Podcasts about redfest

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?

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?

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?

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?

Relebogile Mabotja speaks to Collett Dawson a Show Producer, Publicist, Specialist in Entertainment about Fellow Travelers on Showmax, Presumed Innocent on Apple TV, Federer - Twelve Final Days on Prime and Gauteng's premier Arts festival - The Redhill Arts Festival known as Redfest. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greetings from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club Vk4RC Robert Thomson VK4TFN here. Redfest has arrived! Nine A.M. next Saturday 6th April at St Michael's College, Abbey Place Caboolture. Redfest is definitely the place to be in Southeast Queensland next Saturday! With 40 tables of sellers showcasing a range of pre-loved and brand-new goodies for the avid ham, you won't leave disappointed. You won't have to look hard to find things like a couple of fully functional FL2100 amps and two Yaesu MP1000's operational but needing TLC. Don't forget our spotlight on the ladies this year with three special focus sellers, the display from ALARA and (of course) the café. Doug has the BBQ heating up already with anticipation of cooking his famous bacon and egg rolls. The Brisbane VHF Group will be doing those Tech Talks demonstrating the all new ICOM IC-905 and explaining the wonders of microwave propagation. There will be half-hourly lucky door prizes, minor raffle draw prizes and the major prize of the ICOM ID-5100A. Tickets are only $5.00, available on the day. The fine food is available from 8:00 am and the sales start at 9:00 am. Entry is only $5.00 Check out the club website for more details: redcliffe radio club.org.au. See you Saturday 6th April at Redfest 2024! Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. As the Easter period draws to a close, it is proper to consider the place of holidays in the life of the Australian community. It seems that what used to be religious commemorations are now primarily secular vacations from the routine of daily life. Yes it is a great time for people to share time with family and friends but as we look around there are more people who are living a solo life. How many, I wonder, are in your local club? With the almost universal adoption of 7 day retail trading and people trying to find the life of Riley, are we catering for our fellow amateurs with the historic practices that we mostly have? Then there are the fortunate souls who get to enjoy extended periods of leave from education and who feel the need to engage in a change after the time of parties and plum pudding. What I feel is that when the numbers are high enough, is there any reason for clubs to not maintain a rolling schedule of activities throughout the year? Is there any reason not to run training and open the club station for use and allow the facilities to be used daily rather than just on meeting days? OK this will be open to local needs but really how much needs to be done to make the club a welcoming part of local life? I can't answer that question but I am sure that if people put their minds to it, a lot of things can be opened up instead of just following the routine, year after year. Just like I have thrown out the challenge to spark activity in the recruitment and development of amateur radio, I am throwing out the challenge to restructure activities in line with modern practices in the wider community. It is open to us all to take part in modernising the attitudes and the image that hams have in the wider community. Yes, it is very true that we are individuals and that we have different backgrounds and skill sets but if we cooperate and form teams, we can take the ideas and pool them into a new focus for the hobby. Too often we have seen and heard the great self-appointed warriors put down ideas and we see it on the internet and social media as well as in meetings. This is not in keeping with the Amateurs Code that sets standards for us to achieve. So after the buns and chocolate are memories and before we settle into an afternoon nap, can we take the opportunity to think over some of these issues and look for things that would make our hobby better? I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

Greetings from the Redcliffe Radio Club VK4RC Robert Thomson VK4TFN reporting. Redfest 2024, is now only three weeks away on Saturday 6th April, at St Michael's College, Abbey Place Caboolture. Redfest is not just a swap-meet with pre-loved bits and pieces. This year there'll be even more commercial vendors. For the technically minded - and that;s all of us - there will be a demonstration of the new ICOM IC-905 by the Brisbane VHF Group which will also host a presentation on microwave propagation. Doug is prepping the barbie for his famous bacon and egg rolls, and the ladies are ready and raring to go with the cafè. Food is available from 8:00 am and the gates open at 9:00 am. Don't forget the major raffle prize - the ICOM ID-5100A, VHF/UHF digital transceiver. Tickets are only $5.00. For more information go to: redclifferadioclub.org.au Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. It was about 70 years ago that the Communist Party in the Soviet Union produced a statement which set out their meanings of what language would mean. The common use and understanding was thrown out like dirty dish water and diplomats had to struggle to decipher the messages given out in the early stages of the Cold War. One book that most households had on a shelf was a dictionary which was important to children doing homework and then became a tool for crosswords and board games. What it meant was that language tended to be stable in what it conveyed and that lasted over time. You could read a newspaper that was thirty or more years old and not be confused by the meaning of words. In the past couple of weeks, we have seen a melee amongst one of the popular sporting codes which revolved around the use of the word “monkey”. It seems that that word has transformed into an insult when used in certain contexts. We have seen this attitude portrayed over the past few years with people finding offence with words and objects in a movement that is known as woke. If you are a social media user, you will probably have come across the mindless minions known as fact-checkers and algorithms upholding some universal set of community standards. Like the guards in the land ruled by a dictator, these creations seem to lack understanding of what people enjoy such as humour and irony and the standards seem to appear like ectoplasm during a phoney seance. Such is the world that we live in. In the past, there have been quite explicit rules applied to the type of language which was permitted on radio services. These days we can hear expressions on broadcast radio and TV that would have had a charge of obscenity laid by the police a few decades ago. During my student days, I was taught that language was an evolving item in our social structure and I have lived to witness much change in what words mean and how they are used. So how does this reflect in our use of language as radio amateurs? My feeling is that we should still consider what is respectful to and by our fellow operators. If a word or expression can be offensive then we should use an alternative. This is the courtesy that amateurs have encouraged for over 100 years regardless of regulations. Like good manners are appropriate to the occasion we should remember that generally what we put to air can be monitored by people of all ages and backgrounds. I have listened to the operator who was drunk behind the microphone use obscene language and I have memories of monitoring UHF CB many years ago whilst standards sank lower and lower. Sadly, as I travel a major road, I do monitor the notorious Ch40 and have to accept that most of the transport drivers use obscenity as punctuation. If you hold religious beliefs or are raising young children, this is a great deterrent to using a very effective road safety tool. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

Gidday! I'm David, VK4DN from the Bundy Amateur Radio Club! Just a reminder that the WIA Convention Expo and HamFest happening here in Bundaberg is now less than 10 weeks away!! Make contact with the Secretary secretary@barc.asn.au This is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club. A total 15 members attended the February 26 business meeting either in person or via Zoom. From the WICEN report members were reminded of the need for volunteers for the Brisbane Trail Marathon on April 28. If you can help with being on a checkpoint please contact Greg VK4GJW through email ipswichwicen@gmail.com Reporting from Ipswich this is Allan, VK4HIT John Saunders VK4BZ, President of the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club, wants to promote the inclusion of women in amateur radio. The Redcliffe club's annual Redfest, is now only four weeks away on Saturday 6th April at St Michael's College, Abbey Place Caboolture. Check out the club website for more details: redclifferadioclub.org.au. Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. Mid week we got to go for a drive to visit some family members who were taking a break from the routine of life and enjoying the views across the water in central Queensland. They managed to set up and the following day to their arrival, the god of storms gave us some heavy rain but it managed to become more furious and stripped twigs and branches from the trees in their location. No real harm was done and life resumed under the cloudy sky which gave way to a wonderful clear day with fleeting clouds and a pulsing sea breeze which we all enjoyed. It was driving into another local government area with posters along the road with different names and images that got me to thinking. Pretty much from the time amateur radio was formally recognised in this country, there has been an effective ban on the discussion of politics on air. It has not only been very local but also it has extended to overseas and international politics as well. In so many ways it has been a good way for our relationships to develop on a person to person level regardless of the obstacles that party and other allegiances have thrown up. When we look at the events which are happening in parts of Asia, the Middle East and Europe, it is obvious that many of us will have reason to support the survival of one group of people over another. It may be religion, family ties or ethics that turns our attitudes to support one side and disparage the other. Then we go on air and we converse with others by means of radio and it is the community of amateur radio that binds us, at that time, and not the personal factors that have set our attitudes. Obviously as individuals, we do not set the agenda for elections or the patterns of aggression of our politicians but on a daily basis we have the opportunity to share those common human values which we consider the mark of mankind. We can appreciate the success of another amateur in finishing a technical build and the joy of a family in welcoming another member, just as we can identify the sorrow and pain of the bereaved. We don't often get the opportunity to sit and talk and share a meal with other amateurs but we do get to talk, message and send images and video and enter the personal space of others. When we maintain the courtesy that goes with our pursuit, we give respect to the other person and by not touching on the subject of politics we maintain the politeness that can build into friendship. So I hold my own beliefs and share them in private when appropriate but in enjoying my hobby I like to give the respect to others that I would like to receive. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

Redfest 2024 Update Greetings from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club VK4RC. Robert Thomson VK4TFN here. REDFEST 2024, 9 am Saturday the 6th of April at St Michael's College Caboolture. Our website is redclifferadioclub.org.au Breakfast is at 8 and there will be a cafe serving coffee, tea, cakes, slices and cookies. Vendors start booking now. $10 per table, redfest@redclifferadioclub.org.au The raffle prize is the ICOM ID 5100A VHF/UHF dual band digital TxRX as well as lucky door prizes. Tickets $5 each on sale now. There will be tables and displays, especially for the ladies and ALARA will be there. Thank you and 73's from the Redcliffe and District Radio Club VK4RC.* Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. This month is rushing to it climax as it marks the Leap Year that heralds the Olympic Games in a few more months. Colleges and schools have resumed the order and the routine of life is only interrupted by the changes in the weather. I thought I would indulge in some retrospection. My younger self was intrigued and engaged by the now antique creation of the crystal set radio. The first one that I remember was in a nicely constructed wooden case which was polished to a high shine in the style of good quality furniture. My home built unit was on pieces of wood salvaged from boxes that had transported fruit and was not polished, just rough cut unvarnished wood. But that was the baptism into the indulgence and enjoyment of radio and amateur radio in particular. Recently the control buttons on my TV remote started to fail internally and after removing the cover for an inspection and checking the cost of a replacement, I opted for the easy fix of buying a new remote. Now this was from a seller in Victoria and it ended up taking 8 days for it to arrive to alleviate my increasing frustration with the ever more failing unit it had to replace. The tracking was good until the parcel arrived at the mail sorting centre for southern Queensland where my much needed remote rested for four days out of the 8. It then arrived on the eighth day with the fanfare of an SMS and an email but no more tracking. Relief from the faulty unit had come at last. Around the same time, I had been looking at the very popular dual band hand held radio which is a toy of choice for many amateurs around the world. What caught my interest was the range of amateur bands that it covered on receive and the fact that a previous HT of the same brand had given good service. Then an ad popped up for an on line site with what seemed a fair price for one of these radios. It turns out the sales site is located in the State Capital, Brisbane, and with the appeal of fast delivery and free postage as part of the deal, I succumbed to the temptation and invested in one Chinese made radio. The tracking was superb as the parcel travelled from mainland China to the Brisbane International Airport and thence to the Redbank Mail Centre. Once again it seemed that my agony was going to be prolonged as nothing happened until the next day and without announcement the radio was delivered to my front door. It had taken just six days from when I paid for the radio to when it was delivered beating the local purchase by 2 days. I don't know if there is a moral to all this other than to stay calm and not fret when your goods are being transported by the local postal service. I am now getting acquainted with the button presses and getting closer to some old fashioned SWL type monitoring. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

Redcliffe and Districts radio club. http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk4/RedcliffeAndDistrictRadioClub/ Redfest 2024 HAPPY NEW YEAR from Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club VK4RC. Robert Thomson VK4TFN here. We have a date for REDFEST 2024 It'll be the 6th of April, the first Saturday. Our website is www.redclifferadioclub.org.au So, hope you had a merry little Christmas and still keep your eye out for that Kris Krinkle fella. He spreads merry mirth and good cheer everywhere he goes. You must remember: if you're going drink, don't drive or if you're going to drive, well then don't drink. We'll see you all in the new year, it starts tomorrow! 73 from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club VK4RC. Thank you Robert Thomson VK4TFN Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. Whilst we are in the festive season, there are so many this year who will have bitter memories of the ending of 2023. From the north of the state where the cyclone caused devastation to the south where extreme summer storms have caused momentous damage and further loss of life we have been subjected to the strength of natural disasters. It was around 20 years ago that various bodies were releasing studies which gave a foreboding scenario for the years ahead. As I recall, the Army projected that changing weather would call for its resources to be deployed around the South Pacific region and the insurance industry found that the strength of natural weather phenomena was going to increase in the future. Sadly these projections appear to have come true. My sources show that at least two households of amateur operators associated with National WIA News have been impacted by property damage from the Christmas and Boxing Day storms. I can only assume that there will be others of the amateur community who will have had to call their insurance company too. As we move into the New Year and a new management structure in February, we should not lose sight of the warnings that have preceded the current events. Some of the language used has caused offence with language literalists claiming that the weather and climate is always changing and then there is no such activity as “climate change”. Whether that term is correct or not hardly matters when the things that have happened have been warned about and we are experiencing the results now. I would say we need as individuals and members of families and organisations that we need to make the best preparations for what will happen, regardless of what it is called, the best preparedness that we know how. I would think that clubs can spread the message amongst members and take their story to their local community. It is not new and the US has shown us how with programs sponsored through the ARRL and other groups. It is not a case that we should be alarmist but rather a considered display of facts and demonstrated responses that work is what is needed. As there has been a fall off of volunteering since the COVID lock-downs it is more important than ever that those of us who can contribute actually get out and do a bit. As we have experience in a recreation which has developed for over 100 years, it has demonstrated that growth can and does happen by evolution and not simply revolution, as some would have it. The fact that hams have not, in this country, been noted for their involvement in community work should be no barrier to heading in that direction. After all, we all have family and friends and we all make up our community. In helping others we are in fact helping ourselves and helping the next great flowering of amateur radio. I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that's what I think….how about you?

"Merry Xmas from the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club VK4RC. Robert Thomson VK4TFN here. You see: There is this fella Kris Krinkle Whose eye has a bright merry twinkle. For merry mirth and good cheer He spreads far and near To all with a generous sprinkle. So have yourself a merry little xmas and remember if you're going to drink, don't drive or if you're going to drive, well then don't drink. and we'll see you all at REDFEST 2024 in April. Robert Thomson VK4TFN Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking. It was perhaps a warning of the things to come when storms battered large parts of the southern hinterland. In blissful ignorance, we watched and listened to the wind, rain and thunder and thought how much good the soaking rain would bring. It came as a shock to see the stories carried on the afternoon and evening news with graphic views of damage and enormous hail. It had passed us by that day. However, the development of Cyclone Jasper has renewed caution and preparation along much of the Queensland coast and much speculation as to its track and severity. It is a lottery that no one wants to win and the presents these systems bring are far from the welcome treats we look for around Christmas. Naturally, the government authorities have initiated the necessary contingency planning if Jasper creates a path of onshore destruction. Where there are active WICEN units, they will be on standby or already activating to assist various response bodies in their areas. Then what about the rest of us? It is a topic that I have continued to address for some years, now. That is how does the radio hobbyist integrate into a support network to be an effective assistant in times of emergency? Does the individual need to be part of an organisation or can they safely contribute to ad hoc nets? To the last question, some years ago there was a regular storm net run on the 147 Brisbane repeater where anyone with relevant information would call in. This was a great innovation for motorists, commuters and others seeking local information to best negotiate the prevailing situation. I don't know if it still operates but it was much appreciated in its time. The point is, I think, that all of us with experience and amateurs who have passed an exam to get on air is capable of assisting in an emergency. Yes our use of pro-words might not be to professional standards and we may lack any formal training but the time spent in contesting and exchanging numbers has given us the experience to pass information. There are CB-based groups such as CREST and ACREM that can offer experienced operators too. Hopefully, all the campers will have the batteries charged, the generator fuelled and everyone will have adequate survival supplies to weather a couple of days of severe weather. If you have neighbours who are elderly or infirm, ensure they are as prepared as can be with food, water and medicines at hand. It is times like this when Jasper can shake the tiles from the roof that we can be of the most help to those around us. Radio is a wonderful hobby but it is also a powerful tool when needed and we can all do our bit in the next few days. I'm Geoff Emery and that's what I think….how about you?

This is a super mix for the opening set of RedFest DXB 2020

Two of the phenomenal stars of The Colour Purple join us in studio as we celebrate Women's Month. Chatty Matty then brings to life the magic of RedFest, happening in September.

CliffCentral.com — Two of the phenomenal stars of The Colour Purple join us in studio as we celebrate Women's Month. Chatty Matty then brings to life the magic of RedFest, happening in September.

RedFest or Red Head Fest, this goes out to all the Scotts out there! Tell us what you think!

After a week off The Mens Room is back and well fed. Time to get geared up for RedFest 2016!

Today on PodDammit, we begin by talking about the majesty of SPAM which then somehow goes into everybody's story of the Heimlich maneuver needing to be done. Which then goes into some of the worst carnage that the guys have ever seen done to another human being....See you guys at Redfest!

Society & Culture Society & Culture full The Mens Room 13201 601c6734-c234-4e6f-a0d0-a92b00bf71ff Mon, 20 Jul 2015 16:13:00 +0000 496 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PoddammitPodcast999KiswTheRockOfSeattle/~3/gpw3a0oe4Lg/poddammit digitalservices@entercom.com (The Men's Room)noPodDammit Podcast - 99.9 KISW The Rock of Seattle

Todays Hot Topics is redfest DXB and in Youtube News We have a ll the Youtubers return from Playlist Live and our app of the week AUDACITY and My song of the week to

James Hodge, a Tech House master! He has been there, done it and got the hangovers, so sit back relax and enjoy the mix! You can catch James at our next FreshEra party on the 17th December, Club 7878, Horley. Cant make it to the club but want to see him in action? Then check out headspacestores in Reigate where you can catch James spinning an exclusive mix live online! freshera.co.uk Tracklist: 1. Nicolas Masseyeff - No More Time 2. Deep Future - Do it all night 3. Galaxy Group - Out of Control 4. Oliver Molden - Good Fellas 5. David Lebeij - Maypril 6. Dexter - Funk Rapped 7. Rob Pearson - Big like Beyonce 8. Freaky Disco - Together 9. Be Up - Shindi 10. Maceo Plex - Cant Leave You

FreshEra are delighted to get Mr Chris Rawles in on guest mix duties. Chris is fast becoming known for his funky techno DJ sets and infectious studio productions. With each release gaining huge support from some of the worlds best DJ's, the future is looking bright for this talented DJ and producer. http://www.freshera.co.uk Tracklist: 1 Chris Rawles & Brockenspiel Gettin' Down 2 David Herrero Okavango - Original Mix 3 Ralph Good The Roots (Belocca's On The Moon Remix) 4 Sergio Fernandez Global Warming (Original Club Mix) 5 Chris Rawles Roomdriver 6 Tim Andresen Arena (Chris Rawles Remix) 7 Oscar Akagy El Ritmo 1983 (Original Mix) 8 DJ Madskillz Carnival Chaos (Format B Remix) 9 Ton Def Request - Fernando Tessis Remix 10 Kernel Key Modular Key (Original Mix) 11 Shlomi Aber Create Balance (Steve Lawler Remix) 12 Dosem Origin (Original Mix)