2025.05.18 News

Central Coast Amateur Radio Club News – May 18, 2025

The club rooms at Kariong are open on Saturdays from 10:00am. As always, members and visitors are most welcome.

Club President. Michael, VK2HFN, recently went maritime mobile on the Carnival Splendour along the East Coast of New South Wales and Queensland. After receiving permission, and picking a spot near the rear of the ship, well away from the ship’s antennas and other navigational equipment, he took his VX6 and was able to transmit.

Contacts were made from many places along the coast through plenty of repeaters. The longest distance registered for accessing a repeater was nearly 180km through VK2RCH, Coffs Harbour. This was done on his VX6 with only 1 watt. Gotta love that salt water amplifier.

If anyone is thinking on going on a cruise, the Carnival Splendour is Ham Radio Friendly. Once operating, Michael was never bothered while operating his radio and enjoying this great hobby.

He plans on returning to Carnival Cruises and next time taking 10m.

Many thanks to Carnival Splendour for allowing him to have a great time.

As of time of submission, all services at VK2RAG Somersby are operational.

The Club’s Weekly net is held on Thursday night at 8:00pm on the VK2RAG 2m repeater – 146.725MHz with a 91.5Hz sub-audible tone, and on the HAM Echolink conference. It is also live video-streamed on the club’s facebook page.

You can find out more about the CCARC on the web at ccarc.org.au, by phone on 02 4340 2500, or on social media by searching for “Central Coast Amateur Radio Club”. Remember to give the club a “like” to follow for any updates.

73, from Alan VK2MG
Publicity Officer, Central Coast Amateur Radio Club.

Summary of Nets

VK2RAG 146.725 with 91.5Hz tone and echolink through the HAM Conference