WIANEWS - AUG 3 - 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!
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WIANEWS WEEK COMMENCING AUGUST 03 2014.
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
AROUND VK
Foundation Course
The next ARNSW Foundation course and assessment weekend in the greater Sydney
area will be next month, September on Saturday the 20th and Sunday the 21st.
Bookings can now be made for both the Foundation course and the assessments
by squirting off an email addressed to
education@arnsw.org.au
VK3 HIGH COUNTRY EXPEDITION
Stephen VK3SN send through word that the VK3SN annual Bogong High Plains
Trip is already underway, finishing on August 4th.
He says "Operations will be around 7.100 MHz afternoons and 3.600 evenings.
We are only five watts so are fairly quiet, but trying in the first 15 min
of each hour is a good bet. Snow conditions are excellent and we have
new gear ready to try. Very keen!"
See www.vk3sn.net for details.
VI3ANZAC SPECIAL EVENT
Bryan: What's this I heard about a special event callsign, Robert? What's the callsign?
What event is it and when is it happening?
Robert: The callsign, Bryan, is Victor India Three ANZAC.
Bryan: Anzac ? But, Anzac Day was months ago.
Robert: Well, Bryan. The actual first shot of the Great War of 1914-18 was fired here in
Victoria, from Fort Queenscliff. It happened on the morning of the 5th of August 1914 and
its purpose was to stop a German ship leaving Port Phillip Bay.
To commemorate this event, the Geelong Amateur Radio Club will activate the historic site
with a station using the callsign V-I-3-ANZAC.
They'll be on the air from 10.30am this coming Tuesday - 100 years to the hour from when
that shot was fired across the bow of the German merchant ship SS Pfalz
which stopped it from leaving Port Phillip Bay.
Bryan: Wow. How did the Geelong Club get to use the ANZAC callsign?
Robert: The WIA gained approval from the federal Minister for Veterans Affairs, the
Honourable Michael Ronaldson MP, and his department, for the use of Anzac in this
special event callsign.
V-I-3-ANZAC is the first allocation of an amateur callsign representing the Anzac
Centennial Commemoration.
The callsign will be in use for 24 hours from 10.30 am next Tuesday, the 5th of August.
Look out for V-I-3-ANZAC on the bands.
Yes, there will be a special QSL card to collect for contacts with the station
Bryan: I'll be joining the queue to work V-I-3-ANZAC. Thanks Robert, and thanks to those
guys on the WIA Board working hard on a program of amateur radio activities to for the
Anzac Centennial Commemoration.
Operators wanted for VK4KG RD Contest Operations
Not going to the Lighthouse weekend but want to get into some radio action
and help energise the VK4KG Memorial RAAF Museum station for the Remembrance
Day Contest ?
Well, Wayne/VK4WDM wants to hear from you and give you the opportunity to
operate some heritage and modern equipment on voice or CW during the
RD weekend from Saturday 16th to Sunday 17th August.
It's your chance to operate a real memorial callsign from inside a real
museum situated inside a real airforce base!
Contact Wayne now on 47 2868 76 or sing out on the RAT repeater system.
What use is an F-call?
In the past couple of years I've participated in several contests,
and I know you might think that "contesting isn't your thing", but
bear with me, I think you might be surprised.
As I said, I've participated in several contests. I basically turned
up, either with my own radio, or that of a club station, plugged in
the aerials, and started entering logging details. There was slightly
more to it than that, but overall not really.
This week I've been preparing for a contest myself. I have to confess,
it's a totally different animal. My preparations are about a third of
the way, at least I hope they are, the contest is about a week away
and I have learnt so much that I don't even know where to start. I
might add, that most of the learning had nothing to do with contesting
as such, more with the invisible logistics which until now had mostly
taken care of by themselves, that is, someone other than me made it
magically happen.
So what have I been up to?
Well, for starters I want to run two radios side-by-side because I've
got two ears and lots of antennas and I happen to have two radios, so
my first preparation is to set-up some switching box that will allow
me to hit the PTT on one radio and talk, while still having the ability
to switch to the other radio, without having to resort to either
wearing two headsets, having two microphones, or having to plug-and
un-plug along the way. I'm getting closer, I can hear both radios,
still working on a short somewhere which is causing the PTT to
unexpectedly be active, not something you really want - hi hi.
I've got access to a nice tri-bander, so that takes care of 10m and
15m. There's a folded dipole for 2m on site and a wide-band wire
dipole for 40m, but I really also want to have 80m, and I'd like to
use my collinear antenna on 2m and 70cm.
So I'm going on-site a week before the contest to build both the
collinear mast and the 80m pyramid wire antenna and to test them in-situ.
I'll then need to figure out what I'm going to do about logging, one
computer, or two, what software, how to back it up?
Then there's food, sleeping arrangements, since I'm unlikely to be
able to do 24 hours straight, though I might surprise myself.
There's the contest rules to read, radios to program, print-outs to
make and I'm sure I've missed some salient detail.
All I'm saying is that contesting as such is not just about the
on-air activity.
So, perhaps you'll give contesting a go next time, if nothing than to
test your ability to set-up your station in a different location.
One more thing. Thank you to all those amateurs who set-up a station
for me in the past. I clearly didn't know the half of it.
I'm Onno VK6FLAB.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to IARU, RSGB, SARL, Southgate AR Club, ARRL,
Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART and the WW sources of the WIA.
EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY SATELLITES SURVEY EARTH'S CHANGING MAGNETIC FIELDS
The first set of high-resolution results from the European
Space Agency's three satellite constellation named Swarm has
revealed the most recent changes in the magnetic field that
protects our planet.
Amateur Radio Newsline's Heather Embee, KB3TZD, reports;
--
The Swarm satellite observation system is providing some
unprecedented insights into the complex workings of Earth's
magnetic field. Measurements made over the past six months
confirm the general trend of the field's weakening, with the
most dramatic declines over the Western Hemisphere. But in
other areas, such as the southern Indian Ocean, the magnetic
field has strengthened since this past January. The latest
measurements also confirm the movement of magnetic field
Northward towards Siberia.
These changes are based on the magnetic indications stemming
from Earth's core. Over the coming months, scientists plan
to analyze the data provided by the Swarm satellites along
with contributions from other sources including other
observations of the Earth's crust, mantle, oceans,
ionosphere and magnetosphere. Together with the data
collected from space, the researchers hope to provide new
insight into many natural processes, from those occurring
deep inside our planet to space weather triggered by solar
activity. In turn, they hope this information will yield a
better understanding of why the planets magnetic field
appears to be weakening.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, Im Heather Embee, KB3TZD, in
Berwick, Pennsylvania.
TELSTRA ANNOUNCES PLANS TO SHUTDOWN 2G MOBILE NETWORK
In an online post on the 'Telstra Exchange' website, Telstra's Network
Group Managing Director, Mike Wright, advised that the 20 year old 2G
network would be dismantled over the next two-and-a-half years.
Wright cites that the mobile network accounts for less than 1% of total
network traffic and that the company has not sold a 2G specific device in
over 2 years.
Technologies on newer 3G and 4G networks continue to evolve and already
offer higher speeds, having attracted a large proportion of the 2G
customer base.
It is expected that the 2G frequency allocations will be reassigned to
expand the remaining networks. This as Vodafone also announces a "refarming"
plan to migrate some 3G spectrum to improve their 4G offering.
http://www.itnews.com.au/News/390220,telstra-announces-closure-of-2g-network.aspx
http://exchange.telstra.com.au/2014/07/23/its-time-to-say-goodbye-old-friend/
http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2014/07/how-vodafone-will-refarm-850mhz
-spectrum-to-improve-its-4g-performance/
DX
Mark down November as being when LW 9 EOC will be operational from
San Andres Island, November 26th until December 9th, also to take part in
the CQ World Wide DX CW Contest as well as the ARRL 160 meter CW Contest
during his stay.
No callsign for this operation has been announced, but there is the possibly
it could be 5 JZ 0 T.
QSL via LW 9 EOC, his home callsign.
Hello, I'm Geoff Emery, VK4ZPP, and I've been thinking.
We have the distance education for young people using the internet and
the Scouting movement has support for young people in remote areas.
Now these things made me wonder why we don't seem to have a presence
on the internet for people who don't live near existing club.
There seems to be a circular process if prospective amateurs contact the WIA
office; they are referred to the nearest radio club. Not all clubs seem to provide
training and there would seem to be a gap for people to participate in amateur
radio experience. Yes there are groups scattered around the internet and Facebook,
too. There are forums which often are closed to non-members but there
doesn't seem to be presence/web site/group that specifically welcomes the
newcomer and takes them in.
It seems that this could be done with small bandwidth usage and graphics not
video. There are plenty people in cities without adequate internet let alone
those in the remote areas of the country. There could be discussion and
reference material and there is also the possibility of tutoring towards assessments
if a few volunteers joined in.
Really for a communications based activity, amateur radio should ease the way
for people to join. Years ago, I went to the meetings that started a long established
and successful club. Before it kicked off, I found myself in permanent night work;
no more clubbing for me. For the people remote from clubs we should be able to
do better.
I'm Geoff Emery and that's what I think....how about you?
(audio uploaded)
OPERATIONAL NEWS - DATELINE 2014
10-10 INTERNATIONAL SUMMER CONTEST THIS WEEKEND Aug 2 - 3
WIA REMEMBRANCE DAY (THE RD) CONTEST Aug 16 - 17
ALARA CONTEST Aug 30 - 31
Manly-Warringah Radio Society's Flagpole contest September 20.
Amateur Radios International Air-ambulance Week, 9 days from Sep 28.
************************************************************************
"Hi, this is Lesley, VK5LOL, the Alara Contest manager. Just wanting to
let you know that the 34th Alara Contest is coming up in August,
Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st; the last weekend of August.
Details can be found on the Alara website.
It would be wonderful if more YLs would participate particularly some of
our newer F calls. We are very friendly and don't take contesting too
seriously.
Paper logs are welcome and there is also an Echolink section.
Looking forward to speaking with lots of YLs on the 30th and 31st August.
33, Lesley VK5LOL"
*****************************************************
SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS, DX, BEACON REPEATER AND NET ADVICE FOR -
AUGUST
"DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, was seriously injured in an automobile
accident about two weeks ago. His neck was broken, leaving him paralyzed
from his upper body down, with limited movement of his arms. Recovery
will be difficult and slow, and is not expected to be total.
Bill would like to hear from his friends. He is currently in the Mount
Sinai Rehab Hospital in Hartford, but cards and well wishes should be
sent to 92 Reservoir Rd, Newington, Connecticut, USA ,CT 06111".
[via SARL]
YO 2 MSB will be active stroke 3A from Monte Carlo, Monaco between
September 5th and the 12th.
QSL via the bureau or electronically using eQSL.
VK 3 VTH will be active stroke 7 from King Island between
August 14th to the 17th. His operation will be on 40 and 20
meters using SSB only.
QSL VK 3 VTH via the bureau.
VK 3 ATX will be operational stroke P from Gabo Island on
August 16th and 17th. Activity will be on the High
Frequency bands.
QSL via VK 3 ATX home callsign, direct only.
Panama Canal Special Event
This month, Panama celebrates its 100th anniversary of the Panama Canal.
On August 15th, the Panamanians will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the
inaugural transit through the Panama Canal. This activity is organized by
amateurs of the Republic of Panama.
A special event station is operating as HO 100 CANAL until August 15.
Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB, PSK and RTTY.
The QSL Manager for the operation is HP 1 AVS.
http://www.qrz.com/db/HO100CANAL
LI for LA and LJ for LB
Celebrates 200 years of the Norwegian Constitution during 2014.
In addition, special event station LM1814 will be active as part of the
celebration.
NAURU SEPTEMBER 29 TO OCTOBER 19
LZ 1 GC is planning to be operational as C 21 GC from the Republic of Nauru
between September 29th and October 19th on 160 through10 meters using CW,
SSB and some RTTY.
HS 50 RAST Special Event Callsign
Radio Amateur Society of Thailand (RAST) have been issued with the special
callsign HS 50 RAST which celebrates the 50th anniversary of RAST and can
be used until the end of 2014.
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, E72.
Special event station E 72 NATO is active until the end of 2014 to
commemorate the cooperation of NATO and Bosnia-Herzegovina that was
established in 2006.
QSL via E 73 Y.
E 6 XG
JA 1 XGI has announced his next operation will be from Niue between
December 1st and the 6th and is expected to be issued the callsign
E 6 XG.
Activity will be on 160 through 10 meters, CW, SSB and some digital.
QSL via his home callsign JA 1 XGI either direct or by the bureau.
INTRUDER WATCH
The Brazilian Telecommunications Agency, (Anatel) have brought about a
successful action against intruders in their 2 meters band.
Federal agents visited a launching hill in Sao Paulo, and detected illegal
aeronautical mobile communications on VHF 2 meters by air sports pilots and
alike (Handglider, Paraglider, etc).
Several hand helds were retained by the agents.
(iaru r1)
MEDIA WATCH
www.cq-amateur-radio.com/WorldRadio.html
VK Club Bulletins http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aarnie/
VK2 CCARC news ccarc.org.au/wp/2012/09/ccarc-news-12-31/
GOLDEN SYRUP, ON THE AIR
ABC Local Radio recently published a story that may be of particular
interest to AM aficionados. Scientists at the University of Sydney
have conducted unique research into the secret of a good radio voice.
Using a high-speed video-endoscopy camera to record the motion of the
vocal cords in the throats of 16 male radio broadcasters, the team
found the subjects had faster opening and closing vocal folds.
Speech pathologist Dr Cate Madill said this suggests
these professionals may have better control of the tension in their
vocal folds while speaking.
It is now hoped that the secrets behind the sonorous endowment of
presenters 'on the wireless' may provide clues on how to train new voices.
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2014/07/22/4050951.htm
[via Tony VK2BTC]
144 MHZ CHANNELS BEING USED FOR THE UK COMMONWEALTH GAMES
The Radio Society of Great Britain says that that four 25 kHz bandwidth
channels in the 2 meter band between 144.0 and 144.1 MHz are being used
at the Commonwealth Games that began on July 22nd and will conclude on
August 4th. This following negotiations between the United Kingdom's
national amateur radio society and telecommunications Ofcom.
Usage of this spectrum by the Commonwealth Games will be limited the
vicinity of Glasgow, Scotland games venues and will be limited to
handheld equipment operating on a maximum of 5 watts of Effective
Radiated Power. Ofcom emphasizes that use of Primary Amateur spectrum
is only for the specified time period and does not constitute a long
term change of usage.
In making the announcement, Ofcom said that it was aware of the very
short notice to the United Kingdom's ham radio community. Therefore
the authorization for use of this spectrum is on a non-interference,
non-protection basis. That said, hams in the Glasgow area are requested
to avoid these frequencies until 4th August.
(RSGB, Ofcom, Southgate)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ARISS
HONOURS FOR A CANADIAN HAMS, INCLUDING AN ASTRONAUT
As part of 86 new appointments to the Order of Canada, His Excellency the
Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, recognized
Veena Rawat, VA3ITU, and astronaut Chris Hadfield, VA3OOG/KC5RNJ.
Rawat, VA3ITU, was honored as a "Companion of the Order of Canada" for her
contributions to telecom engineering and for leadership in establishing a
global regulatory framework for radio spectrum management. Rawat also
chaired the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2003.
Hadfield, VA3OOG/KC5RNJ, was honored as an "Officer of the Order of
Canada" for "his commitment to promoting scientific discovery and for
sharing the wonders of space exploration with the world." Hadfield
was the International Space Station Expedition 35 commander during
his 2013 duty tour. Hadfield's passion for science, photography and
amateur radio is certainly no secret.
http://wp.rac.ca/canadian-amateurs-receiver-order-of-canada/
[RAC Comms]
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO AMATEURS OLD TIMERS
The Antique Wireless Association of Southern Africa
has a new web site.
It is worth a visit.
You can find them on
http://www.awasa.org.za
VK RAOTC BULLETIN - AUGUST
Hallo everyone, this is Clive VK6CSW reminding you that tomorrow is the
first Monday of the month and time once again for the Radio Amateurs Old
Timers Club of Australia's bulletin to go to air.
This month in addition to all the latest Club news, we learn something
of the adventures of Rob Gurr VK5RG when he was in the Antarctic in the
1950s. Everyone, RAOTC members and non-members alike, is most welcome to
tune in and to call back afterwards.
There are several different ways to hear the bulletin. The principal HF
transmissions are on 20 metres on 14.150 MHz USB, originating in
Melbourne. The first, at 0100 UTC, is beamed northwards for eastern
states listeners and an hour later at 0200 UTC is beamed westward for WA.
Also at 0200 UTC we have transmissions from Perth on 40 metres on
7060 kHz LSB and via all linked NewsWest repeaters. Additionally, there
are a number of other local transmissions on HF, VHF and UHF. To find
one for your local area please visit the RAOTC website at
www.raotc.org.au (rpt) or, as from Tuesday, the audio file can be
downloaded from the website.
Once again, the August RAOTC News and Information bulletin for August
will be on air tomorrow and we look forward to hearing from you during
the call backs.
[Audio - Clive VK6CSW]
SOCIAL SCENE 2014
Aug 2 VK3 Vict D-Star users group meeting EMDRC Clubroom Burwood 10am.
Aug 3 VK6 Northern Corridor Radio Group Hamfest this Sunday.
Sep 13 VK4 Sunshine Coast AR Club's SUNFest, Woombye School of Arts
Sep 14 VK3 Shepparton and District AR Club Hamfest kicks off at 10am.
Sep 28 VK3 Melbourne Amateur Radio Technology Group Hamfest Keilor East.
Oct 3 VK4 Townsville Amateur Radio Club's Cardwell Gathering 4 day event.
Oct 25 VK4 HAMFEST on the Gold Coast. ( hamfest@gcars.com.au )
Nov 2 VK5 HamFest Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society
Nov 9 VK3 Yarra Valley AR Group Hamfest 10am Gary Cooper Pavillion.
Nov 15 VK7 Miena Hamfest (My-enah)
Nov 30 VK3 SPARC HamFest at Rosebud ( howardjones155@gmail.com )
==============================
NEW WIA NEWS BROADCAST FEEDBACK
===============================
Name : Greg
Callsign : VK4GJW
Feedback :
G'day Rob & Brian. Very much enjoyed your delivery of the WIA news again.
Enjoy your conversational style of delivery and chat. Keep up the great work.
Go the volunteers!
THE FINAL FINAL:
AMAZON ASKS FAA TO PERMIT DRONE PACKAGE DELIVERY TESTS
Amazon.com is asking the Federal Aviation Administration permission to
field test drone aircraft as part of its plan to deliver packages to
customers in 30 minutes or less. Amateur Radio Newsline's Cheryl Lasek,
K9BIK, has the rest of the story:
--
In a letter to the FAA dated Wednesday, July 9th, Amazon.com said it is
developing aerial vehicles as part of its previously announced Amazon Prime
Air delivery service. It noted that these high tech delivery aircraft can
travel over 50 miles per hour and carry loads of up to 5 pounds.
The company noted that about 86 percent of its deliveries weigh 5 pounds or
less.
The Federal Aviation Administration currently allows hobbyists and
model aircraft makers limited privileges to fly remote controlled drones,
but their commercial use is all but completely prohibited.
Amazon is asking for an exemption to the ban so it can test its design
for the proposed delivery service. The Seattle, Washington-based company
says its drone testing will only take place over Amazon's private property,
away from airports or areas with aviation activity and definitely away
from military bases.
With Amazon's paperwork now submitted, at this point, its all up to the
FAA to decide.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Cheryl Lasek, K9BIK,
in Zion, Illinois.
--
As many will remember, Amazon created a media
frenzy last December when it outlined its plan to deliver packages using
drone aircraft. While at the time some thought it to be a joke it turns out
that the company is very serious in developing such a futuristic air
delivery system.
[arrlnewsline audio]
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