2023 NOVEMBER 19 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 NOV 19 2023
IN OUR 28th YEAR OF NON STOP NEWS
THIS WEEK:-
ALARA PRESIDENT Michelle VK2AYL. -
WIA DIRECTOR Giles Kirby VK5GK. -
WIA AR MAGAZINE EDITOR IN CHIEF Roger Harrison VK2ZRH.
PLUS MUCH MUCH MORE IN THIS EDITION OF NEWS FROM THE
WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA.
I'M EDITOR GRAHAM VK4BB
ALARA
Michelle VK2AYL joins us, fresh back from ALARAMEET in Tasmania.
ALARAMeet 2023 Hobart Tasmania
The 2023 ALARAMeet was a great success with 52 ALARA members and
their partners travelling down to Hobart Tasmania from the 3rd to the
5th of November. This was the first opportunity for ALARA members to
meet face to face since our last get together prior to Covid.
The members enjoyed a series of presentations over the weekend on
topics including Chasing & Activating Parks, Contesting, Encouraging
younger generations to get involved with amateur radio and joining in
with nets. Members brought along displays of radio items of interest
to view over the weekend and everyone enjoyed a Sunday lunch and
Fox Hunt with the Radio and Electronics Association of Southern
Tasmania. Formal dinners included guest speakers Alison Alexander on
the history of the Tasmania Female Factory and Phil Tyson from the
Sound Preservation Society of Tasmania were also really popular.
There were also opportunities to explore the sites with visits to
Salamanca Markets, Peppermint Bay, Richmond, the Tasmanian Symphony
and the Cascades Female Factory during the week.
Thank you very much to Linda VK7QP and her team for organising the
event and to all the sponsors who helped make it possible. Of note
attendees Mark and Dee were very excited to take home the major
raffle prize of an ID-50A VHF/UHF Handheld Transceiver from ICOM.
ALARA members are now looking forward to our 50th birthday
celebrations in July 2025 in Victoria.
For more information about ALARA visit
alara.org.au
WIA
JOIN THE WIA
tinyurl.com/yyj87b9y
This is WIA Director Giles Kirby (VK5GK) and this is the directors
comment.
Three items today.
Item 1. QSL cards seem more popular than ever and were currently
seeking volunteers to help at the head office in Melbourne with
card sorting. If youre interested in volunteering your time
please drop us an email or contact us through the WIA website.
Im literally always saying it but volunteers are our lifeblood
and I have all the time in the world for anyone willing to offer
theirs.
Item 2 . The 2024 WIA AGM/Conference will be held on Star Wars Day
(May 4th). The organising committee are currently preparing the
program and are very keen to hear from members who would be able to
do a special interest seminar. This Conference will be held in
Bundaberg but Im sure we can make provisions for remote
presentations. Please get in touch and well discuss.
Item 3. Registrations for the WIA conference will open early in the
new year. I look forward to meeting more of the community. QLD has a
special place in my heart as my wife and I first moved there when we
came to Australia in 2013. My first callsign was in fact VK4FAEI,
quite the mouthful.
Best wishes everyone. This was the directors comment from Director
Giles Kirby (VK5GK). 73.
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS With thanks to IARU, RSGB, RAC,
ARRL, NZART, eHam, AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE, eHam,
Radioworld.com Hackaday and the World Wide sources of the WIA.
REGION ONE
IN GERMANY, AN EASIER WAY TO REPORT RFI
Amateurs in Germany now have a direct means of communication with the federal regulator BNetZa when they want to report electronic devices that have caused radio interference or are inaccurately labelled as being safe. An online form allows a report to be made with relevant details so that the agency can more easily take action and determine if these devices are non-compliant, dangerous - or both. Customs agents and postal authorities will also be notified of imported devices that are found to be faulty so those items can be placed on the list of banned products.
The form is designed to help expedite an official response, especially with regard to interference - be it on the amateur radio frequencies or on mobile phones or broadcast radio and TV.
For online applications, you will need to prove your German identity.
With the BundID, you have several options to do this. Then a YouTube
video explains the functions and benefits of BundID in more detail.
tinyurl.com/yprbw7by
BRUSSELS
On February 3 and 4, 2024, the FOSDEM conference will again be held
in Brussels.
FOSDEM (Free and Open Source Developers European Meeting) is the
largest conference for developers of open source software and
open source hardware in Europe. The conference has been held annually
since 2001.
The term open source includes open source software (also known by the
term FOSS), open source hardware (OSHW), as well as open data and
knowledge, think for example the widely known website Wikipedia.
FOSDEM, in recent times attracts about 6000 visitors each year.
What does this have to do with Amateur Radio?
We amateur-radio uses are using more and more open source
technology, .. and FOSDEM 2024 will , for the first time, have its
own corner dedicated to the amateur-radio hobby.
The Region 1 Programme for Disabled Radio Amateurs (PDRA)
Coordinator, Riri, OD5RI invites member society to participate in
and to promote the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
on Sunday 3 December. This day is a global opportunity to raise
awareness and promote inclusivity for individuals with disabilities.
REGION TWO.
WASHINGTON
Federal Communications Commission have now adopted new rules to
incentivize innovation and experimentation in the amateur radio bands
by removing outdated restrictions and providing licensees with the
flexibility to use modern digital emissions.
The Report and Order adopted November 13 eliminates the baud rate
limitation, instead, the Commission establishes a 2.8 kHz bandwidth
limitation in the applicable amateur radio bands. The changes will
enable the amateur radio community to operate more efficiently,
including in support of emergency situations when appropriate, and
foster experimentation, which is a core principle of the amateur
radio service.
The FCC also adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which
proposes and seeks comment on the removal of the baud rate limitation
in the VHF and UHF bands and in the 2200 meter and 630 meter bands.
HD Radio Passes 100 Million Car mark
Calling it a major milestone, Xperi says the number of cars
incorporating HD Radio has surpassed 100 million. Xperi Inc. is an
American multinational technology company that develops software
solutions for consumer electronics and connected cars.
The connected car is a key part of the companys business, and video
is playing a growing role within that context. Xperi noted that the
DTS AutoStage Video Service, Powered by TiVo, recently was
integrated into the BMW 5-Series. These vehicles are now in showrooms
across the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, France,
Spain and South Korea. BMW will expand the AutoStage Video rollout in
these regions to a broad range of additional models across various
vehicle segments.
Within the radio space, Xperi noted that, in the last quarter, it won
a new HD Radio and DTS AutoStage program with Ford Motor Co. for its
new radio platform unveiled at the North American Auto Show. It said
that program is now in production for certain North American
vehicles.
At the 'older end' of the car radio market, The National Association
of Broadcasters says the auto industry is overstating the cost of
keeping AM radio in electric vehicles.
The broadcast group believes the Alliance for Automotive Innovation,
which paid for the 21-page report from the Centre for Automotive
Research, misrepresents, distorts and spins the facts about
interference mitigation found in the report.
The auto industry puts the cost to carmakers at $3.8 billion over
seven years. NAB replies that the material cost of addressing AM band
interference in EVs is relatively low because mitigation measures are
often necessary and implemented to support other electronic systems
susceptible to EMI.
REGION 3
A very special (and close to home) special event has but 5 or 6 weeks
left to run..
Roger Harrison has the details
Again. That chance in a lifetime is still waiting.
Sign up to use VK90AR, the special event call sign celebrating
90 years of continuous publication of Amateur Radio magazine and
have that experience yourself.
Signing up to use VK90AR is a simple process. Just apply on the WIA
website Online Event Calendar, where you can book a roster to suit
yourself. If you already know where the Online Event Calendar is,
jump to it. Or, go to the website address in the text version of this
broadcast. Its also in a news item featured on the WIA website home
page.
wia.org.au/newsevents/news/2023/20230921-1/index.php
Dont delay. VK90AR expires on 31 December 2023.
Im Roger Harrison VK2ZRH for VK1WIA National News.
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HAM RADIO OPERATIONAL NEWS - IT'S A CONTACT SPORT
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NOW CONTEST WISE:-
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Caution: Software Updates before a Contest.
A wise word from our SARL friends - in todays world of
self-updating computers, be mindful of changes to your configuration
that may inadvertently happen when software is upgraded.
Microsoft Windows as an example can change port assignments,
sound devices and so forth after updates, which could make radio
control problematic. Updates to any software involved in your contest
operation should be treated with caution just before a contest
starts.
A prudent person might spend a half hour or so before the contest
verifying that everything is operating as it should be
(sarl hf happenings)
NOW OUR NEXT CONTEST...
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VHF-UHF Spring Field Day.
NEXT WEEKEND 25 - 26 November.
0100 UTC Saturday to 0059 UTC Sunday BUT to make it a
little fairer in VK6, they add 3 hours onto start and
end times.
(wia.org.au)
75th CQ World Wide DX Contest's CW leg is November
25-26 on the 160 to 10m contest bands, exchange is
signal report and your CQ Zone.
NOW CONTEST WISE:- 2024
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Ross Hull Memorial Contest.
Running on VHF and above for the month of January.
You nominate the best 7 day or 2 day period per category.
For more information visit the contest page at
wia.org.au/members/contests/rosshull/
(VK2TBC)
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JANUARY 2024 VHF-UHF Summer Field Day.
13 - 14 January.
0100 UTC Saturday to 0059 UTC Sunday BUT to make it a
little fairer in VK6, they add 3 hours onto start and
end times.
(wia.org.au)
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AUSTRALIA DAY CONTEST
This contest is to encourage Amateur Radio promotional Activity
around the world and is designed to encourage friendly participation
and help improve the operating skills of participants.
It is held on the Australia Day Public Holiday, 26th of January.
Amateurs here in in VK will endeavour to contact other amateurs
around the world. Some VK operators will be using the AX prefix to
celebrate Australia day, as its wanted by many amateurs.
Scoring is distance based and calculated using 4-character grid
squares.
(wia.org.au)
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DX WINDOW
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Tanzania.
Maurizio, IK2GZU, is on the air as 5 H 3 MB during his spare time
until December 8 from southern Tanzania where he works at a
hospital and orphanage. He is active mostly on 20 to 10 m.
QSL via home call IK2GZU, LoTW, eQSL.
(sarl)
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OMAN.
A 43 ND celebrates the 53rd Omani National Day during November. The day itself was yesterday the 18th.
QSL via EC 6DX, LoTW, eQSL, qrz.com.
(eHam)
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NORWAY
LA 100 K is the special callsign in use by Akademisk [ACA-DEM-EESK]
Radioklubb, LA1K to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its
foundation.
It is the oldest amateur radio club in Norway.
The special callsign will be in use until the 31st of December and
QSL route is VERY easy, via the bureau, or direct.
(eHam)
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LUXEMBOURG
LX 90 RTL is in use to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Radio
Luxembourgs first long-wave broadcast.
It will be used by various LX operators until the end of the year.
Listen for the callsign on the HF bands on SSB, CW, digital modes
and via satellite. All QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the
DARC bureau.
The logs will be uploaded to Club Log, Logbook of the World
and eQSL on a regular basis.
For more information see QRZ.com
(rsgb)
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MEDIA WATCH
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has found
Prime Television (Victoria) Pty Limited, a licensee of the Seven
Network, in breach of the local content rules
acma.gov.au/local-tv-content-regional-areas
Seven has not broadcast any local content in Mildura during the
16-month period since it has had a regulatory obligation to do so.
The requirement for Seven to provide local content in the Mildura
area was triggered when Seven acquired the Prime regional television
network in December 2021. The local content rules began to apply to
the Mildura service and to former Prime services acquired by Seven in
other regional markets from July 2022. This was the first time these
rules were triggered following a network acquisition. Seven met the
local content requirement for its television services in seven other
regional markets.
Under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, regional commercial TV
licensees must broadcast a minimum amount of local news or other
material of local significance. Seven is obliged to provide 100
minutes of local content or 50 minutes of local news per week as a
condition of its licence to broadcast TV in the Mildura area.
(ACMA)
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WORLD WIDE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP NEWS
SUMMITS ON THE AIR, WORLD WIDE FLORA, FAUNA PROGRAM,
PARKS ON THE AIR and other ADVENTURE GROUPS.
hema.org.uk/index.jsp
minesontheair.com/about-mota
parksontheair.com/
sota.org.uk
sotawatch.sota.org.uk/en/
facebook.com/SotaAustralia/
wwffaustralia.com/
https://bunkersontheair.wixsite.com/october23
Disruption of SOTA Services Possible from Volcanic Eruption
Andy (MM0FMF), a member of the SOTA Management Team, communicated
to Amateur Radio Daily the potential for disruption of SOTA services
such as the SOTA Cluster and SMS services should a volcanic eruption
occur in Grindavik, Iceland.
The data center containing SOTA services is located just outside the
town of Grindavik.
With thousands of small earthquakes occurring and large cracks
appearing on roads over the past few days, experts warn that a
volcanic eruption is possible.
Andy, MM0FMF said on the SOTA reflector " It seemed like such a good
idea at the time get a server in Iceland where theres lots of Green
Data Centre cooling (just open the windows and let the cold air in)
and lots of Green power.
The data centre housing the SMS and Cluster services is only 31km
from the town of Grindavik were there are signs of an imminent
volcanic eruption. Who knows if the data centre will be affected or
not. I do have an alternative site to move the services to if there
are problems. Just be aware there could be disruptions to the
service."
With Christmas on the horizon, the UK Bunkers-on-the-Air awards
scheme has introduced a special set of awards in the format of an
Advent Calendar.
Bunker activators will be on the air from UK bunkers in the official
ROC reference list from December 1st through the 24th, and chasers
can symbolically "open" a new bunker door each day by working that
station - right up through Christmas.
Bunkers on the Air is a rapidly growing amateur radio activity that
centres around old Royal Observer Corps monitoring posts or bunkers.
Unfortunately there still appears no "push" to allow ANY bunkers,
other than ROC, to operate which would of course open this up around
the world much like SILOS on the air and MUSEAMS.
(story sourced to ARNewsLine 2402)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ASTRONOMY
Feel the power of the sun in an incredible new time-lapse of solar
activity. Astrophotographer Miguel Claro of Lisbon, Portugal captured
the entire full disc of the sun on Oct. 12, showing the sun streaking
towards its maximum of activity in its 11-year solar cycle.
The new video, Miguel wrote on his website, is "showing a lot of
interesting features in motion, such as eruptive prominences,
filaments, active regions with minor flares, small spicules dancing
like hair in the wind, and a delicate waved line of plasma."
The video shows the sun rotating over three hours with the plasma
trapped in the sun's strong magnetic fields hundreds of kilometres
above the surface, Claro said, "until it (the plasma) has been
released into space in a blink of an eye."
space.com/sun-timelapse-solar-activity-dark-sky-view
(space.com)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- CW
www.morsecodeclassnet.com
STRAIGHT KEY CENTURY CLUB CONTEST
The Straight Key Century Club is holding a contest among its
members -- but for this competition, you don't need your key -
just a sense of style, as we hear from Randy Sly W4XJ.
If you're a member of the Straight Key Century Club, there are a
few ways you can get ready for the SKCC Anniversary and Straight Key
Month being held in January 2024. You can, of course, practice and
train at home to work on your sending and your copying - and perhaps
even plan on being one of the operators for the K3Y event. If your
talents extend to holding a pencil, a pen or even a paintbrush, you
might want to submit a design to be considered for the official
2024 QSL card.
The club is once again holding a contest to select a design and SKCC
members get the final say. They'll be voting on their top picks in
mid-December and will be able to view all the qualifying submissions
displayed on the SKCC website.
Although only the most popular design will end up on the QSL card,
many of the others will appear in the SKCC's print calendar.
The club is also inviting members to resubmit updated versions of
designs submitted earlier that weren't in the final pick.
There are certain design guidelines and specifications that need to
be followed, however. Please visit the SKCC website for detailed
instructions on how to display your design and incorporate the
required text elements.
Designs are due no later than the 14th of December.
(SKCC)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - FINAL FRONTIER
AMSAT-VK Secretary - secretary@amsat-vk.org
Jrme, F4DXV, set yet another distance record on October 15th
when he worked Scott, N1AIA, on SO-50, a distance of 5,645.3 km.
This eclipses the previous record of 5,548 km set in May.
Additionally, Puneit Singh, VU2TUM, claimed the initial distance
record on Tevel-2 with a 3,815 km QSO with BA 1 PK.
(AMSAT)
Back in June, the URESAT-1 satellite was launched. Developed by
AMSAT-EA, the satellite carries an SSTV camera, and FM and digital
repeater payloads providing services to amateur radio enthusiasts
around the world.
Signals have been received with the use of several large dish ground
stations, and efforts continue to deploy the spacecraft antennas and
improve the downlink strength.
At the request of AMSAT-EA, AMSAT has now designated URESAT-1 as
Spain-OSCAR 120 (SO-120).
(ANS)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - IOTA
AF-017
Rodrigues Island is on air with Kazu, active as 3B9/M0CFW
from Rodrigues (AF-017) today 19th to first of December.
He will participate in the CQ WW DX CW Contest as 3 B 9 KW.
QSLs via LoTW and Club Log's OQRS
(sarl hf happenings)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- VHF AND ABOVE.
The First Worked All US States Certificate Awarded for the
33-Centimeter Band
On November 4, 2023, Al Ward's, W5LUA, 38-year quest to contact all
50 states on the 33-centimeter band ended when he received the first
ever Worked All States certificate for (902 - 928 MHz).
Ward started collecting states on the band shortly after it was
opened in 1985.
(ARRL)
2023 Social Scene
Clubs are welcome to submit text with audio for this section
Details of all WIA affiliated clubs and societies can be found
on the WIA website, including email addresses and website links.
VK5 - south coast Amateur radio club, Thursday 23 November AGM
7 pm at Seaford Meadows Scout Hall Railway Parade.
VK4 - Ipswich Christmas BBQ, Kholo Gardens picnic area from 10am
November 25
VK7 - NTARC MASSIVE RADIO AUCTION Saturday 25th November
Northern Tasmania AR Clubrooms Rocherlea, Launceston.
Nic VK7WW
Do these names mean anything to you?
Pin your ears back and have a listen!
AWA, Geloso, Johnson, Marconi, Bendix , Hallicrafters,
Heathkit, GEC, Zenith, and Eddystone.
Didnt recognise many? Lets go more modern:
Codan, Realistic, Motorola, Kenwood, Drake, Icom, Phillips,
KLM, Uniden, Yaesu, Racal, TYT, Radioddity, and Barrett.
Well, all these manufacturers equipments are in The Tasmanian
Massive Radio Auction in two weeks time.
Email secretary@ntarc.net for the current list; and see
you there on Saturday 25 Nov.
73 from Nic, VK7WW (double scotch)
VK5 - Amateur Radio Experimenters Group Radio & Electronics Sale
November 26 (vk5qi)
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2024 IT'S A DATE
Clubs are welcome to email text with audio for this section
Details of all WIA affiliated clubs and societies can be found
on the WIA website, including email addresses and website links.
VK3 - BARG HamFest 4th of February next door to BARG clubrooms
at Ballarat Airport 10:00 am.
barg.org.au/ (vk3kqt)
VK - WIA AGM MAY 4 5 - BUNDABERG. (vk2tsg)
VK - National Volunteer Week Monday 20 Sunday 26 May 2024.
National Volunteer Week (NVW) is Australias largest annual
celebration of volunteers and their important contribution to
our communities.
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 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 send BOTH the audio and the text
We would appreciate items certainly no longer than 1.5 mts 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 recorded 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). If you are mentioning your own name / call
in the story, say something like "and myself, Pat, vk11abc"
Promote your local rebroadcast; details on
wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/
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 will not give blatant 'plugs' to raffles, be it raffles
at the event or "on-line".
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Oh... and to contact us with your news because
If It Matters To You It Matters To Us!
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)
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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
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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/
Promote your local rebroadcast; details on
wia.org.au/members/broadcast/contribute/
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."
If you would like to see the call-backs reported each
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