REAST will be holding a Foundation Training and Assessment Day. Foundation Licence training commences at 9AM and Assessments commence around 1PM. If you would like to participate in this session then please contact Reg Emmett VK7KK – REAST Learning Organiser on email: reast.assessor@gmail.com or mobile: 0417 391 607 at least a fortnight prior to the session. Foundation License Handbooks are stocked at the Queen’s Domain Clubrooms which is open on Wednesday from 12Noon-2pm and 6-10PM. There are credit card facilities available and the price is $35 or they can be ordered through the WIA, see the Foundation Manual Page. Courses available There are a range of options available to study for amateur radio examinations: A Self Study Manual is available for the Foundation Licence REAST Foundation Licence Training Videos – 10 REAST YouTube videos WIA Foundation Licence practice examinations Other self study options – self study – there are many courses of study available through books, the Internet and CD-ROM; or, By completing correspondence courses; or, Study in a radio class. Please contact us for more information Happy Studying

By popular demand - our August REAST Forum Night will be a dialog with the WIA. Two directors - Peter VK4EA and Justin VK7TW will be providing a short presentation on what the WIA undertaking at the moment including what is ahead and then opening it up for members questions and answers. Ever wondered what the peak body representing amateur radio is up to and what they have planned for the future? Here is your chance to ask those nagging questions you have have! It happens Wednesday August 12th from 7:30pm and will be streamed. Hope to see you there. 73, REAST Committee.

August is shaping up to the our REAST Project Build Month. The project is a feature-packed NTP/GPS Clock, designed by Richard VK2ARH from the Manly Warringah Radio Society and adapted for REAST by Dave VK7CB. The project delivers an accurate shack clock that automatically synchronises using Network Time Protocol (NTP), automatically adjusts for daylight saving, displays both local time and UTC, and can be expanded with GPS, environmental sensors, LiPo battery operation and 13.8-volt DC operation. Additional features include weather information, Wi-Fi status, automatic display dimming, multiple time zones, Maidenhead grid locator, configurable displays and software upgrades, making it an ideal companion for the home shack, portable operating or SOTA activations. The basic clock can be assembled in around an hour and is suitable for builders with basic soldering skills, while the optional modules allow members to customise the clock to suit their operating style. Whether you're timing contest exchanges, logging portable contacts or simply wanting an accurate UTC display in the shack, this project packs an impressive range of capabilities into a compact package. This exclusive REAST Build Project is available only to REAST members. Richard VK2ARH will present the project, explain its design and demonstrate its capabilities at the REAST Presentation Night on Wednesday 5 August 2026 from 7:30 pm. The presentation will also be streamed, making it easy for members around Tasmania and beyond to join in. 73, REAST Committee

REAST will be holding a Standard, Advanced Licence & Regulations Assessment Day. Assessments commence at 10AM. If you would like to participate in this session then please contact Reg Emmett VK7KK – REAST Learning Organiser on email: reast.assessor@gmail.com or mobile: 0417 391 607 at least a week prior to the session. Courses available There are a range of options available to study for amateur radio examinations. We recommend the Silvertrain for Advanced and Standard Training material and courses. More information can be found at: https://www.silvertrain.com.au/ An alternative is the Radio and Electronics School courses for Standard and Advanced training material. More information can be found at: www.res.net.au Happy Studying

Amateur Radio is often described as a hobby of hobbies. Whether your interests lie in operating, contesting, antennas, satellites, electronics, software, emergency communications, astronomy, 3D printing, maker projects, photography, computing, restoration, or something completely different, there is usually a connection back to amateur radio. For this month's Forum Night we're trying something a little different with an informal "Open Mic" evening. Members are invited to take the floor for up to 5-10 minutes and share something that interests them. It could be a project currently on the bench, a recent success (or failure!), an interesting piece of equipment, a technical topic, a contest experience, a citizen science project, or even another hobby that complements your amateur radio activities. This is not a formal presentation night so, no powerpoint and it's a little different from our usual WEGs forum nights. The aim is to give everyone an opportunity to share their interests with the wider group and perhaps discover some unexpected connections between members. What do you enjoy when you're not on the air? You may be surprised at the skills, experiences and stories hidden within our membership. Bring along your ideas, projects, photos, gadgets, or simply come along and enjoy an evening of sharing, learning and good conversation. Who knows, you might even inspire someone else's next project. When: Wednesday 8th July from 7:30pm Where: Queens Domain Clubrooms and Streamed

Amateur Radio in Men’s Sheds: Community Outreach Through Science, Technology and Connection Amateur radio offers Men’s Sheds a powerful new way to connect with members who may not be drawn to traditional woodworking, metalworking or workshop activities. For many people, the attraction is technology, science, communications, electronics, weather, computers, space, emergency communications and lifelong learning. An amateur radio program gives these members a place to belong, contribute and keep learning, while still delivering the core Men’s Shed goals of social connection, purpose, wellbeing and practical community benefit. Modern amateur radio is far more than the old stereotype of Morse keys and glowing valves, although those still have their place. Today it includes digital communications, satellites, software defined radio, mesh networking, radio astronomy, weather satellite reception, citizen science, electronics projects and emergency communications. A Men’s Shed radio program can introduce members to all of these areas, from making a first radio contact across Australia to tracking satellites, receiving weather images, building simple antennas and contributing real data to propagation and space weather projects. The community benefits are significant. Amateur radio can help reduce social isolation, encourage participation, support mental health, build confidence and provide opportunities for skills transfer between generations. It also helps strengthen community resilience by developing local communications knowledge and emergency preparedness. With partnerships involving amateur radio clubs, schools, Scouts, libraries, universities, STEM groups and emergency service organisations, a Men’s Shed radio program can become a genuine community outreach hub. Bob VK7BS will be giving us a presentation on how amateur radio has extended the community outreach from his local Men’s Shed and the key elements that need to be in place to nurture and grow it. When – Wednesday 1st July 2026 from 7:30pm Where – Queens Domain Clubrooms and Streamed.

REAST will be holding a Foundation Training and Assessment Day. Foundation Licence training commences at 9AM and Assessments commence around 1PM. If you would like to participate in this session then please contact Reg Emmett VK7KK – REAST Learning Organiser on email: reast.assessor@gmail.com or mobile: 0417 391 607 at least a fortnight prior to the session. Foundation License Handbooks are stocked at the Queen’s Domain Clubrooms which is open on Wednesday from 12Noon-2pm and 6-10PM. There are credit card facilities available and the price is $35 or they can be ordered through the WIA, see the Foundation Manual Page. Courses available There are a range of options available to study for amateur radio examinations: A Self Study Manual is available for the Foundation Licence REAST Foundation Licence Training Videos – 10 REAST YouTube videos WIA Foundation Licence practice examinations Other self study options – self study – there are many courses of study available through books, the Internet and CD-ROM; or, By completing correspondence courses; or, Study in a radio class. Please contact us for more information Happy Studying

The June REAST Forum Night is diving into the world of DMR codeplugs, radio programming and hotspots on Wednesday the 10th of June from 7:30pm in the Queen’s Domain Clubrooms and streamed online. If you’ve ever stared at CPS software wondering why your radio suddenly talks to Kazakhstan but not the local repeater, this night is for you. We’ll take you through the fundamentals of DMR programming, explain what codeplugs actually are, how zones, talkgroups and channels fit together, and how to configure both radios and hotspots for practical everyday operation. Whether you are completely new to DMR or looking to clean up and better understand your existing setup, this session will include practical demonstrations, programming tips, common mistakes and plenty of opportunities for questions and discussion. Bring along your radio, hotspot, laptop or just your curiosity. Everyone is welcome.

Lets move further up the Electromagnetic Spectrum to light! Our June presentation night promises to take members far beyond the radio horizon and deep into the night sky, as Lisa VK7SGZ shares her fascinating journey into the world of astrophotography. Lisa will explore how a curiosity about the universe evolved into a passion for capturing breathtaking images of nebulae, galaxies, star clusters and other astronomical wonders. Lisa's presentation will cover the equipment used in modern astrophotography, from telescopes and tracking mounts through to cameras, filters and software, along with the techniques needed to turn faint light from deep space into extraordinary images. Astrophotography is far more than simply pointing a camera at the sky. Many of Lisa’s images are built from hours—or even multiple nights—of carefully collected exposures that are later processed and combined into stunning final photographs. Lisa will take us through the patience, experimentation and technical problem-solving involved in producing these remarkable images, while also showcasing a gallery of spectacular results captured from Tasmania’s dark southern skies. Whether you are interested in astronomy, imaging, radio, electronics, computing or simply appreciating the beauty of the universe, this promises to be a visually stunning and inspiring evening. Wednesday June 3rd at 7:30pm in the Queens Domain Clubrooms and Streamed. CU There

REAST will be holding a Standard, Advanced Licence & Regulations Assessment Day. Assessments commence at 10AM. If you would like to participate in this session then please contact Reg Emmett VK7KK – REAST Learning Organiser on email: reast.assessor@gmail.com or mobile: 0417 391 607 at least a week prior to the session. Courses available There are a range of options available to study for amateur radio examinations. We recommend the Silvertrain for Advanced and Standard Training material and courses. More information can be found at: https://www.silvertrain.com.au/ An alternative is the Radio and Electronics School courses for Standard and Advanced training material. More information can be found at: www.res.net.au Happy Studying

Wednesday May 13th from 7:30pm, it’s REAST Forum Night, and this time we’re diving into the new band plans. With recent changes affecting where and how we operate, this is your chance to get across what’s shifted, what’s new, and what it all actually means on the air. Whether you’re into digital modes, voice, or CW, understanding the band plan is key to staying effective, compliant, and not accidentally annoying half the band. Join us in person at the Queen’s Domain clubrooms or catch the session streamed live as we walk through the major updates, highlight where different modes now sit, and help you make sense of the changes. If you’ve been wondering where to operate or just want to avoid becoming “that station”, this is one night worth showing up for.

What is Tecnorama I hear you ask?   https://technorama.org.au/ The vision for Technorama is that it becomes the focal point which brings technologists together, and supports their efforts. The objects for Technorama: To further the education and development of technologists within community broadcasting, and to provide opportunities for interaction To conduct conferences, seminars and events in support of these aims and  To engage in any other activities, real or virtual, in support of these aims What does this have to do with amateur radio? I’m glad you asked! The skill set of technologists in the Community Radio Sector is a mix of IT and RF engineering. Guess what it matches the skill set of amateur radio operators really well. We are gathering for the night at the Howrah Community Centre for a short presentation on Tecnorama by John Maizels VK4APM via zoom then we will be taken on a guided tour through the brand spanking new Hobart FM radio community radio station by Community Radio Engineering Guru - Jim Parish. Howrah Community Centre Google Maps This should be a fascinating night show casing Community Radio technology and support. Wednesday the 6th May at the Howrah Community Centre at 11 Howrah Rd, Howrah and park in the Southern Carpark - closest the river from 7pm. There is nothing at the Queens Domain clubrooms that night. See you there for a fascinating night. 73, REAST Committee