| PRESIDENTS
REPORTS FOR 2001 |
President’s Message
- August 2001
Welcome to the August edition of Gateway,
and it seems welcome to some cold weather. We really do need that
rain don’t we!
The club should be very proud
of their efforts with respect to the HAMFEST. Some $XXXX went into
club funds as a result of a lot of effort by members and behalf
of the club I would like to thank a few people.
Firstly to Russ VK3MWR who worked
tirelessly in the promotion of our event. This is the second year
that Russ has been involved and it was a fantastic effort, thanks
Russ for taking the time, I know you would like a rest next year.
Advertising brochures for the HAMFEST popped up in all sorts of
places and that is entirely down to Russ.
To those who helped set up and
dismantle, thank you. To those who produced the fantastic food on
the day (Jenny, Val, Naree, Ivan and Helmut in particular) I know
for a fact that nobody went hungry. To those who manned the door
and collected money (Bruno, Ian VIB, Jason etc.) the whole day went
very smoothly as a result of your control. To all those who had
a stall I hoped you cleared some space in the shack for some more
essential items! To Reg and his P.A. system, thanks for making that
available. To anybody else I have forgotten to mention, well done!!
As President of the club I was
very proud of the way the members of GGREC handled themselves and
you are all to be commended, it made my job very, very easy! The
committee, and myself, are looking to put together a package (a
group of standing orders, if you like) so that whoever decides to
run the show next year will have all the ground work already done.
So if you have any comments / criticisms etc please let us know
so that we can make sure next years event is an even better one.
In particular we would like somebody to be next year’s organizer
can you help?
There is a lot happening in and
around the club and its all in the excellent event queue that Bruno
produces so make sure you have a good look. You would not want to
miss anything!
In particular the Great Australian
Science Show is coming up and we are helping to man the WIA stalls
so give that some thought, many hands make light work!
Once again thanks to everybody
for their support, this club can only grow bigger and better with
you as a member!
Cheers, Andrew
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President’s
Message - July 2001
Ok so I missed making it into the last
issue. Sorry about that, it was my fault I lost a week somewhere.
I actually did type up a message but was a tad late. If you were
not at the last meeting you will find the message on our website
(or if you don’t have access to the web and want a copy give me
a call)
So to this months Gateway!
Annual Club Dinner
It was great to see so many members and their families at the Annual
Club Dinner. My personal opinion was that it went very well but
I will be asking for your feedback on meeting night to see if we
continue with that format next year.
Meeting nights
On the subject of feedback, I am not a person that gets offended
when people have opposite views to mine, in fact I think debate
is healthy, so don’t be frightened to have your say. I have heard
a whisper that some people think meetings have been a little short
of late, well if you want to take me to task about it please feel
free to do so. I will never stop any member from having their say,
but I don’t propose to re-hash everything that appears in this journal
on meeting nights, it sort of defeats the purpose of having a magazine
don’t you think?
HAMFEST
The committee is working hard, and being well supported by you the
members. A lot of new ideas are being put forward and the HAMFEST
is coming up next week. I am often amazed at how these things come
together with a minimum of fuss; it is only possible if we have
your support! So I know we can rely on you being there on the 21st
and please don’t forget to "mention" it on air.
Tullamarine
I have heard that the visit to Tullamarine went very well, and that
there may be opportunities for those that did not make it to go
at a later date so let Bruno know if you want to go (I know I do!)
2 Metre Repeaters via internet
links
I have followed with interest the debate on the linking of 2 Metre
Repeaters via internet links. It seems to me that, as Amateurs,
we cannot afford to dismiss any new means of communication; in fact
it is our role to research and develop them or our access to so
many bands may be restricted. Internet access is, in my opinion,
not the END of Amateur Radio it is more like the MEANS to and END.
As somebody said recently, communication starts with a "chat
over the back fence" just as well its progressed from there
don’t you think?
Well enough waffle from me, hope this
finds you all well and remember,
" Math and Alcohol don’t mix.
Don’t drink and derive……………"
73, Andrew VK3HFA
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President’s Message - June 2001
TIME
Would somebody care to explain
to me where TIME goes?? It seems like only yesterday I was typing
the last President’s message and here I am late with this issue!!!
It’s now 1245am on Monday and I have just got home from work (2.5
hours later than I should have) and I have realised that the meeting
week is this week not next as I was thinking!!!! Oh well better
late than never as they say!
Social occasion
First of all I would like to thank, on behalf of those that had
a great day at Drouin West, Ian VK3BUF and Di VK3HDI for their hospitality
at their new property. I will watch with interest as the project
takes shape! I am sure all that attended on the day had a great
time, with much discussion taking place about various aspects of
Amateur Radio. I saw different aerials being tried on different
rigs, computer software being used and abused, discussions taking
place on different mounts etc. To me that is what a social occasion
for the club should be, a chance to meet and exchange ideas in an
informal setting. The committee will certainly be encouraging this
in the future.
Fees
Please remember that the fees for the club have risen this year
by $5 for each category. If you have already paid your dues and
used last years rates we would appreciate the extra being sent on.
Apologies for the fact that we did not make the change in the last
newsletter! The fee rise simply helps us cover costs, nothing more
nothing less.
Annual Dinner
Our Annual Dinner is on Saturday (yep it is Saturday) the 30th
June. We hope to see as many members as possible there at the Guide
Hall. This year the club is providing a spit roast (and a vegetarian
dish) with members being asked to bring a long a salad and a sweet
for all to share buffet style. We will be running a raffle on the
night so please bring along a gold coin or two. It should be a great
night!
Emailing newsletter
At the last General Meeting we discussed the idea of saving some
money by emailing this newsletter to those that have email addresses,
rather than posting. This is purely a voluntary thing and the choice
is yours. If you would like to try this form of communication, and
save the club 90cents per month please cut out the section below
and hand it to a committee member! Thanks in anticipation!
Well the old brain cells aren’t coping
to well right now so I best close, hope to see you all at the general
meeting!
"The ‘telephone’ has too many
shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication.
The device is inherently of no value to us" Who said so???
"Western Union internal memo 1876. Funny about that!!!
73, Andrew
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I would like to receive my Gateway
by electronic means :
Name ______________________________________________
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I understand that I can revert back
to "paper" copy at any time.
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President’s
Message - April 2001
Welcome to the April edition of GATEWAY.
AGM
As you know, April is Annual General Meeting
Month.
This is the month where you decide the make up of
the committee to manage your club for the next 12 months.
You, the members of GGREC will chose the direction
that the club will take. Use your vote wisely and vote in the members
that will give you the Club that you want.
Thanks
This will be my last President’s Message and I thank all members
of GGREC for supporting me as President. My only regret is that
I was unable to go to the camping weekends and join in on all the
fun that was happening. My highlights were the JOTA and White Elephant
/ Hamfest / Amateur Radio Trash and Treasure days.
Radio
shack
The Club’s quest for an independent radio shack in now in the capable
hands of a Sub Committee and with persistence, I’m sure their work
will result in success.
Special
thanks
Special thanks must go to the Ladies of the Club that do so much
to make every event a success.
Displays
GGREC has been getting a lot of public exposure from our Amateur
radio displays at the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Narre Warren libraries.
Feedback from the librarians is al positive with a lot of interest
being shown by the public.
Finally
Finally, I must thank the committee members, all of whom have done
all that has been asked of them without fuss or bother.
73’s for the last time,
Bruno Tonizzo
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President's
Message - March 2001
Welcome to
the March edition of GATEWAY.
Club
room project
The Sub
committee formed to progress the GGREC Club room project has had its
inaugural meeting directly after the Committee meeting on the 5th
March. Ian Jackson, Andrew Clinkaberry, Keith Sadler and Phil Pavey
are the members to speak to if you have any ideas or information that
may assist them to complete their task.
Amateur
Radio Inc.
Also discussed at the Committee meeting was the formation of "Amateur
Radio Inc. by Martin Luther, a VK5 amateur. To find out more, have
a look at his Internet site, amateurradio.org.au,
at home or at the next Club meeting.
Display
The GGREC Amateur Radio display at the Cranbourne Library was mentioned
in an article in the Berwick News. Let’s hope both the display and
press coverage generates some community interest in our Club.
Openings
on 6m
Feedback from Mike Ide VK3KTO indicates that there have been many
good openings on 6m during the four weeks. Mike has had many contacts
into JA and other locations, a very rewarding experience!
Shack
visit
The
shack visit and antenna working bee at Bruce Roberts’s house has
been successfully completed. Mike Ide, Phil Pavey, Max Hill, Ken
Gill and myself removed the pole from the top of Bruce’s tower,
gave it a fresh coat of paint, and remounted it without any dramas.
I’m glad the
tower was firmly bolted to the ground as I certainly tested it’s
stability while dangling from the top.
DF
Hunt
Don’t forget the DF Hunt scheduled for Saturday March the 31st.
It is an easy event to participate in, and quite a challenge for
you and your amateur radio gear. A BBQ will be held at Andrew and
Angela Clinkaberry’s place after the event. Meet at the Gumbya Park
entrance, Princess Highway, Melway’s map ref, 512, S5 at 10:00am.
(Refer to the March / April 2000 edition of Gateway for more details)
AGM
The current Club year ends at the April AGM. Please give some serious
thought for nominating to the 2001 – 2002 committee. GGREC needs
your active support to keep being a great Amateur Radio and Electronics
Club.
73’s for now,
Bruno Tonizzo
VK3BFT
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President's
Message - February 2001
Welcome to the February edition of GATEWAY.
Club's Event Queue
The Club's Event Queue is now populated with a variety of activities
for you to participate in and enjoy. For those of you that missed
out on last years DF Hunt, we will be repeating this event on Saturday
March the 31st. A number of antennae kits are still available from
the Club and construction assistance will be available at the March
Practical Night.
Labour Day camping weekend
Helmut is organizing a Labour Day camping weekend (10,11,12 March)
at the Tara Valley National Park in Gippsland. This is a fantastic
location for bush walking and exploring the "prehistoric" Tara Valley.
I'm sure we can set up a portable station and get lots DX contacts
logged. Please confirm your participation with Helmet ASAP. A variety
of accommodation is available but be quick to avoid disappointment.
[Map]
Independent radio club
room
The Sub-committee assembled to progress our independent radio club
room is now taking shape. Keith Sadler VK8HKS, Phil Pavey VK3YB and
Andrew Clincaberry VK3HFA will be assisted by Ian Jackson VK3BUF to
start work on what will be a demanding and very rewarding task. A
terms of reference document is currently being drawn up to scope this
important project.
Guest
Speaker
This Month's Special Guest Speaker will be our very own Jason Jones,
VK3NQS - Second Operator. Jason will give us a talk and demonstration
of using the internet to access and speak through amateur radio repeaters.
This mode of operation can be used to access local, interstate and
international repeaters via the internet. It will be a valuable demonstration
as it shows how Amateur Radio and the internet can combine to produce
an alternative mode of operation to complement the many modes of communication
available to Radio Amateurs.
AGM
Don't forget that the current Club year ends at the April AGM. Please
give some serious thought for nominating to the 2001 - 2002 committee.
GGREC needs your active support to keep being a great Amateur Radio
and Electronics Club. A motion will be raised at this years AGM to
increase the fees by $5:00 across all membership categories. It has
been many years since an increase has been proposed, and at present,
we are not covering basic costs of hall hire, magazine and repeater
costs etc. Please approach any of the committee members if you require
further information about this proposal.
GGREC display at Cranbourne
Library
The Casey-Cardinia Library has invited us to present a static display
about GGREC and Amateur Radio. A lockable display case at the Cranbourne
Library will be made available to GGREC for our display. The display
will commence on Saturday the 17th Feb for a three week period. If
you have suitable photos, home brew gear or an item that oozes amateur
radio, please contact any of the committee members ASAP. Thanks again
to Russ White VK3MWR for his great work publicizing GGREC throughout
the community.
73's for now, Bruno Tonizzo VK3BFT
CLUB MEMBER
PROFILE
Full Members 30 $900 10 with family
Family Members 16 $160
Pensioner Members 14 $210 6 with family
This makes our total membership income $1270
ESTIMATE OF FIXED COSTS
Hall Rent $660
Licence Fees $100
WIA Membership $75
Magazine $400
Refreshments $100
Postage / Stationary $100
Bank / Govt Charges $20
Repeater Site Rent $100
Incorporation fee $33
Total $1588
As you can see if we are to cover our basic expenses without using
fundraising or reducing our reserves we will have to consider increasing
yearly fees. Fee's are set each year at the General Meeting that is
held immediately prior to the AGM. This year that is the 20th of April.
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President's
Message - January 2001
Welcome to the January edition of GATEWAY.
Location
of the January GM
The year 2001 has already presented the committee and members with
a challenge. The Cranbourne Guide Hall has had a new coat of varnish
on the floor boards and will not be available for use until the
27th of January. Please check the "Event
Queue" for the latest info for the location of the January GM
!!
Passing of VK3ADD
It is with sadness that I announce the passing of VK3ADD David Ryan.
David was an active member of GGREC in it's early years, and will
be greatly missed by his friends at the Club.
Committee
The Committee held it's first meeting for 2001 on a very hot Tuesday
night. Work has commenced on this years calendar and we hope to
provide you with exciting and comprehensive events throughout 2001.
Gateway
Club
editor
On behalf of GGREC, I would like to thank Di
Jackson for her hard work as Club editor. Di and Ian will continue
to assist with the production of Gateway, but the job of Editor
has been handed to Phil Pavey. Please assist Phil by submitting
interesting articles, technical discussion and letters to the editor
for inclusion in the magazine.
Club
elections
Yes, I know that May is a long way off yet,(Easter eggs are already
in the shops!!) but please give some thought to the 2001 Club elections.
This year I will not be nominating for President as I believe that
there are many eager members that can competently take on the challenge
of leading the Club.
Mike Ide will be ineligible to sit for Treasurer as he has held
the position for three years - well done Mike. Please speak to any
committee member if you are thinking of taking up a position and
want to know more. Those of you that have had a break from the committee
for a year or two, please consider another go at a very rewarding
position on the committee of GGREC.
EMR
Compliance
In closing, the committee will endeavor to keep you up to date with
the new "Self Assessment of Amateur Services for EMR Compliance"
requirements that is being formulated by the ACA. Information is
available via the WIA internet site for those of you with internet
access.
73's for now, Bruno Tonizzo VK3BFT
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G G R E C Christmas Party At Bruno's QTH December 1999
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