Broadcast - 24 Sept 2023
Some of the NTARC committee were invited by Jim Gordon VK3ZKK to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Radio Amateurs Old Timers Club or as it is more commonly known RAOTC. The event was held last Thursday via a nation-wide Zoom hook-up. The meeting was as efficient as the NTARC ones and was concluded in about half an hour. However the hook up continued for a considerable time after and it was obvious that a lot of the participant’s friendships went back a long time.
It was quite amazing to see the faces belonging to the names and call-signs that we have heard on the broadcasts and read in the OTN publication over the past decades.
One major change to the committee line-up was that Bill Roper VK3BR stepped down as Editor of the OTN magazine. If I heard correctly he had been overseeing the publication for 23 years or so! That is an amazing period of dedication to the club and also to the Amateur community. Bill certainly deserved the accolades that he received after the official part of the meeting was over.
Looking at the dozens of little participant images in the Zoom meeting, it is mind blowing to think that even in this relatively small cross section there was over a thousand years of Amateur radio experience and experiences! Think of all the stories that could be told! Seriously though, all amateurs should think about “their story”. It may seem to have been normal and mundane to you, but most likely be of great interest to others. This is very evident in NTARC Technical Nights and Friday coffee morning get-togethers. I would be certain that RAOTC and other publications would be appreciative of any amateur life story contributions.
By just being part of the ZOOM meeting it was obvious where the clubs description on the website originated from, and I quote:
“The RAOTC has been in existence for well over 40 years. Its main objectives are to maintain the interest and original pioneering spirit of Amateur Radio (aka Ham Radio), honour the history and heritage of our hobby, and encourage good fellowship amongst all radio amateurs.”
Thanks Jim for the ZOOM invite and the only suggestion we can think of to improve the AGM is to end it with a monthly, or in this case yearly joke. HiHi
How many have seen the latest issue of Lo-Key, “The Journal of the VK QRP Club”? Well if you have you couldn’t help but notice Nic VK7WW’s “Cent”, 1 Watt, 80 Metre, CW transmitter emblazoned across the cover. The article takes up a substantial eight pages and covers the construction of the project that Nic designed to celebrate 100 years of Amateur radio in Tasmania, June 2023. Yet another well done to Nic.
Now continuing the CW theme, Peter VK7KPC finally received his Second Place certificate for his CW participation in the Harry Angel Memorial 80m Sprint earlier this year. One more colourful certificate to adorn the clubs “Certificate Display Book”.
I wonder if Peter and any other of Nic VK7WW’s, CW students will be participating in the 78th Oceania DX competition next month. Note the CW contest is on the 14th of October and the SSB contest is on the 7th of October.
As mentioned last week Ian VK7IG made it back from his mainland trip and to the club in one piece. Ros also went to the mainland starting in Darwin for a return trip on the Ghan train. She made it back but not to the club rooms for Friday morning tea! Unfortunately Ros picked up a bug on the way back and will have to recuperate for a week. We all wish you a quick recovery.
JOTA/JOTI for 2023 volunteers to assist are needed!
The Venue is the NTARC Club rooms, which is the Rocherlea Scout Hall, Archer St, Rocherlea.
The sessions will be on Saturday the 21st of October from noon to 6pm and Sunday the 22nd of October from 10am till 3pm. Groups are planned to arrive in two hour blocks, split up and rotate through four activities.
At the Club Rooms we will need volunteers to assistance with:
The operation of each of the transceivers set up for voice chat by the participants.
Oversee the assembly of Morse code trainer kits, (no soldering required only a screw driver).
Sending and receiving each other’s names by Morse code on the practice keys. (No, not live to air)
Plus external to the Club Rooms:
We need local contacts to chat with the participants in case we can’t link up to other Scout venues. If you are able to assist for any length of time over the two days please let Peter, VK7KPC or the club Secretary know of your availability or by e-mailing secretary@ntarc.net
Let us finish off with something to think about......
It has been suggested that NTARC host another club “Shack Clear-out” auction.
This one could be open to all amateurs’ not just NTARC members! So have a think, do you have items that are no longer needed, are you trying to claw back some of your space, do you just want to down size and consolidate your equipment setup? If there is enough interest then we will set a date and if all goes well we may even be able to obtain the services of our previous master auctioneer Nic VK7WW to oversee the proceedings.
As always equipment pictures and certificates are available on the NTARC Web site under “Blogs” for this broadcast. Now back to the house keeping.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The TestNet and TechNet session - Wednesday the 27th of September. TestNet/CW course on 3.580MHz from 7pm till 7.30pm…. and a TechNet on 3.567MHz from 7.30pm till about 8.30pm. Your host for the evening will be Nic VK7WW.
Coffee Morning - held every Friday in the NTARC Club rooms. Time is from 10am to noon and we look forward to seeing you all there. Why not pop in and join us for a cuppa, there is endless tea and coffee along with biscuits available for a donation.
The Club Technical night - The next session will be on Wednesday the 4th of October and will commence at the winter time of 6.30 pm through to about 10.00 pm, at the Club room Archer Street, Rocherlea.
Club General Meeting – Wednesday 11th October. Held at the NTARC Club Room, Rocherlea Scout Hall, Archer Street, Rocherlea. Meeting commences at 7:30pm.
FINALLY - A reminder to all members that if you have any items of news you would like added to our weekly roundup, no matter how trivial, then please email them to the Secretary at the following address news@ntarc.net all items to be received no later than 5pm on the Friday prior to the Broadcast.
That’s all folks,
73 from Stefan, VK7ZSB, Secretary NTARC Inc.
