WIA update from Peter Clee VK8ZZ

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...
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Off-grid solar challenge to amateur radio

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...
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Members attend Old Timers Lunch

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.
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Meeting Saturday 20 September 2025

Good morning Everyone, This Saturday is the next club meeting. This is going to be an interesting morning.  Club member Richard, VK3LRJ, is going to talk about his off-grid electrical system and in particular the challenges of overcoming the noise from high capacity battery chargers and inverters.Peter Clee, VK8ZZ, WIA Director and Secretary will be joining us and he will say a few words about what’s news at the WIA. Peter has visited the club previously and is a mine of informati...
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Coffee Morning Wednesday 3rd September 2025

Hi Everybody, This Wednesday is the MRARC coffee morning at the Gisborne CFA meeting room. Time:  10am,Venue: Gisborne CFA meeting room cnr of Goode and Robertson Street, Gisborne..Enter via front door in Robertson Street. All welcome to meeting and lunch afterward at one of the local cafes. Regards,Graeme VK3NE,Secretary, MRARC.
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Annual General Meeting report

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...
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Coffee Morning Wednesday 6 August 2025.

Hi Everybody, This Wednesday is the MRARC coffee morning at the Gisborne CFA meeting room. Time:  10am,Venue: Gisborne CFA meeting room cnr of Goode and Robertson Street, Gisborne..Enter via front door in Robertson Street. All welcome to meeting and lunch afterward at one of the local cafes. Regards,Graeme VK3NE,Secretary, MRARC.
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AGM, Saturday 16 August 2025

Hi Everyone, The next meeting will be our AGM. The AGM is an important event for the club. Each year all positions on the committee must be filled to ensure the smooth running of the club. The ordinary business of the annual general meeting is as follows -  (a)  confirm the minutes of the previous AGM (b)  to receive and consider -      (i)   the annual report of the committee     (ii)  the financial state...
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Emergency communications, Meshtastic, & FreeDV update

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...
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Meeting, Saturday 19 July 2025.

Hi Everyone, This Saturday is the next gathering of the club will be at the Woodend RSL from 10am. Last month Peter VK3TPM described how AI was contributing to software development and the progress being made with narrow band digital voice mode, FreeDV. This month Peter will give a follow up talk with news about the FreeDV project and the Australian Sunday net. MRARC offers it sincere condolences to club member John Bell VK3JCB on the passing of his wife recently. After the ...
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