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WIANEWS for week commencing Aug 23 2009
Hello, I am Tina VK5TMC, President of ALARA, with Shirley VK5YL, Lesley VK5HLS
and Marilyn VK3DMS. ALARA is an Australian association for women interested
in radio. We have a weekly net on Monday nights at 1000 UTC on 3.580 +or- for
any YL who wishes to join us and many states have monthly lunches plus other
events. Further information can be found on the web page at www.alara.org.au
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Amateur Radio Station WX4NHC Featured in National USA Commercial
WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center (NHC)
in Miami, Florida, is featured in a 60 second radio spot for Duracell
batteries. The commercial, which begins airing this month, highlights the
efforts of an all-volunteer army of ham radio operators for WX4NHC.
Narrated by actor Jeff Bridges, it describes the important role that radio
amateurs play during severe weather conditions -- enabling communications with
emergency medical teams, police and fire departments -- when the power goes
out. The narration underscores the importance of a reliable battery to power
the portable ham radios, which are crucial to WX4NHC's work.
Now we are going to play this, and no it's not being played as a commercial,
but played to show all of Australia the height that Ham Radio is thought of
in OTHER parts of our worlds... so if your upset by hearing an advert from
the USA... insert beep where required!
With this new spot, we are helping to showcase the important contributions
made by the Miami ham radio operators," said Duracell's Bob Jacobs.
These heroic teams are working to save the lives of others.
When storms strike, the radio operators are donating their time to make sure
communications stay intact, facing intense pressures and dangerous conditions
to those in need. We're proud that our batteries can help power these
life-saving efforts."
The first formal gathering of Community Broadcasting technologists held in
Australia, called Technorama 2009 happens NEXT month
"Skilling and technology support is a major challenge for community
broadcasters.
Technorama 2009 is the first step, being held from
Friday 4th September -Sunday 6th September in Melbourne.
Where do I find more information?
Download program and registration from www.cbaa.org.au, click on Technorama
tab at the left
Use the CBAA discussion Technorama forums for latest information or to ask
questions.
All station technologists, engineers, managers, sector suppliers of tech
services and equipment. Anyone that contributes to technology decisions, or
techs wishing to get involved Australia wide, are invited to attend.
Get in Early with your registration.
This is VK3FFFM"
Does your Amateur Radio Club have its details on the WIA website?
Are they up to date?
The 2010 Callbook is now in preparation, and whatever your Club has on the
website, that's what the Callbook will publish.
If an update is needed, please do it NOW!!!!!
Send a message to an alien
An Australian science magazine is offering we inhabitants of the third planet
from the Sun the chance to send text messages to aliens!
Thanks to a special project launched by Cosmos, Earthlings will be soon able
to send a free message to the nearest earth-like planet, Gliese 581d.
The project, supported by the Australian government, is part of
National Science Week.
Anyone who wishes to do so can send a message using the Hello From Earth
website but it closes today August 23.
www.hellofromearth.net/
The inhabitants of Gliese 581d - if they exist - will only receive the
messages in December 2029!
Australia's Science Minister Kim Carr was quoted by media as saying that the
project would help people "discover the limitless possibilities of science,"
giving people an "opportunity to contact other intelligent life forms".
Gliese 581d, eight times the size of Earth and 20 light years away, was
located in April 2007. Scientists later discovered that the planet is within
the habitable zone where liquid water, and therefore, life, could exist.
The web sure has some interesting text messages ready to be sent!
"Hi There: Sorry about the Outer Limits;
hope you enjoyed I Love Lucy.
Have you got all our missing socks?
Love, Earth
Fred Mason
Roberts Creek, Australia'
and
"You are cordially invited to an Interplanetary BBQ. 6.00pm, 4th October, 2452
at my place.
BYO Meat and Beer.
RSVP: Year 2100
Cheers
Daniel Edmonds
Melbourne"
John VK4JKL was correct when he sent our editor Graham VK4BB this message,
so to "read all about it" make sure you do get the text edition.
"Graham, I know you have said you don't like links to news events, but the
following link is mandatory reading for any HAM or RF junkie, I tracked it
down from mention in the latest ACMAsphere Issue 44
www.comlaw.gov.au/ComLaw/legislation/legislativeinstrumentcompilation1.nsf/0/58DA61C0685CFB85CA2575ED0032C733/$file/RadcomLIPDClassLic2000.pdf>
HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.
All Hams who took part in the RD across Australia last weekend, listen up!
Peter Harding VK4OD, RD Contest Manager has advised he has already received
some 70 Logs by Electronic means.
The first 2 arrived from ZL land, the rest from locals.
He also commented that he was VERY disappointed that NONE of the clubs or
re-broadcasters on the VHF & UHF repeaters in and around the Brisbane region
played the 30 Minute Opening address.
He has asked that we remind everyone to send their Electronic logs to
rdlogs@wia.org.au
VK3
web service:- http://www.amateurradio.com.au/news/
VKC Roundup http://www.police
Quality upgrade training available
The track record of four years confirms that the Amateur Radio Victoria
Standard Licence Bridging Course is highly successful - just ask anyone
who has done it.
A targeted course to bridge the knowledge of Foundation Licensees up to
the Standard Licence theory level, is designed and conducted by lecturer
Kevin Luxford VK3DAP.
It runs over five Wednesday nights in September plus a revision Saturday,
and assessments on a Sunday, all at the Amateur Radio Victoria office, 40g
Victory Boulevard, Ashburton.
Enrolments are filling quickly. For more information contact Barry
Robinson VK3PV on 0428 516 001 or email vk3pv@amateurradio.com.au
VK3RMM D-STAR gateway launched
The D-STAR on Mt Macedon north-west of Melbourne has now been connected to
the D-STAR internet gateway enabling it to be linked to many other similar
repeaters.
Amateur Radio Victoria switched on the gateway last Tuesday for the
2-metre and 70-centimetre repeaters after tapping into what is optionally
very limited internet broadband access at the site.
Thanks to Richard Hoskins VK3JFK who set-up the software, initialised and
tested the modem, and Ross Pittard VK3CE, Barry Robinson VK3PV who
completed the installation work and ICOM Australia for providing the repeater
equipment.
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/
VK4kal Gordon reminds those planning on attending the CHARC AGM in
Emerald the deadline of 20th Sept for accomadation is fast approaching.
Accomodation is dormitory, 12 seperate rooms and those coming must bring
their own bedding + pillow, howver a mattress will be supplied!
Sounds like a mini DX-Pedition!!
Costs are set by the Deptartment of Education.
Day visitors $ 6.60
O/niters $ 13.20 per person per nite.
Oh and you will also need your own cutlery!
Also remember for those arriving from 4pm on 25th you have to bring your
own meals as there are no supplies at the Camp.
Those intending to come, let vk4kal know. Details are on the text edtions.
4985 4168
gordon.l23@aussiebroadband.com.au
Note the l is lower case L
(VK4kal Gordon ,hon Secretary.)
EDUCATION YOUTH AND ADVANCEMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO
www.hamcollege.com.au
HAMTESTS INTERNATIONAL TO LAUNCH IN THE USA
After successfully running the UK-only Hamtests.co.uk for just over 3
years, HamTests International is launching world-wide starting in the Use
with the Technician, General and Amateur Extra license levels.
Each randomly generated test will have the same question pools as real
tests.
HamTests International will also feature its 10 questions in 10 minutes
technique. This is a quick practice designed for when you don't have the
time to take a full practice test. It tests your ability to answer
questions quickly and thoroughly so that you can ace the real exam on
test day.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to RSGB, Southgate AR Club, the ARRL,
Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART and the WW sources of the WIA.
Tokyo Ham Fair Aug 22-23
The JARL Tokyo Ham Fair takes place on August 22-23, 2009.
It is probably the largest Amateur Radio event in the world, with over
29,000 people attending last year.
Among those at the event this year will be William, PE1RAH, who will be
demonstrating his 435/145 MHz linear transponder that is designed to fit
in a CubeSat.
D-STAR operation from the Ham Fair:
JP1YJJ A and JP1YJJ B will be QRV along with 8J1A on DSTAR from the Ham Fest
You can now "One Touch" or call sign capture JH Stations calling.
To Initiate a call to Ham Fair SET UR=/JP1YJJA or =/JP1YJJB -
(JA4NYY)
Cubesat Linear Transponder at Tokyo Ham Fair
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/july2009/
linear_transponder_at_tokyo_hamfair.htm
New videos of a Cubesat linear transponder
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/august2009/
cubesat_linear_transponder_videos.htm
Pictures from the 2008 Tokyo Ham Fair
http://www.jarl.or.jp/English/4_Library/A-4-6_ham-
fair/hf2008/hamfair2008.htm
JARL Tokyo Ham Fair
http://tinyurl.com/oe5uce
Japan Amateur Radio League, Inc. JARL (Google English)
http://tinyurl.com/JapanJARL
Santa Claus Silent Key
Mickey Hicks, WO6T known to many amateurs and their children as Santa Claus
passed away Sunday, August 9.
He was 79.
For the past 38 years, Hicks, a ham for almost 50 years, would get on the air
for 10 days each December as W6S (Whiskers-6-Santa).
ARRL Youth Editor Duncan MacLachlan, KU0DM, profiled Hicks in December 2008
"The Amateur Radio community has been quick to embrace the W6S operation.
Mickey says that the first year operating as W6S was 'a hit with the operators
of all ages and their children.'
Mickey noted that most children are a bit apprehensive of talking over the
radio, let alone to Santa! Hicks told the ARRL in 2001 that his Santa's
Workshop has been a great ham radio recruiting tool.
One of his most memorable experiences was when a young girl he'd once
spoken with on the air as Santa came by with her ham ticket in hand to
thank him in person for getting her interested. "I had tears in my eyes,
he said."
"The Daily DX"
www.dailydx.com/ for providing some information for this story
USB PORT PROTECTION FROM L-COM
A surge protector for your U-S-B ports. That's the latest product from a
company called L-com that is offering its model AL-ECF504-AB. This is a
USB 2.0 connector port resistant to power surges and shielded against
electromagnetic as well as RF interference. The unit is available as both
Type A and Type B connectors.
More is on-line at www.L-com.com
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FEMALES IN RADIO
ALARA - AUSTRALIAN LADIES AR ASSOCIATION
http://alara.org.au
Net is held each Mondays on 3.580 MHz, commencing at 1030 UTC.
(1000utc during daylight saving)
geencee@picknowl.com.au
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
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL FOUNDER TO BE NEXT TOURIST IN SPACE
A former stiltwalker and fire-eater will be the next mega-millionaire
tourist to visit the International Space Station. This with word that
Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte is shelling out a reported $35
million for his round-trip ticket aboard a Russian spacecraft to visit the
orbiting outpost. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, the editor of famed Amateur
Radio Newsline says Guy Laliberte will rocket into orbit from Kazakhstan at
the end of September with an American astronaut and Russian cosmonaut as his
travel mates.
Liliberte explained that he is not a scientist, a doctor nor an
engineer. Rather he sees himself as an artist and creator. As such he
says that he will try to accomplish this mission with his creativity and
what life has given him as a tool.
What's not known is whether or not Laliberte will get his ham ticket and
conduct ARISS contacts with those of us here on Mother Earth.
For those of you who do not speak French, Cirque du Soleil translates into
the Circus of the Sun. It's a truly amazing performance of acrobatic skill
combined with dance and circus acts that once you see you will never forget.
SUMBANDILASAT TO LAUNCH JUNE 15
South Africa's latest ham radio satellite called SumbandilaSat is now due
to launch on September 15th. According to the Southern African Amateur
Radio Satellite Association website the bird is already on its way to the
Cosmodrome in Kazikstan from where it will be carried into orbit
on board a Russian Soyuz launch vehicle.
The amateur radio payload on board SumbandilaSat is made up of an FM voice
transponder with an uplink in the 2 meter band and a downlink in the 70
centimeters. It also carries a store and forward voice digipeater and a
voice beacon.
SumbandilaSat will also carry a Very Low Frequency or V-L-F radio experiment.
(www.amsatsa.org.za)
New satellite location maps available
A map showing the current satellite location for most of the
amateur satellites are now available on the AMSAT web site.
From the AMSAT front page, go to the 'Satellite Information' navigation box,
then select 'Satellite Status'. Next click on an underlined satellite name
this will display a satellite summary, scroll to the bottom of the page and
there will be a map showing the current location of that satellite and the
illuminated and dark portions of the earth.
This feature can be used for a quick check of the satellite's
location or to verify that your tracking program was setup correctly.
www.amsat.org/amsat-new/satellites/status.php
(Gould, WA4SXM)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RESCUE RADIO
EMERGENCY FREQUENCIES ALL REGIONS
21.360 - 18.160 - 14.300 - 7.060 - 3.760 MHz.
REGION 2 TRY ALSO 3.985 - 7.240 - 7.290
CAR HORN BASED EMERGENCY ALERT SYSYEM PROPOSED IN GERMANY
In the past, Germany used sirens to warn the population in the streets
against floods and other dangerous situations. Today, most sirens are gone
having been dismantled after the Cold War.
Now, researchers want the population to be warned of pending disasters by use
of common car horns. In fact, they have applied for a patent of a technology
which allows the horns of parked cars to be activated in cases where such
an immediate emergency natice to the German public is required..
The technology is based on the Germany's eCall emergency system, which new
cars are going to be equipped with beginning in September 2010.
The eCall system was developed to help reduce the number of road traffic
fatalities. It consists of a GPS sensor and a mobile phone component, which
is activated only in case of an accident such as when airbags are triggered.
The system then can transmit data such as the time and location of an accident
and driving direction of the vehicle to an emergency call center.
OPERATIONAL NEWS -
ON AIR CONTEST COLUMN - D A T E L I N E 2009
AUG 29 - 30 ALARA CONTEST (29th)
OCT 3 - 4 OCEANIA CONTESTS - SSB
OCT 10 - 11 OCEANIA CONTESTS - CW
SPECIAL EVENTS AND ON AIR CONTEST COLUMN - D A T E L I N E 2010
March 21-22 John Moyle Field Day
This report in from Peter Harding VK4OD, RD Contest Manager.
He has advised that as of last Monday night he had received some 70 Logs sent
by Electronic means.
The first 2 arrived from ZL land, the rest from locals.
He also commented that he was VERY disappointed that NONE of the clubs or
re-broadcasters on the VHF & UHF repeaters in and around the Brisbane region
played the 30 Minute Opening address.
He has asked that we remind everyone to send their Electronic logs to
rdlogs@wia.org.au
SPECIAL EVENT CALLS, 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
OZ 1658 ROS 350th anniversary of the Treaty of Roskilde Till Dec 31
VARIOUS SM STATIONS USING 1658 (Treaty of Roskilde) Till Dec 31
VI 2 SRC 50 Summerland Clubs 50th Anniversary (VK2) Till Aug 31
VP 9 400 /home call 400th Anniversary of Bermuda Till Dec 31
VR 2009 EAG The 5th East Asian Games Hong Kong Till Dec 31
YL 90 AIR 90yrs of Latvian Air Force Till Dec 31
Celebrating 'Homecoming 2009' through Amateur Radio
2009 is the year of 'Homecoming' in Scotland.
It is a year-long celebration aimed at attracting the Scottish Diaspora as
well as those interested in Scottish traditions to Scotland. Numerous events
have been and continue to be held throughout Scotland this year.
Amateur Radio in Scotland is playing a part in Homecoming.
Regulators Ofcom have agreed to special prefixes to be used by Radio Amateurs
in Scotland until 30th November 2009.
The prefixes will be GA, MA and 2A .
The A replacing the M in their prefix
(A to represent Alba the Gaelic name for Scotland).
Gordon 2M0XGP plans to be on-the-air for the event using the special callsign
2 A XGP.
A special prefix QSL card will be available to anyone, either QSLing direct
(enclosing an SASE) or via the fast and easy way of uploading your QSL card
and log to www.hrdlog.net
Only QSOs logged under 2AXGP will be eligible for the limited edition
QSL card. QSO details will be checked and if correct, a QSL card will be
sent direct.
The following operation has been approved for DXCC:
7O1YGF - Yemen. Operation from April 16, 2000 through April 26, 2000
After reviewing recently-received information regarding the 7O1YGF operation,
and after additional dialogue with a leader of the DXpedition, the DXCC desk
has approved this operation.
Considering the length of time that has passed since this operation, we ask
that DXCC participants who would like to claim credit for 7O1YGF follow these
options:
Send the 7O1YGF card ONLY to DXCC with a SASE, or return postage if outside
the US; DXCC will process the card and applicants will not be charged a
submission fee. 7O1YGF cards included with other cards will be handled as
part of a normal submission.
Bring the card to a DXCC Card Checker. The card checker will forward the
confirmation to the DXCC desk for processing. Again, there will be no
submission fee if this is a single-card submission.
In all other cases applicants can include their QSL card with their next
submission, and it will be handled normally.
(southgate)
BROADCAST MONITORING SWL AND SCANNER NEWS
aus_scanner@yahoogroups.com
http://www.scanaustralia.bigpondhosting.com
www.scanvictoria.com
www.tinyurl.com/BITS-026 (A receiver located in NY USA)
http://mt-shortwave.blogspot.com/
shortwave central a tremendous "listening" blog well worth a surf to reports:-
SPY PIRATE STATIONS ACTIVE BELOW THE 40 MTR HAM BAND.
First to listen out for is a Spoofs Number Station on 6925USB, 0343-0345 UTC.
Lady announcer with continuous string of numbers.
Male announcer at 0344 with bleating goat and
"I guess I should be going."
Then try and log "Voice of the Robots" again on 6925USB, 0113-0143 UTC.
This station contained a mix of rock and instrumental music from the
Robots who have taken over our planet.
Some discussion of Dr. Smith from Lost in Space.
Gave voiceoftherobots@gmail.com for reports
(http://mt-shortwave.blogspot.com/)
SOCIAL SCENE
2009
International Telecommunication Union's Telecom World 2009.
SEPT 12 VK4
Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio club Sunfest, The Woombye School of Arts
Blackall Street Woombye.
SEP 13 VK5
Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society Hamfest 9:30am.
Goodwood Community Centre, Rosa St Goodwood.
SEP 18-20 VK4
North Queensland Amateur Radio Convention, James Cook University,
Douglas Campus. Surf to theTARCinc website http://www.tarc.org.au
for event and registration information
SEP 25 - 27 VK4
The Central Highland Amateur Radio Club Annual General Meeting at
Camp Fairbairn near Emerald.
OCT 11 VK3
Shepparton and District Amateur Radio Club's communications and display day
(Hamfest), St Augustine's Hall Orr Street Shepparton.
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
Qld Sunshine Coast's October Camp Catch-up Maidenwell Observatory
Brisbane valley west of Yarraman.
NOV 1 VK2
Westlakes Amateur Radio Club's "Westlakes Field Day".
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.
FEBRUARY 14 VK3
WIA 100 Centre Victoria RadioFest No. 3.
FEBRUARY 28
Wyong Field Day, Wyong Race Course.
APRIL 2 VK3
Midland Amateur Radio Club's Radio, Electronic & Astronomy Expo.
Venue to be advised.
JUNE 5 VK2
Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club's 35th Annual Field Day.
NOV 7 VK5
2010 Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society Hamfest Rosa St Goodwood
2012
JAN 23-FEB 17 YEAR 2012
World Radio Conference WRC-11 Geneva 23rd January TO 17th February 2012
MAY 4-7 2012 VK5
YL International 2012 Australia (vk5tmc@bigpond.com)
Please think of the environment before printing this email
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THANK you to Shirley VK5YL, Lesley VK5HLS and Marilyn VK3DMS for helping with
this week's broadcast. We hope to hear you in the ALARA contest next weekend
Saturday 29th August 2009 at 0600 hours UTC (4pm EST) to Sunday 30th August
2009 at 1159 hours UTC (9.59pm EST)
I'm Tina VK5TMC - WIANews - we've reported...YOU decide.
WIANews - we've reported...YOU decide.
Societies and Club News Letter Editors can EXCHANGE a feed prior to
the actual broadcast date, e-mail nationalnews@wia.org.au
Call-backs follow the RF editions, but also for text readers you may
lodge a quick reply to let us know you read it, who knows, you might
even get a "cheerio call".
Thanks to to our dedicated band of broadcast volunteers who utilize
their time and equipment in bringing you this weekly broadcast.
The purpose of "WIANews" is to rapidly provide news of interest to
active amateurs residing in Australia and the globe.
We strongly encourage membership in the Wireless Institute of Australia
and participation in the activities of local clubs.
Opinions expressed in "WIANews" are those of the writers who submit
material and do not necessarily reflect those of the rebroadcasters,
nor the National WIA, but are broadcast in the spirit in which they were
submitted.
Material may be reproduced in whole or in part, in any form, a credit to
WIANews wouldn't go astray...
Compiled by VK4BB and read by members of ALARA on behalf of the National WIA.
*****************************************************************************
- NEWS POSTING TO PACKET -
Courtesy Tony VK7AX VK7AX(AT)VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC
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