Coffee Morning 7th May 2025

Posted on May 4, 2025May 4, 2025 by Editor

Hi Everybody, This Wednesday is our monthly coffee morning. Venue: Gisborne CFA Meeting Room.Time: 10am. Afterwards some members have lunch at one of the local cafes. All are welcome to join in. Joe VK3MAB and I attended the the BAREC Techfest at Bendigo today. Several other club members were there, I think MRARC was well represented. We sold some donated bits and pieces which covered the cost of the table and made a small profit. Regards,Graeme ...

MRARC dominates the Bendigo Technology Festival

Posted on May 4, 2025May 7, 2025 by Editor

Sunday's technology festival held by the Bendigo club was an ambitious affair. Our club had a table with members in attendance to handle the inrush of membership applications. There was a mix of information tables and equipment sales (at some very good prices). The WIA was there of course. VK3BRT, Barry and Ron had a table of goods for sale. VK3RV and VK3PRC were seen. Peter VK3TPM gave a presentation about AI coming to FreeDV. The venue was very spacious and ...

Portable operation contests with VK3KR

Posted on April 26, 2025April 26, 2025 by Editor

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...

Meeting, Saturday 26th April 2025

Posted on April 23, 2025April 23, 2025 by Editor

Hi Everyone, This Saturday is the April club meeting. Our guest speakers are David VK3KR and Graeme VK3CDO. They will be explaining the type of equipment used when operating portable from Parks or Summits. Time: 10am.Venue: Woodend RSL Hall. After the meeting some members stay in Woodend for lunch. All are invited to come along. Regards,Graeme VK3NE,Secretary, MRARC.

Coffee Morning, Wednesday 2 April 2025.

Posted on March 30, 2025March 30, 2025 by Editor

Hi Everybody, This Wednesday is the April coffee morning at the Gisborne CFA meeting room. Time: 10am. Lunch afterwards at one of the local cafes. All invited. Regards,Graeme VK3NE,Secretary, MRARC.

Behind the scenes of Ron, VK3AHR’s daily net on 7100KHz

Posted on March 28, 2025March 28, 2025 by Editor

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.

Massive club attendance at the Radio Amateurs Old Timers club lunch in Caulfield

Posted on March 27, 2025March 27, 2025 by Editor

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,...

Note: Next meeting 26th April 2025

Posted on March 24, 2025March 24, 2025 by Editor

Hi Everyone, Please note that the April meeting will be on the 4th Saturday, 26 April 2025, due to Easter Saturday falling on the third Saturday. I will send out another reminder prior to the meeting date. Regards,Graeme VK3NE,Secretary, MRARC.

Field operations at Mount Macedon

Posted on March 23, 2025March 23, 2025 by Editor

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...

AM valve radio station looking for a new home

Posted on March 15, 2025March 15, 2025 by Editor

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...