Don VK4BY, VK4YLW, Jeff VK4NJB, Ray VK4XXX and Bob VK4FRC attended.
We had radios operating on VHF. UHF and HF.
Ray had his ICOM IC7000 on HF with a Tarheel monster screwdriver antenna. He had some good contacts around Australia and heard a few distant DX stations. Don had his Yaesu FT-847 with a dual band VHF/UHF vertical antenna mounted on Bob’s tripod. Don’s contacts were limited to the VHF repeater on Pinnacle Mountain, which was contacted both directly and through the translator in Yeppoon. Ray supplied the DC power from his vehicle supply which was maintained by solar panels on the vehicle.
Bob at the ready to demonstrate CW
We had discussions with the Mayor of Yeppoon Andy Ireland. Andy passed the morse code test under Bob’s supervision and he was issued a completion certificate for his efforts.
The display operated from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.
Another successful day held at the Livingstone Disaster Coordination Centre.
In attendance VK4NJB Jeff, VK4FLR Frank, VK4BY Don, VK4XXX Ray, VK4FRC Bob, VK4KNB Nev, VK4AED Mal, VK4FJGS Jason and VK4KWS Kent.
Some portable Winlink systems configured and running.
Don VK4BY setup a third standalone Winlink post office which can be used for training or digipeating as required.
Frank VK4FLR gave a talk on several topics including the local microwave scene, the 9cm digital distance record set from his deck to Brisbane, Nano VNA software by Joe Smith and showed a very interesting video on how easy it is to get onto microwave with off the shelve affordable gear.
To-day (15/12/2021) Jeff VK4NJB Leigh VK4YLW and Frank VK4FLR successfully conducted a communications test between the LDCC HUB & the Evacuation Centre at the Yeppoon State High School during a timed exercise in deploying over 650 chairs at the centre by LDCC staff & also testing the registration process & procedures should this centre be required in a disaster - an extensive debrief exercise was also conducted.
The CQARA attended the Community Fun Day at Woodbury on 26th June 2022.
The CQARA attendees were Ray VK4XXX, Don VK4BY, Jeff VK4NJB and Bob VK4FRC not pictured
A marquee, tables, radios, signage, CW facility and antennas were set up for portable operation.
All operation was off battery supplies and solar panels mainly provided by Ray VK4XXX.
Bob set up a morse code station to allow participants to learn a little bit of morse code.
Participants received a certificate if they could send their name in morse code. Many children had a great time.
Ray set up a HF station with an end fed half wave antenna. Don set up a HF Winlink station also using an end fed half wave antenna.
Local interference prevented making any good contacts.Winlink was also suffering from RF interference on the computer.
Otherwise the CQARA had a good display and we spoke to many people.
Food and ice cream was provided by the organisers, so we all had a good time. Weather was excellent.
Thanks to those who attended and to the Livingstone Shire Council for facilitating the event.
CQARA once again was an invitee of Local Disaster Management Group to show the public what we offer in time of grid failure. Don VK4BY demonstrated how a VHF Winlink station could be deployed in the field and make use of VARA FM Digipeating function. Don was able to connect to VK4LM using VK4FLR as a digipeater to send emails into the internet. Also demonstrated P2P messages sent to VK4KWS via VK4FLR and VK4LM.
Jeff VK4NJB also showed off how amateur radio doesn't rely on the internet to get voice messages to where they need to go.
Not pictured, Bob VK4FRC showed younger people how to send their name in CW (morse code) and issued certificates on their achievements. Ray VK4XXX Geoff VK4AGB and Leigh VK4YLW also helped manning the display.
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