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WIANEWS - SEPTEMBER 15 - 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
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WIANEWS WEEK COMMENCING SEP 15 2013.
WIA PR4AmateurRadio Expo to be held in April 2014.
WIA CONTEST DATES FOR FIELD DAYS ANNOUNCED
THESE STORIES AND MORE IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE
OF AUSTRALIA FOR WEEK COMMENCING SEP 15 2013.
THIS NEWS IS HAPPENING NOW -
Audio engineering pioneer Ray Dolby died on Thursday at his San Francisco
home. He was 80.
Dolby, whose name you might recognise from the DVD collection in your home
was renowned for his work in noise-reducing and surround-sound audio
technologies - pivotal to the music and film industries.
Dolby had been suffering with Alzheimer's disease for several years and was
diagnosed with acute leukemia last July.
Read the full story, google Ray Dolby passes.
(text only from musicnetwork)
TRAPPE VERTICAL
Radio amateur Jonathan Trappe KJ4GQV is attempting to cross the Atlantic in a
cluster balloon carrying himself and beacons on 14.0956 MHz and 144.390 MHz.
Jonathan took to the air at around 1200 UT Thursday, September 12, 2013 from
Maine USA.
The 14.0956 MHz beacon is just above the WSPR frequency (approx 1880 Hz in
the waterfall display) and runs 110 Baud ASCII RTTY, 8-bits, no parity,
1 stop bit with the callsign NG0X.
The multi-mode transmitter will transmit at 10 minute intervals at:
00, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 minutes.
APRS on 144.390 MHz FM will be transmitted near the US/Canada using the
callsign KJ4GQV.
A Real-Time Track of NG0X on 14.0956 should be available at
http://spacenear.us/tracker/?filter=NG0X
USA APRS track is now available at
http://aprs.fi/#!mt=roadmap&z=13&call=a%2FKJ4GQV&timerange=86400&tail=86400
Further information at
http://www.clusterballoon.com/
(SouthGate text edition only)
Australia's own BLUsat ready for launch
The University of New South Wales has declared its undergraduate student
satellite project BLUsat is complete and ready to be launched into space.
As the official final green light came it was to have a stratospheric balloon
test flight near Wagga Wagga in New South Wales. Talks continue on a space
launch date.
The educational digital amateur radio satellite powers itself, receives DTMF
commands, transmits telemetry packets and beacon signals.
Once in orbit it will have digital packet forwarding and analogue repeating
capabilities for radio amateurs around the world.
Through sponsors helping to pay the bills the student-led project has given
a space experience that includes VK2UNS the ground control station.
(Jim Linton VK3PC)
$24.6m system for Victoria's CFA
Work has begun on the installation of 6000 new digital radios in fire fighting
vehicles, aircraft, incident control centres, fire towers and work centres
throughout Victoria.
Each radio unit will be equipped with a GPS tracking system enabling incident
managers to track the location of vehicles and fire-fighters in real time.
The new radios are also compatible with CFA systems along with those of the
SES and neighbouring states, which will simplify communications between the
fire fighting agencies when they are working together on the fireground.
(vk7 news)
WIA BOARD TALK
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
We are still here - tell everyone
Publicity is the correct up-to-date information that attracts public notice.
Something that amateur radio as a whole can improve.
The Wireless Institute of Australia, which strongly believes in promotion,
has initiated the PR4AmateurRadio Expo to be held in April 2014.
For too long many do not know that amateur radio has moved to embrace
communication changes including the internet and digital technology.
It has existed for more than 100 years and never been so assessable to people
from all walks of life.
The WIA has chosen the weekend of April the 11th, 12th or 13th to concentrate
the publicity effort for amateur radio and recruitment through the clubs
or groups.
They are asked to commit up 12 hours to the PR4AmateurRadio Expo for a
nationwide publicity effort. More detail can be expected in due course.
HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.
VK2
web service:- http://www.arnsw.org.au/html/news_vk2wi.htm
VKG Roundup http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news
AMATEUR RADIO NSW RFest
ARNSW is having a radio fest on Sunday the 10th of November at 63 Quarry Road
Dural from 0930 to 1430 hours and entry is free to AR NSW members, others
pay $10.
Registration is required prior to entry and there will be a membership list
at the gate.
Some traders will be in attendance and food will consist of a continuous
sausage sizzle, hot dogs, tea, coffee, soft drinks and ice cream all free to
AR NSW members.
There will be 4 presentations each of 45 minutes duration on:-
HF antennas
P25
Microwave
Software defined radio
All done by hams who have specialist knowledge in their fields
If you would like to register for the event including a particular
presentation on your preferred topic, you might email
fieldday13@arnsw.org.au as ARNSW need to know numbers for catering purposes.
Leave your name, callsign, contact number and names of those
attending.
Entry to the lecture presentations is by sequential receipt of
registration, that is, first in best dressed.
As a special bonus to members, at 1415 hours they will be raffling a
beautiful pair of strippers.
(vk2wi news)
VK3
web service:- http://www.amateurradio.com.au/news/
ANZAC Day 2014, a day for heroes, for mates and radio hams
The Victorian Ballarat Showgrounds will become a focal point for radio amateurs
to commemorate ANZAC Day 2014, with a call for volunteers and planning of
the event underway.
The popular venue on the Creswick Road and Howitt Street corner Ballarat
already hosts an agricultural show, trash 'n trivia markets, dog trials,
alpaca and sheep events, wine days and a rural lifestyle expo.
Organiser of the new event Johnno Karr VK3FMPB wants to hear from volunteers
with portable stations to operate on the afternoon of Friday April the 25th.
The event will honour our heroes through a show of mateship and enjoyment.
To volunteer or for more details contact Johnno VK3FMPB on air or on email
to johnkarr@bigpond.net.au
(Jim Linton VK3PC)
Upgrading to the Standard Licence
The syllabus of the Standard Licence requires a quantum leap in theory
knowledge.
The Amateur Radio Victoria instructor Kevin Luxford VK3DAP/ZL2DAP in his
training course covers new topics and some which are more in-depth than the
Foundation Licence.
The Standard Bridging Course is held in centrally located Ashburton and
begins soon.
For details contact Barry Robinson via email on vk3pv@amateurradio.com.au
or 0428 516 001.
(Jim Linton VK3PC)
What use is an f-call?
I hear regularly from other Amateurs in face-to-face conversation that they
are not sure what to do and whom to talk to. These Amateurs, not all
Foundation Licensees, for some or other reason feel that their contribution
isn't nearly as valid as that of an Amateur who's been around the block a few
times.
Every experienced Ham I've ever spoken with has been nothing but gracious
with their time and knowledge and serve as regular examples of getting on
with it. They repair repeaters, do historical research, teach others, share
anecdotes, provide skill and experience, encourage new comers and do so
while dealing with failing health or other personal challenges.
It would be absurd to think that you might get on with every person in life,
and of course, Amateur Radio is a reflection of that. Some people are like
kindred spirits and others just don't float your boat.
This is a huge community, filled with many interests and activities all with
the backdrop of a technically challenging hobby we call Amateur Radio.
If you're brand new to this hobby, you may think that, what you know and,
what interests you have, are not worthy of consideration. This is not true.
What does it take to get involved?
Basically, turn up and start helping.
So, what are you waiting for?
I'm Onno VK6FLAB
INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to IARU, RSGB, SARL, Southgate AR Club, ARRL,
Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART, ARVictoria and the WW sources of the WIA.
Reciprocal Licensing - JA - ZL
NZART has advised their members that the New Zealand Administration (MBIE)
and Japanese Administration (MIC) have signed an agreement formalising
reciprocal licensing between the two countries.
Under the agreement the NZ General Amateur Operators Certificate will be
recognised as equivalent to the Japanese First Class Radio Operator's
qualification and a NZ Amateur will be will be permitted by MIC to establish
and operate a station as an amateur radio operator in Japan.
Similarly the Japanese First and Second Class Radio Operator's qualification
will be recognised as equivalent to the NZ General Amateur Operators
Certificate; and the holder of a Japanese First or Second Class Radio
Operator's qualification visiting New Zealand may operate for up to 90 days
using their Japanese assigned call sign, with the addition of the ZL prefix.
NEXT PHONE SATS TO LAUNCH IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
EDN magazine reports that the next generation of Phone-Sats which are
microsatellites built around smartphones will launch on November 6th and
December 6th using Packet Radio on 437.425 MHz with AFSK at 1200 bits per sec.
Coding will be AX.25
One of the new birds will remain on-orbit for up to two years while the other
will have a lifespan of only three months.
And AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-NL have been advised that the launch date for FUNcube-1
is now expected to be November 21st.
FUNcube-1 is a 1 unit CubeSat that will provide a signal directly from a
satellite to classrooms with a signal level that can easily be received by
schools and colleges.
The phonesat article is on the web at
tinyurl.com/generation-2-phonesats
Inflatable antenna could give CubeSats greater reach
MIT report researchers have developed a new design of antenna for small
satellites known as CubeSats
Due the their small size CubeSats have been restricted to small monopole or
dipole antennas.
The new inflatable antenna may significantly increase the communication range
of these small satellites, enabling them to travel much farther in the solar
system: The team has built and tested an inflatable antenna that can fold
into a compact space and inflate when in orbit.
It is claimed the distance that can be covered by a satellite with an
inflatable antenna is seven times farther than that of existing CubeSat
communications.
http://amsat-uk.org/2013/09/07/inflatable-antenna-could-give-cubesats-greater-reach/
THE GAS MAN COMETH
Space travel seems to have lost its magic after a Russian cosmonaut
dramatically quit as a commander on a future mission - to become a gasman.
Colonel Yury Lonchakov, RA 3 DT, was accused of 'betrayal' by opting for a
'more interesting job' and forgoing his chance to lead a flight to the
International Space Station, the MailOnline reports.
He is also said to earn maybe two or three times his salary as 'gasman'.
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Amateur Radio Newsline
CEPT CONSIDERS USE OF 5830-5850 MHZ HAM RADIO SATELLITE BAND
Ham radio satellites could wind up being forced to share spectrum at 5.8 Ghz
with terrestrial devices. At least in those nations that are CEPT signatories.
Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW has the particulars:
--
A CEPT Short Range Devices or SE24 meeting took place in Vienna, Austria to
discuss the future use of 5350 to 5470 MHz and 5725 to 5925 MHz for wireless
access systems including wireless or radio-based local area networks.
The Amateur Satellite Service has a downlink band lies from
5830 to 5850 MHz. Those involved in space communications
believe that introducing such ground based services in this
spectrum would inevitably raise the noise floor. This in
turn could make the weak signals from satellites difficult
if not totally impossible to receive.
Right now, no final decision on the future of this spectrum
has been made by the CEPT, but as the squeeze for more
commercial band space grows, the entire 5 Gigahertz band
appears a prime target for more sharing on an international
basis among CEPT signatories and that includes most of
Europe and possessions of European nations.
More on this recent meeting is on the World Wide Web at
www.cept.org/ecc
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in
Los Angeles.
--
CEPT stands for the European Conference of Postal and
Telecommunications Administrations. It was established in
1959 by 19 countries, which expanded to 26 nations during
its first ten years of existence. Today 48 countries are
members of CEPT's with the organizations activities
including co-operation on commercial, operational,
regulatory and technical standardization issues.
OPERATIONAL NEWS - DATELINE 2013
FLAGPOLE Contest September 21
WIA Spring VHF-UHF Field Day weekend of November 23/24.
2014
WIA Summer VHF-UHF Field Day 11/12 January (to be confirmed)
WIA VK Harry Angel Memorial Sprint May 3
10-10 INTERNATIONAL SUMMER CONTEST Aug 2 - 3
WIA REMEMBRANCE DAY (THE RD) CONTEST Aug 16 - 17
SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS, DX and BEACON AND NET ADVICE
Auckland Radio QRT anniversary
The closure of coastal station Auckland Radio ZLD in 1993 will have a reunion
for former Musick Point staff and a special event on the amateur bands.
On Sunday the 29th of September the Musick Point Radio Group will mark the
occasion by putting to air ZL1ZLD using SSB and CW from 10am to midnight
New Zealand Time (2200 Saturday 28 to 1200 Sunday 29 UTC).
ZL2ZLD will use the 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10-metre bands. At the top of every
hour it will transmit on 475 kHz in the 630-metre band via the mighty Dansk
transmitter rescued from the site's demolition.
A special message will be sent on 475 kHz and copy it correctly to receive
a Musick Memorial Radio Station pennant and QSL card. Listener reports are
most welcome.
(Jim Linton VK3PC)
Kia Ora (Greetings) from New Zealand.
Please feel free to distribute this news.
The operators for ZM90DX will be looking forward to making contact with you
in celebrating this Special Event.
73
Bill ZL3NB
After World War 1 and with the banishment of radio amateurs to the supposedly
"useless shorter wavelengths" an amazing period of radio exploration took
place. Amateurs all over the globe soon learnt that far from being useless
these wavelengths seem to allow communication over long distances. Amateurs
in ZL were at the forefront of this activity with the first ZL to VK QSO in
April 1923, and then world record distance QSOs between ZL and Argentina in
May 1924, ZL and California in September 1924, ZL and Connecticut on the
US east coast just weeks later, and the ultimate Z4AA Frank Bell's QSO with
Cecil Goyder G2SZ in London on 18 October 1924.
To commemorate the 90th anniversary of the record breaking activities of
these early pioneers of Amateur Radio, ZM90DX will be on the air between
1 October 2013 and 31 October 2014 on all bands 1.8 MHz to 1.2 GHz and beyond
in all modes. Activated by the Kiwi DX Group, an informal group of DXers
and contest enthusiasts, ZM90DX will be used around New Zealand and a special
commemorative QSL card will be available as well as an award program for
contacts with ZL during this period.
Not only will ZM90DX be active at expected times and on expected bands, but
in the spirit of those early pioneers the ZM90DX operators will also be
calling CQ on bands and in directions one may not necessarily expect with the
intention of exploring the boundaries of radio propagation.
This will be an unparalleled opportunity for Amateurs all over the world to
work ZL while celebrating the exploits of those early trail blazers whose
work paved the way for radio communications as we know it today.
Further details can be found on http://www.zm90dx.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
IARU MS: 144 MHz threatened by pirates
The August issue of the IARU Monitoring System (IARUMS) newsletter reports
the amateur radio 2m band is threatened by pirates using cheap HT's
They have had reports from several countries about unlicensed operators using
cheap VHF FM handhelds in the 144 MHz band.
Spain: Taxi-nets in the Canary Islands,
Spanish: Fishery in the Bay of Biscay
Germany: Private users
The IARU Monitoring System say please observe and inform your national
authorities when you hear this type of activity.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FEMALES IN RADIO
ALARA - AUSTRALIAN LADIES AR ASSOCIATION
http://alara.org.au
Net is held each Mondays on 3.570 MHz, commencing at 1030 UTC.
(1000utc during daylight saving)
geencee@picknowl.com.au
ZL YL Activity Week
WARO is inviting all YL's to join them in a week of Amateur Radio fun.
This is a chance for WARO members and YL's from around New Zealand to get
together on Amateur radio and help promote Women in Amateur Radio.
The person with the most YL contacts will receive a certificate.
Sunday 24th November to Sunday December 1st 2013, 80 meters 3695
20 meters, National System. 2m/Repeaters.
ZL Time of 8pm to 9pm every night (2000 to 2100hrs)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FINAL FRONTIER
Radio hams to say 'HI' to Juno on 10m
NASA's Juno mission is inviting amateur radio operators around the world to
transmit a coordinated message on the 28 MHz band to the Juno spacecraft
NASA's Juno spacecraft will fly past Earth on October 9, 2013 to receive a
gravity assist from our planet, putting it on course for Jupiter.
To celebrate this event, the Juno mission is inviting amateur radio operators
around the world to say "HI" to Juno in a coordinated Morse Code message.
Juno's radio and plasma wave experiment, called Waves, should be able to
detect the message if enough people participate.
Please join in, and help spread the word to fellow amateur radio enthusiasts!
NASA - Say "HI" to Juno!
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/hijuno/
See How do I participate ? for the frequency list.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RESCUE RADIO
IARU REGION 3
Emergency Centre of Activity (CoA) frequencies
3.600, 7.110, 14.300, 18.160 and 21.360 MHz
Emcomm training in Malaysia
A 'battery power only' emergency communications exercise based at Miri in
Sarawak Malaysia September 14, will test a couple of remote sites, with
message handling and disaster training.
Johnny Tan 9 M 8 DB of the Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters Society
said that the day will be led by the Amateur Radio Club of Sarawak.
He said the aim of the exercise is to train local radio amateurs in message
handling routines, develop their skills, adaptability and resourcefulness.
(Jim Linton VK3PC Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee)
SOCIAL SCENE
SEP 14 VK4 Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio's SUNFEST 9am.
SEP 27-29 VK6 HARG Spring RF Camp-out Bald Hill Campground, Avon Valley
Oct 3- 7 VK4 North Queensland Amateur Radio Convention Charters Towers
Oct 5 vk4 REDFest 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 10 VK2 RFest ARNSW event at Dural
NOV 15-17 VK3 Victorian National Parks Weekend
Nov 24 VK3 Southern Peninsula Amateur Radio Club Rosebud RadioFest
2014
Feb 23 VK2 Wyong Field Day and it is on come rain hail or shine.
Apr 25 vk3 ANZAC Day event Ballarat Showgrounds johnkarr@bigpond.net.au
May 2- 4 VK4 Clairview Gathering Clive VK4ACC 0429 632 815
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