Broadcast - 26 November 2023
First up this week I will hand it over to Roger VK7ARN for a report on last weekend’s Safety Communications Crews “Horsing about”, so over to Roger for some words of wisdom.
“NTARC and others provided safety communications and rider tracking for the 2023 Tasmanian Equine Endurance Riders State Championships, held mostly in the forests around Sassafras in North West Tasmania. There were three rides - 160km, 95km and 55 km. The 160km ride, in five stages, started at midnight and the first across the line was home in just under eleven hours; the tailenders in just over eighteen.
We provided three checkpoints with card readers, each with data comms on UHF and voice on VHF, both via repeater. One checkpoint was relocated to a fourth position for later in the ride. Being shorthanded, an additional overnight checkpoint was supplied with a radio and staffed by a supervised volunteer.
All checkpoints had at least two rides passing through them, each on multiple occasions, totalling 20 separate checkpoints over the five locations.
Our crew was made up of VK7s Andre’ ZAB and Tony ZTT at Base, Roger ARN with family member Richard at CP1, Justin TW and Rick RI at CP3 and Stefan ZSB at CP4. Stefan later relocated to CP5. Idris ZIR made pre and post event trips to Sassafras but was needed on clubroom management duties back in Rocherlea on the day.
Weather conditions were reasonably friendly - with nil rainfall, but lots of dust, thankfully with minimal wind. Temperatures were at times bordering on uncomfortable - on the high side during the day, and low in the early hours.
Sadly, this was the lowest level of Amateur operator availability in 14 years for this annual championship event, requiring long hours for the few who made it. A conflict with the Scout Clark Trophy at Oatlands worsened the situation. Our attendance at community service events has sadly diminished over the years. This is not good for Amateur Radio’s social standing, nor for the clubs being the beneficiaries of the donations made by event organisers.”
Thank you Roger for the update on the weekend’s happenings.
One very poignant part in Rogers’s report also pertains to most aspects of the club’s ability to assist with community service events in general. Roger said: “Sadly, this was the lowest level of Amateur operator availability in 14 years for this annual championship event, requiring long hours for the few who made it.”
Unfortunately we seem to be accumulating birthdays at an alarming rate and the demographic trend is towards an older club membership. This is not isolated to us but is afflicting many service clubs and voluntary organisations in Australia. We are ageing and volunteers are dwindling! A serious topic that will have to be considered when the committee and club members are planning next year’s participation in events.
As a result I can only reiterate NTARCs thanks to Justin and Richard from the South and Rick from the North West for the much needed assistance they provided. Have a think about the considerable time involved in travelling from Hobart and beyond, especially at the moment while the Midlands Highway is still undergoing an upgrade and also from the far reaches of the North West. Plus I am sure the return journey always seems longer.
As this is the last Equine event for the year it seems a logical time to thank Roger for his continued contribution in his role as Safety Communications Coordinator. He takes event preparations very seriously, not just the safety we are providing for the competitors’, but also the safety of our volunteers providing the assistance. It all came together on the weekend and made another enjoyable equine event with the added bonus of the social side get together. Plus the knowledge you are also helping towards a safer community service event.
NTARC Auction Hosting – Well the “Shack Clear-out Auction” is all over bar the shouting, as they say. As it is Friday when I pen this we still have our fingers crossed that everything goes off without a hitch and all the “Lots” do indeed go off out the door. No doubt there will be an update in next week’s broadcast regarding all the gavel banging.
End of Year Club Celebration – is locked in, it will be on Wednesday the 6th of December. To be held at the Iron Horse Bar and Grill located at 468 Westbury Rd, Prospect Vale, Launceston. We will be in a quiet function room at the rear of the dining area. Tables have been booked under the name of NTARC and the Menu is a-la-carte. We will be arriving at 6pm for a 6:30 meal.
Please RSVP to the secretary at secretary@ntarc.net or jot your name and number of places required on the registration sheet next to the sign in register on a Wednesday night session or Friday coffee morning. We will need to confirm final numbers with the Iron Horse by December,
A link to the Iron Horse location and menu information is available in the text version of this broadcast.
Just for information, the main access to the restaurant is via a wheel chair and walking friendly gentle ramp.
Now back to the house keeping.
COMING EVENTS
The Club Technical night - The next session will be on Wednesday the 29th of November and will commence at 6.30 pm through to about 10.00 pm, at the Club room Archer Street, Rocherlea.
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. So why not pop in and join us for a cuppa, there is endless tea and coffee along with biscuits available for a donation.
The TestNet and TechNet session – Every Wednesday, 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.
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.
