09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v View this email in your browser CQQRS RagChew Edition 19/2026 https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 1/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 Translate v 2/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 Translate v 3/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Subscribe Translate v This week our prolific producer of interesting articles, Ross MONNK is off camping somewhere (hopefully dry this time!). Yet, he’s still managed to produce two excellent articles for the newsletter - thanks mate - outstanding. The sunny image above was Ross’ portable set up a few weeks back; hopefully, it'll be just as sunny where he is this week. Link to our WeeklyCOQRS Net Reporting Form bit.lyiCQQRSNET Dah-di-dah-di-dah Last Tuesday’s Group Post-Morsum Report Bodging Portable Signal Generator Drake Twins - Cont On My (Historic) Work Bench A Bit of Spit & Polish QRZ? VK6TX CW Practice Brocante Radio De Roquefort Les Pins - 2026 A Couple of SOTA Activations Don Edwards Memorial Slow Morse Contest Morse Training Net Emails to the Editor The DX That Did (on 10 Watts) Prosign of the Month Di-dah-di-dah-dit Venus & Mars in the Ham Shack About the CQ QRS Group Dah-di-dah-di-dah https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 4/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v the reports people submitted about their experience on the net; well done everyone! And speaking of well done - if you roll down through the newsletter, you'll find just so many outstanding articles from so many of our readers! Thank you everyone for making our newsletter really interesting for our readers. In-turn, | hope our team members find that the outstanding friendship of our fellow QRS operators and the newsletter itself help make participation so satisfying for you. RSN? RST? What the...? On our net, and increasingly among CW operators down this way, you'll hear people giving RSN reports, instead of the usual RST. | think it was Stan ZL3TK that encouraged me and so many others to adopt a suggestion that may have come from FISTS Down Under. So what Is it about? We were all taught that on CW, signal reports are supposed to follow the RST format: e Readability - one-to-five scale - something like: o 1- unreadable - barely able to hear any signal at all. o 2 - barely readable - occasional letters only distinguishable o 3- readable with considerable difficulty - but some of the letters make sense o 4- readable with only a bit of difficulty o 5 - perfectly readable e Signal Strength o 1 to 9 - what the S-meter tells you is the peak signal strength e Tone o 1 through to 9 - extremely rough through to perfect tone. So these days, how often do you hear a Tone report that isn’t 9? And if it isn’t 9, just how long would it take a QRS operator to describe (justify?) why they reported anything so offensive as other than 9? And what about the graduations between 1 and 9? | do have it listed somewhere.... but now that we aren’t tested against the contents of the old (PMG?) Regulations Handbook, is my list the same as the receiving station’s? Doubtful! https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 5/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v a With RSN, the R and the S are the same... but the N could be the peak noise level as indicated on the receiving station’s S-meter - 1 to 9. And yes | know, you have a perfect S 0 noise level, so why not report it? Please do... but remember, how accurate is your S-meter, below S 1 (down below something like 0.2uV)? And of course, an S 0 noise floor cannot exist in theory. But no-one’s going to get wrapped around the axle in our group if you send RSN 590. So now we have something that’s much more useful to the sending end than RST how well was my signal heard (readability and strength) at the other end... and if the signal wasn’t readable 5, why not? Ahhh, my signal strength was reported as S5, but the noise was S4 - so with QSB, my signal probably was drifting in and out of the noise. Oh, and the readability was reported as 3 - so I'd better repeat the important things like the signal report etc, and probably not waffle-on too much about just how nice the weather is at the moment, or ask difficult questions; remember, the one thing the other operator will hear is the question mark.... but if they didn’t get the gist of the rest... that makes more pressure to ask for a repeat under difficult conditions. Now here’s a challenge - what if the duty thunderstorm somewhere is producing static crashes of S9+20dB? Let’s say the station was S 7, and the static crashes were infrequent enough to not affect readability? Your RSN report could then be 579; looks awfully like an RST report doesn’t it? The solution you'll hear on the net is to send something like: “UR RSN RSN 579 579”. That way, the other dude knows that i's an RSN report, not an RST. If l’'m working someone who may not be familiar with RSN, | might rub it in a bit more with “UR RSN RSN 579 RSN 579” or similar. So.... I’m not going to tell you how to suck eggs - or how you should operate - but perhaps have a think about making your reports on the CQORS net even more useful? And.... be brave, let’s start spreading the Aussie / Kiwi way of reporting to the dreaded DX world as well perhaps?! Don Edwards Memorial Slow Morse Contest A heads-up, the St George Amateur Radio Society runs the Don Edwards Slow Morse Contest on the weekend following Mothers’ Day. The contest remembers and pays respect to Don Edwards, a passionate CW operator and long-term SGARS member. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 6/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v The rules are simple - no more than 10 wpm, and the CW is to be sent by hand. You'll find all the details further-down in the newsletter. Don’t go for contests? You’re not Robinson Crusoe - but perhaps consider it an excellent opportunity to have a bit of fun and get some practice at the same time? I've entered a number of times - it’s Just so nice to actually be able to exchange pleasantries during a contest. And of course, if lots of our team members are on arr, chances are you'll catch up with a mate or two too (yeah, | know...one-one was a race horse...). So back to the business at hand... thank you for being here, and please enjoy the newsletter - and if you can, scan all the way to the end for this week’s Venus & Mars in the Ham Shack. 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 So here we go - on behalf of the CQORS Editorial team, please enjoy the newsletter. dit-dit Mark Bosma VK2KI / VK6QI Patrick Beautiful South Bowning John VK2IOW NSW VK2RU Milthorpe NSW on a track somewhere cgqgrsnet@gmail.com non impediti ratione cogitationis Nigel Richard Lance G4RWI VK6HRC VK7TO our other grey nomad Padbury WA Margate TAS Jordan VK3ACU https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 7/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v 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 75 stations heard by 44 members of our team on Tuesday: https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 8/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues DL3YZ Worked 20m VK3DRQ IU4FLS Worked 20m ZL3TK VKIWA Heard on air VK2COS Heard on air Translate v ZL3TK VK7TA | VK4PN VK2DLF Heard on air VK2GAS Worked 40m VK2GR Heard on air VK2KI Worked 40m VK2KI Heard 40m VKSAV VK2KI Heard 40m VK6MTF/MM]| VK2KI Worked 80m VK6NW VK2NNW/P Worked 40m VK210/P VK3JFR | VK3KLE | VK3PF VK2NNW/P Heard 40m VK6NC VK4EV VK2RU Heard 15m JASKDS VK2RU Heard 20m VK2COS VK2RU Heard 30m VK2BJ VK2RU Worked 40m VK3DRQ VK2TM VK2RU Heard 40m VK3MXW VKI1AAW | VK3MJ VK2WE Heard on air VK3MJ VK7TO VK3DRQ VK3ACU Worked 40m VK3JFR VK3ACU Worked 160m VK3BGM VK3BGM Heard on air VK3DRQ Worked 15m VK3DRQ Worked 20m DL3YZ VK3DRQ Heard 20m MOUMS VK3DRQ Tried 20m IU4FS VK3DRQ Worked 40m VK3DRQ Heard 40m VK6PZT | VK4DLP | VK2DLF | VK3MJ | VKSCZ VK7JZ ZL3TK VK6ENW | VK3PF ZL3TK ZL2GD VK3DRQ | VK3JFR | VKGHRC | VK3MJ | 7K1UGA] VK5CZ VK2ARZ | VK3DRQ|} M3KXZ | ZL3TK | VK7TO | VK5CZ ZL1PX VK2WF | VK3MJ ZL3TK VK4PN VK6TX VK2DLF VK2RU VK3XU | VK5CZ VK2I0/P VK7JZ VK3JFR Heard on air VK3KLE Worked 40m VK3MXW Heard on air VK4EV Worked 40m VK3M3J VK4EV Heard 40m VK3EPW VK3KLE |VK3DRQ} VK4PN Heard on air VK5AO Worked 40m VK3EPW VK6PZT VKS5AV Worked 40m |VK6MTF/MM VK5AV Heard 40m VK6HRC VK5CZ Heard on air VK2NNW/P | VK2I0/P | VK6NC VK5FD Heard 20m VK5FD Worked 40m VK3HK VK5FD Heard 40m VK3JFR VK6BA Heard on air IU4FS ZL3TK ZL3TK VK2KI VK7TA VK2RU | VK5AO VK3JFR VK7JZ VK5CZ ZL2TK VK3PF VK6IX VK7TA | ZL2GD VK6TX | VK6FN ZL1PD VK4PN VK6FN Heard on air VK6GX Worked 40m VK3MXW VK1WA VK6GX Heard 40m VK6KHZ VK6HRC | VK3JFR |VK3DRQ} VK6HRC Worked 40m |VK6MTF/MM|] VK7JZ VK1AAW | VK6NW VK6HRC Heard 40m VK6KHZ VK6HRC Worked 80m VK6PZT VK3KLE ZL3TK VK6KD VK2KI VK7TA VK6HRC Heard 80m VK6NW VK6HRC Tried 80m VK2Kl VK6JDM Heard 40m VK4DLP VK6KD Worked 40m VK3JFR VK6KD Heard 40m VK3DRQ VK6KD Tried 40m VK3DRQ VK6KD Worked 80m VK6NW VK6KD Heard 80m VK6KHZ VK6KHZ Worked 40m VK6WN VK6MTF/MM|_ Worked 40m VK6HRC VK3JFR VK6NW Worked 40m VK6KHZ VK6HRC | VK6FN VK6NW Heard 40m VK7TA VK5CZ VKENW Worked 80m VK6PZT VK6KD VK6PZT VK6PZT Worked 40m VK5AO VK5CZ Heard 40m VK3DRY VK7JZ VK6PZT Worked 80m VK6HRC VKONW VK6QI Heard 40m VK3DRQ VK5CZ VK7JZ VK6TX Worked 40m VK3JFR JF1EXE VK6GX | W1MK VK3ACU | VK5CZ | VK5KG | VK7JZ VK6NW | VK7TA | VK2GR VK7JZ | VK5AV ZL3TK VK6BA ZL3TK VK2KI VK2KI https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 9/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v VK7JZ Heard 40m VK3DRQ VK7TA Worked 20m DL3YZ VK3JFR VK7TA Worked 40m VK6KHZ VK3KLE | VK6NC | VK6BA VK7TA Heard 40m VK3DRQ VK6NW | VK6NW | VK2RU VK7TO Worked 15m JA7TTYW VK7TO Worked 40m VK3ADS ZL1PB Heard 40m VK3JUR VK3KLE VK7JZ ZL1PB Heard 40m VK3YW ZLATE ZL3GD | VK3PF | ZL3TK ZLIPX Heard on air ZL2GD Worked 40m ZL2GD Heard 40m VK6GX VK6TX ZL2GD Heard 40m VK6NW VK6NW | VK6FN | VK7JZ ZL3ABX Worked 40m VK3M3J ZL3ABX Heard 40m VK3KLE ZL3ABX Tried 40m VK5AO VK4PN | VK6BA | ZL1PX | VK3HK | VK7TA | VK3KD VK3JFR VK7TU | VK7TA | VK6BA | ZL3TK ZL1PX VKSAO | VK2RU ZL3TK Worked 15m ZL3TK Worked 20m DL3YZ ZL3TK Heard 20m IU4FLS ZL3TK Worked 40m VK3DRQ ZL3TK Heard 40m VK2DLF VK30OU | VK5GG | VK7TA | VK5CZ ZL3TK Heard 40m VK4DLW VK2GAS | VK3MO | VK6FN | VK7TO | VK4EV | VK2RU | VK1CT ZL4TE Heard on air VK3JFR | VK3KLE | VK6ENW | VK7JZ Comments: John’s spreadsheet above shows the known stations heard or worked on last Tuesday’s CQORS Net (reported via our webform bit.\y/COORSNET ); the comments in the team members’ reports follow. The comments were compiled for us by the software built with the Al coordinated by Nigel G4RWI, and the layout was perfected again this week 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=6e36952bf9 10/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v [20m] The condx were challenging today, we had some QRN up here today. At 7:03 UTC a VK6 station was calling me, and we tried our best. But | was not able to get the callsign. Please try again next time. And thanks to Stan, Manny, lan and Sava for the nice beeps around the globe. Have a great week, Mike. From Grant ZL2GD at Oxford, North Canterbury [40m] | was on a bit early for VK but was surprised to heard so many VK6's on with quite good signals. From Fausto IU4FLS at Bologna- Italy [20m] lt was rainy in Bologna on the Sth. Signals arrived rather weak. | just had with pleasure a short QSO with Stan, when MMOUMH came in. Actually | do not yet know how to deal politely with non QRS NET friends during our DX. Anyway | was unable to hear other QRS NET friends. All the best to everybody. 73 de IU4FLS - Fausto https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 11/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v [40m] Really enjoyed being back at the radio and headphones on. Tonight was a bit up and down as far as reception went. Peter ZL1PX was low down to me but consistent, Phil VK6GX was good, then not, then OK again. Good chat with lan VK5CZ, but clearly | was not listening as | put him on the plane to Peru, but that is not quite what he sent, then we were distracted by SOTA (my kryptonite | cannot resist). | was most happy with the very brief QSO with Stan ZL3TK, this was the hardest signal to hear all night | was so pleased to copy it, but was not strong enough to me to hold a longer QSO to any effect. | could hear Morgan VK6MTF having a QSO with someone but could not make the other party out, then Morgan was good enough to call me after he concluded a QSO with James VK3JFR. The last couple of weeks | have been going to SOTA summits in the evenings for good conditions and an absence of city QRM. | think | need to do that next Tuesday, and put in some more head copy practice between now and then. Thanks everyone, hear you next week | hope. 73 Jim From Richard VK6PZT at Dalyellup Beach [80m] Great signal from Wayne, lots of QSB during QSO with Richard HRC From Wayne VK6NW at Bridgetown [40m] It seemed 40m was very well-behaved late afternoon WA time. Managed to get a QSO with Stan ZL3TK which was lovely, thanks Stan! Did not hear any EU stations direct, though were heard in the SDR's. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 12/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v Nice to catch up with Mark and David on 80m. Some background atmospherics but was able to read the sigs well, especially with the narrow filter on the 20 year old FT- 897. From Manny VK3DRQ at Blackburn [40m] Even with my limited time, | did enjoy having so many interesting QSOs and even the BOSS was in my list. Thank you for the chat OM Mark. | am sorry the conditions were not as good as with others. [80m] | heard OM IU4FS very faintly and | tried several times calling him, but no answer came my way. Maybe next time? From David VK6KD at Ballajura WA [40m] Only appeared to be getting signals from WA to SA and not SA to WA. | had to utilise the IronStone SDR for my Rx. | managed a QSO with VK3JFR and gave a RST of 572 as the tone | was receiving from James appeared to have a side or split tone and very difficult to decode. | moved up and down frequency on the SDR and it cleaned up a bit. Still not sure what the cause was but grateful for the QSO. | later saw some comments on the chat group regarding the split tone. Something to follow up later. [80m] | was too slow off the mark getting my PC fired up when | heard VK6KHZ calling CQ at 1740hrs (WST). By the time | got sorted, he was gone. Hopefully next week for a QSO Ron. 80m band was open to VKS land later in the evening. | had finished working 40m and utilising the Iron Stone SDR for Rx when Wayne VK6NW responded to my CQ on 3555 kHz. 80m between Bridgetown and Perth was working https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 13/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v still on my screen and | could see our QSO blazing down the waterfall as we conversed. While | did not achieve a QSO outside VK6 land, | was more than happy for the QSO | had and the fact the 80m band is becoming useful again. Looking forward to more activity in the future. 73s for now. From Stan ZL3TK at Waitarere Beach [15m] Sava VK4PN could have been a local such was his thick red line down the waterfall. Fausto IU4FLS had considerately posted a notice announcing his unavailability, ergo, calling him would be fruitless. Highly recommend everyone wanting to work Europeans in the DXperiment hours to request a URL from Mike DL3YZ for access to his status monitoring pages, not only to keep up to date with others but also to show your own status and have the ability to leave short messages. Knowledge is power! [20 m] Somewhat underwhelming, only a ‘sort of' night. Could hear Fausto but don't think he could hear me. Managed only to exchange signal reports with Mike and not even sure | got that right, gulp! [40m] Trans-Tasman propagation had very much reversed in favour of east-bound signals this week as demonstrated by the number of stations heard. VK30U was clearly not taking part in CQQRS but heard going hell-for-leather after the ‘Grand Prix' for QRQ - was he riding a high-revving 1959 blue racing bug? Had a couple of skeds but neither showed. [80m] Called stations on sked but none showed. Called CQ for ca. 30 minutes until 1200Z but heard and saw nowt. Chalk it up to experience, another opportunity in seven days time. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 14/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v [40m] Late to the party this week; my neighbour (SWL-Jack) and | went to a Bowning Bushfire Brigade meeting... only to find I'd got the night wrong! So | missed the early starters before 40m became busy, as well as the DXperiment team on 15m and 20m. Anyway, when | got home, there was still a number of QSOs going on on 40, and | really enjoyed listening to a nice rolling rag chew between lan VK5CZ and James VK7JZ, both of whom had nice signals here. When they finished, lan was called by one of our founding team members, Richard VK6PZT at Dalyellup; interesting when | checked the VK6SEG KiwiSDR near Northam, lan was romping in at RSN 561, while there was absolutely no sign of Richard. After about an hour of enjoyable listening, | came across Manny VK3DRQ calling CQ; it'd been a while since I'd chatted to him, and it was my privilege to have a quick chat... Manny's phasing noise canceller had been working overtime, but my signal was going down the tubes, so we had to give it away. | rounded-out 40m by listening-in to the QSO between Morgan VK6MTF/MM sheltering at Kangaroo Island and Tim VK5AV at Mount Gambier; great signals from both here - especially from Morgan - best signal from him on his sot © “ Esperance to Hobart journey so far. [80m] VK6MTF/MM at Kangaroo Island | needed a not too late night, but managed one quick QSO with our friendly Winomeister, Wayne VK6ENW at Manjimup, before padding off to bed, after a fun night. Thank you one and all for being there providing me and no-doubt others with an enjoyable practice session. Also from your editor Mark VK6QI at Beautiful South Bowning NSW via the Southern Electronics Group's KiwiSDR at Hoddys Well. [40m] Interesting when | checked the QSO between lan VK5CZ at Clare and Richard VK6PZT in Bunbury, lan was RSN 561, but either the D-layer was still too strong, or https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 15/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v path. From Morgan VK6MTF/MM at Kangaroo Island, SA [40m] | turned the radio on a bit late after enjoying some Kangaroo Island hospitality at the American River Sports Club. Kevin and | caught up for a beer with Tony VK5SKI who had been my regular sked contact whilst sailing across the bight. | called CQ rather ‘QRQ’ for my standards and somehow Richard VK6HRC managed to copy me and have a great 599 Arriving at Kangaroo Island signal report. No sooner had we said 73’s James VK3JFR had matched my speed and we had a great QSO despite his side tone being a little compressed. Jim VK7JZ was my next QSO, thankfully operating at a nicer speed and giving my brain a rest. Despite his 579 signal, he was struggling to copy me giving a 339 report. Great to get you in the log Jim. I’m sure it will get easier the closer | am to Hobart. Finally | worked Tim VKSAV who had a cracking signal from Mt Gambier. We enjoyed a good QSO before | went QRT to save my limited battery power on board. We are still looking for a reasonable weather window to depart KI and continue our journey south-east to Tasmania. Fingers crossed for some westerlies. Thanks to everyone | managed to work between Esperance and KI. 73's DE Morgan VK6MTF/MM From Phil VA6GX at Gidgegannup [40m] Excellent conditions on 40m enabled me to work three stations new to me. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 16/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Subscribe Past Issues Translate v [40m] Once again, it seems my signal was not strong enough. Thanks for persisting Mark. ea ee From Phil ZL1PB at Tauranga NZ * Whangarei [40m] » Auckland | was unable to make a contact although| tried, running Sw from my Hermes Lite Waitomo * Rotorua Caves ® Taupo From Richard VK6HRC at Padbury [40m] Great to catch up with MorganVK6MTF/MM big signal into Perth metro from Kangaroo Island and VK1AAW Sam doing a SOTA activation. Conditions changed and had to battle QSB to catch up with Wayne VK6NW just down the road in Bridgetown. Finishing off a CW transmitter so did not have chance to transmit, heard and copied a number of stations on 40 metres while melting solder. Listened to 20 metres for the Europeans, but band had not opened during their scheduled time. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 17/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v [20m] | could only just copy Mike, and it did help Knowing that he was going to be calling on that frequency. [40m] Mostly VK6 this week. | did have a look lower down the band and had a nice chat with VK1CT, which may not have been officially on this net? | was surprised to then get a call from W1MK. From Adam VK2NNW/P at Macksville [40m] On Tuesday night, | was operating portable from my parents place in Macksville. | was using my FT 817 running SW. | apologise to Paul VK3KLE as my battery suddenly died towards the end of my QSO! 73 [15m] | found a short window to jump on the radio early in the evening, but was unable to raise anyone on 40. Witha narrowly closing time before I'd have to leave again, | jumped up to 15 m and found JA7TYW calling. It was a real treat to work Masa with his excellent English, allowing us to have a nice QSO. [40m] | wasn't able to participate later in the evening, so tried my luck a couple of hours before normal start time, and was rewarded by a most enjoyable chat with John, VK3ADS. As a retired ship-based RO, he was more than happy to serve my curiosity https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 18/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v required too soon, so had to send a reluctant 73. wrere From John VK2RU at Wondai [40m] Only two QSO's tonight. The first one with Trev VK2TM was going good, until my brain decided that it was going to forget how to copy. Then another good one with OM Manny VK3DRQ, until a band of noise came in, centred on his frequency. After that, just a bit of listening and practicing more head copy. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 19/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v From Richard VK6HRC. Seven on the VK6RLM rpir and AllStar/Echolink hub this moming. VK6FN Max VK6NW Wayne VK6KD David ZL3TK ~=Stan VK6QI = Mark VK6HRC VK6MRB Mulligan swl and others. Max had a power outage again but luckily the power was restored in time for the QRS session. He worked three on 40 m and heard Stan ZL3TK before close. Wayne worked five on 40 m and three on 80 m trying out his FT891 and traveling wave antenna for his portable set up. Listened out for the DX crew on a Kiwi SDR receiver as well. David tried working Manny VK3DRQ on 40 m but the condtions not good enough to comlplete the contact, then tried 80 m where he worked Wayne VK6NW and heard Ron VK6KHZ and a Japanese station. Stan commented on the interesting conditions last night and in some cases the signals were down at times. Stan also recommended that the people trying to contact our Northern Hemiphere friends check the URL live feed published in the Ragchew as apposed to the proposed frequencies in the spread sheet. Sometimes a frequency shift occours when trying to avoid QRM. Mark and Jack swl ( neighbour ) headed of for a Bushfire Brigade meeting only two weeks earley ! Made the most of miscalculation enjoyed the facilities of Downing pub and headed home. Mark heard nine and possibly a tenth (VK6NW ) on 40 m had a partial contact with Manny VK3DRQ but QSB got in the way. On 80 m worked Wayne VK6NW to round the evening off. | started the evening out at the NCRG clubhouse with Lin VK6NT, most enjoyable listening out with the 40 m Yagi monobander in line. Headed home after a while leaving Lin to keep on working without interuption from me. Thank you to all as usual. 73 Richard. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 20/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 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. Bodging Portable Just Have a Go! by Ross MONNK https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 21/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v by Ross MONNK When | started going portable, | had no idea what | should be doing. So, | looked around the internet, bought some gear, and got started. Unsurprisingly, | made a right 'pig’s ear' of it. But | learnt from my mistakes. Now, a few years later, | have a portable set-up that suits my operating style. It’s not the lightest or the most minimalist because I’m not activating SOTA - | rarely hike more than a few hundred metres from my car. But that short walk is enough to get me away from distracting questions from members of the public. And my modest gear regularly gets me all the way round the world to Australia and New Zealand, so | must be doing something right! I’m a great fan of SOTAbeams, suppliers of hardware to support portable operations. SOTAbeams is a UK company but they ship all over the world and are well respected within the international hobby. | first bought their 10 m telescopic mast, which turned out to be far too big and heavy for me, although | do use it for the rare occasions when my T2LT antenna for 15 m gets an airing. | dropped down to a 7 m mast and that served me well for a few years, getting Velcro strapped to saplings, but was still a bit of a beast. Then | discovered these ultra-light and compact cheap Chinese fishing poles - search eBay for “Short Telescopic Fishing Rod Ultralight Hard Portable Starter Fishing Pole” or some such gobble-dee-gook. Some claim to be carbon fibre (HI Hl). | got the 7.2 m version for a measly 34 Aussie Dollars. The topmost section is very fragile so | discarded that but the mast is still tall enough for an EFHW or a vertical for 20 m. | added a short tether to the cap (‘cuz you just know that’s going to go missing), and glued a short thread to the thinnest section to aid extracting it. ~~ Next up: guy-line attachment. SOTAbeams does these nice 3-D printed collars to fit their 7 and 10 metre masts, sliding down over the thinner sections until they gently https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 22/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v But these are too big to fit the slim Chinese masts, and anyway four guy-lines are a nightmare to rig on your own (I prefer just three). So, | make my own using Zip Ties (aka tie-wraps or cable ties). A drop of superglue in each latch fixes their diameter once you’ve got them adjusted. Brightly coloured guy-lines are highly recommended, for reasons | don’t need to explain. Portable can seem daunting if you’ve only ever worked from a shack. And it can seem like a hassle, having to drag your gear around and get it set up only to tear it down an hour or so later. But I’ve grown to really enjoy the adventure of it. If you look upon the whole preparation and outing as the operating session (not just the time when you have your radio turned on) then it can make for a very enjoyable morning or afternoon in the countryside. Next up is an interesting antenna to put up that cute whippy mast... Ross MONNK https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 23/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v 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 https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 24/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe Past Issues Translate v From Ross MONNK I’ve been asked what I used as a signal generator for the audio frequency waveform in the second of my articles on oscilloscopes (BTW whilst the sawtooth and square waves have these jagged corners, the sine and triangle waves are nice and clean). The answer is...this Frankenstein contraption: In the image, the square white button cycles through four waveform types, and the orange knob sets the frequency (from 23 Hz up to 20,000 Hz). The display shows the waveform type and frequency. The Google Gemini Al designed the wiring and wrote the code for me: https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 25/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Subscribe Past Issues Translate v I'm thinking about a small electronics project. Specifically an audio signal generator. | have a UDA1334 DAC and a 128x32 OLED display. The processor could be either a Raspberry Pi Pico, a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W, or an STM32f "Black Pill". | would be able to control frequency with a potentiometer, and display that frequency on the OLED. Can you point me at any suitable projects? Gemini: The Pico is arguably your best bet for this project. Its PIO (Programmable I/O) blocks can handle 12S audio perfectly without taxing the CPU, and it's much simpler to set up than a full Linux OS or bare-metal STM32. Ross: I'm familiar with CircuitPython so the Raspberry Pi Pico would be the best path for me too. Can you give me some sample code and wiring instructions? As an experiment, | made no changes to the code myself - this was my first foray into "Vibe Coding" a hardware project and | wanted to see how that would work out. After me putting a DuPont cable in the wrong hole on the breadboard, followed by some back-and-forth with Gemini to add a couple of refinements, it all worked perfectly. | was impressed. In fact, it struck me as potentially a very useful workbench tool so | soldered it up... Some people will tell you that collaborating with an Al takes all the fun out of a project. | have to say | disagree - | found the whole process very satisfying and rewarding. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 26/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v From Paul VK3KLE at Stawell Drake Twins Well for those ops who read the previous from Paul VK3KLE . . article on my Drake twins. The nos 6JB6 GE Well Mar, it's brand tubes arrived from USA Tuesday been as busy two acti morning and were fitted in short time on the ced ae bench. | emailed the seller prior to sale to discussed a . couple of weeks confirm he had a number of GE 6JB6 tubes on Drake rescued h an d ; ago. The little cute from a dusty shed nest of many years is on air again. | was able to have 3 closely matched tubes | have been hunting for a restorable TX4C for a number of years, but at hamfests the right one did't wait for me. . . . sent ( one extra incase of shipping damage or For the most part it had multiple burnt out resistors inc the 15 ohm hada anac an the finale 2 thea driver Ra drannor racictor A aaod or a heater or grid fault) . The two marked 88 and 87 were fitted (that's the gm test result). After resetting the bias | instantly went from a sagging 50-60 Watts to 140 Watts with headroom to spare. lts a shame | had to get caught buying from eBay with the first set But they might flash up if | ever get desperate. That's when you double the heater volts for a few mins to de contaminate the cathode. It's risky but can apparently work for a while. Now a word of caution for those tempted to push old rigs hard. From new many sets had known failure areas. One of which in hybrid and fully-tubes sets is the wafer switches on the PA. The can easily get too hot and become annealed and soft then loose their spring tension. The next level of degradation being the death nock and blowing bits of the silver finger contact away in a RF flash. So in general use | would only run a twin tube PA,class AB either sweep tube or 6146 to just about or slightly over 100 Watts. The extra 40-50 Watts might not make a big difference at the other op’s RX, but it will shorten the life of tubes and the rig. | generally check the tuning quickly at full power, increase load coupling to the ant slightly then reduce drive slightly. That reduces both plate current a bit and importantly screen current. | can begin to get the tuning close in the initial stage with just 20 Watts. | try and be quiet quick with carrier tuning as the tubes can definitely be fried by holding a long carrier with less than perfect tuning. So that's another vintage rig setup all sorted now. Thankfully all the previous work paid off with just new op tubes to complete the restoration. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?u=5b7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 27/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v test. If you change everything and introduce a _ new fault it's to complex to locate after 200 new solder joints! Regards Paul VKS3SKLE https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 28/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v From stand ZL3IK Further to Ross MONNK’s experience with his DSO138 oscilloscope kit, I’m rewinding to the late 1950s, early 60s. ‘Fun and games with measurement tools’ was in full swing by the time | started fiddling with a VCR97 cathode ray tube in the years following WWII, during which began my first ‘really big’ electronic project. Although on a much larger physical scale, my home brewed oscilloscope’s performance, at least frequency-wise, was not much better than Ross’s 200 kHz, however it was monumentally inferior in terms of a providing useful information. Digital technology hadn’t been invented yet, so images the CRT produced had to be manually interpreted. - The venerable VCR97 CRT designed for early Air-to-Surface vessel radar, then later used in H2S, GEE and aeronautical radars How did a VCR97 CRT come into my possession? Can’t really remember, however fortunately it was already mounted in a totally stripped down chassis from a GEE hyperbolic airborne navigation system installed by RAF Bomber Command in Vickers Wellingtons and Avro Lancasters. Coincidentally, my AVCRQ7 CRT in Uncle Douglas was an original GEE navigator and GEE receiver/display. operator in RAF 75 Squadron. On his way to bomb Duisberg on 25 March 1942 ina Wellington, he was shot down over Essen. He spent the next three years in Stalag VIIIB as a guest of the Germans. To For consistency, yellow, blue and red knobs each tune the receiver for different bands, in the same way the partner to R1155 receiver, the T1154 transmitter, had colour coded knobs. escape advancing https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 29/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v ageatn March westward trom Lamsaorl in January 1940. AMMer ree MONS Marcning through snow, General Patton’s boys liberated the barely-able-to-walk prisoners near the French border on 12 April 1945. Uncle Doug was therefore able to positively identify my very unusual bit of kit, but how it got to New Zealand? No one could say. Because the chassis had been stripped, all the components needed to build a Y preamp, X timebase, X and Y deflection amplifiers and the 2 kV EHT supply had to be found locally. To get them free, or at minimal cost, took many months. It was built according to a schematic found in an old magazine. It specified metal, octal-base valves, but the finer details of it and the sources from which parts were scrounged have been lost in the mists of time. A camera was way beyond my means, so everything was hand-written, but even that precious documentation was lost to mould and vermin after the garage in which it was stored in Mt Eden, Auckland, was flooded while | was in American Samoa on contract in 1983. The VCR97 was still under hard vacuum with a healthy silver-black getter deposit, just like in the photograph. It produced a sharply-focused green trace across the screen, a sight to behold; thrilling to all who saw it - except my parents. | was still only a kid at school when Cliff Richard and the Drifters were maliciously silenced. Mother, in true Edwardian-English disciplinary tradition, smashed my beautiful homebrewed valve stereo amplifier in a fit of rage, as punishment for some long-forgotten misdemeanour. And ‘they’ tell us domestic violence is a modern phenomenon? So it was not without foundation that | was extremely worried about the possibility my rare VCR97 could meet the same fate, feelings which no doubt have contributed to my extreme frugality and cynicism today. Alec Binnie ZL1QW (Sk), lived a few doors away beside the western, single-track railway. He was very active on HF with a 60 foot high, magnificent open-wire-fed halfwave antenna on 80 m, which served all HF bands. From him | borrowed an ancient valve signal generator, which sufficed for testing the CRO, though serious calibration was out of the question. As the frequency was increased from low audio towards 2 megacycles, the amplitude of the displayed sinewave decreased significantly, but whether that was a function of my home brewed Y preamp, or the signal generator output dropping off, | could not determine due to a lack of both equipment and ability to think laterally. Anyway, that primitive oscilloscope kept me amused and served my modest needs until | started apprenticeship training at night school under the expert tutorship of a young, recently-arrived-from-the-UK, ‘Jumbo’ Godfrey ZL1HV (SK), where | learned what a real CRO could do. Like Ross, | upgraded, just as soon as my meagre two pounds a week which remained from wages after paying board and lodging to mother, allowed. Today| still have a vintage dual channel, rectangular screen, 25 MHz Philips PM3212 from the 1970s, sheer luxury by comparison! https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 30/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v A Bit of Spit & Polish From John VK2RU I've been fortunate to get a few old keys recently. Believe it or not, I've now got 2x Clipsal Cat. No. 610, and 2x WT 8 Amps and a pair of Hy-Mounds. So | decided that | would clean one set up and see how| liked it. Pleased to say that it's so much better than the tarnished look. | will leave one set as they are. Up until now, the WT 8 Amp was my favourite, but I'm now finding the Hi-Mound HK707 very nice to use. | stripped it all down, and gave it a good clean. Can you believe that there are 63 individual parts in that key? One thing that makes it good to use must be the ball bearings in the pivot. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 31/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Subscribe Past Issues Translate v >> <2 if r » > hi, = + ia5 a 4 faa =» “Te. = 4 Nan — : 27 rat) - ; re & YS : I've also got a Hi-Mound HK-702 that | still have to do some work on. From what I've read, that may be better than the 707. 73 John 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 cqagrsnet@gmail.com For guidance on writing for RagChew, see Articles below. QRZ? Who’s calling me? Who’s on the other end? Mike VK6TX/4 https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?u=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 32/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate Y From Mike VK6TX who was heard last week on the CQQRS Slow CW Practice QSO who now lives in Hervey Bay Queensland. Mike has followed up with a bit more about his CW journey. Cua eye bee ny Bt tings do aro ame he Mark | have been listening on Tuesdays and will try to get involved. | am terrible at CW but slowly making small moves. In the past | tried to learn CW via tapes, books and Apps etc. but it always ended in being place on the shelf for another time. This time | am doing the training in an unconventional way, but it seams to be working for me as | am making more progress then all of my CW failures of the past. Like you, | went down the CW learning path of books and audio recordings, including cassettes and MP3s that | used to play in the car whilst travelling to the salt mine before my retirement. The only problems was that | never stayed the course and normally got distracted with other things. So far | appear to Know about a third of the letters. So currently | also use FLdigi to help me decode some of the received code in real time. This fills my skills gap at the moment and this is speeding up my CW learning journey. | think it must be starting to work for me, because | am starting to pick up the more and more errors made by FLDIGI decodes. | find that the ears (even my old partial deaf ones) are more sensitive and better at decoding weak CW signals than the software. | do recommend the conventional CW training path for the majority of people and if it works for them that's great, stay on that path. Unfortunately for me the conventional path wasn't working, due to me | guess. But | still had that underlying urge to learn CW, even after 40 plus years in Ham Radio and my current learning system Is producing better results for me. Now all the CW transmissions from me on air (warts and all) is me on the key, | do have a ex Soviet straight key, a small SOTA key and a lovely paddle. | do prefer to https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?u=5b7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 33/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe onOwN@a_mon CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Translate v Past Issues 2026-05-03 08:34 2026-05-03 07:16 2026-05-02 09:53 2026-05-02 09:09 2026-05-01 07:53 2026-04-30 10:39 2026-04-30 06:32 2026-04-29 10:45 VK3JFR 7.028 CW VK3PF 7.033 CW ZLINZ 7.029 CW VK4LA 3.520 CW VK2C0S 14.056 CW VK3MIJ 7.032 CW SM1ALH 14.025 CW VK3WOW 7.028 CW 2026-04-29 07:41 VK3MJ 14.040 CW 0 2026-04-29 07:08 JG2KIU 21.011 CW 1 2026-04-28 10:41 VK7TA 7.036 CW +2 2026-04-28 10:04 VK4JFR 7.021 CW 13 2026-04-28 08:55 VK2DLF 7.032 CW =4 2026-04-14 09:10 VK2NA 3.540 CW =— 5 2026-04-14 06:54 VK3DRQ 14.042 CW pe 6 2026-04-13 11:22 VK2WF 1.829 CW Obviously | am at a very basic learning stage, but | believe | will eventually get better as this is my first serious attempt at CW. | have never needed CW for my licence as | started as a limited call VK6ZMU and over the years they dropped the CW requirement and | picked up the two letter call around 2014. | have just worked over 12000 contacts - 200 plus countries on the digital modes, just using SS wire 40m delta Horizontal loop, mounted on some bamboo poles in my tiny backyard. That includes over 600 contacts on the 6m band! So | expect that there'll be critics of my current approach to learning, but it’s working for me for th efirst time. Its just a hobby and | enjoy it. | will be scanning the bands on Tuesday and eventual hope to become reasonable at CW. 73s Mike VK6TX https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 34/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v QRZ? Who’s on the other end? From your editor Mark VK2KI / VK6QI Our net is afun get-together that people enjoy returning to each week. It’s really nice 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. 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 The Dog in the Manger’, and the MP3 and TXT files are attached here - https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 35/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 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 240-odd readers. Brocante Radio De Roquefort Les Pins - 2026 From Richard VKGHRC at Padbury. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 36/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Subscribe sf Past Issues J Translate ¥ ~ sizIrl83kCMVamcbgiR By enjoying it on YouTube, it'll Save you a heap of money; then again, arriving by bike would reduce the temptations to bring home too many goodies (sorry Jordan- | guess this doesn’t help)! Perhaps our mate Mars should consider that too? A Couple of SOTA Activations From James VK/JZ then a nice flat Summit. | went up there early on the weekend to catch Lance who was activating Mount Field West, would be a nice starter for someone new at SOTA if not for the fact that Mount Wellington is a 10 point drive up (perhaps the only full drive up 10 pointer in VK7). https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?u=5b/b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 37/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v Don Edwards Memorial Slow Morse Contest Returns — 16-17 May The Don Edwards Memorial Slow Morse Contest returns 16-17 May, welcoming all amateurs to enjoy relaxed, hand-sent Morse code operation at slow speeds in memory of Don Edwards VK2NV. From Saturday 16 May 2026 To Sunday 17 May 2026 The St. George Amateur Radio Society is pleased to announce the return of the Don Edwards Memorial Slow Morse Contest, to be held over the weekend of 16-17 May. Held in memory of Don Edwards VK2NV—a long-time Society member and passionate CW operator—this event is designed to encourage all amateurs to get on the key and enjoy Morse code in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Whether you're: e returning to Morse after many years, e just learning CW, e or have never tried operating on the key before, https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?u=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c453465 7 &id=6e36952bf9 38/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v Slow Morse is sent at no more than 10 words per minute, although in previous years some contacts have been exchanged at speeds as low as 3 words per minute. Contest Rules e Morse code only e Sent by hand e Received by ear Operating Times: Saturday 16 May e 6:00 pm — 9:00 pm Sydney time e 80 metres Sunday 17 May e 1:00 pm — 4:00 pm Sydney time e 40 metres We encourage all operators—experienced or beginner—to join in and help keep the spirit of CW alive. Location In your shack or out in the field | 1 Contact contest@sgars.org \iesheaiaan | Don Edwards Memorial Don Edwards Memorial Slow Morse Contest Rules President = ==——_Contest/Mtnager Morse Training Net Our team member Nic VK7WW runs an on-air Slow Morse training net every Wednesday at 7pm EDST on 3580 for 30 mins. He uses the callsign of the Northern Tasmania Amateur Radio Club VK7TAZ on that net. Many of our team learned Morse code with the support of Nic, and the weekly training session comes highly https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 39/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v 3580kKHz at 7pm Eastern time every Wednesday; you'll hear lots of the CQORS team on that net. Jordan VK3ACU has ralso ecorded the complete set SUOWMORSE CODE COURSE https:/www.youtube.com/playlist?list=>PLHSOmZz6fBXO /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. Emails to the Editor Hi Mark. CW Ops are often very kind and respectful people. It's a pleasure to be part of a Supportive and respectful CW community group. Recently, Australia had new anti-vilification laws come into effect. So moving forward, we may all eventually be treated more evenly in public spaces. That being said we should all be careful what we send and write, particularly in regards to protected attributes and to also consider the LCD that must be upheld with regards to content. With our CW contacts | can usually just keep it to a report, station setup and weather. | do rag-chew as well on technical radio-related subject material. As | said, CW Ops are often very kind and respectful people and it's a pleasure to be part of such a supportive and respectful community group. Thanks for everything you do for us all Mark. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?u=5b/b2c3e29eeb9f38c453465 7/&id=6e36952bf9 40/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v Se Back in September last year | was still eee relatively new to the CW QRS Net. Our host on Tn 80 Otter iy om nr wha pant ate my at rope Mark VK2KI introduced me to Ross MONNK weeks “oc henettye - _ orb i) tame Cad and Mike DL3YZ and encouraged “ie try a for ‘5 that basically summed up my failure — but it a Some may be aware my passion is SOTA, and cewpetoresmanovorda | pee oft xt pepeaton * = “F : i : ; = en a CW DX contact them, | wrote a little piece | have been learning CW to improve my activations (or reduce risks of failed activations). | have been loving being part of the CW ORS Net and benefited greatly from just having no pressure CW rag chews. When out on activations and summiting in the middle of the day, despite the fact | am in ‘quiet places’ it is rare for me to get DX. AQSO into France from time to time, one in Poland just once, but when | go looking at the pages for those chasers, these are serious operators with serious towers and serious listening capability. An as good as it gets QSO for me when calling from a summit in Tasmania is VK6 or ZL. Then, just sometimes magic happens. A bit over a week ago | tried something different, | had the day off work but other things during the middle of the day so | put some thought into a summit that was due for activation, but also a reasonably safe walk out in the dark if | was to keep operating into sunset. This led to Mount Hobbs VK7/EC-O06. Except for the fenced off enclosures for emergency services communications towers, this summit is private property with a locked gate. | had previously chatted with the landowner who closes the gate to prevent 4WD’s and motorbikes, basically the types who might tear up the track. The owner said he was always happy for bushwalkers (and radio operators) to walk up the mountain and no need to call ahead. It’s about a 30 minute walk up the road from the locked gate, none of that VK7 bushwalking track stuff where it is all scrub and rocks and after dark you are going to break an ankle. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?u=5b7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 41/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues on a rocky knoll a short Translate Y ,is on distance past the summit, and far enough to get away from the communications towers. | have been caught out near those towers before and have ' never been sure if it is | the towers that drown , | | out my receive, or if it ; va ya is the solar systems and battery chargers that are doing a nasty job on me. Well going up late in the afternoon and Operating into the dark eliminated the solar question. | was using the ICOM IC-705, running 10w up toa EFHW antenna fed at the top of a squid pole, with the EFHW wire running in an east/west direction. | started calling on CW, . then after exhausting My antenna setup on Mount Hobbs. Just as | was losing the light| thought “cool sunset, should photograph IEks that”. Sireletelelhy probably [DBE that list moved on to SSB, then changed bands and did the CW followed by SSB thing again. | am sure there were CW operators who gave up on me because | was not fast, | was actually slow, puddling along at 15 wom, and a few times | questioned myself ‘who https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?u=5b7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 42/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v What | heard on my end was a pile up where all the tones over the top of each other really was a bit of work to unpick. At times where | heard a ‘W’ | would respond ‘W? PSE kK’ and there would still be a few responses till | could whittle it down to one clear call sign. It must be frustrating for the chasers when the bloke on the summit is not fast, but it was good fun and one by one | managed to complete the required exchange with each caller. In the end | managed 24 QSO’s being 12 on CW and another 12 on SSB operating on 40m then 20m. This included 9x VK chasers, 2x ZL chasers, and then 3 from France, 2 from Czech Republic, one each from the USA, Sweden, Ukraine, Finland, Spain, Japan, Ireland, Poland. | then packed up in the dark, walked back down the road watching as various sets of eyes from the Tasmanian wildlife stared at me, and then as | got closer they would crash off through the bush. My conclusion from this, | certainly need to keep practicing my CW, but sometimes when the conditions are right.... It just works. 73, Jim VK7JIZ https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 43/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe Past Issues Translate v THE RADIO BULLETIN The “ARDF Day” Familiarisation Day at EMDRC Updating Articies Sunday 17th May 10am to noon USD Rom programming cables and F ADE wiedenn11 ene 210w7004 EASTERN MOUNTAINS DISTRICT RADIO CLUB Subaru Coax install ROWTON4 - BOM PI Portable Power 156 1/2002 - ai EMDRC ~ IMPORTANT DATES AMATEUR RADIO DIRECTION FINDING MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM ~ JOIN NOW CLUB'S INTERNET SPONSER Addendum to Peter's VK3QI Presentation - VK3ER ln KernWi-Fi Wireless Sclutions Contest Station Kerniv-Fi - Refer a friend $50 Credit Code: WKGER2024 EMDRC CLUB NETS Sundays at 10:00am following WIA News Broadcast SER On WKGREC Repeater 147.175Mha - 91.SHz Wednesdays at 8 30pm foloare EMDRC - Annual General Meeting WIA News Broadcast ~ VIGER on 12th June Friday - Doors Open 6:45pm - Meeting Start 8:00pm - Club Rooms Burwood & Zoom EASTERN AND MOUNTAIN DISTRICT RADIO CLUB WKGREC Repeater 147.175Na 91. SHz FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK Eastern And 138 fofowers 2026 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) Ei Fottow Page ARCHIVES Select Momh CLUBROOMS Google This page cant load Google Maps correctly Be you ee this happen, as an eed ead © re AGM at 3:00¢en EMDRC Talking FM Deviation Monitor A new 2-metre on-air information service has been implemented by the EMDRC The Talking Fit Deviation Monitor the Easter i ain f automatic, voice-announcing information service permaneraly instaled by Otstrict If you have something that you think might be of interest to our readers, please email to Mark VK2KI: cqgrsnet@gmail.com https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 44/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v Prosign/Cnaracter/signal of the Month See if you can use this one on Tuesday? Prosign:ga = =. © @ Meaning: Clear - going off the air. [Put it on a sticky note near your key as a reminder for Tuesday.... and tell us how you went!] 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 1200z; see hiips://bit.ly/COORSWebsite and navigate to the Net Details page for details. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 45/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Translate v Past Issues EEE Ne Coordinated Universal Time 0700z to 1300z (Note - 20m DXperiments will be at different times to suit propagation) Australie Western Australia Time UTC +8 Hours 1500 to 2100 Central Australian Time UTC + 9.5 Hours 1630 to 2230 Eastern Australian Time UTC + 10 Hours 1700 to 2300 Queensland Time UTC + 10 Hours 1700 to 2300 NZ Time UTC + 12 Hours 1900 to 0100 New Zealand DXperiment times and frequencies will be allocated 20m 14039-14051kHz 160m 1855kHz by Mike DL3YZ prior to the net. 7000 7020 40 rn pt 3500 one I 3535 80 m|= 160 7040 ORO m/>— | 3 | 3560 & COORSNet | —— & | Thanks to Lance VK7TO for the CQQRS trequency image. Wednesday (VK/ZL time) 22002 - 2300z On the WA FM AllStar Network (Tuesday UTC) (connect direct to AllStar Node 42482 or use Echolink to connect to VK2KI-L or VK8MT-L from anywhere) 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. There's usually people around until after 1200z - so keep calling in the segment of the band designated in the table below until you catch someone. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 46/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v SS 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 Wednesday mornings 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 hitos://bit.ly/JCOORSWebsite 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 similar; https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 47/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues J J Translate v | XN 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 30 contributors: DL3YZ, IU4FLS, MONNK, VK2EMU, VK2GAS, VK2NNW, VK2RU, VK3ACU, VK3DRQ, VK3KLE, VK4EV, VK5AO, VK5AV, VK5FD, VK6GX, VKE6HRC, VK6JDM, VK6KD, VK6KHZ, VK6EMTF, VKENW, VK6PZT, VK6TX, VK7JZ, VK7TA, VK7TO, ZL1PB, ZL2GD, ZL3ABX and ZL3TK. And a special thank you to our editorial team, Nigel G4RWI (remote software support), Patrick VK2IOW (reports editor), Jonn VK2RU (Spreadsheet guru), Richard VKGHRC (post-morsition and Sandgroper stirrer), Lance VK7TO (director of the archive department) and Jordan VK3ACU (newsletter jester). Great work all! CU CW on Tuesday, mb Mark Bosma VK2KI / VK6QI Beautiful South Bowning NSW cqqrsnet@gmail.com non impediti ratione cogitationis https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/b2c3e29eeb9f38c453465 7 &id=6e36952bf9 48/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v —— Antenna Adventures —— Hey, how about we install a radio in my new EV so we can take it when you go portable instead of your old gas-guzzler? About the CQ QRS Net Here’s where you'll find the details. For the current schedule and more information about the CQQRS net, please go the the Net Details page on our website: https://bit.ly/COQRSWebsite 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. https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 49/50 09/05/2026, 01:00 Subscribe CQQRS RagChew Newsletter. Past Issues Translate v 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 Send comments about the RagChew Newsletter. 00 @ Copyright (C) 2026 CQ ORS. All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Want to change how you receive these emails? https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?U=5b/7b2c3e29eeb9f38c4534657&id=6e36952bf9 50/50