Life member of Ipswich and District Radio Club Syd Lyon VK4SL passed away peacefully on Saturday morning 9th December. Syd was very well-liked by all and he was a true gentleman of the Amateur Radio fraternity. There will be a service for Syd Lyon at St Paul's Church Ipswich on Monday 18th December at 10 am. There will also be a video stream. Vale Syd Lyon VK4SL. (from Allan Roebuck vk4hit)

Hi all! - David Here! - VK4DN from the Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club.

Just a reminder that if you are planning to attend the WIA Convention here in Bundaberg on May 4th/5th next year, you will need to think about booking your accommodation very soon. Vacancies are being booked out quickly because it's also the Labour Day long weekend.

If you are planning to travel to the weekend event with your caravan or mobile home, there are many options available in and around Bundy. Contact us if you need assistance with finding accommodation.

Cheers - from David VK4DN - Secretary - Bundaberg Amateur Radio Club.

Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. What a week it has been with radio and weather filling a period of shopping in the run-up to Christmas. It seemed that the radio world was in for change with the release of the documents from OFCOM paving the way for the modernisation of amateur radio in the United Kingdom. All the while Cyclone Jasper was making its way towards our northern coast, proving the general accuracy of the models being by weather forecasters. Then to climax the week, ACMA released the procedural documents which will come into force in February 2024 bringing changes to amateur radio in Australia.

It seems that progress is upon us and is coming whether we feel we are ready or not and some of the comments that people have been posting online indicate a level of confusion as to the nitty gritty implications of a class licence system. Whilst the explanatory notes run to over 100pp it can be hoped that the suitably drafted regulations will be shorter and more fit for purpose than the current LCDs which seem somewhat bombastic to many users. Plain English that can’t be misinterpreted has been the hallmark of good government publications; let us hope that it can happen in this instance too.

Now that I have raised the issue of clarity of expression I will share some thoughts on the broadcast coverage of the cyclone that I have witnessed this week. Anyone who has been trained in reporting situations is usually trained to be accurate, objective and emotionally removed from the situation. When the approach to the cyclone’s crossing the coast was settled, it seemed on-air presenters were ferried into locations within the areas expected to be affected. That was good news coverage preparation but then the reports started to go to air. I remember the amateur storm watch net in Brisbane where people like you and I called in with information which could inform others as to the progress of events. There were no histrionics but just largely factual messages about fallen trees, flooded roads, damaged property and loss of electricity. Safety was at the heart of this net. In contrast to what I have witnessed from some media outlets is tendency to hype up the situation and catastrophise the situation but to what purpose? One would expect that clear reports would benefit the community the best. Having lived through cyclones, it can be that the nerves are stretched and you want the facts, the whole facts and nothing but the facts on which to make important decisions at that time. Metropolitan audiences also have friends and relatives in the affected communities and they can gather information to give in the next hurried phone call. I think we all understand that the simple truth shared with the least emotion is going to be the best help and when we radio amateurs are involved we act with integrity to do our best.

I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?