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THE BEST NEWS YOU'LL GET ALL WEEK
Oh... and to contact us with your news because
If It Matters To You It Matters To Us!
email nationalnews@wia.org.au
Please.. write your story as you would expect to hear it being read back
do NOT send us links and url's!!
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This is WIANEWS for week commencing June 7 2009
Geoff Atkinson VK3AFA WIA Secretary reports on the Club Grants.
Digital amateur television tests Sunday
DISCUSSION POINT With vk4zpp
CQ INDUCTS NEW MEMBERS TO ITS HALLS OF FAME
Amateur Radio Magazine previews June 2009
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FINAL FRONTIER
All up and coming in this edition of
WIANEWS for week commencing June 07 2009
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The WIA HD FEATURE CHANNEL this week
Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF Producer of ARNewsLine, Inc. in response to a number
of requests from his ARNewsLine listeners has uploaded the entire 71 minute
Dayton Hamvention FCC Forum hosted by Bill Cross, W3TN and Laura Smith as
an MP3 audio file to Amateur Radio Newsline website front page and now
to the WIA's HD Feature Channel.
This recording was made using a Senheisser microphone (and we will have
more on Senheisser with VK5BUI in international news this week) at the
speakers podium connected to an M-Audio Microtrack II professional digital
audio recorder. Audio processing and conversion to MP3 was accomplished
using Goldwave Editor Ver 5.52.
We believe you will find the audio quality superior to various other
recordings of this important forum available at various websites across
cyberspace.
We hope that you will find it of value.
Australia's oldest and last surviving World War I digger, Jack Ross, has died
in his nursing home in the central Victorian city of Bendigo at the age of
110.
Jack was but 18 when he joined the Australian Imperial Force in January 1918,
he had already lost a Brother in this war to end all wars, and his Mother
was able to convince the Government of the time to not send him overseas to
train, but be trained at an Australian wireless training school before he
was posted to the 1st Battalion at Broadmeadows camp in Victoria.
But for Jack this was not enough!
He again served Australia during world War II as a member of the volunteer
defence corps.
Mr Ross was awarded the 80th Anniversary Armistice Remembrance medal in 1998
to commemorate the end of World War I.
In civilian life Mr Ross worked for the Victorian railways for more than
45 years before retiring in 1964.
He celebrated his 110th birthday on March 11.
He is survived by daughter, son , four grandchildren and nine
great-grandchildren.
(sourced to ABC/AAP and forwarded by vk2sky)
Geoff Atkinson VK3AFA WIA Secretary reports on the Club Grants.
A reminder that applications by WIA affiliated clubs for a Club Grant this
year must be lodged by 31 July.
The Board has set aside up to A$6000.00 for this years scheme.
As indicated previously, this year special emphasis will be placed on
WIA membership ratios of clubs applying for grants.
The committee will be reviewing applications which focus on projects and
activities (to be conducted before 1 April 2010) to attract new amateurs.
Also projects supporting emergency communications and preparedness for
emergency communications.
Details of the Club Grant Scheme can be downloaded from the WIA website,
located under WIA Club Affiliation.
The applications will be reviewed by a Grants Committee of 3, who will make
recommendations to the WIA Board.
Applications will close on the 31 July 2009 and successful applicants will be
announced by the end of August.
The WIA Board looks forward to active participation by affiliated clubs in
this years Club Grant Scheme.
Tony Hutchison Featured In The "Extra"
WIA Members may be interested to learn that the WIA Australian Coordinator
for ARISS Tony Hutchison VK5ZAI recently appeared in the "Extra" which is
inserted in the local country papers around the SE of SA and Western Victoria
every few months.
Journalist Helene Caderbaccus has become very interested in the ARISS program
and keeps in regular contact with Tony for updates on ARISS and Amateur Radio
activity.
As reported in the Article, in January 2010 Tony will take on a six month
appointment as international operations leader for ARISS.
Read the full item on the wia.org.au news page
Digital amateur television tests today
All going well the VK3RTV repeater on Mt Dandenong east of Melbourne will
begin digital TV tests transmissions from 11am Melbourne time today.
Now one of the world's longest-running fast scan amateur television
devices, that has been on air since 1977, is switching to the DVB-T
digital broadcast standard.
It will be received in the Melbourne and Geelong areas on commonly used
household Set Top Boxes or digital TV receivers - the frequency being used
is 446.5 MHz.
Amateur Radio Victoria is providing most of the funding for this major
project that has been supported by $1,000 from the WIA Club Grants Scheme.
Peter Cossins VK3BFG will be listening for reception reports on the ATV
liaison frequency of 147.4 MHz or they can be sent to
vk3rtv@amateurradio.com.au
I'm Barry Robinson VK3PV and you're listening to VK1WIA.
HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.
VK3
web service:- http://www.amateurradio.com.au/news/
VKC Roundup http://www.police
The Sherbrooke Community Radio Club sponsored another successful course in
amateur radio on the weekend of 30 - 31 May. We had 17 students in
attendance for a "regulations" course with a success rate of 101%.
One candidate went on to do his Standard Licence theory examination on the
same day and passed!
We jokingly call it "Ark's Academy" but it is run by a group of active radio
amateurs to support and increase the numbers in amateur radio. Two
Foundation Licence courses are planned for this month and one Standard
Licence theory course, which will run for five weeks. Both members of the
public and schools are most welcome to participate in any of the courses.
Further details may be found at vk3kid.cloud.prohosting.com
Gippsland Gate Radio and Electronics Club is pleased to announce it's annual
Hamfest, which will be held on Sunday, 18th July from 10am. (Actually this has
been mentioned many times so no excuse for forgetting! .. Ed.)
The event will be held at the Cranbourne Public Hall on the corner of High St
and Clarendon St in Cranbourne - opposite the BP Petrol Station.
So come on down to sift through 40 tables of pre-loved gear, as well as seeing
the newer offerings from some of the well known names in radio and
electronics.
Entry costs only $6 and includes a ticket in the great door prizes as well as
free tea and coffee. Hot food and drinks will also be available for purchase.
A few tables are still available at $20 for anyone wanting to clear out the
shack and make a few dollars.
For more information, please see the June issue of Amateur Radio magazine or
refer to the clubs web site at www.ggrec.org.au .
The members of GGREC look forward to seeing you at their Hamfest on the
18th July.
(Chris VK3QB)
VK4
web service local news:- www.wiaq.com/qnews/upload/qnewsbcast.htm
local news email qnews-vk-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
VKR Roundup http://www.police.qld.gov.au/News+and+Alerts/Media+Releases/
The Central Highland Amateur Radio Club Annual
General Meeting is taking place at Camp Fairbairn
near Emerald from late Friday afternoon 25th to
Sunday Morning 27th September.
Accommodation is available on site, there is a big
BBQ dinner and Monster Auction on Saturday Night
and a Recovery Breakfast on Sunday morning.
A great place to meet and catch up
on things plus a chance to see all that extra water still in
Lake Maraboon !
For further information contact Secretary
Gordon Loveday VK4KAL
on telephone 07 49854168 (remember weekends are cheaper)
or email gordon.l23@aussiebroadband.com.au
While you are online also check out the
Central Highland Club's Yahoo site at
http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/charc/
sunny coast's October Camp Catch-up
The October camp catch-up this year will be held at Maidenwell Observatory
on 31st October and 1st November. There will be a spit roast at the pub
and a guided tour through the observatory. At last report Camping will
be on the local cricket oval. Maidenwell is located in the Brisbane valley
west of Yarraman on the Kingaroy Cooyar road. If you have never heard of
it, well it's a good excuse to find out a bit more.
More info from Noel VK4NL
VK7
local area news :- http://reast.asn.au/news.php
vk7 local news, email vk7regionalnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
North West Tasmania Amateur Radio Interest Group
www.my-x15.net/nwtarig/
After a 12 month trial period and several months of waiting for final
approval, the link between VK7RAC 70cm and VK7RAA 2m, has finally been
licensed. There were some initial concerns about the use of in-band linking,
but with some minor conditions imposed and the use of common sense, approval
has been granted.
The permanent link provides an effective gateway for amateurs on the
North West coast to communicate to the Mt Barrow 2M repeater beyond the
western extremity of it's coverage. VK7RAC uhf repeater is located on
Table Cape, near Wynyard and provides good coverage from Burnie to Rocky Cape
back to Hampshire and Yolla, and in varying degrees from Devonport to
Smithton.
For amateurs not familiar with VK7RAC, it can be received on 438.650 MHz
output, and 433.650 MHz input, and No CTCSS is required.
(David Cleland, VK7DC, Secretary, NWTARIG)
VK8
A huge auction of all sorts of items mostly radio oriented will be held at
the clubrooms on June 13th at 7pm. A famous DARC Barbecue will precede this
at 6pm.
Get your items in to the club as soon as possible please.
The club has organised a visit to the CVC radio transmitter site at Cox
peninsula later in the month of June but if you plan on going you need to be
at the meeting on Wednesday night for a talk by Alan baker vk8ab about the
site. There is also a compulsory safety briefing which needs to be signed off
DISCUSSION POINT
With vk4zpp
One thing that tends to pass us by is how much work the Wireless Institute
of Australia does in the background of our hobby. It is the participation
in the work of the IARU and its regional bodies, the discussions and
negotiations with the regulator, ACMA, involvement with Standards Australia
and the list goes on.
For whatever reason, our house journal, "Amateur Radio" magazine has come to
be an 11 issue per year publication. I for one miss the continuity of
information that the extended holiday break provides. So allowing for the
obvious commercial consideration of gaining sufficient advertising, could
there be a way of filling the gap?
Well how about some feed back from our hardworking volunteers on areas of
special interest and engagement over the previous 12 months. Give members
of the various Advisory Committees the chance to explain the range of issues
they get to address and the outcomes that have been achieved. Let the wider
amateur community know about GAREC and other international meetings.
We must remember that only a small number of amateurs get to attend annual
general meetings and special luncheons. The format of formal documents tends
to cause most people to by pass reading them unless they have a specific
involvement in the issues covered. The magazine format, that allows people
to graze on the information would seem a better way of spreading the news.
Maybe to re-invent the wheel, so to speak, we could include a feedback/survey
form as part of the special edition. Who knows, it may be your idea that
gives the Institute a boost.
Thanks Geoff.
Ewan VK4ERM WIA VP reminds all that we should "encourage listeners to use the
feedback facility on the WIA website, under 'About the WIA' and 'Contact the
WIA by email'.
Ewan went on to tell WIA News that "Believe me, many do use the feedback
opportunity and constructive suggestions are received and circulated to the
board that way."
Yours sincerely,
Ewan
Ewan R. McLeod VK4ERM
Vice President
Wireless Institute of Australia
EDUCATION YOUTH AND ADVANCEMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO
www.hamcollege.com.au
As this news goes to air, 7 students are undertaking their Foundation licence
exams at the Redcliffe clubhouse and next week the results of their efforts
will be reported on and of course we all wish them well.
REAST Education and Training
There will be on Tuesday 16th June an examination session for the Advanced
and Standard licenses at 7:30 pm in the Queens Domain Clubrooms. Please let
Reg VK7KK know if you are interested in attending.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to RSGB, Southgate AR Club, the ARRL,
Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART and the WW sources of the WIA.
INDIA
HAM radio team tunes into relief work
A team of the Hyderabad-based National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR)
will reach the city by Monday night with HAM radio equipment to help the
state government in relief work. The team has been requested by the state
government to set up makeshift radio stations in the flood-affected areas
of South and North 24-Parganas.
NIAR director Ram Mohan said they had received a letter from the
North 24-Parganas district magistrate's office, asking them to send
HAM radio equipment to the flood-affected areas of the district to help
them in conducting relief and rescue work.
We are immediately sending a team to Kolkata with satellite radio equipment,
said Ram Mohan.
INDIA
BARC Golden Jubilee Field Day at Nandi Hills : 27 & 28 June 2009
Nandi Hills or Nandidurg is a hill fortress of southern India, in the
Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka state and was one of the summer retreats
of Tippu Sultan. It is located just 16 km (till base) 24 km (top of the hill)
from Chickballapur town and approximately 60 km from the city of Bangalore.
It is 4851 ft. (1478 meters) above sea level.
It is located in close proximity to the newly constructed Bangalore
International Airport.
Nandi Hills was popular with the Brits too, who built bungalows and laid out
gardens here. Today of course, it is a hot favourite among Bangaloreans who
find this an ideal get-away for weekends.
Hamfest India 2009 & Bangalore Amateur Radio Club (VU2ARC) have organised a
Field Day at this location on 27 & 28 June 2009 to mark the Golden Jubilee
Year of BARC.
The club station VU2ARC will be active on 27 & 28 June from the field day
location. The event commences from arrival of participants on Saturday from
2 pm onwards. There will be a welcome high-tea at 4.30 pm.
Two HF Stations & One VHF Station are proposed to be operational from the
location from Saturday morning till Sunday noon. The callsign will be
VU2ARC/operator.
Hamfest India 2009
C/o Linux Learning Centre (P) Ltd.
No. 635, 6th Main Road, Adj. to Bank of India,
Hanumanthnagar, Bangalore 560019.
(Ramesh Kumar VU2LU Member, Organising Committee 9 845 057 731)
PORTUGAL
Portugal has some new rules that its ham radio community must follow. For
example, while establishing a communication an amateur must identify
both station's call signs at the beginning and at the end of any
transmission and at the end of a SQO session.
But that's not all. If the station is a mobile or out in the field, the
amateur in control must identify each transmission with the station's call
sign, followed by the word "mobile" or "portable." He also must transmit
the present geographic location of the station in each transmission.
Visiting hams also have new rules to follow. Anytime a foreign amateur
establish communications within the Portuguese territory under a "CEPT"
license, the original station's call sign must be preceded by the proper
regional prefix.
Approval of the new rules by Portugal's telecommunications regulator ANACOM
took place on March 2nd but only became effective on June 1st. (CT1ETL)
CANADA
Two Canadian Hams, Ken Pulfer, VE3PU and Bryan Rawlings, VE3QN have been
attending a WRC preparatory meeting in Geneva. Ken is there representing
the IARU while Bryan represents RAC on the Industry Canada delegation.
Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, representing the ARRL on the US Delegation, has announced
his retirement after 19 years as a Working Group Chairman. Subsequently,
Canada nominated and the Plenary approved Ken Pulfer, VE3PU, as Paul's
replacement.
UNITED STATES
UNCERTIFIED WIRELESS MICS BRING $7000 NAL TO SENNHEISER ELECTRIC
The FCC has issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture and Order
to Sennheiser Electronic Corporation in the amount of seven thousand
dollars.
In July 2008, the Enforcement Bureau Spectrum Enforcement Division began an
investigation into Sennheiser's marketing of wireless microphones.
The FCC says that a violation has occurred and that Sennheiser must be
penalized for it. It notes that Sennheiser admits that it manufactured and
sold units of the non certified wireless microphone in the United States
within the past year. As such it is issuing the $7000 Notice of Apparent
Liability for Forfeiture to Sennheiser.
UNITED STATES
CQ INDUCTS NEW MEMBERS TO ITS HALLS OF FAME
CQ magazine has announced its 2009 Hall of Fame inductees, welcoming 15
new members into the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame, two new members of the
CQ DX Hall of Fame and one new member of the CQ Contest Hall of Fame.
The CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame honours those individuals, whether
licensed hams or not, who have made significant contributions to amateur
radio. The CQ Contest and DX Halls of Fame honour those amateurs who not
only excel in personal performance in these major areas of amateur radio
but who also "give back" to the hobby in outstanding ways.
A full list of the inductees has been published at www.cq-amateur-radio.com
and several other ham radio news websites. Formal induction's to the CQ
Halls of Fame took place at the contest and DX dinners at the
Dayton Hamvention.
UNITED STATES
CQ WW Contest Committee Disqualifies 2008 RA3CO/HK3RA Entry;
Rules CQ WW SSB Contest Operation in Colombia "Illegal"
Jamie Dupree NS3T from radio-sport.net says a dispute has cut to the heart
of DX contest operations, now the CQ World Wide Contest Committee has decided
to reject the entry of Russian Contester Dimitri RA3CO from the 2008 CQ
WW SSB Contest, labelling it an "illegal operation" because of his failure to
be properly licensed.
In an email sent this past week to the leader of a group of Colombian hams
who had challenged RA3CO's operations in both 2007 and 2008, CQ WW Contest
Director Bob Cox K3EST delivered the news of his contest committee's decision.
"The policy of the CQ WW is to strictly enforce legal operations and to
make sure a country's regulations are complied with completely,"
Cox told Colombian hams.
WEIRD N WONDERFUL
From the weird 'n wonderful file, hello I'm Jim Linton VK3PC
In day's of old, when A1 mode was supreme, a CW signal with chirp meant it
changed frequency on key down.
But a chirpy radio station of a different kind has just gone off the air in
Britain after 18 months of playing a 20-minute audio loop of twittering, not
to be confused with the new internet text system, and chirps from birds.
This 'birdsong' radio station transmitted from 6am to midnight and attracted
tens of thousands of listeners.
It was very popular with patients in doctor surgery waiting rooms, urban
residents longing for the rural life and even had a calming effort among
inmates in prisons.
It has been replaced by a digital broadcast station playing music and
unsigned bands.
Some angry people are demanding that No. 10 Downing Street get the birdsong
station back on the air immediately.
OPERATIONAL NEWS -
SPECIAL EVENTS AND ON AIR CONTEST COLUMN - D A T E L I N E 2009
JUN 6 - 8 WORKED ALL VK SHIRES LONG WEEKEND CONTEST
JUN 20 - 21 MUSEUMS WEEKEND PART a
JUN 27 - 28 MUSEUMS WEEKEND PART b
JUL 04 NZART MEMORIAL CONTEST 80M
AUG 15 - 16 WIA Remembrance Day Contest
AUG 15 - 16 ILLW
Running till Dec 31 2009 is the 4th CQ DX Marathon
SPECIAL EVENTS AND ON AIR CONTEST COLUMN - D A T E L I N E 2010
March 21-22 John Moyle Field Day
COMPETITION TO CELEBRATE THE NEW 40 METRE SEGMENT WHEN IT IS LEGALISED
The Boland Amateur Radio Club in South Africa is arranging a competition to
celebrate the expansion of the 40 metre band when it is finally announced.
It will be held on the first Sunday following the publication of the
Government Gazette.
The Boland competition will be open to all radio amateurs in Southern Africa
only in the new SSB Contest segment 7.130 - 7.200 kHz.
VK SHIRES PAPER WORK
If you happen to scrawl a log on the back of beer coasters - rather than
sending It into us for deciphering - Bruce Horn has developed for us a
web based form for entry into the VK Shires to save mailing logs etc..
Very easy to use and you will notice that Bruce also caters for several other
contests on his site..
It was in TEST mode until the start of the contest
Regards
Trent VK4TI
www.b4h.net/cabforms/vkshires_cab.php VK SHIRES
www.b4h.net/cabforms ALL OTHER SUPPORTED CONTESTS
International Museum Weekend - update
There are now four Australian museums registered for this weekend 20th and
21st of June.
The latest being the Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club will be using
the callsign VK7FLI from the Furnaux Museum.
That museum on Flinders Island showcases the history of the Furneaux Group
of Islands. Relics from shipwrecks and other artefacts are housed in seven
buildings which themselves are exhibits.
The Geelong Amateur Radio Club will be operating from the Geelong Regional
Museum and the Queenscliffe Maritime Museum, while Amateur Radio Victoria
is to set up on the museum ship HMAS Castlemaine at Williamstown.
More clubs and individuals are welcome join in the International Museum
Weekend.
( Jim Linton VK3PC www.ukradioamateur.co.uk/imw/ )
BEACON DX AND NET ADVICE
hf nets ON the net, www.timroberts-vk4yeh.id.au/
GB 40 WAB 40th anniversary of the WAB Till Dec 31
HG 160 FNY Commemorates 1848 attack on Hungary
that prompted their independence. until July 31
International Museums Weekend(s) 20 and 21 plus 27 and June 28
OZ 1658 ROS 350th anniversary of the Treaty of Roskilde Till Dec 31
VARIOUS SM STATIONS USING 1658 (Treaty of Roskilde) Till Dec 31
VP 9 400 /home call 400th Anniversary of Bermuda Till Dec 31
The following operation has been approved for DXCC credit:
7Z1CQ - Saudi Arabia
Current Operation
If anyone had this operation rejected in a DXCC application, send an
e-mail to dxcc@arrl.org to be placed on the list to have your account
updated.
(73 es DX! Bill Moore NC1L)
AWARDS
The WIA Awards Manager has had to retire because of other commitments, and
the WIA is now looking for a new Awards Manager. The Awards Manager works
with the Awards Committee of 4 experienced and enthusiastic DX'ers who help
resolve the hard questions.
The WIA Awards Manager is responsible for one of the WIA's most successful
programs, and if you are or you know an avid DX'er with computer skills who
would be interested in taking on this most important role, please contact the
WIA secretary, Geoff Atkinson.
An email to secretary@wia.org.au or a phone call to the office leaving a
telephone number for Geoff to call is all that is needed.
And the great news is - you don't have to live in Melbourne
THE QNEWS WORK BENCH - the nuts and volts report -
(Measure twice - Cut once!)
Australian researchers have unveiled a new type of disc?
A disc that stores 10,000 times more data than current DVDs and could be on
the market within a decade?
The discs store 1.6 terabytes of data, eclipsing the capacity of current DVD
and Blu-ray discs which hold up to 50 gigabytes.
A standard DVD recorder uses light of a single wavelength to 'burn' data onto
the surface of the disc.
Researchers, from Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne found that
by adding gold nanorods to the disc they were able to increase its capacity.
The nanorods react to light according to their shape. This allowed the
researchers to record information using light of different wavelengths, or
colours, on the same location on the disc.
The researchers also used polarisation - the angle of the light's electric
field - to record data.
"The polarisation can be rotated 360 degrees," says co-author Dr James Chon.
"So for example, we were able to record at zero degree polarisation. Then on
top of that, we were able to record another layer of information at
90 degrees polarisation, without them interfering with each other."
Director of the centre, Professor Min Gu, says current DVD and CD technology
only uses a small fraction of the disc, essentially recording in 2D. He
believes the use of multiple wavelengths and polarisation will allow future
DVD recorders to use a greater volume of the disc.
"We have created a new recording device that can respond to different colour
and different polarisation," says Professor Gu. "By using these properties
we can use more of the disc."
The researchers were able to record three layers of information, using three
different wavelengths and two polarisations. Since then the authors have
recorded 10 layers, and they believe it is possible to record 100 layers
onto a single disc.
Beyond home entertainment, the discs could be used to store large medical
files such as MRI scans, as well as financial, military and security records.
(Westlakes)
MEDIA WATCH
www.wiaq.com/admin/uploads/weeklytally.rtf
www.cq-amateur-radio.com/WorldRadio.html
Sherbrook Community School, ARISS, GippTech, SDR and Strictly Ham all get a
bit of a plug on this weeks Tech Talk Radio an internet based program.
Fast forward past the first hour to the guest in the studio segment (approx)
www.techtalkradio.com.au/download.asp?file=http://files.ttr.net.au/TTR/TTR-2009-22-e.mp3
Amateur Radio Previews
June 2009
Amateur Radio, your favourite magazine, will hit the news-stands next week.
Don't leave it too long, or they will be all sold out. This is the issue with
a full report on the AGM of the Wireless Institute last month. And it tells
who got all the awards (see page 24 for full details).
Along with the AGM, there was a Special Edition of GippsTech. And amongst
many others, Phil Harman VK6APH gave a very topical and absorbing
presentation on Software Defined Radios. That's Phil on the front cover of
the magazine, doing his presentation, which was discussed at length over the
coffee cups and dinner tables all weekend.
But first, we must tell you that the WIA presented its prestigious
G. A. Taylor Medal to the very surprised, and almost speechless, Editor of
Amateur Radio magazine, Peter Freeman VK3KAI. This Medal is presented, and
not often, for exceptional service to the Wireless Institute of Australia.
Check the photo of Peter, and the history of this award, inside the front
cover. And there's more on page 25.
There is a short, but vital, article on page 53 about RFI (that's radio
frequency interference). John Morrissey VK3ZRX tells how he tracked down
and identified a nasty source of RFI at his QTH. And there is a good chance
that the same offenders are spraying out interference at your QTH, too.
We have published several articles on power meters but this one, on page 13,
is well worth a bit of study if you are into measuring very small amounts of
RF. Paul McMahon VK3DIP, who knows quite a lot about it, describes a simple,
but sensitive power meter that he built. All the construction, software and
testing details are provided, plus a good, clear explanation of the
milli-watts and dBms. It even has an RS232 port so you can display the
readout on your computer.
One of the hottest topics a few months ago was the complicated call-sign
confabulation. Now that the WIA has refined and bedded down its procedures
for handling the call-sign system on behalf of ACMA, one or two curious
little anomalies have emerged around the renewal rules. Read President
Michael Owen VK3KI on page 3, where he explains these traps for the unwary
and how to avoid them.
He is only 11 years old but he has qualified for a Foundation licence!! We
are talking about Nicholas O'Sullivan VK4FNIC. And yes, the article is on
page 11, too, written by his proud Dad, Shaun O'Sullivan VK4FY and the rest
of the family. The Redcliffe Radio Club had a big hand in all this, but the
real credit belongs to Nicholas, making him the youngest FL in Queensland.
Well done, Nicholas!
The WIA AGM and Open Forum are reported on page 24 by President Michael Owen
VK3KI. There is more on this topic on page 26, focussed on the GippsTech -
Special Edition proceedings, and presented by Peter Freeman VK3KAI. Get a
prcis of all the activities that made it such an outstanding weekend,
written by the man who organized the whole thing. And illustrated by lots of
good pictures.
If you enjoyed the fine AMSAT column by David Giles VK5DG last month, all
about satellite antennas and propagation requirements, turn straight to
page 48 for a continuation of this good stuff. Learn about circular
polarization and what to expect if a left-hand-circular tries to receive
from a right-hand-circular antenna.
Compiled by: Tom Potter VK3UBS
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ARDF
WIA ARDF COORDINATOR VK3WWW Jack vk3www@alphalink.com.au
http://users.mackay.net.au/~ron/
http://www.homingin.com
http://www.ardf.org.au
Radio Direction Finding Fun happening soon
If you are in the vicinity of the Townsville Region on Saturday
July 4th and want to get involved in a Foxhunt which includes
a really neat prize for first place then Tony VK4TJS wants to hear from you.
You have until 30 June to get your attendance numbers in for the
TARC Far-ranging Foxhunt, starting from Anderson Gardens Pimlico from 2pm
July 4th and finishing at a secret location.
There will be activities for all family members to participate in during
the Foxhunt and things will end up with a cheerio feast provided by
theTARCinc.
To cater for the event Tony needs to know your attendance numbers and you
need to quiz Tony further regarding details about the Foxhunt.
Who do you have to call ?
Tony VK4TJS of course, on 47740582
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- DIGITAL
Australian Coordinator for TCPIP domains is Indy vk2xb@wia.org.au
D-STAR NEWS: NEW MONTHLY D-STAR NEWSLETTER LAUNCHED
A new quarterly newsletter devoted to the digital voice mode D-STAR has
been launched and can be downloaded free of charge. Called the D-STAR Info
Newsletter it will feature news about the ode, related products and
software, regional news on D-STAR systems and, hints and tips for users and
much more.
The first issue now on-line includes these articles on the way that
California Looks to 1.2 GHz for Frequencies, Grant Sources Can Fund New
D-STAR Systems and much more. You can download the newsletter as a PDF
file from www.dstarinfo.com/newsletter
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FINAL FRONTIER
AMSAT-VK UNOFFICIAL HF Net.
2nd Sunday each month.
April through October 1000 UTC 3.685 MHz
November through March 0900 UTC 7.068 MHz
Some recent Aussie space related activity.
Glenys Ambe, 53 a Business Owner in is the first Australian purchase
a ticket aboard Sir Rickard Brandson's Virgin Galactic. [1]
The Federal Budget has included funding for an Australian Space
Science Program to the value of $48.6 million over 4 years.
Funding of $40.0 million will be available for the establishment of
the Australian Space Research Program, which will support space
research, innovation and skills development.
The Australian Government is currently for a Manager for the
Manufacturing Division, Manufacturing Innovation Branch, Space Policy
Unit Section - Canberra.
and
Paul Schulz - VK5FPAW is a member of LunarNumbat, a team of Australians and
New Zealanders who, with European partner and Google X-Prize team
"White Label Space" are planning to put a robotic Australian marsupial on
the moon.
Whitespace partners also include the Wroclaw University of
Technology's Institute of Telecommunications, Teleinformatics and
Acoustics, who where involved in the Amateur Radio on the
International Space Station.
To find out more, visit www.lunarnumbat.org
THREE NEW MICRO CUBSATS LAUNCHED
Three new ham radio microsats have been launched and are now on-orbit.
The 3 tiny birds are identified as PHARMASAT-1, HAWKSAT-I and POLYSAT CP6.
PHARMASAT-1 is from Santa Clara University. Its transmitting on 437.465
MHz in AX.25 data protocol at 1200 bits per second.
HAWKSAT-I , It's on 437.345 MHz.
Last but by no means least is POLYSAT CP6.
Its on 437.365 MHz with 1200 bit per second data in AX.25.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- INTERNET --- THE HAMS DOMAIN
Icom now on Facebook and Twitter!
Customers can now keep up to date with the latest news from Radio
Communications Specialist Icom UK Ltd on the social networking sites
Facebook and Twitter!
Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables
its users to send and read other users' updates known as tweets. Tweets are
text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length which are displayed on the
user's profile page and delivered to other users who have subscribed to them.
Facebook is a free-access social networking website in which users can join
networks organised by city, workplace, school, and region to connect and
interact with other people. People can also add friends and send them
messages, and update their personal profiles to notify friends about
themselves.
SOCIAL SCENE
2009
International Telecommunication Union's Telecom World 2009.
June 5 - 8 VK4
FNNQARG at Cardwell Village Beachcomber Resort book on 1800 005633
Contact FNNQARG co-ordinator Gavin VK4ZZ for site booking guidance.
June 6-7
South East Radio Group Convention
Margret Street Scout Hall in Mount Gambier behind the Police Station.
June 7
Oxley Region Amateur Radio Clubs 34th annual field day at the Sea Scouts Hall
in Buller Street Port Macquarie. Smorgasbord at reasonable prices and own expense, or make own arrangements for evening meal.
9:00 am doors open for sales
July 11 - 12 VK3
GippsTech 2009, the technical conference with a VHF, UHF & microwave focus.
July 18 VK3
Gippsland Gate Radio & Electronics Club Hamfest 10.00 am
Cranbourne Public Hall
August 2 vk6
Northern Corridor Radio Group's WA Hamfest. Cyril Jackson Rec Centre
Fisher st Ashfield, WA email vk6xh@wia.org.au
SEP 13
Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society Hamfest 9:30am.
Goodwood Community Centre, Rosa St Goodwood.
OCT 12 - 16 ZL
14th IARU R3 Conference Christchurch 12 ? 16 October 2009.
Details at www.christchurch.org.nz/
The Region 3 Web Site: www.jarl.or.jp/iaru-r3/
Oct 31 - Nov 1
sunny coast's October Camp Catch-up at Maidenwell Observatory Brisbane valley
west of Yarraman. More info from Noel VK4NL
2010
JAN 24 VK2
Mid North Coast Amateur Radio Group's Radio Expo 2010 8.30am St Johns Church
Hall, Mc Lean Street Coffs Harbour.
THE FINAL FINAL
Digital amateur television tests today
All going well the VK3RTV repeater on Mt Dandenong east of Melbourne will
begin digital TV tests transmissions from 11am Melbourne time today.
It will be received in the Melbourne and Geelong areas on commonly used
household Set Top Boxes or digital TV receivers - the frequency being used
is 446.5 MHz.
Peter Cossins VK3BFG will be listening for reception reports on the ATV
liaison frequency of 147.4 MHz or they can be sent to
vk3rtv@amateurradio.com.au
Please think of the environment before printing this email
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Thanks to to our dedicated band of broadcast volunteers who utilize
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The purpose of "WIANews" is to rapidly provide news of interest to
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We strongly encourage membership in the Wireless Institute of Australia
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Opinions expressed in "WIANews" are those of the writers who submit
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Material may be reproduced in whole or in part, in any form, a credit to
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Compiled by VK4BB on behalf of the National WIA.
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