President’s
Ramblings
Hi and welcome to our new format
Hello everybody,
I guess you all being quick off the mark would have noted our
new format this month pretty much straight away!
Using
Publisher instead of Word has made it a little easier (ok
a lot easier)
for me to visualise the finished product
and, hopefully by the time I finish, made it quicker to produce.
In the words of somebody famous “if you don’t
like it, tough!!!” Producing this magazine each month
takes a fair bit of my time (and Albert’s too when
it is his turn) so I will do it my way, if you want it the
old way then you will have to take over the job! I am, however,
open to suggestions as to how to improve the layout so let
me know what you think.
Ok enough
of that, I would like to say welcome to our new members
(Malcolm
and Brian) and say thanks to Graham VK3KCS
for pointing them to us. We hope you have a great time with
a fantastic bunch of people. Like any other club you only
get out of it what you put into it, so don’t be shy
in coming forward with ideas and/or suggestions.
Next I would like to thank everybody involved in the recent
HAMFEST. Particularly Bruno who did a fantastic job organising
as usual, but also to all those that came and helped on the
day and in the preparation. Your participation in this very
important fundraising activity is greatly appreciated. A
large sum of money has been contributed to club finances
as a result of all your efforts. Unfortunately other commitments
kept me away but the feedback has been very positive. Something
like 300 people visited us on the day which makes all the
hard work worthwhile.
OK well I have nothing else to say at the moment, unusual
I know, so see you at the general meeting.
Cheers, Andrew VK3HF
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Hamfest
2005
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
What more can I say. This was my first Hamfest to organise
and I must say that it went like clockwork.
Not because of anything that I did, but because of you,
the Club members.
My job was made easy because Club members turned up in great
numbers to make the day a success.
Club members that turned up at 7:00am in the morning to
help set up the tables.
New members that came for the first time to see what it
was all about and pitched I to help in many ways.
Helmut and Dorothy, Jenny, Ian & Val, Ivan, Bobbie all
helped to keep the crowd fed and topped up with food & drink.
Dianne,
Hal & Ross
Jackson, who sat in the booth collecting money and handing
out door prize tickets. All this, after
Dianne had worked for weeks handling the table bookings and
organising the table layout.
Albert made sure that I didn't make too many mistakes, and
lots of members were there to help clean up after the event.
To everyone that helped make the day a success, I again say
thank you.
Bruno Tonizzo
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Upcoming Events |
| Friday
19th August |
General Meeting |
Reg
presents a film |
| Monday Aug 29th |
Committee Meeting |
Club HQ |
| Friday Sept 2nd |
Prac Night |
Club HQ |
| Friday Sept 16th |
General Meeting |
How to use Club HF radios |
| Monday Sept 26th |
Committee Meeting |
Club HQ |
| Friday Oct 7th |
Prac Night |
Club HQ |
| Friday Oct 14th |
General Meeting |
Ron Fisher |
| Saturday
15th Oct |
JOTA/JOTI |
Volunteers
needed |
| Monday Oct 24th |
Committee Meeting |
Club HQ |
| Saturday
10th Dec |
Christmas Party |
El
presidentos residence |
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Sci Fi Quote of the Month
'You can have Peace and you can have Freedom. Just don't count on having
both at once.'
Robert Heinlein, 'Stranger in a Strange Land'
--------------------------------------------------
There are no prizes for guessing who supplied this!!!!! Ed.
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Limerick
Competition
I thought it might be a bit of fun to run a little competition
to generate a bit of debate. What better way than a LIMERICK
competition!!!
So send in your original limerick this month on any subject
you like. The winner will get a prize of some description!
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The Outer-limits and into the Twilight zone (by
Graeme “Gremlin” Brown
VK3BXG)
My father was one of the lucky ones that during the depression of the
1930’s
and at aged 17 he was able to get a job with the Victorian Railways and
very quickly trained to be a fireman on the steam locomotives, mostly
doing the
country runs. Now the fireman’s prime job (for those readers under
50) was to shovel the coal into the boiler and to keep an eye on the
boilers temperature and pressure whilst the driver worked the controls
for power
and speed.
He told
us of his many experiences during those years. One in particular
comes to mind of a still winter’s night,
when overloaded and underpowered in what he called a coffee-pot
engine, they pulled out of the Jolimont railyard at about
three o’clock in the morning on the South Gippsland
goods run. Now it was imperative to be clear of suburbia
before 5am so as not to disrupt suburban passenger trains.
All
went well and at about 5am they were out beyond Hallam,
somewhere
near Lysterfield when dad said he noticed sparks
coming off the track ahead of them in the dark just out beyond
the range of the kerosene headlamp. After a bit he ventured
to say to his driver, “I don’t know about you,
but every now and then I can see sparks in front of us!” His
driver replied “yeh, I’ve been watching it for
a while”.
Quite
bewildered they settled back in an apprehensive silence
and prepared
for the unexpected. It was not long in coming.
As they passed through Cranbourne there under the only street
light that lit the narrow South Gippsland Highway rail crossing
in those days was some farmer’s draught horse doing
a quick right turn and continuing galloping down the main
street towards the town sparks flying from its horseshoes
as they hit the stones.
In Memory
of Keith Sidney Brown. 19/05/1917 – 03/07/2005.
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Reviving
Sealed Gel Batteries (Peter Woodland VK3KCG)
The
Gel battery is well suited for use by amateurs to supply
backup power in the event of a mains power failure. There
seems to be a lot of these batteries around at the moment
and the second hand price is very cheap. Most of these
batteries are removed from service when they start showing
a fall off in capacity and thus turn up on the surplus
market. The best thing about these batteries is that they
do not emit much gas if any when being recharged correctly.
Recharging voltage should be 14.05 volts with an absolute
upper maximum of 14.40 volts. Charging at a higher voltage
causes the silica based electrolyte to swell and cause
plate distortion. This renders the battery useless in a
very short period of time.
The gel batteries are sealed and can be placed in any operating
position as the gelled electrolyte stays locked between the
battery plates and does not move. To revive a battery that
shows loss in capacity due to the terminal voltage falling
rapidly on current draw you must first get into the battery.
The vent caps on most batteries can be popped off with the
help of a screwdriver and the actual vents can be unscrewed
using a correct size spanner. Once the vents are taken out
have a look at the top of the plates to see if they look
dry or moist. In most cases they will look dry.
The revival of the battery is pretty easy, just add distilled
or de-ionised water so that it covers the plates by 10mm.
The trick is to now load the battery so that after an hour
or two the voltage discharges to 12 volts. Let the battery
rest at this level for a couple of hours and then recharge
to 14.4 volts. Check the water to see if it has been drawn
into the electrolyte. If you have a millimetre or two on
top of the plates then you have revived the battery. If the
battery has taken all the water then add more water and repeat
the process. Put the vents back into the battery and glue
the vent cover back on with a few dabs of hot melt or epoxy.
The battery capacity will improve over the next few charge
discharge cycles
A picture showing the open cells, the question is can you
see the picture???
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Our
intrepid travellers…..
Dorothe and myself are away on holiday from the 20.08.2005
- 19.09.2005.
Our trip is to Alice Springs, Kings Canyon, Chambers Pillar
and Rainbow Valley.
We will be on the radio ant the following times each day:
17.00 on 7,100 MHz +/- QRM
Around 20.30 on 3,640 MHz on 80 Meters.
We also will monitor the travelers net on 14,116 MHz every
day between 12.00 and 13.00 Melbourne time and will call
in if possible.
Best 73 from Dorothe and Helmut VK3DHI.
See you again on the October prac night.
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WHY MEN ARE HAPPIER PEOPLE...
Your last name stays put.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
You can never get pregnant.
Car mechanics tell you the truth.
People never stare at your chest when they talk to you.
The same hairstyle can last for many years.
You only have to shave your face and neck.
Your belly usually hides your big hips.
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Two blondes walk into a building.... You'd think at least
one of them would have seen it.
I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but
I couldn't find any.
What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.
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The Lighter Side of Life
Ramp it up guys/gals…...
ICE …. No not in the whiskey!!!
Dedicated to the lighter side of life. Enjoy.…
THOUGHTS
TO MAKE YOU SMILE.…
I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.
I work hard because thousands on welfare depend on me.
Some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill
them.
I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.
Don't take life too seriously; No one gets out alive.
You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me.
Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
I'm not a complete idiot; Some parts are missing.
Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.
God loves stupid people. He must 'coz he made so many.
The gene pool could use a little chlorine
Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.
Ever stopped to think, and forgot to start again?
Being over the hill is much better than being under it.
Wrinkled was not what I wanted to be when I grew up.
Procrastinate now!
I have a degree in Arts; Do you want fries with that?
A hangover is the wrath of the grapes.
Stupidity is not a handicap. Park elsewhere.
They call it PMS because Mad Cow Disease was taken.
He who dies with the most toys is nonetheless dead.
The trouble with life is that there's no background music.
The
original point & click interface was a Smith & Wesson.
I smile because I don't know what the heck is going on.
Ham and eggs. A day's work for a chicken and a lifetime
commitment for a pig.
A picture is worth a thousand words, but it uses up three
thousand times the memory
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ICE ….
No not in the whiskey!!!
A campaign
encouraging people to enter an emergency contact number
in their mobile phone's memory under the heading ICE (In
Case of Emergency), has rapidly spread throughout the world
as a particular consequence of last week's terrorist attacks
in London.
Originally
established as a nation-wide campaign in the UK, ICE allows
paramedics
or police to be able to contact
a designated relative / next-of-kin in an emergency situation.
The idea is the brainchild of East Anglian Ambulance Service
paramedic Bob Brotchie and was launched in May this year.
Bob, 41, who has been a paramedic for 13 years, said: "I
was reflecting on some of the calls I've attended at the
roadside where I had to look through the mobile phone contacts
struggling for information on a shocked or injured person.
Almost everyone carries a mobile phone now, and with ICE
we'd know immediately who to contact and what number to ring.
The person may even know of their medical history."
By adopting the ICE advice, your mobile will help the rescue
services quickly contact a friend or relative - which could
be vital in a life or death situation. It only takes a
few seconds to do, and it could easily help save your life.
Why not put ICE in your phone now? Simply select a new
contact in your phone book, enter the word 'ICE' and the
number of the person you wish to be contacted.
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Ramp
it up guys/gals…...
Recently
we were lucky enough to obtain a council grant to build
the access ramps to the Club HQ.
Once
again our intrepid foreman, Ian “Mr Jennings” Jackson
(VK3BUF) has agreed to take on the overseeing role for this
project.
What we will need is 4 or 5 volunteers to help him accomplish
the task. Can you be one of them?
More info at the next meeting
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With lawyers like this who needs any help?????
The following comments and questions from lawyers were
taken from official court records nationwide…
Q: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in
his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?
Q: How far apart were the vehicles at the time of the collision?
Q: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?
A: Yes.
Q: And what were you doing at that time?
Q: Did he kill you?
Q: Were you present when your picture was taken?
Q: Can you describe the individual?
A: He was about medium height and had a beard.
Q: Was this a male or female?
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NEXT EXAM DATE
The next exam will be held on the 15th October 2005 at the
Pavey residence in Tooradin.
The closing date for applying is the 30th September 2005.
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And the Winners were..
The Door prize winners from the 2005 GGREC Hamfest are:
First Prize: Garmin GPS unit
Winner - Jeff Silvester
Second Prize: Amateur Mobile antenna
Winner - Bruce Cutler VK3YYD
Third Prize: Ten-Tec Utility amplifier Kit
Winner - Scott Smith
Thanks must go to Graham Brennan at G&C Communications
Cranbourne, for providing the first & second prizes
at a favourable cost & to Ten-Tec for donating
third prize on the day.
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Fancy a bit of a paddle up a large creek??
Hi all,
Yep, it's me again .. Your WICEN problem child.
The purpose of this email is to remind and inform all WICEN
operators of the annual Red Cross Murray River Canoe Marathon,
being held as usual from 27th December 2005 through to New
Year's eve 2005, and to solicit your ready assistance.
Although this is only July, the Red Cross Marathon committee
has been very active since February.
I am a member of that committee being the official WICEN
Victoria representative.
I have been specifically asked to give the organisers the
numbers of operators we will have available, and although
that is really still a crystal ball job at this stage, never-the-less
we have been formally asked to provide as much detail as
possible.
This year's event will be conducted along the similar lines
as last year.
Please ask for a report of our requirements if you are unsure.
I will be sending around the normal sheets in a couple of
months which will inform you all of the overall requirements,
and expected conditions.
However, in light of the above, I now request your initial
response along the following lines.
1. Yes, I am available, count me in, thank you. . please specify the days available
.... full period, or part only.
2. I am unsure at this stage, I may be able to help, please contact me later
in the year.
3. NO, I am not available this year, but keep me on the list.
4. NO, I am not available, ever, don't even think of asking me again, take
me off your list.
WE require a minimum of 28 operators to ensure all points
are covered, last year we were light on, some confusion was
evident, but I trust we will be on
top of any perceived problem well before this year's event.
Thanks everyone.
Bruce Bathols VK3UV
2005 Murray River OIC on behalf of WICEN Victoria
We received this via email, if anybody is interested I have
all the contact details. The request was actually by the
22nd July but I guess the more they have interested the better!
Andrew
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G & C
COMMUNICATIONS
SPECIALIZING IN
TWO-WAY RADIO, CAR AUDIO & ALARM SYSTEMS
AUTHORISED
DEALER FOR: Barrett R.F.D.S – Kenwood – Icom
- Gme Electrophone – Uniden -Yaesu
HF & UHF Amateur, CB & Marine
Radios
Receivers, Scanners, GPS & Accessories
Sales – Installation – Repairs
Commercial Two-Way
Radio Systems
Visa, Bankcard and Mastercard
Shop 2 207 High St Cranbourne
Shop: 5996-3298 or Mobile: 0417 387 515
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All Band Dipole Antenna
An all band dipole that has low SWR on 80,40,30,20,15,12
and 10 Metres. Does not need an antenna tuner and is fed
by coaxial cable.
Length is 41 Metres and fed 8 Metres from one end. Uses
a 2 stage super low loss balun 98.9% efficiency
For more info contact Peter VK3KCG 9770 5321 or go to http://dxantennas.com
for more information.
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SHACK FUND RAISING
AT THE NEXT GENERAL MEETING YOU COULD
FOR ONE DOLLAR
BE THE WINNER OF A
D.V.D. PLAYER
WITH 5.1 CHANNEL DVD, VCD, MP3, CD,
KARAOKE & 2 MICROPHONE INPUTS
2ND PRIZE - FM WALKMAN RADIO
BE THERE EARLY
ON FRIDAY 19TH AUGUST
TO WIN THESE GREAT PRIZES
AS TICKETS WILL BE LIMITED
FOR TICKETS, SEE REG “UK” OR JENNY “XYL”
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FOR SALE
70CM 11ELEMENT YAGI
WITH A 11.5dB GAIN OVER A DIPOLE
THSE ANTENNA’S ARE IDEAL FOR MOBILE USE AS THEY COME
IN TWO PIECES AND CAN BE USED AS A 6 OR 11 ELEMENT ANTENNA
SPECIAL PRICE FOR CLUB MEMBERS:
$80 EACH ($30 Goes to the shack building fund)
CONTACT REG VK3UK
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Minutes of the July General Meeting
General Meeting Minutes
Date: 15 July 2005
Start time: 08:00 PM.
Location: Guide Hall Cranbourne.
Chairperson: Andrew Clinkaberry VK3HFA
Minute Taker: Bruno Tonizzo VK3BFT
Present: As per attendance sheet.
Visitors and Guests: Apologies:
Ron & Judy Robertson,
Val & Ian Benson, Steve & Maria Harding, Max Hill.
Correspondence Received: AR Magazine for
July 2005. Newsletters from M&DRC & EMDRC.
Correspondence Sent: Application for a "Temporary Food
Sellers Permit" was sent to the City of Casey.
Treasurer’s Report: As tabled. Read
by: Mike Ide VK3KTO
Moved by: Mike Ide VK3KTO Seconded
by: Bobbie Bishop Carried
New Callsigns - Nil Previous Minutes: As printed in July
GATEWAY magazine.
Correction to Previous Minutes: "Albert U Andrew" should
have read "Albert & Andrew"
Business Arising from Previous Minutes:
Hamfest – Everything is on track. Helmut reports that
the Kitchen is organised and ready to go. Dianne said that
table sales have sold out but we have had one cancellation.
Bruno said that the fee has been paid for the "Temporary
Food Sellers Permit"
Andrew spoke about the draft "Policy for the use of
the Club Shack" document.
New Business:
Russ White mentioned that he is using a low cost ISP for
Seniors. See Russ for details.
The committee was asked to approach the Guides for more chairs
in the hall as there were not enough for members attending
General Meetings.
RD Contest – Mike Ide called for members willing to
participate in this years contest.
There will be a raffle at each GM. See Reg & Jenny for
tickets. Please bring some spare change for tickets and help
boost the club finances.
Guest Speaker: This month Guest speaker is Bill VK3DOU and
the topic is Digital TV installations.
Meeting Closed at around 08:47 PM.
Next Committee Meeting: Monday 25th July 2005 at 8:00 pm
at GGREC Headquarters Cranbourne.
Next Prac Night : 5th August 2005 Next General Meeting :
19th August 2005 at the Guide Hall Cranbourne.
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Expressions
of Interest Sort…..
An expression of interest is being sought from interested
people who are nominated by a WIA Affiliated Club and who
wish to qualify so that they may become a WIA Assessor. Under
the new licensing structure to be introduced very soon, an
Assessor will be able to assess candidates for amateur licenses.
Full
details of the qualification and role of assessors may
be found in
the document “Assessment of Competency
in Amateur Radio”, March 2005, which may be found on
the WIA website www.wia.org.au go to “Education”,
then “Foundation Licence”, then “Assessment
Criteria”.
Mr Fred Swainston on behalf of a Registered Training Organisation
(RTO) will conduct Amateur Radio Competency Assessment training
on behalf of the WIA on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September
2005, from 8.30 am to 4 pm both days, in east suburban Melbourne.
Unfortunately only 16 candidates can be accommodated, so
only one candidate will be able to be accepted from each
club for this initial training. It is desired to achieve
as wide a geographical spread of Assessors as possible, and
if the number of potential candidates exceed the number of
places, this will be the criteria used to select candidates.
To become an Assessor you must hold either a Unrestricted,
Intermediate or Limited amateur licence, and be a member
of the WIA, and an Application Form must be submitted by
each potential candidate, and submitted by mail, fax or email
to the WIA office.
After successful completion of the accredited training course
the candidates will be qualified to apply for registration
as an Approved WIA Assessor, and will then be able to assess
candidates for the Foundation, Standard and Advanced amateur
licences.
A light lunch will be provided on each day.
If any WIA Affiliated Club is unable to meet all the costs
involved in respect of the attendance of their nominated
candidate should contact the WIA secretary, Chris Jones VK2ZDD
at secretary@wia.org.au as the WIA has set aside a sum of
money for this purpose.
[Any attendee travelling over 350km to the venue should
enquire regarding a partial reimbursement of travel costs.]
There will be similar Courses conducted in The Gold Coast,
Melbourne and Adelaide.
A copy of the application form may be downloaded from the
WIA website. Enquiries: arv@amateurradio.com.au
Rgds Jim Linton VK3PC.
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GATEWAY
The Official Journal Of The Gippsland Gate Radio
AND ELECTRONICS CLUB inc.
July 2005
Incorporation Number A0016893M
Club Meetings are held on the third Friday of each month
at the Cranbourne Girl Guide Hall in Grant Street. Prac nights
are held on the first Friday night in the Club- rooms. Both
nights commence at 8:00 PM. Visitors will be made most welcome.
President Andrew Clinkaberry VK3HFA (5942 5396)
Secretary Bruno Tonizzo VK3BFT (9700 4526)
Treasurer Mike Ide VK3KTO
Committee Members Reg VK3UK, Helmut VK3DHI, Dave VK3XMF
Ivan VK3ARV
Magazine Editor(s) Andrew VK3HFA, Albert Hubbard VK3BQO
Club Station VK3BJA located in the clubrooms.
6M Repeater VK3RDD : Freq. In 52.575, out 53.575 MHz
70cm Repeater VK3RLP Freq. In 434.475, out 439.475MHz
CTCSS 88.5Hz IRLP Node Number- 6794 (Using VK3RLP)
Call in Frequencies are: HF on 28.325 MHz, USB VHF on 146.225 MHz, FM and UHF
on 438.850 MHz,
Visit our internet site at: www.ggrec.org.au
Current GGREC inc. Membership Fee Schedule
Full Member $37.00, Pensioner Member $22.00
Junior Member $22.00, Extra Family Member $17.00
Fees due after each April Annual General Meeting.
The deadline for articles is TEN DAYS before each General
meeting.
Please direct magazine correspondence to:
Andrew Clinkaberry, 1 Carney St. Nar Nar Goon Vic 3812
Phone: 5942 5396 or email clinks@dcsi.net.au
All other Club correspondence to P.O. Box 1098, Cranbourne
3977
or Email : secretary@ggrec.org.au
It costs lots of cents to produce and send each copy of
Gateway.
Disclaimer- The opinions expressed in this publication do
not necessarily reflect the official view of the GGREC inc
and the GGREC inc cannot be held responsible for incorrect
information published.
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