Below is a reconstruction of the 2026 16 CQ QRS RagChew newsletter designed to support full text searching. This reconstruction was built using OCR, and will contain errors.

To view the Mailchimp original, click here. To search the entire newsletter archive, click here.

CQ QRS RagChew
Dah-di-dah-di-dah
New Team Members
Website
Post Morsum 15 April 2026
Reporting
Hey, Eye Candy!
Gemini:
Points of Order
QRZ?
QRZ? Who’s on the other end?
CW Practice
Other News
ANZAC Day Morse Demonstration
are getting old.
Morse Training Net
The Word War of 2026
There’s No Such Thing…
Questions from Fausto IUV4FLS
Answers:
Prosign/Character/Signal of the Month
Di-dah-di-dah-dit
Next Tuesday’s Net
Reports & Photos
Material
About the CQ QRS Net

CQ QRS RagChew

Thanks this week to Jordan VK3ACU for this great image. Apparently there was a time when: a. electronic things were built by hand, component by component, and b. that there was a time when electronics was actually built in Australia.

Link to our Weekly CQQRS Net Reporting Form

Dah-di-dah-di-dah

Wasn’t Tuesday’s propagation on the low bands interesting? Signals up, signals gone, US stations thundering in on the 40m grey-line, thunderstorms causing havoc in WA. It was all happening – and being enjoyed by at least 44 of our family.

Please enjoy the reports below. Searching RagChew Newsletters This week in the background there’s been frantic effort by our RagChew indexing team who are trying to find a practicable way for past issues of our RagChew newsletter to be searched for that illusive article on left handed floggle-toggles I remember reading some time back.

Thanks to Nigel, G4RWI, Lance VK7TO and Peter VK3WOW, progress is being made – and hopefully a solution will emerge. In the mean time the team are learning lots and hopefully, having fun. Thanks gents.

Our newsletters are composed of both text and images of text – and the search function built by the team for our our website requires Lance to manually save PDF versions of the newsletters on a Google drive.

We need something that just happens, rather than relying on the the goodwill of our team. Finding something that doesn’t cost real money is a challenge.

In the mean time, try our CQQRS website’s search function as described last week in There’s No Such Thing (je select Embedded Files when prompted) – you may be lucky and find the issue number of the newsletter.

From there you could go across to the RagChew Newsletter page on the website, and scroll down to the RagChew Archive, from where you can open the required back-issue.

Alternatively, you could try Peter VK3WOW‘s prototype also described last week in Where Did I See It?. But if they don’t come up Trumps (sorry), don’t give up – there’s one more option: you might try doing a search in your own email application.

If you try your email search function, use likely labels, callsigns or other likely word… you may just have some luck.

Depending on your email application, you may be able to use Boolean syntax in your search to find several words, or you might be able to enclose the text in inverted commas (“search terms”) – it all depends on your email application.

To find out, go to Google and type in “How do I search for multiple words in email folders using ?”. The Al will tell you how your email system can be asked to do what you’re after.

New Team Members

Welcome this week to Mark VK2KLJ who lives in the Blue Mountains at Lawson. I’d also like to welcome our new visitor, Jay W6JY who Jordan VK3ACU pointed in our direction.

Jay was on the net on Tuesday operating from Shoalhaven South of Wollongong and is at he end of his visit to Australia, operating on his now found passion – CW. Welcome to our happy family Mark and Jay.

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.

WVlarK bosma VK2KI / VK6QI Patrick John Beautiful South Bowning VK2IOW VK2RU NSW Milthorpe NSW on a track somewhere cqqrsnet@gmail.com non impsditi ratione cogitationis Nigel Richard Lance G4RWI VK6HRC VK7TO our other grey nomad Padbury WA Margate TAS

Comments: John’s spreadsheet above shows the known stations heard or worked on last Tuesday’s CQQRS Net (reported via our webform bit.ly/CQQRSNET ); the comments in the team members’ reports 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 –

[20m] Road conditions were poor after some days of rain here, s I did not go to the hut with the big antenna out in the meadows. VOACAP told us to try later on the day for the 1 m band.

But the SFU was only about 99,, so we didn’t hav great DX condx for the shorter bands. The most reliable band seems to be 20 m. But we keep experimenting. Thanks to Manny for our QSO. 73 Mike

[20m] It’s been a dirty morning for radio here – windy, 10° C, continuous rain. Fortunately I got set up before the rain started, and found shelter in one of these football dugouts…

20 watts into a quarter wave vertical with two elevated radials in a V-shape facing south- am amd fii un) fl amemane fR on Ole ea ES ee en oe eres

THES AIIM TINS TLOMDITT… You might also notice that AGC is Off and the headphone Volume is cranked all the way up. to catch those elusive DX signals. And the band is unusually quiet for a Tuesday morning.

[40m] Had my longest (as in I copied the most I ever had) QSO with Mark tonight – thank you so much mate! Writing it down instead of just trying to head copy definitely helped. Ketut appreciate the shorter QSO too mate – was just a little too much QSB sorry.

[40m] Very noisy, better luck listening on Ironstone range SDR than home station. Signals were S5 then faded out being just audible, Ironstone range SDR same after 10:00Z.

[40m] It appeared 40m was open and working to the east but 20m was dead. EU stations had fallen off the edge of the planet.

[80m] Lovely to catch up with Mark and David on 80m for a chat.

[40m] Earlier in the evening 62m AEST lots of stations from the US heard…

[40m] Unfortunately 40m activity could not be heard from my QTH this week. A test from WA to SA using the Ironstone SDR proved the band was open when I called on 7020.5 (to avoid none CW stations on 7020). 20m]

High level of QSB was heard which resulted in me using the Ironstone SDR receiver in SA to hear stations. 80m was open from Ballajura WA to VK5 so I gave it a go. Mark VK2KI responded, also experiencing QSB.

More and more regular splatters and crashes were appearing on my waterfall display which encouraged me to check the lightning report in Perth. Yep, just north of me crazy stuff in the air so I shut down my station and disconnected the antennas due to lightning.

80m was well and truly open to the SW of WA from Perth. Wayne (VK6NW) sounded like he was parked next door. 73s

From Stephen Coote ZL3ABX at Nelson, New Zealand

[40m] I unintentionally sabotaged my QSO with Manny, VK3DRQ. My power supply generates wandering interference and it did this while I was listening to Manny, so I switched off the power supply and continued listening using the transceiver’s internal battery.

Turn the power supply back on when I transmitted… and this means that the output power automatically reduces to 2.5 Watts. I’d been using 9 Watts, and the drop in power must have made me inaudible at Manny’s end. Sorry about that Manny. Your RSN was 552.

Also… thank you Mark, VK3MJ, for our QSO. Cheers. FART

[40m] Had a quick QSO with Ben VK6XC. Mainly listening while working on a circuit. The band was less crowded but quiet and reasonable signals earlier on SSB from all over VK.

I have noticed a new variant of the Bosma Effect; There are a lot more slow morse stations popping up during the week since Mark gave us all the encouragement to isplay our lack of skills on air.

I shall call this the 2 being the crowded conditions on 40 metres on

[20m] All three EU stations detectable but QNP, identified only by frequencies specified on Mike’s monitor webpage. Fausto came the closest to success.

Very asymmetric propagation between New Zealand and the east coast-to-central Australia, in west-bound favour. All three QSOs had to be abandoned due to deep and enduring QSB.

Three VK6S heard rather well without QSB, but my attempt to answer VK6KD‘s CQ was overridden by a more local station.

[80m] Nothing heard on 80 m. Where are the ZLs? Night-after-night silence on 80 m makes me wonder if the band is no longer legal here.

One might well ponder the criteria which could lead to authorities reallocating an amateur band to a different service in light of obvious long-term lack of use by the incumbent? Privileges are rarely valued until they’re gone.

[40m] After calling for a while on 40 m and getting no answers I dropped down the band a little and answered VKSGG and enjoyed a QSO with Graeme. Not quite QRS, but a lot of fun working him with his melodic bug. ROfewrel|

After getting no joy on 40 m, then calling on 80 m still with no answers I kept going down to 160 m, where I enjoyed a QSO with Adrian, VK2WF. He puts out a huge signal on top band, but unfortunately my antenna isn’t really designed to operate that low.

Despite each over starting with a SWR or 1:1, after a minute or so of transmission it was pushing 1:3. I guess there was a fair bit of heat being generated in the QFHW transformer which was pulling it out of resonance.

I then moved back to 80 m, and again had no answers to my calls, so moved up the band a bit where I found Paul, VK3KLE calling. We enjoyed a short QSO, but QRM overran us in the end so we 73’d each other and I called it a night.

[40m] I must say that I am now confused by VK/callsigns and callsigns/VK. Conditions favoured more distant stations, with good signals from VK6, and even further away from AA1K.

[40m] Yet another QTH, this time a house sitting high in the hills above Palm Beach. A steeply sloping property so ran the EFHW from the deck, across the poo! to the lawn.

Not sure the salt content of the pool made much difference, but every little helps on 10 watts. I think it’s the first time my antenna has been below me! Band seemed nicely open with most sigs easy to copy, but Stan ZL3TK ot of QSB.

Before we had really got going, he was gone. ey ee yy

[40m] Poor conditions, very weak copy with QSB and high ORM . VK3FB might try using a low current reviving tube on his home brew TX, 6AU6. I have even used a 6EJ7 Frame grid pentode with good success. Please copy CCT from Johnson Viking II.

It works with new HC49 low current xtals which are meant for a FET oscillator. Otherwise buy a real FT43 rock from USA. QRP me has brand new wafers for FT 243 on his website. I have bought lots . They are in the low end of ba tn, fenrianris

[15m] Nothing heard from Edi DOZEMR or Mike DL3YZ on 15m this week.

[20m] I was having so much fun on 40m that I was again late to the party on 20m. I saw on Mike DL3YZ‘s status is Calling, so I tuned up a bit down the band and landed

| was having so much fun on 40m that I was again late to the party on 20m. I saw on Mike DL3YZ‘s status page that Ross MONNK/P was calling, so I tuned up a bit down the band and landed on his frequency; as I did, Ross posted on Mike’s page that he was now QRT!_ I slipped down to Mike DL3YZ‘s frequency but I couldn’t hear a peep from him.

On the Snowline KiwiSDR, Mike was RSN 521 and he and Manny VK3DRQ were coming-in ok to the VK6SEG KiwiSDR near Northam,

[40m] I was pleased to hook up with Jay VK2/(W6JY who was visiting Shoal Haven – 150KM East of me on the Pacific coast. Welcome to the team Jay. After Jay, another complicated call – this time VK/G4RWI at the Gold Coast called me at around 0800Z.

Just as I was about to reply to Nigel, there was a knock at the door – my neighbour returning my log splitter. Luckily I knew that Nigel would be monitoring WhatsApp, so I was able to flash him a quick note that I would call later, and he was able to have a chat to David VK3DBD at Yakandandah.

I stopped for a Lychee Cider with my neighbour then picked up the QSO with Nigel. We were both coming through to WA. I was dinner batching on Tuesday, so I was able to disconnect headphones and listen to Ron VK6KHZ chatting to Richard VK6HRC while I was in the next room having dinner – luxury.

When I returned, Ketut VK3BWN was very weak, but Scotty VK4BRO had a good solid signal; after their QSO I said g’day to Scotty. One interesting secondary effect of our WhatsApp groups is that we get to know our QRS.

Family members – so I was surprised to see that I hadn’t actually worked Scotty on air before. Through the evening, 40m opened up to all sorts of exotic DX locations.

At one stage there were US stations that may as well have been locals – they were so strong ‘on the grey-line. Several people noticed the challenge of digital VFOs – multiple CW signals on exactly the same frequency and effective receiver AGCs can make copy very difficult!

[80m] Down on 80m, I was pleased to be called by David VK6KD; I had worked David just about every week when he and Pauline were travelling around Australia with their caravan, but since his return, QSOs have become rare.

I blame his nice new IC- 7610, and keep suggesting that he send it to me! Anyway, David gave me RST 599 but my report to him was RSN 321.

However later via WhatsApp, David told me that he was listening on Paul VKSPH’s Ironstone Range KiwiSDR – which explains things!

After David I was getting tired and spent a few minutes starting my weekly report (which I use Apple Notes – which shares continuously with my phone – to compile).

I was listening on the CQQRS net’s 3555KHZ calling frequency while typing, and I heard “di-dit” – the distinct sound of someone knocking their paddle while moving around their desk.

I responded with “?”, and a QSO with Wayne VKENW followed; as suspected, Wayne had knocked his paddle with a glass of red while settling down at his desk.

Iwas well and truly ready for bed at around 1300Z when I heard a huge signal from Jordan VK3ACU – also up late on a work night. Jordan was RSN 591 – a very rare signals strength on my old TS-120S which is way out of alignment.

[160M] Lance VK7TO at Margate posted on WhatsApp that he was calling CQ on 160M. He was RSN 531 into the Snowline KiwiSDR, and he hooked up with Adrian VK2WF up the road at Tallong, whose nice low-band set up produced a very strong signal into the SDR.

EEE io the party on 20m. I saw on Mike DL3YZ‘s status page that Ross MONNK/P was calling, so I tuned up a bit down the band and landed onhis frequency; as I did, Ross posted on Mike’s page that he was now QRT!

I slipped down to Mike DL3YZ’s frequency but I couldn’t hear a peep from him. On the Snowline KiwiSDR, Mike was RSN 521 and he and Manny VK3DRQ were coming-in ok to the VK6SEG KiwiSDR near Northam.

Family members – so I was surprised to see that I hadn’t actually worked Scotty on air before. Through the evening, 40m opened up to all sorts of exotic DX locations.

Ne NL Of Nat eB al esata te nett Tee atm Nernst me! Nee el Near et inn) er art Neca ren Mere Seattle reat ra! att et ert rar Santen Electronics Group’s KiwiSDR at Hoddys Well near

[20m] Manny VK3DRQ and Mike DL3YZ were coming though to the VK6SEG KiwiSDR at Hoddys Well when I listened.

[40m] At around 1100Z my signal was weak into the VK6SEG KiwiSDR, and there was nothing from Scotty VK4BRO. Yet here and VK4 were a lot stronger into WA. Later at 1130Z m weak, but by 1200Z I was RSN 551. Interesting to have suct disposal these days!

Southern Electronics Group’s KIWISUR at noaays VVell near

[20m] Manny VK3DRQ and Mike DL3YZ were coming though to the VK6SEG KiwiSDR at Hoddys Well when I listened.

[40m] At around 1100Z my signal was weak into the VK6SEG

V/ ae KiwiSDR, and there was nothing from Scotty VK4BRO. Yet at 0810 signals from here and VK4 were a lot stronger into WA. Later at 1130Z my signal was again weak, but by 1200Z I was RSN 551. Interesting to have such nice tools at your disposal these days!

Unlike 40m, 80m propagation across Australia is usually a bit more predictable. From here at 1130Z, my 50 Watts into my 106M long double-extended Zepp was S into VK6SEG near Northam.

However, once the D-layer faded and the Absorption Limiting Frequency dropped, I was S4-5 when I checked at 1200Z.

40m] /e moved camp back out to Linville on Tuesday, and was a bit of a rush to get the rig and antenna set up. [hen I checked the SWR on both 20 m and 40 m on 1e vertical antenna it was very high, which is a bit of problem given that my wires are all cut to the middle f the CW end on the bands.

I tried changing a few lings with no success, so I gave up on using the IC 300 and pulled out the 40 m QCX+ and amp that |

LITT ce) Sek dr Col tre) cfofe) eTTuE IRD Use Tet te! tel tle I answered VK2DLF, and George gave me an RST 579 into Sydney, which I thought was pretty good considering the power I was running, It also confirmed that the previous SWR problem with the IC 7300 was most likely in the radio, not the antenna.

After finishing with George, I heard Stan — ZL3TK calling me which came as a bit of a surprise. The signals were low — Stan gave me RSN 512, I sent RSN 322 wid QSB back. Unfortunately, we only had one more over before I lost Stan completely.

Then heard VK6GX calling me but the signal was even lower than Stan’s was and a OQSO would have been very difficult, so I didn’t answer. It was good to be on the air with the QCX+ . Nothing fancy, no waterfall, just spin the dial and see what you can find.

And it was made better because I was using a new, old key that I recently obtained It’s a Hi-Mound HK-707 (see photo). Instead of having small rubber feet, there is a continuous rubber strip around the circumference of the base.

This, along with the 500 g weight, and the base that extends out underneath the knob, makes for a very stable key and a pleasure to use in my very cosy quarters.

Post Morsum 15 April 2026

From Richard VK6HRC. Eight on the VK6RLM rptr and AllStar/Echolink hub this morning.

—Hh = JIN NAR SOD VK6NW Wayne VK6KD David VK6QI = Mark ZL3TK = Stan VK6FN Max VK6BQQ Reg VK6HRC

VK6MRB Mulligan swl and others. Wayne worked six on 40m and two on 80m also made use of Kiwi sdr nodes to listen out for our Northern Hemisphere friends. He also let us know that he might be active at various times this week when time allows.

David worked two on 80m, listened out on the Ironstone range Kiwi sdr until the approaching electrical storm made it advisable to disconnect and go QRT.

Mark heard Mike DL2YZ and Manny VK3DRQ on 20m, set up to try and work Ross MONNK unfortunately Ross had gone QRT. Worked five on 40m and three ‘on 80m heard two on 160M. We had two VK/ stations on VK/W6JY Jay and VK/G4RWI Nigel.

Stan was able to get his antenna back up in the air as the threat of the cyclone had passed by. Conditons not great, QSB causing problems on 40m. Now that there is some activity on 160M he is interested to see how the new antenna performs there.

Max still busy on the farm had time for a contact with Ron VK6KHZ on 40m and then went into listening mode until meal time.

Reg let us know that the storm was still active in Jandakot with rain and hail petting down I Only a mix of thunder and lightning, 3mm rain in Padbury this morning.

Managed to catch up with Morgan VK6MTF on 40m, now in Esperance prepping his boat for the crossing to VK7. Was lucky enough to catch up with Lin VK6NT on 40m for a rag chew alsow worked Ron VK6KHZ on 40m and 80m.

Thank you to all on last night and this morning 73 Richard.

Reporting

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: 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.

Hey, Eye Candy!

From Ross MONNK As promised last week, this is my first attempt to use the free Google Gemini Al to knock a RagChew article into shape. Let’s see how it goes… Ross: Good morning, Gemini. I’m an Amateur Radio operator, particularly keen on CW and Morse code.

I want to write an article for a newsletter read by a couple of hundred or so other hobby radio operators but I’m not good at expressing myself. If I give you the subject and some of my brainstormed ideas, could you draft an article for me?

I think an informal (but not patronising) style in the first person would be appropriate, and the length should be about 300 or 400 words. It should use gender-neutral and ethnically-sensitive terms.

Please don’t just list my ideas – I want to entertain my readers rather than bore them to death. Can you do that for me? Gemini: Good morning! I can absolutely help you draft that article.

Turning brainstormed notes into an engaging, entertaining piece for your newsletter is exactly what I’m here for. I will make sure to write it in an informal, conversational first-person style that resonates with your fellow Amateur Radio and CW enthusiasts without sounding patronizing.

I’ll also strictly follow your guidelines to keep it right in that sweet spot of 300 to 400 words, use inclusive and mindful language, and weave your thoughts into a cohesive story rather than just reeling off a dry list.

Whenever you are ready, what is the subject of your article, and what are the brainstormed ideas you’d like me to work with? Ross: Great. The subject is “Why I love my Xiegu G90 radio”, but it would be good to have a better title than that.

The ideas I’ve had are: it looks good; I operate solely portable so it’s about as heavy and as bulky as I’d want to go; the head unit is detachable which means the heavy and bulky part of the radio can go on the ground and the head unit on my lap; it has a small screen but I wear reading glasses so that’s okay; the screen has a spectrum and waterfall display and just the right amount of other information; it has a nice big tuning knob and a smaller volume knob; it has an SWR scanner that’s useful because setting up portable can bring problems with antennas; it has a great tuner – there’s a YouTube video showing a guy using all sorts of metal things as antennas, including a shopping cart; it covers a lot of bands; it has more power than a QRP radio which helps with DX.

Some other things to mention might be that a 5000 mAh battery lasts for two hours easily, that there have been several firmware updates, and it also does SSB although I’ve never plugged in the hand mic.

Gemini:

CW, Reading Glasses, and a Shopping Cart: Taking the Xiegu G90 Portable ‘As an operator who sets up exclusively out in the field, I have a confession to make: I am hopelessly attached to my Xiegu G90. Let’s be honest, itis a fantastic-looking piece of gear.

For a purely portable setup, it sits right at the upper limit of the weight and bulk I’m willing to haul into the wild. Yet, it earns every single ounce of its place in my pack. One of the greatest design triumphs of this radio is the detachable head unit.

When I’m settled in a comfortable spot, the heavy, bulky main body can rest down on the ground while the control head sits perfectly on my lap.

It is an ergonomic dream, anchored by a wonderfully sized, smooth tuning knob and a sensibly placed smaller volume control. Now, the screen is undeniably small. But armed with my trusty reading glasses, it is absolutely fine.

It gives me a brilliant, vibrant spectrum and waterfall display, delivering exactly the right amount of information without ever feeling cluttered. When you are setting up portable, antennas can be notoriously temperamental. This is where the G90 truly shines.

The built-in SWR scanner is an absolute lifesaver for troubleshooting wire issues on the fly. And then there is the tuner.

The internal antenna tuner is practically legendary—I’m sure some of you have seen that video online of a ham tuning up an actual metal shopping cart! It covers a wide array of bands and will seemingly load up almost any random piece of metal you throw at it.

Having a bit more power than a traditional QRP rig makes a noticeable difference when chasing DX through the noise. Despite that extra punch, it is surprisingly efficient; a compact 5000 mAh battery easily gives me a solid two hours of operating time.

Plus, the manufacturer has kept the radio fresh with several useful firmware updates over time. Technically, the G90 does SSB too. I know this in theory, though my hand mic has never actually seen the light of day. For me, it is all about the CW.

If you are looking for a capable, forgiving, and thoroughly enjoyable portable companion, this radio is incredibly tough to beat.

Points of Order

From Stan ZL3TK In Parliamentary debating chamber terms when things go a little wrong, a ‘Point of Order’ is called usually by a member of the ‘offended side’.

This triggers the Speaker’s duty to halt debate and facilitate the hearing of any complaint with the goal to find a resolution, not infrequently by demanding the issuance of an apology from the offender.

Getting back to AR QSO reporting, in this context ‘Points of Order’ have a different meaning. What is the purpose of the ‘Points of Order’ shown in image 1, when the listed data does not follow the numbering protocol?

Here’s what I mean, using the report worksheet header row:

Readers are given the impression by these eight column titles QSOs are reported in chronological order, the responsibility lying with the reporting operator to correctly fill in the Google QSO report form. Why else would the columns be numbered consecutively?

I’m now raising a ‘Point of Order’ in this ‘AR Parliament’, because evidence has been around for quite some time that the expected reporting protocol is not, and indeed in a lot of cases simply cannot be followed.

What happens to the carefully planned sequence of chronologically-listed QSOs in those eight columns when more than eight QSOs have been reported?

It can easily be seen that this method of reporting, if they exist, forces QSO 9 through QSO 16 to occupy the same time frames as QSO 1 through QSO 8 respectively. But there are further detrimental effects evident in the collation.

The first is manifest by obvious inconsistency caused by collators departing entirely from the expected sequence of QSOs. The worksheet listings often do not mimic the operator’s report, except perhaps when the report is very short.

Here is a perfect example, using an excerpt from my report for 07 April 26.

A second aspect to this flaw is more problematic if operators have actually gone to the trouble of reporting their QSOs in strict chronological order, the reported order is not being preserved in the QSO reporting worksheet. How dol know?

Because since my first report years ago, I have consistently gone against the tide by ignoring supposed chronology and have always listed call signs on the Google report form in strict alphanumeric order.

Last week, my call signs were again written into the Google form in this logical alphanumeric order: ZL2DLF VK2GR VK2IR VK3DRQ VK3ECH VK3JFR VK3KLE VK3WOW VK4DRK VK5AO VK6NC VK7TO.

It cannot be claimed that collators have modified the call sign sequence in order to fit any chronological order, because they have no way of knowing what that order might be. Observe the two lines in image 2 above.

When considered alphanumerically, the first four call signs are in fact the last four call signs I reported, while the following eight have been shuffled like a pack of cards, with the first @SO coming in 7th place and the second in 12TH place (if we ignore the missing four places).

Is it fair to say a casino croupier couldn’t have done a better job? Am I right in thinking that transferring data from Google forms to the worksheet is not automated but is carried out manually?

Don’t get me wrong, regardless of obvious non-adherence to implied column-numbering protocol, the report is stil a grand Piece of work. Maybe I’m a loner, but how many others would like to know what actually goes on in the reporting team’s engine room?

How about an article from the collators giving an insight into how the collation process is carried out and why the calll sign sequence is being randomised. Would it make interesting reading? _ I think it would. Gratefully yours and 73 de Stan ZL8TK

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; for guidance on writing for RagChew, see Articles below. Please email material to Mark VK2KI: cqqrsnet@gmail.com

We just put up a 160 m Delta loop. It’s a temporary lash up but if it works well I’ll make it more permanent. We just had a quick QSO with VK7 with 1 of voice 57 report 59+ on 5w but the day light and rain has beat us.

Us. I do have one more of those little towers. My plan is to configure it in different ways. Maybe

| do have one more of those little towers. My plan is to configure it in different ways. Maybe

GIICTeIn Ways. WayDe turn it into a square at some stage… or a rhombic.

However, in an afternoon this was the quickest easiest thing we could get up. It still

| did a quick test of the 160M loop last night before the rain started. Planning on using the home-brew balanced-L match the MFu thing was just for a super quick test.

The noise floor on the loop is non existent.

What’s going on on your workbench? If you have an article or two that you think might be of interest to our readers, please let Mark VK2KI know; email to cqqrsnet@gmail.com For guidance on writing for RagChew, see Articles below.

QRZ?

Hi Mark, thank you for your very encouraging letter and congratulations for your activity in keeping CW alive. I’m 77, and got my ham licence 10 yrs ago; but only 3 years ago I approached CW with other 5 friends self- teaching ourselves using LCWO.net .

My CWis still very basic . I type slow trying to be correct sticking to a standard form: call sign, rst, ath, name and little more. I loose myself with long QSOs. Despite my limits, hope to be a useful member of the team.

Thank you for adding me to the CQQRS WhatsApp groups. Just a few questions : – Is there any difference between http://sdr.ironstonerange.com:8074/ and http://sdr.ironstonerange.com:8073/?user=%20CQQRS%20Net ?

– On the Ironstone Range SDR there is a window with CQQRS NET, shall I leave it as it is our have I to enter/add my call sign ? – I saw members’ comments, how do I load them ? – Are QSOs acknowledged on Qrz.com ? Thank you for understanding, all the best.

W73 Fausto IU4FLS [Hi Fausto and thank you for your comments, and in particular for telling us where you are on the CW journey.

Not very long ago I was at about the same stage (having vowed to never use CW after passing my original CW test in 1973); now I enjoy rag chews – being able to standing back and let the slow CW wash over is wonderful.

So of course, you will be a very useful member of the team – many many of our operators are in the same position as you… and I hope you will encourage more amateur operators in Europe to join the fun with us as well.

On your questions about the lronStone Range KiwiSDR, I’ve copied them down to the There’s No Such Thing section toward the bottom of this newsletter. Dit-dit]

QRZ? Who’s on the other end?

CW Practice

This year we’re 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 Bat and the Weasels’, 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 Mors 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

ANZAC Day Morse Demonstration

From Jens VK4PE at West End I will give a Morse code demonstration on ANZAC day in the Army Museum. The Townsville Radio club is supporting AM and CW stations. There are less and les: ANZAC stations on the air because the people are getting old.

I built a little CB station but I don’t know if somebody is listening, there are special channels monitored in Townsville. If you like I can send a few pictures to you. 73 Jens VK4PE

| will give a Morse code demonstration on ANZAC day in the Army Museum. The Townsville Radio club is supporting AM and CW stations. There are less and less ANZAC stations on the air because the people

Are getting old. I built a little CB station but I don’t know if somebody is listening, there are special channels monitored in Townsville. If you like I can send a few pictures to you. 73 Jens VK4PE

are getting old.

WHICH Is Ue DOst PIMe tO Lister lO OMUOnWave Maulo:r

From Garry VK2YBX at Tecsun Radio Australia Click on the image below for Garry’s article on Grey-Line propagation.

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 ralso ecorded the complete set of lessons which you can now find here:

Https://www. youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHsQmZz6fBXO7swAfbTmutrbbEL17fUQL 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.

The Word War of 2026

From Nigel G4RWI and Lady Josephine It started with a simple grid, five boxes in a row, “Wordle on our phone is our morning ritual!” our friends declared, “You’ve really got to give it a go!”.

We thought it was a harmless gift, just a way to pass the time over breakfast. But now our mornings vanish in a rhythmic, guessing crime. At7 AM sharp, the pings begin to fly, “Got it in three!” they boast to us, with a digital wink and sigh.

The breakfast toast goes cold and hard, the coffee starts to steam, While we’re debating ‘A’ or ‘E’ to save our winning streak’s dream.

The competition turned quite fierce, a daily verbal duel, Where missing out on “knoll” or “glyph” makes us feel like the fool. So, in a fit of vengeance sweet, we found a brand new trap, To pull them from their green-and-gold and put them on the map.

“Try Parsewords on your phone!” we suggested, with a grin both wide and sly, Where cryptic clues and hidden puns make grown-up solvers cry.

“An ‘Anag.’ here, a ‘Container’ there,” we whispered with delight, Now they’re the ones stuck staring at their screens well through the night.

So here we sit in stalemate now, two couples lost in thought, trapped within the wordy webs that we ourselves have wrought. They’re hunting for a “Hidden Word,” we’re stuck on “Yellow Square,” with nothing but a lexicon and a sense of shared

[| wonder whether any of our other readers enjoy Wordle or Parsewords as well? cqqrsnet@gmail.com if you do.]

If you’ve read something that you think might be of interest to our readers, please email to Mark VK2KI: cqgrsnet@gmail.com

There’s No Such Thing…

Pho WEEN 2 YMC UlIViios 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 bot our new and our experienced operators – about CW, amateur radio operating and about theory. So here we go…

Uestions from Fausto IU4FLS ¢ Is there any difference between http://sdr.ironstonerange.com:8074/ and http://sdr.ironstonerange.com:8073/? user=%20CQQRS%20Net ?

¢ On the Ironstone Range SDR there is a window with CQQRS NET, shall I leave it as it is our have I to enter/add my call sign ?

Questions from Fausto IUV4FLS

Answers:

• If you access Paul VK5PH’s lronstone Range KiwiSDR network with the second URL, the callsign boxes in the top grey bar and in the User drop- down as well as

‘our name in the list of connected users becomes “CQQRS’” (a bit of free advertising or us!). You can then enter your own callsign in the box, either in addition to >QQRS or instead.

If you use the first URL you listed, the boxes start out blank – ind you can then enter your callsign if you remember. ¢ I’m unsure which members’ comments you’re referring to.

If on the KiwiSDR, I think you can only see what you enter in the Name or Station box. If you’re referring to the RagChew newsletter, I know you’ve already cracked that code by going to bit.ly/CQQRSNET « No CQQRS Net QSOs aren’t acknowledged on QRZ.com.

I’ve got no idea how that works – perhaps one of our team might do some research and write something about it for a future RagChew newsletter; fingers crossed. ¢ Thanks Fausto – terrific questions.

[Do you have a question or two or a discussion starter worth sharing? cqqrsnet@gmail.com if so.]

Prosign/Character/Signal of the Month

Prosign: og Meaning: End of Contact

[Put it on a sticky note near your key as a reminder for Tuesday… and tell us how you went!]

Di-dah-di-dah-dit

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.

Reports & Photos

Please let us know via our Reports form bit.ly/CQQRSNET who you work or hear on Tuesday’s Group. The report form closes at 1pm (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: cqqrsnet@gmail.com And of course, we’re 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.

Email to cqgrsnet@gmail.com please. 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 🙂

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 from anywhere in the world.

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.

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 how you might even try using one of the new Artificial Intelligence tools), head to our website bit.ly/CQQRSWebsite then click the menu on the top right and then click RagChew Newsletter.

Material

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 30 contributors: DL3YZ, IU4FLS, MONNK, G4RWI, VK2DLF, VK2DLF, VK2GAS, VK2RU, VK3YBX, VK3ACU, VK3DRQ, VK3KLE, VK4BRO, VK4IM, VK4PE, VKSAV, VK5ET, VKSKFG, VK6HRC, VK6JDM, VK6KD, VK6KHZ, VK6NW, VK6QI, VK6XC, VK7TA, VK7TO, VK7WW, ZL3ABX and ZL3TK.

And a special thank you to our editorial

Team, Nigel G4RWI (software development and Wordle Department), Patrick VK2IOW (reports coordinator), John VK2RU (spreadsheet pilot), Richard VK6HRC (Post Morsition), Lance VK7TO (archiving bit wrangler), Peter VKSWOW (Mister /t’s just a simple search) and Jordan VK3ACU (head gagster).

Great work all! GU CW on Tuesday, mb Mark Bosma VK2KI / VK6QI Beautiful South Bowning NSW cqqrsnet@gmail.com non impediti ratione cogitationis

About the CQ QRS Net

For the current schedule and more information about the CQQRS net, please go the the Net Details page on our website:

The opinions expressed in the RagChew newsletter are those of the individual contributors. The opinions do not necessarily reflect that of the editors or of the CQQRS Group members.

Any material and images received from members by the editor or published on the CQQRS WhatsApp groups may be published in this newsletter unless specifically requested otherwise.

The RagChew newsletter is considered to be exempt from the Australian Government’s ban on social media for under 16 year olds because it is a service that has the primary purpose of enabling users to share information about products or services, engage in professional networking or professional development services or of supporting the education of users per the Australian Government eSafety Commissioner FAQ webpage “Which platforms have been excluded from the age restrictions” dated 10DEC25.

The values, doctrine and guidelines for the Group and for the newsletter are published on the Principles page of the group’s website https://bit.ly/CQQRSWebsite

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