cq_qrs_newsletter

2026 05 CQ QRS RagChew

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Contents

CQ QRS RagChew

Thanks this week to Jordan VK3ACU – PIMLR perhaps?

From the Dipped Quill of Mark VK2KI Hooray… the geomagnetic storm was a fading memory… and normality returned to the CQQRS Practice QSO Net on Tuesday night – this week we had at least 40 team members on air and they reported 56 stations heard or worked.

Apparently it’s not only all good things that come to an end! But… the week wasn’t without it’s fair share of challenges… due mainly to my own stupidity!

So each week after I’ve received the DXperiment sked frequency and time information from Mike DL3YZ, I send out the reminder email to readers. I send the email to myself, and put the members as Bcc addressees… and Bob’s your uncle.

Well this week, I sent the reminder… but neglected to insert the Bec addresses… 80 it just went to me. And of course, I couldn’t tell that I was the only addressee..the Bcc addresses are hidden of course!

So as Wayne VK6NW said by email – apparently I’m special! Brain the size of a planet sometimes. So my apologies, especially to the DXperiment team – no-one else knew what frequencies Ross MONNK and Edi DO2EMR would be on… makes it a bit challenging!

Luckily, Patrick VK2IOW recognised my lack of effort and flashed me a WhatsApp note. Elizabeth and I were in Canberra having dinner… so convincing my iPhone to re-send the reminder email to the missing 240+ Bccs was a bit of a challenge…

It just sat there with a funny look on its face as the minutes ticked by while the Bcc addresses loaded. I was pleased to see that on the third attempt, I had a Bcc line full of addresses, and (hopefully) off it went to everyone – phew!

But my stupidity didn’t end there. As we were leaving Canberra, I saw an email from Ross MONNK – sure enough, I’d reset the reporting web-form’s date and deleted the old data… then completely failed to switch the form back on – bugger!

I couldn’t do it from my phone, but luckily the editorial team came to my rescue – Nigel G4RWI switched it back on – phew! Funny, I have an alarm set in my phone five minutes before the net to remind me to check that I’ve turned the form on.

Well on Tuesday I had turned the alarm off – because I didn’t want to disturb our nice dinner. Wonder what else I did wrong this week? Nice to have our editorial team helping out though!

The Australian copyright law prohibits publication of any material without the creator’s permission. Most material published on the Internet is subject to the copyright law unless it’s specifically designated ‘Creative Commons’ or similar.

I have heard that tools are being deployed to detect and penalise internet publication of material for which permission has not been granted.

We can quote small portions of others’ written work providing we site the original material and author – but published images are out. This means that we need to use our own images, not copy them from the internet without permission.

‘So how do we keep our RagChew newsletter interesting? The only practicable solution is to find more images supplied by their originators – ie you, or use an Al to generate something original.

And please help us out by regularly sending me your images for the team to use in future editions – doesn’t matter whether or not you think they’re interesting – others will enjoy how they lift what would otherwise be a boring text-only newsletter.

New Team Members

Welcome this week to Mark VK4AW from Sunnybank Hills and Geoff VK3VR (also VK1VR) from Box Hill South; our subscribers have now topped 240 readers – who would believe that? There’s more from Mark below in the QRZ section.

Website

If you’d like to find out a bit about our net, or would like to pass information to others about our Tuesday get-togethers, here’s the link to our website. bit.ly/CQQRSWebsite So here we go – on behalf of the CQQRS Editorial team, please enjoy the newsletter.

Dit-dit Mark Bosma VK2KI/ VK6QI Patrick John Beautiful South Bowning VK2IOW VK2RU. NSW Milthorpe NSW ona track somewhere eggtsnet@amail.com ‘on imei rationa cogtationis Nigel Richard Lance, G4RWI VK6HRX VK7TO ‘our other grey nomad Padbury WA Margate TAS

Nith thanks to Nigel G4RWI’s clever software, and John VK2RU’s clever spreadsheet vork, here’s the 55 stations heard by 40 members of our team on Tuesday:

The spreadsheets above show the known stations heard or worked on last Tuesday’s CQQRS Net; the comments in the team members’ reports (submitted via our webform bit.ly/CQQRSNET ) follow.

The comments were compiled for us by the clever software built by Nigel G4RWI and the layout was perfected by Patrick VK2IOW. Thanks again to Nigel, Patrick and John for the work, and to every team member who submitted a report –

[40m] My ‘shack’ is in the eaves of the house, heat rises; consequently listening time is limited to the heat I can bear ® even with all windows and roof vents open!

[20m] I apologise – I’m hopeless at Signal Reports. I’m so busy trying to decode your transmission that I just make up the first numbers that come into my head. I exaggerate for effect but my point is that my RSNs and RSTs might not be terribly accurate.

A i te A I Ae I A A SUE MESES terribly accurate. Take this week, for instance. Manny VK3DRQ was weak and barely readable and yet I gave him an RSN of 533.

My award for “Strongest Signal of the Week” goes to Allan VK2GR – he gave me an improbable RST of 599 so I gave him 599 back (he was booming in though) 🙂 Near the end of my session, I heard someone calling me but couldn’t make out their callsign.

I was later told that it was Paul VKSPH, owner of the Ironstone Range SDR. Sorry we missed the contact, Paul. So, four contacts in the one-hour slot (three of them DX) was a fine morning’s work.

[40m] While I’ve done a bit of POTA CW now, tonight was my first rag chew CW QSO! Thanks so much Sava VK4PN. I will definitely be back for more.

[40m] Plenty of signals tonight. Only had a brief time on radio due to my son visiting.

[40m] Some QSB earlier in the evening for me, particularly with VK7. The weather was a topic of conversation. Colin VK2DVA was using his home brew 5W rig, which I have worked a few times in January as part of St a ee ee 0

MND ATI TA BI PI a AI IS ff NS I AIM A NTI EIS DN ITI AI IY AD NI tN club. We exchanged SKCC numbers. I am still working on my rag chew copy beyond the standard exchange and appreciate everyone’s patience. Certainly enjoying the Tuesday evening activity.

Forgot to send log in last week, but wasn’t much in there, 2 contacts from memory.

[40m] Some good strong stations on 40m around 8pm EDST. Also quite a few detectable in the noise floor. Much better conditions from last week.

Unfortunately in the radio room the temp had slowly got away in the arvo so I retreated to the cooler lounge and hydrated instead.

[40m] Not as much activity as I expected tonight all the same made a few contacts. Called for about 30 mins on 80m not a single contact. I was 5w QRP on 40.

Rrom Roy VAGRR at Geraicton [15 & 20m] Heard a signal on 15m on the 21048 – 50 slot but could not make out the caller. Nothing heard on the 20m slot

[15 & 20m] Heard a signal on 15m on the 21048 – 50 slot but could not make out the caller. Nothing heard on the 20m slot

[40m] Called VK6KHZ, no reply, called VAGNW – Wayne replied then went off air as did all signals! Just the sweeper and noise very strange condx. Gave it up went and looked at my antenna to see if it was still there!!!

[40m] Maybe my QRP 2-3w or vertical antenna is not performing or antenna is not high enough. But that is a challenge with QRP. Rig is Elecraft KX1, 2-3watts and vertical Buddipole antenna.

[80m] I came on early to catch the DXperiment, but had no luck, I did find VK4PN, Sava, and we had a brief QSO. He was calling CQ to check his signal on the RBN. We are moving house at present and could afford no more time to QRS this week. Next week!!

[40m] I turned on the radio a little after 6pm, and the good news was that the noise was low, the bad news was that there were no signals! I called in vain, but then heard VK2WP calling a little up the band and we had a QSO with weak signals but good copy.

When I returned after a dinner break the band had improved. Jordan’s 5W gave a good signal wit easy copy here.

[40m] After a couple of days blistering heat, a cool gully breeze made the shack habitable. QRP again with the QCX mini. Peter, VA3YE came through remarkably well with a 1w homebrew TX he had made that day. Good tone, no chirp.

Mark, VK3MJ was very strong even after reducing to 5w – the benefits of a dipole on 80.

[40m] I am terribly SORRY. At about 19:55 AEST and when I was almost ready to start on our QRS CW Net, we had a power failure and with 42 degrees C it wasn’t fun to be without AC. This lasted until 3 o’clock in the morning.

[80m] I do like the picture of the Semaphore. It brought back nice memories. Nice way to send Morse Code.

[40m] The Band when I tried to use it was dead. Looked at 40 for nearly four hours before calling it quits for the night.

From your editor Mark VK2KI at Beautiful South

[15m] Edi DO2ZEMR advised via Mike DL3YZ‘s status reporting system that he wasn’t able to get on 15m this week. Better luck next time Edi.

A ea ee a ne re ea the lack of an email reminder and lack of a reporting form, I decided to not push my luck by listening to the KiwiSDRs on my phone while at a restaurant with Ms Elizabeth.

Probably wise on all counts However, she was driving home so I could have some fun listening to the VK1HF Snowline KiwiSDR and the VK6SEG Northam KiwiSDR – despite my phone dropping the Bluetooth connection to my earbuds whenever the car’s GPS announced a turn (in French as we do).

I could hear Ross MONNK coming through ok chatting to Patrick VK2IOW at Millthorpe. Between changing SDRs, posting alerts on WhatsApp and my Bluetooth dramas, I heard the callsign of Paul VKSPH (the godfather of the famous Ironstone Range KiwiSDR network).

I couldn’t hear Ross reply to him – a check of Mike’s status reporting system showed that Ross had posted an – taking a break – that’d be right!

[40m] When Ross indicated on Mike’s status system that he was QRT, I swapped to 40m for the rest of the drive home. I was really pleased after last week’s quiet net that there were a few QSOs in train this time.

[80m] Once at home I dropped straight down to 80m; Jordan VK3ACU had said things were a bit quiet there (I don’t particularly like crowds, so quiet seemed like a good fit). No sign of Jordan, but my CQ was responded-to by Wayne VK6NW from 38 degree Bridgetown.

Well, what a fun marathon… we nattered about antennas for a whole hour. Actually, at my speed, 60 minutes isn’t all that many overs!

Luckily the propagation gods were smiling – Wayne was RSN 433 to start, but his signal increased over the hour to RSN 453 – Q4 because of the QSB, but great to see my S-meter so busy across Australia on 80.

When we signed, I could hear Sava VK4PN down on 3550KHZ and posted an alert on WhatsApp – however, I was pooped and tracked off to the hay. Also from your editor Mark VK6QI at Beautiful South Bowning via the VK6SEG.

Wayne VKGNW went on, but luckily it wasn’t too bad. Again this week, it was nicely packed into from (about) 3510 to around 3550.

As mentioned last week, I zoomed out on the VK6SEG KiwiSDR waterfall to see if it was drifting up or down, getting wider or narrower. Nothing this time – it just sat there like a blob!

I did notice that there was a second blob of noise from around 3570 to around 3610KHZ – so I wonder why the digital segment of the band was quiet? Perhaps auroras don’t like digital either – HI?! More experimentation required!

[40m] Another 40C+ day here so time was short on the radio as the choice between radio and 12v fans was a no brainer. Some good signals from all around the country. A bit of QSB across the ditch to NZ but still completed the QSO with Peter.

[80m] Well, the Beechworth listening post had several signals to listen to, hooray! Earth is back on the right tilt and ionospheric layers are back in place. Most signals were S7 – 9 into Snowline SDR. Thanks for keying there 73, John

From Sava VK4PN at Mount Ommaney Brisbane

[20m] Managed to get on 20m around 4:30 pm and checked usual spots 14042 and 14048 KHz but nothing heard. Called numerous CQs on 14045 kHz while frequently checking the two usual EU ORS frequencies but managed only two QSOs both with locals (VK3KEV and VK6NW).

Reverse beacon network showed only one report from JA with a very poor SN ratio. I was convinced that conditions were r

PSEA DIN AAI SAID AAA IE RAE NII NAIA I a] AA IN ANI AIS VAIS NA NNSA poor SN ratio. I was convinced that conditions were poor and moved to FT8 to check and to my surprise the FT8 segment was full of EU stations some very strong.

Managed with ease 4 EU contacts and one to Chile within 10 minutes so conditions must be OK. Returned to our EU DX window and checked the two usual frequencies, nothing heard so called CQ again on 14045 KHz.

The reverse beacon lit up this time with multiple paths to EU. Couple of EU DXers came back to my calls but no trace of our EU QRS boys.

[40m] Got on 40m around 9 pm local and the band was deserted. Regardless I stuck to my QRP and called a number of CQs but no takers.

After a while I could just hear VKSAO in a QSO a couple of kHz lower (my ORP rig selectivity is poor) and I waited for him to finish before making a call. To my surprise he came straight back, and we had a nice chat.

Mait was not as strong as usual so I was quite happy with the report he gave me which must have been fair as he copied everything. Interesting although he was not his usual big signal there was no fading at all.

[80] Empty-handed this time despite good propagation. I could see my carrier at Ironside (SA) and in WA. VK2KI and VK6NW were in a lengthy QSO at 3555 so I camped at 3550 kHz and kept calling CQ while watching the carriers at 3555 KHz.

No one < to my calls but RBN reported my signal was detected in ZL, Fiji and /K states so propagation was fine. VK2KI and VK6NW kept chirping until I finished abruptly, I was hoping one of them would have called me but it y were not checking any Kiwi SDR and were unaware I was around.

Came back to my calls but RBN reported my signal was detected in ZL, Fiji and southern VK states so propagation was fine.

VK2KI and VK6NW kept chirping until 11 pm and finished abruptly, I was hoping one of them would have called me but it seems they were not checking any Kiwi SDR and were unaware I was around. Hope for better luck next week.

Reporting

After next Tuesday’s Group, please remember to send me a list of who you worked and / or who you heard using our web form here:

Even if you didn’t hear anyone, we’d still like to know that you had a go. And to make your report more interesting, please consider sending a photo to be attached.

If you have a photo (compressed if possible) that you’d be happy to include, please email it to: cqgrsnet@gmail.com So, please help attract new and old team members to have a go by submitting your report each week.

Submissions close 1300 (Eastern Australian Summer time) on Thursdays.

Post Morsum 28th January 2026

From Richard VK6HRC. Six on the VK6RLM repeater/ Echolink hub this morning. ( AllStar link down ) VK6NW Wayne VK6KD_ David VK6QI. Mark VK6HRC– and swl’s VK6MRB Mulligan, G4RWI Nigel.

Wayne had three contacts in the log 20M/40M and an hour long QSO with Mark chatting about antennas on 80m David managed to to get on late in the session but by that time the QRQ crew were active so he tried 80m but no response there.

Mark was in Canberra so made use of the Kiwi nodes until he got home,heard ten on 40m had great session with Wayne on 80 and did a grand job spotting on WhatsApp I started the session listening out for Ross on a local Kiwi sdr and heard him calling, up to s 5 at times.

Thank you for the spot on WhatsApp Mark. I had a contact with Ron VK6KHZ on 40m, heard Wayne VK6NW and Max VK6FN but signals not strong so went into SWL mode. Enjoyed listening in on Mark and Wayne on 80m.

So once again thank you to all on last night and this morning. Stay cafe

This Week’s Topic of Interest

When I was just getting started with Morse, I was fortunate enough to have the advice of an ex-Royal Navy Signaller. One nugget he presented me with, was to do with how big (or, more accurately, how small) the contact gap on my Morse key should be.

His view (and probably that of the Navy) was that it should be the thickness of an ordinary sheet of paper. Paper comes in all thicknesses but we’re talking here about standard cheap 80 gsm printer paper, which is typically 0.1 mm thick (equivalent to 100 microns, or 0.0039 inches if you’re old- fashioned enough to still be working in Imperial units).

Incidentally, he also told me that a good way to clean my contacts and give them a nice polish, is to pull a strip of that same printer paper through the gap whilst applying very light pressure on the key.

I have many faults but ignoring advice from experts is not one of them, so I began by setting my gaps with printer paper. However, we each develop our own style and methods, and so, later on, I came to reduce my gaps still further.

Now I have my straight keys set to the smallest gap that gives reliable keying.

“The smallest gap that gives reliable keying’ does vary across my three strai keys though: e the Marconi Maritime 365 has the smallest gap; e the Ediswan W392E (shown in the photo above) has the largest; e and the WT 8 Amp comes somewhere in between.

My 9A5N paddle goes one better by being touch-sensitive – no gaps whatsoever!

We Morse operators exist in partial isolation from our fellows so I was wondering what the range of opinion on “Optimum Contact Gap Spacing’ is.

Do you have it set wide so that it makes a nice clattery sound on key-down and key-up (the authentic Hollywood Telegraph Office vibe)? Or are you as tight as the proverbial camel’s **** in a sandstorm? Can I even say that in Ragchew?

We will see what the editor has to say HI HI.

If you have an article or two that you think might be of interest to our readers, please let me know so we can share more thoughts and ideas; what’s going on on your workbench for example? For guidance on writing for RagChew, see Articles below.

Please email material to Mark VK2KI: cqgrsnet@gmail.com

QRZ?

CIV, CAT bo TUUINIE TL PV CAT A LEI VIC ng [Thanks Mark and welcome. Our group consists of both newcomers (or re-starters) and long-term operators who enjoy helping others along the journey, or just enjoy the opportunity for the relaxed slow-speed rag-chews you’ll often hear on the net.

I was a bit like you – I passed the AOCP 10WPM test after a number of tries – and declared that I’d never use the Code again; not only did I find the learning (from an LP record in the early 70s) tough work, but the higher-than-thou attitude of many amateur CW operators at the time put me off – there was too much fun to be had among more welcoming people.

Nearly 50 years later I reversed my vow, started the net…. and now most of my gear doesn’t have a microphone plugged in!

These days you don’t even need equipment to listen in on the net; the fantastic KiwiSDRs around Australia will get you going once you’re used to them.

Three excellent receivers run by members of our team are: * http://snowlinesdr.vk1hf.com:8073/?user=20CQQRS %20NET © http://sdrironstonerange.com:8073/?user=20CQQRS %20NET * http://sdrhamradio.org.au:8073/?user=20CQQRS %20NET Hoy if you want a hand getting the KiwiSDrs going or with getting on air; you’ll also find lots of people among the team who’d like to help.

Oh and by the way – if you listen in, please send us a report using our handy-dandy web-form – even if you didn’t hear anything or couldn’t make out the code, the fact that you had a go is useful. Here’s the link to our webform: Link to our Reporting Form |

QRZ? Who’s on the other end?

CW Practice

This year I’m using Aesop’s Fables. These are short moral stories, often using talking animals, that illustrate simple truths about human behaviour and character.

‘Aesop’s Fables originated in ancient Greece, traditionally attributed to the storyteller ‘Aesop who is thought to have lived around the 6th century BCE.

The fables are generally smaller files of two to three hundred words that have been recorded at 15 wpm and run for about 15 minutes.

If 15 wpm is a bit quick for you, load it onto your phone and set the playback speed at 0.75 X or even 0.5 X- whatever works for you. 0.75 X will play the MP8 at a bit under 12 wpm. Itis suggested that you read the text file before listening to the audio file.

That will make it easier to follow the audio file and prepare you for any unusual words. Any punctuation that is not usually used with CW has been removed. This week’s fable is ‘The Fox and the Grapes’, and the MP3 and TXT files are attached here –

If you prefer a different speed or tone you can create your own MP3 files by converting the text file with the Ebook2CW app — https://fkurz.net/ham/ebook2cw.html.

You can either play the MP3 files in any media player, or load the text file into the Ditto CW: Morse Player app — https://dittocw.andro.io/.

Both options work well, however Ditto CW gives you complete control over all Morse settings, while a normal media player only allows changes to playback speed, and does that in steps (e.g. +1.25x, 1.5x, 1.75x).

Other News

KiwiSDR Phone Apps

ENIWWIWR rh PF OPIViie MVS From lan VK1HF G’Day Mark, Did you know there are phone Apps for KiwiSDRs? I have been using one – QIWIQ. VERY interesting indeed. I’d be surprised if there are not iPhone ones also. 73, lan.

Interesting article by Ross MONNK in RagChew 4/2026 regarding slow CW. Slow Morse is easier to copy accurately in my opinion. As mentioned by Ross, professional ops of old, strove for 100% accuracy, eg. telegrams , etc.

One chap reminded me of the consequences of NOT sending or receiving accurate Morse. Should this happen in time of conflicts, disasters etc, it could cause chaos due to mis-interpretation of the message. A “guessing

Game”, indeed. Perhaps these days Morse operators are more careful in using Morse, or has the skil faded due to the ‘abandonment’ of Morse world wide? Comparing Ross’ graph to my personal experience… on attempting my Full Call (10 wpm, send/receive).

I passed my sending exam on the second attempt… Different story with receive. EIGHT attempts later, I passed; after receiving “Fail” 7 times, I had to ask my XYL to pinch me in case I was dreaming.

With all that hard yakka to achieve a Pass, NO way was I going to give up CW… great incentive to get better and actually enjoy CW. 73 John, VKSET

Morse Training Net

Our team member Nic VK7WW runs an on-air Slow Morse training net every Wednesday at 7pm EDST on 3580 for 30 mins. He uses the callsign of the Northern Tasmania Amateur Radio Club VK7TAZ on that net.

Many of our team learned Morse code with the support of Nic, and the weekly training session comes highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn the Code, or simply brush up.

Everyone’s welcome – 3580KHZ at 7pm Eastern time every Wednesday; you’ll hear lots of the CQQRS team on that net. Jordan VK3ACU has recorded the complete set of lessons which you can now find here:

Https://www. youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHsQmZz6fBXO7swAfbT mutrbbEL17fUQL Contact Nic VK7WW for more info nicholaschantler@hotmail.com including how to join the NTARC DISCORD group to follow the action, or just come along and join in on Wednesdays.

Happy

From Richard VAK6HRC I enjoyed the VK7TAZ CW session run by Nic VK7WW via Discord last night. Di-dit

From Richard VK6HRC

Arborist Throw Line

From John VK5ET In reply to the article about throw lines, I found a good Aussie website arbormaster.com.au , with plenty of info. I purchased two throwing lines & weights following my last QRS episode at Humbug Scrub… trying to get a line up a tree

Aurora Images

From Nic VK7 WW Last week, looking South toward the lights of Launceston, 15KM away. I was very surprised to see the striations dancing. The colours could be seen with the naked eye, but I have to say the phone picks them up better…. better than the err…

CQ QRS AllStar Node

AllStar Node 28600 is there for our use via either direct connection if you already have an AllStar node, or via Echolink if not.

We’re looking for members’ ideas about what we could use this resource for – eg regular or occasional get-togethers of groups of members (say via Echolink) – or in fact, perhaps some sort of MCW activity – eg anon-FF outlet for Nic VK7WW’s weekly CW training net on Wednesdays perhaps?

If nothing else, the node connects to the WA-wide AllStar network on Wednesday mornings for Richard VK6HRC’s CQQRS Post Morsum – allowing team members anywhere in the world to call-in via Echolink. So – thinking caps on… we’d love to hear your ideas.

ACMA Assist and Digital ID

If you’ve read something that you think might be of interest to our readers, please let me know. For guidance on writing for RagChew, see Articles below. Please email material to Mark VK2KI: cqqrsnet@gmail.com

There’s No Such Thing…

Fills WOUR o YUCOLVIlS. I think the first lesson in Teachering 101 is to always tell students “There’s no such…” (I’m sure you know the rest) and “…the only dumb questions are the ones not asked”.

John VK2RU reckons that there’s lots of questions out there among both our new and our experienced operators – about CW, amateur radio operating and about theory.

So John didn’t step backwards quickly enough when asked to volunteer to compile readers’ questions; thanks mate.

A few weeks back we had a question about Vband. I’m still hoping one of our many Vband users will pop up with an answer to the question about what it is, how to get on it, etc.

Cqqrsnet@gmail.com if you can help please.

[Do you have a question or two that are worth sharing? How about a discussion- starter? Please let me know cqgrsnet@gmail.com and I’ll pass them to John VK2RU for compilation each week.]

Prosign/Character/Signal of the Month

[Suggestion – put it on a sticky note near your key as a reminder for Tuesday. Tell us how you went!]

Di-dah-di-dah-ait

So back to the CQQRS Slow CW QSO practice net.

Next Tuesday’s Net

Our CQQRS Group will be on as always on Tuesday from around 0600Z until about 12002; see https://bit.ly/CQQRSWebsite and navigate to the Net Details page for details.

Doesn’t matter whether you’re brand new and want to try just exchanging callsigns and RST reports, or you’re ready for a good old rag chew. We’ll have fun.

There’s usually people around until after 1200Z – so keep calling in the segment of the band designated in the table below until you catch someone.

I should be on as usual from home in NSW or via the Remote at Bedfordale WA, and I’ll also be watching the proceedings using the VK6QS and Tecsun SDRs in WA and NSW respectively. Hope to hear you there.

Reports & Photos

Please let us know via our Reports form bit.Jy/GQQRSNET who you work or hear on Tuesday’s Group. The report form closes at lunchtime (Eastern Australian time) on Thursday. ‘And how about helping to make the reports even more interesting by sending a photo?

If you have a photo that you’d be happy to include, please email it to: eqqrsnet@gmail.com To make it even easier for our Reports editor Patrick VK2IOW, see if you can reduce the size of the image (to less than 100KB file size by preference).

No problems if your computer or phone can’t do that – just send it through anyway please. And of course, I’m always on the lookout for more photos for the newsletter, so if you have something that might be of interest aside from the reports, please send it through as well – I always enjoy the photos that our readers send – and I’m sure our readers do too.

Email them to cqqrsnet@gmail.com please (reduced size if possible – but whatever you send will be great). Oh and by the way, I recommend that you don’t keep the Reports Form website open between submission of reports from one week to the next.

If you’re unlucky, there’s an undocumented feature in the software that could cause your current week’s report to be combined with your previous report – it’s happened to your editor several times – much to the chagrin of our Reports editor 🙂

Post Morsum

Richard VK6HRC will run our phone Post Morsum on the South West AllStar net (via repeaters and hotspots all over WA) from 0600 WA time, then from 0700 WA time on 80m (8605 LSB).

See https://bit.ly/CQQRSWebsite and navigate to the Net Details page for details of how you can connect via Echolink or even possibly via your local FM repeater.

The newsletter is interesting to readers because of the material contributed by so many people – be it the reports each week or the various articles. Could you write a short article or articles for RagChew? You bet! Writing not your strong point?

Don’t worry, I’m very happy to help as much or as little as needed. Here’s a thought – although our readers will much prefer your own writing, perhaps have a go at using a Large Language Model Artificial Intelligence tool such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini to check your writing or even to actually draft the whole article in a relaxed easy-to-read manner!

You can find out more about how to do that on the Newsletter page on our website bit.ly/CQQRSWebsite. Our website also includes a suitable prompt (the command you feed to the Al to make it do what you want).

Please remember though – you must fact-check anything that an Al tool drafts for you because Als ‘hallucinate’ – ie if an Al can’t find what you’re looking for, it will make up an answer and present it as afact!

This is one of the dangers of using Als – it’s quite probable that the tool will create a very readable and convincing draft that is 100% wrong! You as the submitter are responsible for fact-checking.

But it’s a learning experience – please let us know how you went if you had a go with this new generation of tool. And by the way – lam very concerned about our future in a world of Al – but I’m pleased to see that school and university curriculums now focus on understanding the risks – for instance, kids are now learning critical thinking something that used to be taught mostly at post-graduate level.

When the typewriter was invented, people predicted the downfall of handwriting; when the word processor was invented, the art of writing was thought to be on the way out – ditto for the spreadsheet and arithmetic, AM, SSB and FT-8 for amateur radio etc.

We can ignore Al and hope that it just goes away… or we can learn to handle it through experimentation and use. Oh, and one more thing (actually two) – copyright material: * please use your own images – don’t use images copied from the internet unless you have the producer’s permission, or they’re marked ‘Creative Commons’ or similar; * if you include other peoples’ written material, unless you have permission, you may only include small snippets (unless it’s marked ‘Creative Commons’ or similar), and you’ll need to site the source and author.

For more guidance on writing for the RagChew newsletter (including help with using an Al), head to our website bit.ly/CQQRSWebsite then click the menu on the top right and then click RagChew Newsletter.

A reminder; if you send me any information by email, our report form or WhatsApp – unless you specifically state that material is not to be published, I’ll assume that you’re happy to see your thoughts in the RagChew newsletter.

Thank you so much to our team of 32 contributors: MONNK, VK1HF, VK2A0E, VK2GAZ, VK2IOW, VK2RU, VK2TIG, VK2WP, VK3ACU, VK3BSE, VK3CLD, VK3DRQ, VK3KEV, VK3KLE, VK4AW, VK4BRO, VK4PN, VK5AO, VKSAV, VKSET, VKSKFG, VK6EN, VK6HRC, VK6JDM, VK6KHZ, VK6LD, VK6NW, VK6RR, VK6WE, VK6XC, VK7TA and VK7WW.

And a special thank you to our editorial team, Nigel G4RWI (head of software innovation), Patrick VK2IOW (wrangler de les reports), John VK2RU (spreadsheeter extraordinaire), Richard VK6HRC (Post Morsum ddude) and Lance VK7TO (RagChew search expert and beach comber).

Great work alll So on behalf of the Editorial team… UY CW on Tuesday, mb Mark Bosna VK2KI/ VKEQI Beautiful South Bowning NSW ‘eqarsnet@gmail.com non impedit ratione cogitationis

An Ode to CW – thanks to David VK3RU: In days of old, when ops were bold, And sideband was not invented, Words were passed by pounding brass And all were quite contented. – Unknown author

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