QNews for August 4th 2024

Q-News AR News from Queensland

Roger, VK4FANG passed away in the Townsville University Hospital on Monday evening 22/07 after suffering a long and painful fight against multiple terminal diseases. Roger is survived by his Wife, Suzette and three sons, Stephen, Daniel and Lee, Lee was at his father's side at the time of his passing. VK4FANG eventually found himself entrenched in the transport industry, allowing him to travel extensively throughout our great Country. It was the industry which took Roger to Townsville. He transported the first load of steel from SA to Queensland Nickel Industries. During this time Roger made his ‘Office’ at the Royal Oak Hotel, where he met Suzette, they married and over time produced the three boys. In retirement, Roger was an avid reader, history and factual stories were his passion. His beloved “shed” became his office, bar & radio shack. Roger enjoyed amateur radio where he felt comfortable and contributed to several nets in Townsville. He made numerous on-air friends. He enjoyed making contact with hams from his beloved South Australia. Vale VK4FANG ROGER HARNDEN from Ray vk4net

Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. Undoubtedly, many follow the sport of kings and who celebrate the thoroughbreds’ birthday on the first of the month. In the more mundane world in which I live, it has been a time to rug up and keep warm with the sub-antarctic winds cooling the coast of the State through to the tropics. Just for a change, it is suggested that the weather will return to its normal pattern and showers will be around intermittently. The people who are interested in things celestial will have been suffering the disruptive influences coming from the Sun and whilst the photographers in higher regions might have been chasing auroras we radio amateurs have been looking out for the sweet spots of shortwave propagation. Sunspot cycle 25 is still ringing the changes with an infinitely variable tune. I wonder what you would first think of when I mention the word “Innovation”? Is it something technical directly related to amateur radio like a new operating mode or could it be something else? As much as we might enjoy how things have run and live by the adage of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” there are good reasons, it seems to me, to apply that word and its full meaning to how we run our clubs. We will have all noticed that the membership of the bodies that engage our interest is generally fluid with people coming and moving on and along the way getting that bit older. There can be instances when an event sparks an influx of new members looking to share our radio service and what it can offer in the way of personal attainment. Take for instance the situation where Jamboree of the Air brings some new faces to the door and we not only want to help them get on air, with the formalities as well as the technical and practical matters. How many of us stop and think about those new people with their individual likes, hobbies and peer group supports? It is important that we can adapt our situation to welcome new people and appreciate what life experience and skills they bring with them. In the past, there has been a temptation to look down on people who hold a lower level of qualification and to expect that they would stand to attention when a “full call” operator entered the room. Thankfully as more people have joined the ranks, our clubs have gained the skills and experience that many of the “F” calls brought to us. If we remember the Amateur Creed, there is nothing that says any of us are the superior of the rest. This is where innovation is really important to the growth and longevity of not only our radio club but all social-type organisations. We need to adapt, to bring in the new and to think through our activities in ways that refresh the older members and encourage the newer ones. Innovation is a necessity and a privilege to employ. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?