On the same weekend as the Remembrance Day contest, the ILLW is an amateur radio event that tries to advertise and call attention to historic light houses and light ships, many of which have become living museums to preserve the maritime history. Amateurs will activate light houses and light ships in a 48 hour window from 0001 UTC 17th August  to 2400 UTC 18^th August.

This event is not a contest, and while it has strict guidelines for eligible light houses and light ships to activate, it is very light on rules for operators. The primary objective is to have fun and make contacts. Stations should be established adjacent or very close to the light house with the intention that the passing general public may take interest both in the station as well as in the light house, giving opportunities to interest and educate the public.

Cub members Glenn VK3ILH and Darrin VK3VDP have activate Citadel lighthouse AU0110, Port Albert Museum. This morning a lot of contacts within Australia on 40m. We had a visit from Gippsland Press, very interested in the event. So expect a good story in the press. Darrin working hard on the radio.

Next weekend 17th and 18th of August radio amateurs of Australia commemorate those amateurs who died during World War II. The Remembrance Day contest is designed to encourage friendly participation and help improve the operating skills of participants.

The contest runs on all bands (excluding WARC) and is open to all amateurs in the VK, ZL, and P2 call areas. Operating modes are Voice, CW and RTTY in recognition of the modes common in the era. The contest commences at 0300 UTC (1PM Saturday Melbourne time) with an opening address. Contest activity to start at 0315 UTC.

Contest exchanges are unique for this contest, as they comprise of RS(T) + years licensed. The contest also features a triple score bonus for any contacts obtained between 0100 and 0600 local time.

The EMDRC will activate VK3ER from the club rooms in East Burwood on Saturday. The primary operators will be David VK3FDRS and Luke VK3UKW. As always, spectators and participants are welcome. The doors may be closed in the afternoon – if you would like to pay us a visit, give us a call on the club 2M repeater VK3REC.

RD Contest website: http://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/rdcontest/
RD Contest rules quick reference: http://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/rdcontest/documents/RD-Rules-Quick-ReferenceGuide.pdf

The course is held on Saturday and examinations on the Sunday at our clubrooms in Burwood. To see the course details, have a look at the  https://www.emdrc.com.au/foundation-licence-courses/ page. If you would like more information or are interested in attending the Foundation Course, please email learning@emdrc.com.au.

EMDRC has forwarded its response to the ACMA by the due date Friday 9th August. Members might recall the Committee called for comment from members and our response, on behalf of our Club, is based upon that input from our membership.  This project was led by Vice President Luke VK3UKW with significant input by Peter VK3PH and signed off by the Committee.

Feel free to view the document https://tinyurl.com/y45yqlhf

QRM.guru has been developed to assist radio hams in dealing with RF noise.  This is an educational and reference resource.  The information provided on these pages is not unique or regarded as a new discovery. Read the article in The Radio Bulletin – QRM Loop Antenna.

Ralph VK3LL takes us through the station setup of the VK3KQ Contest Station. VK3KQ and VK3LL are always coming up with and experimenting with station add-ons like the True North Electronic Compass Controller and the Raspberry Pi Station Controller. Both these add-ons are the creation of Ralph VK3LL and Damian VK3KQ. Video by VK3PZ.