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ALARA  is the Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Group. The Associations mission is to encourage women’s interest and active participation in amateur radio.

We have created a grant scheme to encourage more women and girls to get their amateur radio licence qualifications. This scheme covers approximately half the cost of getting a licence and callsign. It is also available to enable current Foundation Licence holders to upgrade their qualifications to Standard or Advanced.

Full details are available on the ALARA website https://alara.org.au/

The information has already been provided to WIA and Amateur Radio magazine.

I would appreciate it if you would forward this message to assessors and anyone else associated with the AMC who may be in a position to promote the grant scheme.

Linda Luther, VK7QP

President, ALARA

Here is a pic of Kate, VK5FKLY, doing a magnificent job with the video switching gear in the O.B. Hut on the Saturday and a couple of pics of the remote link for the wirelessly linked camera.

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Here are a few of my shots. Not many action as the camera is only a point and shoot and the ones I got are pretty blurry.

The static shots give a small idea of what the drivers and navigators had to contend with.

Enjoy. Col. VK5HCF

While the “Workers” braved the elements to give the masses video of the event some just kicked back, relaxed and actually enjoyed themselves.

Here is a shining example of how to make the best of a poor situation.

The weather did not worry this fella as he just makes the best of it.

Seriously – a very big “Thank You” to ALL who helped out.

Well done and see you next year.

Back in 2016 during Tim, VK5AV’s term as President Greg, VK5ZGY and Norbert, VK5MQ, were awarded Life Membership of the Group because of their outstanding contribution to the Group over many years.

Although they received their Life Member medallions we forgot to present them with their Life Membership Certificates.

This was remedied for Norbert at last Night’s Business meeting.

Greg, VK5ZGY had already received his. (See earlier post below).

Every few years the President and the Executive may decide that there is a Club Member who has made an outstanding contribution to the Group.

This year Club President Peter, VK5BE, and the Executive decided that Andrew, VK5KET, was a very worthy candidate for this honour because of his many years of input to the very efficient running of a number of annual events.

Andrew has been the major force behind the running of the Legend of the Lakes Hill Climb for many years as well as the organiser of our involvement with the huge Generations in Jazz Event plus organising events for the kids for J.O.T.A. and J.O.T.I. just to name a few.

Peter is shown presenting a very surprised Andrew with his award Certificate and medallion.

Users would know that about two weeks ago we lost the transmitting link to Mt Benson from the Bluff.

Today, Andrew VK5MAS and I visited the site to identify the cause of the problem. Turned out the transmitter itself was faulty and was outputting a VERY weak signal only just audible 20 metres away.

We had prepared for all eventualities and so had a spare TX on board. A quick swap and all was OK again.

Unfortunately my IFR blew a fuse and so it was not possible to set the audio level to the standard 3kHz deviation for a 1kHz tone. I needed the IFR to monitor the deviation. Consequently it was set by ear and will need to wait for another time once the IFR has been repaired.

In the meantime, the whole repeater system is again functional.

While we were there our power meter was read. We will now be able to pay the proprietor of the site for electricity used.

John VK5DJ

A few photographs of the presentations made at our 2019 A.G.M.

The Major Award for the night was the 2019 Presidents Award.

Club President Peter,VK5BE, described how, for the past three years, this award has gone to a non-Club Member and how deserving the recipients have been. He then awarded the Presidents Trophy for 2019 to Brian Roberts, VK5VI, who’s huge support of our Groups repeater network has been a very important part it’s efficiency. Brian has supplied parts and equipment and done a lot of construction work on some of the major components of our wonderful system – all without reward or recompense. He is a very worthy recipient.

Past President Tim, VK5AV, presented Greg, VK5ZGY, with his Life Member Certificate which we forgot to present in 2016.

Club President Peter, VK5BE on the phone to inform Brian, VK5VI, that he has been awarded the President’s Trophy for his outstanding contribution to our terrific repeater network. Brian was mobile with his wife on their way home from Strathalbyn at the time. (Hands free – of course).

Club President Peter, VK5BE, presented the 2019 Roy Goodwin Award for the most outstanding Foundation Licence member to Leith, VK5FLAR, for his long standing commitment to helping the Club in many ways. (Tower climbing and, in particular, his outstanding work in helping to set up the Legend of The Lakes Hill Climb over many years).

Congratulations to our five prospective amateur radio licencees. Following the exams held Sunday 21st July they have all learned of their success. A job well done over three Sundays and their homework completed with the Foundation Manual.

Well done, and a special thanks to Tim VK5AV for his leadership in the program and ably assisted by Tom VK5NFT, Peter VK5BE and John VK5DJ.

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Callsigns have now been confirmed as shown below each photograph. The photos are passport style as submitted to the Australian Marine College, I’m sure we’ll get some better ones later. We know all our members will welcome our new Hams when heard on air.

Deanna and Kate have both been active and it’s great to hear their voices on air. Now we’re waiting for our other new amateurs to get some equipment and aerials up so we can say “G’day”

The repeater problem has been tracked down. Would never have found it on site. We won’t mention how many hours this has taken.

Solution – the audio input transformer had been burnt out. Originally I thought it had just failed but on replacing the transformer the next one also died. The problem was a blob of solder on the socket for the exciter that was shorting the +12V supply to a bridge connection for the input of the audio. Unfortunately it was intermittent. After putting a third transformer in (supplies getting thin) and resoldering the joint to get rid of the surplus solder there was no longer 12V finding its way onto the audio transformer and burning it out

I have rechecked all levels and adjusted powers on the units. The repeater was re-installed on Tuesday 16 July 2019. Audio working fine.