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NOVEMBER 13 - 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!
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NATIONAL NEWS FOR WEEK COMMENCING NOVEMBER 13 2016.
IN OUR 21st YEAR OF NON STOP NEWS
WIA advised by ACMA of licence processing delays. -
WIA Spectrum Strategy Committee with another chapter on the licence conditions
submission to ACMA. -
WIA Canberra symposium on STEM. -
WIA Directors working on a Charter for Volunteers. -
WIA Bookshop taking orders for books 'Wireless Men and Women at War' and Callbook. -
WIA Initiative BRING THEM BACK. -
WIA AGM 2017 further details released. -
and a reminder that November 26-27 is our WIA VHF/UHF Spring Field Day. -
THESE STORIES AND MORE IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE
OF AUSTRALIA 2016 AND FOR WEEK OF NOV 13 BUT RELEASED EARLY TO ENABLE YOU
TO THOROUGHLY PERUSE THIS EXTRA BONUS LENGTH NEWSCAST THIS WEEK.
An item I heard on commercial radio news this week made my ears prick up -
as no doubt have many a pilots ears!
False radio calls on the aircraft band in the Melbourne Flight area.
I asked WIA's Jim Linton for more and he has told us that no less than 15 hoax
radio calls on AM aeronautical channels have been made in the past weeks at
Tullamarine Airport Melbourne, and the Avalon Airport near Geelong.
Here is what happened:
A man pretends to be in a control tower and orders three jets to abort their
landing.
Impersonation of a light aircraft with engine trouble putting out a may-day
call.
The story has attracted wide media attention across newspapers, television and
internet news sites. Melbourne's Age and Sydney Morning Herald newspapers ran a
story headed "lone-wolf hoaxer", and unfortunately included a comment that
". . rudimentary amateur VHF radio equipment could be used in such a hoax."
The media coverage continued that a number of federal government agencies were
investigating, but did say there were fears that copycat amateur radio
operators might trying the same thing.
Members of various Amateur Radio Facebook sites picked up on the newspaper
reports, expressing alarm and concern that Amateur Radio could be implicated
in such a negative way.
Some radio amateurs emailed the WIA with their concerns.
The Institute understands that amateurs would be justifiably upset about any
connection with such dangerous and illegal rogue transmissions. Some have
expressed the view that individual radio amateurs should write-in to set the
record straight, and that the WIA should make a strong statement to the
offending publications.
However, the WIA strongly advises caution about individuals making complaints.
In situations like this, misunderstanding is easily compounded and may make
matters worse by re-invigorating the original story from another angle. It is
common for the media to focus on the "issue of the moment" in a way that
sensationalises matters, which could easily be to our detriment.
Fortunately, the lone-wolf air-traffic radio hoaxer story had a very limited
run.
The WIA is prepared for the story to arise again, and is developing a
considered response to the media to counteract any negative references
to Amateur Radio.
WIA BOARD TALK
Licence processing delay
The WIA Office has been advised by ACMA Licensing, that "the processing time
for applications for new Amateur licences or variations to existing licences
is around four weeks. Applications will be processed on a first in time basis".
These delays are unavoidable and the WIA will keep radio amateurs informed of
any time changes.
We thank you for your patience.
Currently the WIA Exam Service turnaround time is approximately one week after
the receipt in the Office of exam packs.
Please advise candidates that the delay from the time of sitting an exam until
licensing in completed could be five weeks or longer.
For those that are running Amateur Radio training courses and exams where the
candidate may be seeking a licence for the end of year holiday period,
completed exams and applications will need to be lodged as soon as possible.
This is Roger Harrison VK2ZRH from the WIA Spectrum Strategy Committee with
another chapter on the WIA's licence conditions submission to the A C M A.
Last week I covered the issue of high power. This week is also about power
in relation to the three licence grades.
But first, let me complete the subject of high power.
It seems that some amateurs have remaining concerns about why the issue of
High Power wasn't revisited the next year after the A C M A made its decision
in August 2013 not to raise the permitted power for Advanced licensees. The
WIA asked if the issue could be revisited in 2014 and received a positive
response.
As it happened, a new Minister for Communications was appointed in Septembe
r 2013, one Malcolm Turnbull MP. In 2014, he announced the Spectrum Reform
program - a wide-ranging overhaul of spectrum management and licensing. So,
it was back to taws.
But, a little before that tectonic shift, the Institute was invited by the
A C M A to outline what radio amateurs might like to see in a revised licence
conditions determination. Given a short deadline, the WIA made a detailed
submission in 2014, as you know. That submission included in the "log of
claims" the use of high power for Advanced licensees.
However, the Amateur LCD was to sunset in 2015 and the ACMA decided to proceed
with minor amendments to it as it did not have the resources or time to
complete a comprehensive review to proceed with all the necessary consultation
processes.
And - here we are, today. The Spectrum Reform process launched by Malcolm
Turnbull is continuing under the stewardship of a new Minister for
Communications, Senator Mitch Fifield, with the Department of Communications
and the A C M A beavering away in the background to produce a new and
different radiocommunications act and attendant regulations.
In that context, the WIA is continuing to advocate for improved future licensing
conditions for Australia's Amateur Radio community and prospective amateurs
to come. It's all about the future.
Now, back to the matter at hand - permitted powers for Foundation and Standard
licensees.
A decade's experience with the current permitted power of 10 watts peak for
the Foundation licence demonstrates that it is at a distinct disadvantage
in today's urban RF noise environment on the HF and VHF bands.
Foundation station signals often struggle to rise above the prevailing RF
noise levels experienced both in Australia and by amateurs in other countries
. Competing with urban noise levels is exacerbated in mobile situations, as
vehicle antennas naturally exhibit low efficiency.
It is no wonder that activities like Summits on the Air - SOTA - and other
portable operations in the great outdoors, have become popular, where operators
can get away from high RF noise levels. The problem then becomes working
home stations that suffer from high urban RF noise levels, whether in
Australia or other countries. There are many times when 10 watts struggles to
be heard, or does not make it at all.
Because of this situation - and I won't go into the many and complex reasons
why urban RF noise levels are as they are - the WIA is advocating that
Foundation licensees get to use 50 watts.
STEM symposium
The Wireless Institute of Australia symposium on the STEM or Science,
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program is to take place in Canberra
at the Canberra Region Amateur Radio Club.
Fred Swainston VK3DAC told the recent meeting of the WIA Board that the
initiative had been well received with 30 expressions of interest, and a
number of papers already been received.
The WIA symposium is to look at how a few radio amateurs can impart their
knowledge and skills through the STEM program, and help through teachers
inspire a greater thirst or awareness. STEM will seek to identify a few
realistic outcome projects and those to manage them.
There will be a guest speaker, and is to include a presentation on how to
develop a possible teacher resource on STEM projects. Those attending the
invitation-only event on November 19 at the Canberra Region Amateur Radio Club
venue, will receive more details next week via email.
To allow for catering, please make a booking to attend by contacting the
WIA Office, bruce@wia.org.au
The outcome of the symposium will be reported on this broadcast and on the
WIA website.
This is Phil Wait VK2ASD, President of the WIA.
The WIA Directors have been working on a Charter for Volunteers, so that
volunteers can know what to expect from the WIA, and the WIA can know what to
expect of its many volunteers.
The WIA supports the principles of Volunteer Australia's publications,
"National Standards for Volunteer Involvement" and the "Model Code of Practice
for Organisations Involving Volunteer Staff". This Charter for Volunteers draws
on these publications.
As far as I am aware, this is the first document of this type that the WIA has
produced.
This new initiative has gone to our committees for their thoughts and feed-back.
We would like to commence the Charter in January, so time is very short, and
I have asked committee members receiving the draft to give their thoughts and
suggestions by Monday the 21st of November.
The task for next year is to publish the Volunteer Charter, and over time
review the WIA committee structure.
This is Phil Wait VK2ASD, President of the WIA.
This is WIA Director Roger Harrison VK2ZRH with a few things for you to think
on.
Membership is important at this time as the WIA continues discussions with the
A C M A over licence conditions and spectrum access, not to mention the Amateur
Service's community role and standing with the coming of the new
radiocommunications act.
Why is membership important ? Because . . . we_are_all_in_this_together.
What the Spectrum Strategy Committee succeeds in achieving will benefit ALL
radio amateurs - including - and especially - those not yet licensed !
One thing that has become very noticeable since restructuring the National
Office operations late last year is that many amateurs who were once licensed
decades ago are returning to the hobby. They've been calling the National
Office and enquiring how to get their licence back and a new callsign.
So. Think about this: there are many situations where you know, or discover,
a colleague or acquaintance who once held a callsign - they may well be
amenable to being encouraged to return to amateur radio.
If each of us who have been in the hobby for some time took the opportunity,
wherever it arose, to encourage a "lapsed" amateur to return to the hobby,
the number of licensees would noticeably increase and so would the number of
those active on the air. Activity begets activity.
The world of amateur radio today is so much more diverse and laden with
fascinating fields to explore that were never available even a dozen years
ago, let alone 20 or more years.
This is the project I introduced back in the first week of January - I called
it BRING THEM BACK.
There are many situations where individuals have let their interest in amateur
radio lie dormant.
Bring them back to the hobby and encourage them to join the WIA.
Tell them that the Institute is about advocacy, education and support. That's
what we do. It's not the WIA of yesteryear that they knew.
Look out for the opportunities to bring them back - you'll be doing something
positive for the hobby.
This has been WIA Director Roger Harrison VK2ZRH for VK1WIA News.
The WIA AGM 2017 further details released
The Wireless Institute of Australia annual general meeting weekend is in
historic Hahndorf South Australia from Friday May 19 to Sunday 21, with the
event now being outlined on the WIA website.
Those attending the main event will head for the Adelaide Hills Convention
Centre.
The theme for this event and associated activities is 'Inspiring Leadership:
the Future of Amateur Radio'. The location is the tourist township of Hahndorf,
only half an hour from Adelaide, within reach of the famed wine district of
the Barossa Valley and near the Lofty Ranges.
The event starts on Friday night with an optional restaurant gathering,
the AGM on Saturday along with the open forum, and followed by technical
presentations. During this time there is a partner tour, and all will come
together for the traditional gala WIA dinner on Saturday night.
The Adelaide radio clubs have been busy organising the weekend, and when final
touches are put on the program the WIA will open bookings. The available
accommodation, transport, and the many tourist attractions are already on the
WIA website.
It's suggested that now is the time to make plans to be part of the WIA AGM 2017
May 19-21.
Another event on the horizon, but this time unlike the mighty Emden bearing
down on the Sydney it's all roses!
" Hello, This is Tim VK3TJC from the Southern Peninsula Amateur Radio Club
(SPARC) reminding you that there is only 1 week to go to the Rosebud
RadioFest to be held on Sunday the 20th of November.
Yes, Sunday, the 20th November is when the Rosebud RadioFest is on at the
Eastbourne Primary School, Allambi Avenue, Rosebud. For more details Google
SPARC RadioFest 2016.
If you have pre-loved equipment to sell, tables are still available at $10
and can be booked on-line at www.rosebudradiofest.com
Be quick as there is only a few left.
The technical forums being held this year have wide appeal as per previous
years and are very educational for all amateurs.
The event has full catering, there is plenty of off street parking, great
door prizes and the entry fee is only $6 with under 12's free. Outdoor
displays will be open from 8 am and the new-and-used equipment sale area
in the main auditorium will be open from 9.30 am until 1.30 pm.
If you need help to find the venue, a talk-in will be conducted on
VK3RSP 146.675 MHz and VK3RPU 439.850 Mhz.
Don't miss the fastest growing RadioFest and enjoy the tourist sights of
the Mornington Peninsula with your family.
See you in Rosebud on Sunday the 20th of November.
73 from the Southern Peninsula Amateur Radio Club. Tim, VK3TJC. "
INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to IARU, RSGB, SARL, Southgate AR Club, ARRL,
Amateur Radio Newsline, NZART and the WW sources of the WIA.
Two men in Georgia have been charged with plotting an attack on the High
Frequency Active Auroral Research Project in Alaska, a facility of great
interest to the amateur community.
Authorities say an arsenal of weapons was also recovered that police believe
were to be used in the planned attack.
The plot was discovered during an investigation of reports that one of the
suspects was engaged in selling drugs. Marmian Grimes, a representative of
the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, told the Alaska Dispatch that the
research facility has faced threats before and was grateful Georgia authorities
were alert.
International Telecommunications Union Radio Regulations
The Radio Regulations are now available as a free download via the ITU website.
The document contains all decisions made at the World Radiocommunication
Conferences from 1995 to 2015.
The seminal material that results in domestic regulations for all radio
services is in English and five other languages.
www.itu.int/pub/R-REG-RR-2016
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
This takes place Saturday, December 3, 2016, and over in IARU Region 1, their
Member Societies are asked to celebrate this day like in previous years
The International Programme for Handicapped radio Amateurs (IPHA) recommends
that Member Societies observe the day to promote Amateur Radio among Disabled
persons and If you are planning any event or media releases for the day, please
contact Riri, OD5RI, the IPHA Coordinator on e-mail ririazrak@gmail.com
IARU Region 1 http://iaru-r1.org/
Modern day radar interference
New long range over-the-horizon (OTH) radars are expected to begin next year in
the Russian Arctic.
These devices track movements at sea and in the air, but also intrude to cause
harmful interference to other radio users on their allocated band of frequencies.
The IARU Monitoring Service has observed the frequency-hopping nature of the
technology. It is used in Russia, China, Cyprus, Iran, and Turkey, covering
wide sections of spectrum and is commonplace in the Amateur Radio bands.
A media report says that six new radar installations will operate in the
Russian Artic soon.
Wireless Institute of Australia Monitoring System Coordinator, Peter
Young VK3MV issues a monthly report that aims to keep
the Amateur Service bands clear. Intrusions have been logged for some time and
are constantly reported to the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
Intruder watchers are ready for the expected arrival of the new over-the-horizon
radars.
Meantime the WIA reports existing observations of radar-type intrusions
particularly on the 20m and 15m bands.
In other observations the 40m band has daily music transmissions, voice and
suspected military coded signals. It's important to keep
reporting these types of intrusions, so the offending administration cannot
claim that they are not causing interference as no reports are received.
These are being received by John Kirk VK4TJ mostly at strength nine, and other
VK stations need to also file their monthly reports to give more ammunition for
the IARU to complain to authorities.
More information and reporting forms can be found on wia.org.au our website
the WIA website, or send an email to intruders@wia.org.au
http://www.wia.org.au/members/protecting/about/
Who and Where are our broadcast stations?
http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/where/
OPERATIONAL NEWS 2016
All major Australian contests, rules and results, are on the
Contest Section of the WIA website.
wia.org.au/members/contests/about
November 11-14 The Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award Activation
November 26-27 WIA VHF/UHF Spring Field Day
Nov 26-27 CQ WW DX / CW Contest Always the last full weekend in November)
Dec 1 - 31 Annual Youngsters on the Air (YOTA)
2017
Jan 1 - Dec 31 The Victorian Local Government Award 2017 Challenge
January it's the WIA's Ross Hull Memorial VHF/UHF Contest
Jan 1 AMSAT CW Activity Day 24 hours. All forms of CW are welcome.
Ham Radio On The Ferries 12th of March
WIA's John Moyle Memorial Field Day 18th-19th March 2017
WIA's Harry Angel Memorial 80 meter sprint Saturday May 6 10:00 -11:46 UTC
May 13-15 Mills On The Air
VK SHIRES June 10 and 11.
Trans-Tasman Low-Band Contest 160/80/40 Saturday night July 15 and Start Time
is 08:00 UTC and finish time is 14:00 UTC
10-10 INTERNATIONAL SUMMER CONTEST Aug 5 - 6
WIA's Flagship contest the Remembrance Day Contest 12th & 13th August
Aug 19-20 ILLW the 3rd full weekend in August since 1998
October CQ WW DX / SSB CONTEST (always Octobers Last full weekend)
Running ALL year 'til Dec 31 Victorian Local Government Award 2017 Challenge
Commemorating the RAN's first battle
The commemorative callsign VI4SEA had a great deal of success despite
unfavourable propagation and seasonal storms.
It marked the first naval action of the Royal Australian Navy with HMAS Sydney
in battle with the German SMS EMDEN in the Indian Ocean during WWI.
It ran for nine days ending last Wednesday, with an active team who made more
than 725 contacts, and had three SWL reports of low band CW signals.
Roger Croft VK4YB operated on 630m and 2200m, achieving a repeat of his world
record for WSPR transmission to Canada.
Glenn McNeil VK4BG use 6m weak E-layer and Trans-Equatorial Propagation.
Peter Hewitson VK4QC had 500 QSOs mostly on 40m and 20m, with nearly a 100 made
by Alex McDonald VK4TE including the 12m and 17m bands.
Mike Patterson VK4MIK undertook the 15m & 40m bands, while Doc Wescombe-Down
VK5BUG activated 630m and 160m, mixing it up with CW and SSB.
Nightly on 80m was Mike Charteris VK4QS despite a high noise level, with some
brief daytime operation on 40m.
A full VI4SEA operational report is expected later - but it respectfully
commemorated an important part of naval history.
Move on from the "war to end all wars" to another "Sydney" encounter when
Amateurs remember the loss of HMAS Sydney during the SECOND World War.
The sinking of HMAS Sydney in 1941 is the largest loss of life in
Royal Australian Navy history with 645 sailors perishing.
On November 19, 1941, HMAS Sydney and the German auxiliary cruiser,
Kormoran, battled off Dirk Hartog Island in West Australia.
A badly damaged Emden was beached at North Keeling Island in the Indian Ocean
and broke up. The wreckage of HMAS Sydney was not found on the ocean floor
until 2008.
To mark the 75th anniversary of its sinking, the St George Amateur Radio
Society of Sydney has been given the commemorative callsign of VI 2 SYD 75.
A list of operators for VI 2 SYD 75 is still being finalised, but listen for
it on air until the end of December.
Details are expected to be posted soon on the WIA website.
(Jim Linton VK3PC)
NOW FROM THE SHALLOWS TO THE HEIGHTS, AND THIS WEEKEND
11-14 It's The Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award Activation
with Victorian National Parks on the air
ALL of the 45 national parks in Victoria are being visited by portable Amateur
Radio this weekend with lots of activity already occurring on Friday and
Saturday. YES The annual Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award activity
period is underway with more than two dozen radio amateurs involved.
You may have heard them on air, made a supporting contact or two, and even
qualified for an award. Well the activity continues through Sunday and Monday.
Among those on Sunday afternoon are Norm VK3XCI in the Grampians,
Tony VK3XV at Greater Bendigo, Mick VK3PMG portable in Kara Kara,
Greg VK3BRQ Little Desert, Allen VK3ARH Croajingolong, Peter VK3ZPF Errinundra,
and Joe and Julie VK3SRC Mornington Peninsula.
A trio Leigh VK3SG, Bernard VK3AV and Nick VK3ANL are at the Yarra Ranges on
QRP 7.144 MHz.
Monday will include Peter VK3TKK at Churchill and the Dandenong Ranges,
Tony VK3XV Heathcote-Graytown, John VK2AWJ port 3 Morwell and Norm VK3XCI
at Port Campbell.
Oh, don't be surprised if others are heard too during this 6th annual activity
period.
Full Award information is at: https://www.amateurradio.com.au/awards#files
(Jim Linton VK3PC)
Mills on Air event has first Australian mill
The Amateur Radio activation of Anderson's Mill at Smeaton in central Victoria
in May has gone through its approval and logistic stages, with a clear go-ahead
given by all to the project.
The five-storey bluestone flour and oat mill, part of the 19th century gold
field region, is on a creek that helped drive its iron water wheel.
The National Trust will have its first Anderson's Mill Heritage Weekend in 2017
and Amateur Radio is part of the festivities. Anderson's Mill is managed by
Parks Victoria with the free public event supported by the Hepburn Shire
Council and many others.
The Mills on Air event run by the Denby Dale Radio Club, through the Society
for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, has had only European mills up to now,
but that is about to change. The Central Goldfields Group VK3BI will be active
the Anderson's Mill on May 13 to 15, using 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, 10m and
VHF IRLP and UHF EchoLink.
Behind this ambitious project are locals Alan and Cheryl Just, and Peter
Rafferty VK3CC. Now they invite more mills throughout Australia to join them on
air in May.
It is an ideal club or individual project to activate many of the mills
throughout Australia. There is plenty of scope with old mills once used for
sugar, wool, cotton, flour, and timber.
Is there one near you?
The challenge is to join the Mills on Air event in May 2017.
(Jim Linton VK3PC)
The World War II bombing of Darwin to be commemorated
The war horror reached our shores when the northern city of Darwin was bombed
by the enemy sinking many ships and destroying port facilities, setting back
involvement in that global conflict.
While the defence forces recovered from that bombing, news of it was kept quiet
from the rest of Australia for morale purposes and a real feeling it may be the
start of a major invasion from the north.
In February 1942, mainland Australia came under attack when Japanese forces
mounted two air raids on Darwin which were planned and led by the commander
responsible for the attack on Pearl Harbor just ten weeks earlier.
Now on the 75th anniversary, the Darwin Amateur Radio Clubs will commemorate
the event with the callsign VI 8 BOD.
Further details of the commemoration will be provided closer to anniversary.
(Jim Linton VK3PC)
Anniversary of decimal currency celebrated
Australia was one of the last countries to have decimal currency, and that was
50 years ago.
To celebrate this milestone, the South Pacific Radio Club has been issued the
VI 50 DC callsign until the end of the year.
To kick start decimal currency to the tune of 'Click Go The Shears' we had an
animated character called Dollar Bill - let us have a listen to his jingle.
(suggest studio cut a snippet from YouTube and play)
Now listen for VI 50 DC on air until end of December marking the anniversary.
QSL information on qrz.com sadly suggests it has no bureau cards, and the
QSL manager is M Zero OXO.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZTeWLA1LAs
(Jim Linton VK3PC)
The 6V1IS team is active to 19th of November from Dakar. They are operating
/P from Ngor and Goree Islands, IOTA AF-45, on all HF bands, including WARC
and 6m using all modes.
Active is E 51 RR until the 25th November from Rarotonga in the
South Cook Islands on 40, 20 and 15m. QSL to the home call ZL1BQD.
Alan G3XAQ is back at Kampala, Uganda from 12th to 28th November.
Look for him signing 5 X 1 XA on CW including the CQWW DX CW Contest
at the end of the month. His QSL Manager is G 3 SWH.
On the air is 5 H 3 MB in Tanzania to the 2nd of December.
QSL to his home callsign IK2GZU.
MEDIA WATCH
Who and Where are our broadcast stations?
http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/where/
Pre-sales of history book begin
The WIA Bookshop is now taking orders for the 'Wireless Men and Women at War'
publication that details the history of wireless communications before
World War I, and in later years and conflicts.
The pre-sale period is now available, with a applying for orders received by
December 21.
WIA Historian Peter Wolfenden VK3RV has fully researched the content. Together
with numerous additional contributors, the WIA Board fully supports this timely
record of history as a must read volume.
It has many stories including activity before World War I, during that
conflict, between the Wars, in World War II, the modern era of the Vietnam War,
and the ANZAC 100 commemoration.
Plus many more articles previously published in Amateur Radio magazine and
several new stories.
More on the contents of this 100-page publication appear on the WIA website.
The WIA Publications Committee is proud to make it available and after printing
the book will be a mail order item from the WIA Bookshop.
To secure your limited edition copy, visit the WIA website. Be sure to let
others know of its availability.
A campaign has begun seeking a wider market for the publication, including
libraries, RSL clubs, and those with an interest of this historical subject.
Also available is the WIA Callbook 2017 for order
Orders for the 2017 WIA Callbook may be made at the WIA on-line bookshop with
copies soon to be dispatched, and it will also go on sale at clubs that have
stock and selected hamfests.
The contents include the name, address and callsigns of all Australian radio
amateurs, club contact details, repeater & beacon lists, current band plan
information, and loads of other useful information such as the WIA Weekly News
broadcast times and frequencies, the WIA National Technical Advisory Committee,
WIA Staff, Directors and Volunteer Coordinators, WIA Examination Service,
WIA Awards Program Information, Australian VHF - UHF Records, and much more.
Postage has been reduced this year due to the absence of a CD.
However, those purchasing the Callbook from the WIA on-line bookshop will have
the option of downloading an electronic copy as well as receiving the printed
version.
Bryan VK3GR joins us in a minute with a look at WW SIG news but this in
from Ed DD5LP
WW SIG SOTA
North American and European Summits on the Air "Super activation" November 19th.
As announced in last weeks VK1WIA broadcast following the very successful
Australia-Europe Summit-to-Summit event in October, one between Europe and
North America is now to take place from 1400 to 1700 UTC on Saturday the 19th.
of November 2016.
At the time of writing, just under two weeks before the event, twenty six
stations located in Europe, North America and even one in Africa, have
indicated that they intend to participate. Many activators can only confirm
the day before and others don't post alerts at all, so the final number of
summits is likely to be even higher.
The aim of the event is to get as many Summit to Summit - "S2S" - contacts as
possible. The summit contacts can be between North America and Europe or within
the regions themselves. Home-based "chasers" will also be contacting the summit
activators to gain points in the SOTA award scheme.
There's talk now of an Australia to North America Summit-to-Summit event, that
would then complete the circle around the World by Summits on the Air!.
To find out more about the Summits On The Air award scheme, please look up
sota.org.uk on the web.
For VK1 WIA News.., I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP / VK2JI..
now some more intruder watch news.
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
Just ahead of Special Interest Group news this week we have heard today
quite a bit on interference, both malicious and unintended
Now word from Ireland.
IRISH tackling radio interference
The Commission for Communications Regulation ComReg reports that harmful
disruption to radio services, including mobile phone networks, has risen
by almost 25 per cent in the 12 months to June.
It investigated 131 reports including four incidents that could pose an
imminent threat to safety of life by involving the emergency services
and similar to Melbourne, air traffic control.
ComReg in its annual statement vowed to intensify enforcement operations
targeting unlicensed broadcasters and unlawful spectrum usage.
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)
The Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association Inc. - ALARA - wish to invite
you, whether YL or XYL, OM or XOM to attend ALARAMEET 2017, being held in
Cairns, Far North Queensland, from Friday 8th to Monday 11th September 2017.
Gavin, VK4ZZ writing in the Townsville Amateur Radio Clubs "yellow newsletter"
says that the main venue for ALARAMEET 2017 will be the Cairns Colonial Club
Resort, with facilities including sumptuous accommodation geared to keeping you
comfortable in the tropics, excellent meals, comprehensive conference and
sporting facilities at very reasonable prices for ALARA attendees.
There is lots in store for those who attend, with plenty of variety in
touristy, crafty and radio activities planned. The 10 minute shuttle bus ride
to the Cairns CBD, full of exotic shopping opportunities and the famous
Cairns Night Markets will be sure to be popular.
A planned excursion to explore the Atherton Tablelands with attractions such as
pioneer museums, coffee plantations where you can watch your coffee be freshly
ground and blended plus the majestic vistas of the World Heritage Wet Tropics
Area and the tallest mountains in Queensland will be a must !
There will be further details on the ALARA Website plus the ALARAMEET 2017
Web & Facebook page as they come to hand, meantime visit
http://www.alara.org.au
http://www.facebook.com/alarameet2017/
Of course, book your accommodation now at the Cairns Colonial Club Resort
either phone on 07 40538800, fax 07 40537072 or visit
http://www.cairnscolonialclub.com.au
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- FINAL FRONTIER
The supermoon is tomorrow, Monday November 14, when it will be the closest
full moon in 68 years.
The rare astronomical occasion coincides with its closest point to Earth during
its monthly elliptical orbit.
Experts tell us the moon can be 30% brighter and appear up to 14% bigger.
Oh and if you miss it, write the next visit in your diary
as the full moon won't come this close again until November 2034.
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
Radio hams to help administration during national calamity
Web India 123 News reports radio amateurs in Puducherry and adjoining districts
of Tamil Nadu have offered all help to the District Administration in case of
any Natural Calamity or emergency
Ham Radio operators could maintain communication links when conventional means
have failed during monsoons. On October 31 District Collector
Satyendra Singh Dursawat chaired a meeting of ham operators in his chamber
as part of the preparations of the North-East monsoon.
The meeting decided to enlist their services so as to maintain communication
from disaster sites to the Control Room of Department of Disaster Management.
Assistant Director (Engineering) Ilangovan of All India Radio and officials of
the Department of Disaster Management participated in the discussion.
A total of 20 amateur radio operators attended the meeting.
http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20161031/2981125.html
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - LOW DOWN
Sub 9 kHz Yahoo Group:- https://groups.yahoo.com/group/sub9khz/
A special event on the 13th on the 630m band will commemorate the Berlin Treaty
of 1906 that made 500kHz the International Distress Frequency.
US Part 5 Experimental licensees and Canadian amateurs will operate in the
472-479 kHz band. They will also participate in cross-band QSOs with amateurs
operating on 160, 80, and 40 metres.
The Maritime Radio Historical Society will activate the KSM/KPH transmitter in
California with special messages and bulletins.
(RSGB)
SOCIAL SCENE 2016
NOV 15 VK3 EMDRC MEET WIA
WIA Directors Andrew and Paul to visit the Eastern and Mountain District radio
club, EMDRC. For more information head to the clubs website on
http://www.emdrc.com.au/ or just search VK3ER on Facebook.
Nov 20 VK3 Rosebud RadioFest tickets on sale 8am (vk3pdg)
Nov 26 VK7 Miena HamFest Saturday 26th. (vk7wi txt)
2017
Feb 26th Central Coast Field Day, WYONG enter at 8:30am (vk2dls)
March 26 VK3 EMDRC HamFest, Great Ryrie Primary School, Heathmont (VK3BQ)
Ap 28- May 1 VK4 Clairview Gathering between Rockhampton and Mackay (TARC)
May 19 VK WIA AGM Hahndorf some 25km from Adelaide (vk5kc)
Sep 9-10 ALARAMEET 2017 in Cairns (vk4swe)
FINAL FINAL
As we end this broadcast this weekend is the ideal "once in a year"
opportunity to get Victorian National Parks in your log.
Two more days left to go in the annual Keith Roget Memorial National
Parks Award activity period with a never before all 45 national parks
in VK3 on the air.
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