Hi everybody,
Just a quick word to let you know I haven't forgot about the webpage. I plan on updating everything in the next month. Things have been very hectic and up in the air here, as most of you would understand, Tyler has certainly made life interesting. It takes three times longer to do anything and it has to be done on his schedule, which is not something you can bank on at the moment!
73 from Adrian VK4RV.
News from Jon VK4CY
News.028
Jibberings - with apologies to "Back Chat"
Greetings & welcome:
Hard to believe 2006 is already with us and with this NL [#28] appearing
it means we're already 2/3rd of the way through January - tempis fugit,
Probably even more so when you realise how, "in the stream of time" and
in accordance with our current study book, like a huge jigsaw puzzle the
pieces are all dropping into place. "Keep on the watch" was the title of the
brochure recently and we certainly need to be aware of this now.
First though, saddened by the news of Andre's [VK2FLY] illness and as
mentioned in our short memo to everyone on the mailing lists our prayers
and with him and his family in particular in these critical times.
Andre has on passed a memo to me which is attached as follows:
Quote:
Tkis Jon. Give my regards to all the guys.
Andre
They Diagnosed me with CLL. (Chronic Lympthocytic Leukemia) with, from
what I read a poor prognosis because of the CD38 antigen. But I research
that and it maybe some indication of a worse case but I didn't get the
idea it was written in concrete. anyway my sixth day of Chemo now and
take six pills a day all at once. My nodes are no worse and I have
another 8 days of the same treatment. don't feel too bad and getting
around but the thoughts are terrifying ! well ,more another time.
Best wishes
Andre
Unquote nb all extra lines/paragraphs have been removed.
Viv VK2TVW on the 40m net on Wednesday [18th] said he'd had a 600 ohm
QSO with Andre who sends everyone 73.
Second is that Adrian & Jessica plus Tyler are all improving and
making good progress with all things relating to having 'kidz' amongst
other things, like trying to 'cat nap'; making meetings; keeping the
place tidy etc. Adrian also got a 'crook hand', says blady grass is
rather sharp when you're not wearing gloves!
Welcome to 'Dusty' Ritta VK5ZNC who has re-joined us recently. He also
asked about Echolink sp, hopefully he has that down-loaded and can
advise us of his Node #. Young Henri Hart VK3PFJ advised I'd left
off his Echolink node # - it is 240251 - from the 2006 Callbook.
Talking of Echolink, I've had direct comms. with Jonathan K1RFD who
designed the system and he assured me that it was impossible for BOTH
Adrian and I to be on the system with a single telephone line even though
we had separate IP addresses. So, for your information, Adrian will have
Echolink access, I will have Skype/Gizmo access.
Warwick in particular has been feeling the heat, though it's been warmer
in NSW/ACT/SA than up here - our humidity is the leveler. Right up and
down the Eastern seaboard it's been a similar story.
Summer storms still continuing - lots' more severe than others though none
of our Friends have reported anything out of the ordinary. Phillip/Maureen
[VK6KPH] have had the roads south from them to Perth cut with that cyclone
that decided to come ashore on the WA coast last week. 19Jan.2006, flooding
now to our South across the border in Northern NSW, so far no adverse
e-mails that Friends are affected.
Computer system up and running a 'tad' earlier than anticipated - thanks to
Adrian - still a little extra work to do but should be 100% by the end of
January, hence all those whose mailing addresses are on our lists will have
had a copy of the FN 2006 VK/ZL Callbook.
Summer activity on HF:
Anyone needing Peter One Island will have the opportunity of trying for one
extremely elusive DX by the end of January. I managed to get through on SSB
of all things last time but need them on CW so, sill be hoping of success
this time round. As they say on their web site, more people have flown in
space than have been to 3Y0!.
HF bands been "iffy" - 20m after dark hasn't been too bad here. The LF
bands of 40,80 & 160m have been good with the odd DX in spite of heavy
static levels.
6m has been good - managed FK8,ZL,VK6 on a discone. 2m/70cms good too
but the down side from here is the (a).QTH (b).good antennae. 2m SSB DX has
also been good - Arnold VK2MHB reports lots of goodies too coupled with
his ducting QSO's with Gary VK4IBC.
Odds & ends:
In spite of coastal rains, local dams in SE Qld. are still averaging
around 33% capacity. Even worse in western/Northwestern Qld. seems cyclonic
weather would be the only way to make up short falls - the ITCZ giving us
a few of the embedded nasties. ITCZ = Inter Tropical Convergence Zone,
normally sits across, Indonesia, the "top end", PNG to the Solomon's.
Still not received news of any of our friends having the Foundation
Licence and a 4 letter call. Please keep trying. If you are talking with
any Radio Friends, they have not received this NL, please on pass it to them
also asking them to advise me at vk4cy@iprimus.com.au of their LATEST
E-mail address so we can update our records.
Happydaze and don't forget, if you know of any 'retired' amateur, re-kindle
his/her imagination about the new Foundation licence etc.,. they may even
be surprised.
Surprised that we are having no one further South than Sydney on especially
in the afternoon 40m sessions [0600Z 7093Khz +/- up to 20KHz either side, as
the bands are very variable] hope to see some ZL, VK7,VK3,VK5 & even VK6's
on. Don't forget the 20m [14.307 +/-] frequency either.
So hope you enjoy this issue of the news!!
Agape & Happydaze from 'down-under'
73 de Jon VK4CY
20 JANUARY 2006
(Edited by J. Roze)