05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v View this email in your browser CQQRS RagChew Edition 17/2026 https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 1/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Subscribe Past Issues an Translate v et meee ay Te in Lp OP ae ; Thanks this week to Jordan VK3ACU for this shot of his neighbour Martin VK3ADH helping to geolocate the latest antenna at the Meredith antenna test range - see below for more. However, the dogs think that’s a really boring caption for such an interesting picture; how about a few readers’ ideas on how to spice it up a bit? cqgrsnet@gmail.com if you have some suggestions! https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v wv e = a = — =— i = ww Dah-di-dah-di-dah e Tuesday Net Reports e Vintage Radio - Repair & Restoration e Points of Order e Fun & Games with Measurement Tools - Part 1 e VK3ACU 160m Horizontal Delta Loop - Progress Report e VK3ACU’s Directional EWE Antenna e QRZ? Mike VK6TX e CW Practice e RandomGram Team Oceania Report e Marconi Day Troubles e Radio Officers’ Clocks - A Little History e Morse Training Net e Morse Mates e Prosign of the Month e | hear Tell e Di-dah-di-dah-dit - including this week’s smile-maker e About the CQ QRS Group Dah-di-dah-di-dah Take a look if you will at this week’s reports from Tuesday’s CQQRS Slow CW Practice QSO net! For most people, conditions were pretty poor - and the Space Weather Services’ depressed conditions and aurora warning seemed to play out. Our mates down in Tasmania suffered, as did others, with some reporting radio black-out conditions. And as | was about to trudge off to bed, | saw a strong segment of auroral buzz on 40m on lan VK1HF’s Snowline KiwiSDR; | zoomed out and was interested to see that it was a blob of noise, that went from around 6950kHz https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 3/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v could possibly guess why the upper frequency might be limited, but | wonder why there’s a noticeable lower limit as well? Any thoughts folks? cggrsnet@gmail.com Anyway, back to the main point of my rant... please check out this week’s reports from your mates who took the time to pen some words in their report. My hypothesis is that with the increase in geomagnetic storm activity comes a corresponding increase in the entertaining words written by our team! Cause-and-effect, or correlation | wonder? Quotes Anyway, and completely unrelated... | thought this week that I’d put some interesting quotes in our / Hear Tell... segment... and as it turned out, many of this week’s interesting things came from our members’ reports! Thank you folks - please keep it up - makes for interesting and fun reading for our members. Morse Mates Heading down to our weekly cartoon at the tail-end of the newsletter, you may have noticed an advertisement calling for Morse Mates. To explain, at least one of our members would like to arrange regular chat-type skeds with others who enjoy a nice rag-chew about who knows what, and also appreciate the practice opportunities. There’s a bit of it going on in WA already, led by some of our team who enjoy getting together during the week for a nice CW natter or two on 40m. So would you like to set up a regular chat with one of our Eastern States team? If so, please send me an email to cqgrsnet@gmail.com and I'll pass your contact details to our member. Similarly, if you’d like to join the list of people looking for a regular sked, please let me know so we can see about getting more going. Website If you’d like to find out a bit about our net, or would like to pass information to others about our Tuesday get-togethers, here’s the link to our website. bit.ly/COQORSWebsite https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 4/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v dit-dit Mark Bosma VK2KI / VK6QI Beautiful South Bowning NSW cqgrsnet@gmail.com Patrick John VK2IOW Milthorpe NSW VK2RU Richard VK6HRC Lance VK7TO Margate TAS on a track somewhere non impediti ratione cogitationis Nigel G4RWI our other grey nomad Padbury WA Jordan VK3ACU Meredith VIC Reports & Comments Here’s this week’s reports. Last Tuesday’s Group With thanks to Nigel G4RWI’s clever software, and John VK2RU’s clever spreadsheet work, here’s the 50 stations heard by 36 members of our team on Tuesday: https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 5/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v DOZEMR Heard on air G7BED Worked 20m UR4HD G7BED Heard 20m ZL3TK G7BED Tried 20m ZL3TK IU4FLS Worked 20m VK3DBD IU4FLS Heard 20m VK1MD MONNK Worked 20m VK2DBD MONNK Tried 20m ZL3TK VK/G4RWI Worked 40m VK3KLE VK2AOE Worked 40m VK5CZ VK2AOE Heard 40m VK5A0O VK2GAS Heard on air VK2KI Heard 20m VK2KI Worked 40m | VK6MTF/MM | VK7TA VK2KI Heard 40m VK2GAS VK2KI Tried 40m VK6NW VK2KI Worked 80m VK6NQL VKONW | VK6KD VK2KJJ Heard on air VK2RU Worked 40m VK4BRO VK2TM VK2RU Heard 40m VK6MTF VK2KJJ VK3ACU Heard on air VK3BWN Heard 40m VK6PZT VK3BWN Heard 80m VK2KI VK3DBD Heard on air VK3DRQ Worked 20m FALSJ VK3DRQ Heard 20m VK3DBD SP4FLS IU4FLS MONNK VK3DRQ Tried 20m VK3DRQ Worked 40m VK3DRQ Heard 40m VK3ECH Heard on air MONNK/P VK4PN VK4PN VK7TO VK3DBD | IU4FLS | G7BED ZL3TK VK4PN VK3DBD | VK6KHZ | VK3XU | VK6FN ZL3TK VK5PH | YD3CPJ ZL3TK VK5A0 VK2KI IU4FLS | MONNK| ZL3TK VK4PN | VK6MTF/MM | VK6PZT | VK6MK | VK5GG VK3DBD VK5KFG VK6MK | VK6FN | VK6FD | VK6ENC | VKENC VK3KLE Worked 40m VK/G4RWI VK4BRO Worked 40m VK2RU VK4BRO Heard 40m VK7TA VK4IM Heard 40m VK3KLE VK3ECH VK2KI VK3DRQ | VK3ECH | VK6NC | VK5AO | VK/TO VK4IM Tried 40m VK4PN Heard on air VK5AO Worked 40m VK5CZ Worked 40m | VK6MTF/MM | VK2AOE VK5SKFG Worked 40m VK3DBD VK5KFG Heard 40m VK3BWN VK5KFG Heard 80m VK2KI VK5PH Heard on air VK6EN Heard on air VK6KD Heard 40m VK6KD Worked 80m VK6NW VK6KD Heard 80m VK6NQL VK6KHZ Worked 40m VK2IG VK6KHZ Tried 40m VKONW VK6MK Worked 40m VK3DRQ VK6MK Heard 40m VK6KD VK3IG VK6MK Heard 80m VKENW VK6KD VK6FN VK6MK VK7TO | VK6NC VK3DRQ | VK6PZT | VK5GG YHOONN VK2KI VK3KLE | VK5AO | VK5GG VK6MTF/MM | Heard on air VK6NQL Worked 40m VK3KLE VK6NQL Worked 80m VK2KI https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 6/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues VKO6PZI Heard on air VK6QI Heard 40m Translate v | VK6MTF/MM | VK2GAS | VK6NW | VK5PH | VK7TA | VK5CZ | VK6QI Heard 80m VK6NQL VK7TA Worked 40m VK2KI VK7TA Heard 40m VK3DBD VK2KI VK6NW | VK6KD | VK2KI VK6NW | VK6FN VK7TO Worked 40m VK5AO ZL3ABX Heard 40m VK2GAS VK2TM | VK2RU | VK3XU | VK4YD ZL3TK Heard 20m VK3DBD VK3DRQ | VK4PN ZL3TK Tried 20m DO2EMR IU4FLS ZL3TK Worked 40m W1AW/3 VK6FN | MONNK]| G7BED ZL3TK Heard 40m VK3ACU VK3DBD | VK3KLE | VKSWB | VK6NW | VK5GG | ZL3TK Tried 40m VK6KHZ VK2KI Comments: John’s spreadsheet above shows the known stations heard or worked on last Tuesday’s CQORS Net (reported via our webform bit.ly/COORSNET ); the comments in the team members’ reports follow. The comments were compiled for us by the clever software built by Nigel GARWI and the layout was perfected by Patrick VK2IOW. Thanks again to Nigel, Patrick and John for the work, and to every team member who submitted a report - https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 7/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v [20m] Reasonable conditions (using a WebSDR) and great to get VK4PN in the log. | could hear Stan (ZL3TK) and called back several times, but didn't manage to get the QSO in the log. Let's try again next week Stan. As always, thanks for the short session and for giving it a go. Wishing you all good DX and look forward to working you next week. From Ross MONNK portable near Exeter UK [20m] Only 7 C here this morning, so rather nippy for Portable. | could sit in the sun in a very cold wind, or shelter in the shade. | chose the latter and still froze. Still, David VK3DBD made my day by giving me an RST 439 (I gave him RSN 541). We both had some QSB but managed a short chat. Kept hearing VERY faint morse but couldn't make out any callsigns. Cold fingers and a quiet band stopped play early. From Scotty Brown VK4BRO at Gold Coast, QLD [40m] Only time for one QSO but it was a great one thanks John! https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 8/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v [40m] Came out of the sauna....sweaty mess. Can't work CW whilst sauna is on as it transmits on all bands! Went into the shack for a quick QSO with lan. 73 de VK2AOE CW will never die! From Adam VK4IM at North Lakes QLD [40m] Signals were down today and some serious QSB with it. From Fausto IU4FLS at Bologna ltaly [20m] Wx was bad in Bologna: rain, lightning and consequently QRN. My freq14044 kHz and power 90 W. First heard was VK1MD followed by VK4PN, both signals were just above noise floor. | had the pleasure to hear David VK3DBD again. We shared RST report and little else due to QRN. | apologize for not having been able to conclude QSO properly. 73 de IU4FLS Fausto https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 9/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v [40m] Not much heard from my QTH on 40m. The VK5 SDR located at Ironstone Range was quite active with 40m stations. [80m] 80m was open to the East with reports of lots of QSB. My noise floor was S7 so struggled to hear stations with signals under S7. Wayne VK6NW bounced in bending my needle at +20 so | switched off all of my preamps and reduced my Tx PWR as did he. | can say it’s a much relaxed QSO when you're not fighting QSB. Mark VK2KI responded to my calls however | needed to Rx him using the Ironstone SDR in VK5 as there was almost no signal from him showing on my rig. Clearly | was getting to him as his report to me was an RSN of 321 with QSB. Word of advice, when using SDRs, be careful not to change frequency when the SDR screen tries to go into sleep mode. It adds a panic moment when half-way through a QSO. Same result if you bump your VFO on your home rig, hihi. Reminds me of a song "The Sound of Silence" by Simon and Garfunkel. Thanks to all for another exciting QRS CW night, 73. VK6KD From Stephen Coote ZL3ABX at Nelson New Zealand .. i. xe = | [40m] | called CQ on 40m, but did not hear a response. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 10/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v [80m] 80m actually was behaving itself, low noise, low QSB from the eastern side of the island [20m] All paths from ZL to EU were closed more securely than the Strait of Hormuz, however while the guards weren't looking, IU4FLS managed to slip through allowing a positive ID. The station he was working was asked to QRS.... but from where | was listening, speed wasn't really the problem. Even with an S5 signal, the ‘local’ on a straight key was unreadable at times, his usual problem characterized by negligible spacing and poor character formation. When he obliged by slowing down, spacing became acceptable but character formation could do with quite a bit of work, especially on dashes which are often barely discernible from dots. Previous recordings have shown instead of 3:1 ratio, at speed the ratio is < 2:1 much of the time. Good on him for getting into northern Italy, and thanks for again, unwittingly, providing a sobering lesson that 'QUALITY, not quantity’ is what really matters. It's not just the Iran war, but also Tuesday's episode which brings to mind the closing line of every verse in Pete Seeger's famous 1955 folk classic, 'Where have all the Flowers Gone’. [40m] Similar to last week. VK6s Q5, everywhere else mediocre. Replied to W1AW just as a joke but to my surprise he came back with 599 bereft of all politeness. Yeah right, pigs https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 11/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v TU CQ CQ, draw your own conclusion. Nonetheless, it proved everything here was working satisfactorily. [80m] Called CQ until 1300Z but nothing seen or heard. From your editor Mark VK2KI at Beautiful South Bowning NSW [15m] | missed Edi on 15m this week; when | got on he had already gone QRT according to Mike's status reporting page. Hope Edi had some luck despite the strange conditions. [20m] | went out and checked that my antenna was still up - | could hear/ see some of our DXperiment players on the Snowline KiwiSDR, but very little here, only 150km away. [40m] 4 ws J SNOWLINE SDR 4d e nes Signals across Australia weren't too hot this week. The VK6s were coming thought early, but quite weak. And closer signals roe oo were a real jumble. Stations who would normally be good copy here were pretty weak mostly; for example, lan VK5CZ was not audible at all, yet Auroral buzz later in the evening on 40m Morgan VK6MTF/MM was Q4 with is 10 Watts and yacht-confined but probably well-grounded antenna. [80m] When the ALF dropped, 80m was performing better than 40m across Australia. | hooked up with Peter VKG6NQL, Wayne VK6NW then David VK6KD before trudging tiredly off to bed after a fun evening. = - aeieiel https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 12/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v the Southern Electronics Group KiwiSDR near Northam WA. [40m] \/ ¢ ® Joondalup ‘ Perth Interesting to listen to both lans VK7TA and VK5CZ coming through nicely to the KiwiSDR near Northam, yet both were pretty weak with me in SW NSW. i Rockingham From Lance VK7TO at Hobart [40m] Only one aborted QSO this week. The bands were very quiet here, until VASAO popped up with a good 559. However, after exchanging signal reports, Mait's signal quickly progressed down to 119. Despite calling on 40 and 80 m for a while, either no-one was hearing me, or | wasn't hearing their responses, so called it a night. From lan VK7TA at Latrobe [40m] | had made some small changes to the antenna and initially thought that | had left it disconnected since | heard nothing! So assuming | had not done something stupid conditions were the worst yet on a Tuesday evening. [80m] | only had an inadequate antenna for 80m but had a listen since there wasn't anything doing on 40m. There were some fairly strong SSB signals but no CW. | put out a brief call but had no takers. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 13/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v [40m] | joined the net pretty late (8.30 pm). Maybe that's why | missed many of the activities. However, | worked W1AW/3 after VK6PZT did. Maybe with the drop in solar activity, there is an improvement in the 40 m band DX. From Manny VK3DRQ at Blackburn [15m] Nothing heard of Edi. [20m] After trying IU4FLS and MONNK, both QNP and no answer came back. [40m] Another very complicated night regarding conditions. (Peeters caaialonieanit From Daniel VK6WE at Cottesloe [40m] Where did everyone go? When | fired up the radio the band was dead with nothing on the waterfall and no response to my calls for 10 minutes. | ended a short barren session and was distracted by other things to return for another try. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 14/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v [40m] Stations were quite weak and had deep WSB from VK6 to Stawell. But managed to have successful QSO and enjoyment. [40m] | had so much noise tonight which made things very difficult. | managed short QSOs with VK2TM and VK4BRO. Thanks to both of them for the contacts. 40m seemed to drop out for me a bit earlier than usual, and I've never had great success on 80m, so it was an early night for me. From Nigel VK/G4RWI at Gold Coast [40m] So 100% success rate, but unfortunately because the one station | heard was the one | worked! Terrible conditions, that just got worse as the evening progressed. Did think of joining in on 7.028 with all the other stations talking on top of each other! https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 15/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v 42482 VK6 Regional Hub B Mt Barker WA 00:14:40 50:10:50 ESTABLISHED Transceive 42732 471736 VK6SEG 439.225: 123.0 CTCSS Hotspot Bunbury WA 01:55:34 07:01:57 ESTABLISHED Transceive 41133 S1a62 VK6RGN TX 438.500 RX 431.50 GERALDTON 02:37:51 05:32:57 ESTABLISHED Transceive 43137 VK6GHZ 439.125 Micronode Atwell, WA 14:07:13 60:26:17 ESTABLISHED Transceive 580045 VK6JLH 439.150 Wyalkatchem 17:27:47 30:54:39 ESTABLISHED Transceive 457290 VK6MP 439.150 Mingenew Western Australia 19:42:30 143:39:54 ESTABLISHED Transceive ss1z80 ZLHUB (ZL4FW) New Zealand 23:33:47 262:53:58 ESTABLISHED 42478 VK6RAA 439.950- Mt Barker WA Never 77:26:56 ESTABLISHED Transceive 42479 VK6FN 439.125: 123.0 CTCSS Hotspot Manjimup WA Never 06:56:57 ESTABLISHED Transceive 57111 VK6JI 430.050 Greenwood Western Australia Never 40:14:04 ESTABLISHED Transceive 471731 VK6CRO 439.175: 123.0 CTCSS Carnarvon Space Museum WA Never 00:01:34 ESTABLISHED Transceive 471737 VK6REC 147.175+ Wooroloo WA Never 02:27:56 ESTABLISHED Transceive 478321 VK6VOX 439.150: 123.0 CTCSS Hotspot Katanning WA Never 05:33:56 ESTABLISHED Transceive 478324 VK6MOA 439.300: 123.0 CTCSS Hotspot Dongara WA Never 169:14:54 ESTABLISHED Transceive 550118 V44KM-RadioLess RadioLess Node Mattingley SKB Never 05:14:35 ESTABLISHED 580040 VK6JLH 439.250 Hotspot Jurien Bay WA Never 05:32:58 ESTABLISHED Transceive 580044 VK6JLH Zello-Allstar Gateway Never 05:33:52 ESTABLISHED Transceive 42482 AllStar Link Allmon v3 1.7.0 t State Node ' 42732 VK6RX VK6-HUB Perth, Western Australia 42480 VK6ID 439.300: 123.0 CTCSS Hotspot Australind WA Transceive Transceive Mode ESTABLISHED Transceive 05:34:54 ESTABLISHED Transceive 51077 VK6 Regional Hub A Albany WA 50:10:50 ESTABLISHED Transceive 42481 VK6RAL 438.025- Albany WA 01:56:45 31:41:05 ESTABLISHED Transceive 60896 VK6NW 441.250 Bridgetown 27:56:09 50:10:45 ESTABLISHED Transceive 41133 VK6SEG SEG Backup Hub Albany WA Never 50:10:46 ESTABLISHED Transceive 46269 VK6NI 439.150: 123.0 CTCSS Hotspot Denmark WA Never 08:37:22 ESTABLISHED Transceive VK6RMH 146.850MHz Mandurah Western Australia Never 06:16:55 ESTABLISHED Transceive 57463 https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?u=5b7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 16/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v From Richard VK6HRC. Seven on the VK6RLM rptr and AllStar/Echolink hub this morning. VK6KD David VK6QI Mark ZL3TK Stan VK6NW Wayne VK6FN Max VK6HRC VK6MRB Mulligan swl and others. David two contacts on 80m, no problem with Wayne VK6NW but had to resort to listening on a Kiwi sdr to complete the contact with Mark VK2KI. Mark heard six on 20m via the Snowline sdr, worked three on 40m heard six and on 80m worked three. Mark also let us know that Morgan VK6MTF/MM anounced his proposed departure from Esperence to VK7 during their 40m qso. Stan called in 13 degrees and no storms in Waitarere Beach ! Worked two on 40m, Max VK6FN ( 333 report ) conditions marginal and W1AW/3 also heard Fausto IU4FLS at one point during the evening. Stan also took part in the RandomGram event last weekend, for more information check AF2Z Drew’s QRZ page. Wayne worked one on 40m caught up Mark VK2KI on 80m and tried swapping between vertical and horizontal antennas with Mark reporting very little difference at his end. Fausto IU4FLS was heard via a Kiwi sdr. Wayne is busy once more with volunteer work, so much for retirement | Max was hearing stations in VK2 and VK3 but nothing from the locals, he even got a call from Wayne VK6NW on the AllStar network to compare notes on the poor band conditions. | was unable to take part due to a social gathering but it was great to catch up this morning and hear from some of the QRS crew, Mark was in fine form with some subtle stirring going on to jolly things along ! Thank you to all on last night and this morning 73 Richard. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 17/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v After next Tuesday’s Group, please remember to send me a list of who you worked and / or who you heard using our web form here: bit lWWCQQRSNET Even if you didn’t hear anyone, we'd still like to know that you had a go. And to make your report more interesting, please consider sending a photo: cagrsnet@gmail.com So, please help attract new and old team members to have a go by submitting your report each week. Submissions close 1300 (Eastern Australian Summer time)_on Thursdays. Vintage Radio - Repair & Restoration From Tidbinbilla to Tubes by Jack Child https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 18/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v asked me to provide an article related to my hobby, which is vintage radio restoration and repair. | thought a good point to start would be an introduction to the Historical Radio Society of Australia, and its magazine “Radio Waves”. | think that many of the articles published in the magazine would be of interest to members of the Amateur Radio community. Here’s a brief list of interesting articles published over the last two years: HRSA Radio Waves - Articles of Interest: « January 2024 — “Morse Code Transmitter 1925” ¢ July 2024 — “Audio Output Transformers — Replacement and Testing” * October 2024 — “Valve Substitution” * January 2025 — “A 144MHz Valve Transmitter” ¢ April 2025 — “Made in Australia: Distance Measuring Equipment (1)” . “100 Years of Broadcasting in South Australia” ¢ July 2025 — “The Reflex Receiver” . “Made in Australia: Distance Measuring Equipment (2)” - January 2026 — “Restoration of a Kingsley K/CR/11 — AR7 Comms Receiver” . “Australia’s Domestic 230 volt Power System” ¢ April 2026 — "Build Peter Lankshear’s ‘Mate’ — low power broadcast transmitter: . courtesy Silicon Chip and Electronics Australia magazines" I’m presently collecting the components | need for the last project, so | can transmit to my vintage radio at home. https://nzvrs.com/ wp-content/uploads/2018/10/mate-low-power-am-transmitter.pdf Mark tells me that his friend Martin VK6MJ built the same one which was featured in RagChew. Some of these articles are of historical interest, while others focus on technical issues, some of which may apply to Amateur Radio. Please visit the website https://hrsa.org.au should you wish to join and receive the magazine. Back to My Adventures | first began building electronics projects in high school, way back in the early ‘60s. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 19/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v a neighbour who was an engineer at a nearby electronics tirm. | am deeply indebted to Carl and Marvin for their early support, and the many others who mentored me along the way. University came along and | ended up more involved with software than electronics, and spent most of my early career in software support roles. My interest in electronics was renewed after | followed my wife to Australia from California and working for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, was running receiver installation and training at the Tidbinbilla Deep Space Tracking station in the ACT. After | retired, | took a part-time job at repairing TVs, radios and stereos - working for one of the CQQRS members - Claude VK1TE. Somewhere along the way, | stumbled into an HRSA meeting and bought a couple of vintage valve radios to fix up... and I'm still doing that. | love the old valve sets, their beautiful bakelite or wood cabinets, their interesting smells and the side-benefit of house heating. There’s a lot of old radios out there that need repair, and can be found online or at the HRSA meetings. I’m not a collector, so | resell most of what | repair - | usually break even, but sometimes | score a treasure and even occasionally turn a small profit. Please contact Mark cgarsnet@ gmail.com if you'd like to touch base with me about my ebsession interest. Happy trails. Jack Child Beautiful South Bowning NSW (SWL-Jack) Stop fiddling with those old radios, and take me for a walk! https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 20/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v Points of Order There’s Order in the Disorder by John VK2RU https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 21/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Translate v Past Issues ORDER From John VK2RU In response to the Point of Order raised by the Points of Order Honourable Member of Waitarere Beach in last week’s Newsletter, | offer the following What is the point of ‘Points of Order’ in QSO Reporting? From Stan ZL3TK observations. The point that headings such as ‘QSO 1’ through ‘QSO 8’ suggest a neat chronological sequence is entirely fair. It does look that way at first glance. Unfortunately, the data itself has other ideas. In Parliamentary debating chamber terms when things go a little wrong, a ‘Point of Order’ is called usually by a member of the ‘offended side’. This triggers the Speaker's duty to halt debate and facilitate the hearing of any complaint with the goal to find a resolution, not infrequently by demanding the issuance of an apology from the offender. Getting back to AR QSO reporting, in this context ‘Points of Order’ have a different meaning. What is the purpose of the ‘Points of Order’ shown in image 1, when the listed data does not follow the numbering protocol? ) CQQRS Team In practice, that tidy sequence does not really exist - or at least, it is not something that can be reliably preserved. During processing, callsigns are grouped, tidied, and occasionally moved between bands (for example, from an 80 m row to a 20 m row), which already nudges some of them Here's what | mean, using the report worksheet header row: ca aso1 aso2 aso3 | aso4 sett |e <———————— Eight sequential ‘Points of Order aso7 asos ————————— > Readers are given the impression by these eight column titles QSOs are reported in chronological order, the responsibility lying with the reporting operator to correctly fill in the Googie QSO report form. Why else would the columns be numbered consecutively? I'm now raising a ‘Point of Order’ in this ‘AR Parliament’, because evidence has been around for quite some time that the expected reporting protocol is not, and indeed in a lot of cases simply cannot be followed. What happens to the carefully planned seq of ch gically-listed QSOs in those eight columns when more than eight QSOs have been reported? It can easily be seen that this method of reporting, if they exist, forces QSO 9 through QSO 16 to out of any original position they may have had. Additionally, the source reports do not include timestamps. Even with the best intentions, there is no consistent way to determine when a QSO occurred, whether a set of QSOs happened over 20 minutes, two hours, or somewhere in between- or which one actually came first. And then, of course, there is the final touch - presentation. The callsigns are arranged by “visual width” so the sheet is easier to read - widest on the left (think VKSECH/ MM, or larger still, VK6MTF/MM when Rob or Morgan head offshore), tapering down to the more compact ones on the right (e.g. VK2KI). It is a small thing, but it makes the table a little less of a wall of text and a little more user-friendly. After that, the eight QSO columns are gently persuaded into a consistent pattern typically one or two wider columns of about 110 pixels on the left (or 134 pixels when our sailing members are feeling nautical), perhaps a couple around 90, and the rest settling in around 80 - 85. By the time everything arrives in the final worksheet, the columns are best thought of as slots rather than a strict timeline. So yes, the Honourable Member of Waitarere Beach is quite right: the numbering can give the impression of a sequence that is not really there. A label such as “QSO Slot 1 - 8” would probably be a more accurate description. That said, the current numbering is simply a convenient way to display up to eight callsigns per row in a consistent layout, rather than a claim about who worked whom, and precisely when. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 22/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v For those curious about what happens behind the curtain, the process starts with the Original data submitted by members, which is run through Nigel - G4RWI’s very clever Python script to produce a clean Excel sheet in this format: ZL3TK Worked 40m | VK/G4RWI VK2RU VK4GUE ZL3TK Heard 40m VK2DLF VK3ACU VK3ADC VK3ALC ZL3TK Heard 40m VK6NW VKT7TA VK7VV W6JY/VK2 ZL3TK Tried 40m VK6KD ZL3TK Heard 80m |VK3DBD@20 | VK3DRQ@20 ZL3TK VK3DBD VK3JFR VKSET | VK6GX Tried80m | DL3YZ@15 | DL3YZ@20 | MONNK@20 | IU4FLS@20 ZL3TK@20 | Heard on air That sheet is then fed into the Newsletter workbook, where it is transformed into the final format: ZL3TK Tried 15m ZL3TK Heard 20m | VK3DBD | VK3DRQ DL3YZ ZL3TK Tried 20m | MONNK | IU4FLS | DL3YZ ZL3TK Worked 40m |VK/G4RWI| VK4GUE | VK2RU ZL3TK Heard 40m | VK/W6JY | VKT7TA | VK6NW | VK7VV ZL3TK Heard 40m | VK2DLF | VK3ACU |VK3ADC]| VK3ALC|VK3DBD| VK3JFR | VKSET | VK6GX ZL3TK Tried 40m VK6KD All up, the workbook uses 14 queries and around 78 processing steps, completing the task in a little over 1% minutes. By comparison, the original fully manual process could take up to 30 minutes. Along the way, apart from the “visual width” adjustment noted above, the workbook preserves most of the original order, though not always. This is particularly the case during the unpivoting and regrouping stages, where calls are reconstructed into lists without a fixed sequence. It would be possible to retain the original order by introducing an index prior to unpivoting, allowing the data to appear exactly as submitted. However, this would not resolve the reordering caused by band corrections, and the spreadsheet would lose the visual balance it now has. So, while the column headings may hint at parliamentary precision, what you are really seeing is a practical, tidy, and, hopefully, readable way of presenting the data. Submitted for the consideration of Honourable Members, John VK2RU Spreadsheet Pilot https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 23/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Subscribe Past Issues Translate v manually... each callsign was copied from members’ reports (which were unformatted .cSv Style) and pasted in the nice-looking spreadsheet, then moved around, corrected etc. This usually took the editor around half a day - just for the spreadsheet! Nigel recognised the futility of the editor’s work, and built some neat Python software to lay the data out neatly in a spreadsheet as an exercise in application of a programming Al. John has enhanced the process which now sorts the rows and allows verification of members’ Heard on Air entries (where no report has been received). Nice work team!] If you have an article or two that you think might be of interest to our readers, please let me know so we can share more thoughts and ideas; for guidance on writing for RagChew, see Articles below. Please email material to Mark VK2KI: cqgrsnet@gmail.com On My Workbench Fun and Games with Measurement Tools by Ross MONNK https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 24/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v From Ross MONNK It began before my interest in radio. It led me into some basic electronics. It was a rabbit hole that I’m still trying to find my way out of. It was a fascination with Oscillators - the rhythms of the Universe. And, | might nervously add, Oscillators both real and 'apparent'. Real oscillators are: clock pendulums, your legs whilst walking, pogo sticks with a child aboard, the membrane of your radio speaker. 'Apparent' oscillators (my concept) are activities that look like oscillations but are really the result of circular motion. For example, the waxing and waning of the moon, the flash of a lighthouse, the oar of a rower. Ocean waves create oscillations - oscillations of their amplitude when viewed at a stationary location (although their wavelength, frequency and direction are generally constant). Interestingly, water molecules within an ocean wave travel in a circular motion as the wave passes overhead. So, although the energy wave can travel long distances, the water itself is also in local (circular) movement. Having pondered the everyday visible oscillations, my attention then turned to the less visible ones. | was aware of radio waves as oscillations of amplitude and/or frequency but | started with those in the audio range, and that was my route into the world of Electronics. The wonderfully named “Reverse Avalanche Oscillator” only requires a single transistor; the boringly named Astable Multivibrator has two. But | was soon onto the ICs: the classic N555 timer, various op-amp Non-linear Relaxation Oscillators, and the six Schmitt Triggers of the CD40106 for a real cacophony of sound! https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 25/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v Glass for swiftly alternating voltages. | could have started with an old CRT analog ‘scope but the big advantage of digital 'scopes is that it’s very much easier to take accurate measurements with them. And, as an old radio builder taught me, you never really understand electronics until you do the maths, for which you need measurements. | tentatively dipped my toe into the water with the famous JYE Tech DSO138... No, don’t laugh. It was dirt cheap and | built it from a kit that came in the post from China. The DSO138 is famous for a reason - it has all the main functionality of a “proper” oscilloscope including AC and DC coupling, several trigger modes, display of useful information about the waveform, and a Square Wave output for calibration. Amazingly, as the name suggests, this is also a Digital Storage Oscilloscope, so you can freeze an interval of waveform and scan through it at your leisure. This little guy taught me how to use an oscilloscope and, even now, is in use if there’s any chance | might probe in the wrong place. Having said that, | have a Golden Rule: never probe anything with mains voltage running through it. If you don’t know https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 26/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v happen is that you fry your oscilloscope. I’d be the first to admit that the DSO138 has some pretty severe performance limitations, which is why | upgraded to a better ‘scope. Next week I'll show you what | bought to replace it. Progress with Jordan VK3ACU’s 160m Loop Antenna https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 27/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe Se CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v Some progress getting the loop to the shack 6:56pm & Y © « https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 28/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc Translate v 29/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v Jordan VK3ACU’s Directional EWE Antenna Jordan VK3ACU Clarke @ Phasing Ti to 502 feed line https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 30/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate ¥ iw w riweewi. What’s going on on your workbench? If you have an article or two that you think might be of interest to our readers, please let Mark VK2KI know; email to cgqgrsnet@gmail.com For guidance on writing for RagChew, see Articles below. QRZ? Who’s calling me? Who’s on the other end? Mike VK6TX at Hervey Bay QLD From Mike VK6TX who was heard last week on the CQQRS Slow CW Practice QSO Net: Mark CW has always been on my list of things to do and now | am retired | have no excuses, So | hope to slowly come out of my shell and appear on CW. Your net is a wonderful opportunity for people with my lack of CW skills, but a desire to learn. Thank you Mark and your team. 73's Mike VK6TX Hervey Bay QLD QRZ? Who’s on the other end? From your editor Mark VK2KI / VK6QI https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?u=5b/b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 31/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v to know who’s on the other end of the QSO. So, please share some thoughts about yourself to cagrsnet@gmail.com for a future RagChew. CW Practice This year we’re using Aesop’s Fables for our CW practice. These are short moral stories, often using talking animals, that illustrate simple truths about human behaviour and character. Aesop’s Fables originated in ancient Greece, traditionally attributed to the storyteller Aesop who is thought to have lived around the 6th century BCE. The fables are generally smaller files of two to three hundred words that have been recorded at 15 wpm and run for about 15 minutes. If 15 wpm is a bit quick for you, load it onto your phone and set the playback speed at 0.75 X or even 0.5 X — whatever works for you. 0.75 X will play the MP3 at a bit under 12 wom. It is suggested that you read the text file before listening to the audio file. That will make it easier to follow the audio file and prepare you for any unusual words. Any punctuation that is not usually used with CW has been removed. This week’s fable is ‘The Fox and the Goat’, and the MP3 and TXT files are attached here - https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 32/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v If you prefer a different soeed or tone you can create your own MP3 files by converting the text file with the Ebook2CW app — httos://fkurz.net/ham/ebook2cw.html. You can either play the MP3 files in any media player, or load the text file into the Ditto CW: Morse Player app — https://dittocw.andro.io/. Both options work well, however Ditto CW gives you complete control over all Morse settings, while a normal media player only allows changes to playback speed, and does that in steps (e.g. +1.25x, 1.5x, 1.75x). Other News Other things we’ve received from our 250-plus readers. Report on Team Oceania’s First RandomGram Event From Stan ZL3TK https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 33/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v the value of Randomgram for a long time and accepted our invitation to join the Oceania team. Although five AROs from VK and ZL participated, only three affiliated themselves with the team, and it was the first time ‘on the job’ for two of them. They did a cracking job in a new and strange environment. Considering the amount of promotion the event was given, one might have expected a decent number to turn out. But with excuses we’ve heard over-and-over, it came as no surprise that the large, enthusiastic attendance we hoped for failed to materialise on the day. Those special folk who did put in the effort got their just reward, not only in terms of points earned, but also from gaining valuable experience, along with that incomparable, but elusive, feeling of achievement from a job well done. Unlike those ubiquitous ‘599’ contests, RandomGram is a unique event in which accuracy in handling Morse actually matters. It has a real purpose with measurable results, achieved only through the operators’ skill and determination to succeed. The rules are simple and classic cheating is impossible. Affiliation with Team Oceania costs nothing and engenders camaraderie, strengthening esprit de corps. Unfortunately the team was denied 90, yes ninety valuable points, due to non-affiliation, though in the end it made no difference to our team’s placing. Hopefully all VK RandomGram participants will register their affiliation with Team Oceania in the future. The next event is likely to be held 23/24 May. We will stand a better chance of showing the world how Oceania is a force to be reckoned with, despite its isolation, if all Oceania participants affiliate for each event. Affiliation does not carry over. Monitoring RBN during the event, it was immediately obvious why US stations are able to accumulate such big scores. The map was nearly blotted out with traces right across the contient from almost every station. For ordinary 100 W stations down here in the SW Pacific, we need a sizeable team because DX propagation is often not in our favour. Nonetheless, despite RBN showing no sign of 20 m signals travelling beyond Fiji, a QSO was made with KA3BPN, albeit resulting in a one-way exchange of a code group. But boy, how we tried to make it two-way, using the very best of traffic handling techniques which included subjecting each of the code group’s five characters to QSZ5. Tony was running 200 against my 100 W; yet that https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 34/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v w-- The results from Event # 42 can be seen at httos://groups.io/g/RandomGram/message/667 We're hoping for a lot more takers next month, can we count you among them? 73 de Stan Marconi Day Troubles From David VK3DBD at Yackandandah Hi Mark, | fully intended to send this early today but have been fraught with Murphy’s operations. Car troubles, computer troubles and radio troubles.... all at similar time of COUISE ........ No doubt you have already mention Marconi day in your current Blog? | intended to send a reminder as it was only yesterday | realised his birthday on 25th and the nearest Saturday to that is always the day of the radio celebrations. We all have our interests owing to him even though he was not the first to play and realise RF might be useful in the future, but he made it happen. On that score | was going to send you a photo which did not go to plan connected with my occasional supply of Maritime clocks which | make up when | can get the right type to convert. | cannot recall if you saw my maritime reproduction on the occasion of your visit? | took a photo on the phone, never easy for me | am only a professional photographer, phones are a mystery... they make computers look simple. If in the future you wish to fill your pages with yet another photo here is my leaflet which might tell a few folk some history they do not know. Incidently | learned not long ago that Danish ships who had these clocks in the radio cabin had a blue sector instead of the green one. See | am full of useless info. But no one has asked me to supply one like that and they have gone to very many places in UK and parts of EU as well as in VK land. | Think | have managed to attach one of the intended two. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 35/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Subscribe Past Issues Translate v J have the book, which is rather hard to read as it is in Italian... but | can manage some of it with the aid of a bit of rusty Latin from schooldays over 70 years ago and an Italian dictionary.... the pictures make up for the foreign text. | also have two Vibroplex Bugs - but my skills or lack of same - deter me to use one on the bands. We have never met in person and the picture utilises a background of my old radio shack in UK in later years. SY 15 aT T Of course, | have not \ changed a bit! YEAR Pp UNINTERRUPTED SKEDS... aah ie (-/2011 — i 2026) — o4 LL LS, XS h A transcontinental radio partnership. Every week, for 15 years, David and Fabio have united Australia and Italy through shortwave. nt 5 ee i= | will Ey and send that phone photo on another PC ARRGH... it will keep until next week | blame Windows 11 for everything 73 David VK3DBD https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 36/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v A Little History The 12 red coloured blocks around the edge of the clock mark 4 second intervals with 1 second between. | believe that it was after the Titanic sinking that it was decided that a means of alerting ships with only one Radio Officer should be found in order to alert the R/O if/when he was off watch. Merchant ships unless over 1600 tons carried only one R/O so obviously couldn't monitor the distress frequency (S00 kHz) 24 hours a day. They came up with the "automatic alarm" receiver which was designed to only respond to a certain number of consecutive dashes (usually 3 or 4) which were 4 seconds long with an interval of 1 second between them. This was chosen to prevent spurious alarms from been generated by dozens of ships all sending on 500 at the same time and by long static bursts. The first alarm receivers were electro-mechanical devices: electric-motor driven, full of latching relays and rotating cams and valves of course. By the 1960’s they were replaced by transistorised timing circuits which did away with all the mechanical stuff. In an emergency and if there was time, the idea was that the R/O would transmit 12 four- second dashes and then wait a couple of minutes or so before sending the distress message - giving time for R/Os on other ships to get to their radio rooms. The alarm receiver in these other ships activated an alarm bell in the radio room and in the R/O’s cabin, just above their beds! The red sectors on the clock were to enable the R/O to time precisely the duration of the dashes and spaces- get it wrong and the alarm receiver would reject them as false. So the operator would transmit the dashes by holding down the Morse key whilst looking at the clock - which was always placed where he could see it from the keying position! Later, an automatic keyer was designed called an "Automatic Keying Device" (or AKD for short) which sent out the dashes at the press of a switch - provided the the R/O had switched on the transmitter and chosen the correct frequency! Again, the early ones were mechanical. The triangular sectors marking 15-18 and 45-48 minutes of each hour were to remind operators of the "Silence Period" on 500 kHz. 500 kHz was the WT (CW) distress frequency and also the international W/T calling frequency and in the early days, even up to the 1970's, was always busy so the silence period gave an opportunity for distress signals, especially low powered ship's lifeboat transmitters, to be heard. As far as | know these sectors have always been coloured red on the clock. The green sectors were brought in later to mark the silence periods on the R/T distress and calling frequency, 2182 kHz. These were from 00-03 and 30-33 minutes. Any station sending on the distress frequencies during the silence periods usually drew a caustic remark from the nearest coast station! The alarm receivers were not fool-proof and | have been called out to manya false alarm especially out East where the static is continuous during the summer months. Coast stations were also fitted with AKDs and would send the alarm signal before re-transmitting a distress message received from a ship/aircraft. Incidentally, there was a corresponding RT alarm signal for 2182 kHz. This consisted of a one minute transmission of a two-tone audio signal which could be detected by an automatic alarm receiver or by ear. Reproduction clocks available from David Dunn vk3dbd@gmail.com Post-script: https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 37/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v a picture off the phone ...... And just for record as clock does not live just there |! 73 David VK3DBD Morse Training Net Our team member Nic VK7WW runs an on-air Slow Morse training net every Wednesday at 70m EDST on 3580 for 30 mins. He uses the callsign of the Northern Tasmania Amateur Radio Club VK/TAZ on that net. Many of our team learned Morse code with the support of Nic, and the weekly training session comes highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn the Code, or simply brush up. Everyone’s welcome 3580kKHz at 7om Eastern time every Wednesday; SREEEEEISE'CODE COURSE Learn Morse Code - Slow Morse you'll hear lots of the CQORS team on that net. Coles Jordan VK3ACU has ralso ecorded the complete set rn... “af of lessons which you can now find here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=?>PLHSOmZzZ6fBXO /swAfb TmutrbbEL1 /fUOL Contact Nic VK7WW for more info nicholaschantler@hotmail.com including how to join the NTARC DISCORD group to follow the action, or just come along and Join In on Wednesdays. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?uU=5b/b2c3e29eeb9f38c453465 7&id=85dd44a3cc 38/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Subscribe Translate v > Lr Promoting the science, practice, experimentation and enjoyment of amateur radio! Monthly Meeting - Smart Telescopes - Marc VK30HM & John VK3WMF THE RADIO BULLETIN @ Updating Articles # USB Rig 6th March - Friday 8:00pm - Club Rooms Burwood & Zoom 14/10/2025 - 3:01 PM With the emergence of "Smart programming cables Telescopes” it is now possible to and Windows 11 do photos of deep sky objects for 21/04/2024 - 7:57 PM well under $1000. These devices are tiny, fully featured, and require ¥ Subaru Coax Install ¥ Portable Power no specialist knowledge to use. This presentation is for beginners, 15/04/2024 - 8:04 PM and documents my progression 10/11/2023 - 10:56 over 60 years from a basic ‘toy AM telescope, through a serious astrophotography setup, to my current smart telescope. EMDRC - IMPORTANT This is a typical image of the Horse Head Nebula. Two types of smart telescope will DATES be on display, and a case will be made that there is now a cheap way to get into astrophotography that requires little skill, and little outlay. MEMBERSHIP World First Amateur Networking Project - VK Yaesu IMRS Network APPLICATION FORM JOIN NOW The Club repeater VK3REC is a dual mode system supporting analogue FM and C4FM that Is linked via the internet to the world through WiresX protocols to many other Nodes around the world. If you would like some back ground, try this link at https://www.emdrc.com.au/wires-x-the-bible/ For those with the Yaesu C4FM radios, you will hear the repeater in that mode on occasions. Lately an alternative to WiresX Is becoming popular - YSF (Yaesu System Fusion) CLUB’S INTERNET SPONSER KernWi-Fi (t Wireless Solutions which has been developed to provide inter connectivity to WiresX and other digital modes. The Club will be exploring this branch in due course. KernWi-Fi - Refer a friend $50 Credit Code: POSITIONS VACANT ___ e b Morse Code QSO Mates Wanted! Seeking friendly CW operators for casual Morse code practice. _ All sending speeds welcome, but faster operators may have to slow down. | Happy to chat about the weather, daily doings, or what's for dinner. No politics, no drama, just dits and dahs! If you can tap, let's yap! https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 39/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v email to Mark VK2KI: cgagrsnet@gmail.com Prosign/Character/Signal of the Month See if you can use this one on Tuesday? Prosign:2 ss » =o Meaning: End of Contact [Put it on a sticky note near your key as a reminder for Tuesday.... and tell us how you went!] | Hear Tell... You never know who’s listening! Quotes from Near and Far. e Signals were down today and some serious QSB with it! e Procrastination is a design flaw of the human animal, not an appalling and unique personal failing. e It adds a panic moment when half way through a QSO. e I've never had great success on 80m. e Can't work CW whilst sauna is on as it transmits on all bands! e While the guards weren't looking, IU4FLS managed to slip through. e My deepest apologies for tempting you in a moment of weakness; this will weigh heavily on me. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 40/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Subscribe Past Issues Translate v e Whodathought editing a Morse Code enthusiasts’ newsletter could be such fun! e Cold fingers and a quiet band stopped play early. e Reminds me of a song "The Sound of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel. e Where have all the Flowers Gone? e | went out and checked that my antenna was still up. e Initially thought that | had left it disconnected since | heard nothing! e Where did everyone go? [If you have some intel about other team members... or even yourself... that’s worth sharing, please let me know cgagrsnet@gmail.com | Di-dah-di-dah-dit Here we go. So back to the CQORS Slow CW QSO practice net. Next Tuesday’s Net Our CQQRS Group will be on as always on Tuesday from around 0600z until about details. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 41/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Translate v Past Issues Coordinated Universal Time a (Note - 20m DXperiments will start at a different time if required) Australia 0600z to 1200z Western Australia Time UTC +8 Hours 1400 to 2000 Central Australian Time UTC +10.5 Hours 1630 to 2230 Eastern Australian Time UTC + 11 Hours 1700 to 2300 Queensland Time UTC + 10 Hours 1600 to 2200 NZ Time UTC + 13 Hours 1900 to 0100 New Zealand 0600z to 0900z 20m 14039-14051kHz Note - 20m times and frequencies will be allocated by Mike DL3YZ prior to the net. sah gee aaa 40m 0600z to 1200z 3535kHz - 3560kHz 160m 1855kHz (-5kHz for QRM) 7000 7020 40m ORO 3500 80 m = 160 m Sle __ COORSNet 3560 Sle CO ORS Net = | Thanks to Lance VK7TO —& 3535 ORO l 7040 l & | for the CQQRS band-pian @ Wednesday (VK/ZL) Post Morsum Callback 2200z - 2300z (Tuesday UTC) WA FM AllStar Network (Use AllStar to connect to Node 42482 or use Echolink to connect to VK2KI-L) Doesn’t matter whether you’re brand new and want to try just exchanging callsigns and RST reports, or you're ready for a good old rag chew. We'll have fun. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 42/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues — WF 7 Translate v 7 TO 7 7 7 7 7 7 TO Reports & Photos Please let us know via our Reports form bit.ly/CQORSNET who you work or hear on Tuesday’s Group. The report form closes at 1pm (Eastern Australian time) on Thursday. And how about helping to make the reports even more interesting by sending a photo? If you have a photo that you’d be happy to include, please email it to: cqgrsnet@gmail.com And of course, we’re always on the lookout for more photos for the newsletter, so if you have something that might be of interest aside from the reports, please send it through as well. Email to cggrsnet@gmail.com please. Oh and by the way, | recommend that you don’t keep the Reports Form website open between submission of reports from one week to the next. If you’re unlucky, there’s an undocumented feature in the software that could cause your current week’s report to be combined with your previous report - it’s happened to your editor several times much to the chagrin of our Reports editor :) Post Morsum Richard VK6HRC will run our phone Post Morsum on the South West AllStar net (via repeaters and hotspots all over WA) from 0600 WA time, then from 0700 WA time on 80m (3605 LSB). See hitps://bit.ly/COORSWebsite and navigate to the Net Details page for details of how you can connect via Echolink from anywhere in the world. Articles Could you write a short article or articles for RagChew? You bet! Writing not your strong point? Don’t worry, I’m very happy to help as much or as little as needed. Oh, and one more thing (actually two) - copyright material: e please use your Own images - don’t use images copied from the internet unless you have the producer’s permission, or they’re marked ‘Creative Commons’ or https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 43/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate ¥ may only include small snippets (unless it’s marked ‘Creative Commons’ or similar), and you'll need to site the source and author. For more guidance on writing for the RagChew newsletter (including how you might even try using one of the new Artificial Intelligence tools), head to our website bit. ly/COORSWebsite then click the menu on the top right and then click RagChew Newsletter. Material Areminder; if you send me any information by email, our report form or WhatsApp - unless you specifically state that material is not to be published, I'll assume that you're happy to see your thoughts in the RagChew newsletter. Thank you so much to our team of 29 contributors: G7BED, IU4FLS, MONNK, SWL-Jack, VK/G4RWI, VK2AOE, VK2RU, VK3ACU, VK3BWN, VK3DBD, VK3DRQ, VK3KLE, VK4BRO, VK4IM, VK5AO, VK5CZ, VK5KFG, VKGHRC, VK6KD, VK6KHZ, VK6MK, VK6NOL, VKENW, VK6TX, VKGWE, VK7TA, VK7TO, ZL3ABX and ZL3TK. And a special thank you to our editorial team, Nigel G4RWI (head of software development), Patrick VK2IOW (reports coordinator), John VK2RU (spreadsheet pilot), Richard VKGHRC (post morsition), Lance VK7TO (director of the archive department) and Jordan VK3ACU (head gagster). Great work all! CU. CW on Tuesday, mb Mark Bosma VK2KI / VK6QI Beautiful South Bowning NSW cggrsnet@gmail.com non impediti ratione cogitationis https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?u=5b7b2c3e29eeb9f38c453465 7&id=85dd44a3cc 44/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v Venus& Mars Antenna Adventures Se If only we could replace all that crap with something fice and small... 7 a «2 lg2\5 ~ ViKjar => : “ : About the CQ QRS Net https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=85dd44a3cc 45/46 05/05/2026, 09:57 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v For the current schedule and more information about the CQQRS net, please go the the Net Details page on our website: The opinions expressed in the RagChew newsletter are those of the individual contributors. The opinions do not necessarily reflect that of the editors or of the CQQRS Group members. Any material and images received from members by the editor or published on the CQQRS WhatsApp groups may be published in this newsletter unless specifically requested otherwise. The RagChew newsletter is considered to be exempt from the Australian Government’s ban on social media for under 16 year olds because it is a service that has the primary purpose of enabling users to share information about products or services, engage in professional networking or professional development services or of supporting the education of users per the Australian Government eSafety Commissioner FAQ webpage “Which platforms have been excluded from the age restrictions” dated 10Dec25. The values, doctrine and guidelines for the Group and for the newsletter are published on the Principles page of the group’s website https://bit.ly/CQOQRSWebsite Send comments about the RagChew Newsletter. 0090 Copyright (C) 2026 CQ ORS. All rights reserved. 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