At this month's meeting we had a special guest presentation from Ross, VK1UN/VK8UN/EX0AA/G6BTE/6O0O, on the techniques he uses to operate amateur radio from unlikely locations. The aim of this talk was to present a means of optimising station performance from hotel rooms and other difficult location on 160m, 630m and 2200m WSPR bands. Very good results can be achieved if one systematically optimises transceivers, tuners and antennas used out of a hotel room or equally applicable, to S...

Here we are at Erics VK3 ED’s QTH.  Crew arrived to make sure Eric’s multi band inverted V was erected safely as possible. Safety officer (Joe VK3MAB) checked the crew first to make sure all had the correct PPE. Caution tape was used to indicate go and no-go zones, pity it was upside down. The installation went with no injuries to the crew. Tea, coffee, and food was supplied by all, followed by the usual chat. Just a note to members if you need a hand there are plenty of members that will ...

Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association (ALARA) was formed in 1975 and is celebrating it's 50th year. Jenny Wardrop, VK3WQ, came along to tell us about the celebration and brought a display of certificates and awards from their historical collection. Austine Henry, VK3YL, wasn't the first VK3 YL but was probably the best known VK3 in the early days because she worked so many contests in many countries. She was literally known worldwide. The extensive display was fascinating...

Secretary of the Wireless Institute of Australia, Peter Clee, VK8ZZ attended today's club meeting at Woodend and gave an update of recent WIA activities. Peter was in the area for the AGM of the Radio Old Timers Club AGM and luncheon in Melbourne. Last Sunday was a meeting of affiliated clubs. There were 51 registrations - limited to one per club because with 150 clubs it can get a bit busy. 51 is a good number as everyone gets a chance to say something and be heard. The WIA is...

The main presentation at the September meeting at Woodend was a fascinating talk on setting up power for an off-grid home and reducing the interference toHF ham radio operation by Richard, VK3LRJ. Richard and his partner purchased a small house on a five acre block at Drummond. There is no mains power (or water, or gas, and not much internet).The previous owner had worked for Telstra and had built a small but ingenious solar system using lead-acid batteries. There were panels that mov...

As usual, a big turnout of Macedon Ranges Amateur Radio Club members at the RAOTC lunch in Melbourne. Guest speaker, Peter Wolfenden VK3RV, gave a fascinating presentation about aviation and amateur radio from the 1920s, “Wireless in the sky”. 
The presentation included photographs of wireless technology of the 1920s, and some of the people involved at that time, together with their place in our history.

A lively and sumptuous Annual General Meeting capped off a great year for the club. President Joe gave a report outlining the activities over the past year. The treasurer reports that the club's finances are healthy. 2024-2025 Committee VK3PRC, VK3BRT, VK3JCB, VK3TPM, VK3MAB, VK3CDO, VK3NE The existing committee was re-elected with Peter, VK3TPM elected to the role of Vice President. Richard, VK3LRJ was elected as a new member of the team. Chef Joe, once again worked his ma...

Today's meeting at Woodend was well attended and began with president Joe warming up the crowd and reminding us that next month is the annual general meeting. Jim then spoke about a recent emergency exercise in Woodend that simulated extreme storm weather which had taken out power and phones. People were injured and, apart from finding things in the dark, the other challenge was communication. Jim was able to show his 2m hand held and explained to the crew that he could communicate wi...

Today for the first time, club member Peter VK3TPM, ran a FreeDV RADEV1 net. Participating stations were: VK5KVA Jack, VK3PCC Peter, VK5MA Ian, VK5LN Michael, VK2BLQ Stephen, VK2GTS Gary. We could see VK2ABO was hearing us and we had reports from VK3RV. A recent video on the Tech Minds YouTube channel was the trigger for at least one of the participants who ran FreeDV for the first time. I note that in the digitalvoice google group Mooneer K6AQ posted "I think it would be a good idea ...

Graeme, VK3CDO and Peter, VK3TPM set up camp this weekend at the Leanganook Campground in the Mount Alexander Regional Park. The radio setup was a KX3 into a home brew Unun feeding an end fed wire with a counterpoise. There were several contacts including VK7 and the antenna tuned up well. Although there has been rain recently, and the ground and wood was damp, there was no rain over-night. Graeme is very well equipped with good quality camping gear and he cooked a scrumptious lunch a...