Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (C)
To   : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Mon Sep 04 2017 09:53 am

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the Cookeville
Repeater Association's W4HPL repeater in Cookeville, Tennessee, on
Tuesday nights at 8:30 p.m.

**

NETS OF NOTE: THE AUSTRALIAN TRAVELLERS NET

JIM/ANCHOR: As part of our occasional series, Nets of Note, we look at
what hams are up to in these specialized on-air gatherings. Graham Kemp,
VK4BB, introduces us to one dedicated group in Australia, with a special
mission.

GRAHAM: With nearly 3 million square miles, Australia is a big country -
and with plenty of remote regions, it doesn't have the sort of distances
you want to cross by yourself, unless your companion happens to be your
HF mobile rig. Then you're in good company - you've got the Australian
Travellers Net.

ROSS: When a traveller calls in, we want to know where he is at the time
of course, and that everything is all right. We also want to know where
he is going to stop overnight, and all of that is logged in the computer.
So that is how it works.

GRAHAM: That was Ross Cunningham, VK5KMH, the Australian controller for
this net, which serves as a lifeline to travelers on land, and even those
on water, 365 days a year. Its relay teams can be found on 14.116 MHz, for
check-ins at 0200 UTC, and on 21.185 MHz for check-ins at 0400 UTC, to be
accessible to hams with Australian Foundation licenses. Most of the time,
the communication is uneventful, but crises DO come up:

ROSS: "Yesterday, I had to get a hold of a fellow that was out in the
Harts Range here, and tell him that his mother had passed away the night
before. Not good news, but these things happen, and sometimes we are the
only communications that some of the amateurs have got."

GRAHAM: As Ross notes, land or sea, it all comes down to personal safety.

ROSS: The other day, a fellow came from Darwin down to Alice Springs, and
went on a holiday in the Tanamai Desert desert. He was out there there for
quite a few days before coming back to Alice Springs. So these fellows
like to get in out-of-the-way places, and it is the Travellers Net that
gives them the mantle of safety. If they break down out there, we get the
RAA or whatever to go out there, and tow them in, or get their cars fixed,
so they can travel on.

GRAHAM: Ross said the Net has a need for more relays, most especially in
Australia's western and northern territories. The Travellers Net also
extends its coverage into the ocean surrounding the continent, taking care
of maritime travellers. Contact Ross if you can help. His email address is
rossco eighteen at optusnet dot com dot au ([email protected])

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

JIM/ANCHOR: If you know of an unusual or interesting net you'd like to
have featured, write us at [email protected]

**

A MOUNTAIN OF SUPPORT

JIM/ANCHOR: Two events taking place in Arizona are in search of radio
support. Here's Kevin Trotman, N5PRE, with the details:

KEVIN's REPORT: On Saturday, the 23rd of September, two races will be
kicking off, one on foot, and the other on bicycle. The Mount Lemmon
Gravel Grinder is a bicycle race, that takes its name from the peak north
of Tucson, where it happens. Racers follow a 40, 50 or 60 mile course. At
the same time, the Peppersauce Stampede will be challenging Arizona
runners along a 3.1-mile, 8-mile or 10-mile course.

Radio operators are needed to help keep track of the runners and cyclists,
as they pass each of the aid stations along their courses. The
communications leader for the two events, Greg Peters, KC5ZGG, is looking
for at least two radio operators at each aid station. Hams should bring
their HT's, and be in place by 7 a.m.

Greg has more information for interested Arizona hams. Write him at
KC5ZGG at cox dot net. ([email protected])

The events are in their second year, and benefit the Arizona Trail
Association.

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

(Greg Peters KC5ZGG)



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