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VK7AX > NEWS 29.06.08 04:25l 566 Lines 18690 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: Regional News Broadcast for 29 June 2008
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From: VK7AX@VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC
To : NEWS@WW
VK7 REGIONAL NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 29TH JUNE 2008
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THANK YOU TREVOR VK7TS
Trevor Spargo VK7TS has been a very active DX operator for a long
while. In fact, between Trevor and Martin VK7GN our QSL manager John
VK7RT, is kept busy with many QSL cards going back and forth.
Well, due to Trevor's health he and XYL is moving into a unit at
Lindisfarne and will be unable to continue with the 40m rebroadcast,
which he has done for many years.
Trevor let me know that he is allowed to put up a vertical whip at
the new place so you will most likely hear Trevor again on VHF.
Many thanks to Trevor for his help over the years with getting this
broadcast out on 40m.
(Justin, VK7TW, VK7 News and Broadcast Coordinator)
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2009 CALLBOOKS UPDATE REMINDER
Just in case you didn't hear the WIA National News – tomorrow is the
deadline for getting callbook updates to editor Brenda Edmonds VK3KT.
Brenda can be contacted by email at vk3kt(AT)wia.org.au.
Club details are taken from the WIA clubs information that appears on
the WIA website and therefore, if this information not correct by
tomorrow then it will appear in the callbook incorrectly.
http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk7/
Brenda is also calling for any suitable cover images. All it needs to
be is a high resolution picture of at least 6 megapixels.
Remember - cutoff date is tomorrow 30 June 2008.
http://www.wia.org.au/newsevents/news/2008/20080623-1/index.php
(Brenda Edmonds VK3KT via the WIA website)
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VK7 EVENTS CALENDAR
And a quick reminder of the events and broadcasts across VK7:
REAST – June 30th – Second Foundation Licence Training Night – Domain
clubrooms from around 7pm.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#FoundationLicenceCourse
REAST – July 2 – Telecommunications Installation in Kiribati – Domain
Clubrooms 8pm
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#telecominpacific
NTARC – July 9 – BBQ Mt Barrow Interpretation Centre.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ntarc/
NWTARIG – July 26 – General Meeting - Lions Club facility, Show
Ground, West Ulverstone.
http://www2.vk7ax.id.au/nwtarig/
Sewing Circle Net – Every day from 5pm on 3.59MHz
http://reast.asn.au/awards.php#sewingnet
CHARCT Quiz Net – Every Thursday night from 8:30pm on 3.585MHz.
http://www.qsl.net/charct/
NWTARIG broadcasts in the South, North and NW during the week. Check
the website for details.
http://www2.vk7ax.id.au/spectrum/
REAST – Every Wednesday evening from 7:30pm is the ATV Experimenter's
Night so, why not come up and see what we get up to. Check the
website for details.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#ATVnights
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AIRWAVE PROMULGATION OFFICER REQUIRED
1). Are you listening to this morning's broadcast on a 2m repeater
around VK7?
2). Do you have a HF transmitter sitting there idle whilst you are
listening to the broadcast?
Well have we got a great job for you!
As heard earlier, we need rebroadcasters on 40m who can be anywhere
in VK7 and HF CB operators in Hobart.
Once a month, all you do, is patch your 2m to your HF transceiver or
HF CB rig and we can even supply a patch box if necessary.
On HF CB you rebroadcast the WIA National and VK7 Regional News
broadcasts and on 40m you rebroadcast only the VK7 Regional News.
Then take some callbacks to see who was listening and report these
back to the newsreader.
It is that simple and we can help you through each step of the
process and even do a trial rebroadcast to see if it is for you.
If you are interested then please contact me on email:
justingc(AT)ozemail.com.au or on 6223 1351.
Hope to hear from you.
(Justin, VK7TW, VK7 News and Broadcast Coordinator)
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NORTH WEST NEWS
http://www2.vk7ax.id.au/nwtarig/
Next general meeting of NWTARIG
A quick reminder for those interested, the Next General Meeting of
NWTARIG is scheduled for Saturday 26th. July at the usual Venue of
the Lions Club facility, Show Ground, West Ulverstone.
http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk7/
---------------------------------
Light House Weekend
Planning is well under way for participation in the forthcoming Light
House Weekend.
N/West amateurs Winston VK7EM, Wayne VK7FWAY and Eric VK7FEJE are
planning to operate during the Lighthouse Weekend from the Bluff
Lighthouse Devonport and Table Cape Light Wynyard.
Paper work with the appropriate authorities is being attended to and
all looks promising at this time for activity to go ahead as planned.
Any one interested in taking part or assisting with this activity,
should contact either Winston, Wayne or Eric.
73's until next time.
(Tony VK7AX, President, NWTARIG)
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NORTHERN NEWS
Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club News
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ntarc/
The next monthly meeting for NTARC is a social gathering, to be held
at the Mount Barrow interpretation centre on Wednesday 9th of July.
The location has some BBQs, so bring along some warm clothes and
hearty foods to cook, and enjoy a great evening.
By now you've probably heard about the stylish coffee mugs being
offered by NTARC that come personalised with an amateur radio theme.
The mugs feature several befitting radio scenes as a background, and
is a great way to show the pride you have in your hobby. They're
available in two colour schemes, and have your callsign and name
printed on them. If you're interested, come take a look at a sample
coffee mug made up for David VK7YUM at the Hunga Munga café. If you
like the look of them, and we're sure you will, leave your name and
$20 with David at Hunga Munga.
The recent windy weather has bought down trees, power lines and many
amateur antennae across the state. While that's more of an
inconvenience for us, spare a thought for those who when faced with
the forces of Mother Nature, it can honestly mean a life or death
situation.
Those who find themselves in such weather conditions while at sea
rely on people like Bryn, VK7FBAW, to provide them with weather
warnings and an ever-reliable voice on the other end of a radio to
call should they find themselves in trouble. Bryn volunteers his
services as the base radio operator for the Tamar Sea Rescue
Association.
He even finds time to broadcast severe weather warnings to amateurs
on VK7RAA, and NTARC would like to say a big `thank you' to Bryn for
his time and dedication in doing this.
Thanks from
(Jason VK7ZJA, NTARC Secretary)
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SOUTHERN NEWS
Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania
A Reminder
To Un-Financial REAST members.
REAST is now providing financial support for most of the Southern
Repeaters and your membership will help in keeping this support on
going.
So just think next time you use a repeater that they do cost money to
maintain for your use.
Please consider your membership and your support for the club is most
appreciated.
Many Thanks
(Gavin, VK7HGO, Vice President)
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The Pacific Solution - Telecommunications - Pacific Islander Style
This week is REAST's July presentation and it will be presented by
Phil Tompson VK7SS and Malcolm Crosse from Novaris and Powercom.
Phil and Malcolm have agreed to give a talk on the installation of
telecommunications, radio and TV on the islands of Kiribati.
There are many interesting stories of the challenges encountered when
providing these modern services to a small Pacific country.
This should be another fascinating illustrated talk, this Wednesday,
July 2, 2008 at 8pm in the Queen's Domain clubrooms.
See you there.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#telecominpacific
(REAST Committee)
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Southern JOTA 2008 Help
Due to a clash of events this year the WICEN South team will be
involved with an Endurance Ride for most of the week end.
I am after people to help out with this years JOTA which is a very
special event this year marking 100 Years of Scouting in Australia.
If you would like to be part of this special event please let me know
ASAP so we can get it all set up, yes it is 4 months away but you
know how time gets away with us.
Contact me on phone 62724437 or mobile 0407 724 431 or on repeater
2/5 or VK7RAF.
(Gavin, VK7HGO, REAST Vice President & JOTA Co-ordinator)
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REAST Education & Training
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#TrainingCourses
Last Monday night saw six potential Foundation licensees attend the
first of a number of Foundation licence training sessions. The second
will be this Monday night the 30th starting at 7pm in the clubrooms.
If you are wanting to sit the Foundation Licence assessment then grab
a Foundation Licence Manual from McCann's Model World (and we have
restocked at McCanns) and start reading.
The Sessions will be running through the manual using the training
powerpoint slides and covering the areas that need clarification and
additional training. It will be assumed that you have read the manual.
At the end of the night of 30th Ian and Justin will assess whether
another night is needed. An assessment date will then be set.
See you there.
And remember, Foundation Licence Manuals and CD's are available for
purchase at McCann's Model World in Elizabeth St. Hobart at $20.
(Only the first edition is available at this stage).
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#FoundationLicenceCourse
(Ian VK7QF, REAST Assessor)
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ATV Experimenters Night
Last Wednesday night saw a great turn up of some of our Foundation
Licencee trainees and some Foundation licensees looking to upgrade to
Standard and we got through about half the syllabi for each licence
with questions and answers on the whiteboard. Thanks to Rex 7MO who
helped out during the night with some theory.
We will be running these training nights again from July 9th over the
next few ATV nights as the ATV transmitter is undergoing some much
needed TLC.
So, want to learn something, maybe you are looking to upgrade, or
just want a refresher on some of the theory, regulations or practical
then come along and join in.
See you there.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#ATVnights
(Justin, VK7TW)
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SATELLITE NEWS
Squish – Camouflaged Satellite Dish
Maybe satellite dishes used to be some kind of status symbol – the
BUG Big Ugly Dish…HIHI , but now that the novelty has worn off they
just look like big and ugly hunks of metal on your roof.
The Sqish , a rectangular wall-mounted dish, has circumvented this
problem in an unusual way – when you order your dish, you send in a
picture of your wall, and they send you a "squishoflage" sticker to
cover the offending protuberance.
The UV-stable, matt finish squishoflage sticker costs about an extra
$55, over the $330 unit price and they are currently available in the
UK.
OK so it's not exactly invisible, but the Squish is certainly useful
for homes in conservation areas and listed buildings, where tight
regulations restrict the choice of sat receivers.
Its plastic make-up also makes it good for coastal areas, where metal
dishes are corroded by the sea breeze. It may well appeal to those
who want access to decent television without the "dish stigma"
associated with the less discreet options.
http://www.gizmag.com/sqish-the-camouflaged-satellite-dish/9537/
(Sourced from the GizMag Website)
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SPACE NEWS
Apollo Relic Tells Story
The following is a summary of a story from Trudy E. Bell from the
Science(AT)NASA website and appeared on June 20.
Imagine landing on the Moon, climbing down the ladder of your
spacecraft, and looking around the harsh lunar landscape—to see
another, older spacecraft standing only 200 yards away.
That's exactly what happened in November 1969, when astronauts Pete
Conrad and Alan Bean stepped out of the Apollo 12 lunar module.
There, within walking distance on the edge of a small crater, stood
Surveyor 3, an unmanned U.S. spacecraft that had landed in April 1967.
Apollo 12's landing site had been chosen deliberately near Surveyor
3. The little lander had spent two and a half years exposed to the
worst the Moon had to offer: harsh vacuum, intense cosmic radiation,
meteoritic bombardment, extreme temperature swings. Back on Earth,
NASA engineers wanted to know how metals, glass and other spacecraft
building materials held up to that kind of punishment. Inspecting
Surveyor 3 first hand seemed a good way to find out.
On their second four-hour EVA, Bean and Conrad walked over to
Surveyor 3, took dozens of photographs and measurements, and began
snipping off parts of metal tubing and electrical cables. They
retrieved a camera. The very last thing they removed was a small
scoop at the end of Surveyor's extendable arm, which had dug into the
dry moon dust and gravel to make mechanical measurements of lunar
soil.
NASA is returning to the Moon with plans to establish an outpost--and
this will inevitably require some digging. The rocky, dusty lunar
soil or "regolith" contains many of the natural resources humans need
to live. For instance, there is plentiful oxygen bound up in ordinary
moon rocks and, in polar regions, deposits of frozen water may lie
hidden in the soil of shadowed craters. All that's required is a
little excavation.
The team at NASA constructed a replica of the scoop and now they are
using it to dig into simulated lunar regolith.
With this test bed in place, the team can, e.g., move forward to test
alternate scoop designs and refine theories of lunar soil mechanics.
The secrets of digging on the Moon are being revealed.
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/20jun_apollorelic.htm
(Trudy E. Bell from the Science(AT)NASA website)
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TECHNOLOGY NEWS
Very Light Hybrid Transport
It's safe to say that there is a transport revolution underway.
Driven by the need for cleaner, more efficient and more versatile
vehicles, it's delivering an unprecedented number of radical and
innovative designs for the road, sea, and for the air.
The latest airborne example to come to our attention is this Hybrid
Transport Aircraft design from Falx. In addition to being used as a
standard light cargo platform, mid-air light re-fueling or
surveillance aircraft, the Very Light Hybrid Transport (VLHT) can be
adapted to carry six passengers, or four stretchers and two medical
staff.
The design combines automotive hybrid electric technology with a fast
charge battery system and solar cells to deliver exceptional fuel
economy.
The rear-loading VLHT is made from aerospace certified composite
materials, measures 10.5m x 3.5m with a wingspan of 10.3 meters,
weighs 800kg and can carry 650kg.
The basic performance specs released to date put its range at around
2300 km with a top speed of just under 480kmh and a cruise speed of
405kmh.
The two small high torque internal combustion engines drive permanent
magnet generators to generate electricity when in operation and the
embedded photovoltaics enable slow charging of the batteries while
the aircraft is on the ground, meaning the avionics packages can be
run without using a fuel burning auxiliary power unit.
There's no definite time-frame yet from UK based Falx on when the
design overview.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeronautics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falx
http://www.gizmag.com/falx-air-hybrid-aircraft/9535/
(Sourced from the GizMag website)
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WEB & EMAIL EDITION EXTRA BITS!!
Video: Radio remote controlled B-29 model aircraft with a surprise
package attached:
http://users.skynet.be/fa926657/files/B29.wmv (15.2Mb)
Fun color test, quick and easy:
http://www.humorsphere.com/fun/color.php
Some members of US Congress want to ban incandescent light bulbs --
apparently the members have nothing better to do with their time.
Learn more in this 5-minute video:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=e-LOtKIIKcg
(Above sourced from CG Communicator)
5 Minute Touch Pad
http://www.hacknmod.com/displayMOD.php?hack=1340
USB in a nutshell
http://www.beyondlogic.org/usbnutshell/
Digital Radio Receiver Module
http://www.elektor.com/news/receiver-brings-digital-radio-to-emerging-
markets.557057.lynkx
Phoenix finds Ice on Mars
http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2008/06/23/2282549.htm
Southern Sky Watch
http://home.mira.net/~reynella/skywatch/ssky.htm
Do you have some interesting amateur related sites you have some
across in the last week – send them in to justingc(AT)ozemail.com.au
VK7 Virtual BPL Tours Update
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdcY0Eetvsw - Mt Nelson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gsxpya3CnQ - North Hobart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7DfdxjRkpU - RU ready for BPL?
----------------------------------------------------------
If you are interested in becoming an amateur radio operator or
upgrading your licence then we suggest you contact your local club
for details and/or take a look at what the Radio and Electronics
School has to offer. They have a range of courses that can be
delivered through a variety of methods.
They can be found at: www.radioelectronicschool.com
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Finally today, a reminder to those people rostered for next week's
broadcasts:
Newsreader: VK7FB
160m: VK7DM
80m: VK7EM
40m: VK7RO
20m: VK7AR
10m: VK7ZGK
UHF CB: VK7FTAZ
HF CB: VK7TED
Thanks to all people and organisations who assisted with this
broadcast.
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THAT CONCLUDES OUR VK7 REGIONAL NEWS BROADCAST FOR THIS WEEK.
YOU HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO OR JUST MISSED VK7WI. NEXT WEEK THE
NATIONAL WIA NEWS CAN BE HEARD AT 0900 FOLLOWED BY THE VK7 REGIONAL
NEWS AT 0930 HOURS.
DETAILS TO SEND NEWS FOR THIS BROADCAST CAN BE FOUND AT REAST.ASN.AU
AND THE DEADLINE FOR ITEMS IS 21:00 ON FRIDAY PRIOR TO THE SUNDAY OF
THE BROADCAST.
VK7 Regional Broadcast & News Coordinator
Justin Giles-Clark, VK7TW
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**************************************************
- NEWS POSTING TO PACKET -
Courtesy Tony VK7AX VK7AX(AT)VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC
**************************************************
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