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D-STAR QSO PARTY 2023 October 20th, 2023 ◆ Purpose Encourage use of D-STAR protocol in RF and IP around the globe as well as the picture sending functions available for newer generation D-STAR radios ◆ Rules The goal of the D-STAR QSO PARTY is to increase use of D-STAR communications in direct, via a repeater / repeaters as well as any Internet relayed voice communication means using D-STAR protocol. Exchanging pictures in a data mode will gain the highest points. All the operators who submit an approved log will be given a Party Certificate (PDF file). Operators who submit an approved log with at least 30 points worth of communications will be eligible for the prize draw. Winners will be randomly selected to each win a prize. The more D-STAR QSO’s you make, the more chances you have to win. Please refer to the entry QSO point rules below. QSO Points 10 points 5 points : Exchange pictures by D-STAR data mode in addition to voice communication: Direct, via a D-STAR repeater or D-STAR repeaters (Callsign routing) voice communication between D-STAR radios: Any other means between any devices using D-STAR protocol either in IP or RF (including use of 1 pointNote: QSO between the same station can be counted only once in a day. reflectors / internet relayed non-radio terminals) ➢ To quality for prize draw point, you need to successfully make contacts which total points are at least 30.➢ Every more 30points up to 210 will gain another draw right (30points = 1, 60points = 2, 90points = 3 / Max 7 rights).➢ Please refer to the event site and product manuals about picture exchange If you made D-STAR communications worth 65 points, you will have the two draw rights (double the chance of winning a prize than single draw right). ◆ How the above “prize draw right” system will work ➢  The name and/or call sign of each valid entrant into the D-STAR QSO PARTY will be collated and included in ➢  As per the explanation above, the number of prize draw right is multiplied depending on the points of result of ➢  Winners can receive only one prize. Therefore, in the case where a winner’s name/call sign is drawn again, D-STAR QSO Party 2023 details ◆ Date & timeUTC: December 27th, 2023 0:00 – January 5th, 2024 23:59 ◆ QSO Party organizerIcom Incorporated / Icom America Inc. ◆ Who can take part in the QSO party? All licensed Ham Radio operators. ◆ Participation bands and modes No restrictions (D-STAR protocol) ◆ Making a call “CQ D-STAR QSO PARTY 2023” ➢ The other stations RS➢ The radio or device name you used for the communication Example of rubber stamp QSO :<>CQ D-STAR QSO PARTY,CQ D-STAR QSO PARTY.This is JA3YUA，Juliett - Alfa - Three - Yankee - Uniform - Alfa，JA3YUA. From Hirano Repeater to Seattle Repeater. Calling CQ and Standing-by. <JA3YUA, This is N9JA, November - Nine - Juliet – Alfa From Seattle Repeater to Hirano Repeater. I am from the U.S. (country name)Exchange Number is “59” and “ID-52” Over <>N9JA, This is JA3YUA，Juliett - Alfa - Three - Yankee - Uniform - Alfa，JA3YUA. Thank you for coming back my call.I am from Japan.Exchange Number is “59” and “IC-9700” 73 <>You may additionally exchange pictures showing callsign as proof of picture QSO (i.e. digital QSO card like picture) in any D-STAR data mode (slow / fast data). ◆ Things to remember Abide by all Amateur Radio laws in your country. Party organizers are not responsible for any direct or indirect damage/trouble associated with this D-STAR When you use the repeaters, be considerate of other users who are not taking part in this QSO party. ◆ How to submit a logThere are two log formats accepted. Please use the supplied spread sheet files and submit it to the e-mail address listed below. Please make the name of the file your call sign. For example: JA3YUA.log.xls When a communication is accompanied with picture exchange, please supply the file (JPEG or PNG which size is less than 1MB each / use radio’s and/or smart device application screen shot function) together with the record. The file name of such pictures must include the callsign. You can download a summary sheet and log sheet from “Log Reporting” page listed below and submit the completed sheets by E-mail In addition to that, you can prepare your own log in an Excel spreadsheet. The same above-mentioned picture rule is applicable also for Paper submission. ◆ Due date for submitting (must arrive by date) January 21st, 2024 23:59 UTC ◆ Where to sendE-mail : D-Star.QSOPARTY_LOG@IcomAmerica.com ◆ Double check the following before submitting.1. Please fill in your name and call sign, in the comment column.2. Please fill in the model name of the radio or device you used for this QSO party.3. Please fill in your comments regarding the QSO party after participation, and share your ideas. 4. Please understand that winning call signs will be published when the winners are announced. ◆ JudgeIcom Incorporated / Icom America Inc. ◆ Prizes30 x Limited special D-STAR QSO Party Plaque ◆ Disqualification1. Participants who do not obey the relevant Amateur Radio laws of their country.2. Participants who do not obey the QSO party rules.3. Participants who submit false logs4. Participants who submit insufficient documents or send logs by normal mail at short paid. 5. Participants who are disqualified by the QSO party organizers for any other valid reason. ◆ Announcement of resultsResults will be announced on February 29th, 2024 ◆ Comments or inquiriesComments or inquiries will be accepted by e-mail until January 21st, 2024 23:59 UTC D-Star.QSOPARTY_QUESTIONS@IcomAmerica.com ◆ NotificationThe two e-mail addresses below, for correspondence regarding this D-STAR QSO party, will become invalid on February 29th, 2024.E-mail address to submit logs : D-Star.QSOPARTY_LOG@IcomAmerica.comE-mail address for comments/inquiries : D-Star.QSOPARTY_QUESTIONS@IcomAmerica.com

Richard, VK3TXD just sent me this link on a Youtube clip showing a way to help and assist Amateur's that are having massive noise problems. Thanks Richard... Great demo from this chap. How to MASSIVELY Reduce Your Noise level on SSB & CW.....For Free

Hello Members, Found this video that may be of assistance to new Hams.. Just remember, prices are not in Australian Dollars as well as measurements. Also.. FAMPARC have a available UNUN Kits for use with End Fed Half Wave Antennas.

Thanks to Peter, VK3DEL, for donating to the club of this amazing data feed for Amateur Radio. App Name: HamClock for Raspberry PI. The App runs on a Raspberry PI and is connected to our clubs TV.. The App shows a variety of information related to Amateur Radio, such as UTC time, Sun Spots, DX Spots and much more.. The App cycles through other information. Another great additon to the club.. Thanks Peter!

Hello Members, Just a reminder that Famparc Membership fees for 2024 are due by Jan 1st 2024. Remember that these fees help the club continue to grow allowing members to enjoy the benefits of a great Amateur Radio Club. So please remember to pay your Membership Fees. The club after many years have voted recently to increase the fees (See Below) for 2024. However, you can still pay the 2023 charges for your 2024 membership. This is a small saving but a saving nonetheless. Normal $45.00, Student/Pensioner/Retired $40.00, Family $50.00. 2024 Fees as of Jan 1st 2024. Normal $50.00 Student/Pensioner/Retired $45.00 Family $55.00 Our bankers are NAB, Frankston BSB: 083-253 Acct No: 03-683-3688 Please make contact with Colin VK3CR regarding payment.

On Saturday the 2nd Dec 2023.. Famparc celebrated another Christmas Breakup. After our last for the year monthly meeting, we then celebrated our Christmas Breakup with lots of BBQ yummies. Good cheer and good friends got together to celebrate another year and the 2023 Christmas period. Here's a few pics of our members enjoying themselves at the FAMPARC Clubrooms. On behalf of all the Famparc Members and myself, may I wish you all a very enjoyable Christmas for 2023 and a Healthy and Happy New Year in 2024! I thank you for your support, good cheers and assistance over the past 12 months and as well during my time as Interim President. Craig vk3ncr All the best chaps.. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Meet Isla and her Dad David VK3LDR.. Isla recently pass her foundation exam held at the EMDRC club rooms (June 2023). Isla's call sign is VK3FOG.. Isla is 11 so well done to her. So if you hear Isla on the air, say hello! From all the members at Famparc, well done Isla on getting your license and welcome to the world of Amateur Radio.

12 December 2023 ACMA makes new amateur radio arrangements, including class licence The ACMA has put in place new arrangements for amateur radio. These include changes to licensing, qualifications, call signs, charges, examination assessors and overseas visiting amateurs. The arrangements preserve their current operational utility for amateur operators, maintain continuity of amateur qualification and call sign arrangements, and will reduce regulatory burden and minimise licensing costs for amateur radio operators.These new arrangements were made following extensive consultation, and careful consideration of comments received in response to numerous reviews and consultations on proposed changes.On 19 February 2024, the following aspects of the new arrangements will commence: the Radiocommunications (Amateur Stations) Class Licence 2023 (amateur class licence) revised qualifications framework new call sign arrangements ACMA allocating qualification and call sign services ACMA receiving accredited assessor applications revised arrangements for overseas visiting amateurs. The remaining aspects of the new arrangements have commenced. These are the arrangements that allow the ACMA to accredit current Australian Maritime College (AMC) amateur examination assessors with the ACMA. We are working with the AMC assessors to transition them to ACMA arrangements ahead of 19 February 2024, when we will commence administering examination services.More details on transition arrangements are outlined on our website.For most amateur operators, no action is needed to transition to the new arrangements. Upon the commencement of the amateur class licence on 19 February 2024, non-assigned amateur apparatus licensees may wish to surrender their licence, and some will be eligible for a pro-rata refund. In January 2024, we will write to current non-assigned amateur apparatus licensees to outline the transition arrangements as well as confirm their highest qualification level and call sign(s). More details on refund eligibility and the confirmation letters are available on the transition arrangements webpage.The ACMA has been working closely with the AMC to ensure a smooth transition of qualification and call sign services, which the ACMA will administer from 19 February 2024. Details of AMC cut-off times are outlined on the AMC’s website.With the new arrangements now made, the various reviews that informed the new arrangements are concluded. Outcomes and responses to submissions to those reviews are available on our website: Proposed new amateur radio assessor accreditation and qualification framework Proposed amateur class licensing arrangements and higher power operation - consultation 31/2022 Review of non-assigned amateur and outpost regulatory arrangements – consultation 01/2021 Proposed 2023–24 fees for service. The legislative instruments that underpin the new framework are the: Radiocommunications (Amateur Stations) Class Licence 2023  (amateur class licence) Radiocommunication (Amateur Licences – Renewal Statement) Determination 2023 Radiocommunications (Amateur Licences) Amendment Instrument 2023 (No.1) Radiocommunications Accreditation (Amateur Radio Examinations) Rules 2023 Radiocommunications (Charges) Amendment Determination 2023 (No.1).

Peter G3OJV, introduces the final draft of the 2024 UK Ham Radio Licence Read All About It! The New 2024 UK Licence Draft https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/asset...

Hi Chaps, The work of the Communications Manager never ends.. I have uploaded images of the Famparc Cub Rooms Fire as well as a range of images from what looks like a Famparc Field Day. Well done to the men and women in rebuilding the club rooms.. we all are proud of your efforts! Also the amazing efforts that the people did to run these field days. These images that I have scanned are now stored within our Files Area of our website for safe keeping, as well as displayed within our Shared Gallery. Thanks to Gerard Vk3ger for this archival information below... FAMPARC NEW SEPTEMBER 1999 On Saturday the 28 of August in the wee hours of the morning we had a very unfortunate accident at the club house. After a phone call at 2:45 am, Gerard, Craig, Jan and myself hurried to the club house, only to see the final stage of our club house ON FIRE. All we could do is watch the fire fighters trying to put it all out. At about 5 AM the last hoses were cleared. On that Saturday morning we had exams organised for students. Luckily we were given the use or two classrooms from the school, so no sleep and lots of questions from lots of people and paper work to sign and fill in. As it stands we no longer have a club house. So far the cause is unknown. This sets us back about six years, back to the days where we met at the schools class rooms. Luckily we will be able to continue the classes for students over the next two months or so, and have our monthly meetings. You will all understand that the Saturday morning meetings are discontinued, until a new building has been erected. Building and contents were insured, but lots of things cannot be replaced. Depending on the finalising of the insurance, we hope to get things moving soon. In the coming weeks we hope to clear the site. So far it looks like the concrete slab has not had any major damage. Also the tower and septic tank have not been affected by the fire. Thanks to all the members who have been helping so far and for their support. The Moorabbin and District Amateur Radio Club had already offered us the use of their club rooms, which we are very grateful for, but we think we can manage. In light of the above the committee has decided to cancel the next Inter-Club Meeting, which was planned for Sunday 19th of September. We have not set another date. Maybe one of the other Victorian Clubs can take up the attempt of further strealining of club activities. On a lighter note: On Saturday 21$ of August we had our White Elephant Sale at the usual venue in Frankston. Thanks to those who helped out with the set-up and running of the event it went without a glitch. Some disappointment was heard about the non-presence of more commercial traders and good equipment. We will try to improve on that for next year. If vou missed the event. vour next opportunity is on Sunday 12th h of September, at the Shepparton and District Amateur Radio 1999 Hamfest. Venue is the Shepparton Youth Club Hall (behind Safeway), Cnr High and Amber Streets. Doors open at 10 AM. For more info contact SADARC via PO-Box 692, Shepparton 3630. FAMPARC NEWSLETTER Peter Brennan VK3TE, president of FAMPARC

Information supplied by RASA: RASA WRITES TO THE ACMA We are entering a pivotal period in Amateur Radio licensing in Australia. We are notionally scheduled to complete a transition from Class to Apparatus license in February next year. However the last report by the ACMA on this transition was in August. Several members and Clubs have voiced their concerns over how the changes will manifest in practical terms. We are entering into the Christmas holiday period and finding answers to these questions is becoming important to all Amateurs. On November 17 RASA wrote to the ACMA and submitted the following questions. Is the transition to a class license and revised Assessor network implementation still scheduled for February 2024? Is there a release date for the outcome of the August 2023 submissions to the ACMA on assessor and examination arrangements? Will we have continuity of service for the Exam Assessor network upon the cessation of services by the Australian Maritime College (AMC) from February 2024? Are there plans to pro-rata reimburse Amateur licensees who have recently paid their Amateur license fees for the full 12 months? Is the proposal to change Scientific licenses for use on Amateur Radio frequencies still active? (Most Amateurs submitted to us that this was not an acceptable strategy) How will the transition affect existing Radio Club licenses? THE ACMA RESPONDS On November 28 the ACMA distributed an information update titled: STATUS OF NEW AMATEUR RADIO ARRANGEMENTS AND TRANSITION WITH AMC The content of this release follows: As indicated in our August 2023 update, we plan to make the amateur class licence in December. We will commence class licensing arrangements in February, at the same time as the commencement of the proposed new amateur radio qualification framework and new assessor accreditations. In the August update, we indicated that more details about the transition arrangements for existing amateur licensees, including amateur radio clubs, will be published in December 2023. This will include information on the surrender of amateur licences and eligibility for a pro-rata refund of the tax paid. We have considered the submissions we received in response to our consultation on the proposed amateur radio qualification and assessor accreditation arrangements. We plan to publish the submissions and our response to them, as well as the outcome of the consultation by mid-December. Before the amateur class licence commences, we will write to all current non-assigned amateur licensees to outline the transition arrangements. In this letter, we will confirm the qualification level and call sign(s) they hold, and that they are authorised to operate under the amateur class licence. The ACMA has been working closely with the AMC to support a smooth transition of qualification and call sign services – which the ACMA will administer from February 2024 – and continuity of service for the network of assessors. Details of AMC cut-off times are outlined on the AMC’s website. We are pleased that this response has answered many of our questions. We now appear to be on-track for a February transition and we have a clear statement that Pro-Rata refunds will be made available for Amateurs who paid for their twelve month license renewal in the second half of this year. Still of concern is the framework surrounding Club and special Event callsigns and the unprecedented proposal to introduce complex Scientific Licenses for Amateurs wanting to operate at high power levels. It remains RASA’s position that as with many other countries, higher power operation can be effectively managed within the existing Amateur qualification framework. RASA presented a comprehensive submission to the ACMA in September and this was printed in our last QTC magazine. We look forward to examining the ACMA response to all submissions and will prepare a synopsis of this information in the upcoming edition of QTC. See this on your Browser

28 November 2023 Status of new amateur radio arrangements and transition with AMC More Here As indicated in our August 2023 update, we plan to make the amateur class licence in December. We will commence class licensing arrangements in February, at the same time as the commencement of the proposed new amateur radio qualification framework and new assessor accreditations. In the August update, we indicated that more details about the transition arrangements for existing amateur licensees, including amateur radio clubs, will be published in December 2023. This will include information on the surrender of amateur licences and eligibility for a pro-rata refund of the tax paid. We have considered the submissions we received in response to our consultation on the proposed amateur radio qualification and assessor accreditation arrangements. We plan to publish the submissions and our response to them, as well as the outcome of the consultation by mid-December. Before the amateur class licence commences, we will write to all current non-assigned amateur licensees to outline the transition arrangements. In this letter, we will confirm the qualification level and call sign(s) they hold, and that they are authorised to operate under the amateur class licence. The ACMA has been working closely with the AMC to support a smooth transition of qualification and call sign services – which the ACMA will administer from February 2024 – and continuity of service for the network of assessors. Details of AMC cut-off times are outlined on the AMC’s website.