities.
Saw you were out portable on Friday, but | was tied up and wasn't able to
re-post your parksnpeaks.org CW Spots on WhatsApp for the team].
From

Nic VK7WW

Gave the KX2 a run @
S9 QRN
40m

at Legana:
+ Paddle Key.

all evening!

Boost &

9:29 pm

lan

)

VK3ACU Jordan
VK2GAZ
80m

35%8 )

Se Africa

5w - 3 QSOs

VK1HF

VCO

[a South America

4.2

Detectors

@ Blitzortung.org contributors

Garry

Crs
oo)

10w - 4 QSOs

VK7KPC

Peter

VK3ADX

Merv

VK2KI

Mark

VK1HF

lan

Thanks

Mark, | think 40m

is a great

starting place
73

Nic.

VK7WW

A worldwide, real-time, community collaborative lightning location
network. © 2003-2024 Blitzortung.org Contributors

aA
[Great to see you back on Nic creating havoc with your 8Om
Double Extended Zepp and QRP H/].

@ blitzortung.org

CG;

From

David

VK5PL

at Williamstown:

G'Day Mark,
| had a listen on & off from 18:30 to 20:00 central time, but the noise was
very bad and it was very hot in my shack;

so! could not stay there for

long, even with the fan blowing. | heard a couple of stations early on but
could not get the callsigns. Later on | heard VK3BTV a couple of times
talking to others, but didn't copy any CQs.
Dave
VK5PL
[Thanks for the report David - much appreciated;

lan VK5CZ from the

opposition vineyard area also gave up because of the noise;

perhaps the

40m prelude will be better on noissy nights?]
From

Paul

VK3KLE

at Stawell:

Hi mark

Getting late tonight, been busy
putting my vintage station together

Spent the day and evening working
on the 888a, and | had to setup the
160m

I’m calling on 80m

doublet too.

3.540 it’s one of two rocks for my Eico 720;

available for quick CW on 80m

is anybody

Regards
Paul
[Hi Paul.

Terrific to chat to you on Tuesday;

solid RST 599.

the transmitter sounded good;

| hadn’t seen your email but | saw you calling on the VKICM

KiwiSDR’s waterfall display.

| can’t monitor emails during the net - best

way to alert me and others is to join our CQ QRS WhatsApp group - so you
can send and receive QRS alerts live - about half of our active team
members are now enjoying that system - both during and outside the net
(see the WhatsApp feed at the end of this newsletter for the fun and
games)].
From

David VK6KD

at Ballajura:

Hi Mark
Once again, | got on air late but managed
3.563Mhz
7:33pm
Heard QSO VK2KI and VK3MCU.
3.563Mhz
7.59pm
VK6PZT
3.563Mhz

Richard

to make a few QSOs.

8.31o0m
VK6XU

Matthew

3.563Mhz
8.50pm
Heard QSO VKOGAL and VK6PZT

(Gary and Richard)

Thanks Mark again for keeping CW alive.
Regards
David

Potts

VK6KD

[Glad you could get on David - it’s terrific to know there’s people on when
/’‘m up late over here].
From John VKS5ET at Hope Valley:
G'day Mark. Not a bad night both on 40 & 80 mts apart from noise &
crashes. Forty meters was better at the start but sigs faded in & out,
particularly the weak ones.
40 mts
7038 VK3ADX,

rx 559 sent 559

7032 VK3BAP

rx 229

- Heard VK3BAP

VK2KI 599

mention to VK2KI

"QRS very popular tonight”.

Good

to hear!
7031 VK2KI

,rx

599

- then later dropped to 229. No RST
heard from you due to qsb /qrm &
weak signal.
7031 VK2TXR

rx 119 VK2KI 229

80 mts
3554 VK2KI

rx 599 sent 559

3555 VK3NAP

119 : VK2KI

3550 VK6OKPC 229

599

: VK2KI 599

Temp was 38C In shack during 40mts.
Signals fading in & out.

Not much

Lots of crashes & bangs around

plus

heard my way after 11:00z , few VK6s

but WAY down for QSO, & only Mark trying to get more contacts. Your RST
were better on 80 Mts than on 40 Mts.
73'S

John, VK5ET..
[Thanks for the report Jonn.

Interesting that 40m

had started fading from

me to you around 090072].
From

Garry VK2GAZ

Good

morning

at Hobartville:

Mark VK2KI,

lt was very nice to be able to get on air last night and make a few contacts.
The noise level at my QTH was very high however,
contacts:

| made the following

James VK2TER
Nic VK7WW

7.036 08:48

7.034 09:01 ( Nic was QRP)

Chrs VK2NAP

3.552

Mark VK2KI 3.552

10:21
10:28

Thanks again for organising the Tuesday get-together.
Regards,
Garry VK2GAZ
[Thanks Garry;

good to chat with you - and l’m glad you could come up

during the school holidays again].
From

Richard VK6HRC

at Padbury:

Hi Mark,

Another enjoyable net this

pcnineg

(oho)

ioe

morning/evening. It is great to be

able to compare notes after the QRS
|

net and a learning experience for
me.

: | am “|

After listening to the

experienced

operators on the net, |

now know to slow-down
information when

and repeat

band conditions

are bad especially with those static
crashes!
I’m happy to report that | plucked up enough

courage to dust the straight

key off and annoy a few people on the QRS net last night!
Stations worked/annoyed :
VK6NT 40mx
VK6KHZ

80 mx

VK6GAL

80mx

Stations heard on 80mx :
VK6BEK
VK2KI
VK6PZT
There was another station on but | made a mess of things, VK6JK Jeff on for
the first time. | kept missing the K but got a nice email from Jeff to correct
me so all good for next time.

QRN was making

life difficult and signals not

that strong - only one Eastern Stater heard (VK2KI).
On the Post Morseum

via the South West AllStar network this morning

VK6GAL
VK6LD
VK6QI
VK6OFN

Cheers,

and thanks to all - havea

great week.

73 Richard

VK6HRC

[Thanks for giving It a go Richard, and for organising the Post Morseum on
Wednesdays.

Apparently Phillip VK6DEV sometimes catches the end of the

Post Morseum on his way to work].
16 January 2024
Hello

CQ QRS

report from

Kees VK1KVS

at Wanniassa:

Mark,

Apart from a few CQs on 3552, | was essentially a listener this time in order
to get a better handle on some of the functions on my two still relatively
new transceivers. Here’s my report for this week.
CQ QRSREPORT VK1KVS
16 January2024
There was quite a bit of QRN

on Tuesday, which | hope did not spoil the

party for other participants.

| called CQ several times on 3552

response (Mark VK2KI later emailed
different frequency). Otherwise,

but no

he heard me but was QRL on a

intermittent listening only, to get a better

handle on some of the functions on my two still relatively new transceivers.
Always useful to have traffic in a narrow section of the band to explore
what happens with different settings.
Due to preoccupation with transceiver settings, I’ve got scribbled notes
only, which I’m now trying to decipher and partly reconstruct from memory.
If correct, and not mixing 40M and 80M
7030kKHz and 7040kHz
VK1HF

RST229

VK2DLF

RST599

VK2GAZ

349

between

bands, the following were heard on

08:40Z-09:00Z (19:40-20:00AEDT):

VK3TBR 339
VK2KI 459
VK7WW(?)

229

The following were heard on 80M

between

09:00Z-11:00Z (20:00-22:00

AEDT):
3552kHz

-VK2GAZ,

RST not recorded

3554kHz

-VK2NAP

and VK2KI,

3555kHz

-VK3BTV

RST 449

RSTs

not recorded

rig:

TransceiverA: Yaesu

FT-450D

TransceiverB: Yaesu

FT-DX3000

Antenna:HyEnd

Company

5 Band

EFHW
https://www.hyendcompany.nl/anten
na/multiband 8040201510m

meer
=
ay
aa
eS

ee
=

eee
a ar

fperwer
ery
os
a

=e
a

- ae

ae
5

nes
% sat

}}

| will endeavour to make a better effort next time to limit multi-tasking and
record details more accurately!
73

:-)

We'll see what next week brings.

Kees

VK1KVS

[Thanks for your superb report Kees.
you calling;

however,

Yes, using the VKICM

| was in the midst of a QSO on a

SDR,

| heard

different frequency,

and with my basic Kenwood TS-50 transceiver, and my even more basic
brain, I’ve yet to work out how to have two transmitting CW QSOs at once HI!
Although | have to admit that during
a previous International Morse Code
Day QRS Corroboree (an event that
we organise in conjunction with an
international Zoom

teleconference

guiz to celebrate Samuel Morse’s
Birthday), | had been using two keys
to operate my transceiver at home
and the VK6SR Remote in Perth;

I'd

used a high-tech sticky note scheme
to identify which key was which as
well.

But mid-way through the event, | had a brilliant idea - | could try
transmitting CQ QRS using one key to key both transmitters.

| actually put

out part of the first CQ call that way, before realising: “Hey - how am / going
to send my VK2 and VK6 callsigns at the same time?"

The things you do -

Al!
Cheers and thanks for the excellent report mate].
From Jeff VK6JK

near Gwellup:

Hi Mark,

Whilst | have finally gotten an 80m

antenna

Tuesday,

on 40m

| heard Richard VK6HRC

up ready for the QRS net on
on Tuesday.

We didn’t manage

a QSO as he wasn’t able to copy my entire call.....nence | emailed him, so
he knew who was calling him!
| only had a few minutes, so thought I’d jump on what is a much
band for me before going out;
appearance

less noisy

but! hope to try and make a regular

now.

| do a few CW QSOs with the
SOTA/POTA/VKFF
that’s about it;

guys and gals, but
I’m still working

way through CW Academy,

and have

just tried a few LICW classes of late.
I’m still really struggling with head
copy of multiple words still, but I’ll
get there.
Regards, Jeff

[Hi Jeff.

Great to see you able to come up on the net at last - excellent!

I'm

still struggling with head copy too... and because I’ve been doing only head
copy for the last few years... the written copy concentration has also gone
to pot!
Great that the 40m allows you to get on - | suspect you're not Robinson
Crusoe!
Cheers and thanks for being there at last Jeff].
From

Peter VK7KPC

at Evandale:

Hi Mark

On Tuesday | copied Nic VK7WW

and Ian VK1HF

on 7041, but | had no

crystal on that freg to reply.

| did have a QSO with VKITE on 7028 with 2W

- received 559 and sent 599.

On 80m 1

the band was very noisy rxd 569.
rxd 499 and replied with 579;
on 4 Jan.

Came

had a contact with Nic VK7WW

but

back on air later and snagged you

| was using 5W with the setup from my reply

The rig now has semi break-in mode.

Cheers
Peter

[Thanks Peter - | guess we’re always going to struggle to find a band
segment that everyone can transmit on, that doesn’t cause too much hurt
to the digital community - HI.

Similar to when you were locked just below

our 8Om segment - is there a message there?

/ guess we'll just have to use

WhatsApp to notify people of stuck-out-of-banders - HI].
From

Shaun

VK6BEK

at Quinns

Rocks:

Hi Mark,

| changed

my end-fed antenna’s alignment last week and it turned out to

be a bad idea;

my noise level went through the roof. Most signals were

way too deep in the noise to hear on Tuesday.

| did however manage to

work Richard VK6PZT.
| was using RM Noise and had less problems with dropouts. On Wednesday
there was an upgrade to the software and it seems to be working a lot
better.

RM Noise now has an info graph showing the connection status and

it is possible to watch this when sending and adjust your audio for the best
result.

This makes a big difference. The user forum for RM Noise is useful

and hams are providing notes on how they use the software.

| found out

today that if | turn the squelch up when sending | can hear the sidetone
from my sending without hearing the original rig audio over the
newly generated audio - much

better.

| sometimes still use the normal

IC7300 filters especially for louder local

signals.
Regards
Shaun - VK6BEK
[Thanks mate.

Why did the orientation of your antenna increase the noise

do you think?
I'm guessing that with the squelch open using break-in, the software gets
busy trying to process the audio when the tone/silence is replaced by
noise?

| suppose turning off the break-in or extending the vox hold time

would do the same?
Boy, if you lived in a quiet location, you wouldn't have nearly as much fun!]
Actually | had a higher pole nearer to the noise.

Sometimes the noise from

the solar panels is a lot worse, especially on hot days.
| did not explain the side-tone well enough.

The audio chain used by RM

Noise is simply the USB audio output of the rig.

Squelch, audio levels, etc

don’t affect this output, except for an internal USB level adjustment setting
on the IC7300;
stream.

the physical controls on the rig have no effect on this

So what happens

is the raw audio goes from the rig, out the USB

cable into the RM Noise software running on the PC. The software
processes the rig audio via the internet and returns an new audio stream to
the headphones

(PC Stream - Channel

1).

Meanwhile the rig separately pushes audio out its headphone connector.
This audio is subject to rig controls so the squelch works on this stream (Rig
Stream - Channel

2).

| use a mixer to combine the two streams into my actual headphones
plugged

into the mixer.

The trick is that the PC stream is about 400ms

behind the Rig Stream.

You

can only sanely listen to one stream at a time unless they have no common
audio.

With the squelch on, the Rig Stream only has the sidetone and there

is no overlap and | can comfortably hear my sending
to the PC stream at the same time.

Only problem

in sync while listening

is the audio graph on the

1C7300 shows nothing because it thinks there is no audio.
It’s a similar situation to sending CW while listening to your delayed signal
on a remote SDR which can be very confusing.
Regards
Shaun - VK6BEK
[Ah ha!

Another external mixer user - | use mine

to listen to my

transceiver, the VK6SR Remote and the two SDRs in my four ears!
for the explanation - got it this time
More from Shaun on RM Noise in the Other Topics of Interest section
below].

Thanks

eRe

From

Max VK6EFN

at Manjimup:

My Palstar Auto-Tuner took a Knock on Tuesday night before | disconnected
the ant - bugger.

Easy to repair, but no contacts made

in the storm

conditions.
[Bad luck about the coupler Max - could have been worse though if one of
your flash transceivers was hit I’m sure].
From

VK6QI

at Bedfordale

via the

and

the

VK6QS

SDR

VK6CRO

| was like the proverbial lizard

inki
g on Tuesday - the love of my
drinkin
life was away, so | could get on 40m

and slide masa makan to much later

in the evening.

| ended up working

at Brookton,

Remote

America
South Ameri
IE South
El Africa
:

(@ Strikes

pee

Delay:

10.1 5

(®) Detectors
|=] Sound

41:50 pm

al Boost F<

15 stations from home in VK2, which
on watching

Remote

at Carnarvon:

meant | was not able to concentrate
much

the VK6SR

happenings in the

West.
| could see the waterfall display on
the VK6QS SDR at Brookton busy
with QSOs and CQs.
Richard VK6HRC

| did identify

at Padbury chatting

to Lin VK6NT at Hamersley in the
prelude on 40m;

terrific to hear Lin

back on after a long absence - trust
things are getting back on the rails

Lin. | also heard Ron VK6KHZ calling

CQ on 40m.

A line of thunderstorms

Feo ag rer

network 0 ee

llaborative lightning location
g.org Contributors

came through the South West
causing havoc and the static crashes
drove all but the hardiest of

Sandgropers under the blankets |
think.
Several hours later | heard and saw Richard VK6PZT and Phillip VK6EDEV
both at Dalyellup chatting to each-other, then using the WhatsApp group
(or was it two cans and a bit of string?) to experiment with Phillip’s noise
canceller.

EET

3.560.005

Ea’

ERY)

<2>

REF

eee

plete

Kriz

er)

3.57

3.58

SPEED | MARKER EXPD/SET

Phillip’s noise canceller at work

Also From

me, VK2KI

Extended

Zepp antenna

at Bowning

at Araluen

NSW:

from

using

home

my TS-50 and

Double-

and also using the Tecsun

As | said above, | was busy, busy, busy during both the 40m
the main 80m

prelude, | caught our team

prelude is good news for

In parallel, | could hear on the Araluen-based Tecsun SDR, John VK5ET

at Hope Valley chatting to Merv VK3ADX

at Ballarat, and lan VK1LHF/p near

Mt Stromlo chatting to Brendan VK3BAP at Truganina.
Brendan

| then caught

as well, and it was terrific to work another new station who has

now joined our team;

Brendan was running 10 Watts and was pouring into

Beautiful South Bowning at RST 599 using my 80m
After Brendan,

double-extended zepp.

| chatted to John before catching our other new team

member, Tim VK3TBR at Horsham
40m.

member James

up at Terrigal who was enjoying the 40m opportunity - James’

antenna options at home are limited, so the 40m
him.

prelude and

session on Tuesday.

Right off the get-go in the 40m
VK2TER

SDR

who was also putting in a nice signal on

My last contact on 40 was with Claude VK1TE who had gone out to

the car to call in;
ghost on 80m

Claude’s Little Tarheel Il mobile antenna

(too much

has given up the

power Claude?) but still works on 40 - so Claude

was also happy that we’re able to conduct a bit of the net on 40m

now.

Sliding over to 80m, after much

re-

tuning of my Tee-coupler and
fiddling around trying to fault-find an
MFJ-1026 noise canceller that I’d
bought second

hand from the Estate

of a friend, | gave up on the
expensive unit and reverted to the
Chinese QRM

Eliminator copy -

which worked a treat.

First up |

chatted to lan VK1HF

using his

thigh-mounted

paddle.

Near-vertical Incidence Skywave was working a treat over the 65km
RST 599.

| then hooked

up with Nic VK7WW

path -

with 10 Watts from Legana;

great to hear Nic on the net again after about six weeks - much
appreciated despite the tough S9 QRN

conditions at Nic’s end.

succession,

at Ballarat who was RST 599 from his

| chatted to Merv VK3ADX

And in rapid

40 Watts.
Meanwhile, the Tecsun SDR seemed to disappear for the rest of the
evening and | moved
Chris VK2NAP

across to the VK1CM

SDR in Canberra where | heard

at Marrickville chatting to Garry VK2GAZ

at Hobartville;

then worked Garry and using the SDR also noticed Kees VK1KVS

calling CQ.

A while later | again chatted to John VK5ET before working Chris (who was

experimenting

using between

12 and 20 Watts).

Following on, | was called by Peter VK7KPC

at Evandale who was RST 499 in

QSB, and it was also good to catch up with Keiran VK3BTV

having returned

from his overseas travels, followed by a second contact with Chris.
caught up with our new team

member from last week,

was a solid RST 599 from Stawell.
VK6GAL

| then

Paul VK3KLE, who

And a while later, | had a chat to Gary

(aka W4GAL from Melbourne Florida) who was using the VK6SR

Southern Electronics Group Remote at Bedfordale; | could see from the
WhatsApp CQ QRS Group discussion that Nick VK6DV at St James and David
VK6KD

at Ballajura were also listening in to our QSO.

| rounded the evening out with a chat with Richard VK6PZT at Dalyellup outstanding signal RST 499, which was just spoiled a bit with the QSB;
interesting that | was only S2 with Richard;

one-way propagation the

opposite direction to most of what I’ve seen in the past perhaps?
So after working

15 stations on the night, plus the other five stations heard,

| reckon the night was pretty successful.

Other
Other things

I’ve received

From Jordan VK3ACU

News
from

our 120-odd

readers.

one of the early readers of last week’s

RagChew:
Great read to wake up to with a coffee. Thanks for putting this together
Mark.
Tuesday is becoming

one of my fave nights of the week for radio.

Cheers
[Thanks Jordan.
From

| really appreciate your support].

Garry VK2GAZ

to SKCC

Oceania

QRS

Saunter Coordinator:

Greetings to all,
The SKCC Oceania QRS Saunter will take place this Saturday,
January,

2024 from

00:00

UTC

until 11:59

UTC.

Please Note: This year the QRS
Saunter will run for 12 Hours

from 00:00 - 11:59 UTC.

SKCC
SK

Straight Key Century Cub
r

All are welcome to join in!!

OoQas

SON ano punter.
Oceania QRS

Saunter

Saturday, 20th January, 2024 @ 00:00 UTC

12 Hours 00:00 - 11:59

Full

details for the Oceania QRS Saunter
(OQS) can be viewed on the SKCC
website at:

20th

httos://www.skccgroup.com/operat

ing_activities/oqs/

Please make use of the SKCC Sked Page and the CW Club RBN Spotter.
https://sked.skccgroup.com/
httos://ron.telegraphy.de/

| look forward to contacting you during the event.
Best regards,

Garry VK2GAZ/VK2ZP
#5460C
Manager - SKCC Oceania QRS Saunter
Another

Special

Event Crypto Transmission

Naval Transmitting

Station

from the historic KPH

in California.

See below - KPH is doing another event - this time using CW and RTTY to
send encrypted text Numbers Station style.

Then we get to use an old

favourite, the One Time Pad to decrypte the Message.

I’m going to give ita

crack.
Richard

VK6PZT
Here’s the gen:
Thank you for participating in
previous Maritime Radio Historical
Society cryptographic events. The
events have been so successful that
we are doing it again, this time using
ATTENTION ALL AGENTS!
Crypto Transmission from KPH!

a 'Numbers'

broadcast.

On January

20 2024,

coast station

KPH will transmit a coded

message

in 5-digit groups.
The message will be encrypted using typical Cold War numbers station
cryptographic procedures. As a seasoned

Field Agent, you are invited to try

your hand at receiving and decrypting the message.

Certificates will be

awarded to all Agents who successfully decode the message. Additionally, a
special certificate will be awarded to the first Agent to decode

it.

“Numbers Stations”? It's said that they're relics from the Cold War; a way
for various intelligence services to communicate with agents in the field.
The truth... well, you're not actually cleared for what the truth is."— Agent
Johnson,

Fugue StateDate, time and formats:

The Numbers Station broadcast will commence

at 2100Z (1300 PST) on 20

January 2024 on all KPH CW frequencies. The CW frequencies are: 426.0,
6477.5, 8642.0,

12808.5,

17016.8 and 22477.5

kilocycles.

Upon completion of the CW transmissions, the broadcast will be repeated
on the KPH RTTY frequencies. The RTTY transmissions are 170cps shift, 45
baud. The RTTY frequencies are: 6324.5, 8427.0 and 12585.5 kilocycles.
If propagation from Bolinas CA to your QTH

is difficult (or the Other Side

jams our KPH signals!), try using one of the many web-based

SDRs in the

continental US to copy the broadcast. (see www.rx.linkfanel.net)
Further Information:
For details, decoding

procedures and a dead drop to Mission Critical

Information, see the MRHS
events
VY 73,
Kevin

K6TOP

Events page: https://www.radiomarine.org/mrhs-

MRHS

Cryptographic Coordinator

[Thanks Richard.
message,

The last KPH event transmitted an Enigma-coded

and with some head-scratching, an on-line Enigma machine

simulator could be used to decode the message,
certificate.

and be in the running for a

Our own Richard VK6PZT has one proudly displayed on his wall;

| know Richard will be up early on Sunday morning to catch this latest fun
exercise - then again, Richard designs Rubik’s Cubes for fun!
And by the way, | recommend that you Iisten-in to the transmission on one
of the Kiwi SDRs located at the station itself - rather than what | tried last
time... finding a vacant SDR in California - good luck with that!

Although

no-doubt all channels of the station’s SDRs will be full, you can Camp On to
one of the existing listeners on the correct frequency and you should
hopefully hear the transmission.

Perhaps record it to make decoding a bit

less stressful?!]
How

Did You

Learn

CW?

I've been asked to give a short presentation about our CQ QRS Slow CW
QSO Practice net at the up-coming Peel Amateur Radio Group swap-meet PARGFEST, to be held on February 10th in Mandurah.

Peel Amateur Radio Group
PARGFEST Swap-Meet

turday 10" February 2024

Mandurah Bowling Club

89 Allnutt Street, Mandurah WA.
Doors Open:
0800— Exhibitors & Sellers
0900 -— 1230 Buyers
Entry Fee - $5.00 per person

See you there amongst the raffles and bargains
Please check www.parg.org.au/whatsnew for last-minute updates.
Call-in to VAGARG in PARG1 — AllStar & 146.850Mhz with 91.5Hz sub-tone
For more information call Peter 0432718026 or email parg.secretaryi@gmail.com.

Undoubtedly,

new CW

the Code these days.
something to come

learners will be interested in how people are learning
So if you learned the Code recently (or used

back up to speed) please let me Know what you did -

and whether you’d recommend

that method

or something

else now?

Please email your thoughts to mark.bosma@icloud.com
PARG

Raffle.

And speaking of PARGFEST... the Peel Amateur Radio Group is running
another giant raffle to help pay for some of the exciting communications
projects that the Club has on the go.

Unfortunately the raffle is available to

WA residents only (roll-eyes!) - but there’s always ways and means!
The raffle will be drawn at PARGFEST on February 10th.
https://www.rafflelink.com.au/pargfest2024

The Peel Amateur Radio Group invites you to
PARGFEST 2024!

Peel Amateur Radio Group
PARGFEST Swap-Meet

turday 10" February 2024

Mandurah Bowling Club
89 Allnutt Street, Mandurah WA,
Doors Open:
OB - Exhibitors & Sellers
(00 = 122) Buyers.
Entry Fee - $5.00 per peraan

Soe@ you Haare amcogal Ihe raffles and Bargaine
Please check wew.parg.org.auiwhatsnew for last-minute updates,
Call-in to VRBARG in PARG = AllStar & 146.250h2 with $1. 542 sub-tone
For mone information cad Peer 4327 15026 of erruell pans secret bomad foe

The Peel Amateur Radio Group will be holding the Annual PARGFEST on
10 Feb 2024, This year, we'll be holding another huge Raffle with big
prizes, a swap-meet,

demonstrations and guest speakers.

PARGFEST 2024 will be held at the Mandurah Bowling Club, 89 Allnutt
Street Mandurah on Saturday 10 Feb 24 from 0900 to 1230 (sellers from

O800).
Now - for the raffle...
The ten Raffle prizes include a Yaesu FT-891 portable transceiver, a
Yaesu FTM-200 OR mobile transceiver, a Yaesu VX-6R hand-held
transceiver, a uBITX V6 transceiver, five TET Emtron

gift vouchers and an

Australian Ham Radio Handbook.
The combined prize pool is worth over $3000!

TRT-RHTBON

TET-EMTRON

Australian Antennas for Australian Amateurs

The raffle is being held online, with the draw being conducted
(WA Time) on 10 Feb 24.

at 1230

Winners will be announced at the draw and

electronically on 12 Feb 24.
Raffle tickets are on sale now and you can buy tickets from your own
phone or computer or in person on the day.

However,

tickets are selling

fast - secure yours now!

https://www.rafflelink.com.au/
The PARGFEST

swap meet sales tables are now available for groups and

individuals to put on displays or to sell their stuff. Please send table.
booking requests to parg.secretary@gmail.com

as early as you can -

the number of available tables is limited.
TET-Emtron

and other vendors will have displays of their goodies.

And

speaking of goodies we're also organising a coffee van for brews and
nibblies.
This is one of WA's premier amateur

radio events and we're very keen to

get the word out. We'd love to see you there; come along, grab a
bargain, have a chin-wag, and maybe you'll win first prize and walk away
with a shiny new bit of amateur radio kit...... And don't forget to call in
on the South West AllStar net or through our repeater, VKE6RMH

146.850MHz with a 91.5Hz sub-tone on the way in, while you're there or
on the way home.
See you there,
73, Jenny

Jennifer Foulds
VKBJEN
PARG

President

porg.secretory@ gmail.com

PARG

is proudly supported by Mark Rawlings from TET Emtron of Port
Dennison and Garry Cratt of Tecsun Radios Australia.

TET-EMTRON
And

Speaking

VK6HRC

of how you

- and

TECSUN
learned

I hadn’t even

asked

CW -

this just in from

the question

Richard

yet!

Hi Mark

| have been jotting down

some thoughts about my CW journey and the QRS

net so far.
| started with the G4FON

software package and joined LICW in February last

year.

I’m not sure when the QRS net came to my attention - probably

around

May/June.

| heard Max VK6FN

chatting to someone

on the

SouthWest AllStar network about the net, so | started listening in on the net
after that.
It is also around that time that | met Mark VK6QI via the chat text box on
the Southern

Electronics Group VK6SR

the Ragchew

newsletter;

remote, and he started sending

| probably started sending

reports for the

newsletter as well.
It has been a fun and sometimes stressful journey as | am a
wart!

However,

terrific crew that

bit of a worry

| really appreciate the support and encouragement of the
I’ve met on the net.

This week's net was a good example

- in spite of the poor conditions, some of the regulars were on;

but two

people we had not heard for a while went out of their way to join in, notably
Lin VK6NT and Gary VK6GAL.

Anyhoo enough waffle... have a
great day.
73 Richard

[Thanks for your thoughts Richard.

Funny - as 1 noted above, I'd been

asked to give a presentation about our net to PARGFEST in a couple of
weeks, and so I’m interested to find out how people learn CW these days...
and without knowing that, you lead into the topic already!

How strange Is

that?
Standing by for more thoughts from others on how they came to CW
please].
From

George

VK2DLF

at St Marys

(sent before Tuesday’s

net):

Hi Mark, last Tuesday wasn't good - | used my new Radio, but | am

not quite

familiar with it. But this week either I'll use my FT DX10 or if it's ok, then my
FT 710.
Cheers, George.
ps Will it be on 40m

again ?? That would

be very nice.

[Fingers crossed for next week George].
Some

thoughts

from

Richard VK6GHRC

at Padbury:

Hi Mark

Just a few comments

- | don't want to interrupt your work

flow, spread sheets RagChew

editing attacking blackberries etc!

Last Tuesday | monitored the

VK6QS webKiwi

——

SDR sporadically to

see where you and Claude VK1TE
were listening, so in-turn | listened in

on those frequencies... very helpful.
| was using a rig with a waterfall

display but with the

orrenae

| was not seeing much,

apart

the static.

QRN

THIS

( A\ |S

L()R

from

| also really appreciated

Claude's comprehensive

() H H H H H

SPREADSHEEL

report a

few weeks ago, good to see how well
Signals are getting out.
So just a thought about maybe
80mx when things are quiet.

having a calling frequency on 40mx and
Or does that complicate things?

Cheers, many thanks
Richard
ps

| have spotted a few QRS members

on the local RBN

lately, and | was

wondering whether they were just testing 40mx conditions or looking for a
contact; by the time | saw the spots they had headed off.
[Hi Richard - thank you so much for taking the time to write your thoughts.

Like you're reading of Claude’s thoughts a few weeks back, I’m sure others
will find yours always thought-provoking as well.
Yes, the waterfall displays on the web-based KiwiSDRs are just brilliant for
watching for our net stations;

pity they don’t quite automatically log as

well - that would make my job a whole lot easier - especially when I’m
trying to have a QSO and post alerts on WhatsApp at the same time - HI!
Paul VK5PS Is giving the automatic logging of our net a few thoughts for
his KiwiSDRs at Ironstone Ridge.
But you’re right - for those of us with non-waterfall equipment,
frequency to monitor when things go quiet is a good idea;

having a net

will that mean

they won’t tune around looking for our crystal locked stations, or stations
who have switch mode power supply hash right on the net frequency?
of course... butI think it’s worth a try;

Yes

hopefully our WhatsApp alerts will

help in that situation.
When

we started the net, | used to publicise that | would initially come up

on 3565kHz,

then go from there.

of 3555kHz has become

Nowadays,

Richard VK6PZT’s frequency

the first port of call for many.

So let’s give it a try;

when the band goes quiet, leave your equipment on 3555kHz (or 7032kKHzZ
for the 40m Prelude) and call there.
By the way,

7032 Is the de-facto CW frequency for SOTA and VKFF Parks

stations in Australia;

lots of people leave their receivers muted on that

frequency during the day - which also means when
good chance of being heard.

we call there, we have a

Most of the Parks and SOTA activity has

finished over this side of the continent by the time our Prelude starts, so |
doubt that we'll cause any problems;

and in fact, if there happen to be any

mozzie-proof activators still out at 0800z, I’m sure they'll appreciate so
many QRSers to exchange reports with.

See below for more from the VKFF

Coordinator Paul VK5PAS.
Thank you Richard - excellent suggestion;

standing by for more from you

and the other crew members].
From

Merv

VK3ADxX

at Ballarat:

Hi Mark,

Just a short note to say hi and thanks for the effort you are putting in.

my opinion the 40/80 format was a good idea. | noticed a few stayed on 40;
| did move to 80 but had heavy QRN

on that band.

Just a thought..why not run both bands simultaneously,

not hard nowadays

to change frequency and work both - not sure if there is a downside to
doing it.
The other thing that is annoying to me and others, is people not answering
CQ calls in general.

| make sure | put out a call or two every day... and

only get response usually from the same

regulars.

people, | do it so it makes the band look active;

| don't do it to talk to

if someone

but if not at least | am out there trying to encourage

answers fine,

people to do the same.

Get on if a band sounds/looks active you hear a quiet band, you move on the way it used to be with amateur radio... more calling is needed, and
maybe

it will regenerate.

If you hear a CQ call and don't want to talk to the

station then put out your own call.
too late.

Let's get some activity back before it's

Regards Merv
VK3ADX
[Thanks Merv - | actually feel that our little net is doing a lot for amateur

radio in Australia.

It’s just too easy to push the button and talk.... with the

2/7MHz Class license allowing people to do just that (on what used to be an
amateur band - for those who remember the days!), and of course,

need to encourage people into amateur radio to do the things they enjoy.
Today, phone calls cost almost nothing, and Zoom
than radio for people who just want to chat.

works so much better

However, it takes a very

special effort to study for an advanced license, and an even greater effort
to learn to use Morse Code - but boy ts it rewarding to watch the Araluen
and Brookton SDR waterfall displays and see them chockablock with QRS
calls and QSOs - knowing that many of our crew have got proficient enough
to be able to relax and enjoy those chats, using the special skill that most
run-of-the-mill phone-operators can only aspire to.
Sounds like Question Time in the Lower House - HI!
onto something good here.
From

Brendan

VK3BAP

But I think we’re really

Thanks for your inspiring thoughts Merv].
at Truganina:

Hi Mark,
Thanks for the follow-up email and thanks so much for the QSL card. I've
enclosed

my QSL card in reply.

OK, so this explains why | was seeing so much QRS activity on Tuesday!!
I've noticed some QRS on Tuesday evenings on 80M
months,

over the past few

but not having 80M TX has meant | couldn't reply.

I'm happy to

say | now have 80M via a temporary antenna at my QTH so! can join in
future, especially so if the 40M sessions continue.
Yes, please add me to the distribution list. As a newbie to both CW and ham
radio, I've found QRS to be relaxing and enjoyable, so I'm glad there's a
dedicated weekly net for this. I'm good for 10-12wpm

but can only decode

as quick as | can write as my head-copy is still a work in progress; QRS is
just what the doctor ordered.

| 3

B
Nae, 8

A
Matlin

P
PAE

| look forward to CU AGN

Rie

TU
VK2KI

[Thanks Brendan.

toon)

meee

and plan to

join in future QRS nets.

GL ES 73 VK2KI

de VK3BAP

= —- Regards,

Brendan.

Yes I've been overjoyed at the success of the net. |

haven't finished counting this week's stations, but last week's 37 stations
was an amazing total!
starting in WA

I've been running the net for a couple of years now,

via a remote when | was on a club committee there and we

had a hand-full of people learning the Code.

But now that we have

achieved a critical mass in WA, I'm trying to expand it to the Eastern
States. Interestingly, the uptake over this side has been slower than WA,
despite the much larger number of amateurs here. Welcome Brendan, and
! look forward to hearing you on regularly on both 40m and 80m].

From

Paul

VK5PAS

at Mount

Barker:

Hi Mark,

Hope all is well.

For what it is worth, | have placed details regarding your

Net on my website.
73 & HNY 2024,
Paul.
email:

simmopa@iprimus.com.au

website:

http://www.vk5pas.com

wordpress:

http://vk5pas.org

[Thanks Paul.

Paul is the founder of VKFF - VK Flora and Fauna - the activity that sees CW
and QRP operators out an about in National and State Parks most days of
the week.

That activity heloed me to get back into CW (having pretty much

not touched it since | did the AOCP CW test in 1972), as both a CW hunter
and Park activator.

Listen on 7032 over East and most days you'll hear one

or more CW activators - even better, use the parksnpeaks.org CW SMS alert
system to let you know when someone’s on].

This Week’s

Topic of Interest
Noise

Shaun

VK6BEK

continues

Intelligence Audio

Noise

In last week’s RagChew,

the

discussion

Noise

- Artificial

Elimination

| described

my experiments with RM Noise - a

post-detection audio noise elimination system

based on artificial

intelligence that I'd seen on a Youtube video by MMOOPX.

This week I’ve

Shared some of the images captured from the RM Noise system.
| still had the internet dropout problem which, as described

last week was

particularly annoying during CW when the noise Is eliminated completely
and you can't tell that parts of the letters or words are missing. | listened
some of the WIA 80m

SSB broadcast on Sunday and it was the clearest |

have ever heard it here, despite some dropouts.
| escalated the problem to my ISP who were pretty good and got back to
me with the results of a 48 hour scan of dropouts on my connection - there
were none as far as they could tell.
my old mesh

network.

They said the problem

is somewhere

| have since found the Microsoft Surface 4 PC lam

using has a problem with the Wifi card.
to 5GHz which | am now trying.

One suggestion

is to force the card

RM Noise is now working

much

better, but

the main test will be next Tuesday.

Here’s a graph of the input signal to
the Al. Note the 2.8Khz frequency
limit.
200
oO
TD
=
o
a
wn

vo
cad

250
a

ginal

nes

VOIUMC

150

time (seconds ago)
er

100

aes

50
mute | live | bypass |

delay:

1.0995

filtered - click on graph
for time-shift

And this is the graph showing the

oso

returned signal from the Al.

250

200

time (seconds ago)

info | graph | options | volume

mute |

bypass |

delay: 0.949s

And just for fun, this is what | got
back when

| asked an Al to make

“a

stylised picture of a crystal set
radio”.

What could possibly go

wrong?

[QED]
Regards
Shaun - VK6BEK
[Thanks Shaun - interesting
developments].
MFJ-1026

Noise Canceller.

Last week | reported that my QRM
VK5TM

noise canceller kit) that I’ve been using for a couple of years had

Started to play up - when
when

Eliminator (the Chinese copy of the

installed the bypass relays wouldn’t work, but

it was on the bench, it worked

perfectly!

So | pulled it out again this

week, and took the opportunity to have a look at the MFJ-1026 that I'd
bought second

hand from an Estate, which didn’t appear to work.
No luck yet replicating the problem
with the QRM

Eliminator, and ditto

with the MFJ-1026.

wa,

ES \
:

the FETs and transistor operating
currents in the MF) unit - they all

Li
=

I’ve tested all

seem

about right, and l’ve used my

oscilloscope to trace the signals and
noise through the unit - all seems to
be working.

| can get it to work to

some extent on 20m,

but despite

being able to
select one of four noise pick-up antennas which work well with the QRM
Eliminator, | can’t get the MFJ to make any difference at all on 40 or 80m.
There’s something

amiss that’s alluding my trouble-shooting ability.

So what I'd like to do is compare

my MFJ-1026 to a Known working one.

Does anyone

have an MFJ-1026

of our readers

that works

well on

80m?

And if so, would you be willing to test my unit side-by-side with

yours?

If so, please contact me and I'll post it in your direction - unless of

course you can bare to be apart from yours, and willing to send it my way
for a quick test?

Please let me know:

mark.bosma@icloud.com

So next week, we'll continue the interesting topic of noise.
know about any thoughts,

ideas, experiments,

Please let me

etc so we can share;

to mark.bosma@icloud.com

Brain Teaser
How

did you go?

Jules Perrin JP VK3JFP has created a terrific resource to help guide learning
for all levels of amateur radio licenses:
httos://www.julesworkshop.net/Amateur%20Radio.htm!

This week’s quiz questions from Jules’ Workshop example test questions

What

EMF

stand

for?

lonisation in the ionosphere is caused
©

primarily by the

magnetic effect and axial rotation of the earth

magnetic effect of the sun

ultraviolet and other radiation from the sun

rotation of the moon

A half wave dipole antenna
approximate
°

resonant at 28 MHz, would

have an

length of

5 metres

10 metres

38 metres

does

56 metres

A major distinction between the privileges for licensees of Standard
stations and licensees of Foundation stations is that:
(a) Standard operators may use computer generated data modes

but

Foundation operators may not
(ob) Foundation

licensees do not have access to HF but Standard

licensees do
(c) Standard operators can use CW

but Foundation operator cannot

(d) Only Standard operators may use FM on the 29 MHz band

See - told you they might be interesting!
Answers

from

last week’s

If current moves

Answers

next week.

Quiz:

back and forth or is cyclic, how is this referred?

Answer: Alternating current AC.
What

does the term

"receiver overload"

mean?

Interference caused

by overcrowding

Interference caused

by a strong signal from a nearby transmitter

Interference caused

by adjusting the receiver volume too high

Interference caused

by transmitter harmonics

Answer:

Interference caused

of the band

by a strong signal from a nearby transmitter

The standard colour code used to identify the earth conductor of a flexible
3-core AC power cord is:
green/yellow
red/yellow
e

brown

blue

Answer:

green/yellow

The 40 metre amateur band includes the frequencies between:
(a) 40.000 and 45.000 MHz
(b) 10.300 and 10.650 MHz
(c) 7.0 and 7.3 MHz
(d) 26.000 and 26.950 MHz
Answer:

7.0 and 7.3 MHz

How did you go?

Editorial Team
Can we make

RagChew

even

| often get positive feedback about the RagChew

better?
newsletter;

our weekly newsletter is one of the keys to success of our net.
the newsletter takes me many many

it seems that
However,

hours to compile every week;

don’t

get me wrong - | really enjoy editing each edition - the results are always
positive and satisfying when

people take the time to comment

Never-the-less, there’s only so many
share the love around.

hours in a day, and I’d now like to

I’m looking for a small hand-full of editors to help

me compile the RagChew
much

about it.

each week.

I’m thinking that my job would be

easier if we had separate editors for:

e This Week’s Topic of Interest

e the Brain Teaser
e the CQ QRS WhatsApp

Feed

Would you be interested in helping with one of those sections?

Perhaps try

one or two weeks to see if it’s a fun and satisfying thing for you?

And of

course, life an your family comes first... so if you can’t do the work
sometimes,

or you find it’s not satisfying, of course there’d be no obligation

to continue.

View this email in your browser

| use the MailChimp on-line mail
system to compile the RagChew

it’s fairly easy to use (albeit limited
compared to say a word processor),
but it handles the mailing very well
(unlike the temperamental

CQ QRS RagChew

Google

What happened last Tuesday, and a reminder for the next net.

Groups system that | used to use);
because I’m still using the free

« Do QSQs using SDRs count?
« The magic of beer
« Talking and doing CW
« Jordan adds to our Christmas present wish list
« Anew exciting weekly quiz

version, there isn’t a capability for
collaborative editing - however,

« The spiral spiral
+ Tecsun SDR at Araluen back in service

+ Phased Antenna Paradox
+ Reminder for 12Dec23 CQ QRS

suspect that with a bit of fiddling

Another bumper edition of RagChew this week - including an exciting new idea to

around, we could find a way of

encourage more reading - yeah | know... just what you need right?

sharing our work.

So we had an outstanding net on Tuesday, despite quite strange conditions.

Some

signals were well down on what we'd been experiencing lately, but at least we didn't
etart with a rarnnhony

of etatic erachesc like tha nraviniie faw waake

| eniintad

So I’m looking for volunteers to take on editing one of those three sections
for a while.

That would

mean:

e taking over one section for a while
e

establishing your own free MailChimp account

learning how to use the system (it’s fairly easy - built for marketing

sorting out how to share material

learning how to put up with my pedantic nature.

people, not technophiles)

| think the key to the popularity of the RagChew
make

newsletter,

is trying to

it readable for people who don’t have time to wade through yet

another email;

this means

lots of images and headings.

So you’d need to

be reasonably adept at writing creative non-fiction, and be willing to learn
how to manipulate images in the software - again, it’s pretty much
and-drop,

but we’d need to come

drag-

up with a way of sharing a cache of

photographs to use.
So, please contact me to discuss options if you’re interested in having a go
and contributing to our little enterprise that’s bringing so much
SO many

people.

mark.bosma@icloud.com

pleasure to

or phone / WhatsApp / SMS to

0418161773.

Tuesday’s

CQ QRS

Net

Reminder.

So back to the Slow CW QSO
Next Tuesday’s

practice net.

Net

Our CQ QRS Net will be on as always on Tuesday from 0800z. Stations in
the West, East and in-between will start coming up:

between

7030

and

7040kHz

from

0800z

until 0900z,

then

between

3540

and

3570kHz

from

0900z

until about

1300z.

So call CQ QRS and listen out for new and old CW operators - simple
exchanges

(eg callsigns, RSTsS and perhaps names) for new stations, rag

chews for old.
When

the bands go quiet, listen out on 7032 or 3555kHz - with the

occasional tune around the net band looking for our crystal-locked stations,
or those who are experiencing

problems with the fixed frequency.

Propagation
In the East, near vertical incidence skywave and low angle skywave should
be starting on 80m

around that time as the sun will have travelled around

the Earth (just checking that you’re awake) sufficiently for the D-layer to
start fading;

in the West where the sun won’t set until around

1115z (and

later for the ionosphere), tough conditions might be expected early on.
will have conditions somewhere

in between

| imagine.

And who knows

whether the crescendo of static crashes we’ve experienced
to the challenge.
Post

lately will add

One way or other, we'll have fun.

Morsum

And for those who are within earshot of an AllStar node, we hold a quick
Post Morsum

hosted by Richard VK6HRC

at around 0900 Eastern / 08300 SA

/ 0600 WA time on the South West AllStar net (via repeaters and hotspots
all over WA).

All you need is an FM 2m or 70cm transceiver and an AllStar

node nearby;

or you can have a

whether

you’re within

range

mark.bosma@icloud.com

listen via Echolink.

of an AllStar node,

If you don’t know

let me

) and I'll see if | can help;

know

(

or if you’d like to find

out how to connect your local AllStar network to the South West network, or
how to access the network via Echolink, drop me a

line.

Teamwork

So thank you so much to our outstanding team of 21 contributors (some
submitted several articles too) this week!
VK2TER, VK7WW,

Thanks to:

VK1KVS, VK6JK, VK7KPC, VK6BEK, VK6FN, VK3ACU,
VK3BAP, VK5PAS

VK2DLF, VK1HF,

VK5PL, VK3KLE, VK6KD, VK5ET, VK2GAZ,

VK6HRC,

VK6PZT, VK3ADX,

and VK3JFP - wowee, thank you team - a superb effort -

it’s the thoughts of the team
interesting to the 120-odd

plus the photos that makes

RagChew

(perhaps 120-plus would be safer) subscribers.

Reports
So for everyone,

please let me know by email to

mark.bosma@icloud.com

who you work or hear this coming week on Tuesday’s net, and also send
me anything that you might think might be of interest to your fellow QRS
fans.

The reports are important - because during the net | can only attempt

poorly to listen-in and log QSOs while having QSOs

myself - so | really want

your comments

newsletter interesting.

each week to make our RagChew

And again for those who | work on Tuesday night, please accept my
apologies in advance for the pauses,

repeated dah-di-di-di-dahs etc while |

attempt to pick up and log callsigns that | hear in parallel, send WhatsApp
notes, do one-way propagation tests, etc.
CQ QRS

Group

And a reminder about our CQ QRS group on WhatsApp - we’ve now got a
really good bunch who have fun exchanging

alerts and comments

the net, and also spotting QRS stations on at other times.
last week is below;

during

The feed from

I'd like you to join in on the WhatsApp group if possible.

Please let Stuart VK6MK stujen55@gmail.com
mark.bosma@icloud.com

or me

Know your mobile phone number, and we'll add

you to the group.
Reminder

I'm very keen to establish an editorial team for the RagChew
it’s not sustainable at the moment,
who may be able to help.

newsletter -

so I’m keen to hear from crew members

Also remember the SKCC Oceania QRS Saunter

on Saturday (today) and the KPH coded transmission on Sunday.

I'm also

looking for help to reduce the length of the newsletter - so I'm interested to
hear what does and doesn't get read / is and isn't interesting etc.

Only

about half of the 123 subscribers actually open the email - which is fair
enough,

but perhaps if it was shorter, we’d have an even better hit-rate.

€U CW on Tuesday,

mb
Mark Bosma
VK2KI / VK6QI
Beautiful South Bowning NSW
mark.bosma@icloud.com
non impediti ratione cogitationis
“Without antennas, amateur radio just wouldn't be the same” - author:

About

the CQ
Here’s

the

dah-dah dit!

QRS

Net

details.

The team will be on again for our usual Tuesday arvo / evening
QSO

Times

and

will start at 0800z

QRS

about

2100

Eastern

e 40m
e

Practice

Net.
Frequencies

time,

Summer

time

1830

until about
- 2330

1300z.

SA Summer

This translates to 1600
time and

1900

2400

(I think!).

0800z to 0900z 7030 to 7040kHz

80m 0900z to 1300z 3540 to 3570kHz

If the band has gone quiet, listen out / call CQ QRS on 7032 or 3555kHz.

So tune around and call anyone you hear, or find yourself a quiet spot in
the designated segments and start calling CQ QRS at about 75% of the
speed you're comfortable receiving at;

hopefully responders will match (or

send slower to their comfort level).
Speed?
And if you’re proficient at CW and can race along at 20 or 30wpm - terrific,
but please remember, the net’s aim is to encourage, not show how fast you
can hammer the key. Please send slowly where you can and concentrate
on rhythm - listen to your side-tone, get that wrist action going and make a
special effort to make

it sound

like perfect CW;

net, the more | understand just how many
have!

the longer we go with our

non-transmitting

listeners we

If you’re an experienced operator, please try to send nicely balanced

slow CW to give them a chance to practice and gain confidence.... they'll
reward you one day by coming up on air to say g’day and thanks - how
good is that?

And if you're new or like me, just rusty.... ignore the above...

just have a go - the lather of sweat will be worth it and there’s plenty of
time to get the details sorted out as you practice.
And also for the oldies like me, when you hear someone
their sending speed - or slower.

new, please match

The person you’re replying to may not be

as deft on the decoding as you - it may be their first ever CW QSO remember your first?

Lather of sweat, key that refuses to send that you tell

it, brain that refuses to decode those complex letters that were right there
half an hour ago, etc!

And if someone

copy - “PSE RPT PSE QRS” or “AGN?

is sending too fast to comfortably

PSE QRS” will make

life easier for

everyone.... and might just encourage other listeners to have a go
themselves.

The other thing to remember - most operators are writing

down what they hear... so when you put it back to them, expect a delay
while they read your words of wisdom,
What

do you

mean

before replying.

| stole your frequency?

The aim is to give everyone a go at contacting others - no-one owns their
calling frequency on this net.

So unlike working

DX, if you hear someone

signing off - jump in and call - doesn’t matter who was first on the
frequency - we really are all good

mates on this net.... and besides, at the

speed we’re sending, after a QSO

most of us will have forgotten who was

first!

If you really want to move off frequency (eg because of a spurious

switch mode

power supply signal that’s just drifted into the conversation),

you could try sending an abridged callsign of the person you’re after,
followed by “UP 5” or “DN 5” then K;

then call that person on the

designated frequency and keep your fingers crossed, they may have
understood you and followed... or not.
As always, for newbies, operating suggestions are available from the
operating

hints link here:

httos://www.parg.org.au/ files/ugd/ebe236_3ca5ca08bb38429db4eee524bd
a2f97a.pdf

There's usually people around until after 1300z - so keep calling until you
catch someone.

| should be on as usual from home

in NSW and via the

Remote at Bedfordale WA, and I'll also be watching the proceedings using
the VK6QS

and Tecsun SDRs in WA and NSW

respectively.

CQ QRS

Traffic from the CQ QRS

Here’s what went on on the CQ QRS WhatsApp
[7:05 am, 14/01/2024] lan VK1HF

Feed
Group.

message group this week:

K: CQ QRS 3528khz DE VK1HP/2

6KM SE JUGIONG

NSW.

[7:11

am,

14/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:

I'll be up in 5

[7:12 am, 14/01/2024] lan VK1HF

K: Might QSY 40. Will keep going here for a

[7:18

K: Now

am,

14/01/2024]

lan VK1HF

bit.

on 7003khz

[7:20 am, 14/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:

Opps still waking up!

[7:30 am, 14/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:

Man | need more coffee before doing that lan

Thanks for the contact
[7:33 am, 14/01/2024] lan VK1HF

K: Haha...thanks Jordan...was good all the same.!

Really appreciate you making the effort. | left home at 4.30am to get to this spot..to
CW..so nice to consumate the plan!
[7:35 am, 14/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:
[7:37

am,

14/01/2024]

lan VK1HF

Looks lovely. Your CW is very good.

K: If only my

RX was

better haha!!

Thanks

for the

compliment tho. Nice to get good feedback... CW is hard IMO.
[7:39 am, 14/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:

| see you do motorbike portable. Next time

your going out. I'll do the same bike to bike cw contact love jt
[7:42 am, 14/01/2024] Mark Bosma:

[14-01-24 7:18:22] VK2NAP on VKFF-0043 - 7.032

CW. Getting some in before ir rains us out
[7:51 am, 14/01/2024] Mark Bosma:

Check parksnpeaks.org for Chris VK2NAP Spots

this morning.
[7:54 am, 14/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:

| have been listening but nothing herd in vk3

[7:56 am, 14/01/2024]

Mark Bosma: Chris May have moved

on - | was late forwarding

the notification.
[8:04 am, 14/01/2024]

Mark Bosma: Chris on 40m again. [14-01-24 8:02:50] VK2NAP

on VKFF-0043 - 7.033 CW.
[8:05 am, 14/01/2024]
somehow?

It?s wet but these are the sacrifices we are willing to make

lan VKLHF

K: Question to all: is it possible to self spot via HF

For when you have zero cell signal etc.

[8:06 am, 14/01/2024]

Mark Bosma:

Did you get the post that Chris 2NAP is on now

lan?
[8:08 am, 14/01/2024]

Mark Bosma: There's two WinLink email gateways in Australia -

you might be able to send someone

an Email via HF then ask them to post for you on

parksnpeaks.org.
[8:48 am, 14/01/2024]

lan VK1HF

K: The email thread?

[8:48 am, 14/01/2024]

lan VK1HF

K: Never used them...will have a look into.. thanks

[8:50 am, 14/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:

7030 CW ars
[9:03 am, 14/01/2024]
one Jordan!

lan VK1HF

K: Nice

Dropping out at the end there

but all good
[9:04 am, 14/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:
Thanks lan. Yes but tricky at the end plus
the xyl let the dogs out who where
jumping all over me so a bit of local QRM
[9:18 am, 14/01/2024]

Mark Bosma:

Another dog story for the next RagChew!
[9:22 am, 14/01/2024]

Mark Bosma: C'est

bon!
Below:

Hey - no opposable thumb!

[9:30 am, 14/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:
It's not cw time apparently, it's play time
[9:36 am, 14/01/2024] lan VK1HF

Haha..nice radio. Good to see something
different
[9:48 am, 14/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:
Thinking about a home

brew cw 40/80

soon
[11:16 am, 14/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:
I'm back outside calling again on 7010

[11:20 am, 14/01/2024]

Mark Bosma:

[14-01-24 11:10:31] VK2NAP on VKFF-0043 -

7.033 CW. New UTC day. Coffee and CW from Bristol Point Camp grounds
[12:38 pm, 14/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:

Have not been able to hear vk2nap

[12:38 pm, 14/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:

Still outside made a few contacts

[1:12 pm, 14/01/2024]

Mark Bosma:

[14-01-24 13:08:31] VK2NAP on VKFF-0043 -

7.033 CW. Back at it before | switch to 20m
[10:46 pm, 15/01/2024]

lan VK1LHF K: CQ QRS 7025 Now

[10:46 pm, 15/01/2024] Phillip Jubb: I'll have a listen in 5
[10:46 pm, 15/01/2024]

lan VKLHF

K: Not the greatest antenna this end

[10:54 pm, 15/01/2024] Phillip Jubb: Calling now
[10:57 pm, 15/01/2024]

lan VK1HF

you. On my shitty antenna

K: Just worked VKDKPH

Phil..sorry mate can't hear

[10:57 pm, 15/01/2024] Phillip Jubb: Can just hear you s1-3
[10:58 pm, 15/01/2024] lan VK1HF

K: Call again

[10:58 pm, 15/01/2024] lan VK1HF

K: | think | may hear something there

[11:00 pm, 15/01/2024] Phillip Jubb: Step on by a YB
[11:00 pm, 15/01/2024] lan VK1HF

K: Sorry Phil..no go this evening OM. Ok..I can

Juuust hear you as | type this
[11:00 pm, 15/01/2024] Phillip Jubb: Only running

10 watts

[11:00 pm, 15/01/2024] Phillip Jubb: Obviously the YB couldn’t here me either

[2:18

pm,

16/01/2024]

Matt Dhue:

Wow,

just finished fixing my sons car (lucky it is
40*C) and the postman arrived with my
latest eBay purchase. A genuine RTL SDR
kit. Was not that expensive. Will use to
detect where the noise is around QTH and
gives me a waterfall. Will think about a
dedicated

magnetic loop to use SDR as a

receiver. Cheers Matt
[2:19 pm, 16/01/2024] lan VK1HF

Please share results/pics
[2:20 pm, 16/01/2024] Peter Scales: Nice
[2:22

pm,

16/01/2024]

Matt Dhue:

The

genuine eBay store is rtl-sdr-blog and it
was $65. Post was 7 days! Willhave a
look at the software now. Anyone

have

suggestions?
[2:26 pm, 16/01/2024] lan VK1HF

K: Tbh,

I'm generally unimpressed with SDRs
based on my experience (using
online)...but maybe

| have been doing it

all wrong...so I'm very keen to see your
results.

[4:21 pm, 16/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:
Might stop on the way home from work
and call CQ for a bit on the tiny rig
[4:23 pm, 16/01/2024] Stuart Cumming:
I’m going to the cricket in Perth and will
try to set up portable from a park some
time after 7:00pm WA time. Hopefully
there is still sone QRS activity late
tonight.
[6:51 pm, 16/01/2024] lan VK1LHF K: ZL3?
station 7004 now
[7:30 pm, 16/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:
don't know how this always happens lol
[7:31 pm, 16/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:
Just keeping an eye on the WX at the
moment

[7:34 pm, 16/01/2024]

lan VK1HF

K: All

setup for the early bird 40mtrs Sched.
Likely 7035+QRM

shortly. Some

stations on low end want work first
[7:35 pm, 16/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:
Looks good

[7:38 pm, 16/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:

ALAA a Cel ha Tiwi am MLR) (I

| can just just hear some one on 7035

[7:40 pm, 16/01/2024]

Peter Scales: We were 41/25c today

[7:42 pm, 16/01/2024]

Peter Scales: Still have General Power Failure as result

[7:51 pm, 16/01/2024]

lan VK1LHF K: Band is good on 40 at the moment from VK1

[7:51 pm, 16/01/2024]

lan VK1HF

K: I'm on 7041 till 8pm

[8:11 pm, 16/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:
[8:14 pm, 16/01/2024]

Sorry Keiran no copy on the last over

Keiran Blyth: No dramas

Jordan

- the band is up and down - just

said that the CW receive part of my brain is still in holiday mode, obviously
[8:14 pm, 16/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU: All good you did well

[8:17 pm, 16/01/2024] Keiran Blyth: Tu OM@
[8:20 pm, 16/01/2024]

Mark Bosma:

lan LHF you're below the net fcys - 3540 to 3570

will get you more contacts mate.
[8:21 pm, 16/01/2024]

lan VKLHF

K: CQ QRS DE LHF 3520khz now

[8:21 pm, 16/01/2024]

lan VK1HF

K: RR... thanks!

[8:22 pm, 16/01/2024]

lan VKLHF

K: QSY 3550KHZ

[8:24 pm, 16/01/2024]

Max Faulkner: 6khz.... Unfortunately not able to make a

contact of our effort..Had another Stn come over the top of you.. ur RST 569...
[8:24 pm, 16/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:

I'm going to pull the antenna for a bit I'll come

back later hopefully []#
[8:33 pm, 16/01/2024]

Keiran Blyth: Be careful pulling the antenna Jordan, you might

break it
[8:33 pm, 16/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:

It's bunnings garden wire mate ‘pulls antenna

She'll be right hihi
[8:34 pm, 16/01/2024]

Keiran Blyth:

[8:35 pm, 16/01/2024]

Nick VK6DV Austen: Sorry | can’t join you all this evening. My

91 yo mother broke a hip and need support.
Good

luck all.

Nick VK6DV
[8:36 pm, 16/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:
mum.

Well that's a genuine sick note from your

Sorry to hear Nick hope all goes as well as it can.

[8:37 pm, 16/01/2024]

Keiran Blyth: Sad news Nick - | wish her the best!

[8:37 pm, 16/01/2024]

Mark Bosma:

Sorry to hear that Nick - hoping for an ok

outcome.

[8:41 pm, 16/01/2024]

Keiran Blyth: Very faint sigs on 3555 hr

[8:42 pm, 16/01/2024]

Mark Bosma: VK1HF/p and VK2KI on 3550.

[8:42 pm, 16/01/2024]

Nick VK6DV Austen: Thanks all.

She and my father are still at home and independent- father still teaches at 93 so they
are doing pretty well.
Cheers
[8:47 pm, 16/01/2024]

Keiran Blyth: They sound

like the A-Team

Nick! My father was

still teaching oil's and watercolours at 90 - i hope I'm that sorted by then!

[8:49 pm, 16/01/2024]

Max Faulkner: Sorry there Nick..Sure your Mom

recovers

quickly...6fna o
[8:52 pm, 16/01/2024]

lan VK1HF

K: VK2KI stole my frg with 7WW

QSY 3547

[8:53 pm, 16/01/2024]

Mark Bosma: Come and get him lan - we're just finishing.

[8:53 pm, 16/01/2024]

Max Faulkner: Sorry Chaps... Thunder and lightning here...

Flicked the mains off and on...Gn all
de 5fn..
[8:54 pm, 16/01/2024]

Max Faulkner: 6fn

[8:54 pm, 16/01/2024]

lan VK1HF

K: All good.. I'm relaxing on 3547 hoping no more

lan VKLHF

K: QRT 9pm K

fish biting LoL
[8:54 pm, 16/01/2024]

for me

[9:01 pm, 16/01/2024]

Mark Bosma: VK3ADX

[9:36 pm, 16/01/2024]

Mark Bosma: VK1KVS calling CQ on 3552. VK5ET and VK2KI on

and VK2KI chatting on 3550.

3554.
[9:37 pm, 16/01/2024]

Keiran Blyth: | think | heard 2KI on 3552 a few minutes ago.

Very slim pickings here!
[9:38 pm, 16/01/2024]

Mark Bosma: Yes, I'm fairly slim mate!

[9:40 pm, 16/01/2024]

Keiran Blyth: So am | when

[9:41 pm, 16/01/2024]

lan - VK5CZ:

Hpe Cu next week.

| suck the 62yo stomach

Sri folks local thunderstorms

noise is really bad.

CZ..

[9:42 pm, 16/01/2024]

Keiran Blyth: Tnx fer being there, Buhd

[9:48 pm, 16/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU: Thunder storms hanging around here also and
growing sorry!
Not tomorrow morning

because of the weather forecast but if there are any early birds

about | might start calling cq on 3.555 before 7am
[9:49 pm, 16/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:
[9:53 pm, 16/01/2024]

if anyone is interested

| won't post to the group that early!

Keiran Blyth: SMJ | would hope Not! SM] is Tagalog - you can

tell me what it means@

[10:10 pm, 16/01/2024] Phillip Jubb:
Thanks Richard. Getting used to a new
paddle
[10:12 pm, 16/01/2024] Phillip Jubb: Ps, if
it’s not too much trouble. Can you qsl via
lotw for me pls
[10:15 pm, 16/01/2024]

Keiran Blyth:

Looks like one of those Chinese magnetic
ones, Phil. Do you have it screwed down
to the desk?

[10:15 pm, 16/01/2024]

Mark Bosma: VK5ET calling CQ on 3563.

[10:16 pm, 16/01/2024]

Phillip Jubb: Not yet it only arrived today. It works ok.

Replaced a home

made 3d printed paddle

[10:17 pm, 16/01/2024]

Keiran Blyth: Cool - I'd be interested to hear how it goes.

[10:18 pm, 16/01/2024]

Richard Ayre: vk6pzt calling on 3560

[10:20 pm, 16/01/2024]

Phillip Jubb: It comes with a metal plate to glue to the desk

but that’s a bit of a commitment
[10:22 pm, 16/01/2024]

Keiran Blyth: MARK ,do you want to give me a

call from VK2?

The band is dead here.
[10:29 pm, 16/01/2024]

lan VK1HF

K: https://www.printables.com/model/529376-base-

plate-for-amazon-cw-paddle-key
[10:35 pm, 16/01/2024]

Richard Ayre: r willdo

nice shiney key too

ate you getting

started on Dxc already ???
[10:37 pm, 16/01/2024]

Phillip Jubb: Yes getting a jump on the competition. Yea the

little pink paddle has been relegated to the spares drawer
[10:38 pm, 16/01/2024]

Phillip Jubb: Is it quiet tonight Richard? I’m not hearing

much?? Trying to gauge the qrm eliminator
[10:39 pm, 16/01/2024]

Richard Ayre: lots of lightnight further north so not many on

heard vk6bek and vk5et so far
[10:40 pm, 16/01/2024]

Phillip Jubb: | heard 5et s8 but he disappeared when

[10:41 pm, 16/01/2024]

Richard Ayre: Qso logged with LOTR

| called

[10:41 pm, 16/01/2024] Phillip Jubb: Thx buddy
[10:43 pm, 16/01/2024]

Richard Ayre: someone on 3553

[10:43 pm, 16/01/2024]

Mark Bosma:

2ki

[10:43 pm, 16/01/2024] Phillip Jubb: | have qrm exactly there
[10:44 pm, 16/01/2024]

Phillip Jubb: Richard, call again. | want to record a video to

show the qrm eliminator
[10:45 pm, 16/01/2024]

Richard Ayre: wil doo

SPECTRUM SCOPE

3.55

<2>

eda

CENTER

3.57

Grid

3.560

sk/tous
*25k

See

SPEED | MARKER EXPD/SET

[10:46 pm, 16/01/2024]

Phillip Jubb: | think it work quite well

[10:47 pm, 16/01/2024]

Richard Ayre: how about with 5w

[10:48 pm, 16/01/2024]

Richard Ayre: and 1 watt

357

cai

[10:48 pm, 16/01/2024] Phillip Jubb: Still good
[10:50 pm, 16/01/2024]

Phillip Jubb: If you were further away | would have lost you in

the noise
[10:50 pm, 16/01/2024]
on ur waterfall

Richard Ayre: Rr

maybee your antenna

[10:51 pm, 16/01/2024]

i notice you dont have all the static crashes

ts still a bit quite too

Phillip Jubb: | do see them

but I have the ref tuned down so

the waterfall is sparse

[10:52 pm, 16/01/2024]

Richard Ayre:

vk6qs sdr
[10:52 pm, 16/01/2024]

Richard Ayre: ah

isee
[10:54 pm, 16/01/2024] Phillip Jubb: My
antenna

is not a good as that one. Turn

up the waterfall a bit

[10:55 pm, 16/01/2024] Phillip Jubb: Thought | saw a signal on 3555
[10:55 pm, 16/01/2024] Richard Ayre: me

[10:55 pm, 16/01/2024] Richard Ayre: listening to my poor sending on SDR
[10:59 pm, 16/01/2024] Phillip Jubb: 6KD? on 3552
[10:59 pm, 16/01/2024] David Potts: Just setting up on 3552. Late shift, haha
[11:00 pm, 16/01/2024] Mark Bosma: VK3KLE and VK2KI on 3540.2
16/01/2024] Mark Bosma: Anyone else around who can try to catch VK3KLE crystal

[11:07

pm,

locked

on 3540.2?

[11:07

pm,

16/01/2024] Phillip Jubb: Calling?

[11:07

pm,

16/01/2024] Mark Bosma: Still working me atm.

[11:08 pm, 16/01/2024] Phillip Jubb: Nothing here
16/01/2024] Mark Bosma: VK6GAL and VK6HRC chatting on 3563.

[11:17

pm,

[11:24

pm,

16/01/2024] Mark Bosma: VK6GAL and VK2KI on 3563.

[11:25

pm,

16/01/2024] Richard Ayre: listening

[11:25

pm,

16/01/2024]

[11:26

pm,

16/01/2024] Nick VK6DV Austen: QRN

[11:31

pm,

16/01/2024] Mark Bosma: Try now Nick - Gary transmitting.

[11:32

pm,

16/01/2024] Phillip Jubb: GN all cu next week

[11:33

pm,

16/01/2024]

Nick VK6DV

Mark

Bosma:

Austen:

Cheers

Can

gud sig to wa mark 439
hear them

Phillip.

both

(got a moment

to listen)

[11:44 pm, 16/01/2024] Richard Ayre: 499 realy
[11:48 pm, 16/01/2024] Mark Bosma:
[11:56 pm, 16/01/2024] Nick VK6DV Austen: Bad timing sorry- was not set up - just listening
[12:10 am, 17/01/2024] David Potts: 3552 @8.02pm

wst

70 Watts tx
QSO with vk6pzt

3563

@8.35pm

Listening to vk6pst & vk2ki

QSO

[12:11 am, 17/01/2024] David Potts: Big day at work Mark. Thanks for QSO Richard. Calling QRT. 73
VK6KD
[12:54

am,

17/01/2024]

Richard

Ayre:

73 david

mark

[4:48 am, 17/01/2024] lan VKLHF K: Has anyone tried TX from your rig in your QTH with S7QRM
your compromised

and

antenna...RX from nearby SDR ? | was thinking latency would make it impossible

to work a remote station who wasn't aware of delay between TX/RX etc?
[7:28 am, 17/01/2024] Mark Bosma:

Morning lan.

That arrangement works very well - latency isn't a

problem - a second or two - and for instance on the QRS net, many operators read through what
they've written down before transmitting - so a gap of 5 to 10 seconds is not unusual. | sometimes
use an SDR like that and find it very useful to get the Farnsworth rhythm right - send a letter at 12 15 wpm then wait until it comes through on the SDR, then send the next letter, etc. S7 QRM
workable from home - mine is S9+10-15dB.

is also

Use the front end attenuator to knock it back and / or

turn off the front end preamp - you'll still hear all but the very weakest signals. Alternatively build or
buy a Noise Canceller - see the last four RagChews for details.
[10:25 am, 17/01/2024] Mark Bosma: Welcome Claude VK1ITE / VK2CL.
[6:15 pm, 17/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:

Calling on 7023.44 on a

[6:28 pm, 17/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:

Uhh ohh mark you stumped

tiny little rig
me on that

[6:29 pm, 17/01/2024] Mark Bosma:

[6:31 pm, 17/01/2024]
Someone

Mark Bosma:

isn't impressed that I'm chatting

to you instead of feeding her!

Rather short antenna

[6:41 pm, 17/01/2024] Mark Bosma:
Short antenna!
[6:47 pm, 17/01/2024] Mark Bosma:
Keep calling mate.

for 80m!

[6:47

pm,

17/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:

[6:47 pm, 17/01/2024]

Mark that was

Mark Bosma: VK3ACU

awesome

with a mighty 1000mW

calling CQ on

7023.5.
[6:48 pm, 17/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:

I've got to stop for a bit to see the other half

who's looking at me funny
[6:48 pm, 17/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU: Then I'll be back

[
6:49 pm, 17/01/2024]

Mark Bosma: Your

Wife's not the only one looking at us
funny!
[6:51 pm, 17/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:

that was a modified 'fourty 9er' kit with a
bd139 final
[6:56 pm, 17/01/2024]
Roger.

Mark Bosma:

| was just putting the WhatsApp

traffic into the RagChew and had just got
to the bit yesterday when you said you
were going to stop on the way home from
work and give your uSDx a try.
Presumably it's different to the truSDxX - |
bought a ready-made one - tried it and
it's full of oscillations on RX - so | put it in
the projects pile!

[6:57 pm, 17/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:
[6:57 pm, 17/01/2024]

Mark Bosma:

truSDX - not the 49er.

Confusing!

Sorry | meant that your uSDx is different to the

[6:57 pm, 17/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:
[6:57 pm, 17/01/2024]

If you scroll up a little you will see a video of it

Actually might be miles up

Mark Bosma: Yes, I've already made a fixed image of the video.

[6:57 pm, 17/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:

Hehe all good yes that little rig the usdx thing

is alright on CW crap on ssb
[6:58 pm, 17/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU: You do a great job Mark love the news letter
[7:01 pm, 17/01/2024]

Mark Bosma: Yes, mine just takes off continuously on RX -

should have tested it when

| got it instead of a year later!

Oh well... another job to do.

Thanks for the newsletter comment - looking for ways of shortening it.... most people
don't have time to read it all... so looking for what people do and don't want - probably
a difficult question!
[7:08 pm, 17/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:

Ah well that might be an easy fix. Try turning

the rigs volume down! That makes mine go crazy!
[7:09 pm, 17/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:

Nic just herd me calling in to the slow Morse on

3.580 with 100mw
[7:09 pm, 17/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:

In to vk7 that is bands are looking fine

[9:37 pm, 17/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU:

Calling again on 7023.44

[6:43 pm, 18/01/2024]

lan VKLHF

K: CQ QRS 14020 de VK1LHF

[6:44 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU

[6:46 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU

Clarke: Just just just can hear something 0

noise here too but not strong enough to make out it's you I'll keep listening to see if it
picks up
[6:57 pm, 18/01/2024]

Mark Bosma:

Still listening there lan?

[7:06 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU

Clarke: Mobile to mobile soon lan
[7:14

pm,

18/01/2024]

Mark

Bosma:

lan

and Jordan are you still on 20m or have
you moved to 40m?
[7:15 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU

Clarke: Still on 20
[7:17

pm,

18/01/2024]

Mark

Bosma:

14020?
[7:17

pm,

18/01/2024] Jordan

VK3ACU

18/01/2024] Jordan

VK3ACU

Clarke: Yep
[7:17

pm,

Clarke: Can't hear anything on frequency
it's just on in the background

I'm not

calling or anything
[7:18

pm,

18/01/2024] Jordan

VK3ACU

Clarke: | think | can hear a station but far
too low to copy

[7:18 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU

Clarke: Lots of DX stations no vks in my ears on

20
[7:18 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU
[7:19

pm,

18/01/2024]

Mark

Bosma:

[7:21 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU
[7:23 pm, 18/01/2024]

Clarke: Did you want to try 40

Yes.

7032?

Clarke: Big long toon up?

Mark Bosma: Yup... my pi coupler has seized... | needed to

swap to another one.
[7:23

pm,

18/01/2024] Jordan

VK3ACU

[7:24 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU

Clarke: Ahh

Clarke: Whilst you do that I’ll grab out a wierd

rig then
[7:29 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU

Clarke: Send some v's when your ready

[7:30 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU

Clarke: Hrmm

[7:33 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU

Clarke: Stand by

[7:34 pm, 18/01/2024]

Mark Bosma:

R. Love the sound of a VFO as it drifts past!

[7:54 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU
[7:55

pm,

18/01/2024]

[7:57 pm, 18/01/2024]

Mark

Bosma:

I'm way off freg just a sec

Clarke: Hey Mark

Hi Keiran.

Keiran Blyth: Sry Jordan QSB smashed you agn

- no luck with

timing here!
[7:57

pm,

18/01/2024]

Keiran

Blyth:

Hi Boz

[7:58 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU

Clarke: I'll turn up

[8:01 pm, 18/01/2024]

Mark Bosma:

Meredith to Melbourne. 40m should work.
80 to.
[8:04 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU
Clarke: Thanks Keiran sorry | know that
was a struggle for you
[8:04 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU
Clarke: Plus | had some

"local QRM"

[8:05 pm, 18/01/2024]

Mark Bosma:

hihi

Elizabeth recognises the term as well!
[8:05 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU
Clarke: Keiran is struggling with antenna
woes | think. | cranked pwr right up
[8:05 pm, 18/01/2024]

Keiran Blyth: You

were quite readable when chatting to Boz
- that's why | gave u a call.
[8:05 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU
Clarke: Yes | screwed

up bad and it

through me right up
[8:05 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU

eas

Clarke: Right off

| oRArEX |

eal

Point to point HF communication prediction,

Help. | Rosuts |

[8:05

pm,

18/01/2024]

Jordan

VK3ACU

Clarke: Now Mark

| GRAFEX INPUT DATA

| Date: 18 1 2024

index: 190 |

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ww
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=
Goes secs asessh
ee ae ee ee
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EEE Ey
Nyu
seu
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S

Tx Rasen

rit ae ry, 2024 | \T-index:, 198

ene

egy eine yi) et

Vaca
a b

25)|

TT |
35/) || 48

PH UTMMU

Rudi

tm,

vil ond Mode

ONE
ALF a

TAT

Will
wi

aee
12

Bawwressses

Tae B5)|

E=[OC

aad

aan
GswNnunann
2 eS

[8:06 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU
Clarke: Any little tap on the table and this
things frequency flys off just turning on
the att made

it move so much!

changed

rigs
[8:06 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU
Clarke: But you where truly a needle
bending signal
[8:07 pm, 18/01/2024] Keiran Blyth: That
would be painful Jordan
[8:07 pm, 18/01/2024] Stuart Cumming:
Any one still in 40?
[8:07 pm, 18/01/2024] Mark Bosma:

7032

Stuart.
[8:07 pm, 18/01/2024] Stuart Cumming:

[8:08 pm, 18/01/2024] Stuart Cumming:

Hearing nothing .

[8:08 pm, 18/01/2024] Mark Bosma: Jordan or Keiran should hear you mate. | have a
newsletter to write - HI!
[8:09 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU

Clarke: Ohh crap what time is quiz

[8:09 pm, 18/01/2024] Keiran Blyth: Hey Jordan, I'm not sure which part of my fan
dipole was radiating to you - The midget 80m or the midget 40m,

both at 4.5m elev -

Sus!
[8:09 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU

Clarke: 830 phew

[8:09 pm, 18/01/2024] Keiran Blyth: Quiz is 2030
[8:09 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU

Clarke: Phew

[8:10 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU

Clarke: That's odd Keiran usually you boom

to me
[8:10 pm, 18/01/2024] Keiran Blyth: Did you get your 100M
[8:10 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU
[8:11 pm, 18/01/2024] Mark Bosma:

Powerball entry in?

Clarke: Far out 100m

Stuart - Jordan 3ACU

is calling you now on 7032.

[8:11 pm, 18/01/2024] Keiran Blyth: See u on the Quiz Jordan, hopefully Paul is now
free of Chinese bugs.
[8:12 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU
on the way home

Clarke: | spoke to Andy mobile today on 40m

[8:12 pm, 18/01/2024] lan VKLHF

K: CQ QRS 7038 de VK1HF

[8:13 pm, 18/01/2024] Mark Bosma:

(mobile Mt Corree)

Slide down to 7032 lan.

[8:13 pm, 18/01/2024] Mark Bosma: The gang's all there.
[8:20 pm, 18/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU

[8:42 pm, 18/01/2024] Phillip Jubb: Wow that was fast Stu, didn’t get most of it but got
the gist.
[8:43 pm, 18/01/2024] Phillip Jubb: Another on in the log
[8:50 pm, 18/01/2024] Stuart Cumming:

I’m gone QRT catch you tonight’s sched

[8:54 pm, 18/01/2024] lan VKLHF

K: CQ QRS DE VK1HF

[9:17 pm, 18/01/2024] lan VKLHF

K: CQ QRS DE VK1HF 3525 /M MT CORREE

[11:06

pm,

18/01/2024]

Mark

Bosma:

has an Allstar hotspot in Dalyellup:
for access.

Richard

VK6ZGN

and

7035 /M MT CORREE

Phillip:

Might hear you guys on our Post Morseum

Wednesdays?

| see that Bob VK6ZGN

now

439.150 Dalyellup with a 123Hz sub-tone
at 0600 WA time on

| heard Phillip and Stuart on AllStar before - perhaps they were using

that hotspot already?
[11:07 pm, 18/01/2024] Phillip Jubb: Yes we can and | do use it when

I’m in the garden

[11:08 pm, 18/01/2024] Phillip Jubb: In the shack | have a choice of about 4 nodes on
the vk6 net
[11:48 pm, 18/01/2024] Phillip Jubb: | hear the end of the post moresum

on the way to

work. I’m in the shower at 6. Thanks for your help tonight. | have a look inside on the
weekend.

| use it with a foot switch when doing CW

[12:38 am, 19/01/2024] Mark Bosma: R.

IC-705

\COM

Probably best to not try to call in from

RBI-1 buffer
|

_Amplifier keying cable and

the shower.

Suggest you elicit the help of

Bob VK6ZGN

to help sort out the

hardware question - looks like keying a
noise canceller or external linear amplifier
may be a problem with the 705 someone's selling an interface box
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/143861487
741.

Surely you'll be able to make one

for a couple of dollars with a pair of
2N7000

MOSFETs

(one to drive the relays

and one to invert the input.

If the IC-705

only goes down to 0.8V on TX, you might
need

to add

a silicon diode

in the

input FET's Source line so that it sees the 0.8V as 0.1V Gate to Source and turns off.
Who said hardware electronics wasn't fun!?
[6:55 am, 19/01/2024] Jordan VK3ACU

Clarke: 7.007 cq

[8:59 am, 19/01/2024] lan VKLHF

K: 7028 CQ DE VK1HF

[9:11 am, 19/01/2024] lan VK1HF

K: 14.035 CQ DE VK1HF

The

opinions

expressed

The

opinions

do not necessarily

Send

in the RagChew

comments

newsletter are those of the individual

reflect that of the editor or of the CQ

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