Date

Event

December 2, 2009 2000 (12:00noon till late)

November 4, 2009 2000 (8:00pm)

See you there.

(REAST Committee)

September 2, 2009 2000 (8:00pm)

World Moon Bounce Day Presentations

On 27 June 2009 a group of Southern VK7 amateurs were involved in the first of the Echoes of Apollo celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the first moon walk with World Moon Bounce Day.

This day saw many amateurs around the world bouncing both side band and digital mode signals off the moon. 

The University of Tasmania through Dr Jim Lovell agreed for a group of radio amateurs to use their 26m Radio Telescope at Mt Pleasant for the World Moon Bounce activity.

Keen digital EME'er Rex VK7MO lead the day assisted by Justin VK7TW and Radio Telescope Technician Eric VK7BB who made an invaluable contribution to making the day a success.

Many contacts were made throughout the day and these were recorded on video and have been cut into two presentations - a humorous look at talking to the moon by Paul VK7FPAH and the second is a record of all the key events throughout the day by Justin VK7TW.

Both these presentation were shown on the big screen.

73, Rex VK7MO and Justin VK7TW

August 15, 2009, 0800 UTC (1800 local) to August 16 0759 UTC (1759)

Remembrance Day Contest and International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend (ILLW)

The RD Contest is VK's major amateur radio contest and runs for 24 hours over the 15th and 16th of August.

The Remembrance Day Contest commemorates the amateurs who died during WWII and is designed to encourage friendly participation and help improve the operating skills of participants. It is held close to 15 August, the date when hostilities ceased in the south-west Pacific area.

This year it runs from 0800 UTC Saturday, August 15, until 0759 UTC on the Sunday. 

A perpetual trophy is awarded annually to the WIA Division with the best performance. The name of the winning state is inscribed on the trophy, and that state then holds the trophy for 12 months.

Take a look at the WIA website contest page for more details about this year’s RD Contest.

WIA RD Contest Site

Also on the weekend is the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend.

The basic objective of the event is to promote public awareness of lighthouses and lightships and their need for preservation and restoration, to promote amateur radio  and to foster International goodwill.

For more information take a look at the ILLW website: http://illw.net/

Happy Contesting and Lighthousing!

August 5, 2009 2000 (8:00pm)

Up Close and Personal with the International Space Station

We had a great roll-up to REAST's August presentation which was a wonderful couple of video presentations on the big screen centred on the International Space Station.

We got a personalised your through the space station with Mike Fincke and got a fascinating insight into everyday life on the ISS. It must be fun in micro gravity – everything takes on a whole new perspective…HIHI!

We watched a great presentation in the building of the station and heard a amateur radio on the international space station contact between astronaut Barbara Morgan and her home district in Idaho USA through the ARISS program.

And a big thank you to Tony VK5ZAI for sharing these presentations.

(Justin, VK7TW)

July 1, 2009 2000 (8:00pm)

Global ALE HF Link Network

Harvey VK7TED has been experimenting with setup his radio to take part in the Global ALE HF Link network.

The Global ALE HF Network is the first time a ham radio net has ever functioned continuously on all 8 major HF bands simultaneously 24/7/365.

The main purpose is Emergency / Relief Communications, and the focus is to provide a framework to help the various Emcomm and relief organisations of the world inter-operate better with each other on HF.

All ham operators are welcome and invited to participate in the net on the air at any hour of the day or night, for normal QSOs and messages, soundings, or priority Emcomm use.

REAST’s July presentation was given by the very funny Harvey VK7TED. The presentation started with an outline of the many digital modes available to the amateur.

Harvey then went on to the Global ALE High Frequency Network. He has setup his radio to scan the various digital frequencies, beacon, listen and log those stations that are heard in the network.

Harvey gave a demonstration using two laptops connected together at the sound card interfaces to demonstrate the handshaking and some of the functionality.

A very interesting presentation, thanks Harvey.

The network uses freeware software by Charles Brain G4GUO and is a full Mil-Spec Automatic Link Establishment operation using HF SSB or ham radio transceivers.

http://hflink.com/

http://hflink.com/software/

June 27th, 2009 
11:00am to 10:00pm

Echoes of Apollo Project

Joining the World’s Biggest Space Party

Mt Pleasant 26m Radio Telescope in VK7 Involved.

Saturday - June 27th will see the amateur radio community celebrating World EME or Earth Moon Earth day in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the first moon walk in 1967.

The University of Tasmania’s Mount Pleasant Radio Telescope between Cambridge and Richmond will be involved with the 26m dish.

Rex VK7MO has been working with the telescope staff to mount his 1296MHz dish feed into the big dish and has undertaken some successful sun noise and SSB receiving tests with Doug VK3UM.

So Saturday, why not come out, see and hear some signals off the moon and see what it's all about at the Mt Pleasant Radio Telescope from 11am when the moon comes up and receiving activities will continue through until about 10pm when the moon disappears.

Take a look at: http://echoesofapollo.com/ for more information.

73, Rex VK7MO and Justin VK7TW

This should be a fascinating and humorous talk by our leading historian and avid CW operator.

Over the Horizon Optical Communications

Rex VK7MO and Justin VK7TW presented the latest and greatest on their experimentation with over the horizon optical communications.

This was the presentation they gave at Gippstech Special Edition/WIA AGM on the weekend of May 2, 2009.

The hour long presentation covered the history and vast experimentation over the last few years to get to the distance of 209km using the cloud-bounce techniques.

(73, Justin, VK7TW)

March 15, 2009 1030 (10:30am)

Annual General Meeting & BYO BBQ

The REAST committee wishes to advise that the Association's annual general meeting will be held on Sunday 15th March at 10:30am at the REAST clubrooms following the broadcast. 

After the AGM there was a BYO barbecue lunch.

It's a new year so the 2009 subscriptions are due. This year if you are paying your subscription by direct deposit your receipt number and transfer description must be written on your renewal form so that payments can be easily identified. A new renewal form is available on the REAST website and at the clubrooms that includes all the information required.

Furthermore, many members have changed their call signs in the last year with the two letter call sign ballot and for other reasons so if your call sign has changed in the last year please make sure this is clearly marked on your renewal form.

(REAST Committee)

Special AGM Presentation

In memory of Matt Whayman VK7MAT SK.

Back before Christmas, Matt Whayman's (VK7MAT SK) Mum, Carol approached Brian Welch VK7BW with a new-still in original package 10-15m beam that Matt never got the chance to put up prior to his untimely death in an accident on the Midlands Highway on 26 March 1999.

After much consideration about recent licensees the REAST Assessors and Learning Facilitators agreed that it be presented to Thomas Karpiniec VK7NML as a gift in memory of Matt Whayman.

Thomas is a struggling uni student studying electrical/electronic engineering and is deeply involved in the club and promotion of the hobby of amateur radio. He was recently involved with  the National Linux conference at UTAS and got together a group of amateurs from all over Australia during the conference.

Thomas VK7NML (Right)

He served as a member of the REAST Committee in 2008 and stepped down last weekend due to his studies. He is a great ambassador for the hobby and has thrown himself into JOTA in the last two years manning the Brighton and Howrah Guides and is very involved with the ATV nights.

Congratulations to Thomas.

(Justin, VK7TW)

March 22, 2009 1000 (10:00am)

Meet the Voice BBQ NOW INCLUDING THE ANNUAL SEWING CIRCLE BBQ

ROSS SUNDAY MARCH 22nd. 

Wrap-Up

LtoR - 7EE, 7RO, 7KBE & 7AY's XYL

The Sewing Circle "MEET THE VOICE" BBQ for 2009 was again extremely well attended regardless of the inclement weather early in the day, but thanks to the forward thinking of Rod VK7TRF and his magnificent Tarpaulin cover we were able to keep dry, and the rain stopped before proceedings really got under way.

Awards for outstanding service to Tasmanian Amateur Radio in particular and Amateur Radio generally were presented to Joe Gelston VK7JG and Brian Morgan VK7RR , their acceptance speeches were the high lite of the day, thanks to David VK7KDO and Harry VK7AR for their report on the background of these two stalwarts.

Sewing Machine Award to VK7VH

7AY, 7KDO and 7AR - Award Presenters

VK7JG Outstanding Service Award

VK7RR Outstanding Service Award

Even though a virus hit our Public Address system, I am sure every one heard the interview by Justin with Mrs. Joy Batchler on the early days of "The Sewing Circle Net" Mrs. Batchler is in her 93rd. year and her late husband was a one of the very early "Sewing Circle" members.

Joy Batchler VK7YL

70 Amateurs were listed in the Registration Book this year, last year 63 signed in.

Your $5.00 registration totaled $345.00 and with no expenses to be covered it was all donated to the Tasmanian repeater fund.

(Left) Dave 3JKY at the TTS Systems Tent and Bob VK7KZ

Thanks to Ray VK7VKV for his CAR BOOT SALE organisation, I understand many went home happy with having disposed of some amateur gear, and others home happy with their purchases. Thanks again Ray and we look forward to a repeat next year bigger and better.

When the idea of the "MEET THE VOICE" get together was propagated in 2007, I had thought of it as being a one off, how wrong I was and I thank you one and all for your input and support, next years 2010 date has already been set for Sunday March 21st. at Ross at the same venue.

I will be personally very pleased to hear your feed back and any suggestions you may have on how we can make it better. Please do not be shy, if you have any comments PLEASE contact me either on the sewing Circle net, or any way you wish, I genuinely want to hear from you.

7AY

Finally photos of the 2008 and 2009 individual photos will be on the REAST web site, or other wise I am sure Frank VK7CK will be pleased to supply you from his large album of 2008 BBQ individual photos at cost., Frank VK7CK can be contacted regularly on the evening net 5PM on 3590.

Most of the Group

Thank you one and all.

(Don, VK7AY)

-----------------------------

Bargain Boot Bonanza Wrap-Up

The Bargain Boot Bonanza proved to be just that, a real bonanza. In total there were 5 boots/trailers/tables of pre-loved equipment on sale on the day with gear ranging from HF and VHF rigs, through to computer gear, cameras, and even a device for looking inside peoples ears!!

Some of the Bargains

There was so much sold, that I'm sure just about everyone left carrying something that they had not arrived with. One Amateur was even seen carrying a YL over his shoulder. Unfortunately I missed that one!!

I think that perhaps some potential sellers were discouraged by the early rain, but it turned out to be a fine and very successful afternoon for sellers and bargain hunters alike.

I hope that the exchange of pre-loved items can happen again at next year's event. If you didn't take my advice and get there, with a little luck and a fair breeze, there will be next year.

What a great time, good friends and doing what Hams do best, picking up a bargain!!

(Ray VK7VKV)

The Comms Behind Targa