Warc Sunday News 11 July 2010

This is VK2ATZ, the official station of Westlakes Amateur Radio Club located at Teralaba, Lake Macquarie. Westlakes local news is read each Sunday on repeater VK2RTZ at 9am local. Following at 9:30 am is a relay of the Australia-wide news from the WIA .This will be repeated on the 80 metre frequency at 7 pm this evening by Warren VK2UWP

The first item today is something for the eyes. No, not another "page 3" girl - but "QRZ.COM" Paul VK2HV has taken over control of Westlakes callsign, VK2ATZ, and how it is presented on the popular "QRZ" site. Have a look - it's pretty good. Well done Paul VK2HV.

Here are three a messages to members who are interested in contests and associated radio events presented in date order. First is the 2010 RD Contest which will be held over the 14th and 15th August. Hopefully, there will be enough interest to operate the club station VK2ATZ from Teralba. Contact Allan VK2JED or Dave VK2RD if you would like to participate. Next, a week later is the Lighthouse Weekend where the club will again be attending Norah Head Lighthouse. over Friday 20th and Saturday 21st August. Accomodation varies from a bed, to sleeping in your car, or just come as a day-tripper and enjoy the sights. Food for the overnighters and a free barbecue on the Sunday morning will be provided. Approximate numbers are needed to arrange catering. Contact the secretary Barrie VK2CXA or Diane VK2FDNE if you would like to come. And the final event approaching is Westlakes use of the special callsign VK100WIA. We have the call for three days - the last three days - Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 29, 30, and 31st October. Dave VK2RD is preparing a roster of members who will attempt to keep the call on-air for the entire period from the club radio room at Teralba. Contact VK2RD to be in it.

The results of the Club's CQ Repeater Contest for 2010 have been tabulated by Allan VK2JED. They will be presented at the July monthly meeting which will be held next Saturday 17th July in the club library at 1.30pm.

Those visiting the club yesterday would have noticed yet another escalation of the current spate of vandalism. At first, two holes were kicked in the sidewall of our buiding. It became three holes last weekend and that increased to eight holes Yesterday. The wall is looking very sorry at present and what was a relatively simple restoration, has now become a major one at a considerable cost to members. Any suggestions to prevent this stuff happening?

Richard VK2FRKO (OAM) grabbed the reins on Saturday morning taking over the "Ezybee" group on this repeater at 8am while earlier, Fred VK2YF handled the 6am "Stone the Crows" net on 80 metres. The Ezybee group has needed a leader for some some time but the Stone the Crows has always been conducted by Ted VK2UI. Unfortunately, Ted is not well at present and we wish him a speedy recovery. Well done Richard VK2FRKO and Fred VK2YF.

Remember that bloke who used to write these scripts (and read them)? He did a few other odd jobs too, such as edit Westlakes' magazine, run the Ezybee net,bring the Saturday meat tray, and run the mid-week SSTV and RTTY nets. Yes, it was Frank VK2FJL who moved to Lithgow. Apparently, Frank has been having problemsgetting his old computer gear to fire-up at the new QTH and in a colder climate. But not for much longer. We understand that he has lashed out and secured a brand new top-grade computer with allthe necesary bits and pieces and he should be back emmitting emails (with attached pictures of snow and ice) very soon.

Alex VK2ZM reports the that special event callsign, VK100WIA, is certainly doing business in grand style. Thousands of the Special QSL cards for VK2's have arrived at The Bureau at Westlakes. Anyone who can assist to sort some of these cards should see Alex in the Bureau. The only experince needed is to Know the alphabet.

The "little Westlakes torches". They are all gone. Please don't send any money, cheques etc.The torches seemed much more popular than the pens which had to be discounted to clear them. A Message to Mike VK2OI, you ordered two torches on-air a few weeks ago. they are being held by the treasurer for you. Next Saturday would be a great time to pick them up.

This item is the last - and it's the meat tray raffle result from yesterday afternoon. The winning ticket was drawn by Brian VK2BRI and it had "Gloria" on it! That's three meat trays to Ms Brown in the past five weeks. Included in the tray was a "Lamb Jumbuck" described by our butcher, as "lamb in a pastry wrap" that just "goes in the oven and I think you will like it." We await Gloria's report as to how that tasted. The "hat check girl" has instructed VK2CW to buy a Lamb Jumbuck (cost $9 at Needs Butchers Boolaroo) next Saturday - seeing he can't win one.

Well that's all the local news we have this week. 

Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street an is open on Saturday Afternoons from around 12 noon until everyone goes home. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6pm again until everyone goes home. Although a Radio Club, we are on the telephone. Try dialling 049 581588. An answering service operates after hours. Visitors are alway welcome we have plenty of tea, coffee, and long-life milk. Plus, there are biscuits too, lots of them, although the Adora Cream Wafers are in short supply.

Thank you for listening.

Sunday News 4th July 2010

This is VK2ATZ, the official station of Westlakes Amateur Radio Club This local news appears each Sunday on repeater VK2RTZ at 9am local. Following at 9:30 am is a relay of the Australia-wide news from the WIA.

The first item today is an important announcement. The monthly meeting for July has been put back one week. It was scheduled to be held next Saturday but it will now be held on Saturday 17th July in the club library at 1.30pm.

By now, members will have received their July Magazines in their letter boxes, or those Who get the electronic version, will find it has magically appeared in their inboxes (The correct way up too!) The reason for the early magazine issue is that the "temporary" Editor left for a week's break in Melbourne and got the magazine out before he left.

The meat tray was again well supported by those present yesterday. Last week’s winner Alex VK2ZM drew out the ticket of. Brian VK2BRI, who I might add arrived 10 minutes before the closing time of 2:00pm. Enjoy...

Congratulations to member Col Cuneo who has successfully passed the Foundation exam and is awaiting his chosen call of VK2FCWC. Col already has his radio set up at home and one in the Ute as well. Talk about keen... Well done Col and welcome to the fellowship.

The activity room was busy with Les Smiths class on assembly and use of a Signal Tracer project to be held in 2 parts. The next class is due to be held on Saturday 17^th July and constructing a companion Signal Injector. These are both valuable pieces of test equipment.

The results of the Club's CQ Repeater Contest for 2010 have been tabulated by Allan VK2JED. They will be presented at the next monthly meeting which will now be on July 17th

Members visiting the club in the last fortnight may have noticed the latest incident of Vandalism. Two holes had been senselessly kicked in the sidewall of our building. Well That’s not the latest incident - an inspection of the club during the week reveals that A third hole has been kicked in.

The club's Ezybee Net, named after its founder Eric VK2EZB (now a silent key) has fallen on hard times. It needs a co-ordinator to run the group. It only runs for half an hour at 8am on a Saturday on repeater 146.775 MHz. The purpose of the net is to inform listeners Of happenings at Westlakes that afternoon. Anyone interested in running the net or joining a roster, please advise the secretary. It would be sad to see the Ezybee Net fold.

Now some trivia from overseas. Nicolas Hayek, the founder of the "swatch" plastic watch, passed away last Tuesday. He was 82. In the 1980s, Hayek transformed two Swiss watch firms, Omega and Longines who were struggling to cope with Japanese competition. Sales of Swatch watches soared because they were trendy and affordable. The other Swiss manufacturers rode on the back of Swatch to dominate the quality segment of timepieces today. Nicolas Hayak is credited with saving the Swiss watchmaking industry.

A purchase of 5 desktop computers was delivered to Westlakes during the week. These are to replace the aging models installed around the clubrooms. Our I.T. man, Michael VK2ZEN, is in for a busy time hooking them up and getting everything running.

The Mildura Sunraysia region in Victoria's northwest became the first in the nation to rely on An exclusively digital television signal when the Government switched off the analogue signals there at 9:00am last Wednesday. The Digital Switchover task force says most viewers have already bought a set-top box or a digital television, and it’s not anticipating many complaints when the analogue signal goes. About 24,000 people will be affected by the change.

A number of 55 Amp/hr Gel Cell batteries have been donated to the club. Most are less than 12 months old and would make an ideal backup power system for the shack. See Aly at the store to get hold of 1 or 2.

We have a nice story to finish with. Congratulation to Westlakes President, Geoff VK2EO, who became a proud grandparent last Tuesday. Twin girls no less - Lucy Hannah and Lyla Grace. And what little charmers they look.

Well that' all the local news we have this week.

Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street and is open on Saturday Afternoons from around 12 noon until everyone goes home. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6pm again until everyone goes home. Although a Radio Club, we are on the telephone. Try dialling 49581588 An answering service operates after hours. Visitors are always welcome and we have plenty of tea, coffee, and long-life milk. Plus, as we were reminded last week, there are biscuits too, Just dont take too many..