Q-News AR News from Queensland

QNews for May 31st 2026

Hi there - This is John VK4JPM, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club and I hope this week finds you in good spirits. Next weekend the club has two really important events - some might even say critical events - that you need to know about. Firstly next Sunday, the 7th of June. That's our day to shine at Bunnings North in Ruthven Street Toowoomba, where we'll be doing the sausage sizzle. We're hoping that the sun shines too, because people prefer snags to be dry. Regardless, it's our first big fundraiser for the club for this year, and in a moment you'll see why it's so important. Your club has one of the lowest membership fees in the country, and that's because we believe that cost should not be a barrier to entry. But hey, it still costs money to run meetings and pay for insurance, and deliver training. You can help us to continue to exist by offering a few hours next Sunday to help cook snags, wrap bread, take money - that's the fun part - and generally support the club. Tell us when you're available by sending a note to secretary@ddrci.org.au [secretary@ddrci.org.au]. Seriously: just a few hours each,spread through the day and the task is done. And by the way, if you're not a member of our club, or if you're a member of another club: no problem. We'd still welcome your contribution. And you'll get fed. Go to email right now, and tell secretary@ddrci.org.au [secretary@ddrci.org.au] when it is that you're available. And now a reason to help with fundraising. For the last year or so we've been quietly hunting for a permanent clubhouse to support the work that the Darling Downs Radio Club has been doing. And we know that a lot of our members live in communities where antennas can't be erected easily. A permanent clubhouse would create all kinds of opportunities for on-air sessions, member gatherings, project work, regular training and licence assessments, and generally being social. And we'd like your opinion on one of the options. So write down this address. The club meeting on Monday 8 June from 1900 will be held at the Kanyana Guide Hut, 18A Memory Street in Harristown. Come and join us for a discussion about how to ensure the future of the club. What do you think a club like ours should be doing? Where should we invest, and where do you think we should head? We have some other projects to discuss; we'll have a general natter; there might be some gear for sale; there will almost certainly be a show-and-tell, and there will be tea, coffee and timtams. For this meeting bring your thoughts, and bring a chair or something to sit on. That's at the Kanyana Guide Hut in Harristown, and all the details are on the website right now. And on Sunday 14 June the bimonthly informal lunch will be a BBQ at Peacehaven Park in Highfields, followed by a family-friendly fox-hunt. This is one for the harmonics, the subharmonics, the XYL, the YL and anyone who feels like a feed and some fun is what you do on a weekend. Details on the website at ddrci.org.au. Hamchallenge week 23 is upon us, and a quick squiz at the site shows that unbelievably the challenge this week is "organise or participate in a fox hunt". It's almost as if the Hamchallenge organisers are chasing down the Darling Downs Club... even though we're running our hunt in week 24. It still counts. We've received some info about incoming magazines and publications - check those out on the website, with news items heavily disguised as calendar entries. Just look for the obvious headings and you won't get lost. And to other clubs: don't forget the standing offer. If we can help you get on-air with QNEWS, drop us a line via secretary@ddrci.org.au [secretary@ddrci.org.au] Till next week warm 73s

QNews for May 24th 2026

Kevin Crandell VK4VKX went silent key on the morning of 14 May this year. He injured his head badly as a result of a fall, and never recovered. Those of you who knew Kevin know that we have lost someone special. Kevin was a member of the Darling Downs Radio Club for more than 25 years, and forged many lasting relationships since he moved to Toowoomba from Roma. Kevin contributed solidly to the success of the club. He served for nine years over two terms on the Management Committee as treasurer, and was a member of the Steering Committee for a further nine years. He was active on VHF and HF, although more recently his on-air had to be curtailed due to the requirements of the retirement community in which he was living. Kevin was known by many for his role over the last ten years as Net Controller for the Club’s weekly 2m Sunday Net. He was irrepressible and highly committed, and his presence as Net Controller will be missed. The Darling Downs Radio Club extends our condolences to his wife Jean, his family, his friends, his service mates, and the community that knew him on air. Vale Kevin Crandell. A celebration of life for Kev will be held at 1200 on Monday 25 May, which will be tomorrow for most of you listening. Details are on the club's website at ddrci.org.au ( John VK4JPM President and Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio club ) Unsurprisingly, last week's 2m net on VK4RDD was very well attended. The importance of the repeater to the club is not lost on any of us, and I'm pleased to report that the club has started some facilities upgrade work. It's a little early to release details, but we've embarked on a project which will improve the amenity and accessibility of the repeater, so watch this space. We've updated the VK4RDD repeater and VK4WID club entries in QRZ.com. Check those out, and if you don't have a QRZ entry now might be a good time to create one so that on-air contacts can find you. The 52week Amateur Radio Ham Challenge is entering week 22, and the challenge of the week is labelled "Show and Tell: your manpack". And what's a "manpack" It's the collection of portable equipment that you have ready to go at a moment's notice, so that you can grab/run/be on-air very quickly. Sound perfect for POTA activations, civil emergencies, or those moments when the rain finally stops. You might already have a pack like that, with transceiver, power, backup logging, antennas, and a container. That's just described Mr POTA's permanently setup car, ready to go right now. Telling people about your stuff isn't boasting; it can be inspirational and aspirational. Important hamwords! And that's what the 52Week Challenge is about... a bit of encouragement. Check it out at hamchallenge.org, or see the club website. Coming up: I won't give all the dates this week because there's a calendar on the website at ddrci.org.au, but two important reminders. Please volunteer to assist with our fundraising Bunnings BBQ on Sunday 7 June. Just a couple of hours of your time will help build the club coffers so that we can keep membership fees down. And we're looking for licenced club members to join the roster for the 2m net. If you have a Sunday morning hour every couple of weeks we'd love to have you on the team. Both BBQ and Net offers can be sent to secretary@ddrci.org.au [secretary@ddrci.org.au] and we'll be in touch. The 2m VK4RDD net follows the Sunday morning broadcast at 1000, and if you're listening to this in the evening how about jumping on the callback to register your presence. Every bit helps. Until next week, I'm John VK4JPM for the Darling Downs Radio Club. 73.

QNews for May 17th 2026

Hello and welcome to a special AX edition of the DDRCI contribution to QNEWS. I'm John VK4JPM, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club, and it's my job to spread good tidings. Ho Ho Ho. So as you listen live, it's most likely Sunday 17 May, and you've probably heard that today is World Telecommunications Day. Under a long-standing agreement between the ACMA and the WIA, all VK licenced amateur radio operators may use the special AX prefix today, running up to 2359 tonight. Why not come up on the callback as AX? If it's Sunday morning, then why not also join us at 1000 for the club net on VK4RDD, and we're activating today as AX4WID. We love hearing from DX stations and members of other clubs. If you can hear this you already have the gear, so you just need to be in range of Toowoomba. If you missed the club meeting last Monday, you missed something rather special. Guy Martin from ADSBSupport in Denmark explained a bit how ADS-B works; how to get global coverage to track planes; and what interesting information can be gleaned and displayed. A number of club members have applied to support ground stations, and I know of at least two club members who have been accepted as ADSBSupport builds its network. If you're interested in supporting a ground station, and if you missed the meeting, drop me a line to Secretary at DDRCI.org.au and we'll tell you how to get in touch. Coming up, the diary dates for a very busy June: Next club activity: we're at Bunnings Toowoomba North on Sunday 7 June. You can help support the club in a really meaningful way: we need Sausage Twirlers, bread-stackers, drink-stockers, ice-blockers, onion-whackers, and money-takers. No experience needed; just a few hours of your time between 0800 and 1600 would help massively. Send your immediate acceptance to secretary@ddrci.org.au [secretary@ddrci.org.au] so that we can put you on the roster. Next club meeting will be the day after Bunnings on Monday 8 June, and watch for some special news. The following weekend on Saturday 13 June we're running a BBQ lunch up at the wonderfully named Peacehaven Park on Kuhls Road, Highfields. And following the lunch, there's a definite threat of a foxhunt to take you through the afternoon. Facilities at Peacehaven are brilliant. Details of all these dates, and quite a bit more will be found on the website at ddrci.org.au. It's always a source of truth. Coming into Week 21 of the year we've been handed another bonza opportunity in the 52 Week Ham Challenge. And get this: the deal of the week is: "Read your transceiver's manual and use a feature you've never used before". Clearly this was written by someone who owns a Baofeng handheld... I'm still looking for the repeater reverse button; maybe it's in there. If only I could get the scanner to find active planes. So much fun. Read all about that and all the challenges at hamchallenge.org, or find it from our website. Finally an offer to other clubs. Getting on QNEWS is easy and helpful to the community. If you'd like to know how it's done, or if you'd like some help getting there, drop me a line. secretary@ddrci.org.au [secretary@ddrci.org.au] will do it, and our operator is standing by to take your call. And your club's call. And your words for QNEWS. As we've found out many times, people all over the state are interested in what your club is doing, and if your club meetings are being held online there's an audience waiting to be told what and how. Secretary@ddrci.org.au [Secretary@ddrci.org.au] and let's talk about how to get going. Until next week, I'm John AX4JPM for the Darling Downs Radio Club. 73.

QNews for May 10th 2026

This is Allan VK4HIT with news from Ipswich and District Radio Club. The club is currently seeking expressions of interest from Foundation amateurs or those who don't yet have a license but might just want to jump straight into it; for an upcoming Standard license training course in the Ipswich and West Moreton region. The course will be held at the Ipswich & District Radio Club with a tentative start date of Wednesday 20th May, with the course running over about five Wednesday nights with a sixth night focused mainly on Standard & Advanced regulations. If you or anyone you know is interested, please contact our training officer Greg via email VK4GJW@gmail.com [VK4GJW@gmail.com] or you can find out more via our website ipswichradioclub.org.au Club member Robert VK4KHW has reminded me about two big horse endurance events which Brisbane Area Wicen Group is providing safety communications. Details are:- This event is held at the Kilkivan Showgrounds and Equestrian Centre. Dates are Saturday 16th May 2026 and Sunday 17th May 2026. The other big event is called the Tom Quilty Gold Cup, being run out of the Stirlings Crossing Equestrian Complex, Imbil. Dates are 4th & 5th July 2026. The event runs for 24 hours. Robert will be asking for volunteers for Imbil after the Kilkivan event. Contact Robert via email rwilling65@gmail.com [rwilling65@gmail.com] It's Sunday 10 May, and only a week away from the last chance this year to use the AX Prefix with your call. Hi, I'm John VK4JPM, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club, and here's our bit of QNEWS for the coming week. And starting with our meeting to be held tomorrow night, on Monday 11 May. Last weekend in Albury we made contact with an ADSB Support, an organisation that is creating a network of receivers to map plane movements in a different way. They are also doing some work that is directly of interest to ham radio operators. We thought that was too good an opportunity to leave hanging, and they have agreed to be our special guests at the meeting. Their global tech support manager, Guy Martin will be joining us from Denmark to explain how the network operates, what it does, and how maybe you could be involved as host of a receive point. Check the website for details. If you're not in town, or simply out of town, then you can attend remotely via Zoom and we'd love to have you. You don't need to be a member to join us. But if you do come to the Scout Hall in person, rest assured that we'll have tea, coffee and timtams ready to greet you. A couple of dates for the future: * lock in 7 June, which is just a month away, when we will be doing some much needed fundraising at Bunnings. If you can spare some time on the day - a couple of hours would do it - then could you let me know via the email address secretary@ddrci.org.au [secretary@ddrci.org.au]. * it's way into the future, but lock it in now: on the weekend of 7/8 November, the Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania will be running Ham-E-Con. This will be a similar but different event to QTECH that you might have attended last year in Brisbane. It's in Hobart, so already it's different! You can link details from our website at ddrci.org.au, and even though it's a while off maybe you want to book the travel this week while there are some specials on? This week's entry in the 52 week ham challenge: Build the cheapest antenna you can and make a QSO with it. We're not sure what counts as cheap. You have to buy metal coat-hangers these days, but an old 2m mobile base screwed into a tin can would be pretty and cheap, so pretty cheap. The website is at hamchallenge.org and right now nobody has logged a toot. I'm John VK4JPM, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club.

QNews for May 3rd 2026

News of a Silent Key Brian Winterburn VK4BOW 15th August 1944 - 21st April 2026 Sad to report that one of the founding members of the Bowen Radio Amateur Group went Silent Key April 21 , 2026 Brian passed away on Tuesday 21st April after a long fight with kidney disease.. Brian was an accomplished Morse Code Operator, yachtsman, musician and technician, helping establish the Gem of the Coral Coast, 95.1MHz GEM FM and maintaining the systems of the broadcaster until ill health curtailed the activity. For a number of years Brian was a regular operator on the 3599kHz Gnarly Net and was also a former member of the Townsville Amateur Radio Club. The Amateur Radio community in Bowen, indeed in North East Queensland is measurably poorer with Brian's passing. Vale Brian Winterburn VK4BOW, Silent Key Hi there: coming from the Darling Downs Radio Club, this is our QNEWS segment for 3 May 2026, and it's the heading-to-WIA edition. I'm John VK4JPM secretary of the DDRCi. By the time you hear this, the WIA AGM will be over; we've had a great dinner, and everyone who is in Albury will be enjoying the VK Summit 2026 geekfest with presentations and hardware - a perfect match for a weekend. First up, our club's big news. If you haven't already discovered, the results are out for the 2026 John Moyle Memorial Field Day... and if you haven't found them, go to the WIA website (wia.org.au); find "for Members" at the top, then contests, and finally on the left: John Moyle Memorial Field Day. Then scroll down to the bottom. There's a report and winners document, and a file with certificates for winners. And I have to say, what a wonderful rollup it was, and congratulations to all the winners across so many categories. I'm in awe of VK3GJG who blitzed 46,842 points across a single operator home 24 hour effort, and I suspect he achieved that by supergluing himself to the chair. So how did our club go? It's time for a big smile, because we did pretty well. Despite crashing QRN, on-off rain, and a last minute discovery that the amenities block had been fenced off - I mean, what could possibly go wrong? - for the second year running we managed to pull off a convincing win in our category - which was the HF Multi-Multi 6 hour. And there was lots of learning from the effort; we ran a licence assessment, and several of our participants were contesting for the first time. As they say, We'll Be Back. The 52-week challenge at hamchallenge.org is up to week 19... and this one's really creative. They want YOU to come up with a ham radio challenge and share it with the organisers. Our team here thought maybe there's a way to establish over-the-horizon communication using a bratwurst sausage and a can of tuna. Can you make a morse key using inkjet printer parts? Or how about building a short wave receiver from tin-cans, homegrown crystal, and discarded car batteries? It worked for Hogan's Heroes and Gilligan... are their plans still around? Do a bit of thinking and get back to the team. hamchallenge.org for the website. Finally, if you're not a member of DDRCi and you join now, you will get a bonus two months of membership because new memberships go through to end of June 2027. Go to the website and click on the big red button to join, and - trust me on this - everything you need to know and do is online in the website. If it's not: tell us. We might even give you a discount for pointing out a problem.