Firstly, we acknowledged the untimely passing of our dear friend Reg, VK2MNM. Reg is no stranger to the club and he has been the morning Net Operator’s manager for sometime. Without his commitment, the morning Net would not have been the success it is today. RIP Reg.
Today at 10:30am about a dozen members attended a Members Update meeting. President Aidan updated those in attendance the following: HamFest was a great success, both in terms of attendance and monetarily. We discussed how future HamFeasts will be done and asked those present at the meeting for comments and/or suggestions. A big thank you to Mark, VK4DMH for organising this and past HamFests.
The clubhouse itself will be undergoing a facelift: The Gold Coast council paid a visit to look at one of the gumtrees on the property that is interfering with the operation of the club’s YAGI antenna. They agreed that this species of gumtree is not endangered and can be removed. Two other smaller invasive trees will also be removed. The council is assisting in arranging a tree removal service. We have paint! The club’s secretary, Ashleigh, VK4DRA arranged to get a huge discount on paint and supplies so we can give the clubhouse a much needed facelift. We will be asking for volunteers to help paint sometime in the near future. Repairs to the soffit at the rear of the building will be completed soon. The club is getting bids for this work.
Both of the club’s repeaters, one at Wongawallen and the other at Springbrook have received some equipment updates. Further work at both of these sites includes pouring concrete slabs to mount generators onto and tidying up of antennas and transmission cables.
The club was recently approached by a new enterprise located on the Gold Coast named Orbit to Orbit. They are in the very early stages but our club was approached to possibly be involved in helping them setup satellite communications and data drops from several satellites in orbit. They need our collective experience in radio and data transmissions plus antenna and computer networks to facilitate their needs. Exciting stuff!
Other discussions included the need to further explore an education component of the club to both members and non-members in basic electronics and radio theory. The club endeavours to provide these types of activities as part of its commitment to increase the Community Services component of our club. Any member who would like to participate is welcome.
The club has done an about-face from where it was not all that long ago (Covid). A lot is happening to improve the club , both physically and in terms of meeting the mission statement of the club. We need your help. Attendance at events including the club’s Saturday meet-ups are essential for the success of our club, or any club. Come to the club even if you aren’t able to help with physical work, we appreciate your knowledge, support and company.
After the meeting Daryl, VK4DGM cooked up some sausages! YUM!
