A huge thank you to Richard VK2ARH and the Manly-Warringah Radio Society who have shared their wonderful kit build of the Arduino Digital Modes HF QRP Transceiver (ADX).

REAST organised with Richard a bulk buy of the transceiver kits and the Barb-a-Watt QRP power/SWR meters. The first introduction session with Richard on a Zoom Call from VK2 at the Experimenter’s Night on 19 March 2025.

The ADX was designed by Barb WB2CBA see his GitHub site for files and details of the project : https://github.com/WB2CBA/ADX.

About 30 kits that are being put together and the PCBs even have the REAST logo on them!

Richard went through a powerpoint slide deck about the history of the project, some expectation setting, tips and tricks and much more, thanks Richard.

All the information about the build including the construction manual can be found on Richard’s GitHub Site – https://github.com/VK2ARH/Cowtown-ADX-Project

We will be continuing the build over the next couple of Wednesday Experimenters nights.

As REAST and WICEN Tasmania (Sth) members will know there have been a massive amount of work done by David VK7DMG to bring WICEN Tas (Sth) under the Associations umbrella of REAST Inc.

This work was completed with the public notification in the Tasmanian Government Gazette issue of 5 February 2025, with the cancellation of the WICEN Tasmania (South) Certificate of Incorporation from 9 January 2025.

This prompted an invitation to all past WICEN Members to attend the WICEN Wake Luncheon at the Top Pub at Cygnet on the first day of Autumn 2025.

During the Luncheon there were a range of remembrance and thank you toasts made by the WICEN Tas (Sth) past president – Justin VK7TW that included:

• Cedric Lockley VK7CL (SK)
• Roger Nichols VK7ARN
• Chris Webb VK7CDW
• David Goodrick VK7DMG
• Stu Braunholz VK7NXX
• Brian Welch VK7BW

Emphasis was given that even though the WICEN Tas (Sth) Association has been incorporated into the REAST Inc organisation that it doesn’t mean that the traditionally WICEN supported activities stop. We are still involved in Equine Endurance and portable and mobile communications.

As per the amalgamation agreement signed between REAST and WICEN – the REAST Committee has created a WICEN sub-committee and this group has a budget, equipment and support of the REAST Committee.

We thank everyone who came along to the luncheon and celebrated WICEN history.

73, Justin, VK7TW

Well the weather was perfect, the BBQ fired up and snags, burgers and soft-drink flowed and there was money and equipment changing hands at a pace!

We had 10 sellers with stands and carboots that were doing a swift trade and it was great to see some sellers who had traveled all the way from the North.

There was significant redistribution of amateur radio treasure during the day.

We sold at least 11 x 8.1m Aluminium masts and still have a good number for sale. It seems that everyone who bought a mast was using the amateur adage that is used post storms – “if your antenna is still standing – then it’s not big enough” as they all bought 8.1m and not 5.4m masts…HIHI!

So we will be converting our 5.4m masts into 8.1m mast kits for the remaining masts.

If you are interested in purchasing one or more for the princely sum of $40 each then please make contact the club – reast@reast.asn.au.

A big thank you to all the helpers throughout  the day and special shoutout to Tony VK7VKT who was our executive chef on the BBQ plate.

73, REAST Committee

The presentation night for May featured a fascinating history of a true Tasmanian Telegraphy, Telephony and Wireless Pioneer – Frederick “Pop” Medhurst.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD7Px1IyE1w

The chronological journey of Frederick “Pop” Medhurst was given by Justin VK7TW who wrote the source article for AR Magazine at the start of 2024.

Justin started with an introduction of where Frederick “Pop” Medhurst came from in Chobham, UK and his early life and training. He met Alexander Graham Bell and was offered a job and corresponded with Bell for the rest of his life. He moved to Australia and then Australia and married his wife Edith Edney.

Federation created a unique technology test opportunity and Pop communicated ship-to-shore using spark in 1901.

Justin then showed pictures of the Medhurst Field Telephone that Pop invented and sold throughout the world. The Medhurst company installed the first electric light in Hobart. He was the first Life Member & Patron of the WIA Tas Division and was president over many years. He was also first president of the Hobart Radio Research Club. He organised the first and second WIA Federal Conferences in Tasmania in 1928 and 1935.

He was seen in photos at many events and field days around Tasmania up to quite an old age. The story was peppered with many firsts and Justin finished with the fact that the Medhurst Company still exist in North Hobart.

Frederick VK7AH sitting front centre in the WIA Blazer!

November 1932 VK7 Field Day Crew