Unfortunately today the first item is news of a silent Key. Joe Freedman VK2YJ
passed away last week in retirement accommodation at Yamba. He was 89 years of age.
Joe was a man of many talents and one who lived life to the full. He built his own
home at Merewether, he was an accomplished woodturner, a glider pilot, and a photographer
being the founder and owner of Freedman Photographic Studios. Remember those gruelling
Redex around Australia Trials in the 1950's? Joe entered twice and though he didn't
win, he finished both times in his beat-up VW Beatle. Joe was a director at Westlakes for many
years and his son and two grandsons all held amateur licences. His funeral service was
held at Adamstown Uniting Church last Friday. A Brief pause now in memory of
Joe Freedman VK2YJ.
Thank you.
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The cost of amateur radio has just increased because Your Amateur Licence will now cost more.
As from the 5th of April, The ACMA have increased the price of our annual licence fee to $65.
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World Amateur Radio Day is today, Sunday 18 April 2010, and the theme for 2010 is
"Amateur Radio: Combining communication experience with modern digital techniques."
This Sunday can be a great opportunity for radio clubs to demonstrate amateur radio
to the public at a shopping centre or mall. That may be easier said than done but it
should not be too hard to get on air and give the HF bands a work out for World Amateur
Radio Day 2010.
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Looking for something to do today? Look no further than the fair city of Maitland where the
25th annual Hunter Valley Steamfest takes place. Because of heavy demand, it may be difficult
to obtain tickets on one of the steam train rides, but there is still plenty to see. Off the
tracks, this year's Steamfest will feature an enormous display of steam and transport machinery
on the the new Steamfest rally ground adjacent to Maitland Railway Station. And for the first
time at Steamfest - and possibly anywhere - three steam engines will race three historic Tiger
Moth biplanes later this morning. Pack your 2 metre hand held and of course, a camera.
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Are you one of the 20 per cent of club members who normally receive their monthly magazine
via the Internet? If so, you would have been surprised to see the hard copy of the April
edition arrive with the postman. It was not a mistake - but apart from mailing a flyer to
all members advising of the coming AGM in May, we temporarily lost control of the Internet
Magazine and Sunday news facility. Corrections have been made and all should be back to
normal next month.
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Remember the marathon walk last year by Jeff Johnson VK4XYY who walked accross Australia fom
south to North? Well he is at it again - this time from east to west. This time Jeff will be
fund raising on behalf of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. He plans to commence the walk in
April 2011 and as well as raising money for a good cause Jeff will be promoting amateur radio
all the way. Looking at a map of Australia, it's easy to see that to walk across is three
times the distance than up and down.
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The meat raffle held at Westlakes yesterday saw a change - the prized tray came from a new
supplier - Need's Butcher Shop at Boolaroo. It certainly looked nice. The winner from the
previous week, Greg VK2CW, drew the ticket and the winner was Bill VK2XT.
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The club's new video projector had its second workout in the Westlakes Library yesterday.
It was a showing of the 2006 DXpedition to Peter 1 Island. The DVD was sent to us by Florida
member, Oscar K1IYD. It was watched by a small but appreciative audience glad they were not
in the snow, wind, and ice of Peter 1 Island.
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Hooray for Port Stephens Amateur Radio Club. Their members will be operating a portable
station VK2AOJ at Fort Scratchley on Anzac Day between 12.30pm and 3.30pm. The Fort was
reopened to the public in 2008 after restoration. Port Stephens Amateur Radio Club will be
taking the opportunity to promote amateur radio and the fort to the visiting public.
Special QSL cards have been prepared for the occasion and these will be exchanged for all
contacts. Well done PSARC.
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Technology knows no bounds. Have you seen the latest from "tricky Dicky stores?'It is a video
camera with sound, and a digital camera housed in a real, working quality, ballpoint pen. It
can take color videos, still photos, upload to YouTube, MySpace, Facebook, and Photobucket,
with time and date stamping. One hour recording, 2 megapixels, USB upload to computer, a 90
minute lithium-ion battery, and it recharges through your computer USB port. But best of all..
it comes with 3 pen refills in case you want to write a letter. Cost....cheaper than you
would think. Oh yes, it come with a 12 month warranty. Check it out.
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Under the constitution of Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc., there are only three ways a person
ceases to be a member: 1. Death 2. Expulsion 3. failure to pay membership fees within three months
of the due date. The due date for fees was 31 January meaning that the deadline to maintain
membership is the end of April. There are only a handfull of members who have not renewed this
year and to those, is directed this reminder. We do not want to lose you.
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And finally, trivia. How many radio stations including the ABC, commercials, narrowcast, religious
etc do you think are on air in New South Wales? At least 50? Well, yes and then some. Check out
www.ausradiostations.com and you will find there are 90 AM and a whopping 483 FM stations - all
transmitting at the moment. And that's only New South Wales. What must it be like in the USA and
Europe?
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If you want to learn what is happening at your club in the coming week join the group each Saturday
at 8am for the EZB net on 146.775 MHz
Early risers are reminded to tune to 3.588MHz each Saturday mornings at 6am for the Stone the Crows
Net.
That concluded Westlakes segment of this week news.
To find out more about Westlakes Amateur Radio Club, or Amateur Radio in
general, leave a message on our 24 hour voice mail box on 02 49-581588. Please
wait for instructions before leaving your message. All correspondence should be
addressed to The Secretary, Box 3001, Teralba, NSW, 2284 or email: secretary@westlakesarc.org.au
Further information is available on our website at www.westlakesarc.org.au
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club is located in York Street, Teralba and is open for business on
Saturday from 12:00 midday and from approximately 6.00pm Tuesdays Call in and say Hello.....
Tea and Coffee are always on!
Amateur Radio is a great hobby become active and enjoy it.
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