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VK7AX > NEWS 16.02.09 00:07l 672 Lines 23170 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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From: VK7AX@VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC
To : NEWS@WW
From: "VK7 Regional News Coordinator" <vk7tw(AT)wia.org.au>
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:10:43 -0000
To: vk7regionalnews(AT)yahoogroups.com
VK7 REGIONAL NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 15Th FebruarY 2009
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Silent Key
Jim Smith VK9NS – Norfolk Island
As heard on the National News - there are tributes flooding in from
all over the world for Jim Smith, VK9NS (ex-P29JS), of Norfolk Island
who passed away Tuesday, February 10, after a short illness. He was 80.
A noted DXer, Smith was #81 on the Islands on the Air (IOTA) Honour Roll.
According to The Daily DX Editor Bernie McClenny, W3UR, Smith was first
licensed in 1947 as VS1BQ in Singapore and held over 40 callsigns from
around the world. McClenny said that in 1980, Smith founded the Heard
Island DX Association (HIDXA).
http://www.hidxa.nlk.nf/
Three years later, along with wife Kirsti, VK9NL, Smith put the rare
VK0/H on the air as VK0NS and VK0NL.
"Over the years, Jim put on several all time new countries
-- as well as many rare ones -- from the Pacific and Asia," McClenny said.
"In fact, he took part in the regulations for Amateur Radio in several
DXCC entities.
When not out on DXpeditions, Jim could usually be found on 14.222 MHz."
Some great pictures of a great man are also available at the ARRL website.
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/02/10/10638/
Allen VK7AN mourning Jim becoming silent key commented that he also set
up ham radio in Bhutan and ran a major dx-pedition there, Jim also as
VK0NS Heard Island made 2-trips,
Jim was elected into the DX-fame, a world wide body. He was one of the
world's top dx-ers.
Martin VK7GN also made the following comment on the VKCC mailing list…
"I can only second the comment that Jim will be missed by all in the DX
and Contest communities of radio."
Harvey VK7HK sent through the following information about Jim…
It is sad news that Jim Smith has passed away. He will be remembered here
in Hobart for the effort he put into the Heard Island DXpedition in 1983
aboard the Cheynes II.
Here is the note from his wife Kirsti...
"Dear Harvey and Meg,
I regret to report that Jim passed away yesterday afternoon.
He was not well when he returned from England early in November.
Tests in Brisbane confirmed that he had an advanced and aggressive cancer….
He passed away very peacefully at home, which was what he wanted.
Regards Kirsti"
Vale Jim.
(Sourced from the ARRL Website, Al, VK7AN, Martin, VK7GN and Harvey VK7HK)
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REPEATER NEWS
VK7REC back on the air!
Joe, VK7JG lets us know that VK7REC has been suffering from severe
interference for the past month and he decided to fit the repeater with
CTCSS access. It can now be accessed using a 123Hz subtone.
Joe Commented that although this does not eliminate the problem it will
stop the repeater from being constantly keyed up.
In heading up to Snow Hill Joe found the problems plaguing VK7REC turned
out to be a Davis wired Weather Station.
It appears that the display was radiating noise that opened the
repeater's receiver. Then when the repeater transmitter fired up still
more mixing occurred producing a constant data type noise on the receiver.
The problem appeared worse at night and this was due to the fact that the
display was attached to a long cable and when the observer left the site
the display was placed in the middle of the bench, this was the spot that
caused the most interference.
During the day when the tower person was in residence the display was
moved back against the wall thus reducing the interference.
Similarly when the person moved around the tower the interference
also changed.
The receiver and transmitter aerials have been transposed to further reduce
the problem and the 123HZ tone is now required for access.
The repeater has a four minute time out timer.
Enjoy.
(Joe, VK7JG)
http://reast.asn.au/repeaters.php#fn8
http://www.forestrytas.com.au/branchline/branchline-january-15-2008/
information-sharing-provides-better-understanding-of-environment.
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"MEET THE VOICE BBQ"
Ross - Sunday March 22nd.
Don VK7AY has ordered a day of sun and no wind so, SLIP SLOP SLAP is the
order of the day therefore, bring your sun cream, hats etc.
Ross now has a reasonable drinking water supply available once again so we
will be in luxurious surroundings.
Registration from 10am, $5.00 cover charge per amateur or amateur family,
any surplus will be towards some amateur Radio activity, no funds held over.
2007 we donated to the upkeep of repeaters, and last year you donated over
$200 dollars which was used to assist the payment of licence fees for
those repeaters state wide.
A decision on the day will be made as to where all surplus registration
monies will go.
Ray VK7VKV is waiting your call about your need for a space for the car
boot sale, he is on the Sewing Circle most week end sessions,
call him then.
How about inviting an amateur senior or otherwise who you think would enjoy
the outing and meeting with old and new friends to join you on the day I am
sure many would have a spare seat.
This is a great opportunity for you to make contact with the voice you have
spoken to but have never met in person. The day is designed around that premise.
I finish today with a reminder that the Tasmanian Sewing Circle Radio Net
occurs daily around 5pm on 3.59MHz. WELCOME ONE AND ALL.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#meetthevoice
(Don, VK7AY)
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Meet the Voice - Bargain Boot Bonanza
Ray VK7VKV asks – "Do you have pre-loved amateur radio related equipment that
is surplus to requirements? If so, do we have a fantastic opportunity for you?"
As part of the Meet the Voice/Sewing Circle BBQ at Ross on 22nd March,
a Bargain Boot Bonanza has been organised to allow you to part with the
equipment you no longer have room or use for.
Participation is covered in your registration fee, the only condition is that
you provide your own car boot or table on which to display the treasures,
and that you don't begin offering the bargains for sale until 12.00 midday
so as not to detract from the other organised events on the day.
Hams are always looking for a bargain so this is a great opportunity
to do a deal.
Look forward to seeing you there.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#meetthevoice
(Ray VK7VKV)
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VK7 EVENTS CALENDAR
And a summary of the events across VK7 in the next few months:
REAST – February 18th &, 25th – ATV Experimenter's Night
– Queens Domain Clubrooms – 7:30pm.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#ATVnights
WICEN South – February 20th and 21st – Horse endurance ride – Orford.
Camp at Ringrove shearing shed.
http://tas.wicen.org.au/
REAST – February 21st – Foundation Licence Course followed on February 24th
with an Amateur Licence Assessment night
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#FoundationLicenceCourse
REAST – March 15th – REAST AGM and BYO BBQ from 10:30am.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#AGM
Meet the Voice and Sewing Circle BBQ – March 22nd – Ross Caravan Park
- Starts 10:00am
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#meetthevoice
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Non-Commercial FOr Sale & Wanted
Aluminium Ladder Wanted
REAST is looking for a 12 to 14 foot aluminium ladder to replace the very
much sub standard ladder frame that was being used at the Clubrooms.
We have no offers so far. If you have a suitable small ladder or foldable
step ladder, in your back shed, that is in good safe condition, and it is
looking for a new home, then let Dave VK7DM know.
vk7deltamike(AT)hotmail.com
(73, Dave, VK7DM)
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NORTH WEST News
North West Tasmanian Amateur Radio Interest Group
The new NWTARIG committee is working towards the introduction of
practical training days and more social activities.
Stay tuned in future broadcasts for further details.
Our regular Tuesday "natternet" at 2000 on VK7RMD, Mt. Duncan,
is followed at 2100 by a replay of the WIA National News broadcast
courtesy VK7EM. This is proving popular with many of the locals.
NWTARIG is preparing for a practical session involving soldering and kit
building. The date for this will be announced shortly.
This session will be conducted at St. Mary's church hall Penguin.
Those wishing to take part are advised to buy a small kit or bring along
that half built project you put aside.
Assistance will be given in the art of soldering.
BYO soldering iron and project.
Coffee mornings for the club will resume shortly, the date and venue to be
advised as we wish to spread our meetings to venues along the NW coast.
(73 Anne VK7BYL President NWTARIG)
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NORTHERN NEWS
Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club
This week has seen the end of an era of MF broadcasting in the Launceston
and Tamar valley area.
As reported last week, radio station 7LA on 1098 kHz fell silent.
Now radio station 7EX has also turned off its transmitters on 1008 kHz too.
I recall many happy hours as a young boy listening to 7EX on my crystal
set at home, and laughing at the children's morning programme with
`Percy the parrot'… how many of you remember that? HIHI.
This means that there are no more MF broadcasting stations in the
Launceston area.
Now, what else happened this week for NTARC? Of course, we had our
Annual General Meeting on Wednesday night!
Pretty much all the Executive positions within the club remain the same,
the only changes being that Bill VK7MX is now our Vice President,
and Norm VK7AC with assistance from Colin VK7ZCF taking over the QSL
officer role.
Now would be a good time to thank our outgoing Vice President David VK7YUM
and outgoing QSL officer Karl VK7HDX for their dedication and service to
the club. Thanks guys!
After the formalities, Phil VK7JJ talked about his squid pole HF multi-band
vertical.
Phil brought along the very antenna he'd used on his round-Australia
camping trip where he used it to maintain contact with VK7 for each and every
day he was away – ample demonstration of its effectiveness!
Phil went on to discuss some of the practical aspects of building the antenna,
and did a fabulous job explaining the theory behind why it works so well.
It must have been an inspiring talk as 20 squid poles have been ordered by
NTARC for interested members keen to replicate the results.
It looks like there will be about four squid poles left over, so if you'd
like to put up your hand for one, get in contact with Ann VK7FYBG or
Jason VK7ZJA.
The club managed to get a handy discount on the purchase, so we'll be able
to offer them for $40 each, landed in Tasmania.
They're 9 metres long and telescope neatly down into a compact tube about
1 metre long, and as Phil will confirm,
they make very a very effective HF 80, 40 and 20 metre antenna.
http://www.wia.org.au/clubs/vk7/NorthernTasmaniaAmateurRadioClub/
Thanks from
(Jason, VK7ZJA, NTARC Secretary)
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WICEN South News
WICEN Tas member Ray on Duty in VK3
Roger VK7ARN lets us know that Ray VK3FRNJ formerly VK7FRNJ who now lives
in Bunyip, Victoria is OK.
Bunyip Ridge fire is 2km away from Ray's home in Bunyip and he's watching
the wind!
Ray in his WICEN capacity over in VK3 has worked in the Incident Management
Centre and is currently with Mobile Command Vehicles on incident control.
Ray has send through some pictures which Roger has placed onto the WICEN
website.
http://tas.wicen.org.au/Photo_pages/vic_frnj.html
(Roger, VK7ARN)
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Southern News
Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania
Callbooks
The REAST committee has 5 call books left and they can be picked up from
the Caltex Service Station corner Amy St and Main Rd Moonah which is
138 Main Road Moonah.
Call Clayton on 6105044 or mobile 0466588193 to arrange.
(REAST Committee)
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REAST AGM & Membership Reminder
The REAST committee wishes to advise that the Association's annual
general meeting will be held on Sunday 15th March at 10:30am at the
REAST clubrooms following the broadcast.
After the AGM there will be a BYO barbecue lunch.
The current occupants of the positions of treasurer, secretary and both
general committee members will be not be re-nominating so please think
about whom you would like to nominate for any positions on the committee,
or if you would like to be nominated. Nomination forms are available
on the REAST website.
It's a new year so the 2009 subscriptions are due.
This year if you are paying your subscription by direct deposit your
receipt number and transfer description must be written on your renewal
form so that payments can be easily identified.
A new renewal form is available on the REAST website and at the
clubrooms that includes all the information required.
Furthermore, many members have changed their call signs in the last year
with the two letter call sign ballot and for other reasons so if your
call sign has changed in the last year please make sure this is clearly
marked on your renewal form.
Nomination Forms:
http://reast.asn.au/2009/Nomination_REAST_Committee_2009.pdf
Renewal Forms: http://reast.asn.au/renewalform.pdf
(REAST Committee)
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Education and Training
Reg VK7KK lets us know that there will be a Foundation Licence training
day on Saturday February 21st with the assessment night on Tuesday
February 24th.
If you are wanting to participate in the training and/or assessment and
the assessment could be for any licence (foundation, standard,
advanced or practical) then let Reg VK7KK know ASAP on
mobile: 0417 391 607 or email: regemm(AT)ozemail.com.au
Reg also reminds those wanting to take the Foundation licence course that
Foundation Training Manuals are available at Caltex Service Station corner
Amy St and Main Rd Moonah (no. 138).
(Reg, VK7KK, REAST Education Officer and Assessor)
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ATV Experimenters Night
We had a great turn-up Wednesday night and it was a digital ATV night.
Justin VK7TW has completed the 23cm PA for the Digital ATV transmitter
and brought along it along with a 23cm big wheel which was setup in the
clubrooms with a camera.
This signal was also sent out via 70cm analog ATV at times throughout
the night.
Ken VK7DY brought along a number of old digital DVB-S satellite receivers
which we went through and tested to see if we could receive the digital
ATV signal through some setup trickery on the receivers.
We needed to fool the receivers into thinking that there was an LNB
attached when in fact there was only a makeshift 23cm antenna.
After realising that we needed to offset the lowest LNB frequency by the
frequency of the digital ATV transmitter (1283MHz) we were in business
and managed to get about 5 of the old satellite receivers working.
A phonecall the Jack VK2TRF the owner of the Digital ATV transmitter
found him filming in Eden and he was chuffed that we were set for some
field tests using his equipment.
Justin played a short movie he made of the Red Beret's jumping from the
plane on Regatta Day along with a suitable sound track…HIHI.
We also played Episode 21 of amateurlogic.TV which featured Broken Hill
and some great Australian content thanks to Peter VK3PB.
There was also some interesting feeds from NASA.tv and much learning by
some of our new F-Calls who came along.
They are now experts in terminating coaxial cables.
All in all a great night.
So another exciting ATV Experimenter's nights happens this Wednesday night
the 18th of Feb around 7:30pm.
How do you receive ATV on an ATV night well, ATV goes out on 444.25MHz
(Channel 16) – just below SBS on the UHF TV Band.
You will need an antenna with some gain pointed toward the Domain to
receive our signal so, why not try tuning down the low end of the
UHF TV band and give us a call on what you are seeing and hearing.
See you there.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#ATVnights
(73, Justin, VK7TW)
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CONVENTION NEWS
Urunga Convention 2009
The 2009 Urunga Radio Convention will be on again this Easter 11th and
12th April, Saturday and Sunday, with Fox hunts and convention
activities on both days, quizzes, raffles, trade tables available,
pre loved gear, etc.
Why not make it a break from your busy lifestyle and slow down a bit at
quiet restful "Urunga" "where the rivers meet the sea" the longest
running "foxhunt convention" in Australia.
The social gathering for the Saturday night dinner at the Bowling
Club is always well attended, ( see Ken VK2DGT at the convention).
Venue: Senior Citizens hall Bowra street Urunga
Ken Golden VK2DGT for WIA.Urunga Radio Convention.Inc.
Email: krgolden46(AT)hotmail.com
Ph.02 66523177
Web: Urunga Radio Convention: http://www4.tpgi.com.au/goldy2/
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Satellite News
Colliding Satellites
Space Weather News for Feb. 12, 2009 reported on the collision of
Kosmos 2251 and Iridium 33 on Tuesday, Feb. 10th, approximately 800 km
over northern Siberia and both were destroyed.
The experts are saying this is an "unprecedented event" however if
anyone has used the "Turn on all satellites" function in SatScape it
scares the hell out of you with the amount of crap flying above us…HIHI.
The resulting clouds of debris contain more than 500 fragments,
significantly increasing the orbital debris population at altitudes
where the collision occurred.
The Air Force Space Surveillance Radar is monitoring the clouds as they
pass over the radar facility in Texas. We, in turn, are monitoring
signals from the radar and you may be able to hear debris "pings" by
tuning in to our live audio feed.
http://spaceweatherradio.com/
http://spaceweather.com
(Sourced from the Space Weather mailing list)
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Humour to Finish
Ben VK7BEN found on the net an interesting company who produces metallic
badges and even amateur radio badges that look very similar to the US
police badges!
The subject line in Ben's email was…."Pull Over, I'm a Radio Operator".
If you are looking for a present for that ham that has everything then
take a look at the link on the email and internet editions of this
broadcast.
http://www.badgeworld.com/index.php?p=product&id=641&parent=0
Cheers
(Ben, VK7BEN)
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Web & Email Edition Extra Bits!!
Mathematica
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/
Happy 200th Birthday Mr Darwin
http://abcmail.net.au/t/392686/957242/2447/0/
Desecheo Island 2009 Dxpedition KP5 Video
http://www.ly4a.com/?p=3383
Following links courtesy of the AMSAT News Service:
YouTube video of the ARISS contact with Ellis Elementary School in
Belleville, Illinois, is available on-line at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2TuJyNXx0c&eurl=http://livingstlouiswordpress.com/
2009/01/22/living-st-louis-video-ham-radio/&feature=
Audio and video from the Humber College, Toronto contact with the ISS
is available at: http://www.cbc.ca/radioshows/AS_IT_HAPPENS/20090202.shtml
Paul Willmott, VP9MU released an updated Reference Manual for the
General Astrodynamics Library (GAL) at:
http://homepage.mac.com/pclwillmott/GAL/index.html
A video tour of the Altair Lunar Lander is available at:
http://tinyurl.com/d5btqx (via UniverseToday).
NASA and Google announced the release of a new Mars mode in Google Earth
that brings to everyone's desktop a high-resolution, three-dimensional
view of the Red Planet.
Additional information is on-line at http://tinyurl.com/b567u9 (Via MarsDaily).
An interesting article about a planned 500 meter diameter radio telescope
in China is available on-line at: http://tinyurl.com/b8sv2k
In contrast the radio telescope at Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico
is 305 meters in diameter (via UniverseToday).
(Above links courtesy of the AMSAT News Service)
ISS Latest Mission
http://www.spacetoday.net/Summary/4477
Electronic cigarettes: A safe substitute?
http://www.newscientist.com/article/
mg20126951.700-electronic-cigarettes-a-safe-substitute.html
?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=health
Silver Light for Linux Users
http://www.mono-project.com/Moonlight
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
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VK7 Regional News Group Email Addresses
Post message: vk7regionalnews(AT)yahoogroups.com
Subscribe: vk7regionalnews-subscribe(AT)yahoogroups.com
Unsubscribe: vk7regionalnews-unsubscribe(AT)yahoogroups.com
List owner: vk7regionalnews-owner(AT)yahoogroups.com
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?
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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: VK7TW
20m: VK7IL
10m: VK7ZGK
UHF CB: VK7HGO
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
*************************************************
- NEWS POSTING TO PACKET -
Courtesy Tony VK7AX VK7AX(AT)VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.OC
*************************************************
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