QNews for December 22nd 2024

Q-News AR News from Queensland

Hi - I'm John VK4JPM Darling Downs Radio Club Secretary with the club update for Sunday 22nd of December. Wow - hasn't the year gone quickly? We're already thinking ahead to next year's technical sessions, and we have an interesting list of topics lined up - look out for presentations on Fox Hunting, Overvoltage protection, how to get the best from Chinese handhelds, clever antennas, and more. If there's a topic that you'd like us to cover, why not make the suggestion? And even better, if there's a topic you could present, we'd like to know - and if you're listening to this from out of the region, don't be put off. We love to host out-of-towners. Either way, drop a line to [e-mail] In the something different department, a couple of us have been thinking about making a group to Dayton Hamvention, the US's biggest hamfest from 16-18 May next year. We'd like to know if Hamvention might be on your bucket list and if you'd like to be part of a smallish group for - say - a two-week tour with organised side trips to see some tech and transmission that you wouldn't otherwise get to experience. And you'd always be free to travel before and/or afterwards under your own steam if you felt like a longer stay. Right now it's just an idea that we're testing but if you have any interest, let us know so we can get an idea of potential numbers. If enough people are willing, we'll put a trip together. More about this in early January. National News and QNews will keep running over the summer festive season, and we will too. Check out our website at www.ddrci.org.au, and watch for our updates across the break. Have a happy holiday season, whatever that brings. And that's it for this week - 73 from John VK4JPM for the team at the Darling Downs Radio Club.

Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. We are in that frantic time before the great days of celebration and feasting. Whether you mark the occasion by attending church or enjoying a secular holiday, Christmas is a time of bustle and activity. The traditions that people bring to this time of year tend to reinforce family and friendship bonds and unhappily for some, refresh painful memories of people and places. It can be hoped that everyone can find comfort, support and a rewarding fellowship to mark this time. Whether we share the days with others or relax alone we can be certain that millions of other people are participating in similar traditions. Funnily, over the years of listening for the sounds of new presents being put on air, there seems to be a habit that people do share the celebration of Christmas Day so much so that I have normally got no incentive to hit the airwaves as the bands usually appear deserted. As this holiday has embraced new traditions over time, such as the giving of cards and then presents and having a festive and decorated tree it is like our own pursuit of amateur radio. Over time the radio hobby has embraced the terms of trades that are its foundations and used the science and technology of the time to expand. From the marine radio comes the “shack” to be one’s operating position and from the land-line telegraphy we have the Q Code and so on it goes. There is unity amongst amateur radio operators that brings people together in activities such as contests and aids in humanitarian work in times of trouble. The boundaries of war can be overlooked as people conduct “contacts” with others regardless of politics or religion. So what I see is a sameness in the activities of festivals that unify humanity and that same spirit underlies the practice of amateur radio. So for everyone who reads or listens to this broadcast, I can say without offending and with sincerity, may we all have a very Happy Christmas!

I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?