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QMR-KWT-2 MR-KWT 2 QMR-KWT-2 is a 1U cubesat with Earth imaging capabilities (low-resolution camera) and FM transponder (amateur radio VHF to UHF linear transponder). It is expected to be launched in December 2025 on Soyuz-2.1b rocket from Vostochny spaceport in Russia's Far East.   QMR-KWT-2 is the successor of QMR-KWT which means "Moon of Kuwait", translated from Arabic which was launched in summer of 2021 and re-entered Earth’s atmosphere in fall of 2024. QMR-KWT-2 will continue the same educational objective of giving students the opportunity to learn about satellite technology. MORE: On February 1, 2026, from 06:50 to 19:20 UTC, the QMR-KWT-2 FM voice repeater is scheduled to be powered on for open amateur radio testing. NORAD ID: 67291 Uplink Channel Frequency: 145.920 MHz, CTCSS: 67.0 Hz Downlink Channel Frequency : 436.950 MHz Ascending Channel Frequency: 145,920 MHz, CTCSS: 67.0 Hz Descending channel frequency: 436,950 MHz LU3HAU

Ever wanted to build a Curtain Array antenna? In this documentary we put one up for the Antennapalooza field weekend in 2025. Ian, the man who runs the ever-popular Antennapalozza each year, is always busy and recently posted this video. Don't forget... the Antennapalooza 2026 event.. Click Here for more details.

My friend went to the Everything Open conference in Canberra and came across this article encouraging everyone to see radio as a universal asset, not just a nostalgic hobby for old folks! Bring on the revolution!

Fox Hunting in the Dell: Join Our ARDF Come and Try Day! Are you ready to sharpen your navigation skills and hunt down some hidden signals? After a scorching event last year, Jack (VK3WWW) is bringing back the Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF). Come and Try Day. WHEN: Sunday, February 22nd. Start Time:  11:00 AM WHERE: We will be meeting at Jack’s place before heading into the beautiful Bellbird Dell  to track down the transmitters. If you’re interested in coming along or have any questions, please reach out to Jack (VK3WWW) at jwbramham@gmail.com . Google Map Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gu5VKZEQPEE4KYTb6 Whether you are a seasoned "fox hunter" or have never held a directional antenna in your life, this is the perfect opportunity to learn the ropes in a relaxed, social environment. 🦊 The Hunt: Two Ways to Play We have two different setups running simultaneously to cater to all skill levels: For the Beginners (80m Band): We will have a bunch of 80m transmitters hidden throughout the Dell. These are continuous signals , making them much easier for newcomers to track. For the Pros (70cm Band): The ARDF group will be hunting five 70cm foxes. These are repurposed Radiosondes running in "Sprint Mode" (12 seconds on, 48 seconds off). It’s a fast-paced challenge! 🛠️ Gear & Equipment Don't have your own gear? No problem! Loaner Gear: We have 80m and 70cm receivers available to borrow. Important: If you are borrowing an 80m receiver, please bring your own headphones or earbuds (3.5mm stereo jack) for hygiene reasons. BYO Gear: You are more than welcome to bring your own equipment to test your skills! 📅 Event Schedule Start Time: 11:00 AM The Hunt: Most experienced members will finish their run in about 30 minutes, meaning they’ll be free to provide one-on-one instruction to beginners afterward. Social: We’ll wrap up the morning with a BYO BBQ Lunch back at Jack’s place. 📧 How to Join IN If you’re interested in coming along or have any questions, please reach out to Jack (VK3WWW) at jwbramham@gmail.com . Come along for a great day of learning, radio sport, and community. We hope to see you there!

Bargain hunters, it’s going to be an absolutely  ripper of a day, make sure you come along. 2024 Ballarat Hamvention Click on Map for Google Map Event Details: Save the Date! When : Sunday, 1st February 2026 Where: Ballarat Polocrosse Club Pavilion, Ballarat Airport Access: Off Airport Rd ( 207 Airport Rd, Mitchell Park VIC 3355 ) General Admission Entry Fee: $10.00 per person. Free Entry: Children under 15 (must be accompanied) and Companion Card holders. Entry Time: Doors open to the selling floor at 10:00 AM . Door Prizes: Your entry includes 5 door prize tickets . You will receive a wristband at the gate; please wear it at all times. Use your wristband to collect your tickets inside the venue. Additional door prize tickets can be purchased inside (5 tickets for $5). Payment: EFTPOS will be available for entry, but cash (correct change) is greatly appreciated to speed up the queue. Traders Information Cost: $20 per table/position (includes entry for one person). Helpers: One extra assistant per table may enter for an additional $5. Entry Time: Traders may enter from 8:00 AM for setup. Booking: Traders must pre-pay when booking to secure their table and streamline entry on the day. Note: Trader entries do not include door prize tickets. On-Site Facilities Sales: Explore a huge range of popular pre-loved equipment. You never know what treasures you might find! Food & Drink: A coffee van and various food/drink options will be available on-site. Click Here for more details.

Yes it's on again for 2026!!! Thanks to Stanley vk3bot.. Wednesday March 18th to Wednesday March 25th 2026. So.. Grab your Swag, Tent, Motorhome. Camper Trailer, Caravan, Panel-van... And have fun playing radio, camping, walking, resting, cooking, chatting, drinking, driving and more... Famparc Camp-out MARCH 2026. WHERE: Poplars Camp Ground The Poplars Follow Loch Valley Road from the town of Noojee, stay on the road and you will drive straight to the camp ground. WHEN: Wednesday March 18th to Wednesday March 25th 2026. it's listed on our club calendar. Click Here. If you can't come along for a few days, come on down for just the weekend or perhaps even just one day.. Join in with your fellow club members and sit and relax of pring ya radio gear and have some fun. UPDATE: POTA SITE Great news!! After some research I have since found out that the Poplars Campground is located within a POTA Reserve. AU-8348 So the we can now gain points towards our POTA points by using the AU-8348 Park No. Noojee State Forest Vic AU-8348 Stans setup with the Camp Kitchen The camp ground is called The Poplars which is around 10k from the tiny town of Noojee. It's an easy and enjoyable drive via Neerim South, Noojee FACILITIES: Not much, but there are drop toilets , small camp kitchen and stunning scenery. There are plenty of campsites, but no power or showers. This is a free camping area. There are plenty of trees for wire antennas, and the best part is there's almost no RF noise. The campsite is approximately 10 kilometers from Noojee, and the road is paved, making it suitable for any vehicle. Noojee features two pubs, the Noojee Hotel and The Toolshed, along with a café. There is no supermarket, but the café offers a limited selection of basic items. The campground is suitable for all types of camping, including caravans, camper trailers, motorhomes, tents, and swags. Fire pits are available. Dog's are allowed. Telstra service was limited, and we were unable to connect to any FM or DStar repeaters. However, by using a DStar hotspot, we were able to access the DStar system. Join us to spend some time with other Famparc Members, and remember to bring your radio gear..

Hi Guys, At the meeting the other day, my recently built Aursinc Allstar Node was on display and connected to the club repeater through the AllStar system, using my iPhone hotspot. As you're aware, our club's repeater is linked to the AllStar system, Node 66111. This connection enables you to use the repeater not just through the standard RF method, but also with a suitable device, like a phone with the appropriate app, or via RF into a HotSpot Device, such as an Allstar Hotspot. (Below) All you need if a FM UHF Radio. Aursinc Allstar Device attached to a Raspberry Pi3B... These AllStar HotSpots can be bought on several websites, but I was able to purchase one for a discounted price of $76.00, along with a small shipping fee. Even though I already have a high-powered Hotspot Node at home, it's not very portable. Therefore, I created this one for portable use, like camping and other activities. .. You can connect it to a AllStar node such at our club repeater 66111, or any of the over 40,000 nodes around the world. What you need: Aursinc Allstar RF Device $76.00 (approx). Click Here Raspberry Pi 3/4/5 $63.00 plus (depending on the model) 3B is just fine. Click Here You can also use a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W $30.00 Click Here ASL3 OS Free. Click Here Available from AliExpress Click Here NOTE: As of 31st Dec. 2025 There has been changes to the setup procedure that may not be represented on the video's below.. You can use the link above or here to see the new updated setup: ASL3 OS Free. Click Here Here is the PDF as well.. Cheers... Craig vk3ncr Setting it up can be quite challenging, but there is plenty of help available on YouTube. I'm more than willing to assist. The videos below can also be found on the Video page of our club's website. I have managed to get a Water Proof Box to enclose my device in.. A couple of leads off Ebay, one for the antenna and the other is the USB Power feed... Any questions.. drop in a comment below.. Cheers.... Craig vk3ncr

Hey Members, FYI... VK7RMD REPEATER As usual I monitor our club repeater VK3RUV, most of the day and enjoy our chats with our members. However due to some 2M Tropospheric Ducting , I am receiving the Tasmanian Repeater VK7RMD far stronger than our own VK3RUV. And if I change my output CTCSS Tone to 141.3Hz, I can easily have a chat on the VK7RMD Repeater. SOMERVILLE TO REPEATER: Total distance: (209.77 mi) 337.59 km This is bit of a pain for me, as if someone is using the Tasmania Repeater, I cannot hear our own VK3RUV Repeater. Maybe the WIA Repeater allocation team should have considered this? What is Tropospheric Ducting? Repeater Details: ( QRZ.COM ) VK7RMD Mt Duncan repeater site is located to the south of Penguin Tasmania there are 4 repeaters on site 70cm TX  438.600 input  433.600 tone 141.3 khz 2m TX 146.625 input 146.025 tone 141.3 khz A UHF CB repeater on UHF CB channel 44 for the local community to use and we sponsor the St Johns Ambulance,by providing hut and tower space ,for their emergency services repeater The site also hosts an APRS radio on 145.175 for APRS use. The site is owned and maintained by the North West Tasmania Radio Club Inc.  in NW Tasmania. The NWTARC can be contacted at nwtarcinc@gmail.com Anyway.. It's all part of the fun.. Cheers. Craig vk3ncr

100 watts vs. 5 watts: Can you hear the difference? In this video, I transmit at 5 different power levels, from 100 watts down to 1 watt. I record the audio from a station listening to my signal 250 miles away. In this video, I show an example of transmitting SSB at 100 watts and then turning down the power while listening to the results. A nice ham (Bryan, WZ5DX) gave me some audio feedback from 466 miles away. I also discuss some philosophical concepts about QRP and the unreliable nature of propagation that makes it hard to predict where your signal will be strong on any given day. Thanks to Stanley vk3bot for sending this information!

Hello members... The year 2025 has been incredible for the club and many of its members, and we have also succeeded in attracting more members to join our wonderful club. Numerous improvements have been made to the club and shack, including the expansion of our Club's Remote HF Station and the addition of our new 2M Club Repeater VK3RUV, which has united our members. It's an excellent spot for conversations with fellow club members. This is all due to our outstanding members and their incredible efforts and dedication. What have we done this year? Continued upgrading the Remote HF system. Installation of the first club Repeater at the club rooms. vk3ruv. Setup and connection of an ALLStar Node to our Repeater. Coffee and Cake Mornings. Lunch at a Pub get togethers thanks to Daryl vk3hbp. Expanding the clubs website and adding more products for sale. Recent installation of Security Cameras within the club rooms, thanks to a wonderful new member Patrick vk3apl. A club getaway to the Flinders Ranges SA. Famparc Camp-Outs at the Poplars Noojee, thanks to Stanley vk3bot. Activating Parks (POTA). A new 3D printer which is getting some great use from many members. We have hosted numerous guest speakers at the club who have explained various aspects of our delightful hobby. Our delightful 50th Celebration was recently held at the Westernport Hotel Hastings and was enjoyed by many of our members. A heap of new members we welcome to our club! Not a bad list for one year! I have relished my role as president, and despite experiencing some highs and lows, along with a bit of frustration, I have been honored to serve the club and its members. I wish all our members a safe and healthy 2026 and extend my gratitude for your support and understanding. While 2025 was an excellent year, I would like to share my Wishlist for the club for 2026. My 2026 wishlist for the club: NEW DMR 2MTR OR 70CM REPEATER: Again we have managed to pick up another Repeater for the Club. KENWOOD TKR-D710 VHF DIGITAL REPEATER. This is an FM & DMR Repeater, and while additional Cavity Filters might be necessary, it offers our members an opportunity for some enjoyment, to learn and more. A CLUB MONTHLY RAFFLE: What do you think about having a monthly club raffle? I'm considering starting a monthly raffle for club members interested in winning prizes. These could include items like a radios, gift vouchers, or electronic gadgets and more.. I would greatly appreciate your feedback! club room split system air conditioner: This was on the 2025 wishlist... Still worth considering.. Our good friend Stanley vk3bot, along with others, proposed a Split system for the club to enhance our comfort. This is an excellent idea since it tends to get quite chilly in winter and very hot in summer. Sample Image Only, but you get the idea! MORE CLUB OUTING ETC: Club Coffee and Cake morning, typically taking place on a Monday each month, has been very successful, providing an opportunity for both members and non-members to catch up and chat. Depending on the interest from members, I would like to continue this event and possibly expand it to include a pub meal. The Roundabout Cafe has been a success.. and is in reach of most members. Roundabout Cafe - South Frankston A recent visit showing the new layout, making it far bigger. MORE FAMPARC CAMPING TRIPS: This year, Stanley VK3BOT organized our Famparc Camp-Out, which was once again a success, and I encourage Stanley to keep it going for 2026. In 2025, we camped twice at The Poplars , a beautiful spot about an hour and a half from the Frankston area, perfect for a few days to a week. Let's do it again! Gerard and Stanley attempting to cook! THANKYOU! That's all from me for now... until I think of another great idea! LOL.. If you have any project suggestions for the club and its members, please feel free to share them in the comments below. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the members who have supported me as president. It has been, and continues to be, a pleasure to serve the club. Your assistance, support, and guidance have been invaluable, and I thank you sincerely. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a safe, healthy, and enjoyable New Year 2026. Craig vk3ncr Famparc President

Ham Radio—There’s Still Magic In It. Ask 3 Million People Many believe that the hobby of ham radio is dying with all of the modern communications technology. Not so. There are currently three million hams around the world, a quarter of them in America. Ham radio operator Frank Krizan of Texas, who spends his summers in Scarborough, performs "Hunt and Pounce," a method of scanning the radio band for stations waiting for a turn to call them, during the 24-hour annual "Field Day" event capping off "Amateur Radio Week." The local chapter, the Portland Amateur Wireless Association, held the event at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth.(Photo by Jill Brady/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images) .. With all of the easy ways to communicate internationally now, many ask whether amateur "ham" radio still has relevance. Some call the hobby, which is communicating with other hams via radio waves, a dying breed of old fogies who haven't fully embraced new technology such as email and social media. More Here...

Sheepyard Flats Stanley VK3BOT is our and about.. I have a number of favourite campgrounds.. Probably at the top of the list would be Sheepyard Flats on the Howqua River out of Mansfield . That is where I will be for the from Wednesday 10th Dec , for around a week. I am leaving Chelsea Heights Wednesday 10th and hope to be there just after lunch. Purpose of the trip: play radio, eat food, lots of it and test my Starlink. Frequencies : I hope to use: mainly 40 metres, around 7.130+/- at around 1100-ish. I also intend to attempt contacts on the Space Station. 145.990 up and 437.800 down. Radio is my Yaesu 991A. Antenna should be my EFHW, although I do have a 40 metres dipole. For the satellite, Gerad has kindly loaned me his dual band beam. Finally, I hope to be on the Kandoss net daily at 1600 +/- Hope to hear you all on the air!!