YLs in VK7 3,6,23
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YLs in VK7 Linda Luther VK7QP In this Centenary year it is appropriate to celebrate the contribution made by YLs and XYLs to amateur radio in Tasmania. There were those who took out a licence, and those who contributed either through social activities or by assisting with antenna construction or similar radio related support. The Early YLs The first to be celebrated is Joy Batchler (nee Crowder), VK7YL Joy got her licence in April 1936 and was one of only six licenced YLs at that time. Her interest in amateur radio was sparked after talking with a girlfriend who said her uncle was a ham who broadcasts on 200m. They trekked off from Sandy Bay to Quarry St in Nth Hobart and spent most of the night with Jack VK7JB talking radio, resulting in them missing the midnight tram and had to walk back home! Joy went off to the Tech College where Jack was a Morse trainer and got her AOCP (Amateur Operators’ Certificate of Proficiency) in 1935. Jack and Joy married in 1940. Joy appeared in the Mercury magazine of the time called “Woman’s Realm” on Friday June 3,1936 and the accompanying article was titled – “Hobart Girl Holds Distinctive Honour”. INSERT PHOTO #1 INSERT CAPTION: Joy VK7YL Joy built a superhet receiver followed by a three stage bread-boarded transmitter which put her on air with 25 watts of power. Her aerial masts were lengths of 4x4 (100 mm square) Oregon spliced together to make two 95 foot (30 m) masts. How much easier it is today now that transceivers can be bought off the shelf. During the Christmas holidays of 1962-63) Snow VK7CH on the yacht Morinna used to have regular skeds with Jack VK7JB. The group gradually increased. Joy VK7YL remarked that it reminded her of a group of children during their sewing lessons. It was this remark that coined the label of “The Sewing Circle”. This net continues today daily on 3.640 MHz commences at 6:00pm AEST and also has a “Meet the Voice gathering” in Ross each year. Anne Landers was the next YL to gain her licence in VK7. In June 1963 Anne became Secretary of the VHF section, and in June 1964 became VK7ZYL, and obtained her full callsign VK7LY in December 1965. She is now VK7BYL and remains active on the HF bands. INSERT PHOTO # 2 INSERT CAPTION: Anne VK7LY/VK7BYL During this time YLs and XYLs were invited to field days and annual dinners. In November 1965 a Hamfest was held in which there was a ladies’ competition – “throwing the rolling pin”. In the 1970s and 1980s a newsletter QRM was published. Early editions included a Ladies page to which recipes and sewing patterns were contributed. “WAGS” and “WAGS” The YLs and XYLs in Tasmania were generally involved in the social side of events and would do the catering. Their group was called WAGs Women’s’ Auxiliary Group (It is recognised that this acronym now refers to the WAGS, the well-supported Wednesday Afternoon Group of REAST). Amongst other things, the WAGs organised a bottling of wine and port, and a barbeque at Mt Field. Recognition of the value of XYLs in contributing to radio was noted in 1975 by a report that “Reg VK7KK and Annette have shifted to their new house in New World Avenue Trevallyn. Reg already has his H.F. vertical erected thanks to Annette’s help.” YL Numbers Increase By1980 there is evidence of two more YLs, Sue VK7ZSU/NSU, who wrote the Southern Branch notes and coordinated WAGS, and Jan VK7JM. Joan Fudge wrote the North West Branch notes but does not seem to have a licence at that time. INSERT PHOTO #3 INSERT CAPTION: SUE VK7ZSU/NSU In August 1982 a list of VK7 YL operators was published in QRM. The list was created by Jan VK7JM and she asked for any more names to be sent to her. VK7CC Christine Vk7HD Helene (SK) VK7YL Joy (SK) VK7JM Jan VK7ZYL Joan VK7ZSU/NSU Sue VK7NSB Lucy VK7NRG Sue VK7NPK Pauline Where are they now? ALARA gets underway Back to 1975 when a letter from Norma VK3AYL was published in QRM announcing the setting up of LARA ( Ladies Amateur Radio Association). This later became ALARA, putting Australia on the front.. While ALARA was based in Victoria, it encouraged participation from around Australia and sought the appointment of state representatives. The first VK7 rep (from 1975) was Anne Landers VK7LY. In 1978 Helene Dowd became VK7 rep. Helene obtained her Novice licence as VK7NHD in 1977 and joined ALARA late in the same year. She obtained her full licence, VK7HD, in 1978. Later Helene, VK7HD wrote the “Southern Notes” and contributed an ALARA page to QRM from 1985. Laura VK7NYL had also gained her licence by this time and assisted at TARC (Tasmanian Amateur Radio Convention) in 1985. Grace VK7NNN and Laura VK7NYL also joined ALARA in 1985. In February 1986, listeners to ABC Broadcast stations heard a segment of the program "Airwaves" present three ALARA members taped off the air as they spoke on 40 metres. The segment was entitled "Radio for Fun". It began with an interview, and then, combining with Helene VK7HD in a "QSO" were Austine VK3YL, and Marilyn VK3DMS. Austine, the senior partner, having held a license for over 20 years, spoke with considerable emphasis on the early days of home-constructed CW-only equipment, while Helene and Marilyn revealed the later developments in world-wide communication. All three combined to present a clear picture of amateur radio procedure and the varied activities within the hobby. In 1986 Helene received a plaque for outstanding service to ALARA. Helene was ALARA President from 1983 to 1986 INSERT PHOTO # 4 INSERT CAPTION: Helene VK7HD Helene was followed by Susan Brain VK7LUV as VK7 rep. Susan VK7LUV and her OM Alan VK7JAB operated several different Lighthouses, Table Cape in 2000 and Low Head in 2001, as part of the International Lighthouse Weekend. ALARAmeet 2008 - Ulverstone Susan followed in Helene’s shoes as ALARA President in 2005. Notably, Susan was convener of ALARAmeet in Ulverstone in 2008. Apart from the displays of history and craft work at the meet, there was a visit to the Axeman’s Hall of Fame and the Queens Victoria Museum and Art Gallery at Inveresk. We have ALARAmeet in Hobart in 2023. The 2008 meet will be a hard act to follow, from all reports. Many of those at the 2008 meet will also be in Hobart, so there will be a chance to compare. INSERT PHOTO # 5 INSERT CAPTION: ALARAmeet 2008 Ros VK7NAW became VK7 representative in 2005, and celebrated by winning the ALARA contest that year. She continued her success in future years. Ros has now moved to South Australia. Another notable participant in the ALARA contest at that time was Catherine, VK4VCH, later VK4GH. She has continued her interest in contesting and has now moved to Tasmania with the callsigns VK7GH and VK7C. Shirl VK7HSC got her licence in 2000 and Ros signed her up for ALARA at the Sewing Circle BBQ in Ross. Shirl became VK7 rep from 2010- 2014 and was President of the North West Tasmania Amateur Radio Club for four years from 2019. Shirl has kept up contact with YLs in the north, including Helen VK7FOLK, Anne VK7BYL and Tanya VK7MMT. INSERT PHOTO# 6 INSERT CAPTION: Shirl VK7HSC, Tanya VK7MMT, Anne VK7BYL and Tony VK7OT ALARA turns 40 In 2015 it was time for the ALARA 40th celebrations in Melbourne. During my caravan travels I met up with Jean VK3VIP at a Hamfest in Melbourne. She invited me to the birthday celebrations as one of the founder members of LARA in 1975.. While there I was asked to be the VK7 representative, in which position I continue today. In 2016 in conjunction with REAST, Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania, a lunch was held to encourage women into amateur radio. As a result, Angela VK7FAMP got her licence, and Kathy VK7KJJ became more involved with amateur radio. The group has been enjoying meeting from time to time since then. INSERT PHOTO# 7 INSERT CAPTION Kathy VK7KJJ, Angela VK7FAMP, Linda VK7QP, Sue K5DU A “President’s” Lunch A notable event in 2018 was the Presidents lunch, when Shirley VK5YL, President of ALARA visited Tasmania. Justin VK7TW was President of WIA at the time and we met with as many ALARA Tasmania members who could make it to lunch at the Raspberry Farm in Elisabeth Town. INSERT PHOTO# 8 INSERT CAPTION: Presidents’ lunch Front row Linda VK7QP, Shirley VK5YL, Anne VK7BYL Second row Mal and Rosanne VK7NAW, Judy (Linda’s sister) Justin VK7TW, Pam (Anne’s friend) Helen VK7FOLK, Shirl VK7HSC Back Row Jon VK7JON, Reuben VK7FREU (Justin’s son) What next? The future is secure for YLs in amateur radio through the efforts of the Huon Scout Group. Mike VK7MRS has been leading an electronics group there for a number of years. Lakia VK7LJB and Aiva VK7AKT have been successful in the ALARA contests and continue to enjoy amateur radio activities. YLs were well represented at the Tassie Hamfest in November 2022. We had a table at the Hamfest, and the group of ladies present took time out to go for coffee. Jane, VK7BJ, Margaret ZL3YF Catherine VK7GH, Linda VK7QP, Andrea, VK7AAC and Marija VK5MAZ were all there INSERT PHOTO# 9 INSERT CAPTION: Tassie Hamfest 2022 Jane VK7BJ, Margaret ZL3YF, Catherine VK7GH, Linda VK7QP, Andrea VK7AAC, Marija VK5MAZ The situation continues with YLs assisting OMs with their activities on the air Anne, YF of Ross, VK7ZR helped set up and dismantle the John Moyle Memorial Field Day portable equipment at White Hills near Launceston on March 19 2023. Their combined effort must have been successful because Ross achieved a high score in one section. Anne has expressed interest in helping Ross with SOTA and WWFF activations. INSERT PHOTO# 8 INSERT CAPTION: Anne YF of Ross VK7ZR ALARAmeet 2023 - Hobart The next big adventure for YLs in VK7 is ALARAmeet 2023 in Hobart. Our planning group is Catherine, VK7GH, Kathy VK7KJJ, Angela VK7FAMP, Jane VK7BJ and me. We have an interesting programme planned for the weekend of 3 – 6 November, in conjunction with REAST. YLs are coming from across Australia and New Zealand to join the celebrations. Look out for updates in Amateur Radio, ALARA newsletter and the WIA broadcasts.