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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.

Hello Famparc Members.. Amateur Radio Digital has been around for many many years now, with modes such as DStar, DMR, Fusion and more.. A handful of Famparc members use these Digital modes especially the well known DStar system. There is also a regular DStar net held each Thursday night via the VK3RWN C repeater on Mount Dandenong as well as the 23C DStar reflector for those users that do not have the ability to reach the VK3RWN repeater. Our members use DStar to not only chat to Famparc members but also others local and around the world. What is D-STAR? D-STAR, which stands for ‘Digital Smart Technology for Amateur Radio’ is an open digital Amateur radio standard that offers users a number of ways to connect with other users globally via a worldwide network of digital amateur radio repeaters. Just like other forms of Amateur radio, D-STAR has a broad appeal from those Amateurs wanting to communicate just for fun to those who would prefer to push their technical expertise. The D-STAR protocol has rich, exciting opportunities for Amateur radio enthusiasts to experiment and build, utilising 21st century tools such as the web, networking, ethernet, TCP/IP and radio. D-Star is innovative and is keeping radio Amateurs at the forefront of communication technology - Amateur radio has a great future and is moving forward right now with D-STAR digital technology. Icom is reinvesting in D-Star technology and is now providing 4th generation D-Star radios with better codecs, better transmit and receive audio, better operational synergy and most of all, the same synergy and operational syntax is the same in all modern D-Star radios Before we start... For Melbourne users.. There are a few local Repeaters.. VK3RWN Sassafras Olinda Mt Dandenong QF22QD Port C 2M output 146.91250 input 146.31250 Port B 70cm output 438.30000 input 432.90000 Port A 23cm output 1273.90000 input 1293.90000 Port AD 23cm DD 1273.500 Simplex DD (Digital Data) The above Repeater VK3RWN is the most important repeater in Australia as it holds many hundereds of D-Star registrations nationally and around Oceania and Asia It is a very popular repeater and is connected via the international gateway Being connected to the gateway allows for connection to other users, locally, interstate, nationally and around the world via the internet. You can connect to other users directly via callsign routing and by REF reflectors developed by Robin Cuttshaw AA4RC You can do this with an Icom or Kenwood D-Star Radio via RF to Mt Dandenong VK3RWN or if you have one of the various types of modems, you can connect directly to Reflector 23C. The prominent Australian reflector or Reflector 91C, based in Tasmania as a backup and for news services. For other local and Repeaters further afield you can use your Smartphone using the App called Repeater Book. D-STAR Features Provides digital voice communication and data communication D-STAR gives users the ability to connect via digital voice, it gives clear, crisp audio, on simplex, 439.200 DV around the corner or through the repeater or device to another country, with the same great audio. There is no matter where you are. D-Star facilitates slow speed data. This runs on the D-Star signal at 4800bps This sends all the D-Star control data but also if your not using voice, allows slow data communication between ALL D-Star radios, when you hook them up to a PC using programs such as "D-Rats" You are able to send files, text messages and chat via keyboard, great for EM applications Slow Data can be used on all three bands... or modules C = 2m, B= 70cm and A-23cm Fast Data 1.2GHz 23cm In order to send and receive greater volumes of data and large files, D-STAR has the "DD Mode" or Digital Data Mode. The DD mode is only supported on the 1.2 GHz 23cm amateur band and is capable of sending a receiving data at a 128kbps rate. No special or additional data modem is required to send and receive high-speed data on D-STAR on a 1.2GHz D-STAR radio all that is required is a standard Ethernet cable connection to your PC, via a router, using D-Rats, larger files like word, excel, JPG etc can be sent via fast data. It's suprising to see how fast a 1Mb file take to send ...only about 5 seconds. Fast data was a hit with EM organisations after Cyclone Katrina in the US southern states, nearly all amateur radio EM units in the southern states are now using D-Star in their deployments You'll need an Icom ID-1 or IC9700 to realise this operation. Internet facilitated Global Connectivity You can easily contact your friend directly by putting in his/her callsign into your radio without knowing his or her current location or what D-STAR repeater they are on. D-Star will log and remember where to route your call. You can also use reflectors. Reflectors are essentially a server that links repeaters , and shack based modem types such as DV Dongles, DVAPs, MMDVM's Blue DV's Jumbo-Spots, Dura-Spots, the list goes on, and high powered simplex repeaters to the same reflector via the Icom backbone. D-Star is NOT proprietory , any analog radio can operate as a node with a non proprietory D-Star modem, Kenwoods TH-D74 was wholly produced by Kenwood, and in truth one of the best handhelds ever These days the cheapest and easiest modem to grab, if you not near a repeater is an MMDVM (Multi-mode Digital Voice Modem). Many hams use them if they live right next door to the repeater as it gives them control, to go to different reflectors of their choice without upsetting current convo's on the repeater. MMDVM's have developed quickly with the introduction of Pi-Star software written primarily by Jonathon Naylor G4KLX. MMDVM's have now gone to the next level as they allow your D-Star radio to connect to DCS and XLX reflectors. DCS reflectors work within the IRCDDB realm (VK3RMM) and XLX reflectors with these days are known as "Constellation" Reflectors XLX Constellation reflectors have the abilty to transcode your DV signal into other protocols such as DMR, Fusion or P25. As an example I can get on to the CQ-Wires UK Fusion Reflector by just putting XLX922 Module E into my D-Star Radio and bingo, I come out at the other end in the UK on Fusion A simple command XLX922EL in the UR field on the radio. ( The L means link command) Thats it. ! Its not hard at all. The evolution of D-Star has been massive, blinkers down and ignoring the noise from all the other agenda based groups. In fact the noise started literally the day after the first Australian international D-Star contact via VK3RWN and GB7IC Kent UK repeaters on the 7th of November 2007. Icom knew they had a game changer. Icom invited all manufacturers to produce D-Star radios, Kenwood came on board and others felt that their totally proprietry Wires X system were superior, in their own honest opinions and at this stage DMR was still a land mobile protocol When VK3RWN was setup up, one of the mantra's set was to have VK3RWN Module C (2m) the band for mobiles and bases. Module B 70cm was the same, but a little more attuned to base to Base communications broadcasts and various nets Repeaters can also be perma-linked together as needed by sys-admins to form a wider area conferences i.e the KB0ZSG international D-Star Net on VK3RWN B & REF 91C in Tasmania On VK3RWN you can also cross band a D-Star Repeater by for example talking in to VK3RWN Module B on 70cm and then coming out on VK3RWN Module C 2m Simple to program in your radio. If you've only got a mono band D-Star radio, like the clubs IC-2200H or a U-82 Handheld its a really handy feature. Open System As we said prior D-Star is an OPEN system Voice is converted to a digital format using audio encoding software referred to as a CODEC. The CODEC code is embedded on a microchip produced by DVI systems that ALL manufacturers may purchase. Part of the noise is that Icom produces it, This is incorrect. Most digital radio manufacturers purchase the AMBE chip which encodes and decodes the audio signals into and out as Icom does The only proprietory part of the D-Star system is the backbone. But do your research so is Fusion, DMR, P25 and most other minor protocols. Hopefully after reading this you'll be able to switch off the noise Good Quality Audio The quality of the D-STAR voice signal is better than FM especially with the clubs new IC-9700 There is no degradation in the signal quality that is found with traditional analogue voice modes and no squelch tail at the end of every transmission. Why is it better ? All digital protocols are written with an algorithm. The codec only understands voice, it does not understand extraeneos sounds like for examle wind I dare you to have a conversation with somebody in your car with the microphone in the wind at your window. It will be crystal clear at the other end Efficient Data usage Many data communications needs don’t require high-speeds, particularly for emergency communications. D-STAR combines voice and low-speed data into a single channel simultaneously. D-Star goes further D-Star and other Digital protocols will go 10% further than analog signals . Like any digital signal it will hold its signal to the 'Digital Cliff" Then dissapear, rather than a slow painful analog signal's degredation. This was proven at the club with Peter VK3TQ doing a demo with Richard VK3JFK in Kyneton both on Icom IC-2820's. Peter was using the FAMPARC project 7 element Quad to Richards Diamond X-510 Richard is not favouring the Melbourne side of Kyneton. We set one side of the 2820 to 146.425 and the D-Star side to 144.750 on DV ...SIMPLEX We achieved a very doubtful simplex contact on FM, both at 50 watts. When we turned to DV or D-Star Richards signal was loud and clear. I believe we were in the 10% zone at the digital cliff. The contact was 120Km as the crow flies on simplex with virtually no height advantage and some possible shading from Mt Macedon. Spectrum Efficient If you’ve tried to use a repeater channel on 2-meters or 430- 440 MHz in any city, you know how crowded the bands can be. The D-STAR voice and low-speed data signal offers a significant improvement in spectrum efficiency, requiring only a 6 kHz channel instead of the 20, 25, or even 30 kHz of analogue wide-band FM. D-STAR repeaters can be interleaved between existing channels or multiple repeaters deployed in the spectrum of only one analogue FM repeater. How do I get involved with D-STAR? There are a number of ways that you can get involved with D-STAR. The first major requirement is that in order to use the D-STAR system is that you must be a licensed operator. If you aren’t a licensed Radio Amateur, the best place to start is with your local club, where you will find information about the hobby and how to get into it. Secondly you must register with D-Star, if your a club member, contact Terry VK3BMX. Terry manages registrations for VK3RWN.... So what now D-STAR (Radio only) You can use your handheld or mobile radio to connect with a local D-STAR enabled repeater and then use it to link to talk to people elsewhere in the world. You must be registered to do this . All digital systems, you must be registered, its a licensing requirement with the ACMA No D-Star Repeater? Dongles and DVAPs These modems are D-Star Old school, almost a decade old with little development, a dongle will plug into your PC and with the right FTDI drivers and Software "DV Tools" you'll be able to get on the gateway to any REF reflector and use your PC Mic and work the world, The beauty of Dongles is that its just a little plug-in for your laptop and if you've got WI-FI they work well. An absolute must for a "Stealth Traveller" DVAPS plug into a USB port, red ones are VHF and Blue ones are UHF, same deal with the PC and software. They are old school but extremely reliable, easy to set up, all you need is a D-Star radio of any type and they work well MMDVM An MMDVM, or Multimode Digital Voice modem is a vastly different device to the above devices. Its modern, cheap, well supported and the most popular offering. MMDVMs are far superior as they have moved with the times. Through Pi-Star Software you can program to do other protocols like DMR, Fusion, P25 but they do D-Star the best. That explanation for another day. They can link you to all the different REF, DCS and XLX reflectors. These days a neccessity. They are cheap, all you need is a Raspberry Pi 3B+ and a hat, that plugs into the GPIO connector on the Pi a 16Gb SD card and that's it Program the SD and you should be on the air in minutes. I run four here , I set them on low power and they are all on 70cm with no noise or interaction They are by far fantastic. If you want more infomation on MMDVM's contact Glen VK4NGA, look up "Dura-Spot" they are of high quality and you get aussie support. Otherwise just search MMDVM on Ebay. If you want one for DMR make sure you get a "duplex" MMDVM .. It will operate with two antennas, two time slots Hotspots Hotspots are very similar to the MMDVM although they are of different construction The PCB does not have a radio and antenna A hotspot is different to an MMDVM because an MMDVM outputs roughly 10mW. A node radio for a hotspot can have an output of "anything" depending on the RF abilities of the node radio They are a PCB that runs with a raspberry Pi The PCB has an assortment of cables to match your Node Transceiver Icom, Kenwood and Yeasu are normally DIN plugs that plug into a radio Motorola are like little PCB's that plug into the radio If you want to build a hotspot, check out www.bi7jta.com on the web, he sells kits for all types of amateur radio equipment as well as Glenn here in Australia, vk4nga.com.au. Glenn will also setup your Hotspot to minimise any headaches. The following is important..... *** So when you are creating a hotspot you are creating a repeater *** Repeaters simplex or duplex MUST be licensed and must have the appropriate frequency designation and filtration equipment If the repeater is not licensed it cannot be run unattended. Please read your LCD, if you don't understand contact the ACMA Foundation licencees cannot operate repeaters or hotspots Don't be an interference complaint Getting set up with D-STAR The absolute first step is to get yourself registered on the D-STAR network. D-STAR Gateways enable users to connect from a local D-STAR repeater, equipped with a D-STAR Gateway, to any other Gateway equipped D-STAR repeater. Once an Amateur is registered with a repeater gateway, it can connect to D-STAR users beyond the local repeaters. You do not have to be registered with a gateway to use a local repeater, only if you want to make use of the D-STAR network. You only have to register with one gateway as your registration information is propagated to all other gateways and reflectors in the D-STAR network. The second step is to make sure you actually have a local repeater that supports D-STAR. If you’re in an Australian capital city, you probably do, but there are repeaters all over the place, they maybe Icom G3 Repeaters, IRCDDB repeaters like Mt Macedon and elevated Hotspots Like VK3RCE in Nth Bendigo. Not all repeaters are ICOM, Like Micheal VK5ZEA / VK5LN at Port Lincoln SA, his D-Star repeater is built with Motorola GM300's Starting to question the noise ? If you not near a D-Star repeater Hey ! It Doesn't matter Just register your callsign say..with VK3RWN and away you go, Program your radio, program your MMDVM Your on air To find out which D-STAR repeaters are in range and active in your area go to http://www.dstarinfo.com. A TIP ON HOW TO USE D-STAR AND OTHER DIGITAL MODES. Who is that old fat guy in the video? How does D-STAR work? There are a number of ways you can communicate on the D-STAR network. These include using D-STAR enabled radios that are capable of 3 digital communication streams. 1. Digital voice2. Control data3. Data messaging The occupied bandwidth of the digital signal is smaller than that needed in analogue transmissions and therefore more digital channels can be provided in a given bandwidth. To enable the repeaters to communicate with each other over the internet the repeater is connected to a PC running a LINUX operating system and Gateway software. This software connects to other gateways and keeps the user lists up to date and connects the digital streams between repeaters. All of the information is distributed within a network that is managed by a ‘Trust Server’. We are currently in the same net as America,UK and Canada D-STAR repeaters can be operated in the same way as existing analogue repeaters except that they communicate using a digital transmission from the transmitting radio through to the receiving radio. Unlike other systems that have been developed that use the web for linking distant stations together, D-STAR treats all repeaters in exactly the same way. A local repeater is no different to a repeater 3000 miles away, you just have to route your call to the distant repeater. You can connect to a local repeater and a repeater across the internet and all participants will be treated as though they are on the same repeater. Components of the D-STAR Network D-STAR repeater system A D-STAR repeater system is typically composed of a repeater controller, 1.2GHz, 70cm or 2mtr digital voice repeater, digital data repeater and the Internet gateway PC. The D-STAR repeater operates similar to an existing analogue repeater. That is a simple relay of transmit and receive communication within or across the 2m, 70cm or 23cm bands. When D-STAR repeaters are connected with the Internet gateway, the D-STAR system relays the received data over the Internet. Your message will get through virtually to anywhere in the D-STAR system. D-STAR registry As authorised users make their initial transmission to a D-STAR system, the call sign information attached to the digitised voice packets is recorded by the repeater controller. The controller then shares the information with other D-STAR systems through the D-STAR gateway registry. The registry is maintained on gateway servers located around the world. When an authorised D-STAR user makes a call to a call sign not currently registered on that repeater system, the registry allows the repeater controller to route the call to the repeater on which the targeted user was last registered. D-STAR reflector? A reflector can be considered to be similar to a repeater, but with no RF capabilities. Reflectors are Internet connected servers, generally in data-centres, which receive a transmission from a connected gateway (via the Internet) and send it out to all other connected gateways for retransmission, via RF in the case of a repeater. Reflectors are basically a conference bridge for D-STAR. They allow multiple D-STAR repeaters and MMDVM, Dongle and DVAP users, from around the world, to be joined together and whatever information is transmitted across one of the repeaters is repeated across all of the connected repeaters of that reflector or constellations that link refectors Google 'XLX 500' Conclusion D-STAR provides a whole host of opportunities for the Amateur radio enthusiast to challenge themselves with tools from the 21st. Century. As with all forms of radio, you can dip your toe in the water for just plain old communication or delve further if you are interested in setting up repeaters and send data as projects. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea but this area of the hobby is growing with more and more repeaters and users being added all of the time... good luck in your digital journey! There are many websites to find further information, ideas and support on this fascinating new part of Amateur Radio. For more information, contact the Victorian D-Star Users Grop

With thanks to Amateur Radio Victoria.. With new Amateurs joining our hobby of late, I thought a small guide to Amateur Radio Repeaters would be of help. What is a repeater? A repeater is a receiver/transmitter combination that is usually placed on a high location listening and simultaneously retransmitting the received signals. By doing this two stations can communicate that might not be able to do so via a direct path. In order to listen and transmit at the same time, repeaters use two frequencies and the difference in frequency is known as the offset. Without having an offset the repeater would simply hear itself and nothing else. Even with the offset, the two frequencies are close enough that some additional isolation is required to prevent overloading the repeater receiver. Isolation is achieved by placing a device called a duplexer, or sometimes cavities in both the receiver path and the transmitter path. On the 2-meter ham band the offset is 600 kilohertz. On the 70cm band the frequency offset is generally 5Mhz because the band is wider than 2m and can accommodate the larger split. The duplexer or cavities can also provide better isolation. For this exercise we will concentrate on the 2m band. As a general rule repeaters with an output frequency (what you listen to) below 147 Mhz have an offset of minus 600 Khz. Repeaters with an output frequency above 147 MHz have a positive 600Khz frequency. Example One VK3RML You listen on 146.700Mhz You transmit on 146.100Mhz This repeater therefore has a minus offset of 600Khz Example Two VK3RMM You listen on 147.250Mhz You transmit on 147.750Mhz This repeater therefore has a plus offset of 600Khz Modern amateur radios usually have the off set programmed into them and all you need to do is set the + or - shift and the radio will do the rest. Note: There are exceptions to the offset rule so check local repeater listings. These are available in the WIA callbook, information is also available from our repeaters page and Repeater book How do you call someone on a repeater? Always listen first to make sure someone else isn't using the repeater. If there is no traffic you can put out a general call by saying VK3XXX listening on VK3RMM. If someone is listening they may reply to your call and you can begin a conversation. To call a particular person just say VK3AAA this is VK3XXX are you about John? If John VK3AAA is available he will answer you and you can begin the conversation. Repeater Etiquette As previously stated ALWAYS LISTEN first before you transmit. It's fine to join a conversation just wait for a break in transmission and then announce your callsign. The next person to transmit will acknowledge you and invite you to join in. If you are on a particularly busy repeater its a good idea to move to a simplex frequency if you are in range of the other station. This allows other stations without a direct path to use the repeater. Remember to wait until the repeater has reset its timer (see REPEATER TIMERS below) , otherwise your turn short will be cut short, then leave a couple of seconds before commencing your transmission. This delay allows other amateurs to put out a quick call or announce emergency traffic. There is no need to use your callsign on each over as the regulations only require you to identify with your call sign every 10 minutes. It is good practice to identify with your callsign when you have finished your conversation. Doubling If you are in a round table discussion using a repeater to avoid 'doubling' (two or more stations talking at the same time) make sure at the end of your over to hand it to the next operator. Example: VK3AAA to take it this is VK3XXX. If you don't do this it will end up in total confusion as to whose turn it is. Repeater Timers Most repeaters have an inbuilt 3 minute timer and will shut down after this time. This is so that everyone gets a fair go using the repeater. Make sure that the repeater resets the timer at the end of an over. This is done by letting the repeater transmitter to drop out before you start talking. On some repeaters you may hear a courtesy tone that indicates the repeater timer has reset and there is no need to wait for the repeater transmitter to drop out. If you jump in without letting the repeater reset your over is limited to three minutes minus the duration of the previous over. If the repeater times out it will not reset until all traffic using it has stopped. You will also occasionally hear the repeater identify itself using morse code. CTCSS Tones Some repeaters in high noise areas have tones access enabled on them to prevent false triggering of the repeater. The tones are sub audible and you must have the tone enabled on your transmitter to access these repeaters. Most repeaters in Victoria that have tone enabled use the standard 91.5 Hz tone. Check the callbook or enquire with your local club to see if you need to program a tone on your radio for the local repeater. Some dual mode repeaters (Analogue and Digital) have tone access on both the transmit and receiver. This is done so that your analogue radio needs the receive tone to open the squelch and you don't hear the repeater when it is operating in digital mode. Most modern amateur radios have the CTCSS option installed in them. DTMF Tones These tones are the same as used on your telephone. These are generally used to access certain functions on a repeater. This could be getting the repeater to respond with local temperature, time of day or perhaps battery condition. Not all repeaters have this function. The more common application is for accessing IRLP (Internet Repeater Linking Project) enabled repeaters. Using DTMF tones you can link to another IRLP enabled repeater either here in Australia or around the world. A list of IRLP nodes and current status can be found at http://status.irlp.net/index.php?PSTART=3 Signal Reports The only valid signal report that can be given on a repeater is to indicate that incoming signal you are listening to is fully quietened. This means that there is no back ground noise on the persons signal can be heard. Remember that the signal strength on your radio is not an indication of the other persons signal but is an reading of how well you can hear the repeaters output. Some Common Q Codes Heard on Repeaters QTH - What is your location? Or my location is QSL - I understand or can you acknowledge receipt QSY - I am changing frequency to, or can you change frequency to QRZ - Who is calling me? QRT - I am finished transmitting or please stop transmitting QSO - Can you communicate Or I can communicate QRM - I am experiencing interference (man made) QRN - I am experiencing interference (natural) REPEATER BOOK APP This a very hand App that is available for your smart Phone. It's available for both platforms Android and IOS. Search for Repeater Book. RepeaterBook Amateur Radio's most comprehensive, worldwide, FREE repeater directory. Powered by the popular community database of RepeaterBook.com Easily find repeaters across the world. • No network connection required. • Comprehensive search, selection and sorting. • Displays distance, heading and full repeater details. • Fast and flexible, to help you use repeaters. • Portrait or Landscape views for phone and tablets. • Easily submit updates/additions. Thanks to Amateur Radio Victoria.

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!

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.

Hello Famparc Members, We are proud to announce the club has a new addition to the Radio Shack. It's the sister radio to the clubs Icom IC-7300, the IC-9700. 144, 430/440, and 1200 MHz All Mode Transceiver Including Satellite, DV, and DD Modes The IC-9700 is an all mode Tri-band transceiver, covering 2 m, 70 cm, and 23 cm. In addition to the traditional SSB, AM, FM, CW, and RTTY modes, the transceiver also incorporates D-STAR (Digital Smart Technology for Amateur Radio) DV and DD modes. A full featured Satellite mode is built-in! There are three antenna connectors, one each for 144, 430/440, and 1200 MHz. RF Direct Sampling, for 144 MHz and 430/440 MHz, is utilized in the IC-9700. For 1200 MHz, the Down Conversion IF Sampling method is adopted. In this system, signals are digitized by the ADC and processed in the FPGA. The signals are processed in the digital domain, thus eliminating distortion and other nonlinear elements seen in the legacy superheterodyne receivers. The outcome is that the signal purity is very high, and clear audio can be generated. D-STAR Operation Friendly Functions The IC-9700 has the D-STAR Repeater (DR) function that has been well received by D-STAR enthusiasts. The DR function can be used on both the Main and Sub bands simultaneously to listen to two separate DV signals. Moreover, by using the DD mode, you can browse the Internet through a repeater station. D-STAR System Introduction As well as many more features... CLICK HERE UPDATE 30th Dec, 2023 With help from Terry VK3BMX, the new IC-9700 now has lots of memory stations for FM Repeaters and D-Star Repeaters. I also have exchanged an antenna for a Tri-Band Antenna (2M, 70cm, 23cm). We are still awaiting delivery of the Triplexer for the new Antenna. We are currently using only the 2M/70cm band Antenna that is at the front of the club rooms. So it is fully operational on those bands. The Digital side (D-Star) is working a treat, and many local and overseas stations have been worked by this amazing system. So.. feel free to use the radio, however I would suggest if you are unfamiliar with the operation that you ask someone at the club who is. You will be more than welcome to use it.. that's what the shack is for.

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.

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...