In mid November 2009 I received an email from our mutual good friend Bernhard DL2GAC ( also known as VU2BMS and H44MS ) who told me that Bharathi VU2RBI was going to be in Brisbane from 30th November to the 6th of December. Her husband Prasad VU2DBP was going to be involved in a conference for the week and would I know of someone who could look after Bharathi during the day and show her around. My wife Raewyn and I were going to be in Brisbane at that time and as it it would fit into our schedule we decided we could do just that. Following several emails from Bharathi and Skype contacts a plan was devised for us to show her the sights. A meeting of amateur radio operators from around the region was organised by Bill VK4FW for the Wednesday evening.

Monday 30th November

Raewyn and I met up with Bharathi and Prasad at their hotel in Brisbane in the evening and with their good friend Mr. Laxmi we went out to dinner.

Tuesday 1st December

On this morning we picked Bharathi up from the hotel early and drove up to the Sunshine Coast, north of Brisbane, Queensland, for a day out at Australia Zoo. This is one of the most award winning tourist attractions in Australia and more details can be found at http://www.australiazoo.com.au/. The day was spent looking at the many Australian wildlife attractions. Bharathi was able to touch and hand feed kangaroos and see koalas up close.

Wednesday 2nd December

Today was spent strolling along South Bank on the Brisbane river and enjoying the sights. South Bank is opposite the CBD on the river where the International EXPO88 was held. Remaining there are several old buildings and the beautifully carved wooden Nepalese Pagoda specially made for EXPO and which still attracts lots of interest from visitorsand locals alike. After a very nice lunch at an Indian restaurant we spent the afternoon looking around the shops in the CBD before going back to the hotel. Prasad and Mr. Laxmi had finished their conference duties for the day and we stayed for a while to tell them about what we had been doing. After they had their dinner we picked them up from the hotel and went to the meeting of hams who had come to see and hear Bharathi speak about her experiences in amateur radio. Attending the gathering were Bill VK4FW and his xyl Cheryl, Ray VK4DXA and xyl Raewyn, Ewan VK4ERM and xyl Margaret VK4MEG, Roy VK4BAY, John VK4IO and xyl Catherine VK4VCH, John VK4MJF, Mick VK4NE, Peter VK4FABC and xyl, Tim VK4TIM, Ron VK4CRO, Ray VK4TPT, Paul VK4FPDW and Tom VK4ATH. After coffee and biscuits there were many photographs taken of the hams with Bharathi and Prasad. This was a most enjoyable evening and those who didn't come missed out on something very special.

Thursday 3rd December

Bharathi was collected from her hotel and we visited with Frank VK4XK and his xyl Anne. After having morning tea quite some time was spent in the shack with lots of discussion on various aspects of radio. A meeting had been arranged at the Redlands Sports Club and here Bharathi was able to meet with Eddie VK4AN, Cathie VK4FG, Bill VK4FW and xyl Cheryl, Ray VK4DXA and xyl Raewyn, Ron VK4EV and Harry VK4DFG over long lunch. During the afternoon we took her to VK4FG Cathie's house and Bharathi was able to get on air and operate as VU2RBI/VK. CQ calls did not present much in the way contacts so she went on to the ANZA DX net where many contacts were made. ( The ANZA DX net operates on 14183 kHz every day of the year from 0515UTC and anyone is welcome to join). Once we were able to get her away from the radio we delivered Bharathi back to the hotel to meet up with Prasad. They were to spend the next three nights at Mr. Laxmi's house.

Friday 4th December

Raewyn and myself went to collect Bharathi at Mr Laxmi's house to go on a tour around the western region out of Brisbane. When we arrived there we were given a really nice Indian breakfast that was prepared by Bharathi for us to try. Mid morning we went to Toowoomba, viewed the sight and had lunch before returning through the little town of Esk. We went back this way so Bharathi could get on air again, this time from John VK4DBJ's shack. We were there just in time for the ANZA net and a lot of contacts were made on this day. Stations Bharathi worked included, ZL4QJ, VK5DWC/m, VK2XH, ZL1ANF,A35A, VK3MRH, 3D2MP, E51CG, AH6WX, VK3NR, KH6RC, ZL1DT, T32TV, ZL4PA, VK2MDY, VK7XX, E51JD, VK3HGN, VK7AC, VK7ZE, VK3MDD, VK4DXA/m,VK4LMB, VK4LJ and VK4DBJ. The huge smiles and look of satisfaction on her face was something to be seen and made it all worthwhile. Again, it was difficult to get Bharathi away from the radio but we finally managed it and we returned to Brisbane. Prasad and Mr. Laxmi arrived home at about the same time as we did so another enjoyable hour was spent talking about our experiences during the past few days. All too soon it was time to say our goodbyes and we have many memories that will last a lifetime. Mr Laxmi took his guests for a look around the Gold Coast south of Brisbane on Saturday and we got an unexpected phone call from them in the late afternoon to tell us about it. They flew back to India on Sunday 6th December. Since theyhave been home we have a couple of chats on Skype and even tried to set up a contact on 20 metres. Unfortunately I could hear Bharathi 5 x 5 but she couldn't hear me. One of these days there will be better propagation and we be able to make the contact.

Link to Photo album: http://www.indiahams.com/webalbum/thumbnails.php?album=15