Weekend Activities – 26/27th November 2016

The club participated in the Spring VHF/UHF Field Day 2016 on Saturday 26th of November at the very picturesque North Brother Mountain Lookout.  Turnout was good with over a dozen members making the journey up the mountain.  6m was alive on the day thanks to a solid helping of Sporadic E, but we weren’t so lucky with 2m or 70cm.  Despite the threat of some bad weather, it turned out to be a lovely day and the clubs station was perfectly situated out of the constant strong winds at the lookout.

spring-vuhf-2016-3
Twin operating gazebos (thanks to Keith VK2FPTL) and a nice spot out of the relentless winds.
spring-vuhf-2016-2
The Honda generator purring away (thanks Arthur VK2ATM)!
spring-vuhf-2016-1
After a hearty lunch…

The club also provided communications for the White Ribbon Coastal Walk on the morning of the Sunday the 27th (no photos yet, sorry) – thanks to the 7 members who assisted.  Henry VK2ZHE mentioned that the highlight of the day was a good chat with our Mayor, Peter Besseling, who personally thanked us for our involvement in the walk and showed interest in the activities and wellbeing of the club.

If anyone has any photos I’d be happy to update the post – please send them to the club email. 🙂

Update: And here’s the first of the White Ribbon Walk Photos via Dennis VK2DAM:

Photo courtesy of Rick Ayy from the Hasting Valley Vikings - Dennis VK2DAM and Ray VK2JU with Peter Besseling and one other!
Photo courtesy of Rick Ayy from the Hasting Valley Vikings – Dennis VK2DAM and Ray VK2JU with Peter Besseling and one other!

See you all the Christmas party next weekend!

Event – White Ribbon Coastal Walk 2016

White RibbonORARC has been invited to assist with communication for this year’s White Ribbon Coastal Walk.  Henry VK2ZHE writes:

The White Ribbon Coastal Walk is a free community event consisting of walking the Coastal Walk from Lighthouse Beach, Flynns Beach or Town Beach Kiosk to the Town Green to raise awareness about White Ribbon Day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

This year’s White Ribbon Coastal Walk takes place on Sunday the 27th of November 2016. The walk commences at 8 am from the Tacking Point Surf Life Saving Club at Lighthouse Beach. The finish is at the Town Green in Port Macquarie. Walkers can start from Lighthouse Beach, Flynns Beach or from the Town Beach Kiosk. A bus will transport walkers from the Town Green to the Lighthouse Beach and Flynns Beach starts.

Full details of the walk and an entry form are available here.

Members of ORARC provided the safety communications for the event last year and we have been invited to provide the safety communications again for this year’s walk.

This is a call for at least 10 volunteers to assist with communications for the walk on Sunday the 27th of November 2016. The bus for walkers leaves the Town Green at 07:30 am and the opening address at the start at the Tacking Point Surf Life Saving Club takes place at 07:50 am with the walkers starting at 08:00 am. The event should be over by 12 noon. Communications will need to be in place by 07:30 am. Net control will run from the Town Green and check points can close down when all the walkers have reached the next check point. The walk is an important community event that the club is proud to support.

Check Points:

  1. Tacking Point Surf Life Saving Club at Lighthouse Beach
  2. Shelly Beach Picnic area
  3. Flynns Beach Surf Life Saving Club
  4. Town Beach Kiosk
  5. Town Green Port Macquarie

Two operators are needed for each check point so that someone can remain at the radio in the event that it is necessary to speak with the officials at the location.

If you can help, please contact Henry Lundell VK2ZHE via the normal channels.

Sunday the 27th of November is the day after the VK2BOR Spring VHF UHF Field Day at North Brother Mountain. Both these events will be discussed at the ORARC November Friday Night Get Together in the SES Building at 7:30 pm on Friday the 18th of November 2016.

The WIA AGM 2017 details released

Hahndorf

From the WIA, original post here.

Date : 13 / 11 / 2016 
Author : Jim Linton – VK3PC

The Wireless Institute of Australia annual general meeting weekend is in historic Hahndorf South Australia from Friday May 19 to Sunday 21, with the event now being outlined here on the WIA website.

Those attending the main event will head for the Adelaide Hills Convention Centre.  The theme for this event and associated activities is ‘Inspiring Leadership: the Future of Amateur Radio’.  The location is the tourist township of Hahndorf, only half an hour from Adelaide, within reach of the famed wine district of the Barossa Valley and near the Lofty Ranges.

The event starts on Friday night with an optional restaurant gathering, the AGM on Saturday along with the open forum, and followed by technical presentations.  During this time there is a partner tour, and all will come together for the traditional gala WIA dinner on Saturday night.

The Adelaide radio clubs have been busy organising the weekend, and when final touches are put on the program the WIA will open bookings.  The available accommodation, transport, and the many tourist attractions are already on the WIA website.  It’s suggested that now is the time to make plans to be part of the WIA AGM 2017 on May 19-21.

Pre-sales of history book begin

wirelessatwarbook

From the WIA, original post here.

Date : 11 / 11 / 2016 
Author : Jim Linton – VK3PC

The WIA Bookshop is now taking orders for the ‘Wireless Men and Women at War’ publication that details the history of wireless communications before World War I, and in later years and conflicts.  The price is $29.95 plus postage for members and $35 for non-members, plus postage.

The pre-sale period is now available, with a discount applying for orders received by December 21.  The pre-sale price for Members is $23.00 and non members $28.00.

WIA Historian Peter Wolfenden VK3RV has fully researched the content.  Together with numerous additional contributors, the WIA Board fully supports this timely record of history as a must read volume.

Selected Contents 
World War I: 

  • An inspired experimenter and leader: Walter Hannam – his part of the jigsaw!
  • The spark gap signal that changed ANZAC history: Telegrapher William Wolseley Falconer, RAN 

Between the Wars: 

  • Bert Billings XJP, his service through WWI and WWII [The First and Last ANZAC Wireless Operator?]
  • YLs at War
  • HK Love A3BM/VK3KU: WW1 fighter pilot, engineer, magazine editor, explorer, electronics developer, WIA executive

World War II: 

  • “Snow” Campbell VK3MR, International DXer, Prisoner Of War
  • Making ‘Winnie the war winner’
  • Recollections of Air Warning and Coast Watching in New Guinea

The modern Era:

  • Australians at war get a radio station – Radio DJ Vietnam
  • Things Naval

Epilogue 

  • The ANZAC 100 activities begin
  • The Centenary of Gallipoli: The opening address for the Centenary celebrations
  • Closure of the ANZAC Centenary
  • Stories from Centenary activation events.

Plus many more articles previously published in Amateur Radio magazine and several new stories.

The WIA Publications Committee is proud to make it available and after printing the book will be a mail order item from the WIA Bookshop.  To secure your limited edition copy, visit the WIA website via this Link.  Be sure to let others know of its availability.  A campaign has begun seeking a wider market for the publication, including libraries, RSL clubs, and those with an interest of this historical subject.

Purchase your copy today – click the following Link.