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Hi Fellow Members, Come and join our Monthly Famparc Members Coffee and Cake morning. Visitors also welcome. CLUB COFFEE AND CAKE MORNING Monday 23RD FEB. 2026 10aM. This benefits everyone and gives us the opportunity to discuss various life topics, not just Amateur Radio. Enjoy a good laugh! Sorry.. No Scones. Roundabout Cafe. Roundabout Cafe 1/19 Shaxton Circle Frankston VIC 3199 (03) 9785 6091 Newly refreshed cafe layout creates a welcoming environment for patrons, featuring modern decor and ample seating. Monday 23RD FEB. 2026 10aM. Hope to see you there !

MESHCORE Meshcore is a fascinating evolution in the amateur radio digital space. To help your club members understand it, you can think of Meshcore as the "bridge" that makes complex mesh networking accessible to the average ham. Note: Most of this informtion is taken and supplied by: https://github.com/meshcore-dev/MeshCore/blob/main/docs/faq.md#11-q-what-is-meshcore What is Meshcore? MeshCore is a multi platform system for enabling secure text based communications utilising LoRa radio hardware. It can be used for Off-Grid Communication, Emergency Response & Disaster Recovery, Outdoor Activities, Tactical Security including law enforcement and private security and also IoT sensor networks. ( source ) Meshcore Website Hey also... there is no Internet or Phone Cell's being used.. It is all your tiny less that a watt RF device sending and receiving.. No internet !!! and... if you are in a good location near a repeater.. you only need your tiny Companion device to send and receive, via Bluetooth on your phone. MeshCore is free and open source: MeshCore is the routing and firmware etc, available on GitHub under MIT license There are clients made by the community, such as the web clients, these are free to use, and some are open source too The cross platform mobile app developed by Liam Cottle for Android/iOS/PC etc is free to download and use The T-Deck firmware is developed by Scott at Ripple Radios, the creator of MeshCore, is also free to flash on your devices and use Some more advanced, but optional features are available on T-Deck if you register your device for a key to unlock. On the MeshCore smartphone clients for Android and iOS/iPadOS, you can unlock the wait timer for repeater and room server remote management over RF feature. These features are completely optional and aren't needed for the core messaging experience. They're like super bonus features and to help the developers continue to work on these amazing features, they may charge a small fee for an unlock code to utilise the advanced features. Anyone is able to build anything they like on top of MeshCore without paying anything. Hardware MeshCore is available on a variety of 433MHz, 868MHz and 915MHz LoRa devices (915Mhz for Australia, but can vary based on states) . For example, Lilygo T-Deck, T-Pager, RAK Wireless WisBlock RAK4631 devices (e.g. 19003, 19007, 19026), Heltec V3, Xiao S3 WIO, Xiao C3, Heltec T114, Station G2, Nano G2 Ultra, Seeed Studio T1000-E, Think Nodes M1, M2, M5 etc. More devices are being added regularly. For an up-to-date list of supported devices, please go to https://flasher.meshcore.co.uk/ To use MeshCore without using a phone as the client interface, you can run MeshCore on a LiLygo's T-Deck, T-Deck Plus, T-Pager, T-Watch, or T-Display Pro. MeshCore Ultra firmware running on these devices are a complete off-grid secure communication solution. Writers Input: Much of this information can be owverwelming however, it's really very simple. Off the shelf products to get you on the air. Thinknode M5 Click Here ThinkNode M5 [LoRa signal transceiver] Firmware adapts to Meshcore protocol, it can realize efficient transmission and reception of LoRa signals. [GPS positioning function] Built-in GPS module provides positioning capabilities, including GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, QZSS positioning. [Rechargeable lithium battery]  1200mAh large-capacity battery, can work continuously, meeting the needs of long-term outdoor use. [1.54-inch EPD display]  Real-time viewing of data and device status [RTC clock] Built-in RTC clock, realize faster hot start of the device, support interruption/wake-up; [Compatible with Meshcore APP] Can use the Meshcore APP to set device parameters, information management, etc. [❤️What you get]  1 Year warranty.1x ThinkNode M1,1x TYPE-C Cable,1x  User Manual re running on these devices are a complete off-grid secure comm Firmware MeshCore has four firmware types that are not available on other LoRa systems. MeshCore has the following Companion Radio Firmware Companion radios are for connecting to the Android app or web app as a messenger client. There are two different companion radio firmware versions: BLE Companion BLE Companion firmware runs on a supported LoRa device and connects to a smart device running the Android or iOS MeshCore client over BLE https://meshcore.co.uk/apps.html USB Serial Companion USB Serial Companion firmware runs on a supported LoRa device and connects to a smart device or a computer over USB Serial running the MeshCore web client https://meshcore.liamcottle.net/#/https://client.meshcore.co.uk/tabs/devices WisMesh Repeater Mini Repeater Repeaters are used to extend the range of a MeshCore network. Repeater firmware runs on the same devices that run client firmware. A repeater's job is to forward MeshCore packets to the destination device. It does not forward or retransmit every packet it receives, unlike other LoRa mesh systems. A repeater can be remotely administered using a T-Deck running the MeshCore firmware with remote administration features unlocked, or from a BLE Companion client connected to a smartphone running the MeshCore app. Room Server A room server is a simple BBS server for sharing posts. T-Deck devices running MeshCore firmware or a BLE Companion client connected to a smartphone running the MeshCore app can connect to a room server. Room servers store message history on them and push the stored messages to users. Room servers allow roaming users to come back later and retrieve message history. With channels, messages are either received when it's sent, or not received and missed if the channel user is out of range. Room servers are different and more like email servers where you can come back later and get your emails from your mail server. A room server can be remotely administered using a T-Deck running the MeshCore firmware with remote administration features unlocked, or from a BLE Companion client connected to a smartphone running the MeshCore app. When a client logs into a room server, the client will receive the previously 32 unseen messages. Although room server can also repeat with the command line command set repeat on , it is not recommended nor encouraged. A room server with repeat set to on lacks the full set of repeater and remote administration features that are only available in the repeater firmware. The recommendation is to run repeater and room server on separate devices for the best experience. Videos: You may come across Meshtastic, whiched kicked off a few years ago, this exploded arond the world because of the low cost of hardware and simple and affective means of communications, however early 2025, Meshcore was developed and now has surpassed Meshtastic, and because it can be used with the same hardware as Meshtastic, a simple software/firmware flash, has the user running Meshcore.. With the advantage of way more distance, being around 3-6 hops with Meshtastic and now with Meshcore and the use of peoples repeaters, can hop as much as 64. Simple search for Meshcore on Youtube or your search engine, and you will find both Meshcore and Meshtastic. This is via the Meshcore webpage showing live activity. Above is a live view of Meshcore Activity around Victoria. Click Here for more. When you send a message either on the Public or a Private encrypted network, your message will hop around the many Repeaters. You can also set specific routes if you want to get more technical. I could keep going about this, however if you are interested I would like to form a Famparc interest Mechcore Group. I have create a Mechcore Group on our website. Click Here. Hope you get onboard ! Craig vk3ncr

Remembering a Legend: The Legacy of Elwood Downey, WB0OEW S.K The amateur radio community is mourning the loss of a true innovator. Elwood Downey, WB0OEW , the brilliant mind behind the Clear Sky Institute and the creator of the ubiquitous HamClock , has passed away. For many of us, HamClock isn't just a piece of software; it’s the heartbeat of our shacks. Whether it was tracking greyline propagation, monitoring solar flux, or simply providing that iconic "tactical" aesthetic to our operating positions, Elwood’s work bridged the gap between complex astronomical data and practical amateur radio utility. The End of an Era, the Start of a Legacy With Elwood’s passing, the community faces a significant technical milestone. It has been reported that the original version of HamClock is expected to cease functioning at the end of June 2026 . While this marks the end of an era for the original source code, it also highlights the incredible impact Elwood had. His work was so vital that the community has already rallied to ensure it lives on. Introducing OpenHamClock To honor Elwood’s contribution and keep our shacks powered with real-time data, a community-driven initiative has launched OpenHamClock . This project is a dedicated fork designed to: Maintain Functionality: Ensure the software continues to run past the June 2026 cutoff. Community Support: Provide a central hub for bug fixes and future updates. Keep the Spirit Alive: Honor the minimalist, data-rich design that Elwood perfected. What This Means for You If you currently run a HamClock on a Raspberry Pi or an ESP32, you will likely need to migrate to the OpenHamClock version before mid-2026 to avoid service interruptions. It is a testament to Elwood’s influence that the "ham spirit" of collaboration has stepped in so quickly to preserve his vision. We owe a debt of gratitude to WB0OEW for his years of dedication to the hobby. His code may be transitioning to new hands, but his impact on every ham shack that ever flickered with his "big clock" remains permanent. 73, Elwood. Thank you for the time. On behalf of Famparc members, we extend our heartfelt thanks and thoughts to Elwood and his family. Information suppled by: EMDRC, Phillip vk3lro, and Google Gemini AI.

QMR-KWT-2 MR-KWT 2 QMR-KWT-2 is a 1U cubesat with Earth imaging capabilities (low-resolution camera) and FM transponder (amateur radio VHF to UHF linear transponder). It is expected to be launched in December 2025 on Soyuz-2.1b rocket from Vostochny spaceport in Russia's Far East.   QMR-KWT-2 is the successor of QMR-KWT which means "Moon of Kuwait", translated from Arabic which was launched in summer of 2021 and re-entered Earth’s atmosphere in fall of 2024. QMR-KWT-2 will continue the same educational objective of giving students the opportunity to learn about satellite technology. MORE: On February 1, 2026, from 06:50 to 19:20 UTC, the QMR-KWT-2 FM voice repeater is scheduled to be powered on for open amateur radio testing. NORAD ID: 67291 Uplink Channel Frequency: 145.920 MHz, CTCSS: 67.0 Hz Downlink Channel Frequency : 436.950 MHz Ascending Channel Frequency: 145,920 MHz, CTCSS: 67.0 Hz Descending channel frequency: 436,950 MHz LU3HAU

Ever wanted to build a Curtain Array antenna? In this documentary we put one up for the Antennapalooza field weekend in 2025. Ian, the man who runs the ever-popular Antennapalozza each year, is always busy and recently posted this video. Don't forget... the Antennapalooza 2026 event.. Click Here for more details.

My friend went to the Everything Open conference in Canberra and came across this article encouraging everyone to see radio as a universal asset, not just a nostalgic hobby for old folks! Bring on the revolution!

Fox Hunting in the Dell: Join Our ARDF Come and Try Day! Are you ready to sharpen your navigation skills and hunt down some hidden signals? After a scorching event last year, Jack (VK3WWW) is bringing back the Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF). Come and Try Day. WHEN: Sunday, February 22nd. Start Time:  11:00 AM WHERE: We will be meeting at Jack’s place before heading into the beautiful Bellbird Dell  to track down the transmitters. If you’re interested in coming along or have any questions, please reach out to Jack (VK3WWW) at jwbramham@gmail.com . Google Map Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gu5VKZEQPEE4KYTb6 Whether you are a seasoned "fox hunter" or have never held a directional antenna in your life, this is the perfect opportunity to learn the ropes in a relaxed, social environment. 🦊 The Hunt: Two Ways to Play We have two different setups running simultaneously to cater to all skill levels: For the Beginners (80m Band): We will have a bunch of 80m transmitters hidden throughout the Dell. These are continuous signals , making them much easier for newcomers to track. For the Pros (70cm Band): The ARDF group will be hunting five 70cm foxes. These are repurposed Radiosondes running in "Sprint Mode" (12 seconds on, 48 seconds off). It’s a fast-paced challenge! 🛠️ Gear & Equipment Don't have your own gear? No problem! Loaner Gear: We have 80m and 70cm receivers available to borrow. Important: If you are borrowing an 80m receiver, please bring your own headphones or earbuds (3.5mm stereo jack) for hygiene reasons. BYO Gear: You are more than welcome to bring your own equipment to test your skills! 📅 Event Schedule Start Time: 11:00 AM The Hunt: Most experienced members will finish their run in about 30 minutes, meaning they’ll be free to provide one-on-one instruction to beginners afterward. Social: We’ll wrap up the morning with a BYO BBQ Lunch back at Jack’s place. 📧 How to Join IN If you’re interested in coming along or have any questions, please reach out to Jack (VK3WWW) at jwbramham@gmail.com . Come along for a great day of learning, radio sport, and community. We hope to see you there!

Yes it's on again for 2026!!! Thanks to Stanley vk3bot.. Wednesday March 18th to Wednesday March 25th 2026. So.. Grab your Swag, Tent, Motorhome. Camper Trailer, Caravan, Panel-van... And have fun playing radio, camping, walking, resting, cooking, chatting, drinking, driving and more... Famparc Camp-out MARCH 2026. WHERE: Poplars Camp Ground The Poplars Follow Loch Valley Road from the town of Noojee, stay on the road and you will drive straight to the camp ground. WHEN: Wednesday March 18th to Wednesday March 25th 2026. it's listed on our club calendar. Click Here. If you can't come along for a few days, come on down for just the weekend or perhaps even just one day.. Join in with your fellow club members and sit and relax of pring ya radio gear and have some fun. UPDATE: POTA SITE Great news!! After some research I have since found out that the Poplars Campground is located within a POTA Reserve. AU-8348 So the we can now gain points towards our POTA points by using the AU-8348 Park No. Noojee State Forest Vic AU-8348 Stans setup with the Camp Kitchen The camp ground is called The Poplars which is around 10k from the tiny town of Noojee. It's an easy and enjoyable drive via Neerim South, Noojee FACILITIES: Not much, but there are drop toilets , small camp kitchen and stunning scenery. There are plenty of campsites, but no power or showers. This is a free camping area. There are plenty of trees for wire antennas, and the best part is there's almost no RF noise. The campsite is approximately 10 kilometers from Noojee, and the road is paved, making it suitable for any vehicle. Noojee features two pubs, the Noojee Hotel and The Toolshed, along with a café. There is no supermarket, but the café offers a limited selection of basic items. The campground is suitable for all types of camping, including caravans, camper trailers, motorhomes, tents, and swags. Fire pits are available. Dog's are allowed. Telstra service was limited, and we were unable to connect to any FM or DStar repeaters. However, by using a DStar hotspot, we were able to access the DStar system. Join us to spend some time with other Famparc Members, and remember to bring your radio gear..

Hi Guys, At the meeting the other day, my recently built Aursinc Allstar Node was on display and connected to the club repeater through the AllStar system, using my iPhone hotspot. As you're aware, our club's repeater is linked to the AllStar system, Node 66111. This connection enables you to use the repeater not just through the standard RF method, but also with a suitable device, like a phone with the appropriate app, or via RF into a HotSpot Device, such as an Allstar Hotspot. (Below) All you need if a FM UHF Radio. Aursinc Allstar Device attached to a Raspberry Pi3B... These AllStar HotSpots can be bought on several websites, but I was able to purchase one for a discounted price of $76.00, along with a small shipping fee. Even though I already have a high-powered Hotspot Node at home, it's not very portable. Therefore, I created this one for portable use, like camping and other activities. .. You can connect it to a AllStar node such at our club repeater 66111, or any of the over 40,000 nodes around the world. What you need: Aursinc Allstar RF Device $76.00 (approx). Click Here Raspberry Pi 3/4/5 $63.00 plus (depending on the model) 3B is just fine. Click Here You can also use a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W $30.00 Click Here ASL3 OS Free. Click Here Available from AliExpress Click Here NOTE: As of 31st Dec. 2025 There has been changes to the setup procedure that may not be represented on the video's below.. You can use the link above or here to see the new updated setup: ASL3 OS Free. Click Here Here is the PDF as well.. Cheers... Craig vk3ncr Setting it up can be quite challenging, but there is plenty of help available on YouTube. I'm more than willing to assist. The videos below can also be found on the Video page of our club's website. I have managed to get a Water Proof Box to enclose my device in.. A couple of leads off Ebay, one for the antenna and the other is the USB Power feed... Any questions.. drop in a comment below.. Cheers.... Craig vk3ncr

Hey Members, FYI... VK7RMD REPEATER As usual I monitor our club repeater VK3RUV, most of the day and enjoy our chats with our members. However due to some 2M Tropospheric Ducting , I am receiving the Tasmanian Repeater VK7RMD far stronger than our own VK3RUV. And if I change my output CTCSS Tone to 141.3Hz, I can easily have a chat on the VK7RMD Repeater. SOMERVILLE TO REPEATER: Total distance: (209.77 mi) 337.59 km This is bit of a pain for me, as if someone is using the Tasmania Repeater, I cannot hear our own VK3RUV Repeater. Maybe the WIA Repeater allocation team should have considered this? What is Tropospheric Ducting? Repeater Details: ( QRZ.COM ) VK7RMD Mt Duncan repeater site is located to the south of Penguin Tasmania there are 4 repeaters on site 70cm TX  438.600 input  433.600 tone 141.3 khz 2m TX 146.625 input 146.025 tone 141.3 khz A UHF CB repeater on UHF CB channel 44 for the local community to use and we sponsor the St Johns Ambulance,by providing hut and tower space ,for their emergency services repeater The site also hosts an APRS radio on 145.175 for APRS use. The site is owned and maintained by the North West Tasmania Radio Club Inc.  in NW Tasmania. The NWTARC can be contacted at nwtarcinc@gmail.com Anyway.. It's all part of the fun.. Cheers. Craig vk3ncr

100 watts vs. 5 watts: Can you hear the difference? In this video, I transmit at 5 different power levels, from 100 watts down to 1 watt. I record the audio from a station listening to my signal 250 miles away. In this video, I show an example of transmitting SSB at 100 watts and then turning down the power while listening to the results. A nice ham (Bryan, WZ5DX) gave me some audio feedback from 466 miles away. I also discuss some philosophical concepts about QRP and the unreliable nature of propagation that makes it hard to predict where your signal will be strong on any given day. Thanks to Stanley vk3bot for sending this information!

Hello members... The year 2025 has been incredible for the club and many of its members, and we have also succeeded in attracting more members to join our wonderful club. Numerous improvements have been made to the club and shack, including the expansion of our Club's Remote HF Station and the addition of our new 2M Club Repeater VK3RUV, which has united our members. It's an excellent spot for conversations with fellow club members. This is all due to our outstanding members and their incredible efforts and dedication. What have we done this year? Continued upgrading the Remote HF system. Installation of the first club Repeater at the club rooms. vk3ruv. Setup and connection of an ALLStar Node to our Repeater. Coffee and Cake Mornings. Lunch at a Pub get togethers thanks to Daryl vk3hbp. Expanding the clubs website and adding more products for sale. Recent installation of Security Cameras within the club rooms, thanks to a wonderful new member Patrick vk3apl. A club getaway to the Flinders Ranges SA. Famparc Camp-Outs at the Poplars Noojee, thanks to Stanley vk3bot. Activating Parks (POTA). A new 3D printer which is getting some great use from many members. We have hosted numerous guest speakers at the club who have explained various aspects of our delightful hobby. Our delightful 50th Celebration was recently held at the Westernport Hotel Hastings and was enjoyed by many of our members. A heap of new members we welcome to our club! Not a bad list for one year! 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 2026 and extend my gratitude for your support and understanding. While 2025 was an excellent year, I would like to share my Wishlist for the club for 2026. My 2026 wishlist for the club: NEW DMR 2MTR OR 70CM REPEATER: Again we have managed to pick up another Repeater for the Club. KENWOOD TKR-D710 VHF DIGITAL REPEATER. This is an FM & DMR Repeater, and while additional Cavity Filters might be necessary, it offers our members an opportunity for some enjoyment, to learn and more. A CLUB MONTHLY RAFFLE: What do you think about having a monthly club raffle? I'm considering starting a monthly raffle for club members interested in winning prizes. These could include items like a radios, gift vouchers, or electronic gadgets and more.. I would greatly appreciate your feedback! club room split system air conditioner: This was on the 2025 wishlist... Still worth considering.. 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! MORE CLUB OUTING ETC: Club Coffee and Cake morning, typically taking place on a Monday each month, 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. The Roundabout Cafe has been a success.. and is in reach of most members. Roundabout Cafe - South Frankston A recent visit showing the new layout, making it far bigger. 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 2026. In 2025, 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. Let's do 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 2026. Craig vk3ncr Famparc President