| PRESIDENTS
REPORTS FOR 1999 |
Presidents
Message - October 1999
Welcome to the October edition of GATEWAY.
JOTA
This month the members of the Gippsland Gate
radio and Electronics Club have an opportunity to ignite a flame in the
young minds of approximately 100 Guides and their guests.
Some of the flames will go out within an hour;
others may burn for a short time before being extinguished by new experiences.
But, just like you and I once experienced, the flame will glow brightly
in their minds and they will be hooked on the hobby of amateur radio.
Club members will be needed throughout the day
during JOTA ’99 to share their love of amateur radio with the Guides.
The Working Bee that was held on the 2nd of October,
was very successful thanks to the support of club members. Thanks
must go to Mike Ide, VK3KTO for taking over the responsibility for the
day in my absence.
Roger Sayer
Our guest speaker for October will be Roger Sayer.
Those of you that participated in Roger’s last presentation will know that
this will be another night not to miss.
Jackson family
Club members have been in contact with the Jackson
family during their holiday to the “Wild West” of Australia.
Reports indicate that all is going well and I’m sure that Ian will publish
his experiences in GATEWAY.
GATEWAY
Thanks go to Dave and Albert for combining their
skills to bring you this month’s edition of GATEWAY in Dianne’s absence.
See you at the October General meeting,
73’s from Bruno, VK3BFT
Presidents
Message - September 1999
Welcome to the September edition of GATEWAY.
Hospital
On behalf of all club members, I would like to
wish Dianne Jackson, a speedy recovery from her recent stay in hospital.
Calendar
The Committee has had a very busy time lately
developing a calendar to see us through to Christmas to the year 2000.
One of the highlights of the year 2000 will be the GGREC Millenium party.
A theme for the night is open to suggestion with a space theme being one
of the many options.
New call signs
I’ve been told that we have three new call signs
in the club as a result of Ian Jackson’s amateur radio classes.
Congratulations must go to:
-
Brett Neve VK3ZBN
-
Daryl Cheshire VK3 HEM
-
Ian Benson VK3 VIB
I hope this marks the beginning of a long and fruitful
association with amateur radio and GGREC.
General committee
position.
I wish to thank Graeme Wheatley for his assistance
to the committee since being elected to a general committee position.
Graeme has left the committee due to changing personal circumstances.
If you would like to take this opportunity to
assist in setting the direction of GGREC, please see me or any of the committee
to nominate yourself !
Special night
out
The committee has selected Shanika’s restaurant
in Berwick for a special night out on October the 23rd. This
night out is to celebrate and thank the efforts of all club members for
their contribution to the success of GGREC.
Please bring a $10.00 per head deposit to the
September General Meeting or October Practical night. All deposits
must be in by 11th of October.
All financial club members will be subsidised
$15.00 towards the cost of their bill. More details at the
GM.
September meeting
Entertainment for the September meeting will
consist of a film from the Mike Ide collection. I have left
the choice of the film to Mike, so it will be a surprise for all of us.
I will be showing two 15-minute videos that will
provide a sneak preview into the future of telecommunications.
See you at the September General meeting,
73’s from Bruno,
VK3BFT
Presidents
Message - August 1999
JOTA
The next big activity for the club is JOTA.
This year will be quite a challenge as we have been asked to incorporate
some computer based communications systems like the Internet and packet
radio with our traditional HF and VHF radio communications.
Ian Jackson, VK3BUF has been speaking with the
Moorabbin & District radio Club who are contemplating the setup of
some ATV gear. If things progress as we hope then we may attempt
some live video hookups with the Moorabbin club on some meeting nights.
If they are involved with JOTA this year, perhaps it could be used there
as well.
Speaking of Jota, a mini working bee has been
planned for Saturday the 2nd of October to mount some antenna poles to
the Guide hall roof, and to find the earthing cables for the radio transceivers.
All who attend will be treated to a FREE lunch time BBQ.
Studio City
The trip to Studio City rekindled fond memories
of Graham Kennedy and his antics on the channel nine show In Melbourne
Tonight. Club members were splitting their sides laughing at
the clever dialog that only Graham can deliver.
Next years
Winter Dinner
Next years Winter Dinner will celebrate the new
Millennium. Jason Jones and myself will be coordinating the
event, so if you have any ideas for the night, please let us know.
Prac Night
For those of you that were unable to attend this
months prac night, you missed Ian Jacksons “Live to Air” ATV broadcasts
from the streets of Cranbourne. Members were treated to live
pictures and sound from chemist shops, butcher shops and a panoramic view
from the top of the Cranbourne Park Shopping centre !
See you at the GM,
Bruno Tonizzo VK3BFT
Presidents
Message - July 1999
Welcome to the July edition of GATEWAY.
Winter
Dinner
The annual Winter Dinner proved to be quite a
night! Reg’s talents as a Disc Jockey shone through, only to
be rivalled by Helmut and Dorothy’s skills on the dance floor.
The variety, quality and quantity of food available saw many partygoers
lining up for seconds and sometimes thirds! Well done everyone.
White
Elephant Sale
The White Elephant Sale on Saturday the 17th
July is shaping up to be bigger and better than last year, thanks largely
to the organizational talents of Reg and Albert. Helpers on
the day will be rewarded with free tea or coffee and some food from the
BBQ. Please register yourself on the day as a helper, with
Albert or Reg.
This month there will be not be a guest speaker
as we will be setting up the Guide Hall for the White Elephant sale.
I'm sure the club radio station will be getting a lot of use on this night,
as the AOCP / NAOCP examinations have just been held. I wonder
how many new call signs will be announced at the next meeting ??
Amateur
licenses
Thanks must go to Ian Jackson, Peter and Pat
Pavey for their effort in helping others achieve their goals of attaining
amateur licenses.
July’s
meeting
Promotion of the Gippsland Gate Radio and Electronics
Club is high on the priority list for the committee and I will be inviting
comments from members at July’s meeting. We will also hope to finalize
the discussion about the clubs computer requirements.
Studio
City Museum
Don’t forget the visit to Studio City Museum
on August 1, it will be a great day out.
See you at the July meeting,
73’s from Bruno VK3BFT
Presidents
Message - June 1999
Welcome to the June edition of GATEWAY and the
start of a busy time ahead for all of us !! The variety of
events that are scheduled for club members means that there is something
for everyone to come along and enjoy.
Winter
Dinner
The annual Winter Dinner is an excellent opportunity
to relax with good friends in front of an open fire after enjoying a hearty
meal. I’m sure that many a tall tale will be told as the evening
turns into morning !
White
Elephant
The momentum behind the White Elephant day is
growing daily. The sub-committee lead by Albert and Reg is on track
for a very successful event.
All members are invited to help out, so come
along and be part of the team that will make the 1999 White Elephant day
a day that you, and the club, can be proud of.
Guest
speaker
This months guest speaker will be Robin Cole
from the Christian Radio Missionary Fellowship (CRMF). The CRMF has
been supplying and maintaining radio communication services, similar to
our flying doctor radio facilities, in Papua New Guinea for the past
45 years. Robin will present a short video to complement his
presentation.
High
expenditure on voice repeaters
Browsing through the WIA Victoria site for the
latest news, the following item was raised at the WIA Victoria Annual General
Meeting of 26/5/99.
“A member raised the question of the seemingly
high expenditure on voice
repeaters by WIA Victoria. It was explained that
this membership is seen
as essential by some members, although use of
repeaters has definitely
declined in the past decade. Consideration
of changes to some country repeater facilities to achieve cost savings
in their licence, and site fees, and power bills, have not been supported
by local WIA Victoria members.”
Amateur
radio licence fees
The good news - Amateur radio licence fees are
to remain at $50.00 following a review by the Australian Communications
Authority. Although the ACA has made changes to the Spectrum Access Tax,
Spectrum Management Charge, and Licence Issue or Renewal Charge - the total
sum still adds up to equal the fees set last year.
Low
Interference Potential Devices
The protests over the introduction of Low Interference
Potential Devices (LIPDs) have not ceased. The WIA is
continuing to raise the concerns of amateurs with the ACA to achieve an
acceptable outcome.
See you at the June meeting,
73’s from Bruno VK3BFT
Presidents
Message - May 1999
Hello, and welcome to the MAY edition of GATEWAY,
and my maiden Presidents Report.
I thought writing this report was going to be
the most difficult part about being President but after getting involved
in the wide range of activities offered by the club I may have to cut it
short before I go on for too many pages.
Morse
and Theory classes
On Wednesday I visited the Morse and Theory classes
held at the Cranbourne swimming centre. There, in deep concentration
were two groups of students focused on interpreting the dots and dashes
being tapped out by Peter and Pat Pavey. After half an hour
of practice, the seats are re-arranged and Ian Jackson lead the class through
an hour and a half of Theory. What I observed was the essence
of what being an amateur is all about. Being an asset to the
community, helping others achieve their goal of becoming an amateur.
Prac
Night
The Prac Night revealed the hidden interest that
some club members have in old video equipment and cameras.
There was a variety of video equipment being demonstrated that could
be used to set up production house !
Guest
Speaker
Guest Speaker for May’s general meeting will
be Bruce Kidgell, VK3BMK. Bruce will talk to us about his “Suitcase
Radio” that was used during the second world war to communicate vital intelligence
back to Britain.
JOTA
and the White Elephant sale
With 1999 zooming along at a great rate of knots,
JOTA and the White Elephant sale will soon be upon us. Graeme
Wheatley and I will be co-ordinating the club effort this year to provide
an excellent JOTA for the Girl Guides. The White Elephant day
is scheduled for the 17th of July, so start polishing your disposal items
, ready for sale !
Secretaries
position
Dave Campbell has nominated for the Secretaries
position, which will be put to the vote at the General Meeting.
Thanks Dave.
Inwards
QSL Bureau
Don’t forget to fill in your application forms
for the Inwards QSL Bureau, I will have a quantity of forms at the GM.
Thanks
Lastly, I wish to thank the outgoing committee
members, Peter & Pat Pavey, Ivan Blezzard, Mike Ide, and Reg Goddard
for providing an exciting year of activities for the club over the last
12 months. Mike Ide will be continuing as Treasurer and will
be joined by new committee members, Albert Hubbard, Graeme Wheatley
and myself to provide a variety of events for all club members to enjoy.
Special thanks must go to Dianne Jackson, magazine
editor, printer and dispatcher, for producing an excellent publication
throughout the last 12 months and for accepting the challenge for another
term.
Better end it here for this month,
73’s from Bruno VK3BFT
The
Presidents Report February 1999
Dizzy
January is usually a quiet month or so some would
have you believe. Not in this household though, we seem to have gone through
January so fast its left me almost dizzy. Never the less I hope you have
all managed some sanity time during the holiday period.
Radio
classes
February. The big event so far being the start
of the radio classes on Wed 3rd Feb. I met some of the students on the
night and I believe there are a few late starters still to come. I extend
a warm welcome to you from all at GGREC and hope you will join in some
of the Clubs meetings and other events as they occur throughout the year.
Phil
VK5VB and Kathy
As some of you will know Phil VK5VB, Kathy, and
four of their children have moved into the area from Adelaide. A month
living in a motel has not been all you might imagine, put it down to experience
Phil. As from Monday the 15th the family will be living in Berwick. Once
the dust has settled and the antennas are up, listen out for Phil with
his Vic call VK3YB. Welcome home.
Event
queue
The event queue is filling up, so if you don't
want to miss out on Club happenings, keep your diary up to date. Extra
events coming up, the Bowling afternoon on the 20th Feb, is always a bit
of fun, C U there ??
Labour
Day Weekend
The Labour Day Weekend on Phillip Island March
5th - 8th has been structured in such a way that those not camping with
us will easily be able to join in the fun on day trips. See the itinerary
elsewhere in the mag. If you are definitely intending to come to the hotel
meal, please let lan VK3BUF know so he can book a table for you. If you
want to camp and have not yet booked a site, ring the park office soon.
Cowes Caravan Park, Phone 03 5952 2211. Inform them you are in the GGREC
group.
Six
metre repeater
Some of you may have noticed that our six metre
repeater is off air. It has been intermittent in its output for some time.
lan VK3BUF is intending to remove it soon to his workshop for necessary
repairs, it will be off the air for about a month.
Enough
That I think is enough from me for this edition.
Please support Dianne our editor by sending any thoughts or articles for
print.
73 PETER VK3VB
A map of Phillip Island,
showing Cowes Caravan Park, Is printed on the centre pages of this Issue
of Gateway Ed.
THE
PRESIDENTS REPORT JAN 1999
Input
1999 has dawned and we are about to launch into
numerous activities as a Club. But the committee can only arrange a limited
number of things on their own, we are 5 members of a membership in the
order of 50 or so plus XYLs YLs and other family members, this should give
access to a wide range of activities and lecture topics. So how about it,
put on those new year thinking caps and give some input to the committee
for the coming years activities.
AGM
While on future thinking it is not to early to
start lobbying for volunteers to take up positions on the committee at
the Cubs AGM in April. Pat and 1 expect other responsibilities to increase
during the next year and will not therefore be standing again. We will
still be continuing with the exam service and other Club activities. So
how about some new faces on next years committee, or maybe an old one that
has had adequate rest.
Magazine
This month sees Dianne VK3HDI take on editorship
of the magazine once again, thanks Dianne, and please help her in this
job by supplying articles and anecdotes to print. Our thanks too to Robin
VK3TFA our retiring editor for his input over the last year or so. Every
success Robin in the new job.
Thanks
Thanks are due to Mike VK3KTO and Naree for their
warm hospitality as the venue for the Club Christmas break up. Those of
you who missed it missed a great night, good food and fellowship was enjoyed
a few lucky ones even ventured out with Mike in his motor launch for a
cruise up the creek. I understand that the launch has since been repaired,
the motor running as good as new.
Thanks also to Helmut and Dorothy who opened their
home for new years eve celebrations to Club members. It was a great night
with plenty of laughter and good food.
Millennium
bug
Well it only remains for me to remind you all
that you have just over 11 months to dig out all those old radios, TV,
typewriters, pre-1990's cars, valve transceivers, slide rules, abacus etc.
For as the scout and guide motto says; 'BE PREPARED', for the millennium
bug is lurking and will strike all your lovely shinny solid state whiz
bang consumer bits and pieces stone dead at 000 1 Hrs on 1st of the 1st
2000.
Or will it ??
73 Peter VK3VB
PS. The happy winner of tile Clubs Christmas
Hamper was: lvan VK3ARV
NEXT
MONTH
An updated membership list will be included as
a lift out. If you have
any adjustments to be made to address details,
Phone number or
E-mail since the last release of August 98, please
pass them on to
Mike, VK3KTO the Club Treasurer so the list will
contain the
latest information. Mike may be contacted on
59 98 7590
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