Q-News AR News from Queensland: Recent Episodes
QNews VK4BB
Peter Stevens VK4BT passed away last May 15th. He would have made it to 73 years in November. We had a memorial service for him June 11th which was packed to the rafters. Pete was in a wheel chair after an accident in his early 20's, but talking to him on the radio you'd never really know it. Possibly the best eulogy as far as Pete's amateur radio activities was given by old mate Reg VK2MNM who started with one of Pete's normal tongue in cheek wisecracks given to him almost every day ... "so Reg, what colour M&M are you today?"
Members of the 7125 KHz AM fraternity are deeply saddened by the news that one of their long standing operators of vintage AM equipment, Ken Buckley VK4KB, succumbed to cancer at The Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane on Tuesday 27 May 2025. Ken was an A-grade automotive mechanic who lived and worked in various locations on the Sunshine Coast and in Brisbane. In 1978, Ken qualified for his open amateur-radio licence and was granted callsign VK4KB. He was based on the Sunshine Coast.
Hi - I’m John, VK4JPM, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club, and welcome to QNEWS for Sunday 22nd of June. Yes, it’s the winter solstice, and from here the days get longer - good news for you if you’re running your station on solar.
Now turning to Queensland, Muhammad Kapadi, one of the volunteer coordinators for the Queensland PCYC Emergency Services Cadets Program, has reached out for assistance. The Queensland Police Service Academy unit were donated 9 Motorola XTS 2500 radio and will be used as training radios for their cadets. The radios have seen better days. The 9 radios only have 2 hand/speaker mics with them. Those two have deteriorated and the organisation that donated the radios no longer have any compatible shoulder mics for the XTS2500. If you can help and are able to donate any spare xts 2500 shoulder mics (working conditions with clips) please send an email to Mohammad. His email address is in the text edition of this news article. This donation will help the Queensland Police Service Academy continue to train the youth of today to be the emergency services of tomorrow. For QNEWS in VK4, I am Alan VK2COD in Sydney.
Redcliffe Club annual Carboot Sale.
Greetings from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club VK4RC Robert Thomson VK4TFN here.
The Redcliffe Club will hold our Annual CarBoot Sale on Saturday 30th August 2025 at our club house in MacFarlane Park at Kippa Ring in the City of Redcliffe.
There will be a raffle prize and there will be lucky door prizes as well.
So, vendors in at seven, breakfast is at eight, the carboot sale starts at nine, the raffle draw is at ten thirty.
$10 per car boot or table, gold coin admission.
There'll be bacon and egg rolls for breakfast.
Go to www dot redclifferadioclub dot org dot au for more information.
Thank you and 73's from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club VK4RC.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
Well the winter cold has hit with a vengeance during the past week and staying out of the cold breezes has been high on most peoples priorities.
The weather got me to thinking about what things we could do to benefit our fellow amateurs. One of the obvious things was to have a lending library where people could get the loan of equipment instead of laying out money for items that they may only use once or twice a year.
I know that many larger clubs have this service as well as holding stocks of basic components that are sold at low prices.
It was traditional for many clubs to maintain a library of newsletters and magazines as well as the hardy reference books, the “bibles” to hobby. As circumstances change and people move on, it has been harder to store all this material let alone maintain the record keeping.
These days so much material is available on-line that storing tons of paper and keeping the silver fish away is not a task to be taken lightly. Having a basic computer system set up with links to much of the available material could well be an easier solution to this issue.
However, the other idea of having loan equipment requires both storage and an inventory record and tracking system and probably a discussion with the club’s insurance provider as to the cost/benefits to be obtained and being able to fund some of the goods may take some discussion too.
As many clubs take on the task of disposing of deceased estates they are already aware that there is a plethora of items in an individual amateur’s “junque” box. It may seem indelicate but I think it is worthy of personal consideration that each of us lists the items with good commercial value and which can be sold or gifted as part of the estate settlement. Then there is the time to talk to the club about items that it would like to have to help members. A donation or two would always be appreciated.
Then there is the inevitable junk box collection to sort out. Many people use a lot of obsolete gear and many spares or no longer available. Sorting and listing them could ensure that these sacred collections don’t get relegated to the rubbish skip but go on to serve their intended purpose.
The vexed issue could be the circuit diagrams, data books and equipment manuals.
Perhaps these could best be itemised and put on a national site with an expiry date before they get sent to the recyclers. What a waste, many will say.
I know there are many clubs who don’t have dedicated club rooms and some of these suggestions will not suit local needs.
Still there is the opportunity for some mind stretching discussion and perhaps a fresh idea or two will provide a solution.
I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and that's what I think, how about you?
This is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club. Another month and another business meeting was held on May 26 at the clubhouse, with others joining via Zoom. From Ipswich WICEN, a reminder that the biggest event of the year is the annual Guzzler on July 19 and 20. Currently, there are about 14 volunteers, but 24 is the number needed to cover all safety checkpoints. The club receives a substantial donation from the organisers, which goes straight to offsetting costs for the club and clubhouse.
Hi - I'm John VK4JPM, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club, and thanks for joining us for this week's QNews. What could be better than a Sunday lunch? Maybe Sunday lunch with the gang you just talked to? You can join us from midday for our bimonthly informal gathering, and this month we're at the Highfields Tavern... in Highfields.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. Well, we have been getting a bonus from the solar weather in the form of glorious eye candy in the south of the State. Some of the photos that I have seen from south of the border display an almost kaleidoscope of colour and movement. This is one of the benefits of the sunspot cycle, even though radio conditions have suffered the effects of radiation in the upper atmosphere. The cool fingers of winter have been reaching farther north, and the past week has reminded many of us what frost and chill winds are all about. With the bands being contrary, it has been a good time to stay indoors or gather around a fire pit and relax. No doubt for many, there is the chance to get onto projects that will advance things for being an amateur. Here is where the individuality of amateur radio gets to shine. I can virtually guarantee that no two hams will have the same equipment, interests and skills. The choice of radios can be determined by personal finances and projected use, and even when two hams make the same choices, how things work out may be entirely different. This is how clubs get to be a place of sharing when people with special interests and knowledge can demonstrate these things in a technical presentation. The thing is whether the club members who organise these events become aware of the hidden skills waiting to blossom before an audience. How many clubs have attempted to gather the information, I wonder? A simple questionnaire can do two things. It can collect the details of what people wish to learn about, and it can, in another section, get the details of the special interests and projects of members. The great thing is that the range of activities that cluster under the mantle of amateur radio is very, very wide. I remember enjoying a presentation on Dxpeditions, something that I have never been involved in and getting a sense of the thrills that culminated in thousands of QSOs from distant locations. There are the crafts of building and design of things related to radio and electronics, and the mysteries of programming and coding, then there are the adventurous outdoors exploits of getting contacts from parks, hill tops and lighthouses, to name a very few. Microwave operations and ATV, moonbounce and satellite operations can all be part of the mix that makes our pursuit so interesting, and chances are that someone else would like to understand what is involved and how to participate. The trick is to bring it together. Publicising these events allows visitors to join in and other groups to learn how to organise a presentation. For the guest presenter, it is an opportunity to share what is interesting and what they have been investing their time in learning and practising. How about we make it a project to get more clubs involved in holding technical presentations? You never know, it might attract more people to come through the door for meetings. I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and that's what I think. How about you?
Hi - it's the start of June already,. This is the QNEWS segment from the Darling Downs Radio Club for Sunday 1 June; I'm Secretary John VK4JPM, and we're working towards some good old fashioned end of financial year excitement. More about that in coming weeks.
Our two events coming up next weekend, with all the info that you need in the calendar entries at the club website.
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our bimonthly informal lunch is locked in for Sunday 8 June at the Highfields Tavern. There's a menu on our site so that you can see what's on offer: drop an RSVP to lunch@ddrci.org.au so that we get an idea of numbers. If you're listening to this on the evening replay, it's either "we had a good time" or "oops!".
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on Monday 9 June we have our monthly club meeting, once again at the Toowoomba Library on Victoria Street from 1900m, and it's a packed program.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. Welcome, welcome, welcome, as a TV character used to say. Yes, welcome to Winter, with the shortest period of daylight coming in around three weeks. For those playing on the shortwave bands, I hope you have been enjoying the fluctuations in solar weather over the past week. As we reach the peak of this solar cycle, we can expect more of the strange conditions to persist. It is very eerie to turn on the rig and not hear any atmospheric noise at all. It is frustrating to experience blackouts and very low MUF, but it all adds to the mystique of amateur radio. Sometimes I have to consider what the necessary features of amateur radio are when confronted with an obvious lack of understanding of what I learned as basic information. It happened during the week when I explained what an antenna accessory was that had its photo posted to a group. The author wanted to know which was the antenna and which was the ground or counterpoise connection on the device. To this OT, it was obvious that it was a balun for connection between 50-ohm coax and 450-ohm ladder line. The response that I received from the author and some who followed the thread was that I must be wrong, as it had to be for the connection of an end-fed horizontal wire antenna, regardless of the DC resistance measurements that he had observed. Sadly, for me, it seems so many new amateurs are learning the least amount of information to pass an assessment without gaining an understanding of the subject. I know that this has been a criticism over many years of the US system where many authors produce cram manuals for each level of license. When we look at the international definition of amateur radio, part of its characteristics is that of self learning. Then the question becomes, just what are we learning? There are radio services that cater just for chatting, and the introduction to theory can get caught up in that. The amateur service would not be where it is today were it not for the citizen band in many countries. Then, is ham radio just a chat service with access to multiple bands and modes? As helpful as chat groups on the internet can be, it is my feeling that too many newly minted operators turn to this source rather than opening a book or doing a search for the correct information. It doesn’t take long to see errors posted in chat groups, and all too often, they remain uncorrected. Perhaps it is the need to school candidates in doing basic research and learning what good resources are. My small library is invaluable when I don’t want to compare sources online and just want to look up a chart or check a fact or two. We can be pleased that we have good training materials available for our Aussie training, and even older versions of the radio handbooks from the major English-speaking countries can be more reliable than a fact check on social media. I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and that's what I think. How about you?
Hi - I'm John VK4JPM, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club on Sunday, 25 May and here's the Club's updates this week.
Big news for us is that the Club has been accepted in the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Grand Central Parade on Saturday, 20 September. It's a huge opportunity to get our hobby in front of tens of thousands of people who don't know who we are or what we do. Whether or not you think watching a parade is fun - and generally it's great entertainment - being in a parade is a real hoot - trust me on that one.
Sunday 8 June: date for our next club lunch.
Monday, 9 June at 1900 is the date for our next monthly tech meeting.
The July meeting is on the 14th, and our special guest presenter will be Peter VK4EA, who will give us insight into his day job, electricity supply control systems used throughout the state.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
History is a good means of assessing the present against what has happened before.
Like the saying goes, those who don’t know their history are bound to repeat its mistakes. The reverse is also a valid assumption too in that if we don’t know the
past, we can’t properly recognise the successes.
I think back over my engagement with amateur radio and reflect upon the pros and cons of what we have now. The internet has made many areas of information
readily available, so the graphical displays of possible propagation that used to be sought after on the news broadcasts and magazines have gone by the board.
Technology has moved along, and the urge to re-use available goods has, in many areas, been supplanted. In the aftermath of the 2nd and Korean Wars, tons (rather
than tonnes) of surplus military goods were sold on for civilian use. The electronics did much to aid many to simply get on air for the lowest cost of parts that
could be used, as against the expensive retail parts.
As time went on, the first and second and third generations of electronic computers went from prized business assets to scrap to be recovered. Semiconductors with house labels became the source of many an introduction to solid-state electronics.
Along with this strong strand of re-use were the support services within the radio hobby, the State branches of the WIA, which ran schemes to aid radio
amateurs to get items that they could use. I remember seeing lists of crystals with frequencies being printed for the home builder to choose. I even bought an ex-Flying Doctor transceiver for conversion to 80m when the Novice licences were new.
With the re-engineering of domestic electronics and the cheapness of very effective kits, there has been the death of the surplus market within the hobby.
Even the 2nd hand adds have diminished in a magazine that has become bi-monthly.
But not only has it been the hands-on building that has reduced, but we have lost some very clever and erudite correspondents from the pages of the magazine
stands and house journals. Certainly, the larger the amateur population is within a country, the better the stream of publications remains. We don’t have the reports of intruders and special interest activities that we once enjoyed.
I, for one, know that wanting to do more is limited by personal circumstances, which demand more attention than recreation. What remains is the hope that there
are people who can snatch some extra time to record some thoughts on favoured topics. We can’t be limited by reason that things can’t be done; we must look to find the way to get them done.
This is the call for leadership that so many in the wider community are issuing. It is not something for the government, the executive or someone else; it is
something for us all to look over what we want, what we have and how to get it.
I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and that's what I think, how about you?
Hi - I'm John VK4JPM, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club. It's Sunday 18 May and here's the news for this coming week.
Tomorrow, Monday, I'll be at the BDARS tech/social night talking about home automation - expanding a bit on a chat I did last year. If you're wondering how this stuff can work for you, come along and find out. You don't need google, alexa or even a Linux server - although you could use any or all of those. In this case, the journey has been about integrating some very cheap options under a single app to do quite a lot of useful tasks with high reliability. I'll have a crate of toys with me, and we'll configure some IoT devices on the spot so that you can see how simple it is to get working.
If you're in Brisbane tomorrow night 19 May at 1900, drop in to the Redlands Coast Museum in Cleveland and join us. Details are at bdars.org.au; scroll down to the bottom of the home page and click on the Tech/Social night link.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
Do you ever have one of those weeks where things just don’t pan out? I managed to have my week disrupted over the weekend and beyond when a change of medicine seems to have upset more than the apple-cart. Fortunately it was not happening before an approaching storm or flood and the supply of a necessary paper product has managed to be sufficient for the immediate issues.
What was annoying was that I managed to miss taking the news broadcast and my retreat has been to watching videos that I can no longer remember. Just to impress my simple mind, I didn’t have the concentration to turn on the rig and try and catch some of the signals on the waterfall.
I find that being able to tune into the world, that is amateur radio is a great diversion from some of the more frustrating and mundane life events. The fact that the head couldn’t accommodate this simple activity suggests that things might have been more distressing that just a lot of pain in the guts to put it in Aussie lingo.
Anyway the GP has lined me up with some good diagnostic tests so I expect to get an answer as to what has gone wrong, soon.
However, this is not to spread the word of my health issues but it is just to illustrate that for the majority of us, there will be times when issues impinge on our activities. That contest, that field operation may just have to be put aside until things are back to normal. As much as what we individually feel it is the knowledge that others of our bent will understand when we don’t make a sked or turn up at a club lunch.
Similarly, allowing for time, age, health and other factors the camaraderie that is part of amateur radio ensures that people are keeping an eye out for others.
Sadly there are the circumstances where duty to loved ones inhibits the ability to physically interact with others locally.
With all the tools at our disposal, the amateur radio world should and can be one most interconnected groups in the community.
This brings me to another opportunity and that is running safety nets.
Whether simplex or via repeater, or on what service it is possible to offer a community resource. A club or group can run such a for all sorts of situations such as storm watch and road closures. The contacts can be open to only members of the group, repeater users and what ever licences permit.
With voice and video streaming over the internet, radio can be fallback position and more targeted than a totally open group.
I think this sort of welfare can be a great help if only we can organise it.
I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and that's what I think, how about you?
Hi - I'm John VK4JPM, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club. I should lead by congratulating the WIA on the weekend in Bendigo. We had a really good and interesting AGM, and a very impressive after-dinner presentation involving Amateur Radio, an astronaut, and a room full of young people who are on a STEM track - that's Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. What's not to like about an event which brings all those together?
This month, we look at how we can be better at supporting communications for emergency activities, and how supporting civil events can help develop important operational skills. Our guest will be Simon Chantrill VK4TSC, along with helping us understand what the Brisbane WICEN Group is, how they contribute to events in our region, and how you could get involved. The meeting will be in the Toowoomba Library in Victoria Street, with tons of undercover parking (meaning it will be dry). We invite you to come along, have a cuppa and a natter, and take part in the discussion.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. Why do we have a news service these days, with all the might of the internet providing access to supposedly all the information that we need? Why does the WIA publish a magazine when social media and web pages can provide so much info? These are challenging questions; some will instantly offer a “why don’t they just drop them?” response. Just as some decry the production of Amateur Radio magazine in a physical format, as they prefer reading on their electronic devices. One of the issues that it seems most volunteer bodies are facing is the loss of membership, both from natural attrition and also non-renewal. In my area, there are calls for people to fill positions in scouting bodies and Meals on Wheels, as well as local progress associations. While it is not unexpected that within the ranks of the radio amateurs struggle to spread the word and keep the number of participants steady,it is also necessary to spread the word of what we do as a somewhat isolated and nerdy group of people. Part of retaining membership is to keep the people informed and engaged in activities. When followers have a continuing interest, it is important to provide the stimulus that maintains a level of identity with the group. Not only do we have our internal clients, but we also seek those external to our engagement in AR. This is where the traditional forms of publication are beneficial. Our members and non-members can get updated on happenings by following either a printed output or more frequently listening to the broadcast news, reading the text or downloading the podcast and video editions provided each week. We know that the WIA get an idea of the newsstand sales of the magazine and our relay operators take callbacks but we have no way, unless people make physical contact, just how many take the output on scanners and shortwave receivers or how many get to sample that lone magazine that gets bought and taken home. Yes, I am enthusiastic about this recreation, and I feel we all have the right, perhaps even the duty, to share news about it in our own way. When we put a radio signal to air, we have no idea how many people are listening. When we leave a copy of the magazine at a location such as a waiting room, we have no idea of how many times it gets picked up and thumbed through. But these are small opportunities that we can support personally. It really doesn’t matter what range of interests people enjoy and share, but it does matter, I think, that we give a little effort in telling and sharing ham radio. This is a group activity and a personal one, and whether we get to a club meeting or we enjoy our hobby from home, showing participation, such as making a call back to the news relay, can demonstrate to a stranger that this might be something good for them too. I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and that's what I think. How about you?
Hi from the Darling Downs Radio Club - I’m Secretary, John VK4JPM. This coming weekend, there are two major club activities: Next Saturday, the 10th of May, we have our first annual club foxhunt and BBQ. Well, you have to start somewhere, and in the case of the DDRCI foxhunt, we're starting at Peacehaven Botanic Park on Kuhls Rd in Highfields. Start time of 1030 is when hounds depart for the chase, so you'd want to be in the car park maybe around 1000. Bruce VK4MQ is our hunt-master, and he's mapped out a finish point that will work for both newbies and experienced hands. You won't have to travel more than 15km from the start, and there's going to be plenty of support. If you go to the club website at ddrci.org.au and check the event invitation in the calendar, you'll find loads of hints, maps, DIY options, and just about everything you need except the final location of the fox.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. One of the changes to modern retailing is the growth of online retail. Yes, we still have the grocery store in the guise of the supermarket and the hardware store that sells lots of corner store items. We have the newer outlets from overseas that let you get groceries, hardware, musical instruments and surprises, all in good old bricks and mortar stores, as they say. We people who enjoy the electronic side of making things have seen a large drop-off of retail outlets, and some of us find it awkward or impossible to get to the nearest store, especially if you live in the regions. This brings me to the amateur radio tradition of having a pile of loot, a box of goodies or a rack of spares colloquially called the junk box. So it was that during the past week, I gathered some material that had been waiting for the opportunity to be attacked by heat and molten solder, and I set forth. I found that I had accumulated a stash of generic UHF plugs, PL259’s, and I had a nice run of coax to make some patch leads. Once the eyes were tuned to cutting and trimming the cable ends to the right length, came the thrill of melting solder. That task seemed to go not too badly for the first two ends until I picked up the meter leads to do the mandatory check for shorts or open circuits. That test was past, but what greeted me wasthat the centre pins on both connectors were now lopsided. I have made the discovery that most of this collection of plugs, probably sourced from an Asian vendor, did not have decent insulation but some brown, low melting point plastic substitute. Hopefully, I hadn’t lashed out too many pennies in buying this collection of rubbish in thinking I was getting the better quality insulation. A quick look at my nearest dedicated ham radio supplier showed a listing for proper plugs with Teflon insulation, and including postage, they are about $4:00 each. Thank heavens for the specials offered by this retailer. I suppose what is an object lesson from days of yore, is that items which can be salvaged and reused have a quality that is worth utilising. If you have ever wondered why there can be containers filled with electronic and electrical bric-a-brac at your HamFest, then I have just given the reason why. Buying from overseas and especially sourcing generic type items can be fraught with danger. Cable with insulation that breaks down with heating or voltage, fake semiconductors and RF connectors that don’t meet specs are some of the many issues you can read about with online shopping. There may be consumer law to protect purchasers in this country, but cheaper items are often a lottery when bought from overseas unless they are so-called A1 by reputation. We can say “let the buyer beware,” but there is no practical recourse when postage to and from countries like the USA can be multiple times the cost of the “bargain”, and the only beneficiary ends up being the local waste facility.
I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and that's what I think. How about you?
Darling Downs Radio Club news. Coming up on 10 May we’re running our inaugural annual club Foxhunt and family day. The actual hunt will start at 1030 and will run no further than a 15 km radius from the starting location at Peacehaven Park in Highfields, just north of Toowoomba. The Fox frequency will be 145.650 kHz, and the hunt is going to be staged so that experienced hands and rank beginners can both have fun. Doesn’t matter where you are in the state; we’d love you to come and join us - we already know of a few distant households who will come to stay in Toowoomba overnight, and the aim is to be as social as possible.
The hunt will start from Peacehaven Botanic Park on Kuhls Road in Highfields and is also the location for the post-hunt BBQ. Tons of parking, easy access, wet-weather protection, and great family amenities. Our next club tech session is on Monday, 12 May, when Simon VK4TSC will join us from the Brisbane WICEN group to guide us on the WICEN state of mind, and talk about the Hip Pocket Challenge Horse enduro, which has been rescheduled for Southbrook on 28 June.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. A comment about the quality of the image on one of the free-to-air TV channels started me thinking about progress. Compare the sound reproduction of a portable cassette player to a digital machine, and you can appreciate the way things have improved. With television, the images that we get when archived material is shown are appalling compared to the images we saw on the screens in our living rooms 30 or more years ago. Just as the digital TV was a vast improvement over the old PAL services, the newer HD is another jump ahead in home entertainment. This brought me around to thinking about the radios that I have used in the past. Budgets being what they are on the domestic front, most of my rigs have been 2 nd hand, so already showing their ages by the time I got to use them. From hybrid to fully solid-state HF radios, there seems not to be much difference in performance. For someone who started listening on the large console receiver dominating the lounge room and then went through home-made and commercial simple sets, it was amazing at the time what the multiband and multimode brand-name transceiver could do. Still, as most of us will have experienced, these older rigs had their own characteristics which made them good, but at times finicky and annoying on reception. They are perfectly usable, but you have to tolerate overlapping signals and front-end overload, from time to time, as they represent the technology of the period of manufacture. More recently, I was able to purchase an Asian SDR as my introduction to the multicoloured scrolling display. What a great little rig that has yet to do duty out in the rig. It is versatile and every bit a good as the best shortwave rig that I have owned. Over the past couple of weeks, I have been fortunate to use a full-blown 100W SDR transceiver made by a major Japanese company. Before receiving this piece of kit, I watched several online videos and took note of what users and reviewers had to say. I must say that I have yet to put a signal on air, and I have to fight the electrical noise which envelopes this QTH, but the received signals and sensitivity just blow me away. I am using a shortened centre-loaded vertical antenna in a poor location, but pulling voices out of nothing is amazing. There can be no trace on the display, and the audio is readable. There can be close-by signals without heterodyning, and I have yet to find out how this unit handles a really close-by and strong signal. I suspect it will use the AGC to the best advantage and still provide a clean signal through the speaker. I am impressed with the improvements that digital technology is providing now, and I hope we all appreciate the engineering developments for our recreation.
I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and that's what I think. How about you?
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
Well the space weather is jostling us about with interesting solar activities over the past week. This is a great challenge for the DX chaser on the shortwave bands as conditions can vary in short order with coronal mass ejections causing ionising effects in the atmosphere. The next couple of days could be amazing as we get the benefits of solar flares which continue in this cycle.
This is a rare happening when we have two consecutive long weekends, an occurrence which stirs the embers in many an Aussie chest. It seems that the gods of weather
are being kind for Easter allowing people to enjoy their preferred activities with sunshine for a change. Whether the following weekend will be so fortunate as
thousands gather to participate in the Anzac memorials, we will have to wait and see.
One thing that has been filtering through my thinking is how little we seem to consider amateur radio and modern housing solutions. With more and more people living in apartments and suburban homes being erected on postage stamp sized allotments, the opportunity to maintain a reasonable working HF station is getting
more limited. When we could look at a yard of 810 square metres as being the average, there was enough space to generally have some sort of antenna system.
Whether it was horizontal such as the once ubiquitous G5RV, a doublet or a modest tower with a commercial beam, the options were available. Now many of the people who had these facilities have moved into smaller residences, maybe granny flats, apartments a few stories high and even supported accommodation. Each of these
situations has its own set of limitations for a once active ham.
Yes there is internet linked means and VHF and UHF repeaters but for the died in the wool HF operator it can be like losing an arm or a leg when they can no longer make the skeds with people they have known over the air. For the youthful person juggling study, work and perhaps romance, the proverbial dance card is already close to full
and even although they may have enjoyed amateur radio when circumstances were different, they find themselves effectively isolated from the hobby.
Mobile operations have always been an option for those fortunate enough to have access to a vehicle but many people don’t have that option so home based operation
is their only opportunity to stir the aether again.
What I see is many people who could be more active but who are functionally denied access. The value of video sharing sites is good but I don’t see much material aimed
at the so-called house bound amateur. I don’t get to see much of the current overseas magazines as they have disappeared from the newsagent shelves but from our
own publication it seems authors aren’t engaged is this side of the hobby.
Perhaps clubs could think this over and find some ways forward.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….
how about you?
Hi; I'm John VK4JPM, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club and this news will be fresh if it's Sunday 9th of February. Most importantly, tomorrow night Monday 10th is our February club meeting, where members, guests and others will find out lots about the Amateur Radio take on the Fox Hunt, and how you can have massive amounts of fun and learn useful stuff at the same time. The meeting will be hosted by Bruce VK4MQ, who has been beavering away over the last two months to construct a heap of projects to show you how a Fox Hunt works. The meeting starts at 1900 in the Toowoomba Library on Herries Street near Grand Central on Monday 10th of February, and it's in a meeting room on level 3. That's easy to find, and there's plenty of free offstreet parking.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. The continuing stories of the weather and the flooding in the north of Queensland seem to be expected to continue for some time yet. Along the central coast, we have had the inconvenience of showers and the odd rain squall but the stressful and dangerous deluges have spared us. It is something that I can, in part, identify with from my youth on the regularly flooded north coast of NSW. It is perhaps too early to know if the amateur fraternity has been engaged in assistance efforts but I haven’t seen anything appear on my internet feeds indicating WICEN and other groups have been activated. I would like to remind listeners that our regular WIA National News presenter, Felix Scerri, and his family live in the heavily affected town of Ingham which has been without services such as electricity for several days. To Felix and amateurs in the flooded communities, I trust you are remaining safe and that relief comes soon. Whilst our news services have been following the flooding the world has remained active and from a North American news outlet, MSNBC, comes a report of an event which hopefully can never happen in this land down under. Commentator Rachel Maddow tells of what appears to be politically driven actions by the Federal Communications Commission. It is alleged that under the new White House administration, there is a policy to direct support for news services towards those businesses that support the new administration. In her story, Miss Maddow told of how a local newspaper which had a readership of over many hundreds of thousands and was identified as the paper of record for official advertisements for that area, has had its contracts with the Federal government withdrawn and the business transferred to adjacent area publishers. It would be inconceivable for we Aussies to see the ACMA act in such a partisan political manner as this news story presents. However, we individually may view the governmental processes we seem to being better protected by administrative structures than our colleagues across the Pacific, allowing for the truth of the report. Returning to the floods and the possibility of amateur radio support during this crisis period, there is the question as to whether resilience mapping actually accommodates our skill base and uses it. If the answer is yes, then we seem to be hiding the efforts of many people as we don’t usually get to hear of their efforts. Then if the answer is no, we must ask the question as to whether we have lost recognition and credibility as a volunteer support group. Certainly, there are good reasons for getting the word out about our contributions or finding out why our participation is dying on the vine. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Greetings from the Redcliffe & Districts Radio Club VK4RC. Robert Thomson VK4TFN here. REDFEST 25 "Adventures on HF" will be held on the 12th of April 2025. Our new venue will be The Deception Bay North State School, Old Bay Road, Deception Bay. We will raffle off a very nice ICOM IC-7300. Go to: www.redclifferadioclub.org.au for more information.
Hello and welcome to the weekly update from the Darling Downs Radio Club. I'm Secretary John VK4JPM. It's Groundhog Day, so I've checked with Punxatawnie Phil and we're either in for another four weeks of Queensland snow, or this segment will replay over and over again until the next Club meeting on Monday 10 February. At Darling Downs Radio Club we believe that being social is an important part of amateur radio, so a reminder about our bi-monthly informal lunch this coming Saturday, February 8th. We'll be meeting at Cafe Inferno in the Southern Hotel on Ruthven Street Toowoomba
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. The technology that we use depends on what is generally called a commodity and which we pay for in increasingly high premiums, that of electricity. Mostly we are supplied by a reticulated service and the electrons are persuaded to travel the network in various ways that we call generation. We seem to have seen a total revolution as batteries were the first way of making electricity available, then came electromagnetic generation with various forms of energy providing the mechanical forces to rotate the magnetic fields and we have now revived the storage battery to facilitate use. Various uses of electricity have occurred over the last 3 centuries, and the latest fad that has swept the share market speculators off their feet has been that of artificial intelligence. AI was undergoing an ethical analysis as to the limits of its uses and the capacities it should be allowed to develop and then ChatGPT was launched on the world. Shares in the “chip” manufacturer, Nvidia, soared but not as high as the fictional cryptocurrencies. Then this past week a new player with reportedly fewer demands on computing power lobbed into view and the stock exchanges reeled. Before the release of the Chinese-developed AI app, there were questions as to whether the electricity grids could meet the high demand of the data centres which hurled the gazzillions of terabytes of data into the internet to make AI work. Then some cheeky environmentalist types added further to the debate by querying the amount of water that the data centres demanded to maintain suitably cool environments for the computers to make the magic. What we saw in the development of electricity as a necessary tool is the benefits of economies of scale. As more people were able to access electricity, the costs of providing it fell until somewhere in the last quarter century the Western world lost sight of the things that are useful and renamed them as commodities. Utilities such as water and electricity were processed and supplied at sustainable costs but when controls were relinquished, and plants were sold off the prices rose. With AI becoming more ubiquitous the processes of refining its use and recovering the costs involved should, like electricity did once, fall with the greater uptake. Perhaps the union of AI and quantum computing will provide the impetus for a dramatic renaissance and dynamism to the sciences and technology. Boffins have been debating whether the fictional devices of the TV “Star Trek” series such as matter transporters can not only be imagined but also constructed and used. Perhaps we are at the dawning of the Age of Aquarius after all and amateur radio will see a flowering that few of us can imagine. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Darling Downs Radio Club for Sunday 26 January. I'm John VK2JPM, Secretary of the club. Coming up: the next club meeting is on the evening of Monday 10th of February in the Toowoomba library at 1900. This month's topic is Fox Hunting, and Bruce VK4MQ is going to do his darndest to show you the two most important outcomes that you can get from our hobby: have a REALLY good time, and develop great technical and life skills. We're planning a club Fox Hunt event in late March or April, and Bruce will show you how to be prepared for not much money and only a small amount of effort. That date again: Monday 10 February at 1900 in the Toowoomba Library. If you're coming to the meeting and you've been busy constructing over the holidays, why not bring a bit of show and tell? Secretary@ddrci.org.au will get our attention, and someone will get back to you pretty quickly. 73 from John VK4JPM for the Darling Downs Radio Club.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. As I sat down at the keyboard to prepare this talk, the thrumming of the ceiling fan outpaced the chirrups of the cicadas serenading the night. It seems that large parts of the Sunshine State have largely dispelled the rain clouds for a little while and replaced the wet and humid weather with a heatwave with equally high levels of humidity. It is hardly the type of weather that encourages one to sit behind a microphone or keyboard and commune with the world. It is time for the younger students to enjoy the last days of the school holidays whilst staying as cool as conditions allow. We more senior folk are advised to stay cool and drink plenty of fluids to overcome the heat stresses. I spoke, last week, of the Jamboree which was held in Maryborough and one of the things I didn’t mention was the state of the camping area when sudden heavy rains caused localised flooding at the showgrounds. The images that appeared on television showed the scouts valiantly defending their sleeping area with shovels and what materials they could use to divert the several centimetres of water. It was a classic case of being caught unawares but being prepared to do what was necessary in the circumstances. For all of that disruption it seems that the situation was accepted and the good memories of time spent around the Fraser Coast were carried home in spite of the deluge. I caught a YouTube video, last week, from a space scientist and amateur operator, Dr. Tamitha Skove, and from the observations she has recorded it appears that we have reached the first stages of the decline in Solar Cycle 25. This is a good time to put our operating skills to work and catch the excitement of HF whilst the benefits of the cycle remain. I can recall the rapidity of some previous cycles as exotic skip was soaked into then so-called normal conditions that prevail between the 11 year peaks. Part of the joy of amateur radio is pitting one’s skills against the prevailing conditions on the bands. Some of the best fun is had when signals come from around the globe and we can work those stations without internet or satellite assistance. That is not to say these methods of any the less valid or enjoyable but a barefoot DX contact on the bands is always reason to smile with satisfaction. For our clubs, I trust you have resumed activities refreshed by the holiday break and members have returned full of enthusiasm and inspiration for the remainder of the year ahead. I am looking forward to sharing with you in 2025 and hope to hear your stories on the news. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hi, I'm John VK4JPM, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club. It's Sunday 19th of January and it's already only 22 sleeps away from our meeting on the second Monday of February. Bruce VK4MQ has a passion for Fox Hunting, and he's champing at the bit to show you why and how that happened. Not only is Bruce bringing along some of his home-brew foxes so that you can see what one looks like up close and personal, but he's a big fan of the cheap DIY directional antenna.
There's lots more to fox hunting than just a transmitter and a receiver - although those are a big help. It's also helpful to have a bit of technique, both as a hunter or as the fox, and Bruce will let you in on hints, tips, and winning strategies that you can use in either role. This is how Bruce gets to talk about the nuns and the beat-up sedan. Bruce has promised to bring along some raw materials and will build a directional antenna on the spot.
Robert Thomson VK4TFN here. REDFEST 2025 will be held on the 12th April 2025 The Theme will be "Fun on HF" We have a new venue. REDFEST 2025 will be held at the Deception Bay North State School in Old Bay Road Deception Bay. We will Raffle a very nice ICOM radio TxRx. Go to redclifferadioclub.org.au for more information. 73's and bye for now from the Redcliffe & Districts Radio Club VK4RC.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. In the past week, my part of the world has seen the conclusion of one of the biggest gatherings on the Fraser Coast. Maryborough was the host town for the Scouting Jamboree displayed as AJ25 on the patches and advertising. The last time this event was held in Maryborough, I was lucky enough to be able to participate in the amateur radio station that was on site. Sadly band conditions during the day were not the best and very few scouts were lucky enough to experience ham radio as they circulated around the activities. At night, the Scouters who were amateurs were much more successful and we would catch up with their successes when we returned the following day. I have not heard how the activities went this year but hopefully with band conditions more favourable there was plenty of action to spur enthusiasm in the hearts of the scouts who ventured into the amateur radio station. My participation has been limited to driving past the venue and following items presented in the media except for one activity. I do a weekly shop for the household and in that first week the streets and shops of Maryborough were illuminated by the bright Jamboree shirts of people attending to purchases in town and sight-seeing the historical town. What really came across to me was the courtesy and general good behaviour of the scouts. We are all used to the slightly frenetic pace at which people of this age like to live life and the fact that chasing the moment can overtake consideration for people around them. With these young people there was a unity and alertness which we would associate with people involved in the scouting movement. I have never had so many bodies defer to my travel along supermarket aisles and even apologise if they thought I had been hindered. I am left with the feeling that we amateurs are lucky to have an association with the Scouting movement and where we can we should offer assistance to our local groups. There is the hope that some of those people working to get their badges in various skills which align with amateur radio can take the further step of joining the radio fraternity as a complementary activity. Later this year, there will be the opportunity to participate in the JOTA/JOTI activities but in the meantime the opportunities remain for closer liaison with Scouts, Guides and Joeys at local levels. Like all voluntary bodies, scouting depends on the support of people like you and me. If there is an opportunity take it and if not try and make it. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
I'm John Maizels, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club and it's Sunday 12th of January. If you're listening to this on Sunday morning and in range of the club's repeater VK4RDD on 146.75, then the regular 2M Net is at the top of the hour at 1000 local time. Pretty much that's the same time as the rest of Queensland, so if you're listening to this on Sunday evening then you've missed it. If you are around, then please join in with the gang any Sunday - you don't have to be a club member - and meet the locals. Also, something for which you don't have to be a member: our next club technical gathering is on Monday 10th of February when you can come and learn some ins and outs of Fox Hunting. You can read all about the meeting and Fox Hunting on our website right now - go to www.ddrci.org.au and check the calendar entries at the start... where you'll be reminded that we don't have a meeting in January.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. As we move into a new calendar year it seems right to wonder what the direction of amateur radio is taking. There has been a tradition of maintaining practices which were foundational to the pursuit of AR. Over one hundred years ago, the wireless enthusiast was largely a home constructor. Morse code had been around for several years and its use in railway, shipping and military areas meant that it was the logical means of sending messages and conversing. Although patents existed for different voice modulation methods, the complexity of design and availability of components limited the uptake for the amateur experimenter. As the technology developed and was adopted around the world, it became necessary to find ways of harmonising the use of the radio spectrum. We see the current outcome of this in the International Telecommunications Union and the many subsidiary bodies that exist to facilitate various sectors. Part of the structure of radio administration has been to create a framework and then allow local authorities to care for the vast user base in a way that best suits local conditions. Our regulator seems to be a hands-off arm of government called the Australian Communications and Media Authority. If you wonder why I use that expression, consider trying to resolve an issue regarding your licence and finding you have no effective right of appeal to the Minister of Communications if you are dissatisfied with an outcome. It seems that part of the job description of the administrator of services is to ensure that the needs of their clients are adequately served. For we radio amateurs there are a few needs that are specific to our ability to utilise the full extent of our licences. For instance, we need to be able to corroborate or substantiate our qualification and licence grade to operate overseas or even register for certain internet applications involving the potential to transmit. The recent transfer of individual amateur licences to a class register has meant no access to an official database or, for many, a document that states the current status. Despite many attempts to remedy this situation with the Agency, it remains intransigent in its refusal to provide a simple and convenient solution. It is difficult to know the reasoning behind this situation, whether it is bureaucratic convenience, gross ignorance of the client base or poor external advice. Whatever the cause it is evident to those who need an entry on an official site or a piece of plastic or paper with the up-to-date information that this demonstrates a poor understanding of this part of the amateur service which the agency is charged with governing. In the scheme of things these are minor issues which require simple solutions and those solutions are being ignored. Let us hope to see a common-sense resolution to these transitional omissions this year. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Here's a Happy New Year to our listeners all over Queensland and beyond - coming to you from the Darling Downs Radio Club in Toowoomba. I'm John VK4JPM, secretary of the Club, and welcome to 2025. It's Sunday 5th of January, and time for a good look forward to what's coming up this year - all of which you can check on our website.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. It seemed a happy coincidence that our Sun joined in the earthly celebrations by providing not one but two solar storms to mark our arbitrary New Year. The fireworks looked spectacular on the TV and the solar winds must have provided entertainment and frustration to radio users around the world. The significance of the New Year is not whether it is correct by the laws of physics and mathematics but the mental prompt it gives us humans to refocus and align our thoughts and actions to priorities that may have slipped from view. For each of us, it marks a new beginning to a new period and the mental stimulus can guide us in new directions and away from patterns that have become routine, is another way of putting it. This small segment, in the weekly news service, is primarily aimed at the club environment but of course, it must also speak to the individuals who make up those clubs. Those of you who have watched the video posted by Hayden, VK7HH, (Ham Radio DX is the channel name) on YouTube, and using material from the recent REAST Conference in Tasmania will be either understanding or shocked at the statements from the WIA members on the panel. Clubs have largely been left to develop their strategies for growth without the support of the peak body for amateur radio. Sadly this merely confirms the impression that many have shared that the Board doesn't have an effective working committee structure. Past years have seen much effort given to aiding clubs and hopefully, we can see a resurgence of activity in this area. Here in VK4, we no longer have any state hierarchy between members, clubs and the WIA. How much is shared in the online video meetings with club presidents and ultimately with club members seems to be an unknown quantity. There is a ballot for WIA Directors coming up shortly and I hope we see some inspiring presentations and enthusiasm for growing our hobby and our clubs. It is not usually advised that the flaws in our activities are published. Still, we take part in a “communications” activity which is largely done over the air and person to person. I hope that more amateurs can contribute to the discussions and that more clubs can evaluate their situation regardless of the leadership we once valued. It is a new year and the calendar has been marked with activities to be addressed. Is this too much to hope and expect that the Board, which carries the legal responsibility of supporting and developing amateur radio in VK-land, might shine a light on itself so that we all can see the efforts being made to fulfil the duties of being Director? I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Following a QNEWS report from Ipswich on December 8, very sad news to report is that Ron Grandison VK4RG passed away 2 am on Sunday, December 22. Ron was one of the originals of the Ipswich and District Radio Club. He helped build the clubhouse in the early 1960s and participated in many events. He was the morning voice of the 8 am net which started in 1986. His last was only on November 25 this year. When you heard Ron's voice you knew it was 0800 hours precisely. Ron had a positive presence in many lives. Funeral details will be published on the Ipswich club's FaceBook page and emailed to all members. Vale Ron Grandison VK4RG.
It's New Year's Day on Wednesday... best wishes for the coming year from all of us at your Club - and all clubs; be safe; try to avoid fireworks in the shack, and good luck with that elusive contact on-air.... It seems a few of the bands have been remarkably open at just the right time for the holidays. Do you have a presentation topic that you'd like us to cover in a meeting next year? Tell us. In particular, what might appeal to younger people? Drop a line to secretary@ddrci.org.au, and check out our website at www.ddrci.org.au.
Hi - I'm John VK4JPM, secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club, and this is our final club update... for 2024. It's Sunday 27th of December, and Ho, Ho, Happy. Yes, it's that moment between two public holidays and another one; the time when the euphoria hasn't quite worn off, but you don't know what you're going to do next week. Whether you had a religious experience, or your break was purely secular, did you manage to acquire a few more toys for the shack or do some electronics activity?
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. Well, the wrapping paper and remnants of Christmas feasting have passed us by and the mid-night reverie of New Year is almost upon us. What a strange ending to this year as the tropical heat penetrated to the south of the continent with strips of the east coast spared the worst of the heat. Then just to remove any smug feelings we went into a period of heatwave. Thankfully we shared Christmas with a little breeze and temperatures a bit lower than blood heat. As the calendar turns over we have the usual summer contest period continuing and for many people preparations for schooling are the next big thing for family life. Then there are the club activities which hopefully members have thought out ahead of time. In other words, the next couple of months should see many events saved for action in Reminder files or on the notice board. As we move through sunspot Cycle 25, we can properly suspect that we are entering the downward phase and the next couple of years will see much of the great DX become less frequent. It is properly a time when the country hunter should be making hay whilst the sun shines, as the old saying goes. But then we have the alternative available. As contentious as it might be for some operators there is a wide range of weak signal modes available to implement quite simply and cheaply, these days. The digital transition that has overtaken us in the last quarter century has really widened the range of opportunities for the amateur radio enthusiast. It is no longer necessary to be tied to a desk top machine and have this connected to mysterious black boxes to be able to far outperform the much vaunted packet radio system of the 80’s and 90’s. The capability of mobile devices can provide a whole new scope to operating. As we come to sing Auld Lang Syne for another year it is good to reminisce over the year that is passing out. However, having a list of aspirations for the new is a good start to the beginning how we wish to continue. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and I wish you all the best for 2025…. and that’s what I think
Hi - I'm John VK4JPM Darling Downs Radio Club Secretary with the club update for Sunday 22nd of December. Wow - hasn't the year gone quickly? We're already thinking ahead to next year's technical sessions, and we have an interesting list of topics lined up - look out for presentations on Fox Hunting, Overvoltage protection, how to get the best from Chinese handhelds, clever antennas, and more. If there's a topic that you'd like us to cover, why not make the suggestion? And even better, if there's a topic you could present, we'd like to know - and if you're listening to this from out of the region, don't be put off. We love to host out-of-towners. Either way, drop a line to secretary@ddrci.org.au In the something different department, a couple of us have been thinking about making a group to Dayton Hamvention, the US's biggest hamfest from 16-18 May next year. We'd like to know if Hamvention might be on your bucket list and if you'd like to be part of a smallish group for - say - a two-week tour with organised side trips to see some tech and transmission that you wouldn't otherwise get to experience. And you'd always be free to travel before and/or afterwards under your own steam if you felt like a longer stay. Right now it's just an idea that we're testing but if you have any interest, let us know so we can get an idea of potential numbers. If enough people are willing, we'll put a trip together. More about this in early January. National News and QNews will keep running over the summer festive season, and we will too. Check out our website at www.ddrci.org.au, and watch for our updates across the break. Have a happy holiday season, whatever that brings. And that's it for this week - 73 from John VK4JPM for the team at the Darling Downs Radio Club.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. We are in that frantic time before the great days of celebration and feasting. Whether you mark the occasion by attending church or enjoying a secular holiday, Christmas is a time of bustle and activity. The traditions that people bring to this time of year tend to reinforce family and friendship bonds and unhappily for some, refresh painful memories of people and places. It can be hoped that everyone can find comfort, support and a rewarding fellowship to mark this time. Whether we share the days with others or relax alone we can be certain that millions of other people are participating in similar traditions. Funnily, over the years of listening for the sounds of new presents being put on air, there seems to be a habit that people do share the celebration of Christmas Day so much so that I have normally got no incentive to hit the airwaves as the bands usually appear deserted. As this holiday has embraced new traditions over time, such as the giving of cards and then presents and having a festive and decorated tree it is like our own pursuit of amateur radio. Over time the radio hobby has embraced the terms of trades that are its foundations and used the science and technology of the time to expand. From the marine radio comes the “shack” to be one’s operating position and from the land-line telegraphy we have the Q Code and so on it goes. There is unity amongst amateur radio operators that brings people together in activities such as contests and aids in humanitarian work in times of trouble. The boundaries of war can be overlooked as people conduct “contacts” with others regardless of politics or religion. So what I see is a sameness in the activities of festivals that unify humanity and that same spirit underlies the practice of amateur radio. So for everyone who reads or listens to this broadcast, I can say without offending and with sincerity, may we all have a very Happy Christmas!
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hi - I'm John VK4JPM Darling Downs Radio Club Secretary with the club update for Sunday 15th of December. Nice and quick this week, and as we move towards the end of the year our scheduled regular club activities take a break until the beginning of February. But don't lose track of the dates: Saturday 8 February for our next club lunch social, and Monday 10 February for the member's meeting and tech topic. More details on those in the coming weeks. Speaking of tech topics, we had a great session with John VK4JBE discussing Software Defined Radios. John gave us a cheat sheet to help with SDR selection and has kindly provided some follow-up materials to help get started. That info will be on the website in a bit. Not taking a break: the weekly club nets will continue: 2m on VK4RDD at 1000 local on Sundays, and 80m on Saturday evenings. Check out our website at www.ddrci.org.au, 73 from John VK4JPM at the Darling Downs Radio Club.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. Many of the things that I remember from my childhood are still part of the items that are still common today. The events are still followed but the things that are used have been modernised. I can remember a genuine tree being cut and mounted in the house and then adorned with suitable decorations. These days there is the convenience of store-bought manufactured trees and trinkets which aren’t necessarily valuable enough to wrap in tissue paper and store until the next year. When I first caught the bug of radio, I made my first logbook. It was nothing more than a school exercise book that I ruled up and labelled the columns for the date, time call signs etcetera. These days, a quick internet search will bring you many styles of logging from apps to printable styles, from records you can save on your electronic device to creating a permanent paper memento. That brought me to thinking about how we can make available stored information for use both within the shack, out in the field portable of course, and in our club activities too. Certainly, a printed form of reference is preferred by many of us but the convenience of electronic memory has a lot to recommend it. The amount of storage that is now cheaply available on memory cards and USB sticks is growing each year. When we think back to the now-lost WIA Callbook, there was so much material to guide operating in its pages; from frequencies of band segments to QSL bureau details and so much more made the pages. With the more precise division of bands as new modes are introduced, having a reference which can specify the correct details to use for a particular mode is handy both at home or portable. For clubs, a drive containing details of the club as well as linking to regulations, band plans awards, could be a great tool for new as well experienced amateurs. With PDF apps for free download, compiling and collating so much of the information can be done straight from the internet. Just be aware that a lot of material is subject to copyright ownership and permission must be obtained to publish it. This would apply to material from the ACMA and WIA, for instance. There will be those who don’t like the idea of electronic resources preferring paper-based material. However, the portability of a small drive overcomes the problems of poor internet services in an area and if designed properly it could be updated by the user or through a central data service. There have been problems previously when the material was distributed on disks and pen drives when piracy was a common practice for many and ownership of material was viewed as a commercial necessity. These days we don’t have a simple handbook or a callbook to help and it is sensible to remember that “when all else fails, there is amateur radio.” We just need to make it more convenient, at times. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
This is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club. Ron has been calling in the Ipswich morning net since July 1986. For Ron, it has been a labour of love and for the rest of us listening or taking part in the net, he has been a constant – the voice of reassurance in a world of change. Sadly, Monday, November 25 was the last time Ron made the regular call for stations owing to a change of home address which doesn’t permit a base station setup. VK4RG was first licensed in 1956 and he is hopeful his trusty handheld will enable him to call in occasionally. VK4RG, we salute you and thank you for your service to the club and amateur radio. Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT.
I'm John VK4JPM Darling Downs Radio Club Secretary with the club update for Sunday 8th of December. Before I remind you about the tech meeting tomorrow night - yes, tomorrow night. John VK4JBE is coming up from Brisbane to give us all the good stuff about Software Defined Radios. If you're just catching up to the topic, check out the Wikipedia article online, because that's a good introduction to the introduction. All the info on the meeting is on the website at www.ddrci.org.au
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. During the past week, the postman handed me the latest edition of Amateur Radio magazine and it prompted me to think about what we used to have. Once there was a state-based newsletter aptly called QTC. This was a great addition to the shack in that reminders of events were in tangible form rather than just committed to memory. When the weekly news went out on packet radio, it was an easy task to print it out and these days we are very likely to have a printer on our home network which can do the same job with the news bulletins. You see, QTC went into a column in AR magazine before it went SK. Largely club notes have been lost to the printed medium and this makes our broadcast news all the more important in getting the messages out to fellow amateur operators. This is especially true with the magazine now bi-monthly having gone from monthly to 11 issues a year and now every 2 months. I don’t know how many clubs are running nets these days as there isn’t a quickly accessible list for me to check. I know that not a lot can be heard from my location and without receiving reminders or newsletters I would bet that most of us are just as much in the dark as I am. So here we are engaged in a communications activity and we seem to be confounded by poor communications. I don’t know how many missives are sent via the WIA Memnet service but I receive advice of the release of the digital issue of the magazine so that amounts to only 1 every 2 months. Periodically the text edition of the national news drops off until I send a plea for help and that makes me wonder how effective our IT systems are working for the WIA. To place a little context on the subject, I live in a house with people not only getting older but also living with chronic health issues. There are many times that I think of things that I would like to see done by me or others but circumstances don’t give the luxury of acting on those thoughts. For me, getting updates in my email is a welcome piece of assistance as I don’t have to devote time to searching them out. It also provides a point of connection to the wider community in a way that is accessed at convenient times. You see these ways of sharing are important on a personal level as much as they support club activity and growth. Once it was the cartoonist’s jibe that you had to lick the tip of a pencil or bash the heck from a typewriter to get the news out. These days we can achieve things much more sedately and just as effectively with our mobile devices or shack computers. I look forward to getting your news in electronic or broadcast. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hi - I'm John VK4JPM Darling Downs Radio Club Secretary with the club update. There's been a lot of interest in the next tech meeting on Monday 9 December at the Toowoomba Library, John VK4JBE will be our expert guide into the exciting topic of Software Defined Radios.
Now to social activities, and the end-of-year BBQ/picnic/live ragchew and family day will be held on Saturday 14 December. We're meeting at a park in Toowoomba - will provide a neato setting for some actual ham activity should you feel inclined. Starting from 1130, should be tons of room. Finally, don't forget the 2M club net on VK4RDD every Sunday at 1000, and the 80M net on 3.650 ± QRM every Saturday at 1930.
------------------------------------------------------------ Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. I ventured into the field of prompting clubs to think about letting us all know what they are up to. It is one of those things that seems to have been partly left behind as the various platforms on the internet have increased and access to community media has reduced at the same time. We have seen the newspaper industry in the suburbs and regions get gobbled into large conglomerate ownership and just sprouts of regrowth show as people recognise they are missing the local news. We have seen the broadcast networks reduce staff and close local offices and local news has been reduced in time and scope. These are the commercial big brothers and my question is, do we have to follow them? Some years back, there were media packs made available by the WIA to assist amateurs prepare and present news of events that would interest the general community to the capital “M” media. They were a good starting point because they used standard formats and suggested processes for successful press releases to be generated by we amateurs. Now, I think we could do with this assistance once again as all to often what the amateur radio community does is more like a secret society than a community movement. Similarly we have access to attracting people who are attracted to electronic technology by using the knowledge at our finger tips. Not only a press package but a sample of pro forma items to assist people in getting their thoughts together for electronic distribution, whether it is by radio internet, audio or video streaming. In my area, at least one TV channel seeks video and still images from viewers, so I know that a little bit of effort can have a big result in putting your group at the front of the stage. I rather gather that the number of club newsletters has fallen and the printed material has been reduced and only partly replaced by posts on-line. What we are doing seems to be ensuring that less and less people are hearing the stories that we have to share. So what have we got that we can use? We have local club nets, internet platforms and newsletters whilst not forgetting the regular club meetings. If we want more people at our meetings, then we have to invite them in ways that they know they are invited and welcome. Then there are the weekly news broadcasts. I have mentioned the fact that I started learning about what was happening in the amateur world by listening, each Sunday morning, to the weekly news. World wide, country wide and local all found a place and it made a schoolboy feel he was sharing and learning. I still look forward to the weekly news but maybe the mind is playing tricks or maybe we aren’t getting the stories to air that draws our listeners in. We are the newsmakers and the reporters so how about putting your audio to air with us? I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hi - John VK4JPM Darling Downs Radio Club , pop Saturday 14 December in your diary. That's the planned date for our annual outdoor club lunch and barbecue, which will be held in the Toowoomba area. Our next club meeting tech session on Monday 9 December will take us into the exciting and very accessible topic of Software Defined Radios. Talk to us - the 2M club net on VK4RDD every Sunday at 1000, and the 80M net on Saturdays at 1930.
VK2ZRH - I’m here to remind you, patient listeners, that the Brisbane VHF Group is having a Showcase Day on everything about those mysterious upper bands, from VHF to microwaves, on the 8th of December! This Showcase day is happening at the well-appointed Redcliffe and District Radio Club facilities.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. There are lessons to be learned from activities on the internet and it is not only the phishing and other scams that we need to be aware of. In the last month or so, I have received bogus friend requests from at least three supposed amateurs. After checking the bona fides of the requests, I have done the appropriate thing and reported these actions. I am not surprised that the practical hypocrisy of the social media platform when they declined to remove the cloned accounts as they didn’t breach their amorphous community standards. The gargantuan video repository that provides a reasonable income to regular content creators has similar issues when it comes to ethics and standards. Anyone who has fallen foul of the anonymous and perhaps fictional “fact checkers” must ask what are the standards of behaviour that these platforms supposedly uphold? If we look back to the recent US elections and the posts that appeared on our screens, it was apparent that there were at least two worlds at war and the truth of what was proposed could not be reconciled between them on so many times. This is something that we have been seeing debated in our own Australian parliament with a bill presented to make media companies adhere to the truth. The question that many have is who decides what is true? When we think back to the COVID pandemic and what we were advised as matters of public health and compare that with the scientific studies that are being published now, it seems obvious that what we were told is being confronted by different outcomes today. So it it is that we electronics nerds use the tools at hand to improve our understanding of our subjects of interest. We turn to recognised authorities such as published handbooks and reliable internet resources to clarify points and settle points of confusion. This brings us back to the popular platforms which increase their bases of knowledge by unimaginable amounts each day. Years ago a new word was introduced to us, that is “wiki”. Here is a tool that is maintained by volunteers and which aims to provide correct and accurate detail on subjects which interest at least enough people to prepare and maintain posts on them. I see that these on-line sources of “fact” have largely replaced the weighty books called encyclopedias and their successors on digital media. Still errors occur in wiki posts and it depends on the knowledge of the editor to get corrections posted. Fortunately for most of us, amateur radio is a practical occupation where frequent debates as to theory can be left to the chemists, physicists and engineers and the benefits of their debates can inform us what best to do. All that I am suggesting is that we need to exercise the same amount of caution when using the internet for our learning as we do when we use the internet for sensitive things such as maintaining personal records and activities like banking. With words of caution in my ears, I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. We like to be able to identify and put a face to bodies with which we associate. At times the face is that of a person who has the power to influence outcomes and at other times it is a willing spokesperson, a media face. Within our club structures, the group that forms the executive is usually supporting the leader or chairperson in public statements. Unlike politicians, we don’t and can’t justify having a media spokesperson in a not-for-profit body. But at times the very important role of the publicity officer is the unsung hero who gets the message out to the membership, the TV print and broadcast media and, of course, to other clubs and enthusiasts. Normally we don’t get to see or hear much of publicity officers except for perhaps their name on the bottom of a post or news release. Yet it is this person who can provide a wide range of support to our body not only with the necessary dispersal of information but making sure that the name of our club is “out there”. These days there are many platforms which people use for sourcing news and information. Once we depended on books, libraries and newspapers but these days the Internet gives us instant access to many opportunities. To this end, do you know what your membership turns to for entertainment, news and messaging? Once it was web pages that carried the traffic but these days we have numerous social media platforms and they tend to be used by different segments of the community. Has anyone gone to the trouble of finding out what club members are using regularly or what family members are chatting with from school ages through to grandparents? I bet you will find that many households are represented on several of these apps. Then naturally we have to include our specific avenues which are dedicated to supporting amateur radio. We have club pages on net platforms, the bi-monthly Amateur Radio magazine and of course our weekly news service provided by the WIA. As a regular listener have you taken the time to count the number of clubs who provide material to QNews? The regular number would probably amount to the fingers of one hand with maybe two or three appearing more than a couple of times each year. This is why I believe the publicity officer is the unsung hero because they take the time to answer those questions I have asked and they endeavour to get their messages out on all the appropriate platforms. While I was at school, I started listening to the weekly news broadcast and continued doing so as I became a shortwave listener and then a licensed amateur. If my experience stands for anything, we never know who is listening. With the world widespread of amateur radio and the internet, we should never be surprised where these listeners are. We are a community of enthusiasts and we should know how to speak to each other and include those we don’t know as well. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hi - John VK4JPM with the Darling Downs Radio Club update for Sunday 10th of November.This month the topic is balloons, specifically those that go halfway to outer space - maybe even three times as high as jet planes. Dave Nebe, VK4DN was part of a team from Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club when they did two High Altitude Balloon Experiment launches and he'll be along tomorrow to tell us the full story. There are so many parts to an experiment like this, and it's what hams do best: we come up with ideas and make them work. Dave will be able to talk about the preparation, payloads, launch, recovery, and what the experimenters learned - from both successes and failures. Bring your questions and your experiences. And who knows - maybe this is an opportunity for the Darling Downs club to do something similar. In December, our meeting topic is Software Defined Radios, and what you can do with some pretty cheap and easily available hardware. Plus we want to talk to you about ideas for club development and where we might head in the next five years. The committee has a few ideas and'd like your input and thoughts. It's YOUR club! All this is on the website at www.ddrci.org.au, and if you're a member you should have received an email with the latest news and reminders. If you can't find info or you have a question, drop a line to secretary@ddrci.org.au, and if you didn't get to write that down just use your favourite search engine for Darling Downs Radio Club. You'll find us. But mostly we'd like to find you so here's a final reminder: tomorrow night, Toowoomba Library, 1900 Eastern time, and join us for the meeting, a cuppa, a natter, and a bit of brain food. And don't forget the club net on VK4RDD every Sunday at 1000. That's it for this week - 73 from John VK4JPM for the Darling Downs Radio Club team.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. This past week has seen some notable happenings. The Melbourne Cup was run and won by a Queensland-trained horse. The Reserve Bank held the interest rate constant. An inland town was evacuated because of strong fire activity and the Sun has assailed us with solar flare action once more. However, the thing that has captured the media attention has been the electoral joust in the USA. It would appear that the candidate most likely to be declared President is the one with the most disruptive policies, as far as our country is concerned. Trump has promised tariff barriers to protect a raft of other changes in trade and economic activities. Even as TV stations, on-air and online, presented the election commentaries reports were going to air that governments and no doubt international businesses, were attempting to work out the ramifications of the changes that Trump has mooted. Based on his rhetoric, economists forecast large increases in monetary inflation and the cost of living in the US with flow-on effects to countries like ours. We have had the media impress the messages from the Reserve Bank, the Government and the man in the street that the cost of borrowed money is crippling people financially with repayments beyond their capacity to pay and the general cost of living is placing stress on food bank type charities as more people try to survive without enough money. For us who enjoy the thrill of recreational electronics, just think of where so much of our gear comes from. It may bear the logo of a famous brand but it has, in smaller writing, a message “Made in China”. If we try and think this through, it becomes mind-boggling as the implications of what Trump’s policies can have on our small country down under. As much as it is Christmas shopping time, it might also be prudent to consider purchases which might become more expensive just after New Year. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hi - John VK4JPM with the Darling Downs Radio Club update for Sunday 3rd of November.
Our next meeting on 11 November covers a great piece of experimentation, which is what amateurs do best. Put 11 November in your diary and come along to hear the story about the Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club's High Altitude Balloon Experiment. David VK4DN is coming up from Brisbane to tell us how it went down - and up. You'll learn a bit more about ham radio, and some useful stuff about atmospherics and driving. Never know when that would come in handy. Monday 11 November at the Toowoomba Library starting from 1900 local time. But you don't have to remember all that, because it's all on our calendar of events on the website at ddrci.org.au Repeating the important stuff: the club net on VK4RDD every Sunday at 1000, ddrci.org.au for the website, and 11 November at 1900 for the next meeting. Ok, I think that's enough repeats. Until next week, 73 from John VK4JPM for the team at the Darling Downs Radio Club.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. As we rush through Spring the rising temperatures and the more frequent storms are a reminder that we have entered the official cyclone season. As I prepare this segment, the ceiling fan is valiantly chasing the warmth out of the room and allowing the body to feel closer to comfortable. November is the start of the Summer season for buying presents for the Christmas celebrations. I have been noting that overseas events are having the inevitable effects on monetary conversion rates and the US election, later this week, could have a dramatic result as the US dollar shifts against other currencies as well as our own. As time goes on and more and more advances are made in technology, it is obvious that mankind is more aware of events around the globe and more influenced quickly by changes in other countries. It has been a position that radio amateurs have sought to demonstrate that we live in a large community and using our equipment, skill and enthusiasm we can bring more people from a distance into our lives. When the conflict in Central Europe broke out with the invasion of Ukraine, many amateurs were faced with moral choices as to whether they could still interact with people living within the boundaries of the invading regime. This was an issue in the world of sports and commerce as the good nature of acceptance of others was challenged by the actions of the government. On a person-to-person level, it was equivocal, to say the least. I am old enough to have known people who were engaged in the Second World War. The atrocities that happened to both service personnel and civilians were fresh in their minds and acceptance of people born in the countries which were our nation’s enemies was impossible for many who had been through the hell that happened. Since then we have seen military engagements in many parts of the world and today we greet people from so many ethnic and cultural groups just walking down our streets. We have been fortunate to share not only the growth of radio and electronics generally but also live through and enjoy the establishment of the internet. We have devices that give us almost instantaneous communications and access to news, music and culture as the world has never known. So what I feel is that we hams have been a small but significant group who have fostered the breakdown of geographical and cultural boundaries and brought a level of acceptance and friendship a bit closer to our families and communities in a specific way. I like to reflect on how we can continue to engage with the world from my home. It is something that can be enjoyed when other things prevent travel. I would like to think that radio amateurs have a meaning in life which benefits us all.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
One of SCARC's former members and Presidents has sadly passed away - Noel Des Jardins VK4NL passed away last Thursday October 16th.
Noel made his first appearance at SCARC in 2003 when he was VK4ADJ, I met him at JOTA and he was in his element showing the Scouts and Guides just what radio was about with so much enthusiasm it was contagious.
He also donated some copper tube to be used in making cavities for a 6m repeater which unbeknownst to us he was a real fan of the 6m repeater and he used to run the 6m net AKA the backblocks net every Friday night until he left for greener pastures in Hervey Bay.
Noel was also an operator for the 20m travellers net for quite some time, it was always comforting to hear his voice on the radio when you were far from home. One of his favourite sayings was "You can never have enough aluminium and wire in the sky" Mate, you be sadly missed but never forgotten. Vale Noelly, Poppy Noel, Noel Des Jardins VK4NL
I'm John VK4JPM with the Darling Downs Radio Club update for Sunday 27th of October. Last Sunday saw the end of the POTA Coast-to-Coast week with the band opening up nicely on Sunday Afternoon. On 20m contacts were made into the Canary Islands, Germany and Austria. Even if you're not registered with the POTA Website, if you had a contact with a POTA operator this weekend it's possible that there's an Award waiting for you when you do set up an account. Why not come along to the next club meeting, and find out from Dave VK4JPS how to set up an account?
The important stuff again: the club net on VK4RDD every Sunday at 1000, ddrci.org.au for the website, and 11 November at 1900 for the next meeting.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. I trust all we Queensland amateurs are recovering from the contest. I don’t mean the one running from the USA but the political blood sport we know as an election. Thankfully the remaining execution is in the USA and the amount of publicity and spruiking we are receiving will diminish next month and we hams can turn our thoughts to the serious matters of amateur radio. I was pleased to see the amount of posts appearing on social media during the JOTA/JOTI weekend with some clubs obviously enjoying the time spent with the members of the Scouting and Guiding communities. It seems that the coordination of announcements and publicity fell away, this year with NO opening address supplied for broadcast as has happened for many, many years. Like so many things that happen in life, this is an example that provides lessons for the future. It would seem that the gods of weather are reminding us of the seasonal changes with more storm activity reminding us that summer is almost upon us. You have probably noticed the adverts, put out by the Government, reminding us to have a bad weather plan. The meteorologists are positing that we will probably have the warmest nights on record, in the run up to Christmas. They are also projecting that we could have about 11 cyclones around the coast of Australia with maybe 4 of those crossing the coast somewhere. This may seem like a low number of tropical storms, this season, but the scientists are saying that the trends they are measuring are for more intense behaviours from these events. The word is that we need to prepare, as I have been reminding us all, for the worst and pray for the best outcomes. One thing that I seem to have been missing in the broadcast news is the amount of trouble that various parts of the world are experiencing with particularly storms and flooding. Even in NSW there has been damage in the mining city of Broken Hill which has caused extensive blackouts and which is the result of storm damage. As the fun of summer approaches, I hope we can all remain safe and prepared and enjoy the thrill of radio. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hi, I'm John VK4JPM with the Darling Downs Radio Club update. wow - what a week we just had.
The bimonthly lunch was excellent and well attended. It was great to see so many DDRCi members make the trip down to Nerang for the HamFest - thanks to GCARS for a wonderful day of information, HAM-appropriate bargains, and yummy stuff from the hotplate. Well done for the event. And .......
GOLD COAST AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY
And that's a wrap, For another year at the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Society's annual HamFest.
It was a cracker * over 50 tables of goodies * over half of these were commercial providers with all the major brands represented * 7 dozen bacon and egg muffins * 150 sausages and more people snapping up bargains than we have seen for years.
We look forward to seeing you all next year at the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Society annual HamFest.
If you are up this way, drop into 85 Harper st Nerang on Saturdays at 1:30pm and say hi!
So until next time, for GCARS, Aidan VK4APM.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. . I recently watched an interesting segment from the German broadcaster, DW. We manage to adjust and adopt to the changes of technology that come into our lives. Maybe forty years ago we were telling children to turn off the lights when they left the room. This was to save electricity and reduce the bill. Maybe, 20 odd years ago the compact fluorescent lamp was gaining traction as a more efficient method of lighting than the Edison/Swan incandescent devices that had lit the world for roughly a century. Time has marched on and technology has brought us the more efficient LED, light emitting diode which has become the ubiquitous illumination source of the 21st century. More recently the world has been given access to a “holy grail” of the digital age, that of artificial intelligence. We are seeing AI incorporated into operating systems and search engines and multitudinous other forms of software and firmware and yet the underlying ethics of its use has not been decided and tabloid journalists and talking heads are speculating on science fiction like outcomes for this morally ill-defined tool. To digress a little but we have been told for many years that the tools of industry, mainly the chemistry which is used to progress our civilisation, is effecting calamitous changes to the environment which we inhabit. The outcome of this is believed to be producing devastating climate shifts that will alter all our lives. I note that whilst we are encouraged to not do anything that will damage the planet I have not heard the cries of pain that the conflicts in various parts of the globe are inflicting on our climate. Surely in some research units, there must be people trying to work out whether the explosions from the wars are negating the benefits of changing our form of lighting let alone our substitution of non-polluting electricity generation for for petrochemical and fossil fuels. This brings me back to the program. Three of the major internet colossi have joined the move to use nuclear technology to power the expected stupendous increase in electricity consumption used by AI. If the facts are correct, each major effort of AI to train itself for proper human interaction uses significantly more power than the course of living does now. What the multiple is I don’t know but the boffins and number crunchers at these behemoths of cyber business have concluded that without adopting nuclear power generation, they will not have the power to meet the expected growth of AI. It seems to be the height of ironic progress to self-destruction to be adopting technology which conflicts with the current results of massive scientific research. We as a species have been able to find alternatives and solutions to problems but if the straws in the wind are correct, can mankind survive its creative urges?
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hi. I'm John, VK4JPM with an update from the Darling Downs Radio Club.
Our monthly member meeting is tomorrow night, Monday 14 October - at 1900 in the Toowoomba Library. The topic is 3D printing, and in one hour we'll do a bit of an overview for those of us who have only seen one once, in the presence of a master who can answer the curliest of questions.
It's amazing both how cheap 3D printing can be, and what a range of templates already exist for download from the interweb. From brackets to knobs to clips, to complete cases to... well, all kinds of parts that might be broken in your favourite transceiver or antenna mount. Some replacement parts can even be created to be stronger or better than the original.
On November 11th, Dave Nebe VK4DN from the Bundaberg Club will join us to update us on the Club's High Altitude Balloon Experiment. December 9th the topic is Software Defined Radios.
Details of tomorrow night's meeting will all be found on the website at ddrci.org.au. I'm John VK4JPM, and you can drop me a line - Secretary@ddrci.org.au
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
Solar flares and thunderstorms seem to be the marker of the past week.
Contesters, over the long weekend, seemed to suffer the vagaries of space weather with contacts in some areas being significantly poorer than last year and others attaining record scores. On the other hand parts of the Sunshine State have been decidedly less than sunny with both acoustic and atmospheric noise reaching new highs for this season.
Overseas we have seen parts of the southern USA suffer the effects of not one but two weather events, namely Hurricane Helene and then Milton. One effect which in its way is a bizarre beneficial outcome has been the attention the services of amateur operators have been receiving from, particularly, the TV news. Making the public aware that there are means of contacting authorities and families outside the commercial services of the Internet and telephone is itself a public service.
Sometimes we need to raise our heads above the parapet and take a chance that we in Amateur Radio aren’t just old boys playing in their sheds but are people with a capacity to help. It has been, it seems, a lonesome cry of mine, to renew the strong public service ethic that was once found amongst hams. As people step through life, the things that are important change and there is a changing roll call in our active membership.
Some areas in VK-land still have strong bodies guiding the amateur community and some like Queensland seem to have lost the incentive or personnel to carry the torch for our pursuit.
Sadly I don’t see active promotion from our peak organisation which seems to roll on with things as they are. This is not a condemnation but an observation that we need a guiding star to put us back in a position which gives the activity of radio the respect and recognition it once had in the community.
As we see innovation happening in so many areas of AR, we also seem to observe more antipathy amongst our members. One thing that most volunteer-staffed bodies have is sustaining the number of people to carry out the core objectives. I have noted several not-for-profits in my area that have been appealing for new blood to keep their doors open. So it is not simply an issue that besets our clubs and other bodies, it is becoming universal.
Family commitments, health and age all contribute to the amount of time that I can devote to external activities. So it must be for many of us and here is the nub, we need to recruit and to skill our membership to see the social recognition continue. We must consider the options available to us as a community of like-minded people.
I still consider amateur radio a fine and enjoyable pursuit, but I wonder how I can best contribute to its growth.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Alex McDonald VK4TE passed away on 27th September Alex's radio interest as a boy came from the humble crystal set, this was followed by six years as a RAAF radio technician, during this period he got his amateur limited licence followed by the unrestricted licence about four years later. Alex was secretary of the Queensland branch of the WIA for years until it was absorbed into the national WIA, during this period, he was instrumental in recording morse practice tapes and sending hundreds of them to radio amateurs who wished to upgrade their licence. In his early years, Alex was mainly interested in competitions, he achieved his DXCC and loved radio field trips with his family. After 45 years of not using CW, he regained proficiency and focused on CW contacts until his passing. Amateur radio was a significant part of Alex's life, it gave him great entertainment and created many friendships.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. The images of destruction from various parts of the world have proliferated in the past few weeks. Sadly the news doesn’t seem to be improving with wars and natural disasters claiming headlines. It has been a feature of the amateur community to offer assistance to the community in times of distress and following the devastation that Hurricane Helene has wrought through parts of the southeastern US, we have seen mainstream media picking up on some hams using their stations to pass welfare messages. There is a long history of this in the United States and even in this Land Down Under many man-hours have gone into community support with amateurs using their equipment and skills during cyclones, floods and fires and also working in volunteer bodies in their home communities. Most of the OTs are familiar with the WICEN acronym and several bodies are operating under the WICEN name scattered around the country. Seventy years or so ago, Australia had a strong volunteer body known as the Civil Defence. This body performed multiple functions but it had a strong government-supported ethos of looking after the civilians which was shaped by the lessons of World War 2. Today there is much less emphasis on civil defence with bodies such as the Salvation Army, Red Cross and SES performing many of those functions. You will find amateur operators working quietly within these bodies and many other groups. However, just because there are formal structures doesn’t mean that we as individuals cannot help if the situation demands it. Certainly, the training which these bodies and professions such as the military provide can smooth the way messages are handled but really, if we think about what our regulations exams cover, we all have the basics of being effective message handlers. With more and more equipment being available for camping and other recreations, most of us can have things like backup power to run rigs and computers. The thing is that amateurs have the option to be versatile in what they do and what bands they use. That versatility can link low and high power, DX and NVIS, simplex and repeater operations into very effective communication networks. I certainly would like to see the promotion of activities like WICEN and things such as message handling tools and operating manuals as it would improve the flow of information to those who need it and it would also make operations consistent and better able to be logged. It seems that much effort has been put into promoting other areas of the hobby when community support could be more valuable. As we head into daylight saving in other parts of the country, we in the east of the country especially along with the north and north-west are welcoming the start of cyclone season. It is also the time when bushfires are at the most damaging in the run-up to the great mid-summer season. I reckon we can all be ready to do a bit if needed as in times of emergency every little bit helps. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hi. I'm John, VK4JPM with an update from the Darling Downs Radio Club.
The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is still in full swing until 7 October, so it's a perfect time to try for your Garden City award. Check out the rules on the club website at ddrci.org.au, and you'll see it's pretty easy to get - especially if you come up on the club's VK4WID Sunday net at 1000. That's the biggest hint I can give you, so what are you waiting for?
You can also make personal contact with club members at our October lunch, coming up on Saturday 12th at the Southern Hotel. We kick off at 1130, and it's open to everyone whether you're a member or not.
- Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
The end of the first month of Spring has almost caught us by surprise with some pleasant weather being interrupted by a cold and wet change. The long range weather is for warmer and generally wetter conditions over the next three months so for the gardeners amongst us it looks promising for some nice fruit, vegetables and flowers.
Of course we all try and get ahead of the weather and plan for future events with the hope that all will go well. Thus we usually go through the Spring cleaning routine to set us up for the next few months of warm and pleasant weather. What we must also factor in is that we are approaching the annual cyclone and bush fire seasons, so being ready to meet the challenges of these “natural” events have to be taken into account as well.
Being as well prepared as we can be is always part of the amateur radio practice and this runs to following the guidelines of the various bodies that look out for natural events and their consequences. A stock pile of things such as food and water, medicines, broadcast radio and spare batteries, fuel for the generator and so on should all be in the ready to go state. No one wants to be isolated, without electricity or to have to evacuate their home but as various authority figures tell us, the inclement weather is expected to be more severe.
Having taken care of the emergency things, we should take time in the good weather to sort out what is on the agenda for the next few months. Rural people will be planning for the seasonal changes which govern their life and others will be marking off the calendar as to when their leave falls, when they can put the tools away for a few weeks and so it goes according to circumstances.
Clubs, I would expect, have their calendars marked with the events that are coming and making plans for meetings, field days and contests, for instance. Whilst the school holidays have come to an end, it is really a good time to think if activities can be arranged for students in the coming holidays and making preparation for the necessary publicity and stores to be on hand.
Along with the outings and meetings, perhaps as we also have a large ageing population, a plan for making home visits to local amateurs to provide some of the companionship that hams espouse.
Flying the flag is always a good way to attract publicity so maybe a barbeque in a local park with some portable operations could provide an invitation to other locals to see what we get up to. There are so many ideas that can be successfully adopted and with band conditions and the weather being favourable why not give some of them a go?
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
I had an event in the past week that made me consider the importance of diversity.
What I mean is that for my video watching I basically depend on YouTube which is a subsidiary of the megalith we remember as Google.
I had accumulated a number of amateur radio videos that I kept for reference on various subjects and it was handy to have this library of a few dozen items when I wanted to review my understanding of different subject. Then I turned on the TV, pressed the button on the remote to be greeted by a message that I was no longer signed in. Don’t you love the power of the tech giants to control our
activities?
I left the matter ride for a few hours and the following day had the same result so I concluded it wasn’t an issue with the TV firmware or the router of the NBN service. I located the correct password and logged in to find that my library had been removed as well as my favourite channels. Thus became a period of wasted time
finding and restoring as much of the lost material as I could find.
The whims and fancies of many of these services that people use on the internet are often fraught with issues. Remember the famous actor who wanted to will his
streaming music collection to his offspring? He found out that despite all the subscription fees that he had paid and the belief that he was paying to own the material he was in fact only buying the rights to play that music during his
lifetime. Similar stories exist concerning operating systems for computers. It is really a Catch 22 situation that you need the OS to run your computer but the
developers claim ownership.
If they decide that they will not provide backward compatibility you can find that your gear is vulnerable to cyber attacks or obsolescence in the future. I have some
gear that uses Windows 10 and doesn’t meet the requirements for the next iteration of the future one that is on the drawing boards. Sadly some of my needs
won’t be met by reverting to a Windows 7 commercial version so like many others, I have the choice to make of upgrading or risking the viability of those systems.
There are no doubt numerous examples of similar plans of big business to extract more of the folding stuff from us. It is important to the private user and possibly
more important to clubs who have to maintain records and keep access for defined times. There have been attacks on cloud services and magnetic media has a
certain period that it remains viable.
We older people can remember the entry of the personal computer into our lives and its adoption into the field of amateur radio. The cussedness of those early
machines, particularly the IBM clones was something that people said would drive a teetotaller to drink. The reliability of our systems is so much better but our dependency on monopolistic supply chains can still prevent total security for the user.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hi - I'm John VK4JPM, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club. Toowoomba is known for many things, and one of the most famous is the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. The 75th Carnival kicked off last Friday and it runs through to 7 October. You can check out what's on the program at the website, tcof.com.au. We're a friendly lot in the Darling Downs, and very proud of the Carnival which is at least as good as Floriade and much closer! Our next club meeting is on Monday 14 October. Details on the club website: www.ddrci.org.au Dates again: Monday 14 October for the meeting; Saturday 12 October for lunch; Carnival on right now; Garden City award at any time, and details at ddrci.org.au I'm John VK4JPM, and thanks for listening.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. As the northern hemisphere prepares for winter and all that it can bring, we in the south are finding the Spring weather is consolidating with the promise of what Summer will bring. The long-range weather forecasts paint the picture of warmer weather and variable rainfall fall so in one perspective, outdoor activities seem promising until the end of the year. We can hope this is true as the Wet Season is projected to start early in the top end. It will be interesting if the crocodile nesting season coincides with the computer modelling this year. For the avid tourists to the various major gatherings around the world, the climax has been the Tokyo Hamvention which saw some Aussie amateurs attending. The major news has been the release of new radio models from the three largest Japanese manufacturers and the prospect that samples will be appearing around the world at smaller events. There has been some tentative pricing information on a flagship model but with Australia suffering an economic sickness, I suspect very few sales can be expected here. What is interesting is that the radio from Yaesu, apart from its innovative design features, is that it fits the pattern of the shack in a box. Of course, this is not a new segment for this manufacturer but it is a slot that many smaller manufacturers have been enjoying some fierce competition in promoting. The low-power multi-mode radio has been well used in various pursuits such as parks, hilltops and other venues where outdoor participation is necessary. The development of alternative battery technology has reduced the weight of a station which can be comfortably carried in a backpack and conveyed to places not normally accessed by radio hobbyists. Combine these various features with the peak of a sunspot cycle and it is like manna from heaven to the enthusiastic HF QRP operator. Add into the mix the various rigs coming from Asian countries, other than Japan and the accessories for portable operating that are on the market, it is quite opportune to upgrade one’s station and expand the operating geography we can use. Traditionally the warmer months, are when many contests happen and with good equipment, good weather and good band conditions, what more could a happy camper that plays radio be looking for? For me, I think it is in my genes to be frugal so finding ways to save comes naturally. Building a station tends to be a progressive enterprise with tools, accessories and equipment added when time and funds allow. Building, or home brewing as we call it, tends to be the most economical way to get items for the station and it is undoubtedly the most instructive as we tend to read the manual and research the gear before, during and after completing a project. Combining retail or swap meet purchases with some time spent at the workbench seems to be a good way to go. Keeping an eye open for bargains on your favourite sales and auction sites can often grab a winner. Whatever we do, enjoy it. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hi. I'm John VK4JPM with a reminder from the Darling Downs Radio Club about tomorrow night's tech meeting. Monday 9 September is the second Monday of the month and means we gather at the Toowoomba Library. The theme of this month's session is "How to get control of EVERYTHING in your shack", which you can do using easily available home automation technology. We'll get you across some of the very powerful apps and extremely cheap technology that can help you run your shack, control your antenna farm, and manage your ham cave and workshop.
OK, the details again: we meet tomorrow night, Monday 9 September at the Toowoomba Library from 1900 - that's 7 PM. Tons of free well-lit, secure under-cover parking. The meeting is open to members and guests; there's no charge, and we'd love you to join us for a natter and a cuppa. Check out all the detail, and upcoming club events, at the website: www.ddrci.org.au. www.ddrci.org.au. You can also find us via the WIA website, or just search for Darling Downs Radio Club from your favourite search engine. 73 from John VK4JPM
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. It was distracting hearing the squelch breaking on the 2m repeater on 146.800Mhz and then faintly came a female voice. It was obvious that ducting was having its fun with us, along the S.E. coast of Queensland but it wasn’t until I read a post that the full impact became obvious. From the Gold Coast to various parts of the coast signals from New Caledonia were being received. It is over 25 years since I heard this and made a successful contact so I live in hopes that this summer season we can experience international VHF contacts with better results. Sadly, I had a poor experience on social media during the past week. A group popped up in the “you may be interested category” and as I have been seeking to finish putting together a small set-up for camping and portable radio operation, I thought it worth joining. This group is obviously an eclectic one of lay and tradie types devoted to low voltage use and it suited me to join to observe what others had found worked for them. After approval by the administrators, I had the opportunity to post an introduction as to why I had joined. Sadly this is when the first response was a very generous putdown and questioned my knowledge and why I would want to join this group. OK, we have all had experience of keyboard warrior types on the internet but it was plainly obvious from the tenor of this post that the writer was also a radio amateur. I tried a couple of times to correct some of the falsehoods that were directed at me and the insulting tenor of the replies continued. As I had just joined this group, the rules were fresh in my mind and I pointed out to this person that they had breached the group rules and left to go about my other business. The next day, I went back to this site to check if there had been more responses only to find that the administrators had monitored or been alerted to this incident. The attacking comments had been deleted from my post and there remained some courteous and considered replies from other group members. My concern is not for the insults directed at me but the very serious effects that this behaviour could have on members of that group when considering amateur radio and its participants. I don’t want to sound precious or prissy but how we present as hams in public naturally reflects on our whole community. This group is enjoying learning about 12V use and installations so they already have an affinity with electricity. Perhaps some of them may want to take that interest into wider fields of interest and I would hate for them to be influenced away from amateur radio by one person acting badly. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hi - I'm John, VK4JPM, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club reminding you about our meetings, second Monday of each month at the Toowoomba library for a committee meeting, followed by a social and technical meeting on a special topic. On the second Saturday of even months, we meet for lunch and an in-person chinwag. The September tech and social meeting is at 1900 on Monday 9 September and will introduce you to how the TUYA system works, where you can get cheap hardware and introduce some clever devices you can use to make your hobby more interesting. I plan to set up a complete remote-controlled lighting and power-switching system. Details on the website: ddrci.org.au I'm John VK4JPM and look forward to meeting you at the session.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. This year, Spring didn’t just peek over the windowsill but it blustered in stealing part of Winter with above-average temperatures in the Sunshine State. Welcome to the blooming of all the various native plants that perfume the bushland and bring us the misery of hay fever. Welcome to the beginnings of all those lovely outdoor operating opportunities and the smell of campfires and insect repellent. I was a little surprised, a few days ago, whilst watching a video to have the presenter reference other video material on a particular antenna and state his presentation would just be about the use in the particular location with whatever band conditions were present that day. Why should I be surprised, you may ask? There seems to be a bevvy of ham radio influencers, many of whom derive income from their activities, who have created personalities to draw the viewer into their web. This is fair enough when the purpose is to simply entertain but so many of these people are contriving scenarios where they are promoting items which have been supplied by manufacturers, wholesalers or retailers to ostensibly provide unbiased, independent reviews but in fact if you stop and think they are giving a promotion of the product not a critique of the pros and cons of the item. What I find more frustrating is that you can do a search and come up with numerous presentations on the subject matter and find that many are just promotions and others are simply put downs without real reference to the operating conditions and band conditions at the time of shooting the video. Having contradictory information presented as factual, to my mind, is just misleading. It would seem that often the depth of knowledge of these video stars is not as good as it needs to be to make fair comparisons and comments. The misnaming of components is a put-off for me. A toroidal transformer is not an antenna but it may be part of an antenna system, for instance. So these are the reasons I felt pleased to have seen a presentation that didn’t try to be an audition for a broadcast reality TV show and ended up saying this is what I found today but you may find things different tomorrow. When we set out to learn about a subject, we look for facts and reports that we can rely upon. We don’t depend on “advertorials” and promotions with a discount code attached. What we need is enough information to build our knowledge in the light of experience and the Internet is a trap for the unwary. It isn’t simply the person phishing for your banking details or the seemingly honest vendor of dodgy equipment but also the publicity officers who are looking for the cents to mount into dollars at the expense of honest reporting. What I think is that we need to keep our wits about us online and be prepared to question things and cross-check with recognised reference material such as the notable handbooks produced by large AR bodies. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
One of the treats of amateur radio is to take part in the recognition of special interest groups. Sometimes it is a contest with a certificate as a memento and sometimes it is just knowing you were there on a special day. This weekend has been one of these events and the special interest group is a small one which aims to unite others in promoting and enjoying the spirit of amateur radio. Of course, I refer to the Ladies Amateur Radio Association.
After the broadcast, you still have the opportunity to log a few contacts in the 44th ALARA Contest. Pop over to the website and look at the rules under the contest heading. Remember you can use contacts on Echolink if you are unable to get on air. Amongst the general community, there is a perception that radio amateurs are sweaty older men playing with strange things in their man caves. ALARA is a group that proves that this pursuit is one that all people who can hold licence can get joy out of being a ham. It's great to show the flag, so to speak, and we can certainly show our support for the members of ALARA dot ORG by joining in the contest. It is almost frightening to think that it is the cusp of Spring and that heralds a new period of operations on shortwave with the increased temperature comes different modes of radio propagation. Although reports at the moment are showing various bands are alive and kicking and giving good global contacts, particularly with the grey line. There are suggestions that the estimated peak in solar activity for Cycle 25 was reached earlier this month. If we have reached the peak, according to the observations, going by past experience we should still have another 2 to 3 years of good radio conditions ahead of us. So with Christmas not too far in the offing, it might be time to look at some of the interesting gear coming on the market. The Christmas elves are very inventive and you could find a nice surprise under the tree, this year. I would like to remind listeners that a great addition to the WIA News Service is the video adaption by Bevan, VK5BD. You can watch on YouTube and get the full broadcast quality audio with graphics to play at your convenience. Recently there have been issues in my locality with no rebroadcasts on 2M so having this as a further alternative has been a boon. This is not to forget that the text and audio is available for download from the WIA dot ORG dot AU website. I have been subscribed to the news in text for many years, even back in the heyday of packet radio. Being able to listen can bring out things that might be missed if you a reading when rushed, distracted or tired. So it is Good luck in the Contest and 73. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
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Social Scene SUNFEST Saturday September 14 at Coolum Civic Centre. (vk4vp) GOLD COAST HAMFEST OCTOBER 13 at Nerang Country Paradise Parklands 231 Beaudesert-Nerang Road Nerang. (vk4DMH)
This is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club. Club members are reminded the annual general meeting will be held Saturday August 24 from 10am. To be eligible to vote at the AGM members must by financial prior to the start of the meeting. Please check your emails for payment details in the July minutes. Current secretary and WICEN coordinator Greg VK4GJW indicated he will be stepping down from both rolls after eight years. Nominations are open for all positions with Greg also encouraging new eyes and new blood on the executive. Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT.
Redcliffe and Districts radio club. Redcliffe Club Carboot Sale Quick Reminder Greetings from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club VK4RC Robert Thomson VK4TFN here. The Redcliffe Club Carboot Sale is on Saturday 24th August at 9:00 AM at our clubhouse in MacFarlane Park in Klingner Road, Kippa Ring in the City of Redcliffe. Go to redclifferadioclub.org.au for more information. 73 from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. As the last hurrahs have died down and the athletes have made their way home, the next major calendar event is, of course, the Paralympics. Significantly, we celebrate this band of sportspeople because they exemplify what can happen if you deal with what is real and follow your dreams as to what is possible. Just as the Invictus Games provide meaning to military veterans in redefining their sense of self and gain confidence in achievements in a new facet of life, so other bodies with positive outlooks can give support, perhaps, I can take the ethos of these movements and apply it to our pursuit of Amateur Radio. As life’s events overtake us, we can find ourselves in circumstances we never dreamed of in our younger years. Many of us will have explored the “self-help” industry in its various marketing forms but I am not equating a positive outlook with unrealistic expectations for people. Various studies, of real-world situations, have shown that a positive outlook is very beneficial to health and longevity. This is not some “airy-fairy” form of academic research but the outcomes amongst people such as you and me. So if the outcomes for cancer patients can be better amongst people with a good outlook and military retirees suffering high levels of condition such as PTSD it seems we already have the evidence of how beneficial these informal supports can be. I remember how, in the CB boom years there were clubs formed that provided a community for people not only interested in citizens band but also came from similar backgrounds and life experience. There was much benefit amongst club members because people became engaged in activities outside their normal life. We do have a few organisations where amateur radio is a prime focus for members of certain professions, faith bodies and service organisations. If we look at the groups that have been succeeding over time, they all seem, to my eye, to have an outlook which is driven by positive outcomes. In recent times we have seen videos, web and social media posts hanging on gaining the maximum viewing by suggesting the death of amateur radio. This form of clickbait is also what causes the mental health professions to warn of the bad effects the negative news and propaganda have on young peoples’ outlook. Continuing a diet of bad news has been shown to contribute to suicidal thoughts for people suffering stress and depression. So here we have an activity that links us around the world and encourages everyone to be part of the action in ways that suit our own circumstance. Here we have a structure that supports clubs where people can physically meet and share social activities. Here we have an opportunity to look in the mirror and if we have a poor image we have the chance to change and look at what we can do and disregard what we can’t. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Silent Key - Joe Sebastiani VK4SWR
A big shock to the Amateur Radio Community and most Radio Nets, long time member of The Townsville Amateur Radio Club Inc, Joe Sebastiani VK4SWR went Silent Key after a horrific domestic accident. Joe had slipped on wet tiles at his home at Burdell North Queensland a couple of weeks previously and rushed to Townsville University Hospital with injuries to his skull and brain so severe that doctors put Joe into an induced coma. A week later Joe was taken out of the induced coma but soon lapsed into another coma from which he did not recover. Joe passed away in hospital around 5 pm Saturday 3rd August. Joe grew up in Mount Isa, worked for a long time for Mount Isa Mines and attained Amateur Radio Callsign VK4LED thanks to training provided by members of the Mount Isa and District Amateur Radio Club. We pass on sincere condolences to wife Imelda, son Joe Jnr. and surviving family. Vale Joe Sebastiani VK4SWR, Silent Key.
Now for some more sad news. One of the Sunshine Coasts Amateur Radio Club's members has sadly passed away - Gordon Webster VK4CWJ passed away last week and the funeral was held last Thursday August One. Gordon worked for the OTC in Martin Place Sydney and the DCA in Port Moresby during the 60's and 70's. He was a keen operator in many HF competitions around the world. Vale Gordon VK4CWJ
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. Great things are happening in sports as our fellow Aussies strive for medals in the Olympic Games in Paris. As a nation of successful armchair sports people, we here in VK have a great tradition to uphold and no doubt there have been many traditional meals of sporting fare scoffed in the wee hours of the night. I will be interested to see the increase in meat pie and home delivered meals during this period. It is fitting that we radio amateurs enjoy the spectacle vicariously through our monitors and TVs. What better use is there for modern electronics than participating in a world event where so many nations are represented from the comfort of one’s own home with the support of the modern conveniences of refrigeration and microwave oven? Maybe to top the medal tally in Paris will be the entry in the Guinness Book of Records with a count of bodies focused on sporting immortality that exceeds the records set by tennis and football competitions. This is all to show that we as a race of people and a sub-set of this are superbly positioned to enjoy the indulgences of amateur radio. In a suitable space, all the paraphernalia of our favoured activity can be gathered. The multiple monitors and the comfortable operating chair, the earphones with the comfortable gel cushions and even special lighting and quick access to refreshment during breaks in activity can all be arranged for the champion amateur operator. Of course for the more frugally or Spartan minded ham there are a variety of options for outdoor activities which can include enjoying bushland, beaches mountains and even hill tops to show how fearless and strong we can be in enjoying amateur radio. For the multifaceted amateur who can multitask, they can always have various video features showing on the monitors and by engaging the computer or two, run digital modes whilst keeping an eye on one’s favourite sport and even have a rag chew whilst the scanner brings in the latest news of local drama to the shack. Yes my friends we are so lucky to belong to a cohort of versatile and engaged people who can sustain good levels of activity and a healthy life style whilst mainly remaining seated. It is a lesson to show the world and our fellow Aussies just how good life can be when we join the ranks of amateur radio. On that note, I hope we remember there are activities coming hard upon us that may shake us into more feverish activity. As they say, “Good luck in the contest”. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Roger, VK4FANG passed away in the Townsville University Hospital on Monday evening 22/07 after suffering a long and painful fight against multiple terminal diseases. Roger is survived by his Wife, Suzette and three sons, Stephen, Daniel and Lee, Lee was at his father's side at the time of his passing. VK4FANG eventually found himself entrenched in the transport industry, allowing him to travel extensively throughout our great Country. It was the industry which took Roger to Townsville. He transported the first load of steel from SA to Queensland Nickel Industries. During this time Roger made his ‘Office’ at the Royal Oak Hotel, where he met Suzette, they married and over time produced the three boys. In retirement, Roger was an avid reader, history and factual stories were his passion. His beloved “shed” became his office, bar & radio shack. Roger enjoyed amateur radio where he felt comfortable and contributed to several nets in Townsville. He made numerous on-air friends. He enjoyed making contact with hams from his beloved South Australia. Vale VK4FANG ROGER HARNDEN from Ray vk4net
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. Undoubtedly, many follow the sport of kings and who celebrate the thoroughbreds’ birthday on the first of the month. In the more mundane world in which I live, it has been a time to rug up and keep warm with the sub-antarctic winds cooling the coast of the State through to the tropics. Just for a change, it is suggested that the weather will return to its normal pattern and showers will be around intermittently. The people who are interested in things celestial will have been suffering the disruptive influences coming from the Sun and whilst the photographers in higher regions might have been chasing auroras we radio amateurs have been looking out for the sweet spots of shortwave propagation. Sunspot cycle 25 is still ringing the changes with an infinitely variable tune. I wonder what you would first think of when I mention the word “Innovation”? Is it something technical directly related to amateur radio like a new operating mode or could it be something else? As much as we might enjoy how things have run and live by the adage of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” there are good reasons, it seems to me, to apply that word and its full meaning to how we run our clubs. We will have all noticed that the membership of the bodies that engage our interest is generally fluid with people coming and moving on and along the way getting that bit older. There can be instances when an event sparks an influx of new members looking to share our radio service and what it can offer in the way of personal attainment. Take for instance the situation where Jamboree of the Air brings some new faces to the door and we not only want to help them get on air, with the formalities as well as the technical and practical matters. How many of us stop and think about those new people with their individual likes, hobbies and peer group supports? It is important that we can adapt our situation to welcome new people and appreciate what life experience and skills they bring with them. In the past, there has been a temptation to look down on people who hold a lower level of qualification and to expect that they would stand to attention when a “full call” operator entered the room. Thankfully as more people have joined the ranks, our clubs have gained the skills and experience that many of the “F” calls brought to us. If we remember the Amateur Creed, there is nothing that says any of us are the superior of the rest. This is where innovation is really important to the growth and longevity of not only our radio club but all social-type organisations. We need to adapt, to bring in the new and to think through our activities in ways that refresh the older members and encourage the newer ones. Innovation is a necessity and a privilege to employ. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. One of the challenges of our activity is to work out what is an improvement. If you are engaged in many sports, the aim is to improve the score whether it is getting a higher number of points, a lower handicap or reeling in a bigger fish on a lighter line. We tinkerers in the electronics field are in a position where innovation and equipment upgrades don’t necessarily indicate a better outcome. The adoption of commonplace hardware has been historically one of the hallmarks of the radio amateur. From the operating position of being called a shack and using pieces of household accessories to breadboard a project. The resource that was fondly known as disposals when cheap surplus from the wars was released onto the market and then the abundance of shortwave, VHF and UHF ex-commercial equipment have all been boons to the ham. In more recent times the upgrades to terrestrial communications have provided bits and pieces that we have put to good use as the cell phone networks are upgraded. The days of dependence on electro-mechanical machines have been largely replaced by the ubiquitous computer and software and firmware and the digital revolution is bringing gear into the shacks that is so small and versatile and with such features as spectrum displays that a complete station can be carried in little more than a supermarket carry bag. Well, we are all aware of this, I am sure, as we use the many historic features of our pursuit. Children find the scoring in tennis amusing with love being nothing but we still use the symbols of the landline telegraph system with abbreviations and codes. We have contests that recognise people and events that hold significance to the majority of operators and although probably most QSL cards are transmitted via the internet and not the postal service we maintain these as part of our tradition. To me, there is no right or wrong way of being an amateur if you follow the licence conditions and the accepted norms of our fellows. This then leads me to think that improvement and success in this activity is achieving the personal goals we set for ourselves. It may be that we do things alone or we may join with others in a group or team but the success seems to be in being in the game rather than getting the gold or silver endorsement on a wall plaque. I suppose that the international definition of amateur radio as sustaining lifelong learning and self-education has more than a ring of truth to it. When we come to share our story with others, it would seem only right that we try and spell out that AR is something for everyone as we can all be winners. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Social Scene The Redcliffe Club will hold their Car Boot Sale Saturday 24 August at the clubhouse, MacFarlane Park, Kippa Ring. (vk4tn)
GOLD COAST HAMFEST OCTOBER 13 at Nerang Country Paradise Parklands 231 Beaudesert-Nerang Road Nerang. (vk4DMH)
Robert Thomson VK4TFN here.
The Redcliffe Club will hold our Annual CarBoot Sale on Saturday 24th August 2024 at our clubhouse in MacFarlane Park at Kippa Ring in the City of Redcliffe. The raffle prize is an electronic weather station. There will be lucky door prizes as well. So, vendors are in at seven, breakfast is at eight, gates open at nine and the raffle draw is at ten thirty. $10 per car boot or table, gold coin admission. There will be bacon and egg rolls, ice cream and fruit salad on offer. Go to www dot redclifferadioclub dot org dot au for more information. Thank you and 73's from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club VK4RC.
Thank you Robert VK4TFN
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
A lot of us will have been experiencing the cold weather that has certainly convinced the body that Winter has come. It occurred to me that we don't live in the idyllic winter wonderland of seasonal postcards that mark the Christmas break in the northern hemisphere. Although I once lived in a place that did have snow, we also had the luxury of indoor fireplaces that wafted the scent of burning through the house and did little to warm the bedclothes. After many years of living back along the sub-tropical coastal regions, I feel the cold as much as any native. As I don’t have a shack with the convenience of comfort and heating, I have been content, although somewhat frigid regardless of the amount of clothes I have on, to try and learn how to use a 2 in one type computer. Some may remember that I previously spoke of the issues of preparing a similar device for portable use and now I have another from a different manufacturer. Getting familiar with the unit has filled some time that could have been devoted to other tasks if the weather had been kinder. It seems that this fully blown tablet cum laptop will do the things I need. Anyway, this has been a long preamble to wondering if others have sideline projects that they can take on when alternatives are needed. Many interests require that we perform maintenance on our equipment but the demands on the radio amateur, in this regard, are relatively light. It is wise to power up our electronics to keep moisture at bay and reduce the chances of electrolytics deteriorating. Then there are the general upkeep tasks, such as computer updates, that help keep our whole operating system running smoothly. For each of us there are items that require attention and being able to use the time that is available for the best outcomes is important. I don’t have a planned schedule just the knowledge that certain tasks need completing to get certain outcomes. Fortunately, I no longer have the tyranny of a regular work pattern to meet so time can be pretty flexible and jobs are done when convenient. With our club activities, it is probably best that we plan these sorts of activities so that there is a checklist to help whoever needs to fill a job know what and how it is done as well as when. In our clubs we need to allow for the things that happen with people, births and weddings, holidays and sickness can all take people away and others will fill in to see the jobs are done. So a suitable record system that is available to members guides people through the planned care program without causing stress and a last-minute rush. This is also a good way of involving people and letting them feel the success of good organisation. It is what I would call succession planning.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. There is the old saying that a change is as good as a holiday. One thing we can all say is that we have lived through many changes and some are more momentous than others, of course. Take, for example, the transition from analogue TV to digital. It created a bit of a ripple for people getting set-top boxes to tune in the new services or they had to replace their existing receiver with what seemed a much more expensive unit. This was at a time when people had been enjoying the benefits of getting video programming on various forms of laser read machines which produced a vastly improved image to the previous home entertainment recording formats of VHS and Beta. Remember that if you remember these things, there are many who have never had the joy of recording audio from the radio or struggling with a jammed cassette tape. There is a whole generation who live beyond the era of compact disk, digital video recording and blue rays. Streaming services and multi-channel free to air TV are with us now but what will replace them, tomorrow? In our own space we are seeing more digital operations being supported and used and the technology that we use, in most commercially sourced gear, is developed around digital processes and technology with less and less reliance on analogue equipment being developed. As these changes surround us, it is wise, I think, to consider the consequences of this technological evolution. I have lived without mains electricity but when you are used to the convenience of throwing a switch and you are blacked out, there has to be redundancy or a backup to keep the lights on. When the landline phone went down, there was only the alternative of radio if you had the licence and the equipment. These days our systems are geared around mobile phone services, the internet and satellite services such as GPS. What happens when these services fail? I mean these have been big changes and if this is part of the holiday experience, we can’t afford to forget the insect repellent, can we? There have been moves from the banking sector to introduce a cashless society. If you have been through a cyclone and the power is out or the internet connection fails, just how do you pay for fuel for your generator or the car to get through to the hospital or a doctor? Getting rid of cash is like throwing the baby out with the bathwater, as the old saying goes. There are good reasons for streamlining business procedures and refining the items that we use in our daily lives but, there is usually a but, we have to be aware that we have to be prepared to use alternatives when necessary. So as radio operators, do we have the plans in place and the equipment for when, as they put it in texting, T-S-H-T-F or do we sit and hope for the best?
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
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Social Scene
The Redcliffe Club will hold their Car Boot Sale Saturday 24 August at the club house, MacFarlane Park, Kippa Ring. (vk4tn)
GOLD COAST HAMFEST OCTOBER 13 at Nerang Country Paradise Parklands 231 Beaudesert-Nerang Road Nerang. (vk4DMH)
The Pinnacles Classic was held on June 16th with Greg VK4GJW and Mark VK4SMA on the base. About 86 runners started the event. From a communications standpoint everything went well. The Guzzler Ultra Marathon is on July 20 and 21. Mark VK4SMA said he now has enough operators to run the event. If you have time to help put your name on the reserve list via ipswichwicen@gmail.com. The Lake Manchester Trail is coming up August 18 and the Mount Glorious Trail November 10.
Redcliffe Club Car Boot Sale & Wamuran Repeater Relocation Project. The Redcliffe Club Annual Car Boot Sale is on Saturday 24th August 2024 at MacFarlane Park, Kippa Ring in the City of Redcliffe. redclifferadioclub.org.au for more information. Wamuran Repeater Relocation Project. Following the closure of our Wamuran repeater site, the Club’s repeaters have recently been relocated to a temporary site. Robert VK4TFN
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. We are fortunate to be enjoying the playfulness of the shortwave bands when the sunspot cycle is at maximum. Radio conditions can be both frustrating when old Sol manages to eject a shower over the Earth or they can be exhilarating when the sunspots create the conditions for worldwide contacts with minimal power. We have been seeing the other side of the earthly behaviour with large parts of the Northern Hemisphere suffering terrible heatwaves. In the Southern Hemisphere we have just breathed the metaphorical sigh of relief as the cyclone season passed most of us by without great drama. However, in this past week we have seen the countries of the Caribbean savaged by a very unseasonal early category 5 typhoon or cyclone to we antipodeans call them. Parts of Italy and Switzerland have been deluged with also fatal results. Whether we accept the theory of climate change or not is irrelevant to the situation that weather patterns are varying and becoming more intense in the effects. Although we are not hearing or reading a lot about the various emergency and storm watch nets that are conducted in different IARU zones, we should all take care to ensure that we do not operate on the frequencies designated for such traffic around the world. These days we can play on the internet and ferret out the necessary information but in years gone by we had a compendium of useful facts contained in our callbook. There has been interest shown in reviving this very useful tool and the ease with which appropriate amateur radio information can be retrieved from such a publication should not be overlooked. Familiarity with various band plans may come from frequent operations where the knowledge imprints itself but for many who meander around the bands on an occasional basis, ready access to the necessary facts is a great operating boon. In many ways, it can be argued that in recent years there has been a lessening of supports to the amateur fraternity. (Should I add the word sorority to that as well?) The ACMA has decided to ditch certain features which many consider necessary such as the database of call signs and their holders and I don’t believe we can buy a copy of the “regs” but must have access to the net, a computer and printer if you want a hard copy. Don’t even ask about having a printed licence document, these days as this has been put in the bathwater with the baby and discarded. Fortunately there is a petition submitted to parliament seeking to remedy this oversight. Some have suggested that the callbook material should be made available in a digital form. Experience shows that the least easy to pirate is still the hard copy, the printed book and if a book is to be compiled there are the necessary copyright requirements to be met and just like the government the item needs to meet a minimum cost recovery standard. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
Welcome to the end, no not the Universe but the end of the financial year when wage earners and small businesses collect those important documents that support the claims that will bolster the hoped for tax return.
There is an area which we should all spend some time on when we think about building our clubs. That is something called group dynamics. Really it is just understanding how we can help provide the best experience within our organisation.
Satisfied people will return and support a club in so many ways and it is important we do a bit to smooth that process.
If our club is open in its discussion and shares and invites participation, it means everyone has the opportunity to take part in the decision making. I am aware that some clubs exist with a small executive committee which deals with all the necessary formalities and organisation and then presents a sealed package at the next AGM and probably goes on to select the same people for another 12 months. Then there are those bodies that encourage members to talk amongst themselves and come up with ideas which are discussed at the next formal meeting. I wonder which clubs then have the most satisfied and interested participants in activities? People respond well when they feel they have a sense of ownership whether of a physical item, ideas or activities.
Part of the inclusion process is ensuring that messages get out to members and especially potential members. Once it was regular newsletter and then the regular posts on the web site and now perhaps social media. Whatever method is used it needs to suit the people on the other end. Like a newsagency with racks of magazines that no-one buys, if the communication is ignored or just glossed over then it has failed to serve its purpose.
These are positive drivers of a successful group dynamic but we also need to think about the things that spoil interaction, also.
It can be awkward and just bloody hard, at times, to stem a tendency for gossip to spread. Often it is a sign of leadership failures that the hidden rumours are spread. If we think back to the old schoolyard game of Chinese Whispers, you can get the idea of how worthwhile most gossip is. In other words, what could be something constructive and positive can get passed on to be destructive and negative. This is where openness and free discussion sets a pattern which others can take up for themselves. How much better is it to say something openly and if there is any error in it, have it corrected without rancour and then things can move on without disruption.
Sadly one of the things that we see, especially from overseas politicians, is that opinions that aren’t greeted with total agreement by an audience are then followed by invective and personal insults. There is no reason to adopt this immature way of behaving if you honestly want to see growth and progress amongst your fellows.
We should aim to be our best and share our best and share in the good outcomes that result.
I’m VK4ZPP Geoff Emery and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. One of the basics of marketing is getting to know your customer base and being able to promote a not-for-profit activity surely falls into that category. Whether we look at our local club level or at a hierarchy which includes state and federal structures, it is being able to relate to our members that can make or break a marketing campaign. Amateur radio is something that has grown around the world for over 100 years and it is something that we adherents want to see continue for an infinite time in the future. We have two things to do and the first is to retain our existing members by replacing those that are no longer involved through various means and secondly to attract new people to continue the growth and preserve the legacy in times ahead. I suppose that is very elementary for many but what do we see in reality? There appears to be many areas where people seem to be in despair of experiencing a sustained membership let alone getting new blood. How should we set about finding the answers is a good place to start. Without knowing what glues our activities into a coherent formulation that we can identify as ham or amateur radio. It is almost cliche-ed to repeat the formal definition from the ITU and the definition doesn’t give us the information that we need anyway. I have heard of suggestions for short survey questions in each edition of Amateur Radio magazine which would collect opinions which could be collated and used to define a clearer picture. I don’t know how many clubs still have a regular magazine but social media pages and web pages could also do this same function providing there was someone to make sure the results were collected. Really when we consider it, a programmer/coder should be able to write or construct some routines or algorithms which would collect the raw data and compile a result sheet. Then there is the validation of the inputs to such a survey. As anyone that has studied basic statistics was taught, when the respondents are self selected there is automatically a skewing or bias in the sample. This is why results from facilities such as Survey Monkey must be considered unreliable a they have that inherent bias to start with. I feel we need to be more responsive to our membership and we need to learn what floats our boats, so to speak. Then we need a formula to gather the insight that newly created amateurs bring. In the two decades of having the Foundation level entry point, there have been many people who have qualified, operated for a while and then dropped out. From experience, I can surmise that study and career are powerful interventions in life. Establishing a family and funding the various things that make for a good home life often leaves little money and even less time to devote to a recreation. However, we really are flying blind with no hard evidence to support our opinions.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
WAR on TOWNSVILLE: 29th. July 1942. In the early morning hours of the 29th. July 1942 a Japanese aircraft dropped eight x 250 lbs. bombs, supposedly on Townsville Q. Seven of the bombs fell in Cleveland Bay and the eighth bomb fell on Oonoomba, a suburb of Townsville. Thankfully the damage caused was a crater and the destruction of one palm tree. I, with other Members of TARC, operated two stations on ANZAC Day 2024 , Net Control by Gavin, VK4ZZ from the Green St. Headquarters. A lot of work has gone into dealings with the three levels of Government: TV and other media interviews with our Local opposition Member have all helped with securing written documentation of future support to preserve the Site in "some" form from destruction. Our transmission on the Anniversary of the Bombing, 29th. July 2024 from the Site will Start: 2.00 pm EST finish: 4.00 pm EST Freq. 7.100 LSB. Net Control VK4ZZ - Gavin TARC H'quarters. TARC Members to erect a portable station are all welcome. All welcome. I ask that we be inundated with DX stations from all over our Great Country and give us moral support. LEST WE FORGET. Kind regards, Ray & Wendy Schinkel
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. round my part of the world, despite what has been forecast, we are having delightful weather with blue skies, fluffy clouds and cool mornings. Only a few weeks go, I was reporting that we were in for a drier winter and a warmer one. With most days getting into single figure temperatures as the sun comes out I really can’t say it has been warmer than average. Just like getting the sunspot figures, we will learn the truth as time goes on. I haven’t been noticing that portable activity has increased, now that the rain has eased, and I wonder if many amateurs are prepared for activities away from the shack. There seems to be a level of people following the POTA and SOTA activities but maybe my sources aren’t getting the whole picture. Here are ways of flying the flag for amateur radio when we appear in public and our equipment stands out like a super hero costume to the lay visitors. I am from the era when you caught up on the stories of fictional heroes at places like the barber shop with a better selection of recent but not new on the shelf magazines and comic. It made a trip to the barber much more entertaining than the outdated and dog eared collection in the doctors’ surgery waiting room. This brings up the idea that has been raised over the years of getting places such as these to have material such as Amateur Radio magazine added to the collection of 4X4, fishing and other coffee table material available to read. There are plenty of places that we all visit periodically and where a variety of the local population also pass through. Just think of business and health services that have waiting rooms and here is an opportunity to spark the interest of someone new. There are is the fact that we don’t currently have any body which will supervise the donation of material. This is something that surely can be rectified. Similarly, we don’t have promotional material which could be distributed and placed for free in these venues. I am sure that in my region which is popular with tourists, that camping areas with areas such as laundries would appreciate some nice material for their clients to browse. What I am suggesting is that there are many opportunities to spread the word and even demonstrate our passion to the passing people who come for other reasons. The mechanic’s waiting room benefits from the caravaning and camping magazines, along with the fishing and boating material. The hairdresser doesn’t only have fashion on display and what you find at a dentist and doctor’s surgery can be an odd mishmash of reading material which is no doubt dictated by what is unsold at the newsagencies. So who can think of a good way of putting something like this into action? I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
VK4 - Caboolture Radio Club Hamfest Saturday 13th July.
The venue, a new one, the Caboolture Uniting Church Hall, 257 King street.
That's the corner of King and Smiths Road.
Breakfast will be served from 8 am, with the Hamfest opening at 9 am.
Admission is $5.
For further information see the Club's Facebook page
facebook.com/vk4qd
(Alan VK4TG Secretary, Caboolture Radio Club Inc.)
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
I’ve mentioned the weather forecasts a few times, recently. The good news turned out that the excess rain did not eventuate in my part of the world and Winter joined us in an appropriate way. Slowly the underfoot is returning to a firm consistency without the squelching sound as one walks across the lawn. The deficit, in my mind, is that the colder mornings are demanding more bedding to keep the twinges out of the body.
Then with sunny days with blue skies, there is not much cause for complaint.
As I have touched on various topics relative to strengthening amateur radio, there has been a thought or two rattling around.
When we look at organisations that have maintained their presence in the community, it occurs to me that they have retained the spirit of their foundations and then built upon the strengths they find in a developing world. It is obvious that we radio amateurs are involved in activities that predate each of us in their foundation but the way they are now practised has been an evolution.
People are variously finding life somewhat more difficult at the moment with local factors and international ones signalling how important stability is to our lives.
My parents lived through what is called the Great Depression and many of the lessons they passed on have helped me in my life. As life started to right itself from the tide of financial disaster, the world found itself embroiled in the Second World War and then followed the Korean conflict.
There came the Vietnam War and recession as late as 30 odd years ago but still our society continued to grow. This suggests to me that as hard as times are for many people now, we can and we will endure and share good times again. It has happened before and with the lessons of yesterday we can make things better in the future.
What I am suggesting is that there is still the opportunity and the time remains right for building our activities and our involvement in our communities.
Obviously the collective voices of clubs will be heard more clearly than the lone operator but where there is no club that one voice has its own resonance to carry the message.
Where should each of us pitch our interests to have the most effect? That is something that local circumstances really guide us to and once we recognise the role we can follow through in spreading the message of community support, individual involvement and good social experiences through out club involvements.
What we perhaps need is a sense of direction, of leadership so that we can structure our plan in a way that is known to work. Do we have that leadership or can you provide some of the skills we need? This is an opportunity that looks too good to miss.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
Winter is upon us but the weather seems to be the same as the past few weeks, cloudy and wet. The forecaster tell us that the systems have changed from high pressure influences in the Great Australian Bite to low pressure but it still seems like an ever repeating sequence.
The interesting thing is that the day and night temperatures for the winter months are expected to be above the normal levels for this winter quarter of the calendar. Perhaps the extra blanket or the electric blanket won’t be so much in demand this season.
If you haven’t already received the email, if you are a member of the Wireless Institute, then here is a heads up that the latest Amateur Radio magazine is available online. Editor in Chief, Roger Harrison, VK2ZRH, has advised the many groups on social media that printing is taking place and distribution of the paper copy is very near.
We have not long been through the effects of the G5 Solar Storm and the space scientists are telling us to be prepared for another burst of high solar activities. It is part of the excitement to ride the crests of the sun spot cycles but also to wait out the quiet times following the magnetic storms engaging with the Earth’s magnetosphere. These events are part of the constant learning that being a radio experimenter continues through life.
It hardly seems long ago that we were looking at the summer VHF contests and now it is barely 2 months to go until the Remembrance Day contest followed by the ALARA contest just after. Of course there are more activities happening between now and then but we should prepare for the “big ticket” events on on our calendar. Want to know more? Have a look on WIA dot org dot au website under contests.
I wonder if any of my thoughts have stimulated actions within the clubs or for individual hams? The idea is to put out ideas that others can use as a springboard to develop their own vision for amateur radio in their local area and by feeding information through to the peak body, influencing the direction for the future.
One of the good things that we enjoy within the news team is getting feedback. It is sort of in short supply most times and I wonder how many caught onto the deliberate error that was included in last week’s text?
You may think it a bit cheeky but from time to time I try and set a lure to stimulate feedback as a means of gauging listener responses. Please feel free to email your replies to QNews or to me via my WIA email address.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
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Hello everyone, this is Graham VK4BB reminding you that today, being the first Sunday of the month, it's time for the QNEWS Social Calender for VK4 to go to air.
Social Scene
Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section
Caboolture Radio Club Hamfest is July 11 (vk7jea) BUT the Facebook group Hamfests Australia shows it as July 13. We have sent numerous emails to the club (vk4qd) but no response so before you hop in the car TRY to ascertain the correct date.
GOLD COAST HAMFEST OCTOBER 13 at Nerang Country Paradise Parklands 231 Beaudesert-Nerang Road Nerang. (vk4DMH)
Sad news to impart that Alan Stephenson, formerly VK4PS, life member of The Townsville Amateur Radio Club Inc. went Silent Key peacefully during the early hours of Thursday morning, 23rd May, 2024.
Alan's passing brings an end to a massive contribution to Amateur Radio and the community at large. Alan was instrumental in forming the communications section of the Townsville Civil Defence organisation in the early 1970s and continued to be a comms section leader when that organisation changed into the Townsville division of the Queensland SES.
He was instrumental in obtaining the location of the Amateur Radio Site at Mount Stuart and the current Club Rooms at the SES HQ, supporting training through the club during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, was comms support leader for the Club assisting community organisations run events safely through the power of radio and assisting radio amateurs in their experiments.
Alan was a 6metre band pioneer in North Queensland back when you had to convert ex-miltary or commercial rigs to 50MHz and his home in Little Street Belgian Gardens was a hub in the region for long distance communications.
Alan was the first Technical Officer for Community Radio 4TTT-FM and was instrumental in establishing the studios in the Townsville CBD and the transmitting site at Mount Stuart. Alan also masterminded the power and tower upgrade for the community broadcaster and also helped get the Burdekin's community broadcaster Sweet-FM on the air.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
There are many things used as team building exercises and they range from the plain to the bizarre, it seems. One thing that just about everyone has made at some time is a list. Whether it is getting all the groceries or planning what to take on a trip or ordering parts for some project, most of of us have had practice in putting together a list.
Now if we think back a few years, most of us will remember that the American Amateur Relay League, the ARRL, ran a very successful campaign to attract new members with the tag of “We do that”. With the benefit of some professional advertising, posters and other material got the message out that the amateur radio service was involved in far more things than just pounding brass or rag chewing.
So this is where the list comes in. There are the obvious things that go with participation in AR such as self education but when we put our heads together, just how many activities do we really encompass? As the nights get colder, here is something that a group can do in person or over the air as a way of showing others just how broad based our activities can be. Perhaps someone can sponsor a competition for the longest list of activities that hams do….
Now apart from providing some engrossing mental stimulation there is more to this idea of list making than first thoughts suggest. We like to feel proud and involved in the various things that we do and one way of spreading the word about amateur radio is often the opportunity that casual conversations offer. When we meet someone and exchange greetings, the topics tend to spread and recreation plays an important part in feeling good and supporting mental health too.
When we learn of the other person’s interests it is great to share some knowledge when we can say, “We do that too.” Of course, part of enjoying a good conversation is being able to listen to what the other person says and then being able to say something positive about the subject.
The fact that a few people put their heads together and wrote a list gives the memory the jog to respond to what is said and shows we aren’t just filling the gaps with meaningless words. That list helps make us more interesting too.
So how about we apply a little brain power to this area of interest and be able to say, “We do that too?”
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
This is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club.
First up from WICEN, the Brisbane Trail Marathon was held on April 28 with members volunteering their time at five checkpoints, a portable repeater site, and the base. The importance of providing safety communications to such events opens up the opportunity for members to support the club through the WICEN group. Congratulations to first-timers.
The next event is the Pinnacles Classic on June 16 followed by The Guzzler Ultra Marathon held over two days – July 20 and 21.
Now to more domestic matters, but no less important. Members are reminded a new mowing roster for the clubhouse is being put together. Able bodied members are urged to put your name forward. The club supplies the mower and fuel. The roster means only one or two mows per year if it can be filled with at least 10 members. As secretary Greg VK4GJW puts it – many mowers make light work.
Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
An interesting time has been had by radio enthusiasts in the past few days with a G5 level flare impacting the Earth’s magnetic field. Some people recognised the severity of the event when the bands went dead and pictures of auroras from the Antarctic to the sub-tropics were appearing on TV and internet sources.
Those of us old enough to remember the heady days of the legalisation of CB in this country know that it also coincided with a peak in sunspot activity.
27MHz was a school that taught many how well low power signals can go when conditions are right.
We are seeing these magnificent openings again.
Back then the Novice Licence was drawing interest amongst radio enthusiasts and projects were published to adapt and use cheaply available equipment on the Novice allocations. The hobbyist Aladdin's cave of the day, Dick Smith stores were at the front of the pack in packaging and selling kits for things like transverters which used the ubiquitous CB rig as the generation platform to access other bands. Many people went on self learning safari and explored the design technology and I recall Amateur Radio magazine carried articles for changing the mixing crystals in the 23 channel radios to put them on accepted amateur frequencies in the 10 and 11 metre bands.
These days there are collectors who pay seemingly outrageous prices for veteran CB equipment and from pictures I have seen, there have been numerous tables at ham fests seeking to move the same types of gear on to new homes. The difference is that the amateur event sales are usually at much lower prices.
Here we have a combination of things. Good conditions and a source of less valuable radios than the all singing, all dancing commercially produced amateur radios. There are radio clubs that make available gear to new members at cheap prices or on loan to allow the freshly minted ham to burn brightly when the urge is new.
What if we managed to get some of this old CB gear and set about having a conversion project within our clubs? There would be many amateurs who have relics of past activities sitting on shelves and in the magic junque boxes and who would like to know their treasure was given a good home instead of finding the rubbish skip when the Last Post has gone silent.
Maybe we could see some of the construction and conversion articles pulled from the archives and updated with the use of currently available components.
We have just heard the cry of the Budget with its reminder of the high cost of living and, just perhaps, we have a means of doing some club activities which would help newly interested people get the feel for radio. Being able to adapt and modify has been the hallmark of the amateur and there is nothing more satisfying than the sound of a project that is completed and working.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. I don’t know about you but I find it hard to pull rabbits out of a hat or even hit the ground running, these days. With the best will in the world I can say that things aren’t what they used to be for me 10, 20 years and more ago. The realisation that one’s circumstances are changing is perhaps the sign of maturity or for some, I believe, its a shock to the whole understanding of life. Now I have raised this contentious subject of age because we have to accept on a personal level that our capacities change but for most of us, we have the memories and understanding of what life was like for us at various ages. This is experience that we should be able to harness in taking an interest in the expanding field of amateur radio. Just because we are young or just because we are mature doesn’t mean our value as a person is any less or more than our fellows. We are unique individuals with a tremendous capacity to learn and grow and be able to share some of that capacity with others. This, of course, is a hobby horse of many in the radio community who wish to see the whole spectrum of activities available to us populated by people with a burning desire to pass the enjoyment on to more and more people. To do that is to ensure that our children and their children will have the opportunity to take part, as we are doing, with the knowledge that a radio ham is a good person. That may seem to be a wishy-washy sentiment but if we all accept the virtues in the Amateurs Code then we have the beacon that has guided our predecessors and our peers through the years. So I suppose the question for each of us becomes, do we want to be ready to help someone join the community? Then what do I do when the opportunity comes knocking? Can I as an individual operator provide the mentoring or can I call on a local club to offer support and friendship, too? Talking of clubs; has your club started the conversation with members as how to progress AR? I suppose after my recent challenge there has been time to really hit the road running on this proposal. With an evolving set of guidelines from the ACMA under the new license regime and a newly constituted WIA Board in place to represent us it really seems to be an opportunity that, as they say, is too good to miss. As much as the activities on air and at the bench must define the role of the wireless enthusiast, the radio amateur, the ham, it is the effort that goes into maintaining the governing structures that sustains this recreation. Moving with the times and not remaining fossilised on the shelf of past glories is as important as gathering entries in the log or chasing another certificate. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you? -------------------------------------------------------------------
Hallo everyone, this is Graham VK4BB reminding you that today, being the first Sunday of of the month, it's time for the QNEWS Social Calender for VK4 to go to air. Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section Caboolture Radio Club Hamfest July 11 (vk7jea) GOLD COAST HAMFEST OCTOBER 13 at Nerang Country Paradise Parklands 231 Beaudesert-Nerang Road Nerang. (vk4DMH)
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
Welcome to the new WIA Board who have been getting the feel of the mood in Bundaberg at the Annual General Meeting and associated events. We wish them a very productive and successful year ahead. With the benefit of the experience of the longer serving members the new members face the task of assuming the roles of directors and also the thrill and pressures of being advocates of the Australian Amateur Radio Community.
One of the tasks that we all have is planning ahead for the activities that stimulate the juices and strengthen the hunger in this great activity. For those who have had the opportunity to attend Bundaberg, this weekend, I hope the shared experience has brought new thoughts and strengthened friendships. Some of us have had to sit out this event with other responsibilities taking precedence and we await the reports to our clubs and hopefully the written words in Amateur Radio magazine.
WIA News depends on its contributors and I for one will be eagerly waiting for the reports.
I wonder how many clubs have managed to formulate plans to grow the membership and increase the involvement of current members? This is more than an idle musing but the hope that people have the capacity to pull something worthwhile out of the collective hat. It is the case that if we don’t try we will never succeed.
Now is the time that we must realise that for amateur radio to remain a thriving community activity, there has to be no “them and us” mentality. It is the time when we need to agree that it really is all about us. Individually and collectively it is our participation that marks this pursuit as and enjoyable influence around the world. We have wars being fought and contacts are continuing to demonstrate the spirit of amateur radio in countries which are involved.
We have had disputes about politics and which is the superior marque of car but when we get on air, the rules that have governed procedure for so many years have helped to reinforce the amateur spirit of respect for our fellow amateur operators. I see that some of the older members of our community and some of the more serious younger ones, too, are extremely cautious of the supposed laxity of the Class Licence and what it can introduce.
Those of us old enough to have lived through the introduction of the CB Service have also witnessed the anarchy which overtook that activity with the introduction of class licensing. There are good reasons to take this as an object lesson and to ensure the regulator does not let go of the reins of the amateur service.
This brings me back to the need to input, to share ideas and to participate.
Collectively we are a community and we share the responsibility for growth and recognition. If we don’t take the first step in supporting our hobby, don’t expect they will do it for us.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
As the Rum City, Bundaberg, prepares to host the annual general meeting of the Wireless Institute it is perhaps the right time for us to think about what we would like to see happen for amateur radio in the next 12 months. There are matters that will need improvement and there are matters that need attention and there will be matters that have been neglected.
As a new Board takes over the process of representing all Australian amateurs it is up to us as individuals and collectively as club members to let that Board know what we want. It seems that too often action is left to someone or some other body to be taken. Yet as a body that has the place to address issues it is not solely the responsibility of the top echelon of the WIA to do all the thinking. Nor is it, on the other side of the coin, the right of the WIA to dictate how we conduct our hobby. We all have a collective responsibility to the hobby to promote and protect it and here we have the best opportunity of doing these things.
We have talked about STEM/STEAM as a way of promoting amateur radio amongst the younger members of the community. We have a new catch word of Innovation which can be a tag line for the renewal and growth of this recreation. Just as various sports have undergone a process of regeneration with more major events and sponsorship, our much smaller occupation is capable of a rebirth and update to the 21st century. The real issue is whether we have the incentive and initiative to drive that change.
In the more balmy climate of Queensland, winter can be a good time to get around a fire at night and chew the fat. Often the best ideas are generated when people are feeling comfortable and relaxed and able to speak freely. This is where social activities not only bond us together but also stimulate new thinking which can benefit us all.
I wonder if many clubs can find a way of incorporating the social gatherings, if they don’t already have them. I wonder if the free and easy discussions can bring fresh ideas to the club meetings and maybe, we can revive the club gatherings, presidents lunches and in a friendly way get discussions at all levels of the hobby going properly, once again.
The good thing about social activities is that we can experience new adventures amongst our friends. I recall a day out with my club with a trip on a heritage railway. There was a saving on the tickets as a group booking gained a good discount. It was something different and an enjoyable adjunct to belonging to a radio club. There are so many things that we can do in groups in VK4 that can oil the cogs of one’s club. Can you think of things to do in your area? Are you prepared to join in the wider conversation about growing amateur radio?
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
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Hallo everyone, this is Graham VK4BB reminding you that today, being the first Sunday of of the month, it's time for the QNEWS Social Calender for VK4 to go to air.
Social Scene
Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section WIA AGM held MAY 4-5 2024 in BUNDABERG. (barc)
Park-fest 4 & 5 of May Bundaberg (vk4kc)
Caboolture Radio Club Hamfest July 11 (vk7jea)
GOLD COAST HAMFEST OCTOBER 13 at Nerang Country Paradise Parklands 231 Beaudesert-Nerang Road Nerang. (vk4DMH)
VK4JDJ Dennis Bauer SK 12 April Dennis grew up in Northern Queensland and in his early years lived in a small community on the Palmerston Range where it rained nearly all year which made for interesting bus rides on the muddy road to school. Dennis led a life of various jobs on cattle properties, drilling camps, road maintenance work and hotel work and picked up a range of varied skills. On one occasion Dennis designed a full wave 80 meter horizontal loop antenna with support posts which was huge but certainly worked. Dennis was a regular on Rob VK4ARQ CW 0530 to 0630 net with hams from Darling Downs, Rockhampton, Mackay, Bowen, Townsville and atherton Tableland locations plus Cairns and occasionally others joined in. They got up to some high sending speeds. Dennis acquired a few different paddles from Italy and other countries. He also enjoyed QRP ops and building various projects to incorporate his station Usually a quiet bloke who “plugged away” at projects and learning. Many hams have similar attributes.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
During the past week, I received an email from the ACMA seeking clients to complete a satisfaction survey. This is a good indication that pleasing the client base is a priority and I would suggest that we all take the opportunity of spending the 4 to 5 minutes this takes. With the introduction of the Class Licence, people have listed what they see as deficiencies in the material being made available and here is an opportunity to personally let the regulator know our thoughts.
“The times are a-changin” was the lyric in an old song and surely that is true. We amateurs do crazy things such as send each others post cards when the e-qsl routes aren’t quite what is needed. Now I am familiar with the extensive delays which happen with the volunteer run QSL bureaux but just to delay things a little more our not so beloved main carrier has introduced alternate day postal deliveries. This past week, the new regime started on Tuesday which means we had 2 lonely delivery days this week.
It is perhaps not so important that mail is delayed but the basic cost of a stamp to send a letter has risen to $1-50 which means that more and more business communications are going to be directed to electronic delivery.
This can raise many issues for those of us with physical impairments and regardless of rules about discrimination, some of these actions just cement the divides in the community.
Recently I had to find a supplier of a certain type of antenna mount and despite my best efforts I couldn’t track down what I needed from local vendors. It ended up being a choice between two of the big international on-line vendors. The deciding factor was that one would deliver free of postage and the other required me to sacrifice a vital internal organ to pay for delivery. Well the decision was easy and with the help of someone who had an account with the seller, the mount was bought and paid for.
Overseas vendors using major on-line sites are beset by advertised delivery prices that too often dissuade the prudent buyer from a sight unseen purchase.
Sadly for the local suppliers to our niche interest, the amateur radio fraternity is small and the cost of maintaining inventory often can’t be justified for the low return it provides. We do have some excellent small businesses dedicated to the amateur market and often their stocked prices are more competitive than the overseas megastores when freight and warranty costs are taken into account. It is perhaps the subject for an article in Amateur Radio magazine just to let us all know who is serving the market for us. I have been told that some vendors feel the cost of advertising is beyond their resources and a printout with product lines and contact details would be a service to the amateur community.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
In this great information age powered by the digital revolution and the internet, there is undoubtedly the greatest access to the most information that the world has known. That is not hyperbole or in the more modern jargon, clickbait. It is a fact that the amount of data grows exponentially each and every day and in fact the data storage and processing is being classed as a climate change factor by reason of the electricity that is used, the heat that is generated and the water that is used for cooling.
I spend a reasonable amount of time checking out different things that interest me and I use various components of the internet to do so. In many cases I am looking to see what others have recorded about particular items and one of the easiest ways is to watch videos. There are tremendous resources available to the electronics and ham radio communities and learning to refine your search terms certainly speeds up access to the sources.
Herein lies the great difficulty that until we are familiar with a topic it is very hard to judge the quality of the material that you read or view. I have frequently followed a very sincere looking presentation with another on the same topic only to have points of contradiction be glaringly obvious between the two. If the subject is quite recently presented to the world, it may be hard to find the critiques that shade and colour the picture and I am left with the big question mark and scratching my head. How do I know what is right?
Fortunately in our field of interest, the laws that govern how radio and electronics are well enough established that it is only in the minute details that we will see radical change. In other words, the material in the manuals and text books is going to be more than accurate than we need in the practical world. It is for this reason that I have a small library of standard books of varying ages and they can provide most of the theoretical and technical answers that I need for my purposes.
This is where I point you to belonging to a club which maintains a library for members to use. Along with equipment and instruments, books are a valuable resource and should be available to club members, at least. I have seen reports over the past years that public libraries have cleared most of their shelves of amateur radio type material and it then becomes the province of the club and individual amateur operator to source and maintain these valuable resources.
Every day there are questions to which I don’t have the right answer and being able to “fact check”, with better accuracy than on social media, is a source of satisfaction.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
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Social Scene
Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section
WIA AGM held MAY 4-5 2024 in BUNDABERG. (barc)
Park-fest 4 & 5 of May Bundaberg (vk4kc)
Caboolture Radio Club Hamfest July 11 (vk7jea)
GOLD COAST HAMFEST OCTOBER 13 (Venue to be announced) (vk4DMH)
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
How time flies when you are having fun, goes the old expression and here it is a week on from the pranksters’ favourite day of the year.
I saw some amusing posts and some that were a little hard to place in the April Fool genre, this year round. Still, no doubt many people managed to get “caught” out by the pranks and provide a good laugh at themselves.
At the moment, the weather seems to be celebrating the great US Groundhog Day with barely a day passing along the coast without rain.
It was a surprise that we had one afternoon and the following day with golden rays of sunshine and then the pattern resumed with storms washing the happy smiles from people’s faces.
Many will have noticed that the most recent entry into the commercial electronics magazine field has succumbed to the current economic malaise. Diyode magazine has closed its doors and we have but one fully commercial publication of Silicon Chip to fill the space on the newsagents shelves. It was perhaps a heroic venture, to begin with when the likes of Electronics Australia and AEM had closed before. Sadly the amount of material being published which is directly related to amateur radio has been in decline over this time also. Publishers have told us that it has been due to the changes in available products around which they could develop kit construction projects.
We have been fortunate that old hands such as Jim Rowe, former Editor of EA, have kept his pen dipped in ink and contributed useful articles to Silicon Chip. With items sourced from the great cornucopia of electronics manufacturing, in Asia, there remains the opportunity to continue a level of homebrew, DIY that helps us in our hobby.
Sadly, over the years and because of the nature of junk box collections, projects which make it into the various radio enthusiast journals often can not be replicated because certain parts are no longer stocked or the esoteric nature of the project puts it beyond the level of the journal readers.
So it was heartening to pick up a copy of the April Silicon Chip article “Becoming an Amateur Radio Operator” by David, VK3DSM.
This small booklet (I call it that because of its breadth and length) runs from page 22 through to page 35 with text and illustrations.
What a heartening development to once again see such material being published in the commercial field. Our own Amateur Radio Magazine does get distributed through the newsagency chain but like many specialist publications, a lot of people believe it just preaches to the converted.
If you haven’t seen David’s article yet, I believe it is worth reading by every VK operator with up-to-date material that certainly addresses its subject in a considered and enthusiastic way.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
BUNDABERG
Just a reminder that if you are attending the National WIA Convention and AGM in Bundaberg on the 4th/5th May and flying into Bundaberg, please make contact with our club and let us know the time of your arrival so we can make sure to meet you at the airport in our Minibus.
The driver will take you to your accommodation and will also ferry you to and from the WIA Convention, Gala Dinner and AGM.
73 from David VK4DN – Secretary - Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club.
DARLING DOWNS RADIO CLUB
Before radio, the world was connected by telegraph.
Warren Fritz VK4FJ has a collection of Australian and New Zealand sounders and Morse keys from the early telegraph and will display some at the April 8th Social and Technical gathering of the Darling Downs Radio Club Inc.
If you are in the area, all are welcome to see the telegraph equipment and maybe even try reading the sounders at 7:30 pm in the Community Rooms above the Toowoomba City Library. This is Dougal VK4EKA for the Darling Downs Radio Club Inc.
Greetings from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club Vk4RC Robert Thomson VK4TFN here.
Redfest has arrived! Nine A.M. next Saturday 6th April at St Michael’s College, Abbey Place Caboolture.
Redfest is definitely the place to be in Southeast Queensland next Saturday! With 40 tables of sellers showcasing a range of pre-loved and brand-new goodies for the avid ham, you won’t leave disappointed.
You won’t have to look hard to find things like a couple of fully functional FL2100 amps and two Yaesu MP1000’s operational but needing TLC.
Don’t forget our spotlight on the ladies this year with three special focus sellers, the display from ALARA and (of course) the café. Doug has the BBQ heating up already with anticipation of cooking his famous bacon and egg rolls.
The Brisbane VHF Group will be doing those Tech Talks demonstrating the all new ICOM IC-905 and explaining the wonders of microwave propagation.
There will be half-hourly lucky door prizes, minor raffle draw prizes and the major prize of the ICOM ID-5100A. Tickets are only $5.00, available on the day.
The fine food is available from 8:00 am and the sales start at 9:00 am. Entry is only $5.00
Check out the club website for more details: redcliffe radio club.org.au.
See you Saturday 6th April at Redfest 2024!
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
As the Easter period draws to a close, it is proper to consider the place of holidays in the life of the Australian community. It seems that what used to be religious commemorations are now primarily secular vacations from the routine of daily life. Yes it is a great time for people to share time with family and friends but as we look around there are more people who are living a solo life.
How many, I wonder, are in your local club?
With the almost universal adoption of 7 day retail trading and people trying to find the life of Riley, are we catering for our fellow amateurs with the historic practices that we mostly have?
Then there are the fortunate souls who get to enjoy extended periods of leave from education and who feel the need to engage in a change after the time of parties and plum pudding.
What I feel is that when the numbers are high enough, is there any reason for clubs to not maintain a rolling schedule of activities throughout the year? Is there any reason not to run training and open the club station for use and allow the facilities to be used daily rather than just on meeting days? OK this will be open to local needs but really how much needs to be done to make the club a welcoming part of local life?
I can’t answer that question but I am sure that if people put their minds to it, a lot of things can be opened up instead of just following the routine, year after year.
Just like I have thrown out the challenge to spark activity in the recruitment and development of amateur radio, I am throwing out the challenge to restructure activities in line with modern practices in the wider community. It is open to us all to take part in modernising the attitudes and the image that hams have in the wider community.
Yes, it is very true that we are individuals and that we have different backgrounds and skill sets but if we cooperate and form teams, we can take the ideas and pool them into a new focus for the hobby. Too often we have seen and heard the great self-appointed warriors put down ideas and we see it on the internet and social media as well as in meetings. This is not in keeping with the Amateurs Code that sets standards for us to achieve.
So after the buns and chocolate are memories and before we settle into an afternoon nap, can we take the opportunity to think over some of these issues and look for things that would make our hobby better?
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
One of the great things about institutions is that they carry their foundation history with them as they grow and develop to meet the changes that come with time.
So I think it is a good thing that amateur radio manages to integrate so much of it history as it embraces the development of communications available to us.
When we use “Q-codes” we are maintaining a link with the telegraphists of almost 200 years ago. When we operate digital modes we are linking with recent developments in radio.
We have just witnessed the John Moyle Field Day with a number of clubs going portable for the event. John Moyle was well known figure in the amateur world when I was still in short pants and as editor of “Radio and Hobbies” magazine he was responsible, in a distant way, to my gaining a better understanding of the technical side of radio as well as the techniques of the pursuit. It seems fitting that an event should celebrate this person for the contributions and leadership that he gave the field of electronics and amateur radio in particular.
As I looked at the many social media posts it was very evident that the median age of the club members would bring them close to retirement. This raised the very obvious question of “where are all the young operators?” Yes it was the day of the local government elections around the State and family commitments would have determined who could have come along. But still there were no really young faces beaming from the photos either and surely we have many operators who are of school or college age?
It seems that, as an institution, we are lacking leadership in sustaining the growth of the hobby. Perhaps there will be more opportunities under the new regime following the introduction of the class licence. This change seems to have raised a lot of conundrums which yet have to be figured out to solve issues that operators have recognised or already experienced. It is the time for our leadership at club and national level to see this is the time for opportunity and growth rather than perpetuating the stodginess of past glories.
There have been muted calls for a campaign to promote amateur radio and I believe these should now be loud and clear. To gain the interest of younger members of the community we need to encourage involvement in the use of the materials at hand. What I mean is that the technology that we use and which is used in education is derived from the equipment technology that we were using 30 to 40 years ago but our adoption seems to have stalled around the same time.
Have we the inspiration and creative juices to take on reform of amateur radio or are we stuck in some time warp of repeating the past? This is a challenge for us all and realistically we have to know if we are capable of meeting it today or just retreating into the darkness of oblivion.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Redcliffe and Districts REDFEST April 6 (vk4tfn)
WIA AGM held MAY 4-5 2024 in BUNDABERG. (barc)
Park-fest 4 & 5 of May Bundaberg (vk4kc)
Caboolture Radio Club Hamfest July 11 (vk7jea)
GOLD COAST HAMFEST OCTOBER 13 (Venue to be announced) (vk4DMH)
Greetings from the Redcliffe Radio Club VK4RC
Robert Thomson VK4TFN reporting.
Redfest 2024, is now only three weeks away on Saturday 6th April, at St Michael's College, Abbey Place Caboolture.
Redfest is not just a swap-meet with pre-loved bits and pieces. This year there'll be even more commercial vendors. For the technically minded - and that;s all of us - there will be a demonstration of the new ICOM IC-905 by the Brisbane VHF Group which will also host a presentation on microwave propagation.
Doug is prepping the barbie for his famous bacon and egg rolls, and the ladies are ready and raring to go with the cafè. Food is available from 8:00 am and the gates open at 9:00 am.
Don't forget the major raffle prize -
the ICOM ID-5100A, VHF/UHF digital transceiver.
Tickets are only $5.00.
For more information go to: redclifferadioclub.org.au
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. It was about 70 years ago that the Communist Party in the Soviet Union produced a statement which set out their meanings of what language would mean. The common use and understanding was thrown out like dirty dish water and diplomats had to struggle to decipher the messages given out in the early stages of the Cold War. One book that most households had on a shelf was a dictionary which was important to children doing homework and then became a tool for crosswords and board games. What it meant was that language tended to be stable in what it conveyed and that lasted over time. You could read a newspaper that was thirty or more years old and not be confused by the meaning of words. In the past couple of weeks, we have seen a melee amongst one of the popular sporting codes which revolved around the use of the word “monkey”. It seems that that word has transformed into an insult when used in certain contexts. We have seen this attitude portrayed over the past few years with people finding offence with words and objects in a movement that is known as woke. If you are a social media user, you will probably have come across the mindless minions known as fact-checkers and algorithms upholding some universal set of community standards. Like the guards in the land ruled by a dictator, these creations seem to lack understanding of what people enjoy such as humour and irony and the standards seem to appear like ectoplasm during a phoney seance. Such is the world that we live in. In the past, there have been quite explicit rules applied to the type of language which was permitted on radio services. These days we can hear expressions on broadcast radio and TV that would have had a charge of obscenity laid by the police a few decades ago. During my student days, I was taught that language was an evolving item in our social structure and I have lived to witness much change in what words mean and how they are used. So how does this reflect in our use of language as radio amateurs? My feeling is that we should still consider what is respectful to and by our fellow operators. If a word or expression can be offensive then we should use an alternative. This is the courtesy that amateurs have encouraged for over 100 years regardless of regulations. Like good manners are appropriate to the occasion we should remember that generally what we put to air can be monitored by people of all ages and backgrounds. I have listened to the operator who was drunk behind the microphone use obscene language and I have memories of monitoring UHF CB many years ago whilst standards sank lower and lower. Sadly, as I travel a major road, I do monitor the notorious Ch40 and have to accept that most of the transport drivers use obscenity as punctuation. If you hold religious beliefs or are raising young children, this is a great deterrent to using a very effective road safety tool. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Gidday! I'm David, VK4DN from the Bundy Amateur Radio Club!
Just a reminder that the WIA Convention Expo and HamFest happening here in Bundaberg is now less than 10 weeks away!!
Make contact with the Secretary secretary@barc.asn.au
This is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club.
A total 15 members attended the February 26 business meeting either in person or via Zoom.
From the WICEN report members were reminded of the need for volunteers for the Brisbane Trail Marathon on April 28. If you can help with being on a checkpoint please contact Greg VK4GJW through email ipswichwicen@gmail.com
Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT
John Saunders VK4BZ, President of the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club, wants to promote the inclusion of women in amateur radio. The Redcliffe club's annual Redfest, is now only four weeks away on Saturday 6th April at St Michael’s College, Abbey Place Caboolture.
Check out the club website for more details: redclifferadioclub.org.au.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
Mid week we got to go for a drive to visit some family members who were taking a break from the routine of life and enjoying the views across the water in central Queensland. They managed to set up and the following day to their arrival, the god of storms gave us some heavy rain but it managed to become more furious and stripped twigs and branches from the trees in their location. No real harm was done and life resumed under the cloudy sky which gave way to a wonderful clear day with fleeting clouds and a pulsing sea breeze which we all enjoyed.
It was driving into another local government area with posters along the road with different names and images that got me to thinking. Pretty much from the time amateur radio was formally recognised in this country, there has been an effective ban on the discussion of politics on air. It has not only been very local but also it has extended to overseas and international politics as well.
In so many ways it has been a good way for our relationships to develop on a person to person level regardless of the obstacles that party and other allegiances have thrown up.
When we look at the events which are happening in parts of Asia, the Middle East and Europe, it is obvious that many of us will have reason to support the survival of one group of people over another. It may be religion, family ties or ethics that turns our attitudes to support one side and disparage the other. Then we go on air and we converse with others by means of radio and it is the community of amateur radio that binds us, at that time, and not the personal factors that have set our attitudes.
Obviously as individuals, we do not set the agenda for elections or the patterns of aggression of our politicians but on a daily basis we have the opportunity to share those common human values which we consider the mark of mankind. We can appreciate the success of another amateur in finishing a technical build and the joy of a family in welcoming another member, just as we can identify the sorrow and pain of the bereaved.
We don’t often get the opportunity to sit and talk and share a meal with other amateurs but we do get to talk, message and send images and video and enter the personal space of others. When we maintain the courtesy that goes with our pursuit, we give respect to the other person and by not touching on the subject of politics we maintain the politeness that can build into friendship.
So I hold my own beliefs and share them in private when appropriate but in enjoying my hobby I like to give the respect to others that I would like to receive.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
Well, here it is already, the autumn season that used to herald cooler weather as we rotated into winter. The Bureau of Meteorology has released its quarterly outlook and we can expect weather that is likely to be drier than our summer but still giving us warmer nights than usual. For the night owl operators, that might suggest a further degree of discomfort or comfort, depending on individual locations.
One thing that we can do personally or as part of a group activity is make things.
For many people starting off, there is the temptation to develop a first-name acquaintanceship with the bank manager to finance the biggest and best.
What most of us should do is get our hands on some tools and some cheap materials and put something together. There are many requests for the best antenna for a new operator and there are a multiplicity of replies by the experts, well the self-appointed experts anyway. There is a ton of practical information to be had in the videos that increase in number daily.
For my backyard, I have two aerials for shortwave. One is an off-centre fed horizontal and the other is a non-resonant vertical and both have been built by me.
Now I am not using the horizontal antenna but the vertical does a good job for monitoring and basically, it is a 'junk box special' made from a salvaged fibreglass pole strapped to a tripod base. I did take the easy way out and used a commercial matching transformer but for the sake of a bit of measuring and cutting and using a few cable ties, I have a perfectly usable antenna for minimal cost. This is the thing I am talking about.
These days we see many newcomers wanting to only use commercially made accessories and in dodging the experience of making something they are missing the opportunity to strengthen their learning. We have all seen the responses to questions that the only suitable antenna must be a resonant one. By experimenting with a non-resonant design you can find what works at your QTH and what is the most effective for the style of operations that you take on. Being able to cheaply and quickly put together something as useful as an antenna gives a sense of satisfaction and achievement too.
Terminating feed lines is a skill that is mastered with a little practice but at times buying in ready-made items might be more practical.
If you are in a club, maybe you can suggest a project where several members can get together and decide on a time to share the building and testing. For many of us, a suitable squid pole will be the most expensive outlay but a club bulk buy can drop the costs considerably. Once you have completed one project, perhaps you can build into your club calendar a regular schedule for these practicals that put the book learning to good use.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
Redfest 2024 Update
Greetings from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club VK4RC.
Robert Thomson VK4TFN here.
REDFEST 2024, 9 am Saturday the 6th of April at St Michael's College Caboolture.
Our website is redclifferadioclub.org.au
Breakfast is at 8 and there will be a cafe serving coffee, tea, cakes, slices and cookies.
Vendors start booking now. $10 per table,
redfest@redclifferadioclub.org.au
The raffle prize is the ICOM ID 5100A VHF/UHF dual band digital TxRX as well as lucky door prizes. Tickets $5 each on sale now.
There will be tables and displays, especially for the ladies and ALARA will be there.
Thank you and 73's from the Redcliffe and District Radio Club VK4RC.*
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
This month is rushing to it climax as it marks the Leap Year that heralds the Olympic Games in a few more months. Colleges and schools have resumed the order and the routine of life is only interrupted by the changes in the weather.
I thought I would indulge in some retrospection. My younger self was intrigued and engaged by the now antique creation of the crystal set radio. The first one that I remember was in a nicely constructed wooden case which was polished to a high shine in the style of good quality furniture. My home built unit was on pieces of wood salvaged from boxes that had transported fruit and was not polished, just rough cut unvarnished wood. But that was the baptism into the indulgence and enjoyment of radio and amateur radio in particular.
Recently the control buttons on my TV remote started to fail internally and after removing the cover for an inspection and checking the cost of a replacement, I opted for the easy fix of buying a new remote. Now this was from a seller in Victoria and it ended up taking 8 days for it to arrive to alleviate my increasing frustration with the ever more failing unit it had to replace. The tracking was good until the parcel arrived at the mail sorting centre for southern Queensland where my much needed remote rested for four days out of the 8. It then arrived on the eighth day with the fanfare of an SMS and an email but no more tracking. Relief from the faulty unit had come at last.
Around the same time, I had been looking at the very popular dual band hand held radio which is a toy of choice for many amateurs around the world. What caught my interest was the range of amateur bands that it covered on receive and the fact that a previous HT of the same brand had given good service. Then an ad popped up for an on line site with what seemed a fair price for one of these radios. It turns out the sales site is located in the State Capital, Brisbane, and with the appeal of fast delivery and free postage as part of the deal, I succumbed to the temptation and invested in one Chinese made radio.
The tracking was superb as the parcel travelled from mainland China to the Brisbane International Airport and thence to the Redbank Mail Centre. Once again it seemed that my agony was going to be prolonged as nothing happened until the next day and without announcement the radio was delivered to my front door. It had taken just six days from when I paid for the radio to when it was delivered beating the local purchase by 2 days.
I don’t know if there is a moral to all this other than to stay calm and not fret when your goods are being transported by the local postal service. I am now getting acquainted with the button presses and getting closer to some old fashioned SWL type monitoring.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?
QNEWS - SEPTEMBER 10 2023 - VK4 ON AIR
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
When we look at the many things that we enjoy in life we seem to find the most satisfaction in those that provide a challenge. Sports are a good example where the individual has the thrill of beating their last performance whether as an individual or as a member of a team. When we look at the myriad opportunities that a recreation called amateur radio provides the chances of finding that involvement are multiple.
Many operators enjoy the thrill of contesting where the battle is to use the bands and radio conditions to amass a score and a memento that signifies success. Others look to increase the tally of exotic contacts that we call DX. When the natural world grants the opportunity to contact someone remotely with the power of a butterfly’s beating wing in their antenna, that is a challenge which when it succeeds is a thrill that spurs a person to try again. Likewise, when a ham tackles a new and different project and succeeds in creating something that improves their station, there is the satisfaction of knowing the challenge was taken and won.
We can look at our club’s activities and see the various opportunities that arise to be challenged in filling roles that privately just don’t come up at home.
Field days, public displays and so many more items are there and getting them set up and run the best you can is a challenge with its own rewards and recognition amongst the members. Even the mundane things can have the reward of having helped our fellow members get more from their involvement.
As we move towards JOTA/JOTI this is something that members of the scouting movement practice as part of their personal development. Scouts and Guides are helped on the path to growth in ways that many find outside of the normal routine. The shoulder patch and the blanket full of patches tell a personal and group story of challenges undertaken and opportunities that have been enjoyed.
Amateur radio is in many ways providing a similar pathway for people to learn and try new things that spur mind and body to engage in new and interesting things. The one difference that I see is that once a ham passes the first licence test, there is no true road map to follow. Like the explorers of old we peer into the distance and cross the mountains and streams that our pursuit provides. Yes, some people do give up but many more continue to find contentment and excitement in the engineering, technology and science that are the foundations of amateur radio.
The biggest opportunity is perhaps the challenge to try oneself in the contest. And like the follower of a sporting code, you may find you are not a player but better suited to the role of spectator. That role has its own level of thrill and satisfaction and you go forward better prepared than someone who never tried.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you?
QNEWS - SEPTEMBER 3 2023 - VK4 ON AIR
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. To all the fathers listening I hope you have a wonderful day that fills you with memories and brings a smile to your face. Some 60 years ago, the writing and composing team of Lerner and Lowe produced an iconic musical to the theatre and subsequently the cinema. That was “My Fair Lady” which was an adaption of the Irish writer George Bernard Shaw’s play titled “Pygmalion”. Why I mention this is that one of the songs was entitled “When Spring crept over the window sill”. After the farewell to Winter that many parts of the east coast of the continent have endured I would have expected Spring to bounce into our consciousness taking away the memories of the recent storms. But “No” say the weather experts with a glint in their eyes, welcome to the annual storm season. As band conditions of short wave have been a little so-so recently, it is nice to have the expectation of the changes that the warmer months can bring to our radio activities. Hopefully we have managed to do the annual maintenance and our stations are prepped for the changed band conditions and we can take the opportunity for some outdoor operating and some DX on the higher HF and into the VHF parts of the spectrum. This is where we have the tussle of the increased atmospheric noise and the benefit of the openings from the sunspot cycle and other space weather phenomena. Of course one of the things that we should take account of in the storm seasons is the possibility of static discharges and lightning strikes. Protecting our equipment is part of safe operating practice and having suitable grounding and disconnection of external paths such as antenna cables and mains and copper telephone circuits is also a protection for our families and homes as well. A direct lightning strike can not only fuse metal, it can cause other materials to explode and also burn. When you have seen people who have been through the experience of losing all their white goods from the stove in the kitchen to the washing machine and dryer in the laundry as well as all their electronics you can appreciate their angst and hurt. What I am endeavouring to do is remind us all that it isn't just the time when the suburban grass needs cutting more frequently and trips to the swimming pool are a comfort, it is also the time when we should check our homes and surroundings for things that are potentially unsafe. Many will have seen the video of the people taking shelter during a lightning storm and they huddle under the canopy of a tree. When the tree takes a direct strike, it seems the 3 people all die. Here is a message, a lesson to pass onto our family and friends that we should understand what is safe in the circumstance and not put ourselves in danger because of ignorance. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? -------------------------------------------------------------------*
QNEWS - AUGUST 27 2023 - VK4 ON AIR
Hi, I’m Mark VK4DMH, from GCARS on the Gold Coast The Gold Coast Amateur Radio Society was involved with radio communications for the Pacific Airshow last weekend, providing schedule timing and aircraft movement updates from the various airfields back to the airshow command in Surfers Paradise.
There were 10 Amateur Radio operators engaged for 3 days at four different airfields and locations, spanning a distance of close to 100km. Many of us also had aircraft radio certifications so we could communicate with the pilots on airband as necessary.
n work took place over a period of weeks with the assistance of Andrew VK4QF, Aidan VK4APM, Jamie VK4XD and myself, VK4DMH.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
One of the mysteries of life is how big businesses actually operate in a world that supposedly has operating rules. Most of us have used the national postal service which seems to be neither an arm of the government nor a fully commercial business. I recently made some purchases online with the hope of improving my capacities when operating portable. In keeping with saving the planet was a small computer regarded as old. For me, the fact that it would run basic amateur radio software and give me an opportunity to go digital seemed a good thing.
From when I bought this unit until it arrived for a collection signature from interstate was only a matter of days. Strangely the charger unit it needed which was bought on the same day came from another source and took a further four days to reach me. It seems that the postal service which is now advertising next-day delivery in some metropolitan markets hasn’t improved its delivery times since I had a Christmas job several decades ago and trains were the main mail carriers, not road. I see people complaining that they have posted items and paid the premium for fast delivery only to have things like documents miss legal deadlines.
The computer has been fun to set up and then terribly frustrating. The device is in good condition and performs well, as far as I can test it for my needs.
There is a roadblock to my plans. Because of its age, the computer runs Windows 10 and is not really suitable for upgrading the operating system.
I have had a Murphy experience, in that there is a bug in that OS that won’t connect to the app store to get the software I want to run. You know it is recommended not to use non-official download sites and the software developer hasn’t fixed the bug in 7 years. The one suggestion on their website didn’t work and this operating system is claimed to be supported until some time in 2025. Am I missing something?
It doesn’t seem all that long ago when our politicians were sprouting the benefits of global markets and online shopping. I received an item during the week that, according to the tracking, took 14 days to reach me after arriving in the country.
Processing through the postal service and customs and delivery which was done in about 3 days is frightening when this is a slack period well before the end of year climactic rush. Should we be buying anything we need from overseas now just to ensure we will be able to wrap it and fill the stocking at Christmas?
To me, it is a pity that consumer protections from major international and national businesses seem to be out of sight and out of mind. I can’t seek a remedy for my malfunctioning software as I am not the original purchaser. It seems that like all of us, I have to put up with the vagaries of postal delivery when it works it is as good as when all sorting was done manually back in the middle of last century and when it fails, it seems to be protected by a stone wall of indifference if reports are correct. On that basis, we should feel sorry for the businesses that try to serve our community.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you?
QNEWS - AUGUST 20 2023 - VK4 ON AIR
Hi, This is Alan VK4SN, Remembrance Day contest manager.
The last day for log submission is Sunday the 26th at 0300z.
My internet service provider sometimes thinks that logs coming to me is spam and are blocked.
Please make sure that if you've sent a log, that your callsign is showing in the submitted logs link on vklogchecker.com
If not, please email me. Details on the WIA RD page.
I type up paper and attached logs to email, and submit to vklogchecker.com. All operators will get an automated acknowledgment when submitted. Success or failure is shown on screen when the log is submitted.
Good luck This is Alan VK4SN
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
I hope that the people out and playing radios for the contests are getting many contacts and the spirits are holding up.
One of the issues that gets thrown up from time to time is the growing amount of e-waste that our consumer society generates. There was a time when much of what is regarded as rubbish such as broken white goods and non-working electronics were sort for parts that could be repurposed into other projects. There was many an electric motor from an old washing machine that found a new life driving a concrete mixer or wood working machinery. It hardly needs to be said that the larger components from electronics were popular, too. Tuning capacitors from broadcast radios were scavenged and put into crystal sets or if they were from valve equipment, home constructors looked at re-using them in receivers, transmitters and antenna matching units, for instance.
I know that there is still a cadre of enthusiastic builders who keep up the tradition and especially those lucky enough to live in a local government area that conducts kerbside collections every year or two. I see posts to groups and pictures too of valuable pieces of gear from computing, industrial and home entertainment prior lives that have been saved from the recycler’s skips. There is one YouTube creator who has a few years of presentations on items that he has rescued from the skips in the building where he works.
Locally I see volunteer groups with collection points for items which carry a bounty like glass bottles and aluminium cans and these groups not only make funds to sustain them but contribute to the cleanliness of the local areas in which they operate. My question then becomes, what can we radio and electronics enthusiasts do to re-purpose e-waste?
When you consider the ubiquity of home computers and 20 year old audio gear there is a source of gold and other metals, if you want to go that route, or components and equipment that can be used as training and teaching aids. One of the big issues these days is that it is possible to come into amateur radio with simply a book learning background. Like many adult learners, I feel that when I construct something and apply the formulae and consider the design principles, the theory put into practice fixes the lessons in the memory. The teaching becomes learned knowledge and the satisfaction comes with an item that was made and which works.
From the humble wall wart, the computer power supply to the old sub woofer with a good audio amplifier there are things that can be learned by taking them apart, modifying them as needed and putting the result to use in the shack. How much more exciting is the club class when the learner has a physical reward as well as completing a lesson on the whiteboard?
What I am suggesting is that for groups that have the basic resources of space to collect and sort e-waste there are opportunities to enhance the things that they already do, save some good gear and make some money from the leftover, if possible.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you?
VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR FROM MAY 13 2023
SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY
VK4OD PETER HARDING 10 JULY 2023 vk4bab
Redcliffe Club Carboot Sale Update
Greetings from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club VK4RC
Robert Thomson VK4TFN here.
The Redcliffe Club will hold our Annual CarBoot Sale on Saturday 26th August 2023 at our club house in MacFarlane Park at Kippa Ring in the City of Redcliffe.
The raffle prize is an IC-T10 dual band FM analogue hand held tranceiver. Two metre and 70 centimetre.
Vendors in at seven, breakfast is at eight, gates open at nine, the raffle draw is at ten thirty
$10 per car boot or table, gold coin admission.
Go to www dot redclifferadioclub dot org dot au for more information.
Thank you and 73 from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club VK4RC.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
To the intrepid folk who have enjoyed the RD Contest overnight and those joining in to log some more contacts, I trust the bands have been gracious to you.
Sadly there are times when propagation just doesn’t run in the directions we need or seems to hibernate when we need it the most. I did my own level of monitoring during the past week and found that 20m lived up to its reputation of providing good DX whilst 40m was a more problematical band in the mid to late afternoons.
So in the south of the State the current weather forecast for the period of the Brisbane Ekka is still without the promise of the dreaded westerly winds that normally accompany this event. Notwithstanding this, I would suggest that if you are intending to sample the delights of the food stalls or the events in the arena, you take the necessary precautions as it is the time when hospitals and doctors surgeries get overrun with people who came home with a dose of the seasonal flu. If anything has been learned from the pandemic experience, it is the worth of good hygiene in preventing the spread of illness. Here is an opportunity to put that experience into practice for our own safety and that of those we come into contact with.
Although we are not receiving the amount of information that we had during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, news from the Health Department is that there are still people being admitted to hospital for both Covid and influenza. We seem to receive more road safety messages than we do about the current infectious diseases.
Sadly during the week it was announced that another business serving the amateur community is shutting its doors, this time in VK6. Times are hard for so many in the community and the desire save money is very strong. It is hard to reconcile that the cheaper purchases from overseas may in the long run see a local trader shut up shop.
It is ironic that the motto thrown out to radio operators to populate the bands is just as valid in the supply of gear and components from local sources. It seems that we should be translating those words into our shopping preferences too and that is, “use them or lose them”.
I will offer a suggestion to the “contesters”, this month, and that is to submit a log to the contest manager within the nominated time frame. You may not be wanting to collect an award but others will and having check logs is a great help in keeping the results correct and weeding out errors in scoring. So even if you only give out a few contest numbers, please send in the log as it will help in the overall process and in the RD, it might just help your State get more than an honourable mention.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you?
Greetings from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club VK4RC Robert Thomson VK4TFN here.
The Redcliffe Club will hold our Annual CarBoot Sale Saturday 26th August at our clubhouse at Kippa Ring in Redcliffe.
Vendors in at seven, breakfast is at eight, gates open at nine, the raffle is at ten thirty. $10 per car boot or table, gold coin admission. Go to www dot redclifferadioclub dot org dot au for more information. Thank you and 7s from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club VK4RC
This is Allan VK4HIT with news from the July business meeting of Ipswich and District Radio Club.
In WICEN news - The Guzzler Ultra Marathon for 2023 was run over the weekend July 22 and 23. The weather was perfect for the event with the record for the 100Km run being smashed by nearly 50 minutes, well done to Tim Locke.
A big thank you to all operators who manned the checkpoints, especially those on CP2 and CP3 who got smashed with nearly 800 runners transiting through their checkpoints. There were very few errors and no dramas, so the event went very well. Stay tuned for next year’s event on July 27 and 28 2024.
There are two more WICEN events later this year – the Pinnacles Classic Sunday September 24 and Mt Glorious Trail Sunday November 12. In July the club welcomed another two new members – Kay Swinton VK4SF and John Boxall.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
Have you got your contest hat on? Yes it is August 2023 and we have two important contests this month. Coming up first is the Remembrance Day Contest, or RD, next weekend, the 12th and 13th of August. The second is the ALARA Contest which runs for 24 hours over Saturday and Sunday 26th and 27th of the month.
Well known as the friendly contest, the RD has been an institution amongst radio amateurs for longer than most of us can remember. As a way for our sector of the community to remember those people who joined the armed forces and served in conflict for over a century it is also a reminder of the sacrifices that have been made in the name of our country. As a mark of respect to those who died, there is a period of 15 minutes radio silence prior to the transmission of the opening address before the contest starts.
Using the main bands from 160 through to 10 metres but excluding the WARC bands and modes of AM, SSB and FM along with CW and RTTY there is plenty of scope for making contacts with propagation hopefully seeing the benefit of a high point in the sunspot cycle.
If we think of the RD Contest as the Friendly Contest then the Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association is the classic getting to know you contest. With the purpose of having as many amateurs contact YL operators, this contest gets people out and actually enjoying contacts with our often unheard operators, the women operators.
The major differences in requirements between these two contests are that ALARA does not include the 160m band but it does permit the use of Echolink. Phone and CW, the same as the RD, are the ways to get on air and the scoring provides incentives to make contacts with ALARA members and Yls especially. So as we bid farewell to the cooler period of the year, here is a way of getting active in friendly and enjoyable weekend operating.
So now is the time to check out the rules, get the logging materials prepared and the rig dusted off and look forward to a couple of weekends of radio enjoyment.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you?
Steven Green VK2TSG, one of your WIA national board members.
We wish to congratulate the Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club on their successful submission to the Board requesting to host next year's WIA Annual General Meeting, which will be held in May 2024. Not only will the AGM be hosted, but it will be combined with a showcase of Amateur Radio activities in a 'HamVention'. The Bundaberg Mayor and Council CEO specifically endorsed the club's bid for the event and were keen to secure their town as the venue. There are still many details to be arranged, so please be on the lookout for future updates on the WIA website as details come to and as we would like to see many there as possible in May.
73 from Steven VK2TSG
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
One of the hallmarks of amateur radio over the years has been its capacity for adaption and innovation. Before the world had sliced bread from the supermarket or corner store, bread came in unsliced loaves which had to be sliced before use. The term breadboard has become well known from the early days of valves and batteries and stays with us today as a building platform sold ready to insert components.
I remember seeing a 2-metre transmitter and receiver both built on metal cake tins bought at the local shopping centre. This was a convenient way to get a strong pair of chassis for some homebrew projects published by the ARRL. Vertical loop antennas called cubical quads became popular but the mechanics of construction presented some issues, especially for the short wave bands. From the tropics and subtropics, bamboo became a sought-after material for making these directional loops. Today we can purchase ready-made synthetic composites from the local hardware or from sporting stores in the fishing section, for instance.
What shack would be classed as complete without a termination for the antenna socket, the proverbial dummy load? Back in time, the more expensive incandescent lamps using carbon filaments instead of tungsten were sought after as they provided a great tuning aid for valve-based transmitters. Some people even went to the extent of using rare gas lamps mounted across the antenna terminals for a more precise visual aid.
So it is these days with so many people joining the amateur ranks and growing up in the age of disposable consumerism that off-the-shelf solutions are seen as the way to build one’s station. Yet there are still opportunities to adapt and innovate with bits and pieces not designed for electronics or radio. Over 100 years ago the first patents for using a living, growing tree as a radio antenna were granted, towards the end of the First World War. Our magazine, Amateur Radio, has carried articles on doing this some years ago.
One feature of the semiconductor age has been the reduction in size and weight of commercially available gear. This has given rise to more frequent portable operations from tops of hills, gazetted parks, the surrounds of lighthouses and grain silos to mention a few operating venues. The lightweight but inherently strong squid pole has seen the development of specific collapsible masts which can be comfortably transported and easily erected from such places.
I have specific needs and my variant has been to use some recycled fibreglass poles to extend a multisection tapered support from an advertising flag. Join this with a speaker tripod stand and strap it to a copper earth rod and lo and behold, there is the basis for a simple vertical wire antenna. I have a non-resonant OCF which is tuning nicely and bringing in the signals.
What I am suggesting is that there are ways of doing things which have been proven before. Dry bamboo could be cheaper than a fibreglass pole. Just let the mind go free and see what you can come up with and add another level to your recreation.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you?
QNEWS - JULY 23 2023 - VK4 ON AIR
G'day this is VK4GRB Gary of the BUNYA MOUNTAIN AND DISTRICT AMATEUR
RADIO CLUB , On the 15th of July the ABC Southern Queensland Radio Station held a interview with Jake VK4JRA , The Publicity Officer and Vice-president explaining what the Hobby of Amateur radio is and Some Club History of the Bunya Mountain and District Amateur Radio Club
Redcliffe Club Carboot Sale
Greetings from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club VK4RC Robert Thomson VK4TFN here.
The Redcliffe Club will hold our Annual CarBoot Sale on Saturday 26th August 2023 at our club house at Kippa Ring in the City of Redcliffe.
Thank you and 73's Robert Thomson
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
It is good news that the ACMA has granted the holders of Standard Licences access to the whole 6m band. Whilst there have been many amateurs seeking this right for some years it is still a mystery why we haven’t managed to grant access to a similar range of frequencies to our Foundation Licensees. Within a pursuit that internationally is defined as a self education activity, this seems to defy the logic of life long learning.
I know that many old timers and self appointed gurus tenaciously cling to the idea that restricting operators both by power levels and modes as well as band access provides some sort of incentive to work towards a so-called higher level of qualification. Certainly we can see this is the case with the transition from the CB band into amateur radio where the former is tightly proscribed in its operations and the latter is given more latitude. One is based on having type approved equipment and the other can only be accessed by being assessed as to competency.
For several years now, the United Kingdom has permitted holders of Foundation Licences to operate on many more bands and just to prove to the naysayers and critics in this country, the sky has not fallen in. Indeed for those people who pursue their interests in amateur radio, the capacity to experience the various differences between bands and modes is the real incentive to seek more operating privileges. The connotation that goes with tests and examinations is more likely to be negative and for a recreation that we want to pursue and expand this very implication will surely be a disincentive.
Sadly there hasn’t been too much promotion of AR in the past few years because of various circumstances but now as we feel a sense of normality returning, we have a great opportunity to expand out thinking and go along the recruitment path. When we look around, the members of this hobby seem to be using up more of the world supply of grey hair dye or perhaps it is a sign of Nature’s progress amongst our members.
With ageing comes the natural loss of numbers and this issue that we face.
I realise that it becomes harder for many people to continue life at a previously achieved level but without having more people joining the ranks we face history like dinosaurs and dodo birds. What we need is a pathway to follow that not only attracts people to get a licence but to also stay involved and get the greatest benefit of what hams and ham radio has to offer. What we need is a focused approach from us as individuals and guidance and support from those who represent us. Then with the impending changes to licensing conditions we hopefully will see an expansion in activities that are available to all members of the amateur radio community and not just the few.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you?
QNEWS - JULY 16 2023 - VK4 ON AIR
Peter VK4OD and his previous call of VK4JPH (just pot holes) passed after a heart attack Monday around noon July 10.
Peter was a WIAQ board member.
The "JUST POT HOLES" came from an infamous trip to Rockhampton where he ferried the WIAQ board to a 'central' gathering and we all reckon he found EVERY pothole on the old Bruce HiWay.
Peter's Service will be held THURSDAY JULY 20 at 1:30pm in Browns Plains Logan. Swanborough Funerals 10/59 Eastern Road Browns Plains
GraHam VK4BB
Craig VK4CJM is looking for volunteers for the upcoming Lake Manchester Trail on Sunday August 20. If you are available, please let Craig know as soon as possible.
Two more WICEN events – the Pinnacles Classic Sunday September 24 and Mt Glorious Trail Sunday November 14. Please consider helping at our WICEN events if you can. Email ipswichwicen@gmail.com
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
It would appear that Winter has caught up to VK4 at last. What a time it is to have consistently cooler weather only matched by higher costs for electricity supplied to the home. It is either ironic or unbearable as we see the current worldwide increase in living costs. What a great opportunity to invest in QRP operations!
I have been mulling over my own attitudes to the various sources of information that relate to my peculiar amateur radio interests. These days, I turn to various internet sources if I don’t have a ready solution at hand or the right book isn’t sitting on the shelf. Some time ago I made mention of a rather prolific presenter of video material who, in my opinion, blotted his copybook, by getting some inexperienced people to undertake a construction project without using the various materials provided by the supplier. Here was someone who publishes in various media on technical topics and against what most would class as good practice, has novices go blindly into a project.
I have reflected periodically on my bias against this author and whether I should stop ignoring his material. I really haven’t made a firm decision yet as when we are confronted with poor or wrong information or given results that are based on poor technique, it leaves a lingering doubt. I know that some of the textbooks, affectionately dubbed as the Bibles, which have been produced have printed information which has been corrected or deleted in subsequent editions. I still have copies of these manuals on my bookcase. So is it right that I still doubt that I can completely trust this other writer?
Here is the issue, major publications are usually well resourced with editors overseeing writers and peers reviewing the drafts before they are sent off to the publisher. Individuals have to provide this scrutiny and verification before it gets drafted in a form that can be published. I once drafted and article which I forwarded off for a review. I used material from sources which I would reference in the final article. Somehow, the review never happened and the draft with all its copyright material went to print, much to my embarrassment. Obviously the material was thought acceptable but normal editorial practices failed and put egg on some faces, mine included.
What I am driving at is the fact we all need to have some way of getting our information that isn’t going to lead us in wrong directions and the practice of mentoring or as our US cousins call it, “elmering”, can be a good start.
It is not to say that our guide will always get the facts right but the lived experience will have shown where traps are and what hints and kinks can make things simpler.
As we get the opportunity to help people into a full enjoyment of ham radio, it is something to consider whether what we are doing is the right thing for ourselves and is it correct for those we tell?
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you?
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
Something that is becoming increasingly important as the technology changes. Like the importation of radio equipment which doesn’t meet EMC standards and items which produce RF noise which interferes with radio frequency equipment, there is another ubiquitous item that probably the majority of us will have somewhere around.
As much as the big battery complexes are being installed to stabilise electricity grid supplies and smaller units are hopefully supplying cheaper than the commercial tariff power to homeowners, the smaller lithium-based batteries are everywhere from motor vehicles to power tools and single cells are readily available from online sales. There are so many benefits to using these batteries compared to the older commonly used ones we have grown up with. There is also, sadly, a downside which is that if they are allowed to overheat, particularly when they are overcharged, they combust! We have seen the graphic TV footage of battery cars burning for several hours and suburban houses gutted by fires started by the battery packs of items such as electric scooters.
RACQ has issued the warnings in conjunction with the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. QFES has reported attending 40 structural fires this year whilst in the past 3 years, the insurer has dealt with over 1200 claims for fires related to lithium-ion batteries. These are hardly things we want to see in the community.
Whether it is the power tools we use, accessories such as jump starters and tyre inflators for the vehicles we drive or medical equipment such as CPAP machines or mobility scooters, there will no doubt be some or many items around your home that use some form of lithium-based battery. If we look at the gear we have for our pursuit of amateur radio, there are likely to be battery packs in test equipment and batteries for use when travelling or outdoors. Those lucky enough to be running off-grid will probably have larger batteries to power radios and household items.
Now I haven’t researched the standards that apply to this technology but with the history we have of allowing non-type approved gear to be imported and sold, indeed imported from the manufacturing countries direct to the consumer there would appear to be no means of checking safety compliance. I would think that the insurance industry which bears the cost of replacement of damaged goods would have a vested interest in ensuring goods which we use do meet Australian Standards. As we have seen, in previous years, the solar photovoltaic industry has demonstrated many of the issues of lack of compliance and compatibility.
Is there a solution? Well in the mighty behemoth of bureaucracy, it might be a long time coming but for you and me, I think we should research the matter and ensure our use is as safe as possible. Like all things, wrong use can be dangerous but safe use requires understanding.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you?
News from the Tropics, up in Far North Queensland
The first recent combined Cairns Amateur Radio Club and Tablelands Radio and Electronics Club outing was a great success. We started with a group briefing at the Atherton emergency services depot before heading out in various vehicles to our two locations.
We had six members at the Lake Eacham site, only thirty metres from the water’s edge. The public location meant that we had to be very careful with our antenna so erected a 40-metre end-fed half-wave wire strung up from one tree to another tree. Not ideal but it worked. Our IC-7300 fed an RM Italy linear giving 200 watts. The mike was passed between each of the hams to get their tally of QSOs up to ten for the VKFF award. Stu, VK4SDD, had arranged to have the VI10VKFF special event callsign for the day, it got lots of attention not the least caused by the mouthful!
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
Another month has gone and we are faced with the prospect of snow falling on inland Australia. It is such a rare event that it makes the news but we will have to see if it happens under the weather system that has wet so much of the continent.
For we lucky Queenslanders, the new system that came down from the north west promises a wet start to the week for much of the State.
However in the world of amateur radio, the big news of change is the Discussion Paper released by the UK Regulator, Ofcom. Amongst its various suggested changes is that power limits for the various licence grades be increased with the top level able to radiate the magic kilowatt, measured at the antenna. This would bring the United Kingdom cohort into line with many other jurisdictions including our friends in New Zealand.
Now I find it ironic that the various regulators all claim to follow international standards for exposure to radiation but in this country it appears that the decisions of ARPANSA differ on the interpretation of the international standards and VK-land tops out at 400W. If so many other countries find the radiation from sources such as amateur radio are not a threat why is the iconic bronzed Aussie at so much risk?
As they say on social media, just asking for a friend.
I wonder how many clubs are getting prepared for the next events on the calendar?
For that matter, I wonder how many shacks and portable stations are ready, too. With the strong possibility that we are heading into a La Nina event, the probable drier weather will be making it easier for outdoor activities, especially as we start to enter the warmer months. JOTA and Remembrance Day are two features of the event calendar each year and some forward planning certainly sets the scene for successful participation. They are only weeks away but we still have time for getting the stage set.
In the past week there have been reports of conditions lifting with the New Caledonia repeater being received on the Sunshine Coast and ducting along the east coast. DX has been working well on the HF bands but with some strong atmospheric interference at times. The space weather reports have indicated that flares and sunspots are going to strongly influence operating conditions for a few more days, it seems.
It is always a scramble to get skeds lined up for the JOTA stations to ensure the Scouts have the best experience of ham radio. Those people who will be running event stations can take this opportunity to send us a brief audio spot for inclusion in QNEWS to help people plan ahead.
So enjoy your radio and until next week, I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you?
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2023 Social Scene
Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section
VK4 - SUNFEST - SEPTEMBER 9 (vk4an)
At Mountain Creek State School’s massive air conditioned auditorium, just off the Sunshine Motor Way. Mountain Creek s tucked in to the west of Mooloolaba
VK - ALARAMeet2023 4/5 November in HOBART (luther8@bigpond.com)
2024 Social Scene
VK - WIA AGM MAY - BUNDABERG. (vk2tsg)
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
This week sees us with the shortest daylight hours in the year and in the southern hemisphere, it suggests that we are experiencing mid-winter. It would seem that the weather bureau has been correct in its long-term forecast of our having warmer winter nights. I remember those hours near sunrise when the frost crunched underfoot and the yellow blast of sunrise marked the beginning of a warmer day.
Thankfully, in my area, I have had nothing worse than some single-digit temperatures and some dramatic sheets of fog.
I would suppose most of us have seen the official description of amateur radio as published by the governing bodies. One of the features is that it ties in with an idea of lifelong learning which has been supported by the tertiary and further education sectors. For most people in the workforce, there is a process of learning and adapting as our environment changes. So it is within the regulated activity called amateur radio, or as some new devotees are calling it, just “ham”.
We have witnessed the demise of many specialist publishers and the booksellers that carried the publications which the more senior of us cut our teeth on.
Book learning was the principal way of getting an education outside of various schools. It was customary for people to have a library which could be accessed to answer the knotty problems that came up and the magazine from the newsagent went on to fill in on more recent advances. In-house publications, which a few such as our own Amateur Radio magazine continue but often with reduced numbers of issues.
This is where, I believe, our club network can play a big part in helping people upskill or stay abreast of some of the many interests that capture the minds of our fraternity. Within individual clubs, there is an understanding of what various people are doing and where their interests are taking them. There can also be an awareness of things that we all might want to know and this gives an opportunity to fill the gap.
Many clubs have been able to arrange presentations from people from within and outside their membership. There can be a person who is having fun with microwaves and there can be a person from a company involved in transmission services. There can be demonstrations of building, testing and using station accessories and even for some people learning the basics of soldering and breadboarding. This is without mentioning the art of coding microprocessors or installing software and applications using another operating system such as Linux.
It is a shame when club life is devoted to business meetings or coffee mornings only. Operating and experimenting are the fundamentals of this recreation and practising the skills that we have picked up leads us onto more adventures.
For the remote amateurs, there can even be a network for them to engage with others who don’t get to clubs. What I am saying is there is an opportunity to develop.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you?
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2023 Social Scene
Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section
VK4 - SUNFEST - SEPTEMBER 9 (vk4an)
At Mountain Creek State School’s massive air-conditioned auditorium, just off the Sunshine Motor Way. Mountain Creek is tucked into the west of Mooloolaba
VK - ALARAMeet2023 4/5 November in HOBART (luther8@bigpond.com)
QNEWS - JUNE 11 2023 - VK4 ON AIR
CB Radio operators are some of the most passionate radio enthusiasts in our community! And just like amateur stations, CB operators enjoy the thrill of contacting distant stations and also making friends over the air. But CB is limited to a couple of bands and very limited power output.
Amateur Radio opens up a whole new world of possibilities! Once you have your license, you are able to use a range of different bands and frequencies – Everything from satellite communications to digital modes (connecting you to repeaters all over the world!) If conditions on one band are not ideal, you can often change to another band depending on the time of day / and other conditions.
To begin with, it's worth noting that while CB radio operators are not required to have a license in Australia, Amateur radio operators must obtain a license from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to operate their equipment legally.
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Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
Here it is, almost mid year and have we got our calendar marked with all the events that are coming? If you are like me and many others, you will have noted some things that are on the agenda and you really need a reminder of the others that have slipped the mind or whose dates haven’t been well promoted. I remember when there was a monthly newsletter devoted to VK4 news and events and it became an insert with Amateur Radio magazine. That was QTC. I remember when the national magazine provided dates of contests, DX expeditions and field days but as the costs have increased the publication has been reduced to a bi-monthly publication. That and along with having suitably enthusiastic contributors means that there seems to be less notice being given these days.
How do we get this information? In my area we have commercial and “free” newspapers which are a valuable source of date, time and place advice. We have many bodies which make efforts to inform members and the public by posts in social media (and seemingly less via web sites). Then if you sit and watch the TV news there are both paid and unpaid promotions broadcast, at least on a weekly basis. So in the world that is external to amateur radio, there are plenty of examples of getting the message out, so why aren’t we just as effective?
There is a certain mood in the world these days that seems to suggest that doing things is always for someone else. There is this invisible figure that lets us all down when things haven’t happened as the bush lawyers propound. The trouble is that amongst our ranks of radio, electronics and communications enthusiasts we have regular, ordinary people who just happen to enjoy this recreation when life doesn’t too far intrude.
The needs of living can overtake us and life and health and ageing are all a part of this great personal adventure. So realistically it is not the mythical they that is not doing things for us but as a group, a collective we can contribute small pieces which when put together bring a fuller piece of the story for everyone to appreciate.
We have available to us a weekly broadcast which goes out on various platforms and which is there to help promote and relate the stories of amateur radio.
The more clubs and individuals, QSL managers, contest managers and experimenters in the wide, wide field that is amateur radio come together and put the news out the greater support we will garner. The more participation we can raise the better.
Who is up for it?
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you?
This is Bob, VK4BOB, with news from Far North Queensland.
The Cairns Amateur Radio Club and the Tablelands Radio & Electronics Club are getting together on Saturday June 10 for field day operations activating a couple of VKFF parks locations .
Each site will have members from both clubs sharing their expertise and equipment, offering the experience to members who haven’t worked portable yet. We will be on the various HF bands depending of course on conditions.
We will be using the club callsigns of VK4CNS and VK4WAT plus the personal callsigns of each of the operators. Keep an ear out for us on Saturday June 10, swing your beams northwards, and keep an eye on the VKFF Facebook page for the latest info.
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
Amongst a number of the operators there seems to have been a sense of relief at the news from the ACMA that the commercial outsourcing of licence provisions will be ending. Whether it has been the ideological standpoint of various governments or the small number of applications that has brought this to a climax, we just don’t know.
In the years of long ago, the attitude was that the amateur radio service was a training ground for people who could take a recreational interest in radio and electronics into various areas of the community where their skills could be further developed and put to benefit of the wider populace.
About 3 or more decades ago, the idea was prevalent in the halls of power, that everything had to have a price which was based on a cost recovery in money terms.
The intangibles were left out as they could not be quantified and thus many not-for-profit activities in the community could no longer receive “favoured” treatment of discounts and other benefits. The thought that the government was subsidising things that had no direct monetary value was shocking but as we have seen, things like the provision of services written off the government books such as welfare to certain groups has passed to the voluntary sector which then had to employ staff and operate on handouts or “grants”.
Somewhere in this melee, the 14,000 odd radio amateurs dropped or were disinherited of their status as worthwhile community benefactors and taxes were applied to their licences. Just because commercial interests could be milked for revenue meant that, in the bureaucratic or political mindset, it was fair to sting the person who was investing time and money to improve communications capacity in his region.
Similarly, the cost recovery model has seen this country with quite high entry costs with government fees and charges when compared to many overseas practices.
Perhaps we will see the procedures for getting and keeping an amateur radio licence move on-line where the costs over time are flattened and the fees can better represent the value of our contribution rather than reflect some notional costs to the regulator.
We need to see a concerted effort at recruiting people into AR and modernising the face, the entry structures, will surely assist this. If the costs of getting a licence are more modest, then this will be another incentive that we can promote.
Now is the time for a practical approach with considered plans to be placed before the ACMA. Much of the work has already been done and the submissions from the WIA form part of the record for the regulator. It seems sad that in many ways, the structure of our regulator seems to preclude those with the technical expertise and who work in the field, from helping promote amateur radio within the organisation.
The old PMG seemed much more responsive when the Radio Inspectorate included many licensed operators from different services.
So I hope that we will see a realisation that we can and do deserve better consideration in the future.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you?
QNEWS - MAY 28 2023 - VK4 ON AIR
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Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
One of the reasons for having governing structures is to ensure equal access to the services that are provided. For decades there has been a developing framework to ensure that radio and like services are available to users ranging from the military, first response services, commercial entities and even the lowly experimenter and hobbyist. It has worked reasonably well in ensuring that interference is minimised and use of the various spectrum allocations exists in harmony.
That is until commercial “imperatives” intervene and then friction occurs.
For instance, it went to court and was found that importing non-type approved equipment was valid, in this country, but that selling it was not. Standards have been agreed upon to ensure devices designed for other uses did not radiate electrical noise which broke through into approved services. Well if the road to hell is paved with good intentions, a lot of them must have been gold-plated.
Many will remember the struggle to quiet the hash from the early personal computers and electronics magazines and retailers had projects and kits for various filters to keep the mains wiring from spreading the noise. Since then there has been an increase in the number of standards applied to equipment to ensure electromagnetic compatibility but there seems to have been a manifold increase in the devices being installed that either carry a false certification or have none at all.
Some time ago, I spoke of the issue that the US Coast Guard had and the instruction to turn off the onboard led lights to reduce interference to necessary communications equipment. As the changing technology spreads, those of us who are surrounded by solar photovoltaics, know only too well how many of these installations would fail EMC requirements if they were ever checked.
In most cases, it is not the technology that is failing but the processes of ensuring the proper filtering is built in. I can remember looking at consumer-grade goods where there were multiple places for components that had never been inserted.
The units submitted for certification were obviously completely populated but the production runs that hit the main street retailers’ shelves had the hash filtering conveniently omitted.
Now we see a movement in the USA to retain the use of the AM broadcast receiver in electric vehicles. Why? The hash generated by the EV’s own systems wipes out reception. I haven’t caught up on how far into the HF spectrum this interference extends but there are many users of short waves including shipping, military and aeronautical installations. So in other words it is not just we non-commercial and hobbiest users who could be severely impacted but many others who ensure the safety of life as well.
The issue of EMC seems to be more of a paper shuffling exercise and less of a practical one and I just wonder why we spend the time and money to send delegations to the international bodies that set up the guidelines. Saving money at the expense of life has never been an excuse to me.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you?
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2023 Social Scene
Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section
VK4 - SUNFEST - SEPTEMBER 9 (vk4an)
At Mountain Creek State School’s massive air-conditioned auditorium, just off the Sunshine Motor Way. Mountain Creek is tucked into the west of Mooloolaba
VK - ALARAMeet2023 4/5 November in HOBART (luther8@bigpond.com)
VK4 SILENT KEYS
VK4ZHL Errol Hopper June 2022, VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 VK4SF Jack Ford 8/07 VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 VK4HGT George Turner 02/09 VK4DK Stanley 'Dave' West 08/09 VK4HAJ Merrell Coleman Sept/Oct VK4YT Nick Watling 22/10 VK4HS Howard Stephenson 06/01/23 VK4IX Ian Creighton 03/02/23 VK4KNE Gary Neilson 08/05/23
This is Bob, VK4BOB, from Far North Queensland.
The Cairns Amateur Radio Club and the Tablelands Radio & Electronics Club are getting together on Saturday June 10 for field day operations activating a couple of VKFF parks locations in the tropical tablelands. One site will be at Lake Eacham and the other at the Gillies lookout.
Each site will have members from both clubs sharing their expertise and equipment. We will be on HF depending on conditions using club callsigns VK4CNS and VK4WAT.
I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
One of the things that was meant to apply to the amateur radio licence when the Foundation Licence was introduced was the Practical component of the assessment. Like the trial of the high power provisions, this was meant to instil an understanding of electrical, as well as radio frequency safety for us non-professional operators. One area which requires contact with high voltages is the old valve or thermionic tube technology. I have a few pieces and some components amongst my collection of favourite things which glow in the dark and give a warm light to the shack. So when I was in my local electronics store a couple of weeks ago, there were lots of items advertised as specials and some with substantial savings on retail price.
This coincided with my realising that my trusty store-branded digital multimeter was in need of replacement. Somewhere it has developed an internal short which I can’t find and the continuity buzzer operates several settings plus it was no longer giving accurate readings of mains voltages. After finding the things a wanted I set about looking at the sale specials on display and there was a cluster of nice, small, yellow digital meters.
These are sort of stocking filler items as the same units are available prolifically online. What struck me was that the majority of hobbyist-type meters had a top range of 600VDC which is enough for most valve receiver tests but a little more headroom is nice and these small pocket meters are able to measure to 1000volts. So it was that for under $10.00, a sample made its way into my purchases that day. Of course, having been playing with radios and basic test gear for a while, I knew which knobs to twist and it was just a matter of checking the accuracy by taking some readings when I unpacked it. All was good until one of the pin probes lodged in a connector and when I went to withdraw it the metal pin remained in the connector and the insulated plastic handle slid up the cable.
This was certainly a wake-up to the weakness of this metering unit. Had I not done this checking, it was possible that I could have been using that meter to check voltages on some of my boat anchors or even checking the mains connections to low voltage gear. Although experience teaches you to insulate yourself from the ground and not use two hands when taking measurements like this, humans do make mistakes. If the probe had become exposed during a brain fade it might have been a notice in the list of silent keys and not a speech on electrical safety that you were hearing today. I have since bought a higher-quality meter and ordered some new probes that don’t easily pull apart. I intend to enjoy my radio activities without them being short-circuited by crudely, crafted purchases.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you?
The passing of Gary Neilsen VK4KNE occurred on Monday May 8.
Gary's health started to decline about 18 months ago and in the last two weeks deteriorated rapidly.
Gary was a past secretary of Ipswich and District Radio Club and also assisted in some WICEN events.
His service will be held at St Paul's in Ipswich, Tomorrow Monday May 15 at 1000 hours, with the wake being held at the Church after the service.
Gary was 62 years old at his passing.
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Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
I wonder how many of us have noticed that one of the positions that most clubs no longer have is that of librarian? The era of the collection of books and magazines seems to be shrinking to be maintained only in those groups that are fortunate to have their own club rooms and adequate space for storage. The many clubs that share space in rooms provided by another body generally would seem to find it too hard to maintain a collection of heavy paper. We have seen the demise of the WIA bookshop as sales fell and the cost of providing the service to members was no longer justifiable.
We have seen the closure of specialist small booksellers who devoted efforts to supplying the amateur fraternity with literature and we seem to be left with few places to go as public libraries cull their shelves of least borrowed tomes. Around my area, I have witnessed news agencies reduce the range of magazine titles that they stocked. So the obvious question is what do people do to access current information if they follow a particular interest such as electronics and amateur radio? Obviously subscriptions will keep the magazines appearing in the letter box but not every home is suitable for saving them and not everyone has the capacity to afford the purchases.
This inevitably brings us to using the internet and the resources it provides. It seems sad to see people, both new and experienced, post to groups asking a question which could be more quickly answered by doing a topic search or referring to the files section. I admit that I can find it frustrating looking for information when it takes multiple attempts at refining the search string to actually narrow the search to where the information actually is.
It has always been part of this activity to garner knowledge and indeed the international definition of amateur radio describes it as including a process of self education. Good books are expensive initially but will provide the basic laws and methods of physics, engineering and technology to see most of us through our lives or until we need more reading and we add another manual on a pet topic to the shelf.
As we move to a more electronic way of storing and retrieving information it seems that many people who can text message with thumbs faster than summer lightning can lack the ability to use the information resources at those same fingertips. For clubs that invite guest speakers, there might be an opportunity for someone such as a local librarian to give a presentation to members.
It is too easy if we are looking for understanding of a subject, just to go to a wiki because these resources are only as accurate as the knowledge of the editors and not all require proper references to support details that are posted.
Many privately maintained blogs and pages can provide leads for further study but once again they should not be regarded as infallible.
Here is a way to help each other get the answers we need to the questions that must come up as we travel the road of lifelong learning. Share methods of best using the internet.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you?
QNEWS - MAY 7 2023 - VK4 ON AIR
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Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
A saying that often crops up and according to the wisdom of the internet is attributable to anyone from Greek philosophers, and Irish playwrights to African tribal sayings , is that “it is better to be thought a fool by saying nothing by remaining silent than opening one’s mouth and proving it.”
When you consider the proposition there is certainly more than a dollop of truth to it.
At times, it gets very frustrating reading the comments that get posted to posts on the internet. I suppose it is like some of the disputes that I have heard on the radio in years past. There seems to be an innate urge for some people to embarrass their parents by showing how they failed to benefit from going to school. I mean it is something that has been called “opening your mouth and putting your foot in it”, also. These people seem to have to prove that their own lack of thought is the reason others fail to understand the issue at hand or that they are just drunk with the excitement of saying something.
Sadly for all of us, we have no doubt been to meetings where the floor has been taken over for a while by someone practising the fine art of “dentopedology”, that is putting the foot in their mouth, whilst the rest of the people try and remain polite enough to not snort or guffaw with embarrassment. This is where good conduct and understanding of the meeting procedure can the proceedings go without descending into mayhem.
Funnily enough, we find instances of illogical and poorly thought-out presentations in the mass media which only indicates the poor training that some presenters have received. When we have to present an argument it should be based on the established facts and not just be derived from pure emotion. When we aim to persuade our fellow members in a meeting (or on-air) we may be aware of the background knowledge they all have and thus it is safe to cut to the chase, so to speak. What is disrespectful and what we hear too much of these days is the reaction that something is not acceptable just because someone doesn’t like it.
We know from experience that language changes with time but you will probably run across the debates in literary circles that certain words will be offensive to young readers and thus classic books are being edited to delete words such as “fat” and “ugly”. Part of appreciating the place of things is to have a bit of understanding of their history. Many years ago, it was decided to expunge many children’s books because they contained illustrations of a toy character which was deemed offensive.
Now the toy was common in countries such as Egypt and it migrated to European countries to be appreciated by other children. That toy was the golliwog.
So my hope is that we use consideration in presenting our thoughts and we put facts in context, where necessary and within the spirit of the Amateurs Code, and never set out to offend each other.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you?
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2023 Social Scene
Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section
VK - WIA AGM May 13 at 10:30am AEST Canberra (vk8zz)
A hybrid event conducted both in person and by video conference and able to be viewed on an internet streaming platform.
VK4 - SUNFEST - SEPTEMBER 9 (vk4an)
At Mountain Creek State School’s massive air conditioned auditorium, just off the Sunshine Motor Way. Mountain Creek is tucked in to the west of Mooloolaba
VK - ALARAMeet2023 4/5 November in HOBART (luther8@bigpond.com)
QNEWS - APRIL 30 2023 - VK4 ON AIR-------------------------------------------------------------------- DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK?-------------------------------------------------------------------- THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW QNEWS RUNS 6.00 and thanks to Tony VK7AX can be found on www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ 203.31.7.19/wianews/ QNEWS audio is ready to download thanks to Brendan VK4BLP from www.wiaq.org.au Also, search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast.-------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. The autumn weather has been buffeting the trees and cooling the air during the dayswith a smidgen of rain making its way inland to water the lawn. As this month endsand we move closer to the winter weather pattern thoughts of nights enjoying thepropagation are gathering strength as the Cycle 25 sunspots head towards the zenith.The reports of contacts keep coming not withstanding the strange solar flare occurrence we have been experiencing.The glory days of the valves warming the shack seem to be upon us and that smell that wafts around the operator from warm electronics is like the memory of aged wineor mature cheese. Something that is enjoyed and revisited with expectation when itis next available. It is a fact that we experience wonderful recall of past events which can be triggered by smell.Perhaps that is why we see many posts from clubs which relate to the food that isserved up and the appreciation which is given to the chef. So it is not an insignificant fact that groups that enjoy food together whether the humble sausage sizzle, the smoking hot barbecue or catered meals at an event have a history of goodrelationships amongst the members. The old stories of having families who all sitaround the meal table really do seem to validate that the feeling of shared eatingcements the sense of belonging. When you think of the organisations that include ameal as part of their meetings, you tend to find they are less inclined to extendeddisagreements and they also seem to cohere and support each other.What I am suggesting is that in the light of research and experience, there is probably a way of keeping clubs running better when they do plan for regular meals as a normal activity. I see that some clubs have a group of members who eat out atregular venues and they manage to get a lot done within their clubs. Is it the socialising, is it the shared meal or something else that gets these clubs doing things?Coming up on the calendar are contests and activities like camps and JOTA/JOTI andthey give further opportunities for this simple and necessary action to happen.Rather than have people grab a pie or buy a couple of sandwiches perhaps it can beorganised around a table of food with the opportunity for talking as well as eating.What we need to see is more people feeling relaxed, comfortable and at ease withinour clubs and the experience of amateur radio. Tucking into a good, regular nosh-upmight be just the remedy that your club is looking for. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? ------------------------------------------------------------------- 2023 Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section VK - WIA AGM May 13 at 10:30 am AEST Canberra (vk8zz) A hybrid event conducted both in person and by video conference and able to be viewed on an internet streaming platform. VK4 - SUNFEST - SEPTEMBER 9 (vk4an) At Mountain Creek State School’s massive air-conditioned auditorium, just off the Sunshine Motor Way. Mountain Creek is tucked into the west of Mooloolaba VK - ALARAMeet2023 4/5 November in HOBART (luther8@bigpond.com) TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au and send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit the audio email qnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current password then read "how to submit items" on the weekly news page on http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - APRIL 23 2023 - VK4 ON AIR--------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK?--------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW QNEWS RUNS 4.00 and thanks to Tony VK7AX can be found on www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ 203.31.7.19/wianews/ QNEWS audio ready to download thanks to Brendan VK4BLP from www.wiaq.org.au Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast.--------------------------------------------------------------------* Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. I am sort of a proselytiser for the club and social side of the amateur radio community. I mean, like many of us I want to see this community continue to expand and grow with the involvement of as many people as we can find to enjoy this recreation. Fishing might be the most popular past time in the country but amongst the pursuits that are technical, well I would like to see others get the enjoyment and involvement that we obviously have. To this end I periodically offer prompts as to what we can consider to grow our club membership and get the story of amateur radio percolating in the community. Pointers to activities and groups and segments of the local community have been relatively plentiful and I dare say will continue to be as the recruitment and retention of members ensures the continuity of a great story. Some years ago, the Wireless Institute of Australia produced a publicity kit that could be used to draft press releases and this was accompanied by poster artwork which could be reproduced to promote events. We no longer hear reference to these items and like the National Field Day that they supported along with World Amateur Radio Day, 18th April, they seem to have been archived as pieces of history no longer relevant. Well to a point that might be true because the mass media has moved on with many of the local papers caught under a monopoly ownership with publication now only online and only available to paying subscribers. Broadcasters are being caught in the jaws of needing money and having the various internet and social media platforms engorging on the advertising revenue that once supported everything from the buy and sell pages of the newspapers to production of local content and the buying of rights to popular programming. The art of the journalist is still surviving and newspapers, radio and television may be holding on to their place against the onslaught of the internet and when it comes to getting publicity out to the broad community, we depend on those professionals to present it. This brings us back to the publicity kit. Now putting things together and distributing it may need to be a bit more sophisticated than previously. We have our smart phones with nice cameras to capture still and video images. Local TV stations in my area ask for video and papers will gladly accept stills of good quality that are suitable for print. We are fortunate that the tools to show our function, our community service are in our hands these days. Videos only need to be short so we aren’t looking for a Spielberg production just a glimpse to whet the interest of the viewer. Now to my mind this all suggests that some of the hams who have the experience in the media could get their heads in front of their devices video cameras and revamp the old material to make it work for us today. I know the skills are in our audience and we just need to be given the direction to get it done and out to our clubs. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? -------------------------------------------------------------------* 2023 Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section VK - WIA AGM May 13 at 10:30am AEST Canberra (vk8zz) A hybrid event conducted both in person and by video conference and able to be viewed on an internet streaming platform. VK4 - SUNFEST - SEPTEMBER 9 (vk4an) At Mountain Creek State School’s massive air conditioned auditorium, just off the Sunshine Motor Way. Mountain Creek is tucked in to the west of Mooloolaba VK - ALARAMeet2023 4/5 November in HOBART (luther8@bigpond.com) TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - APRIL 16 2023 - VK4 ON AIR--------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? IPSWICH DID.--------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOWSearch QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast.--------------------------------------------------------------------*VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BYVK4ZHL Errol Hopper June 2022 (vk4vp)VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp)VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit)VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz)VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc)VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz)VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp)VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp)VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 vk4hit)VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz)VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 (vk4zz)VK4HGT George Turner 02/09 (vk4gcr)VK4DK Stanley 'Dave' West 08/09 (vk4zz)VK4HAJ Merrell Coleman Sept or Oct? (vk4acc)VK4YT Nick Watling 22/10 (vk4zz)VK4HS Howard Stephenson 06/01/23 (vk4acc)VK4IX Ian Creighton 03/02/23 (vk4vp)--------------------------------------------------------------------* CLUBBING---------------------------------------------------------------------* Ipswich & District Radio Club http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/IpswichAndDistrict/ Web – www.vk4wip.org.au Email - vk4wip@wia.org.au For a full list of repeaters - www.vk4wip.org.auThis is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club.Congratulations to club member and morning net controller Ron VK4RG andJoan on 72 years of marriage, having tied the knot in 1951. Ron and Joanbecame front page news in Ipswich Local News this week. As the editor saidin his story, they are 95 and 94 with a love that has endured all,including battles with cancer which they have both taken on and beaten.Ron continues to be the one constant and familiar voice calling instations on the Ipswich repeater network every morning at 8 o’clock sincemid-1986.Another reminder for members who expressed an interest in learning how toset up and operate the WICEN portable repeater, that Saturday morningApril 22, at 0900Hrs has been set aside for this event. Bob VK4EK willshow how it’s done so that for future events members can start to takesome of the burden off Bob and Sylvia and thus not having to rely on them100 per cent.Please attend if you can and contact Robert VK4KHW or Greg VK4GJW beforehand.Ipswich Wicen is always on the lookout for extra help for events, so ifyou can, please email ipswichwicen@gmail.com The next event is theBrisbane Trail Marathon on April 30. It’s not too late to offer yourservices.On Monday night May 8 at 1930Hrs, the club will have the pleasure of apresentation by Scott Watson VK4CZ and Dr Kevin Johnston VK4UH on AnIntroduction to Amateur Microwave Activity in SE VK4.It promises to be a very interesting presentation, helping to dispel a lotof myths around operating on the microwave bands. Why not roll up and joinin the conversation.And finally, a warm welcome to Graeme VK4GMC, the newest member of the club.Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT.--------------------------------------------------------------------*Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.One of the our pleasures is having things that we look forward to. Thereare many things which spring to the minds of we radio amateurs as they contemplate an event like we might approach a special meal. There is the expectation of aromas and tastes and the pleasure of the company and the mind stimulates the body and the mouth moistens with the thoughts of what is to come. It can be the same for the DXer with conditions rising to the dizzy heights where seemingly no power is required to make contacts with stations never heard before.On the social scene it takes a little more organisation to get things intothe most advantage. Within the framework of amateur radio we have private and club activities. We see many things happening during contests with both. As asingle person and a group of friends really have the way to a successful activity sorted out in their minds, I will speak about group activities. The regular meetings of an organisation will usually follow a standard form of agenda and set persons will attend to the various tasks that need doing. Then there are the other get-togethers such as field days and publicly available functions.Not only is there the choice of venue and the logistics of getting the needed items on site but there has to be a soundly prepared set of instructions forthose who will come to the event. Who is responsible for the equipment to be used from seating through to food supply and preparation needs to be sorted. These days social media and email provide very good internal means of communications with members so spreading the word within the group is usually easily done.When it comes to the events that are open to the public, things become alittle more involved and the promotion needs to be well considered to reach a target audience.Matters like insurance need to be addressed, approaches to businesses,vendors and exhibitors need to be done well ahead of the day or days. Once the arrangements have been satisfactorily tied down, then the publicity can be addressed, again remembering who comprises the target audience.Being derived from a technical pursuit, we would think letting people ofall ages know the when, where and what we have to share becomes a focus. Getting spots on local media who are generally great at featuring local public service announcements is a good place to begin. Having prepared audio and video clips and draft text can smooth the entry in busy news rooms, too. Then there is a benefit of having posters displayed prominently around the area is a good idea as well. Signs that can be mounted along high traffic areas need to be simple and large enough for them to be read as people pass by.Remember the 3 W’s, the when, where and what of the activity and use theseto frame your messaging. Remember that not everyone is familiar with the local area so precise address locations need to be out front closer to the day and on the day to assist travellers to find you. On the point of getting the message out, remember the WIA news service reaches more people than just those who call in after a broadcast.There are listeners on podcasts and others using receivers whom we never hear on air. We want them to meet us too, don’t we?I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? -------------------------------------------------------------------* 2023 Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section VK - WIA AGM May 13 at 10:30am AEST Canberra (vk8zz) A hybrid event conducted both in person and by video conference and able to be viewed on an internet streaming platform. VK4 - SUNFEST - SEPTEMBER 9 (vk4an) At Mountain Creek State School’s massive air conditioned auditorium, just off the Sunshine Motor Way. Mountain Creek is tucked in to the west of Mooloolaba VK - ALARAMeet2023 4/5 November in HOBART (luther8@bigpond.com) TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - APRIL 9 2023 - VK4 ON AIR--------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK?--------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW QNEWS audio ready to download thanks to Brendan VK4BLP from www.wiaq.org.au QNEWS this week is 4.15 NOTE VK7AX SITE IS DOWN Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast.--------------------------------------------------------------------*Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.I trust that all our audience is getting the benefit of this holiday breakwhether it is away with the family, attending to religious obligations or just refreshing the spirit with a change of routine. Around my part of the coast, I have seen vehicles travelling the highway laden with items to make the long weekend a special break. The east coast is fortunate with the climate that the weather tends to remain warm and activities devoted to water are a natural before the cooler weather descends for a nominal winter break. Having said that, some forecasts have suggested there will be frosts in part of the inland so I suppose we need to be prepared for all climates.I was reading some posts to groups during the week and one from an amateurin VK5 struck a chord with me. It seems that the property owner is setting down some stringent requirements on this ham as regards to being able to set up the items he feels necessary to get a station on air. Those of us in the rental market are often frustrated by an inability to satisfy landlords and property managers who neither wish to understand our requirements for recreation and seek to remain ignorant of what is involved in the activities that we want to enjoy.Whilst it is generally unnecessary to make permanent changes to a propertysuch as drilling access holes for cable entries or fix furniture to floors and walls, these can present obstacles that cause many to give up in frustration. Then there is the attitude of non-amateurs to structures such as masts and sense of excited annoyance that anything that has not been seen over the fence line before is an unnecessary obstruction to the picturesque view they once enjoyed beyond the compost heap and detritus looking for a future purpose which is stacked against their side of the fence.For my part, I have gathered items such as garden umbrella weighted bases.Tripods which can be erected when required and fibreglass poles which attach and support wire antennas for HF and light VHF and UHF all go to making things practicable without causing too much offence during inspections or neighbours that seek to defend their own inquisitiveness.Getting signals to and from the house was an issue when the flat passthrough cables available from the USA cost near $100 US. Then I discovered pass through “flat coaxial” cables for use in caravans and other awkward locations for watching TV. Yes they are nominally 75ohms and power handling on transmit is a question yet to be answered. For me that has worked on 2m and 70cms just fine with no obvious problems with power up to 50watts. More recently the LoRa cables have been hitting the overseas sales sites and whilst more expensive, these are nominally 50 ohms. This has been a solution with windows that have external security/insect screens and gets away from the need for drilling any holes. I am happy to save between $80 and $90 each time with this solution.I have ended up with a collection of adaptors for these cables and the solution may not be text book as far as some would think. However with a little trial and error there seems to be solutions for many of these issues.Good luck with your innovations on getting on air.I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? -------------------------------------------------------------------* 2023 Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section VK4 - Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club Hamfest Saturday 15th April. (vk4dn) VK - WIA AGM May 13 at 10:30am AEST proposed for Canberra (vk8zz) A hybrid event conducted both in person and by video conference and able to be viewed on an internet streaming platform. VK4 - SUNFEST - SEPTEMBER 9 (vk4an) At Mountain Creek State School’s massive air conditioned auditorium, just off the Sunshine Motor Way. Mountain Creek is tucked in to the west of Mooloolaba VK - ALARAMeet2023 4/5 November in HOBART (luther8@bigpond.com)
QNEWS - APRIL 2 2023 - VK4 ON AIR--------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? BUNDABERG DID !--------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW QNEWS RUNS 5.45 and thanks to Tony VK7AX can be found on www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ 203.31.7.19/wianews/ Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast.--------------------------------------------------------------------*VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BYVK4ZHL Errol Hopper June 2022 (vk4vp)VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp)VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit)VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz)VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc)VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz)VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp)VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp)VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 vk4hit)VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz)VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 (vk4zz)VK4HGT George Turner 02/09 (vk4gcr)VK4DK Stanley 'Dave' West 08/09 (vk4zz)VK4HAJ Merrell Coleman Sept or Oct? (vk4acc)VK4YT Nick Watling 22/10 (vk4zz)VK4HS Howard Stephenson 06/01/23 (vk4acc)VK4IX Ian Creighton 03/02/23 (vk4vp)--------------------------------------------------------------------* CLUBBING--------------------------------------------------------------------* BUNDABERG http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/BundabergAmateurRadioClub/ CQ CQ - Calling all radio and electronic enthusiasts! The Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club is excited to invite you to our Open Day and our first ever Hamfest on Saturday 15th April. This event will be held at the Recreational Precinct, the old agro trends grounds opposite the Bundy airport. Entry to the event is free. Come and check out our amazing display of vintage WWII radios, and morse code demonstrations as well as see some of the latest state-of-the-art modern radio equipment. You can also see our automatic satellite tracking system in action. If you're interested in obtaining your amateur radio license and callsign, we'll be happy to provide you with all information you need. Kids can participate in a free soldering workshop, under supervision and make a small electronic kit they can take home - so it's fun for the whole family! Hungry? We've got you covered with our delicious sausage sizzle. If you're on the lookout for a bargain, be sure to check out the Hamfest tables with heaps of radio and electronic items for sale. There are several prize givaways including a new DMR Alinco radio from Luxfield Technology Solutions and a High quality digital soldering station donated by Jaycar as well as other prizes. Don't miss out on this exciting event. Mark Saturday 15th April on your calendar and come join in the fun! For more information, please contact the Bundy club's secretary VK4DN on 0410 121 345. See you there!--------------------------------------------------------------------*Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.When we look around, we see many families who create dynasties of involvement in the arts, sports, politics and yes even amateur radio. Now of course, toprovide the enthusiasm and drive that encourages your family members to follow in your steps is the stuff of fluff TV series and also real life. We don’t want to create a false attitude that everything is always magically joyous but when we look around there are enough real life examples to prove that families that play together stay together.Look around at your friends and families and see the activities that they enjoy and the ones that they share with members of their family. From walks in the park, to breeding dogs, to water sports or building things in the garage there are just so many activities that keep families engaged and sharing the experiences with each other and many they meet along the way. Just look at the crowds that flock to swap meets and you see that motoring still has an allure. Just look at fishing competitions and you see the hunting instinct is alive and well. Turn up to an amateur radio field day and it seems it is an individual activity rather than a family one.How many of our younger members ar up for a challenge? Normally we havethe seniors being exhorted to engage with the juniors in spreading the membership of radio amateurs. What happens if we turn that around and have youth educating age? For me that seems an eminently sensible idea as the gusto with which young people take on new projects is an infectious behaviour and lots of adults are looking for ways of broadening their life experiences and also getting more out of family relationships.What is it that holds your attention and makes amateur radio a positive inyour life? Give it a thought and then explain it to your older family andfriends. This could be a trend in family togetherness and enjoyment of things electronic.By now, most of us will have caught up with the release of the ACMA newsthat they are delaying the discussion paper on Class licensing. To me this is a good sign that the issues that the amateur fraternity have raised are getting proper consideration before any major changes are further mooted.At times it is very necessary to have all the tee’s crossed and all theeye’s dotted before proceeding.Instead of some who have commented that they have to wait for certain possible outcomes we should be applauding the fact that our representatives and other amateurs have been able to present issues for consideration to maintain the integrity of this service. It is notable that we seem to hear more of the activities of ACMA field staff when it comes to the high value, high paying users of radio spectrum and non-revenue services such as broadcast reception and CB are way down the totem pole in compliance and enforcement. As a service that requires qualification to operate, let us keep our standards and enjoy what AR offers.I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? -------------------------------------------------------------------* 2023 Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section VK4 - Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club Hamfest Saturday 15th April. (vk4dn) VK - WIA AGM May 13 at 10:30am AEST proposed for Canberra (vk8zz) A hybrid event conducted both in person and by video conference and able to be viewed on an internet streaming platform. VK4 - SUNFEST - SEPTEMBER 9 (vk4an) At Mountain Creek State School’s massive air conditioned auditorium, just off the Sunshine Motor Way. Mountain Creek is tucked in to the west of Mooloolaba VK - ALARAMeet2023 4/5 November in HOBART (luther8@bigpond.com) TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - MARCH 26 2023 - VK4 ON AIR-------------------------------------------------------------------- DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK?-------------------------------------------------------------------- THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW QNEWS RUNS 6.00 and thanks to Tony VK7AX can be found on www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ 203.31.7.19/wianews/ Also, search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast.--------------------------------------------------------------------VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BYVK4ZHL Errol Hopper June 2022 (vk4vp)VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp)VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit)VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz)VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc)VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz)VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp)VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp)VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 vk4hit)VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz)VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 (vk4zz)VK4HGT George Turner 02/09 (vk4gcr)VK4DK Stanley 'Dave' West 08/09 (vk4zz)VK4HAJ Merrell Coleman Sept or Oct? (vk4acc)VK4YT Nick Watling 22/10 (vk4zz)VK4HS Howard Stephenson 06/01/23 (vk4acc)VK4IX Ian Creighton 03/02/23 (vk4vp)-------------------------------------------------------------------- CLUBBING Ipswich & District Radio Club http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/IpswichAndDistrict/ Web – www.vk4wip.org.au Email - vk4wip@wia.org.au For a full list of repeaters - www.vk4wip.org.auThis is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club.Just a reminder for members who expressed an interest in learning how toset up and operate the WICEN portable repeater, that Saturday morningApril 22, at 0900Hrs, has been set aside for this event. Bob VK4EK willshow how it is all done so that for future events members can start totake some of the burden off Bob and Sylvia and thus not have to rely onthem 100 per cent.Please attend if you can and contact Robert VK4KHW or Greg VK4GJW beforehand.And a reminder Ipswich Wicen is always on the lookout for extra help forthese events, so if you can, please email ipswichwicen@gmail.comHere’s an item to note on your calendar:On Monday night May 8 at 1930Hrs, the club will have the pleasure of apresentation by Scott Watson VK4CZ and Dr Kevin Johnston VK4UH on AnIntroduction to Amateur Microwave Activity in SE VK4.It promises to be a very interesting presentation, helping to dispel a lotof myths about operating on microwave bands. Why not roll up and joinin the conversation?Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT.--------------------------------------------------------------------Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.It is one of the truisms of life that if you are taught how to handle things that some consider dangerous and you are taught properly, you will use the appropriate caution and methods throughout your life. Whether it is the correct use of power tools, firearms, farm chemicals or electricity, to give a few examples, the lessons that were well given remain as guardians of our health and safety throughout our lives.My early experiences with building radio gear was when basically batteries were beyond the pocket money of a school student and most appliances were mains powered.This meant that there was a plentiful source of second-hand parts to be sourced andput to use by the home experimenter. Learning safety around mains voltages wasgreatly aided by the construction articles of the time in publications such as Radio, Television and Hobbies, commonly known as RTV & H, which morphed into Electronics Australia. Then there were the opportunities to learn from people whoworked in the electrical and electronics industries and who volunteered in local groups.As an aside, two of the editors of 20th-century electronics magazines in Australiawere Max Hull and John Moyle and last weekend saw a large participation in the John Moyle Field Day. If the pictures that I have seen posted of this year’s activitiesare an indication it was well enjoyed. Perhaps it has even spurred some audio reports for the weekly news broadcasts. Hint, hint. Now in the 21st century, we are involved with solid-state circuitry and the need forhome construction of power supplies using mains power is often negated by the prices that we can buy manufactured units off the shelf. This is perhaps a step onthe road to greater safety.One area where technology has been evolving is that of electricity storage with manynew combinations of electrode materials coming into battery production.The current front runner for many applications where the high current draw is required is the lithium-ion device. We will all have heard of the difficulty that the firefightershave in dealing with fires when things go wrong with lithium-ion batteries.Houses are being burned down because fires were started by charging e-scooters within the premises. Children sustain burns from connecting phones to chargers and then covering them with bedding and of course, we must mention the electric vehicles named after the father of much of our electric and electronic engineering, the Tesla.These are notorious for the length of time they can combust after incidents affecting the batteries. The ACCC has published a paper looking for solutions to issues around lithium-ion technology in the search for greater safety in their use. This past week saw a press release from the University of NSW Newsroom (UNSW Newsroom 20/3/23, NeilMartin) which discusses many of these issues and offers some basic advice on improving the safety and use of these batteries. There will be many clubs with toolspowered by these batteries and a fair number of shacks will likewise have drills andsimilar providing lightweight and convenience. I don’t even want to think of thenumber of tradies with these in their toolboxes!I suggest we all chase out this paper and pay attention to its early advice.I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? ------------------------------------------------------------------- 2023 Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section VK4 - REDCLIFFE - REDFEST APRIL ONE (vk4tfn) St. Michael's College, Caboolture. VK - WIA AGM May 13 at 10:30 am AEST proposed for Canberra (vk8zz) A hybrid event conducted both in person and by video conference and able to be viewed on an internet streaming platform. VK4 - SUNFEST - SEPTEMBER 9 (vk4an) At Mountain Creek State School’s massive air-conditioned auditorium, just off the Sunshine Motor Way. Mountain Creek is tucked into the west of Mooloolaba VK - ALARAMeet2023 4/5 November in HOBART (luther8@bigpond.com) TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au and send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit the audio email qnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current password then read "how to submit items" on the weekly news page on http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition of QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - MARCH 19 2023 - VK4 ON AIR
--------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK?--------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW http://www.wiaq.org.au/ftp/vk4\_qnews\_64.mp3 Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast.--------------------------------------------------------------------*VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BYVK4ZHL Errol Hopper June 2022 (vk4vp)VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp)VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit)VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz)VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc)VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz)VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp)VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp)VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 vk4hit)VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz)VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 (vk4zz)VK4HGT George Turner 02/09 (vk4gcr)VK4DK Stanley 'Dave' West 08/09 (vk4zz)VK4HAJ Merrell Coleman Sept or Oct? (vk4acc)VK4YT Nick Watling 22/10 (vk4zz)VK4HS Howard Stephenson 06/01/23 (vk4acc)VK4IX Ian Creighton 03/02/23 (vk4vp)--------------------------------------------------------------------*--------------------------------------------------------------------*Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.One of the things that we forget at times is how our minds develop and maturethrough out our life spans. I don’t mean to be insulting to any of our young listeners but there is the humorous expression that pops up from time totime, “employ a teenager whilst they still know everything.” This has its humour in the idea that in youth we assert things that are beyond our learning and experience and claim them to be true. If I remember any developmental psychology, there are good reasons why our mind struggle with the developing logic of adulthood and try and find reason as our young minds expand.Now that I am on the other end of this continuum, I am having to accept that certain things that I have experienced do have an influence on my thinking and attitudes. I don’t know whether a few bouts of major surgery or the anaesthesia that made it possible are the reason but trying to get the brain to do things it used to is more than a struggle at times. No doubt the ageing of the brain is of itself a reason that certain parts of my thinking have changed and if the books are correct, then this is just part of the ageing processes.Why raise this in the club section of the news you may well ask. It is because, as I have commented in times past, there can be an intolerance of behaviours particularly aimed at on air practices. I see the same criticisms on line and they aren’t restricted to just one call area but seem to emanate from many areas where English is the common language.It seems that there is a thin skinned lot who must surf the bands, especially the lower HF ones, to identify the rag chewers who share the state of infirmity with those in the QSO and those who dain to sit and listen. These masochists seem to delight in analysing the mental prowess of the person behind the microphone and then subject all they contact with complaints as to how insufferable that person’s discussion is. It has been a long standing practice of at least 5 or six decades to have a rotary control on most receivers that allows the frequency on which you can listen to be changed.Nobody is invited to private contacts, although we can all listen, and I suppose technically the content is not to be divulged if we check the regulations.It seems pointless, other than to distress others, to have these rants when so simply people could just rotate the dial and listen elsewhere or, heaven forbid, put out a call in what ever mode they feel comfortable using. It is such an easy adjustment to the personal attitude and would certainly go a long way to minimising the angst that some operators develop.Many thanks to those clubs that are contributing to their local broadcast news services and to this one, QNews, in particular.I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? --------------------------------------------------------------------* 2023 Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section VK4 - REDCLIFFE - REDFEST APRIL ONE (vk4tfn) St. Michael's College, Caboolture. VK - WIA AGM May 13 at 10:30am AEST proposed for Canberra (vk8zz) A hybrid event conducted both in person and by video conference and able to be viewed on an internet streaming platform. VK4 - SUNFEST - SEPTEMBER 9 (vk4an) At Mountain Creek State School’s massive air conditioned auditorium, just off the Sunshine Motor Way. Mountain Creek is tucked in to the west of Mooloolaba VK - ALARAMeet2023 4/5 November in HOBART (luther8@bigpond.com) TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - MARCH 12 2023 - VK4 ON AIR-------------------------------------------------------------------- DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK?-------------------------------------------------------------------- THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ 203.31.7.19/wianews/ Also, search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcatcher.-------------------------------------------------------------------- CLUBBING-------------------------------------------------------------------- Ipswich & District Radio Club http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/IpswichAndDistrict/ Web – www.vk4wip.org.au Email - vk4wip@wia.org.au For a full list of repeaters - www.vk4wip.org.au This is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club. The February business meeting of the club was held on the 27th chaired by president Peter VK4SIR Three members joined via Zoom to make up a healthy attendance of 17 members. Welcome to new member John Ross from the USA who currently going through the process of acquiring his Australian licence. In the WICEN report Robert VK4KHW reported the joint event with Brisbane Wicen to support the Cooyar Horse Ride will go ahead on March 18 and 19. The calendar of 2023 Wicen events includes the Pinnacles Classic on April 2, Brisbane Trail Marathon April 30 and the Guzzler Ultra Marathon on July 22 and 23, Lake Manchester Trail August 20 and Mount Glorious Trail November 12. We’re always on the lookout for extra help for these events, so if you can please email ipswichwicen@gmail.com Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT.--------------------------------------------------------------------Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.We must give a big shout-out to our fellow operators on the record-breaking areas ofthe state. The Gulf Country and many areas to the south have endured massive deluges this past week and other southern inland areas are still waiting for the rains that will provide relief for farmers looking for a return this season. Whilst there havebeen many areas flooded and rescues have been taking place, I have not been aware of any involvement of the amateur radio community, as yet.Over the years I have queried the place of the radio amateur within communityservices and I have seen bursts of enthusiasm as groups developed. Over that sametime, I have read the reports from our overseas colleagues that have supported andtrained people in various phases of emergency service and communications and I have wondered out loud why we haven’t been able to offer a greater service to ourcommunities. We have had reports of groups using UHF CB radios to provide safetychecks and message handling but with better access to the higher power and more facilities, we don’t seem to have the impetus to draw the hams out of hibernation.It would be wonderful if people from the groups such as WICEN once again putinformation out for the general listeners of these news broadcasts. We don’t knowwhere and what is happening when like rabbits, they only come out of their burrowsafter the sun goes down. It almost seems that the most ambitious activity some radio clubs have is running a sausage sizzle to pay for the year’s expenses. I know this isn’t really the case but away from each small gathering, there is no inkling that things are happening. Let’s get our heads together and share what is happening and encourage others with showing the vibrancy this activity has. There are various things happening which attract amateurs like moths to a flame andthey cover a wide variety of activities. I don’t really need to read a list of the different projects that we can take on either as individuals or as club representatives. Unlike the poor moths who burn their wings off, we get to enjoy these facets of the radio service and when we publish the details it can provide ideas for others to try and share. This has been the worth of the clubs, to unite people within an area to get more out of a mutually enjoyable pursuit.I am seeing reports of global contacts happening but there is a difficulty in sharing from town to town, region to region, when it comes saying, “We are here and this is what we are doing!”We appreciate the clubs that do contribute to QNews and we welcome the others who have been mic shy to date. We all want to see this great pastime and educational pursuit continue and grow.Years ago, the American periodical, “The Readers Digest” published a story set in the great depression. It was about a farming family who built a successful roadside business selling produce. As more people got motor cars and the word spread, they put up signage and the business boomed. The depression hit and fewer people came to buy at the farm gate until the college-educated son convinced the family that the advertising was too costly and they took down the signs along the roads. The travellers no longer came and with no more income, they closed the stall.I hope we aren’t at the stage of removing the advertising and wondering why no one comes. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? ------------------------------------------------------------------- 2023 Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section VK4 - REDCLIFFE - REDFEST APRIL ONE (vk4tfn) St. Michael's College, Caboolture. REDFEST 2023 Saturday 1st April 2023. Greetings from the Redcliffe & Districts Radio Club VK4RC right here in South East Queensland! Robert Thomson VK4TFN here. The Redcliffe Club will hold our Hamfest on Saturday the 1st of April 9:00 am at St. Michael's College, Caboolture. Please mark the date in the calendar on your mobile phone. There will be raffle prizes. BREAKFAST is served from 8:00 am. REDFEST opens at 9:00am. $5 Admission. Vendors: Order your tables in March. $10.00 per table. Vendors are admitted for free. For Table Bookings Email: redfest@redclifferadioclub.org.au go to: redclifferadioclub.org.au We're also on Facebook. It'll be a good day out. We look forward to seeing you. Thank you and 73's from the Redcliffe & Districts Radio Club VK4RC VK - WIA AGM May 13 at 10:30 am AEST proposed for Canberra (vk8zz) A hybrid event conducted both in person and by video conference and able to be viewed on an internet streaming platform. VK4 - SUNFEST - SEPTEMBER 9 (vk4an) At Mountain Creek State School’s massive air-conditioned auditorium, just off the Sunshine Motor Way. Mountain Creek is tucked into the west of Mooloolaba VK - ALARAMeet2023 4/5 November in HOBART (luther8@bigpond.com) TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au and send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit the audio email qnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current password then read "how to submit items" on the weekly news page on http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - MARCH 5 2023 - VK4 ON AIR--------------------------------------------------------------------- DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK?--------------------------------------------------------------------- THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW http://www.wiaq.org.au/ftp/vk4_qnews_64.mp3 Also, search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app.---------------------------------------------------------------------VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BYVK4HS Howard Stephenson 06/01/23 (vk4acc)VK4IX Ian Creighton 03/02/23 (vk4vp)---------------------------------------------------------------------Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.Doesn’t it get annoying? I mean you have a question that needs an answer which isn’tready to hand and you turn to the fount of all modern knowledge, the internet. Youchoose your words carefully to inveigle the correct response from your favouredsearch engine and you get a screen full of links. Now comes the fun of trying to get tothe wheat and discarding the chaff.At a lesser level, you have favourite groups that you follow and you are interestedin the answers to particular posts. You find that up to 9 out of 10 responses areeither made up of trite and off-topic nonsense or trash that is meant to be humorous. I suppose this has a long history on the internet with acerbic and sarcastic replies having been the stock in trade of a lot of old time forums.For those who enjoy current affairs, the disparity between legitimate news sources,reactionary channels that push particular agendas and the propaganda outlets spawnedby the conflict in Europe is hard to sort out. Just to make sure we amateurs aren’t left out of the mix, it gets obvious that if you believe you have the facts, then the internet provides the platforms for you to spread your opinion whether it is right, almost right or totally wrong.One of the most used methods of deception is to set up a false premise as fact and then develop an argument based on this falsehood. We need to be on the lookout forthis as at times it can really seem plausible.A while ago, I read a post in an overseas group that follows a particular design ofantennas. The reason was to disparage some videos posted by a senior and well-respected amateur not for the content but because of his age. The response seemed tocontinue this put down by suggesting that the older generations had no place inpromoting to the younger. It seems that experience and knowledge count for littleamongst these people and we can hope and pray that this level of ageism is very much a negligible occurrence.It is the reason that we see some form of aspirational guide such as the Amateurs Code being promoted for a century. We have a form of words, an expression, of whatmakes the amateur operator and his peers achieve a harmony and attitude of mutualsupport. To have some promise that things can be better is a far better solution than living in some dystopian world.What I suppose I am getting at is that we need to use our critical minds when getting information from untested and unknown places. The internet is marvellous for all the good things it provides but it is dangerous if we let ourselves not think about what we are doing. It is not simply the scam emails but the blatantly false that can trap us into making poor choices.I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? ---------------------------------------------------------------------* 2023 Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section VK4 - REDCLIFFE - REDFEST APRIL ONE (vk4tfn) St. Michael's College, Caboolture. VK - WIA AGM May 13 at 10:30am AEST proposed for Canberra (vk8zz) A hybrid event conducted both in person and by video conference and able to be viewed on an internet streaming platform. VK4 - SUNFEST - SEPTEMBER 9 (vk4an) At Mountain Creek State School’s massive air conditioned auditorium, just off the Sunshine Motor Way. Mountain Creek is tucked in to the west of Mooloolaba VK - ALARAMeet2023 4/5 November in HOBART (luther8@bigpond.com) TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - FEBRUARY 26 2023 - VK4 ON AIR---------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK?---------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW http://www.wiaq.org.au/ftp/vk4\_qnews\_64.mp3 Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast.---------------------------------------------------------------------*Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.Weather wise it is being a bit of a strange period with monsoon rains and storms covering the northern parts of the State and cloudy, rain showers and storms alternating over the lower parts of Queensland. As a result the lowerbands around the country have been subject to the static crashes that signify summer weather and by the sounds of the story from the BoM we may well have this pattern well into Autumn. The solar activity has from time to time managed to subdue any good chances of good conditions on the lower HF bands. As the old song put it, “Whatever will be will be”.It appears that club activities are in full swing again with meetings andsocial gatherings bringing the faithful together. This is good to see but the one thing that I seem to be missing is an indication of youth involvement. I expect that many people who haven’t yet joined the salt and pepper hair style set are involved in amateur radio as the assessments continue. What I haven’t heard is them being involved in club activities, well at least not on QNEWS anyway.As the old axiom goes, nothing breeds success like success then it would be good to have reports of younger people and their ham activities going to air each week.Surely we have enough microphone jockeys who can put together a report of activities in their area? That is a challenge I look forward to having taken up. From where I sit, we can say that not all mentoring is done one to one or within a club learning group. The word that is spread by weekly news broadcasts is individual and personal and people listening can identify with activities of personal interest.Another thing is that the way we talk and relate is very much an age relatedbehaviour and someone who is under 20 is going to put things across in anidiom that others in that group will identify. It has been said that amateur radio is about communication but ham operators are poor at communicating. This is something that doesn’t have to be the case. With devices capable of recording broadcast audio in our pockets or bags, it then is a matter of getting the thoughts together so that they flow in a way that people will understand.In other words, we have a beginning a middle and an end. We introduce ourselves, we set the scene and flesh out the details and then we sign off. Pretty much like a QSO, don’t you think?So of course what I am getting at is that clubs and people with stories totell can put it together in voice and if you have voice to text, the script writes itself.People enjoy variety and here is the opportunity to share your good news.I notice our Editor, VK4Baker Baker has been leaving prompts on postingsappearing from clubs.This is a very good indication of the sort of stories our fellow hams enjoy.I look forward to hearing your story on QNEWS.I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? ---------------------------------------------------------------------* 2023 Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section VK4 - REDCLIFFE - REDFEST APRIL ONE (vk4tfn) St. Michael's College, Caboolture. VK - WIA AGM May 13 at 10:30am AEST proposed for Canberra (vk8zz) A hybrid event conducted both in person and by video conference and able to be viewed on an internet streaming platform. VK4 - SUNFEST - SEPTEMBER 9 (vk4an) At Mountain Creek State School’s massive air conditioned auditorium, just off the Sunshine Motor Way. Mountain Creek is tucked in to the west of Mooloolaba VK - ALARAMeet2023 4/5 November in HOBART (luther8@bigpond.com) TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - FEBRUARY 19 2023 - VK4 ON AIR--------------------------------------------------------------------- THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW http://www.wiaq.org.au/ftp/vk4_qnews_64.mp3 Also, search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast.---------------------------------------------------------------------Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.I would like to give all the re-broadcasters on the WIA network a big high five. Ourfellow hams get themselves organised each week to record and replay the National and State news broadcasts for an unknown audience. Well even when the call in figures are put together, we still can’t account for the people who take the news in ways other than over the air or who don’t have a licence which allows them to call in. To all these people who give of their time to do this, I give a grateful “Thank You.”During the week that passed, the Bouvet Island DX-pedition went QRT and collectedtheir belongings and returned to the boat for the journey home. It was tremendousthat another much sought entity was activated and contacts were made using voice, CW and digital modes. Sadly the idiot fringe spawned a few videos and lots ofon-line disdain from amateurs hurt by the very obvious poor behaviour in blockingthe calls and causing what has become known as DQRM, a shorthand for deliberateinterference.I have said before that this behaviour is a form of piracy and stations who are crass enough to identify should be reported and definitely not contacted.On this point, I would refer listeners to last week’s WIA National News with the opening remarks of retiring Director and Past WIA President, Greg Kelly, VK2GPK,with his very solid exposition of the dangers we are facing with the proposed ClassLicensing regime. When assurances that the Amateur Service will be still protectedfrom interference that are currently in place ring as hollow as an empty plastic bucket, can we expect anything other than the Rafferty Rules on air behaviour that we have seen, heard and recorded over the past couple of weeks. It would seem right to ask the regulator how its promotion of class licensing of the ham bands will maintain Australian compliance with the ITU Treaty obligations?It is painfully obvious that many who do monitor the Citizen Band Service are appalled by the anarchy which is happening. With the signals on 11metres bouncingaround globally, they should be reaching the monitoring station in Tasmania. Wheredo we hear of any enforcement of operating standards on the CBRS by the ACMA over this class licensed service? Is the deregulation of this service a proper indicationof what may befall we poor, lowly amateurs? I sincerely hope not but I am not gameto speculate either.It is good to hear from clubs and QNews welcomes contributions of news items tospread the word of what is happening in your piece of the amateur world. Until next week, this is Geoff Emery saying, that’s what I think….how about you? ---------------------------------------------------------------------* 2023 Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section VK4 - REDCLIFFE - REDFEST APRIL ONE (vk4tfn) St. Michael's College, Caboolture. VK4 - SUNFEST - SEPTEMBER 9 (vk4an) At Mountain Creek State School’s massive air conditioned auditorium, just off the Sunshine Motor Way. Mountain Creek is tucked in to the west of Mooloolaba VK - ALARAMeet2023 4/5 November in HOBART (luther8@bigpond.com) TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - FEBRUARY 12 2023 - VK4 ON AIR--------------------------------------------------------------------- DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? REDCLIFFE DID--------------------------------------------------------------------- THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW http://www.wiaq.org.au/ftp/vk4_qnews_64.mp3 Also, search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast.--------------------------------------------------------------------- CLUBBING Redcliffe and Districts radio club. http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/RedcliffeAndDistrictRadioClub/ G’day to my name is Steve VK4SJH The Redcliffe Radio Club is commencing and Advanced/Standard course using Microsoft Teams from Sunday 12th Feb 19:30 hrs QLD time. The course will run for several months or until you are ready to have a go at either the Standard or Advanced Theory exam. Course notes and plenty of practice exams will be provided to you electronically. If you would like to be part of that training then send an email to education@redclifferadioclub.org.au and one of the education team will send you details for the advanced/standard training course and cost being run via Microsoft Teams. You will find an extremely friendly bunch of Amateurs who will help you with any theory question you may have. Hope to hear from you 73’s Steve VK4SJH---------------------------------------------------------------------Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.It is time for the potpourri of thoughts that ends our weekly news.The contributions that come in to QNEWS are greatly appreciated and you are reminded that this broadcast goes out courtesy of a network of volunteers on radio.Also both the audio and the text edition are available for download or you cansubscribe and have it arrive by email each week and you will find it as a podcast. Imust add a caution that there is also an “adult” stream using the “qnews” name soplease choose carefully.As it was hoped, band conditions have been sparking well, this past week, withreports of contacts into countries not normally heard on 10 metres becoming moreplentiful. It seems that the summer electrified weather will remain with us for a while and with 2 cyclones around the coast of Australia, as I record this, static crashes are going to stay with us on the lower HF bands for a while yet.The excitement that the DX-pedition to Bouvet Island has engendered has been typical of that of previous times of high sunspot activity. When rare entities areactivated they can be assured of the proverbial dog-piles several layers deep. Thereal test of the prefix hunter and DXer is how they conduct themselves on air. Ithas always been the protocol that the remote operators set the bands, modes, times and frequencies on which operations happen. This includes how contacts will bemade and voice is usually done with one frequency for transmit and another with apreset offset for receive. So it has been for the 3-Yankee-Zero-Juliet expeditioners.The renowned DX YL operator, Raisa, OH7BG/R1BIG posted a video to YouTubethis past week showing what goes wrong when calling stations ignore these normalprotocols and QRM the frequency on which the DX station is transmitting. To describe the cacophony as worse than a pig’s breakfast would be a mild description. All these stations needed to do was go to the web site, read and follow the instructions and remain cool and courteous on air. Everyone would get an equal chance of getting a contact in the log.I have noticed a certain level of frustration with attitudes of some operators and Iwonder whether we are seeing the results of the newer training practices in amateurradio. The entry level training seems to be predicated on a cram for exam mentalityand candidates don’t seem to receive the experience of mentoring, of sitting in theshack, talking things over and asking questions as happened in the ancient of times.It was always the thing that people chose what they would do in enjoying this pasttime. It was never mandatory that every ham would QSL either in print or electronically. I have heard stories of people nominating the destination for collection of e-QSLs and not wanting them go to another source as they chase their elusive award. Once again, we seem to have lost some of the consideration for fellow operators. We all can do better, I am sure.I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? ---------------------------------------------------------------------* 2023 Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section VK4 - REDCLIFFE - REDFEST APRIL ONE (vk4tfn) St. Michael's College, Caboolture. VK4 - SUNFEST - SEPTEMBER 9 (vk4an) At Mountain Creek State School’s massive air conditioned auditorium, just off the Sunshine Motor Way. Mountain Creek is tucked in to the west of Mooloolaba VK - ALARAMeet2023 4/5 November in HOBART (luther8@bigpond.com) TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - FEBRUARY 05 2023 - VK4 ON AIR---------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW http://www.wiaq.org.au/ftp/vk4\_qnews\_64.mp3 Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast.---------------------------------------------------------------------* CLUBBING---------------------------------------------------------------------* CAIRNS http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/CairnsAmateurRadioClubInc/ AUSTRALIA DAY CONTEST FROM VK4BOB Hi, I’m Bob VK4BOB in Cairns. Three members of the Cairns Amateur Radio Club, Steve VK4SJB, Mark VK4JU and I, operated the club’s contest station VK4HM for the Australia Day Contest. While we were setting up a field station on The Esplanade in Cairns, a promo SMS I sent earlier to the local ABC Radio station was read out by the breakfast announcer. Then we got a surprise visit from the show’s producer with his recorder, and the following morning an interview of about 8 minutes was broadcast during the popular breakfast program. This was broadcast by ABC Local Radio all over Cape York and Far North Queensland. Mark VK4JU and I built half-wave dipoles for the ten metre band. The morning DX with North America was problematic apparently due to a solar flare, but later in the early evening the three of us had great fun working DX into Europe. We were visited on site by some of our members and from the Tablelands Radio and Electronics Club, plus the public. Current projects are to get our two metre repeater back on air after vandalism took it out, and building even better portable antennas for ten metres. We plan to operate from the same place for the John Moyle Memorial contest in March. Keep an ear out for us! This is Bob, VK4BOB, signing off for the Cairns Amateur Radio Club.---------------------------------------------------------------------*Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.This past week has been one of paradox for the weather with the Cape being covered in tropical rain and storms, the east coast experiencing high humidity and a minor heat wave and the south east of the continent getting the cold wintery blasts that promise snow falls in summer. When I look at the rain radar images, I am reminded of how much electrical noise is generated by these storms and how amateurs and other radio users train the brain to filter out the static crashes. Pulling the weak signal from the air has been a skill that users of HF radio have been refining regardless how well the noise blankers and filters deal with man made and Nature’s own symphony.Hopefully the pundits are going to be correct in that the weather should ease as this weekend passes and hopefully that will also mean that short wave conditions will remain favourable with the good propagation that has been happening.Many an old hand is reading the straws in the wind and surmising that we haveanother couple of years of good conditions on HF during this sunspot cycle.As we have seen the maturing of digital technology over the past 3 decades or so to where it is working quietly for use in so many aspects of our lives, weare seeing the coding algorithms develop from the hopeful to the purposeful with chatGPT creating interest. If we think back to where some of the things we used years back have become and then try and guess where current developments will take us, it is a really fascinating future that we can expect. We have seen the packet radio go from using discrete pieces of gear to being integrated into handhelds with monitoring available via the Internet. What will it be when artificial intelligence can absorb the operating parameters including space weather and effectively maximise radio operations.
The old timers, or historical purists, felt that packet radio using internet linking was not true radio but many of the networks that the world depends upon, apart from amateur radio, use it as standard. We have the critics that rail against some of the digital modes as being your computer talking to my computer and not true ham radio.I suspect that in years to come there will be protocols developed which integrate AI and what will be the objections then?Hopefully, as the new school year has started and I am reminded by the multitude of adds that come with my internet feed, that the tertiary sector is canvassing for business. Fortunately I am also seeing that courses for amateur radio are kicking off for this year also. Let us hope that the enthusiasm for this great STEM activity brings many successful candidates into our ranks.Before I go, I must say what a great thing it was to have those club stories go to air last week. This is one way to encourage the listeners who don’t have a licence, to accept things happen in the wonderful world of amateur radio.I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? ---------------------------------------------------------------------* 2023 Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section VK4 - SUNSHINE COAST CAR BOOT SALE FEBRUARY 12 This includes a deceased estate sale and it happens at the club house, 85 Godfreys Rd Pacific Paradise, QLD. 10 AM. (vk4an) VK4 - REDCLIFFE - REDFEST APRIL ONE (vk4tfn) St. Michael's College, Caboolture. VK4 - SUNFEST - NOVEMBER 9 (vk4an) At Mountain Creek State School’s massive air conditioned auditorium, just off the Sunshine Motor Way. Mountain Creek is tucked in to the west of Mooloolaba VK - ALARAMeet2023 4/5 November in HOBART (luther8@bigpond.com) TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - JANUARY 29 2023 - VK4 ON AIR--------------------------------------------------------------------- DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? IPSWICH, REDCLIFFE AND SUNSHINE COAST CLUBS DID - Ta Kindly--------------------------------------------------------------------- THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW http://www.wiaq.org.au/ftp/vk4_qnews_64.mp3 Also, search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast. CLUBBING--------------------------------------------------------------------- Ipswich & District Radio Club http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/IpswichAndDistrict/ Web – www.vk4wip.org.au Email - vk4wip@wia.org.au For a full list of repeaters - www.vk4wip.org.au This is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club. The new year is well and truly underway with the club’s first business meeting held on January 23. Seventeen members attended the clubhouse with a further five on Zoom. Robert VK4KHW highlighted this year’s WICEN events with the first being the Pinnacles Classic on April 2. This will be followed by the Brisbane Trail Marathon on April 30, Guzzler Ultra Marathon on July 22 and 23, Lake Manchester Trail on August 20 and Mt Glorious Trail on November 12. Ipswich will join Brisbane WICEN for the Cooyar Horse Ride on March 18 and 19. Additional volunteers are always needed and welcome to help bolster numbers at checkpoints. Contact ipswichwicen@gmail.com if you can help at any of these events throughout the year. In other news: Trish Kelly VK4TMK became the club’s newest member this month. Welcome to the club Trish. Greg VK4GJW advised members the next Foundation course started Jan 24 with four candidates enrolled. Other regular activities have either resumed or will be recommencing Sister club Zoom meetings with Maple Ridge in Canada started again on Jan 26 Next digital interest group meeting Feb 6 Next social meeting Feb 13 And next business meeting is Feb 27 Check the club’s website for locations and times. And finally, the recent expansion of the Ipswich repeater network to northern Somerset and Scenic Rim areas is offering the opportunity for amateurs in these more remote locations to join in the daily morning net at 8 am with long-time coordinator Ron VK4RG and the regular stations who call in. They are always happy to welcome you on the morning net. So, if you live in these areas check out VK4RPR on 439.850 at Gregors Creek in north Somerset VK4RBO 438.475 on Green Hill Boonah. For offsets check out ACMA’s online database. Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT. Redcliffe and Districts radio club. http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/RedcliffeAndDistrictRadioClub/REDFEST 2023Saturday 1st April 2023.No, It's not a joke we're fair dinkum.Greetings from the Redcliffe & Districts Radio ClubVK4RC. Right here in South East Queensland!Robert Thomson VK4TFN here.The Redcliffe Club will hold our HamFest on:Saturday the 1st April 2023 at 9:00am at St. Michael's College, Caboolture.Please mark the date in the calendar on your mobile phone.BREAKFAST is served from 8:00 am.REDFEST opens at 9:00am. $5 Admission.Vendors: Order your tables in March. $10.00 per table.Vendors are admitted free.For Table Bookings Email:redfest@redclifferadioclub.org.auGo to: www.redclifferadioclub.org.au We're also on Facebook.It'll be a good day out. We look forward to seeing you.Thank you and 73's from the Redcliffe & Districts Radio Club VK4RC. SUNSHINE COAST http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/SunshineCoastAmateurRadioClub/ Maleny VK4RSC 146.850 and 438.075 VK4RSN 53.7 Noosa Heads VK4RSL 146.825 and 438.175Gday, this is Mark, VK4AN, President of the Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio Club with news on our upcoming events for 2023.First, up the Club will be holding a deceased estate and car boot sale Sunday, February 12 at the clubhouse, 85 Godfreys Rd Pacific Paradise, QLD.Gates open at10 AM with free entry to both buyers and sellers.With the passing of three long-term experienced members last year, the club hasreceived from their estates a large amount of quality equipment that will be up forsale on the day. Pop in for a cuppa, take a look at what’s on offer or even just enjoy the club facilities while catching up with folk you may not have seen for a while.Our major event for 2023 is SunFest, to be held on Saturday, September the 9th at theMountain Creek State School’s massive air-conditioned auditorium is just off the Sunshine Motor Way. This is the new home for SunFest as of last year, the venuereceived very positive feedback from last year’s attendees. The event returns to itsnormal timing, with plenty of space in the tall venue and loads of free parking.With the date and venue locked in the club's committee can start planning for a comprehensive program of activities, exams and maybe even the odd presentation, somark your calendar, Saturday, September 9.Finally don’t forget our social get-togethers held every Wednesday from 9 am and our constructor nights Thursdays from around 7 pm, more information can be found on the club's website, VK4WIS.ORG .---------------------------------------------------------------------Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.In my part of the world, Australia Day was greeted with a forecast of temperaturesin the mid ’30s. What a way to encourage people to use the amateur bands from thecomfort of shady and cool locations with the special prefix of AX, alpha-x ray, toencourage our distant colleagues to greet us.Somehow the hoopla that has marked the public holiday didn’t seem quite as evidentthis year with less of the face paint and blue-flagged adornments to be seen. Thenthat may have just been in my area.One of the accessories that have joined the typical amateur shack over the years hasbeen the computer. It seems to have a ubiquitous function for checking reception,following propagation maps and logging contacts as well as generating digital signals and so on. For some time I have had one of those architectural-styled desktop computers needing attention. A blackout caused the corruption of files some time back and I haven’t been able to access the machine since. The opportunity came to be able to substitute it with a working model and thus the research began.Here was the classic success of the internet, making available the knowledge of howbest to deploy this unit which is regarded as old for a silicon-based machine. Theirconsistent advice was to replace the internal hard drive with a new solid-state drive. Then I happened on more advice that as all the USB ports were usb3 standard, no need to perform surgery but attach an SSD externally and performance will stillbe at least 5 times what it was originally. So I got in the necessary bits and set about setting the operating system back to factory defaults. Well, I’m not all that literate in computer geek and managed to wipe the system before creating a boot drive.This was becoming a saga of reading and watching videos and printing the instructions that I thought I needed. As the pile of paper grew and the USB stick remained defiantly vacant when using another computer of the same brand, a chance link appeared that solved the issue, well almost. These computers are able to be restored over the internet but with no OS there was no way to connect to the WiFi.A search began and a short Ethernet cable was found which duly linked the router tothe computer and the process of upgrading began. It went well until another piece ofadvice from a few videos penetrated the grey matter.Clearing the nonvolatile RAM seemed to work but duh!!! it also cleared the memory of the password necessary to access the system. Still, it gave me the chance to practice recovering the system via the internet, again. This time I left alone and after tweaking settings I can say I have a computer that runs as well as the laptop that is my daily driver but with a nicer and larger display.I don’t know whether the system is now 5 times as fast as it was but it certainly performs nicely for my needs.The moral I take from this is that, if you don’t have the instructions, do the best checking you can when you commission secondhand gear and be prepared to correcterrors in the instructions you find on the internet.I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? ---------------------------------------------------------------------* 2023 Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section VK4 - SUNSHINE COAST CAR BOOT SALE FEBRUARY 12This includes a deceased estate sale and it happens at the clubhouse, 85 Godfreys Rd Pacific Paradise, QLD. 10 AM. (vk4an) VK4 - REDCLIFFE - REDFEST APRIL ONE (vk4tfn) St. Michael's College, Caboolture. VK4 - SUNFEST - NOVEMBER 9 (vk4an) At Mountain Creek State School’s massive air-conditioned auditorium, just off the Sunshine Motor Way. Mountain Creek is tucked into the west of Mooloolaba VK - ALARAMeet2023 4/5 November in HOBART (luther8@bigpond.com) TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au and send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your article in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit the audio email qnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - JANUARY 22 2023 - VK4 ON AIR--------------------------------------------------------------------- DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? TOWNSVILLE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB (TARC) DID.--------------------------------------------------------------------- THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW http://www.wiaq.org.au/ftp/vk4_qnews_64.mp3 Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast.--------------------------------------------------------------------- CLUBBING TOWNSVILLE http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/TownsvilleAmateurRadioClub/ vk4wit@wia.org.au 4773 1196 or 0408 001142 po box 333 Garbutt East, QLD 4814 www.tarc.org.au TARC Club theTARCinc has a meeting recess from the December Social Meeting until the Management Meeting on Tuesday 7th February. There will be other activities happening though, including the January Ann Renton Memorial Ladies Net, the Sunday Morning WIANews 2m Net, the Sunday evening North Queensland Net on 3605.4kHz and 2m, the Tech on the Air Net on the last Tuesday of the month plus the Australia Day Long Week Family Radio Camp amongst other things keep your eyes glued to this dispatch and your ear glued to the news transmissions.---------------------------------------------------------------------Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.Well that was good to hear from the Townsville Amateur Radio Club and Gavin, VK4ZZ.Now, to all the clubs and particularly those that seem to rely on Gavin to get theirhappenings and news out to the folk in the North, how about you ALSO send and record your activities for QNEWS? This is a standing invitation to get the news out. Can this be your special activity for 2023?Well it has been a terrific week but hardly one that many along the coast and especially Mackay would want repeated. The rainfall has been beyond most people’simagining and the disruptions to life in the north of the state has been quite severe with so many items not reaching the shelves of the grocery stores and supermarkets. The irony is that, in my area, an upgraded and now flood proof section of the Bruce Highway has been officially opened during the last week as we received the tail end showers from the monsoon system which has caused the damage, inland and to the north.I wonder how many people are geared up to enjoy the Australia Day contest, an eventthat is relatively new on the Australian amateur calendar? All being equal and if the gods of weather favour us, the conditions will remain good for all participants.For clubs it isn’t too late to organise some activities to coincide with the holidayand the contest and for some clubs it will be the opportunity for a good socialget-together to start the year off. For the parents, it has been a flurry of activity making sure that everything is ready for the start of the school year. Is that the sound of normality I hear settling over the world again?One change that happened during the last week was the reduction in the health traffic light status, amber has gone to green. After claiming the 4th wave of the COVID pandemic has now receded and an estimated 80% of Queenslanders have alreadybeen infected by the virus, the Chief Medical Officer conceded that no one knowswhat the continuing progress of the changing virus will bring. Now I only raise thematter as when I see photos of club events, I am reminded of the high membership ofelderly people. We oldies are classed as being in a vulnerable group and so it remains right that when we organise meetings and events, we should ensure safety for our club members. BBQ’s are a good thing as fresh air is the most healthy place to inhabit and properly ventilated meeting rooms are next best.From what I am seeing, Old Sol continues to ring the changes in the space weatherwith large flares causing radio blackouts and sun spots appearing and keeping propagation a combination of good, bad and amazing. Here’s hoping Australia Day iswide open for us. And remember all you clubs north, south and over the face of Queensland we are waiting your reports here on QNEWS.I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? ---------------------------------------------------------------------* 2023 Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section and so far this year it appears no activity is planned (or has been sent in to publicise) TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT with AUDIO to qnews@wia.org.au QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIARemember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - JANUARY 15 2023 - VK4 ON AIR--------------------------------------------------------------------- DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK?--------------------------------------------------------------------- THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW http://www.wiaq.org.au/ftp/vk4_qnews_64.mp3 Also, search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast.---------------------------------------------------------------------VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BYVK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp)VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit)VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz)VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc)VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz)VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp)VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp)VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 vk4hit)VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz)VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 (vk4zz)VK4HGT George Turner 02/09 (vk4gcr)VK4DK Stanley 'Dave' West 08/09 (vk4zz)VK4HAJ Merrell Coleman Sept or Oct? (vk4acc)VK4YT Nick Watling 22/10 (vk4zz)VK4HS Howard Stephenson 06/01/23 (vk4acc)Howard Stephenson VK4HS has become a Silent Key, not only to the Ham Radio world but to his wife, 4 kids and 8 grandkids. This was on January Six 2023 at Yeppoon Howard VK4HS had been a member of RADAR CLUB ROCKHAMPTON for many years. He had an interesting career working around the world for the World Health Organisation. He lived in many countries and used Amateur Radio to keep in contact with the rest of the world before he settled in a beaut spot in Yeppoon. Many spoke to him on air. However newcomers did not meet him at meetings as he was not able to drive at night. Howard Stephenson's funeral service was Friday 13th 4 pm in Rockhampton---------------------------------------------------------------------Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.When we take the time to reflect on our history, it is quite amazing the progressthat we have experienced during the last hundred years or so. We have seen the railnetwork expand and contract around the country. Years of work altering the terrainto allow the steel horses to negotiate the country have been extended and a lot have been closed as people used the independence of the motor vehicle instead. The telegraph and telephone followed, in part a similar trajectory of development to therailways and we are seeing the transfer of technology from wires to glass fibres.I remember, as a child, going to houses that had no electricity and people were fortunate if they sported some form of home lighting plant. These days there aren’tmany places where reticulated electricity isn’t available and we are living throughthe transition from centralised generation to local and home-sited plants whichproduce electricity and also store it for later use. Imagine if we still had telephones with rotary handles to call the exchange operator and we were using a device which was permanently tethered.As we come towards the remembrance day that we call Australia Day, it is more thanjust some pomp and ceremony, more than some party events and more than we radioamateurs changing our callsign prefix. Australia Day, regardless of the trappings ofcolonialism marks the time when the settlers of this land brought their individualcolonies into unity as States in our Commonwealth. Sadly the times were not as enlightened as we feel that we are and restrictions and ignorance of facts meant theearly years were not the inclusive country in which we now live. In the time that our federated country has existed, we have seen music storage gofrom sheet music through disks and CDs to streaming services. The nostalgia hasbrought a renaissance in vinyl, and CD and analogue enthusiasts are even restoringreel-to-reel machines. Information still comes on printed paper but typically isfocused on digital storage. I am thankful that those silly small data CDs are nolonger coming and manufacturers are reverting to printed user manuals.There is so much in our history that directly touches the recreation we pursue andit is interesting to think about what used to be and what we have today.Are the services on which we depend more reliable than what they have replaced andhow can day-to-day items be improved to give a greater economy, for instance, bylasting longer in this disposable world. In the time that most of us will have lived, wehave seen the demise of the consumer electronics service industry and the loss ofskilled people because the trash and recycling are more convenient and cheaper thanfixing things.These are things that I feel we should ponder as January 26th approaches and when we need to dispose of the empty tinnies and bottles on the day after, do we just binthem or recycle them to live another day? A bit of reflection is sometimes good forthe soul.I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? ---------------------------------------------------------------------* 2023 Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - JANUARY 08 2023 - VK4 ON AIR---------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK?---------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW http://www.wiaq.org.au/ftp/vk4\_qnews\_64.mp3 Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast.---------------------------------------------------------------------*Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.The sounds of summer are upon us with chirps and cracks and croaks from insects, lizards and amphibians providing a chorus each night and some days, where I live. On the other hand, those of us who enjoy shortwave listening and operating are having to tolerate or move higher in the bands to escape the noise of summer storms illuminating the display and distorting the signals on the lower bands. In it’s own way, radio brings changes to our patterns of operating to remind us of different features of seasons and space weather. We spend our enjoyment of amateur radio in familiarising ourselves with the world around that the average user of electronics may never recognise.The tropical monsoon is deluging large parts of the state in the north and the weather patterns have kept reminding many of us that we have been experiencing a la Nina event and more rainfall is prone to run off or increase the depth of the flooding in areas that are looking to recover and return farming land to useful production.At the other end of society, events in the wider world are starting to impactproduction of items from pharmaceuticals to radios with Yaesu announcing thecessation of production of two models of transceivers. Materials necessaryfor the self administration of some pharmaceuticals are not available and theubiquitous silicon chips have been depleted to the stage of extinction withmanufacturers announcing the end of production of some older variants. With disruption of supply of fuels and chemicals, this year may bring some interesting changes to our life styles as manufacturers attempt to keep plants operating and stocks of component items flowing though the production cycle.Of course, the sunspot cycle, our eleven year tease, manages to sustain the thrill of shortwave DX with contacts being made on digital and analogue modes.From what I can see, 10m and 6m have been opening well and many reports have been made of more numerous use of the WARC bands also.The VHF and UHF bands usually provide some surprising openings around thistime of year and there appears to be interest in working SSB on two on a moreregular basis.How about some of you experimenters giving us a heads up audio report on QNews?Most of us would be aware of the announcement during the past week, thatthe ACMA has approved an increase of 5% to the fees charged by the Australian Maritime College. It has been pointed out that this is below the annual inflation rate of just over 6%. This means that getting items done by AMC under the Deed with ACMA will draw more of our precious play money out of circulation, this year.And on that mildly sobering note I will wish everyone a Happy New Year, once more and sign with the usual, I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? ---------------------------------------------------------------------* 2023 Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section Apparently no VK4 activity? Well no stories received as yet in text and audio. TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - JANUARY 01 2023 - VK4 ON AIR--------------------------------------------------------------------- DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK?--------------------------------------------------------------------- THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW http://www.wiaq.org.au/ftp/vk4_qnews_64.mp3 Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast.---------------------------------------------------------------------Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.Happy Birthday to the Commonwealth of Australia which was born on this day in1901.We have a holiday for the New Year and the birthday party in 3 and a bit weeks’time. I trust we all enjoy the summer and the holidays and manage to squeeze in someoperating and maybe contesting as well.Just before the Christmas break, the WIA lodged its response to the Class LicenceDiscussion Paper with the ACMA. With lots of detail and questions as to the protection our service can expect under the proposals, the reply will be eagerly awaited by the amateur community. As others have pointed out the Citizens Band Service has been operating for many years with effectively no regulation under a class licence. This came home to me during the past week when the continuing breakthrough I was hearing on the UHF road channel, 40, turned out to be some veryyoung children playing with what I can take were low powered hand helds.Fortunately, at the time, there were only a couple of users who were strong enoughto over-ride the interference thanks to the FM capture. In other circumstances thismisuse of the channel could have had more serious consequences. We all probably saw that some of the flood effected areas south of Brisbane have set up safetynetworks using UHF CB and in the TV story that I saw, people were using handheldradios with all the limitations that they carry.It is a shame that these items can be purchased as stocking fillers and allowed tobe used as toys by unskilled children. Like it used to be thought proper to teachchildren their street address and telephone number, it now seems important that theybe taught the basics of good radio procedures.The fact that the ACMA hides behind the reasoning that they don’t have the resourcesto protect spectrum just perpetuates the misuse. Like lack of policing dangerousdriving allows the unwary to place themselves and others in danger, the failure toregulate the airwaves has the potential to cause loss of life also.If funding is the issue, then this is an issue for our Federal politicians to address. As spectrum users and electors it is our right to take the matter to them.So whatever the festivities we have to ring in the New Year, isn’t it amazing howmuch worth we place on an event that celebrates the arbitrary selection of a day onwhich to commence the calender which eventually gave us the variant that we usetoday. It is one great historical lottery that makes January 1 the rollover day ofthe calendar. Still it won’t lessen the celebrations and beach rituals for the Aussie masses or even take anything from the Scots and Hogmanay. Whatever we all enjoy today, let it be safe so that we can enjoy it again in 12 months time.Before I leave, a big shout out to the publicity folk in clubs:- We are looking forward to including your story in QNews throughout 2023.I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? --------------------------------------------------------------------- 2023 Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - DECEMBER 25 - VK4 ON AIR---------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK?---------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW http://www.wiaq.org.au/ftp/vk4\_qnews\_64.mp3 Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast.---------------------------------------------------------------------*VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BYVK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp)VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit)VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz)VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc)VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz)VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp)VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp)VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 vk4hit)VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz)VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 (vk4zz)VK4HGT George Turner 02/09 (vk4gcr)VK4DK Stanley 'Dave' West 08/09 (vk4zz)VK4HAJ Merrell Coleman Sept or Oct? (vk4acc)VK4YT Nick Watling 22/10 (vk4zz)---------------------------------------------------------------------*Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.I trust that all our wishes for this Christmas are coming true and the feelings of happiness and togetherness that we seek are around us all. As behoves the occasion,Merry Christmas from the QNews team.After clearing the wrapping paper and spreading out the nibbles and drinks, the traditions of the season will fill the space for so many of us. For manythis year will be filled with memories of those people who are no longer with us and for a number they will spend today alone, not in the bosom of a supporting family or friendship group.It is important for us to remember the basis of the holiday we are celebrating and the traditions of caring and sharing that the Christmas message carries.It is something that has transmuted into a largely secular happening with less people attending the church services and more taking significance from the togetherness and enjoyment of usually beautiful weather and the summer sun.For me, acknowledging the religious message gives a poignancy which the adopted trappings of trees and Saint Nicholas are meant to enhance. The rush to spend and surround the gatherings with paper and tinsel as gifts are unwrapped is just a commercial manifestation of our society and not the be all and end all of as a time to think about those we care about and the world in which we live.Christmas marks the beginnings of valiant sporting events with cricket and sailing high on the list and backyards and beaches ringing to the efforts of the young and not so young with everything from shuttlecocks to plastic bats.In many towns and cities, special Christmas meals are given to people who aren’t well off enough to go to more up market venues or have the joy of family and friends amongst which to dine. For some the deep and abiding pangs of loneliness will reside in their hearts as they spend this time alone. It really is the right time for us to reach out and ask the question, “R U OK?” with sincerity and hopefulness that we can make a difference for another person.So as we move to enjoy the cold cuts of meat and the Christmas pudding, I would hope that we can extend the feelings of the Season throughout the coming year and make the sharing and friendship that we seek in amateur radio part of our lives for 2023.If you are listening and you feel the need, remember that there is someone to share your feelings with on Lifeline on telephone 13 11 14. The number again is 13 11 14.I’m Geoff Emery wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas. ---------------------------------------------------------------------*2023 Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - DECEMBER 18 - VK4 ON AIR--------------------------------------------------------------------- CLUBBING--------------------------------------------------------------------- Ipswich & District Radio Club http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/IpswichAndDistrict/ Web – www.vk4wip.org.au Email - vk4wip@wia.org.au For a full list of repeaters - www.vk4wip.org.au This is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club. The club held its final get together of the year with a combined social and business meeting on Monday December 12. Wicen coordinator Robert VK4KHW reported the recent Mount Glorious Trail and Pinnacles events went well and more broadly thanked members for support of all Wicen events during 2022. Five events are booked in for next year – Pinnacles Classic April 2 Brisbane Trail Marathon April 30 Guzzler Ultra Marathon July 23 and 24 Lake Manchester Trail August 20 Mount Glorious Trail November 12 A joint event with Brisbane Wicen is planned for March 18 and 19 and that is the Cooyar Horse Ride. If you can help at any of these events in 2023 please contact ipswichwicen@gmail.com Glen VK4HMI reminds members that contact with Ipswich’s sister club in Canada will recommence late January/early February with Zoom details available from Glen. Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT.---------------------------------------------------------------------Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.This is QNEWS.News? What do we mean by news and how does it effect us all?When we look at the meaning of the word, “news” it tells us that we have somethingwhich is novel to us. It may mean it happened within hours for the daily services orit could be quite delayed if it is something published quarterly, for instance. Whenwe think back to the time of the sailing ships, newspapers made a circuitous journeyof some months to arrive at destinations where settlers passed the papers aroundafter reading.What I am seeing is that news is something which is relative to our circumstances.Similarly news may not always be retrospective but can be the announcement of future events in order that people can make provision to pay attention to a coming event when it arrives. Just as there has been a macabre fascination with the death notices on the rear pages of the daily press, news can be anything that is important to the reader, listener or viewer. The strip cartoon features or the form guides can be asimportant to some followers as the banner headline of the front page.Now having set up what I think we accept as news, let me look at what it means to usradio amateurs. The internet provides many facilities to improve our hobby fromspace weather projections to clusters showing stations heard. We also get the moremundane but no less important material from our clubs and regulators on web sitesand social media and between podcasts and video there is such a plethora of materialthat we can immerse ourselves in entertainment and educational material without everturning on a rig. Still for the great unknown followers who wish to engage with us as interested students of our crafts there is one medium that has an immediacy that no other has. That is the collection of items that compose the news as a compilation, as a paper a broadcast or a video stream.Now here we are close to the Christmas holiday period and the slogan rings in our ears, “’tis the Season for giving”. This can be so much more that a pitch to lightenour pockets of superfluous money, it can also be the spirit of bringing the news tomore people. Just think, if you are aware of a worthwhile project that is being developed, a club supporting and activity by providing funds or equipment, an amateur who has a particular bent towards a part of the hobby; these are all matterswe can describe as news.Each week, the news is compiled and broadcast and we so often hear that such andsuch has happened or so and so has achieved this award but we don’t get it on thenews. Now I accept that we have demands on time and resources but most of us have a pocket recorder, in the shape of our phone. The majority of us have 24/7 internetaccess and we all have the opportunity to make this weekly news so much more bygiving us your contributions.I hope you and yours have the run up to Christmas that we all deserve.I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? --------------------------------------------------------------------- TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - DECEMBER 11 - VK4 ON AIR--------------------------------------------------------------------- DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK?--------------------------------------------------------------------- THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW http://www.wiaq.org.au/ftp/vk4_qnews_64.mp3 Also, search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast.---------------------------------------------------------------------Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.Well, it must be near the time of goodwill to all men as the household has receivedits yearly card from the local politician with Christmas wishes and a fridge magnetcalendar. I am ever so grateful for these reminders as it would be so easy to overlook the admonitions to spend, spend and spend more money with the TV newsseeking to set a goal for us to collectively reach. Well I don’t know about you butI do know one household that will be enjoying a simple celebration and lookingforward to the visit of family.The weather gurus have seemed to get the forecasts right lately and the temperaturehas hit levels which can be quite uncomfortable when combined with higher-than-normal humidity. The outside is quite unrelenting in establishing a high level ofdiscomfort and I have seen a couple of incidences of sunburn which have convinced me to remain in long sleeves and pants. The health warnings are quite clear and forthis collective of people, we need to ensure that proper precautions are taken to avoid not only sunstroke and sunburn but also dehydration. Although the caution is quite pertinent to our more senior, it applies to the very young equally.There is the temptation to flaunt our ability to endure in spite of what nature dictates and with a large amount of the State under heatwave warnings in the last week and resumption of the hot weather in the coming week, it is ever so important, whether we are enjoying holidays away or doing our usual things from home that we take the warnings seriously. I can identify with people being frustrated because I have mentioned before that I have a list of things to be done and most of them are jobs in the backyard. Maybe it will be kind to me and I can get on with some that are niggling at my conscience for lack of action if the weather stays good.During the week, I had the good fortune to meet up with another amateur in the localarea. I was following up on an item I saw advertised and which will improve thestation when it is installed. It was great to sit in the shade with a nice breeze coming from across the bay and have a good old-fashioned eyeball rag chew.We soon found we had similar experiences and we both got involved in the hobbyaround the same time, although I was the slower off the mark in that regard. Whatcould have been a five-minute deal elsewhere was an enjoyable conversation of sharing that went on for over an hour when time caught me out.It is one of life’s pleasures to enjoy meetings like this which are, to me, so much more in the spirit of amateur radio, than the quick “you’re 5 9 and look forward to our next contact” engagement that seems to be popular on air. Amateur radio may be enjoyed alone but it blossoms when shared in company.I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? --------------------------------------------------------------------- TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au and send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit the audio email qnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current password then read "how to submit items" on the weekly news page at http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - SEPTEMBER 4 VK4 ON AIR --------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. In a time seemingly far, far away a stage play was reprised as a very successful musical. That was “My Fair Lady” based on George Bernard Shaw’s successful story of a professor schooling a cockney woman to achieve the presence of an upper-class socialite in London. Anyway, that is by the way of introducing a mention of the official change of season from Winter to Spring. The particular reference is from a song from Eliza Doolittle which includes the phrase, “when Spring creeps over the window sill”. This seems particularly apt to me as the first blooms of native trees are appearing lightly peppering the bush and roadside with flashes of soft whites and yellows. All things considered, we are having interesting forecasts of terrestrial and space weather with an on again and off again and likely re-emergence of the la Nina weather pattern, with the third umpire position of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology hedging bets on its declaration. The news from our life source, the Sun, has been somewhat dramatic with indices running at high levels and then spurts of solar flares causing radio blackouts on part of the globe and some flares coming our way showing potential for disruption to utilities such as electricity supplies as well. During the past week, Walt, K4OGO, released a short video on his “Coastal Waves and Wires” YouTube channel which is, to my mind, worth consideration. Although directed at his US colleagues, Walt addresses the subject to all amateur users of social media. Now I have to own up to raising similar issues in these segments for QNews on previous occasions. What is the subject? Well simply that there is a minority element of users who are simply trolls. Somewhere in the great cyberspace the foundations succinctly set down in the “Amateurs Code” almost 100 years ago get lost by people who perhaps mistake their attacks for wit or their posts as advice. How wrong they are. Currently Onno, VK6FLAB, in his “Foundations of Amateur Radio” podcast series, is going through the statements in the Amateurs Code. Nowhere does it in any of the iterations that I have seen suggest that we should be less than courteous to our fellow hams. I have, in the past made the point that as we have this aspiration for our recreation, our hobby, that we should indeed conduct ourselves with the level of respect and courtesy online as we do on air. This is the same point that Walt makes in his video with a plea to just not indulge in this poor behaviour. This is something that we can all address on a personal level and trust that moderators of groups apply similar standards to the posts and comments that are allowed to be posted. For me, it is not a matter of denying free speech but the need to uphold standards which support our fellow operators. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? ---------------------------------------------------------------------* 2022 Social Scene VK4 - Sunfest Sunday 18 September 10:00 AM Mountain Creek State School (noreply email) VK4 - GOLD COAST HAMFEST Nov 13. @ Country Paradise Parklands TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - AUGUST 28 VK4 ON AIR --------------------------------------------------------------------- DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? IPSWICH CLUB DID. --------------------------------------------------------------------- THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW http://www.wiaq.org.au/ftp/vk4_qnews_64.mp3 Also, search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast. --------------------------------------------------------------------- VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022 SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp) VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit) VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz) VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc) VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz) VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp) VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp) VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 vk4hit) VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz) VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 (vk4zz) Sad news to impart that Geoff Strom VK4AGS has gone Silent Key. Geoff passed away in Toowoomba Hospital following the sudden onset of severe illness. In reporting Geoff's passing, his son Phil VK4HSV advised that all close family members were at Geoff's side for the weeks he spent firstly in Intensive Care, then further on during his around-the-clock care in hospital. Geoff passed away on Tuesday 23rd August 2022. Geoff was a member of both the Townsville Amateur Radio Club and the Border Ranges Amateur Radio Club, resided in Warwick QLD with his wife Margaret and was able to be active in a number of events when health allowed. During his visits to Townsville Geoff participated in a number of Communications Support Events that TARC was involved with including the Maggie Island Swim and the Mount Stuart Hillclimbs plus some of the social events that the clubs held from time to time. Geoff was active on HF Radiotelephony and, thanks to some guidance from Phil VK4HSV, was also a bit active on Echolink and AllStarLink VOIP modes. Geoff's celebration of life will be held at the Warwick Funerals Chapel, 48 Willi Street 11 am on Thursday 1st September. All friends and those in Amateur Radio wishing to pay respects are invited to attend. The service will also be streamed online burstows.com.au/tribute-centre We are all going to miss Geoff's well-thought-out supervision and his quiet wit and we confer our deepest condolences to Margaret and her family. Vale Geoff Strom VK4AGS, Silent Key. --------------------------------------------------------------------- CLUBBING Ipswich & District Radio Club http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/IpswichAndDistrict/ Web – www.vk4wip.org.au Email - vk4wip@wia.org.au For a full list of repeaters - www.vk4wip.org.au This is Allan VK4HIT with a bumper news report from Ipswich and District Radio Club. Ipswich WICEN provided communications for the Lake Manchester Trail held on August 21 organised by the Trail Running Association of Queensland (or TRAQ). WICEN coordinator Robert VK4KHW reports the Lake Manchester event is four events in one with the most challenging being a 23-kilometre run. One hundred and four registered for the day with 18 late withdrawals. Club volunteers covered three checkpoints and the base. The rest of the team was made up of Craig VK4CJM, Greg VK4GJW, Mark VK4SMA, Doug VK4HDO, Peter VK4SIR and Nick VK4NJC. The next event for Ipswich WICEN is the Pinnacles Classic on September 25. In other news from Ipswich, at the club’s recent annual general meeting members adopted a steady as she goes approach and endorsed the club leadership team for another 12 months. Here’s the executive committee for 2022-2023: President - Peter VK4SIR Vice President - Mark VK4SMA Treasurer - Robert VK4KHW and Secretary - Greg VK4GJW The remaining office bearers are listed on the club’s Facebook page. And finally, thanks to station manager Rob VK4AB, the Ipswich region linked repeater network added two new sites in recent weeks to expand coverage to northern Somerset and Scenic Rim areas. VK4RPR Gregors Creek on 439.850 and VK4RBO Boonah on 438.475 join the main site VK4RAI along with the existing repeaters VK4RSM and VK4RWM. Both new sites use a 91.5 tone with Boonah set at a negative 7-megahertz offset. This relatively new standard repeater offset of 7 MHz was adopted in 2015, with inputs at 431 MHz and outputs at 438 MHz. Thanks also to Peter VK4SIR, Mark VK4SMA and Greg VK4GJW for supporting Rob with installation at both sites. Check the club’s website for the full list of repeaters. At the August business meeting, the club also moved a vote of thanks to Rob VK4AB for his tireless work on maintaining and working on the repeater network. Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. I’m not one of the most organized people but I have worked in positions that depended on consistency and routine. So I come to this subject with some ambivalence. Clubs have a duty to the members to fulfil certain things and one of those is to organise the activities to be carried out during the year. Certain things may be necessary such as holding annual general meetings where the necessary requirements are set out in the constitution and the law under which it is registered sets down. The office bearers for the time have the responsibility of calling the meetings, advising the members and handling all the things that make a club function. This is not to say the other members are off the hook, so to speak, in that there is always the need for members to understand what the others like and what will stimulate the enthusiasm of our fellows. It may be strange to take part in the first club meeting but when we think of it, it was no more strange than the first on-air contact and the fear of microphone shyness. The good thing about clubs, and especially when they are relatively small, is that people get to know each other and they allow each person to contribute and share ideas and experiences. We know that the larger the organisation, the more formal many aspects of the business have to be just to provide the structure which allows for the greatest input from the most people. This formality can get some people concerned and others thrive on the rigidity that it can bring. The meeting chairperson has the duty to follow the rules to ensure members get the best chance of input for the best outcomes for all members. Ultimately it comes down to practising democracy with courtesy and consideration for it to work most beneficially. You see that for all these things to work efficiently in a club rather than just amongst a small group of friends, there has to be planning. The planning need not be an onerous task taking up time best spent enjoying the radio but can be both individual and group. This is to say, some things are done better if left to the person organising an activity and other things can be done jointly say in committee meetings. Back in the days of paper record-keeping, having a good 12-month diary was a necessary office requisite. These days there are planners which live on digital devices and for me, neither is superior to the other in use. Putting things down so they are not overlooked is important for your club to run smoothly. If I forget a task at home, there is the opportunity to pick it up and do it at a later time but if you have a barbecue and you forget the meat, there may be a reason for regret and embarrassment if you can’t get the goods on time. Breaking activities into smaller pieces makes achieving the outcomes of planning easier to achieve. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? --------------------------------------------------------------------- 2022 Social Scene VK4 - Sunfest Sunday 18 September 10:00 AM Mountain Creek State School (no reply email) VK4 - GOLD COAST HAMFEST Nov 13. @ Country Paradise Parklands TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au and send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current password then read "how to submit items" on the weekly news page on http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition of QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - AUGUST 21 VK4 ON AIR --------------------------------------------------------------------- VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022 SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp) VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit) VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz) VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc) VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz) VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp) VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp) VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 (vk4hit) VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz) We pause for another Silent Key - Jack Ford VK4SF One of the early members of Ipswich and District Radio Club, Jack Ford VK4SF, passed away on 18 July 2022. Jack, full name Stanley Jack Ford, was born on 29 December 1922 in Ipswich. He attended Ipswich Grammar School, and he loved sailing boats and water skiing. Jack also enjoyed amateur radio and supported the Ipswich club by working on the electrical fit-out of the clubhouse in the early 1960s. Jack also built a tower in his own backyard which is a prerequisite for being an amateur operator. At one stage he bought a small shop in Rosewood selling and repairing TVs but before he could do that he had to sit for a radio and TV repair licence, for which he scored 98 per cent. In recent months Jack's health had deteriorated. He was 94 and a half. Vale Jack Ford VK4SF. --------------------------------------------------------------------- CLUBBING Bunya Mts & District AmCom Inc http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/BunyaMountainsAndDistrictAmcom/ bunyaamcom.org.au Hello this is VK4GRB GARY AT FAIRYLAND for the Bunya Mountains and district Amateur Radio Club The Bunya Mountains and District Amateur Radio Club held their AGM meeting on Saturday morning the 13th of August 2022 The outcome at the AGM is that all Positions on the management committee for the Year 2022-2023 will be as follows. The new executive team is: President: Gary Bray VK4GRB Vice Pres: Jake Abbott VK4JRA Secretary: Ross Pearce VK4ALB Treasurer: Neil Holmes VK4NF Repeater Coordinator: Gary Bray VK4GRB Publicity Officer: Jake Abbott VK4JRA We welcome our new executive committee! The Bunya Mountains and District Amateur Radio Club has 3 Repeaters, 2 Meter 146.675 neg offset 91.5 tone, 70 CM 438.700 neg offset 91.5 tone and Dalby town Repeater on 147.250 pos offset 91.5 tone The Bunya Mountains and District Amateur Radio Club hold 2 weekly Nets, The BAD Nets are on Wednesday Night at 7:30 pm AEST on 2 Meters 146.675 and Sunday Night Net is at 7:30 pm winter and 8:00 pm Summer AEST on 80 Meters on 3.650 MHz This is Gary VK4GRB for the Bunya Mountains and District Amateur Radio Club --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. As time goes on the law surrounding cyberspace is being defined. We have previously seen successful legal claims for defamation made over material published on-line. This past week, the giant Google company had success in the High Court of Australia with its appeal against the lower court decision being upheld. The High Court determined that material that may have defamed someone was made available by their service and that Google was not the publisher of the material. This decision is important and will probably frustrate some of the contingency lawyers because it means that there is no vicarious liability applying to a search engine and the right to claim damages stops with the site that actually hosts the offending material. For you and me and the clubs, this means that you still have to be sure that what we publish is true and correct as well as not legally injurious. If we post something which adversely reflects on someone or some organisation, it can no longer be argued that the search engine whose bot discovered it and made it available is not on the hook for covering the costs of being sued or paying a damages settlement. In the real world, it is still important for webmasters and people posting online to make sure that they keep to the niceties of discussion. Regardless of how torrid some discussions may be, they should not be such as will affect the reputation of a business, corporation or individual. Even the old-fashioned fax which contains something derogatory becomes actionable if the contents are passed to someone else other than the recipient. Keeping things private on the internet is much harder than on a private network. With the confirmation of the possible severe wet season for the third successive year, we should be looking at making sure we are prepared as the emergency services are warning. As the evidence mounts from the last wet season of floods, areas have been inundated that never previously flooded. This year we are being warned that the soil is saturated and higher than usual runoff can be expected if the impending la Nina settles. For clubs who maintain libraries and archives on paper, the issue of dry storage is important with the spread of the black mould in the dampened walls and floors of buildings not necessarily having been flooded. Keeping the records safe and providing a healthy meeting space are important things to maintain. From observations, the Remembrance Day Contest was well supported and I have read comments about how new participants enjoyed themselves. This is the very reason it has been known as the friendly contest and this hopefully will be the standard which is maintained for all times. For people who took part, make sure your logs have been submitted and may the best State wins the trophy. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? --------------------------------------------------------------------- 2022 Social Scene VK4 - Redcliffe Club Car Boot Sale was Saturday 20th August 9 am club house Macfarlane Park, Klingner Road Kippa-Ring. (vk4tfn) VK4 - Sunfest Sunday 18 September 10:00 AM Mountain Creek State School (no reply email) TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au and send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current password then read "how to submit items" on the weekly news page on http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition of QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - AUGUST 14 VK4 ON AIR --------------------------------------------------------------------- CLUBBING SUNSHINE COAST http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/SunshineCoastAmateurRadioClub/ Maleny VK4RSC 146.850 and 438.075 VK4RSN 53.7 Noosa Heads VK4RSL 146.825 and 438.175 News from the Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio Club This is Gordon VK4VP Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio Club SSTV zoom meeting, Thursday 18th August at 10.00 am Harry VK4TK will host the session as a follow up on his recent introduction to analogue SSTV which he presented after the July general meeting. It will be a session on getting started on MMSSTV and YONIQ, as these seem to be the most popular and easiest to set up. Everyone is welcome. You never know, you might have some information that someone else needs to get the best out of this system. Harry has found things by accident, he has read up on different settings, he has also been given information by other users, this he has passed on to new users himself and wishes to pass it on to all other users. How do the attendees get the information to log in? Just send an email to Harry, his email address is harryvk4tk@gmail.com SunFest 2022 is Here Sunday, September 18th at the Mountain Creek State School Hall Here is your chance to grab a bargain, catch up with folks you haven’t seen for a while for an off-air rag chew, or just enjoy our famous catering. Tickets this year are still $10 to cover hall costs and door prizes. There is a raffle as well, where someone will be walking away with a Yaesu FTDX10 co-sponsored by the Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio Club and QSLCOMMS, as well as other great prizes. This year our event is on a Sunday and as a result, we are starting later, with trader entry from 8 am, while doors open strictly at 10 am, so if you’re not catching a weekend away on the coast already you have time for a leisurely drive Included in your ticket cost is a lucky door prize with tickets to be drawn at 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00 & 12:30PM. Tickets can be ordered online for the main raffle which will be drawn @1pm with 3 prizes and the first prize is a brand new Yaesu FTDX10. Tickets are $10 each. Just go to Sunfest.evenentbrite.com and you can purchase tickets for the raffle, book a traders spot or just buy a general entry ticket. As usual, we will have our famous Bacon & Egg rolls and hamburgers along with tea, coffee and soft drinks. So just remember this year it is in a new location at the Mountain Creek State School Hall 51 Lady Musgrave Drive Mountain Creek This has been Gordon VK4VP --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. How many clubs have had a good look at the membership that they have and compared that to the number of people who turn up to meetings and events? I can almost guarantee that the figure will be perhaps less than half the number of paid-up members who actually come to meetings. Then have we looked at the people to see what age groups are represented and what interests they have in common? If people have been sitting for licences, do they still turn up at the club and if not, has anyone bothered to ask them what would bring them along? It is one of the issues confronting amateur radio groups in many countries from what I read. Unless there is growth in numbers there is a tendency for clubs to stagnate. This can be simply that the membership has grown older and most have experienced most of what attracted them to amateur radio in the beginning. Perhaps there has been an effective takeover and a clique is running the activities the way they want without regard to the rest or maybe the old guard of members just doesn’t attract interaction with younger people. Has anyone thought of sponsoring a youth section within the club where those people not invested in wheelie-walkers can be their own social group and engage in the more physical outdoor activities that people of my generation keep their arthritis from being agitated? Where ever we see an issue it is a challenge to overcome and growing a club rather than just holding it together is one that takes some creativity. Of course, there is no manual you can simply take off the shelf and follow a set of rules to ensure success like many self-help books promise. However, there is that stuff that brought us along and kept us coming to enjoy another facet of AR. That is curiosity and enthusiasm. I suppose what we need to see is the fountain spraying us with an ever-lasting sprinkle of good vibes to swell our hearts and keep us moving with smiling faces. Well, I haven’t found such a mythical device but I have seen people get their heads together and think over where they see things are at and then pull together a plan to not only continue but to make things grow. Clubs can do this and they can do it better with support from their peak bodies. You see this happen in many organisations that have tried and true methods of recruiting, sustaining and engaging with members and the community. Have you thought of sharing a meeting with a successful body in the area and brainstorming what has worked for them? Too often we find that people have taken the attitude that something was tried and didn’t work but no one has analysed why. If we erect an antenna and it doesn’t work we want some answers so why not apply the same thinking to keeping a club running? I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? ---------------------------------------------------------------------* 2022 Social Scene VK4 - Redcliffe Club Car Boot Sale Saturday 20th August 9 am club house Macfarlane Park, Klingner Road Kippa-Ring. (vk4tfn) VK4 - SunFest Sunday 18 September 10:00 AM Mountain Creek State School (noreply email) TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/ Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next edition QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - AUGUST 7 VK4 ON AIR 2022 ------------------------------------------------------------ THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:- www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ OR www.wiaq.org.au Remember to download from the site by COT(Close of Transmission) Mondays. Also, search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app. ------------------------------------------------------------ Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. Well the numbers are in and the advice from the weather bureau is for the south and east of the country to expect more wet weather as a result of the renewed La Nina weather pattern. This might be good for radio, in some measure but it could also spell more disaster in the driest continent on the planet. Good soil conductivity is a blessing to the HF operator but flooding is a curse in a country that has been slow to adjust to the poor settlement decisions of the early settlers and more recently the local authorities who overlooked the principles of land management which had been developed for a few hundred years. If you build on river flood plains, no matter how convenient for accessing water transport in the early years of European settlement and then because a developer got a good buy on the real estate, then simply put, you are in jeopardy. However, a bit like an ancient Greek oracle, I keep repeating the warnings that have been given in the hope that we can all do our bit to protect our respective communities and support them if the need arises. So I wonder how many clubs and operators have prepared for the upcoming Remembrance Day Contest? For years it has been known as the friendly contest where all comers are welcome and encouraged to get on the air and exchange numbers. Because of the relaxed nature of the RD it is a good way to practice and sharpen operating skills as well as have some enjoyment in meeting fellow amateurs on the air. The purpose of the contest is to call to mind the sacrifice of those amateurs who have died in war in the name of our country. It is telling that from something solemn has developed an activity which cherishes the practice of friendship amongst colleagues. For the rules of the RD, follow the link in the text edition of QNews, https://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/rdcontest/ or type in Remembrance Day Contest to your favoured search engine. This may cause some difficulty for non members but ask a WIA member to copy and paste the page into an email and forward it to you. (The 2022 information starts about halfway down the page.) As this is meant to be a relaxed event you have almost a week to clear some time in your calendar and blow the dust off the operating desk to join in the RD next Saturday and Sunday. Prior to the commencement of the Contest, there is a broadcast to introduce activities and it is asked for a period of silence to precede the Opening Address as a mark of respect. As befits the friendly contest, Good Luck in the Contest and don’t forget to submit your log. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you? ------------------------------------------------------------ 2022 Social Scene VK4 - August 6 Redcliffe Club hold Radio display was at Altronics Virginia 8.30 AM (vk4bz) VK4 - Redcliffe Club Car Boot Sale Saturday 20th August 9am club house Macfarlane Park, Klingner Road Kippa-Ring. (vk4tfn) VK4 - Sunfest Sunday 18 September 10:00 AM Mountain Creek State School (noreply email) ------------------------------------------------------------ TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - JULY 31 VK4 ON AIR 2022 ------------------------------------------------------------ DIDN'T YOUR CLUB TELL QNEWS ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? IPSWICH AND REDCLIIFE ALONG WITH THE GOLD COAST DID! ------------------------------------------------------------ THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:- www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ OR www.wiaq.org.au Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays. Also, search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app. ------------------------------------------------------------ VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022 SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp) VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit) VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz) VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc) VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz) VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp) VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp) VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz) News of a Silent Key, Jim R. Storch VK4AVS long-time Blackwater Central Queensland Jim passed away expectantly in Redcliffe Hospital on Friday 22nd July whilst undergoing treatment for a medical condition. Jim dabbled in everything Amateur Radio, from HF DX to D-Star DPlus. Very community-oriented, Jim was a foundation member of the Central Highlands Amateur Radio Club, an accredited examiner under the WIA Invigilator System, was involved along with his wife Vere in their local Clay Target Club and Pistol Club, and helped Vere run her sporting goods store attended regular Blackwater Community Reference Group meetings just to name a few of his activities. A private cremation service will be held on Monday 1st August and will be available for streaming from that afternoon on the Gladstone Valley Funerals website link gladstonevalleyfunerals.com.au/streaming/ Vale Jim Storch VK4AVS, Silent Key ------------------------------------------------------------- CLUBBING ------------------------------------------------------------- GOLD COAST AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/GoldCoastAmateurRadioSociety/ IRLP Node 6702 The Gold Coast Amateur Radio Society was asked to help with radio communications at the recent Kokoda Challenge. The 96km course with around 3,300 participants mostly walking, a few jogging, passes through some very isolated bushland walking tracks in the Gold Coast Hinterland. Check point 3 had no radio coverage for both emergency services and commercial 2-ways radio, and no mobile phone coverage. Check point 4 had limited commercial 2-way and mobile phone coverage when you stood on one spot of a hill. The Gold Coast club did field tests before the event, then setup a 2 metre & 70 cm radio network, with 40 metres being used as backup. Seven Amateur Radio operators were positioned at three of the check points, a mountain top radio relay site, and the events Joint Operations Centre. Ralf VK4GCR was at the heavily rainforest Check Point 3, and handled numerous requests for assistance. One particular request was a priority medical case where Amateur Radio was used to request an ambulance, and relay vital medical details between paramedics. Peter VK4LUB, Aidan VK4APM, and Nigel VK4AMP were positioned at check points 4 & 6, and used our radio network to request transport for exhausted participants, do welfare checks, and follow up on a few people that had gone missing. Jamie VK4XD and Geoff VK2DLA looked after the mountain top relay site, where a 2 metre repeater was used in the club's communications trailer, with an antenna on a 11.2 metre pneumatic mast. This allowed the three check points to communicate directly with myself (VK4DMH) back at the Joint Operations Centre. All of our team members were pleased with their work for the day, and reported great cooperation between the Amateur Radio operators, the event organisers and emergency services. The Kokoda Challenge management have already asked us to help again next year. This is Mark VK4DMH for the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Society Ipswich & District Radio Club www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/IpswichAndDistrict/ Web – www.vk4wip.org.au Email - vk4wip@wia.org.au For a full list of repeaters - www.vk4wip.org.au This is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club. Ipswich WICEN again provided communications for the Guzzler Ultra Marathon held on the weekend of July 23 and 24. Owing to the recent wet weather it was a challenging week leading up to the event with a few changes made to the circuit for the signature 105-kilometre event and the relocation of some checkpoints. Covid also made its presence felt with 220 nonstarters across the 10, 21, 52 and 105-kilometre categories. This still left field of more than 700 runners for WICEN volunteers to report back to base. Thank you to Brisbane Area WICEN Group for the use of their Mt Coot-tha repeater. In other news from Ipswich, a reminder the club’s annual general meeting will be held at 10am Saturday August 20 at the clubhouse, which will also mark the clubs 60th year – more on that in the weeks ahead. All positions will be declared vacant and new office bearers elected. Nominations can be lodged with secretary Greg VK4GJW no later than August 13. A reminder that annual dues are to be paid prior to the AGM in order to be eligible to vote. Normal membership $40, concession $30 and family membership $45. And finally, last month the cub welcomed its newest member Chris VK4GAM. Welcome aboard Chris. Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT. Redcliffe and Districts radio club. www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/RedcliffeAndDistrictRadioClub/ Hello, it’s John Saunders (VK4BZ) from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club, once again. Your final reminder that coming up on Saturday 6th August (yes, Saturday next!) the Redcliffe Club will be holding an Amateur Radio display at Altronics Virginia, Unit 2/1870 Sandgate Road, Virginia. The display kicks off at 8:30 am and will include all those wonderful Ham Radio things I’ve told you about over the last two weeks. Ladies and gents, the ball is in your court. If you live in North Brisbane and can get out to support the display, or (even better) bring someone along and show them what we can do, please consider dropping by. That address once more, Altronics Virginia, Unit 2/1870 Sandgate Road, Virginia. Look for the blue and yellow marque in the carpark outside the store. This is John Saunders (VK4BZ) from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club. See you on Saturday. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. Here it is the end of July and in the south of Queensland, the traditional westerly winds are announcing the imminence of the Brisbane Exhibition or Ekka as it is popularly known. Frosts seem to be around the inland areas as we have the run up to Spring and clearer skies and warmer days. Perhaps is the most suitable response to that as the Bureau of Meteorology doubles down on the data coming in and waits to see if we are in for another la Nina weather event this summer. There are many families and businesses trying to re-establish their premises after the extreme weather, so far, this year. With delays in material supplies and qualified workers in high demand, it would be another psychological blow to these people to have another season of storms, rain, floods and ironically fires. Europe and the west coast of the North America have been a testament to the ferocity of the dry and hot weather with even homes being burned by fires in parts of the United Kingdom. Currently there are the calls for people to take precautions against the current viruses of Covid and influenza and people on the elective surgery lists being bumped onto extended waiting lists and for many the waiting time is already indefinite. The comparison is regularly made that making changes to the rule of government is like turning an ocean liner at sea. It is a procedure that just cannot be done quickly. With international events, weather and a new attitude from a newly ensconced government, we watch for the flow on effects which will influence our lives for the immediate future. One thing that I have not been able to verify was a post that appeared on social media appearing to be from our regulator, the ACMA. It stated that the agency was not taking multiple-year renewals of an amateur licence because of the likely introduction of a class licence. There certainly was an amount of discussion as to the implications of bring the Amateur Service under a Class Licence and of course one of which was that it would be Rafferty’s Rules as far as dealing with interference and maintaining decorum on the bands. The other was that there may be an abolition of licence fees and look what that did to conduct on the CB bands. I monitor the road channel and it seems there are those users who can’t speak into a microphone without expletives to punctuate their breathing; we certainly don’t want VK amateurs to get that reputation. In the great lottery of life, we confront many challenges and the weather is but one. Politics and the regulation of society is another that can have many benefits as well as frustrations and keeping a respectful and friendly relationship with our colleagues at times can be almost as challenging as the others. I hope that we move on with our eyes open to what the future may bring and as they say, look for the best but prepare for the worst. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you? ------------------------------------------------------------ 2022 Social Scene VK4 - August 6 Redcliffe Club hold Radio display at Altronics Virginia 8.30 AM (vk4bz) VK4 - Redcliffe Club Car Boot Sale Saturday 20th August 9 am club house Macfarlane Park, Klingner Road Kippa-Ring. (vk4tfn) VK4 - SunFest Sunday 18 September 10:00 AM Mountain Creek State School (noreply email) ------------------------------------------------------------ TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au and send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio, email qnews@wia.org.au Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
``` QNEWS - JULY 24 VK4 ON AIR 2022
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WHY DIDN'T YOUR CLUB TELL QNEWS ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? BOTH SUNSHINE COAST AND REDCLIFFE CLUBS DID
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THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:-
www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/
OR
www.wiaq.org.au
Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays.
Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app.
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VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022
SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY
VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp) VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit) VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz) VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc) VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz) VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07/ (vk4vp) VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07/ (vk4vp)
This is Gordon VK4VP
Extremely sad news today as we have to advise of 2 Sunshine Coast club members passing away within 36hrs of each other.
Warwick Marshallsea VK4NW passed away in his sleep on July 14th after a short illness. Warwick or Wazza as he was known was a long time club member of over 15 years and was extremely active working on the clubs repeaters. Wazza was responsible for securing our Noosa Heads and Black Mountain repeater sites and was also net control for our 6m repeater.
He had connections with the Wagga Amateur Radio Club as he lived and worked in Wagga for the local Electricity network and when he moved to Queensland he worked for SEQEB. He moved up near Bundaberg but later moved to the Sunshine Coast and then Morayfield. Last year he moved into assisted living at Buderim.
Wazza was a larger than life character and was always ready to help or if it involved repeaters - take over (but in a helpful way). Whenever we had an event that required comms support he was ready to take it on and work tirelessly through the event. He was Secretary of the club from 2011 up until 2019 when he embarked on his bucket list trip circumnavigating Australia over 12 months.
He was constantly updating us with photos and stories so he was really having a good time.
Tony Van Lysdonk VK4ET/VK5WC died as a result of a single vehicle accident on the morning of July 16th. Tony was a well-liked and valuable club member that was always smiling and ready to help out. For the past 2 years he helped set up for our SunFest event which entailed a 2 hr drive each way from his home in Kilkivan but he was always there early and stayed to the end, this is the type of bloke he was.
Tony had been in SA and hence the VK5 call and moved to the Gympie region and was a regular visitor to SCARC and also a member of the Gympie club and served on their committee. He was also supporting the Lightning Ridge Radio Club.
Only a couple of years ago he was able to buy a house at Kilkivan and was really enjoying his time out there with partner Carol and had was just about to start working for the rural Fire Brigade.
Tragically Tony died on the way to his first day working with the Fire Brigade.
Vale Warwick VK4NW and Tony VK4ET
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CLUBBING
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Redcliffe and Districts radio club. www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/RedcliffeAndDistrictRadioClub/
Hello, it’s John Saunders (VK4BZ) from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club once again.
Last week I told you about the Amateur Radio display at Altronics, Unit 2/1870 Sandgate Road, Virginia, coming up on Saturday 6th August.
Yes, the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club is always seeking ways to be actively out and about in the community promoting the hobby. We make contacts face-to-face, not just over the air, otherwise the only people we tell about how great our hobby is…is ourselves.
So, what am I getting at?
Hmmm, people wonder that quite a lot about me, actually! What we’re asking is that if you have a friend or family member who is even remotely interested in Amateur Radio or electronics, or computing, or four-wheel driving or anything that involves communications technology – and you’re in the North Brisbane area – why not invite them along on Saturday 6th August to Altronics Virginia. Let them come along, talk to someone else about Amateur Radio, all the while stuffing a delicious snag into their mouth washed down by a softie from the fridge.
How much better can it get?
You tell me!
So once again – Saturday 6th August, at Altronics, Unit 2/1870 Sandgate Road, Virginia. Or just check out the Club website for details.
www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/RedcliffeAndDistrictRadioClub/
This is John Saunders, VK4BZ for Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club.
--------------------------------------------------------------------*
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
It is a good feeling when the ducks all line up, so to speak, and something that you hoped you could do becomes reality. So it was, last week, when I found that I had an afternoon when I had a few hours to indulge myself. I proverbially blew the dust off the soldering iron and took one of the kits I have and indulged in some electronic construction. Now most of us who get the electronics bug in some way and particularly those whose home is amateur radio, building items to enhance our activities does bring a sense of achievement when the project is complete and working.
I managed to get a lot of the components mounted and have a few tasks yet to complete before I can try out this project but it certainly gave a warm glow of satisfaction to have progressed to the stage where completion is a real outcome rather than just a hope.
Obviously, there must be many others and we do hear the calls for new enthusiasts for help in skilling themselves in various activities that we call home brew. It is one of those things that can be done within clubs or individually and the satisfaction of helping others produce something that they can claim as their own gives its own reward. Most of us who have been playing with things electrical will have all the basic tools required and there is always a place where projects can be laid out and constructed.
How many of us get the opportunity or indeed, make the opportunity to share this part of our interest with others? How many of us are willing to share our skills to see another person grow in their enjoyment of this recreation? How many of us can share our experience of coaching others in the hands-on, practical side of AR?
A lot of people find an interest in learning skills to support their hobbies by information on the net and particularly the video sharing services. There is more material available than any one person can absorb in several lifetimes but the big issue is many of the articles contain wrong or partial information, poor knowledge of the subject or bad construction techniques.
This is where the personal approach is vitally important to ensure that safety is observed and proper methods are used. A classic failure that I have seen in videos is the person soldering by melting the solder and then carrying the molten material to the joint on the tip of the iron. In trade circles this is guaranteed to get you a reputation for producing dogs droppings as the joint is not properly heated, the flux has evaporated and the solder does not penetrate and adhere correctly. The use of power tools that gets demonstrated by some of the self-taught masters of the video art is frightening for the lack of concern for personal safety and undue wear on the equipment.
Here is an opportunity that can be taken within clubs or by us individually to help grow a better, more knowledgeable and satisfied group of constructors.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you?
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2022 Social Scene
VK4 - August 6 Redcliffe Club hold Radio display at Altronics Virginia 8.30 AM (vk4bz)
VK4 - Redcliffe Club Car Boot Sale Saturday 20th August 9am club house Macfarlane Park, Klingner Road Kippa-Ring. (vk4tfn)
VK4 - SunFest Sunday 18 September 10:00 AM Mountain Creek State School (noreply email)
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TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-
Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/
QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA
If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:-
qnews@wia.org.au
THEN submit audio:-
To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au
Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘ ```
QNEWS - JULY 17 VK4 ON AIR 2022 ------------------------------------------------------------ WHY DIDN'T YOUR CLUB TELL QNEWS ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? REDCLIFFE AND DISTRICT DID! ------------------------------------------------------------ THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:- www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ OR www.wiaq.org.au Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays. Also, search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app. ------------------------------------------------------------- CLUBBING ------------------------------------------------------------- Redcliffe and Districts radio club. www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/RedcliffeAndDistrictRadioClub/ Hello, it’s John Saunders (VK4BZ) from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club. Coming up on Saturday 6th August the Redcliffe Club will be holding an Amateur Radio display at Altronics Virginia – the address being Unit 2/1870 Sandgate Road, Virginia. The display kicks off at 8:30 am and will include an operating HF station as well as operating digital voice transceivers, a microwave display (courtesy of Kevin VK4UH and Peter VK4EA), a satellite station display, SOTA and Parks equipment, and a 4x4 equipped with Amateur Radio. Of course, it’s Saturday morning so there will be the all-important sausage sizzle to keep the calorific intake happening. If you know someone interested in Amateur Radio and you’re in the area, why not bring them along for an intro to the hobby. That date and location again: Saturday 6th August at Altronics Virginia, Unit 2/1870 Sandgate Road. If you forget all this, details are on the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club website. This is John Saunders (VK4BZ) for the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. An issue that confronts many clubs as circumstances change is the financial viability. Sometimes membership fees hit the ceiling where members are no longer willing to pay and they give up participating and rely on friendships to keep them involved in local affairs. Sometimes it is the fact that numbers have dropped because people are no longer in the area but there are sufficient numbers to keep a good group active. I was reminded of some of these issues during the past week when a colleague pointed out how his club depended on the annual function to fund the club activities for the year. This was in contrast to the running the sausage with onion on bread type fundraiser sponsored by the local hardware store. It is a fact that often running a day-long barbecue can fall to the older members who can make space in their social calendars. Then there is the issue of being older and healthy enough to last the distance regardless of the weather on the day. When we start to think about the amount of money in the kitty to keep the doors open, we have to factor all sorts of local conditions into the equation. Realistically there has to be a range of solutions to bring the necessary funds in. Having a gold coin donation for a cup of coffee at the club is often a good starter and then if there is a barbecue-type cook, having a get-together for members and family with suitably priced food can add a few dollars, too. I have noticed my local Men's Shed has a collection point for aluminium cans which is available for people to deposit their treasure. A club could have a couple of members who come prepared with suitable containers to collect the drink containers which carry the 10-cent bonus. Similarly, you might find that members have access to items such as scrap metal, like coax cable that has been weathered, which can be collected and disposed of for cash. As the financial conditions are so variable and look like getting worse, getting sponsorship or selling advertising on web pages or newsletters is going to remain problematic for the foreseeable future, in my opinion. This means that clubs should consider alternative means of supporting themselves and be prepared to take on different options. Things like having a plot of ground where some readily saleable vegetables can be grown and raising other food items where space and knowledge are available are perhaps things that come to mind. Then there is the traditional fallback of running a raffle with prizes that attract the maximum sale of tickets. Whatever we choose, we must remember that people’s involvement will depend on certain things in their own lives and very few of us can take on a marathon fundraising walk. The things that are local and suit our locality are usually going to be the most successful. Let us keep a smile on our club treasurer’s face and keep our club running the best it can. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you? ------------------------------------------------------------ 2022 Social Scene VK4 - August 6 Redcliffe Club hold Radio display at Altronics Virginia 8.30 AM (vk4bz) VK4 - Redcliffe Club Car Boot Sale Saturday 20th August 9 am club house Macfarlane Park, Klingner Road Kippa-Ring. (vk4tfn) VK4 - Sunfest Sunday 18 September 10:00 AM Mountain Creek State School (noreply email) ------------------------------------------------------------* TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
-------------------------------------------------------------------69 QNEWS - JULY 10 VK4 ON AIR 2022 ------------------------------------------------------------ THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:- www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ OR www.wiaq.org.au Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays. Also, search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app. ------------------------------------------------------------ Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. There was a song that played quite well in a time that some might call long ago. The refrain included the words, “put another log on the fire” and how appropriate that has been over the past week or so. Our politicians like to claim records but somehow, I haven’t heard of any claiming the one that put Brisbane as the coldest capital city in the nation, on one day. As it was explained on one news broadcast I saw, “we expect cold in Tasmania and the snowfields at this time of year but Brisbane claimed the record…” Now that is something to consider as the rains came tumbling down and once again parts of the greater Sydney region went underwater. As the system shifted north the Hunter Region become the focus of emergency services as local waterways rose. The stories of rescue and damage abound in the south of VK2 as many people in the northern rivers area wonder when the process of recovery will start to relieve their situations. QNews has often mentioned the capacity of the amateur radio service to provide communications support in times of emergency. In one radio news report, the correspondent mentioned that he had to leave the location at which he was reporting and drive to a hill to get mobile phone reception to put his story to air. We can imagine the feelings of the local residents hoping that the flood would stay at a safe level but living without electricity and basic communication services. The much vaulted NBN and the private telecommunications companies have succeeded in providing a range of services that no longer suit the needs of our climate, weather and safety of life. When the energy source is removed and the batteries go flat, we have to wait and wait and trust the responders have foreknowledge and resources to deal with our circumstances. The wet and cold weather have certainly dampened my capacity for working outside. I have some tasks to complete in the open air but health issues have intervened and the jobs lay waiting for more warmth and fine weather. Just to add to the frustration, I have ordered some materials from sellers that seem to have been placed on the proverbial slow boat from China. Part of the issue is that people living in this country are depending on freight services from overseas to fill their orders. They may be Australian sellers but they are certainly not local stockists. By contrast there is an online store run from the Sunshine Coast as well as presenting at regional amateur gatherings and their service is exemplary. The pity for me is that I seem to want bits they don’t stock, all too often. With the hope of faster deliveries, good band conditions and nicer weather, I trust you have a great week ahead and enjoy your radio activities. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you? ------------------------------------------------------------ 2022 Social Scene VK4 - Redcliffe Club Car Boot Sale Saturday 20th August 9 am - club house Macfarlane Park, Klingner Road Kippa-Ring. (vk4tfn) VK4 - Sunfest Sunday 18 September 10:00 AM Mountain Creek State School (noreply email) ------------------------------------------------------------ TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - JULY 3 VK4 ON AIR 2022 ------------------------------------------------------------ THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:- www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ OR www.wiaq.org.au Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays. Also, search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app. ------------------------------------------------------------ VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022 SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp) VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit) VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc) VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz) VK4DV Merv Deakin (??) (vk4cnq) News of a Silent Key, George Glendinning VK4AJL Sad news via Mackay Amateur Radio Association Inc went SKey June 22 aged 82 years. George was a longtime invigilator/trainer/assessor with MARA and was responsible for getting many new Hams on the air. George also represented the Mackay Region hams at the Wireless Institute of Australia (Queensland Division) Regional Consultative Committee meetings, making sure the voice of regional hams was well heard. George was also very active with WICEN and Communications Support in the Mackay region and for many years was the Region Packet Radio SYSOP. George was an Engineer and for a long time tended over the boilers and power systems of Racecourse Mill. Once retired from the engineering game and being the primary carer for his Dad, George did a bit of hire car delivery duty about Central and North Queensland, so some would have met up with George at a multitude of places. The celebration of George's life happened in Mackay, Tuesday 28th June, well attended by many of George's former work colleagues, friends and family along with a contingent of members from the Mackay Amateur Radio Association all wearing their Radio Club Shirts as a mark of respect for George. Vale George Glendinning VK4AJL, Silent Key. (vk4zz) Les Parker VK4SO has gone Silent Key Les passed away in Hospital June 21 He was in care for a suspected hand injury but had an unexpected heart attack. Hospital staff tried hard but they couldn't revive him. He will be sadly missed as he was one of the foundation members of B.A.R.C. and had served in many roles throughout the years. Les's Funeral will be held 10.00 am Tuesday 5 July at St Johns Anglican Church Greenwood St Wishart. (vk4atc) ------------------------------------------------------------- Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. Well, it is goodbye to that financial year and hello to this one. People will be making sure that the filing system of dockets and records are neatly stacked in an old shoe box or ready on their mobile device to the tax agent to download. This is the month when we have the coldest kiss of winter before the westerly winds sweep across the state to welcome the Brisbane Ekka. Yes we are slowly moving through the calendar to more outdoor activities. Around my area, the loose, fallen timber is being split into billets and the night air carries the sharp smell of smoke bringing warmth to some and wheezes to others. Meanwhile, there are furtive calls by the doctors not to neglect vaccination this year. The influenza is hitting many hard and numbers of infections are high whilst the pandemic still sends people to hospital and some people do not survive. Our own News Editor, VK4BB, is living proof that full vaccination does not prevent an infection of COVID. I trust the sandpaper throat passes quickly, Graham. I raise the issue of COVID to make a point. It is not so long ago that we were told that as a community we would have to live with the virus in its various forms and the daily announcements disappeared from the news platforms and barely any continuing mention being made until recently when the media seems to have discovered “long COVID”. With about 30,000 people each day recorded as being infected and the death rate similar to crashing a large passenger aircraft each month there seems to be an air of nonchalance towards the subject. What we seek it to keep our fellow operators engaged with the different facets of the hobby and keeping people informed sustains a high level of interest, as the past health advices did. Just like the health authorities have dialled back the messaging and are now bemused by the lack of response to the current calls for people to be vaccinated, we have been seeing this in our own backyard. There seems to be little news dropping into my inbox and maybe the social media sorting algorithms are. If we look to our broadcast news, the level of input from clubs is probably the consistently lowest that it has ever been. Thank heavens for the few clubs who do send in audio to let the listeners know there is activity to engage people apart from Sunday mornings. What I am getting at is we really do need to share the news on a regular basis to keep people up to date and give encouragement to those who organise events. You may have noticed that one contest manager has stirred enthusiasm over a couple of weeks before the event and is encouraging log submissions since the contest finished. You see the proof of the pudding is in the eating and we really should be making a meal of all the good news in amateur radio. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you? ------------------------------------------------------------ 2022 Social Scene VK4 - Redcliffe Club Car Boot Sale Saturday 20th August 9 am club house Macfarlane Park, Klingner Road Kippa-Ring. (vk4tfn) VK4 - Sunfest Sunday 18 September 10:00 AM Mountain Creek State School (noreply email) ------------------------------------------------------------* TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
``` QNEWS - JUNE 26 VK4 ON AIR 2022
------------------------------------------------------------*
THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:-
www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/
OR
www.wiaq.org.au
Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays.
Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast a
CLUBBING
Redcliffe and Districts radio club. www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/RedcliffeAndDistrictRadioClub/
The Redcliffe Club Car Boot Sale Saturday 20th August 2022.
Greetings from the Redcliffe & Districts Radio Club VK4RC. Robert Thomson VK4TFN Here.
Our Car Boot Sale will be held on Saturday 20th August 2022.
You'll find us at our club house in the City of Redcliffe Macfarlane Park, Klingner Road Kippa-Ring 4021.
Car Boot Sale opens at 9:00AM. Admission is free. Vendors $5.00.
Mark Roberts VK4AN will be there.
Go to: www.redclifferadioclub.org.au we're also on Facebook.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
I'll be a good day out.
Thank you and 73's from the Redcliffe & Districts Radio Club VK4RC.
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Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
The shortest period of daylight has come and past us by for another year and as the days grow slowly longer, perhaps, we can think of projects to ready our clubs for the warmer weather. With the loss of the handy reference, the “callbook” we don’t have much alternative than to turn to the internet for details of local points of contact. What if we don’t really understand what the suitable search string is or for some, lack the familiarity or confidence to play on the net? Not everyone lives in close proximity of a public library where the staff will happily walk them through the necessary moves on a public computer.
Something that is old fashioned and paper based can be a great means of providing the information someone needs to find our club. A small brochure, a bookmark or a poster for the local notice board at the shop may be the answer we are looking for. Notice the bookmark. There are many readers and libraries are a great distribution point for those little items. These days with free programs or phone apps, designing these paper items that can be printed at the home or at the local store that has a colour printer or better yet an office supplies shop, the hardest part of putting print on paper is designing the artwork and message.
School holidays can be a time when students are seeking some other activities and parents can appreciate a safe environment. A club that can draw on its members to enhance a youthful vacation is one that might find itself revived and with a younger outlook.
I see plenty of notices for activities and businesses on the internet and social networks that miss one important piece of information. They have a contact phone number, a business or personal name and even a time when an event will be held. Then it is forgotten that not everyone has lived in the area for ever and doesn’t have a professional driver’s knowledge of geography; they leave off the street address. ```
``` Fine for people who are familiar but there has been an extensive migration since the pandemic struck and a club could be missing out on meeting new community members for the lack of necessary information.
Getting known in the community is important whether it is a sporting, service or recreational body. Keeping the community aware of activities either by publicity in the media, social media or word of mouth is important to maintain that relationship which spells community engagement. So my feeling is it is a very good time to be organising this type of promotion. Putting together a distribution list of places that your material is welcome, that is venues that have agreed to display the material or distribute it, and then getting it designed and printed can fill in some of the colder nights when the bands are noisy. It is something that will give a sense of satisfaction to members and hopefully grow the numbers.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you?
------------------------------------------------------------* 2022 Social Scene
VK4 - Redcliffe Club Car Boot Sale Saturday 20th August 9am club house Macfarlane Park, Klingner Road Kippa-Ring. (vk4tfn)
VK4 - Sunfest Sunday 18 September 10:00 AM Mountain Creek State School (noreply email)
------------------------------------------------------------* TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-
Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/
QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA
If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:-
qnews@wia.org.au
THEN submit audio:-
To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au
Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘ ```
Q-NEWS - JUNE 12 VK4 ON AIR 2022
------------------------------------------------------------*
THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE
based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:-
www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/
OR
www.wiaq.org.au
Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays.
Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app.
------------------------------------------------------------*
VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022
SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY
VK4MBH Keith Allison MAY OR JUNE (vk4vp)
VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2011 (vk4hit)
IPSWICH AND DISTRICT AMATEUR RADIO CLUB HAVE LOST VK4AVF
Des Flor VK4AVF, a long time member of the club, passed away Monday 13 June after a series of illnesses and sickness.
Des was a long time member of the club and a long time participant on the morning net and will be sadly missed by many in the club.
For those of you who find yourselves available and wish to express your final regards to Des, there will be a Service of Remembrance to be held at the Apostolic Church in Hattonvale on Friday 24th June at 10.30am.
Vale Des Flor VK4AVF (Silent Key)
SUNSHINE COAST
www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/SunshineCoastAmateurRadioClub/
Maleny VK4RSC 146.850 and 438.075 VK4RSN 53.7
Noosa Heads VK4RSL 146.825 and 438.175
News from the Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio Club
This is Gordon VK4VP
Sad news today as we record another Silent Key, Keith Allison VK4MBH passed away in hospital just over 2 weeks ago.
Keith was 92 yrs old and had an interesting life starting from a coal mining background in the UK to a Mines inspector in India and then as a mines inspector in Queensland.
Keith moved into the Tewantin township and he was well known on the radio bands while he lived there. He had an on-call service technician by the way of Mal VK4ML to sort out any issues he had and he seemed to have a few from time to time.
Keith was also part of the Emergency Communications group set up by SCARC and was keen to be involved and help out.
A couple of years ago Keith and his wife moved nearer to their son in Brisbane and they moved into a senior's living complex at Sinnamon Park. Amatuer Radio antennas were severely frowned upon but a quick call to his on-call service tech, Mal, soon had a magnetic base antenna with a 5/8 whip sitting on the air conditioner unit on the balcony and a PRM80 programmed up for the local repeaters.
The PRM80 has very few buttons that could be inadvertantly pressed so this kept the callouts to a minimum. He could access the SCARC repeater and also Bayside repeater where he spent a lot of time talking to Laurie VK4ACW.
He also was still driving at the age of 92 in Brisbane so it seemed that nothing was going to stop him and so it was quite sad news that he had passed away so suddenly.
Vale Keith VK4MBH
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Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
Years back when working areas accommodated a paper office regime, there was one item
that nobody gave much importance to and that was the flip over desk calendar. With a
page devoted to each day except for Saturday and Sunday which had to share, it had the date reminder and a printed calendar for the month. Down the bottom was a little gem, a quotation from some person aimed at stimulating the mood and thinking for the day ahead. Like many things the date blocks have disappeared and we now have an app
for just about anything, it seems.
So it was that I saw a post during this past week, attributing the words to a Winston Churchill, that told me that criticism was necessary as it served the same purpose as pain does to the body; a warning that something was wrong and
in need of attention. Now you must confess, as I did, that this has a certain ring to it and the idea is certainly catching. Criticism is a fact of life and it is part of the discourse and debate that clarifies thinking. There is the other side of
things that with a lack of consideration and a level of discourtesy, criticism is personally offensive and potentially harmful to the individual and whole books have been devoted to the theories of personality and mental and emotional
development and the popular theories that our mental structure could be damaged by things our parents
told us in childhood.
It was during this week that I saw that a modern version of the Amateurs Code had been posted to a club page as a reminder of what we set out to be in this pursuit of amateur radio. So when we marry these two posts we are reminded that an amateur is courteous and considerate to his fellows and that criticism points the way to something that needs correction. In this way there is nothing offensive or objectionable about an idea being subjected to scrutiny as there seem to
be few things in this life that can’t be improved upon.
This is perhaps what scholars have been trying to teach us throughout history and on a day to day basis it is something that we can apply privately and certainly in the working of our club activities. The point is not to be selfish or destructive but to point out what is seen to be ineffective or not suitable and hopefully bring forth a better solution. Our
executive members should, in my opinion, encourage this form of discussion which supports the members and leads to shared achievement amongst the membership.
After reading the Churchillian meme, another came across my screen. It is something upon which we can think appropriately. This thought was, a great man is hard on himself and a small man is hard on others.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you?
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QNEWS - JUNE 12 VK4 ON AIR 2022 ------------------------------------------------------------ WHY DIDN'T YOUR CLUB TELL QNEWS ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? ------------------------------------------------------------ THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:- www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ OR www.wiaq.org.au Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays. Also, search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app. ------------------------------------------------------------ Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. When was the last time you and your club members sat down and got your heads together? I mean when did you last seriously talk over what makes a successful club tick and what keeps us coming back? I was sparked into this train of thought by the excitement shown by people on TV over the footie match that was held midweek. Now if it is anything around the world that gets the blood pumping and the chest heaving with excitement it is the collective excitement of football supporters. Culture, religion and language all give way to the obsessive joy of the sharing that being a supporter of a particular club provides. The code doesn’t matter but the rallying about a team and the current match seems to excite fans like few other things. There seems to be a harmony in wearing the team colours and jerseys and scarves are prized for what they represent to their owners and other supporters. From hat pins to balloons and other trinkets, people seek a way of identifying with the club, something that is much more than themselves. Over the years I have gathered a few items that exhibit my membership in amateur radio groups. There are a couple of baseball caps with the WIA badging, there is the pin to put in my jacket lapel and there is the long-sleeved shirt from when I was deeply involved in radio club activities. I even have an applique badge to go on some yet to be chosen piece of clothing. As I have managed to get around a few amateur radio events, I have seen the range of shirts, caps and souvenir items that clubs have produced for their members. And the members have been proud to wear them. Unless you count the throngs of prospective buyers around the sale tables at rallies, I have yet to see any of the ebullience of the sports followers at a match. Are we as a tribe more sedate than other self-identified followers of recreational pursuits, I wonder? So let’s turn back to chewing the fat on keeping the club engaged with its members. What are the things that work? Is it the newsletter, the club nets or participation in contests and rallies? Do the T-shirts look a bit last century but people wear them anyway? Would a decal for the members’ cars be popular and is tea and bickies enough to warm people’s hearts at meetings? Would going for lunch once a month get some people together or would bringing a plate of food to eat during the wind down from the meetings get more people talking? Maybe for the more active people, having a game of touch or a visit to a swimming spot in warmer weather would be a way of building the sense of togetherness that a club would like to see. There are so many things that we can do to support our friends and it is just a matter of finding those things that work in your town. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you? ------------------------------------------------------------ TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au and send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - JUNE 5 VK4 ON AIR 2022 ------------------------------------------------------------ THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:- www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ OR www.wiaq.org.au Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays. Also, search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app. ------------------------------------------------------------ CLUBBING Ipswich & District Radio Club www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/IpswichAndDistrict/ Web – www.vk4wip.org.au Email - vk4wip@wia.org.au For a full list of repeaters - www.vk4wip.org.au This is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club. Since Covid arrived on our shores the way we conduct business has seen temporary changes become more permanent. One of these is the rise and rise of video meeting services such as Zoom. Our club certainly embraced it during lockdowns. Rather than let those lessons learned lapse the club’s monthly business meeting now use Zoom as an option rather than attend in person. Overall attendance is up thanks to the efforts of club secretary Greg VK4GJW setting up his laptop in the clubrooms and projecting remote members on the big screen. This allows for easy interaction between those online and in the room. This is generally seen as a positive move with some members finding it difficult to attend evening meetings and something your club might consider. In other news Ipswich WICEN group has four major commitments remaining in 2022 providing safety communications for the following events: • Guzzler Ultra Marathon July 23 and 24 • Lake Manchester Trail August 21 • Pinnacles event September 25, and • Mt Glorious Trail November 13 Ipswich WICEN welcomes involvement from amateurs everywhere. If you’re keen to help, please contact Robert VK4KHW at ipswichwicen@gmail.com Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. This past week has been a reminder of years ago when I lived in an area that received smatterings of snow and sheets of sleet. Along the coastal belt of Queensland we aren’t used to the cold that blew in from the west and caused people to rug up in time to welcome the arrival of winter. It has been a reason for people to indulge in warming drinks and going by the acrid smell in the air, to light up the wood burning heaters. The days have been shortening although that hasn’t necessarily been apparent during the continuing presence of the la Nina weather patterns which has caused our sky to be remarkable when we can catch glimpses of blue and fleecy white clouds instead of the sullen grey of recent months. With that in mind, it is always an opportunity to consider what to indulge the mind and hands when band conditions aren’t quite so favourable. Traditionally we radio amateur have been the precursors of the maker movements of today. For many reasons, we have turned our hands to manual arts in constructing things that enhance our enjoyment of the amateur radio service. Whilst it is no longer seen as necessary to be a skilled artisan, there are many kits available which require precise soldering skills and familiarity with the different ends of screwdrivers. For the home builder, these can offer a challenge in assembly and also perhaps the experience of trouble shooting if the project needs fixing. As time progresses, many of the artefacts that our parents might have used in communicating around the world are historic items and worth collecting as their numbers get diminished. Another field of interest is that of restoration of old electronics such as receivers, transmitters and test equipment. For people who only know this previous era of technology, this can be an exciting field of exploration and the source of much satisfaction in completing a successful restoration. I look at the preservation of this material as an end in itself and not something for an episode of picking and flipping for a quick profit. There is a benefit to be had in these activities in that generally a certain amount of research and learning is necessary to understand the object on the workbench. Knowing how it should work prepares us for other projects of a similar nature as well as completing the repairs at hand. A lot of projects that can fill the winter evenings can be absorbing as well as educational and fortunately with suitable sourcing they can be quite economical to boot. If we tack on adaptions and recycling there is a plethora of things that can distract us from finishing the warm drink beside the work station. With a radio tuned to a favourite band or monitoring a remote receiver we can get jobs done whilst still engaging in an active part of the hobby. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you? ------------------------------------------------------------ TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - MAY 29 VK4 ON AIR 2022 ------------------------------------------------------------ THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:- www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ OR www.wiaq.org.au Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays. Also, search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app. ------------------------------------------------------------ CLUBBING SUNSHINE COAST www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/SunshineCoastAmateurRadioClub/Maleny VK4RSC 146.850 and 438.075 VK4RSN 53.7 Noosa Heads VK4RSL 146.825 and 438.175 SCARC has started an SSTV net on Saturday evenings at 18:00 local on our linked repeater system of 146.825, 146.850 and 146.975. The first net ran last Saturday and there was a little bit of activity and a bit of trial and error getting things to work properly. Pre check-ins from 17:55. There will be 2 CQs on mode PD 120 (the same mode the ISS uses) with a 2-minute listening pause for stations to respond. Set your favourite SSTV decoding program to automatic and see what happens. MMSSTV is a good program for this. There will also be a 5-minute pause every 15 minutes for any voice traffic. If no voice traffic the calls will continue for 3 cycles. Net control VK4TK Harry. Also, just a reminder that the car boot sales start at 10:00 today at the clubrooms Godfreys rd. Bli Bli Entry is free and there will be food and drinks for sale, so come along and grab a bargain. Well until next time, this is Gordon VK4VP. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. As we all know there are many rooms in the house that we call amateur radio and when we are in the pursuit of knowledge and experience, we like to explore. The the issue is what is the best, most exciting area in which to engross our interest? Like many areas of interest, there is the learning curve of getting familiarity with the material, the tools and the strategies that take a person from a learner onto a level of proficiency and perhaps even a stage where others regard you as an expert. This happens with on the job training as well as recreation. A good fisher needs to learn how to bait a hook to be able to catch a fish unaided and then learn the types of bait, the style of gear that works in that location and so on. Ham radio is no different. We learn to follow the rules and how to connect our gear from power supply to antenna and practice and discussion help us catch the ones that might have previously got away. Like the fisher, we have to find what is both convenient and what is satisfying. Not every person wants to sit on the bank and watch for a float to bob just as not every fisher wants the expense of a charter boat to hunt some deep-sea denizen. Similarly, not all hams want to build specialised stations or hunt the airwaves for diminishing and scarce call signs in contesting or DXing. Some people like being hands-on with building things and some like to specialise in a band or mode and these likes can expand and change as the years go by. Obviously the experiences and likes of those around us such as fellow club members will draw us in certain directions and this is a good and comforting way of socialising and broadening the range of experience in our hobby. I wonder what the feelings are of those that are enticed into some of the high profile contests where you start to feel you need to be a bush lawyer just to understand the rules? How do others feel about dipping their toe into the waters of a new mode that is still considered esoteric rather than familiar and learning the jargon is akin to being immersed in a foreign county where no one speaks our language? Perhaps these are areas that we should look at in our clubs and amongst fellow amateurs particularly where there a newly licensed or inquiring minds in the midst. We like to think that we are considerate in the practice of amateur radio but perhaps we forget others as our own familiarity with certain rooms of the house increases. What can be more considerate than asking and discussing the areas of interest of our newer members? I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you? ------------------------------------------------------------ TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - MAY 22 VK4 ON AIR 2022 THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:- www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ OR www.wiaq.org.au Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays. Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. Well what a relief that the triennial contest is now over and the usual programming can be resumed. It has really been a washout locally between floods and more rain, the local show has been dampened and the polling booths were an awkward excuse for going out, in our part of the world. As we wait for the final outcome of the election, I can but hope that more attention is given to important things such as amateur radio, by the incoming government. (To which I must add a hearty HIHI.) I suppose with the new face of government in Canberra and the new face of the WIA in Melbourne, we can be assured of momentous developments in the near future. They say a new broom sweeps clean and I really don’t know whether to give credence to that old saw. Those of you who receive email updates from the ACMA will have had one dated February 2022 concerning the calculation of fees for class licences. The move for the amateur service is slowly progressing as in the Definitions, the classes of amateur licences are set down. I haven’t really tried wading through the copious detail to try and establish what our licence fees might be but I notice there is still the tax component included. It is strange that the Supreme Court of the USA has held that the wireless spectrum is part of the natural world and not owned by any one government. Thus our colleagues in that country don’t pay tax on the spectrum they can use. I suppose it is part of our colonial heritage that thing such as minerals are claimed by the crown and thus the value of the rights to extract carry a payment to the Crown. It has been interesting to note that some of the space weather indices are nicely elevated over the past week and around the Pacific, reception reports on shortwave have been excellent. In fact some audio clips that were sent to me of one broadcast service caused me to reply that the signals were FM quality. After some of the electrical storms that have beset us in the past months, it was amazing to, once again, hear the clean and pure sound of AM shortwave as I remember from my childhood. Perhaps my innate cynicism will be tempered by the improving conditions on the HF bands and I can forget the tragedy of the opportunities that have been lost. Perhaps more sanguine people will have the spirit to revitalise the amateur fraternity and the clubs that hold so many together. Perhaps with a new mindset from those who run things, we can all feel happy and move on with joy and prosperity. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you? ------------------------------------------------------------ TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - MAY 15 VK4 ON AIR 2022 ------------------------------------------------------------ THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:- www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ OR www.wiaq.org.au Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays. Also, search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app. ------------------------------------------------------------- CLUBBING Ipswich & District Radio Club www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/IpswichAndDistrict/ Web – www.vk4wip.org.au Email - vk4wip@wia.org.au For a full list of repeaters - www.vk4wip.org.au This is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club. Ipswich WICEN was again at the forefront of providing safety communications for the Brisbane trail marathon and half marathon held on May 1st. A new start/finish location at Enoggera Reservoir had all volunteers up before dawn and in place for a 6 am start. The usual course was changed owing to previous flood damage but remained the same challenging terrain for runners covering either 42.2kilomtres or 24.7 kilometres. Wicen established a base station and six radio checkpoints to provide valuable safety communications and runner checking through the various checkpoints for the event. Wicen coordinator Robert VK4KHW would like to thank all those who took part and gave up their Sunday morning. The next event for Wicen to support is the Guzzler Ultra Marathon to be held over the weekend of July 23 and 24. Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. This week has been like the film “Groundhog Day” in that the weather has been a constant reminder of events earlier in the year that resulted in severe flooding. Already parts of north Queensland have been deluged and sadly people have died as a direct result of the severe wet. The seaboard and interior are both sharing the pain and the pleasure of copious amounts of water in the rain gauges and whilst the inland communities can celebrate there are many in the coastal areas of the State that fear a repetition and the memories of loss are on constant replay. I remember how, as more material was uploaded to the internet, how people would justify their opinions by telling that it must be correct as they “had read it on the internet”. Although computing had been developing for over 30 years, the average home computer really had not adopted the axiom that went with the technology, Garbage In, Garbage Out. Now, this was meant as a reminder to programmers and data input operators that undetected errors would produce spurious results. But when the internet gave the mass users literally libraries of information there was the opportunity for the unpublished to put their ideas onto a hard drive for others to access. There were the honest people who sought to provide true information to base discussions on; there were the humourists that wanted a good leg pull and there were inevitably the foolish who concocted ideas and argued for the sake of being offensive and obnoxious. Well that is how it seemed to many critics. These days people no longer first go to the book case for factual information but are more likely to log on and look up a wiki if not the fount of modern knowledge, Wikipedia. These electronic libraries are as good as the editors who sustain the material and if you have found a mistake in a wiki entry, you would not be alone. This brings me to the magnificence of the online video archives such as YouTube. So compendious are the subjects that people have decided to place on video and lodge for viewing that for the ordinary person there is probably no subject that you can’t find at least several minutes of video to inform you. During this past week, I have been researching amateur radio related topics and it became obvious from viewing a few clips on the same subject that some of the authors had failed in the very basis of research. A piece of gear which is available for purchase as a fork in the development of a project was supplied without paperwork. Now we amateurs usually follow the practice of “if all else fails, read the manual”. Note how I said this gear was a fork in development. Vendors all seem to include a lengthy excerpt from the files on Github which includes a link to the online material. When people produce a video and knock the product because they haven’t checked the instructions, who do you think needs a kick in the pants? What we have available is tremendous but the caution still needs to be exercised by the end-user. It is like the old legal warning of caveat emptor let the buyer beware. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you? ------------------------------------------------------------ TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
``` QNEWS - MAY 8 VK4 ON AIR 2022
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THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:-
www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/
OR
www.wiaq.org.au
Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays.
Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app..
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VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING JULY 26 2021
SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY
VK4IW Kev Dickson 07/07/2021 (vk4dmh) VK4JJ Joscelyn McGrath 29/07/2021 (vk4zz) VK4NJA Alan Perkins 07/11/2021 (vk4beg) VK4AYR Mark Bennett 26/07/2021 (tarc) VK4YZ Charlie Strong 02/01/2022 (Redcliffe Club) VK4BJC Jeff Cooper 11/01/2022 (vk4eka) VK4WAL Len Walker Mid January (vk4ac) VK4GS George Smith 26/02/2022 (vk4zz) VK4HRP Ray Parrinder 9/03/2022 (vk4atc) VK4XE Paul Ament 24/04/2022 (scarc fbook) VK4FPWA Paul Worsell 30/04/2022 (vk4zpp fbook)
It is with great sadness that the Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio Club announces the passing of Paul Ament VK4XE
Paul died suddenly on Sunday April 24 after battling dementia for the past few years.
Paul had been a member of SCARC since 2009 and had a very interesting career working in the television industry.
He was an engineer in the Southern Cross Network and was associated with station DDQ in Toowoomba.
He was also involved with the first 2m repeater for the Darling Downs Radio Club and was on the repeater committee with John Brimblecombe, Ian Barnett and Rob Bell.
One of his last working jobs that he was involved with was where he managed the dismantling of the obsolete analogue TV transmitters around country Queensland, salvaging and distributing many useful parts which would otherwise have ended up at the tip.
He was involved with running our Library and hosted both our 6m and 10m nets for a number of years.
Paul was very generous with his time, always willing to help with Club projects as they came along and a friendly and likeable bloke, he will be greatly missed.
Vale Paul VK4XE
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Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
What is your club’s plan to engage with more people and the wider community? Do you have a plan or do the days just pass you all by?
One of the important messages that can be given to community groups is to put your name out in the public. There are various ways of doing this and having an effective strategy and at least one person to apply it is the beginning of an effective presence. Your club does have a publicity officer doesn’t it? The important thing is not that that person can do a weekly voice presentation for WIA News (but that would be great) or can write exciting passages for the local newspaper or Amateur Radio magazine but that they can co-ordinate these activities.
What about a publicity campaign to get noticed in the community and amongst the other civic groups in your area? What about it? Is there a person who can spin a yarn and give a presentation amongst the members? Why, because many community groups like to have a guest speaker at their meetings in order to learn about what others are doing. Is there enough money in kitty to get some posters made and have them displayed in prominent places around town? Getting name recognition is a good way to attract members because people infer that this group is active, is doing things that they might like to share.
One thing that is important is the social contact that members can have together. Getting together should not just be to decide on the next outing or get on with the formal business but it should be a way of cementing friendships and provide a regular point of contact. Group meals, barbecues and visits to interesting places allow people to relax and get to know each other and enjoy a change of routine in a different environment. Does your club have any of these activities on a regular basis? I hope so.
Sometimes it is worth showing a collective presence with the club insignia. Clothing, caps and badges that can be worn and identify members to others are usually a good conversation starter on outings. When was the last time this was discussed and when was the last time an order was placed so old stock can be replaced and new members made to feel part of the team? Being recognised and welcoming can do more than many expensive programs amongst our local communities.
Then of course the most important question amongst the many I have posed is whether your club feels it is worth growing into the future. That is a question each club member needs to ask themselves and then discuss amongst the other members. If you agree to progress then choosing the targets and making a plan that can be followed should come easily.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you?
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TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-
Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/
QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA
If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:-
qnews@wia.org.au
THEN submit audio:-
To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au
Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘ ```
``` QNEWS - MAY 0NE VK4 ON AIR 2022
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THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:-
www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/
OR
www.wiaq.org.au
Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays.
Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app.
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Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
The AGM of the WIA is moving closer and no doubt there are several people writing reports for presentation to the hybrid meeting. Whilst the keyboards will be getting the dust blown off, as a country member, I have tried to think of the notable achievements of this period of governance. We can point to the continued weekly news broadcasts and timely issue of the magazine into our letter boxes but what else stands out? ```
I have been wondering where has the gloss, the enthusiasm and dynamism gone from the top echelon of our recreation. Perhaps my recollection of my youthful enthusiasm is through rose coloured glasses and really the Land of Oz really isn’t that spectacular after all. I remember the joy people took in this pursuit and the welcome that awaited people asking questions and showing interest in amateur radio but was that just smoke that has long evaporated?
I remember the Divisional newsletters which came with the monthly magazine and the club notes that went to air in the weekly news. I remember when there were disposal sales and one didn’t have to wait for a function to recharge the junk box. I remember when there were visits to many club functions by State level executives.
``` Yes I remember it all.
Now I mention what I see as a serious change in attitude at a national level because it carries through the ranks to you and me. We once had an advisory committee to which clubs and members could refer but that has passed away and queries either go to the National Office of the WIA or are put in the too hard basket. ```
Now traditionally we tend to look to the peak body to drive innovation and
growth but these days it seems that that has been devolved to the clubs and then it depends on then dynamism of a few to project the forces forward. At the personal level, many of us no longer get to club meetings or functions and this restricts the access someone has to the hobby unless they are skilled in picking antenna systems from afar or are introduced to us. The once important Call Book was killed off and this week, the ACMA licence data base was offline so contact points have been further restricted.
``` There was little emphasis put on World Radio Day or for that matter Marconi Day or World CW Day, all of which have happened over the past several days. ANZAC Day let the AX prefix probe the airwaves but significant international days don’t really seemed to have registered. Is this because there aren’t the interested or skilled enough people in our organisation to remind us?
From Tasmania, I hope we will hear of all the things that I have overlooked and people can think of the Institute with a sense of pride in its achievements in the last year. I really want us to get the glint back in our eyes and the feeling of warmth that belonging to a successful body brings.
In the hurley-burley that is an election campaign, I have noticed that politicians who were reticent to respond are jumping on enquiries quite promptly. If you have questions or are seeking further information now would be the time to touch base and remind them that there electors who like playing with radios.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you? ------------------------------------------------------------*
TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-
Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/
QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA
If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:-
qnews@wia.org.au
THEN submit audio:- qnews@wia.org.au
Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
```
``` QNEWS - APRIL 24 VK4 ON AIR 2022
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THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:-
www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/
OR
www.wiaq.org.au
Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays.
Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app.
------------------------------------------------------------*
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
We are accustomed to the country participating and recognising the importance of ANZAC Day on the Australian calendar. For many of the younger people listening to the Wireless Institute News Services it may be strange that there is such a close relationship between amateur radio and the major military memorial day.
It is a long history but wireless was used over 100 years ago in the First World War. Some of those people who learned about this new technology whilst in uniform came back to civilian life with a wider evaluation of its worth. As the experimenters grew in numbers, they started to form communities which grew into clubs and representative bodies, one of which became the Wireless Institute of Australia.
By the time that the Second World War came, there had been the growth of broadcasting and many of the commercial radio stations came about from radio amateurs starting to experiment with broadcasting music and public announcements. A wireless was still an expensive piece of household furniture. For the maritime industries, international companies had expanded services around the world to service shipping, news services were linking countries and radio equipment was part of government services such as police and military.
So the growth and development of technology went on and more people used two way radio as part of their civilian and military lives. Naturally, the curious who returned to peace time and were bitten by the bug gravitated towards a recreational use of this marvellous tool.
Sadly it is the same technology via the internet that brings the horrors of armed conflict to our devices and the nightly television. We witness the slaughter and sanitised images of destruction at the breakfast table, during our daily commute or wherever we can connect to the internet. We see more that we were given during involvements of the armed forces overseas and if nothing else this should be the stark reminder of events etched into the minds of those participants and especially the people in uniform.
We will hear a list of those amateurs who served and didn’t return home in the ANZAC Day broadcast and it is for us to remember these were people who enjoyed this pursuit like we do. It is for them and their families and for us all to remember the dire events that brought us the freedoms we value today.
In an aggressive country you will be arrested for calling the current engagement a war but we are free to speak and debate and live our lives without the threats of prison or the rain of shells and death.
For what we have and the price that has secured it, let us remember on ANZAC Day.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you?
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TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-
Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/
QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA
If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:-
qnews@wia.org.au
THEN submit audio:-
To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au
Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘ ```
``` -------------------------------------------------------------------69 QNEWS - APRIL 17 VK4 ON AIR 2022 ------------------------------------------------------------ HAPPY AND HOLY EASTER ------------------------------------------------------------
THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:-
www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/
OR
www.wiaq.org.au
Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays.
Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app.
--------------------------------------------------------------------*
Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
Easter seems to have lost much of the religious significance that it was created upon and in the Sunshine State it is the celebration of the end of summer with generally slightly cooler and more pleasant weather. Just the right time for enjoying a long weekend. A frenzied time of travel and a furious time of brief relaxation before the trek home for the rest of the workday week seems to be the Aussie mark of a good time.
Things are happening in the wider community with access to venues previously restricted to people who met the standard of suitable vaccination. During the week, the walls were breached and access to New Zealand is now available to similarly vaccinated souls and the great floating escape machines, the cruise liners, are now boarding passengers after floating forlornly dormant for the past two years. If you didn’t know better you would believe that the pandemic has left us behind.
There are the reminders blowing in the wind from the medical experts that we need to be responsible and prepared as new variants of the virus envelope the planet. The process of assessing the effects of these interminably varying germs is ongoing and just because we are living with the virus, we have no evidence as to what the ongoing effects of infection will be. The only seeming constant outcome of the research is that being fully vaccinated reduces the severity and reduces the risk of dying.
So why spend so much time discussing the facts about something that has closed businesses, caused burnout amongst the health workforce and shifted the economic axis of the country and induced a glaring, over powering feeling of angst and boredom? The news is, it ain’t over yet.
When I look at the images from meetings and get-togethers, it seems obvious that as a collective, our ages are increasing. With increasing age comes the susceptibility for increasing chronic illnesses and that makes we seniors easy prey to complications from a Covid infection. Just because the current variant of the virus has, generally, little effect on the young members of the community we should remember that people not showing symptoms can still spread the infection.
All I am seeking to do is remind people of the risks we still face regardless of the easing of restrictions to social activities. We need to follow the doctor’s advice of carrying a face mask for use when we can’t socially distance. Hand washing and sanitiser should still remain routine for us all.
Please act safely and protect yourself and your fellows and I hope to catch you on the air.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you?
------------------------------------------------------------*
TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-
Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/
QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA
If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:-
qnews@wia.org.au
THEN submit audio:-
To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au
Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
```
``` -------------------------------------------------------------------69 QNEWS - APRIL 10 VK4 ON AIR 2022 ------------------------------------------------------------*
THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:-
www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/
OR
www.wiaq.org.au
Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays.
Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app.
--------------------------------------------------------------------*
VK4 - REDFEST IS THIS SATURDAY Sat. April 9 St Michaels College Caboolture (vk4bz) Sellers can start filling tables after 7am. The venue for selling will open at 9am although the public can gather from 8am onwards for breakfast
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Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
School and academy holidays are upon us and no doubt some earnest clubs have a program to interest young people in the fun of solder smoke and kit building. I, at least hope, some clubs are offering a path into amateur radio as I haven’t heard of any activities being conducted. We are great at talking about how great our past time is and yet we seem to struggle in spreading the word and offering training towards a licence at times that may best suit many candidates.
The news and current affairs are always a reminder to me of the opportunities that can be drawn from current events. I am not recommending that anyone engages in self sacrifice and rushes off to slay dragons on the other side of the world. However, even the shocking information that is coming to light gives an opportunity to reflect on how we as individuals and group members should interact with our fellow humans. There are the stories of people involved in self sacrifice and survival in the face of events that most have never contemplated and this makes me consider what I could do in times of extreme hardship.
No doubt most of us have seen the post containing a chart of the forecast sunspot activity and the actual recorded figures which has circulated on social media this past week. The suggestion is that the peak of Cycle 25 is being reached sooner than predicted and the implication is that it will wane sooner than expected. This would seem unlikely as the timing has been a relatively flexible 11 year cycle and history would suggest that the peak may be higher than predicted and the term still has some years to run. With some of the openings on short wave and higher, we can hope that optimism is the right path.
Perhaps, to touch on the somewhat controversial topic of the COVID pandemic, the fact there seems to be a slight friction between the public health sector and the epidemiologists is something for clubs and individuals to think about. We have the lessening of public health restrictions at a time when the infection rate is the highest it has ever been. We have the professionals who specialise in the study of diseases and their spread warning that the pandemic has not ended and that there could be variants of the virus that not only spread more widely than the current one but become more deadly, once again.
Contrary to what the hopeful politicians are saying there is still the possibility of needing public health restrictions and lock downs in the future. Unlike the visit of the Easter Bunny, there is no certainty but when we have differences of opinion amongst the professionals in an area, my feeling is that we should err on the side of caution. As the scouting movement teaches, “Be Prepared”.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you?
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```
------------------------------------------------------------------- QNEWS - APRIL 3 VK4 ON AIR 2022 ------------------------------------------------------------ WHY DIDN'T YOUR CLUB TELL QNEWS ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? DARLING DOWNS CLUB DID! ------------------------------------------------------------ THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:- www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ OR www.wiaq.org.au Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays. Search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app. ------------------------------------------------------------ CLUBBING ------------------------------------------------------------- DARLING DOWNS RADIO CLUB http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/DarlingDownsRadioClub/ vk4wid@gmail.com For the Darling Downs Radio Club Incorporated, this is Dougal VK4EKA. Bob Murton VK4ZOW will present 'How to install and set up an SDR dongle in any boat anchor ham radio HF/VHF/UHF'. Bob will demonstrate how to upgrade radios to have a waterfall display (or panadaptor) to keep up with new technology. See the talk at the Community Venues level 3 above the Toowoomba City Library Victoria St Toowoomba at 7:30 pm Monday 11th April". Regards Dougal Redcliffe and Districts radio club. www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/RedcliffeAndDistrictRadioClub/ TEXT EDITION ONLY Hi, it’s John Saunders VK4BZ on behalf of the Redcliffe & Districts Radio Club. Yes, that’s right – Redfest 22 is on Saturday 9th April at St Michael’s College, The Abbey Place, Caboolture. The gates open for sellers from 7:00 am to set up tables, and for buyers from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm. Breakfast is available from 7:00 am with Dougie’s famous bacon and egg rolls and cups of tea or coffee to fuel your ham shopping stamina. Entry is only $5.00 per person and if you’ve got some things to sell, you can still book a table for $10.00 each. Simply contact the convener by email at: secretary@redclifferadioclub.org.au There will be heaps of tables with pre-loved goodies for you to purchase, along with commercial sellers for you to browse as well. Navigating to Redfest is easy! You can Google “St Michael’s College” or follow these simple directions: from the M1 turn toward Bribie Island at the Bribie Island Road exit. Drive for 5.6kms to Old Toorbul Point Road and turn left. Follow the Redfest signs for a few hundred meters and turn into St Michael’s College. Redfest comes but once per year so don’t miss it! Saturday 9th April at St Michael’s College, The Abbey Place, Caboolture. This is John Saunders VK4BZ on behalf of the Redcliffe & Districts Radio Club. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. For the followers of the game of politics, this past week was one of the prime pieces of a melodrama called the Budget. The government of the day attempts to read straws in the wind and report on the economic activity that the country has experienced over the past year. From that the augurers in the Treasury read the signs and the Treasurer presents a trite speech that purports to tell us, the electors what it means and whether we are going to be better or worse off. Now, much of the decision making is based on perceptions of what the people want and or need. To get some cohesion to the thinking process, the fallback identity is what is called a stereotype. So all small businesses are thought to have common features, all big businesses are grouped as if they have a commonality and wage earners form the majority. Now it isn’t just the government that depends on the uses of stereotypes and even going down in size, community organisations down to small clubs often depend on beliefs about groups of people, consumers, clients or users to make decisions on many matters. It is almost inevitable that as we consider matters of importance to us or our body we do group others and regardless of the differences we share, our characteristics are conflated to help us make choices. For instance, when I speak of young people it seems to be inevitable that our mind moves, to perhaps, recognition of family members of a certain age. Old people are perhaps other family members or neighbours and the memory of individuals colours our thoughts in making a decision. The point is and we all know this, our neighbours are not the same as our parents in so many ways. So the question must be, how do we make a considered choice when there is so much difference? If we are sitting around with family and friends it is so obvious that we don’t even think about the process. We ask them. From the responses, we can then move along with a discussion or let the answers stand and quietly consider them. To me, the critical part of this is to ask the question. Without having an understanding of other people’s perspectives we can only fall back on our own beliefs and biases. That is hardly the way to get good data. When tuning an antenna, we use the best instruments we can to take the readings and we can be pretty certain we will get a good result. When it comes to group development it is perhaps too often that an idea gets put out and the immediate mental reaction is what determines the response to that idea. Without investigation, without instruments, we try and tune into a subject and then later wonder why the outcome was less than was planned for. It is much easier for a club to poll its members on a subject and proceed to make decisions once it has some good information than it is for the government to project the state of the economy in 3 years' time. We can and should put in the work instead of depending on just opinions. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you? ------------------------------------------------------------* TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
QNEWS - MARCH 27 VK4 ON AIR 2022 ------------------------------------------------------------ THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:- www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ OR www.wiaq.org.au Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays. Also, search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. Ambition, goal setting or aspiration, the name really doesn’t matter but the outcomes certainly do. One thing that is important in getting places is having a direction in which to travel and the same applies to recreational and service pursuits too. For people joining the activity popularly called ham radio, for groups, clubs and advocacy bodies, being able to follow a set of guidelines to achieve the goals is a great and necessary motivator. We have just passed over the calendar where one of the popular summer contests has been held. There have been many clubs running stations, largely as social events, to enjoy the activities contesting provides. There were individuals out in different locations to home taking part and enjoying the spirit of the contest and they both shared a common set of features, that of needing preparation and participation. This is what our bodies and we as individual radio amateurs do in rising to the many things that are necessary. For me, it may be gathering the materials that allow me to complete a homebrew project and for a club, it might be researching what is needed to submit an application for a grant to upgrade facilities. Each demands a certain level of preparation and individually or collectively it requires us to do something. So how does this work in your shack and does it work in your club, also? I get the impression that many of us and lots of clubs find ourselves in a rut because we lack the drive to actually think out what our ambition is. Doing the same thing time after time might make us talk of the area as the fastest person in winding baluns, for instance, but where does it take us after that? During the week, I watched the most recent Youtube video from the English ham radio store, Waters and Stanton. I would recommend people who have a spare 17 minutes free go and watch this discussion piece as it draws on the Ukraine invasion to highlight the value of HF radio as a communications medium when other sources are no longer available. This is a topic that I have addressed before in suggesting that our stations can be a valuable resource in times of emergency. On watching news footage from Ukraine it is amazing how many of the people in uniform are using the cheaper handheld radios from Asia. There are reports that because of disruptions to military communications, the Russian commanders have resorted to using 3G mobile phones and non-encrypted transmissions allowing interception of some intelligence and information for targeted attacks. It would seem that some of the things that we do and use in this activity are the the fallback position for some military operations when the planning has been inadequate. If we wish to make a success of our activities, it really seems to me that we should have the forward planning and the ambition to complete the task. From the small steps of preparation and participation, the larger tasks can really happen for us. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you? ------------------------------------------------------------ QNEWS SOCIALLY SPEAKING REDFEST Saturday April 9 St Michaels College Caboolture (vk4bz) Sellers can start filling tables after 7 am. The venue for selling will open at 9 am although the public can gather from 8 am onwards for breakfast Due to the COVID-19 situation, please check these events' direct for up-to-date status information and even without Covid dates have an uncanny knack of being changed at last moment. ------------------------------------------------------------ TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
-------------------------------------------------------------------69 QNEWS - MARCH 20 VK4 ON AIR 2022 ------------------------------------------------------------ THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:- www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ OR www.wiaq.org.au Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays. Search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app. ------------------------------------------------------------ VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING JULY 26 2021 SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY VK4IW Kev Dickson 07/07/2021 (vk4dmh) VK4JJ Joscelyn McGrath 29/07/2021 (vk4zz) VK4NJA Alan Perkins 07/11/2021 (vk4beg) VK4AYR Mark Bennett 26/07/2021 (tarc) VK4YZ Charlie Strong 02/01/2022 (Redcliffe Club) VK4BJC Jeff Cooper 11/01/2022 (vk4eka) VK4WAL Len Walker Mid-January (vk4ac) VK4GS George Smith 26/02/2022 (vk4zz) VK4HRP Ray Parrinder ?/03/2022 (vk4atc) Ray Parrinder VK4HRP (loco Ray was a cherished member has now gone silent key last week. He joined BARC a long time ago in the early formation days of the club Ray kept a low profile in the club but was vocal when he related all his engineering accomplishments over the years which was many and various with a heavy leaning to steam power. He had several homemade antennas at his QTH that was quite amusing to see how he operated them with his radios set up in a bedroom and the coax going through the windows. He was regularly involved with the club nets and repaired a lot of his early gear when he could but as he got older the club loaned him some gear to keep him on the air. His major love was being involved with restoring steam equipment and other industrial equipment. Also, mad keen on model trains to ride on with his son with several projects under his belt. Ray managed a tremendous amount of welding and fabrication done in his garage and the tools he had was extensive. Ray would run open days with the large Steam engine that he restored in his front yard whenever he could. Rays warm and happy demeanour will be long missed by all that knew him. His Funeral will be Mt Gravatt Crematorium Mains Rd Macgregor at 10:30 on Monday 21/3/22. (Peter Forbes VK4ATC) ------------------------------------------------------------- Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. As someone who grew up on the north coast of New South Wales and lived through cyclones and flooding, even before starting school, it was perturbing to read reports of communications isolation in areas affected by the recent weather events. Back then we had landline telephones connected to exchanges that had battery storage to keep the local lines running for up to about 4 days. We live in an era when mobile nodes and NBN are lucky to stay operational for hours if the power is removed. Once there was a sense of responsibility to preserve services that preserved safety and life. Obviously, if reticulation lines are damaged electricity and communication services no longer work in that part of the system. When there is an immense weather event and people become trapped and in need of rescue access to emergency services and first responders becomes imperative. When the means of communication is no longer available that becomes a matter of responsibility to those who install and maintain the system. The decision-making process in large bodies is often constructed around a committee process. The intrusion of political decisions into the process seems to distort outcomes that may otherwise have been based on sound economic and professional advice and principle. To many people, the change of government with a change of perspective saw the introduction of a new model for the NBN and the change of senior members of the NBN management. The hybrid mixture of technology and the cost-cutting seems to have brought us a system that is already considered obsolescent, according to some commentators. As much as our communications systems develop with the introduction of 5G technology by two of the major carriers and the move away from landline connections, we have to acknowledge the fragility of the system that we currently use. Should we as users be demanding a system that is fit for purpose that won’t cause loss of service because of lack of redundancy or an old fashioned blackout? We operators who use the internet linked digital modes have another cause to be upset when service is lost. Stemming from comments made by the survivors of the flooding in northern VK2, we can ask are the rescue responses adequate as we face what the insurance industry has been predicting for twenty years? That is the weather patterns bringing more extreme occurrences such as floods, fires and storms, both in frequency and intensity? Gone are the wooden flood boats powered by oarsmen and tinnies and inflatable craft now ply the muddied swirls of rising water. Gone is the dependence upon landline telephone services with extended broadcast coverage from local radio stations with local networks supporting the SES who have replaced the civil defence forces. Then we have to ask, is our large dependency on volunteers such as rural firefighters and SES suitable in the changes of climate coming? What can be the role of what formed as WICEN but never managed to encompass the country and in the light of the quality of our commercial data and phone services can we, the amateur radio community, perform worthwhile services within the emergency systems that we currently have? Is amateur radio a community resource and if we are, what can we do? I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you? ------------------------------------------------------------ QNEWS SOCIALLY SPEAKING REDFEST Saturday, April 9 St Michaels College Caboolture (vk4bz) Sellers can start filling tables after 7 am. The venue for selling will open at 9 am although the public can gather from 8 am onwards for breakfast Due to the COVID-19 situation, please check these events' direct for up-to-date status information and even without Covid dates have an uncanny knack of being changed at last moment. ------------------------------------------------------------* TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
``` -------------------------------------------------------------------69 QNEWS - MARCH 13 VK4 ON AIR 2022
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WHY DIDN'T YOUR CLUB TELL QNEWS ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK?
------------------------------------------------------------*
THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:-
www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/
OR
www.wiaq.org.au
Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays.
Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app.
------------------------------------------------------------*
Ipswich & District Radio Club www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/IpswichAndDistrict/ Web – www.vk4wip.org.au Email - vk4wip@wia.org.au For a full list of repeaters - www.vk4wip.org.au
This is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club.
In what members hope was the last Zoom meeting for a while, the club held it monthly business meeting on February 28 with 15 members online.
The meeting heard the club’s community service role can take on many and varied tasks – most recently as floodwaters were rising, the clubhouse was made available to temporally store fabrics from a local quilting shop. As luck would have it the shop did not flood, and the clubhouse has returned to normal use. The shop owners were extremely grateful of the community support shown by the club and its members.
The current Ipswich linked repeater system could soon be expanded from three to five. Under the guidance of station manager Rob VK4AB, two additional sites have been earmarked for new repeaters which will be on 70cm. While still only in the planning stages the new locations are in the Somerset and Scenic Rim council areas and will add significantly to the existing coverage of VK4RAI, and once on-air will hopefully encourage new members to the club.
We’ll have more information in the coming months with the project timetable currently estimated to be in the range of six to eight months.
And from the Ipswich WICEN group, the next event is a joint exercise with Brisbane WICEN and that’s the Cooyar Horse Ride on March 19. Operators have been assigned to their various checkpoints. However due to the uncertainty with weather conditions, this event may be cancelled. Robert VK4KHW will keep in touch with everyone, and if the event is cancelled, you’ll be notified immediately.
Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT.
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Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
It is fascinating for we nerdy communications types to watch the way news is gathered and disseminated these days. A lot of us can remember how in times of great urgency and drama that the first place to go was the local picture theatre. How wonderful it was to see things within a week of happening being projected on a big screen.
Then came television and this was basically the death knell of the news reel when items could be watched in the comfort of the family lounge room. The conflict that became the Vietnam War brought an urgency for people to follow how the neighbours and relatives that were involved were faring. From the withdrawal of the French forces, the countries of the South East Asian Treaty Organisation moved to try and stem the advance of the North Vietnamese forces into the south of the country.
Not only were there great numbers of reporters phoning and faxing images back to their editors but there were the reporters with movie cameras wanting to get their stories back to home stations for inclusion in the nightly news. There was a level of competition to be the first into print and with needing to send cans of film via air freight there was no competition. . . And then came satellites.
What brought this to mind is the fact that people are dying in the north of the world and we get to see the tragedies and speeches in almost real time. The weather events have created much harm but between broadcast radio, TV and streaming services we have been alerted with the great speed. The weak links appear to some, to be the forecasting imprecision with rapidly varying complex systems.
However, I want to return to the international turmoil which I have been following on a number of services meaning that I have not stopped at local broadcasting but have used international services quite a bit. The obvious fact is that no one service has enough resources to cover the country being invaded. Some have multiple crews giving snapshots of activities in isolated areas and others have a minimal footprint with reporters trying to travel by magic carpet to as many locations as they can. I have not seen any sign of media being embedded with the Ukrainian forces and I have not been able to work our whether the one Russian English speaking reporter that I have seen is working independently of the military.
Now there is no obvious news hub where reports are gathered and shared around and each network seems to have its own collection of on-call commentators. The result is that it is very hard to gain an overall and coherent picture of what is actually happening. Because of the restrictions that the reporters face, the lack of co-ordination of reporting and the divergent commentary, it would be a brave soul who can honestly give an opinion which would be unbiased and remain true for any time.
Simply because we have a multiplicity of sources does not mean we are getting the full story. The same can be said of the internet and what is published there. We all need our thinking caps on when dealing with a lot of detail.
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you?
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QNEWS SOCIALLY SPEAKING
REDFEST Saturday April 9 St Michaels College Caboolture (vk4bz)
Sellers can start filling tables after 7am.
The venue for selling will open at 9am although
the public can gather from 8am onwards for breakfast
Due to the COVID-19 situation, please check these events' direct for up-to-date status information and even without Covid dates have an uncanny knack of being changed at last moment.
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TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-
Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/
QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA
If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:-
qnews@wia.org.au
THEN submit audio:-
To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au
Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘ ```
QNEWS - MARCH 6 VK4 ON AIR 2022 ------------------------------------------------------------ THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:- www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ OR www.wiaq.org.au Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays. Also, search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app. ------------------------------------------------------------ VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING JULY 26 2021 SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY VK4IW Kev Dickson 07/07/2021 (vk4dmh) VK4JJ Joscelyn McGrath 29/07/2021 (vk4zz) VK4NJA Alan Perkins 07/11/2021 (vk4beg) VK4AYR Mark Bennett 26/07/2021 (tarc) VK4YZ Charlie Strong 02/01/2022 (Redcliffe Club) VK4BJC Jeff Cooper 11/01/2022 (vk4eka) VK4WAL Len Walker Mid January (vk4ac) VK4GS George Smith 26/02/2022 (vk4zz) News of a Silent Key George Smith ex VK4GS Hi everyone, this is Gavin/VK4ZZ, Secretary of the Townsville Amateur Radio Club Inc and I am here today with some sad news. A notification has been received that George Smith, ex VK4GS has gone Silent Key. Ross/VK4RO, a very good friend of George, noted that George went Silent Key on Saturday 26th February following a very long illness. George was a long time former member of The Townsville Amateur Radio Club, travelling from his home QTH at Giru with Ross to Townsville to attend Club Meetings. His main line of work was Accountancy, working for the Haughton Mill Supply Committee (which used to co-ordinate Invicta, Pioneer and Kalamia Sugar Mills). However, he and his wife Norma also got into the hospitality industry owning and running the Shamrock Motel in Queen Street Ayr (now the Plantation Park Motor Inn) with George still doing his job with the Committee. A leg amputation following a shotgun accident did not stop George, still doing the Motel business and the Committee accountancy work and, in 1969 when the Club decided that a Magazine was required to record happenings and to inform members, George put up his hand to be the first editor of what is now known as the Magazine of Renown, Back-scatter. George found a skerrick of time to join in on the boom mode of operating during the late '60s and most of the 70s, 6metres SSB DXing, utilising a Yaesu FT200 with FTV650 transverter and a 6 element Yagi at 25 feet to be part of the fun. In retirement, George moved to Townsville to be closer to medical facilities and towards the end of his life, George was a resident at Good Shepherd Hospice in Douglas. George's Celebration of Life was conducted at The Lakes Chapel, Townsville on Friday afternoon 4th March with family, friends, colleagues and Radio Amateurs marvelling in the full life he led and agreeing that in his passing he will be sorely missed. Vale George Smith ex VK4GS, Silent Key for QNEWS this is Gavin VK4ZZ in sweaty Townsville [with thanks to Ross/VK4RO for the heaps of help in compiling this tribute to George.] ------------------------------------------------------------- CLUBBING ------------------------------------------------------------- DARLING DOWNS RADIO CLUB http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/DarlingDownsRadioClub/ vk4wid@gmail.com At the next meeting of the Darling Downs Radio Club Inc Paul VK4CPS will present "From the hands of Mankind come the Satellites", talking about the development and functions of orbiting satellites. To hear Paul and catch up with local Amateurs come to the Community Venues, Level 3, City Library Building on Victoria St Toowoomba. The presentation will be at 7:30 PM Monday 14th March. This is Dougal VK4EKA for the Darling Downs Radio Club Inc.' -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. Welcome to the joys of Autumn with balmy weather and gentle breezes in this sub-tropical paradise. I’m sorry but that isn’t the proper greeting for so many people in the central parts through to southern New South Wales. With memories of the 1974 Brisbane area floods and the 2011 floods and more, it is a sad time watching the television reports of the forces of nature and la Nina washing away so many supports and memories of so many people. The terrible thing is that people continue to die in these weather events. Our thoughts are with you. It has been an interesting week of education for me with an article on space weather grasping my attention. Then the ABC Catalyst program iview.abc.net.au/show/catalyst was devoted to the subject and particularly the effect of coronal mass ejections or CMEs. As users of the upper atmosphere to get our radio signals around the globe, this documentary is perhaps close to required viewing. Expanding on the history and effects of CMEs that have been recorded from the Carrington Event in the 19th century en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrington_Event to the present day capacity for monitoring, this is something worth an hour of our time. If you enter Carrington Event into your preferred search engine you can find multiple entries which go into various levels of detail. The important take-home message is that a major CME reaching earth can let all the magic smoke out of so much of the electronics technology that we depend upon. Goodbye internet, computers, radios, avionics, engine management systems and where will we be without a protective Faraday cage? This is just something to ponder……..Did I hear someone say, “keep a vintage transceiver that uses valves and a generator without electronics”? Of course, the other situation that we have to consider is the one facing the world in crisis over the invasion of the Ukraine. With at least 30 countries applying sanctions and giving aid to Ukraine there is an implicit threat to those countries’ cybersecurity by way of retaliation by Russia. Targeting infrastructures such as electricity generation and supply, water purification and reticulation and disrupting communications systems including transport would cause extreme anxiety to the population. With such dependence on computing and IT, the world has become more vulnerable to attacks and attacks on systems maintained behind poor security walls. We have even seen the plans of the new intelligence headquarters in Canberra stolen before construction was complete. Should access to the internet be prevented, many commercial and proprietary radio modes and encrypted communication links would be rendered useless. The world linking digital modes that come with so many new VHF and UHF radios would not be there to use. I remember reading that in the race for superiority between the Soviet regime and the US military there were great guffaws when a captured Mig aircraft was found to contain avionics based around thermionic valves. It was later realised and confirmed from sources in the USSR that the humble radio valve had one advantage over the newer, weight reducing solid-state equipment. Should there be a nuclear explosion, the tube equipment would survive the electromagnetic pulse, EMP, and the transistors would be extinct. Interesting times; I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you? ------------------------------------------------------------ QNEWS SOCIALLY SPEAKING REDFEST Saturday, April 9 St Michaels College Caboolture (vk4bz) Sellers can start filling tables after 7 am. The venue for selling will open at 9 am although the public can gather from 8 am onwards for breakfast Due to the COVID-19 situation, please check these events direct for up-to-date status information and even without Covid dates have an uncanny knack of being changed at the last moment. ------------------------------------------------------------* TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
``` -------------------------------------------------------------------69 QNEWS - FEBRUARY 27 VK4 ON AIR 2022
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THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:-
www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/
OR
www.wiaq.org.au
Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays.
Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app.
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Redcliffe and Districts radio club. www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/RedcliffeAndDistrictRadioClub/
Hello, this is John Saunders VK4BZ from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club.
Redcliffe Club’s annual REDFEST is just around the corner - Saturday 9th April 2022 at St Michael's College, Caboolture.
Our brand spanking new shed at the Club Rooms is bursting at the seams with pre-loved goodies all waiting for REDFEST to find themselves new homes.
Raffle prizes are already starting to roll in, including one of those Oriental dual band VHF/UHF handheld radios which could be yours simply by turning up, rummaging through the stalls, sampling the exquisite cuisine, and buying a raffle ticket, of course.
That date again, Saturday 9th April 2022 at St Michael's College, Abbey Place, Caboolture.
Put it in the diary and we’ll see you there.
On behalf of the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club, this is John Saunders VK4BZ.
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Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.
In a week when the earth shifted on its axis when the Russian Government sent troops over the border into Ukraine, I wondered, strange as it seems, what it would mean in the civilian and non-partisan world of amateur radio.
One thing that our cohort is usually good at is not generally taking their personal opinions on politics and international affairs onto their practice on the air. Certain governments, from time to time may prohibit their nationals from making contact with other callsign areas or countries. We haven’t heard of any restrictions in this regard as yet.
Certainly in this century we have had mainly civilian operators operate from areas of conflict with properly authorised stations and call signs. These stations have been considered acceptable for awards such as DXCC and have been much sought after for that reason. I am unaware if there are any operators currently in the disputed territories of the eastern Ukraine but that may change.
With sanctions being applied against various arms and persons of the Russian government, I saw one interesting question related to our hobby of radio. One item which is popular for its versatility is the Malahit SDR receiver and it is designed and made in Russia. Will people still be able to purchase one with the sanctions on the banking sector being applied? There are other QRP rigs coming from Russia so these may become unobtainable also.
However, when it comes to on air behaviour I expect that we will not see any loss or impairment of the true amateur spirit and all stations will be treated with courtesy and respect.
During the week, I was getting questions in my head about what we, as individuals, can do to promote a particular passion to others. It is something that applies to so many things and particularly sporting, hobby and recreational activities. There are some things that automatically induce a novice to try something new. The potential board rider will already have an affinity with water sports and possibly that particular version. The person wanting to join in competition drone racing will probably already have experience of flying and so it goes on with all the other things we do to expand our enjoyment and experience of novel things.
I could see the opportunity for being able to demonstrate and perhaps discuss various parts of what makes up amateur radio but I was not sure that I came up with a clincher of an argument. When I was in short pants, the various servicemen who were amateurs managed to tease out areas of interest and in the era of home brew, this schoolboy worked out how to get the bits to make a crystal set. Today, that seems mundane and dated and I still wonder how people will find the local amateur(s) who will encourage them into the hours of absorption that this service has provided to me.
Perhaps we need to all share our experiences and thoughts so when we get the knock on the door we will have some answers to the questions we will be asked. Who did you tell about amateur radio, this week?
I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you?
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QNEWS SOCIALLY SPEAKING
REDFEST Saturday April 9 St Michaels College Caboolture (vk4bz) Sellers can start filling tables after 7am. The venue for selling will open at 9am although the public can gather from 8am onwards for breakfast
Due to the COVID-19 situation, please check these events' direct for up-to-date status information and even without Covid dates have an uncanny knack of being changed at last moment.
------------------------------------------------------------* TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-
Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/
QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA
If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:-
qnews@wia.org.au
THEN submit audio:-
To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au
Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
```
-------------------------------------------------------------------69 QNEWS - FEBRUARY 20 VK4 ON AIR 2022 ------------------------------------------------------------ THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:- www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ OR www.wiaq.org.au Importantly remember to download from the site by COT (Close of Transmission) Mondays. Also, search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app. ------------------------------------------------------------ Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. It seems to me that when we lack all the information that we need to deal with a problem, there is the temptation to let preconceptions intrude and jump to conclusions. Sadly this is often the way a lot of public discourse is conducted and many fingers are pointed and faces flushed red as people try to justify opinions based on ignorance, just blind faith. We take part in a pursuit that is based on the principles of science and how we understand the technology that we use is to apply the questioning and experimentation that is the foundation of radio type communications. We read many splashy articles announcing findings that are going to change the world. The public relations blurb that underpins these so-called press releases is usually based on solid research and the findings that it has produced. Even when the scientific paper that officially announces the finding is vetted by others familiar with the area of study, it is not until the experiments and analyses are done over, again and again, the work is replicated, and the results are interdependently confirmed that the work becomes part of the official literature of science. Similarly to the physical sciences, other areas of academic research follow the same principles of understanding whether it be later applied in farming, advertising or public health campaigns. The logic of having the best information on which to build seems undeniable but when it comes to running our organisation it gets swept under the table, all too often. It was reading a news item from the ABC, Western Australia, about using a marketing firm to find out how to engage people, in this case, the Gen Zeds as they are known, in the volunteer sector of the state that got me considering this. With the loss of people over the years and a sudden disruption and loss of willing people because of the Covid-19 pandemic that provoked the volunteering bodies to engage a marketing company to research and devise approaches that would not only encourage young people to take up volunteering but would hopefully retain them through interest and the self-reward that volunteers achieve. www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-16/volunteering-wa-youth-marketing-makeover/100762290 Using the best information available would certainly be seen to work in Western Australia. This brings me around to the Jeremiahs who constantly foretell the death of amateur radio. It is very true that old age is overtaking so many in the community and the numbers aren’t being replenished. Here I am pulling the tiger’s tail by saying we aren’t doing the job of understanding what interests the young people. We don’t have the research and the knowledge to promote AR to a new generation and if it comes to it, we don’t seem to be doing much of a job in recruiting the more mature, either. When this has been raised before, various reasons have been given that these things cost money and there aren’t the funds. Great, so I see that as an admission of defeat before the battle has even been joined. Do we really want to use the information that can be gathered and sorted or do we sit on our hands and watch our numbers shrink? I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think… how about you? ------------------------------------------------------------ QNEWS SOCIALLY SPEAKING REDFEST Saturday April 9 St Michaels College Caboolture (vk4bz) Due to the COVID-19 situation, please check these events' direct for up-to-date status information and even without Covid dates have an uncanny knack of being changed at the last moment. ------------------------------------------------------------ TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh .‘
-------------------------------------------------------------------69 QNEWS - FEBRUARY 13 VK4 ON AIR 2022 ------------------------------------------------------------ THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE based in BRISBANE, OLYMPIC CITY 2031, RIGHT NOW:- www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ OR www.wiaq.org.au Importantly remember to download from the site by COT(Close of Transmission) Mondays. Also, search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast app ------------------------------------------------------------- CLUBBING ------------------------------------------------------------- Ipswich & District Radio Club www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/IpswichAndDistrict/ Web - www.vk4wip.org.au Email - vk4wip@wia.org.au For a full list of repeaters - www.vk4wip.org.au This is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club. Twenty twenty-two is underway and Ipswich club members met online In January for the first business meeting of the year. The club has taken a prudent approach to meet via Zoom with Omicron almost being omnipresent. Until the club resumes face-to-face meetings the digital interest group, Maple Ridge group and social meetings are currently paused. Two new members have been welcomed to the club Vanita VK4VTL and Rod VK4ACF. On the Wicen front, Robert VK4KHW tabled the calendar of events for the 2022 Cooyar Horse Ride on March 19 this one is a joint venture with the Brisbane WICEN group Then Pinnacles on April 10 Brisbane Trail Marathon April 1 Mt Mee Classic May 22 The Guzzler June 23 and 24 Lake Manchester Trail August 21 And Mt Glorious Trail November 13 Members and friends of the club are encouraged to support these events. Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. As the warm summer days and drenching showers continue towards the prelude to winter we have to ask what are the things that are important to amateur radio. There are those things that are important at our own station and operation, there are things that keep us involved in club activities where we can multiply the involvement and enjoyment with the shared efforts of members. In the wider scope, there are almost anonymous activities that aren't front and centre in our everyday minds. For instance, you may have heard of the successful actions in IARU Region 1 in having intruders moved from the amateur allocated radio spectrum. We have recurrent instances of over the horizon radars blanketing large portions of our HF frequencies and I don't recall hearing of any action from intruder watch participants in our Region 3 area to source these stations operating in breach of ITU treaty allocations. The system that has worked so well for many years depends on the intruders being recorded and reported to individual country regulators. The reports are verified and the sources located in a particular region of the world and then through the foreign affairs department, an appropriate request is lodged in the country with the errant operation. There is a process to be followed and somewhere it is breaking down. There are international obligations for regulatory agencies to monitor for interference which can disrupt other services such as shipping, air traffic and land mobile services. Not all the interference that occurs is simply and conveniently restricted to designated amateur bands and can overlap multiple service allocations of the spectrum. So whilst it may be the amateur observers have tired of submitting reports, we should also be asking what has happened to the rest of the system? Just as I have suggested the possibility of monitoring our Region 3 emergency frequencies as something we can progress, how about we address the intruder watch absence in our area? The main difference is that it would take a little more immediate preparation as logging is important and recording the traffic, be it straight audio or other types of interference. Then it needs to be promptly reported, and processed for the actions further along the system. Most stations would have the facility to do the initial reports available at the usual operating position. The other thing is that the bands have to be scanned so that would give some extra exercise to the coffee clutching hand by turning the VFO knob. Some of these seemingly neglected activities such as monitoring would just take a little allocation of time and a little organisation on our part. Too often we have heard the phoney complaint of "why doesn't XYZ do this? Meaning we are missing an opportunity to participate in other facets of our pursuit if we are just satisfied to shine the seat of our pants and not contribute ourselves. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think, how about you? ------------------------------------------------------------ QNEWS SOCIALLY SPEAKING REDFEST - Saturday, April 9 St Michaels College Caboolture (vk4bz) Due to the COVID-19 situation, please check these events' direct for up-to-date status information and even without Covid dates have an uncanny knack of being changed at the last moment. ------------------------------------------------------------ TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:- Send SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/ QNEWS Tips to get MORE out of your weekly newscast on VK4WIA If you would like to submit club news items for inclusion in QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to:- qnews@wia.org.au THEN submit audio:- To submit audio email qnews@wia.org.au Remember the sooner you submit audio material the more the likelihood of it being broadcast in the very next QNEWS. Each item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different slants to keep your event 'fresh".