QNEWS - JULY 16 2023 - VK4 ON AIR

Peter VK4OD and his previous call of VK4JPH (just pot holes) passed after a heart attack Monday around noon July 10.

Peter was a WIAQ board member.

The "JUST POT HOLES" came from an infamous trip to Rockhampton where he ferried the WIAQ board to a 'central' gathering and we all reckon he found EVERY pothole on the old Bruce HiWay.

Peter's Service will be held THURSDAY JULY 20 at 1:30pm in Browns Plains Logan. Swanborough Funerals 10/59 Eastern Road Browns Plains

GraHam VK4BB

Craig VK4CJM is looking for volunteers for the upcoming Lake Manchester Trail on Sunday August 20. If you are available, please let Craig know as soon as possible.

Two more WICEN events – the Pinnacles Classic Sunday September 24 and Mt Glorious Trail Sunday November 14. Please consider helping at our WICEN events if you can. Email [email protected]

Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking.

It would appear that Winter has caught up to VK4 at last. What a time it is to have consistently cooler weather only matched by higher costs for electricity supplied to the home. It is either ironic or unbearable as we see the current worldwide increase in living costs. What a great opportunity to invest in QRP operations!

I have been mulling over my own attitudes to the various sources of information that relate to my peculiar amateur radio interests. These days, I turn to various internet sources if I don’t have a ready solution at hand or the right book isn’t sitting on the shelf. Some time ago I made mention of a rather prolific presenter of video material who, in my opinion, blotted his copybook, by getting some inexperienced people to undertake a construction project without using the various materials provided by the supplier. Here was someone who publishes in various media on technical topics and against what most would class as good practice, has novices go blindly into a project.

I have reflected periodically on my bias against this author and whether I should stop ignoring his material. I really haven’t made a firm decision yet as when we are confronted with poor or wrong information or given results that are based on poor technique, it leaves a lingering doubt. I know that some of the textbooks, affectionately dubbed as the Bibles, which have been produced have printed information which has been corrected or deleted in subsequent editions. I still have copies of these manuals on my bookcase. So is it right that I still doubt that I can completely trust this other writer?

Here is the issue, major publications are usually well resourced with editors overseeing writers and peers reviewing the drafts before they are sent off to the publisher. Individuals have to provide this scrutiny and verification before it gets drafted in a form that can be published. I once drafted and article which I forwarded off for a review. I used material from sources which I would reference in the final article. Somehow, the review never happened and the draft with all its copyright material went to print, much to my embarrassment. Obviously the material was thought acceptable but normal editorial practices failed and put egg on some faces, mine included.

What I am driving at is the fact we all need to have some way of getting our information that isn’t going to lead us in wrong directions and the practice of mentoring or as our US cousins call it, “elmering”, can be a good start.

It is not to say that our guide will always get the facts right but the lived experience will have shown where traps are and what hints and kinks can make things simpler.

As we get the opportunity to help people into a full enjoyment of ham radio, it is something to consider whether what we are doing is the right thing for ourselves and is it correct for those we tell?

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