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WIANEWS FOR WEEK COMMENCING MAR 28 2010.
ALL UP AND COMING IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA FOR WEEK COMMENCING MAR 28 2010
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WIA CENTENARY
100 Years on - the first military wireless message.
Today, Sunday 28 of March is the Centenary of the first military wireless
message sent in Australia.
The credit for this operation goes to Lieutenant George Taylor. The same
George Taylor, who a couple of weeks earlier had chaired the meeting of
wireless experimenters from which came the begining of the WIA.
The military exercise took place near Helensburgh which is on the southern
edge of Sydney. Two stations were set up, one of which was at - what is now -
Veno reserve. The object was for the forward station "B" - set up in a cave -
to report the movements of an imaginary enemy back to HQ at "A" which was in
a tent near Veno Reserve.
Over two days they tried various combinations of spark based equipment.
To add to their troubles - it rained. About to pack up - they tried again
with the equipment out of the cave and this time success.
The story has been written up at various intervals over the years - the latest
in the Engadine District News for the 16th of March. It has been passed on by
Barry VK2FP. The report goes on to say that the Heathcote RSL Sub Branch will
be holding a special presentation at Veno Reserve Today, the 28th.
(a VK2WI Historical News report)
HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.
VK1
vk1 local news email broadcast@vk1.wia.ampr.org and ask for subscription.
CRARC has come to the point that the club has runout of storage for its
collection of equipment (which is currently spread across several locations)
What does this mean !!
Simply the club is looking for storage for it's two WICEN trailers, several
dozen antennnas, coax, several portable repeaters, racks and other items.
In short about a 2 car garage worth. It needs to be accesible 24x7, have
power, secure and last but not least CHEAP !!!.
So if you have such a facility or know of one please contact the committee
with the details.
committee@crarc.ampr.org
VK2
web service:- http://www.arnsw.org.au/html/news_vk2wi.htm
VKG Roundup http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news
Westlakes Mini field day will be held Sunday May 30 and the gates open 9am.
As in the past quality items are welcome for the auction
WICEN(NR) AGM, April 11 will be held at Lismore Workers Club from 2pm.
Member subs of $15 are now due, renew, rejoin as soon as possible.
Please send your subs to:-
Secretary, John Toland VK2XKX.
101 College St. Lismore, NSW, 2480.
Several members of the St. George Amateur Radio Society have travelled to the
Mt. Bindo repeater site near Jenolan Caves. They replaced the batteries and
carried out some general maintenance including cutting the grass around the
repeater hut. It was found that the repeater's controller board was faulty
and had been locking the repeater on and running down the battery.
Hopefully the maintenance will keep this 30+ year old repeater going for a
little longer.
VK4 - QNEWS
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 Clareview Gathering is a yearly event where Radio Amateurs meet
at a spot on the coast between Rockhampton and Mackay to relax, talk
radio, re-establish acquaintances and participate in the world renown
Saturday Night Mega-Auction.
It is one of the main revenue raisers for the Rockhampton and District
Amateur Radio Club and Mackay Amateur Radio Club.
The Clareview Gathering is so popular that on-site accommodation is
booked out years in advance, so if you want to go you will have to
either camp, caravan or motor-home over the weekend.
For further details contact Don Wilchefski VK4BY of the RADAR Club.
vk4by@wia.org.au
VK5
South Coast Amateur Radio Club Inc. are holding a Photo Expo on Antarctica
by Graham VK5GCT on 31/03/2010 at 7:30pm local.
Graham Thomas VK5GCT has recently returned from his expedition (still partly
frozen) to the Antarctica and has put together a tremendous presentation of
his travels throughout the region.
You are invited to this premier event and screening and if you like you
can bring friends and family for free as well on the night.
Held at S.C.A.R.C. Clubrooms, 16 Roberts Road, Hackham.
VK7
local area news :- http://reast.asn.au/news.php
vk7 local news, email vk7regionalnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
The Cradle Coast Amateur Radio Club provided comms coverage for the
Kentish Endurance Riders March 13.
While they encountered some fog on the road near Sheffield while travelling
to make the 6am meet-up time, it later on improved to a warm day with some
cloud cover.
The event had 77 riders doing the 80km stages and approx 45 riders doing the
40km event. There were 5 checkpoints, with one being used 3 times, no wonder
Keith, VK7KW, ran out of printed writing paperhihi.
Radio coverage was over a 15km radius and was good, with base able to contact
all checkpoints using a simplex 2m frequency.
The Kentish Endurance Riders were extremely pleased with the service that
was provided and look forward to next years event.
ACMA NEWS
Reregister Now to Avoid Telemarketing Calls
ACMA reminds people that it is time to re-register for the Do Not Call
Register for people who signed up in 2007. This will ensure you do not
get any unwanted telemarketing calls.
Registrations for the Do Not Call Register are valid for three years.
Anyone who signed up when the service was launched in May 2007 should
re-register now to maintain protection from unwanted marketing calls.
More than 4.3 million home, mobile and VoIP numbers are now listed on the
Do Not Call Register.
It's fast, free and easy -
simply call 1300 792 958 or go to www.donotcall.gov.au
(Sourced from an ACMA Media Release)
EDUCATION YOUTH AND ADVANCEMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO
www.hamcollege.com.au
8 year-old radio ham receives DXCC certificate
NC1L, Awards Branch Manager, reports that 8 year-old William Ferguson,
KJ4EYZ, was formally presented his DXCC certificate at a Virginia
DX Century Club meeting March 16th.
His achievement makes him the youngest full member of the VaDXCC, and one of
the youngest members of the DX Century Club.
On a added note, William's 10-year old sister Carissa, KJ4EZA, has 82
countries worked - The DXCC expect to be be hearing from her shortly!
To see William's presentation, go to:
http://www.arrl.org/blog/Century%20Club%20Awards
vk1
Foundation Course and Assessments
A very small roll-up for this months Foundation Licence course with only
2 participants on the day despite there being numerous enquiries in the
preceeding months. On the Sunday a total of four candidates, two for the
foundation licence assessment, one for the standard assessment and one for
the practical assessment only.
The candidates for the Standard and practical were successful unfortunately
one candidate failed the Foundation theory but passed the practical.
CRARC's next Foundation assessment weekend is scheduled for May 15th / 16th.
VK2
Richard VK2FRMA has successfully passed his Advanced Licence exam and is
awaiting a new call sign, possibly VK2CRA. Richard doesn't believe in
letting the grass grow under his feet. Congratulations Richard.
Just like Richard did, persons around WESTLAKES wishing to study for either
Standard or Advanced class licence are asked to contact the Westlakes
Secretary ASAP.
Come on you Foundation calls here is your chance to study for your upgrade
under expert tutoring.
As advised classes will be held Saturday afternoons at Westlakes ARC's
classroom.
To find out more about Westlakes Amateur Radio Club, or Amateur Radio in
general, leave a message on their 24 hour voice mail box on 02 49-581 588.
(VK2FJL)
VK7
Want to become an Amateur?
If you are a non amateur or a short wave listener living in the North West,
or West coast of Tasmania, and would like to become a licenced amateur radio
operator, then get along to a meeting and find out about this interesting
hobby. If you cannot make a meeting but would still like to find out more
then contact the learning facilitator, Keith Winkler VK7KW, or any of the
committee members.
Full contact details are available on their website which can be easily
found by checking ouy CCARC TASMANIA on the WIA club section at
wia.org.au
Foundation course in Tamworth
Tamworth Amateur Radio Society will be running a Foundation course on
10th, 17th and 24th April, with registration on 25th March between
20.00 and 21.00, at St. Francis' Church, Tamworth.
Further details are available from Bob, G1BCZ on 07811 646870 or by
email to tamworthradio.training@gmail.com
oh and that's Tamworth in the UK not VK
Announcing a QRP contest for the Centenary
The VK QRP Club is sponsoring a new commemorative contest that should have
very wide appeal and be a lot of fun too.
The WIA Centenary QRP Contest is open to all radio amateurs whether they
be Foundation, Standard or Advance licensees with the aim of encouraging
interest in the use of low level transmit power.
For the entire UTC month of May the contest will be on the 80m and 40m bands
using either CW, AM or SSB.
It?s hoped that a lot of stations will be calling ?CQ WIA Centenary QRP Contest?.
The rules will be published in the April edition of Amateur Radio magazine
and on the WIA website.
SILENT KEYS
BABY BLINDNESS PIONEER ARNALL PATZ, EX-WA3EVC (SK)
Dr Arnall Patz, ex-WA3EVC -- an ophthalmologist who discovered and
eliminated a major cause of blindness in premature infants -- passed
away from heart disease on March 11. He was 89.
In 1954, Patz proved that treating premature babies with pure oxygen could
destroy their eyesight. At the time, this was the most common cause of
blindness in premature infants. Although the new understanding came too late
for thousands of people who were made blind by oxygen -- including the singer
Stevie Wonder, it undoubtedly saved many more from a similar fate.
Patz operated a ham radio from his home on behalf of the Maryland Eye Bank.
According to his nephew Sam, Patz erected an 80 foot tower at his home and
became known to amateurs across the country for putting out the word on the
airwaves whenever corneas were needed for transplant.
Read more here
arrl.org/news/stories/2010/03/17/11395/?nc=1>
INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to RSGB, Southgate AR Club, the ARRL,
Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART and the WW sources of the WIA.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND BROADCASTING RETURNING TO HAITI
Telecommunications and broadcasting are both slowly returning to earthquake
ravaged Haiti. This according to Federal Communications Commission
officials who went to Port-Au-Prince in January to assess communications
damage and help that country's communications regulators with their
restoration efforts.
As previously reported, the team was deployed in response
to a request from Director General of Conatel, the communications agency in
Haiti, in coordination with the U.S. Agency for International
Development. In an update delivered to commissioners, FCC staffers Mindel
Del La Torre, and Jamie Barnett, detailed the states of Haiti's
communications and the ongoing efforts by the FCC to assist.
According to the two officials, hard-wired phones were heavily damaged.
There were 108,000 telephone lines in the country in 2008. But the quake
lead to a total loss of its wire-line infrastructure and those phones are
still not working.
Wireless service fared better in the quake. De La Torre noted that Haiti
had 2.5 million cell users before the quake. Now, with new equipment
having replaced destroyed cell sites and cellular coverage is nearly back
to 100%,
In the area of broadcasting some definite strides have been made. Before
the earthquake Haiti had some 50 radio stations and 18 TV stations
operating. Now, about 30 radio stations as well as six TV stations are
back on the air.
The FCC has said that it intends to help with the restoration of Haiti's
telecommunications and broadcast infrastructure over the long
term. Meantime a limited ham radio response is still at work aiding in
quake relief efforts.
RNW SENDS RADIO STATION IN A BOX TO CHILE
Radio Netherlands Worldwide is sending two complete mobile radio stations to
the Chilean broadcaster Radio Universidad Tcnica Federico Santa Maria.
This will enable two of its partner stations in the coastal region of
Maule to resume their broadcasts as quickly as possible.
This is the region was seriously affected by the earthquake on February 27th.
The mobile radio station, often called radio-in-a-box, is specially built to
be used temporarily in countries where radio stations are forced off the air
by natural disasters.
Each station is less than a cubic meter in size, and is equipped with an
FM transmitter, mixer, microphones, a CD player and a laptop computer.
Radio Netherlands Worldwide has previously provided such stations following
the earthquakes in Indonesia in September 2009 and Haiti this past January.
Regional Conference on Amateur Radio 2010
The Regional Conference on Amateur Radio will be held April 4 - 6, in Doha,
State of Qatar and will be the biggest Regional Symposium on Amateur Radio
in the Middle East in 2010.
The Conference is organized by the Qatar Amateur Radio Society (QARS) jointly
with the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU).
So far the kind invitation from the QARS Chairman
H.E. Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, A71AU, has been
accepted by a number of IARU societies in the Middle East
as well as one from Region 3 together with Telecom Regulators
and Administrations from the GCC area.
Participation is also expected from ITU officials as well as local
Qatar officials.
The program consist of presentations on Regulatory issues, preparation for
WRC-12, Amateur Radio Emergency and Disaster Communication,
national regulations of Amateur Radio in the GCC States combined with
panel discussions and workshops with the aim to assist in building and
maintaining good working relationship between the National Regulators and
Amateur Radio Societies.
Qatar Amateur Radio Society (QARS)
www.qsl.net/a71a
WEIRD AND WONDERFUL
Up to 250 watts harvested from your shock absorbers
All you mobilers could be generating enormous amounts of energy as you hit
those bumps HIHI.
In a recent study, mechanical engineers from the State University of New York
have designed and tested a retrofit regenerative shock absorber that recovers
a vehicle's vibrational energy.
The researchers built a 1:2 scale prototype of the regenerative shock
absorber, and demonstrated its ability to harvest 2-8 watts of power during
typical driving conditions at a speed of about 45 mph. They predict that a
full-scale system on a four-wheel car should be able to recover up to
256 watts under these driving conditions.
The researchers predict the ability to harvest approximately 64 watts per
wheel, for a total of about 250 watts for a 4-wheel car, the value increasing
considerably when the system is used on irregular roads.
It was found that the power regenerated is proportional to the square of the
magnetic flux across the coils. Consequently, increasing the flux by twos,
quadruples the peak power output.
http://iopscience.iop.org/0964-1726/19/4/045003/
(Sourced from Elektor E-Magazine)
Hello listeners
We are looking at updating the VKHAM Website data for all the Repeaters in VK mainland and P29.
Following from my request last week, I have received some Emails from clubs and individuals to update their repeater data.
Do you have a repeater under your control, then I would ask you to send a message to repeaters@vkham.com with your repeater information.
This data will also be used to update the WIA main database.
If you log onto the link www.wiaq.com/repeaters.htm
This page represents the type of data we are looking at including on the new pages.
Of course the main and absolutely accurate site is our own at wia.org.au , that is IF we have your correct data.
Back to news central
OPERATIONAL NEWS -
SPECIAL EVENTS AND ON AIR CONTEST COLUMN - D A T E L I N E 2010
Apr 24 Harry Angel Memorial Sprint
APR 30 - MAY 6 Westlakes CQ Repeater contest
contestmanager@westlakesarc.org.au
May 8 WIA VK Trans Tasman 80m Phone
Bruce Renn vk3jwz@wia.org.au
May 15-16 NZART Sangster Shield
http://www.nzart.org.nz/contests/index.html
Jun 12 WIA VK Trans Tasman 160m Phone
Bruce Renn vk3jwz@wia.org.au
Jun 12-13 WIA Worked All VK Shires
contest@vkshires.info
Jun 19-20 WIA WINTER VHF-UHF Field Day
John Martin VK3KM tac@wia.org.au
2010 NZART SANGSTER SHIELD QRP CW CONTEST
When :- Saturday, 15 May 2010 and Sunday, 16 May 2010
Times :- 2000 NZST until 2300 NZST each evening
Band :- 80m
Mode :- CW only.
The contest was established in 1927 at the time the late Mr. Ralph Sangster
presented to the radio Amateurs of NZ the trophy, known as the Sangster
Shield, for annual competition to be won by the most efficient station. It
is pertinent to note not only did the efficiency of the station be taken
into account, but also the efficiency of the operator concerned The terms of
the gift of the trophy were that the competition was to be conducted on the
80 metre band using input power of not more than 5 watts and to be solely
restricted to Morse operation.
Website :- http://www.nzart.org.nz/contests/index.html
SPECIAL EVENT CALLS, REPEATER BEACON DX AND NET ADVICE
hf nets ON the net, www.timroberts-vk4yeh.id.au/
Ogasawara Islands DXpedition
Four amateur radio operators, Ted K8AQM (JD1BNM), Brian KG8CO (JD1BNJ),
Steve K8QKY (JD1BNQ), and Stan AC8W (JD1BNK), have activated Chichi-jima
Island (AS-031) and will be on air till April 12.
The team is active in CW, SSB and RTTY on 160m-6m and their operation is
planned like this:
JD1BNJ: RTTY and PSK31 only
JD1BNK: mostly CW on all bands
JD1BNM: mostly CW on the lowbands
JD1BNQ: mostly on HF and 6m.
The QSL manager for all calls will be K8AQM.
He confirms QSLs direct, via bureau or per LoTW.
BROADCAST MONITORING SWL AND SCANNER NEWS
aus_scanner@yahoogroups.com
http://www.scanaustralia.bigpondhosting.com
www.tinyurl.com/BITS-026 (A receiver located in NY USA)
http://mt-shortwave.blogspot.com/
HTTP://www.ei7dar.com/hf.html
Radio Sweden will terminate its medium and short wave broadcasts this October
31st in favour of web services - with Swedish Radio management stating that
is the best use of resources and in line with international trends.
The English-language service is to continue on the web and on national
broadcasts.
Swedish Radio's output in immigrant languages will be available on the web
and broadcast nationally.
http://www.sr.se/rs/english/
(southgate)
INTRUDER WATCH - ENFORCEMENT ZONE
Region III IARUMS Coordinator Peter Young VK3MV
VK IARUMS reflector email to subscribe intruders@wia.org.au
INTRUDER NETS
Friday 0730 UTC 7.065.5 with VK4CEU David.
Amateur exclusive frequencies where any non-amateur signal is definitely an
intruder.
Amateur HF Spectrum world wide
7.050 to 7.100
14.000 to 14.250
14.250 to 14.350 No broadcasters
21.000 to 21.450
24.890 to 24.990
28.000 to 29.700
IARU Region 2 Intruder watch are reporting pirate signals from our neck of
the woods.
Although no reports from Region 3 and the Aussie Intruder team, it would seem
according to the region 2 guys that Indonesian Pirates are still very active
on our bands, partiuarly 21 mHz.
They found them daily on 21030.2 kHz in USB from 0900 - 1200 UTC and later.
Location: Area of Sumatra and Java. Another group was active on 21388.9 kHz
in LSB.
Talking to them is wasted time. Use these frequencies for ham traffic!
THE QNEWS WORK BENCH - the nuts and volts report -
(Measure twice - Cut once!)
MARCH 28 AND THIS AUDIO IS IN UPLOAD AREA ROBERT......
Super-fast wireless connections may be just a flip of the switch away
No, this is not a re-launch of spectrum polluting broadband over
powerlines (BPL), but rather researchers believing that household lights
could one day carry a broadband signal.
None other than the Heinrich Hertz Institute in Germany - we all
remember that Hertz proved the existence of radio waves in 1887 - now
scientists at centre which honours his name are experimenting with
visible light as a possible alternative to the already crowded radio
spectrum.
The German scientists had initially been able to dramatically increase
the bandwidth available from Light Emitting Diodes lighting to achieve a
download data rate of 100 megabits per second.
In an announcement at the recent Optical Fibre Communication Conference and
Exposition in San Diego California, the scientists claimed a 230
megabits per second throughput - a record for visible wireless using
commercial LEDs.
What a bright idea - one that surely Heinrich Hertz himself would be proud.
I'm Jim Linton VK3PC and you're listening to VK1WIA.
MEDIA WATCH
www.wiaq.com/admin/uploads/weeklytally.rtf
www.cq-amateur-radio.com/WorldRadio.html
Groups presenting this WIA National News Service
MAR VK3 28 VK3DN
APR VK3 4 VK3DN
APR VK3 11 VK3DN
APR VK7 25 REAST (ANZAC Weekend)
MAY VK1 23 CRARC (promoting CRARC and WIA AGM)
MAY VK100WIA 30 WIA DIRECTORS JOIN A LIVE OB FROM CANBERRA
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ATV (Every pixel tells a story) - Video
arvideonews.com
hamradiotube.com
youtube.com
French speaking numbers station
A YouTube video shows an unusual Numbers Station, it's in French.
Numbers Stations are believed to send messages to spies.
The YouTube description reads:
Enigma 2000 member Hans alerted the group to a new numbers station on
13420kHz saying that it has been active since 07:42z.
This station was passing French numbers.
Its family resemblance to the Russian family 1 numbers stations such as
E06 and G06 was clear from the start.
Further surprises were in store and this video documents them for you.
Please see numbers station site
mikeandsniffy.co.uk/thesecretsiteofmike/
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- DIGITAL
Australian Coordinator for TCPIP domains is Indy vk2xb@wia.org.au
NEW VERSION OF SDR-RADIO.COM RELEASED
A new version of SDR-Radio.com has been released by developer Simon Brown
HB9DR. This is a Windows console for software defined radios developed
specifically for the amateur radio and short-wave listener communities and
provides a powerful interface for the rapidly growing number of SDR
enthusiasts.
This free software can be downloaded from www.sdr-radio.com
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP --- NAVAL
The Royal Naval Amateur Radio Society was formed in 1960 and to celebrate the
50th anniversary a special callsign GB 50 RNARS is being aired by members of
the Society throughout the year.
Up to now, over 1700 contacts have been made with stations including many
here in VK.
During April, the callsign will be used from the Bridge Wireless Office of
HMS Belfast.
(southgate)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO SCOUTING
http://www.scouts.com.au
Scouts visit VK2WI.
Some 25 Scouts and Guides and their 'drivers' have recently paid a visit to
the VK2WI site.
They were given a tour of the transmission facilities and then to the 'shed'
where Mark VK2XOF and Tim VK2ZTM demonstrated equipment ranging from
world war two to the present day.
The background to Amateur Radio and licensing was explained.
A couple of the Scouts showed some interest, perhaps they may become future
Amateurs.
(vk2wi)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RESCUE RADIO
EMERGENCY FREQUENCIES IARU REGION 3
3.600, 7.110, 14.300, 18.160 and 21.360 MHz
WICEN Tasmania (South)
WICEN is again providing safety checkpoints for the Southern Tasmania
Endurance Riders in the Woodstock area of the Huon Valley. The ride happens
today Sunday 28th March between Kaoota, Woodstock and Cygnet.
A network consisting of Base and five checkpoints has been established for
the day and a super sausage sizzle is baking cooking all the while, infact
is running continuously at Woodstock.
You are more than welcome to "pop along" and see WICEN South, look for the
tall mast amongst the horse floats at Woodstock, five kilometres from
Huonville bridge towards Cygnet, at the Pelverata Road junction.
http://tas.wicen.org.au/
(Roger, VK7ARN)
SOCIAL SCENE 2010
APRIL 3-4-5 VK3
Midland Amateur Radio Club's Radio, Electronic & Astronomy Expo.
Old Fire Station Building" at 52 View Street Bendigo
JUNE 12 VK2
Oxley Region Amateur Radio Club's 35th Annual Field Day.
JULY 17 VK3
GGREC Hamfest Start Time : 10:00
Please think of the environment before printing this email
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The purpose of "WIANews" is to rapidly provide news of interest to
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- NEWS POSTING TO PACKET -
Courtesy Tony VK7AX VK7AX(AT)VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC
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