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QNEWS AUGUST 4 2024 - VK4

 

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QNEWS AUGUST 4 2024 - VK4 ON AIR

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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 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.



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VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR FROM MAY 6 2024

SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY

VK4PS ALAN STEPHENSON 23/05/24 (vk4zz)
VK4FANG ROGER HARNDEN 22/07/24 (vk4zz)

Sadly Roger, VK4FANG (aka ¡®the Dodger) passed away in the
Townsville University Hospital on Monday evening 22/07/24
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 Fathers side at the time of his passing.

VK4FANG was a product of South Australia, where he eventually found
himself entrenched into the transport industry which allowed him to
travel extensively throughout our great Country. It was the transport
industry which took Roger to Townsville. In fact 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
was his passion. His beloved ¡°shed¡± became his office, bar (rum &
coke) radio shack. Roger enjoyed amateur radio where he felt
comfortable and contributed much to several nets in Townsville and
other areas. He made numerous on air friends and you only had to speak
to him to know him. He enjoyed making contact with hams from his
beloved South Australia.

Rest in Peace VK4FANG ROGER HARNDEN

(above from a piece sent to vk4zz by Ray vk4net)



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Hello, I¡¯m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I¡¯ve been thinking.



No doubt there were many who follow the sport of kings and who celebrated 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. Sun spot 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 the new people and
appreciate what life experience and skills that 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 by 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 the innovation is really important to
the growth
and longevity of not only our radio club but all social type
organisations. We have
the 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?



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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

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)





TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-

Send SCRIPT to qnews@...
send audio to

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@...

THEN submit audio:-

To submit audio email qnews@... and ask for the current
password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on




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 .¡®

Subscribe: [email protected]
Group Owner: [email protected]
Help: [email protected]

TO CEASE GETTING THIS EMAILED SERVICE:-
Unsubscribe: [email protected]

-----------------------------ENDS------------------------------------*


QNEWS JULY 28 2024 - VK4

 

QNEWS JULY 28 2024 - 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 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.



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VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR FROM MAY 6 2024

SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY

VK4PS ALAN STEPHENSON 23/05/24 (vk4zz)



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Hello, I¡¯m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I¡¯ve been thinking.

One of the challenges of our activity is to work out what is 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 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 has
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 has 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 land line 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, 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 club house, MacFarlane Park, Kippa Ring. (vk4tn)



GOLD COAST HAMFEST OCTOBER 13 at Nerang Country Paradise
Parklands 231 Beaudesert-Nerang Road Nerang. (vk4DMH)





TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-

Send SCRIPT to qnews@...
send audio to

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@...

THEN submit audio:-

To submit audio email qnews@... and ask for the current
password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on




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 .¡®

Subscribe: [email protected]
Group Owner: [email protected]
Help: [email protected]

TO CEASE GETTING THIS EMAILED SERVICE:-
Unsubscribe: [email protected]

-----------------------------ENDS------------------------------------*


QNEWS JULY 21 2024 - VK4

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------69



QNEWS JULY 21 2024 - 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 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.



--------------------------------------------------------------------*


VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR FROM MAY 6 2024

SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY

VK4PS ALAN STEPHENSON 23/05/24 (vk4zz)



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CLUBBING






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Redcliffe and Districts radio club.


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 24th August 2024 at our club house 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 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.

There will be bacon and egg rolls and 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





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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 bed clothes.

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 the familiarity with the unit has filled some time that could hqve
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 a regular work pattern
to meet so
time can be pretty flexible and jobs done when convenient.

With our club activities, it is probably best that we do plan these sorts of
activities so that there is a checklist to help who ever needs to fill a
job in
knowing 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?



-------------------------------------------------------------------*

Hallo everyone, this is Graham VK4BB reminding you
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)





TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-

Send SCRIPT to qnews@...
send audio to

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@...

THEN submit audio:-

To submit audio email qnews@... and ask for the current
password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on




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 .¡®

Subscribe: [email protected]
Group Owner: [email protected]
Help: [email protected]

TO CEASE GETTING THIS EMAILED SERVICE:-
Unsubscribe: [email protected]

-----------------------------ENDS------------------------------------*


QNEWS JULY 14 2024 - VK4

 

QNEWS JULY 14 2024 - 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 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.



--------------------------------------------------------------------*


VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR FROM MAY 6 2024

SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY

VK4PS ALAN STEPHENSON 23/05/24 (vk4zz)



--------------------------------------------------------------------*



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 land line 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)





TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-

Send SCRIPT to qnews@...
send audio to

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@...

THEN submit audio:-

To submit audio email qnews@... and ask for the current
password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on




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 .¡®

Subscribe: [email protected]
Group Owner: [email protected]
Help: [email protected]

TO CEASE GETTING THIS EMAILED SERVICE:-
Unsubscribe: [email protected]

-----------------------------ENDS------------------------------------*


QNEWS JULY 07 2024 - VK4

 

QNEWS JULY 07 2024 - 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 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.



--------------------------------------------------------------------*


VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR FROM MAY 6 2024

SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY

VK4PS ALAN STEPHENSON 23/05/24 (vk4zz)



--------------------------------------------------------------------*



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CLUBBING






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Ipswich and District Radio Club VK4WIP

For a full list of club repeaters - www.vk4wip.org.au

Q news 7 July 2024

This is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club.

From Ipswich WICEN - The Pinnacles Classic was held on June 16th with
Greg VK4GJW and Mark VK4SMA were on the base. Checkpoint One was staffed
by Rod VK4ACF and Alan VK4AJG. About 86 runners started the event and from
a communications standpoint everything went well.

The Guzzler Ultra Marathon is held over two days on July 20 and 21 ¨C and
Mark VK4SMA said he now has enough operators to run the Guzzler event.
While the quota of operators filled, if you have time to help, please put
your name on the reserve list via ipswichwicen@....

The Lake Manchester Trail is coming up on August 18 and the Mount Glorious
Trail November 10.

The club¡¯s IRLP repeater is now up and running, with many thanks to Rob
VK4AB and Alec VK4AZ. It has been tested locally and overseas with 59
reports on both TX and RX.

Club membership numbers remain strong with four new members joining in
May. A warm welcome to David VK4HDW, Bill VK2WML, Diane VK4DI and Bill
VK4ZD.

New members and visitors are welcome at the clubhouse for monthly social
and business meetings. Check the website for dates and times.

Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT.





Redcliffe and Districts radio club.



Redcliffe Club Car Boot Sale & Wamuran Repeater Relocation Project.

Greetings from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club VK4RC.
Robert Thomson VK4TFN here.

The Redcliffe Club will hold our Annual Car Boot Sale on Saturday
24th August 2024 at our club house at MacFarlane Park, Kippa Ring
in the City of Redcliffe.

As always, vendors in at seven, breakfast is at eight, the
Carboot sale starts at nine, and the raffle is at ten thirty.

$10 per car boot or table and a gold coin admission.

Go to redclifferadioclub.org.au for more information.


Wamuran Repeater Relocation Project.

Following the closure of our Wamuran repeater site, the Club¡¯s 2
meter and 70cm repeaters (on 146.925MHz and 438.325MHz respectively)
have recently been relocated to a temporary site. Unfortunately, it
is expected that the coverage will not be good in the short term.

The repeaters had occupied the Wamuran site, for close on 30 years
but it was time to move on. We at the Redcliffe Club, extend our
apologies for any resulting inconvenience.

It is anticipated that the Morton Bay Regional Council, will soon
approve our application for a much-improved site at Ocean View.
We'll get the repeaters up and fully operational at the new site
as soon as possible.

The Club¡¯s 2 meter Mt Glorious repeater (on 147.000MHz) is still
fully operational.

Thank you for your patience and 73 from the Redcliffe and Districts
Radio Club VK4RC.

Thank you
Robert VK4TFN




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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?



-------------------------------------------------------------------*

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

VK4 - Caboolture Radio Club HamFest is to be held on 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.)




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)





TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-

Send SCRIPT to qnews@...
send audio to

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@...

THEN submit audio:-

To submit audio email qnews@... and ask for the current
password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on




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 .¡®

Subscribe: [email protected]
Group Owner: [email protected]
Help: [email protected]

TO CEASE GETTING THIS EMAILED SERVICE:-
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-----------------------------ENDS------------------------------------*


QNEWS JUNE 30 2024 - VK4

 

QNEWS JUNE 30 2024 - 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 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.



--------------------------------------------------------------------*


VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR FROM MAY 6 2024

SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY

VK4PS ALAN STEPHENSON 23/05/24 (vk4zz)



--------------------------------------------------------------------*



--------------------------------------------------------------------*

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?




-------------------------------------------------------------------*


Social Scene

Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section

VK4 - Caboolture Radio Club HamFest is to be held on 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.)



GOLD COAST HAMFEST OCTOBER 13 at Nerang Country Paradise
Parklands 231 Beaudesert-Nerang Road Nerang. (vk4DMH)





TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-

Send SCRIPT to qnews@...
send audio to

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@...

THEN submit audio:-

To submit audio email qnews@... and ask for the current
password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on




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 .¡®

Subscribe: [email protected]
Group Owner: [email protected]
Help: [email protected]

TO CEASE GETTING THIS EMAILED SERVICE:-
Unsubscribe: [email protected]

-----------------------------ENDS------------------------------------*


QNEWS JUNE 23 2024 - VK4

 

QNEWS JUNE 23 2024 - 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 ONLY FROM:-

QNEWS audio ready to download thanks to Brendan VK4BLP from
www.wiaq.org.au

--------------------------------------------------------------------*


VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR FROM MAY 6 2024

SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY

VK4PS ALAN STEPHENSON 23/05/24 (vk4zz)



--------------------------------------------------------------------*

--------------------------------------------------------------------*

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?



-------------------------------------------------------------------*


Social Scene

Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section

VK4 - Caboolture Radio Club HamFest is to be held on 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.)



GOLD COAST HAMFEST OCTOBER 13 at Nerang Country Paradise
Parklands 231 Beaudesert-Nerang Road Nerang. (vk4DMH)





TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-

Send SCRIPT to qnews@...
send audio to

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@...

THEN submit audio:-

To submit audio email qnews@... and ask for the current
password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on




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 .¡®

Subscribe: [email protected]
Group Owner: [email protected]
Help: [email protected]

TO CEASE GETTING THIS EMAILED SERVICE:-
Unsubscribe: [email protected]

-----------------------------ENDS------------------------------------*


QNEWS JUNE 16 2024 - VK4

 

QNEWS JUNE 16 2024 - 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 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.



--------------------------------------------------------------------*


VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR FROM MAY 6 2024

SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY

VK4PS ALAN STEPHENSON 23/05/24 (vk4zz)


---------------------------------------------------------------------*

CLUBBING

---------------------------------------------------------------------*


TOWNSVILLE

vk4wit@...
4773 1196 or 0408 001142
po box 333 Garbutt East, QLD 4814
www.tarc.org.au

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.

After moving to Townsville in 1979, we, as a Family did visit the
Bomb Site on several occasions. On ANZAC DAY 2014, I transmitted
(AM on ANZAC DAY) from the Site. Since that time the Oonoomba bomb
site was granted a Heritage listing of the Historical WW2 Bombing of
Townsville. I, with other Members of TARC, operated two stations on
ANZAC Day 2024 , Net Control by Gavin, VK4ZZ from the Green St.
Headquarters.

Over the years since 2014, the original tenants (Dept. Primary
Industries) have vacated and the land has become an overgrown area
with a swamp surrounding the Bomb Site. My inquiring mind led me to
investigate just what was the future of our WW2 Heritage-listed Site.
A great deal of the then vacant land had been developed into Housing
and Commercial estates. I found that Plaques, that had been laid at
the Bomb Site were missing and one was removed to an area well away
from our Heritage Listed Site.

Investigation into the three levels of Government regarding; the
future of our Site clearly proved that our Heritage Listed Site
was about to be built over and lost forever!

NOT ON MY WATCH.

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. It has
not been made clear to what level the preservation will be, this is
why we must get behind the support of the Bomb Site for current and
future residents and visitors to Townsville to witness and enjoy our
History at War.

( Ray will be calling VK4OIL )

Our transmission on the Anniversary of the Bombing, 29th. July 2024
from the Site will be -
Transmission Start: 2.00 pm EST
Transmission Finish: 4.00 pm EST
Freq. 7.100 + or - LSB.
Net Control VK4ZZ - Gavin from TARC H'quarters.

TARC Members who would like to erect a portable station are all
welcome. Any helpers or visitors, all welcome to attend.

I also ask that we be inundated with DX stations from all over our
Great Country to call into the Net 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?


-------------------------------------------------------------------*


Social Scene

Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section

VK4 - Caboolture Radio Club HamFest is to be held on 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.)



GOLD COAST HAMFEST OCTOBER 13 at Nerang Country Paradise
Parklands 231 Beaudesert-Nerang Road Nerang. (vk4DMH)





TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-

Send SCRIPT to qnews@...
send audio to

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@...

THEN submit audio:-

To submit audio email qnews@... and ask for the current
password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on




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 .¡®

Subscribe: [email protected]
Group Owner: [email protected]
Help: [email protected]

TO CEASE GETTING THIS EMAILED SERVICE:-
Unsubscribe: [email protected]

-----------------------------ENDS------------------------------------*


QNEWS JUNE 9 2024 - VK4

 

QNEWS JUNE 9 2024 - 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 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.



--------------------------------------------------------------------*


VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR FROM MAY 6 2024

SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY

VK4PS ALAN STEPHENSON 23/05/24 (vk4zz)



--------------------------------------------------------------------*
Caboolture


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.)

( text edtion only )

--------------------------------------------------------------------*

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?

-------------------------------------------------------------------*


Social Scene

Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section

VK4 - Caboolture Radio Club HamFest is to be held on 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.)



GOLD COAST HAMFEST OCTOBER 13 at Nerang Country Paradise
Parklands 231 Beaudesert-Nerang Road Nerang. (vk4DMH)





TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-

Send SCRIPT to qnews@...
send audio to

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@...

THEN submit audio:-

To submit audio email qnews@... and ask for the current
password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on




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 .¡®

Subscribe: [email protected]
Group Owner: [email protected]
Help: [email protected]

TO CEASE GETTING THIS EMAILED SERVICE:-
Unsubscribe: [email protected]

-----------------------------ENDS------------------------------------*


QNEWS JUNE 2 2024

 

QNEWS JUNE 2 2024 - 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 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.



--------------------------------------------------------------------*


VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR FROM MAY 6 2024

SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY

VK4PS ALAN STEPHENSON 23/05/24 (vk4zz)


--------------------------------------------------------------------*

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 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?



-------------------------------------------------------------------*

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)
BUT the facebook group called hamfests australia show it as Julky 13
We have sent numerous emails to the club (vk4qd) but no response so
before you hoip in the car TRY to assertain the correct date.



GOLD COAST HAMFEST OCTOBER 13 at Nerang Country Paradise
Parklands 231 Beaudesert-Nerang Road Nerang. (vk4DMH)





TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-

Send SCRIPT to qnews@...
send audio to

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@...

THEN submit audio:-

To submit audio email qnews@... and ask for the current
password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on




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 .¡®

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Help: [email protected]

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-----------------------------ENDS------------------------------------*


QNEWS MAY 26 2024 - VK4

 

QNEWS MAY 26 2024 - 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 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.



--------------------------------------------------------------------*


VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR FROM MAY 6 2024

SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY

VK4PS ALAN STEPHENSON 23/05/24 (vk4zz)

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 up the communications section
of the Townsville Civil Defence organisation in the early 1970s
and continued to be a comms section leader for many years
when that organisation changed into the Townsville division of the
Queensland State Emergency Service.

Alan was instrumental in obtaining the location of the Amateur Radio Site
at Mount Stuart and securing access for the Amateur Radio Club into
the current Club Rooms at the SES HQ atop the Green Street Bunker
during the early 1970s, supporting the training of Amateur Radio operators
through the club during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, was comms support leader
for the Club in assisting community organisations to run events safely
through
the power of radio and assisting radioamateurs in their experiments.
Alan was a 6metre band pioneer in North Queensland back when you had to
convert an 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.

As a lad Alan helped his father deliver public address systems to defense
positions about The Strand and other locations during World War 2, often
having to wiggle through barbed wire installations to get the delivery
completed. Alan eventually took on his father's radio building business -
Stephenson Radio, providing radio tech and sales services right across
North Queensland, often spending days on stations setting up or improving
HF Radio bases used to communicate with the School of the Air or the
Flying Doctor. Alan's business also extended to maritime communications,
keeping commercial and recreational craft working well on the air.

Alan was involved in the original TV boom when television was first
introduced to
the North and was really busy with the introduction of Colour TV,
providing installation and servicing services for single and community
distributed TVs.

Alan's celebration of life will be happening at Morley's Chapel, Martinez
Avenue
West End Townsville starting 2pm on Friday 31st May 2024. Friends,
Associates and
those wanting to show their respects to Alan are invited to attend the
service.





--------------------------------------------------------------------*


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.

One of the best attributes that we can apply to any activity whether as a
single
person or as a member of a team is to be able to take the successes of
others and
adapt and apply that knowledge to our own situation. Just as the home
constructor
may take the design of something and then modify it to use the materials
at hand, we
can take things like this promotion and adapt it also.

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?



-------------------------------------------------------------------*


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)





TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-

Send SCRIPT to qnews@...
send audio to

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@...

THEN submit audio:-

To submit audio email qnews@... and ask for the current
password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on




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 .¡®

Subscribe: [email protected]
Group Owner: [email protected]
Help: [email protected]

TO CEASE GETTING THIS EMAILED SERVICE:-
Unsubscribe: [email protected]

-----------------------------ENDS------------------------------------*


QNEWS MAY 19 2024 - VK4

 

QNEWS MAY 19 2024 - 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 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.



--------------------------------------------------------------------*

CLUBBING

---------------------------------------------------------------------*

Ipswich & District Radio Club

Web ¨C www.vk4wip.org.au
Email - vk4wip@...
For a full list of repeaters - www.vk4wip.org.au

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 Trish VK4TMK and
Alan VK4AJG. The early starts can be a challenge, but such is the nature
of trail running.

The next event is the Pinnacles Classic on June 16 followed by The Guzzler
Ultra Marathon held over two days ¨C July 20 and 21. For this event we need
maximum participation from members, friends and other visiting amateurs. A
total of 22 people are needed. Coordinator for the Guzzler event is Mark
VK4SMA, please contact Mark via email ipswichwicen@... if you can
assist.

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 ¨C 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 too.
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?



-------------------------------------------------------------------*

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)





TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-

Send SCRIPT to qnews@...
send audio to

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@...

THEN submit audio:-

To submit audio email qnews@... and ask for the current
password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on




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 .¡®

Subscribe: [email protected]
Group Owner: [email protected]
Help: [email protected]

TO CEASE GETTING THIS EMAILED SERVICE:-
Unsubscribe: [email protected]

-----------------------------ENDS------------------------------------*


QNEWS MAY 12 2024 - VK4

 

QNEWS MAY 12 2024 - 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 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 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)





TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-

Send SCRIPT to qnews@...
send audio to

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@...

THEN submit audio:-

To submit audio email qnews@... and ask for the current
password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on




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 .¡®

Subscribe: [email protected]
Group Owner: [email protected]
Help: [email protected]

TO CEASE GETTING THIS EMAILED SERVICE:-
Unsubscribe: [email protected]

-----------------------------ENDS------------------------------------*


QNEWS MAY 5 2024 - VK4

 

QNEWS MAY 5 2024 - 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 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.



--------------------------------------------------------------------*


VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR FROM MAY 13 2023

SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY

VK4OD PETER HARDING 10 JULY 2023 vk4bab
VK4SOA SYD ABRAHAMS 18 AUGUST vk4eka
VK4KCC GRAHAM ANDERSON 9 SEPTEMBER vk7ev
VK4CCF JEFF STINSON 1 OCTOBER vk4zz
VK4FZAK MAREE CHURCHILL 8 OCTOBER vk4djc
VK5QD x VK4AFO
AUB McKIBBEN 21 NOVEMBER vk4yt
VK4SL SYD LYON 9 DECEMBER vk4hit
VK4MRC ROD CARDELL 17 DECEMBER vk4kx
VK3FPL/4 PETER LORD 17 DECEMBER vk4eo
VK4JDJ DENNIS BAUER 12 APRIL vk4fuq/v4mik
VK4KPD PETER DOR ?? Dougal






--------------------------------------------------------------------*



--------------------------------------------------------------------*

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?



-------------------------------------------------------------------*

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)





TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-

Send SCRIPT to qnews@...
send audio to

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@...

THEN submit audio:-

To submit audio email qnews@... and ask for the current
password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on




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 .¡®

Subscribe: [email protected]
Group Owner: [email protected]
Help: [email protected]

TO CEASE GETTING THIS EMAILED SERVICE:-
Unsubscribe: [email protected]

-----------------------------ENDS------------------------------------*


QNEWS APRIL 28 2024 - VK4

 

QNEWS APRIL 28 2024 - 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 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.



--------------------------------------------------------------------*


VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR FROM MAY 13 2023

SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY

VK4OD PETER HARDING 10 JULY 2023 vk4bab
VK4SOA SYD ABRAHAMS 18 AUGUST vk4eka
VK4KCC GRAHAM ANDERSON 9 SEPTEMBER vk7ev
VK4CCF JEFF STINSON 1 OCTOBER vk4zz
VK4FZAK MAREE CHURCHILL 8 OCTOBER vk4djc
VK5QD x VK4AFO
AUB McKIBBEN 21 NOVEMBER vk4yt
VK4SL SYD LYON 9 DECEMBER vk4hit
VK4MRC ROD CARDELL 17 DECEMBER vk4kx
VK3FPL/4 PETER LORD 17 DECEMBER vk4eo
VK4JDJ DENNIS BAUER 12 APRIL vk4fuq/v4mik






--------------------------------------------------------------------*




--------------------------------------------------------------------*

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?



-------------------------------------------------------------------*

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)





TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-

Send SCRIPT to qnews@...
send audio to

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@...

THEN submit audio:-

To submit audio email qnews@... and ask for the current
password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on




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 .¡®

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-----------------------------ENDS------------------------------------*


QNEWS APRIL 21 2024 - VK4

 

QNEWS APRIL 21 2024 - 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 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.



--------------------------------------------------------------------*


VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR FROM MAY 13 2023

SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY

VK4OD PETER HARDING 10 JULY 2023 vk4bab
VK4SOA SYD ABRAHAMS 18 AUGUST vk4eka
VK4KCC GRAHAM ANDERSON 9 SEPTEMBER vk7ev
VK4CCF JEFF STINSON 1 OCTOBER vk4zz
VK4FZAK MAREE CHURCHILL 8 OCTOBER vk4djc
VK5QD x VK4AFO
AUB McKIBBEN 21 NOVEMBER vk4yt
VK4SL SYD LYON 9 DECEMBER vk4hit
VK4MRC ROD CARDELL 17 DECEMBER vk4kx
VK3FPL/4 PETER LORD 17 DECEMBER vk4eo
VK4JDJ DENNIS BAUER 12 APRIL vk4fuq/v4mik


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 with the various jobs. He joined the army and trained as
an engineer and did a tour of Vietnam and was involved with demining
and clearing roads ¨C a dangerous task.

Dennis, Wayne VK4ARW and VK4MIK plus a couple of younger chaps did a
well organised Amateur Radio Course in the early 1990¡¯s which Wilf
Booth VK4ZNZ SK, ex PMG senior technical officer and Telstra foreman,
organized and wrote a very comprehensive manual that covered the theory
requirements plus during the course included practical displays to
enhance the learning. They were also given assistance in CW by
Aub VK4AFO SK and others who greatly assisted in mastering CW.
Dennis developed a great appreciation for CW and after getting past the
exams and licensed he took part in the nightly CW and LSB nets.

The group formed into the Tableland Radio Group and did numerous trips
away operating various locations. The Group operated from Grassy Hill
Lighthouse with the distinctive callsign VK4GHL and Dennis did much
research in building dipoles and loop antennas for the various events
which were always successful and they also learnt about his latest
designs and the theory behind same ¨C many times he had novel
approaches. They also did radio operations for the Tablelands Endurance
horse rides and Dennis usually manned the base control and he clarified
issues such as getting lost or on the wrong track !! He had a keen
sense of humour and used to have many laughing about incidents that had
occurred.

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 net that took place from 0530 to
0630 each morning and had hams from the Darling Downs, Rockhampton,
Mackay, Bowen, Townsville and various Atherton Tableland locations plus
Cairns and occasionally others joined in. They got up to some high
sending speeds and it was amazing to listen to. Dennis acquired a few
different paddles from Italy and other countries. He also enjoyed QRP
ops and building various projects to incorporate in his station set up.

He did some 2 meter and 70 cm operating and was involved with a phased
array that VK4MIK was building for 2 meters and got assistance from
Wilf ¨C it was an bit of a construction ¡° murphy¡± but they got it
operating !!

Dennis was usually a quiet bloke who ¡°plugged away¡± at projects and
learning and he would finally announce what he had been up to. Many
hams have similar attributes.

Dennis will be missed.

He had his partner Sue and family near at the end.

73 Den aee you down the track.

QNEWS thanks Mike vk4mik for a fine penned tribute to obviously a well
liked man.



--------------------------------------------------------------------*

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.


It took 9 days for the item to arrive at the front door from the US
warehouse and
about the same time for a purchase from a local site to be delivered. It
almost
seems that our local mail and transport services are reluctant to promote the
convenience and often necessary on-line shopping by the tardiness of their
service.
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 the 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 print out 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?



-------------------------------------------------------------------*
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)





TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-

Send SCRIPT to qnews@...
send audio to

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@...

THEN submit audio:-

To submit audio email qnews@... and ask for the current
password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on




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 .¡®

Subscribe: [email protected]
Group Owner: [email protected]
Help: [email protected]

TO CEASE GETTING THIS EMAILED SERVICE:-
Unsubscribe: [email protected]

-----------------------------ENDS------------------------------------*


QNEWS APRIL 14 2024 - VK4

 

QNEWS APRIL 14 2024 - 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 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.



--------------------------------------------------------------------*


VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR FROM MAY 13 2023

SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY
VK4OD PETER HARDING 10 JULY 2023 vk4bab
VK4SOA SYD ABRAHAMS 18 AUGUST vk4eka
VK4KCC GRAHAM ANDERSON 9 SEPTEMBER vk7ev
VK4CCF JEFF STINSON 1 OCTOBER vk4zz
VK4FZAK MAREE CHURCHILL 8 OCTOBER vk4djc
VK5QD x VK4AFO
AUB McKIBBEN 21 NOVEMBER vk4yt
VK4SL SYD LYON 9 DECEMBER vk4hit
VK4MRC ROD CARDELL 17 DECEMBER vk4kx
VK3FPL/4 PETER LORD 17 DECEMBER vk4eo



--------------------------------------------------------------------*



--------------------------------------------------------------------*

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?



-------------------------------------------------------------------*

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)




TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-

Send SCRIPT to qnews@...
send audio to

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@...

THEN submit audio:-

To submit audio email qnews@... and ask for the current
password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on




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 .¡®

Subscribe: [email protected]
Group Owner: [email protected]
Help: [email protected]

TO CEASE GETTING THIS EMAILED SERVICE:-
Unsubscribe: [email protected]

-----------------------------ENDS------------------------------------*


QNEWS APRIL 07 2024 - VK4

 

QNEWS APRIL 07 2024 - 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 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.



--------------------------------------------------------------------*


VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR FROM MAY 13 2023

SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY
VK4OD PETER HARDING 10 JULY 2023 vk4bab
VK4SOA SYD ABRAHAMS 18 AUGUST vk4eka
VK4KCC GRAHAM ANDERSON 9 SEPTEMBER vk7ev
VK4CCF JEFF STINSON 1 OCTOBER vk4zz
VK4FZAK MAREE CHURCHILL 8 OCTOBER vk4djc
VK5QD x VK4AFO
AUB McKIBBEN 21 NOVEMBER vk4yt
VK4SL SYD LYON 9 DECEMBER vk4hit
VK4MRC ROD CARDELL 17 DECEMBER vk4kx
VK3FPL/4 PETER LORD 17 DECEMBER vk4eo

--------------------------------------------------------------------*

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 actually 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 an heroic venture to begin with when
the likes of Electronics Australia and AEM having closed before. Sadly
the amount of material being published which 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, has kept his pen dipped in ink and contributed useful articles
to Silicon Chip. With items sourced from the great cornucopia of
electronics manufacturing, 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 an
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 though 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?


---------------------------------------------------------------------*

CLUBBING

---------------------------------------------------------------------*

BUNDABERG


Gidday! ¨C This is David VK4DN from the Bundy Amateur Radio Club.

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.

So if you are flying into Bundy, please let us know your incoming
flight time.

Also, if you haven¡¯t already registered for the event, the bookings can
now be made via the WIA website.

memnet.com.au/MemberSelfService/EventBooking.aspx?selectedEventId=1

There will also be opportunities for spouses and family to attend
tourist venues in Bundaberg over the weekend such as the historic
Bundaberg Rum Distillery tour / etc.

If you have any questions, let us know!

73 from David VK4DN ¨C Secretary - Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club.





DARLING DOWNS RADIO CLUB
wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/DarlingDownsRadioClub/
vk4wid@...

Before radio, the world was connected by telegraph.

First invented to make marks on paper, the operators learned to read
the message from the clicks of the relays. Adding a passive amplifier
by putting the relay into a wooden sounding box had operators messaging
the world.

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.







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

Darling Downs Radio Club Aril meeting, 7:30 pm in the Community
Rooms above the Toowoomba City Library (vk4eka)

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)




TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-

Send SCRIPT to qnews@...
send audio to

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@...

THEN submit audio:-

To submit audio email qnews@... and ask for the current
password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on




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 .¡®

Subscribe: [email protected]
Group Owner: [email protected]
Help: [email protected]

TO CEASE GETTING THIS EMAILED SERVICE:-
Unsubscribe: [email protected]

-----------------------------ENDS------------------------------------*


QNEWS MARCH 31 2024 - VK4

 

QNEWS MARCH 31 2024 - 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 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.



--------------------------------------------------------------------*


VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR FROM MAY 13 2023

SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY
VK4OD PETER HARDING 10 JULY 2023 vk4bab
VK4SOA SYD ABRAHAMS 18 AUGUST vk4eka
VK4KCC GRAHAM ANDERSON 9 SEPTEMBER vk7ev
VK4CCF JEFF STINSON 1 OCTOBER vk4zz
VK4FZAK MAREE CHURCHILL 8 OCTOBER vk4djc
VK5QD x VK4AFO
AUB McKIBBEN 21 NOVEMBER vk4yt
VK4SL SYD LYON 9 DECEMBER vk4hit
VK4MRC ROD CARDELL 17 DECEMBER vk4kx
VK3FPL/4 PETER LORD 17 DECEMBER vk4eo



--------------------------------------------------------------------*
CLUBBING
---------------------------------------------------------------------*


Redcliffe and Districts radio club.
wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/RedcliffeAndDistrictRadioClub/


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 caf¨¦. 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 8:00am and the sales start at 9:00am.
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 co-operate, 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?



-------------------------------------------------------------------*

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


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)




TO SUPPLY QNEWS ITEMS:-

Send SCRIPT to qnews@...
send audio to

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@...

THEN submit audio:-

To submit audio email qnews@... and ask for the current
password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on




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 .¡®

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QNEWS MARCH 24 2024 - VK4

 

QNEWS MARCH 24 2024 - VK4 ON AIR

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DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK?


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THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE
Available in Audio RIGHT NOW

QNEWS 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.



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VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR FROM MAY 13 2023

SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY
VK4OD PETER HARDING 10 JULY 2023 vk4bab
VK4SOA SYD ABRAHAMS 18 AUGUST vk4eka
VK4KCC GRAHAM ANDERSON 9 SEPTEMBER vk7ev
VK4CCF JEFF STINSON 1 OCTOBER vk4zz
VK4FZAK MAREE CHURCHILL 8 OCTOBER vk4djc
VK5QD x VK4AFO
AUB McKIBBEN 21 NOVEMBER vk4yt
VK4SL SYD LYON 9 DECEMBER vk4hit
VK4MRC ROD CARDELL 17 DECEMBER vk4kx
VK3FPL/4 PETER LORD 17 DECEMBER vk4eo



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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?



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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)




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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@...

THEN submit audio:-

To submit audio email qnews@... and ask for the current
password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on




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 .¡®

Subscribe: [email protected]
Group Owner: [email protected]
Help: [email protected]

TO CEASE GETTING THIS EMAILED SERVICE:-
Unsubscribe: [email protected]

-----------------------------ENDS------------------------------------*