News from FGARC
3 August 2010
Open Day at Cataract "Radio Shack"
Fishers Ghost Amateur Radio club would like to extend an invitation to amateurs and visitors to an open day at the "Radio Shack", Cataract Scout Park, Baden Powell Drive, Appin on Sunday 29 August from 10AM to 3PM.
The club are caretakers of the "shack" at the scout park and actively promote it to the Scouting Community and would like to "show it off" to other amateurs who would like to visit and use the facilities on the day. A sausage sizzle will be avaialable.
The station consists of a permanent building with 3 x 22 meter high towers with a 40 mtr 2 element yagi,a 5 element 20 mtr log yagi, a 3 element triband yagi, a 80 mtr delta loop, a 80 mtr dipole, a multiband vertical and a 2mtr discone antenna. The site is approximately 420 meters above sea level and is the strongest Scout station and possibly one of the strongest DX stations in VK.
If you wish to attend and advise of your attendance please use the link to email. vk2zwk@wia.org.au
5 June 2010
Fishers Ghost Amateur Radio Club have been awarded a Presidents Commendation in recognition of the clubs contribution to amateur radio by its participation in the 22nd Australian Scout Jamboree at Cataract Scout Park in January 2010.
Follow the link below to view the WIA new article.
www.wia.org.au/newsevents/news/2010/20100605-1/index.php
All the modifications to the shack have now been completed.
Two new yagis have been installed. A Cushcraft XM240 2 element 40mtr with a pro.sis.tel Big Boy rotator and a 3 element tribander for 10,15 and 20 mtrs.Tuning of all antennas has been completed in readiness for the Jamboree.
Special event callsign VI2AJ2010 will be activated from January 4 to January 14. QSL details are available from QRZ.COM.
Special thanks must be given to the corporations and individuals for their generous support.
Dick Smith Foods ICOM Prosistel Rotators Rojone Pty Ltd BHP BIlliton Bunnings Warehouse CSR
VK2AU VK2IA VK2MCI VK2FLMK VK2KVH VK2NU VK2ZWK VK2FOWL VK2FRW VK2KGH VK2JCN VK2TAR VK2TJ VK2KDP
AJ1010 stands for Australian Scout Jamboree 2010. During the period 4th -10th January 2010 approximately 10,000 scouts and 3000 leaders from Australia and around the world will descend on Cataract Scout Park to take part in a 2 week camp.
Fishers Ghost Amateur Radio Club are caretakers of the amateur radio shack at Cataract Scout Park which has 3 large towers with 20m,15m and 10 yagi antennas along with a 40m vertical,2m discone and various dipole antennas will provide amateur radio communications enabling the scouts to "talk" to the world.
The shack at Cataract is currently being renovated with the purpose of this much needed renovation to help promote amateur radio to the scouting fraternity. The renovation includes dividing the shack into 6 booths enabling scouts to enjoy QSO's with stations without interference from other scouts using different bands within the shack. The generous support of some major companies has made it possible to renovate and upgrade the shack to a modern facility.
During the duration of AJ2010 a special event callsign "VI2AJ2010" will be activated. Fishers Ghost Amateur Radio Club will be providing communications on HF,VHF,UHF,IRLP and Echolink for the AJ2010 Jamboree which promises to be a memorable event for all participants.
AJ2010 update
AJ2010 proved to be an oustanding success for Amateur Radio. The "shack" had over 900 scouts attend the various displays and participate in "on air" activities. The special event callsign VI2AJ2010 was a sought after contact with over 1500 contacts made world wide with many "dogpiles" resulting.
Many Scouts and Leaders who have amateur licences frequently attended the "shack" after hours to use the facilities.
The IC 7000 transcievers generously supplied by Icom worked flawlessly during the 10 long days of the jamboree.
The success of the Amateur Radio activities at AJ2010 could not have been acheived without the generous suppot of our sponsors and the members of Fishers Ghost Amateur Radio Club who gave their time over the nine months to renovate the facilties at Cataract.
Thanks to all.