2025 JANURY 5 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 JANURY 5 2025
IN OUR 30th YEAR OF NON STOP NEWS
THIS WEEK:-
A SHORT NEWS AS NO WIA DIRECT5ORS INPUT, HOW EVER VEVER MISSING A
BEAT VK2MV, VK2LAW, VK3GTV AND VK4FUQ WITH NEWS OF INTEREST TO VK HAMS.
I'M EDITOR GRAHAM VK4BB
AUSTRALIAN HAMS ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL
If you go by the WIA Calendar, which we are all encouraged to fill in,
then 2025 is a mighty lean year.
ONE HAM ACTIVITY is noted for the ENTIRE year.
That being the BARG HAMFEST 10AM FEBRUARY TWO.
So come on, let's get this years calendar filled in PRONTO. We already are
a quarter way through this century!
wia.org.au/newsevents/events/index.php?month=1&year=2025
NOW BEFORE INTERNATIONAL NEWS AND JASON, A LOOK AT BOTH THE VKDMR NET AND
FOR THOSE IN VK3 WANTING TO GET THEIR LICENCE, THE EDUCATION SCENE.
EDUCATION.
North East Radio Group (NERG) Training Courses
NERG have 3 accredited assessors and conduct regular in person training
at their Briar Hill club rooms. In person training provides students a
more interactive environment to learn, ask questions and meet
likeminded people. Over the last year NERG has successfully trained
and guided 18 Foundation and 5 Advanced students to get their
certificates and gained 20 new members for the club.
NERG will continue in person training in 2025
Foundation Training and Exams: One day training and exam session
the 4th Saturday of the month starting February
Standard and Advanced Exams: From 2:00pm ALSO 4th Saturday of
the month.
Advanced Training sessions Tuesday nights from 7:30 over 12 to 14
week period commencing Tuesday 11th February.
Everyone interested in attending one of these sessions should contact
NERG via email at training@nerg.asn.au or visit the NERG
website
nerg.asn.au
(sourced to VK3BOY)
A happy New Year.
This is Peter, VK5DMR advising you that the VKDMR Net will start again
this Tuesday night at 0900 GMT on Talk Group 505, with the topic being
clubs.
As you know, Radio Clubs are the heart of our hobby. Not only are they a
great place of interaction, but a place of teaching and learning. So, tell
us about your Club; What is so special do you offer free coffee to
visiting Amateurs, does your club have sub groups involve in other facets
of Amateur Radio like Microwaving or Fox Hunting and lastly, what made you
join that particular club.
Once again, join us on Tuesday night on TG 505 at 0900 GMT.
For WIA National News, this has been Peter, VK5DMR.
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS is with thanks to ARRL, DX-WORLD, eHam, Hackaday,
IARU, ICQPodcast, IRTS, NEWSLINE, NZART, RAC, Radioworld.com, RSGB,
SARL and the World Wide sources of the WIA.
IARU REGION 1 TURNS 75
The IARU Region 1 Interim Meeting and 75-year celebration will be held
in Paris, France on 24 and 25 April.
The IARU 100-year celebration will be on 26 April but with a separate
invitation by the IARU International Secretariat.
The Region 1 interim meeting is both an intermediate and a preparatory
meeting before the General Conference in Vienna, Austria in 2026 and
allows Member Societies to work on proposals and challenges facing
Region 1. At the interim meeting, committees may make proposals and
recommendations, which can be approved by the Executive Committee
in between General Conferences. Depending on the subject, these proposals
or recommendations may have to be ratified subsequently by the General
Conference.
Researchers at the University of Glasgow have developed a ground breaking
ultrathin 2D metamaterial surface capable of manipulating and converting
radio waves across various K bands (12 GHz to 40 GHz), commonly used in
satellite communications.
This innovation enables the transformation of linearly polarised
electromagnetic waves into circularly polarised waves, which significantly
improves the efficiency and reliability of satellite communication
systems.
The metamaterial, detailed in Communications Engineering, could enhance
6G satellite data capacity, remote sensing capabilities, and signal
quality while reducing vulnerability to atmospheric disturbances like
rain fading and ionospheric interference.
South African Radio League Centenary.
This year 2025 will be a landmark year to celebrate their milestone.
The uniquely designed SARL Centenary Marathon QSO Party, running from
January 1 to 31 December, will bring radio amateurs from across the
globe together to celebrate their centenary.
A special event call sign ZS100SARL, alongside club and member
participation, will ensure that the SARLs rich history resonates
worldwide. Additionally, a series of events and activities will
commemorate this milestone, paying tribute to the individuals and
clubs who have shaped the SARL since 1925 into what it is today.
CHARGED!
Researchers have been testing a new type of lithium ion battery that uses
single-crystal electrodes. Over several years, theyve found that the
technology could keep 80% of its capacity after 20,000 charge and
discharge cycles.
For reference, a conventional cell reaches 80% after about 2,400 cycles.
The researchers say that the number of cycles would be equivalent to
driving about 8 million kilometres in an electric vehicle. This is within
striking distance of having the battery last longer than the other parts
of the vehicle. The researchers employed synchrotron x-ray diffraction to
study the wear on the electrodes.
One interesting result is that after use, the single-crystal electrode
showed very little degradation. According to reports, the batteries are
already in production and they expect to see them used more often in the
near future. The technology shows promise, too, for other demanding
battery applications like grid storage.
SINGAPORE CELEBRATES
Celebrating the 60th anniversary since Singapore became an
independent republic back on the 9th of August 1965, Singapore Amateur
Radio Transmitting Society's members are allowed to replace their normal
prefix (9V1) with the special prefix S60 from now, January through until
August 9.
Felix VK4FUQ will have more news on special event stations in just a
'tick.'
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OPERATIONAL NEWS - A FELIX VK4FUQ PRESENTATION
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NOW CONTEST WISE:- 2025
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VHF UHF Field Day
Upcoming Contest Date & Time
Summer 2025 - 0100 UTC Saturday 18 January through 0059 UTC Sunday 19
January (0400 / 0359 in VK6).
wia.org.au/members/contests/vhfuhf/
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CQ 160 METER CONTEST
CW January 24 - 2200Z January 26.
SSB February 21 - 2200Z February 23.
(cq)
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AUSTRALIA DAY CONTEST JANUARY 26.
Amateurs 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 around the world.
Scoring is distance based and calculated using 4-character grid
squares.
Contest Manager Alan Shannon VK4SN
It is held on the Australia Day Public Holiday that being 26 of
January.
wia.org.au/members/contests/australiaday/
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CQ 160 METER CONTEST
SSB February 21 - 2200Z February 23.
(cq)
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HARRY ANGEL MEMORIAL 80 Meter Sprint, Saturday May 3. (vk4uh)
wia.org.au/members/contests/harryangel/
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VK Shires Contest 7th - 8th June 2025
wia.org.au/members/contests/wavks/
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NZ Straight Key Night
New Zealand Straight Key Night (Summer Edition) will be held
Sunday 8 Jun e from 9pm to 10pm NZDT (0800 to 0900 UTC) on 80 metres.
Polish and lubricate that old morse key and enjoy an evening of
old-time radio fun.
Straight Key Night is an informal event which honours the roots of
amateur radio: Morse Code sent with a straight key (no bugs,
sideswipers, keyers or keyboards).
When.
Winter SKN is the second Sunday in June, 8-9pm NZ time.
Summer SKN is always the first Sunday in December, 9-10pm NZ time.
SKN honours the original amateur radio mode in an easy-going style.
Operators send signal report, name, location, type of key, type of
transmitter and power output. Stations are limited to 100W output
power.
SKN is not a contest - but the operator who gets the most votes for the
quality of their sending will win the Bruce Scahill Best Fist Award.
This certificate honours Bruce ZL1BWG (SK), who was a dedicated
supporter of SKN. Please email your nomination to ZL1NZ within one week
following the event.
(Neil ZL1NZ, SKN Manager)
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DX WINDOW TO THE WORLD.
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JANUARY 2025
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Our I.A.R.U. celebrates its centenary this year (2025).
Since its founding in Paris, France, IARU has worked tirelessly to
promote innovation in amateur radio and to encourage the growth of
the service in communities throughout the world.
VI 100 IARU is a special event callsign transmitting from VK3 to help
celebrate the IARU Centennial.
qsl via MO 0 OXO
(qrz.com)
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During 2025 the SARL will be on the air with special event callsign
ZS 100 SARL, as well as the permanent callsigns ZS6SRL and ZS9HQ and
possibly other special event callsigns.
(sarl)
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Callsign C 5 RK from the Gambia is on air 4 and 5 of January
before moving onto Senegal.
Senegal on the 11th and 12th will be using callsign 6 W 1 RD.
SSB and FT8/FT4 on 80-10 metres and all QSLs are via EA7FTR.
(newsline 2461)
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8 R 1 TM from Georgetown, Guyana, now until the 8th of February.
CW, SSB and digital modes on all bands.
(newsline 2461)
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Listen for Earl operating from Trinidad as 9Y4/WA3DX now until the
14th of January using FT8 and FT4 on 40-10 metres.
(newsline 2461)
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QNEWS WORK BENCH
Measure twice cut once.
blubrry.com/arrlontheair/
Conventional wisdom has it that the solid state era in electronics
began in 1948 with the invention of the transistor, or if you wish to
split hairs, with the 1930s invention by the Russian, Oleg Losev,
of an early form of tunnel diode.
But theres an earlier amplifier technology that used a solid state
circuit which is largely forgotten, and AWA Communication Technologies
Museum has featured it in a new video. Were talking of course about
the carbon microphone amplifier, a piece of telephone technology which
made its way into consumer electronics.
The carbon microphone is a container of loosely packed carbon granules
acted upon by a diaphragm. Vibrations from sound compress and
decompress the granules, changing the electrical resistance of the
carbon. It was the standard microphone used in telephone handsets for
most of the twentieth century. Being a resistor it can be placed in a
potential divider circuit that produces some significant voltage
swings, so when the vibrations come from a high-impedance earpiece it
can make an amplifier.
Its not a very good amplifier, it has lousy bandwidth, distortion and
noise characteristics, but it was just about good enough to be paired
with a 1920s crystal set.
In the video shown in the link in this weeks text edition of
WIA NATIONAL NEWS,
youtube.com/watch?v=_wrqAHjzwGE
You will see a variety of the devices, and even hear them in action
sounding very tinny indeed. At the time it must have seemed miraculous
to be at the forefront of the new technology though.
(Hackaday)
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WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - FINAL FRONTIER
AMSAT-VK Secretary - secretary@amsat-vk.org
CONGRATULATIONS VK5DG
David from Mt Gambier has made the GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers
January 2025 Rankings.
The January 2025 rankings for the Top 100 Rovers (Mixed LEO/MEO/GEO) in
satellite operations, as determined by @GridMasterMap on Twitter, has been
released. The ranking is determined by the number of grids and DXCC
entities activated, taking into account only those grids where a minimum
number of QSOs logged on the gridmaster.fr website have been validated by
a third party.
During 23 and 24 much of VK5DG'sy time was spent on Greencube IO-117.
That is before it went silent in August 2024, David made 2500+ contacts
while activating 84 parks, 13 SOTA and 57 grids in VK1, 2, 3, 5, and 7.
Grid numbers do not directly reflect the exact number of activations.
Satellite operators are encouraged to upload their LoTW satellite contacts
to bit.ly/3COBg9Y
in order to provide more accurate data.
These figures were updated Boxing Day, 2024.
(amsat/qrz)
NASAs Deep Space Network Upgraded
Installation of the latest antenna took place on Dec. 18, when teams at
NASAs Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in California,
installed the metal reflector framework for Deep Space Station 23,
a multifrequency beam-waveguide antenna.
When operational in 2026, Deep Space Station 23 will receive transmissions
from missions such as Perseverance, Psyche, Europa Clipper, Voyager 1, and
a growing fleet of future human and robotic spacecraft in deep space.
With the Deep Space Network, we are able to explore the Martian landscape
with our rovers, see the James Webb Space Telescopes stunning cosmic
observations, and so much more, said Laurie Leshin, director of JPL.
The network enables over 40 deep space missions, including the farthest
human-made objects in the universe, Voyager 1 and 2.
With upgrades like these, the network will continue to support humanitys
exploration of our solar system and beyond, enabling ground breaking
science and discovery far into the future.
tinyurl.com/ANS-364-Deep-Space.
(na)
IT'S IN THE BOOK.
Or is it?
Satellite enthusiasts have only until the 10th of January to submit their
logs for contacts made during the global competition that celebrated the
22nd anniversary of the launching of SO-50, also known as Saudisat 1C.
This low-earth orbit satellite was the centrepiece of an event organized
by the Saudi Amateur Radio Society between the 13th and 22nd of December.
Hams were challenged to make as many contacts as possible in different
Maidenhead grid squares. To submit your log, or get technical help see
the email addresses in the text version of this week's WIA National News
Best read at wia.org.au
SUBMIT LOGS TO: log@sars.sa
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ASTRONOMY (and Wireless Weather)
Android Smart Phones Help Map the Ionosphere
Hi Im Richard VK2SKY
Some very clever people at Google Research have worked out and
demonstrated a way to study the ionosphere using millions of Android
smart phones.
Normally, Global Navigation Satellite System ground stations provide maps
of ionospheric Total Electron Content, but their observations are limited
to where such ground stations exist.
Google Research has shown that by using Android phones as a distributed
sensor network, and analysing the GNSS signals picked up by the phones,
they can fill in large gaps in the ionospheric data, effectively doubling
the global observational coverage. This can be especially useful in areas
like India, Africa and South America, where GNSS ground stations are
lacking. The system proved its worth by mapping ionospheric plasma bubbles
over these areas during the large geomagnetic storms we experienced
in May last year, 2024.
You can read more in the summary published by TechRadar and the original
paper in Nature, which are both linked in the text edition of this news.
Im Richard VK2SKY. This is WIA National News.
tinyurl.com/mv49bssc
nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08072-x
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - IOTA
iota-world.org/
SA-099 Curacao.
W 2 APF announces that he will be operating from Curacao as PJ2/W2APF
starting January 12 until April 8 on 80-10m; CW, SSB & FT8.
QSL via Home call, W2APF, LoTW.
(dx-world)
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Back a little closer to home is OC-065 - Temotu Province.
Active is H 40 DA from Pigeon Island, Reef Islands IOTA Group (OC-065) in
the early part of this year dates are to be firmed up. Operators
previous work as H40DA was in 2017 from Nendo Island (OC-100).
Darren, the op., will use RF bands 10m, 12m, 15m, 20m, 40m, 80m all on
SSB.
(dx-world)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO AMATEUR YOUNG TIMERS - YOTA
(Youngsters On The Air)
WIA committee:- Steve VK6SJ, Alec VK2MV and Pete VK2LP.
ham-yota.com/category/yota-region-3/
facebook.com/groups/YOTAOC/
youtube.com/channel/UClAapljf0VQ751sOgu2IzaA
As I am writing this on New Years Day, I am reflecting on last year and looking towards next year.
We had a few new YOTAs get their callsign, one as young as eight years old.
My brother, VK2COD, helped get the members barbecue for ARNSW going again, which proceeds go to supporting youth in amateur radio.
Emmanuel VK2EMM joined the VK2WI news team at Dural.
Steve Kennedy VK6SJ, and Andrew Johnston VK6SWR with the WIA YOTA committee are working on a remote station for YOTAs to get on air.
There was a great time had by all at this years Jota-Joti held in October.
The question has been raised a couple times on how YOTAs get together in VK. Maybe we start our own YOTA net?
What did the individual clubs do in December for YOTAs?
Please send in your YOTA news to myself and the news team so we can spread the word about VK YOTA activity to the amateur radio community.
We must remember our hobby should be a lifelong journey rather than just getting a callsign or participating in Jota-Joti once a year.
Before I close, I would like to let you know when you hear this news broadcast I will be on a bus with fellow scouts.
We will be on our way to the 26th Australian Jamboree in Maryborough Queensland,
VI2025AJ will be held on the land of the Butchulla and the Kabi Kabi people from 6 to 15 January.
Listen out for us on the air using the callsign VI2025AJ during that time.
Happy New Year!
For WIA National News, I am Alec VK2MV in Sydney. Now back to you Col.
VK2CGH Chris looks after call and will be sending E-QSL cards directly
from the Jamboree at the end of each day.
(yota/qrz.com)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- STAMP COLLECTING RADIO AMATEURS
THIS IS NOT A SCAM
Holmesburg Amateur Radio Clubs Service Project Recognized Around the
World.
Since 2014 the Holmesburg Amateur Radio Club in Philadelphia, has
participated in the Stamps for the Wounded program.
Stamps for the Wounded (SFTW) is a service organization dedicated to
providing comfort and stimulating activity to U.S. veterans through stamp
collecting. SFTW sends stamps, covers, supplies and literature to enable
veterans to begin, or continue to collect stamps. Stamp collecting is an
activity that provides comfort, meaningful activity and social
connections... it is not physically challenging and very stimulating.
SFTW has been helping veterans since 1942.
The Ham Club originally got involved with the SFTW program when they
received about 1000 QSL card requests following members participation
in the annual 13 Colonies Special Event held each July. HARCs Club call,
WM 3 PEN, is a bonus station during that event.
The question came up as to what, if anything, could be done with all of
the cancelled stamps on the envelopes. Upon learning of the program,
club members began inserting a brief note about the program with the QSL
card request. Soon envelopes, both large and small, started to arrive
from around the U.S. They even got packages from England and Germany.
Rich Shivers, K3UJ, who coordinates the shipping of the stamps to SFTW
says that the Club has shipped about 74 pounds of stamps so far. Thats a
lot of stamps when you consider stamps are shipped with about a inch
border.
Rob Jenson, president of Stamps for the Wounded recently thanked HARC for
coordinating outreach among your members, and other amateur radio
operators around the world.
(ard)
WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- VIDEO.
ATV SSTV and other forms such as YouTube.
Peter VK3BFG is your WIA ATV representative. pcossins@bigpond.com
tinyurl.com/WIA-News-Videos
THAT LINK IS A VIDEO VERSION OF THIS NEWS COMPILED BY VK5BD BEVAN
(AN ADLIB PLUG IF YOU WOULD FOR BEVAN VK5BD AND THE VIDEO VERSION OF WIA
NATIONAL NEWS.)
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IT'S A DATE:-
NEXT WEEK WITH ALL THE NEWS FROM WIA HQ, Chris Dimitrijevic VK3FY.
AND A REMINDER Clubs are encouraged to email text with audio for this
section to promote ( as early as possible) Club social activity.
Details of all WIA affiliated clubs and societies can be found
on the WIA website, including email addresses and website links.
2025
VK7 - REAST CAR BOOT SALE January 19 @ 11 am (vk7news)
VK3 - BARG HamFest the 2nd of February ate Ballarat Polo-Crosse Pavilion
next door to the BARG clubrooms at Ballarat Airport. (wia cal)
VK6 - PARGFEST PEEL AMATEUR RADIO GROUP held February 15 9AM at
Mandurah Bowling Club 89 Allnutt Street ( parg.org.au/ )
VK - WIA AGM May 3 - 4. Hosted by Bendigo Amateur Radio & Electronics
Club (vk3gtv)
VK - Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association 50th anniversary
Glen Waverly July 26 president@alara.org (vk2ayl)
VK4 - GOLD COAST AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY 2025 HAMFEST NOV 9 (vk4dmh)
Country Paradise Parklands 231 Beaudesert Nerang Road.
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
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callbacks@wia.org.au
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If you would like to submit news items for possible inclusion
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We would appreciate items certainly no longer than 1.5 mts in
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Remember the sooner you submit material the more the
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WIA National News.
Each recorded item will only be broadcast once, if you want a couple
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Promote your local rebroadcast; details on
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A reminder when supplying HamFest info we obviously can't
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WIA will put your supporters 'goods' in this text edition
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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
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nationalnews@wia.org.au
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Thanks to our dedicated band of broadcast volunteers who
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Who and where are they?
wia.org.au/members/broadcast/where/
Promote your local rebroadcast; details on
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The purpose of "WIANews" is to rapidly provide news of
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We strongly encourage membership in the Wireless Institute of
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Opinions expressed in "WIANews" are those of the writers who
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