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VK7AX > NEWS 04.10.09 03:17l 436 Lines 22308 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: VK7 Regional News Broadcast for 4 October 2009
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VK7 REGIONAL NEWS BROADCAST
FOR SUNDAY 4th OCTOBER 2009
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VK7 Regional Broadcast
Gets through no matter what!
A great big thank you is due to Tony VK7YBG and Anne VK7FYBG.
Last weekend's wild weather meant that the WIA National News and VK7 Regional News broadcasts did not go out on VK7RAA via the Mt Arthur link due to a problem with the Mt Barrow repeater.
Tony and Anne braved the wild weather include snow, sleet and ice to drive up Mt Barrow brave the slippery stairway to get up to the hut and fix the problems with the repeater.
They returned safely and Anne did read the VK7 Broadcast at 6:30pm Sunday night on VK7RAA following the script being sent through.
Tony VK7YBG thanks to all for their help and a special thanks to Ann (VK7FYBG) for not only walking up to the repeater to help me fix it in very poor weather conditions but for doing an impromptu read of the Local News so no-one would have to miss out, Tony comments that he has an XYL to be proud of !!
Winston VK7EM put the late Sunday night RAA read out to the Mt Duncan repeater in the North West due to power failures in key NW coast locations on the Sunday morning and another big thanks to Winston.
Rain, hail, wind and shine the Regional News Broadcast gets out and thanks to all involved for making that happen.
(73, Justin, VK7TW, VK7 Regional News Broadcast and News Coordinator)
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VK7 EVENTS CALENDAR
A summary of the events across VK7 over the coming months:
NTARC – October 14 – Talk about Meteorology with Brendan McMahon – Tranquillity Gardens Dinner Meeting – 6:30pm
REAST - October 14, 21, & 28 – ATV experimenter's nights – Queen's Domain Clubrooms – around 7:30pm.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#ATVnights
WICEN Tasmania (South) – October 16-18 – St Helens endurance ride checkpoints. Ride starts 07:00 Saturday. Survey and set up Friday 14:00.
http://tas.wicen.org.au/
JOTA – October 16-18
http://www.scout.org/jota/
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Northern News
Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio Club
October's monthly meeting will be a social event, with a dinner meeting at Tranquillity Gardens on Wednesday the 14th of October starting at 6.30pm. Our guest speaker is Brendan McMahon from the Bureau of Meteorology, talking about all things weather related. The dinner cost is going to be $20 per person, and will include soup and main course meal. If you're still hungry after that, you can try your luck in the raffle to win a basket of goodies from Lollidale, so make sure you have a little bit of change to enter the raffle too. Please let Ann VK7FYBG or Jason VK7ZJA know if you will be attending as we'll firm up numbers shortly.
In November, we'll have a very special presentation by Rex VK7MO and Justin VK7TW with the latest developments with their optical communications equipment. The latest development of this equipment is right at the cutting edge in this field, and looks like it will soon be able to make a contact across Bass Strait.
Looking even further ahead, December of course will be the traditional NTARC BBQ evening at Myrtle Park. This is the social event of the year and not to be missed, so better start planning for the big day now.
A little closer to the present time, JOTA is coming up on 17th & 18th. The usual venue of Scout Island probably won't be too suited for anyone but the Sea Scouts with all the rain that has fallen in the last 8 weeks hihi. This year JOTA will be operating from several different locations. Saturday between 12 and 6pm will have a station at Tasmanian Skills Institute at Alanvale active, while on the Sunday two stations will be operating, one at Perth the other at Carnacoo near Paper Beach. If you can assist with setting up or operating at any of these venues, please let us know as soon as possible.
Thanks from
(Jason VK7ZJA NTARC Secretary)
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NORTH WEST News
North West Tasmania Amateur Television Group
http://www2.vk7ax.id.au/atvgroup
Club 2Meter Repeater VK7RTV now operational.
The Club is proud to announce that it's 2 Metre Repeater VK7RTV on 146.775 / 146.175 located at it's Gawler Site was commissioned on Monday 21st. September.
The Club is indebted to Graeme VK7AQ for making the time available to complete alignment of the Cavity Filters and overall tune up, despite the fact that he has a VERY heavy business work load at this time.
We would also take the opportunity on behalf of the Club in thanking Graham for his generous donation of both the Cavity Filters and the Kenwood radio plus the Power supply and ancillary equipment.
Thanks Graeme, from all amateurs in the area.
Please note that the repeater does not have a conventional control unit at this time.
For the moment it has software enabled time out and automatic ID (VK7RTV) beaconing every 10 Minutes.
The Club is in the process of assembling 2 new controllers for both the 6 & 2 Meter repeaters and these will be fitted to the repeaters when complete.
IRLP Node 6616 has been switched on to the repeater and appears to be functioning OK.
Broadcasts will therefore also be available on this repeater as of Monday 21st. with airing of Q5 Education Hour and then on most week nights.
Enjoy the service. AGAIN, many thanks to Graeme VK7AQ, for without him, there would possibly be no 2Meter Repeater on VK7RTV.
JOTA/JOTI Weekend
The Club met with Senior Scouting Officials on Monday 14 th. September to discuss formulation and planning for the forthcoming JOTA/JOTI weekend.
At this stage it is planned to hold Camps at Burnie Scout Hall, Paton Park, Ulverstone and Camp Boomerang Port Sorrel which are now confirmed.
It is planned to operate on HF , 2m 146.775 and 6m 53.775 FM using the Club's repeaters VK7RTV.
IRLP Nodes 6616 / EchoIRLP 467772 and IRLP Node 6124 / EchoIRLP 152375 will be linked to the Repeaters throughout the activities.
It is planned to demonstrate to the scouts and cubs the APRS beaconing and mapping of shipping movements between Tasmania and mainland VK by Jim VK7JH.
Promotion and education of Amateur Radio will be a feature at the camps this year with educational kits made available to the scouting fraternity.
Further info later on additional planned activities as we get closer to the event.
73's until next time.
(Tony VK7AX, News Officer NWT-ATV Group)
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Cradle Coast Amateur Radio Club (CCARC)
CCARC News
http://www.my-x15.net/ccarc
The Cradle Coast Amateur Radio club would like to congratulate Scott Wilson, who was successful in sitting his foundation licence assessment on Monday 21st September, and is applying for the call sign VK7FTTT or VK7FRAT.
We hope to hear him on air in the near future, and if you hear him on air, please make him welcome.
If you are a non amateur or a short wave listener living in the north west, or west coast of Tasmania, and would like to become a licenced amateur radio operator, then come along to a meeting and find out about this interesting hobby. If you cannot make a meeting but would like to find out more then contact the learning facilitator, Keith Winkler VK7KW, or any of the committee members.
Full contact details are available on our website which can be easily found by a "Yahoo" or "Google" search of CCARC TASMANIA
(David Cleland, VK7DC, CCARC Secretary)
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Southern News
WICEN Tasmania (South) Inc
http://tas.wicen.org.au/
WICEN Tasmania (South) will be providing comms on October 16-18 for the St Helens endurance ride checkpoints.
Base is at St Helens Sports Complex with checkpoints between Goshen and Taylors Beach (Bay of Fires)
Ride starts 07:00 Saturday. Survey and set up Friday 14:00.
Hopefully, this will be a dress rehearsal for the Tom Quilty Gold Cup national championships in 2012.
Hope to also set up an HF JOTA station.
http://www.aera.asn.au/teera/Ride%20Information.htm#St%20Helens
http://tas.wicen.org.au/
(Roger Nichols VK7ARN, Secretary – WICEN Tasmania (South) Inc.)
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A Celebratory Lunch
They say that if you can think of three reasons to do something, then it must be a good idea.
Therefore, WICEN South, Inc. along with its supporters, a.k.a. XYLs and other friends be they Amateurs or listeners, are going out to lunch.
The reasons?
There is a newborn link into VK7RAD/RHT on the air. His name is VK7RBI and he lives at Alonnah on Bruny Island. He has fair air and responds to 147.3 MHz, with a 114.8 Hz tone. His adoptive parents (RHT and RAD) are said to be "over the ionosphere" at the news.
It is coming up to Christmas and we need to have a practice eat.
It is twelve months since our last such event.
The venue this time is the RIVERVIEW INN in Lower Sandy Bay, just a kilometre or so south of Blinking Billy Point. See the recent MERCURY write-up.
We have surveyed several eateries and feel that this one deserves our close attention.
We are assured of a good feed, just ask VK7AY- Don, or his brother.
We have determined that the menu is varied and the prices are good in comparison.
They are not normally open at this time. So come on, help us make it a feast.
When? Saturday 28 November, 12:00 for 12:30.
However, we would like to know if you are coming, so please contact any WICEN member by 18th of November, or earlier so that we can notify the Inn.
http://tas.wicen.org.au/
(Rod, VK7TRF)
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Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania
REAST ATV Experimenters Night
It was great to see Greg, his XYL and Ian VK7QF along to the ATV night along with many other people.
Greg is experimenting with transmitting free-band video from a model aircraft and is interested in making contact with an amateurs who would be interested in helping out and improving the system.
Thanks also to Rex for his help with putting up the first wall of plaster board for the new ATV studio. We are making progress and the new studio is starting to come together.
Whilst the construction activity was going on we played three episodes of Labrats.TV which included a hilarious segment on refilling inkjet cartridges, a segment on safe online shopping and alternative technologies to charge batteries in battery operated equipment.
We have had confirmation that our new DVB-T transmitter is on it's way from Germany and should be here in a couple of weeks along with a suitable power amplifier that is also on it's way to us. So, we should have DVB-T up and going for the christening of our new ATV studio in the very near future.
Our next ATV experimenter's night on Wednesday 14th October around 7:30pm and the on-air session will be on the many uses for a Grid Dip Oscillator around the shack.
See you on the 14th in the Queen's Domain clubrooms ATV studio.
http://reast.asn.au/events.php#ATVnights
(73, Justin, VK7TW)
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SUN/SPACE News
Was this the uptick we're after - or just a premature eructation* ?
Roger VK2ZRH lets us know active solar region 1026 rotated into view on 22 September 2009: a small, Cycle 24 sunspot group, spotted earlier by one of the STEREO satellites.
Then Region 1027 emerged the same day: another small, Cycle 24 sunspot group.
They produced a minor flurry of flare activity and mid-latitude geomagnetic restlessness.
The 10.7cm flux shot up to 76-77 (from 69 !) for three days, and then fell back to 70. The sunspot number hit 26, then 32 then sagged to 24, 14 and 11. Sigh.
Both 1026 and 1027 are declining as the days go on.
Posted in the interests of maintaining interest, limply.
By the way "E-ruck-tayshun" means a belch !
(73, Roger Harrison VK2ZRH)
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Technology News
The next evolutionary leap in microphone technology
Relatively simple laser technology may revolutionise the very concept of the microphone, trading mechanical parts movement for incredibly precise measurement by a laser of the movement of particulates suspended in air.
Proof-of-concept was demonstrated by Laser-Accurate inventor and digital audio pioneer David Schwartz at AES (Audio Engineering Society) show floor in New York, on September 21, 2009.
There have been several key milestones in the evolution of the microphone, from the development of the basic transducer in the 19th century, to the introduction of the condenser microphone in the 1920s, followed by FET microphones in the 1960s and the more recent multichannel microphones used for surround audio applications. The next step in this evolutionary procession will be introduced at the 127th Audio Engineering Society Show, Oct. 9-12, 2009, at the Javits Center in New York City.
Conventional microphone design has numerous inherent idiosyncrasies: the speed with which a traditional diaphragm can react is innately limited by its physical size and shape, and the variety of those mechanical elements inevitably adds tonal colouration — distortion — to the sound it's recording. In the design of Laser-Accurate, the diaphragm or plate is replaced with microscopic particles dispersed in a gas-filled chamber in which the laminar flow of the gas is constant. Detection of the displacement of the airstream and particles by a laser and optical receiver creates a completely non-intrusive method by which to measure the movement of air. This arrangement means no significant mass stands between the source of the sound and the transduction of it to a recording media.
http://www.elektor.com/news/the-next-evolutionary-leap-in-microphone.1086429.lynkx?utm_source=UK&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqe79RpbPxU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2K5LJHTouQ
(Sourced from Elektor E-zine Online)
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RADIO HISTORY News
Alfred Powell Morgan: the Eternal Boy Turns 120
Brian Page, N4TRB on the ARRL website wrote a great tribute to a man who contributed much to a generation of young radio experiementers.
His real name was Alfred Powell Morgan, but Peter Pan might have been a better moniker for the man who led many a lost boy into the Neverland of radio and electronics through much of the 20th Century.
For ham operators who came of age in the last half of the last century, Alfred Morgan is chiefly remembered for a set of four books, beginning with The Boys' First Book of Radio and Electronics. Published by Charles Scribner's Sons, these titles were staples of elementary school libraries. In this year, the 120th anniversary of Morgan's birth, it's worthwhile to take a look at the books that inspired so many amateurs and to learn a bit more about the multifaceted author behind the titles.
Alfred Morgan's name first appeared in print in a New York Times article describing his youthful attempt to test-fly a homemade aircraft. The year was 1909 and the test was, unfortunately, unsuccessful. Subsequent efforts must have been more satisfactory since Morgan's debut as an author was a book entitled, How to Build a 20-foot Bi-Plane Glider. One thing lead to another and wireless was popular.
The Boys' First Book of Radio and Electronics appeared in 1954. It kicks off with some detailed descriptions of the experiments of Heinrich Hertz and the commercialization of radio by Guglielmo Marconi.
"For less than one dollar you can buy a marvelous scientific device — namely a `tube' for a radio receiver."
With The Boys' Second Book of Radio and Electronics, in 1957, Morgan broke new ground in several areas. First, he introduced transistors, those "versatile midgets which can do the work of vacuum tubes." There followed a handful of transistor projects using such devices as the now legendary Raytheon CK722 and General Electric 2N107.
Of Morgan's quartet of Radio and Electronics books, the third provides the best all-around coverage of radio and electrical fundamentals together with the usual collection of projects beginning, naturally, with the crystal receiver set then extending to tube receivers, transistor sets, a powerful transistorized public address system, home intercom and electronic organ.
This 1962 book provides a solid foundation that is relevant even today; and Morgan resisted topics such as radar, Geiger counters and homemade phonograph players that appear in his other books.
The final chapter is priceless. Entitled, "Be Your Own Electronics Engineer," Morgan presents a variety of transistor circuits without his usual meticulous construction details and charming illustrations. Instead, he supplies hints and tips on how to turn a schematic into hardware.
The grand-slam book in the Radio and Electronics series was published in 1969, only 3 years before his death at the age of 82.
If Alfred Morgan had done no more than author the four Boys' Books of Radio and Electronics, he would be well remembered for inspiring a generation or two of amateurs.
The full article is available on the link that can be found on the email and internet editions of this broadcast and is a fascinating read.
http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2009/09/09/11060/?nc=1
(Sourced from the ARRL Website)
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Web & Email Edition Extra Bits!!
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has reiterated its call to the electricity industry for unified, nationwide approaches to spectrum for smart electricity grids. The full release can be found at:
http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_311911
Green slime and Eco-friendly batteries…man!!!!
http://www.elektor.com/news/algae-help-to-make-eco-friendly-batteries.1086446.lynkx
Solar & Heliospheric cool sun images! from STEREO (thanks to Roger VK7ARN)
http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/
http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/gallery/gallery.shtml
The Semiconductor Museum – This is Fascinating!
http://semiconductormuseum.com/Museum_Index.htm
The following link is the best resource on 723 based PSUs available on the Web - just remember 180pF to ground from pin 13 and a 10K in line with pin 4 and they are bullet proof (except maybe against lightning….HIHI)
http://www.repeater-builder.com/astron/astron-index.html
The following links are courtesy of the AMSAT News Service:
Drawings of the ARISSat-1 structure are available on the AMSAT web site. Bob Davis, KF4KSS and team have done an outstanding job designing this structure around the existing modules for SuitSat-2.
http://71.43.22.149/
http://71.43.22.149/images/arissat/arissat09-001draft3%20gen%20views.pdf
Images from the newly refurbished Hubble Space Telescope:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/multimedia/ero/index.html
A simulated flyover of Mars using images from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and Spirit Rover:
http://www.universetoday.com/2009/09/23/columbia-hills-flyover-2-0-awesome-meridiani-panoramas/
A video discussing a mission to the oceans of Jupiter's moon Europa:
http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2009/09/nasa-worlds-space-powers-targets-jupiters-europa-.html
Video of the Shuttle piggyback ride back to Florida:
http://www.universetoday.com/2009/09/21/spectacular-videos-of-shuttle-piggyback-flight/
Watch the ARES-1X rocket built in 6 minutes (time lapse)
http://www.universetoday.com/2009/09/23/build-the-ares-i-x-in-less-than-six-minutes/
Cassini views of Saturn, its rings, and moons during equinox:
http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/cassini_equinox/cassini_equinox_slideshow.html
Henk, PA3GUO has created a video showing the ISS passing over the Netherlands along with sounds and decoded signals of the digital APRS signals at: http://www.vimeo.com/6657880
A helpful page for configuring your TM-D700 rig for operating with spacecraft can be found at: http://www.aj3u.com/tm-d700-tips/
Do you have some interesting internet 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
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: VK7TW
160m: VK7DM
80m: VK7ZK
40m: VK7RO
20m: VK7IL
10m: VK7ZGK
UHF CB: NB
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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