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Material for November
2005 Newsletter
Closing date for material for inclusion in the next Newsletter
is November 1st, 2005.
Please, please, please, this is
YOUR Newsletter -
I can’t pull items, photos and articles out of any air,
hat (or computer).
Send by email: jhnewport@dodo.com.au
or snail mail:
PO Box 7087, Toowoomba MC, Q4352
Thank you.
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At the General
Meeting being held at Paterson on the weekend of October 21-23,
there will be a BBQ tea on Saturday 22nd and we would like the
ladies to bring salads. A small cost of $3.00 per head for the
BBQ and the camp fee will be $5 per rig per day.
If you are going to attend, it would be much
appreciated if you would let Bob Locking know on 02 4958 4355
or 0427 789 173, Stan Ashlin on 02 6374 1077 or 0427 935 884,
or Kim Greenwood on 02 4928 1903 or 0407 018 276 in advance.
Our N.S.W. Christmas function will be held at the Catherine Hill
Bowling Club on 25-28 November 2005 and it would be appreciated
if members would donate items for the Christmas hamper (no out-of-date
goods, thank you) raffle, so be generous as we would like to have
3 prizes. |
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We arrived in Port Hedland the first week in
May, picked up the Motorhome and headed south. It was good to
be back on air again and talk to so many members who were over
in Western Australia or travelling up the centre through Alice
Springs.
The airways have been very busy particularly during the skeds
as there are a number of Members in the West who are keen radio
operators. It was also good to hear some new Members using their
radios thus enabling them to learn the finer points. There is
nothing like practice to gain confidence. Vice President John
manned the base at Broome for two weeks upon his arrival during
the sked times.
This was well received with a surge of activity with Members using
the base to relay messages to friends whom they had not been able
to contact. At around this time we tried a sked at 5.30pm WA time
to the east coast on Channel 55. This proved quite successful
with a number of Members able to talk with friends on the opposite
side of the continent.
The Casino base is manned by Frank de Kock on a voluntary basis.
He has a map of Australia on the wall of the HF hut updated with
your current position when you call in. We are very grateful to
Frank for keeping his eye on the base especially at sked time
when there are none of our Members available.
Kay and I seem to be the only ones travelling south as there are
hordes of motorhomes and caravans travelling north. It has been
great that we have been able to link up with HF Members migrating
north in some fabulous bush campsites by using our radio. Some
we have never met but have spoken to them many times on the radio.
For those Members who have Barrett radios, you will be pleased
to know I spent a most informative couple of hours at Barrett
radio talking to both the technical and sales people. I found
them to be a very professional bunch who are very proud of their
new radio. All going well, a descriptive and informative article
prepared by Barrett should be in this newsletter. (Unfortunately
this has not been received yet, but should be in the next issue
of News Across the Airwaves. Ed.)
We are now south of Perth, in fact, today we were at the lighthouse
at Cape Leeuwin (the most south-western point of Australia). Prior
to that we spent a few days at Kim and Toni Rhodes’ property.
Kim is an amateur radio enthusiast a growing number of whom are
joining our Club. These enthusiasts have a wealth of knowledge
and are so willing to help those of us struggling to get to grips
with this technology. We had a wonderful time with them. You often
hear Kim on the radio so make yourself known to him.
Although the weather has not been too kind to us (cool and showery),
the scenery is just something else. For those of you who have
not been here as yet it is far more beautiful than anyone says.
We hope to see you all at either a meeting or Christmas party
in the east over the coming months as we are bringing our motor
home back to Sydney. It is a long time since we have had it home.
Keep it turned on,
Terry and Kay
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| WHY IS IT SO?
How come wrong numbers are never busy?
Do people in Australia call the rest of the world “up under”?
Does that screwdriver belong to Philip?
Does killing time damage eternity?
Why is it called lipstick if you can still move your lips?
Why is it that ‘night falls’ but ‘day breaks’?
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Notice: Members are hereby formally given notice that a Special
General Meeting of the HF Radio Club is scheduled to be held at
Paterson on Saturday, 22nd October, 2005 at 2.30 p.m.
The agenda for the meeting will be as follows:–
1. Opening of the Meeting
2. Apologies (these must be in writing and handed, before the meeting,
to an office-bearer of the Club attending the meeting)
3. Announcement of Proxies (proxies on the form printed in the Newsletter
shall be handed to an office-bearer of the Club attending the meeting
at least 24 hours before the beginning of the meeting)
4. Motions With Notice:–
i) “That the current constitution of HF Radio Club Inc. be
repealed and that the proposed constitution circulated to members
with the August/September Newsletter be adopted in its place, such
change to take effect at the conclusion of this Special General
Meeting,” moved by Terry Childs and seconded by Campbell Cripps
Clark.
ii) “That all current By-Laws of HF Radio Club Inc. be repealed
and that the proposed By-Laws and Standing Orders circulated to
members with the August/September Newsletter be adopted in their
place, such change to take effect at the conclusion of this Special
General Meeting,” moved by Terry Childs and seconded by Campbell
Cripps Clark.
5. Close of Meeting
General Meeting: It is planned to hold a general meeting of members
present at Paterson, at a convenient time on the afternoon of Saturday,
22nd October, 2005 after the Special General Meeting, to discuss
Club operations, future directions and any other appropriate matters. |
During our recent travels in WA, Margery
and I spent a couple of weeks in Broome and on a number of occasions
were lucky enough to operate the HF Club’s Radio Base
during the 5.30 PM (WA time) talk time (Sked). The base worked
very well, but it must be remembered that the aerial was set
up for WA use, it points east west and that means it is most
suitable for communications north and south of Broome. Simply
put this means our base in Broome is best for communications
within WA and less suited for reaching the East Coast, which
is exactly what we required when Terry set up the base. Mobile
telephone coverage in NT and northern WA is to say the least
poor and in this respect our Broome base is outstanding, we
used the telephone interconnect on a number of occasions and
it worked very well. I can recommend this method of communication
to anyone travelling in this area as mobile phone coverage is
only in some towns and there are few of them, anyway
Within the last year Clive, our base operator, has had more
work and is sometimes away from home for days at a time; this
makes returning calls sometimes slow. If you are in Broome,
call in and have a chat to Clive at the Pistol Club where our
base is, or even camp there for a fee; it is an overflow campground
when the Broome Caravan Parks are full.
I would like to thank Terry for all his work in getting this
base up and running; it has made our trip to WA safer as we
could always ring our family if required.
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Click
here to see graphic
The History - In June 2002 a new public company CMCA (Casino Village)
Limited was formed for the purpose of acquiring part of the old
Casino Airport and to develop Australia’s first motorhome
village. Purchase of the site occurred in June 2003. It was at
this time that the CMCA’s shareholding in CMCA (Casino Village)
Limited reduced to 25% with the remaining 75% of shares being
owned by a consortium of CMCA Members. Since then further share
issues have diminished the CMCA percentage holding but it remains
a major shareholder in the company.
The Village - The Village site is park-like, level and situated
1.5 kms from the town's CBD. There is a ‘Club House’
(ex-airport terminal building), a BBQ and Camp Oven Hut, Swimming
Pool and other buildings for guests’ use. The Village is
proud to provide a base and “Shack” for the HF Radio
Club. It provides first-rate site accommodation, entertainment
facilities and areas to cater for “happy hours”. Level
sites can be rented at attractive rates and guests are welcome
to stay overnight, for a week, for an extended period or even
to purchase one of the Villa style homes. The Village is a place
to either relax in private surroundings or to join in the multitude
of activities available.
Casino is a pretty, tidy town on the banks of the Richmond River
with a temperate climate and approx 15,000 residents. It is a
major route for north/south traffic and sits at the intersection
of two major highways providing access to the coast and the mountains.
Its infrastructure includes two hospitals, two major supermarket
and shopping centres, retail businesses, service clubs, restaurants,
medical and allied health practitioners.
Apply for the Offer Information Statement to invest
- minimum investment is 2000 shares at $1.25 each
CONTACT: Vince Moran (CMCA (Casino Village) Ltd) - Phone 02 6662
8803
Mobile 0408 221 023 - Fax 02 6662 2790 - Email vincentmoran@telstra.com
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Gee, doesn’t the time go fast when you are having fun. It
was only the other day that we were all at Warracknabeal for the
A G M and now a number of us are in north Queensland for the winter
months and having a few happy hours and getting to know others
who could be members in time.
We have attended the Mareeba Rodeo this year for the second time
with other members of the H F Radio Club and have met a few who
will be with us as time goes by. As I have said before, to all
of our members, please look for H F Aerials on all types of vehicle,
then take the time to have a chat to them and tell them what our
club has to offer them. As you all know, the Club Membership Fee
of $65.00 including the use of our telephone interconnect is a
great deal and not offered by other clubs. All they have to do
is put $50.00 in our phone account to cover the cost of calls.
Make sure you have an application form in your vehicle to hand
out.
Over the winter we have had some good contacts with members in
West Australia at the 5.30 pm. Sked W A time on 7899 and our members
in the West have been keeping in contact with each other. On some
nights we, in the East, can communicate with them. May I suggest
you have a listen for our members who are travelling to the West.
Please join in and get to know others.
Now I am on the call for help. As you all know, our club is a
dealer in H F Radios and can supply new Codan N G T and 950 Barrett
Radios (and we still have some secondhand 9323s at terrific prices.
It is very important that you all work for the benefit of our
club in helping to find prospects for the club to follow up with
the sale. The profit we make from selling the radios we can put
towards New Base Stations to give you, our members, better coverage
of this b-i-g country.
By the time you read this, the club will have had a gathering
of members and friends at Ross Dam, Thuringowa on 19th.-22nd.
August. From what I know at this date, it looks as though it will
be a good roll up. There is no doubt that we will have had some
good talks about our club and how we can help our members, when
they are on the road, to keep in touch with others.
There are some members who would like to know more on how to get
the best out of their radio, may I suggest you listen on our Sked
times 7.30 am and 4.30 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST). Don’t
be shy, join it, speak up, have a talk to other members and they
will be happy to help (please keep your talks short and allow
more members to have a go).
Safe and happy travelling – I’ll be listening.
Regards,
Ray,
Field Officer
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Don’t
forget
“Christmas at Lowood” - 18-20th November, 2005
We would like to make it
even BIGGER and BETTER than last year.
Contact Glyn Sellars, Den Sharpe, Garry Tustian, Noel Outten
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Designed and built in Australia for the world’s
hardiest conditions, Barrett HF equipment thrives in the outback
and has the track record to prove it.
The Barrett “Outback Traveller Pack” should be considered
as standard equipment for anyone travelling in remote areas.
Utilising the “free to air” nature of HF communications,
the “Outback Traveller Pack” provides access to
essential safety & emergency services with no ongoing call
charges.
Click here for the Barrett
advertisement graphic.
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Are you having difficulty
with transmitting from your H F radio in your motorhome? I did,
and thanks to Garry Tustian and Phoenix Communications for their
input, I have overcome the problem and have had no more problems
since making these changes. I have prepared the following notes
for the benefit of H F radio owners who have tall vehicles such
as motorhomes and have difficulty in placing the aerial for optimum
performance as well as safety from overhead wires and other obstacles.
Please click on (Fig xx) to see the photo.
Problem No. 1
The aerial was mounted too low at
the rear of the motorhome. To raise it would pose problems with
overhead power lines, bridges etc.
Problem No. 2
The handset was too close to the
aerial, thereby causing “feedback” through the microphone
when transmitting.To overcome these problems I have:
i) re-mounted the remote handset further away from the aerial
(about 2 metres) and
ii) installed a sliding apparatus to allow the aerial to be raised
to at least roof height properly and
iii) securely earthed both the aerial and radio unit.
I do not use the H F radio whilst
driving (illegal) and, because of engine noise, I chose not to
install the handset in the driver’s cab. Consequently, I
need to stop the vehicle to use the radio with the aerial in the
raised position for best performance.
Sliding Apparatus
The aerial is quick and easy
to raise and lower.
a) undo the Velcro, which holds the slack cable (Fig.
1),
b) loosen the bolt and raise the aerial
c) secure it in place by tightening the bolt (Fig.
2). Takes about ten seconds.
As I use the H F radio in my four-wheel drive as well, I have
no difficulty in removing the aerial by removing the securing
nut and disconnecting the cable where it joins an extension cable
just under the vehicle.
Construction of the sliding apparatus was easy and economical.
My design uses two sizes of galvanized water pipe, the smaller
diameter pipes being threaded at one end, two galvanized brackets
(one mounted on the bumper bar) and two threaded galvanized plates
for fixing to the vehicle and bottom bracket (Fig.
1). A ‘T’ piece was welded to slide over and secure
the main pipe. The mounting bracket (Fig.
3) was welded to a short length of larger diameter pipe, which
has the securing nut and bolt attached.
I hope that these notes may
be of help. If you have any comments or questions please telephone
me on 02 4341 6236.
Dennis Goodsell cruisway@terrigal.net.au
(Set used: Barrett 550)
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|
Members are reminded of the opportunity for a great long weekend
at Casino when the CMCA Village is holding the “National
Camp Oven Festival”, otherwise the CCCCC (Casino Campoven
Cooking Coaching & Competition). The “coaching”
is by Tommo and Derek Bullock, who will be demonstrating the finer
points and you can compete for breakfast, dinner and tea (morning
or afternoon) as well as other specialities – scone throwing
etc. to say nothing of bush poetry over breakfast, singalongs
and other entertainment for three days solid.
Its on 1st – 3rd October but you are more than welcome to
stay longer (at the special HFRC rates of course).
Nerelle only asks that you book individually beforehand to make
it easier to handle the influx. By the way, there were only 11
powered sites left, over in our usual spot by the ablutions etc.
with the other HFers, so early booking is advised. Ring Nerelle
on 02 6662 1069 or fax (02 6662 3222).
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Are you having difficulty with transmitting from
your H F radio in your motorhome? I did, and thanks to Garry Tustian
and Phoenix Communications for their input, I have overcome the
problem and have had no more problems since making these changes.
I have prepared the following notes for the benefit
of H F radio owners who have tall vehicles such as motorhomes
and have difficulty in placing the aerial for optimum performance
as well as safety from overhead wires and other obstacles.
Problem No. 1
The aerial was mounted too low at the rear of the motorhome. To
raise it would pose problems with overhead power lines, bridges
etc.
Problem No. 2
The handset was too close to the aerial, thereby causing “feedback”
through the microphone when transmitting.
To overcome these problems I have
i) re-mounted the remote handset further away from the aerial
(about 2 metres),
ii) installed a sliding apparatus to allow the aerial to be raised
to at least roof height
iii) properly and securely earthed both the aerial and radio unit.
As I do not use the H F radio whilst driving
(illegal) and because of engine noise I chose not to install the
handset in the drivers cab. Consequently, I need to stop the vehicle
to use the radio with the aerial in the raised position for best
performance.
Sliding Apparatus
The aerial is quick and easy to raise and lower. Undo the velcro
which holds the slack cable, loosen the bolt and raise the aerial,
securing it in place by tightening the bolt again. Takes about
ten seconds.
As I use the H F radio in my four-wheel drive
as well, I have no difficulty in removing the aerial by removing
the securing nut and disconnecting the cable where it joins an
extension cable just under the vehicle.
Construction of the sliding apparatus was easy
and economical. My design uses two sizes of galvanized water pipe,
the smaller diameter pipes being threaded at one end, two galvanized
brackets (1 mounted on the bumper bar) and two threaded galvanized
plates for fixing to the vehicle and bottom bracket. A ‘T’
piece was welded to slide over and secure the main pipe. The mounting
bracket was welded to a short length of larger diameter pipe which
has the securing nut and bolt attached.
I hope that these notes may be of help. If you
have any comments or questions please telephone me on 02 4341.6236.
Dennis Goodsell
cruisway@terrigal.net.au
(Set used: Barrett 550)
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The Club’s first North Queensland Rally, held in Townsville
from 19th to 22nd August 2005, was a success with 32 units attending.
The North Queensland weather was perfect and transmission excellent.
Ray Lawson signed up new members, Shirley & Maurie Dixon (their
selcall is in the new list). Please give them a call to welcome
them.
Shirley and Maurie supplied the music and entertainment for the
clubs bar-b-cue on the Saturday night which was certainly appreciated
by all. A great night with plenty of laughs.
North Queensland is a whole new area for the Club to explore and
expand membership. Quite a few non-members attended the rally
and were impressed to say the least. There will certainly be future
membership drawn from the Rally.
It is planned to extend the Rally in Townsville, next year, to
one week with trips to Magnetic Island, Charters Towers, Ravenswood
and the Burdekin Dam, a night at Jupiters Casino and the races
on the Saturday. Sound good!! Sure does!!! Start planning your
trip for next winter to be in Townsville in mid-August and watch
the club magazine for details.
Your continued support for the Club officials will see this club
expand rapidly. Don’t forget that all their work is voluntary
and, as members, we thank them for their dedication to the organisation.
All the best,
Arthur & Heather Doubleday
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Are you still
collecting those ring-pulls from drink cans?
Pass them to Peg who will pass them on. |
|
A Marine stationed in Afghanistan recently received a “Dear
John” letter from his girlfriend back home, as follows:
Dear Ricky,
I can no longer continue our relationship. The distance between
us is just too great. I must admit that I have cheated on you
twice, since you’ve been gone, and it’s not fair to
either of us. I’m sorry. Please return the picture of me
that I sent to you.
Love Becky.
The Marine in Afghanistan, with hurt feelings, asked his fellow
Marines for any snapshots they could spare of their girlfriends,
sisters, ex-girlfriends, aunts, cousins etc. In addition to the
picture of Becky, Ricky included all the other pictures of pretty
girls he had collected from his mates. There were 57 photos in
that envelope … along with this note:
Dear Becky,
I’m so sorry, but I can’t remember who you are. Please
take your picture from the pile and send the rest back to me.
Take care,
Ricky. |
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At the end of the first four months of the current financial year,
i.e. 31st July 2005, the current balances and the total income
and expenditure are:
| No 1 A/c |
$14,717.88 |
No 2 A/c |
$2,325.99 |
Total |
$17,043.87 |
| Total Income |
$14,045.35 |
Total Exp. |
$11,189.52 |
Nett Inc. |
$2,855.83 |
Major items of income and expense (in round
figures) include:
| Membership Fees* |
$9,935 |
ACA Licence Fees |
(nett) $4,578 |
| Resale of Supplies |
$1,828 |
Insurance |
$1,074 |
| TIC deposits |
$750 |
Base Equipment Repairs |
$1,034 |
| |
|
Newsletter Expenses |
$762 |
| *including 20 new members’ joining fees |
|
Telephone |
$612 |
| |
|
Audit Fees |
$440 |
Note that it would be misleading to compare
apparently corresponding income and expense because the periods
do not necessarily correspond and transactions do not involve
the contributions from Terry Childs, who has been conducting some
aspects separately until the Club can, in effect, “buy him
out” (as discussed in the annual reports published in the
last newsletter).
Regrettably, there are still a high proportion of members who
are slow to renew. Those who don’t appear to have paid will
be seeing spots (red)
before their eyes, also a final
reminder.
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“The way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things
you’ve started.”
I looked around to see all the things I started and hadn’t
finished.
So today, I have finished one bottle of vodka,
a bottle of red wine, a bottle of Jack Daniel’s,
my Prozac, a small box of chocolates and a 6 pack of beer ….
You’ve no idea how good I feel.
You may pass this on to those you feel are in
need of Inner Peace!
Passed on by Phil Bell from an e-mail he had received.
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Proudly
supporting the H F Radio Club Topical Travel Hints
Before departing for your trip,
check that:
* the weight of your fully loaded vehicle is legal;
* the tread and age of your tyres is of an acceptable level;
* your tyres are suitable for your fully loaded vehicle;
* your tyre pressures are correct.
Overloading and incorrectly adjusted
tyres are known to be major
contributing factors to Motorhome accidents within Australia today.
For all your Insurance needs
contact: Ken Tame & Assoc
PO Box 2390 Kew, Vic 3101
Ph: 03 9853 5555 Fax: 03 9853 5554
kent@kentame.com.au or
garyh@kentame.com.au
A F S Licence No: 246937 ABN 41 945 943 271
Specializing in Insurance Products
for:
Motorhomes - Campervans -
Motor Vehicles
Click here to see
graphic
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PHOTO GALLERY
These are full screen photos
Newsletter workers |
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Last gathering |
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| Click
here to print out the crossword |
ACROSS
1. What position does PegRay hold (2 wds)?
3. What legal document has been worked on for 2 years & will
be voted on soon?
5. Police from this town contacted police at Cloncurry about the
situation the Sellars found themselves in (2 wds).
7. One of the makes of radio sold through the club.
8. Surname of the new Secretary.
10. Name of the club Vice-President (2 wds).
13. Glynn & Ruth Sellars were 708km north of this town when
the HFR swung into action (June issue).
14. Australian Motor Homes is the leading retailer of which make
of motor home?
15. Name of CMCA insurance consultants (2 wds).
17. Where is the Casino Base radio housed?
20. From where do Terry & Kay write?
21. What happens on 7899at 5:30pm in WA?
25. How many times a year is Across the Airwaves published?
26. The second make of radio sold through the club.
27. What Barrett equipment should be considered as standard for
those travelling in remote areas (3 wds)?
28. What item is often enclosed with the Newsletter (2 wds)?
32. Where Christmas revellers at Catherine Hill will see 28 down.
33. Who won the ‘big prize’ at Warracknabeal (2 wds)?
34. They do not use shadecloth for their order fulfilment (3 wds).
|
DOWN
2. Where will members meet for ‘Christmas’ on Nov.
18-20?
4. What is happening at the Broome Base that is now being ‘investigated’?
6. Where is the CMCA village in NSW?
7. Situation of Queensland Radio Base.
9. What should you check before departing on a trip?
11. What does HF stand for (2 wds)?
12. Where was the AGM held?
16. What caused the aerial poles to be felled at Booral?
18. An organization that HFRC has some ties with (inits).
19. Alternative name for problem at Booral (2 wds)?
22. Where did many of those attending the AGM dine on the Saturday
night?
23. What type of vehicle do many members have?
24. Situation of WA Base?
28. What Christmas revellers at Lowood won’t see!
29. This may tax your mind and pocket (inits)!
30. What a camp oven has to have to top it off.
31. System for cheap telephone calls (inits).
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The H F Radio Club is proud to have
the following businesses advertise in this issue of the newsletter:
AUSTRALIAN MOTOR
HOMES
BARRETT COMMUNICATIONS
CMCA (CASINO VILLAGE)
CODAN (a list of dealers is available from our office)
KEN TAME & ASSOCIATES
SHADE TO ORDER
till next newsletter - keep it
turned on......
Keeping those far away horizons a little
closer
whilst travelling this Great Country
Safety First & Friendship Always
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