January 31 - VK NATIONAL NEWS BROADCAST ON VK1WIA
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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. When you upload audio email us the txt version.
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NATIONAL NEWS FOR WEEK COMMENCING JAN 31 2016.
IN OUR 21st YEAR OF NON STOP NEWS.
WIA ANZAC commemoration on Norfolk Island. -
WIA Board has a draft proposal before it for VK5 to host 2017 AGM. -
WIA INWARDS QSL BUREAU UPDATE. -
WIA suggests changes to the ACMA, and supports the remake of the Determination. -
WIA AR MAGAZINE JAN-FEB ISSUE.
THESE STORIES AND MORE IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE
OF AUSTRALIA 2016 AND FOR WEEK OF JAN 31
Submitting news items
A reminder when supplying HamFest info we obviously can't plug commercial
traders "on air", but we at the WIA will put your supporters in this text
edition "no worries."
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
and don't JUST send url's links but take the time to pen YOUR contribution.
To submit audio read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on
http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/
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 'and always if the news room is to read your
item write in the 3rd person.
An Australian balloon again crosses the equator
The antics of pico solar powered high altitude balloon PS-58 had many USA and
Canadian radio amateurs somewhat surprised as the Aussie floated, and lingered
in the Northern Hemisphere.
Launched by Andy VK3YT from Melbourne on December 29, it entered El Salvador,
went over Honduras, across the Caribbean Sea to Jamaica, Haiti and out to the
North Atlantic. The flight looped back again to near South America, then did a
sharp bend to go east again towards Africa.
Andy VK3YT is thought to be the only person with such balloons to cross the
equator, not once but twice.
He also floated two balloons in the Northern Hemisphere while on a business
trip to San Jose in California in September last year - achieving another first.
Meantime, balloon PS-57 launched on December 12 went across the Pacific, then
into the Northern Hemisphere through South America's Peru, Columbia and
Venezuela, dipped back over the equator to loop over the India Ocean.
There it had survived some rough weather with multiple losses of altitude.
However, after 4 weeks, 1 day and 18 hours of flying time, PS-57 went down in
bad weather. Mal Good VK6MT reported the demise midway between South Africa and
Australia.
(Jim Linton VK3PC)
WIA BOARD TALK
President Phil Wait VK2ASD vk2asd@wia.org.au
ANZAC commemoration on Norfolk Island
A radio station operating on HF as VI9ANZAC will be activated and visitors are
most welcome to operate and this will be the final Australian callsign area in
the WIA ANZAC 100 program, to commemorate the Australian and New Zealand troops
who landed at Gallipoli in 1915, around 101 years ago.
Those going to Norfolk Island for the Wireless Institute of Australia annual
general meeting and activities may use a VK callsign portable VK9 Norfolk
Island although I am sure a number will take out VK9 callsigns and ACMA
licences.
The portable option will also mostly suit those with hand-held VHF/UHF
transceivers.
For more information about the event and activities, check out wia.org.au
that is 'progressively' being updated.
The WIA Board has a draft proposal before it that the WIA annual general
meeting in 2017 be held in South Australia.
Discussions about the program for 2017 are now taking place.
A proposed venue and town are likely to be determined, and revealed at the
AGM to be held on Norfolk Island in May this year.
The WIA has suggested changes to the ACMA
The WIA Board always welcomes such expressions of interest. Guidelines for
Hosting a WIA Annual Event Weekend are on the WIA website.
wia.org.au/members/clubs/planawiaconference/documents/WIA%20Annual%20Event%20Guidelines%20-%2021-07-13.pdf
Overseas qualified radio amateurs
The Australian Communications and Media Authority wants to renew its
sun-setting legislative instrument that allows those qualified through an
overseas administration, to obtain an equivalent licence in Australia.
This however does not affect short-term visiting radio amateurs, who may
automatically use their valid home callsign, prefixed with the VK call area
in which they are located.
That provision, under a free Class Licence follows WIA advocacy, is available
for 90-days, which can be suitable for those on a business trip or a holiday.
The ACMA has consulted on its Radiocommunications (Qualified Operators)
Determination 2016, to replace its 2005 predecessor on April 1, 2016.
The ACMA in a discussion paper considers that the system has operated
effectively and efficiently, and is worth renewal. The ACMA says individuals
may have existing qualifications obtained overseas, and these will continue
to be addressed, but by eliminating any consistency that may have developed.
The WIA has submitted to the ACMA that it supports renewal of the system.
The WIA stressed that the qualification held, and not licence conditions, must
always be the basis of any determination of equivalency of qualifications
gained from an overseas administration.
The WIA has suggested changes to the ACMA, and supports the remake of the
Determination incorporating the proposed changes, in particular the equivalency
of the US Technician Grade licence.
In its submission the WIA also flags the need to review the Philippines
Class C (Novice) licence grade, which is more aligned to the Australian
Standard grade.
(Phil Wait VK2ASD)
HAMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.
VK3
web service:- http://www.amateurradio.com.au/news/
Feb 6 Melbourne QRP by the Bay starting 3pm. More later in this newscast.
Want to grow Amateur Radio?
Then please steer someone suitable to a local class.
One such opportunity in Melbourne is the Foundation Licence quality training
run by Amateur Radio Victoria at 40G Victory Boulevard, Ashburton and the
next Foundation Licence training lessons and assessments will be on the weekend
of February 13-14.
Prospective Foundation Licence candidates are expected to have read the
operational practice guide - known as Your Entry Into Amateur Radio, that can
be mail ordered.
To also help Foundation Licensees upgrade there is a Standard Licence Bridging
Course held on six Wednesday evenings starting February the 3rd, and ends with
revision and assessments on the weekend of March 12 and 13.
Attendance on all days is expected, as the intensive training bridges the
knowledge gap between the Foundation Licence and the Standard Licence.
To enrol in either the Foundation Licence session or the Bridging Course,
please contact Barry Robinson VK3PV via email vk3pv@amateurradio.com.au
or call 0428 516 001.
(Jim Linton VK3PC)
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
BOOT SALE Caboolture Radio Club 13th February 2016.
169 Smiths Road, CABOOLTURE from around 0730.
Entry is FREE, just arrive with what you have to sell, should you require a
table, the club can provide for a rental of $5.
Food and drinks, including bacon & egg rolls, sausages & onion sandwiches,
tea, coffee will be on sale by the club.
Don't miss it.
Listen to QNEWS in VK4 for more from Rick
(VK4LW)
VK5
The Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program (SHSSP) Stratospheric Balloon
Project a success! Payload Recovered!
The Australia Day launch of the SHSSP payload under an AREG high altitude
balloon from the Mt Barker High School, just east of Adelaide in the
Adelaide Hills, was an almost "text book" launch.
The AREG launch team were on site early in the morning to prepare for the
launch. They were joined by the SHSSP participants and event organisers
from the University of South Australia and International Space University a
little later in the morning. The launch was attended by visiting dignitaries
from the Mt Barker Council, various media reporters and by more than 150 people.
The SHSSP participants designed and built their own payload which contained near
infra-red and visible light cameras with an experimental UniSA ITR telemetry
downlink on the 2m band. The AREG also had primary and secondary telemetry
payloads which were tracked, received and data uploaded to the Habitat mapping
system by many amateurs both locally in VK5 and VK3, enabling many people to
track the balloon flight live on the internet.
The balloon was launched at 0933 hours local, with the flight heading east of
Mannum, and ascending to an altitude of 36,300 metres before it burst. It
descended into dense Mallee scrub approximately 25 kilometres east of Purnong,
and landed at 1229 hours local time, for a flight duration of 2 hours and
56 minutes.
Two recovery vehicle teams were on site before the balloon landed but due to
local terrain and access restrictions did not see the landing this time. The
recovery teams had 3km of rough 4WD tracks and paddocks to negotiate and a
further 2 km round trip hike through the thick Mallee using classic
direction-finding techniques to navigate to the payload and back to their
vehicles. The recovery teams were back to their vehicles and headed back to
Adelaide at 1440 hours local time.
The recovery was successful and no significant damage was experienced by the
payload equipment.
The SHSSP and AREG teams were ecstatic over the success of the event and there
was also very good media coverage. The SHSSP event organisers were thank-full
to the AREG for their contribution to the success of their stratospheric
balloon launch project.
Many thanks must also go to all amateur radio operators who tracked and
uploaded the resultant data. Special event SWL QSL cards are being designed and
will be issued to participants. Please contact the AREG directly if you decoded
telemetry but did not have facilities to upload to the internet.
More detailed information on this Stratospheric Balloon launch project may be
found on the AREG Web Pages at www.areg.org.au and in the text edition of this
broadcast on the WIA Web Pages.
I am Ben VK5BB, for the Amateur Radio Experimenters Group.
SILENT KEY
http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/about/
Silent Keys are best sent to AR Magazine and your local state or club news
rather than this WIA National News Service.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to IARU, RSGB, SARL, Southgate AR Club, ARRL,
Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART and the WW sources of the WIA.
How to build a low-tech Internet
Wireless internet access is on the rise in both modern consumer societies and
in the developing world.
In rich countries, however, the focus is on always-on connectivity and ever
higher access speeds. In poor countries, on the other hand, connectivity is
achieved through much more low-tech, often asynchronous networks.
While the high-tech approach pushes the costs and energy use of the internet
higher and higher, the low-tech alternatives result in much cheaper and very
energy efficient networks that combine well with renewable power production
and are resistant to disruptions.
If we want the internet to keep working in circumstances where access to
energy is more limited, we can learn important lessons from alternative
network technologies.
This is demonstrated by several community networks in Europe, of which the
largest has more than 35,000 users already.
You can read more at:
lowtechmagazine.com/2015/10/how-to-build-a-low-tech-internet.html
Ham radio tower dispute
A USA federally licensed amateur radio operator says he plans to sue the city
for harassment in regards to a radio tower he was forced to remove
The Biddeford Courier reports:
"Karl Reed said the city violated his First Amendment rights and failed to give
him due process when it threatened to fine his landlord $2,500 a day if the
tower was not removed.
Reed, KB1NZQ, claims that federally licensed amateur radio operators are
exempt from zoning ordinances as long as the towers used are less than
35 feet in height.
"Federal laws supersede these state and zoning rules," Reed said.
Read the full story at
courier.mainelymediallc.com/news/2016-01-21/News/Ham_radio_operator_asked_to_take_down_tower.html
World Radio TV Handbook updates
WRTH has already released a free of charge update file for the B15 international
and clandestine target broadcast schedules. The file is in PDF format and
follows the same styling as the WRTH printed edition.
We understand that there had been an issue with their donations button not
working properly - this has been rectified and you are now able to make a
donation to WRTH, should you wish to. This is entirely voluntary, of course.
To download the file, please visit either: http://www.wrth.com/_shop
or
http://www.wrth.com/_shop/?page_id=444
Shmoocon 2016:
Reverse engineering cheap Chinese radio firmware
Every once in a great while, a piece of radio gear catches the attention of a
prolific hardware guru and is reverse engineered.
A few years ago, it was the RTL-SDR, and since then, software defined radios
became the next big thing.
Last weekend at Shmoocon, Travis Goodspeed presented his reverse engineering
of the Tytera MD380 digital handheld radio.
He presented, all the gory details, that turn a $140 radio into the first
hardware scanner for digital mobile radio.
In Digital Mobile Radio, audio is sent through either a public talk group or
a private contact. The radio is usually set to only one talk group, and so it's
not really possible to listen in on other talk groups without changing
settings. A patch for promiscuous mode - a mode that puts all talk groups
through the speaker - is available.
With the help of DD4CR and W7PCH, the entire radio has been reverse engineered
with rewritten firmware that works with the official tools, the first attempts
of scratch-built firmware built around FreeRTOS, and the beginnings of a very
active development community for a $140 radio.
This is one of the most exciting radio hacks in recent memory.
Before [Travis] presented this hack at the Shmoocon fire talks, Amazon
and the top vendor had 18 in stock. Immediately after the talk - 20 minutes
later - the same vendor had 14 in stock. Travis sold four radios to members
of the audience, and there weren't that many people in attendance.
Two hours later, the same vendor had four only in stock.
If you're looking for the best hardware hack of the con, this is the one.
hackaday.com/2016/01/19/shmoocon-2016-reverse-engineering-cheap-chinese-radio-firmware/
=============================================================================
RSGB
Things could not have been more exciting for students at the Sandringham
School in Hertfordshire, England, earlier this month. During a week-long
Space Festival being held at the school, the 11- through 19-year-olds
learned about space and space travel, attended rocket workshops, heard a
spacecraft engineer's presentation, and even participated in an amateur
radio build-a-thon.
But just when the students thought they'd heard it all - those talks
about Mars and discussions about cosmonauts - they tuned into 145.800
MHz and heard something completely different. Operating with the call
sign, GB1SAN, reached out and contacted GB1SS, astronaut Tim Peake,
aboard the International Space Station.
And that's when things truly couldn't get any more exciting: Jessica
Leigh, a Year 10 pupil, was the first student to talk to the astronaut
during the QSO on the 8th of January.
But it was a first for Jessica in another way. The Sandringham student
is a newly qualified amateur, having just passed her Foundation class
exam right before Christmas. Her call sign is M6LPJ.
And so Jessica's classmates not only got the thrill of a chat in space,
but in witnessing a launch. In this case, it was the launch of one of the
UK's newest amateurs, Jessica Leigh. And, needless to say, she was
flying high.
I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.
ARNEWSLINE
10 DAYS OF CONTESTING IN IRAN
The first Iranian ham contest kicks off on February 1 and runs to
February 11, marking the 37th anniversary of the Iranian Islamic
revolution. The contest's goal is simple: Organizers want to encourage
and increase new contacts with Iranian hams, and they're placing a
special emphasis on DXing. Find the action on 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters,
in Single Side Band, RTTY and CW modes. QSL cards and certificates will
be available.
For further information, send an email to epcontest-dot-2016@gmail.com
=============================================================================
WEIRD AND WONDERFUL - I'M JOHN VK2JPM
It's been all over the news: a prototype type light bulb produced by US
Massachusetts Institute of Technology may see a return of incandescent
lighting for everyday use.
We stress MAY.
But let's start with some background.
The first person to demonstrate an incandescent light bulb in public was
inventor Joseph Swan - in 1878. But it was Swan's rival, Thomas Edison, who
patented the first commercially viable incandescent light bulb in 1880 after
years of experimenting with filament designs that would last more than a few
seconds. The first practical filament was made from carbonised cotton thread
- that lasted a whopping 13 hours, which was enough to prove the point. Before
long, they moved to carbonised bamboo - which lasted 100 times longer. Remember,
this is more than 130 years ago when the alternative was gas mantles and candles.
The thing is that incandescent bulbs work by turning electricity into heat, and
sometimes as little as 2 or 3% of the input energy ends up as light.
That's why incandescent lamps have been on the way out, with many countries
banning them in favour of the significantly more efficient compact fluorescent
and LED globes, which deliver up to 15% and 20% efficiency respectively.
But just when you thought it was over for the humble filament, researchers at
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Perdue university have produced an
incandescent light bulb claimed to be more efficient than LEDs (and
electrically quieter??). This is done by surrounding the filament with a special
crystal structure which bounces infrared energy or recycle the energy which is
usually lost.
MIT hopes the technology will see the re-birth of the glowing incandescent bulb,
and while they have only hit the 6.6% mark now, they think the technology will
allow incandescent globes to get to 40% efficiency. That's double the efficiency
of LEDs, and 15 times what you get from an incandescent globe today.
Even the experimental results are three times as good as incandescent lights
today.
The big thing in favour of incandescent lighting is ... well, the light. It's
broad spectrum, can be filtered to allow colour selection, and is pleasant on
the eye. Against that, LEDs are very spiky in their spectrum, and compact
fluorescent globes need startup time. Both feel clinical compared to the good
old light bulb.
So when can you buy one of these high efficiency wonders?
Not for a while. Although the MIT device shows that the concept is correct,
there's a long way to go before they hit the shelves. In the meantime, don't
forget that when cartoonists want to show that someone's had a great idea, they
don't use a fluorescent tube or an LED. They draw... a light bulb.
And great ideas have a way of coming back.
For Weird and Wonderful- I'm John VK2JPM
Extra ref:
news.mit.edu/2016/nanophotonic-incandescent-light-bulbs-0111
classroom.synonym.com/important-thomas-edison-invention-light-bulb-6305.html
OPERATIONAL NEWS 2016
LAST DAY SUNDAY!
Jan Fri 1st to Sun 31st WIA Ross Hull Memorial VHF-UHF Contest
"All aboard" the Sydney Ferries. VHF/UHF 'contest' Sunday March 13.
WIA John Moyle Field Day 19-20 March 2016
Harry Angel 80 mtr sprint (WIA) provisional date Saturday 7th May.
10-10 INTERNATIONAL SUMMER CONTEST Aug 6 - 7
Remembrance or RD Contest August 13-14
36th ALARA Contest is on the last full weekend in August, Aug 27-28.
AMSAT SKN Winners and Changes for Next Year
AMSAT's Straight Key Night 2016 saw the following participants each receive
at least one Best Fist nomination:
AA5PK,. WA5KBH, WA8SME, W3TMZ, W4CVV, W5PFG.
Special kudos to Glenn Miller, AA5PK, who received three.
Since this was AMSAT's 25th annual SKN, it's a good time to consider changes.
Straight keys, however, have found a niche primarily with the boat anchor crowd
and AMSAT's insistence on their use in OSCAR SKN is probably holding down
participation.
So, in with the new:
AMSAT CW Activity Day on OSCAR.
As with the old SKN, it will be a fun event, not a contest, and will run for
24 hours on January 1. All forms of CW will be welcome. Instead of best fist
nominations, all participants will be encouraged to post "Soapbox" comments to
AMSAT-BB.
A further announcement will be posted in December 2016.
SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS, DX, BEACON REPEATER AND NET ADVICE
VK1 - ACT - vk1bureau@wia.org.au
VK2 - NSW - vk2bureau@wia.org.au
VK3 - VIC - vk3bureau@wia.org.au
VK4 - QLD - vk4bureau@wia.org.au
VK5 - SA - vk5bureau@wia.org.au
VK6 - WA - vk6bureau@wia.org.au
VK7 - TAS - vk7bureau@wia.org.au
VK8 - NT - vk8bureau@wia.org.au
What are these email addresses?
It's where you go to register in your state so you DO receive your QSL cards.
We told you several weeks ago how after receiving about 6,500 QSL cards at the
WIA Inwards QSL Bureau, just after the Christmas-New Year closedown, sorting
and distribution had begun.
Well it still continues.
Several thousand cards have been sent to the State and Territory QSL managers.
The remaining will be sorted over the next two weeks.
There are a lot of callsigns receiving QSL cards that are new ones for the
bureau. You MUST register with your State or Territory QSL manager to receive
cards, hence the addresses shown in the text edition (above) or get them via
a distribution point, usually a local club.
How to be registered is on the WIA website.
http://www.wia.org.au/members/qsl/about/
Fred Swanston VK3DAC
LUXEMBOURG HAMS HONOUR ROYALTY
A special call sign - this one in Luxembourg - is being activated
through June to mark the 95th anniversary of His Royal Highness the
Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg.
Some members of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Union will be working as
LX1AM on single sideband and as LX1EA and LX3X in digital modes.
There is a special QSL card that will be sent via the Bureau. QSOs will
also be confirmed on LoTW and eQSL.
For more details, visit QRZ.COM
MEDIA WATCH
Amateur Radio magazine - kicks off the year with plenty of interesting material
The combined January-February edition of Amateur Radio has several stories
covering the 'last hurrah' of the WIA ANZAC 100 program.
On its cover is Roger Harrison VK2ZRH with his 10 GHz dish as VK 100 ANZAC
on Mt Ainslie, , which appears in full.
Also on that theme are articles and pictures on VI3ANZAC and VI8ANZAC.
The WIA Historian Peter Wolfenden VK3RV looks at "The Secret Wireless War" and
how radio amateurs listened and reported enemy spy transmissions in England.
The article also refers to similar-type activities by radio amateurs in Australia
There's a World Radiocommunications Conference report, the first of a two part
series on ballooning and Amateur Radio, the Sun SDR2 PRO direct digital sampling
QRP transceiver from Andrew Barron ZL3DW, and activating Mount McKay in snow by
Keith Gooley VK5OQ.
The WIA President makes some very interesting observations and reflects on the
election process of Directors to the WIA Board.
Amateur Radio magazine - the journal of the Wireless Institute of Australia.
I'm Barry Robinson VK3PV, and you are listening to VK1WIA.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ATV (Every pixel tells a story) - Video
arvideonews.com
hamradiotube.com
youtube.com
qdg.org.au
Homebrewers set for ATV guru talk
With experience gained by more than four decades in the Amateur Television
scene, Peter Cossins VK3BFG will address the first meeting for 2016 of the
Homebrew Constructors Group.
A little known fact is that Peter VK3BFG, as a young man, was bitten by the
ATV bug at a meeting of the old VK3 VHF Group.
Since then, he saw the VK3RTV repeater turned on to give more scope to the
previously line-of-sight ATV gang, back in the days when the slash T addition
to callsigns had to be applied for, and logbooks were the norm.
A lot has happened since, with colour television, and now digital transmission.
An interesting talk is promised at the Homebrew Constructors Group meeting,
February 6 at 2pm, 40G Victory Boulevard, Ashburton.
All are welcome.
(Jim Linton VK3PC)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- CW
FISTS Club - East Asia www.feacw.net
FISTS Club - Australasia www.fistsdownunder.org
FISTS Club - UK & Europe www.fists.co.uk
FISTS Club - Americas www.fists.org
LIDS - The 'Less Involved Data Society'
LIDS CW is a loose group of radio amateur who's aim is to promote the use of
morse and foster an environment that is supportive and encouraging as well as
light hearted. The group is free to join and members use Twitter to chat about
ham radio, not just CW and aim to involve hams from around the world.
to include awards and resources for those looking to make best use of their
new year's resolution in learning CW. The group can support with slow morse
(QRS) skeds and the offer of regular on air practice sessions to get you up to
the speed you want to get to.
If you'd like to start that new year's resolution (with 11 months to go) or
just get going with CW and need a bit of support then join
Twitter at lids underscore cw
The group have recently updated their website
http://lidscw.org
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- DEFENCE
TARC does the 2016 Defence Welcome and Information Expo
theTARCinc will be involved with the 2016 Defence Welcome and Information Expo
run by the Townsville office of Defence Community Organisation North Queensland
and happening on Saturday 6th February at RSL Stadium Murray Complex from
10am to 1pm.
The club is demonstrating the hobby through a mixture of static, dynamic and
interactive displays, with members experienced in many facets of the hobby able
to provide meaningful answers and guidance for those attending the Expo.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FINAL FRONTIER
Australian Telebridge in ARISS Nepal link-up
The well-equipped ground station of Tony Hutchison VK5ZAI enabled students in
Nepal to chat with Astronaut Tim Peake KG5BVI from England, as he signed NA1SS
on board the International Space Station.
Tony VK5ZAI said the ARISS program that brings together orbiting astronauts
and students, had a link-up on January 21, with the Brihaspati VidyaSadan
High School.
Students there asked questions about life in space, the developments and tools
used by the astronauts, and of course, bodily functions like sneezing and
exercising.
Astronaut Tim Peake who has been in space for five weeks, in answer to
questions about how to become an astronaut, referred to his own experience.
Let have a listen to Tim as he answers that question:
(Play audio. "You need to find out what you are
passionate about and what you are
enjoying."
Outcue: become an astronaut if you so wish.
The school had run a week-long program and exhibition on space travel, and
technology that included Amateur Radio. Pravin Joshi 9N1KK was among those
who helped prepared the students who had a large audience of about 300.
This included the British Ambassador to Nepal, the Cultural Affairs Officer
from the US Embassy, ten youngsters other schools, and had considerable media
coverage.
(Jim Linton VK3PC)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO AMATEUR YOUNG TIMERS
A Youth Net meets Saturdays at 0100 UTC on IRLP Reflector #2.
Young Hams Net 3.590 - 7:30pm Victorian time.
Youngsters On The Air, YOTA http://www.ham-yota.eu/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/youngstersontheair
Carole Perry is an advocate for teaching students about the benefits of
amateur radio. The American retired middle school teacher is expanding her
U.S.-based efforts globally.
Carole spoke in 2014 at the world's second-largest amateur radio convention
in Germany. She described how she taught amateur radio for 30 years in
middle schools in New York and how others could use similar curriculum to
recruit amateur radio operators.
She and her counterpart in Germany set up an exchange program where for one
year, three young ham operators received technical magazines from each country.
U.S. kids were getting the German version of CQ magazine and German kids
received U.S. CQ and QST, the monthly magazine of the Amateur Radio Relay
League.
Last year at the Dayton Ham Convention, Carole conducted a session with young
presenters, as she has for 28 years. She had eight young U.S. presenters in
the session, in addition to a 16-year-old ham from India.
Read the full RadioResource Magazine article:
radioresourcemag.com/Features/FeaturesDetails/FID/635
(SouthGate)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO AMATEUR OLD-TIMERS
http://www.raotc.org.au
Hallo everyone. The Radio Amateurs Old Timers Club of Australia is back with
our first bulletin for this year going to air tomorrow, Monday February 1st.
This is Clive VK6CSW.
As well as all the usual Club news, tomorrow we feature items on the new wonder
material graphene which looks set to revolutionise technology, especially the
electronics industry. We also look at Samsung's claim to have improved mobile
battery life by 80%.
There are several ways to hear the RAOTC bulletin. The main HF transmission
starts at 0100 UTC, on 20 metres on 14.150 MHz USB, beamed north from Melbourne
for eastern states listeners. An hour later at 0200 UTC, Chris VK6JI will be
transmitting on 40 metres on 7088 kHz LSB, simultaneously with the VK6 linked
repeaters.
Also throughout the day there are several local VHF and HF transmissions.
For details for your area please visit the RAOTC website at www.raotc.org.au
If these times are unsuitable, as from Tuesday you can download this bulletin,
and previous ones, from the RAOTC website www.raotc.org.au
Once again, the February RAOTC bulletin is scheduled for tomorrow, Monday
February 1st. We hope to hear your call sign during the call backs.
73 de Clive VK6CSW.
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
Amateur Radio: Who ya gonna call? Surrey hams!
Those of our listeners and readers particularly if you felt the recent
earthquake that hit British Columbia you may have pondered the aftermath of
a large disaster. Technology, as we know it, would likely be rendered useless
The Now newspaper reports:
"Our phones no more useful than paperweights.
Our televisions and computers worthless without energy to power them."
Enter amateur radio.
Amateur Radio Operators are often called on to help with emergency
communications during disasters around the world, when all other
communications fail.
We're in pretty good shape should we ever need to call on our Surrey Hams the
'NOW' news item says. Surrey club was placed first in Canada and second in
North America in their category in the annual North American Field Day last
year.
The newspaper interviewed John Brodie VA 7 XB, who got his amateur licence
at the age of 15, "Whenever there's a disaster around the world, amateur radio
operators are often involved," he explained.
More good press on this great hobby of ours!
(SouthGate)
SOCIAL SCENE 2016
2016
Feb 6 Melbourne QRP by the Bay starting 3pm. Held at Victory Park at Chelsea
it is a gathering of QRPers and homebrewers. Bring and talk about your
latest project and hear what others have been up to. Gather in the park
near the lifesaving club. If there's wind maybe they'll try kite
antennas. Held in February and November each year, there's a great write
up on the previous one by Paul VK3HN at
https://vk3hn.wordpress.com/2015/11/17/qrp-by-the-bay-saturday-14th-november-2015/
Feb 13 VK3 MERC HamFest 10am at Werribee Masonic Centre (wia)
Feb 13 VK4 BOOT SALE Caboolture Radio Club 169 Smiths Rd CABOOLTURE 7:30 (vk4lw)
Feb 28 VK2 Central Coast Field Day (vk2ztm)
Feb 28 VK3 EMDRC HamFest Great Ryrie Primary School Heathmont. (wia)
Ap-May 29-2 VK4 Clairview Gathering check Mackay ARS website. (theTARCinc)
May 27-29 VK9 WIA AGM this year on Norfolk Island (wia.org)
June 3- 5 VK4 Central Highlands Social Gathering Theresa Creek dam (wia)
June 4 VK4 BARCfest Mt Gravatt Showgrounds. (vk4atc)
June 11-13 VK5 VK Foxhunting Championship & SERG convention Mt Gambier(VK5HCF)
July 19 VK3 GippsTech 2016 Churchill (vk3pf@wia.org.au)
Sep 23-25 VK4 Central Highlands Amateur Radio Club AGM weekend
Lake Maraboon Holiday Village, near Emerald. (theTARCinc)
Sep-Oct 30-3 VK4 Cardwell Gathering Long Weekend, Beachcomber Motel(theTARCinc)
Nov 6 VK5 Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society HamFest 8am! (VK5KC)
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