FAMPARC Search

Hello members... The year 2024 has been fantastic for the club and many of its members, though we did lose two remarkable individuals: Bill VK3MMM and the beloved Bruce VK3UV. Aside from those losses, the club has thrived, welcoming many new members and making upgrades to our club shack. This is all due to our outstanding members and their incredible efforts and dedication. I have relished my role as president, and despite experiencing some highs and lows, along with a bit of frustration, I have been honored to serve the club and its members. I wish all our members a safe and healthy 2025 and extend my gratitude for your support and understanding. While 2024 was an excellent year, I would like to share my Wishlist for the club for 2025. My 2025 wishlist for the club: 2M Full Duplex FM Repeater Project: A 2-meter repeater (a full duplex FM repeater) that is, if possible, linked to the AllStar Network, allowing our members to stay in touch while away from home. For the repeater to join the AllStar network, it needs a communications port and, like any Duplex Repeater, the appropriate 2M cavities, along with an antenna system. Additionally, a prime location with internet access is essential. Not too much hey? BIG NEWS! Since creating this wish list for 2025, I have been in talks with the administrators at Moorabbin Club, and they have generously donated a VHF 2M Repeater along with Cavity Filters to our club. I must say I was amazed by their generosity. And we thank them! So for 2025, we will have an exciting project indeed... The setup, tuning, and testing of a VHF 2M Repeater. I expect that once we learn how to do this, we will use our club rooms as a temporary location, as the next part of the project is to find a suitable location for it. I believe this is a significant step for our club, and I hope it will enable our members to engage more with one another by utilising their own club repeater. Sample Image only club room split system air conditioner: Our good friend Stanley vk3bot, along with others, proposed a Split system for the club to enhance our comfort. This is an excellent idea since it tends to get quite chilly in winter and very hot in summer. Sample Image Only, but you get the idea! club room soldering bench: Another initiative is to establish a soldering workbench equipped with two or more soldering stations for everyone to use. We have sufficient tables, and with some rearrangement of our tables, chairs, and other items, we can set up a soldering station. Maybe not as flash as this, but you get the idea club MEMBERS CARD: How about a club members Laminated Card with the details, which include our discounts from both Jaycar and Altronics. The card would display our club logo, website link, etc along with the Discount details for each of the above stores. This would be a laminated card which you can then keep handy for when you go shopping for some gear. Sample Card MORE CLUB OUTING ETC: This year, we launched a Club Coffee and Cake morning, typically taking place on a Monday each month. It has been very successful, providing an opportunity for both members and non-members to catch up and chat. Depending on the interest from members, I would like to continue this event and possibly expand it to include a pub meal. I have also discovered a new venue, Harbourside Cafe Hastings . However, it would be wonderful if members could suggest other locations! Harbourside Cafe Hastings MORE FAMPARC CAMPING TRIPS: This year, Stanley VK3BOT organized our Famparc Camp-Out, which was once again a success, and I encourage Stanley to keep it going for 2025. In 2024, we camped twice at The Poplars , a beautiful spot about an hour and a half from the Frankston area, perfect for a few days to a week. Stanley has suggested including a weekend in 2025 to accommodate members who can't get away during the week. Well done, Stan... I'm sure many of us are looking forward to it again. Gerard and Stanley attempting to cook! THANKYOU! That's all from me for now... until I think of another great idea! LOL.. If you have any project suggestions for the club and its members, please feel free to share them in the comments below. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the members who have supported me as president. It has been, and continues to be, a pleasure to serve the club. Your assistance, support, and guidance have been invaluable, and I thank you sincerely. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a safe, healthy, and enjoyable New Year 2025. Craig vk3ncr Famparc President

KEN VK3MJF (See Updates below) Our dear friend and fellow club member Ken vk3mjf was involved in an accident during his motorcycle trip back from the Grampians. Ken, a highly experienced rider, lost control of his motorcycle on a roundabout close to his home. Ken is currently in the ICU at the Alfred hospital , recovering from several injuries. While they are not life-threatening, we all hope for Ken's full recovery and good health, as we will greatly miss him at the club rooms. Get well Ken and see you soon! If you have his phone number and wish to get in touch, it might be a good idea to send him a text message beforehand. Else, you can wish him all the best by making a comment below. KENS UPDATE: From a few phone calls Ken has been moved from the ICU to a ward at the Alfred Hospital, 5 West. Get well Ken. We are all thinking of you! KENS UPDATE 25TH NOV.: Managed to visit Ken at the Alfred Hospital. Although he is still not the best and has many weeks ahead of him, he was sitting up in the chair and chatting to the many that were visiting him on the day. Good to see he is on the mend.. Hang in there Ken! KEN IS HOME 4TH DEC.: I'm sure we are pleased to hear that Ken is now home, I collected Ken from the Alfred Hospital on the 4th Dec. and although he has many weeks of recovery, he is on the mend. Welcome home Ken. KENS UPDATE 19TH DEC.: Ken is on the mend and has managed to get to the club rooms... He is still having a few problems, so we wish him a speedy recovery. Looks like his bike did not come off as well as Ken, looks like it's a write off.. So Ken will be looking for a replacement. From Craig and the members from Famparc.

ABOUT VK3RWN Reflector Connection Hardware Maintenance WHERE Located on Mount Dandenong Victoria The very popular DStar Repeater VK3RWN on Victoria's Mount Dandenong is currently operating as a stand alone DStar Digital Repeater as the hardware that allows it to connect to the Reflector Network is away for maintenance as well as other hardware such as power supply etc. DTAR & DIGITAL NET Each Thursday Night at 8pm Melbourne Time the Victorian DStar and Digital net is held. The net is professionally run by Terry VK3BMX, our DStar and Digital Guru. Until the Repeater is fully operational the Net will be held via Relfector 23C, so you will require a hotspot for your radio or computer to connect to relfector 23C. Seeing that the repeater is not connected to the internet and 23C, the net will not be repeated using the repeater. Hope that makes sense! APPROX. DOWNTIME As of the time of this post, we expect the maintenance to be around 3 weeks.. UPDATED: VK3RWN Port B/C is now up and running and connected to Reflector 23C. How's that for good news!! I missed it! VK3RWN Coverage:

SSTV Event Upcoming! Just in time for the holidays and New Year, we're planning an SSTV event from December 25 to January 5 .  Celebrate with us with some great memories of ARISS 2024 in this series. WHEN: December 25 2024 to January 5 2025 More Details Here... Thanks to Terry VK3BMX for this event information.

ANOTHER YEAR Hello Famparc'rs .... Well, 2024 is almost over.. Yes, another year has passed quickly.. While our club has successfully attracted new members through word of mouth, our website, and the dedicated work of those managing the Foundation Courses, we've also experienced some sorrowful moments with the loss of our dear friends, Billy VK3MMM and, more recently, the legendary Bruce VK3UV . Plus.. Our dear friend Ken vk3mjf is currently in the hospital recovering from a recent motorcycle accident. We hope Ken can join us for our club's Christmas break-up. Get well soon, Ken! We all miss you. MONTHLY MEETING This is also our last monthly meeting for the year, so please do you best and come along. MEETING SPEAKER This month thanks to Phillip vk3lro, John vk3jco we have another guest speaker and demonstration. Mark Eddey is a new member of our club. Mark Eddey - With 27 years of service at Ambulance Victoria, Mark has worked in both rural and urban environments. He is currently a MICA Clinical Support Officer in Melbourne's metro west area. Mark is jointly responsible for clinical supervision and training in his region while also serving as a metropolitan clinician with Triple Zero Victoria. Mark will deliver a presentation to our club right after the meeting, discussing topics such as "What is a Heart Attack?," the function of a defibrillator, and basic CPR. With Mark's expertise, this promises to be an engaging presentation and demonstration. Mark also recently passed his Foundation exam. Congratulations! Mark's callsign is VK3MDE. CHRISTMAS BREAKUP Christmas is a time for gathering and celebrating, not just the holiday itself but also the friendships we share. So this year, 2024, our Xmas break-up will be at the Club rooms, Saturday Dec 7th. TERRY VK3BMX Another club legend, Terry vk3bmx, has graciously volunteered this year to organise our Xmas Break-up BBQ Lunch. Terry is coordinating a variety of meats for the BBQ along with salads. There might even be some cake... Yes, cake!! So in summary.. 2024 has experienced its highs and lows... Our last Meeting for the year, Presentation, and BBQ Celebration is an event you won't want to miss... So come along, bring your partner, a friend, or even a stranger you might meet on your way to the club. 10am Monthly Meeting.. 11am Presentation and Demonstration from Mark. 12 Mid. BBQ Lunch.

BRUCE BATHOLS I regret to inform that our dear friend and longstanding member of Famparc has passed away today, Sunday, November 10th, 2024. Bruce Bathols, VK3UV now Silent Key , who has passed away today, courageously fought health problems for sometime. Bruce was an essential and cherished member of our club. His expertise in Ham Radio, along with his vast knowledge, contributed significantly to the development of our club. You will be dearly missed by all of us, and our thoughts are with his family and friends. A Live Stream is available of the service. Wed. 20th Nov. 11:30am Click Here... From Peter VK3IJ Sadly, at the weekend we lost one of our  members, Bruce Bathols Bruce was born on 20th January 1941. Bruce had a long history in Ham Radio, obtaining his full call in 1972.  He was a valued member of Famparc Club having been our Treasurer until his health deteriorated. He had vast knowledge of Ham Radio and computers and was always ready to pass that onto club members Following terms as President and Secretary of WIA he was made a Life Member of WIA  in 1983. Bruce was heavily involved in Wicen in the early days of the Murray Marathon From Craig VK3NCR Famparc President I have only know Bruce for around 5-6 years, and during that time I found him to be a caring and gentle man. He always had time for me as well as the other members. I had great repsect for him, as he was not only very knoweldable but more important a wonderful human being. I enjoyed having a chat and found that I would always learn from him, as well as, I enjoyed making him a cuppa when he was able to pop into the club. I like many I will dearly miss this wonderful man.. R.I.P my good friend ! From Peter Clee VK8ZZ So very sad, he will be sadly missed. Bruce was an Honorary Life Member if the WIA an honour that was well deserved. He had a time as a Member of the WIA Board of Management including both as President and Vice President and was the editor of AR magazine for many years. He also contributed to the institute in so many ways.   Please let me know if his funeral will be streamed   Regards   Peter Clee        VK8ZZ  WIA Director and Company Secretary

Stanley vk3bot kindly brought to our attention this amazing event. ARISS SSTV Event Scheduled for Monday, November 11 at 11:50 UTC and to end Monday, November 18 at 13:40 UTC. WHEN: November 6, 2024 — Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) announces an SSTV event to be held next week. The event is scheduled to begin on Monday, November 11 at 11:50 UTC and to end Monday, November 18 at 13:40 UTC. SSTV transmissions will be paused during scheduled school contacts on November 15 and 16. Downlink transmissions will be at 145.800 MHz and the mode is expected to be PD 120 . DETAILS: Freq.: 145.800 Khz (2M) SSTV: Mode PD120 Times: Monday, November 11 at 11:50 UTC and to end Monday, November 18 at 13:40 UTC ABOUT: The transmissions will consist of 12 images featuring activities from the 2024 40th Anniversary Celebrating Amateur Radio in Human Spaceflight. If you are a past participant in our SSTV events, please note that we will be using our newly updated gallery at  https://ariss-usa.org/ARISS_SSTV/  .  ARISS has a new way to request a special certificate. When participants successfully receive at least one image and submit it at the new gallery, participants will be moved to a thank-you page. There, a person can read text about data protection, and press the button that says “I agree,” and receive an email in two weeks or sooner with a certificate. If a person submits additional images, the thank-you page tells them they have already asked for a certificate. Thanks to our user community for participating in ARISS. TRACK HERE: Click here to see the Space Station Location and Track More here... FROM STAN: https://www.ariss.org/   That is the web site for Amateur Radio on the Space Station. Periodically the Space Station transmits slow scan TV images. The next event runs from the 11th to the 18th of November. A series of twelve images celebrating amateur radio in space will be transmitted. The images will be transmitted on 145.800. What you need: not much actually. One 2 meter receiver. Some sort of antenna capable of receiving the pictures. Some sort of SSTV program to decode that awful noise. A basic computer with some sort of microphone will help. Obviously the more sophisticated your equipment the better you will do. A satellite tracking program will help so you can find out where the space station is and when it will be where you are. The space station goes round the earth every 90 minutes. Please give it a go. Thank you. 73 from, Stan - VK3BOT

WHEN: The Amateur Radio event of the Year – January 11 + 12 2025 Antennapalooza is back for 2024/2025 , marking its 9th year. Those who have yet to participate may be curious about its nature. The focus for the 2024/2025 event will be: ‘LARGE WIRE ANTENNAS’ WHATS ON: To kick things off we are planning to have a temporary installation of a Curtain Array on 20 Metres. It is going to be big, but still just a baby as curtain arrays go.  It should be up for around 2 weeks over the Antennapalooza field weekend.  (Less if we get a decent storm).   Come and check it out.  Bring your wide angle lens.  Plug your rig into it if you want to try it out.   Will it work?   Who knows?  Let’s find out together. Antennapalooza takes place at Drouin West, about an hour’s drive East of Melbourne. Look for the detailed map on this website. Most clubs run some kind of Hamfest Sale as a fundraiser and as a bit of a social event. These are great and fulfill a need, but they are over in just a couple of hours. Antennapalooza is a different kind of event that brings people together from multiple clubs, but with enough time to relax and get back into the hobby Picture a few acres of land with a few trees around the edges. Operators can come along with their tent, caravan or swag and set up their radio and antennas for a weekend in an RF quiet space. For some it is an opportunity to put up and try out antennas they don’t have room for at home. For others they can socialise and listen to the talks going on in the pavilion. On both the Saturday and the Sunday there will be short lectures on interesting topics. Bring a folding chair and a beer if you wish and listen to what’s being said about real-world topics on Amateur Radio. Follow this link to find out what happened in 2023… It’s free. Nearby clubs and other groups kick in a small amount to fund the operational costs, but it is free to all visitors. If you can’t make it for the weekend, come for the day. As we get closer, a full program of speakers and topics will be posted on this website. CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS WHERE: HOW TO GET THERE More Details:

WHAT: VK-OzHUB AllStar Hub 61624 WHEN: Join in on the Friday evening Tech & Chat Net. 8.00PM EST Brisbane time (10.00 UTC) WHERE: VK-OzHUB – Allstar Hub (Node number 61624) went online 16/5/2024. This hub has no radio attached, think of it as similar to a “Talk Group” on DMR or a “Room” on Fusion or a “Reflector” on D-Star as it essentially is used in the same way. The vision is for VK-OzHUB to be a meeting place for VK AllStar users, plus any amateur operator that wishes to connect. Also to have repeaters connected, including at least one international connection. VK-OzHUB can be the place to ragchew with friends, host nets, host tech discussions, pretty much anything users wish to do. VK-OzHUB now has an admin team, Simon VK3XEM, Ron VK3ANT and myself Glenn VK4NGA. The hub is hosted by vk44.net , in which we are very grateful. Click the link to view VK-OzHUB’s dashboard. https://vk-ozhub.vk44.net/link.php?nodes=61624

NEWS: As of Saturday 2nd Nov. I have learned that VK3RSU is now fully functional and has been reconnected to the AllStar system via Node 50522. Repeater Details. Call Sign: VK3RSU Connected to AllStar Node 50522 Band: 70cm Modes: FM Transmission Frequency: 438.1MHz Reception Frequency: 432.7MHz Location: Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia FYI: There is a net held on the AllStar Network each weekday from 10am. The Welfare Net. You can connect via VK3RSU FM Repeater or via any AllStar connected Repeater or personal Node as well as your phone. (Via AllStar Node 50522)

Stanley VK3BOT, again arranged a terrific week away at the Noojee Poplars Camp Ground. WHERE: Loch Valley Road Noojee.. Poplars Campground Noojee. Click Here for Google Map WHEN: From Monday 21st October. Who Went: Stanley VK3BOT, Craig VK3NCR, Phillip VK3LRO, Gerard VK3GER, Ken VK3MJF, Daryl VK3HBP, Colin VK3CR, Greg VK3ND (Ring in) Rowdy SWL. Stanley and myself (Craig) turned up around midday on Monday, with the rest turning up either later in the day a day or so later.. We managed to set up some wire antennas and all played HF.. The noise floor is basically nothing in the bush. So we all enjoyed many contacts on HF. The camp ground also has reasonable 4G so we could also use HotSpot for DStar use, as well as AllStar. The weather was very kind to us with perfect conditions on Monday and Tuesday, however the rest of the week was very nice but with a few odd showers here and then. Facilities: Toilets, Camp Sites, Camp Kitchen & Shelter, Beautiful Grassed Areas, Walks, Beautiful Small Stream, Lots of Trees, Quiet Audio and RF. We had a few question at the club asking if there were the following ... BBQ - No... Power - No... Showers - No... Shop or Store - No... Fuel - No... McDonalds - No... Target - No...