Tag Archives: REAST

Forum Night – Dialog with the WIA

By popular demand – our August REAST Forum Night will be a dialog with the WIA.

Two directors – Peter VK4EA and Justin VK7TW will be providing a short presentation on what the WIA undertaking at the moment including what is ahead and then opening it up for members questions and answers.

Ever wondered what the peak body representing amateur radio is up to and what they have planned for the future? Here is your chance to ask those nagging questions you have have!

It happens Wednesday August 12th from 7:30pm and will be streamed.

Hope to see you there.

73, REAST Committee.

REAST Presentation – NTP/GPS Clock Build Project

August is shaping up to the our REAST Project Build Month. The project is a feature-packed NTP/GPS Clock, designed by Richard VK2ARH from the Manly Warringah Radio Society and adapted for REAST by Dave VK7CB. The project delivers an accurate shack clock that automatically synchronises using Network Time Protocol (NTP), automatically adjusts for daylight saving, displays both local time and UTC, and can be expanded with GPS, environmental sensors, LiPo battery operation and 13.8-volt DC operation. Additional features include weather information, Wi-Fi status, automatic display dimming, multiple time zones, Maidenhead grid locator, configurable displays and software upgrades, making it an ideal companion for the home shack, portable operating or SOTA activations.

The basic clock can be assembled in around an hour and is suitable for builders with basic soldering skills, while the optional modules allow members to customise the clock to suit their operating style. Whether you’re timing contest exchanges, logging portable contacts or simply wanting an accurate UTC display in the shack, this project packs an impressive range of capabilities into a compact package.

This exclusive REAST Build Project is available only to REAST members. Richard VK2ARH will present the project, explain its design and demonstrate its capabilities at the REAST Presentation Night on Wednesday 5 August 2026 from 7:30 pm. The presentation will also be streamed, making it easy for members around Tasmania and beyond to join in.

73, REAST Committee

Tecnorama and Hobart FM Tour

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John Maizels VK4JPM opened the session with a fascinating introduction to the world of broadcasting, exploring the relationship between community radio and amateur radio and how both services are built on technical skill, experimentation, and public service. The presentation covered the evolution of studio and transmitting equipment, broadcast antenna fundamentals, and the history of recording technology, showing how broadcasting has transformed from analogue systems into highly integrated modern digital platforms. 

https://technorama.org.au/

The session also explored how all these elements are brought together inside a functioning broadcast station and the wide range of skills needed by a broadcast technician. Topics included:

  • the balance between integrity and continuity in broadcasting, 
  • where keeping a station on-air can sometimes require creative problem solving under pressure. 
  • John also explained where Tecnorama fits within the broader broadcasting landscape and 
  • highlighted the many reasons people volunteer in community broadcasting, from technical interest and learning opportunities through to community connection and public engagement.

Following the Tecnorama session, Jim Parish presented on Hobart FM and guided attendees through the brand new Hobart FM radio station, from the studios through to the technical control room where all the behind-the-scenes magic happens. 

Jim Parish Hobart FM
Hobart FM Studio B
Hobart FM - Studio B

A huge thank you goes to John Maizels and Jim Parish for generously sharing both their knowledge and practical experience with the group.

Tecnorama & Hobart FM Tour

If you are interested in becoming involved in supporting Community Radio in Tasmania then please reach out to VK7TW and he can put you in touch with Jim Parish.

73, Justin, VK7TW

Perspectives of Australian Broadcast Radio

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On Wednesday 5th November 2025 we were privileged to hear and see a fantastic presentation on Perspectives of Australia Broadcast Radio.

Perspectives of Radio in Australia - Phil Tyson

Phil Tyson from the Sound Preservation Association of Tasmania (SPAT) came along with a very professional and entertaining journey through broadcast radio history from the wild west start when amateurs were allowed to play music in between the commercial stations through to the Golden Era of radio.

Perspectives of Radio in Australia - Phil Tyson

Phil’s presentation included many great pictures and audio recordings of historic radio programs and events.

Phil even brought along some great equipment from across radio history.

A huge thank you to Phil, ALARA and SPAT for the presentation.

Phil has extended a invite to the SPAT rooms in the old Bellerive Post Office and they are open from 11am-3pm Wednesday – Fridays. https://www.soundpreservation.org.au/

73, Justin, VK7TW

May Forum Night – Antenna Confessions Edition

REAST Forum Night – Antenna Confessions Edition!

Hey antenna wranglers and feedline fanatics – it’s time to get real about what’s swinging in your backyard. This May’s Forum Night is your chance to tell all about your antenna of choice — whether it’s big, small, stealthy, floppy, or held together by hope and cable ties.

What we want:

  • Your favourite antenna (or the one you tolerate)
  • The good (DX glory),
  • The bad (SWR horror stories),
  • And the downright ugly (we’ve seen things…).

Dipoles, verticals, loops, Yagis, fractals, coat hangers — no judgement, just good stories, laughs, and maybe some inspiration or sympathy.

Bring your tales, your pictures, your bent aluminium, and let’s share what’s working (or not) at your QTH. No PowerPoint perfection needed — just you and your antenna antics.

Come for the stories. Stay for the laughter. Leave with new ideas (or at least some validation).

See you there!

73, REAST Committee

REAST Visits Aunty (ABC)

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A huge thank you to Damien VK7SD and Allen VK7KAN for their wonderful interactive tour of the ABC studio and technical areas on Wednesday 12 March 2025.

ABC Tour 20250312

There was a group of 27 REAST Members who came along and toured all the facilities starting with the Radio Studios with the groups splitting into two and hearing all about the high-tech digital studios and the role of the presenters and producers. We where even treated to the Producer of the Night Radio programming letting us know all about his role.

ABC Tour 20250312
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REAST @ the Australian Antarctic Festival

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The Australian Antarctic Festival rolls around every two years and in 2024 REAST was asked if it would like to participate with a focus on radio in Antarctica.

https://www.mawsons-huts.org.au/2024-festival-program/

We jumped at the chance and thanks to Kim Briggs VK7KB and Justin Giles-Clark VK7TW we were able to source a chronology of ex-Antarctic radio equipment for the display.

AAF 2024 - REAST Stand

AAF 2024 – REAST Stand

From the 1911-14 Mawson Expedition we had a spark transmitter / receiver thanks to Richard VK7RO and we had the output going out loud on an amplified speaker that caused people to jump when they heard it – the kids thought it sounded like a fart which got people laughing!

We moved to Collins gear from the 1940-50-60 with some great supplementary pictures from the Australian Antarctic Division.

Eddystone and Collins gear covered the 1960-70 and ICOM gear covered the 1970-1980s.

There was the Ionospheric Prediction Service Beacon on display (VK0MA) and an aviation Non Directional Beacon Antenna Tuning Unit both from Mawson Base.

The 1980-90s were covered by a Barrett 950 HF gear and the 2000s to the present day was covered by ANARESAT Satellite Technology pictures.

Mike Hawkins VK7DMH bought along his weather satellite receiving gear and we had weather satellite pictures coming through over the weekend.

There were five Arduino based Morse code decoder available for kids and parents to learn Morse code on and they were definitely the highlight of the weekend.

Morse Code AAF 2024

Morse Code AAF 2024

Those people who came along to the festival were able to learn and play with the very code  that was being used to link Antarctic bases with the rest of the world in the past.

AAF 2024 - Morse Code

AAF 2024 – Morse Code

On the Sunday we also had a HF QRP station setup and live contacts were made with a range of stations including ALARA contest stations.

AAF 2024 - VK7WN Contact

AAF 2024 – VK7WN Contact

A great weekend of promotion and celebration of Antarctica, radio technology throughout the ages and amateur radio.

A huge thank you to Kim Briggs VK7KB, Herman Westerhof VK7HW, Mike Hawkins VK7DMH, Warren Nicholas VK7WN who helped out making this weekend a success.

73, Justin, VK7TW

P25 Emergency Services Network Build

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September Presentation Night

The first Wednesday night of September it was standing room only in the REAST COVID-Safe clubrooms for a presentation on how to build a statewide P25 based Emergency Services radio network given by Andrew Johns VK7AJ.

Andrew covered all aspects of a P25 Network and its use within a dispatching organisation like Police, Fire and Ambulance. The topics covered included – What is it, its benefits, comparison with its competition – TETRA, services and trunking.

Andrew then went on to architecture, interfaces, voice & data calls, encryption, the future and then took a look at the local environment.

A huge thank you to Andrew Johns and the respective organisations for the presentation.

73, REAST Committee

REAST Virtual Club Gathering – DMR

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VK7HSE on DMR
 
Our second whole of club virtual gathering was a focus on Digital Mobile Radio with Scott VK7HSE.
 
Scott focused on the Radioddity GD77 handheld which is very popular in Southern Tasmania. Scott started with a short recap on DMR terminology then dived into exploring Roger Clarke’s OpenGD77 firmware and the features of this firmware enhancement.
 
This firmware update sits on top of the normal GD77 Firmware and provides many more features and the ability to download the user database for your area which then presents the callers callsign instead of their DMR identity number.
 
Scott took the audience through where to get the firmware update from GITHUB and then how to load the firmware on your GD77. Some of the features of the loading software were also covered.
Scott and Clayton VK7ZCR then took questions from DMR, FM and Chat channels. A huge thank you to Scott and Clayton.
 
Some helpful links mentioned in the video below:

The code plug that Scott VK7HSE refers to in the video can be found here: OPENGD77_VK7_FM_DMR_ZONE80_REV1

The above code plug has been prepared by Scott VK7HSE. This code plug is offered without any warranty or liability from both REAST and Scott. You may use at your own risk. Please be aware you will need to update personal details in the codeplug before uploading to your Radio. These details will be your DMR ID and callsign. Please note this code plug will only work once the GD77 has been upgraded with the above firmware.

The presentation was recorded and can be found on the REAST YouTube Channel at:
 
This presentation took place on the Zoom platform thanks to Hayden VK7HH.
 
 

New Digital Repeater To Increase Digital Coverage

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Yaesu DR-1X Repeater
On Wednesday, REAST repeater officer Damien Styles VK7SD commissioned the new Yaesu DR-1X digital repeater much to the excitement of the gathering of people at the Wednesday evening experimenters group. While the repeater was purchased some time ago, it has only been in the last couple of weeks that frequencies have been allocated by the ACMA for it’s usage.

The Yaesu DR-1X is capable of both analogue and C4FM digital voice and automatically switching between the two modes. Soon an additional module will be acquired to provide DMR, DSTAR and p25 digital voice capabilities.

This repeater is on air right now, with an output frequency 438.675Mhz with a 7Mhz negative offset for the input on 431.675Mhz.

Our repeater officer would be most interested to hear signal reports from you. If you are able to access the repeater, please let Damian know by emailing repeaterofficer@reast.asn.au!