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PREVIOUSLY ON WIA NATIONAL NEWS - AUGUST 23 - 2009
Send a message to an alien
An Australian science magazine is offering we inhabitants of the third planet
from the Sun the chance to send text messages to aliens!
Thanks to a special project launched by Cosmos, Earthlings will be soon able
to send a free message to the nearest earth-like planet, Gliese 581d.
The project, supported by the Australian government, is part of
National Science Week.
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PREVIOUSLY ON WIA NATIONAL NEWS - AUGUST 27 - 2017
Amateur Radio magazine makes good reading in September. On the cover
is a cheap magnetic loop antenna and inside an article by our own
Shirley VK5YL's OM Jim Tregellas VK5JST on how to build this plastic
wonder cheaply.
OH and much much more as Barry VK3PV tells us:-
"A review of the LD-5 HF QRP Transceiver is from James Hannibal
KH2SR
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PREVIOUSLY ON WIA NATIONAL NEWS - DECEMBER 22 2019
The ACMA has asked, and the WIA has agreed, to put in place a
mechanism for seeking credible feedback from all amateur users
in Australia. WIA Vice President Aidan Montford says " As a result
of this agreement the WIA is pleased to announce the "Future of
Amateur Radio" programme.
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2020 AUGUST 23 - VK NATIONAL NEWS BROADCAST ON VK1WIA
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THE BEST NEWS YOU'LL GET ALL WEEK
THIS LINK IS A VIDEO VERSION OF NEWS COMPILED BY VK5BD BEVAN
tinyurl.com/WIA-News-Videos
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NATIONAL NEWS FOR WEEK COMMENCING AUGUST 23 2020
IN OUR 25th YEAR OF NON STOP NEWS IS PRESENTED
BY ALARA.
ACMA Amateur Radio e-bulletin
Our communications regulator ACMA is reaching out to we radio amateurs
by producing an amateur radio e-bulletin
Get the latest news on VK amateur radio issues, changes to regulations,
as well as receive invitations to have your say on consultations by
subscribing to their dedicated e-bulletin.
Sign up today:
acma.gov.au/subscribe-our-newsletters
IARU harmonization of Digital Band segments Globally.
Frequency allocations and amateur radio operating interests vary
in different parts of the world, the development of voluntary
band plans is a responsibility of the three IARU regional organizations
who try and align regional band pans to be harmonious globally.
Grant Willis VK5GR as the WIA IARU Region3 representative has been
working though the WIA on behalf of the IARU Region 3 Band Plan
committee Chairman Sion 9 M 2 CQC
Australian and all region 3 Radio Amateurs are encouraged to follow
progress through The WIA Website and their respective IARU member
websites, all of which can be reached via the following Link
iaru.org/
Speaking of the WIA website and all things 'WIA' next its over to
WIA Director Phil VK2CPR for more on this topic.
Hi, I’m Phil vk2cpr,
I would like to talk about the role WIA is playing in the HF Digital
Mode Band Plan Review.
Because frequency allocations and amateur radio operating interests
vary in different parts of the world, the development of band plans,
which are, voluntary guidelines on the use of the spectrum available
to radio amateurs " is a responsibility of the three IARU regional
organisations. Each of the three Regions has a band planning
committee to focus on this work. In recent years there have been
increased efforts to bring the regional band plans into alignment
wherever possible. Final approval of band plan revisions is generally
given by the regional conferences of IARU member-societies that are
held every three years on a rotating basis.
This approach to band planning generally has kept pace with the
evolution of amateur radio operating. However, the explosive growth
in HF (below 30 MHz) digital modes, particularly FT8, has led to
perceived overcrowding of HF digital mode band segments. Accordingly
a working group has been formed consisting of representatives of the
three regional band planning committees.
The WIA fund region 3 representatives to this working group. This is
the first time the three Regions have joined together to directly
coordinate band planning efforts.
The working group has already had fruitful discussions with the WSJT
Development Group led by Joe Taylor, K1JT. Additional discussions,
including with other HF stakeholders, will be held as part of a
fundamental review of the different HF digital modes, and how they
can be best categorized and arranged to share the limited spectrum
available.
The main aim of the working group is to develop solutions that reduce
congestion within very popular mode segments while preventing mutual
interference between incompatible modes. While the proposed band
plan revisions will have to be approved by member-societies in each
Region, recent administrative changes mean that the changes can be
implemented without having to wait for the regional conferences.
Again, Amateurs are encouraged to follow progress through their
IARU member-society, that is, the WIA here in region 3.
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to IARU, RSGB, SARL, Southgate AR Club,
ARRL, RAC, NZART AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE & the World Wide sources of
the WIA.
NEW ZEALAND
NZART AGM and AREC Annual Meeting
It is planned they are still going ahead with plans to hold meetings
at Wellington over the 4/5/6 September 2020.
The NZART AGM will commence at 10:30 am on Saturday 5 September.
NZART have had a considerable number register their interest in
attending, however for those who can’t they have set up a special
ZOOM Conference meeting specifically for members BUT This meeting
will be limited to 100 online attendees.
At time of coming into the studios New Zealand's current Alert Levels
in the Auckland region is Level 3 but Wellington is at Alert Level 2
The New Zealand Cabinet were to review the Alert Levels on Friday 21.
UK
RSGB General Manager Steve Thomas, M1ACB has thanked all the staff
and volunteers who have pulled together to cope with the challenges
of the last four months.
He highlights the successes worth celebrating - such as helping
1,500 people take their first steps into amateur radio in just 4 months
via remote invigilation Foundation exams, as well as opportunities we
all have to develop amateur radio in the future.
You can also read the editorial online at
tinyurl.com/rsgb-success-story.
USA
The White House has pulled its nomination of an FCC commissioner who
has served on the panel since 2013. From our friends at Amateur Radio
NewsLine here's Heather Embee KB 3 TZD.
The White House has withdrawn its nomination of FCC Commissioner
Michael O'Rielly, who has served on the panel since 2013. O'Rielly
has been praised by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai (PIE) for his work on issues
related to the 3.5 GHz spectrum and related policies.
O'Rielly, who was first appointed to the panel by President Barack
Obama, recently spoke out against President Donald Trump for an
executive order that would limit social media companies' liability
protections. Trump did not give any reason for his withdrawal of the
nomination but according to various published reports the White House
and others on the political right have said that social media's
practice of moderating content is biased against conservative views.
Before his nomination was withdrawn, O'Rielly, who like Trump is
Republican, would have faced Senate confirmation for a term that
ended in 2024.
For Amateur Radio NewsLine I'm Heather Embee KB3TZD.
Why were our bands a little quiet the second weekend in August?
Well it would appear the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo over the
August 8 " 9 weekend appears to have been an unmitigated success,
so much so that another virtual event will be held next March.
“It was far better than we expected,” Virtual Ham Expo chair
Eric Guth, 4Z1UG/WA6IGR, told ARRL. “We had over 26,000 registered
and over 14,000 on the platform both days.”
Eric said event sponsors and exhibitors that he’s heard from so far
“are thrilled with the turnout, engagement, and responses that they
received.” He said they’re also enthusiastic about the second QSO
Today Virtual Ham Expo, set for March 13 " 14, 2021. “Our plan is to
offer this twice a year.”
PUERTO RICO
An auxiliary cable that helps to support a metal platform above the
Arecibo Observatory radio telescope’s reflector dish in Puerto Rico
snapped in the early morning hours of August 10, causing a 100-foot
gash in the reflector dish.
Operations at the world-famous observatory have been halted until
repairs can be made.
When the 3-inch cable fell, it also damaged about a half-dozen panels
in the Gregorian Dome above the dish and twisted the platform used to
access the dome. The cause of the cable break is not yet clear.
The largest single-dish radio telescope in the world for decades,
Arecibo was bumped into second place in 2016 by the 5 hundred-meter
Aperture Spherical Telescope in China.
The Arecibo Observatory Radio Club operates KP 4 AO at the site.
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HAM RADIO OPERATIONAL NEWS - IT'S A CONTACT SPORT
Who do you call? you call "CQ RADIO ACTIVE"
This weekend Aug 22-23 here in VK is the 2Mtr FM QSO PARTY
Looking at a post by Tom de Mamiel on the exceptionally well run
FaceBook group " Australian Amateur Radio" Tom has let us all in on
a great idea by Mike Lewis to drive extra activity this weekend.
Just have as many as possible (then add a couple of extra) FM QSO's
on 2meters. Just report your total to another FaceBook group
called HAM (Amateur)Radio QSO on 2M & 70cm.
(AAR)
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The 40th Alara Contest is on again on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th.
NEXT Weekend
Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th start 0600 UTC, finishi 24 hours later
at 0559 UTC.
We are really looking forward to hearing some young and new YLs in
the contest this year and catching up with many amateurs along the
way. Some of the Committee will be handing out numbers on HF and
Echolink to show their support during the contest.
This year we are trialling a Facebook page for spotting YLs. This
page is optional for amateurs using Facebook who wish to notify
others about YLs who are in the contest. Just enter the YLs callsign,
current frequency and mode. This page is now ready to join, just
search for Alara Contest in Facebook.
YLs cannot spot or encourage others to spot them but it will give
other amateurs a chance to easily find and support YLs who are in
the contest.
The contest rules have been uploaded to the Alara Contest page.
For those who don’t have FB and would like a copy of the rules,
please email alaracontest@wia.org.au
The radio has given us all a way to communicate with Amateurs who
are currently in isolation, so YLs let’s carry that spirit into this
year’s contest and involve as many as we can.
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P.O.C. a new kind of HF contest.
A steering committee led by Frank K 4 FMH will run a new international
contest on the weekend of October 2nd & 3rd. The aim of the challenge
is to create a level playing field for small portable stations
against the large contest stations using handicapping algorithms
similar to use in golf.
Open to all, participants choose their own 8 hour contiguous time
window within the 48 hour weekend. Operating portable, contact
distance, power level and mode (phone, CW or digital) affect the
final score.
Details can be found in the text edition of this the WIA National News
foxmikehotel.com/challenge/ <http://foxmikehotel.com/challenge/>
(dd5lp)
OCEANA CONTEST
VOICE from 0600 UTC Saturday October 3 to 0600 UTC Sunday October 4
CW from 0600 UTC Saturday October 10 to 0600 UTC Sunday October 11
--------------
All major AUSTRALIAN contests, rules and results, are on the
Contest Section of the WIA website.
wia.org.au/members/contests/about
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DX WINDOW
AUSTRALIA.
Members of the Wireless Institute of Australia are QRV with special
call VI 110 WIA until the end of 2020 to celebrate our 110th
anniversary, in fact the world's oldest Amateur Radio Society.
Activity is on the HF bands and QSL is via LoTW.
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In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of VJ Day, the RSGB
has organised a VJ Day amateur radio marathon on the HF bands
and 6m.
Three special UK callsigns GB 75 PEACE, GB 1945 PE, GB 194 5PJ are
on the bands til the 31st of August.
The special stations have their own QRZ.com pages with details of
the activation schedule.
Full details
rsgb.org/ve-vj-marathon
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Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Korea back in
August 1945, members of the Korean Amateur Radio League are
active as HL 75 V until the end of August. QSL via 6 K 0 MF.
--------------
Listen for special event station 4 A 2 MAX operating from Mexico
throughout August honouring the memory of Saint Maximilian Kolbe
SP 3 RN. The station can be heard on the HF bands using CW, SSB and
various digital modes.
QSL via LoTW.
(ARNewsLine)
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FINLAND
Tony, OH1TD is active again from his summer QTH on Korpo Island,
EU-096, until September. QSL via OH1TD either direct or via the
bureau.
(rsgb)
--------------
GREECE
QRV as SX 1 AFM from September 1 to 30 celebrating 70 years of the
Hellenic Air Force History Museum, the station is on all modes
80 through 6 meters. QSL via qrz.com information.
(arrl)
This has been the WIA Operational News and a quick reminder of the
40th Alara contest next weekend from Sue VK5AYL contest Manager
for Alara.
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WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS ATV (Every pixel tells a story) -
arvideonews.com
hamradiotube.com
youtube.com
qdg.org.au
tinyurl.com/WIA-News-Videos
THAT LINK IS A VIDEO VERSION OF THIS NEWS COMPILED BY VK5BD BEVAN
This is Peter VK3BFG in Melbourne.
As reported on the broadcast recently, the Melbourne DATV Repeater
VK3RTV is now back on the air. The Amateur Radio Victoria site at
Mount View has exceeded expectations in performance.
As a celebration, it is planned to hold another International
DATV QSO Party. The event will commence on a Friday evening for
VK and perhaps UK stations and then on Saturday for VK, US and
UK stations.
The Australian DATV Repeaters VK3RTS in Sydney and VK5RDC in
Port Pirie will also participate. Repeaters in the US will be
WR8ATV in Columbus Ohio, W0BTV in Boulder Colorado and through the
Californian ATV Network.
VK3RTV will be streaming through the British Amateur TV Club’s site
at all times.
The 2020 DATV QSO party is scheduled for Friday 28th August starting
at 1000Z and Saturday 29 th August starting at 0000Z.
Net control on Australia will be myself, Peter VK3BFG. Stations can
register interest with me by email at pcossins@bigpond.com.
73, and be seeing you, Peter VK3BFG
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - FEMALES IN RADIO.
How Ria got into amateur radio
In a new video, ARRL Director Ria Jairam N 2 RJ talks about how she
got started in amateur radio.
" audio intensive from youtube.com/watch?v=JynGF-kOzDA "
This is the first in what she hopes to be a feature, where Ria will
relate about things that have influenced her or others in amateur
radio. This will be a casual conversation, sort of like a nice rag
chew, the sort we have on the ALARA net of a Monday night.
( 1000 UTC 3.570 MHz )
Ria's hope is to inspire others to get involved and find out more
about amateur radio.
Watch How Ria got into amateur radio - Ria's shack stories on YouTube.
youtube.com/watch?v=JynGF-kOzDA
And another reminder to all the YL’s out there that we have the
up coming ALARA contest on 29th August. For anybody who is a bit
shy to get on air, this an excellent chance to participate, in
whatever capacity,in a very friendly, low key and forgiving
on air practice.
Of course, as an ALARA member you collect extra points.
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - FINAL FRONTIER
AMSAT-VK Secretary - secretary@amsat-vk.org
Chinese Mars probe
Soon after its launch on July 23rd, the Chinese Mars mission
Tianwen-1 has been received by AMSAT-DL with its 20m ground station
in Germany. Amateur radio observers Paul M 0 EYT and his #hearsat
group have been tracking Tianwen-1 since its launch.
This not only demonstrates the capabilities of Amateur Radio operators
when it comes to deep space missions but also the flexibility and
performance of the AMSAT-DL 20m ground station which can be fully
operated remotely.
The complete story can be seen at:
tinyurl.com/ANS-229-Tianwen-1
(ANS)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- IOTA
iota-world.org
EU-028.
Members of the ARI Modena radio club will be active as IA 5 MO from
Giglio Island (IIA T002, WLOTA N. 0564, WAIP GR), Italy, between
September 3-8th on various HF bands using CW, SSB, RTTY and the
Digital modes. QSL via IK 4 RLM.
EU-125.
Mike, DG5LAC, is active as OZ/DG5LAC from Romo Island, Denmark,
between August 22nd and September 5th on various HF bands using SSB
and FT8/FT4. QSL via DG 5 LAC.
(SouthGate)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ILLW
illw.net/
International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend is still going
ahead this weekend, the 22nd and 23rd of August. Participation will
dependent on local circumstances and government rulings regarding
border and national parks closures, social contact and so on.
One to try for is the Blackhead Lighthouse
Where is it?
Well it's about 30 minutes’ drive from Belfast on the Causeway
Coastal route.
Antrim DX Group (Northern Ireland) are active from Blackhead
Lighthouse during ILLW using GB 5 BL this weekend and will be on
HF and you can apply for a QSL Card by looking up GB 5 BL up on
qrz.com
(Southgate/RSGB)
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REWIND
Propagation as a Matter of Life or Death
On May 25, 1928, the airship Dirigible Italia crashed on pack ice
northeast of the Svalbard Islands on the return leg of a trip to
survey the North Pole with 16 passengers and crew on board.
At impact, one person was killed, and the cabin carrying nine people
separated from the hydrogen-filled airframe. Six crew members on the
dirigible structure were never seen again, after the airship again
became airborne. The survivors on the icepack turned to their 5 Watt
wireless set, a one-tube Hartley oscillator, to put out a call for
help, but it was only after 9 days of trying that they were able to
get the attention of a radio amateur 1,900 kilometres away.
The recently published article, "The Shipwreck of Airship Dirigible
Italia in the 1928 Polar Venture: A Retrospective Analysis of the
Ionospheric and Geomagnetic Conditions," provides the gripping
historical context and tries to explain why it was so difficult to
establish communication for a rescue. Drawing from sources of
geophysical data collected at the time, and using modern theories of
propagation -- including some directly derived from amateur radio
observations -- the authors present data including sunspot count,
magnetic flux, and F2 layer height, and take the reader through an
analysis of the sky-wave and ground-wave paths.
Ultimately, the authors suggest, ground-wave path losses likely
exceeded 100 dB, leaving only sky wave as a potential link. In the
first few days after the crash, the ionospheric path was impossible
at the frequencies being used -- 9.1 and 9.4 MHz -- due to disturbed
conditions. It was only after conditions had settled that
communication became possible, and it only became reliable when a
lower frequency was chosen.
Even after communication was established, fifteen RESCUERS were lost
in search and recovery operations, including Roald Amundsen, Norway's
famed polar explorer. Finally, on July 12, 1928, 48 days after the
initial crash, a Russian icebreaker was able to reach and rescue the
survivors.
(arrl)
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2020 Social Scene
Due to the COVID-19 situation, please check these events'
direct for up-to-date status information.
2020
VK4 - Central Highlands AGM Emerald, September 25 to 27 (vk4zz)
VK4 - Rockhampton Amateur Radio Annual Dinner Sat Nov 21 (tarc)
VK4 - TARC Xmas Party - Sun 13th December from 2pm (tarc)
VK4 - TARC Xmas Lights Tour - Fri 18th December from 7pm (tarc)
2021
VK4 - TARC Australia Day Long Week Family Radio Camp
Thursday afternoon 21st to Tuesday afternoon 26th January
at Girl Guides Association of Queensland Campsite
and Training Centre Bluewater. (vk4zz)
VK2 - WYONG FIELD DAY (tentative) February 28 ( vk4zz)
VK - WIA Annual Conference 2021 Hobart VK7 30 April-2nd May (vk7tw)
VK - ALARAMEET 2021 Bendigo VK3 October 1 - 4 (vk5yl)
VK7 - VK7 biennial HamFest Miena Community Hall (vk7tw)
FINAL FINAL
Reception Reports
WIA News rebroadcasters often give Short Wave Listeners a
welcome to the broadcast as they commence call-backs
straight after the Local News. Local news follows the National news
in all states. It would be great if those SWL's would email their
reception reports and location to callbacks@wia.org.au
Submitting news items
If you would like to submit news items for possible inclusion in the
VK1WIA broadcasts, please email your item in text to
nationalnews@wia.org.au and don't JUST send url's links or posters,
but take the time to pen YOUR contribution.
To submit audio email nationalnews@wia.org.au and ask for the current
password then read "how to submit items" in the weekly news page on
wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/
We would appreciate items certainly no longer than 1.5 minutes in
length as we only have a half hour.
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 it in the 3rd person. (First if YOU are reading your own item)
A reminder when supplying HamFest info we obviously can't plug
DEALS from commercial traders "on air", but we at the WIA will put
your supporters 'goods' in this text edition "no worries."
We cannot give blatant 'plugs' to raffles.
vk1wia-broadcasters@lists.wia.org.au
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Oh... and to contact us with your news because
If It Matters To You It Matters To Us!
Email nationalnews@wia.org.au and for audio
wia.org.au click news in member area
Please... If you are only submitting text and not audio, NEVER send
just links & url's but write your story as you would expect to hear
it being read back.
Click the links below to download the most recent edition of
National News, BUT this is ONLY the backup site!
WIANEWS backup thanks to Brendan VK4BLP can be found on
wiaq.org.au
BACKUPS OF THE BACKUP!! thanks to Tony VK7AX
www.vk7ax.id.au/wianews/
wia.org.au/members/broadcast/wianews/ (This is the link
to the original text version and original audio on wia site)
=====================================================================
WIANews - we've reported...YOU decide.
TWITTER twitter.com/VK1WIA
Societies and Club News Letter Editors can EXCHANGE a feed prior to
the actual broadcast date, e-mail nationalnews@wia.org.au
Call-backs follow the RF editions, but also for text readers you may
lodge a quick reply to let us know you read it, who knows, you might
even get a "cheerio call".
Thanks to our dedicated band of broadcast volunteers who utilize
their time and equipment in bringing you this weekly broadcast.
Who and where are they?
wia.org.au/members/broadcast/where/
The purpose of "WIANews" is to rapidly provide news of interest to
WIA affiliated clubs and active amateurs residing in Australia and
the globe.
We strongly encourage membership in the Wireless Institute of
Australia and participation in the activities of local clubs.
Opinions expressed in "WIANews" are those of the writers who submit
material and do not necessarily reflect those of the rebroadcasters,
nor the National WIA, but IF broadcast, are done so in the spirit in
which they were submitted."
Material may be reproduced in whole or in part, in any form,
a credit to WIANews wouldn't go astray...
If you would like to see the call-backs reported each broadcast,
OR have call-backs to contribute to the National News call back
tally then please send through your call-backs to
callbacks@wia.org.au
How do I join this National News List?
(subscribe for an automatic weekly feed.)
Email to vk1wia-news-join@lists.wia.org.au
from the email account that you wish the emails to go to.
How do I leave this National News List? (unsubscribe your weekly feed)
Open mail program which sends mail from the address you want to
unsubscribe from. Send unsubscribe to the list
unsubscribe address vk1wia-news-leave@lists.wia.org.au
You will be sent a confirmation mail and must follow the instructions
given in that mail to complete the unsubscription.
Once your unsubscription has been processed, you will probably
receive another message confirming your unsubscription from the list,
and at that point you should stop receiving messages.
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