Southern Electronics Group – VK6SR

Southern Electronics Group (SEG) is pleased to announce the long awaited, next Manjimup Hamfeast is scheduled for Monday 21 November 2022.

For those who haven’t been before, the Manjimup Hamfeast is a pub lunch for radio enthusiasts held at the friendly Quinninup Tavern, a small former mill town approximately 30kms south of Manjimup.

The food is great, drinks are cold and the company is excellent! YL’s, XYL’s & partners are also very welcome.

Start time is 11.00am.

The Quinninup Tavern is located at 1222 Wheatley Coast Road, Quinninup and can be accessed via South West Highway or Muir Highway.

The legendary Hamfeast Raffle will also be held on the day, with some great prizes to be won.

For those coming from Albany, Mt Barker, Katanning, Perth or most other places, Manjimup/Quinninup can be reached in 2-3 hours travel time.

For those that wish to stay a bit longer, there is a caravan park at Quinninup or accommodation can also be found in nearby Manjimup, Pemberton and Northcliffe.

It is preferred if you can pre-order your meals to help the chef to have sufficient supplies on hand and to prepare & deliver the meals in a timely manner on the day. I have attached the Quinninup Tavern menu to this email and it will also be on the SEG website. Meals can be selected on the day, but there are no guarantees if not pre-ordered!

First important point: If those attending can e-mail me with their meal choices and to confirm their attendance, so I can prepare a spreadsheet for the chef. (I can recommend the Battered Mushrooms and Fried Camembert for entrees.) Please have your orders back to me by 8.00am, Tuesday 15 November 2022 at the latest.

Second important point: When you arrive on the Hamfeast day, if you can attend at the bar, let the staff know your callsign & name and they will take payment for your meal/s.

The chef is aiming to serve meals between 12.00pm and 1.00pm, but with upwards of 45 people expected, this equates to one meal cooked & served every 90 seconds, so please be patient. ?

Thanks all and look forward to hearing from you soon and seeing you at Quinninup on 21 November 2022.

73’s

Rob…
VK6LD

Quinninup Tavern Menu

The Mayanup chapter of the Southern Electronics Group would like to invite hams and their wives, husbands, partners, significant others or even interested friends to attend our inaugural field event on the 10th and 11th of September 2022.

Mayanup Ham-Camption is an informal camp-out and radio get-away weekend where we can use and discuss practical projects for your radio and antennae in an open area with plenty of tall trees and great facilities.

Food and beverages are all BYO, but if there is enough interest we can bring orders of take away from town on the Saturday night.

The grounds are large with plenty of space for your caravan, tent or swag with some indoor shed room in case it gets a bit wet.

If you choose to visit but would prefer a more civilised motel or bed and breakfast, there are many available from 10 to 30 minutes from Mayanup. There is limited power available on the grounds, so self contained power is preferred. There are toilets and showers, and camping will be $10pp/pn.

The event is focused on the weekend, but campers are welcome to arrive on the Friday afternoon or evening, but if you are planning to do this please let me know beforehand.

As this is the first time we have run this event, please be patient and feel free to suggest changes or additions. We would like to see it succeed and grow for next year.

For further details and to register your interest please contact VK6EK Darren at <vksixek@gmail.com>

Google Maps Link

The Katanning Hamfeast was held at the Royal Exchange Hotel on Monday 20 June 2022.

We had a gathering of about 40 amateurs & partners attending for a day of good food, cold drinks and warm conversations.

People come from as far and wide as Albany, Mt Barker, Broomehill, Manjimup, Boyup Brook, Bunbury, Esperance, Mandurah, Perth Metro, Perth Hills, Esperance,  Katanning and all points in between.

The weather was a bit on the cold and wintery side, but the log fire attracted a gathering in keeping attendees warm.  

The Hamfeast raffle was also very popular fundraising for Southern Electronics Group and prizes went to the following:

VK6WX Wes won 1st prize, which was temperature controlled soldering station.  Other prizes were won by VK6FAAZ David, VK6JDM Donald, VK6GX Phil, VK6APK Alek and VK6POP Bob.

A large collection of AR related books and some 450 ohm ladder line was donated by VK6XT Rick.  These were auctioned off by Nigel VK6NI and fundraised some more for SEG.

Many thanks to VK6VET Warren and VK6XT Rick for the donation of items for the raffle and auction and to our auctioneer Nigel VK6NI.

The conversation continued into the afternoon, exchanging stories, equipment & ideas. 

Many thanks to everyone who attended and made the day a success.  

The next SEG events are a overnight, amateur radio camp out being planned for September 2022 at Mayanup (Boyup Brook) for caravanners, campers & tents  and the next Hamfeast is scheduled for November 2022 at Manjimup (Quinninup).  Details for both events will be posted closer to the time.  

73,

Rob… VK6LD

Photos thanks to VK6MIL Graeme.

We had 45 attendees enjoying refreshments and a hearty lunch at the Quinninup Tavern on Monday 15 November 2021. We had travellers from Mt Barker, Porongurup, Broomehill, Manjimup, Boyup Brook, Margaret River, Yallingup, Collie, Binningup, Dwellingup, Mandurah, Perth Metro Perth Hills and even Kalgoorlie come to Ham Feast. Great to see a few first-timers to Ham Feast and our returning regulars. I think the location is just great, overlooking the karri forest from the bar, dining room and outside deck.

A big thanks as well goes to the tavern owner, Dale Atkins and her team of kitchen & bar staff for looking after us!

The legendary Ham Feast Raffle was held and the prize winners were:

1st prize (Comet GP-3, dual band 2m/70cm antenna, valued at $199): Mike VK6MN

Other prize winners were Phil VK6TEK (Bushcomm balun), David VK6FAAZ (Cable tie combo pack), Stuart VK6STU (Self-amalgamating tape), Andrew VK6ONE (Digital multimeter) and Warren (VK6VET) pliers/side cutters.

Raffle ticket sales and new memberships raised $545.00 for the kitty.

Thanks to everyone who travelled to Quinninup and made it another great event. The next Ham Feast at Katanning will take place around April 2022, so hope to see you there!

Thanks again to all.

73,

Rob…
VK6LD

Wow, what a year 2020 has been and after everything that has happened, I can’t believe we have made it to the end of the year. Here’s hoping 2021 is a better year for us all!

2020 saw a number of new & upgraded 2M & 70cm Allstar nodes added to the VK6 South West Hub linked repeater network, as we kept busy during the lockdowns. Unfortunately due to COVID-19 travel & mass gathering restrictions, we had to cancel the Katanning Ham Feast in April. Luckily these restrictions had eased by November and the Manjimup Ham Feast went ahead at the Quinninup Tavern and was probably the largest Ham Feast the club has ever held.

In 2020, SEG had 35 financial members in the club.

With the start of a new year, comes Southern Electronics Group (SEG) membership renewals. Everyone is encouraged to join SEG and being a member is a great way to get started in the hobby, meet new friends and help out others. Licensed amateur, shortwave listeners and radio hobbyists alike are all welcome to join us.

Membership remains at $30.00 per year and the membership year runs from 1 January to 31 December each year.

SEG continues to invest and upgraded its network of repeaters, Allstar links and nodes, the RemoteHams internet-controlled HF/VHF/UHF club station, APRS digipeater & I-Gate services and club callsign VK6SR.

For 2021, we have started assembling and building a second RemoteHams internet-controlled HF/VHF/UHF club station to be installed for members at Carnarvon. This is no small exercise, but it will give exciting chances for contacts that aren’t always possible from the south-west of VK6.

These projects all cost considerable time & money to licence, maintain, upgrade and operate. Importantly being a member of SEG helps us to share the cost of funding new projects and repairs.  For members who joined part way through 2020, we can pro-rata your 2021 membership.  (Please ask to have your membership adjusted.)

Now if club memberships aren’t your cup of tea, SEG are also able to accept donations.

SEG is able to accept membership renewals and new applications securely online via credit card & Paypal through the RegisterNow group.

The link to the 2021 Membership renewals is: 

https://www.registernow.com.au/secure/Register.aspx?E=42211

The RegisterNow system will automatically email you a receipt and deposit the funds to the SEG account. 

For those who wish to pay by EFT/internet banking or by cheque, Membership Forms can be downloaded in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF formats below and sent via e-mail or by Australia Post to the Treasurer at PO Box 435 Mt Barker WA 6324.

Your ongoing support of SEG is greatly appreciated and we look forward to hearing from you soon.

73,

Rob…

VK6LD

Online SEG Renewals & Applications

Membership Form (Word)

Membership Form (PDF)

The Manjimup Hamfeast was held at the Quinninup Tavern on Monday 16 November 2020.

After missing Katanning Hamfast in April 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions, a gathering of 45-50 amateurs & partners attended for a day of conversation, food and drinks.

We had people come from as far and wide as Perth Metro, Perth Hills, Esperance, Mt Barker, Katanning and all points in between.

The weather was fantastic and the setting at Quinninup is just magic among the tall Karri trees.

Steve VK6SJ from DX Radio Systems had his Flex 6700 Remote Station operating from the lounge bar, demonstrating the capabilities of this very modern equipment.

The Hamfeast raffle was also very popular fundraising for Southern Electronics Group and prizes went to the following:

• VK6ZGN Bob won 1st prize, which was a Comet dual band VHF/UHF collinear, donated by Steve VK6SJ & DX Radio Systems.
• VK6KRC Bob won the Bushcomm 40M dipole
• VK6IQ Glen won the Baofeng UV5R 2m/70cm handheld donated by Duncan VK6GHZ
• Toni XYL of Kim VK6TQ won the Bushcomm 4:1 balun
• VK6JDM Donald won the cable tie pack
• VK6JX John won the portable frequency counter
• VK6XZ Bruce won the VK6 Amateur Radio Guide donated by Wes VK6WX
• VK6TY Lee won the electronic component cleaning spray
• VK6GX Phil won the roll of self-amalgamating tape

The conversation continued in the carpark well into the afternoon, exchanging stories, equipment & ideas.

Many thanks to everyone who attended and made the day a success.  Thank you also to the sponsors & supporters of the Hamfeast raffle.

The next Hamfeast is scheduled for April 2021 in Katanning and will post further details closer to the time. 

If you would like to be on the Hamfeast mailing list, please contact Rob VK6LD via the Contact Page.

73,

Rob…

Hello All,

A brief report from the Quinninup Ham Feast held last Monday, 18 November 2019.

We had 32 people enjoying refreshments and a hearty lunch at the brand new Quinninup Tavern.  We had travellers from Albany, Mt Barker, Katanning, Broomehill, Manjimup, Boyup Brook, Binningup, Mandurah, Perth Metro,  Perth Hills and even Darwin come to Ham Feast.  Great to see a few first-timers to Ham Feast and our returning regulars.  I think the location and layout of the new venue is excellent, overlooking the karri forest from the bar, dining room and outside deck.  The tavern only reopened 4 weeks ago after a devastating fire in 2017 and the rebuild is a great credit to Dale the owner and her team. 

The now legendary Ham Feast Raffle was held and the prize winners were:

1^st prize (NanoVNA):                           Bruce VK6XZ

2^nd prize (Frequency Counter):           Mike VK6MN

3^rd prize (RTL-SDR Dongle):                John VK6JCF

4^th prize (Cable Tie Combo Bag):        Rick VK6XT

5^th prize (Jaycar Gift Voucher):           Dave VK6AI

Alek VK6APK passed the hat around for Barry VK6WF/VK2WB who lost his home and everything last week in the devastating bushfires that have impacted the states of VK2 & VK4.  Alek wanted to thank everyone at the Ham Feast for their generous donations and caring.  The collection raised $169.05 and SEG also donated $50.00 from the raffle proceeds to the collection, which brought the total to $219.05.  Alek sent through a photograph of what is left of Barry’s house and where donations are going to.

Bevan VK6BL (SEG Treasurer) also received some membership renewals at the Ham Feast, so thank you to the renewing members.

We had a few regular Ham Feast attendees that couldn’t make it to Quinninup this year, so if anyone has any photos of the day, please feel free to send them to me.

The next Ham Feast at Katanning will take place around April 2020, so hope to see you there!

Thanks again to all.

73,

Rob…

VK6LD

2018 Katanning Hamfeast Report

Hi All,

A short report from the Katanning Ham Feast, held on 25 January 2018.

Many thanks to everyone who came along to the Southern Electronics Group Katanning Ham Feast last Thursday.  It was great to see everyone and catch up for a chat and some lunch.  It was a nice day for a drive down to the Royal Exchange Hotel and about 40 people were gathered for the 9th Katanning Ham Feast.

The popular Ham Feast raffle was won by VK6ATM Terry (Soldering Station). Raffle prizes were also won by Hazel VK6LR XYL, Kath VK6FBOS XYL, Warren VK6VET, Roy VK6FXLR and Ian VK6TWJ.  I will find out from Chris VK6JI if he has any photos up on his website and post the link.

The Treasurer Bevan VK6BL also informed me he deposited a nice amount into the SEG bank account from raffle proceeds and membership renewals from the day.

The next Ham Feast is planned for Bridgetown around September 2018 (exact date is to be advised) and hoping you can all make it along.

Thanks again all for making it a great day.

73’s & Best Regards,

Rob…

VK6LD

2018 Katanning Hamfeast

The next annual Katanning Hamfeast is to be held on Thursday 25 January 2018.

Start time is 12.00pm for lunch at Oscar’s Cafe at the Royal Exchange Hotel in Katanning. (Austral Terrace opposite the railway station)

As always, the meals & desserts are very good. Food and drinks are also very reasonably priced.

Menu: http://www.royalexchangewa.com.au/meals.html

This will be the 9th anniversary of the event and as always, YL’s, YM’s, XYL’s, XYM’s, wives, husbands and partners are also very welcome to attend.

Car pooling is encouraged and I would imagine we will have travellers from Albany, Manjimup and Perth areas heading to Katanning.

Please RSVP via the Contact Page by Thursday 18 January 2018 so I can making a booking with the cafe. Meals can be ordered on the day.   If you already have a name badge from a previous Ham Feast, please bring it with you and if you require a name badge, please let me know and I’m sure Geoff VK6YR will make some up for the event.

Please pass the word around and I look forward to seeing you there!

73’s

Rob…
VK6LD

2017 Bridgetown Hamfeast

The time has come around quickly again for the next Hamfeast.  Unfortunately due to a devastating fire recently at our usual venue at the Quinninup Tavern, we have had to find a new location, which we’re hoping will be equal to the Quinninup.

The new Hamfeast venue is The Cidery in Bridgetown and will be held on Tuesday 26 September 2017.

Start time is 11.00am.

For those who haven’t been before, the Bridgetown Hamfeast is similar to the almost famous Katanning Hamfeast Lunch, where the food is great, drinks are cold and the company is excellent!  YL’s, XYL’s & partners are also very welcome.

The Cidery is located at 43 Gifford Road, Bridgetown, which can be found on the road heading out of Bridgetown towards Boyup Brook.

For those coming from Albany, Mt Barker, Katanning, Perth or most other places, Bridgetown can be reached in 2-3 hours travel time.  For those that wish to stay a bit longer, there is accommodation in Bridgetown or nearby Manjimup, Pemberton and Donnybrook.

It is preferred if you can pre-order your choices to help the chef to have sufficient supplies on hand and prepare & deliver the meals in a timely manner. Meals can be selected on the day, but there are no guarantees! ?

The menu is available on The Cidery website – http://www.thecidery.com.au/menu/

If those attending can e-mail me with their meal choices and to confirm their attendance, so I can prepare a spreadsheet for the chef and our name badge producer.

Please have your orders back to me by 12.00pm, Wednesday 20 September 2017 at the latest.

Thanks all and look forward to hearing from you soon and seeing you at Bridgetown on 26 September 2017.

73’s

Rob…
VK6LD

Google Maps Link