BELATED NEWSLETTER

[ali.a...@xtra.co.nz]

FIRST LIGHT

The Official Newsletter , Branch 11, NZART. 

Gisborne NZ. June 8th , 2009.

 

  Sarex  Radio Comms manager  ZL2BAI   ( Dorothy )

 

Welcome members , associates and friends ,

Club night will be the 2nd Monday of the month , June 8th  2009 , Bryce St scout hall 7.30 pm .

A discussion on working split frequencies will be the topic for the evening viz a viz  ZL2CC and ZL2RVW   , APRS frequencies , remits , ( I believe all 3 were lost ? ) ,  new club rooms  at the museum of technology and anything else that comes to hand..

 

Unfortunately , time does not permit me to write up too much about the SAREX exercise ,  prospective new club room , or anything much else due to a heavy workload  and  hence the lateness in getting this shortened newsletter out to you.

But I must pay tribute to that hardiest of dear souls ,  Dot ZL2BAI  , who has braved the most abominable weather for three whole  freezing  ,  gale force windy days , to manage the comms side of the  recent SAREX exercise , assisted by Rowley  ZL2APH for a third of the time.

Have a look at these pics to get an idea of the atrocious weather conditions Dot put up with.

 

DOT"s  VIEW OUT OF POLICE COMMS CARAVAN.

 

 

The Dipoles erected in the morning were blown over and had to be re - erected. Note the bowstring appearance of the guys.

ZL2BAI   is inside this caravan ,  " Rocking and a rolling " , though not so evident in this photo .

 

 

 

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Breaking News  Breaking News  Breaking News Breaking News  Breaking News .

Mobile Weather and Disaster Radio Vehicle for Gisborne and East Coast  Branch  11.

 

After deep and prolonged consultation with myself    ( I , your humble  editor )  ,  have unanimously agreed ,  moved , and taken it upon myself , on behalf of the club , to purchase  ,  the following vehicle at a bargain ,  not to be missed ,  knockdown price ,  yet to be determined .

 

Yes members ,   I  know  it will exhaust all our dosh  that we have secretly  squirreled away into Swiss bank accounts  , and beneath  ZL1BFS 's  mattress ,  but this is just too good an opportunity to miss. 

 

I'm sorry Douglas , I realise that  as our fastidious and frugal  treasurer , this seemingly frivolous  expenditure will cause you countless sleepless nights of grief  and to  be  in much need  of  counseling in order to preserve your sanity ,  but it needed to be done for the greater good of the club and East coast region. 

 

Negotiations are currently underway by me , on  behalf ,  for the  purchase  of a Mobile Weather and Disaster emergency Vehicle for Gisborne amateur radio club .   

Below you can see  a photo of the prototype  vehicle currently being developed for the purpose under my sole  supervision.

 

 

 

The communications capability of this vehicle will be  phenomenal.      Here is just  some information relating to the radio communication equipment this vehicle will be fitted with.

• Master Intercom System:
• Provides independent headset communications of up to four people. May also feed the internal overhead speakers and use one or more PTT hand microphones. Users may converse with each other, operate any selected two way radio (PTT or VOX), or listen to the feed from a selected audio source or the entertainment system (AM/FM/CD). Selectable voice intelligibility processor, noise clipper, or full fidelity modes.
   
  • Four headset connection stations with independent volume control. Priority channel injection ability selectable by station. Up to four sets of noise canceling headsets may be simultaneously driven and controlled independently.
  • Ceiling mounted internal speakers (front and rear, with independent local volume control and source buss select switches).
  • External PA/Siren system which may be patched into the communications buss or may use an independent PTT hand microphone.
   
  • Seven audio input channels
    • UHF FM analog/digital Transceiver
    • VHF FM analog/digital Transceiver
    • HF/ALE Transceiver
    • Selected Satellite Network (half or full duplex)
    • Comm Buss #1
    • Cellular voice net
• Background inject channels
• • Frequency agile broadband receiver (programmable)
  • Entertainment system Stereo feed (background channel)
  • Audio feed from Comm Buss #1 or #2
  • Six prerecorded voice announcements may be triggered by external command. When triggered, a voice message is injected into both the headset and crew compartment PA speakers at a volume level that cannot be lowered below audibility. The messages are:
   
  • • CAUTION!
    • WARNING!
    • Low Fluid Level
    • High Temperature
    • System Failure
    • MAST UP!

 

• Two way radios
  • 3.2.1. VHF FM multi-mode analog/digital transceiver with clear/secure voice and data capability.
  • 3.2.2. VHF AM aircraft band radio (includes built-in independent GPS and Aviation map display and has an internal standby battery for emergency operation when primary and backup vehicle power systems have failed)
  • 3.2.3. UHF multi-mode analog/digital transceiver with clear/secure voice and data capability.
  • 3.2.4. HF/ALE (Automatic Link Establishment) with secure voice and data as well as selectable multiple waveform HF modems. Licensed and normally used on dedicated SSB commercial frequencies, but may also be programmed to operate in Amateur radio bands if desired for non-business communications by licensed Hams.
  • 3.2.4.1. HF Modems
• • 3.2.4.1.1. Pactor II
  • 3.2.4.1.2. ARQ, MILTOR, FTS-64, 39 tone, FEQ,
  • 3.2.4.1.3. Computer based multi-waveform
  • Cellular telephone #1 (analog/digital, front seat)
  • Cellular telephone #2 (analog/digital, back seat)
  • Cellular telephone #3 (GSM)
  • Satellite transceiver #1 (Inmarsat-B)
  • Satellite transceiver #2 (MSAT)
  • 3.2.10. Satellite transceiver #3 (Inmarsat-C)
  • 3.2.11. Satellite transceiver #4 (Globalstar)
  • 3.2.12. CB radio (independent system)
   
• 3.3. Receivers
• • 3.3.1. Frequency agile broadband receiver (weather bands, traffic advisories, commercial communications frequencies, etc). Controlled by NAVSYS computer.
  • 3.3.2. Satellite weather receiver (Wefax L-band geostationary and LEO VHF)
  • 3.3.3. AM/FM/CD commercial broadcast radio and shock resistant CD player.
  • 3.3.4. Stormscope lightning surveillance receiver
  • 3.3.5. Radar collision avoidance bearing sensor .
   
• 3.4. Special Purpose Transmitters, Receivers or Transceivers
  • 3.4.1. Tracking beacon with GPS and APRS capability
  • 3.4.2. Area surveillance radar – 5Km range for vehicular MTI
  • 3.4.3. Direction Finding system - UHF/VHF/HF capable
  • 3.4.4. Tracking beacon with GPS and APRS capability
  • 3.4.5. VIASTAR encoding transponder (location, speed, bearing, heading, systems status)
  • 3.4.6. Alarm system keyless entry (coded, spread spectrum)
  • Sky Tv
• 3.5. Repeaters
  • 3.5.1. VHF – FM secure capable repeater (voice, data)
  • 3.5.2. UHF – FM secure capable repeater (voice, data)
• 3.6. Telemetry
  • 3.6.1. 12 channel remote control system (bi-directional error checking). Controls:
    • 3.6.1.1. Selected hydraulic winch forward reverse (high/low speed)
    • Selected hydraulic winch freespool clutch (on/off)
    • Engine speed idle/preset
    • Engine start/stop
    • Mast lighting on/off
    • Work lights on/off
    • Mast raise/lower
    • Aux. #1 on/off
    • Aux. #2 on/off
    • Siren on/off
  • 3.6.2. Microwave Video Link #1 (from Dinghy)
  • 3.6.3. Microwave Video Link #2 (to Trailer)
  • 3.6.4. Spread Spectrum data Link #1 (2.8Ghz); to/from trailer(2.4 ghz?)
  • 3.6.5. Spread Spectrum data link #2 (2.8Ghz); to/from large portable terminal(2.4ghz)
  • 3.6.6. Spread Spectrum data link #3 (800 MHz); to/from small portable terminals
  • 3.6.7. AppleTalk LAN
  • Microwave Oven.
• 3.7. Antennas
  • 3.7.1. VHF Vertical dipole whip; primary VHF transceiver
  • 3.7.2. UHF vertical dipole whip; primary UHF transceiver
  • 3.7.3. UHF blade antenna; UHF telemetry
  • 3.7.4. Broadband whip; LF/MF/HF/VHF/UHF
  • 3.7.5. HF whip on NVIS mount with automatic antenna tuner
  • 3.7.6. AM/FM radio antenna
  • 3.7.7. 5 GPS antennas
  • 3.7.8. Inmarsat-B satellite antenna (autotrack)
  • 3.7.9. Inmarsat-C satellite antenna (autotrack)
  • 3.7.10. MSAT satellite antenna (autotrack)
  • 3.7.11. 4 cellular 1/4 wave helical whips
  • 3.7.12. Cellular (high gain erectable)
  • 3.7.13. Wide band scanner (erectable)
  • 3.7.14. Special Purpose antennas
    • 3.7.14.1. UHF/VHF DF antenna array (stacked)
    • 3.7.14.2. Stormscope antenna
    • 3.7.14.3. Surveillance radar antenna
    • 3.7.14.4. Radar proximity detector
    • 3.7.14.5. VHF/UHF log periodic (H & V polarization)
    • 3.7.14.6. Microwave log-periodic .
    • 3  x  1000 Ah SLA  deep cycle  batteries mounted under chassis.
    • 4 x  azimuth   tracking  solar panel  arrays.
    •  6 Kw  trailer mounted  diesel generator
     
    • Back up .   1/4 wave whip , mounted on left front  bumper  so as not to obscure driver vision , and  2 x rubber duckies in the glove box. .

 

 

Good mews  ,  I have just now received the following email ...................

 

 

" The contract has been , accepted ,  signed , sealed , and  the vehicle is now   OURS "  ,  for just a tad more than the cost of  a  HUMMER,    BUT ,  less   than that of  a Boeing  777 .

 

 

I'm so excited   .         

   

The  ONLY  downside is that there may be a slight  increase  to membership  FEES  , yet  to be  ascertained ,  and  for the need to do a  fair bit of fund raising !

 

 

 Please ,  QSL  your response , gratitude , and feedback  to me at ,,,,,,,,  

 

 P.O Box 1, 2 MT ,    Nevacuminbak  ,  Sumwareororrer.   (  Try Google if difficulty is experienced )

 

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A bit of poetic license here. Thanks to Pieter ZL1PDT for the article which I have unashamedly plagiarised out of desperation for editorial content. 

 

73   

 

de  ZL2AIX