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QNEWS - JUNE 18 2023 - VK4 ON AIR --------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? --------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW QNEWS 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. This week sees us with the shortest daylight hours in the year and in the southern hemisphere it suggests that we are experiencing mid-winter. It would seem that the weather bureau has been correct in its long term forecast of our having warmer winter nights. I remember those hours near to sunrise when the frost crunched under foot and the yellow blast of sunrise marked the beginnings of a warmer day. Thankfully, in my area, I have had nothing worse than some single digit temperatures and some dramatic sheets of fog. I would suppose most of us have seen the official description of amateur radio as published by the governing bodies. One of the features is that it ties in with idea of life long learning which has been supported by the tertiary and further education sector. For most people in the workforce, there is a process of learning and adapting as our environment changes. So it is within the regulated activity called amateur radio, or as some new devotees are calling it, just “ham”. We have witnessed the demise of many specialist publishers and the booksellers that carried the publications which the more senior of us cut our teeth on. Book learning was the principal way of getting education outside of various schools. It was customary for people to have a library which could be accesses to answer the knotty problems that came up and the magazine from the newsagent went on to fill in on more recent advances. In house publications, which a few such as our own Amateur Radio magazine continue but often with reduced numbers of issues. This is where, I believe, our club network can play a big part in helping people upskill or stay abreast of some of the many interests that capture the minds of our fraternity. Within individual clubs there is an understanding of what various people are doing and where their interests are taking them. There can also be an awareness of things that we all might want to know and this gives an opportunity to fill the gap. Many clubs have been able to arrange presentations from people from within and outside their membership. There can be the person who is having fun with microwaves and there can be the person from a company involved in transmission services. There can be demonstration of building, testing and using station accessories and even for some people learning the basics of soldering and breadboarding. This is without mentioning the arts of coding microprocessors or installing software and applications using another operating system such as linux. It is a shame when club life is devoted to business meetings or coffee mornings only. Operating and experimenting are the fundamentals of this recreation and practising the skills that we have picked up leads us onto more adventures. For the remote amateurs there can even be a network for them to engage with others who don’t get to clubs. What I am saying is here is opportunity to develop. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? -------------------------------------------------------------------* 2023 Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section VK4 - SUNFEST - SEPTEMBER 9 (vk4an) At Mountain Creek State School’s massive air conditioned auditorium, just off the Sunshine Motor Way. Mountain Creek is tucked in to the west of Mooloolaba VK - ALARAMeet2023 4/5 N

QNEWS - JUNE 11 2023 - VK4 ON AIR --------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? --------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW QNEWS 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 --------------------------------------------------------------------* ---------------------------------------------------------------------* CLUBBING ---------------------------------------------------------------------* BUNDABERG http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/BundabergAmateurRadioClub/ FROM CB RADIO OPERATOR TO AMATEUR RADIO OPERATOR THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS! Have you thought about getting your amateur radio licence? This article will explain the easy process of going from a Citizen's Band (CB) radio operator to a licensed amateur radio operator in Australia. CB Radio operators are some of the most passionate radio enthusiasts in our community! And just like amateur stations, CB operators enjoy the thrill of contacting distant stations and also making friends over the air. But CB is limited to a couple of bands and very limited power output. Amateur Radio opens up a whole new world of possibilities! Once you have your license, you are able to use a range of different bands and frequencies – Everything from satellite communications to digital modes (connecting you to repeaters all over the world!) If conditions on one band are not ideal, you can often change to another band depending on the time of day / and other conditions. To begin with, it's worth noting that while CB radio operators are not required to have a license in Australia, Amateur radio operators must obtain a license from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to operate their equipment legally. The first step towards obtaining your amateur radio license is to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills. This can be done through self-study or by attending a course. (Your local amateur radio club will offer courses and exam services, but you can also find lots of resources online to help you.) Once you have the required knowledge, you can apply to sit for the ACMA's Foundation License examination. This exam covers topics such as radio theory, operating procedures, and regulations. It is a multiple-choice exam, and you need to score at least 70% to pass. You also need to sit the practical exam, which covers the basics of setting up a station and other basic skills. ( Note: For the Practical you need a 100% mark to pass.) Once again, this is easy enough to do if you are willing to put in the time and effort! And it is actually much easier than you think! After passing the exams, you will need to apply for your Foundation License through the ACMA. The application process involves submitting the appropriate forms, along with a fee. Once your application has been processed and approved, you will be issued with your own call sign, which you can use to identify yourself on the airwaves to stations all over the world! (with amateur callsigns, you also have the option of applying for a unique callsign and if its available, it will be assigned to you.) It's worth noting that the Foundation License is the first step in a series of license classes, each of which allows you to operate more powerful equipment and access more frequencies. As you gain experience and knowledge, you can progress through the classes, ultimately reaching the highest class, the Advanced License! Getting an amateur radio license is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a hobby if you are interested in radio! (It opens up so many amazing possibilities!) We hope this information has bee

QNEWS - JUNE 4 2023 - VK4 ON AIR --------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? CAIRNS, IPSWICH AND TABLELANDS DID --------------------------------------------------------------------* 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------------* CAIRNS wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/CairnsAmateurRadioClubInc/ TABLELANDS RADIO AND ELECTRONICS CLUB wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/TablelandsRadioAndElectronicsClub/ This is Bob, VK4BOB, with news from Far North Queensland. The Cairns Amateur Radio Club and the Tablelands Radio & Electronics Club are getting together on Saturday June 10 for field day operations activating a couple of VKFF parks locations up here in the tropical tablelands. One site will be at Lake Eacham and the other at the Gillies lookout. June up here is usually a beautiful month of moderate temperatures and sunny dry weather, so we’re really looking forward to that for the day. Each site will have members from both clubs sharing their expertise and equipment, offering the experience to members who haven’t worked portable yet. We will be on the various HF bands depending of course on conditions. Equipment will be IC-7300s at both locations, probably with RM Italy linears. Various antennas will be experimented with as part of the fun. We expect the two locations to be within VHF and UHF range of each other so that will add to the exercise, as part of the plan is to practise disaster communications readiness. We will be using the club callsigns of VK4CNS and VK4WAT plus the personal callsigns of each of the operators. Keep an ear out for us on Saturday June 10, swing your beams northwards, and keep an eye on the VKFF Facebook page for the latest info. Ipswich & District Radio Club http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/IpswichAndDistrict/ Web – 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. From the club’s monthly business meeting held on May 22 a busy WICEN report detailed the Brisbane Trail Marathon held on April 30. Other than a slight damp start to the day, the event progressed very well with only a few very minor hiccups. Thank you very much to those who attended and manned the checkpoints. Your time and effort was very much appreciated. The Guzzler Ultra Marathon is coming up July 23 and 24. An email has been sent out to those involved in WICEN, and there have been quite a few responses. The club will need approx. 22 volunteers to man the required checkpoints over the 24-hour period. Please consider helping if you can. This extends to all amateurs in southwest Queensland. Email ipswichwicen@... Our club keeps welcoming new members – In May Warren VK4WRW became the club’s newest member. Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT. --------------------------------------------------------------------* Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. Amongst a number of the operators there seems to have been a sense of relief at the news from the ACMA that the commercial outsourcing of licence provisions will be ending. Whether it has been the ideological standpoint of various governments or the small number of applications that has brought this to a climax, we just don’t know. In the years of long ago, the attitude was that the amateur radio service was a training ground for people who could take a recreational interest in radio and electronics into various areas of the community where their skills could be further developed and put to benefit of the wider populace. About 3 or more decades ago, the idea was prevalent in the halls of powe

QNEWS - MAY 28 2023 - VK4 ON AIR --------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? --------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW QNEWS 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. One of the reasons for having governing structures is to ensure the equal access to the services that are provided. For decades there has been a developing framework to ensure that radio and like services are available to users who can range from the military, first response services, commercial entities and even the lowly experimenter and hobbiest. It has worked reasonably well in ensuring that interference is minimised and use of the various spectrum allocations exist in harmony. That is until commercial “imperatives” intervene and then friction occurs. For instance, it went to court and was found that importing non-type approved equipment was valid, in this country, but that selling it was not. Standards have been agreed to ensure devices which were designed for other uses did not radiate electrical noise which broke through into approved services. Well if the road to hell is paved with good intentions, a lot of them must have been gold plated. Many will remember the struggle to quiet the hash from the early personal computers and electronics magazines and retailers had projects and kits for various filters to keep the mains wiring from spreading the noise. Since then there has been an increase in the number of standards applying to equipment to ensure electromagnetic compatibility but there seems to have been a manifold increase in the devices being installed that either carry a false certification or have none at all. Some time ago, I spoke of the issue that the US Coast Guard had and the instruction to turn of the onboard led lights to reduce interference to necessary communications equipment. As the changing technology spreads, those of us who are surrounded with solar photo-voltaics, know only too well how many of these installations would fail EMC requirements if they were ever checked. In most cases, it is not the technology that is failing but the processes of ensuring the proper filtering is built in. I can remember looking at consumer grade goods where there were multiple places for components that had never been inserted. The units submitted for certification were obviously completely populated but the production runs that hit the main street retailers’ shelves had the hash filtering conveniently omitted. Now we see a movement in the USA to retain the use of the AM broadcast receiver in the electric vehicles. Why? The hash generated by the EV’s own systems wipes out reception. I haven’t caught up on how far into the HF spectrum this interference extends but there are many users of short waves including shipping, military and aeronautical installations. So in other words it is not just we non-commercial and hobbiest users who could be severely impacted but many others who ensure safety of life as well. The issue of EMC seems to be more a paper shuffling exercise and less of a practical one and I just wonder why we spend the time and money to send delegations to the international bodies that set up the guidelines. Saving money at the expense of life has never been an excuse to me. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think....how about you? -------------------------------------------------------------------* 2023 Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section VK4 - SUNFEST - SEPTEMBER 9 (vk4an) At Mountain Creek State School’s massive air condit

QNEWS - MAY 21 2023 - VK4 ON AIR --------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? --------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW QNEWS 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 MAY 2022 till TODAY MAY 14 SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY VK4ZHL Errol Hopper June 2022 (vk4vp) VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp) VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit) VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz) VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc) VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz) VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp) VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp) VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 vk4hit) VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz) VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 (vk4zz) VK4HGT George Turner 02/09 (vk4gcr) VK4DK Stanley 'Dave' West 08/09 (vk4zz) VK4HAJ Merrell Coleman Sept or Oct? (vk4acc) VK4YT Nick Watling 22/10 (vk4zz) VK4HS Howard Stephenson 06/01/23 (vk4acc) VK4IX Ian Creighton 03/02/23 (vk4vp) VK4KNE Gary Neilson 08/05/23 (vk4hit) --------------------------------------------------------------------* This is Bob, VK4BOB, with news from Far North Queensland. The Cairns Amateur Radio Club and the Tablelands Radio & Electronics Club are getting together on Saturday June 10 for field day operations activating a couple of VKFF parks locations up here in the tropical tablelands. One site will be at Lake Eacham and the other at the Gillies lookout. June up here is usually a beautiful month of moderate temperatures and sunny dry weather, so we’re really looking forward to that for the day. Each site will have members from both clubs sharing their expertise and equipment, offering the experience to members who haven’t worked portable yet. We will be on the various HF bands depending of course on conditions. Equipment will be IC-7300s at both locations, probably with RM Italy linears. Various antennas will be experimented with as part of the fun. We expect the two locations to be within VHF and UHF range of each other so that will add to the exercise, as part of the plan is to practise disaster communications readiness. We will be using the club callsigns of VK4CNS and VK4WAT plus the personal callsigns of each of the operators. Keep an ear out for us on Saturday June 10, swing your beams northwards, and keep an eye on the VKFF Facebook page for the latest info. --------------------------------------------------------------------* Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. One of the things that was meant to apply to the amateur radio licence when the Foundation Licence was introduced was the Practical component of the assessment. Like the trial of the high power provisions, this was meant to instil an understanding of electrical, as well as radio frequency safety for us non-professional operators. One area which requires contact with high voltages is the old valve or thermionic tube technology. I have a few pieces and some components amongst my collection of favourite things which glow in the dark and give a warm light in the shack. So when I was in my local electronics store a couple of weeks ago, there were lots of items advertised as specials and some with substantial savings on retail price. This coincided with my realising that my trusty store branded digital multimeter was in need of replacement. Somewhere it has developed and internal short which I can’t find and the continuity buzzer operates a several settings plus it was no longer giving accurate readings of mains voltages. After finding the things a wanted I set about looking at the sale specials on display and there was a cluster of nice, small, yellow digital meters. These are sort of stocking filler items as the same units ar

QNEWS - MAY 14 2023 - VK4 ON AIR --------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? --------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW QNEWS 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 MAY 2022 till TODAY MAY 14 SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY VK4ZHL Errol Hopper June 2022 (vk4vp) VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp) VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit) VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz) VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc) VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz) VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp) VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp) VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 vk4hit) VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz) VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 (vk4zz) VK4HGT George Turner 02/09 (vk4gcr) VK4DK Stanley 'Dave' West 08/09 (vk4zz) VK4HAJ Merrell Coleman Sept or Oct? (vk4acc) VK4YT Nick Watling 22/10 (vk4zz) VK4HS Howard Stephenson 06/01/23 (vk4acc) VK4IX Ian Creighton 03/02/23 (vk4vp) VK4KNE Gasry Neilson 08/05/23 (vk4hit) The passing of Gary Neilsen VK4KNE occurred on Monday May 8. Gary's health started to decline about 18 months ago and in the last two weeks deteriorated rapidly. Gary was a past secretary of Ipswich and District Radio Club and also assisted in some WICEN events. His service will be held at St Paul's in Ipswich, Tomorrow Monday May 15 at 1000 hours, with the wake being held at the Church after the service. Gary was 62 years old at his passing. ---------------------------------------------------------------------* CLUBBING ---------------------------------------------------------------------* Ipswich & District Radio Club http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/IpswichAndDistrict/ Web – 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. Last Monday our clubhouse welcomed members and visitors for a presentation by Scott Watson VK4CZ and Dr Kevin Johnston VK4UH on An Introduction to Amateur Microwave Activity in SE VK4. The evening lived up to its promise of a very interesting and educational presentation. I’m sure it helped dispel a lot of myths around operating on the microwave bands. Just one of the many highlights was that virtually anything can used to bounce a signal – from mountains, storms fronts and aircraft to CBD high-rise buildings. Ipswich WICEN supported another Brisbane Trail Marathon on Sunday April 30 with critical information relayed to race control. There were six checkpoints and the base station, all very ably manned by members and friends of the club. Other than a slight damp start to the day, all went well with very few hiccups along the way. The WICEN Leadership Group would like to sincerely thank all the members who volunteered their time and resources to make the event the success that it was. Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT. --------------------------------------------------------------------* Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. I wonder how many of us have noticed that one of the positions that most clubs no longer have is that of librarian? The era of the collection of books and magazines seems to be shrinking to be maintained only in those groups that are fortunate to have their own club rooms and adequate space for storage. The many clubs that share space in rooms provided by another body generally would seem to find it too hard to maintain a collection of heavy paper. We have seen the demise of the WIA bookshop as sales fell and the cost of providing the service to members was no longer justifiable. We have seen the closure of specialist small booksellers who devoted efforts to supplying the amateur fraternity w

QNEWS - MAY 7 2023 - VK4 ON AIR --------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? --------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW QNEWS RUNS 6.00 and thanks to Tony VK7AX can be found on www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ 203.31.7.19/wianews/ QNEWS audio 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 COMMENCING MAY 2022 SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY VK4ZHL Errol Hopper June 2022 (vk4vp) VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp) VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit) VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz) VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc) VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz) VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp) VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp) VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 vk4hit) VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz) VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 (vk4zz) VK4HGT George Turner 02/09 (vk4gcr) VK4DK Stanley 'Dave' West 08/09 (vk4zz) VK4HAJ Merrell Coleman Sept or Oct? (vk4acc) VK4YT Nick Watling 22/10 (vk4zz) VK4HS Howard Stephenson 06/01/23 (vk4acc) VK4IX Ian Creighton 03/02/23 (vk4vp) --------------------------------------------------------------------* --------------------------------------------------------------------* Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. A saying that often crops up and according to the wisdom of the internet is attributable to anyone from Greek philosophers, Irish playwrights to African tribal sayings ,is that “it is better to be thought a fool by saying nothing by remaining silent than opening one’s mouth and proving it.” When you consider the proposition there is certainly more than a dollop of truth to it. At times, it gets very frustrating reading the comments that get posted to posts on the internet. I suppose it is like some of the disputes that I have heard on radio in years past. There seems to be an innate urge for some people to embarrass their parents by showing how they failed to benefit from going to school. I mean it is something that has been called “opening your mouth and putting your foot in it”, also. These people seem to have to prove that their own lack of thought is the reason others fail to understand the issue at hand or that they are just drunk with the excitement of saying something. Sadly for all of us, we have no doubt been to meetings where the floor has been taken over for a while by someone practising the fine art of “dentopedology”, that is putting the foot in their mouth, whilst the rest of the people try and remain polite enough to not snort or guffaw with embarrassment. This is where good conduct and understanding of meeting procedure can the proceedings going without descending into mayhem. Funnily enough we find instances of illogical and poorly thought out presentation in the mass media which only indicates the poor training that some presenters have received. When we have to present an argument it should be based on the established facts and not just be derived from pure emotion. When we aim to persuade our fellow members in a meeting (or on air) we may be aware of the background knowledge they all have and thus it is safe to cut to the chase, so to speak. What is disrespectful and what we hear too much of these days is the reaction that something is not acceptable just because someone doesn’t like it. We know from experience that language changes with time but you will probably run across the debates in literary circles that certain words will be offensive to young readers and thus classic books are being edited to delete words such as “fat” and “ugly”. Part of appreciating the place of things is to have a bit of understanding of their history. Many years ago, it was decided to expunge many children’s books because they contained illustrations of a toy character which was deemed offensive. Now the t

QNEWS - APRIL 30 2023 - VK4 ON AIR --------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? --------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW QNEWS RUNS 6.00 and thanks to Tony VK7AX can be found on www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ 203.31.7.19/wianews/ QNEWS audio 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 COMMENCING MAY 2022 SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY VK4ZHL Errol Hopper June 2022 (vk4vp) VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp) VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit) VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz) VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc) VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz) VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp) VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp) VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 vk4hit) VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz) VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 (vk4zz) VK4HGT George Turner 02/09 (vk4gcr) VK4DK Stanley 'Dave' West 08/09 (vk4zz) VK4HAJ Merrell Coleman Sept or Oct? (vk4acc) VK4YT Nick Watling 22/10 (vk4zz) VK4HS Howard Stephenson 06/01/23 (vk4acc) VK4IX Ian Creighton 03/02/23 (vk4vp) --------------------------------------------------------------------* ---------------------------------------------------------------------* --------------------------------------------------------------------* Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. The autumn weather has been buffeting the trees and cooling the air during the days with a smidgen of rain making its way inland to water the lawn. As this month ends and we move closer to the winter weather pattern thoughts of nights enjoying the propagation are gathering strength as the Cycle 25 sunspots head towards the zenith. The reports of contacts keep coming not withstanding the strange solar flare occurrence we have been experiencing. The glory days of the valves warming the shack seem to be upon us and that smell that wafts around the operator from warm electronics is like the memory of aged wine or mature cheese. Something that is enjoyed and revisited with expectation when it is next available. It is a fact that we experience wonderful recall of past events which can be triggered by smell. Perhaps that is why we see many posts from clubs which relate to the food that is served up and the appreciation which is given the chef. So it is not an insignificant fact that groups that enjoy food together whether the humble sausage sizzle, the smoking hot barbecue or catered meals at an event have a history of good relationships amongst the members. The old stories of having families who all sit around the meal table really does seem to validate the feeling of shared eating cements the sense of belonging. When you think of the organisations that include a meal as part of their meetings, you tend to find they are less inclined to extended disagreements and they also seem to cohere and support each other. What I am suggesting is that in the light of research and experience there is probably a way of keeping clubs running better when they do plan for regular meals as a normal activity. I see that some clubs have a group of members who eat out at regular venues and they manage to get a lot done within their clubs. Is it the socialising, is it the shared meal or something else that gets these clubs doing things? Coming up on the calendar are contests and activities like camps and JOTA/JOTI and they give further opportunities for this simple and necessary action to happen. Rather than have people grab a pie or buy a couple of sandwiches perhaps it can be organised around a table of food with the opportunity for talking as well as eating. What we need to see is more people feeling relaxed, comfortable and at ease within our clubs and the experience of amateur radio. Tucking into a good, regular nosh-up might be just the remedy that your

QNEWS - APRIL 23 2023 - VK4 ON AIR --------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? --------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW QNEWS RUNS 4.00 and thanks to Tony VK7AX can be found on www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ 203.31.7.19/wianews/ QNEWS audio ready to download thanks to Brendan VK4BLP from www.wiaq.org.au Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast. --------------------------------------------------------------------* VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022 SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY VK4ZHL Errol Hopper June 2022 (vk4vp) VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp) VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit) VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz) VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc) VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz) VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp) VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp) VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 vk4hit) VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz) VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 (vk4zz) VK4HGT George Turner 02/09 (vk4gcr) VK4DK Stanley 'Dave' West 08/09 (vk4zz) VK4HAJ Merrell Coleman Sept or Oct? (vk4acc) VK4YT Nick Watling 22/10 (vk4zz) VK4HS Howard Stephenson 06/01/23 (vk4acc) VK4IX Ian Creighton 03/02/23 (vk4vp) --------------------------------------------------------------------* Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. I am sort of a proselytiser for the club and social side of the amateur radio community. I mean, like many of us I want to see this community continue to expand and grow with the involvement of as many people as we can find to enjoy this recreation. Fishing might be the most popular past time in the country but amongst the pursuits that are technical, well I would like to see others get the enjoyment and involvement that we obviously have. To this end I periodically offer prompts as to what we can consider to grow our club membership and get the story of amateur radio percolating in the community. Pointers to activities and groups and segments of the local community have been relatively plentiful and I dare say will continue to be as the recruitment and retention of members ensures the continuity of a great story. Some years ago, the Wireless Institute of Australia produced a publicity kit that could be used to draft press releases and this was accompanied by poster artwork which could be reproduced to promote events. We no longer hear reference to these items and like the National Field Day that they supported along with World Amateur Radio Day, 18th April, they seem to have been archived as pieces of history no longer relevant. Well to a point that might be true because the mass media has moved on with many of the local papers caught under a monopoly ownership with publication now only online and only available to paying subscribers. Broadcasters are being caught in the jaws of needing money and having the various internet and social media platforms engorging on the advertising revenue that once supported everything from the buy and sell pages of the newspapers to production of local content and the buying of rights to popular programming. The art of the journalist is still surviving and newspapers, radio and television may be holding on to their place against the onslaught of the internet and when it comes to getting publicity out to the broad community, we depend on those professionals to present it. This brings us back to the publicity kit. Now putting things together and distributing it may need to be a bit more sophisticated than previously. We have our smart phones with nice cameras to capture still and video images. Local TV stations in my area ask for video and papers will gladly accept stills of good quality that are suitable for print. We are fortunate that the tools to show our function, our community service are in our hands these days. Videos only need to be short so we aren’t looking for a Spielberg production just a glimpse to whet the interest of the vi

QNEWS - APRIL 16 2023 - VK4 ON AIR --------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? IPSWICH DID. --------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW QNEWS RUNS 6.00 and thanks to Tony VK7AX can be found on www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ 203.31.7.19/wianews/ QNEWS audio 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 COMMENCING MAY 2022 SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY VK4ZHL Errol Hopper June 2022 (vk4vp) VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp) VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit) VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz) VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc) VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz) VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp) VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp) VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 vk4hit) VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz) VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 (vk4zz) VK4HGT George Turner 02/09 (vk4gcr) VK4DK Stanley 'Dave' West 08/09 (vk4zz) VK4HAJ Merrell Coleman Sept or Oct? (vk4acc) VK4YT Nick Watling 22/10 (vk4zz) VK4HS Howard Stephenson 06/01/23 (vk4acc) VK4IX Ian Creighton 03/02/23 (vk4vp) --------------------------------------------------------------------* ---------------------------------------------------------------------* CLUBBING ---------------------------------------------------------------------* Ipswich & District Radio Club http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/IpswichAndDistrict/ Web – www.vk4wip.org.au Email - vk4wip@... For a full list of repeaters - www.vk4wip.org.au This is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club. Congratulations to club member and morning net controller Ron VK4RG and Joan on 72 years of marriage, having tied the knot in 1951. Ron and Joan became front page news in Ipswich Local News this week. As the editor said in his story, they are 95 and 94 with a love that has endured all, including battles with cancer which they have both taken on and beaten. Ron continues to be the one constant and familiar voice calling in stations on the Ipswich repeater network every morning at 8 o’clock since mid-1986. (audio - VK4RG) Another reminder for members who expressed an interest in learning how to set up and operate the WICEN portable repeater, that Saturday morning April 22, at 0900Hrs has been set aside for this event. Bob VK4EK will show how it’s done so that for future events members can start to take some of the burden off Bob and Sylvia and thus not having to rely on them 100 per cent. Please attend if you can and contact Robert VK4KHW or Greg VK4GJW beforehand. Ipswich Wicen is always on the lookout for extra help for events, so if you can, please email ipswichwicen@... The next event is the Brisbane Trail Marathon on April 30. It’s not too late to offer your services. On Monday night May 8 at 1930Hrs, the club will have the pleasure of a presentation by Scott Watson VK4CZ and Dr Kevin Johnston VK4UH on An Introduction to Amateur Microwave Activity in SE VK4. It promises to be a very interesting presentation, helping to dispel a lot of myths around operating on the microwave bands. Why not roll up and join in the conversation. And finally, a warm welcome to Graeme VK4GMC, the newest member of the club. Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT. --------------------------------------------------------------------* Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. One of the our pleasures is having things that we look forward to. There are many things which spring to the minds of we radio amateurs as they contemplate an event like we might approach a special meal. There is the expectation of aromas and tastes and the pleasure of the company and the mind stimulates the body and the mouth moistens with the thoughts of what is to come. It can be the same for the DXer with conditions rising to the dizzy heights where seem

QNEWS - APRIL 9 2023 - VK4 ON AIR --------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? --------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW QNEWS audio ready to download thanks to Brendan VK4BLP from www.wiaq.org.au QNEWS this week is 4.15 NOTE VK7AX SITE IS DOWN Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast. --------------------------------------------------------------------* VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022 SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY VK4ZHL Errol Hopper June 2022 (vk4vp) VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp) VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit) VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz) VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc) VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz) VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp) VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp) VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 vk4hit) VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz) VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 (vk4zz) VK4HGT George Turner 02/09 (vk4gcr) VK4DK Stanley 'Dave' West 08/09 (vk4zz) VK4HAJ Merrell Coleman Sept or Oct? (vk4acc) VK4YT Nick Watling 22/10 (vk4zz) VK4HS Howard Stephenson 06/01/23 (vk4acc) VK4IX Ian Creighton 03/02/23 (vk4vp) --------------------------------------------------------------------* --------------------------------------------------------------------* Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. I trust that all our audience is getting the benefit of this holiday break whether it is away with the family, attending to religious obligations or just refreshing the spirit with a change of routine. Around my part of the coast, I have seen vehicles travelling the highway laden with items to make the long weekend a special break. The east coast is fortunate with the climate that the weather tends to remain warm and activities devoted to water are a natural before the cooler weather descends for a nominal winter break. Having said that, some forecasts have suggested there will be frosts in part of the inland so I suppose we need to be prepared for all climates. I was reading some posts to groups during the week and one from an amateur in VK5 struck a chord with me. It seems that the property owner is setting down some stringent requirements on this ham as regards to being able to set up the items he feels necessary to get a station on air. Those of us in the rental market are often frustrated by an inability to satisfy landlords and property managers who neither wish to understand our requirements for recreation and seek to remain ignorant of what is involved in the activities that we want to enjoy. Whilst it is generally unnecessary to make permanent changes to a property such as drilling access holes for cable entries or fix furniture to floors and walls, these can present obstacles that cause many to give up in frustration. Then there is the attitude of non-amateurs to structures such as masts and sense of excited annoyance that anything that has not been seen over the fence line before is an unnecessary obstruction to the picturesque view they once enjoyed beyond the compost heap and detritus looking for a future purpose which is stacked against their side of the fence. For my part, I have gathered items such as garden umbrella weighted bases. Tripods which can be erected when required and fibreglass poles which attach and support wire antennas for HF and light VHF and UHF all go to making things practicable without causing too much offence during inspections or neighbours that seek to defend their own inquisitiveness. Getting signals to and from the house was an issue when the flat pass through cables available from the USA cost near $100 US. Then I discovered pass through “flat coaxial” cables for use in caravans and other awkward locations for watching TV. Yes they are nominally 75ohms and power handling on transmit is a question yet to be answered. For me that has worked on 2m and 70cms just fine with no obvious problems with power up to 50watts. M

QNEWS - APRIL 2 2023 - VK4 ON AIR --------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? BUNDABERG DID ! --------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW QNEWS RUNS 5.45 and thanks to Tony VK7AX can be found on www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ 203.31.7.19/wianews/ Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast. --------------------------------------------------------------------* VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022 SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY VK4ZHL Errol Hopper June 2022 (vk4vp) VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp) VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit) VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz) VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc) VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz) VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp) VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp) VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 vk4hit) VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz) VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 (vk4zz) VK4HGT George Turner 02/09 (vk4gcr) VK4DK Stanley 'Dave' West 08/09 (vk4zz) VK4HAJ Merrell Coleman Sept or Oct? (vk4acc) VK4YT Nick Watling 22/10 (vk4zz) VK4HS Howard Stephenson 06/01/23 (vk4acc) VK4IX Ian Creighton 03/02/23 (vk4vp) --------------------------------------------------------------------* CLUBBING --------------------------------------------------------------------* BUNDABERG http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/BundabergAmateurRadioClub/ CQ CQ - Calling all radio and electronic enthusiasts! The Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club is excited to invite you to our Open Day and our first ever Hamfest on Saturday 15th April. This event will be held at the Recreational Precinct, the old agro trends grounds opposite the Bundy airport. Entry to the event is free. Come and check out our amazing display of vintage WWII radios, and morse code demonstrations as well as see some of the latest state-of-the-art modern radio equipment. You can also see our automatic satellite tracking system in action. If you're interested in obtaining your amateur radio license and callsign, we'll be happy to provide you with all information you need. Kids can participate in a free soldering workshop, under supervision and make a small electronic kit they can take home - so it's fun for the whole family! Hungry? We've got you covered with our delicious sausage sizzle. If you're on the lookout for a bargain, be sure to check out the Hamfest tables with heaps of radio and electronic items for sale. There are several prize givaways including a new DMR Alinco radio from Luxfield Technology Solutions and a High quality digital soldering station donated by Jaycar as well as other prizes. Don't miss out on this exciting event. Mark Saturday 15th April on your calendar and come join in the fun! For more information, please contact the Bundy club's secretary VK4DN on 0410 121 345. See you there! --------------------------------------------------------------------* Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. When we look around, we see many families who create dynasties of involvement in the arts, sports, politics and yes even amateur radio. Now of course, to provide the enthusiasm and drive that encourages your family members to follow in your steps is the stuff of fluff TV series and also real life. We don’t want to create a false attitude that everything is always magically joyous but when we look around there are enough real life examples to prove that families that play together stay together. Look around at your friends and families and see the activities that they enjoy and the ones that they share with members of their family. From walks in the park, to breeding dogs, to water sports or building things in the garage there are just so many activities that keep families engaged and sharing the experiences with each other and many they meet along the way. Just look at the crowds that flock to swap meets and you see that motoring still has an allure. Just look at fishing competitions and you see the huntin

QNEWS - MARCH 26 2023 - VK4 ON AIR --------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? --------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW QNEWS RUNS 6.00 and thanks to Tony VK7AX can be found on www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ 203.31.7.19/wianews/ Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast. --------------------------------------------------------------------* VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022 SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY VK4ZHL Errol Hopper June 2022 (vk4vp) VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp) VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit) VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz) VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc) VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz) VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp) VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp) VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 vk4hit) VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz) VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 (vk4zz) VK4HGT George Turner 02/09 (vk4gcr) VK4DK Stanley 'Dave' West 08/09 (vk4zz) VK4HAJ Merrell Coleman Sept or Oct? (vk4acc) VK4YT Nick Watling 22/10 (vk4zz) VK4HS Howard Stephenson 06/01/23 (vk4acc) VK4IX Ian Creighton 03/02/23 (vk4vp) --------------------------------------------------------------------* --------------------------------------------------------------------* CLUBBING Ipswich & District Radio Club http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/IpswichAndDistrict/ Web – www.vk4wip.org.au Email - vk4wip@... For a full list of repeaters - www.vk4wip.org.au This is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club. Just a reminder for members who expressed an interest in learning how to set up and operate the WICEN portable repeater, that Saturday morning April 22, at 0900Hrs has been set aside for this event. Bob VK4EK will show how it is all done so that for future events members can start to take some of the burden off Bob and Sylvia and thus not having to rely on them 100 per cent. Please attend if you can and contact Robert VK4KHW or Greg VK4GJW beforehand. And a reminder Ipswich Wicen is always on the lookout for extra help for these events, so if you can, please email ipswichwicen@... Here’s an item to note on your calendar: On Monday night May 8 at 1930Hrs, the club will have the pleasure of a presentation by Scott Watson VK4CZ and Dr Kevin Johnston VK4UH on An Introduction to Amateur Microwave Activity in SE VK4. It promises to be a very interesting presentation, helping to dispel a lot of myths around operating on the microwave bands. Why not roll up and join in the conversation. Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT. --------------------------------------------------------------------* Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. It is one of the truisms of life that if you are taught how to handle things that some consider dangerous and you are taught properly, you will use the appropriate caution and methods throughout your life. Whether it is the correct use of power tools, firearms, farm chemicals or electricity, to give a few examples, the lessons that were well given remain as guardians of our health and safety throughout our lives. My early experiences with building radio gear was when basically batteries were beyond the pocket money of a school student and most appliances were mains powered. This meant that there was a plentiful source of second hand parts to be sourced and put to use by the home experimenter. Learning safety around mains voltages was greatly aided by the construction articles of the time in publications such as Radio, Television and Hobbies, commonly known as RTV & H, which morphed into Electronics Australia. Then there were the opportunities to learn from people who worked in the electrical and electronics industries and who volunteered in local groups. As an aside, two of the editors of 20th century electronics magazines in Australia were Max Hull and John Moyle and last weekend saw a large participation in the John Moyle Field Day. If the

QNEWS - MARCH 19 2023 - VK4 ON AIR --------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? --------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW http://www.wiaq.org.au/ftp/vk4_qnews_64.mp3 Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast. --------------------------------------------------------------------* VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022 SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY VK4ZHL Errol Hopper June 2022 (vk4vp) VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp) VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit) VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz) VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc) VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz) VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp) VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp) VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 vk4hit) VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz) VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 (vk4zz) VK4HGT George Turner 02/09 (vk4gcr) VK4DK Stanley 'Dave' West 08/09 (vk4zz) VK4HAJ Merrell Coleman Sept or Oct? (vk4acc) VK4YT Nick Watling 22/10 (vk4zz) VK4HS Howard Stephenson 06/01/23 (vk4acc) VK4IX Ian Creighton 03/02/23 (vk4vp) --------------------------------------------------------------------* --------------------------------------------------------------------* Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. One of the things that we forget at times is how our minds develop and mature through out our life spans. I don’t mean to be insulting to any of our young listeners but there is the humorous expression that pops up from time to time, “employ a teenager whilst they still know everything.” This has its humour in the idea that in youth we assert things that are beyond our learning and experience and claim them to be true. If I remember any developmental psychology, there are good reasons why our mind struggle with the developing logic of adulthood and try and find reason as our young minds expand. Now that I am on the other end of this continuum, I am having to accept that certain things that I have experienced do have an influence on my thinking and attitudes. I don’t know whether a few bouts of major surgery or the anaesthesia that made it possible are the reason but trying to get the brain to do things it used to is more than a struggle at times. No doubt the ageing of the brain is of itself a reason that certain parts of my thinking have changed and if the books are correct, then this is just part of the ageing processes. Why raise this in the club section of the news you may well ask. It is because, as I have commented in times past, there can be an intolerance of behaviours particularly aimed at on air practices. I see the same criticisms on line and they aren’t restricted to just one call area but seem to emanate from many areas where English is the common language. It seems that there is a thin skinned lot who must surf the bands, especially the lower HF ones, to identify the rag chewers who share the state of infirmity with those in the QSO and those who dain to sit and listen. These masochists seem to delight in analysing the mental prowess of the person behind the microphone and then subject all they contact with complaints as to how insufferable that person’s discussion is. It has been a long standing practice of at least 5 or six decades to have a rotary control on most receivers that allows the frequency on which you can listen to be changed. Nobody is invited to private contacts, although we can all listen, and I suppose technically the content is not to be divulged if we check the regulations. It seems pointless, other than to distress others, to have these rants when so simply people could just rotate the dial and listen elsewhere or, heaven forbid, put out a call in what ever mode they feel comfortable using. It is such an easy adjustment to the personal attitude and would certainly go a long way to minimising the angst that some operators develop. Many thanks to those clubs that are contributing to their local broadcas

www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ 203.31.7.19/wianews/ QNEWS - MARCH 12 2023 - VK4 ON AIR --------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? --------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/ 203.31.7.19/wianews/ Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast. --------------------------------------------------------------------* VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022 SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY VK4ZHL Errol Hopper June 2022 (vk4vp) VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp) VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit) VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz) VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc) VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz) VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp) VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp) VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 vk4hit) VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz) VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 (vk4zz) VK4HGT George Turner 02/09 (vk4gcr) VK4DK Stanley 'Dave' West 08/09 (vk4zz) VK4HAJ Merrell Coleman Sept or Oct? (vk4acc) VK4YT Nick Watling 22/10 (vk4zz) VK4HS Howard Stephenson 06/01/23 (vk4acc) VK4IX Ian Creighton 03/02/23 (vk4vp) --------------------------------------------------------------------* CLUBBING --------------------------------------------------------------------* Ipswich & District Radio Club http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/IpswichAndDistrict/ Web – www.vk4wip.org.au Email - vk4wip@... For a full list of repeaters - www.vk4wip.org.au This is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club. The February business meeting of the club was held on the 27th chaired by president Peter VK4SIR Three members joined via Zoom to make up a healthy attendance of 17 members. Welcome to new member John Ross from the USA who currently going through the process of acquiring his Australian licence. In the WICEN report Robert VK4KHW reported the joint event with Brisbane Wicen to support the Cooyar Horse Ride will go ahead on March 18 and 19. The calendar of 2023 Wicen events includes the Pinnacles Classic on April 2, Brisbane Trail Marathon April 30 and the Guzzler Ultra Marathon on July 22 and 23, Lake Manchester Trail August 20 and Mount Glorious Trail November 12. We’re always on the lookout for extra help for these events, so if you can please email ipswichwicen@... Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT. --------------------------------------------------------------------* Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. We must give a big shout out to our fellow operators on the record breaking areas of the state. The Gulf Country and many areas to the south have endured massive deluges this past week and other southern inland areas are still waiting for the rains that will provide relief for farmers looking for a return this season. Whilst there have been many areas flooded and rescues have been taking place, I have not been aware of any involvement of the amateur radio community, as yet. Over the years I have queried the place of the radio amateur within the community services and I have seen bursts of enthusiasms as groups developed. Over that same time I have read the reports from our overseas colleagues that have supported and trained people in various phases of emergency service and communications and I have wondered out loud why we haven’t been able to offer a greater service to our communities. We have had reports of groups using UHF CB radios to provide safety checks and message handling but with better access to higher power and more facilities, we don’t seem to have the impetus to draw the hams out of hibernation. It would be wonderful if people from the groups such as WICEN once again put information out for the general listeners to these news broadcasts. We don’t know where and what is happening when like rabbits, they only come out of their burrows after the sun goes down. It almost seems that the most ambitious activities some radio clubs have is running a sausage s

QNEWS - MARCH 5 2023 - VK4 ON AIR ---------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? ---------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW http://www.wiaq.org.au/ftp/vk4_qnews_64.mp3 Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast. ---------------------------------------------------------------------* VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022 SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY VK4ZHL Errol Hopper June 2022 (vk4vp) VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp) VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit) VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz) VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc) VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz) VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp) VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp) VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 vk4hit) VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz) VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 (vk4zz) VK4HGT George Turner 02/09 (vk4gcr) VK4DK Stanley 'Dave' West 08/09 (vk4zz) VK4HAJ Merrell Coleman Sept or Oct? (vk4acc) VK4YT Nick Watling 22/10 (vk4zz) VK4HS Howard Stephenson 06/01/23 (vk4acc) VK4IX Ian Creighton 03/02/23 (vk4vp) ---------------------------------------------------------------------* ---------------------------------------------------------------------* Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. Doesn’t it get annoying? I mean you have a question that needs an answer which isn’t readily to hand and you turn to the fount of all modern knowledge, the internet. You choose your words carefully to inveigle the correct response from your favoured search engine and you get a screen full of links. Now comes the fun trying to get to the wheat and discarding the chaff. At a lesser level, you have favourite groups that you follow and you are interested in the answers to particular posts. You find that up to 9 out of 10 responses are either made up of trite and off topic nonsense or trash that is meant to be humorous. I suppose this has a long history on the internet with acerbic and sarcastic replies having been the stock in trade of a lot of old time forums. For those who enjoy current affairs, the disparity between legitimate news sources, reactionary channels that push particular agendas and the propaganda outlets spawned by the conflict in Europe is hard to sort out. Just to make sure we amateurs aren’t left out of the mix, it gets obvious that if you believe you have the facts, then the internet provides the platforms for you to spread your opinion whether it is right, almost right or totally wrong. One of the most used methods of deception is to set up a false premise as fact and then develop an argument based on this falsehood. We need to be on the lookout for this as at times it can really seem plausible. A while ago, I read a post in an overseas group that follows a particular design of antennas. The reason was to disparage some video posted by a senior and well respected amateur not for the content but because of his age. The response seemed to continue this put down by suggesting that the older generations had no place in promoting to the younger. It seems that experience and knowledge count for little amongst these people and we can hope and pray that this level of ageism is very much a negligible occurrence. It is the reason that we see some form of aspirational guide such as the Amateurs Code being promoted for a century. We have a form of words, an expression, of what makes the amateur operator and his peers achieve a harmony and attitude of mutual support. To have some promise that things can be better is a far better solution than living in some dystopian world. What I suppose I am getting at is that we need to use our critical minds when getting information from untested and unknown places. The internet is marvellous for all the good things it provides but it is dangerous if we let ourselves not think about what we are doing. It is not simply the scam emails but the blatantly false that can trap us into making poor

QNEWS - FEBRUARY 26 2023 - VK4 ON AIR ---------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? ---------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW http://www.wiaq.org.au/ftp/vk4_qnews_64.mp3 Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast. ---------------------------------------------------------------------* VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022 SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY VK4ZHL Errol Hopper June 2022 (vk4vp) VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp) VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit) VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz) VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc) VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz) VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp) VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp) VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 vk4hit) VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz) VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 (vk4zz) VK4HGT George Turner 02/09 (vk4gcr) VK4DK Stanley 'Dave' West 08/09 (vk4zz) VK4HAJ Merrell Coleman Sept or Oct? (vk4acc) VK4YT Nick Watling 22/10 (vk4zz) VK4HS Howard Stephenson 06/01/23 (vk4acc) VK4IX Ian Creighton 03/02/23 (vk4vp) ---------------------------------------------------------------------* Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. Weather wise it is being a bit of a strange period with monsoon rains and storms covering the northern parts of the State and cloudy, rain showers and storms alternating over the lower parts of Queensland. As a result the lower bands around the country have been subject to the static crashes that signify summer weather and by the sounds of the story from the BoM we may well have this pattern well into Autumn. The solar activity has from time to time managed to subdue any good chances of good conditions on the lower HF bands. As the old song put it, “Whatever will be will be”. It appears that club activities are in full swing again with meetings and social gatherings bringing the faithful together. This is good to see but the one thing that I seem to be missing is an indication of youth involvement. I expect that many people who haven’t yet joined the salt and pepper hair style set are involved in amateur radio as the assessments continue. What I haven’t heard is them being involved in club activities, well at least not on QNEWS anyway. As the old axiom goes, nothing breeds success like success then it would be good to have reports of younger people and their ham activities going to air each week. Surely we have enough microphone jockeys who can put together a report of activities in their area? That is a challenge I look forward to having taken up. From where I sit, we can say that not all mentoring is done one to one or within a club learning group. The word that is spread by weekly news broadcasts is individual and personal and people listening can identify with activities of personal interest. Another thing is that the way we talk and relate is very much an age related behaviour and someone who is under 20 is going to put things across in an idiom that others in that group will identify. It has been said that amateur radio is about communication but ham operators are poor at communicating. This is something that doesn’t have to be the case. With devices capable of recording broadcast audio in our pockets or bags, it then is a matter of getting the thoughts together so that they flow in a way that people will understand. In other words, we have a beginning a middle and an end. We introduce ourselves, we set the scene and flesh out the details and then we sign off. Pretty much like a QSO, don’t you think? So of course what I am getting at is that clubs and people with stories to tell can put it together in voice and if you have voice to text, the script writes itself. People enjoy variety and here is the opportunity to share your good news. I notice our Editor, VK4Baker Baker has been leaving prompts on postings appearing from clubs. This is a very good indication of the sort of stories our fell

QNEWS - FEBRUARY 19 2023 - VK4 ON AIR ---------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? ---------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW http://www.wiaq.org.au/ftp/vk4_qnews_64.mp3 Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast. ---------------------------------------------------------------------* VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022 SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY VK4ZHL Errol Hopper June 2022 (vk4vp) VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp) VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit) VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz) VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc) VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz) VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp) VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp) VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 vk4hit) VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz) VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 (vk4zz) VK4HGT George Turner 02/09 (vk4gcr) VK4DK Stanley 'Dave' West 08/09 (vk4zz) VK4HAJ Merrell Coleman Sept or Oct? (vk4acc) VK4YT Nick Watling 22/10 (vk4zz) VK4HS Howard Stephenson 06/01/23 (vk4acc) VK4IX Ian Creighton 03/02/23 (vk4vp) ---------------------------------------------------------------------* Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. I would like to give all the re-broadcasters on the WIA network a big high five. Our fellow hams get themselves organised each week to record and replay the National and State news broadcasts for an unknown audience. Well even when the call in figures are put together, we still can’t account for the people who take the news in ways other than over the air or who don’t have a licence which allows them to call in. To all these people who give of their time to do this, I give a grateful “Thank You.” During the week that passed, the Bouvet Island DX-pedition went QRT and collected their belongings and returned to the boat for the journey home. It was tremendous that another much sought entity was activated and contacts were made using voice, CW and digital modes. Sadly the idiot fringe spawned a few videos and lots of on-line disdain from amateurs hurt by the very obvious poor behaviour in blocking the calls and causing what has become known as DQRM, a shorthand for deliberate interference. I have said before that this behaviour is a form of piracy and stations who are crass enough to identify should be reported and definitely not contacted. On this point, I would refer listeners to last week’s WIA National News with the opening remarks of retiring Director and Past WIA President, Greg Kelly, VK2GPK, with his very solid exposition of the dangers we are facing with the proposed Class Licensing regime. When assurances that the Amateur Service will be still protected from interference that are currently in place ring as hollow as an empty plastic bucket, can we expect anything other than the Rafferty Rules on air behaviour that we have seen, heard and recorded over the past couple of weeks. It would seem right to ask the regulator how its promotion of class licensing of the ham bands will maintain Australian compliance with the ITU Treaty obligations? It is painfully obvious that many who do monitor the Citizen Band Service are appalled by the anarchy which is happening. With the signals on 11metres bouncing around globally, they should be reaching the monitoring station in Tasmania. Where do we hear of any enforcement of operating standards on the CBRS by the ACMA over this class licensed service? Is the deregulation of this service a proper indication of what may befall we poor, lowly amateurs? I sincerely hope not but I am not game to speculate either. It is good to hear from clubs and QNews welcomes contributions of news items to spread the word of what is happening in your piece of the amateur world. Until next week, this is Geoff Emery saying, that’s what I think….how about you? ---------------------------------------------------------------------* 2023 Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit tex

QNEWS - FEBRUARY 12 2023 - VK4 ON AIR ---------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? REDCLIFFE DID ---------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW http://www.wiaq.org.au/ftp/vk4_qnews_64.mp3 Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast. ---------------------------------------------------------------------* VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022 SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY VK4ZHL Errol Hopper June 2022 (vk4vp) VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp) VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit) VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz) VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc) VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz) VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp) VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp) VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 vk4hit) VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz) VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 (vk4zz) VK4HGT George Turner 02/09 (vk4gcr) VK4DK Stanley 'Dave' West 08/09 (vk4zz) VK4HAJ Merrell Coleman Sept or Oct? (vk4acc) VK4YT Nick Watling 22/10 (vk4zz) VK4HS Howard Stephenson 06/01/23 (vk4acc) VK4IX Ian Creighton 03/02/23 (vk4vp) ---------------------------------------------------------------------* CLUBBING Redcliffe and Districts radio club. http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/RedcliffeAndDistrictRadioClub/ G’day to my name is Steve VK4SJH The Redcliffe Radio Club is commencing and Advanced/Standard course using Microsoft Teams from Sunday 12th Feb 19:30 hrs QLD time. The course will run for several months or until you are ready to have a go at either the Standard or Advanced Theory exam. Course notes and plenty of practice exams will be provided to you electronically. If you would like to be part of that training then send an email to education@... and one of the education team will send you details for the advanced/standard training course and cost being run via Microsoft Teams. You will find an extremely friendly bunch of Amateurs who will help you with any theory question you may have. Hope to hear from you 73’s Steve VK4SJH ---------------------------------------------------------------------* Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. It is time for the potpourri of thoughts that ends our weekly news. The contributions that come in to QNEWS are greatly appreciated and you are reminded that this broadcast goes out courtesy of a network of volunteers on radio. Also both the audio and the text edition are available for download or you can subscribe and have it arrive by email each week and you will find it as a podcast. I must add a caution that there is also an “adult” stream using the “qnews” name so please choose carefully. As it was hoped, band conditions have been sparking well, this past week, with reports of contacts into countries not normally heard on 10 metres becoming more plentiful. It seems that the summer electrified weather will remain with us for a while and with 2 cyclones around the coast of Australia, as I record this, static crashes are ging to stay with us on the lower HF bands for a while yet. The excitement that the DX-pedition to Bouvet Island has engendered has been typical of that of previous times of high sunspot activity. When rare entities are activated they can be assured of the proverbial dog-piles several layers deep. The real test of the prefix hunter and DXer is how they conduct themselves on air. It has always been the protocol that the remote operators set the bands, modes, times and frequencies on which operations happen. This includes how contacts will be made and voice is usually done with one frequency for transmit and another with a preset offset for receive. So it has been for the 3-Yankee-Oscar-Juliet expeditioners. The renowned DX YL operator, Raisa, OH7BG/R1BIG posted a video to YouTube this past week showing what goes wrong when calling stations ignore these normal protocols and QRM the frequency on which the DX station is transmitting. To describe the cacophony as worse th

QNEWS - FEBRUARY 05 2023 - VK4 ON AIR ---------------------------------------------------------------------* DID YOUR CLUB TELL ANYONE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO THIS WEEK? CAIRNS DID. ---------------------------------------------------------------------* THE FOLLOWING NEWS CAN BE HEARD FROM OUR AUDIO SERVICE Available in Audio RIGHT NOW http://www.wiaq.org.au/ftp/vk4_qnews_64.mp3 Also search QNEWS (make sure it IS the Ham Radio QNEWS) in your podcast. ---------------------------------------------------------------------* VK4 SILENT KEYS @ WIA YEAR COMMENCING MAY 2022 SK CALL SK NAME DATE ADVISED BY VK4MBH Keith Allison 03/06/2022 (vk4vp) VK4AVF Des Flor 13/06/2022 (vk4hit) VK4DV Merv Deakin 18/06 (vk4cnq - vk4zz) VK4SO Les Parker 21/06 (vk4atc) VK4AJL George Glendinning 22/06 (vk4zz) VK4NW Warwick Marshallsea 14/07 (vk4vp) VK4ET/5WC Tony Van Lysdonk 16/07 (vk4vp) VK4SF Jack Ford 18/07 vk4hit) VK4AVS Jim Storch 22/07 (vk4zz) VK4AGS Geoff Strom 23/08 (vk4zz) VK4HGT George Turner 02/09 (vk4gcr) VK4DK Stanley 'Dave' West 08/09 (vk4zz) VK4HAJ Merrell Coleman Sept or Oct? (vk4acc) VK4YT Nick Watling 22/10 (vk4zz) VK4HS Howard Stephenson 06/01/23 (vk4acc) ---------------------------------------------------------------------* CLUBBING ---------------------------------------------------------------------* CAIRNS http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/CairnsAmateurRadioClubInc/ AUSTRALIA DAY CONTEST FROM VK4BOB Hi, I’m Bob VK4BOB in Cairns. Three members of the Cairns Amateur Radio Club, Steve VK4SJB, Mark VK4JU and I, operated the club’s contest station VK4HM for the Australia Day Contest. While we were setting up a field station on The Esplanade in Cairns, a promo SMS I sent earlier to the local ABC Radio station was read out by the breakfast announcer. Then we got a surprise visit from the show’s producer with his recorder, and the following morning an interview of about 8 minutes was broadcast during the popular breakfast program. This was broadcast by ABC Local Radio all over Cape York and Far North Queensland. Mark VK4JU and I built half-wave dipoles for the ten metre band. The morning DX with North America was problematic apparently due to a solar flare, but later in the early evening the three of us had great fun working DX into Europe. We were visited on site by some of our members and from the Tablelands Radio and Electronics Club, plus the public. Current projects are to get our two metre repeater back on air after vandalism took it out, and building even better portable antennas for ten metres. We plan to operate from the same place for the John Moyle Memorial contest in March. Keep an ear out for us! This is Bob, VK4BOB, signing off for the Cairns Amateur Radio Club. ---------------------------------------------------------------------* Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. This past week has been one of paradox for the weather with the Cape being covered in tropical rain and storms, the east coast experiencing high humidity and a minor heat wave and the south east of the continent getting the cold wintery blasts that promise snow falls in summer. When I look at the rain radar images, I am reminded of how much electrical noise is generated by these storms and how amateurs and other radio users train the brain to filter out the static crashes. Pulling the weak signal from the air has been a skill that users of HF radio have been refining regardless how well the noise blankers and filters deal with man made and Nature’s own symphony. Hopefully the pundits are going to be correct in that the weather should ease as this weekend passes and hopefully that will also mean that short wave conditions will remain favourable with the good propagation that has been happening. Many an old hand is reading the straws in the wind and surmising that we have another couple of years of good conditions on HF during this sunspot cycle. As we have seen the maturing of digital technology over the past 3 decades or so to where it is working quietly for use in so many aspects of our lives, we are seeing the coding algorithms develop from