I have finished printing out on my 3D printer the centre piece and wire winders for the linked dipole construction project, which is to be held at the 2025 VKFF National Get Together in Canberra.
Tomorrow I will head down to the city to purchase some SO239 connectors.
I will also travel up to Renmark in the Riverland soon to liaise with Ivan VK5HS for further work on this project. Ivan VK5HS very kindly offered his invaluable assistance.
A few weeks ago I acquired through an online auction, a Trio TS-520D transceiver. These were manufactured from about 1973-1977. It came with the Trio MC-10 microphone.
What was to become the Kenwood Corporation was formed in December 1946 as the Kasuga Radio Co. Ltd in Komagane, Nagano, Japan. In 1960, the company was renamed Trio Corporation. In 1986, the company became the Kenwood Corporation. (Wikipedia 2025)
References.
A few weeks ago, I ordered a Uniden Bearcat BCD996XT scanner from the USA. It arrived very promptly. Now to read the extensive operating manual and get it up and running
On Wednesday, the 1st day of October 2025, Marija and I drove up to the Yorke Peninsula Field Days at Paskeville. We took our little grandson, Flynn. Marija needed to attend the Field Days as part of her work in the insurance industry.
While at the Field Days, I caught up with Dave VK5MRD who was manning the Royal Flying Doctor display.
Late in the afternoon, on the way home, I quickly activated the silo at Paskeville for the SIlos On The Air (SiOTA) program.
Paskeville is about 133 km northwest of the city of Adelaide, on the top of the Yorke Peninsula.
Above: Map showing the location of Paskeville. Map c/o Google Maps.
The first Europeans to explore the area were John Hill and Thomas Burr in 1840, who reported that they had found extensive, fertile land in the district. John Green established a sheep station in the district in 1851. By 1862, the Hundred of Kulpara was proclaimed, and surveys of land soon followed. In March 1880, the town of Paskeville was surveyed. It was named after General Edward Hanson Paske, who was the brother-in-law of the incumbent Governor, Sir William Jervois (Wikipedia 2025)
Not much remains at Paskeville. Some of the remaining historic buildings include the former bank and the former courthouse. Paskeville was located on the Balaklava-Moonta railway line. The station at Paskeville thrived in its heyday, with the railway line closing in the 1980s. (Wikipedia 2025)
The Paskeville Primary School opened in 1874 and closed in 2003.
The Paskeville grain silos are located on the southern side of the Copper Coast Highway and the northern side of Railway Terrace.
I operated from the 4WD, running the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 930 antenna with the 1.5 metre stainless steel whip.
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
References.
My third and final significant police site for Saturday, 27th September 2025, with the special call of VI8POL, was the gravesite of Constable John McLennan Holman at the West Terrace cemetery. He was shot and killed in the line of duty in 1929.
Before visiting his burial site, I took a walk around Hindmarsh Square in Adelaide, as I had read that a plaque had been unveiled there recently. Sadly, I was unable to locate it.
John McLennan Holman was born on the 15th day of February 1906 at Hilton, South Australia. His parents were Dudley John Holman and Eliza Holman, nee Sutherland. Holman attended the Richmond Public School. Upon leaving school, Holman entered the motor department of Messrs. Harris Scarfe and Co, where he remained until he joined the South Australia Police in 1928. Holman displayed excellent aptitude and was made a plainclothes Constable shortly after joining the police. He was reported to be an enthusiastic member of the Richmond and Keswick United Football Club. He was part of the premiership team in 1928. Holman was also interested in tennis and cricket and was involved in organising matches among police officers. (ancestry 2016) (Trove 2025)
Above: Constable John Holman. Image c/o Trove
At about 11.00 p.m. on Saturday, the 23rd day of February 1929, Plain Clothes Constable Holman, Plain Clothes Constable Ernest Budgen, and Plain Clothes Constable John O’Neill Marshall, from the City Watchhouse, were about to conclude their shift. They received word that men were causing trouble at the eastern end of Grenfell Street.
They attended a house at 199 Grenfell Street, Adelaide, where they seized a motorcycle and sidecar. They were attempting to start the motorcycle when two offenders, John Stanley McGrath 23 years, and Albert James Matthews, stepped onto the road in front of the motorcycle. McGrath produced a .32 semi-automatic pistol and pointed it at the police and said, ‘Get off that bike’. Constable Holman identified themselves as police officers. McGrath then approached Constable Holman, and when a short distance from him, fired four shots in quick succession. (ancestry 2016)
McGrath and Matthews then ran off. Constable John Clement King and Constable Tilka were on bicycle patrol nearby and, upon hearing the shot, arrived on the scene. Constable King was then shot at by McGrath on several occasions. King returned fire and shot McGrath in the leg. (ancestry 2016) (Trove 2025)
Despite being shot in the stomach, Constable Holman also gave chase for about 50 yards before collapsing unconscious on the roadway. Constables Holman and Bugden were not performing night duty, and as a result were not carrying firearms. (Trove 2025)
Above: part of an article from the Observer, Sat 2 Mar 1929. Image c/o Trove
McGrath was interviewed in the hospital and claimed he did not know that the people on his motorcycle were police. (ancestry 2016)
Constable Holman was described by a Divisional Officer as a most courteous officer who had shown every promise of rising in the service and who was liked by everyone. The Commissioner of Police, Brigadier General Leane, stated that he was a promising officer and that he had been held in the highest of esteem by all members of the Police Force. (Trove 2025)
Holman’s funeral was held on Monday, the 25th day of February 1929, with several thousand people attending. The cortege was nearly half a mile long and was led by 29 motor traffic police on motorcycle outfits. This was followed by a reel from the City Fire Brigade and several mounted police. This was followed by a column of dismounted troopers and foot constables, followed by Holman’s comrades from the plain clothes branch and Detectives.
Above: article from The Register, Tue 26 Feb 1929. Image c/o Trove.
The Commissioner of Police, Brigadier-General Leane, was on foot immediately in front of the hearse, along with Inspectors McGrath, Nation, and Horseman. Behind the hearse was a long line of private vehicles and police cars, carrying relatives and friends of Constable HOLMAN. (Trove 2025)
Above: part of the funeral column for Constable Holman. Image c/o Trove.
Constable Holman was the third police officer to lose his life in the execution of their duty in a three-month period.
McGrath and Matthews were also charged with feloniously shooting at George Skinner with the intent to murder him. This occurred at Grenfell Street just prior to the shooting of Constable Holman. Matthews was subsequently acquitted. (Trove 2025)
In March 1929, McGrath was committed for trial on the charge of murdering Constable Holman. John Stanley McGrath was born on the 9th day of May 1905 at Stanley Flat, South Australia. (ancestry 2016)
Above: article from The Western Mail, Fri 29 Mar 1929. Image c/o Trove
The trial commenced in July 1909 in the Criminal Court. Mr Justice Napier presided.
Above: part of an article from The Advertiser, Wed 10 Jul 1929. Image c/o Trove.
In July 1929, McGrath was found guilty of the murder of Constable Holman by the jury in the Criminal Court and was sentenced to death by Justice Napier. The foreman of the jury who announced the guilty verdict also made a strong recommendation to mercy. (Trove 2025)
Justice Napier stated:
“The sentence of the court upon you is that you be taken from hence to the place from whence you came, and from thence to the place of execution, and that you be there handed by the neck until you be dead, and may God have mercy on your soul.” (Trove 2025)
Above: part of an article from the Chronicle, Adelaide, Thu 18 Jul 1929. Image c/o Trove
In August 1929, at a special meeting of the Executive Council, the death sentence imposed on McGrath was commuted to imprisonment for life with hard labour. (Trove 2025)
Above: part of an article from the Chronicle, Thu 1 Aug 1929. Image c/o Trove
On Monday, the 12th day of May 1930, a ceremonial parade took place at the Parade Grounds in Adelaide, where the Governor, Sir Alexander Hore-Ruthven, presented the King’s Medal to Constable King and Constable Budgen, for bravery shown in the execution of their duty. (Trove 2025)
Governor Hore-Ruthven stated:
“We all experienced great pride and admiration when we listened to the recital of the heroic acts of these two men…….They showed great alertness and resource, and I congratulate them on their action. They are a credit to the police of South Australia. The duties of the police are arduous and difficult; not only do they demand the high quality of integrity, tact, and good temper, but also great personal courage.'” (Trove 2025)
After serving about 10 years in prison, McGrath was released from the Yatala Labour Prison on the 10th day of November 1939.
Above: extract from the SA Police Gazette, 15 Nov 1939.
In February 1982, McGrath died and was buried at the Dudley Park cemetery, South Australia. (ancestry 2016)
I operated from the 4WD and ran the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna with the 1.5 metre stainless steel whip.
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-
I worked the following station on 80m SSB:-
References.
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VK5PAS 