Author: Editor

Raising amateur radio antennas without injury

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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 ...
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Meeting Saturday 18th October

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Hello Everyone, This Saturday is the next club meeting from 10am at the Woodend RSL. Our speaker this month is Ross Ballantyne, VK1UN. Ross will talk about his FDIM 2024 presentation “Stealth operations from hotel rooms and other unlikely QTHes”. He will also be embellishing on some recent innovations he has done on tuners. In particular, examples of operations and results, equipment and gear needed, and a systematised approach to optimisation of QRP very portable operations. Ro...
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ALARA 50th celebration

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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