NQ AR Convention History

North Queensland
Amateur Radio Convention

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HISTORY
Aims and objects :
( parts taken from an original document by Peter Renton/VKPV, February 1979 )
The fundamental aim of the North Queensland Amateur Radio Convention
is to provide an opportunity for Radio Amateurs, Radio Club Members and
those parts of the general community who have an interest in
communications operations and technology to meet together socially
every two years.

(It should be noted that Amateur Radio normally provides voice or data contact only, and many
Amateurs never get to see the owner of the voice at the other end, even though they may
have had years of regular contacts.)

Other subsidiary aims are as follows :

1. To provide a technical service in the form of lectures,
visits, trade displays, films, etc.

2. To stimulate interest in various forms of technical activity by the
running of contests. This could include homebrew construction
(both technical and non-technical), amateur radio direction finding,
construction sprints, operational proficiency etc.

3. To provide alternate activities and entertainment for spouses and
families who may not be oriented towards Amateur Radio.

4. To provide a point of contact with all members of the general community
whose interest lies in the techniques of communications, rather than in
communication as an end to itself.
Through the point of contact demonstration can be made of the advantages
of Amateur Radio. Such other groups in the general community include people
interested in Citizens Band Radio, Professional Mobile Radio,
Maritime Communications, Outpost Radio, Disaster Communications,
Experimental Communications and Space Communications.

5. To interest the general public in Amateur Radio and so encourage
new participants to the hobby in due course.

6. To run the Convention in such a manner as to ensure that the
running costs are met by convention registration fees and profits
from sales of books etc.
In alignment with the general scheme of non-pecuniary interests in the hobby,
it is NOT the aim of the organisers to derive a large financial gain from the
North Queensland Amateur Radio Convention.

History :
( taken from notes compiled by Iain Morrison/VK4IGM and Peter Renton/VK4PV
in the special edition September 1997 issue of the club magazine Back-scatter.
The list is updated on a biennial basis. )

The North Queensland Amateur Radio Convention has been held since 1973,
with the following table showing a summary of venue and events.
The Brief Details section includes the main venue, activities,
banquet venue plus visits details

No.
Date
Club President
Brief Details

1
July 1973
Peter Lindsay VK4QD
Civil Defence HQ,
Technical Films, Junior Rugby League HQ,
Anzac Park, Queens Hotel

2
July 1975
Ray Kearney VK4HE
SES HQ, opened by Prof. James Ward,
Senior Citizens Centre,
Anzac Park, Queens Hotel,
visit to Kissing Point Ocean Radar.

3
July 1977
Peter Renton VK4PV
Hermit Park School, opened by Ald. Perc. Tucker,
JCU Physics Dept, Pallarenda,
Visit to RAAF Many Peaks.

4 Sept 1979
Peter Snell VK4APS
TCAE, opened by Gordon Dean,
JCU Physics Dept,
visit to Bohle RAAF,
Visit to Bohle RAAF Transmitters,
tour of Civic Theatre, visit to TNQ-7.

5
Sept 1981
Roger Cordukes VK4CD
TCAE, JCU Electrical Engineering,
opened by Ald Mike Reynolds,
visit to OTC Pallarenda.

6
Sept 1983
Roger Cordukes VK4CD
TCAE (10th anniversary dinner),
opened by Ken McElligott,
JCU Physics,
visit to JCU Wind Tunnel.

7
Sept 1985
Bob Mann VK4WJ
JCU Western Campus, opened by Prof. James Ward,
JCU Electrical Engineering,
JCU Physics, visit to TNQ-7.

8
Sept 1987
Evelyn Bahr VK4EQ
JCU Western Campus,
opened by Dr. David Wardlaw VK3ADW,
TAFE Electrical Magic Show,
visit to NSCA Hangar.

9
Sept 1989
Rob Male VK4RB
JCU Western Campus,
opened by Guy Minter VK4ZXZ,
TAFE Electrical Magic Show,
JCU Electrical Engineering.

10
Sept 1991
Peter Harding VK4PVH
JCU Western Campus, opened by John Nutting (mgr ABC),
JCU Electrical Engineering, visit to QTV,
visit to RAAF Museum.

11
Sept 1993
John Mahoney VK4JON
Cairns - at Combined Citizens Band Schools Hall,
opened by Gerry Millward VK4HT (area manager SMA).

12
Sept 1995
Bob Mann VK4WJ
JCU University Hall, opened by Hon Ted Lindsay,
special guest speakers
Christine Goode (manager SMA)
and Mal Heron (JCU),
Radio Sport Demonstrations and lectures.

13
Sept 1997
Bob Mann VK4WJ JCU University Hall,
opened by Senator Richard Alston,
guest speakers
Hon Peter Lindsay VK4TO and
Gerry Millward VK4HT (Area mgr ACA),
Lectures by John Nielsen and
Ron Graham VK4BRG
Maritime Museum, Tumberton Lodge

14
Sept 1999
Don Terrace VK4MC JCU University Hall,
opened by Hon Peter Lindsay VK4TO
and Gerry Millward VK4HT (Area mgr ACA),
Lectures by Assoc Prof Keith Kikkert and
Ron Graham/VK4BRG
Compass House, Uni Hall

15
Sept 2001
Gavin Reibelt VK4ZZ
JCU University Hall
opened by Evelyn Bahr VK4EQ
Lecture by Prof. Mal Heron
"Radiowave Propagation through
partially ionised plasma ·
bushfires, cyclones, squalls and willywillies"
Lecture by Leonie Tarnawski ACA
"Radiation and you · an introduction to the
Australian EMR Framework."
Ladies Group ·
Painted masonry with Sheila Morrison,
Visits to Pandora museum

16
Sept 2003
Gavin Reibelt VK4ZZ
daytime - JCU University Hall Mezzanine
30th Anniversary
night-time Anita's Restaurant, Cluden Park Motor Inn
opened by Alan Stephenson VK4PS
Lecture by Prof. Mal Heron -
Remote Sensing of Sea Surface Salinity
Lecture by Mark Loney and Christine Allen ACA -
Review of Amateur Service Regulation
Lecture by Gerry Millward ACA -
Update to the Electro-magnetic Radiation Framework
Ladies Group -
Sheila Morrison - Creative Crafts using Bread Tags
Addie Cook - Craft and Art with Palm Leaves, Torres
Strait Islander Style.

17
Sept 2005
Gavin Reibelt VK4ZZ
daytime - JCU University Hall Mezzanine
night-time Anita's Restaurant, Cluden Park Motor Inn
opened by Evelyn Bahr VK4EQ
Lecture by Prof. Mal Heron -
"HF Ocean Radar, Benefits and Drawbacks for Mankind"
Lecture by Phil Grimshaw VK4KVK -
"Design and manufacture of Antenna Systems for Restricted spaces"
Ladies Group -
Demonstration by Suzanne Hogdson/Lorraine Lee Linen -
"Linen is back with Style and Variety"
Excursion to Willows Markets

18
Sept 2007
Gavin Reibelt VK4ZZ
daytime - JCU University Hall Mezzanine
night-time Centenary Hotel
opened by Wally Watkins VK4DO
Lecture by Prof. Mal Heron -
"Australian HF Ocean Surface Radar Network"
Lecture by Dr. Graham Woods -
"'Microwave Contacts via the Marine Duct"
Lecture by Don Dinnie VK4ZCQ -
"An Obscure History of Solid State, from 1848 to 1948"
Lecture by Phil Grimshaw VK4KVK -
"Understanding and Customizing the G5RV Antenna"
Ladies Group -
Demonstration by Cathy Peffer, QCWA Abergowrie/Longpocket -
"Crafty things to do with Beads "
(included making a Christmas Bell and Earrings)
Excursion to Heritage Tea Rooms Herveys Range

19
Sept 2009
Ken Cassidy VK4QZ
daytime - JCU University Hall Endeavour Room
night-time - Frog and Toad Bistro, West End Hotel
Opened by - Richard Goodhew VK4FRJG
Lecture by Associate Professor Keith Kikkert -
" BPL - Is It Dead ? "
Lecture by Max Riley VK2ARZ -
" Solving the Antenna Conundrum "
Ladies Group -
Excursion to The Townsville Museum
Excursion to Willows Markets

20
Sept 2011
Richard Goodhew VK4FRJG
main venue - Charters Towers RSL Club Function Room
Opened by - Mayor Ben Callcott, Charters Towers Regional Council
Tours of The Venus Gold Battery,
Zara Clark Museum & Vern Kerr VK4LK (sk) Display,
Historic Ambulance Station
Excursion to Charters Towers QCWA Markets
Trade Displays by TET-Emtron, Navcom and theTARCinc