WIANEWS - Jan 8 - VK NATIONAL NEWS
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THE BEST NEWS YOU'LL GET ALL WEEK
Oh... and to contact us with your news because
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WIANEWS WEEK COMMENCING JANUARY 08 2012.
ARISSat-1 DOWN
REBUILD OF HS0AC
ARRL KIDS DAY TODAY JANUARY 8
Dot-dash-diss: The gentleman hacker OF 1903
THESE STORIES AND MORE IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE
OF AUSTRALIA FOR WEEK COMMENCING JANUARY 8 2012.
Allan VK2CA has let it be known VK Classifieds has a new look to welcome in
2012!
It's still FREE and is compatible with all the latest browsers but has many
new features.
One of the new features is that you can now add up to 5 pictures to each
advert. Even video and audio files can be used!
This service is free to all but adverts to purchase amateur transmitting
equipment are only permitted by licensed amateurs.
Check it out at http://www.vkclassifieds.com.au
Thailand's famed HS0AC submerged
The slow restoration continues of the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand (RAST)
HS0AC Club station that was destroyed by recent flooding.
Thailand's worst floods in half a century have killed 610 people, destroyed
millions of tonnes of crops and badly damaged industrial production.
Almost five months have passed since the flooding began in the northern
hills and then spread slowly to inundate parts of Bangkok.
At the height of the flooding radio amateurs had roles that included helping
to co-ordinate relief and rescue work.
The devastation to HS0AC left after the flood hit the Asian Technical
Institute, home of the HS0AC club station, all the transceivers and
equipment were submerged.
RAST intends to request a regulations waiver to allow importation of new
HF equipment following the natural disaster, given the loss of HS0AC
equipment.
We will have more on Thailand's floods in this bulletin from Jason VK2LAW
and also Amateur Radio Newsline's Don Carlson, KQ6FM,
(Jim Linton VK3PC)
HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.
VK2
web service:- http://www.arnsw.org.au/html/news_vk2wi.htm
VKG Roundup http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news
Email Address : r_demkiw@yahoo.com.au
The regular bi-monthly event conducted by Amateur Radio NSW at the VK2WI
site 63 Quarry Road, Dural includes Trash & Treasure and exam assessments
in the morning and Radio Home Brew gathering in the early afternoon.
Check out details on the ARNSW web site
www.arnsw.org.au
VK3
web service:- http://www.amateurradio.com.au/news/
Police Roundup http://www.vicpolicenews.com.au/
If you only attend one radio event in 2012, then it must be the
Centre Victoria RadioFest No. 5 at the Kyneton Racecourse on Sunday the
12th of February, just an hour from Melbourne, Ballarat and Bendigo.
The biggest of its type in Victoria and the only one that has been
supported by all the major commercial traders since it began in 2007.
The Centre Victoria RadioFest also offers three different ways people
can sell second-hand radio equipment and accessories, non-commercial
lots, bits and pieces
The traditional table sales continue to be popular. The other options are
car-boot sales or trailer and van loads. It's your choice!
Add to this interesting program including the mini-lecture series and this
is truly a major event and great social occasion for anyone with an
interest in radio.
The Centre Victoria RadioFest, Kyneton Racecourse on Sunday 12 February.
Points are contact are:
Commercial Traders Liaison, Barry Robinson VK3PV 0428 516 001
Second hand tables are space, Ross Pittard VK3CE 0408 533 107
Club Corner Precinct, Tony Hambling VK3VTH 0423 635 152
(Bruce Lees VK3FFF)
VK4 QNEWS
VK4 SILENT KEYS @ 2011 - 2012 QAC YEAR
Sad news in that Jean Bowden VK4MUJ has gone Silent Key
after a prolonged battle with illness.
Jean passed away on Monday 2nd January 2012 in Brisbane aged 83.
Jean and husband Tom/VK4MWT (SK) were members of The Townsville
Amateur Radio Club during their time in the North and also for
a while when they moved to Strathpine in Brisbane in February 1999.
Welcome to QNews from VK4WIA. I'm Geoff Emery and I've been thinking.
Where I live is the proverbial fly speck on the map. It is a small region
between two regional cities. Of course I have access to the highway and the
railway does pass in hearing distance. Because the copper telephone lines
have been neglected for so long, I have access to satellite internet
service.
The 3G networks all provide good signal strength, now.
Recently I have been called to visit the Big Smoke, Brisbane, a little more
than I would like. However, in planning appointments it is very hard to
convince people that we have a journey of 50Km to get to public transport
and then there are only 2 rail services per day in each direction.
Aerodromes are 100 to 150Kms away.
Likewise, the use of the internet for streaming audio and video has
attracted more and more broadcasters. The technology is great but effective
access is less so, out in the boonies. What I pay for satellite access is
about 8 times as expensive as advertised ADSL "unlimited" plans.
Wireless via 3G is more expensive still.
What I am driving at is that many of our country colleagues face a more
difficult time, certainly more inconvenient and expensive, accessing
services which city people take for granted. When we know that many country
amateurs volunteer their time and facilities in supporting the hobby, the
rest of us owe them a big "thank you".
I'm Geoff Emery and that's what I think.....how about you?
CLUBBING
Submitting news items
If you would like to submit news items for inclusion in the
QNEWS broadcasts, please email your item in text to qnews@wia.org.au
Submit audio, read "how to submit items" on the weekly WIA news page.
http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/
Remember the sooner you submit material the more the likelihood of it being
broadcast in the very next edition of QNEWS.
Bunya Mts & District AmCom
Hi to all, I'm Neil VK4NF representing the Bunya Mts & District Amcom Inc.
We have a date claimer, Saturday the 4th February 2012
We are again holding our Ham & wine Hamfest in the Maclagan hall in
down town Maclagan from 0900 to 1400hrs. So we invite you to come to a
Hamfest towards the west and join in the fun.
Table bookings are just $10 each and stall holders will be allowed in after
0700hrs to set up.
For more info, or to receive a flyer with the details, please send an Email
to myself, holmzie@bigpond.com or Ricky, vk4nrl@wia.org.au
Be there or be square we would love to see you there.
The proceeds from the day will be put towards promoting Amateur radio, IRLP,
APRS, etc., and recruiting new amateurs to the great hobby.
So put the date in your diaries, Saturday the 4th February doors open at
0900hrs.
Remember it is towards the west, and not way out west, being about a
50 minute drive north west of Toowoomba.
Regards to all and as Graham would say, walk softly.
Ipswich & District Radio Club
P.O. Box 250
Ipswich Qld 4305
Web - www.vk4wip.com
Email - vk4wip@wia.org.au
Main 2 meter repeater - 146.900, linked to 438.375 and 439.300
Now a roundup of news from the Ipswich and District Radio Club.
In 2012 the club celebrates half a century, having been established in 1962
to foster the aims and ideals of amateur radio in the local community.
Throughout the year we will bring you a number of highlights from those
50 years. It's been an amazing period for technology development, and
through it all the hobby of amateur radio and the club has remained strong.
If anyone is considering sitting for the entry level Foundation Licence, the
club conducts regular courses and exams. Please contact the club to express
your interest.
The club meets twice a month at 7.30pm on the second and fourth Mondays,
with the second Monday a social meeting and the fourth being the business
meeting. The first social meeting for the year is tomorrow night, Mon 9 at
the clubhouse.
The main Ipswich 2 meter repeater has been upgraded with the output power
increased to 100 watts.
Additional enhancements to 146.900 now include automated relaying of the
weekly WIA and QNEWS from VK4RGC Gold Coast every Sunday morning at 9am
local time.
Special thanks to Rob VK4HW and Andrew VK4JV for their work on the upgrade.
Don't forget you can also keep up to date on news and events at the club
website vk4wip.com
Reporting from Ipswich, this is Allan VK4FABR.
Redcliffe and District Radio Club
www.redclifferadioclub.org.au/
I'm Ray, VK4CF with news from Redcliffe & Districts Radio club.
A very happy and exciting New Year to all, from the members of the Redcliffe
Club
Since last December, club members have been busy especially on 10, 6 and 2
metres in the last week or so with a 2 metre path to Adelaide open just
recently.
Last December Darren, VK4DJH, James, VK4TJF, David, VK4PDR and Scotty,
VK4NUT, participated in the ARRL 10 metre contest. The guys set up a
portable station at historic Watts Bridge airfield, near Toogoolawah,
using a trailer mounted tower provided by Kev, VK4UH and the club's
4 element wide spaced 10 metre beam made by John, VK4YJV and designed by
Andy, VK4KY.
There were 381 contacts made with some 55 states and provinces of the US and
Canada worked, and a total of 44 different DX countries. The team collected
over 100,000 points for the contest. One of the contacts made by Darren,
VK4DJH, was a QRP contact to Italy, using 5 watts and you can see and hear
the contact on YouTube at 1900DAZZA. Darren was using a Yaesu 817 to make
the contact.
Just after Christmas about 20 club members participated in a fund raising
activity at the local Bunning's store. Just over $900 was raised with their
organising efforts of John, VK4YJB and Charlie, VK4YZ.
The club has been advised that it scored 3 rd. place in the national VHF/UHF
field day. Kev, VK4UH, John, VK4YJB, David, VK4DC and Phil, VK4IIA set up a
portable site at the Camp Mountain lookout. Well done to all involved.
Roger, VL4ZLQ, advises that classes for Foundation, Standard and Advanced
licences will commence in early March and the Advanced licence course will
run until September. Roger can be contacted if you are interested in any of
the courses via the club's web site, www.redclifferadioclub.org.au/.
The next technical talk will be on 16 Jan 2012 and will be by Steve, VK4CZ,
and will cover the topic of 6 metre DX.
Two of our favourite visitors, Anita and Lauren, VK4FLMC visited the club
last Monday night and all being well Lauren will be returning to Brisbane to
undertake further study in 2012.
Well this is about all at the moment and so it's 73 until next time from
Ray, VK4CF, from the Redcliffe club.
VK7
vk7 local news, email vk7regionalnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vk7regionalnews/
Airservices Australia Accreditation.
In yet another sign of the times in which we now live, Airservices Australia
has asked that N.T.A.R.C. personnel accessing the Mt Barrow site now
undertake formal induction training.
This is a two-step process.
First the individual needs to be formally nominated by NTARC. Once that is
achieved, the individual needs to undertake the on-line Airservices training
course and then successfully complete an on-line examination. At that point,
a temporary certificate will be issued, with the definitive certificate to
follow within 30 days.
The better news is that the certification process is not all that arduous.
NTARC has successfully nominated three members in the initial round and two
of those have sat the test promptly qualified.
DISCUSSION POINT
What use is an f-call?
Recently I was talking to a non-amateur about Amateur Radio.
You know the kind of conversation, sitting around a coffee-table, talking
about life, hobbies, etc.
I mentioned that I was getting out and about meeting people in Amateur
Radio, participating in events, learning and generally having a great time.
The person I was talking to immediately responded with: "That's all too
technical for me, I could never do that."
And thus began a conversation that went for an hour or so on how radio
works, what wave-length and frequency were, how sound is transmitted, how an
antenna works, how you get a license, how much it costs and many of the
mechanics related to our hobby.
At no point did we talk about Ohms, or impedance or electronics as such, it
was more along the lines of throwing a pebble into a lake, but at the end of
the discussion there was a great deal of demystification that had taken
place.
It has taken a little while for me to realise, but the demystification is
what hooked me in the first place. My introduction to Amateur Radio was
sitting at a dinner table with a bunch of computer geeks one of whom was,
and still is, an Amateur.
I'll protect her identity - she knows who she is - Hi Hi - but the
introduction to the hobby was sideways, in that we started with Wi-Fi to
control a quad-copter and the potential for using an Amateur Radio license
to increase power and control this device from further away.
The quad-copter Wi-Fi project is still in the back of my mind - and I must
stress that I've not investigated in any way, bands, power, etc.
My point is that I came across a hobby while I was looking elsewhere.
I know that some feel that our hobby is in decline, that the average age of
Amateurs is increasing, but I'd like to point out that we as a society are
getting more and more technology in our lives, more and more exposure to
ideas and inventions that have a basis in Amateur Radio, more and more
accessible to more and more people.
Our hobby isn't in decline.
It's easy to talk to other Amateurs, it's hard work talking to the rest of
the world. Navel gazing is less work than standing up and looking around.
I'd encourage you to consider other groups you're a member of, be it
sailing, caravanning, computers, golf or fishing. People are social beings.
They want to talk about things that are new and exciting, interesting,
captivating. Share your experiences around, be as enthusiastic as you are in
your shack, share the twinkle in your eye.
You might be surprised.
I'm Onno - vk6flab
EDUCATION YOUTH AND ADVANCEMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO
www.hamcollege.com.au
First Foundation course for 2012 conducted by ARNSW
ARNSW will conduct six [6] Foundation courses this year on Sunday of the odd
months.
The first will be on January the 22 nd.
Others will be March 18; May 20; July 22; September 23 and November 18.
Assessments will be the following Sundays.
Location VK2WI at 63 Quarry Rd. Dural, Sydney. Contact by email
education@arnsw.org.au
or
telephone 0400 445 829.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to RSGB, Southgate AR Club, the ARRL,
Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART and the WW sources of the WIA.
ARRL KIDS DAY TODAY JANUARY 8
The first of two Kids Day operating events for 2012 takes place today Sunday
January 8.
Kids Day is a twice yearly on-the-air happening to encourage young people,
licensed or not, to learn about our wonderful world of amateur radio and the
fun it has to offer.
Kids Day is not a contest. Rather, it is a way to tell young people
worldwide about the magic and mystery of two way hobby radio communications.
To accomplish this, amateur radio stations are being asked to devote this
short time window to promote both terrestrial and satellite operations to
youngsters by providing a place to make contacts with other Kids Day
stations around the world.
More information about Kids Day is on-line at www.arrl.org/kids-day
The Netherlands on 4m this year.
OZ 2 M reports that all radio amateurs in The Netherlands have access to the
4 metre band as of One January.
The frequency allocation is 70 to 70.5 MHz with a maximum power of 50W.
Cross band and duplex contacts are not permitted.
Glenn Johnson, W0GJ, NCDXF Vice President, reports: and I quote
"Today, the Northern California DX Foundation announced a 'Christmas gift'
of 500 US Dollars to help rebuild and re-equip the Radio Amateur Society of
Thailand's (RAST) HS 0 AC Club station that was destroyed by recent
flooding.
RAST is part of the Asian Technical Institute. The HS 0 AC club station is
located within the Institute precinct.
For the past 40 years, NCDXF had not only been funding major DXpeditions,
but is also committed to education and scholarships."
=============================================================================
NEWS FROM ARNEWSLINE USA
DONATIONS AND COORDINATION ASSISTANCE NEEDED TO HELP REBUILD RAST STATION
DEVASTATED BY FLOODING
Ham radio groups from around the world are being asked to assist the Radio
Amateur Society of Thailand which is seeking help to rebuild its headquarters
station, HS0AC. This following massive flooding that recently hit that nation
not long ago. Amateur Radio Newsline's Don Carlson, KQ6FM, has the details:
According to Dick Flanagan, K7VC, in Minden, Nevada, there have already several
offers of equipment to the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand from members of the
Northern California Contest Club. Also Rusty Epps, W6OAT, reports that the
Yasme Foundation sent the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand a $2,000 donation
to assist in the HS0AC rebuilding effort. But that will be only the beginning
of what's required to bring the station back on the air.
Flanagan says that what is probably needed most right now is someone or some
organization to coordinate the assistance effort, solicit the offers and manage
the shipping and paperwork. He speculates that perhaps that administrative role
could be taken on as a cooperative effort between the Northern California
Contest Club, the Northern California DX Club, the International DX Association
and perhaps the ARRL.
K7VC notes that this would be a wonderful way for individuals and clubs to
express their holiday feelings of generosity to our fellow hams in need, He
adds that we can use this opportunity to demonstrate to our Thai ham radio
brothers and sisters what a coordinated effort can do to help them rebuild their
wonderful station. Those with suggestions can contact Dick Flanagan by e-mail to
dick@k7vc.com
AUSTRALIA SAYS OK ON CODEC 2 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
An emerging technical development is safe down-under. This with word from
David Rowe, VK5DGR, that he has received confirmation that the amateur radio
Codec 2 project is not controlled under the Australia's Defence Strategic Goods
List.
For those of you not aware, Codec 2 is an open source low bit rate speech codec
designed for communications quality audio at 2400 bits per second and below.
Applications include low bandwidth HF and VHF digital radio and VoIP trunking.
Concerns had been raised that Codec 2 might be subject to Australian government
restrictions. As reported in the past, some countries impose severe limitations
on certain aspects of amateur radio international cooperation in the area of
technical experimentation. A good example is that of the amateur radio satellite
community which has been negatively affected by United States Federal Government
International Traffic in Arms Regulations. These threaten radio amateurs with
heavy fines or even jail sentences if they collaborate with other radio hams in
the rest of the world on certain aspects of ham radio satellite projects.
It was feared Codec 2 might also be affected.
Now however, Rowe says he has received an e-mail from the Australian agency that
deals with export control. It says that the specifications of CODEC 2 have
been assessed as not controlled under the that nations Defence Strategic Goods
List. Also that a Control Status Advice stating this will be released shortly.
While this clears the way for Australian cooperation on the CODEC 2 project it
also begs the question of what other nations might decide to place CODEC 2 under
its strategically prohibited information exchange list. Ultimately, the amateur
radio community in every nation involved in CODEC 2 and other technical
development projects may have to sort this out on a case by case basis.
More about CODEC 2 is on line at codec2.org
(Southgate, others)
HAMS IN LEGANES SPAIN TURN TO FACEBOOK TO SAVE ANTENNAS
Hams in the city of Leganes, Spain are taking to
Facebook in an attempt to try to retain the right
to install and maintain their antennas.
Leganes is located about 11 km southwest of
Spain's capital of Madrid. It's also where the
city council has practically banned local radio
amateurs from installing or retaining antenna
systems. To bring this situation to the attention
of the worlds of amateur radio outside Leganes,
hams there have created a Facebook page at
tinyurl.com/save-leganes-antennas
The page is in Spanish but they ask that hams
worldwide who have a Facebook account to go to it
and click the "Like" button. The ham radio
community of Leganes, Spain, hopes that a large
turnout of support will help convince the town
council to reverse its highly restrictive
rulings.
SPECIAL EVENTS AND ON AIR CONTEST COLUMN - D A T E L I N E 2012
January 1-31 VK Ross Hull Memorial VHF UHF Contest
January 14-15 VK Summer VHF-UGF Field Day
March 17-18 VK JOHN MOYLE MEMORIAL FIELD DAY
May 5 VK/trans Tasman Contest 80metres SSB
June 9-10 VK Shires Contest.
June 25 VK/trans Tasman Contest 160metres SSB
July First full weekend NZART Memorial Contest
August 11-12 VK Remembrance Day Contest
August 18-19 WW International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend.
SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS, DX and BEACON AND NET ADVICE
Philippine Amateur Radio League 50th anniversary special event
Look for special event station 4G0LD to be active during 2012.
Activity is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Philippine Amateur Radio
League (PARL).
QSL via the Bureau.
Also, the P.A.R.L. is sponsoring a commemorative Diploma for amateur radio
stations that have established two-way communications with at least 12 QSOs
with PARL members.
Look for more details at:
http://www.dx1l.dxhams.net/events.htm
GB80PW Practical Wireless 80th year
In the UK Ofcom have issued the special callsign GB 80 PW to Practical Wireless
magazine. This special callsign is to celebrate the publication's 80th year in
print.
Practical Wireless Magazine
http://www.pwpublishing.co.uk
DL1ZU is in Namibia through Jan 13th. His primary operating modes will be
CW plus PSK, RTTY and SSB. QSL via his home call.
EA1CYK/P will be operational from Deception Island in the South Shetland group
during his spare time until March of 2012. He has been spotted with a good
signal on 10 meters.
G3SWH and G3OLU will be active from the Hawane Resort in western Swaziland
between February 21st to the 29th. Propagation permitting, they plan to have
two stations on the air for as many hours every day as is possible.
Operation will be on CW only on 80 through 10 meters. QSL via G3SWH
Lastly, An international group of operators plan to visit Pitcairn Island and
operate as VP6T between January 20th and February 4th. WIA National News is
always wary of promoting DXpeditions but according to a web posting the operation
hope to make at least 30,000 contacts while on the island.
Operations will be on 160 through 10 meters including the 30, 17 and 12 meter
bands. Modes to be used include CW, SSB and RTTY.
The VP6T log will be uploaded to Logbook of the World during the operation
QSL Manager is G3TXF. In addition to the usual routes they will also be using
the new Online QSL Request Service provided by ClubLog.
www.vp6t.org
I mentioned how we are DXpedition "wary", a reason? well it's now official,
Sable Island DXpedition has been postponed!
The latest update, dated December 30th, stated
Sable Island CY0 DXpedition postponed due to the landing area on the island
being under water. A winter storm with 20+ foot swells pushed water onto the
sand 'runway'. Al Wilson, the OIC on Sable, made an assessment of the landing
area and there was no possibility of a flight to the island in the next five days
after that, it would depend on how quickly the water would drain from the landing
area and if any other storms affect the island. At that point, they decided to
postpone the DXpedition.
http://www.cy0dxpedition.com
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
Dot-dash-diss: The gentleman hacker's 1903
A century ago, one of the world's first hackers used Morse code insults to
disrupt a public demo of Marconi's wireless telegraph.
Late one June afternoon in 1903 a hush fell across an expectant audience in the
Royal Institution's lecture theatre in London.
Before the crowd, the physicist John Ambrose Fleming was adjusting arcane
apparatus as he prepared to demonstrate an emerging technological wonder:
a long-range wireless communication system developed by his boss, the Italian
radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi.
Yet before the demonstration could begin, the apparatus in the lecture theatre
began to tap out a message. At first, it spelled out just one word repeated over
and over. Then it changed into a poem accusing Marconi of "diddling the public".
Their demonstration had been hacked - and this was more than 100 years before
the mischief playing out on the internet today.
Who was the Royal Institution hacker? How did the cheeky messages get there? And
why?
Read the full New Scientist article - Dot-dash-diss: The gentleman hacker's 1903
lulz
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21228440.700-dotdashdiss
-the-gentleman-hackers-1903-lulz.html?full=true
(SouthGate)
MEDIA WATCH
www.cq-amateur-radio.com/WorldRadio.html
VK Club Bulletins http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aarnie/
Why keep the WIA web with old broadcasts available?
Does anyone access these older broadcasts?
YES THEY DO.
We are holding and make available to everyone, VK1WIA National News Services
from 2012 back to and including 2009.
The highest download of audio was on July 19 2009 with some 1220 playbacks.
The highest read of the text was on July 12 2009 with 2,521 downloads
Now when a new broadcaster comes on line they are encouraged to subscribe to
the wiabroadcasters at yahoogroups.com webservice.
Twice a week you receive emails, the first is posted detailing that weeks
news broadcast, duration and where the audio can be downloaded from.
The 2nd email is a detailed tally sheet from all the official rebroadcast
stations across VK. Remember the only rebroadcast stations of this news shown
on the WIA "where to hear us" web page are the ones regularly sending us the
number of call-backs each week.
If you wish to join and are a rebroadcaster drop us an email now, to
nationalnews@wia.org.au
Also when sending National News Material PLEASE read the "how to submit items"
on the weekly news page at wia.org.au
Don't send us just url's and please post your audio onto the news area, not
by email.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ATV (Every pixel tells a story) - Video
arvideonews.com
hamradiotube.com
youtube.com
qdg.org.au
Visualising HF Propagation
Mike Clarke VP8DMH, at the Halley Research Station, Antarctica, has been using
WSPR and video to produce a simple visualisation of HF propagation.
He's been running WSPR using an FT-817 at 5W connected to one of the base
antennas; running on each band of interest for just over 24 hours.
A relatively straightforward Perl script then automates the process of merging
the database downloaded from wsprnet.org into a single 'virtual' day and
creating the video:
Watch his video and read his post at
http://clarkema.org/posts/2011-12/2011-12-12-propagation-videos.html
Narrow Band ATV video
Chris Long VK3AML has produced a youtube.com video showing amateur radio narrow
band TV which uses just 10 kHz bandwidth.
VK3AML starts with a raw and rather fuzzy 32 line image, generated within a
10 kHz bandwidth. Improvements are introduced -
(1) raising gamma to improve grey scale,
(2) sharpening applied to webcam software prior to standards conversion to
32-lines,
(3) high frequency boosting of 32 line wav file after standards conversion by
applying FFT protocol in AdobeAudition V3 software.
The Standards Conversion Freeware necessary for converting video, avi or webcam
to 32-line NBTV pictures can be found on Gary Millard's web page:
http://users.tpg.com.au/users/gmillard/nbtv.htm
Gary's software is excellent, and has been used to excellent effect by the
Narrow Band Television Association for several years.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FINAL FRONTIER
AMSAT-VK UNOFFICIAL HF Net.
2nd Sunday each month.
November through March 0900 UTC 7.068 MHz
Chicken Little Contest update
According to AMSAT ARISSat-1 stopped transmitting on the morning of January 4.
It is believed that the satellite re-entered the Earth's atmosphere around
0700 UTC (+/- three hours) and was destroyed soon after.
The predicted decay location is an open part of the South Atlantic, well west
of Angola.
RN3ZF, sent a reception report of a pass at 0842 UTC and stated, "The telemetry
was absent, voice messages were not legible, very silent and interrupted. Most
likely, I saw the last minutes in the life of the satellite." The last full
telemetry captured was received from ground stations as the satellite passed
over Japan at 0602 UTC on January 4.
www.amsat.org/amsat-new/ARISSat/ARISSatContest
You can see how you in in the competition!
Creation of AMSAT-Francophone
A new amateur radio satellite organisation, AMSAT-Francophone, has been formed.
Following the disappearance of AMSAT-France a few months ago, some of the members
who originally created AMSAT-France 16 years ago, thought it was still necessary
to have a structure for the French amateur space activities and have created
AMSAT-Francophone.
To find the AMSAT-Francophone website in English Google AMSAT-Francophone
http://tinyurl.com/AMSAT-Francophone
Trevor M5AKA says FUNcube's Launch details and time frame has been finalised.
An agreement has now been reached with ISIS Launch Services BV, who are based in
the Netherlands, for them to provide a launch of the FUNcube-1 CubeSat.
It is anticipated that FUNcube-1, which has been created by a team of volunteer
radio amateurs and other specialists over the past two years, will be launched
in the third quarter of 2012.
The flight is planned to take place from the Yasny launch facility in southern
Russia.
SOCIAL SCENE 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 Geneva 23rd January TO 17th February 2012
FEB 4 VK4 Bunya Mts & District AmCom Inc. Ham & Wine Fest 2012.
FEB 12 VK3 CentreVictoria Hamfest, Kyneton Racecourse
FEB 26 VK2 CCARC WYONG FIELD DAY
MAR 18 VK7 Sewing Circle Nets "Meet the Voice BBQ" at Ross.
APR 14-15 VK WIA National Field Day.
MAY 3-18 VK5 YL International 2012 Australia (vk5tmc@bigpond.com)
MAY 5- 6 VK4 RADAR and MARC Clairview Gathering
MAY 25-27 VK3 WIA Annual Conference Mildura
JUN 8-11 VK4 FNNQARG! QLD Cassowary Coast
JULY 14 VK4 Wide Bay Hamfest. West Maryborough Scout Hall
NOV 12 VK3 SPARC HAMFEST (ROSEBUD BY THE BAY)
WIA Annual Conference Mildura
May 25th, 26th and 27th 2012
Details for the WIA 2012 Annual Conference being held in Mildura are on
wia.org.au
Host club is Sunraysia Radio Group, led by Garry Briant VK3KYF and
Noel Ferguson VK3FI.
WIA Members who register for the event will be able to participate in a
range of fascinating and memorable activities.
Submitting news items
If you would like to submit news items for inclusion in the
VK1WIA broadcasts, please email your item in text to nationalnews@wia.org.au
to submit audio read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on
wia.org.au
Remember the sooner you submit material the more the likelihood of it being
broadcast in the very next edition of WIA National News. Each item will only
be broadcast once, if you want a couple of mentions, please submit different
slants to keep your event 'fresh'.
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WIANews - we've reported...YOU decide.
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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 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 on behalf of the National WIA.
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