Broadcast - 10 March 2024
We start this week’s happenings with the Wattlewood Park Equine Endurance Ride. This saw some of our members heading off in the Sassafras direction at 4 am last Saturday morning for the events early start. The day was successful from the providing of communications point of view and also because no emergency assistance was required for any of the horses or riders participating in the event. The weather was windy and cool in the morning until the sun finally decided to rise, then the wind died down and the rest of the day was warm and pleasant. Luckily the organisers placed our communications trailer next door to the canteen trailer, making thing easy for a quick coffee or egg and bacon roll, hihi. Thank you to VK7s Roger ARN, Stuart ES, Fran, Rosco RC, Peter SP, Andre’ ZAB, Idris ZIR, Tony ZTT and Stefan ZSB, who attended on one or more days transporting equipment to and from, setting up and on the day.
Thanks also to Rick VK7RI, from the north-west for volunteering to help swell the NTARC numbers on the day and manning one of the checkpoints.
Now for a much more leisurely change of pace. Last Wednesday evening saw the NTARC club rooms opening for the specific purpose of members getting together and partaking of a live visual presentation on the REAST YouTube channel.
The doors were opened at seven and saw a small trickle of members coming in, getting a drink, a piece of cake or two and being seated by 7:30 for the start of the presentation.
I am not going to steal REAST’s thunder, but suffice to say the actual presentation was fascinating and extremely enlightening. I am sure it will be covered later in this broadcast.
The presentation started right on time and lasted for about an hour and a quarter. We even ended up clapping in appreciation to Mars for her excellent presentation, silly I suppose as it was only a one way link not like a Zoom session where we could contribute audio. But with the large screen TV you were immersed in the event and felt you were there. Anyway Mars certainly deserved the applause.
The general discussions about the topic continued for about half an hour longer, then we all dissipated into the night.
The committee will run these special live YouTube watching’s for a while to gauge our member’s enthusiasm towards the concept. From this initial night it certainly seems to be an idea worth pursuing.
The next one will be held on the 3rd of April, once again a Wednesday evening with NTARC club room doors opening by 7pm for a 7:30 start. It will be on the history of universal co-ordinated time.
As always, pictures will be available on the NTARC Web site under “Blogs” for this broadcast.
Mug Order - yes, we are talking about the white mugs for drinking out of, those that have our club logo on one side, personalised with your name and call sign on the other. We are placing another order so if you would like one then please see André at the Friday coffee mornings or at the Wednesday bi-weekly club Technical Nights. Those members who have already requested a mug, please email secretary@ntarc.net to confirm order, and anyone else who wants one please specify what name is to be printed above the call sign. The final price will be about $12 depending on eventual quantity ordered.
UPCOMING EVENTS
TestNet and TechNet session - Every Wednesday, TestNet/CW course on 3.580MHz from 7pm till 7.30pm…. and a TechNet on 3.567MHz from 7.30pm till about 8.30pm. Your host for the evening will be Nic VK7WW.
Coffee Morning - held every Friday in the NTARC Club rooms. Time is from 10am to noon and we look forward to seeing you all there. So why not pop in and join us for a cuppa, there is endless tea and coffee along with biscuits available for a donation.
Club Room Technical night session - The next session will be on Wednesday the 13th of March and will commence at the usual time of 6.30 pm, running through to about 10 pm, at the Club room Archer Street, Rocherlea.
Finally - A reminder to all members that if you have any items of news you would like added to our weekly roundup, no matter how trivial, then please email them to the Secretary at the following address news@ntarc.net all items to be received no later than 5pm on the Friday prior to the Broadcast.
That’s all folks,
73, Stefan VK7ZSB, Secretary NTARC Inc.
