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Weekly podcast produced by QNews in Queensland Australia covering Amateur radio news items.

19 SEPT

QNEWS for September 22nd 2024

Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. I had an event in the past week that made me consider the importance of diversity. What I mean is that for my video watching I basically depend on YouTube which is a subsidiary of the megalith we remember as Google. I had accumulated a number of amateur radio videos that I kept for reference on various subjects and it was handy to have this library of a few dozen items when I wanted to review my understanding of different subject. Then I turned on the TV, pressed the button on the remote to be greeted by a message that I was no longer signed in. Don’t you love the power of the tech giants to control our activities? I left the matter ride for a few hours and the following day had the same result so I concluded it wasn’t an issue with the TV firmware or the router of the NBN service. I located the correct password and logged in to find that my library had been removed as well as my favourite channels. Thus became a period of wasted time finding and restoring as much of the lost material as I could find. The whims and fancies of many of these services that people use on the internet are often fraught with issues. Remember the famous actor who wanted to will his streaming music collection to his offspring? He found out that despite all the subscription fees that he had paid and the belief that he was paying to own the material he was in fact only buying the rights to play that music during his lifetime. Similar stories exist concerning operating systems for computers. It is really a Catch 22 situation that you need the OS to run your computer but the developers claim ownership. If they decide that they will not provide backward compatibility you can find that your gear is vulnerable to cyber attacks or obsolescence in the future. I have some gear that uses Windows 10 and doesn’t meet the requirements for the next iteration of the future one that is on the drawing boards. Sadly some of my needs won’t be met by reverting to a Windows 7 commercial version so like many others, I have the choice to make of upgrading or risking the viability of those systems. There are no doubt numerous examples of similar plans of big business to extract more of the folding stuff from us. It is important to the private user and possibly more important to clubs who have to maintain records and keep access for defined times. There have been attacks on cloud services and magnetic media has a certain period that it remains viable. We older people can remember the entry of the personal computer into our lives and its adoption into the field of amateur radio. The cussedness of those early machines, particularly the IBM clones was something that people said would drive a teetotaller to drink. The reliability of our systems is so much better but our dependency on monopolistic supply chains can still prevent total security for the user. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?

9 min
13 SEPT

QNews for September 15th 2024

Hi - I'm John VK4JPM, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club. Toowoomba is known for many things, and one of the most famous is the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. The 75th Carnival kicked off last Friday and it runs through to 7 October. You can check out what's on the program at the website, tcof.com.au. We're a friendly lot in the Darling Downs, and very proud of the Carnival which is at least as good as Floriade and much closer! Our next club meeting is on Monday 14 October. Details on the club website: www.ddrci.org.au Dates again: Monday 14 October for the meeting; Saturday 12 October for lunch; Carnival on right now; Garden City award at any time, and details at ddrci.org.au I'm John VK4JPM, and thanks for listening. Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. As the northern hemisphere prepares for winter and all that it can bring, we in the south are finding the Spring weather is consolidating with the promise of what Summer will bring. The long-range weather forecasts paint the picture of warmer weather and variable rainfall fall so in one perspective, outdoor activities seem promising until the end of the year. We can hope this is true as the Wet Season is projected to start early in the top end. It will be interesting if the crocodile nesting season coincides with the computer modelling this year. For the avid tourists to the various major gatherings around the world, the climax has been the Tokyo Hamvention which saw some Aussie amateurs attending. The major news has been the release of new radio models from the three largest Japanese manufacturers and the prospect that samples will be appearing around the world at smaller events. There has been some tentative pricing information on a flagship model but with Australia suffering an economic sickness, I suspect very few sales can be expected here. What is interesting is that the radio from Yaesu, apart from its innovative design features, is that it fits the pattern of the shack in a box. Of course, this is not a new segment for this manufacturer but it is a slot that many smaller manufacturers have been enjoying some fierce competition in promoting. The low-power multi-mode radio has been well used in various pursuits such as parks, hilltops and other venues where outdoor participation is necessary. The development of alternative battery technology has reduced the weight of a station which can be comfortably carried in a backpack and conveyed to places not normally accessed by radio hobbyists. Combine these various features with the peak of a sunspot cycle and it is like manna from heaven to the enthusiastic HF QRP operator. Add into the mix the various rigs coming from Asian countries, other than Japan and the accessories for portable operating that are on the market, it is quite opportune to upgrade one’s station and expand the operating geography we can use. Traditionally the warmer months, are when many contests happen and with good equipment, good weather and good band conditions, what more could a happy camper that plays radio be looking for? For me, I think it is in my genes to be frugal so finding ways to save comes naturally. Building a station tends to be a progressive enterprise with tools, accessories and equipment added when time and funds allow. Building, or home brewing as we call it, tends to be the most economical way to get items for the station and it is undoubtedly the most instructive as we tend to read the manual and research the gear before, during and after completing a project. Combining retail or swap meet purchases with some time spent at the workbench seems to be a good way to go. Keeping an eye open for bargains on your favourite sales and auction sites can often grab a winner. Whatever we do, enjoy it. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?

7 min
6 SEPT

QNews for September 8th 2024

Hi. I'm John VK4JPM with a reminder from the Darling Downs Radio Club about tomorrow night's tech meeting. Monday 9 September is the second Monday of the month and means we gather at the Toowoomba Library. The theme of this month's session is "How to get control of EVERYTHING in your shack", which you can do using easily available home automation technology. We'll get you across some of the very powerful apps and extremely cheap technology that can help you run your shack, control your antenna farm, and manage your ham cave and workshop. OK, the details again: we meet tomorrow night, Monday 9 September at the Toowoomba Library from 1900 - that's 7 PM. Tons of free well-lit, secure under-cover parking. The meeting is open to members and guests; there's no charge, and we'd love you to join us for a natter and a cuppa. Check out all the detail, and upcoming club events, at the website: www.ddrci.org.au. www.ddrci.org.au. You can also find us via the WIA website, or just search for Darling Downs Radio Club from your favourite search engine. 73 from John VK4JPM Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. It was distracting hearing the squelch breaking on the 2m repeater on 146.800Mhz and then faintly came a female voice. It was obvious that ducting was having its fun with us, along the S.E. coast of Queensland but it wasn’t until I read a post that the full impact became obvious. From the Gold Coast to various parts of the coast signals from New Caledonia were being received. It is over 25 years since I heard this and made a successful contact so I live in hopes that this summer season we can experience international VHF contacts with better results. Sadly, I had a poor experience on social media during the past week. A group popped up in the “you may be interested category” and as I have been seeking to finish putting together a small set-up for camping and portable radio operation, I thought it worth joining. This group is obviously an eclectic one of lay and tradie types devoted to low voltage use and it suited me to join to observe what others had found worked for them. After approval by the administrators, I had the opportunity to post an introduction as to why I had joined. Sadly this is when the first response was a very generous putdown and questioned my knowledge and why I would want to join this group. OK, we have all had experience of keyboard warrior types on the internet but it was plainly obvious from the tenor of this post that the writer was also a radio amateur. I tried a couple of times to correct some of the falsehoods that were directed at me and the insulting tenor of the replies continued. As I had just joined this group, the rules were fresh in my mind and I pointed out to this person that they had breached the group rules and left to go about my other business. The next day, I went back to this site to check if there had been more responses only to find that the administrators had monitored or been alerted to this incident. The attacking comments had been deleted from my post and there remained some courteous and considered replies from other group members. My concern is not for the insults directed at me but the very serious effects that this behaviour could have on members of that group when considering amateur radio and its participants. I don’t want to sound precious or prissy but how we present as hams in public naturally reflects on our whole community. This group is enjoying learning about 12V use and installations so they already have an affinity with electricity. Perhaps some of them may want to take that interest into wider fields of interest and I would hate for them to be influenced away from amateur radio by one person acting badly. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?

7 min
30 AGO

QNews for September 1st 2024

Hi - I'm John, VK4JPM, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club reminding you about our meetings, second Monday of each month at the Toowoomba library for a committee meeting, followed by a social and technical meeting on a special topic. On the second Saturday of even months, we meet for lunch and an in-person chinwag. The September tech and social meeting is at 1900 on Monday 9 September and will introduce you to how the TUYA system works, where you can get cheap hardware and introduce some clever devices you can use to make your hobby more interesting. I plan to set up a complete remote-controlled lighting and power-switching system. Details on the website: ddrci.org.au I'm John VK4JPM and look forward to meeting you at the session. Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. This year, Spring didn’t just peek over the windowsill but it blustered in stealing part of Winter with above-average temperatures in the Sunshine State. Welcome to the blooming of all the various native plants that perfume the bushland and bring us the misery of hay fever. Welcome to the beginnings of all those lovely outdoor operating opportunities and the smell of campfires and insect repellent. I was a little surprised, a few days ago, whilst watching a video to have the presenter reference other video material on a particular antenna and state his presentation would just be about the use in the particular location with whatever band conditions were present that day. Why should I be surprised, you may ask? There seems to be a bevvy of ham radio influencers, many of whom derive income from their activities, who have created personalities to draw the viewer into their web. This is fair enough when the purpose is to simply entertain but so many of these people are contriving scenarios where they are promoting items which have been supplied by manufacturers, wholesalers or retailers to ostensibly provide unbiased, independent reviews but in fact if you stop and think they are giving a promotion of the product not a critique of the pros and cons of the item. What I find more frustrating is that you can do a search and come up with numerous presentations on the subject matter and find that many are just promotions and others are simply put downs without real reference to the operating conditions and band conditions at the time of shooting the video. Having contradictory information presented as factual, to my mind, is just misleading. It would seem that often the depth of knowledge of these video stars is not as good as it needs to be to make fair comparisons and comments. The misnaming of components is a put-off for me. A toroidal transformer is not an antenna but it may be part of an antenna system, for instance. So these are the reasons I felt pleased to have seen a presentation that didn’t try to be an audition for a broadcast reality TV show and ended up saying this is what I found today but you may find things different tomorrow. When we set out to learn about a subject, we look for facts and reports that we can rely upon. We don’t depend on “advertorials” and promotions with a discount code attached. What we need is enough information to build our knowledge in the light of experience and the Internet is a trap for the unwary. It isn’t simply the person phishing for your banking details or the seemingly honest vendor of dodgy equipment but also the publicity officers who are looking for the cents to mount into dollars at the expense of honest reporting. What I think is that we need to keep our wits about us online and be prepared to question things and cross-check with recognised reference material such as the notable handbooks produced by large AR bodies. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?

6 min
22 AGO

QNews for August 25th 2024

Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. One of the treats of amateur radio is to take part in the recognition of special interest groups. Sometimes it is a contest with a certificate as a memento and sometimes it is just knowing you were there on a special day. This weekend has been one of these events and the special interest group is a small one which aims to unite others in promoting and enjoying the spirit of amateur radio. Of course, I refer to the Ladies Amateur Radio Association. After the broadcast, you still have the opportunity to log a few contacts in the 44th ALARA Contest. Pop over to the website and look at the rules under the contest heading. Remember you can use contacts on Echolink if you are unable to get on air. Amongst the general community, there is a perception that radio amateurs are sweaty older men playing with strange things in their man caves. ALARA is a group that proves that this pursuit is one that all people who can hold licence can get joy out of being a ham. It's great to show the flag, so to speak, and we can certainly show our support for the members of ALARA dot ORG by joining in the contest. It is almost frightening to think that it is the cusp of Spring and that heralds a new period of operations on shortwave with the increased temperature comes different modes of radio propagation. Although reports at the moment are showing various bands are alive and kicking and giving good global contacts, particularly with the grey line. There are suggestions that the estimated peak in solar activity for Cycle 25 was reached earlier this month. If we have reached the peak, according to the observations, going by past experience we should still have another 2 to 3 years of good radio conditions ahead of us. So with Christmas not too far in the offing, it might be time to look at some of the interesting gear coming on the market. The Christmas elves are very inventive and you could find a nice surprise under the tree, this year. I would like to remind listeners that a great addition to the WIA News Service is the video adaption by Bevan, VK5BD. You can watch on YouTube and get the full broadcast quality audio with graphics to play at your convenience. Recently there have been issues in my locality with no rebroadcasts on 2M so having this as a further alternative has been a boon. This is not to forget that the text and audio is available for download from the WIA dot ORG dot AU website. I have been subscribed to the news in text for many years, even back in the heyday of packet radio. Being able to listen can bring out things that might be missed if you a reading when rushed, distracted or tired. So it is Good luck in the Contest and 73. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you? ------------------------------------------------------------* Social Scene SUNFEST Saturday September 14 at Coolum Civic Centre. (vk4vp) GOLD COAST HAMFEST OCTOBER 13 at Nerang Country Paradise Parklands 231 Beaudesert-Nerang Road Nerang. (vk4DMH)

4 min
15 AGO

QNews for August 18th 2024

This is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club. Club members are reminded the annual general meeting will be held Saturday August 24 from 10am. To be eligible to vote at the AGM members must by financial prior to the start of the meeting. Please check your emails for payment details in the July minutes. Current secretary and WICEN coordinator Greg VK4GJW indicated he will be stepping down from both rolls after eight years. Nominations are open for all positions with Greg also encouraging new eyes and new blood on the executive. Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT. Redcliffe and Districts radio club. Redcliffe Club Carboot Sale Quick Reminder Greetings from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club VK4RC Robert Thomson VK4TFN here. The Redcliffe Club Carboot Sale is on Saturday 24th August at 9:00 AM at our clubhouse in MacFarlane Park in Klingner Road, Kippa Ring in the City of Redcliffe. Go to redclifferadioclub.org.au for more information. 73 from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club. Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. As the last hurrahs have died down and the athletes have made their way home, the next major calendar event is, of course, the Paralympics. Significantly, we celebrate this band of sportspeople because they exemplify what can happen if you deal with what is real and follow your dreams as to what is possible. Just as the Invictus Games provide meaning to military veterans in redefining their sense of self and gain confidence in achievements in a new facet of life, so other bodies with positive outlooks can give support, perhaps, I can take the ethos of these movements and apply it to our pursuit of Amateur Radio. As life’s events overtake us, we can find ourselves in circumstances we never dreamed of in our younger years. Many of us will have explored the “self-help” industry in its various marketing forms but I am not equating a positive outlook with unrealistic expectations for people. Various studies, of real-world situations, have shown that a positive outlook is very beneficial to health and longevity. This is not some “airy-fairy” form of academic research but the outcomes amongst people such as you and me. So if the outcomes for cancer patients can be better amongst people with a good outlook and military retirees suffering high levels of condition such as PTSD it seems we already have the evidence of how beneficial these informal supports can be. I remember how, in the CB boom years there were clubs formed that provided a community for people not only interested in citizens band but also came from similar backgrounds and life experience. There was much benefit amongst club members because people became engaged in activities outside their normal life. We do have a few organisations where amateur radio is a prime focus for members of certain professions, faith bodies and service organisations. If we look at the groups that have been succeeding over time, they all seem, to my eye, to have an outlook which is driven by positive outcomes. In recent times we have seen videos, web and social media posts hanging on gaining the maximum viewing by suggesting the death of amateur radio. This form of clickbait is also what causes the mental health professions to warn of the bad effects the negative news and propaganda have on young peoples’ outlook. Continuing a diet of bad news has been shown to contribute to suicidal thoughts for people suffering stress and depression. So here we have an activity that links us around the world and encourages everyone to be part of the action in ways that suit our own circumstance. Here we have a structure that supports clubs where people can physically meet and share social activities. Here we have an opportunity to look in the mirror and if we have a poor image we have the chance to change and look at what we can do and disregard what we can’t. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how a

6 min
9 AGO

QNews for August 11th 2024

Silent Key - Joe Sebastiani VK4SWR A big shock to the Amateur Radio Community and most Radio Nets, long time member of The Townsville Amateur Radio Club Inc, Joe Sebastiani VK4SWR went Silent Key after a horrific domestic accident. Joe had slipped on wet tiles at his home at Burdell North Queensland a couple of weeks previously and rushed to Townsville University Hospital with injuries to his skull and brain so severe that doctors put Joe into an induced coma. A week later Joe was taken out of the induced coma but soon lapsed into another coma from which he did not recover. Joe passed away in hospital around 5 pm Saturday 3rd August. Joe grew up in Mount Isa, worked for a long time for Mount Isa Mines and attained Amateur Radio Callsign VK4LED thanks to training provided by members of the Mount Isa and District Amateur Radio Club. We pass on sincere condolences to wife Imelda, son Joe Jnr. and surviving family. Vale Joe Sebastiani VK4SWR, Silent Key. Now for some more sad news. One of the Sunshine Coasts Amateur Radio Club's members has sadly passed away - Gordon Webster VK4CWJ passed away last week and the funeral was held last Thursday August One. Gordon worked for the OTC in Martin Place Sydney and the DCA in Port Moresby during the 60's and 70's. He was a keen operator in many HF competitions around the world. Vale Gordon VK4CWJ Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. Great things are happening in sports as our fellow Aussies strive for medals in the Olympic Games in Paris. As a nation of successful armchair sports people, we here in VK have a great tradition to uphold and no doubt there have been many traditional meals of sporting fare scoffed in the wee hours of the night. I will be interested to see the increase in meat pie and home delivered meals during this period. It is fitting that we radio amateurs enjoy the spectacle vicariously through our monitors and TVs. What better use is there for modern electronics than participating in a world event where so many nations are represented from the comfort of one’s own home with the support of the modern conveniences of refrigeration and microwave oven? Maybe to top the medal tally in Paris will be the entry in the Guinness Book of Records with a count of bodies focused on sporting immortality that exceeds the records set by tennis and football competitions. This is all to show that we as a race of people and a sub-set of this are superbly positioned to enjoy the indulgences of amateur radio. In a suitable space, all the paraphernalia of our favoured activity can be gathered. The multiple monitors and the comfortable operating chair, the earphones with the comfortable gel cushions and even special lighting and quick access to refreshment during breaks in activity can all be arranged for the champion amateur operator. Of course for the more frugally or Spartan minded ham there are a variety of options for outdoor activities which can include enjoying bushland, beaches mountains and even hill tops to show how fearless and strong we can be in enjoying amateur radio. For the multifaceted amateur who can multitask, they can always have various video features showing on the monitors and by engaging the computer or two, run digital modes whilst keeping an eye on one’s favourite sport and even have a rag chew whilst the scanner brings in the latest news of local drama to the shack. Yes my friends we are so lucky to belong to a cohort of versatile and engaged people who can sustain good levels of activity and a healthy life style whilst mainly remaining seated. It is a lesson to show the world and our fellow Aussies just how good life can be when we join the ranks of amateur radio. On that note, I hope we remember there are activities coming hard upon us that may shake us into more feverish activity. As they say, “Good luck in the contest”. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?

8 min
2 AGO

QNews for August 4th 2024

Roger, VK4FANG passed away in the Townsville University Hospital on Monday evening 22/07 after suffering a long and painful fight against multiple terminal diseases. Roger is survived by his Wife, Suzette and three sons, Stephen, Daniel and Lee, Lee was at his father's side at the time of his passing. VK4FANG eventually found himself entrenched in the transport industry, allowing him to travel extensively throughout our great Country. It was the industry which took Roger to Townsville. He transported the first load of steel from SA to Queensland Nickel Industries. During this time Roger made his ‘Office’ at the Royal Oak Hotel, where he met Suzette, they married and over time produced the three boys. In retirement, Roger was an avid reader, history and factual stories were his passion. His beloved “shed” became his office, bar & radio shack. Roger enjoyed amateur radio where he felt comfortable and contributed to several nets in Townsville. He made numerous on-air friends. He enjoyed making contact with hams from his beloved South Australia. Vale VK4FANG ROGER HARNDEN from Ray vk4net Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. Undoubtedly, many follow the sport of kings and who celebrate the thoroughbreds’ birthday on the first of the month. In the more mundane world in which I live, it has been a time to rug up and keep warm with the sub-antarctic winds cooling the coast of the State through to the tropics. Just for a change, it is suggested that the weather will return to its normal pattern and showers will be around intermittently. The people who are interested in things celestial will have been suffering the disruptive influences coming from the Sun and whilst the photographers in higher regions might have been chasing auroras we radio amateurs have been looking out for the sweet spots of shortwave propagation. Sunspot cycle 25 is still ringing the changes with an infinitely variable tune. I wonder what you would first think of when I mention the word “Innovation”? Is it something technical directly related to amateur radio like a new operating mode or could it be something else? As much as we might enjoy how things have run and live by the adage of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” there are good reasons, it seems to me, to apply that word and its full meaning to how we run our clubs. We will have all noticed that the membership of the bodies that engage our interest is generally fluid with people coming and moving on and along the way getting that bit older. There can be instances when an event sparks an influx of new members looking to share our radio service and what it can offer in the way of personal attainment. Take for instance the situation where Jamboree of the Air brings some new faces to the door and we not only want to help them get on air, with the formalities as well as the technical and practical matters. How many of us stop and think about those new people with their individual likes, hobbies and peer group supports? It is important that we can adapt our situation to welcome new people and appreciate what life experience and skills they bring with them. In the past, there has been a temptation to look down on people who hold a lower level of qualification and to expect that they would stand to attention when a “full call” operator entered the room. Thankfully as more people have joined the ranks, our clubs have gained the skills and experience that many of the “F” calls brought to us. If we remember the Amateur Creed, there is nothing that says any of us are the superior of the rest. This is where innovation is really important to the growth and longevity of not only our radio club but all social-type organisations. We need to adapt, to bring in the new and to think through our activities in ways that refresh the older members and encourage the newer ones. Innovation is a necessity and a privilege to employ. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I th

6 min
25 JUL

QNews for July 28th 2024

Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. One of the challenges of our activity is to work out what is an improvement. If you are engaged in many sports, the aim is to improve the score whether it is getting a higher number of points, a lower handicap or reeling in a bigger fish on a lighter line. We tinkerers in the electronics field are in a position where innovation and equipment upgrades don’t necessarily indicate a better outcome. The adoption of commonplace hardware has been historically one of the hallmarks of the radio amateur. From the operating position of being called a shack and using pieces of household accessories to breadboard a project. The resource that was fondly known as disposals when cheap surplus from the wars was released onto the market and then the abundance of shortwave, VHF and UHF ex-commercial equipment have all been boons to the ham. In more recent times the upgrades to terrestrial communications have provided bits and pieces that we have put to good use as the cell phone networks are upgraded. The days of dependence on electro-mechanical machines have been largely replaced by the ubiquitous computer and software and firmware and the digital revolution is bringing gear into the shacks that is so small and versatile and with such features as spectrum displays that a complete station can be carried in little more than a supermarket carry bag. Well, we are all aware of this, I am sure, as we use the many historic features of our pursuit. Children find the scoring in tennis amusing with love being nothing but we still use the symbols of the landline telegraph system with abbreviations and codes. We have contests that recognise people and events that hold significance to the majority of operators and although probably most QSL cards are transmitted via the internet and not the postal service we maintain these as part of our tradition. To me, there is no right or wrong way of being an amateur if you follow the licence conditions and the accepted norms of our fellows. This then leads me to think that improvement and success in this activity is achieving the personal goals we set for ourselves. It may be that we do things alone or we may join with others in a group or team but the success seems to be in being in the game rather than getting the gold or silver endorsement on a wall plaque. I suppose that the international definition of amateur radio as sustaining lifelong learning and self-education has more than a ring of truth to it. When we come to share our story with others, it would seem only right that we try and spell out that AR is something for everyone as we can all be winners. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you? ------------------------------------------------------------- Social Scene The Redcliffe Club will hold their Car Boot Sale Saturday 24 August at the clubhouse, MacFarlane Park, Kippa Ring. (vk4tn) GOLD COAST HAMFEST OCTOBER 13 at Nerang Country Paradise Parklands 231 Beaudesert-Nerang Road Nerang. (vk4DMH)

4 min
19 JUL

QNews for July 21st 2024

Robert Thomson VK4TFN here. The Redcliffe Club will hold our Annual CarBoot Sale on Saturday 24th August 2024 at our clubhouse in MacFarlane Park at Kippa Ring in the City of Redcliffe. The raffle prize is an electronic weather station. There will be lucky door prizes as well. So, vendors are in at seven, breakfast is at eight, gates open at nine and the raffle draw is at ten thirty. $10 per car boot or table, gold coin admission. There will be bacon and egg rolls, ice cream and fruit salad on offer. Go to www dot redclifferadioclub dot org dot au for more information. Thank you and 73's from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club VK4RC. Thank you Robert VK4TFN Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. A lot of us will have been experiencing the cold weather that has certainly convinced the body that Winter has come. It occurred to me that we don't live in the idyllic winter wonderland of seasonal postcards that mark the Christmas break in the northern hemisphere. Although I once lived in a place that did have snow, we also had the luxury of indoor fireplaces that wafted the scent of burning through the house and did little to warm the bedclothes. After many years of living back along the sub-tropical coastal regions, I feel the cold as much as any native. As I don’t have a shack with the convenience of comfort and heating, I have been content, although somewhat frigid regardless of the amount of clothes I have on, to try and learn how to use a 2 in one type computer. Some may remember that I previously spoke of the issues of preparing a similar device for portable use and now I have another from a different manufacturer. Getting familiar with the unit has filled some time that could have been devoted to other tasks if the weather had been kinder. It seems that this fully blown tablet cum laptop will do the things I need. Anyway, this has been a long preamble to wondering if others have sideline projects that they can take on when alternatives are needed. Many interests require that we perform maintenance on our equipment but the demands on the radio amateur, in this regard, are relatively light. It is wise to power up our electronics to keep moisture at bay and reduce the chances of electrolytics deteriorating. Then there are the general upkeep tasks, such as computer updates, that help keep our whole operating system running smoothly. For each of us there are items that require attention and being able to use the time that is available for the best outcomes is important. I don’t have a planned schedule just the knowledge that certain tasks need completing to get certain outcomes. Fortunately, I no longer have the tyranny of a regular work pattern to meet so time can be pretty flexible and jobs are done when convenient. With our club activities, it is probably best that we plan these sorts of activities so that there is a checklist to help whoever needs to fill a job know what and how it is done as well as when. In our clubs we need to allow for the things that happen with people, births and weddings, holidays and sickness can all take people away and others will fill in to see the jobs are done. So a suitable record system that is available to members guides people through the planned care program without causing stress and a last-minute rush. This is also a good way of involving people and letting them feel the success of good organisation. It is what I would call succession planning. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?

5 min

10 episodios

Weekly podcast produced by QNews in Queensland Australia covering Amateur radio news items.

Creador

QNews VK4BB
Años de actividad

2020 - 2024
Episodios

10
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Q-News AR News from Queensland

Q-News AR News from Queensland

Episodios

QNEWS for September 22nd 2024

QNews for September 15th 2024

QNews for September 8th 2024

QNews for September 1st 2024

QNews for August 25th 2024

QNews for August 18th 2024

QNews for August 11th 2024

QNews for August 4th 2024

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