The Pres Says…..
A few of us have just returned from the Maryborough trip. In fact 23 attended the Pub on Saturday night. These included Kerry and Lynne Clayton who we all thanked for having things ready for us when we arrived. The weekend was a great success due to their organising but we also thanked Ian and Dianne Jackson for their adventures earlier in the year to reconnoitre the area. There was plenty to see and do all weekend and I think Paul Stubbs may have shot a few Gigabytes of photos for posterity. So there’s our Cup Weekend trip gone for another year. I don’t suppose it is too early to start wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. As this edition is being sent to you during November and there is no December edition (maybe), this will be my last chance to put these words to paper in 2006. Once again it has been a very busy year for radio, work and home. I am happy with my own progress in all three activities but I have a list of things to do that will never be finished. I keep saying I love having things to do but sometimes it is nice to take a break from it all. I hope everyone else is going to have a restful holiday period – One that is safe and fun.

Thanks to those guys who took the time to help at JOTA this year. The guides were most appreciative and I must admit the meals we received were extremely tasty. Few contacts were made as conditions were not all that great. However we burned a few of the cobwebs from the Club rigs.

Also a very special thanks to the people who gave up their weekend to perform the training and consequent examination of five candidates for the Foundation Certificate. The weekend was very tiring for all but I am sure we all walked away feeling satisfied that we had done our best to pass on as much useful information as we could in the time allotted to us. The information must have been ok as 4 out of 5 passed the written exam and all 5 passed the practical exam. Congratulations to all the participants and we hope to hear them on the air as soon as they are able to get a callsign. In particular we must thank Pater VK3TQ from FAMPARC who gave up his Sunday to help us with our first session. Also Bill VK3DOU who has been tireless in his efforts to become an assessor and become experienced. Of course for those who didn’t know, Graeme VK3BXG is an invigilator and worked with the assessors on the day. He also requires thanking for his efforts.

The Christmas Hamper is looking pretty sad this year. Please make a concerted effort to fill the basket at this meeting as the tickets will be sold at the meeting and during the break up, and the winner will be drawn at the break up.

Well that’s it for ’06. See you at the Meeting and the Break-up Party at Cardinia on the 9th December (see map in mag.)

73s Albert Vk3BQO

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Biggles Hubbard - see story page 9 (Who’s flying that thing then?)
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Christmas Hamper

Each year we put stuff in the basket and then raffle it off. The club makes a bit of money and somebody scores a good hit for Christmas.

HOWEVER WE NEED MORE STUFF TO MAKE IT UP TO STANDARD!

Bring something along to the next meeting and help to make this years Hamper the best yet!
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Christmas Breakup
Our GGREC Christmas break up will take place at the Cardinia Reservoir on the 9th December 2006. Some committee members will be there at around 10.30 AM to reserve a space in the BBQ area.
How to get there:
The entrance is from Wellington Road in to Cardinia Creek Road. (Melway 126B11) Also, please refer to the two maps in the magazine.
Drive through the gate and follow the road down to the carpark near BBQ area. A short walk takes you to the spacious BBQ area. Bring your chairs and camping tables along. Open fire places and fire wood is provided by the park.
Communication is via 146.225 Mhz.
73 de Helmut, VK3DHI
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See maps on the following pages - follow the big black arrows!!!! (To Duffys Picnic Area)
     

CTCSS FOR IRLP IS NOW 123Hz
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Happy Birthday to you……..
The only birthday on the club database this month is:

Albert Hubbard (December)

Not listed? We don’t know then, please tell us!!! Let the Treasurer know…...
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GGREC Event Queue

Nov 25 Moorabbin Airport
Dec 9 Christmas Breakup at Cardinia Dam
Jan 26, 27, 28 Australia Day weekend
Feb 3 / 07 Working Bee
Feb 17 / 07 Pub Night - where to be decided
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Why not listen to the WIA news each week on the VK3RML repeater. It is on Sunday nights at 8pm and Wednesday 11am
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Biggles Hubbard…...
Flying High
On Saturday 14th October, I was lucky enough to be asked to go along for a ride in a light aircraft owned by one of our members, Geoff VK3ZGW.

For those who haven’t spoken to Geoff about his career, you would find he has enjoyed flying helicopters for many years with lots of exciting vocations in his resume. Although he doesn’t own a helicopter, he does own a Piper 4 seater which is a high wing aircraft that Geoff has rebuilt from the frame up and has done a fantastic job; one because it looks great and two because it stays in the air – Ha! He has spent many hours setting up the communications within the craft to allow pilot and passenger to switch between air traffic control channels to Amateur Radio communications. The setup includes having internal intercom between pilot and passenger at all times even if the pilot is on a separate comms channel. This makes it very convenient. In saying the above, you have to remember that in a light aircraft, you all need headphones to communicate due to the high internal noise.

Not having flown in a small aircraft for nearly 15 years. I had forgotten that I had to keep my elbows to myself but I did remember to use the deodorant before jumping aboard. Geoff says it is cosy which says it all. He took off from Tyabb airport where the Piper is hangered and picked me up from Tooradin airport (yes he did land to do that). A continuous contact was held with some Club members. These included Ivan VK3ARV, Helmut VK3DHI, Pat VK3OZ, Noel VK3CJJ, Reg VK3UK and Bruno VK3BFT at the .

We flew over the BQO house in Nyora first and took several photos. Unfortunately I could not make myself heard on the mobile phone when I called home to get the insiders to come out and wave at us. I must admit it was surprising to see the back yards of our neighbours that had eluded us since we moved in to our 5 acre property about 18 months ago. There is more to our neighbours than we thought.

With a short time of indecision, we then flew over to Drouin where the Jackson’s Octagonal house was very easy to locate. Once again we could not muster up any activity so several more photos and a wave goodbye saw us heading to Pakenham where we circled Helmut’s house. The DHI abode is nestled amongst many houses in downtown Pakenham so it was hard to get a bearing even though the man himself was out in the back yard guiding us in. I managed to snap a shot or two of Helmut’s tower and I must admit, I took a couple of shots of I don’t know what when I thought I was looking straight at the house. However the mission was accomplished.

So on to Cranbourne where Bruno (Sadie) was busily cleaning the Club Rooms. Bruno could be seen waving his mop at us but he could not hear us on his hand held although we could hear him. The floors looked pretty clean from up there Bruno. Good job.

Our journey took us back to Tooradin where we circled Pat Pavey’s House before returning to the airport. A slight bumpy touch down prompted a “ it was the wind which caused that” comment from the pilot who did not have to justify any of his flying to me as the whole flight was excellent. .

If I am lucky enough to be asked again to go along for the ride, I would not spend time taking so many photos; more time spent enjoying the ride. Thank you Geoff for a great time.
Albert VK3BQO.
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Ponderosa BQO from the air, see page 9 for story
Chief Pilot Geoff ZGW
So it’s not really a doughnut after all…. It’s a mushroom!
Wishing everybody a very merry, and safe, Christmas—there will be no gateway next month-be good or the fat man won’t come!

GGREC MARYBOROUGH WEEKEND 2006
By Dianne Jackson
Friday: Ian VK3BUF and I, VK3JDI, arrived at the caravan park at about 7pm . We grabbed a quick bite to eat and then joined Kerry Clayton VK3KFC at the meeting of the local amateur radio club, where we were warmly welcomed. Kerry and his wife Lynne are both GGREC Life Members and have both been associated with the Club since the late 70’s

Saturday: We opened up the recreation hall and staged a barbecue lunch. Those present were: ourselves Ian and Dianne, Kerry and Lyn, Albert VK3BQO, Trish and Anita, Dave VK3XMF, Cathie, Kate and William, Bruno VK3BFT, Paul VK3TGX and Marianna, Pat VK3OZ, Phil VK3YB, Cathy, Kerry May and Bradley, Grahame VK3YCG, and Susan, Barrie VK3NJB, Rita and their cute little puppy Gilly, as well as a half a dozen of the local amateurs that we had met the night before.

After lunch we all went off to have a look at the Maryborough railway station, which now houses an antique shop and a café, were we had coffee and a very yummy cake.

Dinner at the pub was delicious but I think I would have exploded had I eaten anything more on this weekend.

Sunday: We all went off to the Sunday Market in the morning. We met Kerry and Lyn at their stall. Kerry was selling antennas and scanners and Lyn was selling her lovely ceramics. Our arms were getting tired from carrying all the goodies we bought, including some cheap books and a 1 kilo bag of delicious, locally grown apples.

After the market we went to Maldon. We grabbed some pies at the bakery and walked up and down the road listening to all sorts of musicians as we went. We waved to the Campbell family as they rode through the streets of Maldon in a horse drawn carriage, and we marvelled and giggled at the brightly coloured Morris Dancers, prancing around with sticks, hoops and bells. Due to the music festival in town unfortunately the road to the lookout tower was closed. We will have to go back there next time because it afforded brilliant views.

Dave VK3FW and his wife Roz arrived at the caravan park just in time to join us for a take away meal in the recreation hall.
After dinner we went to Talbot. We had a quick drink at the pub, then across the road to the observatory. Who would have thought that there was that much math’s involved in looking through a telescope? Or that the sun was really an exercise ball.

Monday: Ian and I were chauffeur driven to some wineries in Avoca by Bruno, in his Citroen, very comfortable. Next on the itinerary was Moliagul, where the welcome stranger gold nugget was found. We walked through the bush for a while and then we were off to the Dunolly bakery, where we picked up a coffee scroll that was the size of a dinner plate, yum.

Tuesday: Said goodbye to Kerry and Lyn at the caravan park in the morning, then drove home in light traffic. We had a fantastic time and I thank Kerry and Lyn for all their help with planning and organizing this great weekend.
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VHF data weak signal segments
Over the past few years, tremendous advances have been made in weak signal communications on the VHF and UHF bands using computer generated data modes.

"These modes enable communications at or below the noise floor. Amateurs with modest stations are now making contacts over thousands of kilometers via EME and Meteor Scatter using these new modes"., WIA Director, Glenn Dunstan VK4DU said.

"However, often these very weak data signals can not be detected by ear, which makes them incompatible with normal analogue SSB or CW signals. There have been instances of interference caused by SSB operators who obviously can't hear the data signals". 

Should there be specific data sub bands, and, if so, where should they be?

"The WIA seeks your comments on the suitability of VHF and UHF weak signal data sub bands. If there is sufficient support, we will modify the respective band plans to accommodate these new segments." Glenn said.

Please send your comments by email to Glenn at vk4du@wia.org.au
  (From the WIA Website)
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Adults are always asking little kids what they want to be when they grow up because they're looking for ideas. Paula Poundstone
There's nothing that can help you understand your beliefs more than trying to explain them to an inquisitive child. Frank A. Clark
The easiest way to teach children the value of money is to borrow some from them. Anonymous
He who teaches children learns more than they do. German Proverb
Children are the anchors that hold a mother to life.
Sophocles
Humour helps us to think out of the box. The average child laughs about 400 times per day, the average adult laughs only 15 times per day. What happened to the other 385 laughs? Anonymous
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ACMA to investigate BPL interference
The extremely high level of interference experienced by radio amateur Ian Paul VK3FIOP at Mt Beauty in north-east Victoria is now the subject of a written complaint to the Australian Communications and Media Authority. He has exercised his right as the holder of an apparatus licence to lodge a formal written complaint to ACMA about the interference.

Ian has a firm ground for doing so. The interference was confirmed as BPL, its source known and substantial and harmful impact to this licensed amateur service communications well documented.

The latest is that the BPL system operated by SP AusNet radiates 60dB over S9 signal emissions over the entire 3.5 MHz to 30 MHz spectrum. 

Ian VK3FIOP appears to be the first VK radio amateur to actually lodge a formal complaint of interference to ACMA. 

The amateur service, being a licensed radiocommunications service, is protected from substantial interference under sections of the Radiocommunications Act.

ACMA is the Authority responsible for administrating the provisions of the Act and is required to investigate cases of interference when they are reported.

Without complaints, BPL operators may be able to claim that the technology is not cited in any formal way to have caused interference to radiocommunications.

It is vitally important that any radio amateur affected by BPL interference first verify that the interference is in fact caused by a BPL system, and secondly lodge an effective interference complaint with ACMA.

Without a valid and effective interference complaint lodged with ACMA little can be done. 

The WIA provides a BPL interference advisory service to all radio amateurs - whether they are WIA members and non-members.

Check out http://www.wia.org.au/BPL/


Also available is an MP3 audio file of the BPL interference recorded by Ian VK3FIOP. 

Check it out http://www.wia.org.au/BPL/bplaudio_operat.mp3
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Meeting Minutes
Date: 20th October 2006
Start time: 08:15 PM.
Location: Guide Hall Cranbourne.
Chairperson: Albert Hubbard VK3BQO
Minute Taker: Bruno Tonizzo VK3BFT

Present: As per attendance sheet.
Visitors and Guests: Nil
Apologies: Phil Pavey VK3YB, Ian Jackson, VK3BUF, Dianne Jackson VK3HDI, Ross Jackson VK3ZAP, Hal Jackson, Ron Robertson, VK3EXJ, Naree Ide.
Correspondence Received: EMDRC Monthly Magazine. Letter for Public Liability Insurance renewal. AR Magazine.
Correspondence Sent: Nil
Treasurer’s Report:
Income : $ Expenditure : $ Balance : $ (See tabled financial report).
Read by: Mike Ide, VK3KTO Moved by: Helmut Inhoven, VK3DHI Seconded by: Russ White VK3MWR Carried: Yes
New Call signs - Nil
Previous Minutes: As printed in the March 2006 GATEWAY magazine.
Read by: Albert Hubbard Moved by: Mike Ide, VK3KTO Seconded by: Graeme Brown VK3BXG Carried: Yes

Business Arising from Previous Minutes:
Foundation Licence training & assessment will be on the weekend of 28/29 October at the Peter Pavey GGREC Clubroom. The assessment will be conducted by Peter VK3TQ & Bill VK3DOU.
The new GGREC Membership list has been sent out. Please let the committee know if errors are still present.
Maryborough weekend trip looks like being a great success. A Saturday Pub night has been booked, the first 20 people will get in. (The others will need to keep drinking in the bar !!-VK3BFT)
JOTA will start tomorrow at 1:00 PM Helpers can arrive at approx 11:00 AM to set up and prepare the Hall / radio room etc. Please come along and be part of a great day, demonstrating what amateur radio can do for the community.
The new GGREC radio room has been officially named the Peter Pavey GGREC Clubroom. The Committee will now prepare a sign / plaque to be placed on the building.
IRLP repeater is working OK with new repeater identification recordings stating the location and access frequency of the repeater.
It has been noted that there appears to be interference getting into the input from a cable TV source somewhere in Cranbourne. Investigations are continuing.
Russ White VK3MWR mentioned that June Fox had passed away. June was a valued member of the WIA, having worked in the Caulfield office for many years. Anyone who had been in contact with the WIA office would have been helped by June. She will be sadly missed.

New Business:
Andrew Clinkaberry has fulfilled one of his ambitions - to be a radio disc jockey !! Andrew is presenting a program on 103.1 FM on Wednesday nights at 8:00 PM. Tune in and listen as Andrew is giving the Club some good exposure.
Albert Hubbard was “ONAIR” as he was flown around the South Eastern towns of Melbourne by Geoff Williams – VK3ZGW. Albert flew over Pakenham, Drouin, Cranbourne, and Nyora landing safely at Tooradin. GGREC Club members were in constant communications with Albert during the flight on 146.225 MHz. To say that Albert was excited would be an understatement!! Photos will be on display at the next Prac / GM night. Thanks must go to Geoff for providing this great opportunity.
2007 Call book orders are now being taken by the WIA. Copies will be available from G&C Communications in Cranbourne. Call in and say hello one of our valued sponsors.
The Christmas Hamper is now available for members to fill up. The Club will be providing a HAM for the hamper. Please bring your donations to the next Prac or GM meetings. Raffle tickets are $1 each or 3 for $2.
The GGREC Christmas break-up party will be at the Cardinia Dam Reservoir. Enter via Cardinia Creek rd (Melway map 126 B-11). Contact us on 146.225 MHz on arrival to find out where we have set up camp.
There has been a suggestion that we get Tony Langdon - VK3JED to come along and give us a talk on the latest development with IRLP. The only blocker is that Tony lives in Laverton and may not agree to make the long trip to Cranbourne. Albert will contact Tony so stay tuned, there is more info to come. If Tony agrees to come, we will organise a special meeting at the Club rooms for this event. It will not be a Prac or GM night.
******** IMPORTANT NOTICE ********

NO PRAC NIGHT IN JANUARY 2007

November Prac night is on the night before the Maryborough trip so there may not be many regulars turning up on that night. Don’t let that stop you from going just make sure you have a key to get in.

Meeting Closed at around 9:03.753 PM.