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WIANEWS - AUG 18 - VK NATIONAL NEWS
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WIANEWS WEEK COMMENCING AUG 18 2013.
WIA BOARD
President Phil Wait VK2ASD vk2asd@wia.org.au
Vice President Chris Platt VK5CP vk5cp@wia.org.au
Secretary David Williams VK3RU vk3ru@wia.org.au
Treasurer John Longayroux VK3PZ vk3pz@wia.org.au
Further Explanation for Ending the High Power Trial
The ACMA has posted a statement on its website concerning its decision to
not continue the regulatory arrangements put in place for the High Power
Trial, which ends on 31 August.
The Trial began on 1 March 2012 and included a detailed assessment process
conducted by the ACMA that began from 1 March this year, ending recently.
The ACMA's statement sets out the areas taken into consideration in its
assessment, and the reasons for the conclusion it reached to not continue
the Trial's regulatory arrangements.
A link to the full statement appears on the new feed on front page of the WIA
website at WIA.org.au
[Roger Harrison - VK2ZRH]
Alara Contest Reminder
Hi, this is Shirley VK5YL speaking on behalf of our ALARA Contest Manager
Lesley VK5LOL who is in the back blocks of Queensland or New South Wales at
the moment. Just a reminder to please be active on air during our ALARA
Contest next weekend - Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August. The times are
between the hours of 0400UTC and 1359UTC on both days.
We hope to hear lots of YLs along with OMs and Clubs participating this year.
For the Contest Rules check out the ALARA web page at www.alara.org.au
You can earn an extra 10 points if you manage to catch Lesley VK5LOL out in
the wild east during the Contest. Hope to be able to chat to some of you
soon. Oh, and don't forget to checkout Echolink and 2 meters as well.
33 and 73 from Shirley VK5YL.
HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.
VK3
EAST GIPPSLAND MONTHLY MEETING INVITATION
Ian, vk3tcx, from the East Gippsland Amateur Radio Club would like to advise
all interested local amateurs that at the club's monthly meeting on Sunday 26
August, Brian vk3bbb will be giving a presentation on D STAR technology both
to provide information on this mode, he will demonstrate it's use, and we'll
be exploring the possibility of establishing a D STAR "hot spot" in the
Bairnsdale area. Amateurs interested in perhaps using this mode should bring
along a flash drive for relevant software to be supplied.
Meeting is at their clubrooms at the East Gippsland MakerSpace, 25 Morgan
Street, Bairnsdale commencing at 1.30 PM. Everybody is welcome
[Ian VK3TCX]
Homebrew meeting on election day
The popular Homebrew Construction group meetings are held at the Amateur
Radio Victoria rooms, 40g Victory Boulevard, Ashburton on the first Saturday
of each month at 2pm.
It's surprising the number of topics each meeting reveals and the last one
was no exception. From medium wave to an amplifier for 1296MHz moon-bounce
activity, microwave circuit design and wire antenna deployment by kite.
The first mini-newsletter, produced by Ian Downie VK3LA, was recently featured
on the WIA broadcast and brought some well-deserved compliments.
The second edition will be distributed soon to e-members who have ticked
the 'Homebrewers Group' box on their subscription page on the Amateur Radio
Victoria website.
To find the page click on the 'Members' tab at the top of the home page and
then 'Renew membership'. Login and tick the box. It's that easy.
Ian VK3LA has many interesting ideas to share from his extensive worldwide
review of websites.
Comments and requests can be sent to the group at www.homebrew@amateurradio.com.au
Despite the federal election day, the next meeting will be held on Saturday
September the 7th, at 2pm.
(Jim Linton VK3PC)
VK4
EVERYDAY HAM HEROES RIDING FOR CHARITY
Today, 18th August a group of two wheel jockeys set out from Byron Bay, in
northern N.S.W., on the Great Australian Ride. VK4KEV can really say, "I'm
Kevin, I'm from Qld and I'm here to help!" Kev hails from the town of Widgee,
west of Gympie .
www.thegreataustralianride.com
With a love of motor bikes and amateur radio, Kev has already raised almost
$5,000 and the riders hope to beat the record of $137,000 from last year. The
charity to benefit is the SIDS and Kids organisation.
https://www.facebook.com/kevhelpingsids
The local radio clubs are supporting VK4KEV in his fundraising with the Gympie
Communications and Radio Group making a substantial donation from members
and Maryborough Electronics and Radio Group being a sponsor with Kev's beemer
sporting the club logo.
After each day's ride Kev proposes to call on 40m. around 7.045 +/_ QRM during
daylight and sunset and then 15m. on 21.308MHz. A commemorative QSL card will
be available, also. Updates to operating skeds will be posted on VK4KEV's QRZ
page and details will be updated by capable XYL, Gudrun, VK4FWIT.
Check details on the links included in the text edition of the news:-
www.qrz.com/db/vk4kev
(To make donations go to)
http://www.everydayhero.com.au/kev_white
From MERG, Inc, this has been Geoff, VK4ZPP reporting for WIA News.
DISCUSSION POINT
What's the main focus of your club?
Chances are your club will have a constitution, and near the beginning of that document will be listed a set of one or more Objects.
The Objects are an outline of why the club was formed in the first place. The rest of the document is about good management of the club.
A good measure of how your club is going is to list the objects from your constitution and have an honest discussion about whether or not your club is doing what it should be doing.
So what if you aren't doing what it says in the objects? In simple terms it means one of two things - either you need to take a long hard look at your club's activity programme, or you should review your constitution because your objects may be out of date. I'll deal with the former rather than the latter, because the latter option would be a huge project.
If you believe that your club isn't meeting the objects in its constitution, it's time to take a look at what you ARE doing. In fact, your constitution's objects must embrace the club's activities. To achieve this without restricting creativity, however, the objects should be fairly broad and not a list of specific activities.
So now we've sorted out your objectives, what does your club spend its
energy on?
What occupies most of your time at the club?
The first suspect on my list is meetings. The business part of any club ought to be dealt with by short committee meetings, with minutes circulated to members. Any business out of the ordinary can be taken to a broader group of members, however the day to day mundane stuff about paying the rent, power bills etc is for the committee.
So, having relieved general members of the drudgery of meetings, there's plenty of time to engage the members in club activities. These can be instructional, information sharing, maintenance and construction of antennas etc, and, yes, playing with the radios.
By a simple process of doing away with the unnecessary and replacing it with the fun stuff, your club will become focussed, more interesting and members will enjoy attending.
I'm Bob, VK6POP
INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to IARU, RSGB, SARL, Southgate AR Club, ARRL,
Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART, ARVictoria and the WW sources of the WIA.
BOB GROVE EXPLAINS THE DEMISE OF MONITORING TIMES
As reported last week, Bob Grove W8JHD, founder,
editor and publisher of Monitoring Times
Magazine, has announced his and the magazine's
retirement. Now in a one-on-one video interview,
Ham Radio Now's Gary Pearce, KN4AQ, finds out why
Bob's retirement also means an end to the
magazine. It's a very interesting conversation
that will give you a lot of insight into Bob
Grove's thinking and putting his popular magazine
to bed. To find out, take your web browser to
tinyurl.com/monitoring-times-says-goodbye (arvidnews.com)
[arnewsline]
OPERATIONAL NEWS - DATELINE 2013
ALARA Contest August 24 and 25
2014
VK Harry Angel Memorial Sprint May 3
10-10 INTERNATIONAL SUMMER CONTEST Aug 2 - 3
BROADCAST, MONITORING SWL AND SCANNER NEWS
[AUDIO]
NEW ZEALAND RADIO STATION ORDERED TO APOLOGIZE
A New Zealand radio station has been ordered to
apologize on-the-air for abusing and insulting
local councilors, as well as a rival radio
broadcaster. This after the nations Broadcasting
Standards Authority ruled that Cruise FM Waikato
must express regret for unfair comments made
about South Waikato District Council members,
Classic Hits Radio and its staff in two broadcasts
late last year.
The Broadcasting Standards Authority found that
while host and owner Johnny Dryden and another
councilor were broadly discussing issues of
public interest, their comments went beyond what
could be considered acceptable. Also that they
had the potential to be very damaging to the individuals'
reputations.
The Broadcasting Standards Authority went on to
note that Dryden made comments that were not
related to their public or professional duties
but were personally abusive and insulting.
Cruise FM has been ordered to pay the Crown $2500
New Zealand Dollars to cover its costs in the
matter. It must also broadcast an apology for
the unfair treatment within a month.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Meachen,
ZL2BHF, on the South Island in Nelson, New Zealand.
INTRUDER WATCH - ENFORCEMENT ZONE
THE QNEWS WORK BENCH - the nuts and volts report - Measure Twice cut Once.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ILLW
ILLW 2013 is another record year
This weekend has about 500 registered to go portable and actively support
the 16th annual International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend.
They will be busily engaged in a QSO or calling 'CQ Lighthouse Weekend' and
on request will tell a little of their location history.
Hundreds of radio amateurs in nearly 50 countries enjoy being at a lighthouse,
lightship or marine beacon, and explaining the joys of amateur radio to any
visitors.
The fun-event aims to raise public awareness of old maritime navigation structures,
spread international good will, and promote amateur radio.
More than 80 are in Australia and New Zealand. The Americas and Asia has
100 each while 150 are registered in Europe. For a complete country listing
visit the dedicated website www.illw.net
Get on air to join many thousands of others globally finding out how many
you can contact - some offer a special QSL card.
(Jim Linton VK3PC)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FEMALES IN RADIO
ALARA - AUSTRALIAN LADIES AR ASSOCIATION
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FINAL FRONTIER
HAM TV HEADS TO THE ISS
A Japanese HTV-4 cargo vessel carrying the new
Ham TV gear was successfully launched to the
International Space Station on Saturday, August
3rd. Once activated, the primary mission of Ham
TV is to perform contacts between the astronauts
on the ISS and school students by adding real
time video to the current voice only QSO's within the ARISS program.
The European Space Agency's Columbus module on
the ISS will host the 2.4 GHz video transmitting
station in addition to the existing 2 meter FM
amateur radio station. The new equipment can
broadcast images from the ISS during the school
contacts or other downlink other pre-recorded
video images up to 24 hours a day.
The IARU Amateur Satellite Frequency Coordination
Panel has announced frequencies of 2422.0 MHz and
2437.0 MHz for use by the Ham TV project. It is
currently planned to transmit using the DVB-S
signal format with 10 watts of power. More about
the project is on the web at tinyurl.com/iss-ham-tv (ARISS)
**
Thailand's first ham radio satellite
The Thailand Amateur Radio Satellite Group are developing their first
satellite JAISAT-1
The group hope to complete the satellite by the end of 2015. Plans include a
145 to 435 MHz linear transponder for SSB/CW communications, APRS, a packet
bulletin board system (PBBS) and a HD camera for imaging.
The Radio Amateur Society of Thailand (RAST) carries an article about the
satellite on their English language website at
http://www.qsl.net/rast/
The Thai language site in Google English is at
http://tinyurl.com/ThailandRAST
[southgate]
AMSATDroid Free smartphone satellite tracking App
App for Android smartphones predicts future passes for amateur radio
satellites for a specified location and period of time.
Basic features:
Calculate passes for up to the next 24 hours
Graphical pass display
Map view showing current satellite position and next two orbits
Update keps directly from the web or from a file on SD card
Set home coordinates from User Input (Lat, Long or IARU Locator),
Network or GPS
AMSATDroid Free can be downloaded from
Google at
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.me.g4dpz.HamSatDroid
Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/G4DPZ-AmsatDroid-Free/dp/B00DK7XXYK/
For those with Apple or Windows mobile devices see
http://amsat-uk.org/2013/07/24/free-ham-radio-satellite-tracking-app-for-ios/
http://amsat-uk.org/2013/08/06/amsatdroid-free-smartphone-satellite-
tracking-app
[AMSAT-UK]
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RESCUE RADIO
HAMS IN INDIA AGAIN RESPOND TO MONSOON FLOODING
Hams in India are reportedly once again on the
front lines. This as another series of heavy
rains on August 4th lead to landslides hit in the
high mountain range area of Idukki and the adjoining districts of Kerala.
At airtime nine people have lost their lives and
scores are reported missing from the monsoon
saturated areas. Word is that the ham radio
response is centered on 7.080 MHz for long
distance communications with VHF being used within the storm devastated region.
Idukki is described as an agricultural area where
most people operate small farms. Reports say
that the region has suffered heavy crop and
property loss due to the flooding.
More information on the current situation is on
the web at tinyurl.com/more-india-flooding.
(Southgate, IndiaToday.com, Times of India)
4th APT Workshop on Disaster Management & Communications
Chairman of IARU Region 3 Mr Gopal Madhavan, VU2GMN, along with Ramon
Anquilan DU1UGZ of PARA (Philippines Amateur Radio Association) attended
and delivered a presentation to the 4th APT (Asia Pacific Telecommunity)
Workshop on Disaster Management & Communications in Pasay City, Philippines
on 23-25 July.
Many questions were asked of the presenters and informed responses provided.
The APT appreciated the high quality of the presentation on Amateur Radio
Emergency Communications and acknowledged the presentation was very well
received by the delegates and added good value to the content of the workshop.
APT further requested the continued support and expertise of the Amateur
Radio community, through the IARU R3 in future APT work programmes.
The Workshop was sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology and
the presence of the IARU was specially mentioned during the opening
ceremony. The ITU were also present at the Conference.
There were a variety of presentations covering topics such as forecasting
impending disasters, warning systems using SMS to mobiles etc.
IARU Region 3 appreciated the opportunity to contribute to the further
understanding of the wider community, the role that Amateur Radio can play
in providing communications during major disruptions to citizens, in times
of disasters.
[Geoff Atkinson - VK3TL]
[wia frontpage]
VK1 WICEN Dates for Rest of 2013
Sat 5th & Sun 6th October
(*** Note the date change***) Brookvale Horse Endurance Ride. This years
event will include a 120KM ride as well as the 80 & 40 KM rides.
Sat 12th October
LCCC Car Rally - no details as yet !
Sun 20th October
Battle of the Beasts Mountain Bike Race - Namadgi National Park
Sun 27th October
Fitz's Challenge Bike Ride
Sat 2nd November
BMSC Tumut Rally - Bondo State Forest
Sun 2nd December
(date to be confirmed) BMSC's Rallye de Femme
SOCIAL SCENE
SEP 14 VK4 Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio's Sunfest 9am.
Oct 3- 7 VK4 North Queensland Amateur Radio Convention Charters Towers
Oct 5 vk4 REDFest by Redcliffe & Districts Radio Club St Michael's
College, Caboolture, 9am
Oct 20 VK3 Ballarat Amateur Radio Group Hamvention
NOV 2 VK4 Gold Coast ARS HamFest at Albert Waterways Hall.
NOV 3 VK5 HamFest Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society Goodwood.
NOV 15-17 VK3 Victorian National Parks Weekend
Nov 24 VK3 Southern Peninsula Amateur Radio Club: Rosebud RadioFest
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We strongly encourage membership in the Wireless Institute of Australia
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