Q-News AR News from Queensland

Hi from the Darling Downs Radio Club - I'm Secretary, John VK4JPM. This coming weekend, there are two major club activities: Next Saturday, the 10th of May, we have our first annual club foxhunt and BBQ. Well, you have to start somewhere, and in the case of the DDRCI foxhunt, we're starting at Peacehaven Botanic Park on Kuhls Rd in Highfields. Start time of 1030 is when hounds depart for the chase, so you'd want to be in the car park maybe around 1000. Bruce VK4MQ is our hunt-master, and he's mapped out a finish point that will work for both newbies and experienced hands. You won't have to travel more than 15km from the start, and there's going to be plenty of support. If you go to the club website at ddrci.org.au and check the event invitation in the calendar, you'll find loads of hints, maps, DIY options, and just about everything you need except the final location of the fox. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. One of the changes to modern retailing is the growth of online retail. Yes, we still have the grocery store in the guise of the supermarket and the hardware store that sells lots of corner store items. We have the newer outlets from overseas that let you get groceries, hardware, musical instruments and surprises, all in good old bricks and mortar stores, as they say. We people who enjoy the electronic side of making things have seen a large drop-off of retail outlets, and some of us find it awkward or impossible to get to the nearest store, especially if you live in the regions. This brings me to the amateur radio tradition of having a pile of loot, a box of goodies or a rack of spares colloquially called the junk box. So it was that during the past week, I gathered some material that had been waiting for the opportunity to be attacked by heat and molten solder, and I set forth. I found that I had accumulated a stash of generic UHF plugs, PL259's, and I had a nice run of coax to make some patch leads. Once the eyes were tuned to cutting and trimming the cable ends to the right length, came the thrill of melting solder. That task seemed to go not too badly for the first two ends until I picked up the meter leads to do the mandatory check for shorts or open circuits. That test was past, but what greeted me wasthat the centre pins on both connectors were now lopsided. I have made the discovery that most of this collection of plugs, probably sourced from an Asian vendor, did not have decent insulation but some brown, low melting point plastic substitute. Hopefully, I hadn't lashed out too many pennies in buying this collection of rubbish in thinking I was getting the better quality insulation. A quick look at my nearest dedicated ham radio supplier showed a listing for proper plugs with Teflon insulation, and including postage, they are about $4:00 each. Thank heavens for the specials offered by this retailer. I suppose what is an object lesson from days of yore, is that items which can be salvaged and reused have a quality that is worth utilising. If you have ever wondered why there can be containers filled with electronic and electrical bric-a-brac at your HamFest, then I have just given the reason why. Buying from overseas and especially sourcing generic type items can be fraught with danger. Cable with insulation that breaks down with heating or voltage, fake semiconductors and RF connectors that don't meet specs are some of the many issues you can read about with online shopping. There may be consumer law to protect purchasers in this country, but cheaper items are often a lottery when bought from overseas unless they are so-called A1 by reputation. We can say “let the buyer beware,” but there is no practical recourse when postage to and from countries like the USA can be multiple times the cost of the “bargain”, and the only beneficiary ends up being the local waste facility. I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and that's what I think. How about you?

Darling Downs Radio Club news. Coming up on 10 May we're running our inaugural annual club Foxhunt and family day. The actual hunt will start at 1030 and will run no further than a 15 km radius from the starting location at Peacehaven Park in Highfields, just north of Toowoomba. The Fox frequency will be 145.650 kHz, and the hunt is going to be staged so that experienced hands and rank beginners can both have fun. Doesn't matter where you are in the state; we'd love you to come and join us - we already know of a few distant households who will come to stay in Toowoomba overnight, and the aim is to be as social as possible. The hunt will start from Peacehaven Botanic Park on Kuhls Road in Highfields and is also the location for the post-hunt BBQ. Tons of parking, easy access, wet-weather protection, and great family amenities. Our next club tech session is on Monday, 12 May, when Simon VK4TSC will join us from the Brisbane WICEN group to guide us on the WICEN state of mind, and talk about the Hip Pocket Challenge Horse enduro, which has been rescheduled for Southbrook on 28 June. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. A comment about the quality of the image on one of the free-to-air TV channels started me thinking about progress. Compare the sound reproduction of a portable cassette player to a digital machine, and you can appreciate the way things have improved. With television, the images that we get when archived material is shown are appalling compared to the images we saw on the screens in our living rooms 30 or more years ago. Just as the digital TV was a vast improvement over the old PAL services, the newer HD is another jump ahead in home entertainment. This brought me around to thinking about the radios that I have used in the past. Budgets being what they are on the domestic front, most of my rigs have been 2 nd hand, so already showing their ages by the time I got to use them. From hybrid to fully solid-state HF radios, there seems not to be much difference in performance. For someone who started listening on the large console receiver dominating the lounge room and then went through home-made and commercial simple sets, it was amazing at the time what the multiband and multimode brand-name transceiver could do. Still, as most of us will have experienced, these older rigs had their own characteristics which made them good, but at times finicky and annoying on reception. They are perfectly usable, but you have to tolerate overlapping signals and front-end overload, from time to time, as they represent the technology of the period of manufacture. More recently, I was able to purchase an Asian SDR as my introduction to the multicoloured scrolling display. What a great little rig that has yet to do duty out in the rig. It is versatile and every bit a good as the best shortwave rig that I have owned. Over the past couple of weeks, I have been fortunate to use a full-blown 100W SDR transceiver made by a major Japanese company. Before receiving this piece of kit, I watched several online videos and took note of what users and reviewers had to say. I must say that I have yet to put a signal on air, and I have to fight the electrical noise which envelopes this QTH, but the received signals and sensitivity just blow me away. I am using a shortened centre-loaded vertical antenna in a poor location, but pulling voices out of nothing is amazing. There can be no trace on the display, and the audio is readable. There can be close-by signals without heterodyning, and I have yet to find out how this unit handles a really close-by and strong signal. I suspect it will use the AGC to the best advantage and still provide a clean signal through the speaker. I am impressed with the improvements that digital technology is providing now, and I hope we all appreciate the engineering developments for our recreation. I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and that's what I think. How about you?

Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. Well the space weather is jostling us about with interesting solar activities over the past week. This is a great challenge for the DX chaser on the shortwave bands as conditions can vary in short order with coronal mass ejections causing ionising effects in the atmosphere. The next couple of days could be amazing as we get the benefits of solar flares which continue in this cycle. This is a rare happening when we have two consecutive long weekends, an occurrence which stirs the embers in many an Aussie chest. It seems that the gods of weather are being kind for Easter allowing people to enjoy their preferred activities with sunshine for a change. Whether the following weekend will be so fortunate as thousands gather to participate in the Anzac memorials, we will have to wait and see. One thing that has been filtering through my thinking is how little we seem to consider amateur radio and modern housing solutions. With more and more people living in apartments and suburban homes being erected on postage stamp sized allotments, the opportunity to maintain a reasonable working HF station is getting more limited. When we could look at a yard of 810 square metres as being the average, there was enough space to generally have some sort of antenna system. Whether it was horizontal such as the once ubiquitous G5RV, a doublet or a modest tower with a commercial beam, the options were available. Now many of the people who had these facilities have moved into smaller residences, maybe granny flats, apartments a few stories high and even supported accommodation. Each of these situations has its own set of limitations for a once active ham. Yes there is internet linked means and VHF and UHF repeaters but for the died in the wool HF operator it can be like losing an arm or a leg when they can no longer make the skeds with people they have known over the air. For the youthful person juggling study, work and perhaps romance, the proverbial dance card is already close to full and even although they may have enjoyed amateur radio when circumstances were different, they find themselves effectively isolated from the hobby. Mobile operations have always been an option for those fortunate enough to have access to a vehicle but many people don't have that option so home based operation is their only opportunity to stir the aether again. What I see is many people who could be more active but who are functionally denied access. The value of video sharing sites is good but I don't see much material aimed at the so-called house bound amateur. I don't get to see much of the current overseas magazines as they have disappeared from the newsagent shelves but from our own publication it seems authors aren't engaged is this side of the hobby. Perhaps clubs could think this over and find some ways forward. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think…. how about you?

Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. In the world of politics, people have sought to clarify the meaning of what their government and people have embraced as guiding principles. After the blood bath that was the French Revolution, the country became known for its three word motto which upheld freedom, equality and brotherhood. The Declaration of Independence of the United States similarly tries to have its principles adhere to this style of governance with many more words. The countries which developed out of the colonial system to become democracies all seem to have similar guides to life and rule which the despots despise and endeavour to over turn. The twentieth century saw two major wars which gave rise to the League of Nations and then the United Nations as bodies to try and seek order and respect for all people. Why this brief history lesson? Well in amongst the great doings the smaller actions which we radio enthusiasts are involved in also fit under the umbrella of these sentiments with our paramount body for communications, the ITU, being now part of the United Nations stream of activities. Our own amateurs code embraces those same basic principles that the French adopted. When Russia invaded the Ukraine some 3 years ago, there were many discussions and thoughts about how we hams should deal with the situation. To the extent that decisions of government are beyond the average person to stop, it is common for contacts between amateurs to continue without rancour or bitterness as had been happening before. In this country and many other jurisdictions, our regulations don't allow on air promotion of political issues except in a general sense of wider discussion. We all are aware of the various actions the current administration of the USA has been continuing and not a day goes by without news media reviewing the latest matters and trying to analyse the possible outcomes deriving from the White House. As we have heard in the lead story to WIA National News, the peak Canadian amateur organisation, the RAC, has made the decision to boycott the Dayton Hamvention held in Xenia, Ohio in May. As the bonds between the English speaking countries of North America have been grown over centuries and amateur radio has been integral in over the last century, this is a momentous decision. It indicates the depth of feeling which has been aroused but still has the hope of returning to participate in the greatest ham gathering in the Americas. Along with the Friedrichshafen meet in Germany these events mark the highlights of the amateur radio/electronics year around the world. The fact that on an organisational level, one representative body of one country will not participate in no way limits the way in which individual amateurs and clubs are able to mutually join together for the betterment of the service. Keeping the politics off the air is a great way to keep any rancour and angst out of our hobby. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think…. how about you?

Hi, I'm John VK4JPM, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club, Quick reminder that next weekend is busy for club members and guests. If you're on our mailing list - which would include members, of course - in the last few days, you should have received by email a newsletter containing lots of important info about upcoming events and club activities. On Saturday morning, 12 April, a group of us will be attending Redfest. Come up and say hi if you see us - we'll be the people with bright yellow badges. On Sunday, 13 April, we're holding our bimonthly club lunch at the Withcott Hotel. That's a relaxed opportunity to catch up with friends you've never met, and yes, there are food items that come with ham. Guests, non-members, significant others and harmonics are welcome. Check the menu and location details from our home page at www.ddrci.org.au. Finally, look for some construction articles from Bruce VK4MQ, and start planning to join us for the Annual Foxhunt and BBQ in May... It's only four weeks away now. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. It is interesting to reflect on how attitudes change and the way attention to details vary. It was during this last week that I set about acquainting myself with certain radios, the availability and, of course, how big of a hole they would put in the pocket. What made me consider the changes is the memory of how we were all looking for ways to maximise our website's noticeability. Even during some classes of higher learning included practices in web design and choosing the right wording and layout to attract the search engines from those amazing applications, the search engines. Although I had that tiny bit of training, I have never sought to have a page of my own, and like the rest of us with internet access, I have been a consistent and regular user of the search engines included or added to my web browser. After this week, I can't draw a conclusion as to how the market for amateur radio gear is working in VK-land. I have conducted multiple searches and used different search strings in different search engines, and my success in finding details of authorised agents and resellers for what have been the major marques has been poor. Not only that, when trying to establish whether certain products are available off the shelf, some sites tell me everything other than the availability. I have to wonder whether the retail sector is too busy or not clued in to the value of suitable internet marketing, as it limits the potential customer from getting all the needed information. Or is this a sign that the notoriously low profit margins for our beloved gear have just drained the enthusiasm from those prepared to invest time and large amounts of money? I like using local vendors where possible, but like so many of us, these days, we get some joy from the cheaper small purchases from overseas. Sometimes the products are as good as our local retailer has on display, sometimes better and often worse and sometimes the products can only be obtained from overseas. Currently, I am awaiting delivery of parts from both overseas and locally. Since Australia Post changed domestic deliveries to a 3-day, 2-day, a week, alternating pattern, ostensibly to maximise the parcel delivery service, they have let the small items, the packet mail service, fall into the doldrums. Then there is one notable commercial competitor in the freight delivery business that seems to work in a way that makes Auspost seem speedy. It makes a person wonder if there is a conspiracy to close down the small businesses which operate on-line. Maybe the lucrative contracts for the mega online retailers are the goal as we customers seem to get less and less choice in the matter. We can hope that the weather improves and services return to normal. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP, and that's what I think…. how about you?

On Saturday, 12 April, many of us will be heading to Redfest. Thanks to the bright yellow badges, you'll recognise us, so come and say "hi". And now for something completely different. As you've heard, this year Redfest clashes with our regular bimonthly club lunch moved lunch to Sunday 13 April, Monday 14 April is our next member meeting and will be held at the Toowoomba Library at 1900. Our treasurer, Cameron VK4CSS will talk about RADAR and LIDAR. Cam will present about radar and lidar speed measurement, including the history of radar and lidar; give a brief chat about over-the-horizon radar; explain how radar speed measurement work, including videos to demonstrate, and he'll talk about when radar or lidar doesn't work. And why would you want to attend? Well, you might even learn something about both technologies that could save you from being accused of an action that can't be proved or where the measurement can be shown to be inaccurate. Got it? The date again: 1700 on Monday 14 April at the Toowoomba Library - where the parking is plentiful and under cover, and once again we welcome members and non-members alike. I'm John VK4JPM for the Darling Downs Radio Club - 73 and see you next week. Robert Thomson VK4TFN here. REDFEST 25 "Adventures on HF" will go ahead at 9:00 am on the 12th April. It's only two weeks away. Our new venue is: The Deception Bay North State School, Old Bay Road, Deception Bay. There are still a few tables left if you hurry. $15 per table. Email redfest@redclifferadioclub.org.au Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. The wet weather continues. Sadly some areas in the north of Queensland are getting a repeat dousing, and the inland is getting floods, for better or worse, may remain for many days or weeks. For farmers who look forward to rain at the right time, may improve their income in the long run and for the householders who have been surrounded or evacuated, relief can't come soon enough. I imagine that many amateurs have developed a routine of checking the weather, space weather and propagation charts, planning their activities. The long term forecasters are an indicative service to the agricultural industries but our Bureau of Meteorology is relatively cautious in issuing trends in the weather for as much as the commuter and tradie might like the assurance of perfect knowledge, forecasts beyond days, even when based on good averaging of data, tend to fall into the crystal ball style of guesswork. So it is with the solar activity that gives such wonderful conditions for long-distance communications and within hours or days can provide a total blackout on many bands. Just as the Earth has patterns of activity in wind and ocean currents, these too can alter drastically and quickly as the information from the amateur radio balloons circling the planet can report. The solar cycle of activity averages around 11 years from peak to peak. Within that, we can plan and speculate on what activities we might be able to accomplish. As we grow into familiarity with the various skills that make our operations more enjoyable and interesting, we accumulate a store of knowledge which is applied to radio but also aids in so many other areas. Sadly there is a level of confusion coming from across the Pacific as the new US administration assails the community with instructions and demands. The final outcome of the shutdown of overseas broadcasting can only be guessed at and the cleaning of the FCC book of rules may or may not change how amateur radio is conducted within the US jurisdictions. In the past week, our regulator, the ACMA, has been releasing many papers to its client base via email and website. We are fortunate that order stays with the governance of radio communications in this country. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP, that's what I think…. how about you?

In news from Ipswich and District Radio Club, WICEN volunteers will head out in the field for the Brisbane Trails Marathon on April 27. It's never too late to offer your services on the day. A minimum of 14 operators are required most with a 4WD and radio equipment to operate in a remote location. Ipswich WICEN also welcomes support from other amateurs in southeast Queensland. Please get in touch with Paul McDonald at VK4PMCPaul@outlook.com I'm John VK4JPM, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club. The Management Committee is busy at work sorting out a few items that need to be addressed - we'll tell you about that at the next meeting, which will be on Monday 14 April. More about that in a second. The John Moyle Field Day was a heap of fun and thanks to all those who came along to help the club get into the history books. It will be a while before we know how we did, but in raw terms, we ran for six hours with four teams across 10, 15, 20 and 40 metres. Given the commercial nature of the site we were on, we also attracted a bit of attention from the public and had more than a few people come over to find out what we were doing. Explaining Amateur Radio to onlookers is one way to increase our numbers. We also had some underbubblers drop by for a squizz: there are members of our club who are on the road to a Foundation Licence, and what better way to get a feel for what structured operating is about than to watch a team of people calling "CQ Contest"? Thanks to Dougal, VK4EKA for being team captain and arranging the main setup - a centre-fed long-wire flown between trees; to Wayne VK4ARW with his quick-erect rotator dipole; and SAM VK4SAM with a most interesting multiband-vertical and an impressive ground plane. The Field Day also gave us a chance to shake out the club's self-contained trailer, designed quite effectively to operate in a mains-free environment. Fortunately, we had good sun and the batteries stayed nice and charged. Redcliffe & Districts Radio Club VK4RC -. Robert Thomson VK4TFN here. REDFEST 25 "Adventures on HF" at 9:00 am on the 12th of April. I'm looking forward to it. Our new venue is: The Deception Bay North State School, Old Bay Road, Deception Bay. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. One area of amateur radio that we don't see mentioned often is one that brought many people into the broader compass of “radio”. A lot of people, these days, associate the introduction of the Citizen's Band Radio Service as being the fillip that gave rise to the many new amateurs who entered via the then Novice licence. The value of Radio Australia to introducing our life and perspectives was well recognised as it had a non-partisan policy of providing news and information and it sought to help people in neighbouring countries. Weather reports, farming tips and English language lessons were all grist for the mill until a few years ago when the plug was pulled. As evidence of its effectiveness, shortly after closing its services several of the frequencies that RA used were adopted by one of the Asian Tigers as their own. In this past week, we have seen the current administration pull the plug on one of the most well-recognised international broadcasters when the USA locked staff out of the Voice of America studios and offices and placed the programming on automatic. My introduction to radio was strengthened by tuning around the dial and listening to these various broadcasters and finding other things like marine traffic, police networks and becoming intrigued by amateur radio, particularly 40m. From that I went on to join the WIA as an Associate Member, Short Wave Listener and eventually I became a full member. Shortwave is still with us and along with scanning of VHF and UHF, it makes a great introduction to the hobby of radio. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think…. how about you?

Fred White VK4NOE became a silent Key on 29th January 2025. Fred was a member of the Mount Isa and Districts Amateur Radio Group when it was formed in 1979. He was known around Australia as an active member of the Royal Navel Amateur Radio Society. He was a regular participant of the RNARS net held on 15 meters on Sunday mornings in the early 80's. REDFEST 25 "Adventures on HF" will be held on the 12th April 2025. Gates open at 9:00 AM. Our new venue will be the Deception Bay North State School, Old Bay Road, Deception Bay. I'm John, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club and what a week it's been. And who expected such a confluence of events demonstrating how useful Amateur Radio could be in a time of stress and emergency? As this segment goes to air, the John Moyle Memorial Field Day will be in its final block. The field day celebrates readiness and willingness to operate portable, without connection to mains power, and to provide training for emergency conditions. And like the universe playing a massive prank, ex-tropical-cyclone Alfred showed us all how exactly ready we would be to deal with an actual natural event, a week before the competition and at least one WICEN training exercise had to be cancelled while we dealt with the civil emergency. News from the Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio Club, this is Gordon VK4VP for those who may have missed this last week due to TC Alfred. SCARC is having a car boot sale on March 22nd at the clubrooms 85 Godfreys Rd. Bli Bli. Entry and traders tables are free but we do require bookings to secure a traders spot. It will be located in the grounds of the clubroom so if you need shade apart from the few large trees, you will have to organise something yourself. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. For so many of us, it is good riddance to Alfred, the cyclone that was. For many more, it is the harrowing task of saving what is left disposing of the too badly damaged and finding the path back to normality. We were fortunate that the drama that unfolded as the low-pressure system deluged the coast was kept away by the forces of nature or the whim of the gods, I don't know which. What I did know is that whilst Hervey Bay coastal suburbs were swamped we, only some 30 kilometres away, had sunshine and blue sky. Domestically, we had obtained another larger capacity generator for those times when the mains drop out and I had been preparing it for service prior to the entrance of Cyclone Albert. As it turned out, the engine needed some replacement parts which I had sourced from online vendors as I couldn't track down a local dealership for the brand. As the people of south-east Queensland honed their listening skills trying to get a sense of the forecast track and possible destination, I waited and watched the tracking information on my parts delivery. It was ironic that my preparedness ended up being arrested when the delivery services seemed to halt processing on Wednesday with Albert still expected to create havoc somewhere between Bribie Island and the Gold Coast. Now having dodged the proverbial bullet the parts have been delivered and our new but secondhand generator is finally commissioned into service. I suppose the point is that when we see the need to prepare for potential emergencies, we should press on and complete the jobs as delay could spell disaster. We were lucky this time but always there will be next time to deal with some drama and probably it will be weather-related. People in the radio community can now re-erect their sky-hooks without fear of galeforce winds and the lucky ones can enjoy the John Moyle activities of this weekend with hopefully more welcoming weather than most of us have had. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think…. how about you?

SCARC is having a car boot sale on March 22nd at the clubrooms, 85 Godfreys Rd, Bli Bli. Entry and traders' tables are free, but we require bookings to secure a traders' spot. Hi - I'm John, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club and this is QNews for Sunday 9 March. I'm sure you all know the phrase "We live in interesting times", and this time is spectacularly interesting. QNews is assembled on the Thursday before broadcast, and written before that... so as I record this segment pretty much everything I say is going to be a best guess. The club meeting on Monday 10 March will be Simon VK4TSC and Alan VK4AL from the Brisbane WICEN group talking about emergency preparedness: what WICEN is and not, how it operates in our region and how you can get involved. All great topics and extremely relevant to dealing with emergencies. TARC did the 2025 Defence Welcome to Townsville Expo. 1st March, the birthday of both the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Navy saw the running of the Defence Welcome to Townsville Expo, organised by the Directorate of Regional Engagement, Defence Member and Family Support, Joint Support Services Division, Military Personnel Organisation, Department of Defence. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. It is just weeks ago that areas to the north were fighting the force of nature with homes flooded and roads cut. Only last week I commented on the vague pattern that was the path of Cyclone Alfred and wished him away. This week the south of Queensland and northern New South Wales are feeling the brunt of what a cyclone can provide and we have no assurance that the system is moving far away or dissipating any time soon. My earliest memories of weather like this are of being stranded on the farm that my parents owned and getting the thrill as military aircraft flew low over the paddocks and dropped fodder to stock on adjoining farms. Back then, the rescue boat was a sturdy wooden vessel propelled by about half a dozen oarsmen whose task was to best the raging brown water to offer assistance. Local radio amateurs used shortwave radios to pass messages to and from the flood-bound areas. I was too young to know that they were involved, then. These days the communities depend on the services of emergency workers and volunteers and the boats tend to be metal and powered by petrol engines. A smaller crew means more goods or passengers can be taken aboard. Radio amateurs may assist on an ad-hoc basis or some are involved in local disaster support but the ubiquitous mobile phone is thought by many to provide communications and safety. As we have personally experienced, when the cell service runs out of battery power people can be without communications for days until battery charging is provided by emergency generators or re-connection of mains electricity. It was with a certain feeling of satisfaction that I watched news reports of retailers running out of generators as the seriousness of the impending threat dawned on people. It is perhaps too late to remind listeners about the service an amateur station can provide if there is preparation for conditions like the passage of a cyclone. However, the whole situation should provide a lesson in preparedness on personal, domestic and community levels. As we can't be sure of where Alfred will travel before finally blowing itself out, we should be encouraging others to be properly prepared in the next few days and then look over what did and didn't work for them. For all those directly affected I trust you stay safe and the disruption to you and your friends and family is not too great. I personally know many amateurs live in the path of the cyclone or its area of influence. I hope your antennas came down when you wanted them and not when the gales hit. I trust you kept your food fresh and the lights stayed on. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

Hi - welcome to Sunday 2 March, the start of Autumn and already we're halfway to winter. Welcome to QNEWS - I'm John VK4JPM, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club, and here's news from the club for this week. So: what's happening that's exciting and involving? Quite a bit in the repeater and net space. The work is now completed on the VK4RTQ UHF repeater/. RTQ UHF is running on -7Mhz offset and is linked with the other repeaters in the group: VK4RZA and VK4RZB with a few more coming. The online browser-based Repeaterbook listing now shows the correct parameters for the repeaters, but it's taking a little while for the updates to be pushed through to the Apple and Android apps and all the other stuff is on our website. This is Cath VK4CCR, secretary for Gympie Communications & Electronics Group. One of our members Dave Robson VK4FO is now an Amateur Radio Authorised assessor, all his details can be found on the ACMA website. Now THAT we have an assessor associated with our club, this will be a great opportunity for those local to our area to get involved in Amateur radio, learn about electronics and chat on the radio. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. One of the things that we naturally keep an eye open for is the weather; this past week has given many of us a bigger excuse than usual. The forecasters have been running prolific numbers of simulations in their software and still, Cyclone Alfred has been very successful in its game of hide and seek. Even now there is uncertainty about the final track and how it will affect us. Almost like a practice run, last week, we were enjoying settling down for some relaxation in front of the one-eyed monster, as the TV was once known when the household and the whole neighbourhood plunged into darkness. There was a scramble for the torch and items to take away lack of power were connected. It is important in our household as there are medical issues to be taken care off and this is the priority one. As I tried to connect a device to a power bank/ jump starter, there was a flash of light from the led indicators and then nothing. A standby device from an overseas vendor had gone flat just sitting in its carry case. Now I have devices that are powered by lithium chemistry batteries and once charged they seem to have a lifespan greater than an elephant's memory. I find it convenient to make special purchases online as quite often I can strike a good bargain and the goods are delivered to the door. That drive to a local retailer and return saves not only fuel but also time away from home. We all know that sourcing components from not well-known sources can be fraught with problems not the least of which is counterfeiting. Slow delivery times and high freight costs can also be an issue. Then as my experience with the power bank has shown, you can end up with something which is not up to standard when you come to use it. It was an expensive way to get a USB wall-wart charger and I certainly won't be carrying it in the car in case of a flat battery. Like most of us, I look to get things for a fair price and a bargain is very welcome too. Similarly, I much prefer to shop with local suppliers because they have a lot invested in their business and their profit helps us all through their spending, wages and taxes. It might be the thing that I need but the benefits extend much wider when we deal with local businesses. One major supplier has a magnificent range of stock in their massive catalogue but they have a couple of price structures, one for trade and one for retail and by the time I dive in, surface and get my breath back again, it is quicker and easier to buy off the international auction sites. There is a lesson in there somewhere. I know my backup power is working and I hope that we all can safely wave goodbye to Alfred. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

DARLING DOWNS RADIO CLUB our website at ddrci.org.au, and the WICEN info is on brisbanewicen.org.au. If you can't find what you're looking for, use the club website contact page to get in touch. And membership is half-price right now, so what better time to renew or become a member for the first time. Until next week, 73s from John, VK4JPM for the DDRCi. Redcliffe & District Radio Club VK4RC. REDFEST 25 "Adventures on HF" will be held on the 12th April 2025. Gates open at 9:00AM. Our new venue will be The Deception Bay North State School, Old Bay Road, Deception Bay. Go to: redclifferadioclub.org.au/redfest to order your tickets.Bye for now and 73's from The Redcliffe & Districts Radio Club VK4RC. Thank you and 73's Robert Thomson VK4TFN WICEN News for Sunday 23 February. If you're in SE Queensland and use the UHF repeaters that support WICEN comms, including VK4RZA, VK4RZB, VK4RZC and VK4RTQ, these repeaters are being reworked, improved and reconnected and are performing much better. As part of the rework, these repeaters also have been linked. VK4RZA Springbrook (Gold Coast) transmits on 431.100 MHz VK4RZB Mt Coot-tha (Brisbane) transmits on 431.200 MHz and VK4RTQ Mt Kynoch (Toowoomba) transmits on 431.025 MHz all listening with a minus 7MHz offset, and requiring a 91.5Hz CTCSS tone. From the Brisbane WICEN Group comes news of the Southbrook horse endurance ride runs on 8/9th March 2025, and the event is run by TEHRA (Toowoomba Endurance Heritage Riders Association) Southbrook Cricket Club is the venue for the ride. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. The apocryphal saying that stalks the internet, “May you live in interesting times” certainly seems to be the situation for us now. We amateurs often point the finger at ourselves for not being good communicators in that we can get messages stacked and waiting when it comes to our pursuit. Overseas we see the efforts of a new government flailing and stumbling to rapidly achieve promises made in election campaigns. For us who are outside the USA, it is an amazing spectacle and at times a frightening one to watch the reports and analyses of the actions befalling Uncle Sam. Whilst we think of sovereign countries as governing for the good of their own people, when one nation achieves superiority in many spheres of activity and interacts with other nations through treaties and international law we can have many dilemmas facing us when the 1000-pound gorilla in the room no longer accepts the benefits of consistent behaviours. We can take heart that as our country moves towards an impending election we will have a consistency of behaviour and conduct established by our constitution and law. We radio amateurs will still be able to operate and know that our ACMA will still operate in familiar ways. Barring war or similar cataclysm we will not be taken off the airwaves. Whilst this country does have certain media outlets with stated political affiliations or biases, we are still able with relative ease to get news reports which provide clarity to happenings here at home and overseas. We have seen, over many years, divisions occur within the structure of national amateur radio bodies from Europe to North American countries. At times hams seem to take themselves very seriously and find splitting national bodies a better solution than struggling to repair apparent failings. Recent history has demonstrated this here, too. We have our election within the WIA running and we are facing a Federal parliamentary election before tax return time. We are fortunate that the systems which establish the rules for the elections we can expect things to continue without the heartache and angst we are seeing festering in our Pacific neighbour. It has been the policy of amateur radio from its inception in this country that it should be free of partisan politics. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

I'm John VK4JPM, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club, and welcome to a bit of a QNews special. This past week I've been in Fiji taking part in the Pacific Media Partnership Conference, especially a session on disaster readiness and risk management for Broadcasters. Response to a hazard is about preparation, one area where Amateur Radio operators have always played a very important role. Our club is stepping up focus on areas of our hobby where a bit of prep will pay off in a big way. Our next meeting, focused on natural hazards will be the Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network, or WICEN. On Monday 10th, Simon Chantrill VK4TSC from the Brisbane Area WICEN group is joining us to talk about the role of WICEN; across the country and in Queensland. Not every WICEN activity is an emergency many events are peaceful and community-oriented and how we learn the skills we need when a hazard goes pear-shaped. As Simon says: WICEN is a state of mind and being ready is everything. So write that down: 10 March at the Toowoomba Library for our March Technical Meeting and member night. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. The week has passed and I wonder how many of us were surprised by an unexpected love token for St. Valentine's Day? In the gloom of the current news cycle where crime and cost of living issues seem to head the broadcast news service,s there seems to have been little weight given to what can be a special good news event on the calendar. Better news has happened for the people in north Queensland as the low-pressure systems have moved the rains away from major population centres and the massive range of jobs in restoring normal life and livelihood gets underway. Whilst the roads may get repaired and the shelves of the shops are restocked, one constant reminder of flooding is the smell. It is something I first experienced in my school years and most recently in a trip to Brisbane over a decade ago. Clean water and sunlight still seem to be the best cleansing agents after the silt and debris are removed. I have mentioned before that when I worked at night, I used to enjoy getting the written version of the amateur radio news downloaded on packet radio. These days we are fortunate that not only are there many volunteer re-broadcasters but audio and video versions of the news are available. As a reminder to listeners in the Wide Bay area, there are alternatives when copy 2m is poor and if you watch the video you get broadcast quality sound. By the way, I still get the text version of the news and that allows me to catch up when life gets in the way. It was worthwhile seeing someone replying to a post, online, that now was a good time to get involved in amateur radio with simple equipment. The writer reminded us that in another 5 years or so, the sunspot cycle will no longer be giving us the gift of great DX on the HF bands and maybe a low-powered radio would need to be replaced by a more standard 100W one. The truth is that many people started out running lower power to meet their licence conditions and they developed great skill in pulling signals into their shack and also succeeded in completing contacts at that lower power. I have met and heard operators who never felt compelled to go to higher power and this is one of the great things of our activity. There are so many modes and methods which we can use and explore and not feel we are less than a “big gun” who chases rare DX with maximum power. At some suitable time, I want to dabble with some of the digital modes that will run on my station equipment. One area of annoyance for me is the so-called improvements and additions that are being supplied by the Windows operating system. As a firm believer in the KISS, keep it simple stupid, principle these new extensions to the operating system are just taking space on my hard drive. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

Hi; I'm John VK4JPM, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club and this news will be fresh if it's Sunday 9th of February. Most importantly, tomorrow night Monday 10th is our February club meeting, where members, guests and others will find out lots about the Amateur Radio take on the Fox Hunt, and how you can have massive amounts of fun and learn useful stuff at the same time. The meeting will be hosted by Bruce VK4MQ, who has been beavering away over the last two months to construct a heap of projects to show you how a Fox Hunt works. The meeting starts at 1900 in the Toowoomba Library on Herries Street near Grand Central on Monday 10th of February, and it's in a meeting room on level 3. That's easy to find, and there's plenty of free offstreet parking. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. The continuing stories of the weather and the flooding in the north of Queensland seem to be expected to continue for some time yet. Along the central coast, we have had the inconvenience of showers and the odd rain squall but the stressful and dangerous deluges have spared us. It is something that I can, in part, identify with from my youth on the regularly flooded north coast of NSW. It is perhaps too early to know if the amateur fraternity has been engaged in assistance efforts but I haven't seen anything appear on my internet feeds indicating WICEN and other groups have been activated. I would like to remind listeners that our regular WIA National News presenter, Felix Scerri, and his family live in the heavily affected town of Ingham which has been without services such as electricity for several days. To Felix and amateurs in the flooded communities, I trust you are remaining safe and that relief comes soon. Whilst our news services have been following the flooding the world has remained active and from a North American news outlet, MSNBC, comes a report of an event which hopefully can never happen in this land down under. Commentator Rachel Maddow tells of what appears to be politically driven actions by the Federal Communications Commission. It is alleged that under the new White House administration, there is a policy to direct support for news services towards those businesses that support the new administration. In her story, Miss Maddow told of how a local newspaper which had a readership of over many hundreds of thousands and was identified as the paper of record for official advertisements for that area, has had its contracts with the Federal government withdrawn and the business transferred to adjacent area publishers. It would be inconceivable for we Aussies to see the ACMA act in such a partisan political manner as this news story presents. However, we individually may view the governmental processes we seem to being better protected by administrative structures than our colleagues across the Pacific, allowing for the truth of the report. Returning to the floods and the possibility of amateur radio support during this crisis period, there is the question as to whether resilience mapping actually accommodates our skill base and uses it. If the answer is yes, then we seem to be hiding the efforts of many people as we don't usually get to hear of their efforts. Then if the answer is no, we must ask the question as to whether we have lost recognition and credibility as a volunteer support group. Certainly, there are good reasons for getting the word out about our contributions or finding out why our participation is dying on the vine. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

Greetings from the Redcliffe & Districts Radio Club VK4RC. Robert Thomson VK4TFN here. REDFEST 25 "Adventures on HF" will be held on the 12th of April 2025. Our new venue will be The Deception Bay North State School, Old Bay Road, Deception Bay. We will raffle off a very nice ICOM IC-7300. Go to: www.redclifferadioclub.org.au for more information. Hello and welcome to the weekly update from the Darling Downs Radio Club. I'm Secretary John VK4JPM. It's Groundhog Day, so I've checked with Punxatawnie Phil and we're either in for another four weeks of Queensland snow, or this segment will replay over and over again until the next Club meeting on Monday 10 February. At Darling Downs Radio Club we believe that being social is an important part of amateur radio, so a reminder about our bi-monthly informal lunch this coming Saturday, February 8th. We'll be meeting at Cafe Inferno in the Southern Hotel on Ruthven Street Toowoomba Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. The technology that we use depends on what is generally called a commodity and which we pay for in increasingly high premiums, that of electricity. Mostly we are supplied by a reticulated service and the electrons are persuaded to travel the network in various ways that we call generation. We seem to have seen a total revolution as batteries were the first way of making electricity available, then came electromagnetic generation with various forms of energy providing the mechanical forces to rotate the magnetic fields and we have now revived the storage battery to facilitate use. Various uses of electricity have occurred over the last 3 centuries, and the latest fad that has swept the share market speculators off their feet has been that of artificial intelligence. AI was undergoing an ethical analysis as to the limits of its uses and the capacities it should be allowed to develop and then ChatGPT was launched on the world. Shares in the “chip” manufacturer, Nvidia, soared but not as high as the fictional cryptocurrencies. Then this past week a new player with reportedly fewer demands on computing power lobbed into view and the stock exchanges reeled. Before the release of the Chinese-developed AI app, there were questions as to whether the electricity grids could meet the high demand of the data centres which hurled the gazzillions of terabytes of data into the internet to make AI work. Then some cheeky environmentalist types added further to the debate by querying the amount of water that the data centres demanded to maintain suitably cool environments for the computers to make the magic. What we saw in the development of electricity as a necessary tool is the benefits of economies of scale. As more people were able to access electricity, the costs of providing it fell until somewhere in the last quarter century the Western world lost sight of the things that are useful and renamed them as commodities. Utilities such as water and electricity were processed and supplied at sustainable costs but when controls were relinquished, and plants were sold off the prices rose. With AI becoming more ubiquitous the processes of refining its use and recovering the costs involved should, like electricity did once, fall with the greater uptake. Perhaps the union of AI and quantum computing will provide the impetus for a dramatic renaissance and dynamism to the sciences and technology. Boffins have been debating whether the fictional devices of the TV “Star Trek” series such as matter transporters can not only be imagined but also constructed and used. Perhaps we are at the dawning of the Age of Aquarius after all and amateur radio will see a flowering that few of us can imagine. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

Darling Downs Radio Club for Sunday 26 January. I'm John VK2JPM, Secretary of the club. Coming up: the next club meeting is on the evening of Monday 10th of February in the Toowoomba library at 1900. This month's topic is Fox Hunting, and Bruce VK4MQ is going to do his darndest to show you the two most important outcomes that you can get from our hobby: have a REALLY good time, and develop great technical and life skills. We're planning a club Fox Hunt event in late March or April, and Bruce will show you how to be prepared for not much money and only a small amount of effort. That date again: Monday 10 February at 1900 in the Toowoomba Library. If you're coming to the meeting and you've been busy constructing over the holidays, why not bring a bit of show and tell? Secretary@ddrci.org.au will get our attention, and someone will get back to you pretty quickly. 73 from John VK4JPM for the Darling Downs Radio Club. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. As I sat down at the keyboard to prepare this talk, the thrumming of the ceiling fan outpaced the chirrups of the cicadas serenading the night. It seems that large parts of the Sunshine State have largely dispelled the rain clouds for a little while and replaced the wet and humid weather with a heatwave with equally high levels of humidity. It is hardly the type of weather that encourages one to sit behind a microphone or keyboard and commune with the world. It is time for the younger students to enjoy the last days of the school holidays whilst staying as cool as conditions allow. We more senior folk are advised to stay cool and drink plenty of fluids to overcome the heat stresses. I spoke, last week, of the Jamboree which was held in Maryborough and one of the things I didn't mention was the state of the camping area when sudden heavy rains caused localised flooding at the showgrounds. The images that appeared on television showed the scouts valiantly defending their sleeping area with shovels and what materials they could use to divert the several centimetres of water. It was a classic case of being caught unawares but being prepared to do what was necessary in the circumstances. For all of that disruption it seems that the situation was accepted and the good memories of time spent around the Fraser Coast were carried home in spite of the deluge. I caught a YouTube video, last week, from a space scientist and amateur operator, Dr. Tamitha Skove, and from the observations she has recorded it appears that we have reached the first stages of the decline in Solar Cycle 25. This is a good time to put our operating skills to work and catch the excitement of HF whilst the benefits of the cycle remain. I can recall the rapidity of some previous cycles as exotic skip was soaked into then so-called normal conditions that prevail between the 11 year peaks. Part of the joy of amateur radio is pitting one's skills against the prevailing conditions on the bands. Some of the best fun is had when signals come from around the globe and we can work those stations without internet or satellite assistance. That is not to say these methods of any the less valid or enjoyable but a barefoot DX contact on the bands is always reason to smile with satisfaction. For our clubs, I trust you have resumed activities refreshed by the holiday break and members have returned full of enthusiasm and inspiration for the remainder of the year ahead. I am looking forward to sharing with you in 2025 and hope to hear your stories on the news. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

Hi, I'm John VK4JPM, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club. It's Sunday 19th of January and it's already only 22 sleeps away from our meeting on the second Monday of February. Bruce VK4MQ has a passion for Fox Hunting, and he's champing at the bit to show you why and how that happened. Not only is Bruce bringing along some of his home-brew foxes so that you can see what one looks like up close and personal, but he's a big fan of the cheap DIY directional antenna. There's lots more to fox hunting than just a transmitter and a receiver - although those are a big help. It's also helpful to have a bit of technique, both as a hunter or as the fox, and Bruce will let you in on hints, tips, and winning strategies that you can use in either role. This is how Bruce gets to talk about the nuns and the beat-up sedan. Bruce has promised to bring along some raw materials and will build a directional antenna on the spot. Robert Thomson VK4TFN here. REDFEST 2025 will be held on the 12th April 2025 The Theme will be "Fun on HF" We have a new venue. REDFEST 2025 will be held at the Deception Bay North State School in Old Bay Road Deception Bay. We will Raffle a very nice ICOM radio TxRx. Go to redclifferadioclub.org.au for more information. 73's and bye for now from the Redcliffe & Districts Radio Club VK4RC. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. In the past week, my part of the world has seen the conclusion of one of the biggest gatherings on the Fraser Coast. Maryborough was the host town for the Scouting Jamboree displayed as AJ25 on the patches and advertising. The last time this event was held in Maryborough, I was lucky enough to be able to participate in the amateur radio station that was on site. Sadly band conditions during the day were not the best and very few scouts were lucky enough to experience ham radio as they circulated around the activities. At night, the Scouters who were amateurs were much more successful and we would catch up with their successes when we returned the following day. I have not heard how the activities went this year but hopefully with band conditions more favourable there was plenty of action to spur enthusiasm in the hearts of the scouts who ventured into the amateur radio station. My participation has been limited to driving past the venue and following items presented in the media except for one activity. I do a weekly shop for the household and in that first week the streets and shops of Maryborough were illuminated by the bright Jamboree shirts of people attending to purchases in town and sight-seeing the historical town. What really came across to me was the courtesy and general good behaviour of the scouts. We are all used to the slightly frenetic pace at which people of this age like to live life and the fact that chasing the moment can overtake consideration for people around them. With these young people there was a unity and alertness which we would associate with people involved in the scouting movement. I have never had so many bodies defer to my travel along supermarket aisles and even apologise if they thought I had been hindered. I am left with the feeling that we amateurs are lucky to have an association with the Scouting movement and where we can we should offer assistance to our local groups. There is the hope that some of those people working to get their badges in various skills which align with amateur radio can take the further step of joining the radio fraternity as a complementary activity. Later this year, there will be the opportunity to participate in the JOTA/JOTI activities but in the meantime the opportunities remain for closer liaison with Scouts, Guides and Joeys at local levels. Like all voluntary bodies, scouting depends on the support of people like you and me. If there is an opportunity take it and if not try and make it. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

I'm John Maizels, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club and it's Sunday 12th of January. If you're listening to this on Sunday morning and in range of the club's repeater VK4RDD on 146.75, then the regular 2M Net is at the top of the hour at 1000 local time. Pretty much that's the same time as the rest of Queensland, so if you're listening to this on Sunday evening then you've missed it. If you are around, then please join in with the gang any Sunday - you don't have to be a club member - and meet the locals. Also, something for which you don't have to be a member: our next club technical gathering is on Monday 10th of February when you can come and learn some ins and outs of Fox Hunting. You can read all about the meeting and Fox Hunting on our website right now - go to www.ddrci.org.au and check the calendar entries at the start... where you'll be reminded that we don't have a meeting in January. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. As we move into a new calendar year it seems right to wonder what the direction of amateur radio is taking. There has been a tradition of maintaining practices which were foundational to the pursuit of AR. Over one hundred years ago, the wireless enthusiast was largely a home constructor. Morse code had been around for several years and its use in railway, shipping and military areas meant that it was the logical means of sending messages and conversing. Although patents existed for different voice modulation methods, the complexity of design and availability of components limited the uptake for the amateur experimenter. As the technology developed and was adopted around the world, it became necessary to find ways of harmonising the use of the radio spectrum. We see the current outcome of this in the International Telecommunications Union and the many subsidiary bodies that exist to facilitate various sectors. Part of the structure of radio administration has been to create a framework and then allow local authorities to care for the vast user base in a way that best suits local conditions. Our regulator seems to be a hands-off arm of government called the Australian Communications and Media Authority. If you wonder why I use that expression, consider trying to resolve an issue regarding your licence and finding you have no effective right of appeal to the Minister of Communications if you are dissatisfied with an outcome. It seems that part of the job description of the administrator of services is to ensure that the needs of their clients are adequately served. For we radio amateurs there are a few needs that are specific to our ability to utilise the full extent of our licences. For instance, we need to be able to corroborate or substantiate our qualification and licence grade to operate overseas or even register for certain internet applications involving the potential to transmit. The recent transfer of individual amateur licences to a class register has meant no access to an official database or, for many, a document that states the current status. Despite many attempts to remedy this situation with the Agency, it remains intransigent in its refusal to provide a simple and convenient solution. It is difficult to know the reasoning behind this situation, whether it is bureaucratic convenience, gross ignorance of the client base or poor external advice. Whatever the cause it is evident to those who need an entry on an official site or a piece of plastic or paper with the up-to-date information that this demonstrates a poor understanding of this part of the amateur service which the agency is charged with governing. In the scheme of things these are minor issues which require simple solutions and those solutions are being ignored. Let us hope to see a common-sense resolution to these transitional omissions this year. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

Here's a Happy New Year to our listeners all over Queensland and beyond - coming to you from the Darling Downs Radio Club in Toowoomba. I'm John VK4JPM, secretary of the Club, and welcome to 2025. It's Sunday 5th of January, and time for a good look forward to what's coming up this year - all of which you can check on our website. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. It seemed a happy coincidence that our Sun joined in the earthly celebrations by providing not one but two solar storms to mark our arbitrary New Year. The fireworks looked spectacular on the TV and the solar winds must have provided entertainment and frustration to radio users around the world. The significance of the New Year is not whether it is correct by the laws of physics and mathematics but the mental prompt it gives us humans to refocus and align our thoughts and actions to priorities that may have slipped from view. For each of us, it marks a new beginning to a new period and the mental stimulus can guide us in new directions and away from patterns that have become routine, is another way of putting it. This small segment, in the weekly news service, is primarily aimed at the club environment but of course, it must also speak to the individuals who make up those clubs. Those of you who have watched the video posted by Hayden, VK7HH, (Ham Radio DX is the channel name) on YouTube, and using material from the recent REAST Conference in Tasmania will be either understanding or shocked at the statements from the WIA members on the panel. Clubs have largely been left to develop their strategies for growth without the support of the peak body for amateur radio. Sadly this merely confirms the impression that many have shared that the Board doesn't have an effective working committee structure. Past years have seen much effort given to aiding clubs and hopefully, we can see a resurgence of activity in this area. Here in VK4, we no longer have any state hierarchy between members, clubs and the WIA. How much is shared in the online video meetings with club presidents and ultimately with club members seems to be an unknown quantity. There is a ballot for WIA Directors coming up shortly and I hope we see some inspiring presentations and enthusiasm for growing our hobby and our clubs. It is not usually advised that the flaws in our activities are published. Still, we take part in a “communications” activity which is largely done over the air and person to person. I hope that more amateurs can contribute to the discussions and that more clubs can evaluate their situation regardless of the leadership we once valued. It is a new year and the calendar has been marked with activities to be addressed. Is this too much to hope and expect that the Board, which carries the legal responsibility of supporting and developing amateur radio in VK-land, might shine a light on itself so that we all can see the efforts being made to fulfil the duties of being Director? I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

Following a QNEWS report from Ipswich on December 8, very sad news to report is that Ron Grandison VK4RG passed away 2 am on Sunday, December 22. Ron was one of the originals of the Ipswich and District Radio Club. He helped build the clubhouse in the early 1960s and participated in many events. He was the morning voice of the 8 am net which started in 1986. His last was only on November 25 this year. When you heard Ron's voice you knew it was 0800 hours precisely. Ron had a positive presence in many lives. Funeral details will be published on the Ipswich club's FaceBook page and emailed to all members. Vale Ron Grandison VK4RG. It's New Year's Day on Wednesday... best wishes for the coming year from all of us at your Club - and all clubs; be safe; try to avoid fireworks in the shack, and good luck with that elusive contact on-air.... It seems a few of the bands have been remarkably open at just the right time for the holidays. Do you have a presentation topic that you'd like us to cover in a meeting next year? Tell us. In particular, what might appeal to younger people? Drop a line to secretary@ddrci.org.au, and check out our website at www.ddrci.org.au. Hi - I'm John VK4JPM, secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club, and this is our final club update... for 2024. It's Sunday 27th of December, and Ho, Ho, Happy. Yes, it's that moment between two public holidays and another one; the time when the euphoria hasn't quite worn off, but you don't know what you're going to do next week. Whether you had a religious experience, or your break was purely secular, did you manage to acquire a few more toys for the shack or do some electronics activity? Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. Well, the wrapping paper and remnants of Christmas feasting have passed us by and the mid-night reverie of New Year is almost upon us. What a strange ending to this year as the tropical heat penetrated to the south of the continent with strips of the east coast spared the worst of the heat. Then just to remove any smug feelings we went into a period of heatwave. Thankfully we shared Christmas with a little breeze and temperatures a bit lower than blood heat. As the calendar turns over we have the usual summer contest period continuing and for many people preparations for schooling are the next big thing for family life. Then there are the club activities which hopefully members have thought out ahead of time. In other words, the next couple of months should see many events saved for action in Reminder files or on the notice board. As we move through sunspot Cycle 25, we can properly suspect that we are entering the downward phase and the next couple of years will see much of the great DX become less frequent. It is properly a time when the country hunter should be making hay whilst the sun shines, as the old saying goes. But then we have the alternative available. As contentious as it might be for some operators there is a wide range of weak signal modes available to implement quite simply and cheaply, these days. The digital transition that has overtaken us in the last quarter century has really widened the range of opportunities for the amateur radio enthusiast. It is no longer necessary to be tied to a desk top machine and have this connected to mysterious black boxes to be able to far outperform the much vaunted packet radio system of the 80's and 90's. The capability of mobile devices can provide a whole new scope to operating. As we come to sing Auld Lang Syne for another year it is good to reminisce over the year that is passing out. However, having a list of aspirations for the new is a good start to the beginning how we wish to continue. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and I wish you all the best for 2025…. and that's what I think

Hi - I'm John VK4JPM Darling Downs Radio Club Secretary with the club update for Sunday 22nd of December. Wow - hasn't the year gone quickly? We're already thinking ahead to next year's technical sessions, and we have an interesting list of topics lined up - look out for presentations on Fox Hunting, Overvoltage protection, how to get the best from Chinese handhelds, clever antennas, and more. If there's a topic that you'd like us to cover, why not make the suggestion? And even better, if there's a topic you could present, we'd like to know - and if you're listening to this from out of the region, don't be put off. We love to host out-of-towners. Either way, drop a line to secretary@ddrci.org.au In the something different department, a couple of us have been thinking about making a group to Dayton Hamvention, the US's biggest hamfest from 16-18 May next year. We'd like to know if Hamvention might be on your bucket list and if you'd like to be part of a smallish group for - say - a two-week tour with organised side trips to see some tech and transmission that you wouldn't otherwise get to experience. And you'd always be free to travel before and/or afterwards under your own steam if you felt like a longer stay. Right now it's just an idea that we're testing but if you have any interest, let us know so we can get an idea of potential numbers. If enough people are willing, we'll put a trip together. More about this in early January. National News and QNews will keep running over the summer festive season, and we will too. Check out our website at www.ddrci.org.au, and watch for our updates across the break. Have a happy holiday season, whatever that brings. And that's it for this week - 73 from John VK4JPM for the team at the Darling Downs Radio Club. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. We are in that frantic time before the great days of celebration and feasting. Whether you mark the occasion by attending church or enjoying a secular holiday, Christmas is a time of bustle and activity. The traditions that people bring to this time of year tend to reinforce family and friendship bonds and unhappily for some, refresh painful memories of people and places. It can be hoped that everyone can find comfort, support and a rewarding fellowship to mark this time. Whether we share the days with others or relax alone we can be certain that millions of other people are participating in similar traditions. Funnily, over the years of listening for the sounds of new presents being put on air, there seems to be a habit that people do share the celebration of Christmas Day so much so that I have normally got no incentive to hit the airwaves as the bands usually appear deserted. As this holiday has embraced new traditions over time, such as the giving of cards and then presents and having a festive and decorated tree it is like our own pursuit of amateur radio. Over time the radio hobby has embraced the terms of trades that are its foundations and used the science and technology of the time to expand. From the marine radio comes the “shack” to be one's operating position and from the land-line telegraphy we have the Q Code and so on it goes. There is unity amongst amateur radio operators that brings people together in activities such as contests and aids in humanitarian work in times of trouble. The boundaries of war can be overlooked as people conduct “contacts” with others regardless of politics or religion. So what I see is a sameness in the activities of festivals that unify humanity and that same spirit underlies the practice of amateur radio. So for everyone who reads or listens to this broadcast, I can say without offending and with sincerity, may we all have a very Happy Christmas! I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

Hi - I'm John VK4JPM Darling Downs Radio Club Secretary with the club update for Sunday 15th of December. Nice and quick this week, and as we move towards the end of the year our scheduled regular club activities take a break until the beginning of February. But don't lose track of the dates: Saturday 8 February for our next club lunch social, and Monday 10 February for the member's meeting and tech topic. More details on those in the coming weeks. Speaking of tech topics, we had a great session with John VK4JBE discussing Software Defined Radios. John gave us a cheat sheet to help with SDR selection and has kindly provided some follow-up materials to help get started. That info will be on the website in a bit. Not taking a break: the weekly club nets will continue: 2m on VK4RDD at 1000 local on Sundays, and 80m on Saturday evenings. Check out our website at www.ddrci.org.au, 73 from John VK4JPM at the Darling Downs Radio Club. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. Many of the things that I remember from my childhood are still part of the items that are still common today. The events are still followed but the things that are used have been modernised. I can remember a genuine tree being cut and mounted in the house and then adorned with suitable decorations. These days there is the convenience of store-bought manufactured trees and trinkets which aren't necessarily valuable enough to wrap in tissue paper and store until the next year. When I first caught the bug of radio, I made my first logbook. It was nothing more than a school exercise book that I ruled up and labelled the columns for the date, time call signs etcetera. These days, a quick internet search will bring you many styles of logging from apps to printable styles, from records you can save on your electronic device to creating a permanent paper memento. That brought me to thinking about how we can make available stored information for use both within the shack, out in the field portable of course, and in our club activities too. Certainly, a printed form of reference is preferred by many of us but the convenience of electronic memory has a lot to recommend it. The amount of storage that is now cheaply available on memory cards and USB sticks is growing each year. When we think back to the now-lost WIA Callbook, there was so much material to guide operating in its pages; from frequencies of band segments to QSL bureau details and so much more made the pages. With the more precise division of bands as new modes are introduced, having a reference which can specify the correct details to use for a particular mode is handy both at home or portable. For clubs, a drive containing details of the club as well as linking to regulations, band plans awards, could be a great tool for new as well experienced amateurs. With PDF apps for free download, compiling and collating so much of the information can be done straight from the internet. Just be aware that a lot of material is subject to copyright ownership and permission must be obtained to publish it. This would apply to material from the ACMA and WIA, for instance. There will be those who don't like the idea of electronic resources preferring paper-based material. However, the portability of a small drive overcomes the problems of poor internet services in an area and if designed properly it could be updated by the user or through a central data service. There have been problems previously when the material was distributed on disks and pen drives when piracy was a common practice for many and ownership of material was viewed as a commercial necessity. These days we don't have a simple handbook or a callbook to help and it is sensible to remember that “when all else fails, there is amateur radio.” We just need to make it more convenient, at times. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

This is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club. Ron has been calling in the Ipswich morning net since July 1986. For Ron, it has been a labour of love and for the rest of us listening or taking part in the net, he has been a constant – the voice of reassurance in a world of change. Sadly, Monday, November 25 was the last time Ron made the regular call for stations owing to a change of home address which doesn't permit a base station setup. VK4RG was first licensed in 1956 and he is hopeful his trusty handheld will enable him to call in occasionally. VK4RG, we salute you and thank you for your service to the club and amateur radio. Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT. I'm John VK4JPM Darling Downs Radio Club Secretary with the club update for Sunday 8th of December. Before I remind you about the tech meeting tomorrow night - yes, tomorrow night. John VK4JBE is coming up from Brisbane to give us all the good stuff about Software Defined Radios. If you're just catching up to the topic, check out the Wikipedia article online, because that's a good introduction to the introduction. All the info on the meeting is on the website at www.ddrci.org.au Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. During the past week, the postman handed me the latest edition of Amateur Radio magazine and it prompted me to think about what we used to have. Once there was a state-based newsletter aptly called QTC. This was a great addition to the shack in that reminders of events were in tangible form rather than just committed to memory. When the weekly news went out on packet radio, it was an easy task to print it out and these days we are very likely to have a printer on our home network which can do the same job with the news bulletins. You see, QTC went into a column in AR magazine before it went SK. Largely club notes have been lost to the printed medium and this makes our broadcast news all the more important in getting the messages out to fellow amateur operators. This is especially true with the magazine now bi-monthly having gone from monthly to 11 issues a year and now every 2 months. I don't know how many clubs are running nets these days as there isn't a quickly accessible list for me to check. I know that not a lot can be heard from my location and without receiving reminders or newsletters I would bet that most of us are just as much in the dark as I am. So here we are engaged in a communications activity and we seem to be confounded by poor communications. I don't know how many missives are sent via the WIA Memnet service but I receive advice of the release of the digital issue of the magazine so that amounts to only 1 every 2 months. Periodically the text edition of the national news drops off until I send a plea for help and that makes me wonder how effective our IT systems are working for the WIA. To place a little context on the subject, I live in a house with people not only getting older but also living with chronic health issues. There are many times that I think of things that I would like to see done by me or others but circumstances don't give the luxury of acting on those thoughts. For me, getting updates in my email is a welcome piece of assistance as I don't have to devote time to searching them out. It also provides a point of connection to the wider community in a way that is accessed at convenient times. You see these ways of sharing are important on a personal level as much as they support club activity and growth. Once it was the cartoonist's jibe that you had to lick the tip of a pencil or bash the heck from a typewriter to get the news out. These days we can achieve things much more sedately and just as effectively with our mobile devices or shack computers. I look forward to getting your news in electronic or broadcast. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

Hi - I'm John VK4JPM Darling Downs Radio Club Secretary with the club update. There's been a lot of interest in the next tech meeting on Monday 9 December at the Toowoomba Library, John VK4JBE will be our expert guide into the exciting topic of Software Defined Radios. Now to social activities, and the end-of-year BBQ/picnic/live ragchew and family day will be held on Saturday 14 December. We're meeting at a park in Toowoomba - will provide a neato setting for some actual ham activity should you feel inclined. Starting from 1130, should be tons of room. Finally, don't forget the 2M club net on VK4RDD every Sunday at 1000, and the 80M net on 3.650 ± QRM every Saturday at 1930. ------------------------------------------------------------ Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. I ventured into the field of prompting clubs to think about letting us all know what they are up to. It is one of those things that seems to have been partly left behind as the various platforms on the internet have increased and access to community media has reduced at the same time. We have seen the newspaper industry in the suburbs and regions get gobbled into large conglomerate ownership and just sprouts of regrowth show as people recognise they are missing the local news. We have seen the broadcast networks reduce staff and close local offices and local news has been reduced in time and scope. These are the commercial big brothers and my question is, do we have to follow them? Some years back, there were media packs made available by the WIA to assist amateurs prepare and present news of events that would interest the general community to the capital “M” media. They were a good starting point because they used standard formats and suggested processes for successful press releases to be generated by we amateurs. Now, I think we could do with this assistance once again as all to often what the amateur radio community does is more like a secret society than a community movement. Similarly we have access to attracting people who are attracted to electronic technology by using the knowledge at our finger tips. Not only a press package but a sample of pro forma items to assist people in getting their thoughts together for electronic distribution, whether it is by radio internet, audio or video streaming. In my area, at least one TV channel seeks video and still images from viewers, so I know that a little bit of effort can have a big result in putting your group at the front of the stage. I rather gather that the number of club newsletters has fallen and the printed material has been reduced and only partly replaced by posts on-line. What we are doing seems to be ensuring that less and less people are hearing the stories that we have to share. So what have we got that we can use? We have local club nets, internet platforms and newsletters whilst not forgetting the regular club meetings. If we want more people at our meetings, then we have to invite them in ways that they know they are invited and welcome. Then there are the weekly news broadcasts. I have mentioned the fact that I started learning about what was happening in the amateur world by listening, each Sunday morning, to the weekly news. World wide, country wide and local all found a place and it made a schoolboy feel he was sharing and learning. I still look forward to the weekly news but maybe the mind is playing tricks or maybe we aren't getting the stories to air that draws our listeners in. We are the newsmakers and the reporters so how about putting your audio to air with us? I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

Hi - John VK4JPM Darling Downs Radio Club , pop Saturday 14 December in your diary. That's the planned date for our annual outdoor club lunch and barbecue, which will be held in the Toowoomba area. Our next club meeting tech session on Monday 9 December will take us into the exciting and very accessible topic of Software Defined Radios. Talk to us - the 2M club net on VK4RDD every Sunday at 1000, and the 80M net on Saturdays at 1930. VK2ZRH - I'm here to remind you, patient listeners, that the Brisbane VHF Group is having a Showcase Day on everything about those mysterious upper bands, from VHF to microwaves, on the 8th of December! This Showcase day is happening at the well-appointed Redcliffe and District Radio Club facilities. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. There are lessons to be learned from activities on the internet and it is not only the phishing and other scams that we need to be aware of. In the last month or so, I have received bogus friend requests from at least three supposed amateurs. After checking the bona fides of the requests, I have done the appropriate thing and reported these actions. I am not surprised that the practical hypocrisy of the social media platform when they declined to remove the cloned accounts as they didn't breach their amorphous community standards. The gargantuan video repository that provides a reasonable income to regular content creators has similar issues when it comes to ethics and standards. Anyone who has fallen foul of the anonymous and perhaps fictional “fact checkers” must ask what are the standards of behaviour that these platforms supposedly uphold? If we look back to the recent US elections and the posts that appeared on our screens, it was apparent that there were at least two worlds at war and the truth of what was proposed could not be reconciled between them on so many times. This is something that we have been seeing debated in our own Australian parliament with a bill presented to make media companies adhere to the truth. The question that many have is who decides what is true? When we think back to the COVID pandemic and what we were advised as matters of public health and compare that with the scientific studies that are being published now, it seems obvious that what we were told is being confronted by different outcomes today. So it it is that we electronics nerds use the tools at hand to improve our understanding of our subjects of interest. We turn to recognised authorities such as published handbooks and reliable internet resources to clarify points and settle points of confusion. This brings us back to the popular platforms which increase their bases of knowledge by unimaginable amounts each day. Years ago a new word was introduced to us, that is “wiki”. Here is a tool that is maintained by volunteers and which aims to provide correct and accurate detail on subjects which interest at least enough people to prepare and maintain posts on them. I see that these on-line sources of “fact” have largely replaced the weighty books called encyclopedias and their successors on digital media. Still errors occur in wiki posts and it depends on the knowledge of the editor to get corrections posted. Fortunately for most of us, amateur radio is a practical occupation where frequent debates as to theory can be left to the chemists, physicists and engineers and the benefits of their debates can inform us what best to do. All that I am suggesting is that we need to exercise the same amount of caution when using the internet for our learning as we do when we use the internet for sensitive things such as maintaining personal records and activities like banking. With words of caution in my ears, I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. We like to be able to identify and put a face to bodies with which we associate. At times the face is that of a person who has the power to influence outcomes and at other times it is a willing spokesperson, a media face. Within our club structures, the group that forms the executive is usually supporting the leader or chairperson in public statements. Unlike politicians, we don't and can't justify having a media spokesperson in a not-for-profit body. But at times the very important role of the publicity officer is the unsung hero who gets the message out to the membership, the TV print and broadcast media and, of course, to other clubs and enthusiasts. Normally we don't get to see or hear much of publicity officers except for perhaps their name on the bottom of a post or news release. Yet it is this person who can provide a wide range of support to our body not only with the necessary dispersal of information but making sure that the name of our club is “out there”. These days there are many platforms which people use for sourcing news and information. Once we depended on books, libraries and newspapers but these days the Internet gives us instant access to many opportunities. To this end, do you know what your membership turns to for entertainment, news and messaging? Once it was web pages that carried the traffic but these days we have numerous social media platforms and they tend to be used by different segments of the community. Has anyone gone to the trouble of finding out what club members are using regularly or what family members are chatting with from school ages through to grandparents? I bet you will find that many households are represented on several of these apps. Then naturally we have to include our specific avenues which are dedicated to supporting amateur radio. We have club pages on net platforms, the bi-monthly Amateur Radio magazine and of course our weekly news service provided by the WIA. As a regular listener have you taken the time to count the number of clubs who provide material to QNews? The regular number would probably amount to the fingers of one hand with maybe two or three appearing more than a couple of times each year. This is why I believe the publicity officer is the unsung hero because they take the time to answer those questions I have asked and they endeavour to get their messages out on all the appropriate platforms. While I was at school, I started listening to the weekly news broadcast and continued doing so as I became a shortwave listener and then a licensed amateur. If my experience stands for anything, we never know who is listening. With the world widespread of amateur radio and the internet, we should never be surprised where these listeners are. We are a community of enthusiasts and we should know how to speak to each other and include those we don't know as well. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

Hi - John VK4JPM with the Darling Downs Radio Club update for Sunday 10th of November.This month the topic is balloons, specifically those that go halfway to outer space - maybe even three times as high as jet planes. Dave Nebe, VK4DN was part of a team from Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club when they did two High Altitude Balloon Experiment launches and he'll be along tomorrow to tell us the full story. There are so many parts to an experiment like this, and it's what hams do best: we come up with ideas and make them work. Dave will be able to talk about the preparation, payloads, launch, recovery, and what the experimenters learned - from both successes and failures. Bring your questions and your experiences. And who knows - maybe this is an opportunity for the Darling Downs club to do something similar. In December, our meeting topic is Software Defined Radios, and what you can do with some pretty cheap and easily available hardware. Plus we want to talk to you about ideas for club development and where we might head in the next five years. The committee has a few ideas and'd like your input and thoughts. It's YOUR club! All this is on the website at www.ddrci.org.au, and if you're a member you should have received an email with the latest news and reminders. If you can't find info or you have a question, drop a line to secretary@ddrci.org.au, and if you didn't get to write that down just use your favourite search engine for Darling Downs Radio Club. You'll find us. But mostly we'd like to find you so here's a final reminder: tomorrow night, Toowoomba Library, 1900 Eastern time, and join us for the meeting, a cuppa, a natter, and a bit of brain food. And don't forget the club net on VK4RDD every Sunday at 1000. That's it for this week - 73 from John VK4JPM for the Darling Downs Radio Club team. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. This past week has seen some notable happenings. The Melbourne Cup was run and won by a Queensland-trained horse. The Reserve Bank held the interest rate constant. An inland town was evacuated because of strong fire activity and the Sun has assailed us with solar flare action once more. However, the thing that has captured the media attention has been the electoral joust in the USA. It would appear that the candidate most likely to be declared President is the one with the most disruptive policies, as far as our country is concerned. Trump has promised tariff barriers to protect a raft of other changes in trade and economic activities. Even as TV stations, on-air and online, presented the election commentaries reports were going to air that governments and no doubt international businesses, were attempting to work out the ramifications of the changes that Trump has mooted. Based on his rhetoric, economists forecast large increases in monetary inflation and the cost of living in the US with flow-on effects to countries like ours. We have had the media impress the messages from the Reserve Bank, the Government and the man in the street that the cost of borrowed money is crippling people financially with repayments beyond their capacity to pay and the general cost of living is placing stress on food bank type charities as more people try to survive without enough money. For us who enjoy the thrill of recreational electronics, just think of where so much of our gear comes from. It may bear the logo of a famous brand but it has, in smaller writing, a message “Made in China”. If we try and think this through, it becomes mind-boggling as the implications of what Trump's policies can have on our small country down under. As much as it is Christmas shopping time, it might also be prudent to consider purchases which might become more expensive just after New Year. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

Hi - John VK4JPM with the Darling Downs Radio Club update for Sunday 3rd of November. Our next meeting on 11 November covers a great piece of experimentation, which is what amateurs do best. Put 11 November in your diary and come along to hear the story about the Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club's High Altitude Balloon Experiment. David VK4DN is coming up from Brisbane to tell us how it went down - and up. You'll learn a bit more about ham radio, and some useful stuff about atmospherics and driving. Never know when that would come in handy. Monday 11 November at the Toowoomba Library starting from 1900 local time. But you don't have to remember all that, because it's all on our calendar of events on the website at ddrci.org.au Repeating the important stuff: the club net on VK4RDD every Sunday at 1000, ddrci.org.au for the website, and 11 November at 1900 for the next meeting. Ok, I think that's enough repeats. Until next week, 73 from John VK4JPM for the team at the Darling Downs Radio Club. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. As we rush through Spring the rising temperatures and the more frequent storms are a reminder that we have entered the official cyclone season. As I prepare this segment, the ceiling fan is valiantly chasing the warmth out of the room and allowing the body to feel closer to comfortable. November is the start of the Summer season for buying presents for the Christmas celebrations. I have been noting that overseas events are having the inevitable effects on monetary conversion rates and the US election, later this week, could have a dramatic result as the US dollar shifts against other currencies as well as our own. As time goes on and more and more advances are made in technology, it is obvious that mankind is more aware of events around the globe and more influenced quickly by changes in other countries. It has been a position that radio amateurs have sought to demonstrate that we live in a large community and using our equipment, skill and enthusiasm we can bring more people from a distance into our lives. When the conflict in Central Europe broke out with the invasion of Ukraine, many amateurs were faced with moral choices as to whether they could still interact with people living within the boundaries of the invading regime. This was an issue in the world of sports and commerce as the good nature of acceptance of others was challenged by the actions of the government. On a person-to-person level, it was equivocal, to say the least. I am old enough to have known people who were engaged in the Second World War. The atrocities that happened to both service personnel and civilians were fresh in their minds and acceptance of people born in the countries which were our nation's enemies was impossible for many who had been through the hell that happened. Since then we have seen military engagements in many parts of the world and today we greet people from so many ethnic and cultural groups just walking down our streets. We have been fortunate to share not only the growth of radio and electronics generally but also live through and enjoy the establishment of the internet. We have devices that give us almost instantaneous communications and access to news, music and culture as the world has never known. So what I feel is that we hams have been a small but significant group who have fostered the breakdown of geographical and cultural boundaries and brought a level of acceptance and friendship a bit closer to our families and communities in a specific way. I like to reflect on how we can continue to engage with the world from my home. It is something that can be enjoyed when other things prevent travel. I would like to think that radio amateurs have a meaning in life which benefits us all. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

One of SCARC's former members and Presidents has sadly passed away - Noel Des Jardins VK4NL passed away last Thursday October 16th. Noel made his first appearance at SCARC in 2003 when he was VK4ADJ, I met him at JOTA and he was in his element showing the Scouts and Guides just what radio was about with so much enthusiasm it was contagious. He also donated some copper tube to be used in making cavities for a 6m repeater which unbeknownst to us he was a real fan of the 6m repeater and he used to run the 6m net AKA the backblocks net every Friday night until he left for greener pastures in Hervey Bay. Noel was also an operator for the 20m travellers net for quite some time, it was always comforting to hear his voice on the radio when you were far from home. One of his favourite sayings was "You can never have enough aluminium and wire in the sky" Mate, you be sadly missed but never forgotten. Vale Noelly, Poppy Noel, Noel Des Jardins VK4NL I'm John VK4JPM with the Darling Downs Radio Club update for Sunday 27th of October. Last Sunday saw the end of the POTA Coast-to-Coast week with the band opening up nicely on Sunday Afternoon. On 20m contacts were made into the Canary Islands, Germany and Austria. Even if you're not registered with the POTA Website, if you had a contact with a POTA operator this weekend it's possible that there's an Award waiting for you when you do set up an account. Why not come along to the next club meeting, and find out from Dave VK4JPS how to set up an account? The important stuff again: the club net on VK4RDD every Sunday at 1000, ddrci.org.au for the website, and 11 November at 1900 for the next meeting. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. I trust all we Queensland amateurs are recovering from the contest. I don't mean the one running from the USA but the political blood sport we know as an election. Thankfully the remaining execution is in the USA and the amount of publicity and spruiking we are receiving will diminish next month and we hams can turn our thoughts to the serious matters of amateur radio. I was pleased to see the amount of posts appearing on social media during the JOTA/JOTI weekend with some clubs obviously enjoying the time spent with the members of the Scouting and Guiding communities. It seems that the coordination of announcements and publicity fell away, this year with NO opening address supplied for broadcast as has happened for many, many years. Like so many things that happen in life, this is an example that provides lessons for the future. It would seem that the gods of weather are reminding us of the seasonal changes with more storm activity reminding us that summer is almost upon us. You have probably noticed the adverts, put out by the Government, reminding us to have a bad weather plan. The meteorologists are positing that we will probably have the warmest nights on record, in the run up to Christmas. They are also projecting that we could have about 11 cyclones around the coast of Australia with maybe 4 of those crossing the coast somewhere. This may seem like a low number of tropical storms, this season, but the scientists are saying that the trends they are measuring are for more intense behaviours from these events. The word is that we need to prepare, as I have been reminding us all, for the worst and pray for the best outcomes. One thing that I seem to have been missing in the broadcast news is the amount of trouble that various parts of the world are experiencing with particularly storms and flooding. Even in NSW there has been damage in the mining city of Broken Hill which has caused extensive blackouts and which is the result of storm damage. As the fun of summer approaches, I hope we can all remain safe and prepared and enjoy the thrill of radio. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

Hi, I'm John VK4JPM with the Darling Downs Radio Club update. wow - what a week we just had. The bimonthly lunch was excellent and well attended. It was great to see so many DDRCi members make the trip down to Nerang for the HamFest - thanks to GCARS for a wonderful day of information, HAM-appropriate bargains, and yummy stuff from the hotplate. Well done for the event. And ....... GOLD COAST AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY And that's a wrap, For another year at the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Society's annual HamFest. It was a cracker * over 50 tables of goodies * over half of these were commercial providers with all the major brands represented * 7 dozen bacon and egg muffins * 150 sausages and more people snapping up bargains than we have seen for years. We look forward to seeing you all next year at the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Society annual HamFest. If you are up this way, drop into 85 Harper st Nerang on Saturdays at 1:30pm and say hi! So until next time, for GCARS, Aidan VK4APM. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. . I recently watched an interesting segment from the German broadcaster, DW. We manage to adjust and adopt to the changes of technology that come into our lives. Maybe forty years ago we were telling children to turn off the lights when they left the room. This was to save electricity and reduce the bill. Maybe, 20 odd years ago the compact fluorescent lamp was gaining traction as a more efficient method of lighting than the Edison/Swan incandescent devices that had lit the world for roughly a century. Time has marched on and technology has brought us the more efficient LED, light emitting diode which has become the ubiquitous illumination source of the 21st century. More recently the world has been given access to a “holy grail” of the digital age, that of artificial intelligence. We are seeing AI incorporated into operating systems and search engines and multitudinous other forms of software and firmware and yet the underlying ethics of its use has not been decided and tabloid journalists and talking heads are speculating on science fiction like outcomes for this morally ill-defined tool. To digress a little but we have been told for many years that the tools of industry, mainly the chemistry which is used to progress our civilisation, is effecting calamitous changes to the environment which we inhabit. The outcome of this is believed to be producing devastating climate shifts that will alter all our lives. I note that whilst we are encouraged to not do anything that will damage the planet I have not heard the cries of pain that the conflicts in various parts of the globe are inflicting on our climate. Surely in some research units, there must be people trying to work out whether the explosions from the wars are negating the benefits of changing our form of lighting let alone our substitution of non-polluting electricity generation for for petrochemical and fossil fuels. This brings me back to the program. Three of the major internet colossi have joined the move to use nuclear technology to power the expected stupendous increase in electricity consumption used by AI. If the facts are correct, each major effort of AI to train itself for proper human interaction uses significantly more power than the course of living does now. What the multiple is I don't know but the boffins and number crunchers at these behemoths of cyber business have concluded that without adopting nuclear power generation, they will not have the power to meet the expected growth of AI. It seems to be the height of ironic progress to self-destruction to be adopting technology which conflicts with the current results of massive scientific research. We as a species have been able to find alternatives and solutions to problems but if the straws in the wind are correct, can mankind survive its creative urges? I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

Hi. I'm John, VK4JPM with an update from the Darling Downs Radio Club. Our monthly member meeting is tomorrow night, Monday 14 October - at 1900 in the Toowoomba Library. The topic is 3D printing, and in one hour we'll do a bit of an overview for those of us who have only seen one once, in the presence of a master who can answer the curliest of questions. It's amazing both how cheap 3D printing can be, and what a range of templates already exist for download from the interweb. From brackets to knobs to clips, to complete cases to... well, all kinds of parts that might be broken in your favourite transceiver or antenna mount. Some replacement parts can even be created to be stronger or better than the original. On November 11th, Dave Nebe VK4DN from the Bundaberg Club will join us to update us on the Club's High Altitude Balloon Experiment. December 9th the topic is Software Defined Radios. Details of tomorrow night's meeting will all be found on the website at ddrci.org.au. I'm John VK4JPM, and you can drop me a line - Secretary@ddrci.org.au Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. Solar flares and thunderstorms seem to be the marker of the past week. Contesters, over the long weekend, seemed to suffer the vagaries of space weather with contacts in some areas being significantly poorer than last year and others attaining record scores. On the other hand parts of the Sunshine State have been decidedly less than sunny with both acoustic and atmospheric noise reaching new highs for this season. Overseas we have seen parts of the southern USA suffer the effects of not one but two weather events, namely Hurricane Helene and then Milton. One effect which in its way is a bizarre beneficial outcome has been the attention the services of amateur operators have been receiving from, particularly, the TV news. Making the public aware that there are means of contacting authorities and families outside the commercial services of the Internet and telephone is itself a public service. Sometimes we need to raise our heads above the parapet and take a chance that we in Amateur Radio aren't just old boys playing in their sheds but are people with a capacity to help. It has been, it seems, a lonesome cry of mine, to renew the strong public service ethic that was once found amongst hams. As people step through life, the things that are important change and there is a changing roll call in our active membership. Some areas in VK-land still have strong bodies guiding the amateur community and some like Queensland seem to have lost the incentive or personnel to carry the torch for our pursuit. Sadly I don't see active promotion from our peak organisation which seems to roll on with things as they are. This is not a condemnation but an observation that we need a guiding star to put us back in a position which gives the activity of radio the respect and recognition it once had in the community. As we see innovation happening in so many areas of AR, we also seem to observe more antipathy amongst our members. One thing that most volunteer-staffed bodies have is sustaining the number of people to carry out the core objectives. I have noted several not-for-profits in my area that have been appealing for new blood to keep their doors open. So it is not simply an issue that besets our clubs and other bodies, it is becoming universal. Family commitments, health and age all contribute to the amount of time that I can devote to external activities. So it must be for many of us and here is the nub, we need to recruit and to skill our membership to see the social recognition continue. We must consider the options available to us as a community of like-minded people. I still consider amateur radio a fine and enjoyable pursuit, but I wonder how I can best contribute to its growth. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

Alex McDonald VK4TE passed away on 27th September Alex's radio interest as a boy came from the humble crystal set, this was followed by six years as a RAAF radio technician, during this period he got his amateur limited licence followed by the unrestricted licence about four years later. Alex was secretary of the Queensland branch of the WIA for years until it was absorbed into the national WIA, during this period, he was instrumental in recording morse practice tapes and sending hundreds of them to radio amateurs who wished to upgrade their licence. In his early years, Alex was mainly interested in competitions, he achieved his DXCC and loved radio field trips with his family. After 45 years of not using CW, he regained proficiency and focused on CW contacts until his passing. Amateur radio was a significant part of Alex's life, it gave him great entertainment and created many friendships. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. The images of destruction from various parts of the world have proliferated in the past few weeks. Sadly the news doesn't seem to be improving with wars and natural disasters claiming headlines. It has been a feature of the amateur community to offer assistance to the community in times of distress and following the devastation that Hurricane Helene has wrought through parts of the southeastern US, we have seen mainstream media picking up on some hams using their stations to pass welfare messages. There is a long history of this in the United States and even in this Land Down Under many man-hours have gone into community support with amateurs using their equipment and skills during cyclones, floods and fires and also working in volunteer bodies in their home communities. Most of the OTs are familiar with the WICEN acronym and several bodies are operating under the WICEN name scattered around the country. Seventy years or so ago, Australia had a strong volunteer body known as the Civil Defence. This body performed multiple functions but it had a strong government-supported ethos of looking after the civilians which was shaped by the lessons of World War 2. Today there is much less emphasis on civil defence with bodies such as the Salvation Army, Red Cross and SES performing many of those functions. You will find amateur operators working quietly within these bodies and many other groups. However, just because there are formal structures doesn't mean that we as individuals cannot help if the situation demands it. Certainly, the training which these bodies and professions such as the military provide can smooth the way messages are handled but really, if we think about what our regulations exams cover, we all have the basics of being effective message handlers. With more and more equipment being available for camping and other recreations, most of us can have things like backup power to run rigs and computers. The thing is that amateurs have the option to be versatile in what they do and what bands they use. That versatility can link low and high power, DX and NVIS, simplex and repeater operations into very effective communication networks. I certainly would like to see the promotion of activities like WICEN and things such as message handling tools and operating manuals as it would improve the flow of information to those who need it and it would also make operations consistent and better able to be logged. It seems that much effort has been put into promoting other areas of the hobby when community support could be more valuable. As we head into daylight saving in other parts of the country, we in the east of the country especially along with the north and north-west are welcoming the start of cyclone season. It is also the time when bushfires are at the most damaging in the run-up to the great mid-summer season. I reckon we can all be ready to do a bit if needed as in times of emergency every little bit helps. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

Hi. I'm John, VK4JPM with an update from the Darling Downs Radio Club. The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is still in full swing until 7 October, so it's a perfect time to try for your Garden City award. Check out the rules on the club website at ddrci.org.au, and you'll see it's pretty easy to get - especially if you come up on the club's VK4WID Sunday net at 1000. That's the biggest hint I can give you, so what are you waiting for? You can also make personal contact with club members at our October lunch, coming up on Saturday 12th at the Southern Hotel. We kick off at 1130, and it's open to everyone whether you're a member or not. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. The end of the first month of Spring has almost caught us by surprise with some pleasant weather being interrupted by a cold and wet change. The long range weather is for warmer and generally wetter conditions over the next three months so for the gardeners amongst us it looks promising for some nice fruit, vegetables and flowers. Of course we all try and get ahead of the weather and plan for future events with the hope that all will go well. Thus we usually go through the Spring cleaning routine to set us up for the next few months of warm and pleasant weather. What we must also factor in is that we are approaching the annual cyclone and bush fire seasons, so being ready to meet the challenges of these “natural” events have to be taken into account as well. Being as well prepared as we can be is always part of the amateur radio practice and this runs to following the guidelines of the various bodies that look out for natural events and their consequences. A stock pile of things such as food and water, medicines, broadcast radio and spare batteries, fuel for the generator and so on should all be in the ready to go state. No one wants to be isolated, without electricity or to have to evacuate their home but as various authority figures tell us, the inclement weather is expected to be more severe. Having taken care of the emergency things, we should take time in the good weather to sort out what is on the agenda for the next few months. Rural people will be planning for the seasonal changes which govern their life and others will be marking off the calendar as to when their leave falls, when they can put the tools away for a few weeks and so it goes according to circumstances. Clubs, I would expect, have their calendars marked with the events that are coming and making plans for meetings, field days and contests, for instance. Whilst the school holidays have come to an end, it is really a good time to think if activities can be arranged for students in the coming holidays and making preparation for the necessary publicity and stores to be on hand. Along with the outings and meetings, perhaps as we also have a large ageing population, a plan for making home visits to local amateurs to provide some of the companionship that hams espouse. Flying the flag is always a good way to attract publicity so maybe a barbeque in a local park with some portable operations could provide an invitation to other locals to see what we get up to. There are so many ideas that can be successfully adopted and with band conditions and the weather being favourable why not give some of them a go? I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. There is the old saying that a change is as good as a holiday. One thing we can all say is that we have lived through many changes and some are more momentous than others, of course. Take, for example, the transition from analogue TV to digital. It created a bit of a ripple for people getting set-top boxes to tune in the new services or they had to replace their existing receiver with what seemed a much more expensive unit. This was at a time when people had been enjoying the benefits of getting video programming on various forms of laser read machines which produced a vastly improved image to the previous home entertainment recording formats of VHS and Beta. Remember that if you remember these things, there are many who have never had the joy of recording audio from the radio or struggling with a jammed cassette tape. There is a whole generation who live beyond the era of compact disk, digital video recording and blue rays. Streaming services and multi-channel free to air TV are with us now but what will replace them, tomorrow? In our own space we are seeing more digital operations being supported and used and the technology that we use, in most commercially sourced gear, is developed around digital processes and technology with less and less reliance on analogue equipment being developed. As these changes surround us, it is wise, I think, to consider the consequences of this technological evolution. I have lived without mains electricity but when you are used to the convenience of throwing a switch and you are blacked out, there has to be redundancy or a backup to keep the lights on. When the landline phone went down, there was only the alternative of radio if you had the licence and the equipment. These days our systems are geared around mobile phone services, the internet and satellite services such as GPS. What happens when these services fail? I mean these have been big changes and if this is part of the holiday experience, we can't afford to forget the insect repellent, can we? There have been moves from the banking sector to introduce a cashless society. If you have been through a cyclone and the power is out or the internet connection fails, just how do you pay for fuel for your generator or the car to get through to the hospital or a doctor? Getting rid of cash is like throwing the baby out with the bathwater, as the old saying goes. There are good reasons for streamlining business procedures and refining the items that we use in our daily lives but, there is usually a but, we have to be aware that we have to be prepared to use alternatives when necessary. So as radio operators, do we have the plans in place and the equipment for when, as they put it in texting, T-S-H-T-F or do we sit and hope for the best? I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you? ------------------------------------------------------------* Social Scene The Redcliffe Club will hold their Car Boot Sale Saturday 24 August at the club house, MacFarlane Park, Kippa Ring. (vk4tn) GOLD COAST HAMFEST OCTOBER 13 at Nerang Country Paradise Parklands 231 Beaudesert-Nerang Road Nerang. (vk4DMH)

The Pinnacles Classic was held on June 16th with Greg VK4GJW and Mark VK4SMA on the base. About 86 runners started the event. From a communications standpoint everything went well. The Guzzler Ultra Marathon is on July 20 and 21. Mark VK4SMA said he now has enough operators to run the event. If you have time to help put your name on the reserve list via ipswichwicen@gmail.com. The Lake Manchester Trail is coming up August 18 and the Mount Glorious Trail November 10. Redcliffe Club Car Boot Sale & Wamuran Repeater Relocation Project. The Redcliffe Club Annual Car Boot Sale is on Saturday 24th August 2024 at MacFarlane Park, Kippa Ring in the City of Redcliffe. redclifferadioclub.org.au for more information. Wamuran Repeater Relocation Project. Following the closure of our Wamuran repeater site, the Club's repeaters have recently been relocated to a temporary site. Robert VK4TFN Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. We are fortunate to be enjoying the playfulness of the shortwave bands when the sunspot cycle is at maximum. Radio conditions can be both frustrating when old Sol manages to eject a shower over the Earth or they can be exhilarating when the sunspots create the conditions for worldwide contacts with minimal power. We have been seeing the other side of the earthly behaviour with large parts of the Northern Hemisphere suffering terrible heatwaves. In the Southern Hemisphere we have just breathed the metaphorical sigh of relief as the cyclone season passed most of us by without great drama. However, in this past week we have seen the countries of the Caribbean savaged by a very unseasonal early category 5 typhoon or cyclone to we antipodeans call them. Parts of Italy and Switzerland have been deluged with also fatal results. Whether we accept the theory of climate change or not is irrelevant to the situation that weather patterns are varying and becoming more intense in the effects. Although we are not hearing or reading a lot about the various emergency and storm watch nets that are conducted in different IARU zones, we should all take care to ensure that we do not operate on the frequencies designated for such traffic around the world. These days we can play on the internet and ferret out the necessary information but in years gone by we had a compendium of useful facts contained in our callbook. There has been interest shown in reviving this very useful tool and the ease with which appropriate amateur radio information can be retrieved from such a publication should not be overlooked. Familiarity with various band plans may come from frequent operations where the knowledge imprints itself but for many who meander around the bands on an occasional basis, ready access to the necessary facts is a great operating boon. In many ways, it can be argued that in recent years there has been a lessening of supports to the amateur fraternity. (Should I add the word sorority to that as well?) The ACMA has decided to ditch certain features which many consider necessary such as the database of call signs and their holders and I don't believe we can buy a copy of the “regs” but must have access to the net, a computer and printer if you want a hard copy. Don't even ask about having a printed licence document, these days as this has been put in the bathwater with the baby and discarded. Fortunately there is a petition submitted to parliament seeking to remedy this oversight. Some have suggested that the callbook material should be made available in a digital form. Experience shows that the least easy to pirate is still the hard copy, the printed book and if a book is to be compiled there are the necessary copyright requirements to be met and just like the government the item needs to meet a minimum cost recovery standard. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. Welcome to the end, no not the Universe but the end of the financial year when wage earners and small businesses collect those important documents that support the claims that will bolster the hoped for tax return. There is an area which we should all spend some time on when we think about building our clubs. That is something called group dynamics. Really it is just understanding how we can help provide the best experience within our organisation. Satisfied people will return and support a club in so many ways and it is important we do a bit to smooth that process. If our club is open in its discussion and shares and invites participation, it means everyone has the opportunity to take part in the decision making. I am aware that some clubs exist with a small executive committee which deals with all the necessary formalities and organisation and then presents a sealed package at the next AGM and probably goes on to select the same people for another 12 months. Then there are those bodies that encourage members to talk amongst themselves and come up with ideas which are discussed at the next formal meeting. I wonder which clubs then have the most satisfied and interested participants in activities? People respond well when they feel they have a sense of ownership whether of a physical item, ideas or activities. Part of the inclusion process is ensuring that messages get out to members and especially potential members. Once it was regular newsletter and then the regular posts on the web site and now perhaps social media. Whatever method is used it needs to suit the people on the other end. Like a newsagency with racks of magazines that no-one buys, if the communication is ignored or just glossed over then it has failed to serve its purpose. These are positive drivers of a successful group dynamic but we also need to think about the things that spoil interaction, also. It can be awkward and just bloody hard, at times, to stem a tendency for gossip to spread. Often it is a sign of leadership failures that the hidden rumours are spread. If we think back to the old schoolyard game of Chinese Whispers, you can get the idea of how worthwhile most gossip is. In other words, what could be something constructive and positive can get passed on to be destructive and negative. This is where openness and free discussion sets a pattern which others can take up for themselves. How much better is it to say something openly and if there is any error in it, have it corrected without rancour and then things can move on without disruption. Sadly one of the things that we see, especially from overseas politicians, is that opinions that aren't greeted with total agreement by an audience are then followed by invective and personal insults. There is no reason to adopt this immature way of behaving if you honestly want to see growth and progress amongst your fellows. We should aim to be our best and share our best and share in the good outcomes that result. I'm VK4ZPP Geoff Emery and that's what I think….how about you?

Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. One of the basics of marketing is getting to know your customer base and being able to promote a not-for-profit activity surely falls into that category. Whether we look at our local club level or at a hierarchy which includes state and federal structures, it is being able to relate to our members that can make or break a marketing campaign. Amateur radio is something that has grown around the world for over 100 years and it is something that we adherents want to see continue for an infinite time in the future. We have two things to do and the first is to retain our existing members by replacing those that are no longer involved through various means and secondly to attract new people to continue the growth and preserve the legacy in times ahead. I suppose that is very elementary for many but what do we see in reality? There appears to be many areas where people seem to be in despair of experiencing a sustained membership let alone getting new blood. How should we set about finding the answers is a good place to start. Without knowing what glues our activities into a coherent formulation that we can identify as ham or amateur radio. It is almost cliche-ed to repeat the formal definition from the ITU and the definition doesn't give us the information that we need anyway. I have heard of suggestions for short survey questions in each edition of Amateur Radio magazine which would collect opinions which could be collated and used to define a clearer picture. I don't know how many clubs still have a regular magazine but social media pages and web pages could also do this same function providing there was someone to make sure the results were collected. Really when we consider it, a programmer/coder should be able to write or construct some routines or algorithms which would collect the raw data and compile a result sheet. Then there is the validation of the inputs to such a survey. As anyone that has studied basic statistics was taught, when the respondents are self selected there is automatically a skewing or bias in the sample. This is why results from facilities such as Survey Monkey must be considered unreliable a they have that inherent bias to start with. I feel we need to be more responsive to our membership and we need to learn what floats our boats, so to speak. Then we need a formula to gather the insight that newly created amateurs bring. In the two decades of having the Foundation level entry point, there have been many people who have qualified, operated for a while and then dropped out. From experience, I can surmise that study and career are powerful interventions in life. Establishing a family and funding the various things that make for a good home life often leaves little money and even less time to devote to a recreation. However, we really are flying blind with no hard evidence to support our opinions. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

WAR on TOWNSVILLE: 29th. July 1942. In the early morning hours of the 29th. July 1942 a Japanese aircraft dropped eight x 250 lbs. bombs, supposedly on Townsville Q. Seven of the bombs fell in Cleveland Bay and the eighth bomb fell on Oonoomba, a suburb of Townsville. Thankfully the damage caused was a crater and the destruction of one palm tree. I, with other Members of TARC, operated two stations on ANZAC Day 2024 , Net Control by Gavin, VK4ZZ from the Green St. Headquarters. A lot of work has gone into dealings with the three levels of Government: TV and other media interviews with our Local opposition Member have all helped with securing written documentation of future support to preserve the Site in "some" form from destruction. Our transmission on the Anniversary of the Bombing, 29th. July 2024 from the Site will Start: 2.00 pm EST finish: 4.00 pm EST Freq. 7.100 LSB. Net Control VK4ZZ - Gavin TARC H'quarters. TARC Members to erect a portable station are all welcome. All welcome. I ask that we be inundated with DX stations from all over our Great Country and give us moral support. LEST WE FORGET. Kind regards, Ray & Wendy Schinkel Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. round my part of the world, despite what has been forecast, we are having delightful weather with blue skies, fluffy clouds and cool mornings. Only a few weeks go, I was reporting that we were in for a drier winter and a warmer one. With most days getting into single figure temperatures as the sun comes out I really can't say it has been warmer than average. Just like getting the sunspot figures, we will learn the truth as time goes on. I haven't been noticing that portable activity has increased, now that the rain has eased, and I wonder if many amateurs are prepared for activities away from the shack. There seems to be a level of people following the POTA and SOTA activities but maybe my sources aren't getting the whole picture. Here are ways of flying the flag for amateur radio when we appear in public and our equipment stands out like a super hero costume to the lay visitors. I am from the era when you caught up on the stories of fictional heroes at places like the barber shop with a better selection of recent but not new on the shelf magazines and comic. It made a trip to the barber much more entertaining than the outdated and dog eared collection in the doctors' surgery waiting room. This brings up the idea that has been raised over the years of getting places such as these to have material such as Amateur Radio magazine added to the collection of 4X4, fishing and other coffee table material available to read. There are plenty of places that we all visit periodically and where a variety of the local population also pass through. Just think of business and health services that have waiting rooms and here is an opportunity to spark the interest of someone new. There are is the fact that we don't currently have any body which will supervise the donation of material. This is something that surely can be rectified. Similarly, we don't have promotional material which could be distributed and placed for free in these venues. I am sure that in my region which is popular with tourists, that camping areas with areas such as laundries would appreciate some nice material for their clients to browse. What I am suggesting is that there are many opportunities to spread the word and even demonstrate our passion to the passing people who come for other reasons. The mechanic's waiting room benefits from the caravaning and camping magazines, along with the fishing and boating material. The hairdresser doesn't only have fashion on display and what you find at a dentist and doctor's surgery can be an odd mishmash of reading material which is no doubt dictated by what is unsold at the newsagencies. So who can think of a good way of putting something like this into action? I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

VK4 - Caboolture Radio Club Hamfest Saturday 13th July. The venue, a new one, the Caboolture Uniting Church Hall, 257 King street. That's the corner of King and Smiths Road. Breakfast will be served from 8 am, with the Hamfest opening at 9 am. Admission is $5. For further information see the Club's Facebook page facebook.com/vk4qd (Alan VK4TG Secretary, Caboolture Radio Club Inc.) Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. I've mentioned the weather forecasts a few times, recently. The good news turned out that the excess rain did not eventuate in my part of the world and Winter joined us in an appropriate way. Slowly the underfoot is returning to a firm consistency without the squelching sound as one walks across the lawn. The deficit, in my mind, is that the colder mornings are demanding more bedding to keep the twinges out of the body. Then with sunny days with blue skies, there is not much cause for complaint. As I have touched on various topics relative to strengthening amateur radio, there has been a thought or two rattling around. When we look at organisations that have maintained their presence in the community, it occurs to me that they have retained the spirit of their foundations and then built upon the strengths they find in a developing world. It is obvious that we radio amateurs are involved in activities that predate each of us in their foundation but the way they are now practised has been an evolution. People are variously finding life somewhat more difficult at the moment with local factors and international ones signalling how important stability is to our lives. My parents lived through what is called the Great Depression and many of the lessons they passed on have helped me in my life. As life started to right itself from the tide of financial disaster, the world found itself embroiled in the Second World War and then followed the Korean conflict. There came the Vietnam War and recession as late as 30 odd years ago but still our society continued to grow. This suggests to me that as hard as times are for many people now, we can and we will endure and share good times again. It has happened before and with the lessons of yesterday we can make things better in the future. What I am suggesting is that there is still the opportunity and the time remains right for building our activities and our involvement in our communities. Obviously the collective voices of clubs will be heard more clearly than the lone operator but where there is no club that one voice has its own resonance to carry the message. Where should each of us pitch our interests to have the most effect? That is something that local circumstances really guide us to and once we recognise the role we can follow through in spreading the message of community support, individual involvement and good social experiences through out club involvements. What we perhaps need is a sense of direction, of leadership so that we can structure our plan in a way that is known to work. Do we have that leadership or can you provide some of the skills we need? This is an opportunity that looks too good to miss. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. Winter is upon us but the weather seems to be the same as the past few weeks, cloudy and wet. The forecaster tell us that the systems have changed from high pressure influences in the Great Australian Bite to low pressure but it still seems like an ever repeating sequence. The interesting thing is that the day and night temperatures for the winter months are expected to be above the normal levels for this winter quarter of the calendar. Perhaps the extra blanket or the electric blanket won't be so much in demand this season. If you haven't already received the email, if you are a member of the Wireless Institute, then here is a heads up that the latest Amateur Radio magazine is available online. Editor in Chief, Roger Harrison, VK2ZRH, has advised the many groups on social media that printing is taking place and distribution of the paper copy is very near. We have not long been through the effects of the G5 Solar Storm and the space scientists are telling us to be prepared for another burst of high solar activities. It is part of the excitement to ride the crests of the sun spot cycles but also to wait out the quiet times following the magnetic storms engaging with the Earth's magnetosphere. These events are part of the constant learning that being a radio experimenter continues through life. It hardly seems long ago that we were looking at the summer VHF contests and now it is barely 2 months to go until the Remembrance Day contest followed by the ALARA contest just after. Of course there are more activities happening between now and then but we should prepare for the “big ticket” events on on our calendar. Want to know more? Have a look on WIA dot org dot au website under contests. I wonder if any of my thoughts have stimulated actions within the clubs or for individual hams? The idea is to put out ideas that others can use as a springboard to develop their own vision for amateur radio in their local area and by feeding information through to the peak body, influencing the direction for the future. One of the good things that we enjoy within the news team is getting feedback. It is sort of in short supply most times and I wonder how many caught onto the deliberate error that was included in last week's text? You may think it a bit cheeky but from time to time I try and set a lure to stimulate feedback as a means of gauging listener responses. Please feel free to email your replies to QNews or to me via my WIA email address. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you? ----------------------------------------------------------* Hello everyone, this is Graham VK4BB reminding you that today, being the first Sunday of the month, it's time for the QNEWS Social Calender for VK4 to go to air. Social Scene Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section Caboolture Radio Club Hamfest is July 11 (vk7jea) BUT the Facebook group Hamfests Australia shows it as July 13. We have sent numerous emails to the club (vk4qd) but no response so before you hop in the car TRY to ascertain the correct date. GOLD COAST HAMFEST OCTOBER 13 at Nerang Country Paradise Parklands 231 Beaudesert-Nerang Road Nerang. (vk4DMH)

Sad news to impart that Alan Stephenson, formerly VK4PS, life member of The Townsville Amateur Radio Club Inc. went Silent Key peacefully during the early hours of Thursday morning, 23rd May, 2024. Alan's passing brings an end to a massive contribution to Amateur Radio and the community at large. Alan was instrumental in forming the communications section of the Townsville Civil Defence organisation in the early 1970s and continued to be a comms section leader when that organisation changed into the Townsville division of the Queensland SES. He was instrumental in obtaining the location of the Amateur Radio Site at Mount Stuart and the current Club Rooms at the SES HQ, supporting training through the club during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, was comms support leader for the Club assisting community organisations run events safely through the power of radio and assisting radio amateurs in their experiments. Alan was a 6metre band pioneer in North Queensland back when you had to convert ex-miltary or commercial rigs to 50MHz and his home in Little Street Belgian Gardens was a hub in the region for long distance communications. Alan was the first Technical Officer for Community Radio 4TTT-FM and was instrumental in establishing the studios in the Townsville CBD and the transmitting site at Mount Stuart. Alan also masterminded the power and tower upgrade for the community broadcaster and also helped get the Burdekin's community broadcaster Sweet-FM on the air. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. There are many things used as team building exercises and they range from the plain to the bizarre, it seems. One thing that just about everyone has made at some time is a list. Whether it is getting all the groceries or planning what to take on a trip or ordering parts for some project, most of of us have had practice in putting together a list. Now if we think back a few years, most of us will remember that the American Amateur Relay League, the ARRL, ran a very successful campaign to attract new members with the tag of “We do that”. With the benefit of some professional advertising, posters and other material got the message out that the amateur radio service was involved in far more things than just pounding brass or rag chewing. So this is where the list comes in. There are the obvious things that go with participation in AR such as self education but when we put our heads together, just how many activities do we really encompass? As the nights get colder, here is something that a group can do in person or over the air as a way of showing others just how broad based our activities can be. Perhaps someone can sponsor a competition for the longest list of activities that hams do…. Now apart from providing some engrossing mental stimulation there is more to this idea of list making than first thoughts suggest. We like to feel proud and involved in the various things that we do and one way of spreading the word about amateur radio is often the opportunity that casual conversations offer. When we meet someone and exchange greetings, the topics tend to spread and recreation plays an important part in feeling good and supporting mental health too. When we learn of the other person's interests it is great to share some knowledge when we can say, “We do that too.” Of course, part of enjoying a good conversation is being able to listen to what the other person says and then being able to say something positive about the subject. The fact that a few people put their heads together and wrote a list gives the memory the jog to respond to what is said and shows we aren't just filling the gaps with meaningless words. That list helps make us more interesting too. So how about we apply a little brain power to this area of interest and be able to say, “We do that too?” I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

This is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club. First up from WICEN, the Brisbane Trail Marathon was held on April 28 with members volunteering their time at five checkpoints, a portable repeater site, and the base. The importance of providing safety communications to such events opens up the opportunity for members to support the club through the WICEN group. Congratulations to first-timers. The next event is the Pinnacles Classic on June 16 followed by The Guzzler Ultra Marathon held over two days – July 20 and 21. Now to more domestic matters, but no less important. Members are reminded a new mowing roster for the clubhouse is being put together. Able bodied members are urged to put your name forward. The club supplies the mower and fuel. The roster means only one or two mows per year if it can be filled with at least 10 members. As secretary Greg VK4GJW puts it – many mowers make light work. Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. An interesting time has been had by radio enthusiasts in the past few days with a G5 level flare impacting the Earth's magnetic field. Some people recognised the severity of the event when the bands went dead and pictures of auroras from the Antarctic to the sub-tropics were appearing on TV and internet sources. Those of us old enough to remember the heady days of the legalisation of CB in this country know that it also coincided with a peak in sunspot activity. 27MHz was a school that taught many how well low power signals can go when conditions are right. We are seeing these magnificent openings again. Back then the Novice Licence was drawing interest amongst radio enthusiasts and projects were published to adapt and use cheaply available equipment on the Novice allocations. The hobbyist Aladdin's cave of the day, Dick Smith stores were at the front of the pack in packaging and selling kits for things like transverters which used the ubiquitous CB rig as the generation platform to access other bands. Many people went on self learning safari and explored the design technology and I recall Amateur Radio magazine carried articles for changing the mixing crystals in the 23 channel radios to put them on accepted amateur frequencies in the 10 and 11 metre bands. These days there are collectors who pay seemingly outrageous prices for veteran CB equipment and from pictures I have seen, there have been numerous tables at ham fests seeking to move the same types of gear on to new homes. The difference is that the amateur event sales are usually at much lower prices. Here we have a combination of things. Good conditions and a source of less valuable radios than the all singing, all dancing commercially produced amateur radios. There are radio clubs that make available gear to new members at cheap prices or on loan to allow the freshly minted ham to burn brightly when the urge is new. What if we managed to get some of this old CB gear and set about having a conversion project within our clubs? There would be many amateurs who have relics of past activities sitting on shelves and in the magic junque boxes and who would like to know their treasure was given a good home instead of finding the rubbish skip when the Last Post has gone silent. Maybe we could see some of the construction and conversion articles pulled from the archives and updated with the use of currently available components. We have just heard the cry of the Budget with its reminder of the high cost of living and, just perhaps, we have a means of doing some club activities which would help newly interested people get the feel for radio. Being able to adapt and modify has been the hallmark of the amateur and there is nothing more satisfying than the sound of a project that is completed and working. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?