QNews for May 11th 2025

Hi - I'm John VK4JPM, Secretary of the Darling Downs Radio Club. I should lead by congratulating the WIA on the weekend in Bendigo. We had a really good and interesting AGM, and a very impressive after-dinner presentation involving Amateur Radio, an astronaut, and a room full of young people who are on a STEM track - that's Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. What's not to like about an event which brings all those together?

This month, we look at how we can be better at supporting communications for emergency activities, and how supporting civil events can help develop important operational skills. Our guest will be Simon Chantrill VK4TSC, along with helping us understand what the Brisbane WICEN Group is, how they contribute to events in our region, and how you could get involved. The meeting will be in the Toowoomba Library in Victoria Street, with tons of undercover parking (meaning it will be dry). We invite you to come along, have a cuppa and a natter, and take part in the discussion.

Hello, I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I’ve been thinking. Why do we have a news service these days, with all the might of the internet providing access to supposedly all the information that we need? Why does the WIA publish a magazine when social media and web pages can provide so much info? These are challenging questions; some will instantly offer a “why don’t they just drop them?” response. Just as some decry the production of Amateur Radio magazine in a physical format, as they prefer reading on their electronic devices. One of the issues that it seems most volunteer bodies are facing is the loss of membership, both from natural attrition and also non-renewal. In my area, there are calls for people to fill positions in scouting bodies and Meals on Wheels, as well as local progress associations. While it is not unexpected that within the ranks of the radio amateurs struggle to spread the word and keep the number of participants steady,it is also necessary to spread the word of what we do as a somewhat isolated and nerdy group of people. Part of retaining membership is to keep the people informed and engaged in activities. When followers have a continuing interest, it is important to provide the stimulus that maintains a level of identity with the group. Not only do we have our internal clients, but we also seek those external to our engagement in AR. This is where the traditional forms of publication are beneficial. Our members and non-members can get updated on happenings by following either a printed output or more frequently listening to the broadcast news, reading the text or downloading the podcast and video editions provided each week. We know that the WIA get an idea of the newsstand sales of the magazine and our relay operators take callbacks but we have no way, unless people make physical contact, just how many take the output on scanners and shortwave receivers or how many get to sample that lone magazine that gets bought and taken home. Yes, I am enthusiastic about this recreation, and I feel we all have the right, perhaps even the duty, to share news about it in our own way. When we put a radio signal to air, we have no idea how many people are listening. When we leave a copy of the magazine at a location such as a waiting room, we have no idea of how many times it gets picked up and thumbed through. But these are small opportunities that we can support personally. It really doesn’t matter what range of interests people enjoy and share, but it does matter, I think, that we give a little effort in telling and sharing ham radio. This is a group activity and a personal one, and whether we get to a club meeting or we enjoy our hobby from home, showing participation, such as making a call back to the news relay, can demonstrate to a stranger that this might be something good for them too. I’m Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and that's what I think. How about you?