Today's talk was about portable operation including competitions with Summits On the Air (SOTA), Parks On The Air (POTA) and Worldwide Flora and Fauna (VKFF), from experienced operator (half goat!) David, VK3KR. David showed the web sites of each of the competition sites. He showed his portable gear including home brew rechargeable battery systems. David also regaled us with amazing stories of exciting trips to mountain tops around Victoria and Tasmania. Also at the meeting Graeme, VK3CDO...

Stephen, VK2BLQ, drew my attention to this excellent video of daily 10am net controller Ron, VK3AHR. I often have the net running in the background when I'm in the shack. I've called in a few times and he always replies even when I'm very much QRP. The video, by Brenton VK3CM was taken when Ron had to operate from another site due to his power being off. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_i9VxMGiew Ron is 87. He's always polite and good humoured. A lovely video Brenton.

A record number of Macedon club members travelled to the big smoke today for an informative and entertaining presentation by Nigel Holmes, VK3DZ about the role of the Shepparton International High Frequency Transmitting Station in researching the ionosphere and even reflecting HF signals from the Moon’s surface. The Shepparton site is best known as a primary transmission location for Radio Australia. In attendance from our club was Peter VK3RV, Jen VK3WQ, Brian VK3CCR, Ray VK3ACR,...

Inspired by Graeme, VK3CDO's inspiring talk about field operation equipment, Peter, VK3TPM joined him for an activity at Mount Macedon on Sunday. The weather was perfect for a day out. We both brought our folding chairs and tables. Peter brought a tent in case the weather turned. Graeme used a very nice MA-12 vertical antenna which was easy to set up and worked well. Peter strung up an end fed but had problems tuning it to either 40 or 20m. Graeme operated a low cost, uSDX QRP radio w...

Barrie, VK3AXK, is looking to downsize his shack and has beautifully built and lovingly restored equipment including a built Drew Diamond AM transmitter and a Drake 2-B receiver. The receiver is fully restored with crystals for the 30, 17m and two short wave bands. The 100Kc xtal calibrator is also fitted.He has full history including photo's, documents and original manual of the receiver. Also more than a hundred pictures of the radio restoration and the transmitter build. Barrie kindly...

At the March meeting of the club at Woodend we had an excellent presentation by Graeme, VK3CDO, who showed a substantial collection of tried and proven gear for field operations. From military grade hoochie, to chairs, tables, stoves, insulated water bottles, portable antennas (both vertical and wire dipoles). Graeme gave some excellent tips on economically re-filling gas bottles, handy containers including ammunition boxes and low cost waterproof cases, a recommended snake bit kit and h...

The Yarra Valley Hamfest was well attended and had plenty of good gear available for purchase (and some for free). As well as looking at all the radios, components and books it was great to catch up old friends from around the hobby.

This week a home made double sideband transmitter by VK3TPM, joined the weekly net. Reports were that the station was strong, very clear but also very wide. The audio bandwidth extends up to about 10KHz (an audio low pass filter is under consideration). The simple transmitter is based on circuits published by VK3YE and VK3XU. The mic amp and mixer was from VK3YE. The three stage power chain is based on one described in Drew Diamond's first book. Other components include a terminat...

Today's meeting at Woodend was an auction of equipment donated from a deceased estate. Now that Joe, VK3MAB, has cast of the shackles of employment he has clearly started a new career as a professional auctioneer. The auction was well attended and fair prices were paid for some very nice gear. There were also some bargains to be had. Treasurer Barry said he missed Lindsay, VK3GX, who was a feature of our last auction.

The Ballarat Hamfest attracted a small but dedicated set of members of the Macedon club. The car park was full and it wasn't hard to spot the ham radio enthusiasts. The day was very warm and quite windy. I picked up a book and some useful components but equipment prices were a little high for me. All up it was an entertaining day and wonderful to catch up with friends for a chat and a sausage on bread. Congratulations to the organisers for a very smooth event.