ALARA 50th celebration

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...
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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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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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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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