Midland Amateur Radio Committee Page

Kevin Crockett - VK3CKC
President
VHF Net Controller
Projects Coordinator
Learning Organiser

Kevin's interest in electronics arose from his interest in playing the guitar. He spent his first 18 years on a number of dairy farms in Northern Victoria before joining what was known as The Victorian Railways in 1966 at Lockington.

An interest in Amateur Radio was aroused in 1971 at Manangatang with the building of the solid-state Deltahet MkII Communications Receiver from Electronics Australia magazine. Studying for the qualifications had to wait until a few railway and career requirements were out of the way. An appointment as Stationmaster at Glenrowan in 1972 eventually saw more time to study radio -= that is, before a move into management in 1977.

First licensed as VK3ZGV (Limited) in 1976, VK3KKC (Novice/Limited) in 1983 and has held his current call since mid 1983. Holds an Advanced Diploma of Electronics Engineering. Personal web site is vk3ckc.ham-radio.ch.

Kevin joined the Club at the start of 2004. Interests are electronics in general, computer programming, Software Defined Radio and general construction - when time permits, of course.

Ray Tampion - VK3FTAM
Secretary

Ray was born in Windsor, Melbourne in 1942. He attended Primary School in St Arnaud & Rushworth with Secondary School/Technical College in Abbotsford, Melbourne.

He joined what was the PMG in 1958 and completed a 5 year Tech In Training course in 1962. He worked on exchange maintenance until 1967, then PABX maintenance until 1990. Ray qualified as a Radio & TV tech at night school in 1978 at RMIT. He became part of middle management until retirement in December 2000. He has enjoyed building electronic projects from Radio, TV and Hobbies since the mid 1950s.

Ray moved to Mandurang with Liz in December 2001. They live in a mud brick house with a big dam in front, tank water & wood fires, and 360 degree bush views. His hobbies include model airplanes, SWLing and Amateur Radio. He was always interested in amateur radio but never got around to it until Monica (VK3FMON) sold him the Foundation Manual when he went to T&C Electronics Services looking for a remote control for a TV set.

Mark Harris - VK3EME
Technical Officer

First licensed as VK3PFN (Novice) in 1982 while living in Robinvale. A trip to Bendigo was required to sit the exam in those days. Gained a Limited licence in 1985 and the combined callsign of VK3KYG. Mark's Full call was obtained in 1988 with the current callsign of VK3EME.

A past member of the Swan Hill Radio club with a year as president and also a member of the Sunraysia Radio Group, holding various committee positions. Mark joined the Midland Amateur Radio Club following a move from Ballarat to Bendigo in 1998 and has held the positions of Treasurer, Secretary and Technical officer.

Initially very active on HF but steered towards VHF with the Limited license. Local activity in digital modes have now created interest in this field.

Present projects are to get a UHF Amateur repeater set up in Bendigo City with an IRLP node attached to it. He is also contemplating trying ATV on the microwave bands.

George Sumner - VK3JGS
Newsletter Editor
Public Officer

First licensed as VK3ZZI, later changed to VK3ZGS. Passed the Morse exam in 2001 and became VK3JGS.

George has been a member of the club (and its predecessor) for over 38 years. In recent times he has been Secretary, served on the Committee before becoming Vice President and then President for the following 3 years. George is now a Life Member. He has been Editor and Publisher of the Club newsletter, MARCSPACE, since 2000, and is also the Club QSL Manager and Public Officer.

George's main interests are amateur radio, a keen hi-fi music and radio broadcasting listener, photography, video, movie and 35 mm. still photography. He has been a satellite TV enthusiast since 1988, receiving both Australian and Overseas TV and radio satellite channels.

M.A.R.C - VK3CMZ