This year, hopefully, we will be involved in more projects. There has been interest shown in a 15/20-m yagi. We have yet to finalise the technical details, but once we have, we will be looking for participants. I have been working 15m lately with the observation that it appears to be prone to causing interference. If you have any input especially on the interference topic, your expertise will be appreciated.

Tuesday February 9th. is the tentative date for our 1999 students class introduction. If there are no objections this date will be firm. Information will be forwarded to the W.I.A for broadcast in the usual Sunday session of February 7. Fees are $110, which includes a year’s $20 subscription for a single member plus the newsletter and course syllabus book. You will need a basic calculator, note book plus highlighter pen and writing material. Classes will be at the Clubrooms located within the grounds of St. Leonard’s college, Patterson Lakes Campus, Riverend Road Patterson lakes. Melways reference 93 J11, UBD Reference 276 A3. Class coordinator is Peter Brennan (VK3JPB) or Gerard Werner (VK3GER). For further information you may write to PO Box 65 Pattersons Lakes, Vic. 3197

There are a few members that have not as yet paid their dues for 1999. If those dues delinquent members could make the effort to become financial before the end of the month if would give the club’s coffers a lift.

Congratulations are in order for Wayne (VK3TFG), Vanessa (VK3?) and Reeve (VK3?), who after passing all their exams are now on air. We look forward to having them on our Wednesday night net and joining in other club activities. To these new operators, congratulations from all and well done.

Newsletter

There is a current proposal concerning the distribution of the newsletter, to save on postage. For those up and running on packet you may elect to receive your copy via this medium. An area will be provided for those regular members to the club allowing them to retrieve their copy when visiting. Copies remaining after a week will be posted. We look forward your comments

Subsequent to the AGM, the following changes to the executive have been implemented. We welcome Andrew VK3FIX to his new executive position of Vice-President. Andrew will also be a part of the executive committee. We look forward to having him as a part of the team and benefiting from the knowledge and experience he brings with him.

Other changes are Craig (VK3JCH) to the position of treasurer replacing Paul (VK3GPS) we welcome Craig to his new position and the opportunity of working with him in what will be a very challenging year financially. We would like to thank Paul (VK3GPS) for his dedication during his terms as treasurer. Financially, he positioned the club in a very solid standing, well placed to face the fiscal demands of the future

We also welcome Greg (VK3KV) a newcomer to the executive and look forward to his contribution.

Being mindful of the fact that Radio is an ever-changing technology and, as a club, we must look to the future to ensure that we are in a position to take on board any new technology that we feel will be of benefit to our club and members. During the year your executive will be looking at the operations of the club and any possible opportunities that may be advantageous. To this end we anticipates that during this year we look to our members to approve initiatives and to allow us to meet these future challenges.

AROUND THE CLUBS

A new feature to keep you in touch with events and technical data from other clubs.

Two Europeans hams have set two new records for A.T.V., TM2SHF from Corsica, and EA5/HB9A, in Spain, on 24 GHz, the distance worked was 821 Km. A second A.T.V. record on 24 GHz of 248 Km. Between Corsica and Mont Caume in France.

Packet message No. 26413 of Oct. 4 from VK2GT states that there Is "heaps" of information for those interested in the FM900, on Internet heading http://members.xoom.com/Mr_s/ -

Congratulations to FAMPARC for your success in the John Moyal contest for 1998

Australian laws designed to control electromagnetic interference came into force in January 1999. Since January 1997 any new equipment must comply with Australian Standard AS2064 . As from January 1999 any new or existing product must comply with the standard and bear the c – tick labeling compliance designation.

A visit to Dargo has been chosen for the inaugural visit of the club commencing on Friday February 26^th and finishing on Sunday 28^th .

Information has been received from the organisation responsible for the disposal of surplus FM92’s that there may be more "goodies" in the pipeline. They hope to be soon able to advise members of the detail

FAMPARC holds monthly meetings on the 2nd Friday of the month at their clubrooms on the school grounds of St. Leonard’s College, Patterson Lakes Campus. Riverend Road, Patterson Lakes. Melways Ref. 93 J11. Starting time 20.00 hr.

And every Saturday Morning between 10 am and 2pm.

(Note: South-heading traffic must take Wells Road, NOT the Freeway).

President Peter Brennan VK3JPB 03 97899028

Vice-President Andrew Wilson VK3FIX 03 77993202

Secretary Gerard Werner VK3GER 03 97736313

Ass-Secretary Brian Rich VK3VBJ 03 98704437

Treasurer Craig Hewett VK3JCH 03 59982300

Committee Ed Parsons VK3GD 03 97701226

Committee Bill Grypstra VK3MMM 03 97812886

Committee Greg Treble VK3KV 03 95587154

Class Coordinator Peter Brennan VK3JPB 03 97899028

Class Instructor Peter Repschlager VK3JPR 03 59786487

Public officer Jeff Fletcher VK3EUL 03 59839257

QSL Manager Bill Grypstra VK3MMM 03 97812886

Equipment Officer Fred Turner VK3DRX 03 97872866

Packet BBS Officer Peter Brennan VK3JPB 03 97899028

Brian Rich (VK3VBJ) 13^th

EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 20.00 hrs EST. 147.525

At time of printing, the financial report was not available

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We now have a home page as follows

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Realistic ‘HF' Quartz Synthesized Communication Receiver ($60). See Brian (VK3VBJ)