News Page 6
This page contains all the latest news about school amateur radio clubs. Please contact us to add your SARC news to this page. Send us a picture and description of your SARC activities. Remember to get parental permission to publish student photographs on this site and in our newsletters.
SARCNET @ Science Week 2019
National Science Week is an Australian Government initiative inspiring individuals and groups to get involved in science and technology. This year, at the invitation of principal Nigel Rodrigues, SARCNET presented its popular electronics prototyping workshop for the whole school at St. Kevin's Primary School, Ormond. It was a fun day. Everyone was able to build their own flashing LED circuit on a prototyping board and, best of all, take it home to show mum and dad! The School Amateur Radio Club Network donated over A$400 worth of prototyping kits to make this day a success.
SARCNET @ Churchill National Park 2
On Thursday 20 June 2019, The whole of St Kevin's Primary School, Ormond, donned the School Amateur Radio Club hi-viz vests and turned out for a whole day of adventure at Churchill National Park. They were in for a surprise SARCNET simulated Search and Rescue (SAR) Mission.
Peter VK3PH, from the comfort of his shack, played the role of the SAR Control Station, Julie VK3SRC ran the SAR Base Camp at the park shelter, while Joe VK3YSP took SAR Teams on a bushwalking expedition to find a "downed aircraft in rough terrain". The "aircraft" was located using Amateur Radio Direction Finding equipment. The "survivors" were rescued and treated with first-aid.
The teams learnt valuable bushwalking, navigation, triangulation, portable radio operation and first-aid skills. Students rotated around each activity. Everyone had a go of HF, VHF and ARDF equipment, maps and compasses. They learnt emergency radio operating procedures, had a bush lunch and nearly needed rescuing themselves when the heavens opened up just before the bus arrived to go home. Thanks to school principal Nigel and the teachers for a really great day.
SARCNET @ HMAS Castlemaine for ANZAC Day 2019
On 25 April 2019, ANZAC Day, SARCNET activated the HMAS Castlemaine, a historic WWII Corvette, now a museum ship. Together with Tony VK3XV, Julie VK3FOWL and Joe VK3YSP set up an Amateur Radio shortwave broadcasting station and an Amateur Radio satellite station on the bridge of the ship. The stations were operated with the special ANZAC DAY Amateur Radio Victoria call sign AX3WI.
The HMAS Castlemaine is owned, preserved and operated by the Maritime Trust of Australia, a totally volunteer-run organisation, and has been restored and maintained by those volunteers since 1974. The ship is afloat at Gem Pier, Williamstown, close to cafes, playgrounds, galleries and Seaworks Maritime Precinct.
The picture shows Tony operating an Elecraft K3 transceiver. Shortwave radio propegation from the ship, moored on Port Phillip Bay, using a simple end-fed, half-wavelength, wire antenna, was excellent. Joe and Julie entertained a stream of inquistive children all wanting to try their hand at Morse code using a real telegraphy key. Everyone had a great time and all helped to commemorate ANZAC Day 2019.
FT-817 Speech Synthesizer (Rachel)
Dear Julie and Joe,
A couple of months ago I found a write up in CQ Magazine (March 2019) regarding your FT-817 Speech Synthesizer. I have a blind friend Bill KG9QJ who bought a Yaesu FT-817 Transceiver, before losing his sight and so could no longer effectively use it. Bill would never part with a radio that he loved, but intended to sell it because of his handicap. I contacted you and requested information which you were kind enough to supply. I recently built it, incorporating a few design changes, and gave it to him and let me tell you that you would think that he won a lottery! Attached are a few pictures Bill, with dog Driver, and me for your review and information. I hope you enjoy viewing them and take satisfaction in knowing how your efforts have brought joy and happiness in an individual's life. Speaking for Bill and myself, Thank you very much for your help and God Bless you both.
Respectfully,
Rick W9DPN
Dear Rick,
Thankyou for your kind words, but it is really yourself who deserves all the accolades in this good-news story. You showed real perception and empathy in recognising a need, you did something very thoughtful for your friend Bill and you devoted your own time and effort to help a mate out in a very practical way.
By the looks of your completed project you have improved on our design and presented a beautifully finished product. We can clearly see the effort you have taken and your attention to detail in the design, layout, assembly, lead dress and labelling. We can tell, just by looking at the pictures, that you are a real craftsman and take pride in your work. All of this, Rick, inspires us and hopefully will inspire others to do the same.
Kind regards and say Hi to Bill for us,
Julie VK3FOWL and Joe VK3YSP
www.sarcnet.org