Henry VK2ZHE writes:
On the weekend of the 15th and 16th of October 2016 the Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club will again be running two JOTA stations. The club station VK2BOR will operate from the club’s communications caravan to be located at the 1st Port Macquarie Sea Scouts’ boatshed at McInherney Park. The second station will operate from the Wauchope Scout Hall where Lyle Smith VK2SMI will set up his communications caravan for the weekend.
From the WIA, original post here.
Date : 10 / 10 / 2016
Author : Jim Linton – VK3PC
The largest scouting event, the Jamboree On The Air held annually in more than 150 countries, with the 59th JOTA on October 14-16. It uses Amateur Radio to link Scouts and Guides around the world, the nation or just locally. This year there will also be a special link up to the International Space Stations, expected to be monitored by many JOTA groups in eastern Australia.
Among the many JOTA events is the Melbourne Region Scouts and the School Amateur Radio Club Network (SARCNET) at Victoria’s Churchill National Park in Lysterfield. The VK3SRC station for the 100 years of Cub Scouts will be on air both on the Saturday and Sunday. Organiser Joe Gonzales VK3YSP explains there will be plenty of activity for all. This includes the VK3SRC station, a short Amateur Radio-assisted Nature walk, a VHF/UHF Communications activity, chasing Summits On The Air and WWFF Parks, emergency communication, fox hunting, satellite demonstration, and more. Any radio amateur interested in seeing the SARCNET kids and Cub Scouts in action, including a sausage sizzle lunch, must register first by emailing the organisers at event@sarcnet.org
From Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) project, Shane Lynd VK4KHZ tell us of a JOTA telebridge contact involving an ISS pass over Queensland and its voice download of 145.800 FM that should be audible over much of eastern Australia. This is a great opportunity to introduce those at JOTA events to another unique dimension of our hobby. An ARISS telebridge is ready for the University of Nebraska’s Peter Kiewit Institute, Omaha NE, with the ISS callsign NA1SS to be used by Astronaut is Kate Rubins KG5FY. VK4KHZ advises that the contact is set for Saturday 15 October, at 14:00:08 UTC.
From the WIA, original post here.
Date : 10 / 10 / 2016
Author : Jim Linton – VK3PC
The Wireless Institute of Australia has called for expressions of interest in its STEM Symposium to be held in Canberra. It will be at the Canberra Club, 9am to 3pm on November 19, 2016, with morning and afternoon tea, and a light lunch provided, but participants need to fund their own transport and accommodation.
The aim is to develop a role for WIA members and the radio amateur community to use their technological expertise toward Federal and or State Government STEM Programs. The initiative is to enable young Australians to learn technology-based skills and knowledge, rather than being a recruitment exercise, although some may also want to later be radio amateurs.
The symposium will look at ideas on many areas where radio amateurs can provide expertise in STEM-related projects, test the suggestions as to their viability, identify project groups and leaders who will develop project briefs, and submit these to relevant government agencies. There has already been great interest in the Symposium, among those wanting to attend, or send written papers on subjects and experiences.
Please see the expressions of interest document for further information.
From the WIA, original post here.
Date : 09 / 10 / 2016
Author : Mike Charteris- VK4QS
Announcing the activation of the Special Event station VI4SEA.
This commemorative call sign, VI4SEA, is in honour of the Officers and Sailors of the Light Cruisers, H.M.A.S. SYDNEY, and S.M.S EMDEN who gallantly fought in the first ever naval action of the Royal Australian Navy, on November 9th 1914, off the coast of the Cocos Keeling Islands in the Indian Ocean.
VI4SEA will hit the airwaves on November 1st 2016, and continue through to November 9th. Our operations will see us transmitting between the 630m band through to the 6m band. Our team of Amateur Radio Operators are a combination of ex naval, military and professional individuals.
We do not seek to glorify War in any form, but rather to commemorate the deeds of brave men at sea in a time of war. A special webpage has been set up on qrz.com under VI4SEA.
We, the VI4SEA Team look forward to working you one and all, as we pause to remember these brave sailors from Australia, Britain and Germany who fought in a devastating naval action on the high seas that November day back in 1914.
Mike Charteris VK4QS
Team Leader VI4SEA
The ORARC Christmas party will be held this year at a fabulous new venue:
Jim VK2VIV writes:
The large viewing deck which overlooks the picnic area has been reserved for our Christmas get-together. There is one large table with seating but it might be advisable to bring a chair and a small table if you have one, there is plenty of shade with a covered BBQ and the toilets are nearby. Members can drive up to the area, unload then park back under the shade of the trees.
The club will supply the usual BBQ meal, as well as a pre lunch cheese platter.
For those wishing to venture inside the cellar door, they have on show a sample of local paintings, not to mention their array of wines.
I have suggested we postpone the December meetings usually held at that event to encourage our partners to attend and enjoy what I hope will be a most pleasant day (still to be confirmed by Committee).
