FreeDV Australian net - good conditions, 20 stations

A big rollup this morning. 20 stations at least tuned in, not all could transmit. Several stations could be heard transmitting analog audio so presumably it's rig audio input configuration troubles. One station commented that it would be good if there was a regular broadcast for stations to test with. There used to be a relay of the WIA broadcast from Adelaide in, I think, 700D, perhaps it's time to revive something like that?

There were deep fades on the frequency today but generally decodes were good here. Graeme VK3GRK from Bendigo participates in a Zoom call where they experiment with digital modes and he said that at times it was hard to distinguish between FreeDV RADE audio and Zoom audio!

Stations seen on the frequency included: VK3TPM, VK2BLQ, VK3UBK, VK3CKY, VK5KVA, VK3KQT, VK3KEZ, VK5KFG, VK3SPX, VK7DIK, VK2DWG, VK3JF, VK6POP, VK2DUX, VK3SRC, VK2KNC, VK3GRK, VK3AG, VK3CRY and VK3BAL. 

Puffing Billy steam train trip with grandson

Today was a real treat. I accomponied my daughter and my grandson on a ride on an antique narrow guage steam train in Melbourne, Australia, known as "Puffing Billy".

Perhaps some staff are paid but I suspect many of those involved are volunteers and they do a wonderful job of maintaining everything and dressing in outfits appropriate for the era. There is something magical about steam.

Three year old Ed wasn't too happy about the noise (I'm also rather sensitive to noise myself). He was most interested in the steam rail museum.

A great day out. He's not quite ready for his foundation radio license but the clock is ticking...