Amateur Radio Nets

 update on some Amateur Radio Nets:

Welfare Net : hosted by Simon VK3XEM - this net was created  at start of Covid, its pretty informal net, run Mon-Friday 10am local time for Victoria Australia,  operating on the VK3 Allstar network, comprised of several linked FM voice repeaters in Victoria (VK3) plus some digital repeaters, including access from Brandmeister TG50525

Central Coast Amateur Radio Club morning tea net - hosted by Bob VK2AOR, run Mon-Fri at 10am local (NSW-VK2) this is on the 2metre FM voice repeater, VK2RAG 146.725 MHz, plus interfaced with EchoLink gateway.

Both nets have people checking in locally and from overseas.

GippsTech Conference update

 I keep checking the VK3BEZ website to see if any updates for a future GippsTech Conference, but unfortunately, nothing.

Just keep monitoring the VK3BEZ website.  GippsTech (vk3bez.org)

P25 Activity Update as of 29th March, 2023

 P25 Activity for Sydney area.

we have some P25 repeaters linked to the network on TG10700, these include :
VK2RCG GPT Sydney City 438.200 MHz
VK2RNS Asquith (Sydney North) 439.975 MHz
VK2RHP Horsley Park, (Sydney south west) 438.1375 MHz

Other Operational P25:
VK2RMB Terrey Hills 438.175 MHz but is standalone, waiting to be configured and linked to P25 network
VK2RWK Kurrajong, standalone
VK2ROT Paddington, standalone
VK2RGN Goulburn - not sure if it linked into network yet.

Non-operational or redeployed :
VK2RWI Dural - now a VK-DMR rptr
VK2RHT Chatswood - now a VK-DMR rptr
VK2RAG Somersby - gone, redeployed
VK2RHR High Range - failed, getting fixed
VK2RCF Carlingford - gone
VK2RLE Heathcote - gone

VK2RWS Berowra - gone

Planned :
possibly a P25 repeater for central west NSW (Bathurst-Orange region).

VI100MB operating on the John Moyle Field Day (JMFD) Contest 18th/19th March 2023

 

update below  from Dom VK2JNA and team, operating VI100MB Centennial Anniversary  callsign for VK2MB Manly Warringah Radio Society (1923-2023): 

We have setup horizontal OCF antenna about 35ft & predominately using that. 

We have also setup 18m vertical with radials at edge of salt water mangroves.  Will use on low bands tonight

Running on batteries on club IC-7300

Great sigs

Nice & rf quiet here at Culburra Beach (near Nowra)

Taking turns & Leo has participated in his first contest. 

We had to build a long feedline, so Nick volunteered his 100m roll of Benelec coax.

We intend to go 24hr & just plod along waving the MWRS flag 

It’s nice that every so often we get asked what the special call is for giving us a chance to explain our MWRS Centenary 

Currently 14190

Operators :
Dom VK2JNA

Nick VK2FS

Leo VK2LEO

WIA VHF UHF SHF Field Day Contest 2023

 

Upcoming WIA  VHF UHF SHF Contest Date & Time for 2023

  Summer 2023 - 0100 UTC Saturday 14 through 0059 UTC Sunday 15 January(0400 / 0359 in VK6). - COMPLETED

  Winter 2023 - 0100 UTC Saturday 24 June through 0059 UTC Sunday 25 June (0300 / 0259 in VK6).

The Wireless Institute of Australia (wia.org.au)

F1 from Bahrain this weekend

 I been watching bits of F1 GP Practice Sessions on Foxtel this weekend, as the F1 season starts for 2023  with Foxtel's feed coming from Sky Sports UK, I just love the technical bits which they cover in detail during practice sessions, like they do with the MotoGP events. Anyway, the technical stuff I like is when they talk about motors and electronics and aerodynamics is fantastic. Plus there is a segment called Ted's Notebook, where Ted wanders around the  F1 Team buildings,  very casual, with cameraman in tow,  showing all the behind the scenes of the F1 team areas and customer display areas, absolutely fascinating, with Ted providing commentary on team  details and news, I think it's just one of the best pieces of TV I have seen, none of BS "reality" crap on 90% of TV programming, I like Ted's Notebook as it so casual and real and highly informative and shows another perspective apart from just the actual racing.. Thanks Ted I really like your segment.

And of course, good luck to Mick's son Jack Doohan in F2 this weekend

Repeaters VK2RCW 147.200MHz and VK2RKG 146.900 now linked

 Repeaters VK2RCW 147.200MHz at Gowan and VK2RKG 146.900 in Bathurst are now linked. No access tones required to use them.

another DMR network

 

I discovered there is another DMR network out there,  this one called FreeDMR, looks to be based out of the UK. It has talkgroups for Australia 505 and 5050  and for New Zealand  it has TG530. It is aimed at opensource development and experimentation.

FreeDMR – Open Networking. Reaching out to the World.