1985 Tamanian AR Magazine news articles

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from AR magazine 1985 Feb pages 6 to 7 –
VK7 CELEBRATIONS
The 1985 Tasmanian Amateur Radio Convention will be held over the
Queen's Birthday weekend the 8th to 10th of June 1985. This "Ham fest" as it
is more usually known, is under the organisational auspices of the Southern
Branch of the Tasmanian Division of the W1A and will be centred around
Hobart.
The " Ham fest " will provide an opportunity for amateurs to share their
hobby with other enthusiasts and hopefully with the public at large. The
theme of the "Ham fest" will be "Amateur Radio. Yesterday. Today and
Tomorrow."
1985 is the 75th Anniversary of the WIA's foundation and is also the 60th
Anniversary of the formal establishment of the Tasmanian Division. This
year is also the 40th Anniversary of the re-activation of WIA activity in this
State after the suspension of amateur activity for the duration of World War
One.
It is therefore intended to make this " Ham fest " the focal point of the
celebrations of these anniversaries. A number of historical (and maybe
hysterical) re-enactments of some wireless communication landmarks are
proposed.
To begin with permission has been sought to activate briefly a "spark
transmitter “to recreate the "POP MEDHURST" experiments of 1901.
It is interesting to note that as early as 1896 Australia was to the fore in
wireless experimentation. The Chief Electrical Engineer of the Victorian
Postal Department, a Mr H W Jenvey. played an important role in the early
development work. Professor W Bragg gave a lecture (entitled 'telegraphy
without wires'), at the Adelaide University on 21st September 1897. During
the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York in the vessel R M S
' OPHIR ' in 1901. the naval escort vessels HM Ships ' St George ‘and 'Juno'
established the first marine radio communication in Australia with shore
stations at Queenscliff lighthouse. Victoria in May 1901. and at Long beach
light station. Sandy Bay. Tasmania in July 1901.
Local Government and Service clubs arc supporting this venture.
In the northwest of Tasmania work is proceeding on a trans Bass Strait
net to re-enact the establishment of the first land station licensed in 1906 and
located at Devonport.
The initial step towards inaugurating wireless telegraphy as an official
communication medium in Australia was taken with the passing of the
Wireless Telegraphy Act in 1905. The first fixed land station was licensed by
the Post Office on 7ih June 1906. Located at East Devonport. Tasmania, it
was owned by the Marconi Wireless Telegraphy Co and was used to
communicate with a similar station later established at Point Lonsdale.
Victoria. On the 12th July 1906. when both stations were fully operational,
the Governor-General of the period sent what is believed to be the first
Australian official wireless telegram to the Governor of Tasmania: "The
Commonwealth greets Tasmania and rejoices a1 the establishment of the
means for knitting the people of Australia more closely together- Northcote. "
The organisers of this proposed net are open for ideas on the actual
mechanics of marking this historic event and await the avalanche of advice
and other constructive comment. Contact Barry Risely VK7KAD who will
pass on your ideas.
In the northern part of the state it is hoped to recreate the early trans Bass
Strait VHF experiments when on Sunday 5th March 1950 VK's 7PF, 7DB.
7AM and associate Rex Summers operated from Ml Barron using 144 MHz
portable equipment and attempted to contact VK's 7DH and TAJ. Although
the transmitter caused the team problems due to lack of voltage from the
generator, the reception of signals from 7AJ/7DH at S8 and 7LH from
Western Junction at S7. Part of the equipment used on Mt Barrow is still
available and will be brought out from retirement for the occasion.
The "Ham fest" will not be just a nostalgic journey into the past but will, if all
plans succeed, be an up to date display of amateur radio techniques and
equipment. The NW coast UHF A TV group, the RTTY, Satellite and Computer
Groups will be displaying their equipment and skills. Trade exhibitors have been
invited to attend. There will be some informal social functions on site and the
whole weekend will be a season for special awards and certificates for amateur
radio activities. All are asked to give support, assistance and participation to
ensure this "Ham fest" is worthy of celebration 75 years hence.
Ken Sulman ??? VK7DY is QTHR in the callbook and is the Ham fest Convenor. Contact
him today.
The above notes supplied by Barry Risely VK7KAD. Publicity Officer. TARC 85


July 85
DEVIL NEWS FROM THE NW BRANCH
REPEATER REPORT
No problems have been reported with two
metres and it is with pleasure that it can be
reported the NW will soon have a new ATV
repeater VK7RAE on the air. The location will be at Kelcey
Tiers, behind Devonport, where the tower is
installed with 240V AC being available. The Visual
and CW ID boards are completed and the antenna
design is well on the way. Yet to be completed are
a couple of boards and the purchase of the coaxial
cable.
Sincere appreciation is tendered to and
includes VK7s AX Tony Bedelph, OL Owen Langham, OM Rob Harper SK, RN Ron Churcher SK, UD Steve Dyer, WJ Jack Wright SK, WZ Geoff Clarke SK and Peter Westerhof VK2NPW was VK1NPW for their invaluable assistance so far.
GONG AWARD
It appears the introduction of this award has
kept the use of the repeater down under the three
minute mark. The name has been changed and if
you are heard to make a mistake or other
misdemeanour, you are a contender for this award

Max VK7KY SK was our news contributor and gatherer and he called the columns “Devil News from the NW”. 
AR magazine 1985 Aug Page 54 -
DEVIL NEWS FROM THE NW BRANCH
The lease for the ATV repeater site has been
renewed so it looks like the repeater will be on top
of the mountain for a few more years.
Two metre repeaters 2 Mt Wellington, 3 Lonah and 8 Mt Barrow will be set for remote
linking by the end of the year.
Max VK7KY SK was our news contributor and gatherer and he called the columns “Devil News from the NW”.
 
from AR Magazine 1985 Oct page 56 -
DEVIL NEWS FORM THE N W BRANCH
REPEATER NEWS: As more money becomes
available, it is hoped to make some improvements
to repeater VK7RNW at Lonah Penguin. At present the repeater is performing
adequately.
ACTIVITIES: The first broadcast on RTTY by the
club was very good with five replies to the broadcast.
This was very encouraging and there is now a
regular broadcast each Friday night on 3.630MHz.
All who receive the broadcast are welcome to join in.
REMEMBRANCE DAY: Volunteers operated the
club station VK7NW for the RD Contest. Stations who
participated were: VK7s: WP Ross Bonney, WN Noel Walker SK, VK7ZAP now VK7KAP Andrew Perkins, KY Max Hardstaff SK, ZBT Greg Stammers,
EQ Steve Bush, WZ Geoff Clarke SK, WL Bill Lester SK and AX Tony Bedelph.

CLANGER AWARD: Was presented to Ivan Ling VK7XL
for miscellaneous activities leading up to and about
trying to stop a cow from choking by jumping up and
down on its stomach. The general belief was that he
was using it for a trampoline.

Max Hardstaff VK7KY SK was our news contributor and gatherer and he called the columns “Devil News from the NW”. 


from AR 1985 Nov page 75 -
DEVIL NEWS - NW Branch News
Devonport High has a class in electronics and
quite a number of the boys from the school now
have call signs, a pleasing result to the school
curriculum. The school call sign, VK7DHS, is
operational most lunch hours and after school, so
if they are heard, please give them a call.
Permission has been received for the Club to
begin work on a 70cm repeater, so now it will be all
stops out to get it operational!
The Club has had a pleasing month in the QSL
department with 154 cards incoming and 84
outwards.
Max VK7KY SK was our news contributor and gatherer and he called the columns “Devil News from the NW”. 

from AR 1985 Dec page 56 -
DEVIL NEWS FROM THE NW BRANCH
There were 85 QSL cards inwards and 110
outwards this month.
A request has been received to again provide
communications for a horse trial. This is a
worthwhile exercise and will be a combined
WICEN exercise.
Unfortunately, the 70cm ATV aerial has to
under-go a re-build, as it has had an altercation
with the wind.
VK7NW (Club station) RTTY Broadcasts have been heard in
Hobart, with a good report received from VK7HV HA VAN DER STAAY???
Bob Gore VK7KAB and Kirby Cunningham VK7KC operated from
Guilford during JOTA, whilst Ron Churcher VK7RN SK, with a group 
of Guides and Brownies, operated from Devonport.
There are several members of the Group
showing an interest in Packet Radio. VK7s AX Tony Bedelph,
KDR John Webster, ZAR Alan Ruthven SK, WR William Reid, WN Noel Walker SK, and WZ Geoff Clarke SK are starting to get this
medium on the air, so if there are any other
members interested, please contact Tony VK7AX.

Max VK7KY SK was our news contributor and gatherer and he called the columns “Devil News from the NW”.