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WIANEWS - April 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
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
TWITTER http://twitter.com/VK1WIA
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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THE FOLLOWING STORIES IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA FOR WEEK COMMENCING APRIL 8 2012.
Now we seldom report on virus's or Trojans, believing that the emails about
such things can be almost more intrusive than the 'bug themselves' and let's
face it if you are not running an auto updating virus scanning program you
deserve what may happen! Hihi.
BUT
Is your computer infected with DNSChanger?
ACMA put out a note about DNSChanger which is malicious software (malware)
that may have been installed on your computer without your knowledge.
Approximately 10,000 Australian internet users are currently infected with
this malware.
If your computer is infected you need to remove it.
If you don't remove it by 9 July 2012, you won't be able to connect to the
internet.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority, CERTAustralia (the
federal government's computer emergency response team) and the Department of
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy have collaborated to
develop a diagnostic website that, in most cases, shows you whether or not
you are infected with DNSChanger.
This website is dns-ok.gov.au
If you are infected, dns-ok.gov.au provides links to tools and detailed
documentation that may help you remove the infection.
(ACMA)
MyMP
Improved reception of the commercial radio service 3MP in northern and
western Melbourne as the Australian Communications and Media Authority
allows an increase to the maximum transmitting power of Melbourne commercial
radio broadcasting service 3MP-from 1225 volts to 2140 volts (equivalent to
5 kilowatts to 8.2 kilowatts) and change the direction of its radiation
pattern.
This will allow expanded coverage of northern and western Melbourne.
3MP has been previously known by the on-air identities, 3MTR and MTR1377.
This follows public consultation on the proposal, released in November 2011,
to vary the Licence Area Plan - Melbourne Radio - June 2000
(the Melbourne LAP).
WIA
President Michael Owen VK3KI president@wia.org.au
Vice President Phil Wait VK2ASD vk2asd@wia.org.au
Secretary Sarah Thompson VK3AUD secretary@wia.org.au
Treasurer John Longayroux VK3PZ vk3pz@wia.org.au
TARC AND TASSIE do WIA National Field Day
The WIA National Field Day will be happening next Saturday and Sunday April
14th and 15th theTARCinc will be running displays about the different aspects
of Amateur Radio at the front door of Jaycar Electronics Townsville store in
Ingham Road West End Saturday April 14th from 7-30am.
Hams need to help with this activity to publicise the worthwhile hobby
of Amateur Radio to the wider community.
Get along to wave the flag and have some fun as well !
Those listening in VK7 REAST will hold a display again this year as part of
the WIA National Field Day. It's on NEXT weekend April 14th and 15th.
Have you got some equipment such as an outdoor marquee or gazebo to help set
up a display?
It's a few DAYS away but please give it some thought as to how you can help
make this event a success for the club and the hobby in general.
WIA CONFERENCE
I'm Bob, VK6POP, reminding you that the Wireless Institute's Annual
Conference is coming up fast. It's now next month instead of sometime in
the future.
The Conference dates are Friday 25th to Sunday 27th May.
The weekend program is centred around the Mildura Grand Hotel. The weekend
will commence on Friday evening at the historic Settlers Club with a buffet
dinner.
On Saturday morning the WIA Annual General Meeting will be followed by the
Open Forum. I can assure you that the AGM will be brief and to the point, and
should serve as a model for club agms.
The open forum gives Amateur an opportunity to ask Questions of the Board, or
to raise issues of interest and concern. Lunch is provided for all
registered attendees.
On Saturday afternoon there is a technical symposium at which several items
of interest will be presented.
On Saturday evening the Annual Dinner will be held in the Grand Ballroom at
the Mildura Grand Hotel.
Sunday will feature a cruise and lunch on the famous Paddleboat Mundoo. For
those remaining in Mildura on Sunday night, a casual BBQ has been arranged
at the home of Noel Ferguson VK3FI, Fergus Park, Nichols Point.
Accommodation is available at the Mildura Grand Hotel, as well as in several
other hotels and caravan parks.
So how about it? Still thinking about going? Or maybe you never gave it any
thought until now? Well give it a go. These annual conferences are great
weekends, where you get to catch up with old friends and make new ones.
Information about the weekend and an online booking form are on the WIA
website, www.wia.org.au
HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.
VK4 - QNEWS
Send your stories for news. SCRIPT to qnews@wia.org.au
send audio to http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/upload/
get local audio news www.wiaq.org.au/ftp/vk4_qnews_64.mp3
get local news emailed qnews-vk-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
VK4 SILENT KEYS @ 2011 - 2012 QAC YEAR
VK4MUJ Jean Bowden passed away 2nd January 2012 advised by VK4ZZ
VK4BAY Roy Mahoney January 2012 advised by VK4BSH
VK4AFW Frank Alloway 15th January 2012 advised by VK4FABR
VK4KEL Geoff Sanders 4th April 2012 advised by VK4OD
Welcome to QNews from VK4WIA. I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP and I've been thinking.
When computers first entered the consumer electronics market, software soon
became available for the original "digital" mode, Morse Code. Soon followed
RTTY, Slow Scan TV and Fax. Derivatives of other modes such as TOR, Teletype
over Radio and Packet came along.
Today there is a plethora of software especially written for the amateur
operator. Nobel prize winner, Joe Taylor, has put his skills to work in
developing programs optimised for the weak signal operator. There is so much
more work being done in this part of the hobby.
In an attempt to utilise the features of the internet to provide greater
diversity of contact types, our sister society, the JARL, sponsored the
development of the D-Star modes. For the translation between digital and
analogue voice, a firmware codec was chosen. The catch is that the codec is a
commercial product which attracts a licence fee for each device in which it
is used.
The challenge for the amateur programmers is to successfully develop a
freeware alternative. This would allow many of the digital commercial radios
coming out service to join the amateur ranks as their analogue antecedents
have done.
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.
BARC
http://www.qsl.net/vk4ba
or, by E-mail to vk4ba@qsl.net
This is Stuart, VK4MSL with news from the Brisbane Amateur Radio Club.
BARCfest will take place *two weeks later* than usual, at 9:30AM
Saturday,
26th May 2012, at the usual venue, 1600 Logan Road, Upper Mt.
Gravatt.
There will be the usual displays of equipment and parts for sale, tech
talks,
and of course, an opportunity to catch up with old friends at
Cafe-de-BARC.
Admission is $7.00.
For further information, see the BARC website:
http://www.qsl.net/vk4ba/
Redcliffe and District Radio Club
www.redclifferadioclub.org.au/
I'm Ray, VK4CF with news from Redcliffe & Districts Radio club.
The year just seems to be getting busier and busier. After a successful
Moyle, and more about that later, the activities for the club this month
are:-
9th April General Business Meeting. Please note Roger, VK4ZLQ will not be
present for the meeting and has requested you bring your copy of the minutes
to ensure that the they are correct.
From the 11th till the 16th April, the Wednesday group will be involved in
assembling the portable station and equipment for the Titanic anniversary,
setting up the station at Maritime Museum, Stanley Street, South Bank,
Brisbane, participating in the activity and finally packing up and returning
all equipment to the club.
16th April Technical Talk with evening Kevin VK4UG - Meteor Scatter
Propagation, and to end the month:-
23rd April Fox Hunt
Well the Moyle has come and gone for another year. This year we had the
rain. It was the first time in some 5 years that the club had to stop
transmitting for a period of about of 6 hours as it was just too dangerous
to the equipment to continue. 2 stalwarts of the club and of the Moyle were
Andy, VK4KY and Glenn, Vk4FZ who were back again this year. Antennas were
set up on the afternoon of Friday in fine conditions and by 3.30 pm on the
Saturday, RAIN. Heavy "Brisbane type" rain for the next 6 hours. Too
dangerous to operate in and with the possible damage to the equipment and
nothing else to do but to enjoy a few cordials and resume when conditions
improve.
Despite all this the field day was a success, many contacts made. Many
thanks to the stream of helpers who were there to set up, bringing food and
other supplies and for the clean-up who had the site totally cleared by 2 pm
on Sunday afternoon.
WIA Queensland Centenary. Kevin VK4UH advised that this year is the
centenary celebration of the WIA in Queensland. The club has decided to
participate and will apply for the use of the special call sign.
Grace Lutheran College. Kevin VK4UH advised the club that he had approached
Grace Lutheran College enquiring about access to the large steerable dish
that they have on their grounds. The dish is currently used by senior
physics classes and is operational. The College was most receptive to
interacting with the club and Kevin believes that the dish could be used for
EME activities on 2 metres and higher frequencies.
Just a reminder that James, VK4TJF, conducts CW courses at the club on
Thursday evenings from 7.00pm until 9.00pm and about the regular trivia
contest conducted on the 70 cm repeater each Wednesday night starting about
7.30 pm. If we don't use the frequency allocation we will lose it!
Well this is about all at the moment and so it's 73 until next time from Ray,
VK4CF, from the Redcliffe club.
News from Townsville
As local VK listeners heard in QNEWS last weekend there is to be a 2012
WIA-QAC Presidents Lunch and 100th Anniversary of organized Amateur Radio in
Queensland. We now have the venue, Presidents Lunch, hosted by Hervey Bay
Amateur Radio Club will be at the Hervey Bay RSL Club starting at 10am on
Saturday 21st July. That's at the lower, or Eastern end of the Bay.
WIA President Michael VK3KI will be special guest speaker and attendees
will include WIA Directors and members of the WIA-QAC along with committee
and members of various QLD Amateur Radio Clubs.
The Centenary Celebration BBQ will also be hosted by the Hervey Bay Amateur
Radio Club on Sunday 22nd July.
What use is an f-call?
(Past editions of What use is an f-call can be found online at harg.org.au
under F-troop.)
Recently I was sitting on a plane talking to a person whom I had just met.
We were discussing our interests and experience and the subject of Amateur
Radio came up.
There was the obligatory CB radio comment and some discussion about marine
radio, but the discussion boiled down to this:
"What's the point?"
I eased into
the subject by observing that as a hobby I found it to be technically
challenging without it having a direct relationship to my day-job in IT.
We discussed the ideas that embody the hobby, non-commercial use,
experimentation, discovery, camaraderie. We talked about the natural
disasters like Hurricane Katrina, the Boxing Day Tsunami, the Earthquake and
Tsunami in Japan and the subsequent issues with their nuclear power plant. I
explained about making contacts and exchanging information, call-signs,
signal reports, dealing with electricity and backup batteries and the like.
The conversation went for about an hour, we talked about the SES, about
HF long distance contacts, the solar cycle, the ionosphere, experiments and
the development of technologies like the mobile phone.
The thing that struck me during this conversation, looking at the topics we
discussed, some in passing, some in-depth (well, to the depth of my eclectic
knowledge at least), that Amateur Radio touches a lot of aspects of society.
I used to think that IT was the only field that impacted the world every
where in every which way. Now I'm not so sure. Amateur Radio to me appears to
have dibs on a large chunk. I supposes I'm saying that Amateur Radio has a
public relations issue, people don't know it exists, yet it affects their
lives in ways that most never even notice.
Perhaps all this just relates to
my better understanding of the Radio Frequency spectrum and my personal part
in the puzzle, but I think society would benefit from at least a smidgen of
the understanding that comes with having an Amateur License.
If you have thoughts on the matter, I'd love to hear from you.
I'm Onno VK6FLAB
SILENT KEY
Geoffrey Allan Sanders VK4KEL has gone silent key following a VERY long
battle with various forms of cancer. He was but 62 , born in September of 49
in Horsham VK3.
Geoff was a past President of the Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio Club,
Past President of the Wireless Institute of Australia Queensland Division,
a former VK4 Federal Councillor and Alternate Federal Councillor of the
Wireless Institute of Australia.
MORE IMPORTANTLY - Geoff VK4KEL will be remembered for his support for
we VietNam Vets. Geoff, 217459 served with 104 Signal Sqn Vietnam IN 1969.
Geoff was given just 2 hours as he lay in the Prince Charles Hospital
Sunday yet fought on until he passed 4th April being kept comfortable
during his last days with Jen and his children by his side.
His loss will leave a huge hole in our lives as he has been a friend of ours
since commencing QNEWS back i 94-5.
Geoff was President and Secretary of the old WIAQ and when we first started
QNEWS on packet radio was the first WIA Official who started to tell it's
members "what was what".. thanks to Geoff the walls of WIA secrecy started to
be broken...
It wasn't again and not since the late Chris Jones that we knew week to week
what our society was doing for us.
I know Geoff will be sadly missed by many others who knew by QSO, WIA work,
and his work with the Vet community, knew him well.
More in local QNEWS bulletins as it comes to hand.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to IARU, RSGB, SARL, Southgate AR Club, ARRL,
Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART, ARVictoria and the WW sources of the WIA.
JOE WALSH, WB6ACU, IS AN ANALOG MAN
Grammy Award-winning rock-and-roll legend Joe Walsh, WB6ACU, returns with
Analogue Man, set to be released June 5.
This is Walsh's first solo album since 1992's Songs for a Dying Planet.
Walsh -- best known for his powerful guitar licks -- joined the Eagles in
1976 and is credited for bringing a harder rock sound to the band with the
acclaimed Hotel California, The Long Run and Eagles Live.
No stranger to the analogue way of life, Walsh -- an ARRL Life Member --
enjoys operating on 80 metres AM.
Check out Analogue Man -- the title track of Walsh's new album and details of
his South African tour starting on 4 April in Cape Town
http://www.joewalsh.com/
(SARL)
World Amateur Radio Day
On April 18, 2012 we will celebrate the World Amateur Radio Day on the
87th Anniversary of the founding of the International Amateur Radio Union.
This years theme for the World Amateur Radio Day is "Amateur Radio
Satellites: Celebrating 50 Years in Space" and we will have much more on this
world event shortly in our special interest group segment.
50 watts for Foundation holders in Belgium
The UBA reports on plans to allow Belgian Foundation licence holders to run
50 watts on HF instead of the previous 10 watts.
Belgian Foundation holders are currently permitted 50 watts on 144 and 430MHz
and 10 watts in the bands from 3.5 to 52 MHz The new proposal means they
would be able to run 50 watts on the HF and 6m bands.
The website of the national radio society the UBA says that taking into
account the 3dB rule this would permit the use of a standard 100W
transceiver.
See the proposals in Google English at
http://tinyurl.com/Belgium50wFoundation
Lightning strike survivor feels lucky to be alive
K.A.K.E. News reports that radio amateur Bill Isles KD 0 IIF is recovering
after he survived a lightning strike and used his ham radio to call for help.
Seems the volunteer storm spotter was standing in his backyard and thought
the lightning was far away!
"In the distance, I would hear thunder and see lightning. I didn't think
anything was quite that close," said Bill. "And it came as quite a shock."
That shock knocked Bill to the ground. The only thing nearby was his amateur
radio. When Bill called for help through the ham radio, Mike KD 0 IJO, heard
his call and phoned 911.
Read the full KAKE News story at
http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/Wichita_Man_Struck_By_
Lightning_During_Thursday_Storms_145019845.html
=============================================================================
JAPAN TO LAUNCH AMATEUR RADIO SATELLITES
Big news on the ham radio space scene. This with
word that the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
has announced the upcoming launch of five amateur
radio satellites. This, on two launches taking
place this spring and summer. Amateur Radio
Newsline's Stephen Kinford, N8WB, is here with more:
The first launch is the H2A that takes place on
May 17th. It will carry the amateur radio satellite HORYU-2.
This will be followed on July 21st when the HTV3
mission. It will deliver the JEM-Small Satellite
Orbital Deployer or J-SSOD to the International
Space Station. That unit will enable small
satellites to be deployed from the ISS using the
Japanese Experiment Module robot arm.
The Japanese amateur radio satellites WE-WISH and
FITSAT-1, along with San Jose State University's
TechEdSat and Vietnam's F-1 will also be
delivered to the I-S-S on this mission. Plans
are for them to be deployed to orbit on September 20th.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephen Kinford, N8WB,
in Wadsworth, Ohio.
ARRL SPONSORING WEBINAR TO HELP YOU PUBLICIZE FIELD DAY
The ARRL Public Relations Committee will be
holding a free Webinar on Thursday evening April
12 for Public Information Officers, radio club
officers and anyone else wanting to join
in. This, to teach the easiest and most
effective way to write a press release for Field
Day and actually get it noticed by the mass media in your home region.
The webinar will begin at 9 pm Eastern Daylight
Time and will run for about 90 minutes. Several
experts in mass media communications will be on
hand to teach the tricks of the trade in dealing
with radio, television and print publications.
Pre-registration is required. To reserve a spot
simply take your web browser to
tinyurl.com/arrl-field-day-webinar or directly at
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/278619454.
Space is limited so if you want to take part you
need to sign up today.
ESPN EMPLOYEES CREATE THE WORLDWIDE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
Current and former employees of the Entertainment
and Sports Network, better known to the public as
ESPN, have formed the Worldwide Amateur Radio
Club. Located on the grounds of the ESPN
facility in Bristol, Connecticut, the group has
now been granted the club call WE1SPN .
At present the club has about 40 members. Inaugural
operations were to take place on 7.177 MHz at 21:00 UTC
on March 29th.
This opening gala was to include trying to contact as
may radio clubs at Disney theme parks as possible.
The Worldwide Amateur Radio Club is the latest
bin a long series of broadcast industry based
employee recreation entities. It joins similar
employee groups at the CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox
networks as well as at a number of broadcast
stations nationwide and world-wide.
More about WE1SPN can be found by checking the
listing page for their callsign on QRZ.com
ANDY SENNITT TO RETIRE FROM RNW END OF APRIL
Andy Sennitt who edited the now closed Radio
Netherlands Media Network weblog says that he
will be retiring from that international
broadcaster at the end of April. Sennitt says
that during his last weeks at Radio Netherlands
that he will be writing a series of articles
reflecting on the changes in international
broadcasting since he started appearing on the
Media Network radio show in 1981 as well as
looking ahead to the coming decade.
This perspective will be published on the Radio
Netherlands English language website. Sennitt
asks that if you have any memories of Radio
Netherlands or any other international
broadcasters that you would like to share, please
e-mail them to him. He can be reached at
MediaNetwork (at) rnw (dot) nl. Sennitt adds
that he will try to include them in the articles
as is possible.
NASA ANNOUNCES ISSLIVE! APP
NASA has announced the release of the ISSLive!
app for iPhone, iPad and Android devices. Amateur
Radio Newsline's David Black, KB4KCH, has the details:
The ISS Live! app delivers live streaming data
from the International Space Station. Users can
take a virtual 3-D tour of the Mission Control
Centre and the space station, and view mission
control console displays with real-time
data. Interactive educational lessons using the
data, as well as crew and science timelines with
individual crew member, social media and
international science experiment details are also available via the app.
The space agency calls ISSLive! an innovative,
interactive application that provides a novel way
to learn about the International Space Station
while on the go. To learn more and find links to
download the ISSLive! app, visit
spacestationlive.jsc.nasa.gov. That's where you
will find the icons for the iPhone App Store and the Android Market.
I'm David Black, KB4KCH, from the South-East bureau in Birmingham, Alabama.
NASA CONSIDERING LAGRANGE POINT OUTPOST
NASA is pressing forward on assessing the value
of a human-tended outpost near the far side of
the moon. One that would embrace international
partnerships as well as commercial and academic participation,
According to SPACE.com, William Gerstenmaier is
NASA's Associate Administrator for Human
Exploration and operations. And in a February
3rd memo Gerstenmaier says that a team is being
formed to develop a cohesive plan for exploring a
spot in space known as the Earth-moon Lagrange point.
Lagrange points sometimes called liberation
points, are places in space where the combined
gravitational pull of two large masses roughly
balance each other out. This would allow a
spacecraft or other object to essentially park in
that spot without being pulled toward either one of the masses.
A pre-memo NASA appraisal of Lagrange Point
EML-2, which is near the lunar far side, has
spotlighted this destination as the leading
option for a near-term space study. EML-2 could
serve as a gateway for exploration of multiple
destinations including near-lunar space, our own
moon, asteroids, the moons of Mars and
ultimately, the red planet itself.
=============================================================================
WEIRD AND WONDERFUL
Around the World 28 MHz Balloon
A long duration balloon mission that is using 6 Party Balloons to carry a
50 gram amateur radio 28.223 MHz CW beacon, is hoping to go around the world.
The balloon was released from Annapolis in Maryland and started its journey
heading SE at 6 knots finally reaching 96 km/h.
It has no APRS, just the 28.223 MHz CW telemetry system and it is hoped to
locate it by signal strength and beam headings only.
The mission is to give an insight into constant-pressure balloons and
especially the use of common mylar party balloons as a fixed volume envelope.
Unfortunately, these balloons have a high mass and so the theoretical maximum
altitude no matter how many balloons are used is only about 26,000 feet and
that is with no payload other than the fixed balloon mass.
The payload weighs about 50 grams. The team are targeting 6 party balloons
3' in diameter which should give a float altitude around 16,000 feet. The
Telemetry will be in CW on 28.223 MHz (USB DIAL) and will contain
Battery voltage, inside and outside temperatures, and surface luminosity of
the ocean/clouds. It has no GPS. The team will rely entirely on DF bearings
and signal reports.
SPECIAL EVENTS AND ON AIR CONTEST COLUMN - D A T E L I N E 2012
WW FISTS TITANIC SPRINT April 15
VK/ZL AM/CW on ANZAC DAY April 25
VK/ZL Trans Tasman Contest 80metres Phone May 12
VK Shires Contest June 9-10
ZL NZART Memorial Contest July First full weekend
VK/ZL Trans Tasman Contest 80+160metres July 21
VK Remembrance Day Contest August 11-12
WW International Lighthouse Lightship Wknd August 18-19
T.C.S.W.A.T. active again at Gallipoli for AM and CW on ANZAC Day
Tevfik TA1HZ has confirmed with Mike VK4MIK that the Turkish Portable
Operations team TCSWAT will be active again as TC57A from Gallipoli for
AM and CW on ANZAC Day.
They will arrive at the site of operations on Saturday 21st April and
finish operations there on Thursday 26th April.
TCSWAT hope to operate SSB, CW, PSK31 and maybe even SSTV from the
Gallipoli.
Is your station going to be involved with AM and CW on ANZAC Day ?
Contact Mike VK4MIK now on email vk4mike@yahoo.com.au
SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS, DX and BEACON AND NET ADVICE
DXCC Country/Entity Report
According to the Amateur Radio Cluster Network for the week of Sunday,
25th-March, through Sunday, 1st-April there were 235 countries active.
ZD8, Ascension Island
The ZD8, Ascension Island bureau has closed. A full list of countries that
do not have a bureau is available on the http://www.irts.ie/cgi/qsl.cgi
"DX Code of Conduct"
Audio by John VK2JJW
I will listen, and listen, and then listen again before calling.
I will only call if I can copy the DX station properly.
I will not trust the DX cluster and will be sure of the DX station's
call sign before calling.
I will not interfere with the DX station nor anyone calling and
will never tune up on the DX frequency or in the QSX slot.
I will wait for the DX station to end a contact before I call.
I will always send my full call sign.
I will call and then listen for a reasonable interval. I will not call
continuously.
I will not transmit when the DX operator calls another call sign, not mine.
I will not transmit when the DX operator queries a call sign not like mine.
I will not transmit when the DX station requests geographic areas other than
mine.
When the DX operator calls me, I will not repeat my call sign unless I think
he has copied it incorrectly.
I will be thankful if and when I do make a contact.
I will respect my fellow radio amateurs and conduct myself so as to
earn their respect.
AWARDS
RSGB Commonwealth Century Club Jubilee Award 2012
Of course this year is the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and mindful that the
Queen is the head of the Commonwealth of Nations we remind you of that new
operating award
To qualify for this attractive certificate all you need to do is to work as
many different countries and call areas on the Commonwealth Century Club list
during 2012.
Certificates will be awarded for working 60 and 100 different call areas.
Use any mode or bands you like and QSL cards are not required.
Score sheets and full details can be downloaded from
www.beru.org.uk/CCCaward/CCCindex.html
G3PJT@btinternet.com
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
MicroThrust Motor for Nanosats
Imagine reaching the Moon using just a tenth of a litre of fuel.
With their ionic motor, MicroThrust, EPFL scientists and their European
partners are making this a reality, ushering in a new era of low-cost space
exploration.
The goal is to provide efficient propulsion systems for nanosatellites
(1-100 kg), which are currently stuck in whatever orbit they were initially
placed: the plan is to free them to allow nanosatellites to perform orbital
manoeuvring, and missions to the Moon, to Near Earth Objects, or even to Mars.
World Amateur Radio Day - April 18
On April 18, 2012, radio amateurs will be celebrating World Amateur Radio Day
on the 87th Anniversary of the founding of the International Amateur Radio
Union, IARU.
This years theme for the World Amateur Radio Day is "Amateur Radio
Satellites: Celebrating 50 Years in Space" in remembrance the launching of
OSCAR 1 on December 12, 1961 and the launch of OSCAR 2 on June 2, 1962.
For this reason there will be several special event stations from IARU's
Member Societies active on different dates during April:
6H6IARU by the Federacin Mexicana de Radio Experimentadores who has
commissioned this operation to Grupo DXXE. This station will be
active from 13 to 18 April in all modes and bands. QSL via LoTW and
N7RO, direct or bureau. Daily logs uploads will be available in
ClubLog.
3G87IARU by the Radio Club de Chile. This station will be active throughout
the month of April. QSL via CE3AA.
LZ1WARD by the Bulgarian Federation of Radio Amateurs also will be active
throughout the month of April. QSL via bureau.
EL2RL by the Liberia Radio Amateur Association will be active on April 18
on 10, 15, 17 and 20 meters. Direct QSL to EL2BA.
HB9WARD by Union Schweizerischer Kurzwellen-Amateure to be active also on
April 18. This first time callsign will be on the air by HB9JOE and
a group of radio amateurs from Bern. QSL via HB9JOE.
HF87WARD by members of the SP-CFF (SP0CFF). This station will be active from
April, 17 to 30. QSL via eQSL.cc and WFF LogSerach.
For those who want to send card direct, please send SASE to:
Polish Club Flora & Fauna, Suchacz, Wielmozy 5b, 82-340 Tolkmicko, Poland.
They will even have an award for this operation.
IARU Region 2
http://www.iaru-r2.org/
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- STAMP COLLECTING AMATEURS
radiostamps@yahoogroups.com
LUXEMBOURG ISSUES STAMP TO CELEBRATE 75 YEARS OF AMATEUR RADIO
Founded in 1937, the Rseau Luxembourgeois des Amateurs d'Ondes
Courtes (RL <http://www.rlx.lu/index.html>) -- that country's IARU
Member-Society -- is celebrating its 75th anniversary. In honour of this
milestone, Luxembourg's Entreprise des Postes et Tlcommunications
(P&TLuxembourg) has issued a .60 postage stamp
<http://www.pt.lu/portal/lang/en/Philatelie/stamps/pid/4292> (about 80
cents in US currency); P&TLuxembourg is that country's government owned
corporation for mail and telecommunications. This is one of three
commemorative stamps issued by Luxembourg in 2012 .
(ARRL)
LOW DOWN IN THE NEWS
NZ4O MF (300-3000 KC) Radiowave Propagation Forecast
The NZ4O MF (300-3000 KC) Radiowave Propagation Forecast #2012-14 has been
published at 0000 UTC on Friday March 30, 2012, valid 0000 UTC Saturday
March 31, 2012 through 2359 UTC Friday April 06, 2012.
http://www.mwfrequencypropagation.org .
73 & GUD DX,
Thomas F. Giella, NZ4O Lakeland, FL, USA
SOCIAL SCENE 2012
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
JUN 9-10 VK5 South East Radio Group Convention, Mt Gambier.
JULY 14 VK4 Wide Bay Hamfest. West Maryborough Scout Hall
JULY 21 VK3 Gippsland Gate Radio & Electronics Club Hamfest @ Cranbourne
November 15TH IARU REGION 3 CONFERENCE hosted by V.A.R.C. in Ho-Chi-Minh
City, Vietnam.
NOV 25 VK3 SPARC HAMFEST AT ROSEBUD
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.
TWITTER http://twitter.com/VK1WIA
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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/ex
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