Feedback: " THE NSN NET #7" – Thursday 24 March 2022 19h30 SAST

 Despite erratic Internet connections we had a very interesting and informative discussion last night!!  As  stated before, those that participated in the Net ensure the continuation of the Net.  The Net  is not a one person en-devour but belongs to every radio amateur that participate.  However it does not belong to listeners as they do not contribute to the Net in any way.  I therefor ask listeners to report in by just telling us that you will be listening or to actively participate.  Just a reminder the net is not a club affiliated net and is open to all radio amateurs.

The following radio amateurs, repeaters and links were logged:

1. Chris ZS1FC
2. Jannie ZS1JFK
3. Thys ZS1TBP
4. Willem ZS5WA
5. Majorke ZS5V
6. Johan ZS1I
7. ZS1FC-L  West Coast Link
8. Paul ZS1PJA
9. Theo ZS3TBS
10.  Bertus ZS2BCM
11.  Brian ZS6YZ
12.  Johnny ZS3JDL
13.  Schalk  ZR1SWB
14.  Jacobus  ZS5KVW
15.  Deon  ZS4DJV
16.  ZS3KBY-R  Kimberley Repeater

Apologies:

Theunis ZS2EC, Marco ZS1NEU (Birthday today - understandable) and Lem ZS1LEM

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• Next week we will have an open net.  A very interesting podcast will be streamed via the ZS-Link Network.  The reality of War and the impact it has on people.  No this is not a political podcast!! Join us next week to find out more.

WEEKLY TOPIC:

Every week we choose a topic question and ask it to each participant. If you have an amateur radio related topic or survey question that you'd like the net participants to discuss, we'd love to get your suggestions and input. Please email your topic suggestions by clicking HERE. If you prefer that your name/call not be used when we pose your topic to the net, please state so in your email and we'd be glad to respect your privacy.

This weeks topic: 

"What material should you use to construct a HF Balun?  Iron Core or Ferrite Core ?"

"Watter tipe materiaal behoort jy te gebruik om 'n HF Balun te bou? Yster kern of Ferriet kern?"

This question lead to some interesting comments from all the participants. 

Unfortunately I cannot provide full details about the comments and suggestions.  I would  like to encourage you to join the Net in future to find out more about the weekly topic question being discussed.   

Here is a few interesting links that discuss balun's:

• Air Balun  (Link supplied by Chris ZS1FC)
  
• Which toroid is better for HF, type 2 or type 43? Comparing 4:1 baluns. 
• Wideband RF Baluns
• All about Ferrite  
• Balun and Transformer Core Selection 
• Properly Testing Baluns
• Baluns   
• Don’t wind chokes on red toroids! 
• To Balun or not to Balun? 
• Toroidal BALUN Info Toroid
  

If you have an amateur radio related topic or survey question that you'd like the net participants to discuss, we'd love to get your suggestions and input. Please email your topic suggestions by clicking HERE. If you prefer that your name/call not be used when we pose your topic to the net, please state so in your email and we'd be glad to respect your privacy. 

 

RONDOMTALIE/ROUND ROBIN:

Once again the Round Robin was found to be a favorite amongst radio amateurs.  The question:  What did you do in amateur radio this past week?   All those that reported in participated in the "Round Robin".  Some radio amateurs are busy with interesting projects and ventures. Unfortunately I cannot provide full detail about the comments.  I would suggest you join the Net in future to find out more. 

HINTS AND KINKS:

1.  The most important hint this week is to leave a large (8 second) pause/gap between transmission between overs.

2.  To remove the green sediment from copper wire if you want to solder connectors or just to lengthen  a antenna dip the  part that you will be soldering into swimming pool acid to remove the sediment.  The bare and shiny copper will be easy to solder.

3.  To clean your HF Yagi use "Alubright", mentholated spirits and steelwool.  To prevent the aluminum pipes that slide into each other from sticking due to corrotion you can use Penetrox or Copper Slip paste.  Please note that copper has a chemical reaction when in contact with aluminum however in this case there is really little reaction and you can remove the elements with ease the next time you re-furbish you Yagi antenna.  

If you have an amateur radio related hint/s that you would like to share please email the hint/s to me, we'd love to receive your hints and kinks. Email:  HERE.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

None

SWOP SHOP:

None 

INTERMITTENT INTERNET CONNECTIONS:

For the very first time we had severe intermittent internet connectivity which resulted in the dropout of certain Echolink stations. This resulted in that several stations had to reconnect to ZS1I-L during the Net.  Unfortunately this resulted in several stations not being able to join the Net.  It also made it very difficult for Net-Control and I must apologize if someone was left in the cold.  I will monitor the connectivity and if it happens again, we might move the NSN - Net to a better timeslot or day.  I apologize for any inconvenience in this regard but it is beyond my control. 

There you have it.  A short summary of events that took place last night during the NSN - Net.  Once again a wide variety of amateur radio activities, something for everybody.  Can you provide more activities?  Please join us.  Your presence will be most welcome.  We need you expertise!!

If there is any questions you can contact me via email by clicking HERE.

All that remains is the next date for  "The NSN Net" gathering which will take place on Thursday, 31 March 2022 @ 19h30 on the  ZS-Link Network.  Please diarize the date and time as to ensure that you can join us for another interesting Net.  A big thank you to those that reported in last night..  Highly appreciated!!

73

Johan ZS1I

Mossel Bay