WESTLAKES NEWS FOR NOVEMBER 9th 2014

Yesterday was the car boot sale at the club grounds.. Did you miss it? Some interesting items were on sale and no doubt some horse trading was taking place. Around 9 sellers turned up with a varying range of goods. Visitors from Sydney and the Central Coast also came along to peruse the goodies on display. The BBQ was in full swing with chef Michael attending to the needs of the hungry hordes, ably assisted by That wonderful lady... Mrs Smith.. Thanks again Penny... Your a Darling. The meat tray... Yes there was one on offer, was won by an out of Towner.. Greg VK2POP took home the bacon so to say, all the way to Muswellbrook. Congrats Greg. Enjoy your winnings. This years Christmas party. Mark this date on your calendar -SATURDAY 20TH DECEMBER and the party will start when you get there. Bring your own Alcoholic drinks and a comfortable chair, otherwise all will be supplied on the day. So Saturday 20th December... keep it free for your clubs Chrissy Party. There will be no more Foundation licence courses for this year and the next class will commence early next year. Listen on future broadcasts for the starting date. Just an update from Diane last night is that she is home and being looked after by Richard. Still awaiting results of tests which at this stage are not conclusive. Get well soon Dianne... Also home from hospital is Doug VK2YI and we believe that Doug has to take it easy for a while. The club wishes you both a speedy recovery. No more orders please. You have missed out... The box of 2015 Call books have all been sold. They should be available to be picked up at the club hopefully next weekend. Keep listening. Another date for your calendar is November 15th where Michael VK2OB is having a course for people who want to know the very basics on how to use a computer. There are 4 names already submitted so hurry up and get your name in. No need to bring your computer in as Michael will be using the electronic chalk board. The Westlakes store has now got good quality RG 213 and RG - 58 coaxial cable for sale. This coax cable is selling fast so hurry up and get your antenna back up in the air. See Ally in the store for the best deal in town. Don't forget all of the other special things available in the club store for members to purchase. The club also received an invite to next years WYONG FIELD DAY which will be in February next year on the 22nd. The club agreed to be there again and bring along the QSL bureau, weather permitting. South Australian takes leave from top ARISS job After a long time, Tony Hutchison VK5ZAI, the mainstay of Amateur Radio on the Space Station for the ARISS program, is taking a well-earned break from the daily grind to enjoy spending more time with his family and some travel. His involvement spans 21 years and includes being the ARISS Coordinator for the Asia Pacific Region. 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 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 always welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee, long-life milk, a good Canteen and an interesting selection of biscuits.

WESTLAKES NEWS FOR NOVEMBER 2ND 2014

Yesterday at the club was the monthly meeting. Did you miss it? Some of the discussion points that were discussed were fixing and updating the clubs webpage and to get rid of information that is not correct. A number of members Luke VK2LGW, Michael VK2OB and Dave will have a look at it over the next few weeks and do the necessary changes. Also on the discussion table was the talk of this years Christmas party. Mark this date on your calendar -SATURDAY 20TH DECEMBER and the party will start when you get there. There will be no more Foundation licence courses for this year and the next class will commence early next year. Listen on future broadcasts for the starting date. One outstanding member, Mal Marshall VK2FAYD upgraded from his Foundation licence to his Standard and then to his Advanced and got very high marks. Congratulations Mal well done. Luke VK2FALA has finally received his upgraded standard call sign from his assessment at Westlakes a few weeks ago. He is now VK2LGW. Congratulations Luke. Out of this meeting today we learnt that Diane VK2FDNE had a stroke and is in the Mater Hospital Level 5 Ward 5a bed 6. Just an update from Diane last night is that the tests are not conclusive that it had been a stroke but they are treating it as a stroke. Also on the sick list is Doug VK2YI and we believe that Doug is back home recuperating. The club wishes you both a speedy recovery. It was time for the meat tray raffle and Dave VK2RD ( last weeks winner ) reached into the ticket tumbler and picked none other than Richard VK2FRKO. The look on all the faces told a story but Richard had a big smile. Congratulations Richard enjoy the meat tray. After the meeting Penny had served up a feast. Well done and thank you Penny. Lost and found. After the Monthly Meeting at Westlakes yesterday, a mobile phone in a leather case was found under the front row of seats. The phone is locked with a password so we are unable to work out who it belongs to. It is in the possession of Greg VK2CW who can be contacted on 49 632633 or email vk2cw@bigpond.com Arthur Perry and his XYL called in at Westlakes yesterday with a donation of radio gear and test equipment. Arthur who has been a club member for many years, made the trip from his QTH at Berwick, Victoria and his donation was much appreciated. Another visitor from far away was Rob VK2XXM from Grafton. Rob has been listening to Westlakes 40 metre net and thought he would drop in and see what the club was all about. Also new member, Rob VK2XIC called in to the club and joined in afternoon tea. Rob is President of Illawarra amateur Radio Society and likes how we look after our members. Catch you again Rob when next in town. No more orders please. You have missed out... The box of 2015 Call books have all been sold. They should be available to be picked up at the club within a fortnight. The cost is $22 each. Another date for your calendar is November 15th where Michael VK2OB is having a course for people who want to know the very basics on how to use a computer. There are 4 names already submitted so hurry up and get your name in. No need to bring your computer in as Michael will be using the electronic chalk board. The Westlakes store has now got good quality RG 213 and RG - 58 coaxial cable for sale. This coax cable is selling fast so hurry up and get your antenna back up in the air. See Ally in the store for the best deal in town. Don't forget all of the other special things available in the club store for members to purchase. Jamie VK2YCJ visited the Hornsby and districts club during the week and he spoke to John VK2ZRN who said that he is willing to travel up to Westlakes ARC to give a lecture on making printing circuit boards. Most members agreed and it was noted that this lecture will occur in the new year. Dave VK2RD also pointed out that Col VK2YP ( a serving club member and ex project manager) can also make and draw up good quality circuit boards. Perhaps we could utilise both of them on the lecture day. The club also received an invite to next years WYONG FIELD DAY which will be in February next year on the 22nd. The club agreed to be there again and bring down the QSL bureau, weather permitting. AR NSW 9 NOV 2014 FIELD DAY On Sunday 9 November 2014, AR NSW is having another field day for the benefit of our members at the VK2WI site If you are able to attend we would be very pleased to see you. In the morning, we’ll be having a ‘New Hams’ segment for those new to Amateur Radio or those who might like a refresher. Subjects will include control knob use, voice procedure, programming your radio, repeaters and the care and feeding of a grounded anode and correct threading of ferrite beads. Followed by a sausage sizzle for lunch, ice cream included. After lunch we will also have a segment on contesting from 3 experienced amateurs, each with their own slant on what works for them.We will also encourage input from all inviting their thoughts.Here’s your chance to pass on the benefits of your experience to someone who may have difficulty dissecting an armstrong oscillator or has lost the manual for their megacycle. Attendance is by registration with close off Wednesday 5 November to help with the catering So, indicate your intention by emailing to fieldday@arnsw.org.au Kindly include in your email, your name, callsign, contact number, which sessions you will be attending and the number that will be in your party Those who ordered 1:1 and 4:1 balun kits and kevlar wire may collect on the day If you have yet to order kits, email balun@arnsw.org.au The gates at VK2WI, 63 Quarry Road, Dural open 09300 hrs for the first presentation at 1000 hrs. For further information you can contact Al Hirschel VK2KAM direct on 0415-259 777 VK6 A club shack contents is stolen A burglary has occurred at the club rooms of the Hills Amateur Radio Group VK6AHR on the corner of Brady and Sanderson Roads in Lesmurdie, a suburb of Perth. Past President Martin Stretton VK6ZMS reports that the theft has resulted in the loss of transceivers, a linear, tuner and interface. These are a Yaesu FT1000MP, ICOM IC7400, a Motorola GM338, an AMERITRON AL811 amplifier, a Palstar Tuner and a DIGIMASTER interface. The serial numbers for each are in the WIA News this week. IS YOUR RADIO SHACK SECURE? ALARA 2014: From Richard VK2FRKO. The ALARA meet at Nelson Bay is over and a wonderful time was had by all. There were about 50 in the group including their OMs. Now hot off the press. Next year is ALARA'S 40th anniversary and they will be meeting down in Melbourne around July. So YL s in the Hunter start saving your money and don't miss out on this event. Finally, don't forget our Car Boot sale next weekend on Saturday. Its free once again. Contact Barrie VK2QG for a spot or just turn up on the day and hope for the best. I am sure we can find you a spot. 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 always welcome at the club. We have plenty of tea, coffee, long-life milk, a good Canteen and an interesting selection of biscuits.