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Thanks to Peter, VK3DEL, for donating to the club of this amazing data feed for Amateur Radio. App Name: HamClock for Raspberry PI. The App runs on a Raspberry PI and is connected to our clubs TV.. The App shows a variety of information related to Amateur Radio, such as UTC time, Sun Spots, DX Spots and much more.. The App cycles through other information. Another great additon to the club.. Thanks Peter!

Hello Members, Just a reminder that Famparc Membership fees for 2024 are due by Jan 1st 2024. Remember that these fees help the club continue to grow allowing members to enjoy the benefits of a great Amateur Radio Club. So please remember to pay your Membership Fees. The club after many years have voted recently to increase the fees (See Below) for 2024. However, you can still pay the 2023 charges for your 2024 membership. This is a small saving but a saving nonetheless. Normal $45.00, Student/Pensioner/Retired $40.00, Family $50.00. 2024 Fees as of Jan 1st 2024. Normal $50.00 Student/Pensioner/Retired $45.00 Family $55.00 Our bankers are NAB, Frankston BSB: 083-253 Acct No: 03-683-3688 Please make contact with Colin VK3CR regarding payment.

On Saturday the 2nd Dec 2023.. Famparc celebrated another Christmas Breakup. After our last for the year monthly meeting, we then celebrated our Christmas Breakup with lots of BBQ yummies. Good cheer and good friends got together to celebrate another year and the 2023 Christmas period. Here's a few pics of our members enjoying themselves at the FAMPARC Clubrooms. On behalf of all the Famparc Members and myself, may I wish you all a very enjoyable Christmas for 2023 and a Healthy and Happy New Year in 2024! I thank you for your support, good cheers and assistance over the past 12 months and as well during my time as Interim President. Craig vk3ncr All the best chaps.. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Meet Isla and her Dad David VK3LDR.. Isla recently pass her foundation exam held at the EMDRC club rooms (June 2023). Isla's call sign is VK3FOG.. Isla is 11 so well done to her. So if you hear Isla on the air, say hello! From all the members at Famparc, well done Isla on getting your license and welcome to the world of Amateur Radio.

12 December 2023 ACMA makes new amateur radio arrangements, including class licence The ACMA has put in place new arrangements for amateur radio. These include changes to licensing, qualifications, call signs, charges, examination assessors and overseas visiting amateurs. The arrangements preserve their current operational utility for amateur operators, maintain continuity of amateur qualification and call sign arrangements, and will reduce regulatory burden and minimise licensing costs for amateur radio operators.These new arrangements were made following extensive consultation, and careful consideration of comments received in response to numerous reviews and consultations on proposed changes.On 19 February 2024, the following aspects of the new arrangements will commence: the Radiocommunications (Amateur Stations) Class Licence 2023 (amateur class licence) revised qualifications framework new call sign arrangements ACMA allocating qualification and call sign services ACMA receiving accredited assessor applications revised arrangements for overseas visiting amateurs. The remaining aspects of the new arrangements have commenced. These are the arrangements that allow the ACMA to accredit current Australian Maritime College (AMC) amateur examination assessors with the ACMA. We are working with the AMC assessors to transition them to ACMA arrangements ahead of 19 February 2024, when we will commence administering examination services.More details on transition arrangements are outlined on our website.For most amateur operators, no action is needed to transition to the new arrangements. Upon the commencement of the amateur class licence on 19 February 2024, non-assigned amateur apparatus licensees may wish to surrender their licence, and some will be eligible for a pro-rata refund. In January 2024, we will write to current non-assigned amateur apparatus licensees to outline the transition arrangements as well as confirm their highest qualification level and call sign(s). More details on refund eligibility and the confirmation letters are available on the transition arrangements webpage.The ACMA has been working closely with the AMC to ensure a smooth transition of qualification and call sign services, which the ACMA will administer from 19 February 2024. Details of AMC cut-off times are outlined on the AMC’s website.With the new arrangements now made, the various reviews that informed the new arrangements are concluded. Outcomes and responses to submissions to those reviews are available on our website: Proposed new amateur radio assessor accreditation and qualification framework Proposed amateur class licensing arrangements and higher power operation - consultation 31/2022 Review of non-assigned amateur and outpost regulatory arrangements – consultation 01/2021 Proposed 2023–24 fees for service. The legislative instruments that underpin the new framework are the: Radiocommunications (Amateur Stations) Class Licence 2023  (amateur class licence) Radiocommunication (Amateur Licences – Renewal Statement) Determination 2023 Radiocommunications (Amateur Licences) Amendment Instrument 2023 (No.1) Radiocommunications Accreditation (Amateur Radio Examinations) Rules 2023 Radiocommunications (Charges) Amendment Determination 2023 (No.1).

Peter G3OJV, introduces the final draft of the 2024 UK Ham Radio Licence Read All About It! The New 2024 UK Licence Draft https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/asset...

Hi Chaps, The work of the Communications Manager never ends.. I have uploaded images of the Famparc Cub Rooms Fire as well as a range of images from what looks like a Famparc Field Day. Well done to the men and women in rebuilding the club rooms.. we all are proud of your efforts! Also the amazing efforts that the people did to run these field days. These images that I have scanned are now stored within our Files Area of our website for safe keeping, as well as displayed within our Shared Gallery. Thanks to Gerard Vk3ger for this archival information below... FAMPARC NEW SEPTEMBER 1999 On Saturday the 28 of August in the wee hours of the morning we had a very unfortunate accident at the club house. After a phone call at 2:45 am, Gerard, Craig, Jan and myself hurried to the club house, only to see the final stage of our club house ON FIRE. All we could do is watch the fire fighters trying to put it all out. At about 5 AM the last hoses were cleared. On that Saturday morning we had exams organised for students. Luckily we were given the use or two classrooms from the school, so no sleep and lots of questions from lots of people and paper work to sign and fill in. As it stands we no longer have a club house. So far the cause is unknown. This sets us back about six years, back to the days where we met at the schools class rooms. Luckily we will be able to continue the classes for students over the next two months or so, and have our monthly meetings. You will all understand that the Saturday morning meetings are discontinued, until a new building has been erected. Building and contents were insured, but lots of things cannot be replaced. Depending on the finalising of the insurance, we hope to get things moving soon. In the coming weeks we hope to clear the site. So far it looks like the concrete slab has not had any major damage. Also the tower and septic tank have not been affected by the fire. Thanks to all the members who have been helping so far and for their support. The Moorabbin and District Amateur Radio Club had already offered us the use of their club rooms, which we are very grateful for, but we think we can manage. In light of the above the committee has decided to cancel the next Inter-Club Meeting, which was planned for Sunday 19th of September. We have not set another date. Maybe one of the other Victorian Clubs can take up the attempt of further strealining of club activities. On a lighter note: On Saturday 21$ of August we had our White Elephant Sale at the usual venue in Frankston. Thanks to those who helped out with the set-up and running of the event it went without a glitch. Some disappointment was heard about the non-presence of more commercial traders and good equipment. We will try to improve on that for next year. If vou missed the event. vour next opportunity is on Sunday 12th h of September, at the Shepparton and District Amateur Radio 1999 Hamfest. Venue is the Shepparton Youth Club Hall (behind Safeway), Cnr High and Amber Streets. Doors open at 10 AM. For more info contact SADARC via PO-Box 692, Shepparton 3630. FAMPARC NEWSLETTER Peter Brennan VK3TE, president of FAMPARC

Information supplied by RASA: RASA WRITES TO THE ACMA We are entering a pivotal period in Amateur Radio licensing in Australia. We are notionally scheduled to complete a transition from Class to Apparatus license in February next year. However the last report by the ACMA on this transition was in August. Several members and Clubs have voiced their concerns over how the changes will manifest in practical terms. We are entering into the Christmas holiday period and finding answers to these questions is becoming important to all Amateurs. On November 17 RASA wrote to the ACMA and submitted the following questions. Is the transition to a class license and revised Assessor network implementation still scheduled for February 2024? Is there a release date for the outcome of the August 2023 submissions to the ACMA on assessor and examination arrangements? Will we have continuity of service for the Exam Assessor network upon the cessation of services by the Australian Maritime College (AMC) from February 2024? Are there plans to pro-rata reimburse Amateur licensees who have recently paid their Amateur license fees for the full 12 months? Is the proposal to change Scientific licenses for use on Amateur Radio frequencies still active? (Most Amateurs submitted to us that this was not an acceptable strategy) How will the transition affect existing Radio Club licenses? THE ACMA RESPONDS On November 28 the ACMA distributed an information update titled: STATUS OF NEW AMATEUR RADIO ARRANGEMENTS AND TRANSITION WITH AMC The content of this release follows: As indicated in our August 2023 update, we plan to make the amateur class licence in December. We will commence class licensing arrangements in February, at the same time as the commencement of the proposed new amateur radio qualification framework and new assessor accreditations. In the August update, we indicated that more details about the transition arrangements for existing amateur licensees, including amateur radio clubs, will be published in December 2023. This will include information on the surrender of amateur licences and eligibility for a pro-rata refund of the tax paid. We have considered the submissions we received in response to our consultation on the proposed amateur radio qualification and assessor accreditation arrangements. We plan to publish the submissions and our response to them, as well as the outcome of the consultation by mid-December. Before the amateur class licence commences, we will write to all current non-assigned amateur licensees to outline the transition arrangements. In this letter, we will confirm the qualification level and call sign(s) they hold, and that they are authorised to operate under the amateur class licence. The ACMA has been working closely with the AMC to support a smooth transition of qualification and call sign services – which the ACMA will administer from February 2024 – and continuity of service for the network of assessors. Details of AMC cut-off times are outlined on the AMC’s website. We are pleased that this response has answered many of our questions. We now appear to be on-track for a February transition and we have a clear statement that Pro-Rata refunds will be made available for Amateurs who paid for their twelve month license renewal in the second half of this year. Still of concern is the framework surrounding Club and special Event callsigns and the unprecedented proposal to introduce complex Scientific Licenses for Amateurs wanting to operate at high power levels. It remains RASA’s position that as with many other countries, higher power operation can be effectively managed within the existing Amateur qualification framework. RASA presented a comprehensive submission to the ACMA in September and this was printed in our last QTC magazine. We look forward to examining the ACMA response to all submissions and will prepare a synopsis of this information in the upcoming edition of QTC. See this on your Browser

28 November 2023 Status of new amateur radio arrangements and transition with AMC More Here As indicated in our August 2023 update, we plan to make the amateur class licence in December. We will commence class licensing arrangements in February, at the same time as the commencement of the proposed new amateur radio qualification framework and new assessor accreditations. In the August update, we indicated that more details about the transition arrangements for existing amateur licensees, including amateur radio clubs, will be published in December 2023. This will include information on the surrender of amateur licences and eligibility for a pro-rata refund of the tax paid. We have considered the submissions we received in response to our consultation on the proposed amateur radio qualification and assessor accreditation arrangements. We plan to publish the submissions and our response to them, as well as the outcome of the consultation by mid-December. Before the amateur class licence commences, we will write to all current non-assigned amateur licensees to outline the transition arrangements. In this letter, we will confirm the qualification level and call sign(s) they hold, and that they are authorised to operate under the amateur class licence. The ACMA has been working closely with the AMC to support a smooth transition of qualification and call sign services – which the ACMA will administer from February 2024 – and continuity of service for the network of assessors. Details of AMC cut-off times are outlined on the AMC’s website.

6 October 2023 Fees for non-assigned amateur apparatus licences We have received several queries from non-assigned apparatus-licensed amateurs whose licences are due to expire soon. They are asking if their licence can be renewed only up until the date of commencement of the new amateur class licence. While we can renew amateur licences for a short period, this may not result in a substantially lower cost. This is because a minimum apparatus licence tax applies to apparatus licences. The cost of renewing a non-assigned amateur apparatus licence has 2 components: the renewal fee ($4) the apparatus licence tax ($50.76 per year), with a minimum apparatus licence tax amount of $41.37. Example: If you renew your licence from 4 October 2023 to 1 February 2024 (120 days), the annual apparatus licence tax will be $16.69 (120/365 x $50.76). However, the minimum apparatus licence tax amount will still be $41.37. That means the minimum renewal amount is $45 ($41.37 minimum tax and $4 renewal fee, rounded to the nearest dollar). Commencement of class licence Once the class licence commences, it will minimise costs for both current non-assigned apparatus-licensed amateurs and new amateur licensees, who will not have to pay any licence taxes and charges under a class licence. We expect the class licence to commence in February 2024 and plan to update you in mid-December 2023 about the exact timing of its commencement. Requests for a shorter renewal period If you have received your renewal notice recently and would like to renew your non-assigned amateur licence for a shorter period, please email your request, including your licence number or client ID and the date you would like your licence to be valid until, to info@acma.gov.au. Licence surrender: On commencement of the class licence, amateur licensees may wish to surrender their non-assigned amateur apparatus licence, since they will no longer be required. In some cases, amateur licensees will be entitled to a pro rata refund of tax paid. Based on our refund policy, the minimum amount we can refund is $41, which excludes administrative fees and is calculated based on the amount of time left on the licence from when it was cancelled to when it was due for renewal. Further details about licence surrender will be provided in our mid-December 2023 update.

I will donate a post hole drill to the club it has a 4” (100mm) cutter and ideal for members to borrow and drill a hole for a 20ft (6metre) steel pole or a 4” square timber pole. I will bring it in on Wednesday. Cheers Roy vk3gb. On behalf of the club and its members.. Thank you !

Ham Radio Amateurs Will Help NASA Study The Ionosphere During The Ring Of Fire Eclipse The eclipse gives us a unique opportunity to study our ionosphere. All we need is ham radios. Solar eclipses, while fun to gawp at and/or cower from in fear of the sun-eating god depending on what century you're from, are incredibly useful for scientists. During the 2024 total solar eclipse in North America, NASA will use the opportunity to photograph the Sun's corona from a high altitude and view sunspots as the Moon passes across the face, blocking out competing light. If you can't wait that long for some eclipse-based science, amateur scientists with ham radios are conducting an experiment on Saturday, October 14, 2023, during the Ring of Fire eclipse. So why radios? Well, they're a good way to look at the activity of the ionosphere. Between 80 and 643 kilometers (50-400 miles) above the Earth, particles in the Earth's atmosphere are bombarded with Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) and X-ray solar radiation, ionizing them. The ionosphere grows and shrinks (on your side of the planet) depending on the time of day. At night, the layer reflects long-wave radio signals (known as "skywave" propagation) to a much greater degree than during the day, allowing the signal to be carried for hundreds of miles further than during the day. It's something regulators have to take into account, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires long-wave radio broadcasters to lower their power at night "in recognition of the physical laws that govern AM radio propagation", and shut down if they are unable to do so. That's what we know, but there's still an awful lot to learn about the ionosphere, which fluctuates, moves, expands, and contracts. Changes to the ionosphere can affect navigation and communication systems, making research into it important. During the eclipse, where darkness falls suddenly (and on a limited, moving area), a team of amateur ham radio operators led by Nathaniel Frissell, assistant professor of physics and electrical engineering at the University of Scranton, will attempt to make as many radio contacts as possible with operators across the world. By measuring the strength, location, and distance, it's possible to learn a lot about the ionosphere through it. “These are the last solar eclipses to traverse the continental United States until 2044, and are therefore important, time-sensitive, information rich opportunities for running unique and ‘controlled’ ionospheric experiments,” Frissell said in a statement. “This project takes advantage of the unprecedented opportunity to study the ionospheric impacts of the 2023 and 2024 solar eclipses and the daily ionospheric variability associated with dawn/dusk transitions.” Ham radio operators can look into joining the project on the HamSCI project website. The study will also take place throughout 2023 and 2024, including the 2024 total eclipse.