A WORD OF THANKS.
From Geoff Linthorne VK2GL
A few words of thanks to all the loyal members who attended the briefings and assisted with West Lakes displays on Australia Day at Speers Point Park.
They ignored the nay-sayers, braved the weather, dealt with questions from the public ranging in age from 14 to 70 plus, provided excellent tucker, transported and erected gazebos, set up and manned the display tables, erected antennas, provided batteries and 240VAC supplies.
There were displays of antique radios such as AR88 and Collins transceivers, CW demonstrations both live and also on computers, on air demos on HF equipment, home brewed equipment such as cipher wheels circa 1790, WW11 transceiver, morse keys some from German U-Boat service and many other items. We began the day at 0630 and finished at approximately 1600.
The day could be considered a success several members say we should repeat next year. We certainly informed many people who had no idea who West Lakes Radio Club is or what they do. I hope that some of the enquiries turn into new members.
N.B. I have since attended the debrief and conveyed our thoughts on the site situation and transport accommodation. They were noted. I am assured these will be addressed next year.
Thanks Team for your support.
While at the Speers Point Park the club used the special callsign of AX2ATZ. How many contacts were made? No many people were around on the bands so from a rough count about 6. Did anyone else use the special callsign. Richard VK2FRKO using AX2FRKO made 10 contacts and also reported that contacts were few and far between.
You have most probably found out by now that our repeater has been off the air and is still off the air. This repeater is a backup repeater located at Peter's QTH. A telephone call Peter VK2ZTV was made to advise him of the problem. Not to sure what the problem is or was so hopefully the problem will be sorted out soon.
Last weeks raffle winner Leigh VK2KAL was at the club to pick out of the ticket tumbler this weeks winner. This weeks winner was Norm VK2ZG. Congratulations. Enjoy the meat tray.
The sun is currently undergoing its strongest radiation storm since 2005 and charged particles are expected to blast towards Earth The eruption happened at 22:59 EST last Sunday night, that’s 03:59 GMT Monday and the massive solar flare that spewed from sunspot 1402 was caught by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, according to spaceweather.com as reported by Fox News. Space Weather Prediction Center experts reckon that the impact from this latest solar flare will hit Earth at approximately 9:00 am EST last (Tuesday), that’s 14:00 GMT. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has confirmed that this is the most powerful radiation storm since 2005 and because of this it’s likely that some polar flights on Earth tomorrow will be re-routed over the next hours as a precaution. The geomagnetic storms also usually bring more intense northern and southern light displays, or auroras and can also interfere with communications, satellites and other electronic infrastructures. An alert has been issued by spaceweather.com saying, “There is little doubt that the cloud is heading in the general direction of Earth. A preliminary inspection of SOHO/STEREO imagery suggests that the CME (coronal mass ejection) will deliver a strong glancing blow to Earth’s magnetic field on Jan. 24-25 as it sails mostly north of our planet.” The site also tells high-latitude skywatcher to be ready for the increased chance of auroras. This latest solar flare is an M-9 class, which is close to the edge of being an X-flare, the strongest type. Last week’s solar flare was an M-2 class and the increased solar activity is part of an 11-year cycle expected to peak in 2013. If you have any thoughts about the effects of the solar expected to impact Earth tomorrow then do send us your comments.
CCARC Field Day at Wyong.
Who’s 55 years old and showing no sign of retiring?
The CCARC Field Day at Wyong, that’s who! The 26th of February, 2012, marks the 55th year of Australia’s largest gathering of ham radio enthusiasts. And every year just gets better and better! From the flea market, to the major suppliers of Amateur Radio equipment, the various AR clubs and exhibitors, the Field day is packed with plenty to interest the Amateur Radio fraternity And what would the Field day be without our usual lecture program, which promises yet again, to be a highlight of the day’s activities.
This year’s topics span the years, starting with Vintage Radio Repair, Radar before the Magnetron , right up to the new National Broadband Network. For our final lecture, we are very pleased to have a presentation from Hellenic Amateur Radio Assoc. Of Australia on the 2011 DXpedition to Lord Howe Island which included a member of our own CCARC. Please check the fieldday.org.au website for more information regarding the lecture program and times.
So grab your calendar, mark the date and we’ll see you at CCARC Field Day at Wyong – 26th February, 2012
Record set at Winter Hill.
The Port Lincoln Times reports that Rex Moncur VK7MO acheived an Australian amateur radio 10 GHz record last week of 843 kilometres by using aircraft reflections.
The newspaper reports: Amateur radio enthusiast Rex Moncur set an Australian record last week, sending microwaves 843 kilometres from Port Lincoln's Winter Hill lookout to Mount Macedon north of Melbourne [David VK3HZ] with the help of an aircraft. Normally microwaves only travel "line of sight" but the distance can be extended by reflecting them off an aircraft between two points. Using a pay TV dish with a rifle scope attached for accuracy the Hobart-based retiree waited for the perfect moment to be able to make contact. The connection only lasted for about two minutes but it was enough for Mr Moncur to break the previous record, also set by him, of 828 kilometres, between White Cliffs in New South Wales and Mount Macedon.
Well that's all the news I have this week. Do you have a news item that you would like read out on a broadcast? Contact Richard VK2FRKO on email address vk2frko@tpg.com.au
Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street, TERALBA - and is open on Saturday Afternoons from around 12 noon. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6pm. To make contact at other times, try dialling (02) 49 581588 where an answering service operates. Visitors are alway welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee, long-life milk, and an interesting selection of biscuits.
