News 25.11.2018
Last week’s technical lecture was on the Multi Mode Digital Voice Modem (MMDVM) by Ian VK2HK and Lindsay VK2AMV, complete with a live demonstration; it appears that digital radio could well be the way of the future. No meeting of the Central Coast Amateur Radio Club is complete without pikelets with jam and cream lovingly cooked and served by Karen VK2AKB, and last week was no exception; thank you Karen!
The next business meeting of the Central Coast Amateur Radio Club will be on this Saturday 1st December, and all are invited, with visitors made especially welcome.
There will be a combined CCARC/WICEN Christmas luncheon on 8th December, at 11am for 12 noon, and is free to members (BYOG and soft drinks); this will be followed by the regular WICEN meeting at 2pm, so it’s best to stay clear-headed. Please RSVP to Karen VK2AKB by email to “vk2akb@wia.org.au” by next Wednesday 5th December.
The Central Coast Amateur Radio Club Field Day (otherwise known as the Wyong Field Day) is coming up on Sunday 24th February, at Wyong Racecourse. It is the biggest hamfest in the Southern Hemisphere, and is not to be missed, with many a bargain being picked up in the flea market and the trading stalls. Traders are advised to reserve their spot as soon as possible, and further information can be found on the Club’s web page: “www.ccarc.org.au”. As usual, a free shuttle bus will run between the railway station and the grounds, and free coffee and tea will be provided. If you only go to one hamfest a year, then make it this one, and go back home with plenty of goodies. Further information will be provided closer to the event.
All meetings of the Central Coast Amateur Radio Club are held at the Club rooms in Dandaloo St, Kariong, just past the fire station at 1pm, preceded by the famous sausage sizzle run by master chef Steve VK2SKC, starting at noon. The Club rooms are accessible by bus, with a stop just opposite Dandaloo St, serviced by the route 34 bus from Gosford railway station every hour. The Club rooms are usually open from 10.30 every Saturday, for general chit-chat and access to the Club workshop and library.
The Club relays VK2WI News broadcasts every Sunday morning and evening. Callbacks are taken after the morning news only, on the Somersby 6m and 2m repeaters VK2RAG on 53.725 and 146.725 MHz respectively; please note that both repeaters require the standard sub-audible tone of 91.5 Hz.
The Club also runs a mixed-mode repeater VK2RAG on 439.950 MHz, which is connected to the P25 network; a 91.5 Hz tone is required for analogue access, and is highly recommended for receiving.
There is a net held every Thursday on the 2m repeater VK2RAG on 146.725, starting at 8pm; all members are encouraged to join (especially if Club news for the ARNSW broadcast is involved). Club news is happily accepted at “publicity@ccarc.org.au”, preferably by noon on Friday. Listeners may “join” the net by email to “netmaster@ccarc.org.au” and their comments will be read out.
The Club also has a Facebook page: just look for “centralcoastarc”, so be sure to “like” it to receive further updates. There is also a Twitter account on @ccarclub .
Further information about the Central Coast Amateur Radio Club including coming events can be found on the web site www.ccarc.org.au, and it will be updated soon with a completely new look.
— Dave VK2KFU, Publicity Officer, Central Coast Amateur Radio Club
