Southern Electronics Group – VK6SR

For some time now there has been ongoing short intermittent bursts of white noise QRM on the VK6RAA Mt Barker 70cm repeater (439.950MHz).  Despite best efforts, the source hasn’t been identified due to its short & intermittent nature, but is probably originating from somewhere on Mt Barker Hill and it isn’t deliberate.

To overcome the noise source a 123.0Hz CTCSS subtone has been implemented on the Mt Barker 70cm repeater in order to access the Allstar linked system.

With the CTCSS tone access now installed, if your transceiver transmits a 123.0Hz CTCSS sub tone to the repeater, your transmissions will go out over the linked Allstar system.  If your transceiver doesn’t transmit any CTCSS tone (or a CTCSS tone other than 123.0Hz) your transmissions will only go out locally on the repeater over the Mt Barker area and won’t be heard on the wider linked Allstar system.  This way the repeater still stays as open access for everyone, albeit limited to Mt Barker without the correct CTCSS tone, but will prevent the white noise QRM going out over the wider network and upsetting our fellow amateurs.

If you need any advice or assistance with adding a 123.0Hz subtone to your transceiver please contact SEG for help to reprogram your transceiver.

Hello All,

A brief report from the Quinninup Ham Feast held last Monday, 18 November 2019.

We had 32 people enjoying refreshments and a hearty lunch at the brand new Quinninup Tavern.  We had travellers from Albany, Mt Barker, Katanning, Broomehill, Manjimup, Boyup Brook, Binningup, Mandurah, Perth Metro,  Perth Hills and even Darwin come to Ham Feast.  Great to see a few first-timers to Ham Feast and our returning regulars.  I think the location and layout of the new venue is excellent, overlooking the karri forest from the bar, dining room and outside deck.  The tavern only reopened 4 weeks ago after a devastating fire in 2017 and the rebuild is a great credit to Dale the owner and her team. 

The now legendary Ham Feast Raffle was held and the prize winners were:

1^st prize (NanoVNA):                           Bruce VK6XZ

2^nd prize (Frequency Counter):           Mike VK6MN

3^rd prize (RTL-SDR Dongle):                John VK6JCF

4^th prize (Cable Tie Combo Bag):        Rick VK6XT

5^th prize (Jaycar Gift Voucher):           Dave VK6AI

Alek VK6APK passed the hat around for Barry VK6WF/VK2WB who lost his home and everything last week in the devastating bushfires that have impacted the states of VK2 & VK4.  Alek wanted to thank everyone at the Ham Feast for their generous donations and caring.  The collection raised $169.05 and SEG also donated $50.00 from the raffle proceeds to the collection, which brought the total to $219.05.  Alek sent through a photograph of what is left of Barry’s house and where donations are going to.

Bevan VK6BL (SEG Treasurer) also received some membership renewals at the Ham Feast, so thank you to the renewing members.

We had a few regular Ham Feast attendees that couldn’t make it to Quinninup this year, so if anyone has any photos of the day, please feel free to send them to me.

The next Ham Feast at Katanning will take place around April 2020, so hope to see you there!

Thanks again to all.

73,

Rob…

VK6LD