Hi - I'm John VK4JPM Darling Downs Radio Club Secretary with the club update. There's been a lot of interest in the next tech meeting on Monday 9 December at the Toowoomba Library, John VK4JBE will be our expert guide into the exciting topic of Software Defined Radios.

Now to social activities, and the end-of-year BBQ/picnic/live ragchew and family day will be held on Saturday 14 December. We're meeting at a park in Toowoomba - will provide a neato setting for some actual ham activity should you feel inclined. Starting from 1130, should be tons of room. Finally, don't forget the 2M club net on VK4RDD every Sunday at 1000, and the 80M net on 3.650 ± QRM every Saturday at 1930.

------------------------------------------------------------ Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. I ventured into the field of prompting clubs to think about letting us all know what they are up to. It is one of those things that seems to have been partly left behind as the various platforms on the internet have increased and access to community media has reduced at the same time. We have seen the newspaper industry in the suburbs and regions get gobbled into large conglomerate ownership and just sprouts of regrowth show as people recognise they are missing the local news. We have seen the broadcast networks reduce staff and close local offices and local news has been reduced in time and scope. These are the commercial big brothers and my question is, do we have to follow them? Some years back, there were media packs made available by the WIA to assist amateurs prepare and present news of events that would interest the general community to the capital “M” media. They were a good starting point because they used standard formats and suggested processes for successful press releases to be generated by we amateurs. Now, I think we could do with this assistance once again as all to often what the amateur radio community does is more like a secret society than a community movement. Similarly we have access to attracting people who are attracted to electronic technology by using the knowledge at our finger tips. Not only a press package but a sample of pro forma items to assist people in getting their thoughts together for electronic distribution, whether it is by radio internet, audio or video streaming. In my area, at least one TV channel seeks video and still images from viewers, so I know that a little bit of effort can have a big result in putting your group at the front of the stage. I rather gather that the number of club newsletters has fallen and the printed material has been reduced and only partly replaced by posts on-line. What we are doing seems to be ensuring that less and less people are hearing the stories that we have to share. So what have we got that we can use? We have local club nets, internet platforms and newsletters whilst not forgetting the regular club meetings. If we want more people at our meetings, then we have to invite them in ways that they know they are invited and welcome. Then there are the weekly news broadcasts. I have mentioned the fact that I started learning about what was happening in the amateur world by listening, each Sunday morning, to the weekly news. World wide, country wide and local all found a place and it made a schoolboy feel he was sharing and learning. I still look forward to the weekly news but maybe the mind is playing tricks or maybe we aren’t getting the stories to air that draws our listeners in. We are the newsmakers and the reporters so how about putting your audio to air with us? I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?