According to the provisions of Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974, all ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards, and passenger ships irrespective of size, engaged on international voyages, shall be equipped with the radio equipment of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). This equipment must undergo an annual comprehensive inspection performed […]
VHF portable operation with range
Portable VHF/2m operations can often be a challenge when range is required: Here is a simple and economical portable set-up providing you do not have to run into the bush. Except from the length of the RG58 cable, all the components were picked up from the local council clean-up! The aerial is a ground independent […]
2023 Winter VHF/UHF Field Day
The Winter VHF/UHF Field day ran over the 24/25 June 2023 weekend. Although this is a 24 hour contest, traditionally we have entered into the 8 hour section the Saturday from midday. Stunning day, great location, good view to the ocean. Gear was setup up efficiently and worked well on 6m, 2m, 70cm and 23 […]
May 2023 – 5th Wed – Battery operated
From a watch running on a micro button cell to your electric car, new or old, rechargeable or disposable batteries. Torches, tools, radios, heaters. Do you have some cool gear (radio or not) that is powered by battery? Have you ever created a battery out of unconventional materials (here are some ideas – and some more – to inspire […]
Colin VK2JCC talks to Hornsby RSL
On Wednesday 10 May 2023, MWRS club member Colin “Professor Portable” Christie VK2JCC gave a presentation on Amateur Radio to the Hornsby RSL subbranch. His audio visual presentation was warmly received by 40 members. Colin outlined what Amateur Radio is all about and completed the morning with a “show and tell” of both military and […]
Setting up for 2023 Convict 100
The 2023 Convict 100 mountain bike marathon is on at St Albans on 6 May, and CREST NSW is providing communications support. MWRS members Des VK2TGJ, Dom VK2JNA, Geoff VK2WA, Richard VK2SKY, and Scott VK2SMF, along with Brendan VK2YMI, Craig VK2BTQ, Dean VK2DAC, and John VK2JV went bush to set up the repeater masts ahead […]
MWRS Members on HMAS Vampire
If you haven’t heard MWRS members Colin VK2JCC, Carmel VK2CAR, and Stuart VK2BMX operating 40m from a park recently, it’s because they have been busy on the historic warship HMAS Vampire, activating the Special Event Station VK2VMP! They are joined on the “Vampire Team” by Mark VK2DI, Steve VK2KHA, Chris VK2VCG, and Alex VK2PRC. Congratulations […]
April 2023 lecture – Colour TV Manufacturing in Australia
In the April lecture, John Mobbs spoke about Television Manufacturing in Australia – yes, it used to be done here! John originally came to Australia when his employer, Marconi Wireless, was acquired by the medical colour TV unit of the company Smith Cline and French, who brought him out here. The rest, as they say, […]
QSL Card Archive
Like most Amateur Radio Clubs, over the years VK2MB has accumulated a sizeable collection of QSL cards from Amateur stations all over the world. Recently, Mal VK2TMF brought a document scanner to the club, and now the cards have been digitised for posterity. Thanks Mal! You can find the MWRS QSL Archives here.
New Society Business Cards
We don’t know why we didn’t think of this before… have you ever met someone, and talked about hobbies and interests, then wished afterwards you had taken the chance to promote the hobby of Amateur Radio – and your club – but you didn’t have an easy way to do it? As regulars to this […]
MWRS in Column 8 (4-Apr-2023)
“Sad to see the passing of Doug Mulray last week,” says Richard Murnane of Hornsby. “The catchcry of Jack Africa, one of Doug’s ‘regulars’, inspired the name of The Manly-Warringah Radio Society newsletter: Up the Stick! Incidentally, the society is celebrating 100 years since the founding of the original Manly & District Radio Club in February […]
March 2023 Lecture – History of Luna Park
Lecture by Zara VK2ZYP, on the History of Luna Park, the place Sydneysiders have gone “Just for Fun™” since 1935.
Lectures Online – Something Old, Something New…
Two lectures have been uploaded to VK2MB-TV today. One lecture sat unnoticed on an SD card since it was recorded in February 2022. Sorry about the delay, but better late than never! David VK2CZ did a presentation on Antenna modelling software for Radio Amateurs. The “New” one is last month’s lecture by Zara VK2ZYP, on […]
Vale Doug Mulray
Veteran Radio and TV personality, and local boy from Dee Why here on the Northern Beaches, has unfortunately passed away this week, at the age of just 71. Doug had an illustrious career, including being inducted into the Commercial Radio Hall of Fame in 2019. as detailed in the ABC news link at the end. […]
Mar 2023 – 5th Wed – Old Kits (DSE, TANDY, EA)
Here at MWRS, the Fifth Wednesday (of any month that has one) is devoted to themed Show and Tell, with prizes for the Best Display and Best Story. The theme of this 5th Wednesday was classic 70s through 90s kits and memorabilia from Dick Smith Electronics, Tandy, Jaycar, Altronics, and Heathkit. Dick Smith Electronics and Tandy (Radio […]