club

Past Activities

History of what the club / members have done;

2009

2009 AREG Meeting Nights

Weather Balloon Hunts
AREG members have been going out and hunting weather balloon's. It is great fun and makes it good pratice for the up and coming fox hunting in Mount Gambier.

SERG Convention on 6/7 June 2009
AREG members have long made it a tridition to travel to Mount Gambier for the June long weekend convention held by the South East Radio Group.

For details on the convention, please check out the following link.http://serg.mountgambier.org/

Adelaide Hills Buy & Sell 2009.

AREG once again run a sales table at the Adelaide Hills Buy & Sell , we had a lot of good items for sale on the table. Thanks to the AREG members and Non-Members for helping out on the table and making the event a great success.

We still have lots of good AREG stuff for sale, so please check out the "For Sale" section of the web site for more details.

March 2009

AREG are currently investigating the problems with the D-Star gateway PC. The inital results indicate the file system was corupted by a script that was run on the system.

The standard installation of Centos uses LVM (Logical Volume Manager) and it will appear that LVM configuration was corupted . As a result, the entire Gateway PC will need the OS and D-STAR repeater software reloaded.

Other issues with the D-Star system include a problem with the 23cm diplexer preventing the digital data to work correctly. Also it has been reported by the national D-Star coordinator that 70cm and 23cm digital voice modules have new allignment procedures that improve their preformance.

At this stage AREG has not arranged for the modules to be sent back, but please keep and eye on the D-Star web site and the AREG web site for details.

As time premits more details on the D-Star system will be provided on the AREG web site.

For information on D-Star in Australia, please visit the national D-Star web site, http://www.dstar.org.au

Latest Update as of 20:46 26/4/2009 to what is happening, some words from Ben VK5BB

Hi everyone,

For your information, and many thanks to assistance from Adrian VK5ZSN yesterday, I was able to put the D-STAR computer back at the site this afternoon and left it running.

Currently the D-STAR software is shut down on advice from Richard, VK3JFK, as we did not want to accidentally cause any possibility of corrupting the Trust Server in Texas, through something not being quite right with our re-build. Richard will log in remotely and check every thing out, may any adjustments that are necessary and then switch on the D-STAR gateway software routines.

Fingers crossed, it should be OK and if it is crashed again, it will only take about 15 minutes to 'ghost' back to where we were?

Once Richard has it all running, I will nip up to the site and 're-ghost' the drive in the running state, with the system being off line for about 30 minutes during the 'ghosting'.

My thanks go to both Adrian and Peter for their assistance in all this, it has been a steep learning curve, more so for me, but we getting a better understanding of the system and will eventually be almost independent from intensive assistance in the day to day administration of the D-STAR system here.

73, Ben, VK5BB.

2008– 2007

2007– 2006

20061016 - My mistake I think, the Buy and Sell can't be the 19th as that is a Sunday, so it should be the 18th then?? I will confirm it later. Looks like the AREG meeting is on at Graham's. Formal AREG meeting, start at 2:00pm, 28 October at Graham's. Working bee for those who can attend before and after. Graham, could you book the tables for us please. As Adrian suggests, maybe two tables if we can still get them. The location we had last year was a good one if we can get it again.

AREG Members hard at work in 2006

The Amateur Radio Experimenters Group have a number of 70 cm collinear vertical antennas. These have a gain of 5.8dBi

Also our very popular 2 metre antenna. We have sold nearly 200 of the antenna's.

This antenna is 3dBi and will work on 70cm. so it could be called a dual bander. We still recommend the 70cm version for UHF.

2006– 2005
July, AREG members go in force to Mount Gambier for Queen’s Birthday long weekend SERG convention.

20050602 - Hi News Room,

Could you please put this news item on the broadcast this week if it is not too late.

VK5RSB 70cm repeater operated by AREG at Summertown in Adelaide is having to move frequency due to LIPD interference.

The current frequency is TX 438.125MHz -5MHz input offset.

The frequency the repeater is to relocate to is
TX 439.900MHz
RX 434.900MHz

Or the other way of putting it is , the repeater out of 439.900MHz with the standard -5MHz input offset.

IRLP node 6214 operated by VK5ZSN will also be changing frequency in line with VK5RSB 70cm change, however there may be a delay in the node changing by a day or two please be patient.

AREG apologies for any inconvenienced this may cause, however the LIPD interference the repeater was receiving cause great trouble except for very strong signals. Hand held access was difficult at best to unusable at worst.

AREG hope to soon have available on our web site an updated Philips FM92 and Syntrx EPROM images. More details about this when the images are ready for release.

20050708 - At last I have had some time to go over the figures and come up with the totals for the Sales table at Mount Gambier 2005.
Considering the number of people at the convention, AREG did quite well. As always the fund raising would not have happened with out the help of everyone that sat on the table and sold stuff.
So Many thanks should go to Dianne, Harry, and Andrew for helping on the AREG sales table this year. I also should say that I was also helping at the table from time to time.
The AREG table as usually had some very good gear on it, and most people came to look at what we had. If I sold a 2m AREG Antenna to every one that ask about them, I would have sold around 30 Antennae, I am not sure what it is, just every one wanted antennae this year.
It would seem that we still have a market for the 2m AREG Antenna. I would have thought that every would have one by now but then again may be not.
Consignment Stuff, once again, a number of items were obtained on consignment, they produced a bit of interest in the table, as usual, heat shrink was one of the biggest sellers.
a good well done is in order.

20050725 - Adrian VK5ZBR and I have been working very hard on the web site. At present there is no content except a few pages. All the buttons should work from one page to the next. With new AWSTATS web page has replaced the humble web counter.

20060116 - Foundation Course Just a short note to confirm the details of the Course on Sunday 22 January 2006.

2005– 2004

20040801 - Thanks to Graham VK5GH, Adrian VK5ZSN, Chris VK5JJJ for helping in the RSB site fault finding. We at last have found the fault. I didnt do much but just watch Adrian do his work, he still has what it takes!! Sorry Graham for note taking your advice nearly 6 months ago. We would have fixed the fault ages ago. 73's Adrian

20040821 -
The Sixth year already! AREG has now been going for 6 years. It has been a pleasure to be President of a club such as AREG in it’s Sixth year. With the change in my personal cercomstances I will not be able to continue as an AREG commity member this year.

When looking back over the last year it is hard to recall the things that AREG were part of. However I will try to highlight them.

The club and friends participated in the Coopers Rally on the 40’s stage. As this seems to be the stage no one else wants to do. I think AREG members and friends have taken this on board and shown the orgnisers of the rally how radio communications should be done. It is this sort of activity that is not only fun, but demonstrates to outside organisations that Amateur radio has a part to play in the broader community.

Once again many members have put in over the last year in helping with fund raising activities. It would seem that the AREG 2m white stick would have reached saturation by now, however we still seem to keep selling them. The introduction of consinement items was a great boost to the sales tables, not so much in the profit making area, but more so in getting the buyers to the table. It had the affect of attracting the buyer to the table like bees to the honey pot.
The Adelaide Hills and Mount Gambier sales tables did return an income to AREG, it payed off. even with a small turn out at Mount Gambier. This income will assist with finishing off some of the projects that have been on the books for a while.

The following is a list of what AREG was involved in, if I have forgotten anything please forgive me, as I know many people had much to do with these events.
VK5RSB Rebuild, project continues.
Coopers Rally, 40’s stages.
AREG members participated in Mount Gambier Fox hunts & running distance based hunt.
Sales Table at Mount Gambier, North East Club, Adelaide Hills.
Desposal of deceased estate items.
Linking Project Components Items.
AREG support of Scout Jambriee.
Response to ACA Amateur Licence Restructure.

20040829 - The syntrx for SERG group, 7 radios, and set up. Also they are looking at getting some AREG white sticks for 2M, so AREG will have to look at doing a production run of them soon. As SERG would like to have it all in place before this summer.

20041227 - Sorry for the short notice, but with the lead up to Christmas, it has been a bit hectic, I was not sure when the shed would be ready for Demolition.

The shed will be ready for Demolition starting on the 28th of December, with some work may need to be done on the 29th. If you can help with the Demolition on either or both of those days it would be greatly appreciated.

Location of Shed Demolition,
Peter & Dianne House, 1 Alfred Road, West Croydon.

Start time, 9:30am (That way you will get a bit of a sleep in.)

Lunch, this will be provided, including soft drinks, (No Bear's until after the job has been finished.)

Tools, I have a number of Jimmy Bars, and Hammers, however if you have a favorite one of your own, bring it along. Please ensure it is a steel beam hammer, (I have broken wooden and steel tube hammers on this shed trying to pull out nails).
In general I should have enough tools to go around.
If you have steel cap boots, can you please ware them. Also if you have your own hard hat, then bring it as well.

20050201 – 6M Antenna is being replaced, well on order and scheduled to be replaced. Rebuild of 6M repeater under way. Install new Audio board, CTRL and fuse board. Harv working on upgrading the PA and fixing a few other things up.

20050316 - The www.test.areg.org.au web site is in another directory structure to the normal www.areg.org.au web site.

20050507 – Peter’s Shed, http://www.cck.net.au/shed/the_shed.html

2004 - 2003

The Sixth year already! AREG has now been going for 6 years. It has been a pleasure to be President of a club such as AREG in it’s Sixth year. With the change in my personal cercomstances I will not be able to continue as an AREG commity member this year.

When looking back over the last year it is hard to recall the things that AREG were part of. However I will try to highlight them.

2003– 2002

The Fifth year already!!!

AREG has now been going for 5 year, at the beginning of the year it was time to start to make things happen, well at least try to. With a few new members this year, so we have not put anyone off just yet.

The VK5RSA project has been working well, with a small worrie when DAIS wanted us to meet them on site about moving cables, well it was nothing to worrie about. DAIS seemed happy with the install and our presence on the site. They also finally got the books in order and court up with us in the way of back rent, so we are now all paied up.

Once again many members have put in over the last year in helping with fund raising activities. Finially the AREG 70cm white stick is up and going, not to mention selling well. The Adelaide Hills and Mount Gambier sales tables, it payed off. Even with a small turn out at Mount Gambier.

Once again I have a list of what AREG was involved in, if I have forgotten anyone please forgive me, as I know many people had much to do with these events.

VK5ZSN installed IRLP into VK5RSB
New 70cm AREG white sticks.
Circuit Celler Mag, something for the members.
AREG members helped WICEN with various events.
Cavity Filters, Graham Holman and Peter Cockburn
ETSA Working at Heights Course: run again in January 2003.
AREG members assisted Port Lincoln radio club with repeater repairs.
AREG members participated in Mount Gambier Fox hunts.

2002 - 2001

20010902 – VK5RSA Work, from a General meeting
Stage 1 - Documentation
------------------------------------
All required drawings and documentation to be prepared by 7th September
GPS coordinates of antenna location to be provided to VK5ZWI by 7th
September for licensing
Full documentation package to be available by 14th September for submission
to DAIS to finalise agreement
Licensing paperwork to be sent to ACA by 14th September.
VK5PDL to advise VK5ZWI and club whether we need structural approval for
antenna mounting designs ASAP.

Stage 2 - Construction
---------------------------------
Upon approval from DAIS
1.5 weeks - fabrication - cant start at least until after 15th September
when Peter returns
0.5 weeks - installation

Target completion - Mid October. - allows 2 weeks for further DAIS liaison
and should be ready just prior to the Classic Adelaide Car Rally.

Budget - Many rich uncles proposing to donate things

Motion: AREG Budget expenditure set at a maximum of $200 - Moved 5ZWI, 2nd
5ZBR - Carried

Motion: Vote of thanks made to David VK5PDL from AREG for this assistance
in securing the new site - Moved VK5GH 2nd VK5TZX - Accepted with Acliamation

20010930 - Amateur Radio Experimenters Group Inc News
Working at Heights Course - November 9th or 23rd
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

20010930 - On Saturday September 29th, the VK5RSB 6m repeater located at Summertown in
the Adelaide Hills, overlooking the Adelaide metropolitan area was finally
linked to VK5RSB 70cm. This project has been the subject of many months of
work by several members of AREG.

20011010 - VK5RMB Repeater Returns to service

The Murray Bridge 2m repeater located on Mt Beevor was put off air
several weeks ago as a result of a storm. Shane VK5NRV, the owner/operator
of this device, was able to restore it to service yesterday.

VK5RMB operates on 146.875MHz Tx 146.275MHz Rx

The efforts to restore this service were particularly important as it is
one of the supporting repeaters for the Classic Adelaide Car Rally which
is being run starting next Thursday, 18th October for 4 days.

Other work is being undertaken on VK5RMB to upgrade the system,
and this has been progressing recently as well. New RF and Audio
hardware is likely to be implemented later this year.

20020403 – Matt VK5ZMC initial testing of free lists.

20020409 - AREG web page. http://www.cck.net.au/areg, it is still under construction, however it is
getting there.

200205 – Adrain VK5ZBR initial production of 3 Element Beams 2m antenna still under production.

200206 - AREG's possible involvement with the up coming Coopers Rally

20020606 - Event 1 1200 1400 2 Metre Fox Hunt * This Open event organized by Grant
VK5ZWI & Team,will again be run to encourage new and less experienced hunters.
Simple equipment only, (ie antenna, radio and attenuator) may be used and
scoring will be on a "minimum distance" not "minimum time" basis. 3
Transmitters will be running simultaneously on 146.425, 146.450, 146.475 and
the event will finish at 1400 sharp.

20020726 – Adrain VK5ZSN I am seeking support for the establishment of an IRLP node readily accessable in the Adelaide metropolian area. The removal of the UHF linke to the VK5UJ node has, in my opinion, degraded the IRLP service to VK5 Hams.
I am seeking support from AREG in allowing the IRLP node to be established on the VK5RSB repeater. The cost of establishing and operating the node will be born by me. Any help in providing link equipment to the repeater would be appreciated. I would appreaciate a quick response as I need to apply for the node equipment etc ASAP (has to come from Canada). The supporting Radio Club, operating frequency is required on the application for the node.

20021201 – NASA Audio on VK5RSB, was great to listen too!, thanks to Adrain VK5ZBR

AREG run a climbing course, for us and other Amateurs.

2001 - 2000.

20000820- Link box between 70cm and 6m, Adrian VK5ZBR
20010000 repeater off
20010001 repeater on

AREG 2m Antenna, still rolling hot off the production line
Project Plan

2000 - 1999.

AREG has now been going for 1 year, at the beginning of the year it was time to start to make things happen, well at least try to. All twelve members renewed their member ship last year, so we have not put anyone off just yet.

The Amateur Radio Experiments Handbook ( The Book ) has been worked on by Richard, we all must give may thanks to Richard for the work he has put into the book. I believe this project is a worth while one, however long it will takes. Keep generating those articles.

The project that was taking the most time was VK5RSA, the CBD repeater.

Many long hours were put into this system, I would like to thank everybody that work on the repeater. On Saturday the 6th of November 1999, VK5RSA went to air on the 10th floor of number one Angus Street. It was a project well done, and the web page reflects this for all to see.

The VK5RSA project took a lot out of the club members that worked on it, it was a couple of months before things started to happen again.

The year in general was a busy one, with may things being worked on and may events being attended by AREG. The buy and sell were no exception, as AREG did well once again, not to mention the amount of gear that Peter cleaned out of his shed ( Dianne was very pleased J ).

AREG went to a lot of trouble for the Adelaide Hills and Mount Gambier sales tables, it payed off. The ½ Wave two metre antennas, any one that is any one has got an antenna from AREG it seems, the market is just about full. Some new ideas are all ready in the making to continue the great tradition.

Once again I have a list of what AREG was involved in, if I have forgotten anyone please forgive me, as I know many people had much to do with these events.

VK5RSA CBD 70cm Repeater, installed 6th November 1999, check the web site for helpers.
Richard Burden fair well dinner. ( Richard moved back to WA).
Adrian Snell presented a talk on Radiation Harzards to SCARC.
Adeliade Hill Amateur Radio Buy and Sell: Graham Holman, Carol, Matthew Cook, Grant Willis, Andrew Marshall and Peter Cockburn.
AREG presented a talk to the North East Radio Group.
Cavity Filters, Graham Holman and Peter Cockburn
ETSA Working at Heights Course: run again in May 2000.
½ Wave Antenna Sales: Graham, Adrian & Peter
Radio School: Faith, Carol, Dianne, Scott & Simon, for putting up with the lecture, also guest lectures Adrian Snell, Matthew Cook & Grant Willis.
Linking Project: Matthew Cook, Rod Burton, Adrian Waiblinger, Graham Holman, Peter Cockburn & Grant Willis still working on it.
AREG News Letter: Adrian Waiblinger
Finding Sites: Graham Holman, Adrian Waiblinger & Peter Cockburn looking for an experimenters site.
9600 Link for SAPUG: Ben Broadbent & Grant Willis, still in progress.
Web Site: Adrian Waiblinger
Mount Arden: Graham Holman & Peter Cockburn

As you can see it was a long list, many hours have been put in by all the people mention above, some of the minor thankless type jobs may have been left off. Such as Treasurer, Secretary and other members that have done things from time to time.

It has been a pleasure to be President of a club such as AREG in it’s second year, if the following years can be as good it will truly be a great organization to be part of.

1999 - 1998
AREG was Incorporate in July 1998-1999.
Members Included;
Peter Cockburn, Dianne Cockburn, Rod Burton, Mattherw Cook, Graham Holman, Grant Willis & Adrian Waiblinger

Mount Gambier Buy and Sell: Graham Holman
Amateur Radio Experiments Handbook (The Book): Richard Burden
Hichhikers Guide: Grant Willis
ETSA Working at Heights Course: Peter Cockburn
NEC Satelite Receiver Sales: Adrian & Peter
½ Wave Antenna Sales: Graham, Adrian & Peter

19990912 - apply to SANTTAC for VK5RSA Licence, 438.025MHz
19991006 - MOU from police department regarding the access to VK5RSA site.
Soon after install VK5RSA into old police building.
CBD UHF repeater Project: Rod Burton, Adrian, Graham & Steve Adler
Radio School: Faith, Carol, Dianne, Scott & Simon, for putting up with the lecture, also guest lectures Adrain Snell, Matthew Cook & Grant Willis.
Linking Project: Rod Burton, Matthew Cook & Graham Holman.
Federation Community Project Program: Dianne Cockburn, Grant Willis, Peter Cockburn & Graham Holman
SAPUG Relocation: Adrian Snell, Peter Cockburn, Graham Holman & Grant Willis, thanks for the girls putting up with the boys.
12 Members
AREG News Letter: Adrian Waiblinger
Finding Sites: Graham Holman & Peter Cockburn9600 Packet Regen Repeater: Grant Willis, Graham Holman & Peter Cockburn
9600 Link for SAPUG: Grant Willis
Adeliade Hill Amateur Radio Buy and Sell: Graham Holman
Web Site: Adrian Waiblinger
Air Pendulous & Mid North Service Run: Matthew Cook, Graham Holman, Grant Willis, Dianne Cockburn & Peter Cockburn
Mount Arden: Graham Holman & Peter Cockburn

Page updated on

20 June 2010