QNews for August 11th 2024

Q-News AR News from Queensland

Silent Key - Joe Sebastiani VK4SWR

A big shock to the Amateur Radio Community and most Radio Nets, long time member of The Townsville Amateur Radio Club Inc, Joe Sebastiani VK4SWR went Silent Key after a horrific domestic accident. Joe had slipped on wet tiles at his home at Burdell North Queensland a couple of weeks previously and rushed to Townsville University Hospital with injuries to his skull and brain so severe that doctors put Joe into an induced coma. A week later Joe was taken out of the induced coma but soon lapsed into another coma from which he did not recover. Joe passed away in hospital around 5 pm Saturday 3rd August. Joe grew up in Mount Isa, worked for a long time for Mount Isa Mines and attained Amateur Radio Callsign VK4LED thanks to training provided by members of the Mount Isa and District Amateur Radio Club. We pass on sincere condolences to wife Imelda, son Joe Jnr. and surviving family. Vale Joe Sebastiani VK4SWR, Silent Key.

Now for some more sad news. One of the Sunshine Coasts Amateur Radio Club's members has sadly passed away - Gordon Webster VK4CWJ passed away last week and the funeral was held last Thursday August One. Gordon worked for the OTC in Martin Place Sydney and the DCA in Port Moresby during the 60's and 70's. He was a keen operator in many HF competitions around the world. Vale Gordon VK4CWJ

Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. Great things are happening in sports as our fellow Aussies strive for medals in the Olympic Games in Paris. As a nation of successful armchair sports people, we here in VK have a great tradition to uphold and no doubt there have been many traditional meals of sporting fare scoffed in the wee hours of the night. I will be interested to see the increase in meat pie and home delivered meals during this period. It is fitting that we radio amateurs enjoy the spectacle vicariously through our monitors and TVs. What better use is there for modern electronics than participating in a world event where so many nations are represented from the comfort of one’s own home with the support of the modern conveniences of refrigeration and microwave oven? Maybe to top the medal tally in Paris will be the entry in the Guinness Book of Records with a count of bodies focused on sporting immortality that exceeds the records set by tennis and football competitions. This is all to show that we as a race of people and a sub-set of this are superbly positioned to enjoy the indulgences of amateur radio. In a suitable space, all the paraphernalia of our favoured activity can be gathered. The multiple monitors and the comfortable operating chair, the earphones with the comfortable gel cushions and even special lighting and quick access to refreshment during breaks in activity can all be arranged for the champion amateur operator. Of course for the more frugally or Spartan minded ham there are a variety of options for outdoor activities which can include enjoying bushland, beaches mountains and even hill tops to show how fearless and strong we can be in enjoying amateur radio. For the multifaceted amateur who can multitask, they can always have various video features showing on the monitors and by engaging the computer or two, run digital modes whilst keeping an eye on one’s favourite sport and even have a rag chew whilst the scanner brings in the latest news of local drama to the shack. Yes my friends we are so lucky to belong to a cohort of versatile and engaged people who can sustain good levels of activity and a healthy life style whilst mainly remaining seated. It is a lesson to show the world and our fellow Aussies just how good life can be when we join the ranks of amateur radio. On that note, I hope we remember there are activities coming hard upon us that may shake us into more feverish activity. As they say, “Good luck in the contest”. I’m Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and that’s what I think….how about you?