WESTLAKES NEWS FOR AUGUST 31ST 2014

In the library, a small meeting was held to discuss last weekends Our town Hobby show in which the Westlakes club had a stand. Quite a lot of suggestions were put forward and will be collated and acted on by Barry VK2VBF who will then present a report to the management committee for action. After the meeting the meat tray was drawn by Joanne ( Diane's friend ) and whose ticket did she pull out? Yes, it was Herb VK2ZVF. Congratulations Herb enjoy the meat tray. Seen and heard walking around on the roof was Richard VK2FRKO and John VK2FALE who measuring up a flashing for the roof. 8 meters long in one piece and open at the ends. Hopefully this will stop the leaking roof. Down near the swamp, Richard and Garry were busy sawing some branches of a tree that was annoying the antennas erectors who from time to time repair and maintain the clubs 160 meter and 80 meter dipoles. At the moment we don't have a 160 meter antenna. A working bee will be carried out in the warmer months to make and install a new 160 and 80 meter dipole. Foundation Licence Update: In the classroom Geoff VK2GL was instructing the next group of candidates. Very soon we will hear some new voices on air. However, if you already have a Foundation or Standard Licence why not consider upgrading to either a standard or advanced callsign. Interested? Email vk2lw@wia.org.au The Canteen was in full swing with the return of chef Michael, once again cooking his famous hamburgers. They must have been alright as all seats at the table were occupied. Good to see you again Mike. Do you need more tickets for the raffle of the FT817 to be drawn at the Field Day. If so contact Greg VK2CW who will be happy to oblige. If you own a Baofeng Handheld and are having a problem with the input of frequencies... Stress no more, help is at hand with Nigel VK2FMT or Norm VK2KNC who can do a full download in a few minutes and have the little transceiver talking quite happily. The TS 820 is still proving to be a headache on the repair work bench. Lloyd is the next pair of hands that is applying his skills to try and fix this radio. Richard bought in a Drake SRD 1 - receiver for Norm VK2KNC to look at but without some manuals it was a bit hard to find the problem. More on this later. How many of you worked the ALARA ladies last night. There were quiet a few out there calling CQ. Come on guys and gals give them ago. From the WIA NEWS DESK: Draft WIA Repeater and Beacon Policy Released. After several months of discussion between the WIA and the various stakeholders, the WIA has now released a draft Repeater and Beacon Policy. The draft policy attempts to strike a balance between the principals of good spectrum management, (the minimisation of cross-interference between repeaters), and the experimental nature of the amateur service and its inherent need for flexibility. The WIA encourages all stakeholders to review the draft policy, and forward any comments to the WIA by the 1st November, 2014. Comments should be sent via the following Link The band segments and frequencies assigned to amateur repeaters and beacons are also currently under review by the WIA as part of the bandplan review.You are also encouraged to make a submission to that review.Here is the Link to the band plan review news release. September AR Magazine Now Online For Download. Are you a member of the WIA? Then the latest edition of AR magazine is available for down loading. Finally to finish off. Reminder to ALL MEMBERS: It is 2 weeks today to Westlakes annual field day on the 14th September in the club grounds. Have a look through your equipment and see what you are not using or better still look in you garage and see what is taking up valuable space. Perhaps you would like to donate it to the club. Remember to bring your own tables and a chair to sit on and you must take away ALL your own rubbish. If your are interested in a stall please contact the club secretary for further details. The 40 metre net on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays commencing at 09:30 hrs, on 7.150 MHz. is still a popular activity. Please call in and discuss any topic that you wish to bring up. We have many experts on any discussion. Last Wednesday morning Dave VK2RD was net controller. We don't charge for joining the net - its free and we are all friendly. ALL WELCOME. Also, the EZYBEE net at 08:00 am every Saturday morning on 146.775 where we discuss what is happening at the club that day. And for the early risers we can’t forget the Stone the Crows net on 80 metres, 3.588 Mhz at 06:00 am 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 or give the item to Richard at the club. Now to wind up. Westlakes Amateur Radio Club Inc. is located in York Street, TERALBA - and is open on Saturday from around 11:00 am. Also on a Tuesday evening from around 6:00 pm. 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, a good Canteen and an interesting selection of biscuits.