Broadcast - 5 September 2021
We are now into Spring but so far the weather is not what I was hoping for. Rain, rain and lots of it. In turn that means that if we get warm days soon, we will see lots of growth and much mowing. I’m not looking forward to that but such is rural living.
As mentioned last week a number of members attended Scottsdale to provide safety comms for the North East Equine Endurance Club, Jolly Lette Memorial ride, held at Santarena Park.
“NTARC provided safety communications and electronic rider tracking for the Jolly Lette Memorial Ride on 28th August, again on familiar territory at Santarena Park, Scottsdale. Idris VK7ZIR, André VK7ZAB and Stefan VK7ZSB formed the advance party, delivering and setting up the communications trailer on Thursday. They also set up the portable repeaters at a nearby farm and left them running for the event.
On Friday, Peter VK7KPC and Roger VK7ARN arrived at midday to help set up base and collect their checkpoint equipment. Roger decided that instead of leaving base early Saturday morning to go to his checkpoint, he headed out Friday afternoon to set up camp in daylight. He must have a good tent to forgo sleeping in a diesel heated trailer!
Ian VK7IG and wife Shirley brought their motor home and stayed the night. Ian became the holder of the key for the communications trailer overnight. At 6 am on the Saturday he was just unlocking and turning on the lights as Idris, André and Stefan arrived from Launceston.
The day consisted of an 80km event with 30 riders starting at 07:00 hours, 40km with 23 riders at 07:30 hours and 20km with 21 riders at 09:00 hours.
Ian provided a welcome extra hand at base as Norm VK7KTN was away on sick leave. Ian had a gentle introduction to the radio communications task as there was very little voice traffic. All the times of the riders passing through the checkpoints were carried by the RFID readers and packet RF link system, which worked flawlessly.
We had a few visitors during Saturday. Bernie VK7BR came along to give us a hand at base. Also Tony VK7ZTT came along, and after checking out base operations he decided to visit the Rodeo Road checkpoint. As he needed some exercise he walked the 5 km to the checkpoint, then the same back to base.
After the last rider went through Rex’s Race checkpoint at 13:20 hours, Peter and Roger packed up and headed for home. Both had family commitments that evening.
The last rider came into base at 15:40 hours. With the assistance of Bernie and Ian, it was a quick pack up of the base, and the trailer with crew arrived back in Launceston just on dusk.
It was a successful ride with only one horse float required.
Thanks to all the NTARC Safety Communication crew from André VK7ZAB on behalf of Norm, the NTARC Safety Comms Coordinator.”
Just a reminder to all attending the club rooms that we have the Check in TAS app at our club rooms. By registering and using the Check in TAS app we are complying with the Public Health Directions by enabling our members to self – check in at the club room.
This information is stored with the Tasmanian Government for contract tracing if required. The QR code is up and running for members to utilize, with the QR code poster at the sign in table. Members are still able to register their attendance at the club by signing in manually in the attendance book if you are unable or you choose not to register using the Check in TAS app. Please note though that you must use one of those two methods. You do not have an option of not registering. That is a matter of law.
On another matter it has been some time since the club hosted a social event. There are reasons for that but we have decided an outing would now be good. A dinner is planned for Wednesday 29th September at the Commercial Hotel, corner of George and Cimitiere Streets Launceston. I realise for some this may be fairly short notice, but here’s hoping many will join us on the night. Menu is a-la-carte, and in past years we have found it to be quite an extensive choice and reasonably priced. Meet time will be 6.00 pm and the table will be booked under the name of NTARC. Please RSVP the secretary at either of these email addresses news@ntarc.net or ypmaxwell@bigpond.com or jot your name down in the book on a Wednesday night session or coffee morning as numbers will need to be confirmed on Tuesday 28th.
UPCOMING EVENTS
TECH NIGHT – Wednesday 8th September at the NTARC Club rooms, 19:30 hours until whenever.
SLOW MORSE COURSE – Wednesday 8th September. Your host and teacher is Nic VK7WW. Frequencies and times are the same as were used by Nic for the previous TestNet and TechNet. And if you have forgotten what they were, here they are, 1900 hrs to 1930 hrs on 3.580 MHz and then at 1930hours through to about 2030 on 3.567MHz.
So why not tune in and give it a try. For those who may want some extra help, this website is reported as being very good. www.morsecodeclassnet.com/
SOCIAL OUTING – Wednesday 29th September Commercial Hotel, cnr George and Cimitiere Streets. Meet time 6.00 pm.
EVENTS FURTHER AFIELD –
October General meeting - Saturday 9th October. Meeting to commence at 14:00 hours (2.00pm).
JOTA/JOTI 2021 – takes place from 15th to 17th October. More information will be provided in upcoming weekly news.
COFFEE MORNINGS – currently held every Friday in the NTARC Club rooms. Catch up time is from 10.00 am to noon and we look forward to seeing you all.
These coffee events represent a good opportunity to collect your QSL cards. We currently have cards awaiting collection, so why not pop in and check the QSL box and join us for a cuppa and chat.
Just a friendly reminder, please demonstrate your appreciation of all the effort that goes into operating the club, its facilities and the other services we provide, especially in these abnormal and very trying times, enjoying the company, coffee, biscuits and cake, by leaving a gold coin or two, or even a small bank note, in the jar to assist in our on-going operations.
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 me at the following address news@ntarc.net all items to be received no later than 17:00 on the Friday prior to the Broadcast.
Your continued cooperation in this regard will be greatly appreciated.
We will bring you all such contributions next Sunday morning.
73, Yvonne VK7FYMX, Secretary NTARC Inc
