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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
http://www.wia.org.au (click news in member area) Submit your audio news
Please.. If you are only submitting text and not audio, write your story as
you would expect to hear it being read back and NEVER send just links & url's.
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WIANEWS FOR WEEK COMMENCING JULY 4 2010.
Aunty takes over Radio TV interference
VKCWIA
D-STAR FOUND TO BE illegal
QRM from PLAMA TVs
DEAD AND BURIED / UNDERGROUND RADIO
Operating Tip #1 for the RD..
A look at Amateur Radio Magazine for July
ALL UP AND COMING IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF
AUSTRALIA FOR WEEK COMMENCING JULY 04 2010
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Amateur radio is alive and well, although as this snippet from ABC radio
demonstrates there's a perception in the community that we no longer exist!
(Play Death_of_Amateur_Radio tape)
We'll come back to that item later in this broadcast and hear how Justin
Giles-Clark VK7TW responded to explain that amateur radio is going strong.
BBC takes over Radio/TV Interference investigation
In the UK Ofcom are passing responsibility for investigating Radio and TV
interference complaints to the BBC from June 30.
From: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/complain/inter/
BBC will be taking responsibility for investigating complaints of interference
to UK radio and television.
If, following the investigation by the BBC, there is evidence of interference
caused by something outside your control and which is unlawful, the BBC may
refer your case back to Ofcom for possible enforcement action.
WIA Centenary Update
Changing your callsign does not affect your WIA Centenary Award log
During the week the WIA Office received an inquiry from a member who had
just upgraded to the Standard Licence.
He queried whether contacts made under his Foundation callsign, that has
been replaced by his new Standard callsign, still counted towards the WIA
Centenary Award.
Most of the 100 points needed for the award were made under the Foundation
callsign.
The answer is yes. He will now submit a claim for the award under his new
callsign but include the contacts made under his Foundation call.
This is normal practice with most amateur radio operating awards
News from the west of VK100WIA plans for the Royal Perth Show
A combined week-long display involving a number of radio groups is planned
for this well attended event in September.
The Western Australian Repeater Group is on the VK100WIA roster for the
26th to the 29th of that month, to be followed by the VHF group on the
30th to the 1st of October.
Event organiser Heath Walder VK6TWO advises that the plan is to have a
link between the Perth Showgrounds and Wireless Hill where remotely
operated transceivers will be located. That will help avoid the high level
of QRM associated with the show.
Heath VK6TWO says the Royal Agricultural Society has granted access to the
rooftop of the main building for antennas or any other equipment, and it
is very supportive of the proposed public education and celebratory
aspects of the WIA Centenary.
And just like the former OTC Wireless Station in Queens Domain, Hobart,
the Wireless Hill heritage site in Perth will celebrate its 100th
anniversary in 2012. Plans are being made for both milestones to involve
amateur radio.
The Morsecodeans Society of Western Australia will also be at the Perth
Show as they have been previously, with a fully operational telegraph
system.
WIA affiliated club the Radio Electronics Association of South Tasmania did
extremely well with its roster slot using the special callsign VK100WIA from the
old coastal radio station site, Queens Domain in Hobart. Special Event Manager,
Justin Giles-Clark VK7TW reports that nine REAST members ended up with
415 contacts over the three days.
IRLP and Echolink on 2 metres, ATV, and HF phone, CW and PSK31.
While the activity would normally be newsworthy it clashed with much bigger news
of last week, Australia getting a new Prime Minister. However ABC 936 radio ran
an interview with Justin VK7TW lasting five minutes.
Announcer Michael Veitch actually did his research before the interview by seeing
the VK100WIA station in action. The result was a very interesting, sometimes
humorous but also highly informative interview.
Let's listen to part of that interview.
(ABC_Hobart_VK7TW_intrvu. It ends with Veitch hamming it up with the
VK100WIA callsign and a Justin laugh).
After it was aired a half a dozen interested ABC listeners visited VK100WIA to
learn more.
Another WIA Supported Centenary Activity
The Centenary of Organised Amateur Radio in Australia is very much an occasion
for the entire amateur radio community, individual radio amateurs and clubs
to join in and celebrate this milestone.
The WIA has urged its affiliated clubs to develop and implement activities
to promote amateur radio in their community.
The activity must be one, that in the view of the WIA Centenary Committee,
either promotes amateur radio, is of general interest to radio amateurs or
is otherwise worthy of support.
The very latest WIA Supported Centenary Activity, is the Sunraysia Radio
Group's participation at the Tri Annual Junction Rally, a major event featuring
Vintage Engines, Paddle Boats, Steam Engines, Barges, Vintage machinery,
Tractors, Bikes and Cars. The club also plans to provide a vintage radio
display.
This major event will be held at the junction of the Murray and Darling Rivers
in Wentworth New South Wales on Saturday the 10th and Sunday the 11th of
July.
The previous WIA Support Centenary Activities were:
* The VK9NA VHF/UHF/Microwave DXpedition to Norfolk Island
* The Centre Victoria RadioFest Kyneton Victoria
* Radio, Astronomy and Electronics Expo, Bendigo
* The Re-enactment in June of the first wireless press message received from
United Kingdom in Australia at Koo-Wee-Rup
Any club, group or individual seeking the WIA's support for an activity to
be associated with the Centenary Celebrations should either write to the
Centenary Committee, WIA at PO Box 2042, Bayswater, Victoria 3153, or email
to centenary@wia.org.au
VKCWIA on 23cm EME
The Special Event Callsign VKCWIA will be activated on 23cm (1296 MHz) moon
bounce on this weekend July 4-6. To the best of my knowledge this is the first
use of a call from VK without a numeral!!
As part of the Wireless Institute of Australia's centenary celebrations, the
Orange and District Amateur Radio Club
Operation will be in CW and JT65C modes with spots on the HB9Q logger
and the usual dx clusters when active. Southgate Amateur News in a story
on this from Orange in VK2 say "Please note that due to the callsign
length limitations in WSJT65C, this VK club will, during the actual QSO use
vkCwia (with C being the roman numeral for 100)."
Orange and District Amateur Radio Club http://www.odarc.org/
A look ahead at the VK100WIA roster
Sunday the 4th through to Tuesday the 6th of July is the Orange & District
Amateur Radio Club. It is operating HF Phone, CW, PSK31, and Slow Scan TV,
plus VHF/UHF SSB and FM repeater, and bouncing signals of the moon using
SSB, CW and WSJT.
The 7th to the 9th of July, Gympie Communications and Electronics Group members
are keen to put the callsign on air, particularly using CW.
Next weekend the 10th and 11th of July has the Sunraysia Amateur Radio Group
at the Tri Annual Junction Rally, Wentworth a WIA Supported Centenary Activity.
Now finalising preparations for their rostered slots are the Darwin Amateur
Radio Club and the Waverley Amateur Radio Society we'll have more details
on next week's broadcast.
The special callsign VK100WIA has made around 4,500 contacts in its first
six weeks.
The WIA Centenary Committee met last Tuesday to review the celebration to
date and identify further actions needed in the coming six months.
All aspects were discussed including the special callsign VK100WIA, its
on-line logging, the receipt and issuing of QSL cards and the very first
VK and DX claims for the WIA Centenary Award having been received.
A copy of this month?s JARL news was produced at the meeting. It?s the
latest overseas magazine to report on the WIA?s Centenary and the WIA
Centenary Award.
Japanese radio amateurs have featured heavily among the DX stations making
contact with VK100WIA.
The WIA National Field Day to be held on Sunday the 23rd of October is a
major promotional opportunity for amateur radio.
In particular, the Committee considered the type of support that can be
provided to participating clubs to maximise the public relations benefit
of this event.
Reports were received on the promotion of the Centenary through the news
media and also the webmaster tabled statistics that showed a staggering
level of visits to the WIA website reading the WIA Centenary section.
The committee heard that there appears to be increased levels of inquiry
from prospective radio amateurs.
The on-line requests for information on the WIA website in May and June
are higher than the same time last year.
The committee also noted the comments of clubs that have already activated
the VK100WIA callsign resulting in them receiving new inquiries from
people wanting to know more about amateur radio.
HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.
VK2
web service:- http://www.arnsw.org.au/html/news_vk2wi.htm
VKG Roundup http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news
Central Coast Amateur Radio Club say progress is under way for February's
Wyong Field Day to maintain this day as the biggest event for Amateur Radio in
Australia.
There are some changes to the main entry at the Wyong Race Course, the entry
will be from Rose St., which is at right angles to the railway.
This will mean an easier walk in from the entry to the Traders Area.
VK3
web service:- http://www.amateurradio.com.au/news/
VKC Roundup http://www.police
The East Gippsland Amateur Radio Club's AGM is Sunday 25th July at Bairnsdale
RSL 1:30pm.
Invitations are invited for all executive positions.
The July General Meeting will follow at the completion of the AGM.
VK4 - QNEWS
web service local audio news:- www.wiaq.com/ftp/vk4_qnews_64.mp3
local news email qnews-vk-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
VKR Roundup http://www.police.qld.gov.au/News+and+Alerts/Media+Releases/
Welcome to QNEWS from VK4WIA. I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP with an
explanation.....
It has been asked whether I have the answers to all the questions that I
raise? Simply, no but the purpose of this segment is to try and
stimulate thought about things that can make a difference to our hobby.
One of the fascinations of recreational pursuits is that enthusiasts
like to learn and share their interest. That has been a strong feature
of Amateur Radio for as long as I can remember. I don't know how
something should go together but I bet there is some-one who can explain
it. I don't have a component for a project and how many times does the
part arrive in the letter box or is located from a fellow amateur's junk
box and handed over? This happens more than we ever hear on broadcasts
such as this!
In the same spirit being able to share the experience's gained in other
pursuits on how to grow this hobby is part of the growing process AR
depends on. At times having the memory jogged can draw out solutions for
us and our clubs and the wider hobby.
AR has a reputation for being hands-on in its approach. Sometimes we
have to be able to get past the blasts of hot air that some our self
promoters surround themselves in. At times we have to ask the questions
of the people who know, who are involved rather than the blowhards who
just spread rumours. This is where grounding ourselves in the Amateurs
Code provides the static relief that is sometimes necessary.
This is another reason for getting the news from those who write the
stories you hear on QNEWS. It's your choice as to whether you ask the
organ grinder or his monkey, its your choice whether you get the facts
from the source or are prepared to have it from the rumour mill.
I'm Geoff Emery VK4ZPP and That's What I think... how about you.............?
CLUBBING -
Redcliffe and District Radio Club
www.redclifferadioclub.org.au/
I'm Ray VK4CF with news from the Redcliffe AR Club.
On a cold Monday night, about 40 club members gathered for the weekly meeting
but none were brave enough to leave the warmth of the club rooms to participate
in the monthly fox hunt. So instead members gathered in small groups to discuss
topics of interest. One topic of hot gossip was the new loop antenna of Roger,
VK4ZLQ, who has cut out a lot of his noise at the QTH but someone reckoned it
was because Australia was out of the World Cup and the plasma tv's had been
turned off which caused the noise reduction.
It was good to see Lauren VK4FLMC, her mother Anita and brother Shaun all the way
from a much colder Stanthorpe to meet again with club members. Anita said that
the house is not finished yet but as soon as the warmer weather starts, husband
Gary, VK4FGAZ, will have the house completed.
While members were talking, Peter, VK4EA, was about the club house collecting
the important membership fees of $30 single or $35 Family membership which are
now due. EFT payment option is also available. See Peter or a member of the
Executive for further details. An email will go out shortly to all members
advising the EFT details for this option.
The club conducts Technical talks given by members for club members each 3rd
Monday night of the month. Listed talks for the up coming months include:-
July, James, VK4TJF, Working DX & the QSL card system in the club.
August, John, VK4YJB, How to use EZNEC and antenna modelling
September, Kevin VK4UH, Expedition to Norfolk Island
October, Peter VK4TGV, Codan NGT radio and modem
November, Mal, VK4UMS, 2010 Dayton Hamfest - Would you like to go 2011?
The RD contest is coming up in August. Shaun VK4FY & Scott VK4FLAE will be
leading the event. Camping will be available at the Murrenbong scout camp site
for those who wish to stay over night. Please contact either Shaun or Scott for
further details.
The club house is open each Wednesday morning from about 9 am and last Wednesday
a group of about 20 members were present with Charlie VK4YZ and a small group
sorting out the old copies of Electronics Australia and re-organizing the
library. So if you have a special project and have no room at home or just need
help to finish it come down each Wednesday and see Charles, VK4BTC or Ken VK4FKEN.
So until next week, for Redcliffe club, I'm Ray VK4CF and you're listening to
QNEWS from VK4WIA
ROCKHAMPTON
IRLP NODE 6973 ;
e-mail vk4acc@wia.org.au
Secretary Clive 4928 1173
http://www.radarc.cjb.net/
Greetings from Rockhampton and District Amateur Radio Club, the RADAR club.
This is Les, VK4VIL reporting.
With the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend (ILLW) approaching,
Jason, VK4FJGS has organized a luxury 50 foot power cat to transport RADAR
participants to Cape Capricorn Lighthouse some 30 nautical miles east of the
mouth of the Fitzroy River. Cape Capricorn has never been activated for this
event before so keep an ear out for lighthouse AU0059.
Approximately 14 members will attend. The cottages at the lighthouse have been
converted to a holiday escape theme, open to the public, with power,
refrigeration, full cooking facilities and even TV and video. This is a far
call from the clubs ILLW effort last year. In 2009, all equipment was carried
approximately a kilometre uphill to the Sea Hill Lighthouse, AU0060, on two
wheeled trolleys and set up under a tarp. The Cape Capricorn Escape cottages
are also being offered on Mates Rates - cost of diesel to power generators
only.
As another initiative of the RADAR club, President Jack, VK4JRC is in the
middle of organizing establishment of an emergency group within the club. Jack
and others will be demonstrating equipment suitable for emergency comms at
Rockhampton Heritage Village's emergency day on 25th July.
Interesting times.
Listen out next week for our comms involvement in a couple of major car
rallies in the district."
A thought for the week from Benjamin Franklin. "Life's tragedy is that we get
old too soon and wise too late.
I'm Les, VK4VIL on behalf of the Rockhampton and District Radio Club.
TOWNSVILLE
vk4wit@wia.org.au
4773 1196 or 0408 001142
po box 333 Garbutt East, QLD 4814
www.tarc.org.au
GREETINGS ! THIS IS DON VK4FNQA, WITH NEWS FROM
'SHOWTIME CITY' TOWNSVILLE HERE IN NORTH QUEENSLAND.
THE MANAGEMENT MEETING OF THE TARC INC HAPPENS
THIS TUESDAY 6TH OF JULY FROM SEVEN THIRTY PM AT
THE CLUB ROOMS PERCHED ATOP OF THE SES
HEADQUARTERS IN GREEN STREET WEST END.
MAKE SURE YOU BRING SOMETHING FOR THE SHOW
AND TELL SESSION.
BRING YOUR THINKING CAPS TOO AS THE MEETING
WILL BE PLANNING FOR THE AGM AND CHRISTMAS
PARTY VENUES.
ALL WELCOME.
HERE IS SOME EXCITING NEWS !
THE NEXT ANN RENTON MEMORIAL NET HAPPENS ON
TUESDAY JULY 27TH FROM SEVEN THIRTY PM AND IN
CONJUNCTION WITH THE TARC INC OPERATIONS OF
VK100WIA FOR THE CENTENARY CELEBRATION OF
THE WIA AND TARC WILL BE DOING SOMETHING
VERY SPECIAL...
THE NET WILL NOT ONLY BE CONDUCTED ON THE
TOWNSVILLE VHF REPEATER BUT WILL ALSO BE
PROVIDED WITH A TWO WAY AUDIO FEED ON THE
TOWNSVILLE UHF REPEATER AND IRLP NODE 6444
LINKED TO ROCKHAMPTON IRLP NODE 6973 SO
THAT YL AND OM OPERATORS THERE CAN ALSO
PARTICIPATE..... A TWO WAY AUDIO FEED FROM
3605.4 KILOHERTZ WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED AND
FULL LOGGING WILL ENSURE ALL CONTACTS
MADE ON ALL BANDS WILL BE ENTERED INTO
THE ONLINE VK100WIA LOG....
START SPREADING THE WORD AROUND ABOUT
THIS SPECIAL EVENT AND MAKE SURE THE YL'S
GET ACTIVE ON RADIO FOR THE NIGHT.
(AND THAT ESPECIALLY MEANS YOU TOO MARY VK4PZ!)
FINALLY NEWS THAT TOWNSVILLE RADIO
AMATEURS HAVE YET AGAIN BEEN GIVEN THE
BIG TASK TO PROVIDE LOGISTIC
COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT FOR THE ANNUAL
MAGNETIC ISLAND TO TOWNSVILLE SWIM...
OPERATIONAL DURATION WILL BE FROM 7AM TO
4PM ON SUNDAY 18TH JULY.
THERE ARE OVER ONE HUNDRED SWIMMERS
REGISTERED TO COMPETE.
THANKS TO THOSE OPERATORS WHO HAVE
ALREADY PUT UP THEIR HANDS TO BE AT SEA
OR MAN RACE BASE ON LAND. SNOW VK4ME
IS EVEN PROVIDING ONE OF THE SAFETY BOATS.
IF YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED OR FIND OUT
MORE PLEASE CONTACT GAVIN VK4ZZ ON EITHER
MOBILE 0427182469 OR EMAIL
VK4ZZ@WIA.ORG.AU
I AM NOW OFF TO THE SHOW FOR A DELICIOUS
SHOWTIME... "DAGWOOD DOG"... SO THAT IS ALL
THERE IS TIME FOR THIS WEEK AND I WILL BRING
THIS EDITION OF QNEWS FOR SUNDAY FOURTH
OF JULY TO A CLOSE.
THIS HAS BEEN DON VK4FNQA IN TROPICAL
PARADISE FOR THE TOWNSVILLE AMATEUR
RADIO CLUB INC, AND YOU HAVE BEEN
LISTENING TO, AND ENJOYING
QNEWS FROM VK4WIA..
INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to RSGB, Southgate AR Club, the ARRL,
Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART and the WW sources of the WIA.
BPL WAR: ITU TO STUDY BPL INTERFERENCE
The International Telecommunications Union's Working Parties 1A and 1B
met in Geneva, Switzerland. between June 21 and 28. A major item
of discussion was protection of radio services from interference
caused by Broadband over Powerline or BPL. Amateur Radio Newsline's
Bruce Tennant, K6PZW said:
"The International Amateur Radio Union or IARU has already contributed
to a report titled "The Impact of Powerline Telecommunication Systems
on Radiocommunication Systems Operating in the Low Frequency, Medium
Frequency, High Frequency and VHF Bands Below 80 MHz." In it, the
acceptable criteria for degradation of the High Frequency radio noise
floor caused by BPL is defined as being one half of one db. Now, this
group will concentrate on the protection of radio services from the
effects of BPL in range from 80 to 200MHz. The reports conclude that when the
differences in range between BPL devices versus the other spectrum users are
taken into account, the acceptable levels of radiation to protect the amateur
service users are of the same order as those needed to protect other services.
In the UK a recent Ofcom report on the polluting Power Line Telecommunications
system is discussed in an article in The Register.
The article says that an extensive study commissioned by Ofcom concludes that
power line networking could crash aeroplanes and block Radio 4.
Existing PLT systems operating across 2-32 MHz have already been causing major
problems to radio listeners, now a new generation of PLT device threatens the
FM, DAB and aeronautical bands as well.
www.theregister.co.uk/2010/06/28/ofcom_pln/
D-STAR illegal in France
While Radio Amateurs here in VK and the rest of the world have embraced modern
digital communications, it would appear D-STAR is illegal in France and there
is now a European Parliament petition on the matter.
A report on a French digital ham radio website says that the regulator, the
ARCEP, has said the D-STAR protocol specifications could allow ham-radio
operators to connect their station to Internet and that is prohibited.
The ARCEP also cites alleged concerns regarding Cryptography & National
Security as well as the use of a proprietary CODEC.
THE WORLDS BIGGEST RADIO TELESCOPE
Called the LOFAR the acronym stands for LOw Frequency Array, its owner is
the Netherlands Radioastronomy Institute which says that its construction
is unique. Instead of a traditional large dish the new radio telescope is
made up of 25,000 small antennas measuring between 50 centimetres and two
meters across.
The main unit is based near the north-eastern Dutch town of Assen, but the
antennas are spread out across the rest of the Netherlands and also in
Germany, Sweden, France and Britain. When you combine all the antennas you
get a giant telescope with a diameter of about 1,000 kilometres or about
600 miles.
=============================================================================
RSGB NEWS FROM G4NJH
QRM from Plasma TVs
CISPR, the international standards committee responsible for EMC
matters, have launched an information-gathering campaign specifically
aimed at determining the extent and seriousness of interference from
plasma TV receivers.
Initially they have asked national standards organisations for this
data and, in the UK, BSI contacted our Regulator, Ofcom. They posed
the simple question, asking how many complaints have there been?
Ofcom indicated that they had received only 12 to 15. Over the last
few years, the EMC Committee have received many more complaints from
members, but no recording system is in place.
So, we now need your help. If you have suffered, or are suffering
now, from interference from a plasma TV receiver we need to know. All
that you have to do is send a very brief e-mail to
plasma.tv@rsgb.org.uk
We only need to know the number of interference cases, no details,
and no names/addresses. Please act as soon as possible, since the
timescale for gathering this information is very tight.
Armed Forces weekend at Bletchley Park
Celebrating the role of the armed forces throughout history and in
particular the role of the cadet forces, Bletchley Park in
Buckinghamshire is hosting Armed Forces weekend on 3rd and 4th July.
The event will also look at how Bletchley Park assisted the armed
forces during World War Two. Other activities during the weekend will
include a display by the Vintage Military Amateur Radio Society of
radio equipment spanning the last hundred years, showing how
communication in the armed forces has changed over time and become
ever more vital. More information can be found at their website
www.bletchleypark.org.uk
=============================================================================
NEWS FROM ARNEWSLINE
THREE IARU MEMBER SOCIETIES GO MISSING
The International Amateur Radio Union reports it has not been able to
contact three national ham radio societies for at least five years and
believes that there is no evidence of their continued existence. The three
groups are the Papua New Guinea Amateur Radio Society, CORA in French
Polynesia and The Burma Amateur Radio Transmitting Society. Under its
rules the IARU it has called for evidence to be submitted that these radio
societies are in existence by no later than September 13, 2010.
Meantime in other changes, the Radio Club of Paraguay has been reinstated
to full IARU membership status, the Union des Radio amateurs du Congo is a
newly is a newly elected member, and a membership application is being
considered from the Montenegrin Amateur Radio Pool formed in October 2008.
FCC FINES THREE WHO AIDED UNLICENSED BROADCASTER
The FCC has jointly fined three Massachusetts residents $10000. This for
what the regulatory agency calls providing services and facilities
incidental to the operation of an unlicensed transmitter.
In simpler terms, it means that the regulatory agency determined that
Delroy Johnson, Paul Parara, and Richard Parara were in some way
sanctioning or supporting the operation unlicensed transmitters on 97.5 MHz
in Hyde Park and Dorchester, Massachusetts. Its not asserting that any of
the three ran the transmitting facility, but that their support made it
possible for the transmissions to be made.
QRZ.COM REACHES 400,000 USER MILESTONE
And a word of congratulations to our friends at QRZ.COM
This as the website registers its 400,000th user into the system over the
weekend of June 19th and 20th. QRZ founder and owner Fred Lloyd, AA7BQ, says
that he does not know exactly who it was when it happened, but it made his
group very proud just the same.
Lloyd also says that on Friday, June 18th that QRZ installed another 12gb
of RAM into its two main servers which doubled the amount that they
previously were using. Prior to the upgrade, QRZ could service 350
simultaneous requests. Now, that number has jumped to nearly 1000.
SUMBANDILASAT BACK ON LINE
South Africa's Sumbandila amateur radio satellite is back on the
air. SO-67 as its known in AMSAT parlance carries an FM transponder are
Uplink 145.875 MHz and Downlink 435.345 MHz +/- Doppler shift and is
available for all hams to use world-wide.
THE LUNAR LANDER CUBESAT PROJECT
In a story first reported in the European E-E Times, Vermont Technical
College, Norwich University, St. Michael's College, and the University of
Vermont are working together to land a tiny CubeSat on the moon.
The design team is currently working on initial proposal for the
spacecraft. This, with the aim of achieving further NASA funding in June
2011. Primary funding for this effort is already being provided by the
Vermont Space Grant Consortium under NASA grant.
In the current phase of the program The Vermont CubeSat project, led by
Professor Carl Brandon of Vermont Technical College aims to launch by
2015. It is developing the first CubeSat that can be launched from a
geostationary orbit to successfully land on the moon. The CubeSat
electronics are based on a Texas Instruments MSP430 processor and the
software will control navigation, communications, scientific instruments,
camera and the CubeSat's propulsion system. No word on what modes and
radio bands it will operate. More is on-line at tinyurl.com/22vuz7q
=============================================================================
WEIRD AND WONDERFUL
Now this is not an 'urban myth' but really has just happened in the radio world.
Many of you are probably aware that this WIA National News Service is mixed at
the Brisbane studios of Australian Racing Networks 'Radio TAB' where your's
truly fullfills his normal daily duties.
It has come to notice that one of our race fans passed away a few weeks ago,
not good to lose a listener under any circumstance, however this listener was
SUCH an avid listener to RadioTAB that his family BURIED him with a
transistor tuned and operating on 1008 our Brisbane AM outlet!
Truly taking pride of place in the files of the "Weird and Wonderful".
OPERATIONAL NEWS -
AR Australia Premier Contest starts August and VK4TI has a few reminders -
Operating Tip #1 for the RD..
Looking at the VHF /UHF category - 17 of the first 20 are from VK6 - obviously
the VK6's have hit on a way to make high scores in the RD -
How?
Assume these roughly 20 stations can work each other - every two hours
a repeat is allowed, all modes are allowed, but lets assume they don't work
CW. They can work a minimum 40 contacts every two hours by working each
other (per band) using a Multi Mode that gives a possible 120 contacts every
two hours 6,2, and 70 cm - or 120 X 12=1440 points per station
My tip?
Every State should hammer this category in 2010
SPECIAL EVENTS AND ON AIR CONTEST COLUMN - D A T E L I N E 2010
Jul 3- 4 NZART MEMORIAL CONTEST
http://www.nzart.org.nz/contests/index.html
Jul 10tbc WIA Jack Files Contest
John Spooner vk4ajs@wia.org.au
Aug 14-15 WIA Remembrance Day Contest
Peter Harding vk4od@wia.org.au
Aug 21-22 International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend.
register on website illw.net
Octtbc 23 WIA WIA National Field Day
nfd@wia.org.au
Oct 2- 3 WIA Oceania DX Contest Phone
Tony Burt vk3tz@wia.org.au
Oct 9-10 WIA Oceania DX Contest CW
Tony Burt vk3tz@wia.org.au
NOV 20-21 WIA Spring VHF-UHF Field Day
John Martin VK3KM tac@wia.org.au
IARU HF Championships.
The annual IARU HF Championships takes place on 10 and 11
July and this year the WRTC will also be run on that weekend.
SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS, REPEATER BEACON DX AND NET ADVICE
hf nets ON the net, www.timroberts-vk4yeh.id.au/
If you hear a station signing the call TS7C you will waste your time making
contact with him. It seems that the callsign TS7C was a DXpedition to
Kerkenah, Tunisia, done back in January of 2009. This callsign is unique
and hasn't been reissued.
On the air, CT1BOH will be active as CR3E from Madeira during the 2010 IARU
High Frequency World Championship Contest on July 10th and 11th. QSL via W3HNK.
WB4WXE will be portable J6 on St. Lucia through July 7th concentrating his
operation on 6 meters. At times with no propagation on 6 you will find him
on 17, 15 or 40. QSL via WB4WXE.
GM0VMW currently is on duty on in the Falkland Islands and is operating as
VP8DND/P on 20 through 2 meters. He's on the air as time permits. QSL
direct via his home call.
MEDIA WATCH
www.wiaq.com/admin/uploads/weeklytally.rtf
www.cq-amateur-radio.com/WorldRadio.html
A look at Amateur Radio Magazine for July
It has full coverage of the WIA Centenary Convention held in Canberra.
Feature stories from the Centenary Dinner included the speeches by WIA
Centenary Patron Dick Smith, ACMA Chairman Chris Chapman, plus a report on
the ARISS contact.
Behind the scenes of Canberra's Black Mountain Communications Tower, the
marvellous Sundee Arvo at Dick Smith's flying club, the WIA AGM, Member
Open Forum, plus the displays and talks.
The successful VK100WIA callsign - a report on its activation during the
WIA operating period in the first two weeks of May.
In other content, Rob Gurr VK5RG a former RI has an increasing article on
Who were the radio inspectors and what they did.
A hidden 40 metre X beam and other antennas suitable for unit living is a
contribution by Ron Holmes VK5VH.
Columns on DXing, satellites and shortwave listening make interesting
reading as always.
Margaret Blight VK3FMAB and Christine Taylor VK5CTY write about the rich
history of women in amateur radio, in this the 35th birthday of ALARA.
Lifting the lid on Amateur Radio Victoria's time-capsule, that was created
during the WIA-75 celebrations in 1985. Given the honours was the WIA
President, Michael Owen VK3KI.
Amateur Radio magazine, sent to WIA members as a membership service and
copies are available at selected newsagents.
I'm Barry Robinson VK3PV and you're listening to VK1WIA.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- DIGITAL
Australian Coordinator for TCPIP domains is Indy vk2xb@wia.org.au
FREE ECHOLINK FOR YOUR IPHONE
Echolink is now available for your iPhone free of charge from Apple's App
Store. EchoLink for iPhone is an edition of the EchoLink software that
runs on an iPhone or iPod touch. If you own one of these devices and are a
validated EchoLink user, you can access the EchoLink system from nearly
anywhere where WiFi networking is available. If you have an iPhone, you
can also use it to access EchoLink over the cellular data network. You can
get this application on line tinyurl.com/2bzppro
(ARNEWSLINE)
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
PARIS GPS MADE PUBLIC
The Paper Aircraft Released Into Space or PARIS project has made public
more information and pictures of their space GPS unit. The output from the
G-P-S is formatted into Amateur Radio standard AX.25 APRS data packets and
transmitted using Audio Frequency Shift Keying. This means that it can be
decoded by an Amateur Radio receiver tuned to 433.950 MHz and connected to
a PC via the soundcard.
More is on-line at tinyurl.com/2wh5dzd
(ARNEWSLINE)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO SCOUTING
Are You a RadioActive Scout? Bob, VK6POP, is looking for RadioActive Scouts
"No. I'm not talking about the teenage boy, David Hahn, who attempted to build
a homemade breeder nuclear reactor in his parent's Michigan house, as told in
a true story in Harper's Magazine in 1998, and which was the inspiration for
Kevin Silverstein's 2004 book "The Radioactive Boy Scout".
I'm talking about Scouts getting Active on the Radio.
July is RadioActive month for Scouts. For the whole month of July, Scouts of
all ages can earn the RadioActive Award simply by getting on air, on echolink
or IRLP, and calling CQ RadioActive, or CQ Scouts.
This is the first Amateur Radio award exclusively for Scouts, and I look
forward to receiving lots of RadioActive logs from around Australia.
The best frequencies to use are those around the Australian JOTA calling
frequencies.
For details on how to participate, the rules of the Award, and how to earn
bonus points, visit http://radioactive.scouts.org.au
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RESCUE RADIO
EMERGENCY FREQUENCIES IARU REGION 3
3.600, 7.110, 14.300, 18.160 and 21.360 MHz
CRARC's next WICEN event is the LCCC "Mini Corsa" Rally being held on Saturday
July 10th.
This rally will have 8 stages consisting of 4 stages each run twice and will be
run with 2 stages near town (Zoo / Pipeline & Bluetts) and 2 out near Uriarra
(Sherwood & Tidbinbilla).
Good response so far, however CRARC are still needing one or two more for HQ
plus one in the field.
Please contact VK1ZPL@WIA.ORG.AU
SOCIAL SCENE 2010
JULY 10-11 VK3
GippsTech 2010
JULY 17 VK3
GGREC Hamfest Start Time : 10:00
JULY 25 VK2-3
Riverina Field Day
AUGUST 1 VK6
Northern Corridor Group Hamfest Cyril Jackson Sports Centre Ashfield
Oct 23 WIA WIA National Field Day
nfd@wia.org.au
Oct 29 - 31
VK1OOWIA Westlakes ARC during our WIA centenary celebrations.
NOV 7 VK5
2010 Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society Hamfest Rosa St Goodwood
2012
15TH IARU REGION 3 CONFERENCE hosted by V.A.R.C. in Ho-Chi-Minh City, Vietnam.
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)
=============================================================================
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