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A great day was had at the Sunday 4th Feb 2024 (BARG) Hamfest at Ballarat. They had a greta turn out. Did you attend ? Thanks to the guys who ran this terrific event.. Also to VK3FS for the video below.

Hey Members, Glenn VK4NGA has released his simple AllStar Node Build Kit. It has taken me few hours to put together a list of components that is required to build a complete node. If a few members are interested the club could place an order for all the components and then hold a build day.. (Glenn will be willing to assist us with the build.) This would reduce the stress in having to order all the components from different suppliers. If you would like to participate and build a AllStar Node.. Click the Agree Box below, enter you CallSign and tap Done Button. The AllStar Node page not only shows what AllStar is all about, but if you scroll down, you will see the build section. The links will take you to the appropriate sites where you can place the order for the components. Or as mentioned above, if we get enough takers, the club can order the kits.

As many Hams know, the Pi-Star Software that runs on the many models of Raspberry Pi Boards have been around a while now and it works very very well. However, I found this recently and just installed in on new Raspberry Pi 4B 1Gig board today. It was a very easy process of getting the Image up and running on a Micro SD for the RP. There is also a great Youtube clip that helps you setup the image on your SD Card and running on your Pi. It is very very similar to the original Pi-Star software, but with a few more features. Have fun !! Craig vk3ncr THE WPSD PROJECT Website:

With all the new Icom IC-705 transceivers coming to the club now.. I thought I would pop up a Youtube Play list that a chap has put together. Perhaps these videos may help you learn what this amazing radio can do. Find the Videos in our Video Page Click Here

With lots of Icom IC-705 rigs now owned my Famparc members, I stumbled across this great feature which I have not used before. Most radios have these feature, so it's not unique, but this helped me lots in receiving a low signal. Running on FM to a local Repeater that I have problems in receiving, I played around with Filter, Noise Reduction etc.. but, using the Receive Pre-Amp, WOW.. the change in receive signal and noise floor was amazing. SN Ratio The quick video demonstrates having the Pre-Amp on and off when receiving this low signal from VK3RSU Repeater. Try it for yourself on a low signal on say FM.. You will hear the difference between the SN ration on receive between the Pre-Amp on then off. Have fun with your IC-705. I am ! Craig vk3ncr

Hello Member, To further enhance our club, I have built a new page.. Famparc Projects This page can be accessed via the normal dropdown menu. Look for Famparc Projects. I have added our Famparc UNUN project as well as a new page to assist all to the world of AllStar. I have created a simple chart to view or download as a PDF. This is a simple chart showing the basics of the AllStar system. This will hopefully help with understanding what AllStar is. Beneath the graphic on the Allstar page, is my explanation to my graphic. I only hope that this inspires members to become involved in building either a club AllStar node and also their very own Node which they can use from their home or where ever. Any comments and suggestions, please fee free to make a comment below. Cheers. Craig vk3ncr

For those of you that are lucky enough to have an Apple iMac or Macbook, you know doubt know of the beautiful macOS operating system the these computers use, and the simplicity on how the OS works. There is an excellent macOS App called RUMLog NG, a brilliant full bells and whistles Ham Radio Logging program. I have been using this amazing Logging program since around 2010 for memory. It is updated on a very regular basis. I have been working with Tom, the App designer and builder to add the up and coming Australia Day Contest.. There are many many Contest that he has available. I have now Beta tested the Contest addition the program and also worked with Alan VK4SN to make sure the uploaded file is in the correct format for the contest. He has approved the file format. So Tom, the App designer and writer, has submitted the updated version to the Apple App Store. Once approved by Apple, it will be available for worldwide download. Note: This is not just a Contest Program, it is also a fully blown Logging program that will talk to you modern transceiver, as well as integrate into your WSJTS (FT8) software, as well as update, QRZ, HamLog, HamQth and much more. There is also IOS Apps for both iPhone and iPad, that also talk to your database that RUMLog NG uses.. For example, you can have your Database stored within the Apple Cloud, so that any changes are also updated across all devises and vice a versa. Note: Except for offering help to the designer which then helps other Hams, I have no affiliation to this program etc. Hope this helps.. Craig vk3ncr

AllStar Hello Members, I have been busy learning the AllStar system.. After installing the new 4G Router at the club, I managed to get the AllStar Hotspot to work. So seeing you only need a UHF FM Transceiver to use with the AllStar system, if you have one, charge it up and bring it down the club on Saturday 20th. Jan. If you are able to program your radio, Handheld, Mobile or Base Station to: 441.250 Mhz Simplex CTCSS 91.5 That would be great as you should be able to easily have a chat on the AllStar network. If not, I'm sure some club members will be able to help out..

On Monday 15th Jan 24, the Famparc club had a Coffee and Cake Morning at a local Cafe. We had ten members turn up for a friendly chat over some coffee, cake and a few other snacks. Ken, Craig, Robert, Stanley, Viv, Baz, Murray, Colin, Roy, Bill Depending on interest, we hope to have one of these each month. Watch this space. Thank you to all the members that attended and making the effort! Roundabout Cafe. Roundabout Cafe 1/19 Shaxton Circle Frankston VIC 3199 (03) 9785 6091

The recent VHF/UHF Field Day, the guys from the EMDRC were out and about again working the air waves. Here is a brief Youtube Clip from Jack VK3WWW showing the amazing setup that the club has for field and portable use. Great job guys !!!!

The amateur class licence will commence on 19 February 2024 in Australia. Some amateur radio operators will have already received an email from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) about this. This is an extract of a live stream done by REAST Inc and presented by Justin VK7TW explaining everything you need to know about the changes, actions needed and essentially - what will happen going forward for ham radio in Australia. Exams are also changing 👉 https://youtube.com/live/jK_tk5SmCb4?... Chapters⏱️ 0:00 VK Class License 1:12 Key Documents 2:31 License Conditions 5:45 Qualifications 6:50 Callsigns 8:31 Permitted Frequencies 10:27 Power Limits 11:49 EME Requirements 15:21 Other Conditions 19:34 Transitioning - What You Need To Do 25:20 Other "Stuff" 27:23 Radiocommunications (Amateur Stations) Class Licence 2023 https://legislation.gov.au/F2023L0164... Explanatory Statement https://www.legislation.gov.au/Detail... Radiocommunications (Amateur Licences – Renewal Statement) Determination 2023 https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2023L... Radiocommunications (Amateur Licences) Amendment Instrument 2023 (No. 1) https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2023L.. Transition Arrangements https://www.acma.gov.au/amateur-radio...

I found this terrific YouTube video, which does show and outline the pitfalls of buying a cheap Chinese Amateur Radio Hand Held. Most of us Hams who have been licensed for a while now (I'm still a newbie too, 15 plus years), have a cheap Chinese Handheld or two.. Yep.. me too.. but.. I have like many found that the cheap Chinese Handhelds just can't always do the distance compared to the known Japanese brands like Yaesu, Icom, Kenwood to name a few. So.. if you are just getting into Ham Radio, this is a good watch for you.. It does point out the Spurious frequencies these cheaper radios transmit on. Plus, many of these cheap units are not approved by our ACMA, (FCC in the USA).. so be aware, check first. Note: The Youtube clip prices mentioned, are USA based.. And there is references to the FCC in the USA. Perhaps some of the Amateur Radio Guru's that read this, would like to add a comment or two to help guide the many newbies coming into our wonderful hobby. You just cannot go past the Japanese Brand Radios such as: Icom Yaesu Kenwood Alinco You will have these for years and years and much more support for them. Hope this is of help. Craig vk3ncr